CONTEXT PLEASE READ: The first half of this story will take place around 2007, roughly season 2/3 of House MD. When the timeline jumps to 2015/2016 it will be in the current timeline of Code Black. Warning there will be HEAVY SPOILERS FOR CODE BLACK!

Chapter 1: BURNING UP

Maya's POV

I open the door to Aunt Ali and I's apartment. It was 5:50 in the morning and we were both due to be at different places at 8:30. I close the door swiftly and walk into kitchen to get a bottle of water from the fridge. But before I even make it a sharp pain hits my torso. I stop in my tracks and clutch my stomach. Stupid scars.

"Are you okay?"

I jump slightly at the sound of Aunt Ali's voice. I drop my arm and close the distance between me and the fridge.

"Yeah, fine. Just a stitch," I say with a smile. Please don't get protective. Please don't get...

"It's your scar tissue again isn't it?" She says. I turn to face her and I see concern across all her features. Great.

"You know it gets worse when it's cold out," I say leaning against the kitchen counter and taking a drink. "What are you doing up so early anyway? You only usually get up around 6:30 if we're lucky."

"Couldn't sleep so I thought I'd come and see if you're back from your run. Which you are," Ali says walking over to the coffee machine.

I don't push the topic. I know rightly why she can't sleep. I've even heard her crying at night. I'm not sleeping either but I can get away with getting up at 5:00. So I decide to change the subject.

"So is it still okay for me to meet you at the hospital after practise?" I say.

"Yeah, of course," She says. "What time should you be finished at?"

"About half four, five. Depends on how hard the coach pushes us. With regionals next week he's starting to get twitchy," I say scratching my side which had suddenly gotten itchy.

"He wouldn't be pushing you so hard if you weren't the top short, middle and long distance runner in the state," She smirks.

"You know me, always striving to be the best," I smile still scratching my side. Thankfully she hasn't noticed. "I'm away to get a shower."

And with that I leave and head into the bathroom. I lock the bathroom door and look into mirror. I lift my running vest and run my fingers over the rash I found when I woke up.

Don't tell Ali. She'll only panic. It's probably just a dust allergy.

Gosh, I hope it's just a dust allergy.

By the time I reach school, my head is pounding. But I ignore it. Don't tell Aunt Ali. She'll panic and I'll end up in hospital again. The last time it was a head cold. Not life threatening with what I have. I can't let that happen again.

I go up to my locker and start to dump my stuff in it. I'm in the process of locating my calculus textbook when I feel strong arms go around my waist. I smile and carry on my search.

"Hey Deekes. Do we have an excuse for this wonderful greeting?" I smile.

"You look pale and like you're having a bad morning. I thought I might as well cheer my best friend up with a hug," Deekes says resting his chin on my head. "Now are you going to tell me what's wrong?

"I've got a bit of a headache," I mumble still trying to find the textbook. "I'm fine. Just tired, I haven't been sleeping."

I suddenly feel Deekes arms let me go of me and spin me round to face him. He starts to check under my eyelids and my temperature. I sigh and push his hands away, pinning them to his sides. Thankfully he complies because I know I'm nowhere near strong enough to push him away. I'm an athlete but so is he.

"Deeken, I'm fine," I say.

"Are you sure?"

"It's just a stress headache. I haven't been sleeping and you know why," I say desperately trying to ignore the anniversary that was next week.

"Are you sure? Maya you have an immunodefic…" He begins.

"I'm sure!" I say cutting him off. I was starting to get frustrated. "I have Asplenia. Meaning my spleen is barely functional. I have a higher chance of dying from sepsis, meningitis and a whole bunch of other hard to catch bacteria. That does not include stress headaches."

Deekes sighs before replying. "Sorry, I'm just worried about you. I nearly lost you two years ago. I just don't want that to happen again."

"I know."

And with that the bell rings and I head to class. I just knew it was going to be a long day.

By the time I made to the hospital my headache was five times worse. I had spent the day avoiding Deekes and I'd nearly fallen asleep in a few periods. Training had been brutal and by the time we had finished my head and scars were throbbing. I just wanted to go home and sleep but I knew that wasn't going to be anytime soon.

I finally make it to the floor Ali works on and knock on the Differential Diagnostic team's conference room's door. I enter and see Ali, Foreman and Chase sitting round the conference table. Goodness knows where House is.

"Hey Maya," Ali says looking up from the file she's reading. But when she sees me a look of concern crosses her face. Gosh, was it really that obvious. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, just a bit of a headache," I smile putting my backpack and gym bag down in front of me on the conference table.

She obviously doesn't believe me as she quickly makes her way over to me and checks my eyelids and eyes. I flinch away from her torch and cover my eye when a sharp pain rips through my skull.

"When was the last time you had a migraine?" She says putting the back of her hand on my forehand. "Crap, you're burning up."

"Two weeks ago," I say pushing her hands away. "Aunt Ali, I'm fine. It's just a stress headache. I'm tired. I haven't been sleeping. You know that."

"No I didn't," She says sternly. "Outside. Now."

I reluctantly follow her and ignore the looks Chase and Foreman give me. We are barely through the door before the questions start.

"What do you mean you're not sleeping?" She says quietly but with authority.

"Well I lie in my room, usually at night, and don't fall asleep. If I do fall asleep I don't usually stay that way…" I say sarcastically rubbing my head. I was not in the mood for this.

"Don't use that tone with me," She snaps.

"Sorry," I mumble. I was starting to feel dizzy and I was hoping she wouldn't notice.

"Are the nightmares back?"

"I wouldn't call them nightmares," I say quietly, avoiding eye contact.

"Awk, Maya," Ali says giving me a hug but I barely feel it as my vision starts to blur.

"Ali, I don't feel so good," I say as she releases me. My legs were getting weaker and my vision worse. I reach towards the glass window of the conference room desperately trying to get some steadiness.

"In what way?" She says in shock.

"Dizz..."

I don't get to finish as my legs finally give out. My vision is still there but barely. Ali grabs me before I hit the ground and quickly lowers me. I try to focus on her frantic voice but I can't and everything goes black.