House ; Stacy/Cuddy ; 054, 004, 066, 045, 078, 093, 082, 067, 065, 075
Title: Panic
Fandom: House
Characters: Cuddy, Stacy
Prompt: 054 - Air ; 004 - Insides ; 066 - Rain ; 045 - Sixth Sense ; 078 - Where? ; 093 - Thanksgiving ; 082 - If ; 067 - Snow ; 065 - Passing ; 075 - Shade
Word Count: 106
Rating: G
Summary: Lurking beneath the surface.
Author's Notes: Just a few fics I wrote.
Lisa has a fear of drowning. Of being pushed under the water, pounding in her ears, black engulfing her vision, hands groping through the water, and trying to reach out and break the surface. She can swim fine, but she avoids putting her head under the water whenever she goes down to the beach during her holidays in summer.
But that doesn’t mean she can escape her dreams. Of being held underwater, lungs burning, unable to free herself from the lurking underwater depths. And she wakes with a start, gasping, and sweat on her forehead, her pregnant belly heavy as she reaches over the call Stacy.
Title: Slip Away
Word Count: 104
Rating: G
Summary: It’s best to look back at things in certain cases.
‘How can you handle it?’ Stacy asked one day over lunch. Lisa glanced over the rim of her plastic cup, sipping the weak coffee.
‘Handle what?’
‘Cutting people open and… playing around with their innards?’
Shrugging, Lisa set her cup back down on the table, watching the liquid settle. ‘I don’t do much of that anymore, but… you get used to it. It’s like hearing the news and about the murders and rapes being committed.’
‘Hearing and seeing things are two different things.’
Lisa sipped her coffee again, watching the people around them. ‘I guess you just disassociate yourself from it after a while.’
Title: We All Fall Down
Word Count: 411
Rating: PG
Summary: Things are starting to slip into place.
The rain was falling heavily outside, large, fat wet drops of water falling from the sky and landing in a rhythmic drum outside the window. It was the kind of day that made her wish she was home, curled up with a mug of coffee or hot chocolate if she was in the mood to indulge herself, with Mark beside her. Only Mark was growing ever distant and she had to go to the store after work, anyway.
Leaning back in the chair, Stacy stretched her arms above her head, letting out a long, loud yawn. She had a meeting with Lisa, who was checking a patient of hers who was in for a check-up.
Rubbing her hands together above her head, her shirt rode up ever so slightly, exposing her navel.
‘Isn’t there a rule somewhere that states your shirt has to cover her stomach?’
Letting her arms drop, Stacy raised a brow at Greg who stood in the doorway. ‘There’s a rule that states you have to complete your clinic duty and not flog it off to one of your lackeys.’
‘Oh, they appreciate the experience.’
Rolling her eyes, Stacy grabbed a manila folder from the side of the desk. Although she’d already gone over the case, it was something to distract her from Greg. Greg, who she was still very much attracted to.
‘What do you want, Greg?’
‘Can’t I just drop by? I could be in the area.’
‘Your office is on a different floor, as well as on a different side of the building. You don’t just “drop by”.’
Giving a slight shrug, Greg stepped further inside her office. ‘You’ve been spending time with Cuddy. I’m worried you’re planning on tarring me because of that little flyer-stunt a pulled on her car.’
‘I thought that was you,’ Stacy mumbled as she went back to the folder, looking over the legal notes.
‘Hey, it was a deal of a lifetime- she could have won a new car, a hamper and donated twenty grand to charity, all at the same time.’
‘Mm-hmm…’
Greg was silent. Continuing to ignore him, Stacy adjusted her position, crossing her ankles.
‘Well?’
Looking up, Stacy frowned. ‘We’re friends. What else is there to say?’
‘Oh, nothing, nothing.’ Greg raised his hands, cane swinging precariously from his right. Turning on his left foot, he started out.
Watching him leave, Stacy moved awkwardly again in the seat. He was up to something- she knew it.
Title: Quake
Word Count: 143
Rating: PG
Summary: A slip of the tongue.
Stacy announced over dinner one day, ‘Ever since I’ve seen that Bruce Willis movie, I’ve been scared that Mischa Barton will jump out from under my bed and scare the shit out of me.’
Lisa raised an eyebrow, taking a mouthful of pasta. ‘Oh?’
Stacy nodded. ‘Mm… stupid, I know, but…’ She shrugged, twirling the spaghetti around her fork. ‘I used to also be afraid that something would happen to the people I love, and look what happens.’
‘Yeah, but the dead aren’t lurking around every corner.’
Shrugging, Stacy dug her fork into a piece of carrot. ‘I know… I just…’ She shrugged again. ‘It’s not like somebody’s going to pull you by the ankle and drag you underwater.’
Looking at her, Lisa pursed her lips and picked up her plate. ‘Excuse me.’ Quietly, glass in one hand, she started to the kitchen.
Title: Voice mail
Word Count: 149
Rating: PG:13
Summary: A message on an answering machine.
‘Hey Lisa, it’s Stacy. Anyway, I’m just calling to… well, I wanted to speak to you. I’m sorry about… about everything, I guess. I’ve been stressed and when I found out… It’s not excusable, I know that, but… I guess I’m just making excuses now, huh?
‘Okay, I hope you’re doing well. I know you’re nearing the due date. Isn’t the baby due this week? I’d love to come around and see the baby. If it’s okay with you, of course. I bought one of those giant stuffed animals from Toys ‘R’ Us the other day. It’s up to my knee, it’s… massive. Oh, God, I’m rambling. You’re probably going to kill me after you get this message.
‘Um… well, just wondering where you are. I hope you’re okay, and I hope… hope to see your baby when you finally… squeeze it out. In… a manner of speaking. Bye!’
Title: Family Gathering
Word Count: 503
Rating: G
Summary: A look in at somebody else’s family.
The turkey was golden roasted, the glaze giving it a warm glow. The smell filled the entire house, the reverse-cycle air conditioner on, warming each room until scarves and gloves were taken off and sleeves of shirts were pushed up. Outside, the wind blew loudly, early flakes of snow spinning around in the gusts.
Lisa’s hair was pulled back tight, curls down her back, stomach just beginning to show. Only watchful eyes from those she knew well would be able to tell.
Slipping the oven mitts onto her hand, she set the turkey onto the serving dish and started to the dining room.
Only a small gathering- her father, almost ready to nod off in his seat. A friend from college, Aimee, with her husband, Richard, and their eight-year-old daughter, Nicola, and three-year-old son, Michael. And Stacy with Mark, still confined to a wheelchair. Everyone else in her life that was important to her was either in a different state or country. She had considered inviting House- the thought had crossed her mind for half a minute, but something told her it would be a bad decision, and he most likely had plans of his own.
Setting the turkey down on the table, graciously accepting the compliments from Aimee about how good it smelt, and oh, did you use rosemary?, Lisa moved to her father. Waking him up, she led him to the table, pulling his seat out for him. Moving to the other side, she sat down.
Nicola was asking Mark in her eight-year-old, bright-eyed way with her voice too loud, ‘Are you a cripple? What happened to your legs? Are they gross?’ as Michael stared at the wheels, almost daring to touch but pulling back. Richard was laughing politely as Mark just gave a thin-lipped smile. Aimee shook her head, pulling a seat out at the table- ‘c’mon kids, that’s not polite, oh, I’m so sorry’- and Stacy just sighed, sitting down in her seat and rolling her eyes at Lisa. Lisa’s father was just laughing loudly, already spooning salad and mashed potatoes onto his plate.
And Lisa just watched the two kids, a hand on her stomach. Nicola and Michael had curly black hair, wide brown eyes and high cheekbones. Soft, dark skin, inherited from Richard, and long limbs, inherited from Aimee. Biracial.
Lisa’s children wouldn’t like them… they’d have blue eyes, that was a given. Maybe curly hair, though most likely wavy… tall. Gorgeous, either way. They would be, without a doubt.
They all sat around the table, Nicola on her left, Mark on her right. Nicola was bouncing up and down in her seat, a mouthful of turkey and a spoonful of potatoes. Going on about school and what they were learning about (insects- ladybirds were her favourite, though spiders creeped her out, truly). Michael was staring at his plate, refusing to eat the beans Aimee kept offering him. And Lisa just smiled to herself, watching the children, and hardly waiting to hold her own in her arms.
Title: One
Word Count: 145
Rating: PG
Summary: It’s the loneliest number, after all.
Lisa decided on a simple ivory scheme. It would fit the baby, no matter the gender. She didn’t want to know on whether it was a boy or girl before she gave birth. Although at times she wanted to know, she also wanted the surprise.
She bought gender-neutral clothes- whites and reds and greens and yellows. Teddy bears and stuffed cars and dolls (just in case). Sheets that had oceans and patterns; wooly purple blankets and teal under covers- things that could go either way.
Derek for a boy, Charmaine for a girl. A cot in her former spare room, now changed into a nursery. Everything neatly packed away for the future Mr or Miss Cuddy. And one Ms Cuddy sitting in the obstetrician’s waiting office, wishing she had Stacy to hold her hand as couples enter and leave, and feeling completely and utterly alone.
Title: Shopping
Word Count: 105
Rating: G
Summary: It’s Christmas.
The snow falls softly around them. Lisa’s rugged up, hands rubbing together because she’s forgotten her gloves. Stacy’s beside her, hunched over her knees, hands between her knees.
‘I’m cold,’ Stacy groans.
Lisa hushes her, setting a hand on her knee. ‘It’s going to start soon, then you can go home.’
Stacy just rolls her eyes but sets her eyes on the glass window before them. The minutes tick by, until the hand on her knee clenches.
‘Here it is!’
The lights in the window turn on, and inside a cold, Christmas scene plays before them, lights shining and figurines gathering around a roast dinner.
Title: Birth and Rebirth
Word Count: 152
Rating: PG:13
Summary: It’s that time of year, but changes have to be made.
Lisa’s mother died when she was thirty-four. It wasn’t a sudden death- she’d long been battling breast cancer and both Lisa and her father expected her to pass on soon. If that didn’t kill her, her pack-a-day habit would soon catch up.
Lisa had gone upstate to see her father and attend the funeral. From that year on, she regularly went up to see her father on the anniversary of her mother’s death. Bring a stew or pasta or soup- her father was self-sufficient but she felt she needed to help.
But Lisa called a week before the next anniversary, telling her father she couldn’t go.
‘Why?’ Stacy asked after Lisa told her.
‘I’m nearing my due date. I’d rather not be giving birth on the side of the road.’
‘Take me with you, then. Or take Greg.’
Lisa watched Stacy stalk off, her hand on her stomach, protecting her unborn child.
Title: Emerald
Word Count: 111
Rating: R
Summary: It’s like an early birthday present.
Green suits Lisa, Stacy thinks. It compliments her eyes and her hair and her skin tone. Whenever she wears something green, whatever the shade, whatever the tone, it seems to wrap around her, showing her best assets and hiding her problem areas.
When Stacy’s fingers unbuttoned Lisa’s blouse for the first time and pulled down her skirt, Lisa’s bra was a soft green, her panties the same colour with a lacy-white trim. Her fingers traced over the material, watching Lisa’s tongue run over her lips, toes curling, almost shaking as Stacy stroked them, soaking in the image of Lisa in green, ready for her, in the colour that suited her best.
Fandom: House
Characters: Cuddy, Stacy
Prompt: 054 - Air ; 004 - Insides ; 066 - Rain ; 045 - Sixth Sense ; 078 - Where? ; 093 - Thanksgiving ; 082 - If ; 067 - Snow ; 065 - Passing ; 075 - Shade
Word Count: 106
Rating: G
Summary: Lurking beneath the surface.
Author's Notes: Just a few fics I wrote.
Lisa has a fear of drowning. Of being pushed under the water, pounding in her ears, black engulfing her vision, hands groping through the water, and trying to reach out and break the surface. She can swim fine, but she avoids putting her head under the water whenever she goes down to the beach during her holidays in summer.
But that doesn’t mean she can escape her dreams. Of being held underwater, lungs burning, unable to free herself from the lurking underwater depths. And she wakes with a start, gasping, and sweat on her forehead, her pregnant belly heavy as she reaches over the call Stacy.
Title: Slip Away
Word Count: 104
Rating: G
Summary: It’s best to look back at things in certain cases.
‘How can you handle it?’ Stacy asked one day over lunch. Lisa glanced over the rim of her plastic cup, sipping the weak coffee.
‘Handle what?’
‘Cutting people open and… playing around with their innards?’
Shrugging, Lisa set her cup back down on the table, watching the liquid settle. ‘I don’t do much of that anymore, but… you get used to it. It’s like hearing the news and about the murders and rapes being committed.’
‘Hearing and seeing things are two different things.’
Lisa sipped her coffee again, watching the people around them. ‘I guess you just disassociate yourself from it after a while.’
Title: We All Fall Down
Word Count: 411
Rating: PG
Summary: Things are starting to slip into place.
The rain was falling heavily outside, large, fat wet drops of water falling from the sky and landing in a rhythmic drum outside the window. It was the kind of day that made her wish she was home, curled up with a mug of coffee or hot chocolate if she was in the mood to indulge herself, with Mark beside her. Only Mark was growing ever distant and she had to go to the store after work, anyway.
Leaning back in the chair, Stacy stretched her arms above her head, letting out a long, loud yawn. She had a meeting with Lisa, who was checking a patient of hers who was in for a check-up.
Rubbing her hands together above her head, her shirt rode up ever so slightly, exposing her navel.
‘Isn’t there a rule somewhere that states your shirt has to cover her stomach?’
Letting her arms drop, Stacy raised a brow at Greg who stood in the doorway. ‘There’s a rule that states you have to complete your clinic duty and not flog it off to one of your lackeys.’
‘Oh, they appreciate the experience.’
Rolling her eyes, Stacy grabbed a manila folder from the side of the desk. Although she’d already gone over the case, it was something to distract her from Greg. Greg, who she was still very much attracted to.
‘What do you want, Greg?’
‘Can’t I just drop by? I could be in the area.’
‘Your office is on a different floor, as well as on a different side of the building. You don’t just “drop by”.’
Giving a slight shrug, Greg stepped further inside her office. ‘You’ve been spending time with Cuddy. I’m worried you’re planning on tarring me because of that little flyer-stunt a pulled on her car.’
‘I thought that was you,’ Stacy mumbled as she went back to the folder, looking over the legal notes.
‘Hey, it was a deal of a lifetime- she could have won a new car, a hamper and donated twenty grand to charity, all at the same time.’
‘Mm-hmm…’
Greg was silent. Continuing to ignore him, Stacy adjusted her position, crossing her ankles.
‘Well?’
Looking up, Stacy frowned. ‘We’re friends. What else is there to say?’
‘Oh, nothing, nothing.’ Greg raised his hands, cane swinging precariously from his right. Turning on his left foot, he started out.
Watching him leave, Stacy moved awkwardly again in the seat. He was up to something- she knew it.
Title: Quake
Word Count: 143
Rating: PG
Summary: A slip of the tongue.
Stacy announced over dinner one day, ‘Ever since I’ve seen that Bruce Willis movie, I’ve been scared that Mischa Barton will jump out from under my bed and scare the shit out of me.’
Lisa raised an eyebrow, taking a mouthful of pasta. ‘Oh?’
Stacy nodded. ‘Mm… stupid, I know, but…’ She shrugged, twirling the spaghetti around her fork. ‘I used to also be afraid that something would happen to the people I love, and look what happens.’
‘Yeah, but the dead aren’t lurking around every corner.’
Shrugging, Stacy dug her fork into a piece of carrot. ‘I know… I just…’ She shrugged again. ‘It’s not like somebody’s going to pull you by the ankle and drag you underwater.’
Looking at her, Lisa pursed her lips and picked up her plate. ‘Excuse me.’ Quietly, glass in one hand, she started to the kitchen.
Title: Voice mail
Word Count: 149
Rating: PG:13
Summary: A message on an answering machine.
‘Hey Lisa, it’s Stacy. Anyway, I’m just calling to… well, I wanted to speak to you. I’m sorry about… about everything, I guess. I’ve been stressed and when I found out… It’s not excusable, I know that, but… I guess I’m just making excuses now, huh?
‘Okay, I hope you’re doing well. I know you’re nearing the due date. Isn’t the baby due this week? I’d love to come around and see the baby. If it’s okay with you, of course. I bought one of those giant stuffed animals from Toys ‘R’ Us the other day. It’s up to my knee, it’s… massive. Oh, God, I’m rambling. You’re probably going to kill me after you get this message.
‘Um… well, just wondering where you are. I hope you’re okay, and I hope… hope to see your baby when you finally… squeeze it out. In… a manner of speaking. Bye!’
Title: Family Gathering
Word Count: 503
Rating: G
Summary: A look in at somebody else’s family.
The turkey was golden roasted, the glaze giving it a warm glow. The smell filled the entire house, the reverse-cycle air conditioner on, warming each room until scarves and gloves were taken off and sleeves of shirts were pushed up. Outside, the wind blew loudly, early flakes of snow spinning around in the gusts.
Lisa’s hair was pulled back tight, curls down her back, stomach just beginning to show. Only watchful eyes from those she knew well would be able to tell.
Slipping the oven mitts onto her hand, she set the turkey onto the serving dish and started to the dining room.
Only a small gathering- her father, almost ready to nod off in his seat. A friend from college, Aimee, with her husband, Richard, and their eight-year-old daughter, Nicola, and three-year-old son, Michael. And Stacy with Mark, still confined to a wheelchair. Everyone else in her life that was important to her was either in a different state or country. She had considered inviting House- the thought had crossed her mind for half a minute, but something told her it would be a bad decision, and he most likely had plans of his own.
Setting the turkey down on the table, graciously accepting the compliments from Aimee about how good it smelt, and oh, did you use rosemary?, Lisa moved to her father. Waking him up, she led him to the table, pulling his seat out for him. Moving to the other side, she sat down.
Nicola was asking Mark in her eight-year-old, bright-eyed way with her voice too loud, ‘Are you a cripple? What happened to your legs? Are they gross?’ as Michael stared at the wheels, almost daring to touch but pulling back. Richard was laughing politely as Mark just gave a thin-lipped smile. Aimee shook her head, pulling a seat out at the table- ‘c’mon kids, that’s not polite, oh, I’m so sorry’- and Stacy just sighed, sitting down in her seat and rolling her eyes at Lisa. Lisa’s father was just laughing loudly, already spooning salad and mashed potatoes onto his plate.
And Lisa just watched the two kids, a hand on her stomach. Nicola and Michael had curly black hair, wide brown eyes and high cheekbones. Soft, dark skin, inherited from Richard, and long limbs, inherited from Aimee. Biracial.
Lisa’s children wouldn’t like them… they’d have blue eyes, that was a given. Maybe curly hair, though most likely wavy… tall. Gorgeous, either way. They would be, without a doubt.
They all sat around the table, Nicola on her left, Mark on her right. Nicola was bouncing up and down in her seat, a mouthful of turkey and a spoonful of potatoes. Going on about school and what they were learning about (insects- ladybirds were her favourite, though spiders creeped her out, truly). Michael was staring at his plate, refusing to eat the beans Aimee kept offering him. And Lisa just smiled to herself, watching the children, and hardly waiting to hold her own in her arms.
Title: One
Word Count: 145
Rating: PG
Summary: It’s the loneliest number, after all.
Lisa decided on a simple ivory scheme. It would fit the baby, no matter the gender. She didn’t want to know on whether it was a boy or girl before she gave birth. Although at times she wanted to know, she also wanted the surprise.
She bought gender-neutral clothes- whites and reds and greens and yellows. Teddy bears and stuffed cars and dolls (just in case). Sheets that had oceans and patterns; wooly purple blankets and teal under covers- things that could go either way.
Derek for a boy, Charmaine for a girl. A cot in her former spare room, now changed into a nursery. Everything neatly packed away for the future Mr or Miss Cuddy. And one Ms Cuddy sitting in the obstetrician’s waiting office, wishing she had Stacy to hold her hand as couples enter and leave, and feeling completely and utterly alone.
Title: Shopping
Word Count: 105
Rating: G
Summary: It’s Christmas.
The snow falls softly around them. Lisa’s rugged up, hands rubbing together because she’s forgotten her gloves. Stacy’s beside her, hunched over her knees, hands between her knees.
‘I’m cold,’ Stacy groans.
Lisa hushes her, setting a hand on her knee. ‘It’s going to start soon, then you can go home.’
Stacy just rolls her eyes but sets her eyes on the glass window before them. The minutes tick by, until the hand on her knee clenches.
‘Here it is!’
The lights in the window turn on, and inside a cold, Christmas scene plays before them, lights shining and figurines gathering around a roast dinner.
Title: Birth and Rebirth
Word Count: 152
Rating: PG:13
Summary: It’s that time of year, but changes have to be made.
Lisa’s mother died when she was thirty-four. It wasn’t a sudden death- she’d long been battling breast cancer and both Lisa and her father expected her to pass on soon. If that didn’t kill her, her pack-a-day habit would soon catch up.
Lisa had gone upstate to see her father and attend the funeral. From that year on, she regularly went up to see her father on the anniversary of her mother’s death. Bring a stew or pasta or soup- her father was self-sufficient but she felt she needed to help.
But Lisa called a week before the next anniversary, telling her father she couldn’t go.
‘Why?’ Stacy asked after Lisa told her.
‘I’m nearing my due date. I’d rather not be giving birth on the side of the road.’
‘Take me with you, then. Or take Greg.’
Lisa watched Stacy stalk off, her hand on her stomach, protecting her unborn child.
Title: Emerald
Word Count: 111
Rating: R
Summary: It’s like an early birthday present.
Green suits Lisa, Stacy thinks. It compliments her eyes and her hair and her skin tone. Whenever she wears something green, whatever the shade, whatever the tone, it seems to wrap around her, showing her best assets and hiding her problem areas.
When Stacy’s fingers unbuttoned Lisa’s blouse for the first time and pulled down her skirt, Lisa’s bra was a soft green, her panties the same colour with a lacy-white trim. Her fingers traced over the material, watching Lisa’s tongue run over her lips, toes curling, almost shaking as Stacy stroked them, soaking in the image of Lisa in green, ready for her, in the colour that suited her best.