Crappy father

03

It surely took her about 15 minutes, but Cuddy convinced the young boy's parents to sign a consent for the surgery he needed. 

It was really getting late now and all she wanted was to just finish some dull paperwork she had and go home to sleep, leaving all her gut-wrenching problems for tomorrow. Yep, that would be ideal. 

However, "ideal" has never really worked out for Cuddy. 

As soon as she stepped into her office, a figure in the middle of the room made her jump up in surprise.

- God, you startled me. 

House was leaning on her working desk with one hand on it and the other holding a cane. If she didn't know better, she'd think he was doing a tragic theatre scene, judging by the dramatic look on his face. 

Whatever it was, she knew he only made that face when he was truly unsatisfied with something. Either his leg was hurting, he lost a patient or simply something just didn't go his way today, but Cuddy felt she was way too tired to deal with him complaining about something like not having cable in his office again.

And just as she opened her mouth to ask what it was that was bothering him so, he said something that made her freeze for a tiny second. 

- Why didn't you tell me? 

- Tell you what, House? 

He didn't know. There was literally no way he knew, no one did.  

- You're pregnant. 

Well, I'll be damned.  - she thought to herself. A part of her forgot about House's "professional detective" mindset to notice things. But she was more than sure there was nothing yet to notice! He was bluffing. Definitely. 

- What? - she exclaimed acting as if she heard that information for the very first time.

- You're pregnant. And don't act like you don't know it. 

- I- What are you - she tried her absolute best to act as if she has no clue what he's talking about, but as House's piercing blue eyes were looking straight through her, she knew she couldn't hide it any longer - How did you know...

- You're crankier than usual, which you happen to be on your monthly cycle, but the thing is, you should've had your cycle about two weeks ago. And a whole past month I spent at your place, so I know for sure you didn't get it. 

- House, that's a bunch of nonsense, women can have late perio-

- There isn't a single cup of coffee in your trash can. And since you've been tired whole day, why on Earth would you choose not to drink coffee from your own little coffee machine right here? Unless you're avoiding caffeine whatsoever. 

- Well okay, that- 

- You fell asleep on the couch, yet you hate taking naps. Cause when you do, you're slowed down for the rest of the day, as you are now. 

- Okay-

- And I found this - he slipped his hand in his right pocket - in your rest room trash can. 

He was holding out a home pregnancy test she took just this morning. 

Cuddy didn't know if she was impressed by his brilliant mind or absolutely disturbed.

- You went through my trash? 

- Why didn't you tell me. 

She looked at him. He was still holding onto the same drowned face he had when she came in. She recognized that face before. It's almost the same one he had when he lost a patient under the ruins. The night they got together for the very first time.