Chapter 1.

"Thirteen! Take a chest X-ray of our patient." Dr. House limped towards me, looking scruffy as ever. "And we're looking for…" I asked, knowing I was going to regret asking."

House rolled his eyes and popped a Vicodin pill. "Were you and Foreman passing notes again? We're looking for Lung cancer"

"Lung cancer? You never start with cancer. She was admitted yesterday. How can you be sure?"

"That's why we're getting an x-ray, duh!" He waved his hand down, Valley-girl style, and then limped away. I was surprised at the fact that I didn't care if House was being, well, House. I've been noticing lately that I've lost interest in things I enjoy. I'm not saying I enjoy his eight-year old personality. How much more can I take of this?

I made my way down to our patient's room. My mind was too occupied this morning when House handed out the case file, the file that I left on the table. I wasn't about to go back, I didn't feel like being mocked.

Emily Turner was young looking, probably about eight-teen. She looked fragile and pale.

"Hi, I'm Doctor Hadley," I put on a fake smile. Emily grimaced. She obviously didn't want to be here. Neither did I.

I checked her IV fluids and reviewed her chart. Chronic cough, chest pain, and spitting up blood. Why are we testing for TB, it looks like lung cancer. Maybe I'm missing something; I can't put two and two together.

"We need to get a chest x-ray," I told her. She looked at me with no emotion. It felt like I was looking at myself.

"What are you looking for?" She crossed her arms and looked out the window. I didn't want to lie to her, but I also didn't want to make her worried.

"That's why we need the x-ray. Your symptoms lead up to many diagnoses, we need to narrow it down."

"Whatever."

"Alright, follow me."

*

"It's not cancer," I proclaimed.

"How can you be sure?" Taub spoke up.

"See there?" House pointed to the x-ray. "A small spot on the left lung,"

"That means it could be Tuberculosis. She displays symptoms for both." I argued. Knowing I wasn't going to win.

"Get a consult and prove me wrong." House rolled his eyes.

I grabbed the x-ray and headed to the oncology department head, Doctor Wilson.

I knocked on his office door and waited.

"Can I help you?" He asked in a polite manner, wearing his goofy smile. Butterflies exploded inside my stomach and I smiled at the fact that I wasn't feeling so numb.

"I need a consult," I informed him. He led me into his office. I always liked his office, but I never spent much time in here.

"House thinks its cancer, but I don't" He took the sheet from me and put it on the light.

"I can see where you're going. The spot on the lung isn't progressed enough to tell." He took the x-ray off of the wall light and handed it back to me.

"Thanks," I turned to leave.

"Thirteen," I turned around, facing a nervous Wilson.

"What are you doing for lunch?" He nervously looked at the ceiling. All I could do was laugh, but I kept it in. He was probably terrified right now.

"Nothing, why?"

He paused, "Will you…willyouhavelunchwithme?"

"I'm sorry, what?" This was getting awkward.

"Sorry," He scratched his head. "Will you have lunch with…me?" His face turned red.

"Sounds great," I smiled, and the butterflies returned. What's happening? Why do I all of a sudden feel this way? Wait, why am I complaining? I should embrace this moment. I couldn't help but smile.

Wilson let out a sigh of relief. "I'll meet you at twelve."

I turned and left the office. I was feeling giddy inside, almost bubbly. I probably looked like Doctor Cameron, not physically, but the somewhat expression on my face.