Something to Talk About
Chapter One:
"I Got the Boy"
I saw your picture in the paper
Honeymoon in Jamaica, she's a lucky girl
You look so grown up in your black tux
From a ballcap in a pickup, seems like another world
Jana Kramer, "I Got the Boy"
"Honey? Can you grab the paper?" Stacy called to her husband, filling the coffee pot in front of her.
"Sure thing." Mark came stomping down the stairs, it took a lot of hard work and months of physical therapy before he had finally regained the use of his legs. He was finally happy again. Throwing the door open, he stepped out into the warm sunlight and took a deep breath of the budding Dogwood carried on the wind from the neighbor's yard. Briskly walking down the drive, enjoying the sound of gravel crunching beneath his feet, Mark waved at the old lady walking her dog before he bent and picked up the paper. Clasping the thick paper beneath his arm, he half-jogged back to the house, tossing the paper on the table as he entered the kitchen and looked for a coffee mug.
"Thank you," Stacy said from behind him, having entered the room drying her hands. She grabbed her ceramic mug from the counter and took a seat at the table, taking a sip of the scorching liquid before pulling the paper toward her. The pair were quiet as Mark moved around, fixing himself eggs and bacon, as Stacy thumbed through the paper. She paused on the 'Announcements' section, shaking her head and laughing ever so slightly at the photograph that reached her eyes.
"What?" Mark glanced over his shoulder, keeping one eye on the sizzling bacon on the stove.
"Doctor Gregory House and Doctor Allison House, nee Cameron, are pleased to announce their marriage on December 19, 2016. The newlyweds, who departed for a two-week honeymoon in Jamaica following the ceremony, wish to thank those who attended and sent gifts."
"Dr. Cameron…and House? How did that ass coerce her into marrying him?"
"He's wearing a tux. That must have taken months of begging and threatening."
"I guess everyone deserves to be happy…" Mark trailed, turning his back to Stacy.
Trailing a finger across the black and white photograph, Stacy took in every detail she could. House was smiling, a genuine, hearty smile that reached his eyes – one that she hadn't seen him wear since before the surgery on his leg. She couldn't quite tell, the photograph was cut off at their waists, but it looked like he had his arm wrapped around Allison – the young doctor Stacy remembered as having quite the crush on House during her short stint as Princeton Plainsboro's legal counsel. Allison looked every bit the beautiful, blushing bride in her white, lace gown and curled, elegant updo. That thought drew Stacy to House's hair – he had gotten it cut and styled. He lacked the messy strands that always added to eccentricity.
"Are you still looking at that?" Stacy jumped as Mark placed his plate on the table, turning to grab his coffee mug before having a seat.
"I'm shocked. I never pictured Greg as the marrying type."
"Because he wouldn't marry you?" Stacy's wide-eyed look had Mark choking down the egg he had stuffed in his mouth as fast as he could without suffocating. "I'm sorry. That wasn't fair of me."
"I never thought of marrying Greg. Like I said, I didn't think he was the marrying type and if I had spent time dwelling on marriage to him, it would have only made me miserable."
"Then why be with him at all? I mean, what's the point of dating someone if marriage isn't the end goal?"
"Love."
"You love him?" Mark's accusing tone was slightly more perceptive than Stacy would have guessed – almost as if he had put a lot of thought into the possibility of her loving House.
"I loved him."
"But not anymore?"
"I don't love him anymore, but I do care for him. We share a history after all. I'm sure you still care for all the girls who came before me."
"Girl."
"What?"
"There weren't girls before you. There was a girl."
"Okay…I'm sure you still care for this girl, too."
"Maybe, but there's no worry of me doing anything with her."
"Is that what this is about? You think I want to run off and do something with Greg?" Stacy narrowed her eyes at Mark and tightened her grip on the paper, crumbling the faces beneath her fingers.
"You haven't already?"
"I'm here, aren't I?"
"Stacy," Mark used his index finger to rub at the crease in the middle of his forehead, "what really happened between you and House when you were working for PPTH?"
Memories of intensely frustrating arguments, heated taunting, and stolen kisses flashed through Stacy's mind. She tried not to blush as she remembered that one time, after Greg had accused her of trying to run away from him, she had fallen back into House's bed. "Countless arguments and attempts at manipulation simply because he thought he should be allowed to do what he wanted consequences be damned."
That wasn't that far from the truth – there had been plenty of arguments between the two, but her entire time working with House hadn't been horrible. They had had several moments to bond, most notoriously over that awful rat he spent days trying to kill for her, only to end up capturing it, curing it, and keeping it as a pet. There had also been that time they had gotten stranded at the airport overnight – even though he had spent most of his time trying to solve his team's most recent life-threatening case.
His team. Stacy wondered if Doctor Cameron was still a member of that team – if Cuddy would even allow that. House never did work well when he mixed his with work, or rather, when he knew he was mixing his emotions with his work. She couldn't think of one single scenario that would allow House and Doctor Cameron to continue working together…and she could not imagine Cameron walking away from Princeton Plainsboro. Most likely, there would have been a department change.
"I'm going to clean up and go for a run." Mark chose to exit the conversation, leaving his unspoken allegations balancing in the air as he stood from the table and Stacy finally flipped the newspaper.
You and me had big dreams, falling in love
We were two kids in the backseat, all fearless and young
One month later, Stacy sat in the cafeteria at Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital deep in conversation with Doctor Lisa Cuddy.
"Everything has just been so…so hectic around here. More so than usual," Cuddy said with a breathy chuckle as she shoved her salad around her plate with the fork in her hand.
"A certain doctor causing more trouble than normal?" Stacy laughed.
"He hasn't been a problem the last month. Of course he was gone for two weeks and I am still waiting for all hell to break lose soon. He's even been doing his clinic hours."
"I assume that is all Doctor Cameron's doing?" Stacy hoped the bitter undertone in her voice had gone unnoticed by Lisa – she had even surprised herself with her tone.
"Doctor House."
"Pardon?"
"She officially stopped using Cameron about a week ago. I now have two doctor House's on my staff."
"You poor thing!"
"Fortunately for me, one is a decent, well-behaved human being who has made the other slightly more well-behaved."
"Allison has tamed him?" Stacy's voice went an octave higher in surprise – she hadn't thought anyone would manage to get through to House.
"Marriage, love suits him. It's almost, almost like he's a different man – even lets Allison call him 'Greg'."
"I didn't think he was capable of loving someone."
"That's not completely fair." Lisa narrowed her eyes at Stacy while she moved the food around on her plate, her stomach had been uneasy all morning.
"What have you been up to, Lisa? It's been so long since we've had a chance to truly talk." Stacy quickly took a bite of the tuna sandwich before her – buying time to keep from mentioning House once more.
"Work, work, and more work." Lisa reached for her glass of tea, taking a sip and hoping it would settle her stomach.
"You haven't just been up to work," Stacy laughed, nodding at Lisa's hand, "I noticed that ring! Who's the lucky man?"
Lisa looked down at her ring finger, smiling at the square, solitaire diamond nestled in its platinum band.
"Doctor Wilson."
"You and James? Since when?"
"We started dating last year – about six months after House and Allison."
"Well, I think he's been good for you. You seem happier and more relaxed than I have ever seen you. But you aren't eating."
"Oh, I think I have this stomach bug that's been floating around here. It's nothing, I just feel a little upset to my stomach."
"Have you had it checked? And don't give me any of that 'I'm a doctor' crap."
"I will have it checked after lunch."
Stacy raised an eyebrow in her friend's direction, knowing all too well how Lisa was when it came to her own health. "Don't make me tell James. Since I've learned that he has some pull over you."
"James would certainly hound me."
Stacy's attention was pulled from Lisa at the sound of a familiar, not so familiar chuckle coming from the lunch line. Her mouth fell open ever so slightly at the sight of both Doctor House's ordering food and exchanging conversation. The younger Doctor House looked to be glowing and completely at ease as she stood beside her husband. House, for his part, kept one hand on the small of Allison's back, his cane draped over his wrist, and the other guiding the joint tray toward the register. Stacy watched in slight shock as House reached into his back pocket and produced his black, leather wallet – pulling a twenty out and handing it to the young woman at the register.
Carrying the tray in one hand, he guided Allison to an empty table, placing the tray in the middle and taking a seat. Taking a bite into his Reuben, causing Stacy to smile at his lunch routine, he gestured to Wilson as he entered the cafeteria. Stacy watched the brief exchange between House, Wilson, and Cuddy – Wilson acknowledging House's request to join him before looking at Lisa and Stacy's table, brow raised as he sought permission. Lisa's nod was all too quick for Stacy, making her question her friend's motive.
"You didn't want James to join us?" The sound of Stacy's voice drew Lisa's attention from House's table.
"He wouldn't have been interested in our girl talk."
"Or you were worried House would have moved over here. Why didn't you want him to?"
"I was, I am, worried about how you will react to having a conversation with him. Your tone of voice and the way you haven't been able to avert your eyes from him since he entered the room has me questioning your motives, Stacy."
Stacy immediately began shaking her head at Lisa's accusation – she wasn't interested in the least bit about House's relationship. Or so she tried convincing herself.
"Let him go, Stacy. You have Mark and he has Allison. I don't know about you anymore, but he is very happy."
"I'm happy with Mark and I have no lingering feelings for House. I'm more curious than anything."
"Uh-huh," Lisa pushed her plate forward, yanking her pager from her pocket as it started beeping. "Want to do this again next week? I have to…"
"I know. Same day and time?"
"I'll call you." Lisa stood and began picking up her plate.
"I'll get it. Go." Lisa smiled her thanks before taking off toward the exit. Stacy smiled and began to stand, collecting hers and Lisa's plates before heading toward the woman washing dishes, taking a deep breath when she realized she would have to walk by House's table. Her attempt to hurry by before being recognized fell flat when Doctor Wilson called out to her.
"Stacy! How have you been?"
Putting on a brave face, Stacy sat the plates on the table beside Wilson. "Busy. I heard from Lisa that congratulations are in order."
"If she ever decides to plan the wedding."
"Who would think that she wouldn't be foaming at the mouth to be the tenth Mrs. Wilson?"
"Greg!" Allison's response was quick and accompanied by a hard, narrowing glare in her husband's direction.
"Third wife, House and she knew what she was doing before saying yes."
"It's a joke not a certain sex organ that belongs almost exclusively to men – don't take it so har –"
"Gregory House! Don't you have a patient you haven't checked on?"
"They ruin all the fun, and you're thinking about getting one." House rolled his eyes, grabbing his cane from where it hung on the back of his chair and using it to support himself as he stood.
"I'm not some dog you chose to adopt."
Stacy's gaze bounced from on Doctor House to the other as she witnessed what she believed to be an argument between the newlyweds.
"No," House bent to give Allison a kiss before heading toward the door, "You're much cuter."
"I should get back to work, too." Allison stood, a faint smile gracing her face.
"Oh, Ally, I have a patient coming in later I would like to get a consult on."
"Page me. It was good seeing you, Stacy."
Stacy nodded, watching as Allison left.
"Strange isn't it?" Wilson half-smiled as he popped a fry in his mouth.
"Never thought I'd see the day, but I also didn't ever imagine that you and Lisa would get engaged."
"We work together. I have even managed to get House to accept us."
"Really? He used to have a thing for her."
"No one but Ally exists to him anymore. It's refreshing."
"Gives you a break, huh?" Wilson's wry, crooked smile was all the answer Stacy needed, causing a dry chuckle from the woman.
"Before I go, Lisa seemed a little…off. Will you get her to have a check-up? She barely ate anything because she said her stomach was upset."
Wilson's furrowed brow made Stacy feel slightly better about Lisa's well-being – she was in good hands with him.
"I'll talk to her about it."
"Thank you, James. I'll talk to you later."
I got the first kiss, she'll get the last
She's got the future and I got the past
"Stacy! What are you doing here? Our lunch date isn't until Wednesday," Lisa exclaimed as she entered the clinic.
"I know," Stacy sniffled, "This cold started a few days ago, right after I left here – I think I may have caught what you had."
"Oh, I doubt that." Lisa shook her head adamantly as she began looking through patient files, trying to locate Stacy's.
"I've been feeling nauseated, too."
"Mine wasn't contagious."
"Are you sure?"
"Dr. Hall…diagnosed me and James double checked. Not contagious."
"Hmmph," Stacy crossed her arms, chewing on her bottom lip. "Don't dig for my file, Lisa. I'll wait just like everyone else."
Lisa sighed, taking a moment before turning to look at Stacy. "Doctor House is currently busy with a case, Stacy. Our other Doctor House is the attending in the clinic today."
"I'm not here to see him, Lisa. I am here because I don't feel well and I trust your doctors, your hospital, more than any other."
"Just remember, Stacy, you have Mark…and House is happy for once. His pain isn't as bad as it was and he's finally off Vicodin."
"What? When did that happen?"
"Not long after he asked Allison to marry him. It was his wedding present to her. He knew she wanted him to quit so he went through detox and started seeing a therapist for her."
"That's…that doesn't sound like him at all."
"I'm just asking you, as a friend, please do not jeopardize his marriage."
Stacy gave a curt nod and began to open her mouth when one of the nurses spoke:
"Stacy Warner? Doctor House will be with you in a moment. If you could just follow me to an exam room."
"Be nice, Stacy," Lisa called out in warning, watching as her friend disappeared down the hall before turning and heading toward the elevator.
I got the class ring, she got the diamond and wedding band
I got the boy and she got the man
"Stacy has me on edge lately with the way she has been acting."
Sighing, Doctor Wilson glanced at his fiancée, finally diverting some attention from the papers that lay on his desk, "I haven't noticed a change in her behavior."
"You didn't notice House was dating Allison until they announced their engagement."
"In my defense, they never actually told anyone they were dating."
"No, but everyone knew. It was obvious."
"Why has Stacy's behavior been worrying you?" James decided to change the topic – his unawareness of his best friend's relationship status had been the butt of most jokes at PPTH for the well over a year now.
"The looks she gets every time I mention House and Allison – she looks jealous. She's in the clinic right now. I have a feeling it is only because she thought House was there. She looked disappointed when I told her that Allison was the attending." Lisa took a deep breath, her hand fluttering to her small stomach, and smoothing the wrinkles in her blouse.
"I think you're reading too much into this and worrying over nothing. It isn't good in your condition, honey."
"Don't start that, James. Please. I promise I am being careful."
"I'm just saying that House is a big boy – he can handle Stacy and what he can't handle, I'm sure Allison can."
"I don't know…I need to get back to the clinic."
James sighed, finally laying his pen down and really looking at his fiancée. "Stay for a few minutes. Allison can handle the clinic. You need lunch from the sounds of it."
An embarrassed smile crossed Lisa's face at the hungry grumbling sound of her stomach. Her barely touched lunch still lay on her desk where she had left it upon seeing Stacy sitting in the clinic waiting area. She sighed – she wanted to check up on Allison, but she knew she had to have something to eat. It wasn't just her health on the line anymore.
"Here or the cafeteria?" James questioned, not giving her a chance to weasel out of lunch.
"Here."
Yeah there's the old you that I knew
Fake ID's to get into those spring break bars
"Hi, I'm Doctor House and I will be…Stacy?" Allison looked up from the file in her hand to the older brunette sitting on the exam table.
"Allison," Stacy faked a smile, watching as the younger woman moved toward the stool by the table, gracefully taking a seat and crossing her long legs.
"Runny nose, sore throat, and itchy eyes?" Allison read from the chart she held, unsure as to how to begin with Stacy and so deciding on the safest route.
"What?" Stacy gave Allison a quizzical look at the reading of her symptoms before quickly recovering with, "Yes. For a week now."
"I see," Allison nodded, trying to hide her bemused smirk as she reached for a prescription pad. "Sounds like you're having a mild allergic reaction to something. I'll write a prescription for an antihistamine and you can be on your way."
"Thank you," Stacy mumbled, feeling her cheeks turning red at the way Allison had quickly dismissed her symptoms, making her feel rather foolish in the process. As Allison was scribbling on her prescription pad, Stacy suddenly doubled over, clutching her knee.
"What's wrong?" Allison demanded, dropping her pad and immediately giving her full attention to Stacy.
"My knee…it feels like something is breaking my bone. Is this part of an allergic reaction?"
"No, it isn't. I think I need to call in a consult."
Backwoods on a four wheel, hanging on tight
I can still feel my racing heart
And now you're cleaned up with a hair cut, nice tie and shoes
If things were different and I had a choice,
Which would I choose?