Gathering her messages she headed into her office. Depositing her bags behind her desk she again gave a cursory look around her office space for notes. Nothing. Cuddy had to admit that this was somewhat disappointing. True, her office is locked at night, but that has never stopped him before. Yes, she had encouraged him to be more professional at work and keep their personal relationship largely out of her office. Yes, Mayfield was a two hour drive away and if he had waited until she left work to break into her office and then go to Mayfield, then he would have been pretty late arriving. Maybe this is it. Maybe there were no more notes to find. Again this was disappointing!

This feeling of disappointment caused Cuddy to reflect on what had happened in the last 14 hours. Before leaving the office yesterday if asked how she felt about House the strongest emotions would have been fury, disgust, hurt, frustration and yes, undeniably, love. Now? Now love would not be so hard to admit! While the hurt and frustration remain they have been overtaken by...what? She didn't know. But there were feelings of compassion, tenderness, humour, gratitude, and a warmth within that she hadn't felt since the end of their relationship. Was this hope

Cuddy pulled her laptop from her bag and while she waited for it to boot up her office door flung open. For half a second her heart stopped. What was he doing here? Did he walk out of Mayfield? Did he lie about going? As these thoughts bounced around her head she glanced up to see James Wilson at her office door and her brain calmed instantly. "Did you learn manners from the wrong friend?" She deadpanned.

A flustered Wilson announced "He is missing again. I haven't been able to reach him for 24 hours. I called at his place this morning and he wasn't there, it looked like he had packed a bag."

"He is not missing."

Without recognising that she spoke Wilson continued "I know it's over with you two, but I KNOW you still care. I just don't know where he could have gone I just..."

She cut him off "HE IS NOT MISSING"

"Wh..what? Where is he?" She took a deep breath and swallowed her emotions,

"He has checked into Mayfield I believe."

"Mayfield?"

She nodded solemnly. "Yeah, yesterday."

"Did you take him?" He asked with surprise.

"Uh...no. He...um...he left me a note."

"A note?"

"Yeah. Just that he was going to Mayfield, wants to get straightened out, you know."

"I'm not sure I do know but... Did you call Nolan and check he is there?"

"No...I hope he is there...I believe he is. If he is not, I don't know, I guess that would be sad."

"Is he doing this because he thinks it will fix everything?"

"I don't know." Sad

"Is he doing this because he thinks he has a shot with you again."

"I don't know Wilson" trying to stay controlled.

"DOES HE HAVE A SHOT WITH YOU AGAIN?" He was more excitable now,

"I ... I don't know. I just...I...no Wilson I don't know. I need to figure this all out in my head. I need time too. I also have a lot of work to do." She gestured to her laptop and the untouched pile of kiosk messages she still had to deal with.

"Right...ok... Well crisis averted I guess. Lunch?"

"Oh, I am pretty slammed with meeting in the afternoon. If I have time I will text you." She just couldn't sit over lunch and talk to Wilson about all of this.

"Ok, have a good day."

She smiled gratefully as he left significantly quieter than he entered. And so her workday began.