Scenes of Recovery
Characters: All of them. Perhaps including a character of my own.
Disclaimer: I do not own nor make any claim to the television show House, M.D. or any related characters. Those rights are property of David Shore, Katie Jacobs, Bryan Singer Et al, and the Fox Television Network
Synopsis: The first of many scenes of what could be done with House when the show returns for season 6. This is just to help us all through the long summer ahead until the show returns in September. (Note to readers: the information concerning Schizophrenia should not be taken literally as it is given here. For your own knowledge, the information was taken from Wikipedia. If you find any errors, please let me know so that I can correct them. Any suggestions about characterization is most welcome. Thank you for reading.)
August, Late Summer: Mayfield Psychiatric Hospital, Pennsylvania
"Allison Cameron-Chase and Robert Chase, here to visit Gregory House." The attendant looked up, reached over to the side of her desk and picked up a clip board and slid it out of the receptionist window. "Please sign in." The attendant requested. Allison quickly wrote and then signed her name in the spaces provided and Robert did the same. "An orderly will be around in just a moment. You'll have to forgive the intrusion, but we must search you for anything that is considered to be contraband. I hope you both understand." Cameron shook her head while Chase said yes to the female attendant.
Robert and Allison moved over to the side, to where the admittance door was, so that they could talk to each other with some privacy. "Think we more than understand that." Allison said low under her breath to Chase. Chase took her hands in his and gave them a reassuring squeeze. In the past he probably would have gotten into a mood that boarded on jealousy if Cameron began to show signs of concern about House, but he understood how she felt because her feelings were similar to his own. He would be the first to admit that House was not his favorite person in the world, but he did make him a damn better doctor. House had even managed to put a spine in him. House, to him in a way, was like the mad uncle, that everyone managed to have, who was mad at the world. He did not always agree with him, but he had grown to revere him in his own personal way. "It's going to be alright." He said reassuringly to Cameron.
"I know. It's just how is he going to look? We haven't seen him in almost three months."
Allison gladly accepted Chase's hands and she squeezed them back. She comforted herself that he knew that he was the only one for her. She may have been idealistic and naïve when she was first working for House, many thought that she felt a romantic attraction to him. But she ultimately concluded that it was not the case. House was special to her, she had no denial of that. She like so many was drawn to the mass encyclopedic intellect that he always had at his command. It was always that same intellect that she respected and admired. But now that same intellect may very well have led to his downfall. Cameron was not religious, but she had heard of the old phrase, "pride before the fall." And did House have a lot of pride. And she could only imagine how steep his fall was.
Shortly after her and Chase's wedding, when they were getting ready for their honeymoon, both doctors had decided to stop by the hospital one last time before leaving, to tell their closest friends goodbye. House had not been at the wedding, no surprise there to her or Chase. But when she had gone to see him in his office, he was not going to get away from her that easily, upon her arrival she was surprised to find Foreman at House's desk, which was filled with files, resume files, and more importantly Foreman was preparing to run a differential. By himself. Without House.
"Foreman, where's House." She had asked.
"He's not here, Cameron. He's on an extended leave of absence."
"House never takes extended leave of absences."
"Well, he has this time. Until he returns, I'm the acting head of his department."
"You're…? What's with all the files?"
"With House gone, I am in charge. I need another fellow. The team works better with three doctors." Something was not right in her mind. Foreman was the third doctor. What was going on. "Then we'll just swing by his apartment before we leave." She said.
"That won't be necessary, Cameron." Cameron turned to the voice of James Wilson, standing behind her with a clip board in his hands. She was surprised to see him. She turned back to look at Foreman, "There's something you're not telling me. What do you mean it won't be necessary?" Cameron asked as she looked back at Wilson.
"I found Chase. Come with me, there's something I have to tell you both."
She should have known what was coming when she saw House's watch and other small belongings behind Wilson on his shelf. It was there in Wilson's office that she and Chase discovered the severity of House's condition. Delusions, hallucinations, seeing Amber and Kutner. Allison and Chase felt like they had been told that a loved one was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. But worse, House may very well be going insane. "It can still be any number of causes. Vicodin abuse is of course our suspected chief cause. But it still can be any number of problems. We can't rule out Schizophrenia or the trauma that his head received last year with his skull fracture and concussion." Wilson had told them
"How could Schizophrenia factor in? How can you rule that in due to House's history?" Chase asked.
"House recently learned that his father, who died last year, was not in fact his biological father. Knowing that, we can't rule it out because it is a hereditary disease. Who ever is his father, it's possible that on his side of the family there could be a history. Schizophrenia can develop at any time according to whatever is in someone's genes." Cameron could not help but cry. All Robert had to do was look at her and he knew that before they left, they would have to go see House. New arrangements would have to be made. But how could he not blame her. He wanted to see him too. It was a sacrifice that Chase was willing to make. After all he did make a promise to love, honor and obey her.
They found out from Wilson where he was and drove down to Pennsylvania that day. When they got there, they had to wait another day because visiting hours were over. The next day they went back to the hospital only to discover that House would not see anyone. He had told the doctors exactly how they should handle him, so he was put into seclusion and monitored. Cameron discovered that seclusion meant a straight jacket and a padded cell. And to both of their shock he wanted to detox cold turkey. There was no other choice for them. Cameron and Chase left the hospital and went on their honeymoon. They still had fun doing the things of freshly new married couples, but House's condition would haunt them from time to time. When they finally returned to the hospital it felt strange. Strange not to see House charging into Cuddy's office every ten minutes, strange not to see him terrorizing clinic patients, looking for a case in the emergency room, and just strange to see Foreman, House light, running differentials. Unlike House, Foreman was more controlled and always informed Cuddy of what he was strategizing and planning. Every turn in the hospital Cameron expected to see him or run into him. Or to hear some wise crack about herself from down the hall. Chase could not help but be distracted, looking up in the operating room to the observation room half expecting House to be there. But he was not. Each time.
Good news finally came from Wilson who had returned from a weekend visit to House at the beginning of mid August. House's doctor had called him informing him that House wanted to see him. Wilson practically had to convince House to allow himself to see other visitors. "How's he doing?" Cuddy had asked. Allison shook her head at the question, Cuddy had covered up her question completely, hiding her emotions and feelings. There were times when that woman pissed Cameron off to no end. "He's making progress, but I don't think he's out of the woods yet. He's still seeing them, still seeing delusions, Amber and Kutner. Unbeknownst to everyone, Wilson had decided to withhold House's admission that he also saw delusions of Cuddy from time to time. Out of respect for Lisa, her dignity and privacy, he did not reveal that. A busy week ensued when on Thursday, Chase came to see Cameron in the ER.
"Hey." He said
"Hey you." She replied as she quickly kissed him.
"Let's go see House this weekend."
"Are you sure?" She asked.
"Why wouldn't I be? I've been concerned about him the whole summer just like you have. Let's go see him. I can get our shifts covered." Come Saturday morning, they were up early and down the turnpike heading to Pennsylvania.
The buzz of the door alerted both Cameron and Chase that they were permitted access. They walked through the door, passing through a metal detector and then were each patted down to make sure they had no contraband such as any kind of prescription drug on them. Cameron's bag was placed in a locker. Then she and Chase were escorted to a visitor's center and left at a large table. Cameron sat down while Chase remained standing. Both were nervous. What would House be like after almost three months at this mental hospital? It was un-reassuring to know that he had been in a padded cell, but what would House be like off vicodin? Could he, would he ever be healthy?
Cameron was the first to react to the familiar sound of his cane in the distance. The door to the visitor's room opened again and in walked, with an orderly behind him, House, dressed in pajama pants, along with slippers and wearing a blue sweater. The door closed and the orderly behind House remained in the back as House continued to advance toward them. Each step seemed to be more painful and House seemed to be moving faster than usual to try and get off his leg as fast as he could.
"Please, no PDA, from you two. I have a reputation to keep around here. Don't want them to think I'm an easy target for man rape." Cameron did not care what he said as she quickly met him halfway and hugged him. House was brought to a stand still as she embraced him. He gave off a slight smirk and a sighed laugh and patted Cameron on her shoulder. "Not while you're husband is in the room, Cameron." House said out of the corner of his mouth. Chase laughed and walked up to House. House's cane suddenly came up, Allison had stepped to his side to see what he was doing, "I think, Chase, that we don't need another awkward embrace."
"How about a handshake instead?"
"Still very British." House replied. House immediately hopped into a chair and sat down, pulling another one over to rest his leg on. Both Chase and Cameron pulled their seats closer so that they could be closer to him. It was then that they could see the many changes that had taken place in him, physically anyway. He looked tired, restless. His beard had completely grown out and more of it had turned gray. His hair was long, more curly and around his ears and neck. He looked tired and had lost a tremendous amount of weight. The sweater he was wearing looked baggy and too big. Though his skin had taken on more of a healthy pink then it had at any time in the past. However, Chase noticed small tremors in his legs, causing them to bounce some what. House's hands also appeared to be shaking, as did his body from time to time. Chase wondered if he could still be detoxing after all this time.
"How have you been holding up?" Cameron asked.
"Chase, you must learn to control your wife. I think she might be after me still. Didn't you take a vow to honor and obey, Cameron?" He asked wittily. "Or should I be calling you Mrs. Chase from now on?"
"She knows where to come home to, Greg." Chase said. House turned to Cameron, "Oh, he doesn't think I'm his daddy anymore. I suppose that's a relief. But this first name business, no! We can't have it." Cameron laughed while Chase smiled at House's remark.
"House, I know it's not easy, but you can tell us. It's okay." Cameron said. House studied them both closely, he rubbed his leg a little. He could tell that Cameron knew him well. He not always was very forth coming about his feelings. In the past, he probably would have let himself bleed to death before telling any of them that he was hurt. But so much had happened, the delusions, his own brain betraying him. Sane enough to finally realize that he needed to change. If he wanted to get through this, he was going to have to continue that change. He shook his head back and forth, "I've had good days and bad." He admitted weakly to both of them.
This was hard, for all of them. For them, they had always seen House fall, but get quickly back up. He had always been a pillar, immovable and strong. House ran his left index finger across his lips a few times.
"Wilson says you've been improving." Chase said.
"He must have told you the pg-13 version of it all. Just like him to try and sugar coat everything."
"Well, at least your usual disdain is still present." Cameron said. House shook his head, "No," he said, "I didn't want to say it like that. I…shouldn't have, I don't think I like it anymore." This statement almost caused both Cameron and Chase to lose their seats.
"No you don't. You're still the imperious, narcissistic, bastard that you've always been and always shall be." Amber's ghost said to him across the room.
"And forever responsible for two doctor's deaths." Kutner said to him, standing right next to him. Cameron watched House's eyes move from one end of the room to his immediate left. "House, there's no one there." She said reassuringly. House moved his head in her direction and swallowed, his mouth very dry. "I know." He replied. "They…sneak up on me from time to time. They're more voices now then images then anything else."
"You're still detoxing." Chase said.
"Doctor and me still can't put our finger on it. Every so many days I vomit, get shivers. I've had one or two weeks when I didn't hear them at all. Then they just came back."
"But, that's good, it means you're improving." Cameron said.
"It doesn't mean if I'm better yet. It doesn't." House replied upset.
"House, you've been taking vicodin for a very long time. You were prescribed it back in the late 90's. Longer time probably means longer detox." Chase theorized.
"That's just a possibility, Chase. There's no rational proof. Didn't I teach you anything?" House joked, "You need facts, remember."
"Upset you don't have your precious board?" Kutner asked. House ran his hand over his left eye, and breathed.
"How are things at the hospital?" House asked.
"Running smoothly, just more quiet without you there."
"That's not what you really meant. You want to know about Cuddy. Don't you." Amber mocked.
House scratched his forehead quickly, "How was the wedding?" he queried them both. "She was beautiful." Chase said with a smile.
"He was handsome." Cameron said with a wider smile. House's hand shook as he ran his hand over his mouth. He tensed suddenly, a sharp breath making its way out of him. Both Cameron and Chase thought he was having a seizure for a moment. "I'm okay." He said painfully, almost near tears. "My meds are wearing off." House told them.
"What do they have you on?" Cameron asked. She knew the answer wasn't vicodin and she prayed, no, hoped it wasn't any other addictive substance. House shivered, "Psyche meds for my head. Regular over the counter extra strength Aleve liquid gels for the leg. Not as strong as the vicodin mind you, but effective enough to take the edge off for…five minutes."
"Just another drug that you can get hooked on." Kutner said.
"I'll help you detox from that one too." Came Cuddy's voice. "Oh God." House said as he took hold of his forehead.
"What?" Cameron asked worried.
"Nothing, just…nothing. Leg bothering me. You were telling me about your wedding."
"Are you sure…" Chase began to inquire.
"Please, I'd rather listen to you two describe your wedding to me so that I don't have to look at the same four walls for the next six hours. Tell me about your unforgettable day of wedded bliss. It's not often that Cameron gets married for a second time."
"Hey!" Cameron protested at the stinging remark.
"I'm sorry." House immediately said. Now that was another jaw dropper from House. He apologized. "No you're not." Amber said. House reached forward and took Cameron's hand. "I am. I'm sorry." House repeated.
"It's okay." Cameron said. House squeezed her hand and then closed his eyes, accepting another wave of pain. He breathed heavily, "Now please, tell me about your day. I…wish I could have been there." He admitted to them, "But, I've got this whole problem with my head you know."
Cameron and Chase remained with House for a long time. They were even permitted to have lunch and dinner with him. They spent the entire day with House. They stayed with him until visiting hours concluded. It actually was enjoyable for them both. As the time was ending, Cameron and Chase walked him to the patient door which he would have to leave through. House turned to them, for a moment in his eyes, they thought they could see something like pride, pride for them. Behind them, House could see rough images of both Amber and Kutner. House leaned heavily on his cane, breathing slowly. "Thank you both, for coming." He said. Chase placed his hand on House's shoulder and House took hold of his forearm and gently guided his hand off of his shoulder. Cameron laughed and turned to him, "It's been wonderful, House." She said.
"Yes." House replied. Without him even seeing, Cameron stood on her toes and pulled House into another embrace. She released him and they both watched House begin to walk away. "Wait!" Cameron said as she rushed to him.
"What?" House asked.
"Please come along, Dr. House." Came the voice of the male orderly.
"Better make it fast." House told Cameron.
"Do you have any message for Cuddy?" Cameron asked. A pained look came over House's face. He looked conflicted, sad, upset and inactive.
"Dr. House." The male orderly patiently said coming up to him. House opened his eyes and began to follow the orderly. A look of sadness covered Cameron's face, her heart went out to him. In a way, her heart broke for him. All the things people said about her being too nice or too sensitive were suddenly written on her face.
House turned suddenly and stopped, but did not see Cameron's face for he caused it to change when he turned, "Tell her, if she's brave enough, that there is a record in my bedroom closet on the far left corner up against the wall. If she wants to know what my message is to her, she should go and play it." Cameron shook her head, obeying the order. House looked to Cameron and then to Chase nodding his head at both of them. He then walked past the orderly, who was patiently waiting for him at the door and allowed him to leave and then he followed after him. Chase and Cameron watched as he past down a hallway, opened to their sight by windows, until they could see him no more. Cameron returned to Chase and he embraced her. He knew as well as she did that House would not be returning anytime soon.
End of Part I. Part II coming soon.
