A week after, Cuddy found herself seated in front of the Hospital Board of Directors. Wilson was there, since he was a member of the Board, but she still fear that this might be her last ngày as the Dean of Medicine of PPTH. She’s certain about defending House’s Absence without Leave though her own career hang in the balance, why she’s doing this is still not known, even to herself. She gave a slight sigh the moment the Head of the Board started talking.
Dr. Eastwood: Dr. Cuddy, I hope bạn do realize what stepping out for protecting Dr. House will bring to you. Your own career hangs in the balance…
Cuddy: Yes… I know…
Glints: Are bạn going to tell us now why ---
Cuddy: There’s nothing to say… I already told bạn that Dr. House is out for some personal matters…
Eastwood: Personal matters? We think we all agreed that ----
Cuddy: Is there something in the word “personal” bạn don’t understand, Dr. Eastwood?
Silence owned the room. Cuddy and Wilson exchanged small looks before she laid her eyes on Eastwood again.
Cuddy: Two months ago, Dr. House received a tragic news call from Lexington. Her mother is terminally ill and all she wanted was her son bởi her side before she dies. He phoned me at three in the morning about his leave but it was my fault since I forgot to write it down to notify other doctors who might refer some patients to him. I was too busy with some hospital work and stress at trang chủ so ---
Green: Oh my god, is his mother okay?
Cuddy: That I don’t know… --- I haven’t received any phone call from him neither has his team. I guess House wanted time alone with his mother. So it is I who really should be ----
Eastwood: Suspended? hoặc Kick out?
Bhurman: How could bạn say something like that? Dr. Cuddy didn’t commit any crime here. They didn’t kill a patient. I guess the reason of forgetting to write it down is reasonable enough to let this issue slip on. We’re all humans here, Eastwood, we get tired and exhausted. I assume Dr. House’s current patient is okay?
Cuddy: Yes. Dr. Wilson and I make sure that Dr. House’s patient is okay.
Chatters between the board members arise as Wilson and Cuddy looked at each other. Eastwood let out a sigh as he closed a file folder.
Eastwood: Guess we all have a conclusion this morning, Dr. Cuddy. <Stood up> Send my best wishes of good health to Dr. House’s mother.
Eastwood walks out of the room as all of them wear a smile on their lips.

bởi tiếp theo day, Cuddy met House’s mother in Mayfield. Wilson was the one who drove Cuddy there and the three of them caught up with each other.
Cuddy: I’m so sorry Mrs. House for making that story up…
Blythe: Oh no big… It is me who should be thankful to be begin with. bạn saved my son’s job…
Cuddy: House won’t forgive me…
Blythe: For what bạn did? --- I’m sure Greg will thank bạn for stepping up for him…
Wilson: She always does…
Blythe: Really? <Got Cuddy’s hand> ---- Thank you, Dr. Cuddy…
Cuddy: <smiled> Lisa…
Blythe: Thank bạn Lisa…
Wilson: bạn two look great as daughter and mother in law…
Cuddy: <Slowly removed her hand away from Mrs. House> Don’t be ridiculous…
Blythe: I am actually surprise Greg hasn’t made a di chuyển on you…
Cuddy smiled and made a small look on the ground as Blythe and Wilson look at her.
Cuddy: <stammered> House and I have a complicated… Employer – employee relationship that I’m sure won’t end in a romantic one…
Blythe: That’s just sad… <Turned to look at House> I actually don’t care whoever my son brings trang chủ in Lexington with him. Anybody would be better… but if it’s you… <Turned to look at Cuddy> It would be the best…
Blythe once again held Lisa’s hand and Lisa tried to smile because deep inside she ran out of words to say.

That evening, Blythe and Wilson left the hospital. Cuddy was there seated on the chair beside House as Pitt looked at House’s vital signs.
Pitt: Damn…
Cuddy: What?
Pitt: <Sighed> He should be out of coma bởi now…
Cuddy: Out of coma? ---- What do bạn mean?
Pitt: <Looking at Lisa> The coma suppose to end now… Actually, it should have, an giờ ago…
Cuddy: But his tim, trái tim rate and brain activity are normal…
Pitt: I know but I stopped his dose of barbiturate an giờ ago…
Cuddy: Are bạn saying there’s something wrong?
Pitt sighed and it took him a while before answering.
Pitt: If he doesn’t respond for another five hours, then I say, yes…
Cuddy: No…
Cuddy looked at House fearfully and the whole evening she was up. Pitt advised her to get some sleep before he walked out of the room but she didn’t. She would stand up, walk around the room and sit back down but her thoughts fly everywhere concerning about House. She would look at him with fear in her eyes, waiting for him to wake up.

Six hours later, Cuddy was drifting to sleep with her head on House’s bedside. His fingers started hiển thị some reflexes but she was unable to notice since she was sleeping. He grunted but still Cuddy didn’t noticed. He moved his head slowly, only to see those familiar curls on his bedside. He drew a smile before raising his right hand and placed it gently on her hair.
House: <whispery in a heavy tone> Lisa…
He gently and carefully caressed her hair like never been before. He removed his hand the moment Cuddy started to move. Both exchanged chuckles when their blue eyes met. Her eyes were filled with happiness that would soon be filled with tears of joy.