A/N: Okay first of the idea behind this story is not mine. I borrowed it from a story called 'The Deeper Meaning' by Pari on .

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House walked in to witness Cuddy firing her latest assistant. "I'm sorry Dr. Cuddy, I didn't realize," the boy stuttered.

"Just go," Cuddy mumbled, pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Am I still fired?" he asked tentatively. His eyes darted back and forth between House and Cuddy.

"No," Cuddy sighed. "It's fine, just go," she urged, ushering the boy out of her office. When the door was shut behind him Cuddy hissed, "Idiot!"

"What's got you so worked up?" House asked, planting himself on her couch.

"Nothing," she hesitated. After a few quiet moments of wandering around her office, she realized she was getting nothing accomplished. "My parents are coming into town. I told them I had a conference, but my dad called back. He talked to genius out there and was told that I was completely free."

House watched as she started to, once again, pace around the room nervously. "Why don't you want to see your parents?" he asked curiously.

Cuddy sat down next to him and sighed, "It's not important."

"Right," he said sarcastically, "You almost fired your boy toy out there because of a mistake he made that had to deal with a situation that's simply not important."

She glared at him, painfully. "I didn't harass you when you didn't want to see your parents. Please House, cut me some slack. Just drop it?"

He studied her curiously. "This is really upsetting you isn't it?" There was very little he had seen over the years that unnerved Lisa Cuddy, but apparently her parents were a very open wound.

She tried to fight back the tears that were threatening to overflow. Looking away, she fidgeted with hem of her skirt. "I'm fine," she whispered.

"Hey I didn't mean to upset you," House said, sincerely. They'd known each other for years, but he knew very little about her family. He wasn't sure what was going on, but he didn't like the helpless look she had in her eyes. Knowing the unusual situation would have to be dealt with more delicately, he pulled Cuddy into a gentle hug.

Caught off guard, with the already nerve racking situation she tensed. She stayed rigid in his arms for a moment, before realizing that this was okay. She wasn't in any danger. Finally, feeling somewhat secure she let her emotions take over. Quietly she began to cry. As the moments passed, her whole body began to shake. The situation was finally starting to register and she was not okay.

House held onto her confused. She wasn't just upset, she was scared. "Hey I got you," he whispered, into her hair. He was trying to be reassuring, but had little experience in this area. Cuddy wouldn't trust him of all people he reasoned, but he couldn't leave her alone.

At his words of comfort, she turned her body towards his. Clinging to his shirt, she let the tears reign free. The feelings of emptiness and inadequacy were back. This couldn't be happening to her now. She had worked so hard to become strong and independent. None of it mattered though.

"Let's get you out of here okay? Take the rest of the day off?" he tried to tempt her. He didn't like seeing her like this and knew she wouldn't want to be seen this way by others. She was probably hating that even he was there, but there was no way he was leaving her alone like this.

"Okay," she said, not having the strength or willpower to pull herself together. She knew House was a risky choice, but he was here with her. She was allowing herself to completely depend on the man holding her.

He pulled his cell phone out and dialed Wilson's number. "Cuddy's taking the rest of the day off," he told Wilson. "No, I'm driving her home and I won't be back. She just needs you to keep an eye on things," he said in a tone that implied he was not going to discuss things further. "Yes, she'll be fine." He shut his phone, and then smiled down at her. She was still leaning against his chest. "Your precious baby is all set," he said, smirking.

"Thank you," she replied, pulling away from him easily. She wiped at her eyes, looking only at the floor.

To say that House was worried was a gross understatement. Seeing her like this had him so off balance that he didn't even realize how caring and concerned he was being. "You ready to go?" he asked, gently.

"Yeah let me just get my stuff together," she said, quietly.

"Okay. I'll meet you back here. I need to grab a few things out of my office. You'll be okay?" he asked, nervously.

"Yes House, I'm fine," she said, trying to act braver and more secure than she actually felt.

He didn't buy her cool exterior for a moment, but he agreed that she'd be okay for a few moments on her own. "I'll be quick," he said, watching the relief flash briefly across her eyes.

Both doctors went about their tasks in a pensive daze. Cuddy tried to fight of the questions and concerns in her mind, while House explored his own inner thought process. They met back in her office and headed to her car. House took her keys from her and helped her into the passenger seat. The car stayed quiet until they were out of site of the hospital.