The Queen Of Hearts
Chapter 10
House was beginning to feel drowsy. He could see Chase standing over him. He knew Foreman was near by preparing to open his head.
Just don't take anything out that you shouldn't. Oh, and don't leave anything in you that you shouldn't. I want a sponge count when you've finished.
Foreman was talking to Chase. House couldn't make out what they were saying. He was getting very tired and barely able to keep his eyes open.
Foreman is probably telling Chase he'll be calling him 'boss' in about an hour. Nothing doing dawg, I'll be back ridiculing you all as soon as I think up more adjectives. Let's see, moronic, idiotic, asinine…
House was fading fast.
He saw only two things before oblivion took him. The first was Wilson masked and smiling with his eyes.
"You'd better be right about this surgery. I'd hate to have to sell all your stuff."
Craigslist? My 1967 Flying V should fetch a lot. Wait! What the hell am I thinking! Don't sell a thing!
The last was a familiar person standing at the window of the gallery. She had long dark hair, a narrow skirt and a low cut top.
The Queen of Hearts has come to see her Knave.
House stopped being aware of anything.
When he opened his eyes he was in Recovery. Wilson was there with him.
"House? House can you hear me? The surgery went well. Foreman removed the obstruction. Do you understand me?"
House groggily blinked once.
His throat was so dry. He wished he could have some water or ice chips.
"We're going to move you back to your room before long. As soon as we do I'll get you some ice."
Wilson isn't a doctor for nothing. It's nice to have a friend who anticipates your needs.
House indicated that he wanted to sit up a bit. Wilson raised the head of the gurney. He settled himself as comfortably as possible.
"Do you want another pillow?" Wilson asked.
House blinked once. Wilson provided one for him.
I could get used to this. I want the new Meatloaf album. It would speed my recovery. Can you get me that?
House glanced around the room. He was coming fully out of the anesthesia now. Not feeling any pain, which was good. House always believed pain was something best avoided. He looked toward Wilson.
Good old Wilson. What would I do without him?
Not for the first time, House was grateful for a best friend who was always there when he needed him.
Unless I drive him away.
He looked at Wilson and then looked just past him.
House saw brown hair, an arm and a nice pair of legs. The person connected to the legs was talking with Foreman. Foreman looked back at House and nodded. House didn't like that Foreman was talking to the nice pair of legs about him. He was sure he knew those legs. He didn't want to see their owner now.
"House is something wrong?" Wilson asked in concern.
House blinked twice.
"No there's something bothering you. I know that look," Wilson said skeptically.
A 'look'! What 'look'? I have a 'look'? Where's that mirror you promised?
Wilson glanced back over his shoulder.
"Cuddy's here. Is that what's bothering you?"
House did nothing for a moment. He looked back past Wilson.
Cuddy was alone. She looked in at House with a hopeful expression.
House turned his eyes away.
He blinked once then closed them.
Wilson looked back over his shoulder. He shook his head at her. 'No' he mouthed.
Cuddy looked crestfallen. She turned from the door and walked away.
Wilson watched her go and felt bad for her. This wasn't Cuddy's fault. She couldn't help she was in a relationship with someone who wasn't House. Wilson wished it were with his best friend. It's what House wanted even if he didn't know it himself.
House and Cuddy were ships that collided in the night. They were bad for each other in an 'oh so good' way. But how do you steer two people straight at each other? A collision of that magnitude could do a lot of damage.
And right now House wasn't strong enough.
House looked up at the ceiling.
I don't want her here. I can't have her here. Not now. Not when she's with Lucas.
Wilson touched House's arm lightly.
"She's worried about you."
I don't need her to kiss my boo boos. If I needed that I'd have you call my mom. Besides Cuddy doesn't want me. She's made that clear.
House closed his eyes again indicating the discussion was at an end.
Wilson looked up and saw an orderly approaching.
"We're taking you back to your room now. You can get some rest once we get you settled," he told House.
The orderly took the gurney and moved it out of Recovery and down the hall. Wilson followed quickly.
How is it these guys can move so fast pushing one of those things?
They got into one of the large elevators and on their way to the fourth floor while Wilson caught his breath.
"I really need to work out more," he gulped.
House heard Wilson panting.
I meant to point out the way you've been eating. Not a greasy fry or soda in sight. Who can stay healthy on lean meat and vegetables?
The elevator dinged to announce their arrival on the fourth floor. The orderly pushed the gurney out of the elevator and down the hall. Wilson decided to walk at a normal pace this time. It wasn't as if House was going very far.
He was a little surprised to find Taub and Thirteen outside the room. Taub had his hands in his pockets and a look on his face saying he wasn't sure how to feel. Maybe he was worried. Whether it was for his job or House, Wilson wasn't sure.
Thirteen just looked concerned. She followed the gurney into the room.
Taub waited outside to talk to Wilson.
"How is he?"
"He's good," Wilson sighed. "Foreman said it went smoothly."
Taub nodded. "Foreman's good."
"Yeah he is. He'd make a good boss," Wilson said baiting Taub.
Taub laughed slightly.
"He'd be an insufferable ass. Kind of like what we have now."
Wilson stood a little straighter. He was about to come to the defense of House.
Taub sensed Wilson's irritation. He thought it would be wise to stick his finger in the dam.
"House is the best in his field. No one's better. I came here to learn from him not Foreman. If there's even a small chance House will be running his department again then I'd be a fool to go somewhere else."
"Yes, you would. You'd also be unemployed," Wilson stated matter-of-factly.
Taub smiled.
"There is that," he agreed.
Wilson smiled and shook his head. Taub was a worm. His own self-preservation was his highest law. So why did Wilson actually like the guy? Maybe it was because House found him interesting. Or perhaps he liked his honesty. Whatever it was Wilson allowed him access to House's room.
House was moved from the gurney to the bed. He scooched over using his left leg and arm. His two fellows gave him help.
Wilson nearly laughed when he saw House trying to keep his modesty in front of Thirteen. Wilson was sure House didn't realize he was trying to keep the gown closed in front or keep it from riding up. Given the opportunity House would have dropped his pants in front of her during a diagnostic meeting. Funny what lay in the subconscious.
House was settling in. The monitors were working and House's heartbeat was strong. The blood oxygen lead was clipped to his finger.
He was blinking 'no' repeatedly to a nurse who wanted to insert a catheter.
Please madame I have some pride no matter how small. Wait. That sounded bad even in my head.
"House unless you can make it to the bathroom on your own a catheter is necessary," Wilson said sympathetically.
"I'll do it for you," Thirteen volunteered in a sultry voice.
Well that just made the path straighter. But as tempting as that offer is I fear I must decline. Strenuously.
Wilson looked at the nurse.
"Leave it for now. I'll help him."
Why Wilson I didn't realize how much you cared. I thank you on behalf of myself and 'little Greg'.
Taub and Thirteen remained for a while not sure of what to do. They didn't have a case at the moment even though Foreman was looking for one. Chase had been 'scrubbing in' to some surgeries just to keep himself busy.
They both shared pleasant and boring chatter with Wilson and then mercifully left so House could get some rest.
Alone at last Wilson. Gawd I thought they'd never leave! Now what weren't we talking about?
"You need some rest. Try and sleep," Wilson urged House.
Oh all right. But I want to watch cartoons when I wake up mommy.
House closed his eyes. He reached up with his left hand and scratched the bandage on his head.
"Leave it alone or I'll put mittens on you," Wilson ordered.
It itches.
House closed his eyes. He really was tired.
He was asleep in minutes.
James Wilson sat in a chair. He put up his feet on the bed just as House would have done. He was deep in thought.
Wilson was worried. Not about the surgery or even House's prognosis. He was determined to believe that House would come out all right. That wasn't what bothered him.
It was the pain post-surgery. House was going to have a headache for a few days. It wasn't the amount of pain medication it was the type that worried Wilson. Ibuprofen wasn't going to help. Any opiate-based medication might start House back on the road to addiction.
Wilson rubbed his forehead. He suspected what House would want and Wilson couldn't blame him. Headache and leg pain would make him very uncomfortable not to mention incredibly irritable. It would slow his recovery. House needed to have physical therapy as soon as possible.
So what was the answer? To let House suffer in pain or risk him returning to the addiction that caused his hallucinations?
Wilson took the coward's way out. He would leave it up to House. It was his mind and body. He was directing his own care. It was his decision.
We can help him detox here, gradually. I'll help him at home. He doesn't want to go back through the nightmare again. He'll get help and support this time.
Wilson relaxed and closed his eyes.
Cuddy had no direction. She didn't know where to go. She didn't know what to do. Her world had been turned upside down.
First Lucas leaves me and now House doesn't want me around. Am I that bad? What is it I do that drives men away?
She knew the answer to the question; she was indecisive. She knew what she wanted even though she needed something else.
How can I want something I don't need? How is that fair?
It wasn't, she decided. It was far from fair and there were three people all messed up in it.
And neither of them wants to be with me.
She was walking to the cafeteria. She didn't know why. The last thing she felt like doing was eating. She didn't want to go back to her office. She couldn't be where she wanted to be. The cafeteria was a good place to hide.
Cuddy bought an apple just to have something to do with her hands. She turned wondering where she would sit. Across the room she saw Chase sitting alone eating a late breakfast or an early lunch. She went over to his table.
"Do you mind if I join you?"
Chase was surprised but welcoming.
"No. Please sit down," he said graciously.
Cuddy smoothed her skirt and sat opposite him.
Chase eyed the apple.
"Is that all you're having?"
"Not really hungry," Cuddy said a sad note in her voice.
Chase took the conversation right where Cuddy didn't want to go.
"House did great."
"Yes he did didn't he?"
"I'll bet he's back to mocking all of us really soon."
"I hope so," Cuddy said absentmindedly.
Chase took a bite of a roast beef sandwich. He chewed and swallowed washing it down with a sip from a covered cup through a straw.
"You worried he won't make a full recovery?"
"No."
"Yeah you are," Chase said shrewdly.
Cuddy began to back pedal.
"He's my employee and an asset to the hospital," she stated in the practiced way she always used to explain her concern for House. "He's my friend," she added awkwardly.
"You like him," Chase said with a grin.
"Of course I like him. We've known each other for years."
"You're being evasive. You like him like him."
Cuddy thought a change of subject was needed.
"Have you heard from Cameron?"
Chase lost his smile.
"She's doing all right. She called the other night. Said her folks were doing well."
Cuddy rested her head on her hand. The apple lay forgotten on the table.
"How do you do it?"
"How do I do what?' Chase asked perplexed.
"How do you get past losing someone you wanted so much?"
Chase took another sip from the straw.
"You don't," he said seriously.
Cuddy excused herself saying she had a meeting with maintenance.
Chase watched her go. She left the apple on the table. Chase picked it up. He held it in his hand then tossed it and caught it on a whim.
She's in love with House.
He picked up his tray and slipped the apple in the pocket of his lab coat.