Thanks for the reviews! Yep, we'll get to see a little more of the cancer kid in this chapter. I haven't finished this story, so I'm just as interested to see where this goes as everyone else. I have a basic idea of what I'd like to see happen, or moments I'd like to write into the story and then fill in the rest, so no, the next chapter usually hasn't even been started when I post the current one. The cancer kid was an idea I thought about for a different story, but decided to weave into this one, so we'll see more of him.
Casper 1311…yep, I only started reading fanfiction in January, decided to do a writing challenge for February, which was supposed to be a one shot and that turned into "Wanda Wuv" and now I can't seem to stop. I had no idea this part of the fandom existed and now it's a fun hobby.
Thanks for reading!
Chapter 21
"He's had the typical vertigo but that can be explained by the leukemia. When he was brought in, blood work was relatively normal except for the cancer markers. Excessive thirst and urination, blurred vision."
"When did he eat last?"
"We already checked his glucose levels and they were within the normal parameters, on the high end, but still within range. I thought maybe he was suffering from migraines because of the vertigo. He's had scans up and down and other than the cancer we already know about, there's nothing more. Wondered if you might have an insight."
"I need to see the blood work, any MRI's, everything. Redo the glucose."
Wilson stared at House when it him it that there had been no sarcastic remark, no retort, no smirk, nothing. He was honestly answering the question about a patient who was not his own; he was working of his own free will without putting up a fight. Wilson shook his head in disbelief, half expecting House to fight this consult tooth and nail and here he was going along with it pleasantly. Cuddy should give House a massage more often, he thought.
"What?" House asked.
"Nothing." Wilson said with a smile.
"I know that smile Jimmy, what's up?"
"Nothing." He said slightly louder and more annoyed.
"Right."
"So, what are you thinking?" Wilson asked.
"Diabetes."
Wilson raised his eyebrows, "We tested him, I don't think it's diabetes."
House looked at him, "Are you doubting me? Diagnostics, remember?"
"I think I could manage with a simple diabetes diagnosis."
"You can also make mistakes and tests can be wrong."
Damn, thought Wilson. There's the smirk, maybe it was too good to be true. As they rounded the corner, they found his patient standing outside in the corridor, pulling his IV stand behind him, "Sean, what are you doing out bed?"
"I was bored."
"Well, let's get you back to bed."
"Who's he?" Sean said with a touch of attitude.
"Mental patient, thinks he's a doctor."
"He looks mental."
"Wilson." House said, threateningly.
Wilson smiled, "Sean, this is Dr. House. I've called him in for a consult to see if we can't figure out what's going on. He's the head of diagnostics."
"It's diabetes." Sean said.
House raised his eyebrows, "Kid's good."
"Why would you think it's diabetes?"
"I'm tired all the time, I'm dizzy, weight loss."
"Well Jimmy my boy, my work here is done. Sean, when you're through with med school, pay me a visit. I might have a job for you."
"You'll be retired by then." Sean said sarcastically.
As they approached the conference room, House looked at Sean, "Treat your crippled elders with respect. We just might save your life."
"I have stage three leukemia that isn't responding to treatment and now God thought he'd get a laugh by throwing diabetes into the mix to make things more entertaining. No one's saving my life."
"At least God has a sense of humor." House retorted.
Wilson grabbed Sean's elbow, "Come on, back to bed. We need to run more tests before we decide you have diabetes."
"What kind of quack are you? I have classic diabetes markers. I looked it up online."
"And all of your symptoms can also be due to your cancer and your treatment." Wilson added.
"Hey you, the crippled diagnostician, what do you think?"
"Hey cancer kid, I think you're right."
"I…whoa," Sean said as he began listing to one side. Wilson tightened his hold on Sean's elbow and House grabbed the other arm to steady him.
"Here," House said, guiding them both towards his conference room, "Sit down in the chair."
"No."
"No? Don't argue." Wilson said sternly.
"Not the chair, let me lie on the floor."
"Why?"
"I can't fall off the floor."
House jerked his head back and crinkled his nose before looking at Wilson, "Did you get a whiff of his breath?"
"No."
"It's fruity"
Wilson puffed out his cheeks, holding his breath momentarily before releasing the air, "Are you having trouble breathing?" Sean nodded.
House looked at Foreman, "Get a glucose meter, insulin, electrolytes and saline, now."
"Honestly Wilson, you needed a consult for diabetes?"
"His symptoms were typical for leukemia and his treament, and the test was negative. I can't believe I missed this."
Foreman came back, carrying several bags of fluid with the glucose meter tucked under his arm. He handed the meter to House. House put gloves on and stuck Sean with the needle, applying blood to the strip on the glucose meter, "342, too high, start the drips." Foreman had already begun attaching the drips to Sean's IV, hanging the bags on the metal stand.
A short time passed and Wilson placed a hand on Sean's shoulder, "Hey, how are you feeling?"
"Better. Told you I was diabetic."
"Ya, I told ya so." House said in a sing song voice at Wilson.
"Great, I don't need two of you on my case."
"I thought you said he was the mental patient." Sean said nodding towards House while looking directly at Wilson. House half smiled. Wilson was right, he liked this kid.
Two nurses came in, placed Sean in a wheelchair, and wheeled him back to his room. Wilson shook his head and went back to his office, House followed.
"Where are his parents?"
"Mom died of breast cancer a few years ago. His dad works two jobs. He's not around much." Wilson sat at his desk and put his head in his hands.
"Tests can be tricky."
"Are you…comforting me?" Wilson asked, looking up at House.
House jerked his head back slightly, "No." he said, defensively.
"You are, you're actually being nice."
"Not a chance."
Wilson shook his head and smiled, "Whatever you do, don't you dare mess things up with Cuddy."
"She has nothing to do with this."
"She has everything to do with this. You have been, dare I say it? Pleasant all afternoon. You didn't balk at consulting on a patient, you dealt with a kid who has a mouth and now you're comforting me." Wilson chuckled as he walked over to the window and peered out, looking high and low, left and right.
What are you doing?" House asked.
"Looking for flying pigs."
"He's had a series of strokes."
"Tox screen?" House asked.
"Clean."
"He's too young for a stroke."
"Tell him that." Foreman said, opening a bottle of water.
"Has anyone ransacked his place yet?" The fellows and Foreman shook their heads.
"Check out his place, Foreman run a new MRI."
"Hey, where are you off to?" Foreman asked.
"NICU."
"How is she?"
"No better, no worse."
"It'll take a while." House stood behind Cuddy, peering over her shoulder at Mia.
"I didn't realize how hard this would be." She said. House sighed, not really knowing what to say. "I still can't believe she's mine."
"Before you know it, she'll be saying 'you aren't my REAL mother!' and then you'll wonder what you were thinking."
Cuddy smiled, "I know, I'm sure I'll hear those words some day when I've grounded her or won't let her go to Cancun with all her friends for Spring break. But right now, if I was sure I'd hear those words out of a teenaged Mia, I think that would be just about the best thing I've ever heard."
Pam appeared at the doorway, "Hi Lisa, reporting for duty."
Cuddy sighed, "Pam, hi. I was thinking I might stay tonight."
"Oh no you don't. Have you eaten dinner yet?" House argued.
"No. House, you're scaring me."
"Why?"
"You've been entirely too nice today."
"Day's not over yet."
"Is this a date, House?"
"Call it what you want, but Wilson's paying."
She shook her head, smiling, "Pam, you've got my cell phone number right? If anything changes, please call me right away."
Pam nodded, "Will do."
"No House, I'm not paying for you to have steak and lobster." Wilson turned his attention from House to Cuddy and watched her yawn for what seemed like the tenth time since they sat down, "You need some sleep."
Cuddy blushed as she stifled another yawn, "I think we all do. You too."
"I wasn't up nearly as late as the two of you."
"I'm fine, never more awake." House said, just before shoving a large piece of bread into his mouth.
"You need to sleep the most." Wilson said, shaking his head, "Do you have to stuff the whole thing into your mouth?"
"I dn neef afudr muvr."
"House. Jeez, this is a nice resturaunt, can you at least try to act semi human?" Cuddy said with a disgusted look on her face, "And you do need the sleep, you're still not fully recovered."
"Would you two get off my back? How much longer will it be until you decide I'm fully recovered?"
Cuddy put on her best dealing with House voice, "Oh I don't know, maybe when your leg turns from fire engine red to flesh colored, and you stop running fevers. And you know the black circle under your eyes thing, is a bit of a give away."
"You're also pale as a ghost." Wilson added.
"I'm not running a fever."
"You did last night."
"Did not."
"Did too."
"Nag."
"Fool."
A waiter walked over to the table and took their orders, "Vegetarian lasagna."
Wilson looked at the waiter, "I'll have the same."
"And for you sir?"
"Steak and lobster."
"House." Wilson warned.
"Fine, fish and chips." The waiter nodded and walked away.
"You are going to have a coronary the way you eat." Wilson said, shaking his head.
"What is this, an intervention?"
"I thought it was a date." Cuddy said, smiling.
"Not with the third wheel here." House said motioning to Wilson with his fork.
"Hey, this wheel's picking up the bill." Wilson said, waving his butter knife at House. House raised his eyebrows and conceded.
The trio ate in silence, each too tired to drum up unnecessary conversation, including House who hated to admit that he too was exhausted. Wilson thought about teasing the other two about their budding relationship, but thought it was too early to start joking with them about it, not sure that they themselves had truly decided it was an actual relationship.
At the end of the meal, Wilson picked up the bill and they headed outside. House looked back and forth between Wilson and Cuddy, "So, who's the lucky soul who gets to take me home?"
Neither spoke and after a moment of silence both Wilson and Cuddy started laughing.
"You can't just leave me here. I'm not fully recovered, remember?" House pleaded mockingly.
"I'll take him." Wilson finally conceded, "Go home Cuddy, get a good night's sleep."
"You too," she said, heading towards her car.
"Hey, what if I want to go home with you?"
Cuddy turned to face him, "Forget it."
"I need another massage."
"Hire a masseuse." She said with a smile, and turned around again to leave.
"Come on gimpy, let's go."
"Hey, what's with the cripple jokes?" House said, as he and Wilson headed in the other direction.
"Just seeing if you were paying attention."
"Nice. Maybe I'll start making incompetent oncologist who can't diagnose diabetes jokes."
Wilson pulled up in front of House's apartment. House held his breath before releasing it in a sigh, as he opened the car door.
"Pick you up at seven?"
"No, Cuddy's taking me in."
"Oh, okay. See you tomorrow then."
House nodded and walked towards the building.