I'll Give My Life for Her

By Rondabunny

Part 2

Remi prepared a room for her sister. She cleaned some drawers of drugs, condoms and other really necessary things for her but not for Roxie. She hid everything in her secret place – the built-in-closet and hoped that the smart one wouldn't check her clothes. She took her sister's things from the apartment of her father and several pictures of her father. Maybe her apartment was a little dark for a child but she did everything to make it comfortable.

Roxie had some tea and a sandwich in the car and refused to eat anything else.

Roxie, one sandwich is not enough. You haven't been eaten for two days…

Are you a real doctor? If you were you'd have known that a person who hadn't been eating for a long time can die if he ate too much, - the child protested.

Who said that bullshit to you?

I've read it in a book. Don't remember what book exactly…

Here mashed potatoes and fish. I know you like it, - Dr. Hadley put the plate with food in front of Roxanne. The child looked at it critically, smelled it and moved the plate aside.

I don't want to eat.

You don't want it, fine. Get dressed I'm taking you to the hospital. I'll make a gastroscopy, check your stomach, I'll make some other analyses and maybe leave you at the hospital for a week, you know, to be sure that everything's OK.

No…

What does it mean "no"? Yes, of course.

I won't go anywhere, - Roxie concluded and got up from the table.

Are you sure?

You can't make me do anything, because there is a child abuse law according which I can sue you.

Wow! I think you surf the web quite often. You're grounded: no TV, no internet, no books until you eat something.

Deal, you are so predictable by the way, - Roxie disappeared in her room.

Remi smiled and put the plate with potatoes into the fridge.

An hour later Remi knocked on the door.

Just a second… She hid her laptop under the pillow, - Come in, please.

Dr. Hadley came into the room and sat on the bed. Her hand slid under the pillow and took out the notebook computer.

Aha, it's warm. What's your excuse?

I think I'll eat something…

Listen, tomorrow you'll come with me at work.

You mean at the hospital? No way!

Roxie, I know that you don't like the place but I can't leave you alone.

Why? I'm not a five year old. I can stay alone before school starts.

Your school is too far from here and Roxie, I'm sorry but I can't afford it. Dad… he made a loan to pay for your private school. It's a huge sum of money and his credit history is bad. He hadn't paid the mortgage and I can't pay it either. The day he died… he lost his job that day. Maybe it caused the heart-attack.

I didn't know, - said Roxie with tears falling down.

Remi hugged her sister and tried to calm her down.

Hey, it's not your fault. I'm sorry, jewel. I promise everything will be all right, - but deep in her heart she knew she was lying.

It was Monday morning, twenty minutes to eight when Remi jumped from the bed. She went quickly to the kitchen and found there Roxie lazily sipping tea.

Your coffee is ready. Just pour it into the cup, - said the child taking a huge bite of a chocolate bar.

Why haven't you woken me up? – she asked Roxie.

Because if I woke you up I had to go with you. But now you have no time to wait for me to pack my things, get dressed and so on.

Great! You have five minutes to get dressed. If you aren't ready you'll go in you pyjamas. I mean it!

She disappeared in the bathroom. Roxie thought for a while and hurried into the room to get dressed. She remembered quite well the last time Remi was really angry and the notes of her tone assured the girl this wasn't just a threat. She put on tights, a shirt, a skirt and a jacket. She grabbed a satchel and put the laptop into it. Roxie made a pony tail of her hair and went into the living-room.

Ready? – Remi looked at the sister meeting her blue eyes with her steel grey ones.

Let's go!

She took the keys of her car and went outside.

At the hospital:

Ok, now you'll go to the recreation room. There are a lot of children there and many toys. It'll be fun, - Hadley bent to be Roxie's height.

Yeah, if you're a three year old. I told you it would be better for me to stay at home.

Listen, I have to work. I'll come as soon as possible to check on you. We'll have dinner together, I promise.

Thirteen, nice to meet you again. By the way you've missed the differential, - she heard House's voice behind her back.

Good morning, House.

He looked at the girl standing near Thirteen.

Bastard kids? She's too old for Thailand.

She is my sister and it's none of your business, House, - Remi snapped back.

Do you want to spend the whole day with tots or do you like to come into my super cool office and we'll play the whole day, - he said to the girl.

I prefer to play with kids rather than with dotards, - Roxie replied.

Roxanne! – Remi looked at the girl in disbelief.

Roxanne?! You mean her name's Roxie?! Like in "Roxanne, you don't have to put on that red light…" Your father is a real joker, - he told them. Thirteen just rolled her eyes.

Our father died two weeks ago, - Thirteen said to House.

Oh… What about her mother?

Died when she was two. Come on Roxie, let's go to other kids, she took her sister by the hand.

House's office:

Dr. Hadley came into the room in doctor's smock ready to listen to her boss comments about her life.

Have you adopted her? – he asked Thirteen.

Yes, - she answered taking a file from the table.

You changed sluts for motherhood? Interesting.

You mean, I had to leave her at an orphanage? It's mean even for you, House.

His pager beeped and he sent Thirteen to check on the patient.

Recreation Room:

Roxie amused toddlers by juggling and showing magic tricks. House applauded. He asked the nurse to take Roxie to Dr. Hadley.

Where did you learn juggling?

Once when I was in a summer camp I saw a circus show. I wanted to be like the gymnast girl who could do the splits and walk the tightrope. So, Remi taught me how to do it and I've also learned juggling, magic tricks and other circus stuff.

So, do you want to be a gymnast?

No, I want to be a hacker, it's much more complicated. Where are we going?

What about an ice-cream?

I hate ice-cream.

Cake?

No, jelly.

Jelly?

Yes, fruit jelly and pine-apple juice.

You're becoming impudent.

You lied to the nurse and if Remi finds out you're dead.

You forgot one thing I'm her boss.

I'm her sister.

Thirty minutes later Dr. Hadley and Dr. Taub came into the office to make a report on the patient. She saw her sister sitting in front of Dr. House deep in chess game, Chase and Foreman made a bet that Roxie would win. Remi looked angrily at her boss.

Roxie, how did you get here? – she asked starring at Roxie's thoughtful face.

Dr. House invited me to play chess with him. Checkmate…

Yeah, right. If Dr. House tells you to jump out of the window will you jump?

Thirteen was really angry. She yelled at Roxie.

If your patient is dying it's not my fault, - the kid said and left the room.

Where are you going?.. Remi wanted to follow her sister but House stopped her.

Don't worry, she'll come back. Her satchel is here, - he said.

They discussed the patients and his diagnosis. House sent all the doctors to cure the patient except Thirteen.

She is a great kid, - the older doctor said.

I know…

Does she know about Huntington?

No… She has her own problems why telling her mine? She is only ten.

What will you do when you start showing the symptoms?

I don't know, House. I want to live now, day after day or I'll go crazy before I start showing the symptoms.

Then, go and find her, because you're the only authority she ever had. She likes you. Why didn't you tell anybody about your sister?

Why do you always want to get your nose in somebody's life?

It's a rhetorical question.

Than silence is a rhetorical answer….

She went after her sister…