Chapter Three
I do not own House MD or The Doctor who series. Whoever made those things do, but I do own my imagination.
(House and three ducklings in meeting room)
"So! Either we have a binary-vascular system beating away in our patient's chest, or there's actually some rational medical cause which is giving the heart an irregular beat! Now… Any ideas?" House wasn't about to let this patient slip away. John Smith was certainly a unique man, and even House was beginning to consider the possibility of their patient actually having two hearts pumping away, yet he didn't want to admit it in front of the Ducklings.
Time for a differential diagnosis.
"So you heard it as well? I knew I was –"Chase was cut off quickly by a determined House.
"Chase, shut up. I need suggestions! Hurry up people!" House limped back and forth, and he kept a permanent marker ready in his hand so that he could at last fill up the blank white board.
"So far, we have cardiac arrhythmia." Cameron stated.
"Good! See? Something that makes actual sense." House muttered, giving a brief stare at Chase.
"But… You heard it as –"
"Any more suggestions before we start doing tests?" House yelled, obviously trying to speak over Chase trying to put forward his argument.
"Could be something wrong in the brain that's causing the unusual heartbeat…" Foreman suggested, and House quickly scribbled Neurological on the white board.
"Perhaps a heart condition that we haven't looked into yet…" Chase said, while copping the 'You suck up to House' look from Foreman.
"Could be Atherosclerosis. It's a common arterial disease where patches of fatty or fibrous material build up in the inner walls of the arteries. This restricts blood flow and may be the reason for why we hear that 'double beat'. This might be causing his heart to try and work overtime to get the blood through."
House rolled his eyes. "I know what atherosclerosis is…" But he stopped to think for a moment, and he scribbled it down on the white board. "But it could be a possibility. Ok, keep them coming people!"
"And atherosclerosis can be caused by coronary heart disease and strokes…" Cameron continued, prompting House to quickly jot that down on the white board.
"Can also be caused by being overweight or having a stressed heart, but this guy doesn't fit into any of those causes. His heart beat is fine! There's just an extra one!" Chase argued.
"Chase! Shut-up! Anybody who's not high on vicodin apart from me, give me more suggestions as to what the hell this is! So far we have cardiac arrhythmia, atherosclerosis; which can be caused by coronary heart disease or a stroke, and possibly something to do with the brain. Anymore?
"Broken ribs may have damaged the heart or caused a blockage." Foreman said, giving a further 'eye-roll' to Chase.
"Alright, we've got enough causes for now. Chase, I want you to go get an X-Ray of 'Mr. Smith's' chest. And while you're at it, get a blood test for the hell of it. Cameron, I want you to get a background history of this guy and see if he has any history of genetic heart diseases or anything peculiar or out of the ordinary. Foreman, once the X-Ray is done I want you and Chase to get an MRI of his brain. Now move people!" House picked up his cane and motioned them to go away, although he quickly shifted his weight back on it as the pain on his leg was too much to bear.
The three ducklings stared at him for a moment longer, but they quickly flooded out the door and went off to do their jobs before House would decide to think of some sarcastic insult.
Outside of the meeting room, the three doctors quickly hurried to their destinations. "Looks like we have an X-Ray first." Chase sighed, walking alongside his two colleagues.
"I really think that this is a waste of time. House just wants a case that's mildly more interesting then herpes and you just want to believe something that's not there… "Foreman said, clearly not intrigued about this whole situation. He was too much of a sceptic and he rarely journeyed outside his firm opinions and scientific beliefs.
"Foreman, I know what I heard and I'm sure we have a case. When this turns out to be 'a little bit more interesting then herpes', you'll be the one trying to look for answers…" Chase said, his Australian accent only making it sound that extra bit arrogant.
"Would you guys just shut up and act professionally? We have a patient to diagnose and even if it's nothing serious we still have to do our job…" Cameron sighed, especially when it came to a scientific dogfight between her two colleagues.
"Fine, but we'll eventually see who has the last laugh." Foreman said, and that familiar sly look appeared on his face.
(The Doctor, Foreman, Chase and Cameron)
"I sure wish Rose were here right now. She'd know what to do…" The Doctor sighed. By now, he had changed out of his clothes and been given some un-fashionable striped hospital standard pyjamas. He was glad that they fit him, but he would have much rather preferred his usual attire. Especially his coat.
Oh how he loved his coat.
"Good evening Mr. Smith. And how are you feeling today?" Cameron asked, speaking in behalf of the other two doctors standing beside her.
The Doctor put on a brief smile and shrugged. "Oh you know, still a bit… Blegh."
Foreman stared at the heart monitor screen for a moment, but then returned his gaze to the patient. "Care to be any more specific?"
"Bad chest pains, same as before. Hasn't really changed one bit."
"Alright, well we're going to take you in for an X-ray. I apologize for the delay but we've been jam packed at the hospital… "Chase said and he set up a fold-up wheelchair that had been leaning against the wall of them room. Foreman and Cameron helped the Doctor down from his bed and carefully slipped him into the temporary means of transport.
"Alright! Allons-y!" The Doctor said accompanied by that typical grin, known to appear on his face now and then. There was no point fearing for his life at this point, and besides, this place was a lot more comfortable then the TARDIS.
"What'd he say?" Cameron asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Something in French, but come on, we have an X-ray to do…" Foreman said, wheeling the Doctor out of the room and towards the X-Ray area.
"After the X-ray, I just have to get some background history and also, we're going to have to do a blood test and later on – Get an MRI… That ok?" Cameron asked, walking beside the battered and bruised doctor.
"Of course… Sounds fine to me. I don't see myself leaving this hospital anytime soon." The Doctor mumbled. Right now, he was starting to feel the regret of coming to this hospital, but leaving at the moment wasn't really an option. Luckily he was a fast healer, so all needed was some comfortable bed rest and soon, in a day or two he'd be fine. He just needed a way to explain that to the doctors that were treating him.
(Half an hour later)
The X-ray was certainly a new experience for the Doctor, but to him, this was old technology. To his fortune, the results of the X-ray wouldn't come through for another hour or so, and that would give him time to think of an excuse to explain the second heart situated in the right side of his chest. It was futile, but worth a shot.
Shortly after the x-ray had been completed, he had been wheeled back into his room and carefully helped back onto the bed.
Chase was off getting the X-ray images processed, Foreman had taken the Doctor's blood sample to the lab and Cameron had sat down beside the Doctor's bed with a clipboard and a pen, ready to go.
"So your name is John Smith?"
"Affirmative…" The Doctor said, trying not to make eye contact.
"And you're 30?"
"Yep!"
"Any genetic history of heart conditions or hereditary diseases? Strokes perhaps?"
"No… None that I can think of. My parents are both dead so you couldn't really ask them anyway."
"Dead? How did they die?"
"A fire, they both burnt to death." The Doctor lied.
"Any brothers or sisters?" Cameron continued to scribble down the information on her sheet of paper attached to the clipboard.
"No… Not anymore. They died in the fire." He said, that typical English accent trailing off while he thought of more excuses which would get him out of more questions.
"Alright… Have you been involved in any previous accidents?"
"Nope… Just this one."
"Have any friends or distant family we can contact in case of an emergency?" Cameron asked, looking up from her glasses.
"Nope… I travel alone." The Doctor said, his memory flashing bate to that moment when he saw Rose for the last time, being pulled into that bright light and disappearing into that other dimension, forever more. He snapped back into reality and put the thought Rose behind him.
"Travelling? Have you been overseas recently?"
"Not so much overseas. Just around the country. I realise that I'm English but I have been here for a while, so I'm not a recent traveller or anything." He sighed. "You know, parents are dead, no siblings left and all my friends aren't really around anymore so… That all the questions you need?"
"A few more. I'm sorry for this inconvenience, but we just need to find out what's causing your irregular heart beat." Cameron said. The Doctor could tell that just by looking her eyes – This doctor actually cared about the welfare of her patients, and that was a quality that most doctors lacked in this time period.
"Now, would I be able to have your current address? We just need to check your home for anything that may have caused this. Toxins, pesticides, food reflecting your diet, anything like that…"
The Doctor shifted slightly in his bed, and he took a deep breath.
"No can do… It's not really open to visitors…"
"I realise we may be invading your privacy but –"
"I'm afraid I can't let you go there. You have my information, blood tests and X-Rays. But you're not getting into my home."
Cameron blinked a few times, but nodded. "Ok, but if your condition continues to deteriorate then we'll need your address... But moving on, do you have a health care card? Any ID on you?"
"No, now I think you've got enough information on me so if you don't mind…" The Doctor sat up painfully and pointed to the door.
"Alright, but I may come back for more questions later. Thankyou for your cooperation." Cameron gripped the clipboard tightly and then retreated out of the room.
"He's definetly hiding something…"
The Doctor took a deep breath and sunk his head into his pillow. Luckily for him, a nurse had come by earlier on and adjusted the bed so he could lie on his back. His untidy brown hair had been messed up by the pillow, but right now he didn't care. He was a Time Lord, not a weak and vulnerable hospital patient.
All that happened was that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and look where it got him.
"Humans… Always wanting to know more then they really should… But I suppose they're a lot nicer then the Daleks, although a Dalek would just put me out of my misery." He was alone, Rose was gone and the only people he had to comfort him were doctors who also felt the need to study him.
"Where's Shakespeare with his words of wisdom when you need him…"
(House and Wilson)
"There you are!" A voice sounded from the doorway of Houses' office. "Have you been here all day? Or did you actually limp down to clinic duty for once? No wait, let me guess – Cuddy threatened you to do it otherwise she'd fire you." Wilson knew his crippled friend all-too well.
House, while in the process of balancing his novelty-sized tennis ball on the end of his cane, placed them both to the side and glanced at Wilson.
"Evil ice queen decided to make me do clinic duty today, but after diagnosing obesity and a few STI's, our boy from 'Down Under' may have actually found us a case…"
Wilson looked intrigued. "Really? What are the symptoms?"
"Broken Ribs… And."
"Broken ribs? That's a cause, not a symptom…" Wilson said, scoffing at the thought.
"I wasn't finished yet. Setting aside the fact that this patient does indeed have broken ribs he also has two heart beats…" House knew the absurdity of what he was saying, but he was still taking into account the other theories that his ducklings had suggested.
"Whoa. Two heart beats? Sure it just wasn't…"
"Cardiac arrhythmia? Atherosclerosis? Neurological? I made Foreman, Chase and Cameron go off and do some tests but I know what I heard. Chase, being the anti-sceptic that he is, wants to believe something's there but actually suggesting that anyone has two hearts is… Impossible."
Wilson nodded. "That's right. It 'is' impossible. At least the tests will give you and your team some closure. I think all this anticipation for a new case has gone to your head."
"Perhaps, but let's be honest. I'm bored. My team is bored. My game boy died and I need some entertainment. Besides, 'two hearts', is that more then one?" He said sarcastically.
"Just stop being a sarcastic ass, don't waste the mans time and discharge him when his ribs have been sorted out. What's his name anyway? Perhaps I can give him a consult or put forth a second opinion."
"John Smith and he's my patient. Not yours! Mine!"
"John Smith… Seems a bit generic, don't you think?" Wilson asked curiously.
"Obviously, which means he's hiding his real name or his parents really hated him." House said, again – sarcastically.
Wilson took a deep breath and walked towards the door. "Keep me updated on this case. If you happen to be right, which you won't, then I want in." And with that he quickly slipped out the doorway.
"Two hearts, I think the vicodin has finally fried his brain…" Wilson scoffed to himself as he made his way down to reception. "John Smith… Perhaps I can find what room you're in and have a look for myself."
Meanwhile, back in Houses' office, the man himself slowly closed his eyes while he rested in his cushioned and well furnished chair, but his relaxation was cut short by a shocked doctor that appeared at the mouth of the door.
"House! You need to get to the meeting room now. The results of the blood work and tests came back, as well as the X-rays. You really need to see this."
"Where are Chase and Foreman? And did you get that MRI done yet?" House said, taken slightly off guard.
Cameron shook her head. "MRI was booked out when we tried to get in, but Chase and Foreman are waiting in the meeting room right now with the results of the tests. Come on!" She urged, practically sprinting out the doorway and running down the corridor and towards the meeting room.
"House is not going to believe this."
TBC