Normal means nothing- Ch.1- Normal Means Nothing

I apologize for the shortness of this chapter, but it was hard enough finding a starting point. Let me know what you all think, reviews are welcome.

Cuddy had decided to spend House's final night at the hospital with him. He wasn't too keen on her staying, she didn't really have to but he knew that she would anyway so he didn't bring it up. He was off the IV meds considering that he would be home tomorrow and have to sleep with his regular medication dose. He took his usual Vicodin before he went to sleep, but his leg woke him up around five the next morning.

He got up and took some Vicodin. The pain caught him sort of off guard since he had spent close to three days almost pain free, Morphine would do that. He looked towards Cuddy's bed, she was still sleeping and he was grateful for that. He decided that a walk may take his mind off his pain until the Vicodin kicked in so he put on some pants, grabbed his cane and made his way to this office. He hoped that none of the ducklings would be in his office; considering it was only 5:30 in the morning he thought he wouldn't have a problem. He was wrong though. Cameron was sitting in his office at the computer and jumped when he opened the door.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

"Considering how much stubble is on your chin, looks like you have been here for at least two days."

"Yeah, but that still doesn't tell me what you are doing here so early, and in my office."

"Research n such. I have a couple cases that need work so I'm here. I usually get there around 7 but figured I could use some extra time this morning."

"Oh…well…I won't be here for a while, about two weeks. I just came up to get some things. You, Chase and Forman can take some shifts in other departments or take a vacation for all I care. I'll have Cuddy let you all know when I'll be back."

"Where have you been? We've missed you this week, well I have anyway. Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine now. Listen I gotta go, but I'll have someone update you at a later date."

"Oh, alright."

House gathered a few things that he might need for his two weeks off and left the office. He knew Cameron was going to get nosy and snoop around for the reason why House would be gone for so long, but he figured he would just let her go ahead and snoop. He needed some time off and didn't really care what she did.

When he arrived back at the room Cuddy wasn't too happy that he had left.

"Where have you been?"

"Went to my office. Pain came back so I decided to take a walk to get my mind off it until the Vicodin kicked in. Is that ok with you/?"

Cuddy could tell that House's attitude was back now that his regular pain was back. She wasn't exactly sure what to do, but she just went with it.

"So the pain is back?"

"Yes it is."

"The normal pain?"

"Normal means nothing. The pain varies everyday and pain in general shouldn't ever be a normal part of someone's life."

With that House sat down on the bed and turned on the TV, he was done discussing this for now. What he said was completely valid and Cuddy agreed with him. Pain shouldn't be "normal" or be part of someone's life everyday. She couldn't think of a good response to what he said, he had said it all. He had been let down by one of his only options to getting rid of his pain forever without taking drastic measures. That only option had failed him and then he had to deal with another infarct. Here he was, finally ready to go home and his pain was back and was stressing him out again.

"Let's get ready to go home. You might feel better once you get there."

"Yeah… sure."

Cuddy got the rest of his belongings together and after she made the phone call to tell the surgeon, they both made their way to Cuddy's car. She called Wilson and told them that they were leaving. He said that he would come by later in the afternoon and hoped that their day went well. Cuddy unlocked the car and House didn't say anything as he got in. The entire way there House didn't say anything, just rested his head against the window and closed his eyes. Cuddy thought that it was because of his pain and hoped that he would feel better once he was home and on his couch. House was glad to be going home, but the return of his leg pain wasn't making the enjoyment of going home easy to express.