A Call To Apathy – Chapter VI
"So, Dr Wilson…"
Wilson looked up at Addison from the stethoscope in front of him in the lab. "Call me James."
Addison smiled as Wilson turned his eyes back to the biopsy. Leaning up against the sink she fiddled with a rubber band. "How does your girlfriend feel about you coming all the way out to Seattle?"
Wilson looked up from the biopsy and chuckled to himself. "Aha, no girlfriend."
Addison could not hide her smile. "So instead you've got House."
Wilson smiled, eyes down on the stethoscope. "I guess so. But mind you, he's got Cameron now so it's probably time I jumped on the bandwagon."
Addison gazed at Wilson. She had only known him for a few hours yet already she had great respect and admiration for him. He was as brilliant as Derek – and Mark for that matter – but he was not arrogant. He was modest, yet confident; cheerful and kind. Suddenly the door opened and Addison got knocked out of her daydream.
"You ordered a CT?" A nurse came through the door.
Addison stood upright. "Ah, yes. Mrs Harper?"
The nurse handed over the CTs and walked out the door. Wilson peered out from the stethoscope. "What are those?"
Addison began to pull out some of the films from the envelope. "Mrs Harper's abdominal CT's. Wanted to see if the cancer advanced."
Wilson watched as Addison moved to the wall and slipped the films in front of the light box. Stepping back she flicked the light on. Suddenly all the blood rushed out from her face.
"Fuck."
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House sat in the front row of the viewing gallery, watching John's aorta being repaired by Dr Burke. The interns and his ducklings sat behind him as he watched the surgery intently, slowly eating the packet of popcorn in his hand.
Foreman sat in the back row, arms crossed. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
House glanced round and smiled slyly. "Only a little."
Turning back around he continue to eat the popcorn and watch the surgery. "What causes heart failure?"
Alex looked up from the surgery. "Wasn't it the syph?"
"You of all people should know syphilis doesn't cause heart failure. Otherwise Izzie would have found you a lot more attractive."
Izzie gave a sharp, cold look to House who had now turned away. Alex looked dumbfounded. "How did you know that?"
House chucked another piece of popcorn into his mouth. "Evil nurse Brenda has many connections."
Chase looked up at Izzie. Her gaze was firm, resolute. Yet he could tell she was trembling inside. Inconspicuously he put her hand in his.
Christina glanced up from the surgery. "So are you saying it's not syphilis?"
House continued to stare at the operation. "It wouldn't have caused the heart failure, and let's face it: like he'd be getting any!"
George leaned back in his chair. "So what is it?"
"I have no idea."
House watched as Burke finished the operation. Repairing the aorta, House watched as Burke slowly stitched it back up, thread by thread. As Burke pulled up lightly on the purse stings, his right hand trembled. Only for a second. Only for a millisecond. Suddenly House's gaze sharpened. He saw it.
Bounding up from his seat he picked up his cane and scampered out of the gallery room. The others sat back in disbelief.
"Ah, what do you think that was about?" George asked blankly.
Chase was equally stumped. "Maybe he didn't want to get caught being interested in a surgery?"
The others nodded slightly, looked out the door for House and then continued to watch Burke complete the operation.
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Burke washed his hands in the sink and sighed. Flicking off the residual water he picked up some paper towels to dry his hands and opened the door.
House was waiting for him. Leaning against the wall he looked up at Burke as he entered the hallway.
"You got shot."
Burke continued to dry his hands. "So did you."
"We should start a band!" House smiled.
Burke chucked the towel into the bin. "What do you want House?"
"You got shot in the arm and now you're performing surgery. Pretty amazing don't you think?"
Burke didn't like where this conversation was going. "I was just lucky I guess."
House raised his eyebrows. "Yes, of course: luck."
Burke crossed his arms. "Do you have a point House or do you just want to keep acting glib?"
House glared at Burke. "You had a hand tremor."
"I was tired."
"It was your right hand."
"My right hand was tired."
"That was a 5 hour surgery, you've been through 12 hour ones and your hands have never fallen to sleep."
"Your point?"
"You got shot in your right shoulder."
Burke was taken aback. There was cold silence as a few nurses walked past between them. As they left Burke looked up.
"Listen, I'm grateful for you coming all the way to Seattle for a consult, and for finding the right diagnosis, but you are no longer acting as a consult for this other case of yours so all the help you have received from the staff here has not been compulsory. You do not work here, you can just as easily be taken off this case."
House raised his eyebrows playfully. "Are you threatening me Dr Burke?"
Burke's face was stern. "No, I just wanted to remind you of your position here at Seattle Grace."
"Right." House scoffed. "Whatever you say Chief. Oh wait, that's right: you aren't the Chief! Shame about that. I wonder what would happen if he knew about how tired your poor little hand was."
Burke stood still, his arms still crossed. House moved up to him. "Do not threaten me again Dr Burke, unless you've got something a little more substantial than probation to back you up."
Burke unfolded his arms and moved past House, picked up a chart and walked down the hall.
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NB: Ok, so a little tension between House and Burke. But face it; men with those egos and those opposing morals are bound to have some tension between them! And oh, for the person who asked, the couples are: House/Cam (my thing, sorry.), Mer/Der, Wilson/Addison, Chase/Izzie/Alex, BANG (or burkstina) and a little hint of House/EVIL NURSE BRENDA!!!
Ok, ah: if you like – REVIEW!! If you think it's all right and could be better: REVIEW!!! If you hate: REVIEW!! If you're bored and looking for something to do: REVIEW!!!! Tanks!!! (That's bludger speech for 'thanks' by the way)