"It's nice to see our brain child grow Lisa, I can feel the greatness already" Dr. Magdalene Richards, Head of Pediatrics at Princeton General, grins at her friend in admiration.
Magdalene Richards, tall and slender, creamy complexion with deep copper wavy hair pulled back into a sleek bun at her nape. Her moss green eyes twinkling in excitement.
The two women sat in Dr. Lisa Cuddy's office holding an informal collaboration lunch meeting. Lisa laughed as her friend's excitement grew.
"House has been shot!" James Wilson suddenly barges into Lisa Cuddy's office.
"What?" Lisa asks in shock, if this was a joke she would skin them both.
"Ex-patient shot him twice in the differential room; we're prepping the OR now. Lisa we need you to sign off." James anxiously rushes the words out of his mouth.
Magdalene watches Lisa sitting frozen in her seat.
"LISA!" Magdalene and James both scream her name.
Like a spell broken, Lisa snaps out of it and jumps to her feet.
"Tell security to lockdown the hospital and get the damn shooter!" All the doctors race out of the office to the ER.
As soon as they arrive a clipboard is shoved into Lisa's hands from Cameron.
"House says he wants Ketamine."
"What do you mean Ketamine?" Lisa asks as she quickly signs.
Gregory House lays unresponsive on the gurney as the Doctors attempts to get the bleeding under control.
"All he said is to tell you he wants Ketamine and then he lost consciousness." Foreman answers, Lisa nods.
"Who's available? Get Gillick."
"He's already scrubbing up." Chase answers.
"Good." Lisa nods again.
"Should we contact his parents?" Cameron inquires, Lisa regards her for a split second before shaking her head in the negative.
"They're overseas right now; Dr. Wilson and I will handle it."
With the affirmative shout that the OR was ready, everyone moves at once and in sync to race him down.
Shots fired on the second floor. Shots fired in the diagnostics room. House has been shot.
All these thoughts play on a loop in Lisa Cuddy's head as she sits holding her head in the observation room above the operation room. She can't keep the thoughts from replaying and his last word Ketamine.
She didn't have to deliberate, Lisa's always trusted Greg. So without much thought, she had signed off on the Ketamine treatment.
Of course she's in shock; she worked on autopilot after she heard the news. Barking out orders to her staff, full lockdown ensuring no one leaves the property and prep the operation room.
Two hours have passed by slowly but at the same time it doesn't even feel like time has passed. Lisa stays in the same position, her body strung taut.
Brent Gillick is doing the surgery; he's her top surgeon. House's fellows: Foreman, Cameron and Chase have scrubbed in to assist with the surgery.
They're doing their best to monitor Greg's tachycardia and keep him stable, Lisa prays fervently for the stubborn bastard to pull through.
"Lisa?" James Wilson attempts to get her attention as he sits down and pulls her into his arms, she doesn't resist. Lisa takes in a shaky breath, inhaling his musky scent. "He's going to be okay."
Lisa doesn't respond verbally, instead she exhales.
"Gillick's a good surgeon."
"I know." She answers weakly.
" The last wound was clea-" James continues, annoyed Lisa cuts him off.
"Wilson, I know!" Lisa shouts annoyed with his reassurance, she roughly pulls away, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves she continues. "What's the latest on the shooter?"
"They got the bastard." James growls.
"Good. I should take care-"
"It's fine, Richards is taking care of it." James cuts her off before she can finish. Lisa nods, her head of security Dave Richards is highly capable of handling the situation.
"I made a few calls." James states cautiously and for good reason as Lisa's head snaps up and she glares at him.
"Calls to who?" Lisa asks harshly.
"His family for one, you can't handle this on your own Lisa."
"He won't want to be fussed over."
"Tough for him! He's been shot Lisa; this isn't something you gloss over. We're both barely holding it together as it is." James argues, his words get through to her as she hugs herself tight. She looks up and really looks at James, his hair is mussed and his clothes rumpled.
"He's going to get through this." James nods.
"Damn straight, and the son of a bitch who did this to him is definitely going to pay." Lisa smiles at his conviction and they both turn to observe the surgery in silence.
"Hey." Kendall answers preoccupied with balancing her books with one hand and fishing for her car keys with the other.
"Where the fuck are you?" Caleb growls roughly into the phone, sounding stressed.
Kendall rolls her eyes, clucking her tongue loudly. "Is that how you speak to a lady?" She chastises her brother, successfully unlocking her car.
"I'm serious didn't you see the missed calls?!" Caleb fumes not into games.
"I was in class, Caleb. What's so important?" Kendall starts to ask but Caleb speaks over her.
"Uncle James called, Dad's been shot." Just like that the world stopped for Kendall, she drops everything but her phone onto the gravel and sways on her feet. Barely able to slouch against her car as her heart thumps loudly; she begins to hyperventilate.
"Shit. I should've asked if you're sitting. Kendall! Kendall!" Caleb shouts once he hears her strangled breaths.
"What?" Kendall croaks out weakly in disbelief.
"Where the fuck are you?!" Caleb shouts, yep he's clearly freaking out Kendall thinks.
With a harsh shuddering breath which racks her rib cage, Kendall pulls herself together. "1. Don't ever break news over the phone again, 2. You can't fucking freak out while I'm freaking out! 3. Where are you?"
"Your dorm." Caleb answers in a clipped tone, clearly miffed.
With renewed energy Kendall scrambles to grab her belongings and throws them into her car before jumping in.
"I'm leaving now and will be there in 5 minutes. When I reach you better have details for me or you're dead!" Kendall growls out revving her engine, with screeching tires she peals out of the parking lot with both a heavy foot and heart; saying a silent prayer for her dad.
Like the athlete she is, Kendall races up the stairs of her dormitory, taking the steps 2 and sometimes 3 at a time, making it to the top floor in no time. Not even bothering to fish out her keys, her fist pounds on the door like the police.
Within 3 seconds flat, Caleb wrenches the door open to his frantic twin. Kendall launches herself onto her brother as soon as the door opens, burying her face into his neck, the dam breaks and she's sobbing uncontrollably.
Ignoring the curious neighbors peering into the hall at the loud outburst, Caleb picks Kendall up bridal style and shoves the door close with his shoulder and foot.
He carries his sister to the couch and hugging her tight in his arms, only once sitting with his sister on his lap does Caleb allows his control to crumble and silent tears stream down his face like waves. Pretty soon their sobbing becomes one, not knowing when one ends and the other begins but it's cathartic for them to release their emotions.
It's nearly an hour later once they've both managed to calm despite the occasional hiccup.
"We need to book a flight to Princeton." Caleb states the obvious, Kendall nods fluidly.
"-thanks James. I appreciate you calling. I'll keep Austen here until there's an update. Lisa doesn't need her underfoot."
Arlene's hush voice behind the kitchen door halts Austen in her tracks. Perplexed and brash, Austen pushes open the door with a measured force.
"I'm on the phone." Arlene sternly scolds the teen before her, trying to mask the worry on her face, but having always been a perceptive child Austen picks up a glimmer in her eyes that stirs something cold in her stomach.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing."
"You're speaking to Uncle Jimmy. Did something happen to my parents?" Austen voice squeaks in agitation.
"It's rude to eavesdrop. This is adult business; nothing for you to worry about." Arlene states firmly.
With a huff Austen turns on her feet and stomps out of the kitchen, slamming the door behind her for effect. Brushing pass her older cousin Rachel without a second glance, she exits to the backyard and curls up on the porch swing in thought.
Annoyed she quickly types a message to her siblings.
Finally some excitement! Uncle Jimmy just called Nana but their keeping something hush hush. Any news on the homefront?
Sometime later Kendall remembers to check her messages, once they're seated in the boarding area of the airport waiting for their flight to arrive; only after Caleb has snapped at her and stilled her jumping leg.
The deep scowl meant for her brother is wiped off her face once she opens the text from her sister and a small gasp escapes; her eyes fly to meet her twin's.
"Shit, we can't tell Austen." Kendall shakes her head for extra effect.
"Of course not, I've learnt my lesson already with you." Before Caleb can finish his sentence Kendall swiftly punches his shoulder.
"Do you ever play fair?" Caleb growls as he cups his shoulder, regretting the decision helping her to perfect her left hook.
"Of course not." Kendall sasses back at her brother with a mocking grin.
End of Chapter 1.