I know that some of you may not love this whole memories saga, because there's not much progress or storyline, but I really like writing them, and they reveal some of the characters', or what I perceive to be, past and lets us get to know them more. And if you do like Memories, then, great!
One thing I gotta mention is: Chase's dad is NOT dead yet…there's gonna be something I'm gonna write for when he does!!!
Ducklings' memories! They're all about the interviews and first days, and it might seem a little boring, but read it. And if it really is too boring or too long, just check out Cameron's memory. I think that one is the best.
-0-
Chase sat in the conference room, reading a magazine, but not actually comprehending the words on the page. His mind was elsewhere, and he couldn't do anything about it, so began chewing on a pencil about half an hour ago.
House then walks in and suddenly stops.
"Am I awake?" he asks.
"Uh, yeah," Chase says looking at him weirdly.
"Then how come I'm early? Or has two-thirds of my team been murdered?" House says narrowing his eyes.
"Foreman's stuck in traffic, and Cameron's in clinic," Chase says returning to his magazine. "Did you two have a fight?"
"Why would you assume we had a fight?" House asks putting down his bag.
"How come you two didn't come in together?" Chase asks making a suggestive face.
"That is a good question…probably because she got the night shift for keeping watch on our patient," House says, looking at Chase accusingly.
"Hey, you're her boss. You should've put someone else on duty if you wanted to do her,"
"I don't have to bribe someone with less clinic duty to get them to sleep with me,"
"Hm, I've never tried that one before,"
"You should, the other doctors would be ultra grateful," House says heading over for the sink. He pours himself a cup of coffee, and rips open a packet of sugar, tipping it in.
"Hey boys," says Kimee walking in.
"Kimee," Chase says, slightly startled. He wasn't expecting her to come in.
"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be doing last minute packing?" House asks.
"It's all ready,"
"Really? Coz I remember that you always have something that you forget," says House
"I'm all set," says Kimee with a smile.
"So have we got any new cases, or can I spend the day having some 'me' time?" House asks Chase
"Nothing that'd interest you,"
"How do you know?"
"What do you want a case?"
"Maybe,"
Chase stops. Kimee stares
"You're asking for cases now?" the two say in unison
"No…I'm just bored. I-" but he stops as he takes a sip of coffee. And spits it into the sink. "Ew!"
"Ew?" Kimee repeats.
"What the hell is this?" House shouts.
"Coffee," Chase says.
"No, this is toxic waste. Where's Cameron's coffee?" House asks.
"I decided I'd make it for once,"
"Are you trying to poison me?" House says. "It tastes worst than the time your mom made me drink that Chinese herbal medicine stuff when I had a cold the last time I visited you guys," House says to Kimee.
"No way, nothing can beat that," Kimee says with a shudder.
"Is it that bad?" ask Chase
"I would rather eat mashed dung beetles and cow's faeces than drink this," House says.
Chase makes a despondent face.
"Didn't need to be so descriptive," Chase mumbles sulkily.
"Yeah, I'm sure it isn't too bad…" Kimee says and takes a sip. Her face wrinkles up in disgust. "Oh…"
"Bad, huh?" House says.
"I'm sorry, Chase, its…"
"Really, really, really non-suitable for humans,"
"I won't make coffee anymore," Chase says with a sigh.
"That's a relief,"
-0-
A young blond man walks into Princeton-Plainsboro hospital, and breathes in deeply.
Here, he hoped, would be the beginning of his career. And although he had been reluctant at first to step onto this path, he was excited and anxious. And although his estranged father was the main reason he was here, he was determined to make his mark. And prove to his dad that he could outdo him by miles, and he'd make sure that everyone knew it too.
"Excuse me," he says to the nurse at the station. The nurse looks up at him and smiles, her teeth sparkling.
"Yes?" she asks
"Um, I'm here for an interview with Dr Gregory House," he says.
"Oh," she says, as if he was about to suffer. "Are you sure about that?"
"Yes…why?" he asks.
"Let's just say Dr House isn't the most friendly of people," the nurse says.
"Right…well, I've grown up with less than friendly people. I'm sure I can handle him,"
"That's what they all say," the nurse says, warningly. "Level three, straight to your right when you step out of the elevator,"
"Thanks," he says.
"Good luck,"
He nods and walks over to the elevator and presses the button. He quickly steps into it, and in his haste, walks straight into a dark-haired woman, who was busy rifling through some files, which are knocked out of her hands when he bumps into her.
"Oh, my God, sorry," says the young man and quickly bends down to help her.
"No, no, its my fault. I should know better than to walk around the hospital reading reports," says the woman, picking up the stray files.
"Yeah? Do you work here?" he asks handing her some files.
She gives a slight chuckle. "I assume you're here for an interview. Otherwise you'd know I'm the hospital administrator,"
"Oh!" says the man startled and stunned
"I'm Dr Lisa Cuddy," she says. "And I'm guessing you're here for an interview with Dr House,"
"Yes, I am," says the man.
"Well, good luck," she says.
"How come everyone keeps saying that? Is he that bad?"
"Oh that and some," says Cuddy.
"Ok then…"
"Would you like me to show you to his office? Maybe I can then make sure he's a bit less cruel," Cuddy offers.
"Well, I don't want to trouble you…"
"Oh its no problem. I have to berate him for missing clinic duty anyway," Cuddy says and stepping into the elevator, and the young man follows after her.
"Believe me, you'll run out of here scared," she says to him.
"Oh, I think I'm up for a challenge," he replies. Cuddy gives him a look of wow-you're-so-gonna-crash-and-burn but with a hint of respect.
"I'm Dr Robert Chase by the way," he says as the elevator doors close
-0-
Cuddy pushes open House's office door and marches in, Chase on her heels. A man in his forties sat at the desk, playing a Gameboy, and beside him his cane hung on the edge of the desk. His feet are propped up, his Nike Shox resting on a stack of files and he's wearing a band t-shirt underneath a jacket and dark jeans.
"Dr House!" she says loudly and with so much ferocity that Chase's first opinion of her being a nice and sweet boss completely disintegrated.
"Dr Cuddy, I was wondering when I'd be getting a visit from you," the man says without looking up.
"If you were expecting me, then wouldn't you usually be off hiding somewhere?" she asks, hands on her hips.
"You know all my good hiding spots,"
"What, couldn't find another broom closet?" Cuddy asks.
Chase snorts, as he pictures the man, apparently Dr House, hiding in a broom cupboard, with a mop falling on his head.
"What, Cuddy, this your new boyfriend?" he asks finally acknowledging Chase's presence.
"Actually, a potential employee of yours," Cuddy says ushering Chase forward.
"No, no interviewing today,"
"I know you have a very busy and full schedule, but you said you'd do interviews today, and this is Dr Chase's son," Cuddy says raising an eyebrow.
"Really?" he says cocking his head. "Ok, fine. But ONE interview today, only,"
"That's all I ask," Cuddy says. "Dr Chase. Have fun," she says and she walks out.
House gestures for him to take a seat. And Chase sits down warily.
"You know my father?" Chase asks furrowing his brow.
"Yep," House says, popping the 'p'
"How?"
"I know him in name…and he made a phone call yesterday,"
"A phone call?" Chase says exasperatedly. "Are you joking?"
"Yes. You have a very persuasive father there,"
"Persuasive? How so?" Chase says, his tone rising.
"Well, 'you've got the job' persuasive,"
"What? I've got the job?"
"That's what I said,"
"But…I just got here,"
"Yes well, this is all a formality. Apparently you're hired already,"
"No! This is not right,"
"Well most people would be happy, but do it your way," House says.
"I can't believe him. I was supposed to do this on my own,"
"What are you talking about? Anyone else would be pleased to get a job like this with so little effort,"
"Not me. I don't want his name to get me a job. I wanted to be the reason I got it. I wanted to be why you hired me,"
"I want, I want, I want. You should learn to be grateful,"
"Grateful that he interfered?"
"That's what parents are for,"
"Yeah well, he should learn when it's the right time to interfere and when its not," Chase says bitterly.
House stares at him, analytically. He gives a small smile.
"You're fired," he says.
Chase looks at him shocked
"What?"
"You're fired," says House, and Chase gawks. "Now you can reapply and see if you're worth the job…again,"
Chase looks at him bewildered, and then smiles with realization.
"You mean, this is an actual interview now?"
"Yep. So tell me, why do you want the job, Dr Chase?" House asks mockingly.
"I-"
"And please don't give me some shit about its your dream to heal people,"
"Um, OK then…well if you really want to know, I never actually wanted to be a doctor in the first place,"
"You didn't?"
"Yeah, but then something happened, and I was basically shipped off to med school. My father used his 'name' to get me in, he paid my tutoring fees, and he got me an internship. But I wanted to do something by myself, even if he dictated my career; I want to get to the top without him. So that's why I'm applying here,"
"So you wanna work for me so that you can prove to your dad that anything he can do, you can do better?" House asks.
"More along the lines of I want to get back at him for all those years he was a bastard,"
House nods. "Even better,"
"If you want to hear about my education, I went to-"
"Wait, you actually got into college?"
Chase nods weirdly.
"Legitimately?"
"Of course,"
"Impressive… so you're saying your dad didn't bribe the Dean to let you in?"
Chase just makes an annoyed laugh.
"What you think my daddy had to do everything for me?
"Seems that way,"
"He wasn't there for half of it,"
"Doesn't sound like it,"
"I'm not as stupid as you think I am,"
"Really? There's something actually going on under all that pretty hair?"
"Yep. Better the hair, better the brains,"
House stops and raises his eyebrows.
"You're hired,"
Chase looks at him wide-eyed.
"Seriously?" he asks.
"Sure. You start on Monday,"
"Wow…thanks," Chase says and stand up, extending his hand to shake. When House just looks at it as if its diseased, Chase awkwardly lets it drop to his side.
"Physical contact is a big no-no," House says.
Chase just nods and silently walks out, but he can't help grinning widely as he left House's office
-0-
Chase stepped out of the elevator, a big smile on his face. He had spent the weekend celebrating with his friends about his new job, and he was pumped. He couldn't wait to start his first actually job on his road to success. He pushes open the door to the conference room. Nobody else is there, so he puts down his bag, and ambles around the room, observing everything.
At that moment, there's a step-thump noise and House comes in.
"Good morning, Dr House," says Chase
"Dr Chase," House mumbles and heads for the sink. When he finds no coffee he sighs. "Dammit…wish Carlisle didn't leave," he mutters.
"What's wrong?" Chase asks.
"Rule number two. Make the boss coffee," House says.
"Coffee?" Chase repeats.
"Yep. This is important training. Let's see your skills with the coffee maker,"
"Are you sure?"
"No, I was just making sounds. I do that sometimes," House says sarcastically.
Chase just rolls his eyes and begins to boil some water.
"I like two packets of sugar, no cream," House says as he walks into his office.
"Got it," Chase says to himself.
-0-
"Where's my coffee?" says House coming out of his office.
"On the counter," says Chase. "Do we have any cases?"
"There's milk in it," House says.
"Yeah, I-"
"I hate milk in my coffee,"
"Pour it out," says Chase. "Where's the rest of your team? Am I gonna meet my colleagues?"
"They're all down in clinic like good little employees," says House. "And you can refill it for me,"
"Can't you do it yourself?" asks Chase.
"Nope," says House, pointing at the pot. Chase sighs, but since he is unwilling to piss off his boss on his first day, he reluctantly gets up and refills his cup, two packets of sugar, no milk or cream.
"Here," Chase says handing him the cup. House takes a sip.
"Ew…" he says, not swallowing, instead, spitting it into the sink.
"What…"
"Are you trying to poison me?" he says.
"No, I-"
"This is not coffee. It's manure mixed with sugar," House says.
"Is it that bad?" asks Chase.
"Oh yeah," says House as he pours it down the drain.
"Well, it's the first time I've actually tried making coffee…"
"First time? What are you a caffeine-virgin? Or have you been so pampered you've never been forced to have to make your own coffee?"
"I usually don't drink coffee," says Chase.
"Well, get used to it, coz you're going to need a lot from now on," House says. "And I need to hire someone who can make a decent cup of coffee…"
Chase just raises his eyebrows, and puffs his cheeks out.
"So do I have anything to do today?" Chase asks.
"Go do my clinic hours or something,"
"Do I have to?" Chase asks, a trace of whining in his voice.
"After that really, really, really non-suitable for humans coffee? Yes," House says.
"If I see something interesting, can we take it as a case?"
"Probably not," says House.
"Then how are we gonna find something to work on?"
"We don't. Wouldn't you be happier doing nothing each day? Aren't I the perfect boss?" says House as he heads back to his office.
"So, what you're saying is, we might not get a case for weeks?"
"Months, if I have anything to say about it,"
"I came here to work, not to sit around all day,"
"You won't be…you have that wonderful place called clinic," says House. Chase shakes his head in disbelief. "One more thing. Please don't make coffee anymore,"
As he shuts the door to his office, Chase mutters: "Don't count on it,"-0-
"Chase?" says Kimee loudly, waving her hand in front of his face. Chase jerks back to reality, and gives a startled jump.
"What?" he says.
"Dude, you were like in some sort of trance," says Kimee.
"Sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night,"
"Oh, was some one kept awake by a certain hot nurse in pediatrics?" says House, making a suggestive face.
"No, actually," says Chase witheringly.
"So as I was saying, do you guys wanna send me off to the airport?" Kimee says
"Are you going by taxi or…?" asks Chase.
"Taxi. From House's place," Kimee says.
"Why don't I give you a lift?" offers Chase.
"No, no, I'll take a taxi. I like saying goodbye to everyone at home instead of at the airport with randoms everywhere. So you up for it?" she asks.
"Yeah sure," says Chase as he drifts back into reverie
Chase is silent as he thinks about why he remembered that day so well. Sure it was only about a couple of years ago, but he didn't even know that he had so much brain capacity to remember it so vividly. He remembered vividly the anxiety he felt prior. He remembered vividly the annoyance at having to sit around for months as predicted before having a case to work on. He remembered vividly the anger he felt for his father's overdue interest in his life.
"Um, I have clinic," Chase says suddenly and gets up, walking out leaving Kimee and House staring strangely after him.
-0-
"98.8," says Cameron taking the thermometer out of a patient's, a young child, mouth. "No fever,' she says taking off her gloves.
"But the swollen glands…doesn't that mean he has an infection?" says the mother looking at her nervously.
"No. He just has a cold," says Cameron with more patience and tolerance than other doctors have. "Take him home, make sure he gets plenty of rest, keep up his fluids, and he'll be fine,"
"Are you sure it's not something else?"
"I'm positive," says Cameron. Just then, House bursts in.
"House," Cameron says.
"Who are you?" the lady asks.
"Dr Cameron's savior. I'll be her rescuer today from evil mothers who think that their child has some deadly disease and insists upon it until a doctor writes a prescription for antibiotics, which actually do nothing," says House.
The woman just sniffs haughtily.
"I'll have you know, I took a course in biology in college,"
"Yet I'm the doctor here,"
"You're a doctor?" says the woman disbelievingly
"Oh yeah. And now I want to play 'doctor' with Dr Cameron, so if you could just skedaddle," says House gesturing for her to leave.
The woman makes a shocked and disgusted facial expression as the young boy laughs.
"You're weird," says the boy.
"What you say is what you are," House retorts.
"That's appalling," says the woman, as she clutches her son.
"Not as appalling as what I'm gonna do with Dr Cameron in the broom closet,"
"What is wrong with you?" the woman shrieks.
House shrugs, and Cameron makes an apologetic face.
"He's kidding, he just-"
"Don't defend yourself, Cameron, its healthy to have a-" but he's cut off by Cameron elbowing him sharply in the ribs, and he doubles over in pain.
"I'm sorry, Mrs Elman," she says.
"You should be," she says angrily and picks up her son, and opens the door.
"Bye-bye," says the little boy waving to Cameron and House.
"Bye…" says Cameron bleakly. She then turns to House. "That was completely unnecessary,"
"Well, actually-"
"I don't want to hear it! Now I'm probably gonna have a patient complaint because of you,"
"Why, because you're gorgeous boyfriend came in and said we were gonna mess around in the supply room?"
"No, because my insane lunatic of a boyfriend came in and insulted my patient and his mom…and wasn't it broom closet two minutes ago?" Cameron says, slightly flustered.
"Supply room is less cramped," he says.
"I am so not in the mood," says Cameron shaking her head, and then stops. "And even if I was, I have a reputation to uphold, one that doesn't include the words 'ass' and 'jerk' in it!"
"But every time is see you I just gotta go 'Wow, you're hot,'"
"And wow, you're a jackass," says Cameron, hands on her hips. "Funny how easy it is to hate the one you love, sometimes, eh?"
"Oh, come on…" says House clasping his hands together and sticking out his bottom lip. "You know you want to,"
"I said no," she says, with a small smile.
"But it'd be so Grey's Anatomy," says House, puts his hands on her hips.
"I don't care if everyone in the medicine world does it, I'm not," says Cameron removing his hands.
"Please?" says House, lowering his head, and whispering huskily into her ear. "I'll make it worth your while,"
Cameron smiles and clicks her tongue.
"Oh yeah? Show me,"
-0-
"Crap," says a young brunette lady thumping the car wheel. It was the most important day of her life and she was stuck in traffic.
"This is so not my day…" she mumbles to her self. Just then her mobile rings. She fumbles around in her bag, before finding it and answering it.
"Hello?"
"Hello!"Her sister Madison, and as usual, was yelling as if she was constantly telling her off.
"Madison,"
"Where are you?""I'm stuck in traffic,"
"What do you mean? How can you be stuck in traffic? On such an important day! What is wrong with you?"
"I know, I know, I'm late…don't you think I know?!" she says through gritted teeth.
"I don't think you do, because if you realised the importance of today, you would've left earlier, thus, not be caught in traffic!"
"OK, I get it. I'm an idiot. You don't need to scold me like a child,"
"You are a child! Only a child lacks such responsibility!"
"Madison, you do not need to shove it my face, OK. I'm beating myself up as it is, I don't need you joining in!"
"Do you know how stressed I am at the moment, and you being so late-"
"Wait, why would you be so stressed?"
"What do you mean why? You're late!"
"Yeah I know, and I'm stressed, but why are you so stressed?"
"Are you kidding me? What are you talking about?"
"What I'm talking about it, how come you're so nervous?"
"Excuse me??? I'm getting married today and my maid of honour isn't here!"
"WHAT?" she yells into the phone.
"DON'T YELL INTO THE PHONE!"
"Today's the wedding? TODAY?"
"What, you forgot???"
"I-"
"You forgot the most important day of my life!" Madison begins sobbing.
"I'm sorry…I…it completely slipped my mind,"
"I put your dress in the trunk of your car! I called you just last week! How could you forget?"
"I don't know…I just…I just was so preoccupied with-"
"This is a disaster…OK, well, y-you can still make it though, right? I mean, I need you here,"
"Madison, I …
"You have to be here. I don't care where you are going you have to come! Now!"
"I…I have to go to a job interview today-"
"But, its my WEDDING DAY!" she wails.
"I know, I know, but just this interview was harder to get than your Robbie Williams tickets!"
"You are my maid of honour!"
"Madison, I've been wanting this job since I graduated!"
"I…I…I'm getting MARRIED!" she wails again.
She bites her bottom lip nervously. Thankfully, the traffic begins to move and she starts driving at full speed.
"Look, Madison, I'm like two minutes away from the hospital. I'll go in there for ten minutes, fifteen at most, then I'll be there in less than half-an-hour, OK?"
"The ceremony is supposed to start in ten minutes!!"
"OK, OK, hold it off for as long as you can, I'll be there as soon as humanly possible," she says.
"I can't believe this is happening, of all things, the food, my hair, the groom hooking up with cousin Tiffany, this has to happen-"
"Madison, I promise, I will be there. And, I will be changed and ready. I swear the minute I step into the church, you can start the processional march,"
"Ok…ok…ok…I …I think I'm gonna hyperventilate,"
And with that Madison hung up the phone, just as there was a red light.
"Shit," she says, now even more in a rush. She suddenly gets an idea, and pops the trunk open, unbuckles her seat belt, rushes out of the car, goes to the back, opens the trunk, grabs the bridesmaid gown and a fake flower corsage and runs back into the driver's seat just as the light turns green. She presses down on the accelerator and speeds down the road. Then another red light catches her.
"Shit…"
She then starts skilfully taking off her brown croc-skin jacket, white button-up shirt, before the light turns green again. Drives off, then hits another red light. She quickly takes off her black knee length skirt which she had spent all morning ironing, tosses it to the back. Light turns green again.
"Double shit…"
She was now driving in her underwear, black lacy bra and matching panties.
This is so not my day
And as she is driving, a bikie driving past sees her and begins revving the engine loudly and hooting.
"Woo, yeah, baby!"
She merely smiles bitterly at him, and once again is stopped by a red light. She finally slips the dress over her head, and puts the corsage on. She thanks the Shoe Gods that she had decided to wear silver stilettos that morning thus she didn't have to change her shoes. She manages to get to the hospital without getting pulled over for speeding, quickly checks her makeup and hair, and then rushes out of the car, locking it behind her as she heading into the hospital. She then stops, turns around, unlocks her car and takes out her purse, phone and resume, before closing the door and running into the hospital, her stilettos tapping, and making it excruciatingly difficult to move more than five inches at a time.
-0-
She rushed up to the nurse's station and utters five words.
"Interview. Dr House. Allison. Cameron," she says out of breath.
"Third floor," says the nurse looking at her strangely.
"Thankyou," she says and runs to into a closing elevator.
"Stop!" she yells to a doctor in the elevator.
"Oh," says the man and presses the 'open door' button. Cameron quickly got in. "Thanks," she says puffing.
"No problem," says the man, who is in his late thirties to early forties with thick brown floppy hair, and a boyish smile. He glances at Cameron weirdly.
"Don't ask," Cameron says.
"Wasn't gonna," says the doctor. He then glances at her again. "Can I ask you a question?"
"You already have," Cameron says with a smile.
"Are you here for an interview with Dr House?"
"Actually, I am," says Cameron. "How'd you guess?"
"Well only House would somehow, maybe indirectly, be the reason for someone appearing at the hospital wearing a bridesmaid dress,"
Cameron chuckles slightly, as the doors open to her floor.
"Actually it's a gown," she says.
"Oh, sorry," says the doctor with a smile.
"Nice meeting you, Dr…"
"Wilson. And good luck with your interview," says Wilson with a smile
"I'm gonna need it," she says, as she runs off.
-0-
Cameron pushes the door open to Dr House's office, and breathes in and out deeply. Unfortunately, or fortunately he wasn't in the room.
"Goddamit," she mutters. She had never sworn so much in her entire life until today. "Great…" she mumbles, hands on her hips. Either she was going to be very late to her sister's wedding, or she'd have to skip the interview. Thankfully at that moment, the door opened, and in walked a man in his forties, wearing an open collared blue shirt underneath a grey-ish jacket and jeans. He stops suddenly when he sees her.
"Wow, you're hot," he says, his bright blue eyes examining her.
"Wow, you're a jackass," she says, an instant reflex to such suggestive remarks. He raises an eyebrow in surprise and interest. Cameron quickly covers her mouth.
"I…I'm sorry," she apologises quickly. "It's been a stressful day,"
"Yeah, I can tell," he says looking suspiciously at her dress. Though everyone had been giving her odd looks, she felt particularly vulnerable and exposed under his searing gaze. "Certainly not one of the usual applicants," he says, and she looks down at herself. She had been in such a rush she barely noticed what the dress looked like. It was pale blue silk V-neck dress, with a fishtail train. It was slightly corseted around the waist, creating a ribbed effect. At the back there was trailing blue and silver ribbon. Her hair was wavy and pinned out of her face, but left out. Her face was flushed from all the running and panting…
"It's a long story…I have a wedding to go to after this, so…"
"Well, just so you know, I like to have very long and deep interviews with my applicants. I just love getting to know people," he says mockingly and very sarcastically as he sits down. Cameron breathes in, and remembers all the gossip about him.
"I'm Dr Allison Cameron," she says, handing him her résumé as she said it.
"Dr Greg House, as the name on my door suggests," House says. "What's your specialty?"
"Immunology. I graduated-"
"Yeah, yeah, that's in the file, I know," says House. "I'm a busy man. Places to go, people to hide from…so tell me something that'll make me want to hire you,"
Cameron looks at him flabbergasted, and then shrugs. "Ok then…"
"Good start,"
"I want this job," Cameron says simply. "And, I'll let you know now, I'm determined to have it. No matter how I do it or how long it takes,"
House looks at her with those piercing eyes, and Cameron feels herself almost melt under his stare, but she tries to regain her composure.
"Continue,"
"I…I want to make a difference-"
"All the applicants do. They wouldn't be applying if they didn't,"
"Yeah, well I'm not like the other applicants,"
"Then don't give me crap about wanting to save the world,"
Cameron looks at him irritated.
" I worked my butt off so hard to get here, I have actually lost feeling in my ass," she says.
House snorts.
"Numbness in the ass can be due to anything. Such as getting pinched-"
"I'm not just a pretty face. Or…ass, whatever. I've never been more sure of anything in my life, and all I want is the opportunity to prove that I have as much intelligence as the next doctor…and more,"
House shrugs, and clicks his tongue.
Cameron stops and then decided to change battle tactics. She desperately wanted this job, and she desperately needed to get out of here soon!
"I'll make it worth your while," she says, her eyes gleaming. House looks at her and then smirks.
"Oh yeah? Show me," he says a mischievous smile on his face.
Cameron smiles.
"I can only do that if you hire me," she says.
House doesn't say anything for a moment, but then with a playful expression, he says: "Ok. You've got the job,"
"You won't regret it," Cameron says, with a smile. Then, instantly, she jumps up, her purse in hand, she rushes out the door.
"Hey! Wait," House calls, stopping her in her tracks. She turns around. "Can you make a decent cup of coffee?"
Cameron looks at him strangely and then smiles again.
"Of course," she says and then runs off.
-0-
The following week, Allison Cameron walked into the hospital, on her first day as a doctor of the hospital. And this time she was not in a bridesmaid dress. She had, in fact, made it in time, and her sister looked gorgeous in a strapless ivory silk white dress with a pale-as blue underskirt, and although she was about to have a panic attack, the wedding went smoothly.
Cameron had spent the entire afternoon of the previous day deciding on her outfit, before completely changing her mind that morning. She had settled on a tweed jacket, a mint green silk top and tailored black pants, matched with her purple snakeskin shoes.
She walked into the conference room, head held high and confidence oozing. Sitting at the table was young man, about her age, perhaps a little older. He was rather good looking, with a defined chin and perfectly sculpted blonde hair, but definitely not her type. He was too 'young' looking, seeming as if he was a bit of an ass-kisser and rather juvenile. She had more sense than to get involved with one of her co-workers…
"Good morning," she says unsurely. The man looks up, slightly dazed.
"Who are you?" he asks rather bluntly. See? Juvenile.
"I'm Dr Allison Cameron," she says reaching her hand out for him to shake. He suddenly clicks, and realizing what's going on, and shakes her hand.
"You're the new doctor, right?" he says.
"Yep, I am,"
"Wow, so House finally hired someone. It's been a month since he's been interviewing but he'd always find something wrong. 'She had a lisp! Do you know how annoying it'd be to work with that? It'd be 'Ye-th, well, the pa-th-y-ent ha-th gone into a re-th-pi-tory di-th-re-th and-th we had th-o in-thu-bate him'. You won't get anything out of her,' or 'He went to East Timor to treat sick people for free. Too Mother Theresa. If he really was a saint he'd have stayed there,' and 'Did you see her breasts? They were huge! My whole department would be distracted and Cuddy would get jealous,' oh and 'His life-long dream is to become the best diagnostician in the world- he's after my crown! He's here to usurp me!' It was ridiculous," he says. Cameron laughs.
"Oh, well, that's…good to hear,"
"Yeah. I'm Dr Robert Chase by the way," he says.
"Oh, nice to meet you," she says. She then looks over to the sink.
"Hey, Dr House mentioned something about coffee…"
"Oh yeah. Another thing that he's been looking for in his employees. Got to know how to make a decent pot of coffee. He actually got some of them to make one on the spot,"
"Did you pass?"
"The test was created after he found out that my coffee tasted like crap," Chase says.
Cameron smiles and then walks over and begins to make a fresh pot.
Just then House comes in, and Cameron stops and stares at him. She had to admit that she had already begin to respect him, and she definitely looked forward to working here, no matter what people said about his insane cruelty.
"Dr Cameron, I see you've already met my cutest little duckling," House says.
Chase rolls his eyes.
"Do we have any cases?" Cameron asks, as she pours some coffee into a red mug she had found.
"Nope," House says, as he watches her make the coffee. She doesn't even ask what he wanted in it, like other applicants had, she just tipped two packets of sugar in, no milk and no cream.
"Well, do you know how long it might be until we get one?" she asks.
"No idea," he says. She walks over and hands him the cup. House gives her a look of interest and takes the mug cautiously. He takes a sip.
"Mmm. Yum," he concludes. Cameron smiles.
"Let me try," he says grabbing the mug out of House's hand. He takes a sip.
"Wow, delicious," says chase.
"And also mine," House says grabbing it back. He turns back to Cameron. "You are now the official Diagnostics Department Coffee Maker,"
"And here I thought I was hired as a doctor," Cameron says.
"That's just a figurehead position," says House as heads into his office.
Cameron looks at Chase exasperatedly, and he shrugs.
This was going be harder than she thought.
-0-
"Well?" says House mouth trailing down her neck. Cameron realizes where she was and quickly snaps back to the present. House's hand was slowly making its way up her shirt and to her bra.
"Greg, no," she says with a smile, breaking apart.
"Why not?" he says with a huff.
"You know why," Cameron says. "Anyone could walk in any minute,"
"We can-"
"Don't even go there," Cameron says warningly.
"Fine," House says, and instead hops onto the examination table. "Wanna go out tonight?" he asks.
"Tonight? Are you sure? Its Kimee's last night,"
"Why does everyone keep acting as if she's dying? She's coming back," says House.
"I know, but I thought maybe we could just stay in and watch a movie," says Cameron.
House sighs.
"Come on. I know you'll miss her once she's gone," says Cameron.
"OK, OK," says House as he gets off the table, cane in hand.
"Thankyou. And maybe tonight you can have your fun," says Cameron with a flirtatious smile.
"Yeah, yeah. I'll go find someone else to satisfy my needs now then," says House waggling his eyebrows.
"I'm sure," she says and places a long kiss on his mouth.
-0-
Kimee held her gift, the silver haired kitten in her arms, as she sat in House's office, staring at his new Plasma TV. She scratched the purring cat behind the ears as she pops a chip in her mouth.
House walks in, and wrinkles his brow at the TV.
"What are you watching?" he asks, as he takes out his Vicodin bottle and shake sone out.
"Huan zhu Ge Ge," she says nonchalantly, eyes fixed on the screen. House swallows a pill. "Wanna watch?"
"What's it about?" House says as he sits down.
"Oh the usual. Set in Ch'ing dynasty," Kimee says as she hands him the packet of chips. "Life in the Forbidden City,"
"Is it any good?" he asks taking a chip.
"Yeah, it is. See that girl, she's the Emperor's illegitimate daughter, but the Emperor thought that this other girl was his daughter, so he made her princess," she says.
"Hm," says House. "Why do you watch this kinda stuff?
"I'm a sucker for historical dramas. The clothing and customs and culture are amazing. You get transported to another world. It's really quite enthralling," Kimee says, as her cat meows.
House gives her a disbelieving look.
"And the prince is rather hot," Kimee admits.
"Ah, that's my girl," House says and then looks at the screen. "Him?"
"Yeah,"
"He's not hot! Look at his hair," he says pointing at the television.
"You are so uneducated. That's the Manchu hairstyle," she says looking at the man, who's front half of his head was fully shaven and at the back was a long braid or queue. "But he's in all these other shows, and he looks much hotter with hotter hair,"
"Whatever,"
"Exactly," Kimee replies, and she lifts Greg (that's the cat) up. "Aw, isn't he adorable?"
"No," says House looking at the cat contemptuously.
"Why not? He's just like you, except lovable,"
"Ha," says House. He eyes the cat again. "That thing has cat scratch disease written all over it,"
"Yeah right," says Kimee with a snort. "Wait. You're not afraid of cats, are you?"
"What? No," say House defensively.
"Yes you are, that's why you always jump when it sits on the couch,"
"That's because I don't want fur all over my couch,"
"Oh yeah?" says Kimee.
"Yeah," says House turning back to the screen. Suddenly, Kimee shoves the kitten into his, the cat mewing loudly. House yelps and jumps up, spilling the chips everywhere. Kimee laughs.
"You are so scared of cats," she says.
"Yeah well, even if I was, with valid reason. Those things are monsters," he says, brushing away crumbs.
"You are so scared," Kimee says again. "I guess the almighty Greg House is human after all,"
"That might surprise you, but my DNA says otherwise," House says.
Right then, Foreman walks in, carrying a heap of files. He drops them on House's desk.
"Here. Medical records of everyone Jessica has had sex with," he says.
Kimee looks at House weirdly.
"I'm into stuff like that," says House.
"Kinky," says Kimee.
"Its for a case," says Foreman.
"Yeah. Don't wanna know," says Kimee. Foreman looks at the television.
"What are you watching?" he asks.
"Chinese thing," says Kimee.
"You're watching?" Foreman asks House.
"No, I'm praying," says House.
"You can understand Chinese?"
"Mandarin, some Cantonese and a little Hokkien," says House casually.
Foreman looks at him in disbelief.
"I'm a man of many talents.
"So I've heard," says Foreman.
-0-
Eric Foreman sat in Dr House's office, waiting.
His face was calm and composed, but he kept tapping his foot, giving away his nervousness. He had been looking for a job for ages, but he had been turned down on all counts. And although they didn't say, he knew it was because of his past. And its pissed him off to be judged before actually meeting him, and when they did meet him, didn't really listen to anything he had to say or consider what he had to offer, especially when he knew he had the potential and intelligence to go far.
Just then, the door opens and in walks a tall-ish man, who walked with a cane. Foreman presumed he was Dr House.
"Dr House. I'm Eric Foreman," he says, getting up.
"Whoa, no need to rise when I come in. I mean, I know you might be used to it, but I'm not a judge," says House sarcastically as he walks behind his desk and sits down.
Foreman bits his tongue and smirks, as he sits down again.
"So, what's crack-a-lackin' on the flip side my brother from another mother?" House asks.
Foreman looks at him weirdly.
"Um, what?"
House sighs. "Thanks for joining in,"
Foreman just narrows his eyes.
"Is this the first impression you usually leave on people, or am I the first?" Foreman says.
"What can I say? I'm a man of many talents," replies House.
"So I've heard," says Foreman.
"The gossip network is a reliable resource," says House, leaning back in his chair.
"Yeah, that's where I get all my information," Foreman says, still looking at House oddly.
House smirks.
"So. How come you want the job?"
"Well, I think that I would be a good-"
"Heard it, seen it, snubbed it," says House. "Come one, surprise me here,"
Foreman arches his eyebrow, and then moves in his chair.
"Ok then. Honestly, the main reason I'm here is 'coz all the other hospitals are too high and mighty to hire a black doctor who's got a juvenile record for breaking into someone's house,"
House tilts his head in interest.
"Ooh, an ex-con. How cool!"
"Yeah, cool, but not so cool when looking for a job,"
"That's because those doctors aren't cool. Whereas I am," says House
"What are you saying?" asks Foreman.
"Hey, hey, I ask the questions here," says House.
"Right. Look, I graduated from Hopkins. I can do this. I can take the long hours, the intensity, the crap you are gonna dish out. Whatever it takes to get this job, I've got it," Foreman says single-mindedly.
"Are you sure? Coz I'm gonna give you a lot of crap," says House.
"I'm sure. I want to show everyone that I can be a real doctor. A success. Because I know I've got it in me. I to become the best I can be. All I need is the chance to do that," says Foreman.
"And you want me to give you that chance?" asks House.
"Yeah. I do,"
"Because you want to work for me, or because I'm your last choice?" asks House.
"Both," says Foreman.
House sneers.
"Right," says House. "You start on Monday,"
Foreman looks at him in surprise.
"You…you mean I got the job?"
"No, I just like talking to you," says House. "Uh, duh, you got the job,"
Foreman stands up.
"Well, thank you," he says and reaches out to shake House's hand.
"Ew, black germs," says House, looking at his hand.
Foreman clicks his tongue.
"Alright then," he says. "See you on Monday," he says as he walks out.
"Until we meet again, my love," House calls after him.
-0-
Foreman readjusted his tie for the tenth time. He was wearing a classic suit and tie combo, smart but not to overly dressy. He didn't really express his anxiety, but from the way that he had changed about three times was enough to convey his nervousness.
Finally after again changing his tie, he headed out of the house. He pulled his jacket tight, as it had just snowed last night. He walked over to his car. He casually looks at his watch.
8:59
Crap, he was going to be late. He quickly got in and pulled out of the parking lot and sped off toward the hospital.
Great, first day and I'm gonna be late. He thinks to himself.
He drove as fast as he could, overtaking close to eight cars and just missing red lights. He knew it was dangerous, but he didn't want to make a bad impression on his first day by being tardy.
Suddenly, he hears sirens behind him. He thumps the wheel.
"Crap," he mutters as he pulls over. He rolls down the window as a surly-looking police officer came walked up.
"Morning officer," says Foreman putting on a pleasant smile.
"Sir, are you aware that you were going almost 80 miles an hour in a 50 zone?" says the police officer.
"I apologise. I'm late for my first day at-"
"I don't want excuses. This isn't Fast and the Furious,"
"I know. I'm sorry. It won't happen again," Foreman says still trying to keep calm. "Can't you just let me off with a warning?"
"Look, buddy, I don't know who think you are, but if you believe that I'm gonna let you off scot-free, then you're living in Crazy town,"
"But, I-"
"No buts, sir. You have broken speeding laws, and there's no way out for you," he says as he pulls out his ticket book.
Foreman sighs.
"Yeah, that's what happens when you drive like a mad-man," says the police office as he writes Foreman a ticket. He tears it off and hands it to Foreman.
"Don't let me catch you doing this again," he says in a stern voice.
"Of course," says Foreman through gritted teeth. And with that he drives off.
He really was going to be late now.
Stupid cops. Good for nothing.
He drummed his fingers on the wheel in frustration as he is waiting for the light to turn green. Finally after a fair bit of cursing and beeping, he arrives at the hospital. He jumps out of the car quickly and hurriedly walks into the hospital he was to work at for the next six years.
-0-
Foreman walks into the diagnostics department conference room, out of breath from climbing the stairs after the elevator didn't come.
Too his surprise, only a man and woman is inside. The man was blonde and was doing a crossword, the woman, a brunette, was sitting at her desk sorting through mail.
"Hi," he says unsurely.
"Oh, hello," says the woman, looking up. "You must be Dr Foreman," she says getting up and reaching her hand out. Foreman shakes it with a smile. "I'm Dr Allison Cameron," she says.
"I'm Dr Robert Chase," says the man getting up and shaking his hand as well.
"Hey," says Foreman. "So, where's Dr House?"
"Oh, he isn't here yet," say Cameron returning back to her desk.
"You mean, I'm not late?"
"Oh, you're late but he'll always be later. Only thing that's different is that you get reprimanded, while he's let off without a second glance," says Chase getting up to refill his mug.
"You serious?" Foreman says putting down his bag. "I just got a ticket for speeding and you tell me that he isn't here yet himself?"
"Dr House…" begins Cameron but stops.
"See? Even Cameron can't find a good excuse for him," says Chase.
"You'll come to see for yourself," says Cameron.
Foreman just sighs.
"So what do you specialize in again?" asks Cameron kindly.
"Neurology. What about you guys?"
"Immunology," says Cameron. "Chase is an intensevist," she says as Chase raises his eyebrows.
"So what's it like working for House?" Foreman asks.
Chase and Cameron exchange glances.
"Well…it's…challenging," says Cameron, pausing as she searched for the right words. "It's definitely an experience,"
"Experience of hell," says Chase with a snort.
Foreman arches an eyebrow.
"What do you mean?"
"Let's just say that he wouldn't be nominated for any Boss of the Year awards," says Chase stirring his coffee. At that moment House comes in.
"Yeah but I've been crowned Miss New Jersey. What've you got?" he says having heard Chase's comment.
"Just a medical degree," mutters Chase as he sits down.
"Ah, my final lackey. Now I am one step closer to my plan of world-domination," says House.
"Good morning Dr House," says Foreman good-naturedly
House narrows his eyes.
"What are you three all doing then, hanging around with nothing to do?" he says.
"Don't we have any cases, Dr House?" asks Foreman still with new and naïve.
Now both Chase and Cameron snort.
Foreman looks at them weirdly, as House makes an expression of 'what the hell?'
"Dude, we get a case when I say we get a case…that doesn't make sense, does it?"
"Um, so what do we do all day?" Foreman asks.
"Who knows? Who cares? Go be free…free in the clinic. Today it is your privilege to do my hours," he says to him.
Foreman looks at him shocked.
"What?" he says.
"Do. My. Hours," House says slowly.
"Are you kidding me?" says Foreman. He looks at Chase and Cameron and they just both shake their heads.
"Don't make me fire you on your first day," House says cruelly before retreating into his office. Foreman looks at the other two doctors appalled.
"Is this what you guys do all day?" he asks.
"Cameron checks his mail," says Chase.
"This is ridiculous," Foreman says.
"Welcome to the diagnostics department,"
"So until we get a case, we just hang around?"
"Unfortunately…" says Cameron.
Foreman sighs and shakes his head.
"I'll try and get us a case soon," says Cameron consolingly.
"I doubt House will take it," says Chase.
"Have you guys actually had a case in all the time you've worked here?" Foreman asks.
"No," says Cameron resignedly
"Nope," says Chase.
Foreman throws up his hands in defeat.
"Insane. That's all that can describe this,"
"Don't worry, we will get a case eventually," says Cameron.
"Yeah, maybe in the year 2025," he mutters as he picks up Chase's crossword
-0-
Foreman drifts back from his memory. His beginning at Princeton-Plainsboro had been uneventful and bland, occasionally injected with House's biting comments. It had taken a while before they had finally taken on board a case, and from thereon their work became much more interesting and intense. He knew that he had come a long way, both in medicine and himself. He had learnt a lot, and also changed. He became less trusting of people and more supercilious, but he also became more strong and determined.
"So, Eric, come send me off tomorrow morning, OK?" says Kimee.
"Oh, yeah, sure," says Foreman.
"Don't steal any of my stuff," says house putting on a mock-scared voice.
"Don't worry, I know there's nothing of value in there," he says.
"I-" begins House.
"Drop it guys," says Kimee, a smile tugging at her lips. "Well, I'm gonna go. Make sure you arrive before ten," she says and with that she walks out.
"Something is so up with her," says House.
Foreman nods and then turns to House.
"Who talks like that?" Foreman asks.
"Shut up," says House.
-0-
The next morning, Kimee was in her room, checking that she hadn't forgotten anything. She had a suitcase and her Thai silk satchel. When she had moved in she had insisted that House get rid of all the stuff in his study and buy her a bed. It seemed like a long-term investment, but now she was leaving.
Oh well. At least Wilson can now sleep on an actual bed instead of the couch
She picked up her luggage and bag and heads outside to the living room.
House walks in, smacks his lips.
"You ready?"
"Yep," she says, with a brave smile.
She walks over and gives him a hug. House hesitantly hugs her back. Suddenly there's a knock at the door and they break apart.
"I'll get it," she says, and she ambles over to the door and opens it. There, standing, was Wilson, Cameron, Chase, Foreman and Cuddy.
"Thanks for coming guys," Kimee says with a sad smile.
"We would've been here no matter what," says Wilson. She smiles again. She lets them in and they all crowd around House's apartment. Chase and Foreman look very uncomfortable and awkward.
"If you're wondering where the dungeon is, its getting renovated," says House.
"I'm gonna assume you're kidding," says Chase.
Kimee chuckles.
"We'll miss you," says Cuddy. "You've been great to have around,"
"Thanks. I'll miss you too," Kimee says and the two hug.
"Yeah, look after yourself," says Wilson and gives her a kiss on top of her head.
"Duh," she says with a smile.
"Kimee, I know we haven't always been the best of pals, but I want you to know, that I really do consider you a friend and I'll miss you," Foreman says and Kimee hugs him. "Here, I got you something," he says and hands her a small box. Inside is a necklace, with a gorgeous gold butterfly. It glittered under the light.
"Oh, thank you so much," Kimee says clutching it. "I'll miss you,"
Cameron steps forward, and her eyes watering, she smiles.
"Thank you for being you," she says simply and embraces Kimee.
"Look after him for me," Kimee whispers in her ear. Cameron nods.
Kimee then turns to Chase. Chase grins, and Kimee beams back.
"My favorite wombat," says Kimee.
"My favorite House," he says.
"Aw, I thought you loved me the most," says House.
"No way," says Chase.
"I'll miss you so much," says Kimee.
"Yeah, but I'll miss you more," he says. They hug tightly.
"Take care of that ring for me," she says.
"Yeah, of course," Chase says, twisting the ring on his pinky finger.
Suddenly there's a car beep from outside.
"That's my taxi," Kimee says.
"Right," says Cuddy.
She makes to pick up her suitcase.
"I'll get that," says Chase, taking it instead. He walks out first, followed by the rest of them. Kimee turns to everyone and smiles forlornly.
"Bye everyone," she says.
"Take care," says Cameron.
"Yeah and email us," says Foreman.
"Definitely," she says.
"And come back soon," says Wilson.
Kimee nods.
House looks at her with his blue eyes, which, for perhaps the first time his colleagues had known, were sad and sorrowful, though his face remained expressionless.
"See you," he says almost inaudibly.
"See you," she says. Kimee smiles and then turns around. She squeezes Chase's hand, her finger brushing the gold ring. Then with a final gaze and wave at her friends and family, she got into the taxi and it sped off, down the streets of Jersey towards the airport. And though she had said countless times that she would be back, everyone still had the sinking feeling that this would be the last time they'd see her in a long, long time.
-0-
Oh, I loved writing this! I especially loved Cameron's memory! Don't you think it'd be hilarious if she actually did do that? The idea just popped into my head! Amazing, huh?
And that whole convo about Chinese period drama, just though I'd give you a little education about history. And that show really does exist, though its not the bestest, bestest thing you could choose to watch. Korean shows are better.
And, this will not be the last you hear of Kimee, as my whole fic is about the niece.
Tell me what you think!