prologue
As soon as I had heard the news from Wilson, who had heard it from Nurse Reiner, who in turned had gained the information straight from Cuddy's secretary my interest was peaked.
"So, I hear your parents are coming into town," I announce as I barge into Cuddy's office. As usual she's with someone, most likely a potential donor for the hospital, and as usual I don't give a crap.
"Dr. House," Cuddy says through gritted teeth and a death glare. "I'm in a meeting right now."
"Oh, sorry." I say with no sincerity nor remorse as I ease further into the room. "So mom and pop Cuddy are flying in for the weekend and you're ditching them to attend some boring oncology lecture in Atlanta. Hmmm."
"Yes imagine me, a 'doctor' wanting to attend a lecture about medicine." She answers sarcastically as I had expected her to.
"Right, a lecture you just signed up for yesterday, 'after' you got the call from the parents. Hmmm."
"House!" She speaks authoritatively, her annoyance with me growing by the second. "It's none of your business, don't you have… I don't know some doctoring to do? Go do it." I take in her demeanor, the redness just on her neck and ears, the way her blue eyes turn electric green, all good indicators that I've just pissed her off. So with part of my mission accomplished I smile at her and then turn and leave, already formulating plans for part two of the mission; 'attend dinner with the Cuddys'.