Chapter Three

Behind the closed door of exam room three, House sat on the exam table vigorously massaging his damaged right thigh muscle with nothing but his beloved vicodin and trusted cane as company. What kind of a life is this? How happy could someone be when they were alone with no one there for companionship? House had spent the majority if his adult life pushing people out of his orbit where what he really needed was to start letting people into his world despite the fear of getting hurt.

After Stacey left him, House was convinced that he couldn't love anyone else and that no one else could ever love him of course, that was before the night the crane collapsed in downtown Trenton and Cuddy broke off her engagement to be with him. It turned out that twenty years of sexual innuendo and shameless flirting had lead to a night of passion which lead to nearly a year with something that House was sure he would never have again….love.

Looking down at the pill bottle which House now held between his thumb and forefinger of his right hand, the diagnostician sighed while grasping the orange plastic bottle within his fist.

Congratulation House, you've done it again

In the midst of this conversation with his thoughts, the diagnostician was interrupted by a knock on the exam room door which annoyed him greatly.

"With a patient."

"Not unless he happens to be the invisible man."

Rolling his eyes at this comment House grudgingly limped over to the door and opened it to reveal the slender figure of Thirteen standing before him with a coy grin on her face.

"What do you want?."

"You really need to find a better hiding place."

House was in no mood to joke as he continued to glare at her while waiting for an explanation.

"What do you want?."

Knowing she was about to step on dangerous territory here, Thirteen sighed while getting to the point.

"We've got a case. Sixteen year old male presenting with chills and a severe headache."

"Oh my god, that is a mystery unless somebody has already discovered something called a rhino virus which is now running rampant through out the hospital."

Obviously this wasn't working so thirteen decided to just rip the bandage off quickly without thinking of the consequences…as per usual.

"Cuddy's looking for you."

"and I care because?."

"you can't avoid her forever."

That's when House lost his patience with Thirteen. It was bad enough that everyone in the hospital including Blue the janitor had there eyes and ears peeled for any inkling into the personal life of one head of diagnostics but enough was enough.

"For your information, doctor Hadley, I was not avoiding Cuddy…I came in here to elevate my leg because its killing me like it always does. Of course I suppose I could have limped all the way to my office but I'm pretty sure I would have toppled over way before then but if that's enough for the thirteen review board maybe we should have an all out fight, lets go, you and me, cripple versus jail bird."

Despite this heated tantrum, Thirteen didn't move from where she stood. Remy had known House long enough to know that it was the pain that caused his hostility muscle to be flexed despite what he said otherwise.

"No thanks, fighting is not my style besides you couldn't handle the humiliation of having your ass kicked by a girl."

This caused House to smirk despite himself while holding his gaze on thirteen who held his stare with defiance in her eyes.

"Well played."

"I thought so."

"(sigh) Go deal with the chaos out there, I'll be there eventually."

Thirteen nodded in agreement to this and headed for the door, turning the knob Remy looked back at her boss who had gone back to massaging the damaged muscle which had tensed significantly during their conversation.

"What about Cuddy?."

"(sigh) it's a big hospital, you'd be amazed how many places there are to hide."

"Right."

This being said Thirteen closed the door and stepped back into the hallway of the clinic making sure not to make it obvious as to where she had been. Thinking about the last thing House had said, Thirteen couldn't help but smile inwardly to herself.

Some things never change.