A/N: This is my first HMD fic so please be nice. I haven't seen all episodes because I just discovered House and I think it's the best show on TV at the moment. I love him for being so mean. I used the empathy thing in one of my Star Wars stories but this time, I at least try to explain it medically. Don't know if that makes sense. I just think that a strange character could interfere better in the House/Cameron relationship. Long story short, I just use her to get House closer to Cam. I hope you enjoy. R&R would be nice. The lines in italics are House's thoughts. Hope he's not too much out of character. And please, if there are any grammar mistakes or words that I used but don't really exist - correct me ! I'm still German g.
Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or the show. Pity…
Empathy
1. Wake Up Call
As she woke up in the morning, her eyes were blinded by the harsh white light in the room. Pain flooded her body when she tried to move a little bit. And she had a strong headache. And even though it felt as if her brain would explode the next second, she managed to ignore it perfectly. Not because it was less painful today, but because meanwhile she had gotten used to it. The first thing to do in the morning was always trying to recognize the place where she currently was. The tumour in her head made her sometimes forget what had happened the night before. Just like this morning. She had no idea where she was and how she had gotten there. But she always expected to be in a hospital when she woke up in a strange place. This time she stared into four faces looking down on her. They were talking about her, she was well aware of that. But she did not understand so much because doctors use to speak their own weird language, using words that she did not know. They had not realized that she was awake yet. They just went on with their business. One of them was different. He looked unfriendly and not very much interested in her at a first look. But when she looked harder, she could see an emotion crossing his face. It was only for milliseconds but she could clearly see it. She knew that kind of look. It was telling her the same everytime she ended up in an hospital. She would die. And although the mean-looking and unfriendly man tried not to show any feelings, she was still able to see that he failed.
"Grace Dawson, 21. Has an inoperable tumour in her brain. It causes unconsciousness, headache and loss of memory. Someone found her on the street last night and brought her here. She probably does not even know where she is right now." Cameron explained, holding Grace's file in her hands. "They give her one more year." She added, looking at the small figure in the bed. Her face was pale and surrounded by the dark hair, her eyes still closed.
Always look on the bright side of death. Du du du du du du du du…
"So this is not an interesting case for us, right ?" House enquired.
Boring. Absolutely boring. Why do they always call me for brain tumours. It's ridiculous.
"Shouldn't we check that out first ? It's brain cancer. It should be of your interest." Cameron returned harshly.
No we shouldn't.
"You just said it: Inoperable brain tumour. She'll die of it. Case closed." He grunted and gave her a dark look.
She slightly opened her eyes again as she listened to them arguing. Lots of emotions filled the room. Anger. Hatred. Bitterness. Tension. A touch of love. She could almost see the fire burning between the beauty and the beast. But there was also something between them that made her sad. A misunderstanding. A fight for pride. Broken hearts. And a lot of pain. She watched the scene for a while, listened to them arguing about her disease and certain death. Then she decided to interfere.
"Mornin' guys…", she yawned. "What a nice way to be waken up." Sarcasm was dripping off her voice. She looked at House and Cameron who suddenly turned silent and stared at her in embarrassment.
"I apologize. We didn't mean to…" Cameron started but Grace quickly cut her off.
Oh please, Cameron ! Why apologize ? I'm sure she knows that she'll die.
"No apologies please. And no pity. I beg you. So many people feel pity for my situation that it's enough for two lives. Why don't we start with a simple question: Where am I exactly?" she asked.
"Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Someone found you lying unconscious on the street last night." Chase answered.
"Do you know why you're here, Grace ?" Cameron inquired.
"I assume it's because the damn golf ball in my head knocked me out once more, huh ?!"
She's got humour. Nice.
"Exactly. Can't do anything for you I guess. Get her on morphine.We're done here. Can we leave then ?" House said roughly and got a shocked look from Cameron. She walked over to him and grabbed him by his arm.
"Could I speak to you for a minute ?" she whispered angrily.
You're always the only one who's allowed to argue with me.
"No." he returned shortly.
"Come with me, Doctor, I need to talk to you… right away !"
She pushed him out of the room and closed the door behind them.
"What kind of a man are you ? This girl is dying and you behave like… like an asshole. Can't you behave yourself not even for a few minutes ? Do you always have to be… you ?" she argued.
Oh, here we go again…"I thought you wanted me to be myself."
Now that was mean. I didn't mean to be mean right now, did I ? Maybe I did. Oh no, that hurt her too much. Maybe I should think of a new way to torture her than the date… I've got plenty of ideas.
"Not in front of a patient."
"She doesn't want any comforting from us. She said it clearly: No pity, no apologies – please ! I like her attitude."
I really do. I still know how to surprise myself.
"But a little respect would be appropriate. Don't you think so ?"
You're gorgeous when you're mad at me. Keep going.
"You should know me better by now, Cameron." He replied and walked away.
Grace had watched them argue through the window. She noticed Cameron's face expression that spoke to her of hurt and need for comfort. Something the man had said to her must have had a deeper meaning to her. Something personal. His face on the other hand had not shown much emotion. It had been hard to look through him. But not impossible. As she watched them dispute, she was slowly taken to sleep by the morphine Chase had just injected her.
TBC...