As noted in the earlier chapter this update was originally part of Chap 25....hope this part turned out okay. Standard disclaimer goes here and hopefully enjoy!

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"It's just us again." Wilson smiled sheepishly as Cameron stepped into the exam room. "What are you doing in the clinic?"

"I just needed a break from the ER." Cameron sighed. "Some days runny noses and sore throats feel like a vacation compared to drug over doses and accident victims. Is House sick again already? He's still on meds….Oh! Is that the new dog?" Cameron noticed Rusty sitting quietly on the exam table next to House. "He's so tiny and cute!"

"Mine Dusty." House said miserably as he lay down on the exam table. Rusty jumped out of his way and sat by Wilson's feet. "Bad ouch."

"Cuddy said it's his throat this time? Are you sure it just isn't all of the screaming you were bitching to Cuddy about earlier? Has he been eating? Drinking? Has he been running a fever?"

"He seemed fine for awhile after Chase adjusted his meds." Wilson put a comforting hand on House's shoulder. "A little grumpy but fine. He was really grouchy that day we went and looked at dogs. He threw a fit on the way home. He threw up in the car but I thought that he just got himself all worked up and made himself sick."

Cameron looked concerned. "Has he vomited since?"

Wilson shook his head. "He hasn't really wanted to eat anything since either though. Just popsicles and other cold stuff. He has been drinking a lot of juice."

"Well, let's take a look. It could just be a little cold or maybe a mild case of allergies. Greg, I am going to need you to sit up sweetie."

"Come on buddy, up we go." Wilson helped his friend sit back up. "It's okay."

"Say aww." Cameron stuck a tongue depressor in House's mouth as he opened. "His throat looks pretty red. Why didn't you take a look at home?"

Wilson looked a bit guilty. "I just thought he was being a brat until he woke up soaked in sweat not too long ago. Then I panicked and thought he had been puking up his meds and I hadn't noticed so the kidney infection had flared up again."

Cameron rolled her eyes affectionately. "You know for a doctor you sure panic a lot."

"Side effect of being friends with House all of those years. You start to expect the worst."

Cameron let out a small laugh. "I can see that. I am going to need you to hold him still so I can take a throat culture."

"You think he has strep throat?" Wilson asked as he put his hands on House's shoulders. "Okay buddy, this is going to sting a little. We need you to stay really still and keep your mouth open."

"Just ruling it out." Cameron said as she quickly swabbed the back of House's throat. "All done."

"Ouch." House sniffled pitifully. Rusty jumped back up on the exam table and put a paw on his wounded owner's leg.

"I always hate that one too." Cameron said sympathetically. She looked over at Wilson. "I want to run a quick blood and urine sample too. Just to make sure the antibiotics are still working on that kidney infection."

Wilson pointed to a cup on the counter. "The nurse took care of the pee portion already. As for the blood sample I came prepared this time." Wilson reached down for House's backpack and pulled out the teddy bear in the lab coat. "Look Greg. I have your Jimmy Bear."

"Jimmy Bear?" Cameron smirked.

"It's a long story. Look Greg. It's your bear." Wilson held up the honey colored teddy.

"Mine." House said hazily, eyes focused on the bear. He turned around as he felt a needle prick his arm. "Ouch."

"All done." Cameron quickly pulled the needle back out. "You can lay back down now sweetie."

"Here buddy. Have your bear." House pulled the bear to his chest and curled up on the exam table using Rusty as a pillow. "So if it is strep…."

"Here is what I am thinking. He caught the strep awhile ago but the antibiotics he was on were fighting it and covering up the symptoms. But the antibiotics aren't strong enough to fight his kidney infection and the strep. The strep gets worse and you guy come here."

Wilson threw up his arms. "Do you ever feel like you are stuck in a really bad story where the writer is doing things just to mess with you? Why didn't Chase catch the strep if it was already there?"

"You know how these things go. We were looking for things causing urinary pain…the throat usually isn't on that list. Chase was trained by House…eliminate the horses before you go looking for zebras. Chase found a horse and thought he found the problem."

Wilson sighed. "So if it is strep what do we do? More antibiotics?"

Cameron shook her head. "We need to beat this thing. I recommend that we keep him here on IV antibiotics until both the kidney infection and the strep are gone. We can monitor him closer and if something comes up he will already be here. No more panicking."

Wilson looked over at his curled up friend on the exam table. "Wouldn't he be more comfortable at home?"

"If he needs to stay here you know we will do our best to make him comfortable. I'll see if Foreman can get him that same room he was in last time. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that it isn't strep."

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"So big guy." Taub smiled at the incredibly grumpy House who sat in a wheel chair in front of him. "What brings you back so soon? I hear your throat is giving you some trouble."

"We didn't cross our fingers tightly enough." Wilson frowned. "Thanks for getting us the room again. It really is pretty close to what I did with his room at home."

"What's with the dog?" Taub asked. "He looks a little small to be a service dog."

Wilson raised an eyebrow. "That's pretty funny coming from you."

"Ha ha. I can see you inherited House's former sense of humor. Cuddy told us you were in a great mood when she stopped by your place earlier. Are things going okay with the dog?"

Wilson sighed. "Rusty is fine. I just feel bad that House is sick again. I haven't been very nice to him the past few days. I completely ignored his symptoms because I thought he was just being a brat. Now he is stuck here again."

"At least you'll get a break." Taub pointed out. "Relax. We'll take good care of him. Do you want to get him into the gown?"

"I brought some of his pajamas from home just in case. Well actually I brought a bunch of stuff from home." Wilson motioned to House's overflowing backpack. "Is that okay?"

"That should be fine. Anything to make him more comfortable. Why don't you get him settled and I'll send Kutner up in a minute. He and Foreman are with our other patient."

"And Dr. Hadley?" Wilson asked nervously.

"Was transferred to another department as soon as Cuddy found out Foreman refused to fire her."

"What?" Wilson spat causing House and Rusty to both jump a little.

"Did you hear? Fourteen is back. They kissed and made up." Taub shrugged. "I guess she must be really good in bed." Taub smiled at House. "See you later Greg. We'll get you all better, okay?"

"No." House moaned as Wilson pulled a curtain and helped him into his pajamas. Rusty settled himself at the end of the hospital bed.

"Remember this room? You liked all the frogs on the walls last time." Wilson pointed to a picture on the wall as he pulled a small fleece blanket out of House's backpack and used it to cover his friend. "You just have to stay here until you are better. Rusty and I will be here too. So will Jimmy Bear." Wilson handed House back his teddy.

"Jimmy Bear?" Kutner eyeballed Wilson as he came into the room. "Nice dog. Is that House's new service dog? I thought he would be bigger."

"We went for the economy size." Wilson sighed, tired of answering both questions. "And the bear is a long story."

"Nice. Looks like House has another pretty nasty infection going on. I brought up some IV bags." Kutner looked over at House. "He would probably be disappointed that his diagnosis is so boring."

"I don't know." Wilson said wryly. "Brain damage, a kidney infection and strep throat seems like a case worthy of House's team of ducklings to me."

"Ducklings?" Kutner questioned.

"Another long story. Do you want me to hold him while you insert the IV?"

"That would be good." Kutner moved over to the bed. "I'll try to be quick as possible."

"Easy." Wilson soothed as House tried to pull his arm away. "You should be used to this by now. It's okay."

"Done." Kutner announced. "Now I am just going to put a dose of anti-nausea meds into the IV bag and we are done. Oh yeah." Kutner's voice dropped. "He is still wearing…."

"No catheter." Wilson said sharply. "And tell the nurses not to worry about it. I'll take care of him."

"Cuddy told me you would be going home." Kutner said confused. "Something about needing a break and working on coming back to work? We even had someone lined up to walk the dog." Rusty lifted his head from his place at the end of House's bed.

"Wilson?" House asked softly.

"It's okay buddy." Wilson said softly. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Will you at least let me take you to dinner?" Cuddy's voice came from the doorway. "I hear the food here isn't very good."

Wilson looked over at House who was very obviously drifting off to sleep. "Sure." Wilson said slowly. "But only if it is my treat."