Chapter 26

After hearing House's request, Cuddy's jaw dropped. "No. No way."

"Fine," said House. "I suppose I'll just go about my miserable days... being gossiped about by those mean nurses of your clinic. And for what? Because you couldn't--"

"House... please don't make me."

House smirked, but Cuddy gave him a malacious look.

"Give me another hour of clinic duty this week and I'll do it."

House thought about it, then he thought about his latest round of clinic duty with Cameron. He smiled oh so slightly. Couldn't give anything away. "Fine. ONE hour. And you'll help me?"

Cuddy reluctantly nodded. She owed House, AND she was getting another hour out of him. Still, it was a hard step to take.

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"Woud you put that file down?" asked Chase. "It's chicken pox."

Cameron frowned. She wasn't giving up. She got up from her seat and left. Time to pay little Daniel a visit. Sure, House would probably be upset, but she could always find ways of forgivness, right?

"Where are you going?" asked Foreman.

"I'll be back in a little."

"Hope she's not going down to the clinic," mumbled Chase under his breath. Foreman noticed and rose his eyebrows.

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Brenda had been recieving glances from Katie and the other nurses all day. About what, she didn't know, but she was sure to find out. It turns out, Dr. Cuddy would be the one to clarify things a bit... for everyone.

Cuddy exited her office and walked into the clinic. She felt unease all through her stomach, but deep down she knew she had to do what she had to do. She sighed lightly and put on her best poker face as she approached the nurse's station. Behind the desk was Brenda and Katie.

"Hey Brenda," said Cuddy. She smiled.

Katie stared at the two out of the corner of her eye. Cuddy and Brenda had always been friends. Nothing going on.

"Hey Lisa," said Brenda. "What's up?"

Cuddy bit her lip. "Um... I was wondering..." At this point, Cuddy brought her voice down to a whisper. This interested Katie a great deal and she made it a point to listen intently. "I was wondering if you've seen that pink thong of mine."

Brenda's eyes widened (Katie's too, but no one noticed). "What... are you talking about, Lisa?" asked Brenda.

Cuddy pretended to look around, making sure the coast was clear. "After this morning... in Exam Room 2... I think I uh... lost it." Cuddy winked at Brenda and tried to smile, but eventually just bit her lip.

"Lisa... I don't..."

Katie turned to look at Cuddy and Brenda. So THAT'S why Brenda was so quiet. She and Cuddy had taken their friendship to the next level. Katie let out a small giggle before pulling out a small pink thong from under the desk. "Looking for this?" she asked.

Cuddy quickly grabbed it from her. "That's the one."

Brenda looked between Katie and Cuddy. What the heck was going on here?

"See you later, Brenda." Cuddy gave Brenda a suggestive wink before walking back into her office to sulk in misery. How could House pull such a horrible stunt?! D4mn that man.

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House strutted back into the Diagnostics Office, a rather large grin on his face.

"Why are you smiling?" asked Chase.

"Now Chase, I'm not always Dr. Crabby!"

Chase rolled his eyes.

"Where's Cameron?" asked House.

"Dunno," said Chase. "She just left."

Then it hit Foreman. "Yeah... after reading that file up and down."

"D4mn it..." whispered House as he limped out of the room. He really didn't like paying patients a visit, but if it meant protecting Cameron, he would do it.

Chase and Foreman were on House's heels as he left.

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"What are you doing here?" asked House, a little upset to see Cameron fully exposed in Daniel's room. "I thought I told you--"

"THAT," said Cameron as she pointed to Daniel's arm, "Is NOT chicken pox."

House looked at the little boy before finally limping over to her. Yup, he had to agree with her on this one.