what's up guys?? no reviews?? that's disappointing! i hate you all! omg...JUST KIDDING! i love you all too much to hate you. you are lovely... and i hope you accept my apology.

okay, now i'm done being random. seriously...why no reviews?? not interesting?? i should hope not! well if it's not, tell me... i'm always interested in seeing what's on your pretty little minds.

read on and rock out.

Ruby

Chapter Ten: Diagnosis and Treatment

House entered his office with a distinct, determined look on his face. Chase followed at his heels. "Have you noticed anything different?" he barked, pushing some buttons on his phone.

"Could you be more clear?"

"About her! Her personality, her mannerisms, the way she. . ."

Chase knew that House was onto something. He seemed too focused to make a joke. Then again, House always kept them guessing. Chase jumped in before he got the chance. "Come to think of it," he paused, not wanting to feed House's ego. "She's always gotten what she wanted, but she's never been that . . . aggressive."

"When I first met her, I saw her yelling at a receptionist. Something sound wrong there?"

"I've personally never heard her yell...but I don't know." Chase frowned, wondering where House was going with this.

Foreman and Cameron came jogging down the hall. Cameron was about to complain, but House held up a hand to stop her. "Biopsy her liver."

"New symptom?" Foreman panted.

"No, the name of a band I'm starting. You play bass."

"Because I'm black."

"Can you honestly say that you don't know how."

"Well...yeah."

"Do I smell a bet? What this time...let's do $500."

"Her eyes." Chase mumbled. It was more to himself then to anyone, but it was still loud enough for others to hear. He seemed to be in his own little world and didn't really care that other could hear him. "I was right. It's Wilson's."

"What?" Foreman caught his breath, looking at Chase in the most confused way he could.

"Kayser-Fleischer Ring." House sat at his desk and put his cane aside. "Now the question is... how does Wilson's Disease cause a personality change?"

"I knew her back in high school." Chase snapped out of it. "How do we know that she didn't just change over the years?"

"People don't change. No matter how much Cameron wants to believe it." House grabbed his tennis ball and started bouncing it off the wall.

"That would be like saying House would come in tomorrow skipping and handing out roses." Wilson joked, jamming his hands into his pockets as he slowly sauntered into the room. "You rang?"

"Oh darn, you ruined the surprise!" House threw the ball at him, which he barely caught.

"Wilson's disease is the build up of copper in the body. Mostly the liver. So what would that have to do with the brain?" Cameron tried to get the back on track.

"It builds up in the liver, but can be deposited in other parts of the body. If a heavy amount built up on the frontal lobe, that could cause a metaphorical personality 180." Foreman continued.

"Biopsy the liver. If it's positive for Wilson's then start her on Penicillamine." House stood and walked over to the door. "Chase can inform her. And no hanky-panky this time. That's what internet porn if for."

"And where are you going?" Wilson was about to blindly follow him.

"To the security desk. Want to see if I can get that tape." He smirked, limping out of the office.

"What's he talking about?" Foreman crossed his arms, staring at Chase.

"Nothing." Chase lowered his head and brushed past them.

All three of them made their way back to Nicole's room. She was sitting in the chair with the phone glued to her ear. "No Mama, I'm fine...you and Dad don't need to come out here...well Chase was just concerned...yes, Chase and I are back together, I think...Mama, I got to go. My doctors just walked in...okay Mama...I love you too...bye." She stood up and brushed the wrinkles out of her shirt. "What's up?"

"We think you have Wilson's disease." Foreman sighed. Nicole cocked her head, understanding but wanting him to continue. "We're going to have to biopsy your liver to be sure, and if we're right then we can treat it."

"With?"

"Penicillamine." Cameron held Nicole's chart up. Nicole frowned. The side effects of Penicillamine were worse then the Prednisone. Not to mention more likely.

"Couldn't you just give me Trientine or zinc salts?" She crossed her arms. Tears were forming in her eyes, but she was holding them back. Chase saw her struggle. He walked over and wrapped his arms around her, and began rubbing her arms. Her skin was extremely cold. "I mean, I know they're less effective...but is it really that bad?"

"We think you may have copper deposits stored in your frontal lobe."

"I'm not familiar with the brain."

"The frontal lobe determines personality and many "higher" cognitive functions. It's split into the anterior and posterior. The prefrontal, or anterior, portion determines personality. We think that where the copper is settling." Foreman seemed very professional. He hand one hand in his lab coat pocket, and the other one was pointing to where the lobe was located.

It took Nicole a moment to compose herself. "Who usually does the biopsies?"

"Well...Chase does, but..."

"No. I want Chase to do it." Nicole turned to look at him, like the others were.

"I...can't..."

"Why not?"

"House won' let me."

"I can deal with that." Nicole faked a smile. "Please? It would make me feel better."

"It's against hospital rules. We can't perform ant kind of procedure on someone we're in a relationship with." Cameron squinted. She saw the look in Nicole's eyes and didn't continue.

"Then we won't be together." She turned back to Chase. "I want a break."

Chase knew she was kidding, but it still stung a little. He looked to the other for advice. "Chase, Cuddy would..." Cameron started, but Nicole stepped up to her.

"Lisa Cuddy? I can deal with that, too." This was a real smile this time. Nicole wouldn't admit why, but hearing that name made her happy she was at this hospital.