Disclaimer: They are not mine. Count your blessings.
A/N: This is actually a challenge from my mother. I got it about six months ago and just now figured out what to do with it. Hope it's decent, if a bit stale.
"Oh…"
A collective groan rose from the group in front of the television, the volume increasing as the parade of commercials began.
"How'd they miss that?"
"-so obvious!"
"-ridiculous!"
Shaking his head, Foreman turned back to the bartender, nodding for a refill. Work was still unpleasant, and for someone who worked for one of the more ethically challenged doctors on the East coast, bad was bad.
Tritter had been poking around, again. Aside from making other listen to the most obnoxious voice God could come up with, he seemed to delight in worsening House's mood as much as possible.
"Martini, and keep 'em coming." (1)
Foreman glanced to his left and blinked disbelievingly at his new bar-mate. "Doctor Cuddy?" The brunette smiled, albeit a tired one, and sipped her drink.
"Surprised?"
"I probably shouldn't be." Cuddy had been catching most of the crap from this whole Tritter thing. It had only been a matter of time before it started to get to her. "You come here often?"
"No, but the farther away from any place normal, the better." Foreman raised an eyebrow in question. "Just because that moronic cop is charging House doesn't mean he'll leave the rest of us alone. You saw how he got Wilson." Foreman nodded sadly.
As much as he disliked Tritter, he had to give him credit. Getting rid of Wilson had been genius. Everyone knew he was a big part of why House wasn't anymore unpleasant than he was. Wilson put up with the teasing, snarking, and whatever else House threw at him. It was also probably a fair guess to say he kept the diagnostician from complete boredom when things were going slow. You can only torment normal people for so long. Even with all this, James Wilson was anything but a pushover. You couldn't be and stand being near House for more than a few minutes.
Now that Wilson was gone from work, House was as unfiltered as sea water, electric eels included.
"He probably figures, with Wilson more or less out of the picture, House'll slip up." Cuddy took another sip of her drink and scowled. "I actually hope the bastard's right."
"Really?"
Cuddy sighed. "House needs to learn when enough is enough. Tritter is going to pull this hospital apart if that's what it takes, and House doesn't believe him!"
"He's House; there's a good chance he'll never give."
"Well if he won't, I will," muttered Cuddy. "If this isn't resolved soon, I'll tell Tritter whatever it takes to get him out of my hospital. House be damned." Slamming some bills onto the bar, Cuddy stood. "I'll see you tomorrow." Foreman nodded as the dean left.
Smiling slightly, Foreman finished his drink and paid before following Cuddy outside. The brunette was long gone by the time he reached his car. Getting in, Foreman sighed. Maybe this week was salvageable after all.
fin
A/N: And there we go, first challenge fic done! n.n