Disclaimer: House and all respective characters do not belong to me. I am only borrowing them for personal enjoyment.
Also I am not a doctor so I have decided to borrow cases used earlier in the show for medical accuracy. My creativity comes in with building and developing character relationships as well as introducing original characters. Criticism and reviews are most welcome. Hope you enjoy.
A/N: I hope you enjoy this chapter. I had a lot of fun writing it. This chapter has the team going to the concert that Adam had tickets for. For full effect I recommend having Avenged Sevenfold's Gunslinger, Scream, and A Little Piece of Heaven ready to play when you get to the appropriate parts. Please let me know what you think of this episode. Almost finished with Season 7 and can bring in some all original things. Have some big plans ahead for everyone. Feedback always welcome. Enjoy.
A little later in the hallway outside Isolation.
"You can relax," Thirteen says.
"She's getting better," Cesar asks.
"Bad news is, because of your extended exposure to her and her workplace, we're gonna need to treat you as well," Chase says.
"I feel fine," Cesar replies.
"Unfortunately that's the way it can be with radiation," Thirteen says. "No symptoms until it's too late to do anything."
"You're gonna need a bone marrow transplant," Chase says.
Cesar chuckles, "No."
"A marrow transplant does leave you exposed to all sorts of illnesses, but there really is no choice here," Thirteen says.
"She doesn't have radiation poisoning," Cesar says.
"She's getting better," Chase says strongly.
"We need to start your treatment before it's too late," Thirteen says.
"No," Cesar yells.
"You're either suicidal or you know we're wrong," Chase says. "And the only way you could know for sure what wasn't killing her is if you knew what was. And you do, don't you?"
"Because you've been poisoning her and the reason she's getting better is because you haven't been near her," Thirteen reasons.
"Our co-workers are on their way to your home right now to search for poisons," Chase says. "You mind saving them the trouble?"
"Attempted murder is better than murder," Thirteen says.
Cesar hangs his head and shakes it a little.
Meanwhile at House's apartment, he's doing his leg lifts again. This time he effortlessly extends his leg fully and he rotates the ankle. He hops off the table, releases the strap and gives his thigh a rub. He's smiling. He heads into the living room. He has a very pretty, purple bruise under his right eye. House unhooks his cane and gives it a twirl. He accidentally taps himself at the top of his spinal cord, reaches back and touches himself there again. A look of realization spreads across his face.
Later on at the gym, it's still dark. Foley enters and punches can be heard landing. It's House, working out with a heavy bag. No one else is there.
"What are you doing here," Foley asks.
"Training for my big fight," House says. "Just need you to…"
"Drink five more bottles," Foley asks. "Get punched a few more times? Look, just get out and give up."
"That's your specialty," House says.
Foley scoffs, "Ooh, looks like you already lost your big fight." House takes down his cane. As Foley passes, House presses the bottom of the cane to the base of Foley's neck. Foley turns around, angry. "Look, I may not be able to take a punch, but I can still throw one."
"Three, two…" House is counting. Foley starts to demonstrate but falls over, unconscious. "What a lovely day."
Meanwhile at the hospital in Lee's room. Thirteen is checking her out.
"Where's Cesar," Lee asks.
"Um… in jail," Thirteen says plainly not knowing how to get around it. "He was trying to kill you. He found out about you and Glenn, which, he admitted, shouldn't have surprised him since he started seeing you while you were dating Tony."
"He poisoned me," Lee asks.
"Repeatedly… with Spanish fly," Thirteen says. "The active ingredient cantharidin is a potent toxin and can cause a lot of the same damage as radiation."
"He poisoned me," Lee asked again in disbelief.
"I'm sorry," Thirteen says.
"He had a security clearance," Lee says.
A little later in Wilson's office, a hand appears through the open doorway. "Ahem," House calls out." Wilson looks up. "What's this?" House enters "A palm. Hmm, useful for many things. Slapping, greasing, probably some other applications too. Right now it's ready for $50 and humiliation."
"He was actually sick," Wilson asks shocked.
"He wasn't knocked out by the punch," House says. "He was knocked out by the clinch before the punch. Took a shot to the back of the neck. More specifically, to an abnormal growth of nerves caused by a glomus tumor. Kind of like a built-in taser. Sent a massive shock to his entire body, shut everything down."
"Wow," Wilson says sarcastically. "Fascinating. Completely explains exactly how he lost."
"Oh, you are not gonna be like that," House says. "'Cause you got a lot more posters here."
"No, I'm not," Wilson says. "Well done, House. You might have saved that guy. Given him his life back."
"Oh, no. He needs surgery," House says. "He's never gonna fight again." Wilson gives him the money. House starts to leave.
"What happened to your eye," Wilson asks. "You okay?"
"Better than okay," House responds.
Later that evening, Adam, Chase, Taub, Foreman, and Thirteen show their backstage passes at the event center and walk inside. After getting past security they walk down a long hall, Adam slightly ahead of the others. "Hey there he is, Adam you son of a bitch. Get over here," says someone who can't be seen clearly.
Adam limped over and embraced the man who had hollered at him. "Sorry we're late, the Aussie got lost," Adam said pointing back at Chase.
"Hey no worries but we're about to go on so we'll have to catch up later. These are all doctors?"
"Yes," Adam replies. "This is the diagnostics team of Princeton Plainsburrow. This is Eric Foreman, Chris Taub, Robert Chase, and Thirteen. Guys this is Avenged Sevenfold. Synester Gates, Johnny Christ, Zacky Vengeance, Mike Portnoy, and of course, Matt Shadows."
"Nice to meet you all," Matt said. "Make sure to stick around after the show ok. Why don't you hang out on stage with the crew? They'll show you where the best spots are. See you soon man." Matt and the others go on stage to get started.
"This is going to be awesome," Adam says. The crew shows them a spot on the side of the stage for them all to stand. The band starts their setlist with Nightmare and proceeds to play through Welcome to the Family, Bat Country, Afterlife, So Far Away, and Critical Acclaim.
"It's great to be here at the McCarter Theatre Center here in NEW JERSEY!" Shadows says to the crowd who cheers in response. "We've got a few friends backstage that I want to bring on out here. I think we have a great job hanging out with all of you, but these guys have a truly sweet job, don't you think so?"
"Yeah I think so," Synester says and plays a short riff on his guitar.
"These guys are all doctors," Matt says. "Give it up for the Diagnostics Department of Princeton Plainsburrow!" The crowd cheers again.
Adam and the others walk out on stage. Adam and Matt shake hands and embrace while the others just wave nervously.
"Do me a favor guys give Adam a mic," Matt says. One of the stage crew comes out and hands Adam a microphone. "My buddy Adam is gonna help me out here. You guys ok with that?" The crowd cheers again. Adam smiles and nods gratefully to Matt. Chase, Taub, Thirteen, and Foreman look back and forth at each other a little shocked at what's happening. They are all smiling though and appear to be having a good time. "You know there are a lot of men and women out there fighting a war. Fighting for what this country stands for and fighting for our way of life. And this next one is for all of those men and women. We hope they come home soon, and we hope they come home safe. This one's called Gunslinger."
Zacky starts playing his acoustic. Matt looks over at Adam. "Start us off Adam."
Adam uses his cane to help him step on top of one of the monitors and holds up the microphone.
Yeah, you've been alone
I've been gone for far too long
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
Never let it show
The pain I've grown to know
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes
My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
Matt jumps in. "YEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH YEEEAAAAHHH! !"
Both of them sing now.
Letters keep me warm
Helped me through the storm
But with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes
My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
I've always been true
I've waited so long just to come hold you
I'm making it through
It's been far too long, we've proven our
Love over time's so strong, in all that we do
The stars in the night, they lend me their light
To bring me closer to heaven with you
Bring me closer
'Cause with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
I reach towards the sky I've said my goodbyes
My heart's always with you now
I won't question why so many have died
My prayers have made it through yeah
'Cause with all these things we do
It don't matter when I'm coming home to you
And with all that we've been through
After all this time I'm coming home to you
The music stops and the crowd goes wild. The lights go out for a minute and lighters begin to spring up amongst the crowd. A woman's scream plays over the P.A. system and then the music starts again. Lights come back onstage and the band has been joined by several dancers. Some of the dancers begin to gravitate towards the doctors who are on stage. Chase and Thirteen are the first to cut loose and dance with them. This time Matt starts the song and Adam jumps in during the second verse.
Caught up in this madness, too blind to see
Woke animal feelings in me
Took over my sense and I lost control
I'll taste your blood tonight
You know I make you wanna scream
You know I make you wanna run from me, baby
But no, it's too late, you've wasted all your time
Relax while you're closing your eyes to me
So warm as I'm setting you free
With your arms by your side there's no struggling
Pleasure's all mine this time
Ooh, you know I make you wanna scream
You know I make you wanna run from me, baby
But no, it's too late, you've wasted all your time
Cherishing those feelings
Pleasuring
Cover me
Unwanted clemency
Scream 'til there's silence
Scream while there's life left vanishing
Scream from the pleasure
Unmask your desire, perishing
We've all had a time where we've lost control
We've all had our time to grow
I'm hoping I'm wrong but I know I'm right
I'll hunt again one night
Ooh, you know I make you wanna scream
You know I make you wanna run from me, baby
But no, it's too late, you've wasted all your time
Cherishing those feelings
Pleasuring
Cover me
Unwanted clemency
Scream 'til there's silence
Scream while there's life left vanishing
Scream from the pleasure
Unmask your desire, perishing
By this time, Foreman and Taub are dancing with the ladies as well. Thirteen is really getting into it and has moved over to where Adam is standing on stage. She and one of the dancers are dancing provocatively next to him.
Some live repressing their instinctive feelings
Protest the way we're built
Don't point the blame on me
Scream! Scream! Scream!
The way you would if I ravaged your body
Scream! Scream! Scream!
The way you would if I ravaged your mind
Cherishing those feeling
Pleasuring
Cover me
Unwanted clemency
Scream 'til there's silence
Scream while there's life left vanishing
Scream from the pleasure
Unmask your desire, perishing
The music begins to fade out and finally ends. The crowd is going crazy again and the girls leave the stage. Chase, Thirteen, Taub, and Foreman regroup near Adam and all clap him on the back. Thirteen gives him a kiss on the cheek. They are all smiling and celebrating. Adam starts to walk off but Matt walks over and puts his hand on his shoulder stopping him.
"Adam, Adam hang on man one more." Adam shakes his head while smiling. "Oh come on Adam." Matt jumps up on one of the monitors and addresses the audience. "You guys want Adam to sing one more song with us?" The crowd goes wild, cheering and hollering for Adam. "I can't hear you do you want to see Adam sing one more song?" The crowd cheers louder this time and starts to chant his name. "You better give them what they want," Matt says jokingly to Adam.
The four doctors pat Adam on the back and shout encouragement to him. Adam turns to the crowd and nods holding up the microphone in a salute to them. The crowd cheers and Matt nods while some music starts in the background for A Little Piece of Heaven. Adam's eyes grow big and he looks at Matt and shakes his head. He's protesting the song that the rest of the band has started playing but no one is listening to him. Matt walks over and whispers in Adam's ear that he can do it but Adam keeps shaking his head no. Matt walks to the other side of the stage and stands up on a monitor to start the song. Adam didn't start singing when Matt did. The rest of the doctors look puzzled at Adam. He has a painful look on his face.
Before the story begins, is it such a sin,
For me to take what's mine, until the end of time
We were more than friends, before the story ends,
And I will take what's mine, create what God would never design
Our love had been so strong for far too long,
I was weak with fear that something would go wrong,
Before the possibilities came true,
I took all possibility from you
Almost laughed myself to tears,
Conjuring her deepest fears
At this point Adam finally jumps in to sing. Matt looks at Adam with a large grin on his face
Must have stabbed her fifty fucking times,
I can't believe it,
Ripped her heart out right before her eyes,
Eyes over easy, eat it, eat it, eat it
She was never this good in bed even when she was sleeping
Now she's just so perfect I've never been quite so fucking deep in
It goes on and on and on,
I can keep you looking young and preserved forever,
With a fountain to spray on your youth whenever
'Cause I really always knew that my little crime
Would be cold that's why I got a heater for your thighs
And I know, I know it's not your time
But bye, bye
And a word to the wise when the fire dies
You think it's over but it's just begun
But baby don't cry
You had my heart, at least for the most part
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime,
We fell apart, let's make a new start
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime, yeah yeah
But baby don't cry
Now possibilities I'd never considered,
Are occurring the likes of which I'd never heard,
Now an angry soul comes back from beyond the grave,
To repossess a body with which I'd misbehaved
Smiling right from ear to ear
Almost laughed herself to tears
Must have stabbed him fifty fucking times
I can't believe it
Ripped his heart out right before his eyes
Eyes over easy, eat it, eat it, eat it
Now that it's done I realize the error of my ways
I must venture back to apologize from somewhere far beyond the grave
I gotta make up for what I've done
'Cause I was all up in a piece of heaven
While you burned in hell, no peace forever
'Cause I really always knew that my little crime
Would be cold that's why I got a heater for your thighs
And I know, I know it's not your time
But bye, bye
And a word to the wise when the fire dies
You think it's over but it's just begun
But baby don't cry
You had my heart, at least for the most part
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime,
We fell apart, let's make a new start
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime, yeah yeah
But baby don't cry
Adam can be seen crying by those on stage, but the crowd can't see it. Chase, Thirteen, Taub, and Foreman look back and forth at each other not sure what to do. They decide to clap showing their support as the song goes along. Adam and Matt go back and forth for the next set of lyrics.
I will suffer for so long
(What will you do, not long enough)
To make it up to you
(I pray to God that you do)
I'll do whatever you want me to do
(Well then I'll grant you one chance)
And if it's not enough
(If it's not enough, If it's not enough)
If it's not enough
(Not enough)
Try again
(Try again)
And again
(And again)
Over and over again
We're coming back, coming back
We'll live forever, live forever
Let's have wedding, have a wedding
Let's start the killing, start the killing
Matt makes his way over to Adam and high fives him in what seems like celebration to everyone else. But in reality he was trying to cheer Adam up a little. When the chorus hums Adam and Matt simultaneously climb on top of adjacent monitors and wave their hands like conductors leading the chorus.
Do you take this man in death for the rest of your unnatural life?
Yes, I do
Do you take this woman in death for the rest of your unnatural life?
I do
I now pronounce you man and…
'Cause I really always knew that my little crime
Would be cold that's why I got a heater for your thighs
And I know, I know it's not your time
But bye, bye
And a word to the wise when the fire dies
You think it's over but it's just begun
But baby don't cry
You had my heart, at least for the most part
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime,
We fell apart, let's make a new start
'Cause everybody's gotta die sometime, yeah yeah
But baby don't cry
As the music finishes the crowd goes nuts, erupting with cheers. Adam blinks the tears away in his eyes and Matt walks over and hugs him. Adam hands the mic back to Matt. "Give it up for Adam and the Doctors of Princeton Plainsburrow!" Matt screams to the crowd pointing at the doctors on stage. The crowd responds and cheers exuberantly. Adam limps with his cane off stage and the other four doctors follow him.
"Adam! That was brilliant mate," Chase says clapping him on the shoulder.
"Yeah, how come you never told us you could sing," Thirteen says after giving him a big hug. Foreman and Taub are smiling and laughing as well.
"Don't want to let all my secrets out at once," Adam says nonchalantly.
He smiles to each of them and grabs a beer from nearby. Adam opens the bottle and takes a good swig. In the background he can hear Avenged Sevenfold playing their encore song Beast and the Harlot. Thirteen notices a pained look in Adam's eyes. He hides it well and the other three doctors don't notice it. She takes a drink of her own beer and walks over to Adam leaning her head on his shoulder. She doesn't say a word, it's just her way of passively offering comfort. Chase, Foreman, and Taub are all flirting with some of the dancers from earlier while Adam and Thirteen watch the rest of the encore. In a few minutes the music stops and the lights go out. The band walks off the stage and greets the doctors again.
"Hey Adam, I didn't know bro I'm sorry," Matt says hugging Adam.
Adam returns the hug. "It's okay Matt. Really, don't worry about it. Hell of a show out there y'all. Well done." He high fives the other band members as they come over. They all grab a beer and head to the dressing room. Matt and Thirteen stay close to Adam as they walk. The dancers have joined the group along with the musicians' wives and they are all laughing and talking about the show. Adam pulls his bottle of tramadol from his jacket pocket and pops two pills. He takes another drink of his beer and rubs his leg. A boom box is playing Motley Crue's Dr. Feelgood in the background. Everyone gathers up and toasts to the night.
Back in House's kitchen, House goes to the trash and takes out the drugs. He then takes off his jacket as he goes into the living room.
Meanwhile at the mice lab Dr. Riggin is closing up. He takes off his lab coat and walks over to one of the cages. The rat inside is dead, lying on its exercise wheel.
