Got this crazy idea a couple days ago, it's a bit on the angsty side, but this is fanfiction after all. Enjoy. :) Please R&R

It was late and Lisa Cuddy had fallen asleep on her couch reading after putting her daughter Rachel to bed and seeing her boyfriend off. She hadn't even gone upstairs to change into her pajamas, her clothes still reflecting the relaxed mood of a Sunday with jeans and a maroon sweater. It was Sunday night and Gregory House had left a few hours previously, both of them having to work the next day. They had spent the remainder of their evening watching television, kissing, and talking on the couch before House had said he needed to get home and at least get a couple hours sleep before tomorrow.

Groggily, she made her way upstairs glad that the carpet muffled her bare footsteps as she passed her daughter's room. She entered her own dark room and was instantly shoved against the wall by a strong force. In milliseconds she knew that an intruder was in her home and her first concern was Rachel. The tall figured moved slowly, thinking he must have had her subdued, but when his knife glinted in the moonlight, Cuddy shoved back. She was in good shape and could defend herself. Her forceful push was enough to free herself and turn to run. Cuddy was deciding whether or not to pass Rachel's room in order to divert the intruder away or to go to her daughter in order to protect her directly and was hardly prepared for the second intruder. She had not gone two feet before colliding with him. He grabbed her arm and, before she could pull away, the first intruder took her other arm. They forced her to the floor on her stomach and she felt a sharp pain as the knife jabbed into her ribs. A hand covered her mouth, muffling out her cry of pain.

"The little girl in the next room…" He said, his voice deep and she felt his breath in her ear. He paused, looking for her attention.

Cuddy had heard loud and clear and froze. They knew where Rachel was, she thought in terror.

"…will continue to sleep peacefully having sweet dreams as long as you cooperate, understand? A single word or any other trouble, and I'll go slit her tiny little throat, got it?"

Cuddy nodded, thinking she knew what to expect now. If she had to oblige and lie still while these two men assaulted her, she would do so if it meant keeping Rachel safe.

"Answer me." He demanded, taking the hand from her mouth.

"Yes." Cuddy was able to rasp through her fear.

"Good," he released one of her arms and roughly pulled her to her feet.

Wavering unsteadily on her feet, Cuddy covered her right side with her free hand and felt blood. Wincing, she applied pressure. Attempting to gauge how badly she had been wounded she took deep breaths, determined not to panic. There was blood and pain, but she guessed the wound was not too deep.

"Get a coat, you're coming with us." The deep voice commanded.

This took Cuddy aback for a moment and she blinked up at her attacker in the darkness, confused.

"Now."

Going with an attacker to a second location was against everything women were told in any self-defense class but Cuddy thought of Rachel in the next room and knew she must comply. Cautiously moving to her closet, she slipped on a pair of ballet flats and pulled a light jacket off the hanger. It was early spring yet and a chill still hung in the air. Cuddy hardly cared at the moment if she might be cold or not, but the jacket appropriate for the weather had been the first one within reach. Turning back toward the two invaders, she waited, shivering slightly beneath the jacket and breathing heavily in pain.

One nodded to the other and he seized her again. As large and invasive as the men were, they quietly traversed the hall as she had done in order to keep from waking her daughter. It was clear to Cuddy that whoever these men were, they must know her somehow. Burglars would simply steal and murderers were unlikely to spare a child. For some reason, they had come specifically to take her with them and had no need for Rachel. As much as this was to her relief, her own situation seemed dire. She looked back at the house as they exited, closing the door behind them softly.

"Not to worry, the little one will wake and call her grandma, she'll be fine." The man with the deeper voice attempted to assure her. This confused Cuddy even further. Not only had they known what they were doing and who they were after, but they seemed to have planned it well enough to make sure Rachel would be safe. Seating her in a dark car, one man on either side of her, they drove off in the pre-dawn hours of Monday morning.