Hey so here is my first House fic ever! I was so upset with how the finale went and I know a lot of other people were too so here is my way of trying to fix it...warning, there will be tons of angst but hopefully it won't be as bad as the finale! I hope you enjoy and please leave reviews! Thanx! 3

Chapter 1: Turbulence Ahead!

"This plane ride is taking forever," sighed Cuddy.

"Yes, well, anything can feel like forever when it's that time of the month," House replied reasonably.

"Shut up." Cuddy rolled her eyes. "And whoever is kicking my seat, please stop it."

"That's what you get for insisting we all fly coach."

"Well, we wouldn't have had to fly coach if you hadn't rented the penthouse suite at the hotel," grumbled Foreman.

"Excuse me," House said haughtily, "but the luxury Jacuzzi was a necessity for those of us who are physically impaired."

"At least you're not sitting next to an unaccompanied minor like Taub," offered Chase.

"Personally, I'm more afraid for her than him," quipped Thirteen.

"Yes, statutory rape jokes are very amusing," Cuddy scolded her employees.

"But Mom, she wasn't joking," House pointed out.

"Shut up, House, or I'll ask the air marshal to restrain you."

"Might be best to ask the air marshal to restrain Taub's-"

"Enough," Cuddy hissed.

The flight from Australia could not take any longer; it was one of those problems of living on the eastern shore of the United States. Uncomfortably squashed in shallow coach seats, tired from lack of sleep combined with jet lag, Cuddy supposed she couldn't expect any less than the usual amount of bickering among House's team, probably more considering how sleep-deprived and overworked they all were. They had been called to Australia in regards to a major and untraceable outbreak. House's entire team had been required, necessitating Cuddy to supervise. Unfortunately, that meant enduring House's antics for over a week with no escape.

"Hey," Cameron spoke suddenly, "does anyone else think we're flying kind of low?"

"Relax, Cameron," Chase replied. "You're just not used to flying without all that smog and cloud cover."

"Besides," House added, "the only thing you should be worried about is mothering those vials. Break one open and we're all dead."

The vials of the virus that they had been sent to investigate were currently resting in a cooler in Cameron's lap. They couldn't risk checking them and having the glass break, exposing whatever deadly virus was inside to everyone on the plane. They had been unable to identify the virus in the run-down lab they were given in Australia, so they had to bring it home in order to identify it, which could lead to a treatment.

"I still think it would have been safer to ship them." Foreman shook his head.

"And risk those government vultures getting their hands on them?" Thirteen responded indignantly. "No way in hell."

"I don't want to sound paranoid, but I think Cameron is right," Cuddy murmured. "We are flying awfully low."

House rolled his eyes. "Oh, come on. The plane's just slow in its ascent is all. There's nothing to be worried about."

"If there were anything wrong, I'm sure the pilot would tell us," Chase said soothingly.

There was an ominous shuddering sound. "What was that?" Cameron asked nervously.

"Jeez, Cuddy, I've heard of 'quivering with anticipation,' but try to contain yourself," House said smugly.

"Shut up, House!"

A bell tone brought their attention to the seat belt sign above them, which was now illuminated.

"Great, now Taub will have to keep it in his pants," Thirteen muttered as she rebuckled her belt.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the first mate announced over the loudspeaker, "as you can tell we are experiencing a bit of rough air. Nothing to be worried about. Please make sure your seatbelts are securely fastened."

"What good is this measly belt going to do us when we all crash into the ocean?" House asked angrily.

"We're not crashing," Chase replied, though his voice betrayed his confidence.

The first mate came on again. "Flight attendants, take your seats."

"That's never a good sign," Cameron muttered. She clenched her hand tightly around the container of virus vials.

"I'm sure it's just a precaution." Cuddy's hand gripped House's good knee as she spoke, her nails digging into the jeans he wore.

The plane seemed to drop a bit. Everyone could feel their ears pop.

"Oh my god, I can practically make out the leaves on the trees!" Cameron exclaimed. She was squeezing the container of vials so tightly, her knuckles were white.

The first mate's voice came on again. "Ladies an…men…we…help…" They couldn't make out his words over the static.

"Oh god!" Instinctively Cuddy buried her head in House's shoulder. Behind her, Foreman gripped Thirteen's arm.

Suddenly, the panel above them opened and oxygen masks appeared, just as the flight attendants had said they would in the safety presentation. They immediately reached for the yellow masks. The first mate tried to say something, but his words were swallowed by static once more.

"We're going to crash!" Cameron screamed.

"Don't jinx it," House said through gritted teeth.

Chase pulled his life vest and Cameron's from under their seats. "Here." He handed it to Cameron. The others followed suit. "Kind of wish I'd paid attention to the safety demonstration now."

"I don't see how this stupid vest is going to keep us alive when we blow up upon impact," Thirteen said skeptically.

"Just put the damn thing on," said Foreman impatiently.

"Right, so when we hit the water, we can be pulled back to the surface and crack our heads on the top of the plane," replied House.

"I'm sure you'll survive. Your head is used to brain bleeds," Cuddy hissed.

House unscrewed the cap of his Vicodin and dumped the remaining pills in his hand. With a glance at Cuddy's disapproving stare, he threw the pills into his mouth and swallowed. "Just taking precautions."

"Care to share?" Chase outstretched a hand hopefully.

"Chase!" Cameron exclaimed indignantly, while House replied, "No way, Aussie boy. We're going to be among your peeps and I'm going to need all the help these little suckers can give me."

"His peeps, meaning fish?" Foreman snapped his oxygen mask in place.

"I'm hopeful for a land landing," replied House. "They do call it landing after all. Not watering."

"Oh I'm sure that will be a much more pleasant landing," Cuddy hissed, fingernails digging into the flesh of House's arm as she draped her vest over her neck with the other hand.

The plane suddenly dipped again.

A roar sounded as a portion of the rear fuselage tore off. The captain's voice could barely be heard over the din, screaming for everyone to brace for impact.

"What does that mean?" Cameron shrieked.

"Assume the position!" cried House.

"Cameron!" Chase shouted. "I – I love you!"

Tears filled Cuddy's eyes. Not that she expected the same sentiment from House. She cast a glance at him as the plane shook violently. "If you make it and I don't – take care of Rachel."

"Feed Wilson for me," he replied.

Ahead of them, Taub tried to comfort the young passenger beside him. Guilt bubbled in the pit of Foreman's stomach as he watched his friend, whom he'd chosen not to sit with in hopes of a silent trip.

With one more sickening plunge, the nose of the plane hit the water violently, tearing the body in two.

"TAUB!" It was impossible to tell who was screaming his name as he disappeared with the rest of the passengers in front under the water, sucked down rapidly with the metal. The midsection containing the others leveled out and hit the water with a sickening slap. Chase valiantly threw himself over Cameron as though to shield her from the icy water, while Thirteen and Foreman embraced. As sea water rushed over her, Cuddy stole a final glance at House, the terror in his eyes something she'd never seen in them before.

A split second later, the soft blue of his eyes was lost to the depths.

Be nice, it's my first fic! Please review!

XOXO