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.
Back in Chicago, Trzaska and Amelia are sitting in the Emergency Room waiting to be seen. It's been a busy day. A group came in from a bus crash and the waiting room had already been full of patients. Trzaska is bouncing his cane off the floor in boredom.
"Tell me about work," Amelia says. "You never tell me anything."
"I'm a doctor, I treat patients…" Trzaska starts.
"See that's what I'm talking about," Amelia says. "Always deflecting. Tell me about your coworkers. Make any friends?"
"I guess you could say that," Trzaska says smiling. "Where to start? I guess I should start with Taub. Chris Taub is a smart doctor, he used to be a plastic surgeon, but now he works in the diagnostics department."
"Why the change," Amelia asks.
"It's a long story," Trzaska starts. "He has a nasty vice. He sleeps around on his wife."
"Oh," Amelia replies.
"He had an affair with the daughter of one of his partners, they found out about it and he was forced out," Trzaska says.
"Did his wife ever find out," Amelia asks.
"Yeah, he told her actually," Trzaska says. "Even forgave him for it. But things continued to fall apart anyway. They divorced last year."
Amelia was silent for a moment. "Is he happier?"
"I think so," Trzaska replies. "It's hard to say."
"So who else do you work with," Amelia asks. "It's a five man team isn't it?"
"Yeah," Trzaska answers. "There's also Dr. Chase. This Aussie who's been there for years. Actually I think he's been there the longest out of all of us."
"Sounds like you're good friends with him," Amelia says.
"What makes you say that," Trzaska asks smiling and still bouncing his cane.
"Really? I'm your sister. I can tell when you get excited about something. Why would you be excited about Dr. Chase unless you were friends," Amelia comments.
"We are good friends," Trzaska says. "He and I have bonded the most out of everyone. We've had some similar experiences."
"I see," Amelia says. "The two of you hang out much outside of work?"
"Yeah, at least once a week we usually get drinks together," Trzaska says.
"Sounds like a man-date," Amelia says chuckling.
"It would be if it were just the two of us," Trzaska says. "But usually Dr. Hadley comes too."
Amelia begins chuckling.
"What's so funny," Trzaska asks.
"I was just thinking about you having two guys at the same time," Amelia jokes, barely able to hold back her laughter. "Do you pitch or catch?"
"Ha ha," Trzaska says. "Dr. Hadley is a woman actually."
"Ah, I see," Amelia replies.
"Yeah, now you see," Trzaska laughs back.
"So what about Dr. Hadley," Amelia asks probing for more details.
"Thirteen? She's great," Trzaska answers.
"Thirteen," Amelia questions.
"A nickname she got when she started working for House," Trzaska answers. "She's hard to read sometimes, but when you get down to it she's really sweet. She's probably the best of everyone in the department."
"How's that," Amelia asks.
"Everyone in the diagnostics department has been warped," Trzaska says. "They're all broken, including me. We've all got our problems. Thirteen has Huntington's Chorea. She basically has a death sentence. But she continues to live her life and doesn't judge other people."
"So she's remained hopeful even though she has no reason to live," Amelia thinks aloud. "She sounds like a good person. Especially for you."
"Then there's Dr. Foreman," Trzaska says changing the subject. "He's a real hard ass, been there almost as long as Chase has. He's a good doctor. Smart guy, his biggest problem is he's arrogant."
"Tell me about House," Amelia says leaning her head on Trzaska's shoulder as she begins to feel tired. "Isn't he the brilliant doctor that Lisa said you needed to go learn from?"
"House…House is gone," Trzaska says.
"What," Amelia asks picking her head up off Trzaska's shoulder and looking at him.
At that moment one of the doors opens and a large, redheaded nurse walks out. "Amelia Trzaska."
Back at Princeton Plainsburrow.
"Sphincter paralysis plus shocks equals Miller Fisher syndrome," Foreman says.
"Not if you had the stool sample which was negative for botulism," Chase says.
The room is silent for a moment before Foreman breaks the silence.
"He lied to his son about how his mom died," Foreman asks.
"He was just protecting him," Thirteen says.
"You mean manipulating him," Taub says.
"It's what parents do," Thirteen says.
"They lie to us because they love us," Chase says.
"Mom's death is irrelevant," Foreman says. "DNA revealed no NF2 markers or any other inherited disease. Apparently, she really did fall asleep at the wheel." Everyone is quite again. "How bad was the accident in the bed? Are we talking explosive?"
"Umm…the haemacel was negative for blood, and I wouldn't say he actually exploded. More like... gushed," Thirteen says.
"Could be transverse myelitis," Taub says. "Could cause numbness, anal sphincter dysfunction, and the shocks."
"But what caused the transverse myelitis," Thirteen asks.
"We've ruled out cancer and MS," Chase says. "Leaves infection."
"If there's infection there'd be a fever," Thirteen says.
"And his blood and CSF cultures are all negative," Taub says.
"Maybe the infection's gone but the memory remains," Chase says.
"Molecular mimicry," Foreman says nodding his head. "Makes sense. Get an immunoglobulin level and an electrophoresis."
The team gets up and walks out.
A short while later Chase is performing a lumbar puncture on Jamaal.
"An infectious agent's molecular structure can resemble the spinal cords," Taub says. "When the immune system attacks the infection, it ends up attacking the spinal cords as well."
"So he has an infection," Karl asks.
"You just said I don't," Jamaal says.
"If the infection is gone, it goes right on attacking because the spinal cord is still there," Taub says.
"Is there a treatment," Karl asks.
"Depends on what the original infection was," Chase says. "All right, you're done," he tells Jamaal. "You need to lay flat after a lumbar puncture for about an hour."
"I feel like I'm going to throw up," Jamaal says. "Hey dad, can you uh, can you get me a coke please?"
"Yeah, that usually helps," Karl says. Jamaal rolls his eyes.
"You're done," Chase says.
Jamaal rolls over back on to his back.
"If you're nauseous," Taub brings a small metal bowl to put under Jamaal's mouth.
Jamaal waves it away. "No, I'm not nauseous, I just wanted him out of here."
"He's your dad, he's going to be around," Chase says.
"Yeah, I know," Jamaal says. "It's not that it's..."
Chase and Taub reconvene with Foreman in the diagnostics office.
"Are these people completely incapable of telling the truth to each other," Foreman asks.
"He went to Jamaica with his friends," Chase says.
Foreman sighs. "No wonder he lied. Children aren't supposed to have fun."
"One of his friends flew them down," Taub says. "Jamaal's dad has this thing about him accepting stuff from rich friends. Wants him to remember who he is, where he came from."
Thirteen suddenly walks in.
"Where have you been," Foreman asks.
"Making dinner plans," Thirteen responds. "What's up?"
"Taub and Chase have uncovered the shocking fact that the patient has a crappy relationship with his dad," Foreman says. "There's only one reason any kid with a plane flies to Jamaica."
"It wasn't for marijuana," Taub says. "He doesn't do anything but drink."
"He say that to you or his pops," Foreman asks.
"Tox screen was negative for THC," Thirteen says taking a seat.
Foreman thinks for a minute. "Labor Day weekend was over a month ago, even pot would have washed out by now."
"Even if he'd smoked, no way marijuana causes transverse myelitis," Taub says.
"True. But the stuff they put on it does," Foreman says.
"Pesticides," Chase suggests.
"Why would he come clean about the trip but lie about smoking pot," Taub asks.
"Well you wouldn't necessarily have to smoke to get pesticide poisoning," Chase says. "He could have eaten fruit that had been sprayed or been exposed to his skin on a hike."
"Or he could have smoked it," Foreman says. "A lot of it. And then lied about it because that's what this family does. Start him on IV pralidoxime. 2 grams per liter and then 1 gram every eight hours until you see some improvement."
"There's no evidence to support a poisoning diagnosis," Taub says.
"When it's your department, you can make the final diagnosis," Foreman says.
The team members get up and walk out. "Dinner plans," Chase asks.
"Yeah," Thirteen replies.
"With who," Chase asks.
"Wouldn't you like to know," Thirteen says grinning.
Meanwhile in Chicago, Amelia has had all her vitals taken but they are still waiting for a doctor to see them.
"House is gone you said, who's running the department now," Amelia asks.
"Foreman," Trzaska replies very matter of fact.
"That makes sense," Amelia replies. "How's Lisa doing?"
"She hasn't been the same since House left," Trzaska says. "I think she always hoped he would grow up and do the right thing. But the problem was House is self-centered. He doesn't care about anyone but himself."
The door opens and in walks a blonde doctor. "Hi there, I'm Dr. Cameron," she says greeting Trzaska and Amelia. She looks at the chart in her hand. "So you have muscle weakness, double vision, and trouble breathing?"
Trzaska looks at Amelia, "See that's why I hate nurses. They don't listen to anything you say."
"You promised you'd behave," Amelia says looking over at Trzaska.
"I lied," Trzaska responds.
"Okay," Cameron says confused. "Why are you here today?"
"She does have muscle weakness, however she has increased muscle tone, BLURRY vision, and her lungs sound like tissue paper," Trzaska responds.
"I'm sorry," Amelia says apologetically.
"It's okay," Cameron says. "Let's have a look at you." Cameron pulls a light out and shines it in Amelia's eyes checking her pupillary response. "Your pupils respond well. Sit up." Cameron puts her stethoscope in her ears and places the bell on Amelia's back. After a few moments, Cameron pulls out the earpieces and places her stethoscope back around her neck. "How long have you had these symptoms?"
"I've been feeling weak for a few weeks," Amelia replies. "I thought maybe I was getting a cold or something so I just took it easy. But when I woke up this morning I couldn't see."
"At all," Cameron asks.
"Not at first," Amelia replies. "After a few hours my vision came back. But now it's blurry."
"So which hospital do you work at," Cameron asks Trzaska as she makes a few notes on Amelia's chart.
"Me? No I just read a lot on the internet," Trzaska replies sarcastically and starts to bounce his cane.
The noise catches Cameron's attention. "What's your specialty?"
"Blogging," Trzaska replies.
Cameron glares at Trzaska and pauses for a second before turning back to Amelia. "Any previous medical problems," Cameron asks.
"Nope," Amelia responds. "Been healthy all my life."
"Any history of blindness, or muscle weakness in your family," Cameron asks.
"Not that I'm aware of," Amelia replies. "He's the only family I have."
"I'm sorry," Cameron says.
"Don't be," Amelia says smiling at Trzaska who looks irritated. "We've been just fine." Trzaska notices Amelia smiling and he smiles back at her.
"Okay, I think we need to admit you so I'm gonna get some forms and a nurse to put you in a room. Then I'll order up some tests and then I'll be back," Cameron says smiling and leaving the room.
Meanwhile back in Princeton, Chase is sitting in a bar. He pulls his phone out and calls Trzaska. The phone rings several times and then goes to voicemail. "Adam it's Robert. It's not like you to miss date night let alone work. Call me." Chase hangs up and sits there sipping on a beer before he scrolls through his phone again. He dials Thirteen and waits for her to answer.
"Hello," Thirteen answers. The sounds of the dance club she's at are blaring in the background.
"Did you ever talk to Heather today," Chase asks.
"Thirteen suddenly stops sipping her martini and swears, "Shit! I completely forgot."
"It's all right," Chase says. "I'll call her."
"Let me know?" Thirteen asks.
"Yeah," Chase replies. He hangs up and scrolls through his phone again before dialing Heather's number this time. He waits as the phone rings.
A few more hours go by in Chicago before Dr. Cameron comes back into Amelia's room. Cameron finds her asleep while Trzaska is standing in front of the window with Amelia's chart in his hand. He's written symptoms on the window in permanent marker and he's bouncing his cane. "That explains why I can't find Amelia's chart," Cameron says.
"All of her tests came back normal," Trzaska says irritated. "No elevated kidney or liver values, she's not anemic or dehydrated."
"She does have an elevated white count," Cameron says.
"Explained by the lung infection that's been developing over the last week," Trzaska says. "But lung infections don't cause blurry vision."
"We need to get a culture to find out if it's bacterial or fungal," Cameron says.
"It's not fungal," Trzaska replies. "She hasn't been to work in two weeks and her apartment is cleaner than this hospital room. Amelia is a little bit of a clean freak."
"Obsessive Compulsive Disorder could be a symptom of…" Cameron starts.
"She's not OCD, she just likes things to be clean," Trzaska replies. "She's been like that for years."
"Maybe she likes things too clean," Cameron says. "Autoimmune disease could explain…"
"Autoimmune is a lame diagnosis," Trzaska says. "What am I missing," he quietly mumbles to himself.
"Do you work in Princeton," Cameron asks cocking her head to the side.
"Why, looking for a job," Trzaska asks.
"No, I left my job at PPTH," Cameron says. Trzaska stiffens up. He doesn't turn to face her, but Cameron can tell by his posture that she's on to something. "You work for House don't you?"
"Used to, now I work for Foreman," Trzaska answers turning around to face Cameron. "You knew House?"
"I worked for him, but that was a long time ago," Cameron replies and sits down in a chair nearby. "We should do an LP."
"Yeah, and check her for any genetic conditions that could explain her symptoms," Trzaska says.
Cameron nods and gets up leaving the room to get a nurse and the equipment to do an LP.
Back in Princeton Chase is walking out of the bar he was at with a blonde he picked up. The woman is hanging all over him and it's clear how their evening is going to end. Suddenly Chase's phone rings. He pulls it out of his pocket and recognizes it as Heather's number. "Thanks for calling me back," Chase says as he places the phone to his ear. He stops walking and focuses on what Heather is telling him. The blonde woman is kissing Chase's arm, neck, and then cheek in an attempt to get his attention. "Oh, thank…thank you…" Chase hangs up and is lost in thought for a moment before he is brought back to reality by his pickup girlfriend rubbing his crotch.
"Robert I want you now," she moans into his ear. A smile crossed Chase's face and he escorts the woman to his car.
A short while later back in Chicago, Cameron is prepping Amelia for her LP. She couldn't find a nurse who wasn't busy so Trzaska is assisting her. Amelia is curled up on her side with her knees pulled against her chest. Trzaska is facing her and pushing her knees, helping hold her still. Amelia smiles at Trzaska and he smiles back.
"So why is Foreman running the Diagnostics Department," Cameron says.
"Let's just say House did something stupid and he's gone," Trzaska replies. "Foreman's in charge now."
"Did anyone get hurt," Cameron asks.
"Doesn't someone always get hurt around House," Trzaska answers. "No physical injuries though, nothing permanent at least."
"Big pinch," Cameron says and inserts the LP needle in Amelia's back. Amelia winces and closes her eyes while Cameron collects the spinal fluid. Cameron pulls the needle out and wipes the site clean. "Make sure to lie on your back for at least the next hour. Lumbar punctures can give you a wicked headache."
"Thank you Dr. Cameron," Amelia says.
"I'll be honest, the lab is pretty backed up tonight," Cameron says. "It will probably be morning before we get the results back. But I'll be back to check on you in a little while."
Trzaska nods silently.
The next morning back in Princeton, Cuddy and Foreman walk in at the same time.
"How's the patient," Cuddy asks.
"Just got here," Foreman answers as they get in the elevator together.
"As long as he hasn't gotten any worse," Cuddy says. "We're treating him for pesticide poisoning without any proof it was pesticides. I'm going to have a hell of a time explaining that to our lawyer."
"There's nothing to explain if it works," Foreman replies as the elevator opens. They walk into Jamaal's room to find him sitting up in bed guzzling his breakfast.
"Wow," Cuddy says.
Karl chuckles, "He's got his appetite back! Whatever you did is working."
Foreman and Cuddy leave the patient's room and walk down the hall together.
"Since he's healthy everything is going to be forgiven," Foreman says.
"He is not healthy," Cuddy says. "Nausea and diarrhea were not his only symptoms!"
"The shocks have also decreased," Foreman says.
"But not disappeared," Cuddy replies.
"And he's out of the diaper, which is good news for everyone," Foreman responds.
"What about his low white count," Cuddy asks following Foreman into his office.
"With a little time it'll rebound," Foreman says. "Jamaal will be back on his feet and sneaking around behind Pop's back again in no time." The phone in his office starts ringing, Foreman picks it up. "Foreman." He pauses. "Check it again. I'll be right there." He hangs up the receiver.
"What happened," Cuddy asks.
"Jamaal's spiked a fever," Foreman replies irritated.
A few moments later Foreman walks into Jamaal's room.
"He has the chills and his temperature's spiking," Thirteen says. "It's nearly 106."
Jamaal is shaking and sweating all over. Foreman walks over to check Jamaal's pupils and pulse.
"What's that mean" Karl asks. "I mean...what's happening?"
"You want the truth? Or you want me to make something up to protect you," Foreman asks. "We think a drunk driver broke into his room."
"What's happening to my son," Karl asks angrily.
"The truth is...I have no idea," Foreman replies.