"House!" Cuddy called as she exited the seconde floor elevator. House ignored her as she called to him and continued to enter his office. She followed him as fast as her black satin stilettos would take her.

"Hey. I've got some papers for you."
"Just put them in the trash."

She placed the folder on his bureau and patted it, making sure he noticed it was there. He just continued to stare at the unanswered, not to mention unread, e-mails. She turned to leave, but he stopped her.

"Wait."
She answered with a curious stare.
"I want to talk to you... about our current relationship... thing..."
He never wants to talk about... relationships... well, not HIS anyway... she thought

He hesitated for a quick second.
"I don't think... we should get involved with each other."
"...Why?"
"I just don't think anyone should have to get involved with my problems, let alone my bastard ways."
"I deal with u on a daily basis." he voice sounded shaky.
"As my boss, not my girlfriend..."
House saw her lip quiver. She tried to hold back the tears, but one dripped down her face.
"Why are u crying?"
"What a stupid question..." she mumbled under her breath.
"We weren't even in a real relationship. It's not like I'm breaking up with you, just saying that u shouldn't get involved..."
"I just thought that this might..."
His beeper started to beep.
"Damn..."
He stared into her eyes. Usually beautiful, but now red and teary.
"I'm not saying that I don't love you. I do. I love u Lise. But..." he sighed. "I don't want u to go through what Stacy did." He kissed her cheek and wiped her tears.
Romantic enough.
He grabbed his cane and set off to the OR, there his patient would refuse to gut cut open. Cuddy took off the stilettos and sat on his carpet, just sat for a few moments and got up to face the rest of her day.



This would be the last time they zei goodbye to each other... until 4 years later;