The Rogue Pinkie
Ch. 10
It was three days after the hurried drive to the hospital, in the race to save House's skull from a burr hole. Since that drive the two of them had been through hell, and they looked like it. Wilson was exhausted and House was unconscious.
The pressure was relieved with medication and a little luck. As for the surgery to remove the tumor it occurred as scheduled and the tumor was removed with clear margins. No cancer, which was a huge relief on Wilson. Sure he treated patients with cancer daily, but he couldn't bear to have to treat his best friend.
Their three days played out avoid burr hole, cut head open, extract foreign matter, avoid cancer, sleep, recover. They were still in the sleep stage. Wilson and House had a private room. There was only one bed, but there was room to use the mattress Cuddy had given them. While House was in and out of consciousness Wilson didn't work. He sat around watching television, reading and monitoring his friend closely. Occasionally Cuddy would come relieve him from his post and he would go eat.
And then one day House stayed conscious long enough to have a coherent conversation. Wilson was there reading and dozing when he heard movement. House had raised his hand to the top of his head and felt the bandages. Then he found the IV and glanced at all the meds he was on. Lastly he found the catheter.
"Fill me up and empty me out, I see how you are."
"Hello to you too." He said with a smile. House tried to say more but his throat was dry from the sleep so Wilson gave him some water and filled him in on his condition.
"No cancer, the tumor is 100 out of your head. Sorry about your hair, hope it grows back. We might he here a few more days to make sure you don't lose any function but then you're home free."
"Yeah, I'm a doctor too."
Wilson made a mental note of no apparent mental depression so far.
House sat the bed up and closed his eyes.
"Dizzy?"
"Little bit."
"Almost two days of sleep will do that to you."
"I know."
'Yeah he's fine' Wilson said to himself.
"Good to have you back."
"Good to be among the conscious again."
Wilson had to work one morning. His colleague had gotten a patient and she was beyond his care so he referred her to Wilson. House was still asleep when he needed to leave so he left him with Cuddy. House might not like that, but he would kill a duckling.
Cuddy had a fine time until House woke up. Today was not a good day. He was uncomfortable. First he just tried to readjust positions without having to open his eyes. That would have worked if he didn't have the bedding in a tangled mess. Cuddy saw him struggling and laid a hand gently on his forearm. He sprung open his eyes and looked at the unfamiliar touch.
"Cuddy." He said.
"How can I help you?"
He just sighed and threw his head back against the pillow. He was tired and just wanted to sleep. Luckily she read this and helped fix his blankets.
She asked, "Too hot? Too cold?" Hoping that answer might help her help him. He just grunted in reply and was out again.
"Guess not." She said out loud and resumed her reading in the neighboring chair.