LipschitzWrath Excellent! This is so "in character", too. Honestly, I could see that scene happening if the show had been extended by 5 minutes. I believe that your description of House's feelings is perfectly in line with how he is feeling in Season 6. He's finally willing to admit that he isn't okay with not being happy and even more amazing, he knows the remedy - Cuddy. Now it's just a matter of making that happen! And I even liked how you worked Wilson in there, too. I think it's gone unnoticed by most that Wilson hasn't really had much happiness in his life since the death of Amber. Really, House and Wilson are kinda "holding each other together" at this point. The one thing I disagree with is House's breakdown of Lucas' ramble. If House had said it, I'd agree. But I don't think Lucas is anywhere near the mastermind that House is. I think the explanation for Lucas is much simpler - he's a dumb@$$! And I'm not just saying that because I resent Lucas for dipping in House's "kool-aid". I'm saying it because I think the writers have intentionally written Lucas that way in an effort to show that he is "inadequate" for Cuddy. I mean, let's be honest here. The only person who is truly "adequate" for Cuddy is House. And this isn't just the "shipper" in me talking. He's the only one that can handle her, match wits with her, and really, the only one in the show that will stand up to her. She needs that! Excellent article tho! Props for you!

tabbyhearts ^^ Same as above ...

LipschitzWrath I remember thinking in Season 5 during the Lucas arc that Lucas is a "wannabe" House. Remember the scene where he is in the cafe with Cuddy (eating pizza), where he shows her the cheerleading photo of House? He breaks down her motives for being there, similar to the way House breaks things down, but Lucas does it with a lot less gusto. Hard to explain it, but rather than "telling" her why she is there and truly believing it (like what House would do), he somewhat "asks" her and waits for confimation. House would never do that. House would tell her how it is, confirmation be damned! So, I think what this shows is that Cuddy is attracted to that "Houseish" personality style, but doesn't want to deal with all the other negativities that come with it. Which explains why she chose "House, Lite" (Lucas). Lucky for us Huddy 'shippers tho, House has shed most of those negativities in season 6, or at least done a better job of balancing them. Now, it's only a matter of time before Cuddy realizes that and falls for House, HARD. She's in denial that House can change. But you can tell that House is out to prove that he is changing. And the thing that he wants to prove the most is that he CAN be the guy that Cuddy needs!

rosehustle1 Thanks for all the great feedback. The reason I think that Lucas did know what he was doing is that he has shown in the past to be good at figuring out others and using his awkwardness to throw people off. I just think it is his facade to some extent. He wouldn't be such a good P.I. if he was really as "innocent" or oblivious as he pretends to be. I don't think he's a mastermind but I do think he has gotten close enough to both House and Cuddy to know how to work a situation in his favor. I think it is his best defense mechanism to act as though he is inept to what is really going on. So, I guess I believe some of this awkwardness is an act. I do get why Cuddy had to tell him about the delusion but honestly there was no reason for him to bring it up. He knew it was inappropriate and that it would make a bad situation worse, and that is why I think he knew what he was doing.

LipschitzWrath I can definitely see your point. I think the reason Lucas brought it up was to try and downplay the situation and try and make House feel less awkward. I mean, he knows that House is in a vulnerable situation right now, so part of me wants to think he is trying to walk on eggshells around him. Your theory fits equally as well, if not moreso. I really thought more attention was going to be given to House's hallucination this season. However, they've pretty much only mentioned it in passing. I guess I was thinking that Cuddy was going to find out from someone (Wilson, most likely, but House would be even better) what House had hallucinated and it would don on her that House was finally ready to commit. No such luck. Too bad. Now that I've hijacked your comments board, I wanna say thanks for the excellent article. You're a very talented author and the realism in your fics is second to none. I don't like fics that are OOC, and yours are certainly not that. Although, the changes House is making in Season 6 has to open up a world of possibilities for fic authors. Now, you can explore a side of House you never could before without sounding OOC - his human side. I think this fic did just that!

rosehustle1 Thanks so much LipschitzWrath! I always try to make them as in character as possible. I also dislike it when people make them so different than they appear in the show.