A Call To Apathy – Chapter XIV

Foreman leaned back on his chair and stared blankly at the ceiling while George sat next to him and Izzie was helping John into the CT scanner. The assistant came in and sat down at the computer. Foreman looked up.

"Hang on. What's all the tinsel for?" He just realised that the room was cheaply decorated with mountains of colour and shine. The assistant looked at him blankly.

"Seriously? It's the 23rd of December."

"Fuck off." Foreman said dully.

"I'm serious. How could you not know? They put up the decorations like in November."

"I guess I just lost track of time completely. It can't be Christmas. I haven't noticed it at all."

"Oh, I have." Mumbled George, head on fist, staring at the Izzie. He hoped she had not overheard that conversation because the moment anyone mentioned it she…

"Oh my god I love Christmas, how could you not notice it?"

Too late. Izzie was walking into the room and pulling up a chair next to Foreman.

"That reminds me, I'm having a Christmas dinner at ours tomorrow night so seeing as you're stuck in Seattle you guys should all come!"

Foreman glanced quickly at George who was frantically nodding his head out of Izzie's sight. "Ah… sure! I'd love to. Can't speak for anyone else but I'll definitely be there!"

Izzie beamed. "Great! Be there at six. Oh this is going to be so cool, the more the merrier! I just love Christmas."

George stared blankly at the computer screen. "You never would've noticed."

"Here we go." The assistant clicked on the computer. The images came up.

"Woa." George sat up. There on the screen was the CT of John's brain. A clean CT except for the numerous white dots mingled around his brain.

"House was right." Izzie looked surprised.

Foreman sighed. "He usually is."

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Meredith had just finished putting the patient on a course of immunosuppressants after the diagnosis had been confirmed with the CT and walked into the elevator. Moving to the side she pushed the button and rubbed her neck as she stretched. She was happy they could help the guy, even though he shot House. If the immunosuppressants didn't help he'd end up in the same position as Michael Dunn. She wouldn't be able to handle that again, even with House here. She liked House, for some reason, even with his brashness and his arrogance he comforted her. Maybe it was because he had gone through all that with her. Or maybe it was because he reminded her of Christina, and even herself. Suddenly her thoughts were cut short from the opening of the elevator. Derek appeared behind the doors, McDreamy smile at full blast. Walking in he brushed up against Meredith and stood next to her. The doors closed.

"So Izzie invited me to Christmas dinner tomorrow night." He said, looking Meredith up and down. Meredith sighed.

"Dammit. It's Christmas. I should probably see my mum."

Derek seemed oblivious to her apathy. "I love Christmas." He smiled. Meredith looked up.

"I thought you hated Christmas."

Derek looked down at her, still beaming. "Last year I did, but that was just because I couldn't spend it with the person I loved. I couldn't spend it with you."

Meredith swooned for a second then snapped out of it. "I've never been a Christmas person. There's a reason I haven't been home the last two days. Izzie's taken the house hostage with tinsel and Christmas Spirit. It's like Santa spewed up in our living room. She's like one of those freaky happy mechanical elves whose head blows up."

Derek laughed and kissed Meredith on the head as the doors opened again.

"I'll see you later."

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Meredith crashed her tray down on the table and pulled out a chair.

"Derek snores and loves Christmas. This relationship is so over."

Christina, Cameron, George, Alex and Chase looked at her, eyebrows raised.

"Hello to you to." Christina said surprised as Meredith started to violently munch on her celery. She looked up at Chase and Cameron, tyring to figure out what was going on.

"So you guys going tomorrow?"

"No choice." Chase shook his juice.

"What about House?" Meredith asked. Cameron smiled wryly.

"Ah, I think we should wait a while before we ask him. Don't think we should bet on him coming."

George moved over to Christina. "Is Izzie cooking?" He said silently. Christina rolled her eyes.

"What do you think?"

"Izzie can't cook!" He whispered sharply. Christina leaned back in her chair.

"So we'll be forced to suffer through cake and muffins then. If I'm going, you're going!"

Suddenly everyone was silent as they noticed Izzie walking up to them, tray in hand.

"Hey guys!" She sat in between Chase and Cameron. "How's the patient going?"

Cameron shifted her chair around. "Ah, we've given him the immunosuppressants but we're going to hold of the treatment for a while to see if the suppressants affect him in any way."

"Cool!" Izzie beamed. "So are you guys coming tomorrow?"

"You bet on it." "Sure!" Cameron and Chase said together with their best enthusiasm. Izzie continued.

"I've also invited James Wilson for you guys, and then there's Burke and Addison said she'd come. Oh…" She looked at Meredith. "If that's ok with you I mean."

Meredith looked up. "It's fine. We're impartial to each other. I think Derek's kind of friends with her again just don't sit them next to each other."

"What about Callie?" George tried to put on his best 'not that it matters' face while playing with his salad. Izzie looked curious.

"I thought you guys split?"

"Yeah, but you know. It would be good, to include her or something. We're inviting everyone else so, I don't know…"

"We should." Meredith added. "I like her. She's my friend I guess. And I never got to thank her for the panties, and everything else…" She trailed.

Izzie took a sip from her coffee. "Excellent. Then that's settled. Dinner for thirteen!"

Chase quickly looked at Cameron. "Bags not telling House."

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NB: Ok yes, I know. I caved. Had no idea how to end this fic so gave up and included Christmas. By the way, there were Christmas decorations up all throughout the rest of the story but I just didn't include it in the description because all the characters were to enveloped in other things to notice the fact that it was Christmas. Yes. I think that was a good excuse.

Anywho, please review! Once again sorry for having to drag you through yet another Christmas fanfic but after reading all the other ones you want nothing else but to give your own crack at it. So sorry sorry sorry. Forgive me and review!! I'll try not to make it corny. Vent your frustration and review!! REVIEW!! Please please please? Oh stuff it. I'm going to dig myself a ditch and wallow in my self-pity alone. Merry Christmas.