Chapter 20
Don't Be a Wally
I woke up at 8:00 am and decided to take a brisk walk to wake me up and get my head back in the game. I didn't have the energy to dress so I just wore a jacket over my flannel pajama bottoms, t-shirt, and socks. I brushed my teeth, but I forgot to comb my hair. I'm sure I looked strange, like a crazy Kafkaesque somnambulist, but I wasn't aware then as to just how depressed I was. I put on my Ugh boots and started walking in the very cool fall morning.
I got to the Starbucks and stood in line to get hot chocolate when I felt someone blow on my neck. Chills ran down my spine as I reached up to grab my neck. I turned and had to look up.
I frowned, "It's you." I turned back around towards the counter.
He blew on my neck again. I compressed my lips in anger and turned to give him the evil eye. He was waiting for my look because he had his head sticking down at me like a turtle out of its shell and his eyes were crossed. I rolled my eyes and snorted.
"You're looking rather bizarre even for you." he said.
I looked down at my clothes, reached up and touched my hair and tried to pat down some errant strands. "It's my new prison look."
He looked at me so intensely I was sure he was going to do something. I thought I saw his head move in my direction, it was barely perceptible, maybe my imagination, but I thought he might kiss me.
"Lady! Can I help you?" The server yelled at me.
"Oh! Sorry, I was occupied. Yes, hot chocolate, Grande."
I paid for my hot chocolate and then went to stand by the end of the counter like the rest of the morning cattle. House walked over next to me.
"You know, my attorney told me I shouldn't have any contact with you since I could go to prison for 2-3 years for what I did. So could you please stand somewhere else?"
"How's your head?"
I shrugged my shoulders.
"Riley." The female server yelled out as she put the cup on the round portion of the counter. I grabbed it and, without looking at him, started to leave. He grabbed my upper arm to stop me. I looked at his hand on me and then up at his eyes to let him know he better let me go.
"Riley, I'm sorry. I never..." he looked down. He looked so sad. The great Greg House looked contrite, it made me ache a little. He looked up again and into my eyes with a desire that made me want to hold him. He dropped his hand and I took off.
That asshole, now I'm feeling sorry for him? I am pathetic. How can I be so stupid and gullible? This guy could win an academy award.
I walked back to my condominium to work on my busy schedule. I had Regis and Kelly, then The View, Days of Our Lives, Ellen and Oprah to watch. I found some Ben & Jerry's lurking in the bottom of my freezer and grabbed an afghan for my lap. I was ready for whatever Oprah could throw me. Please God, just don't make it, 'Women who Trust Men that Have Beards."
I was settled in my spot when my cell phone rang. I picked it off the table and read the I.D.; it was Princeton General.
I answered, "Yes, this better be good, Barbara Walters just asked Britney Spears about her drug spree."
"Dr. O'Sulivan, you're on speaker. It's the Board of Directors, we'd like you to come in and see us this afternoon around 1:00 pm. Can you make it?"
I sat upright, dropping my B&J on the floor. "Yes, of course."
"We'll see you then."
Okay, what's up? I wonder if I show up in my pajamas if they'll mind?
I decided to wear my grey silk trouser suit. I walked the familiar halls of the hospital and was surprised when Robert ran up behind me and put his hands on my waist.
"Boo. Hey, I left you some messages to call me so I could tell you what happened at the Symposium."
"The Board wants to see me in five minutes. Do you know what they want?"
"The phone has been ringing off the hook with referrals to our department. They're all asking for you. Some just want to hire the woman who 'bitched slapped' House and others who were so impressed with his speech at the Symposium, they want you to take their case."
"House was that bad at the symposium?"
"No, he was that good. That's what I wanted to talk to you about."
"I'm running late. I'll come find you when I'm done."
He smiled and waved at me as I left him. I turned into the Board Room and looked at the suits that filled all of the seats.
"Dr. O'Sullivan, thank you for coming in. We have a lot to discuss."
I went to our office and sat down across from Chase who had a big grin on his face. "Well?"
"I feel like Michael Corleone, 'Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. I'm your boss again. You were right the number of referrals is going through the roof. What happened at that Symposium?"
"Let me show you." Robert went to his satchel and got out a DVD. He slipped it into our player and fast forwarded it to Saturday afternoon. He fast forwarded through House's presentation. It was on fast forward but I could see the slides on Ebola and the new strains. I felt a little spear of anger go through me. Then he stopped it in one of those funny positions where House's eyes are half closed and his mouth partially opened; he looked retarded. I thought it would be great if I could print out a picture of him in that position. It would go a long way towards me being able to put him behind me. Chase started the DVD on House showing slides of the dead healthcare workers.
"...This is the person who should be up here explaining the African outbreak of Ebola, not me." I looked at Chase. I had been crying ever since I saw the photos of my dead friends in Africa. My body jerked and I started to wail. Robert froze, his eyes wide and body tense. He eventually came around and hugged me.
"That SOB, how can he do that to me? I feel like a human yo-yo...first he screws me and then he says or does something human."
"That's his M. O., you never know what he's going to do." Chase was still holding me.
"But he did the right thing in front of hundreds of people." I sighed shaking my head, "It's must mean the End of Days is upon us."
"Be careful, he orchestrated this perfectly so that you'd get your job back. He wants to take you down fairly."
"By sending me hundreds of patients?"
"I don't think he anticipated just what a big impact this would have. But, let's enjoy it. Welcome back, I missed you."
"Well, don't get too used to it, I may still be going to prison."
"You won't go to prison, House won't testify and if he does testify, you'll come out like a saint. He wants to fight you in the medical arena and what House wants, he manipulates."
My preliminary trial was held on a Friday afternoon. The D.A. had to subpoena Gregory House as a witness, he wouldn't come in on his own. James Wilson and Toby Powell had also been subpoenaed and they waited in the audience as House was sworn in and took the stand.
"Dr. House, what is your relationship to the defendant, Riley O'Sullivan?"
"My relationship with Doctor O'Sullivan is hard to pin down. We have been lovers, friends, doctors, companions, rivals, the relationship has run the gamut."
The Assistant D.A. was on thin ice, she hadn't been able to interview House because he refused. She didn't know what his answers were going to be. "Your Honor, in light of the fact that they have an intimate relationship, I'd like to examine this witness as a hostile witness."
"Your chief witness is a hostile witness?" The Judge took off her glasses and, with a furrowed brow shook her head, "I'll let you examine him as a hostile witness but I caution you, this doesn't bode well for you."
"Dr. House, you attended the theater the night in question didn't you?"
"Yes."
"And you spoke to the defendant, didn't you?"
"No."
"You didn't speak to the Defendant?"
"I didn't speak, I baited her."
The D.A. frowned and looked exasperated, "Alright. You had words with her. Did she attack you?"
"I don't remember."
"Your Honor, could you caution the witness about perjuring himself."
The judge looked sternly at House, "Dr. House, answer truthfully or you will be up for contempt of court and possible perjury charges."
House smiled briefly. "Well, your Honor, are there any sanctions for asking stupid questions? Because I feel a few of them coming up."
My attorney leaned over to me and said, "You slept with this guy?"
"It seemed like a good idea at the time." I shrugged.
The judge looked confused. She leaned over the bench, "Dr. House, do you want Dr. O'Sullivan to be punished for her alleged battery of you?"
"No your honor, being Dr. O'Sullivan is enough of a punishment for her. Dr. O'Sullivan had just returned from Africa where she had been shot by guerillas. Ten of her friends had been killed by the same Ugandan guerillas. She was obviously suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder when we met that night. I managed to say something derogatory about those dead friends. I deserved what I got. The person that should be charged is the security guard who used excessive force on Dr. O'Sullivan, causing a fractured skull and bleeding from her ear. Not that a little brain damage wouldn't be an improvement. Still, it was unnecessary, the altercation was nothing. I like my women to be rough."
The judge started laughing. She looked at the D.A. and shook her head, "Counsel, why are we here?"
The D.A. looked at my attorney, then me, closed her lips tight, shrugged her shoulders and said, "I don't know your Honor."
The judge turned to me, "I'd be willing to drop these charges doctor if you would take an Anger Management course and file a certificate of completion with my clerk by the end of the month."
"Yes your Honor, I'd be willing to do that," under my breath I said, "...again."
"Case dismissed." The gavel came down and House left the witness stand.
I thanked my attorney but he just chuckled, "Are you kidding? Dr. House did all the work. I can see now why you slept with him. Well, take care Riley!" And he was out the door.
I turned and saw Toby waiting for me. I went over to him and he put his arm around me, "Anger management, again?"
"One day that Irish temper will be contained and I'll be...dead." We both laughed. "Toby, you haven't called or come to visit. Are you trying to tell me something?"
"I really have been busy, but still, you scared me in that theater. You were out of control. House is right, you probably have PTSD. You need help."
I pulled away from his arm and looked at him. At first I was put off, but then I relaxed, "I agree. However, I was upset that you ran away from me when I needed you. You know, when people like each other they try to help, not run away. I know that you wouldn't be here except you were subpoenaed. I think we need to acknowledge that we're over. Whatever this was, is over."
He couldn't look at my face, he simply nodded. We stood there for a few seconds and then he said, "It's House, isn't it? You love him."
"House is an ass, he doesn't have feelings for me and I don't have feelings for him. But at least House came to Africa when he heard I had been hurt and not getting better. Where were you?"
"Of course you're right. For whatever it's worth, I think the world of you and I'll always love you."
"I know, I feel the same." I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek and he left.
I sat back down at the witness table for several minutes, looking at the empty courtroom. It was quiet. The door opened and I turned to look.
"Do you always keep your men waiting?" House's eyebrows were raised, his eyes wide open, laughing.
I smiled. But then I thought about him and feeling like a human yo-yo, I winced, "Oh, I don't know if I have the energy for you right now."
"You kicked and hit me, you gave me bruises all over my body and yet, I just kept you from going to the slammer. You owe me."
"What do I owe you?"
"Sex will do."
"Dream on broomstick cowboy. How about lunch instead?"
"Mmmm, it's a start."
I grabbed my purse and my jacket and walked towards him. He had on a silly grin, like he was getting away with something. He pushed open the door and I walked through. I looked around for Wilson.
"Where's Jim?"
"He's afraid the police might recognize him from the FBI poster so he decided to get the hell out while he could."
"So it's just me and you going to lunch?"
"I could go by myself and you could spot me a 20." he said.
"Works for me." I put my arm in his free one, "You know we're rivals again. They hired me back because of your presentation."
"I know. Come on, we can either go to Salt Creek Grill or my apartment."
"Salt Creek Grill it is." I said.
"My apartment is closer. The sex is better there."
"I'm sure it is. But I was thinking about feeding you."
"But sex is food for the soul."
"I've had enough soul food from you."
"Are you sure? You have that lean and hungry look and you keep staring at my crotch."
We reached my car, which was parked in a quiet corner of the courthouse garage. He went to get in the passenger seat. I asked him, "Where's your ride?"
"Wilson was it."
"Okay, I'll take you back to your cave when we're done."
I got in the driver's side and he was already opening the glove compartment and rummaging through it.
"Tampons, registration, rosin? Why do you have rosin?"
"I play the violin."
"Really? I would have thought you'd be more of a triangle or kazoo player." I ignored him and so he closed the glove compartment and sat back. "Any good at it?"
"Yes. Are you any good at the piano?"
"Sounds like an invitation to a smack down."
I had to giggle. "If I win, will you get out of dodge and let me have the only diagnostics department in town?"
He smiled, "No, but I'll let you be on bottom again. If I win, you're on top.
"Do you only think of sex?"
"Only when I'm with you."
We arrived at the restaurant and were seated. House ordered a cheeseburger and I ordered a salad. He talked to me about music and what he had meant to him growing up. We both seemed to use music as solace for the pain in our lives.
"I know what you mean. I often felt like the outsider and the violin let me forget. Have you always been odd man out?"
"Do you even have to ask that?"
"No. I understand. I was the same way. I never quite fit, I was always too good at doing things. The other kids shied away unless they were taking a test or needed a paper written. Have you always been, "House?"
"Pretty much."
We spent the next two hours talking about our lives. Each one was trying to outdo the other on how pathetic we were. It was funny and sad all at the same time. Neither of us had anyone in our lives, we had made major mistakes which had cost us a lot. He was so funny that I was in stitches half the time. The mischief he had gotten into was hilarious. By the end of the meal I think we both wished things between us were different.
We got into the car and he put his hand on mine when I went to start the car. He stroked my fingers as they rested on the keys in the ignition. He dropped his hand and let it rest on my knee. His long, masculine fingers started to draw tiny swirls up my leg.
"No Greg, I can't handle being intimate with you. The sex is too good. It just makes this game of yours harder to take."
He didn't stop. "We're adults, we can keep this separate from our professional life."
"You can."
"I want to touch you, feel you." He was talking to me as he leaned in and kissed my ear, nuzzled my neck and kept his hand moving up my thigh.
I turned to him, "Greg, we left this part of our relationship in Africa. I can't do this." I said it, but I didn't remove his hand. I ached for him inside of me.
He continued to move his long fingers up my thigh. He his hand stroked over the soft area of my inner thigh. I finally got the resolve to pull back. He could feel that I was withdrawing. He raced his hand up to the lace panties and quickly slid a finger under the elastic while kissing my ear. I drew in my breath and pushed back into my seat slightly parting my legs to make it easier for him. He felt between my legs,finding me wet and wanting him, all of him. He pulled his hand out of my panties, unzipped his trousers and pulled me over to him. We kissed as he slipped his hand up my blouse and unhooked my bra. Putting his head under my white blouse, he began to suck on my nipples, pushing my breasts together so he could lick and fondle them. We slipped my panties off and then he pulled me onto him. I straddled his legs and grabbed him to guide him inside. Before I did, I took the tip of his penis and rubbed it against my clitoris, spreading the wetness over both of us. He exhaled quickly and pushed up inside of me hard and fast. Closing his eyes, he leaned back as I slipped up and down. We kissed over and over, our mouths open and our tongues darting inside of each other. Then he slowed down. A young couple walked by and giggled.
He kept his pace inside of me sweet and slow, not wanting to rush it. "I miss you." He said.
I looked into his eyes, "Can't we find a way to stop sniping at each other?"
"Well, this certainly goes a long way towards that."
He kept thrusting up and down, adjusting in his seat to obtain the deepest penetration. The feel of him filling me over and over was hot. My thighs and everything inside of me tightened around him. I could feel his thighs tighten too. Both of us buried our mouths in each other's neck to keep from screaming. House held me hard and fast on his lap, not letting me move my hips. Instead, he continued his thrusting while keeping me from moving further. Each thrust moved against my clitoris making me even wetter and sending me closer to the pleasure we both sought. His eyes flew open, he looked deep into my eyes as his face contorted. It was then that he let go of the firm hold he had on my hips and I began pumping up and down to bring him to his orgasm. He yelled out, "Oh yeah, yeah. Riley, yeah. Riley. Christ it feels good." As soon as he said my name I could feel the waves start coming from the contractions in my groin. I was screaming too. I was so loud that he once again put his mouth to my lips to smother the screams coming over and over from some place so deep it scared even me. The waves dissipated and it was over. We were both breathing quickly.
He pulled me into his chest, holding me for at least five minutes before letting me up. I could tell that he was smelling me, feeling my back along my spine. He wouldn't let me get off of him. He wouldn't let us disconnect. He wouldn't pull out of me. I wasn't sure why he wanted to just hold me, but I didn't care. I wanted so desperately to hold him too and not let go.
We eventually pulled apart and as I went back to the driver's side he pulled me back to him again, kissed me and held me. I was surprised and touched. I wanted to ask him to give up this silly game and give us a chance to be a real couple. But he soon pulled back and said, "Don't let this worry you, I won't expect you to give me any slack just because I gave you the big one." We both chuckled. We both dressed.
I drove him to the hospital where his motorcycle was parked inside the garage up near the elevator. He got out and came around to my side. I rolled down the window and looked into his beautiful blue eyes.
"We're even now, back to square one. Now, I'm taking you and your department down. You understand? Nothing personal."
"It's always personal. Goodbye Greg."
"Goodbye Riley." He leaned into the car and kissed me over and over like he didn't want to let me go. Then he drew in a long breath, turned and walked away.
I went home to my empty condominium wondering why I couldn't keep my knickers on when I was around Greg House.
Chapter 21
Clash of the Titans
It wasn't long before Riley's team started getting some interesting cases. Chase was a very happy camper. He was finally able to write a case up that he knew would make JAMA. Riley was proud of him, He had been building his own reputation and, between Riley and Chase, the reputation of Princeton General was improving substantially.
Riley gave a week long series of lectures at Princeton Medical School and then was asked to do the same at Johns Hopkins. When one of the speakers backed out, Riley was asked to address the Infectious Disease Section of the AMA on the Ebola outbreak at a symposium in New York City. After the presentation, Riley stayed for a question and answer session. It went on for several minutes and was just starting to wind down.
"What's the latest word on Ebola?" Allison Cameron asked from the audience.
"Well, last week there were a couple of cases northeast of Wamba in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That's not unusual, occasionally residual cases flare up after a major outbreak. But we're watching this closely since it's possibly the viral strain.
At the end there was a voice from the back, "What happened to the monkey in your photos?"
Riley looked into the audience trying to find him. She spotted him in the back with a blue ball cap that said, "Yes, I was on COPS."
"The monkey became the camp mascot. He was a little on the ornery side, stealing things, pissing people off. But we all found him rather endearing. We named him House." The whole audience laughed. She could even see the whites of House's teeth as he laughed.
After the seminar, Riley was racing around a corner when she ran into House. He looked down at her and shook his head slowly, "You named him House?"
"Yeah. He slept with me too. I tried to let him go back to the wild, but he kept following me back. That's when we named him House." Riley looked at him and smiled, "My team made it into the Journal."
"So did we." House said.
"Our department is in the black."
"So is mine."
"Well then, how do we know who's winning? We could arm wrestle."
"Arm wrestle? Mud wrestling – you and Cameron."
"I tell you what, let's call a truce. I'll admit that you're the better Diagnostician. You admit I'm the better department administrator and we'll kiss and make up."
"I'll think about it."
Riley put her hand up to his cheek and winked at him.
House loved his motorcycle. He also knew it was getting late in the season to be riding it. It was the end of December, the week between Christmas and New Year's. New Jersey had its first snow the day before, but it hadn't stuck to the ground. House figured he'd take the motorcycle out one last time of the season. Bad idea. He took the scenic route to the hospital. As he picked up speed on the parkway, a deer ran in front of the motorcycle.
House grit his teeth. He barely avoided the deer. The motorcycle went down, dragging House with it. When the paramedics arrived, House was already standing and cussing. They tried to coach him onto the gurney, but he wanted to make sure his motorcycle was going to be towed to his mechanic. An hour later he arrived in the emergency room where Cuddy and Wilson were waiting for him.
"You don't look that bad. A few facial cuts and abrasions, a torn leather jacket and ripped jeans. Any broken bones?" Wilson asked as he looked House up and down.
"No. The scratches on the face need some cleaning, there's gravel in them."
Cuddy shook her head and scowled, "Why weren't you wearing your face mask? You should be driving your car. It's too late in the season to be riding a motorcycle."
House shook his hands and arms in frustration at her, "Deer cross the road in the summer too!"
House was cleaned up and Wilson drove him home to change clothes. While House changed, Wilson yelled at him from the living room, "What's going on with the competition between you and Riley?"
"Ah, she's already admitted defeat to me at the symposium last week."
"Really? I heard her department is doing very well, they just hired another Fellow."
"Where did you hear that?"
"Foreman. He and Chase have dinner once a week."
"That traitor, fraternizing with the enemy. I'll have to fire his ass."
"She said I was the better Diagnostician."
"Great, now can we all just get along and be friends? I like Riley and I'd like to see you two get beyond this petty game of yours."
"Not yet, I want more proof. I want her to have to call me and ask for my help. Then I'll be the gracious winner and call off the contest."
"You're nuts."
They arrived back at the hospital and House reviewed the files of the new patient. He arranged for tests to be run. The tests would require twelve hours before there would be results. That meant that the team was expected to spend time in the clinic. Foreman was first up. He went down after lunch.
House and Wilson headed into House's office just after lunch. House saw a package, wrapped in gift wrap and tied with a plaid bow. He looked at Wilson who flipped his palms outward and shrugged his shoulders, indicating he didn't have a clue.
House opened it up. Inside was a plastic yellow diamond road sign that said, "I brake for Deer" with a silhouette of a deer jumping. He was frowning at the joke until he saw the card, "Glad You're Okay. Riley and Robert", he smiled.
"How did they find out so fast?" House looked sideways at Wilson.
"I don't know. You know paramedics actually take patients to Princeton General too. Maybe they said something?"
"Hmmm. Funny, ha, ha."
Foreman picked up the file for "Bin Karubi." Headache, fever and stomach complaints. Foreman put on his gloves as he addressed Mr. Karubi, "Well, Mr. Karubi, tell me when your headache started?"
Karubi was in pain, his head throbbing. He had the hiccups, " I am sorry doctor, I have the hiccups. Is Dr. O'Sullivan here today?" He said in a thick African accent.
"Dr. Riley O"Sullivan?"
"Yes, I understand Dr. O'Sullivan has been in Africa and has treated African diseases."
"Well, yes she has, but she doesn't work at this hospital. Why do you want to see someone who worked in Africa? Have you been there?"
"I am sorry I wasted your time. Where does she work?"
"At Princeton General. But I can get Dr. House to come down, he's been in Africa too. He saw patients there and actually worked with Dr. Riley in Africa."
"He did? Please, I would be grateful if he could come see me. I have just returned from my hometown in Africa."
Foreman would normally have insisted on doing the examination himself, but there was something so serious about Bin Karubi. He called House.
"House, I need a consult in Exam 3."
"I'm sure you do, but I'm not biting. What are the symptoms?"
"Headache, stomach ache and fever, 103F."
"You must be joking, that's it?"
"No, he's just back from Africa and he insists that he be seen by a doctor who has treated African diseases. He asked for Riley O'Sullivan."
There was a click as House hung up. Foreman wasn't sure if this meant that he was on his way or if he was just hanging up. Five minutes later, House was in the exam room. He eyed Bin Karubi suspiciously while he washed his hands and put on gloves.
House looked at the chart, except for his temperature and blood pressure, the only thing in the chart was that he had a head ache and stomach ache. "When did you get back from Africa?"
"Five days ago."
"What part of Africa?"
"I was in Matete."
House was on the stool with the eye scope. He rolled forward to Karubi to examine his eyes and ears. He was examining Karubi's eyes when, out of nowhere, Bin Karubi vomited. Most of it went down House's levis and shoes, but he felt some of the spray on his face and hands where the abrasions were from his accident. He wheeled back quickly, "Damn."
Foreman called for the nurses to get a janitor. He handed House a paper towel.
House sighed as he got up and tried to wash the vomit from his face. He turned to the distraught Bin Karubi.
"I am sorry doctor." Karubi had the hiccups again.
House turned to Foreman, "Did you know he had the hiccups?"
"They stopped before we called you. Why? It's just the hiccups."
"Christ." House gritted his teeth and frowned. "Matete, that's a city in Kenya, right?"
The very miserable Karubi nodded, "There is a large town in Kenya named Matete, but my village is a small one in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is just south of Wamba."
House slammed his fist down on the stainless steel tray, causing both Foreman and Karubi to jump, "Damn, damn, damn." House paused, clenched his teeth and then said, "Foreman, go notify Cuddy. Tell her we have a level 4 Biosafety pathogen and this isn't a joke. Don't allow anyone in the clinic who sat near Mr. Karubi to leave before warning them about Ebola symptoms. You need to put on a mask and gloves. Don't let the janitor in unless he has a hazmat suit. Notify quarantine that they have a patient coming up."
"House, what's going on?"
"Mr. Karubi has Ebola Wamba and he may have just passed it to me. Tell Cuddy to call Maggie Malone at the CDC. Mr. Karubi, do you live with anyone?"
"Yes, but my housemate has been in Africa for the last two weeks."
"Good." House said.
"I'm sorry Dr. House." Karubi said sadly. "I did not mean to get sick on you."
House said nothing to reassure Mr. Karubi. He sat there, pissed off at the circumstances and finding great irony in the fact that he had to return to the USA to be directly exposed to Ebola.
Within minutes, Cuddy showed up in a mask, paper gown and booties. "House, before I call Maggie, are you sure?"
"85 percent sure. He just came back from Wamba, has a fever of 103F, hiccups and vomiting with some blood. We need to get Mr. Karubi into quarantine as soon as possible, he needs fluids."
Cuddy nodded. Within minutes Karubi was dressed in a gown, mask and gloves and taken to quarantine where he shed his clothes for disposal. House asked for scrubs, took his own clothes off and bagged them for disposal.
He left and went into Cuddy's office. She was just hanging up with Maggie. "Maggie's got most of her staff in California trying to contain an outbreak of meningitis. She says that she trusts you to take the necessary precautions and to work on containment. She'll have a small team up here within twenty-four hours. She wants to keep this quiet until they have a confirmation back from the lab."
"I took some blood from the patient. I'll go up and run it in quarantine." House said.
"You need to stay in quarantine. Foreman told me that some of the patient's vomit hit your scrapes and scratches. You've received direct exposure."
"I won't be contagious for at least 48 hours. By then we'll know what it is. I'll sleep here at the hospital up in quarantine."
"I'm trusting you House, if you start feeling sick, then I expect you to stay in quarantine."
"I understand." House turned around and went to the quarantine lab. "He prepared the smears and viewed them. It was a filovirus, it was Ebola. But House was interested in whether it was Ebola Wamba, Ebola Wamba2 or Ebola Zaire. Anna would know. Riley would probably know too. But he didn't want Riley to know yet that they might have an Ebola patient right here in Princeton. He called Cuddy, "It's Ebola. Let Maggie know."
House went back to talk to Karubi. "How long were you in the village in Africa?"
"I was there two days to take care of my brother's family. He died from Ebola six months ago. I went to take care of his wife and daughters."
"You need to tell me everything you did and all about your surroundings."
"I caught a bus into Wamba and walked the six miles to the village. They live in a one room hut."
"What type of animals did they have?"
"Goats and a dog."
"Where did the dog sleep?"
"In the hut, next to my bed."
House nodded.
He received a call on his cell phone. "Hello."
"House, it's Anna. What the hell are you up to?"
"Where are you?"
"I'm in California, but apparently you've managed to come up with the only African Ebola case on U.S. soil. So, once I get this epidemic under control I'll fly out to Princeton. I should be there by the end of the week. Have you confirmed it?"
"It's Ebola."
"Shit. You need to get Riley involved. She'll be able to type it for you."
House frowned, "Have them send me the assay test and I'll type it."
"Riley could probably look at it and tell you."
"Send me the assay test."
"Okay. I take it you're still mad at Riley for the smackdown?"
He chuckled, "No, but how would it look if we brought in my rival from Princeton General?"
"Like a smart move!"
"I will if I need her."
Anna lowered her voice, "I heard you were directly exposed to bodily fluids."
"Yep. The guy was a vomit cannon and I was in his path."
Anna's voice was a little shaky, "Make sure you take precautions, full level 4 gear whenever you're around it. Assume that you don't have Ebola."
"Yes, Mom."
Wilson hunkered down in Cuddy's office as she dealt with the ramifications of the patient in quarantine. The New Jersey Department of Health sent someone over, but they deferred to the CDC. Anna had already informed Washington D.C. that House could handle the case as the doctor in charge. Anna informed Washington that PPTH only needed a nurse practitioner, lab tech and public relations person until Anna could break lose from California.
Over the next 48 hours, Cuddy called House several times for an update but there was nothing new to report except that Karubi had a fever of 104F. House also warned her that the patient had become ill within 48-72 hours of exposure. The strain had to be a pretty virulent one for it to show up in Karubi within 48 hours.
"What if House has it?" Wilson asked Cuddy.
"What do you mean?"
"We need someone who is going to treat him for Ebola if he has it."
Cuddy shook her head, not understanding him, "I assume that the CDC will send people to treat him."
"No, the CDC will treat the disease in a way to contain it. I mean someone who knows what to do to help House get through the disease."
"I'll have Foreman and Cameron get up to speed."
"That's ridiculous when you have one of the foremost experts in Ebola right here in Princeton."
Cuddy's eyebrows lowered and she sneered, "I'm not bringing in Riley O'Sullivan."
"She and House are closer than you think."
"But she beat the crap out of him. I don't want her associated with this hospital in any way."
Wilson looked at her with raised eyebrows, "You know he deserved it."
"I don't want her here drumming up publicity by coming here and playing God. We can get through this without her. I don't want you telling her either. I'll have her forcibly removed if she shows up."
"You may regret that decision."
That night Wilson called Riley anyway. "Riley, it's Jim."
She was happy to hear from him, "Jim! Good to hear from you. I just this minute got back from a seminar."
"Riley, a patient came in today with Ebola. He vomited on House, on the cuts and his abrasions from his motorcycle accident."
"What? Oh, Jesus. Alright, I'm on my way." her heart leapt into her throat.
He jumped to his feet and yelled into the phone, "No! You can't do anything yet. Cuddy doesn't want you anywhere near House or the Ebola patient. She doesn't want you to get the publicity. She'll have you removed."
Riley was breathing quickly, "Publicity? I don't care about publicity. We need to type the virus and determine if it's viral and be prepared if he has it. I can save him Jim. I can save him. Please talk to her. I have to treat him when he first shows symptoms. I have a small window of opportunity."
Wilson heard the panic in her voice and regretted calling her. He was afraid that Riley would pull a House and do something rash. "Riley, we don't know if he has it. For now, House has everything under control. He's sitting in quarantine watching television and eating ice cream. So don't get worried yet."
"Jim, please keep me informed."
Riley hung up the phone and immediately called Anna. "Anna, were you told about the Ebola patient at Princeton-Plainsboro?"
"Yeah. I also know about House. I assume you're calling about that."
"Tell PPTH to let me supervise the work-up. Cuddy doesn't want me to get any publicity, but you know all I want to do is make sure they survive."
"I know sweetie. But House doesn't want you there either. He told me. I'm sorry but you're going to have to sit this one out."
"At least send me some Joe, just in case."
"I don't know. We only have two thousand cc's.'
"Send me 500cc, for House, if he needs it. Please? Please?"
"Alright, I'm sending it to you. You'll have it tomorrow. But keep it frozen or I'll kill you when I see you at the end of the week."
"You're coming out?"
"Do you think I'd miss the first Ebola case in the USA?"
"I'll see you then. Take care."
"See ya."
Karubi started to bleed, he bled from his anus and from his penis. House charted the progression of the illness while the CDC team did what they were suppose to do, take samples, do lab tests. House was bored so he had them bring in some Sodoku books, his laptop and Gameboy. He only had to stay in the quarantine room for another three days to make sure he didn't have the disease. By then the bloodwork would tell them if he had it or not.
The next few days went by uneventfully. Cameron and Foreman continued to monitor Mr. Karubi. They were both nervous even though they were dressed in hazmat suits from head to toe. In order for them to enter the quarantine rooms, they had to enter through double-doors with sealed penetrations. Once they entered the first door, it would close, forming the airlock. They scrubbed and dressed in the airlock. Once done, the second set of sealed doors would be opened. The exhaust air from the room was discharged to the outdoors while the ventilation to the room was balanced to provide directional airflow into the room (to prevent the disease from flowing out of the room.) Access to the quarantine room was restricted to a limited amount of healthcare workers, no visitors were allowed into the room. Visitors were only allowed visual and microphone access. The healthcare workers were required to wear solid-front coveralls, gloves (which had to be changed frequently) as well as a respirator and face protector.
Around 7:00 pm, Cameron suited up to enter the quarantine room to take House's vitals. He was quiet. Cameron handed him some medical journals that had just arrived and began to check his vitals. She went to put the thermometer in his mouth and he held her hand away from him. Their eyes locked and Cameron knew. She looked at Cuddy and Wilson who were standing outside, but they weren't paying attention.
"House, do you have a headache?"Cameron asked.
He looked away, his lips clamped tight and his jaw clenched. He turned back and took the thermometer out of her hand and put it in his mouth. Cameron waited until the thermometer buzzed. House looked at it and nodded. Cameron's eyes grew wide and she walked quickly over to the window to show Cuddy and Wilson. They walked up. She showed them the thermometer.
Cuddy looked and said under her breath, "Oh God."
The temperature was 101F.
Wilson turned to Cuddy, "Let me bring in Riley."
Cuddy shook her head, "Foreman, Cameron and the CDC have it under control." she walked over to the doors to wait for Cameron to come out.
Wilson stepped up to the window. House walked over to the glass and turned on the microphone. Wilson looked worried. He rubbed his forehead and House could see how tense he was, even his shoulders were rigid.
"House, let me call Riley."
"We have it under control. It's okay, I'll make it."
"Damn it. Why not give yourself every chance in the book. Why not have the best?"
"It's okay Wilson, don't worry."
Wilson wasn't convinced. He went to the bathroom and pulled out his cell. He heard the phone ring. Please pick up Riley.
The African-American Alumni were presenting Riley with an award for her work in Africa at their annual New Year's Eve ball. Riley was looking forward to the night. As a precaution, she placed her cell phone inside her dress's built in bra so that, if she was needed, PPTH or the CDC could reach her. She was wearing a black velvet off the shoulder dress in which her breasts were pushed together and up, putting them on prominent display. The full skirt fell from the waist into a small train in the back. Her honey blonde hair curled behind her ear, setting off the dangling diamond earrings. She looked beautiful.
She was at the podium giving her thank you speech when her phone vibrated inside her bra.
"Excuse me, I need to answer this." She dug inside her bra in front of the 300 surprised faces and pulled out her cell.
"Hello?"
"Riley?"
"Jim? Is he okay?" Riley didn't stop to think that this was being broadcast over the microphone that was in front of her.
"He has a fever of 101F."
"Fuck. I'm on my way." She left the podium and ran out the door, grabbing her velvet cloak on the way. She drove like a maniac to her condo where she rushed to the refrigerator and grabbed Joe. There was no stopping her. She ran like the wind back to her car and drove to PPTH as fast as she could.
She swept in like a cape crusader, running up to a charge desk on the first floor.
She didn't ask, she barked, "Where's quarantine?"
"Fourth floor, west wing." The nurse said, her jaw slack and her eyes wide with surprise at the vision of this beautiful woman in a formal ball gown and velvet cloak.
Riley got off the elevator on the fourth floor and looked for the west wing. She took a diversion down the wrong corridor, traced her steps back and went the other way.
She took out her phone and called Wilson as she made her way towards the Quarantine wing.
Wilson answered, "Hello?"
"Just answer me quickly, have they confirmed that House has Ebola?"
"Yes, it just came back."
She held her breath, "Is it Ebola Wamba?"
Wilson yelled at Cameron, "Cameron, did the CDC say if it was Ebola Wamba?" Cameron walked over and handed the results to Wilson. He put the cell back to his ear, "Yes. I'm holding the results in my hand, Ebola-Wamba. Why? Where are you?"
She knew that she had to take them by surprise or Cuddy would never allow her to do what she was just about to do, "Turn around."
Wilson turned and saw this blonde Goddess floating in black velvet at a fast clip towards him. He just stared. As she reached the waiting area, she dropped her cape on the ground and whipped right by Wilson. Cuddy, Cameron and Foreman looked up and watched as she silently, but quickly, entered through the first of the double doors to the quarantine room. She stopped and waited for the first set of doors to close. All hell broke lose.
Cuddy screamed, "Who is that woman? What is she doing? Stop her! Call security, stop her!"
They all watched as Riley did nothing to suit up except grab a paper filter mask. She had to wait for the airlock to seal before she could open the second set of doors.
Cameron started yelling, "You need protection, ventilator, mask...Dr. O'Sullivan, don't do this."
Cuddy looked at Cameron, "O'Sullivan, that's Riley O'Sullivan? Where's security?"
