Chapter 7
Princeton Plainsboro Hospital: A Hospital Room.
Having grabbed what he needed from the clinic, House stomped into the room where Zibby lay listlessly on the bed, the confident three-step of his feet and his cane matching the confident look in his eye. He threw his cane onto the bottom of Zibby's bed and she slowly turned her head. It was clear from the set of her jaw that even that simple movement exacerbated her intense pain. Without a word, he took her arm, found a vein and carefully injected the contents of the syringe in his hand.
Taub had caught up with House in the hallway, but after being blatantly ignored and watching him head to Zibby's room, Taub joined Thirteen and Amber against one wall, watching the diagnostic genius work the magic they'd heard so much about. Chase followed, still casting nervous glances at the spider which he had nervously ushered into the hastily provided Tupperware box. He would deal with the mini-Shelob once he'd found out why House had, yet again, vanished mid-sentence.
The effect of the anti-venom was stunning; within moments, her breathing had eased and colour had returned to her cheeks. Chase barged into the room and past the gawping doctors inside.
'House, why can't you ever - ' he cut off as House raised a hand. They waited in a tense, awed silence. After a long ten minutes, Zibby struggled up a little, unaided, resting on her elbows.
'What the hell?' she asked.
'Feeling better?' House demanded, triumph and pride clear in his voice.
'A little,' she said cautiously.
'Chase.' House held out his hand for the box, but kept his blue eyes hard on Zibby. Chase stepped forward obediently and placed the box into his hand.
'You got bit by this little baby,' House explained, as the huge spider crawled around the box.
'God!' she shuddered and ripped her eyes away, fixing them on the floor. 'Take it out of here! Take it out!' she cried, panicking.
House didn't hesitate - he pushed the box into Chase's hands, who headed straight for the door, rolling his eyes and muttering under his breath.
'What is it?' asked Thirteen, staring at the box curiously as he passed.
'A big bug, Momma,' House told her.
'It's a black widow,' Chase said in an annoyed tone, turning to shut the door behind him.
'I had someone in today who bred them,' Amber burst out, her face was pale with the realisation. 'In the clinic. Came in with stomach pain and vomiting. I thought it was gastro,' she blurted.
'Go call him. If he can still talk.' She nodded and left as House turned back to the bed. 'You'll be fine in an hour or two but they'll keep you here tonight f-'
'For observation,' Zibby finished with a weak smile. 'Sure.' One by one, the doctors filed out, glancing back at their colleague as they went.
