CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT

Lucy, Jim and Greg were having dinner out on the patio a few days later. Of course, Jim's wife didn't join them; she hadn't been at the house since she had her little tantrum the day Lucy graduated from medical school. She was afraid she might have to help with the dishes or something (or that Lucy might scratch her eyes out!). Jim and Greg helped Lucy clear the table and went back outside to drink beer.

Lucy had been quiet during dinner; she just didn't feel right. She made herself a cup of hot tea. She only drank hot tea if she was sick; it always comforted her. She went back outside, but didn't sit near her brother or Greg. She had her hands wrapped around her mug for the warmth.

"Lucy, what's wrong?" Greg asked her. Jim looked at the tea she was drinking. "Are you getting sick? I never see you drink hot tea unless you are." said Jim. She gave both of them a dirty look. "There's nothing wrong with me. I just wanted tea. If you're going to sit there and diagnose me without having any symptoms to go on besides me drinking a cup of tea, I'm going to bed!" She stormed into the house and went upstairs. They drank a few more beers, but Greg was beginning to worry.

By the time Greg came upstairs to get ready for bed himself, Lucy already had taken a bath and was sound asleep. He looked at her. She had her pajamas on; she must be sick. Greg didn't expect her to make love to him if she didn't feel well, but even though they had only been spending the entire night together for a few weeks, he was already used to the feel of her warm, naked body next to his whether they did anything or not. It made him wonder what was really wrong. He got ready for bed and quietly slipped in next to her. She didn't even notice. He pulled her closer to him and he held her all night.

Lucy woke up before the alarm went off for Greg. She felt like crap, and now her throat was sore and she was having trouble swallowing. "That's all I need now." she said to herself. "Getting sick and having those two ciuccios trying to take care of me." She slipped out from under Greg's arm and went to the bathroom. When she was done, she looked in the mirror. She felt worse than she looked, and she looked pretty bad. Damn it!

She went downstairs to start breakfast for Greg and her brother like she had been since her parents left for Italy. She knew Jim was deliberately dropping by thinking he could catch Greg up to no good, but she also knew Jim always jumped at the chance for a good breakfast, which he never got at home unless he made it himself. Julie never learned to cook, and their housekeeper didn't start until nine and only made them dinner once or twice a week. Either Jim cooked or they went out to dinner All Julie ever had for breakfast was toast and coffee. Lucy wasn't going to let her goofy brother go hungry, but their mother would have to continue what Lucy unintentionally started when she came back from Italy!

Greg came into the kitchen the same time Jim walked in the front door. The bacon and eggs were ready. Lucy served Jim and Greg, sat down and played with her food. Now that her throat was sore, the only thing that felt good was the hot coffee she was drinking. She couldn't swallow anything else without causing herself more pain than she already felt. Greg saw that she wasn't eating and asked her what was wrong. Jim noticed too, but kept his mouth shut. If Lucy wanted help, hopefully she would ask for it. "Nothing." she said as she sipped her coffee. She was starting to loose her voice.

Greg tried again. "Lucy, what's wrong?" Lucy just glared at him and left the table. Greg tried to go after her, but Jim stopped him. "House, just help me clean up here." They heard her bedroom slam and both men cringed. Jim went on, "Something is wrong, but she's a lousy patient. I know there's nothing around here to treat her. Let's go to the hospital, get what we need and come back." Greg looked at his best friend. He knew Wilson was right, but everything in him screamed to stay home and take care of Lucy.

They went upstairs and knocked on Lucy's door and walked in. Greg was a little nervous because he couldn't remember if he had picked up all of his clothes. But when he and Jim went into Lucy's room, Greg breathed a small sigh of relief. She had made the bed, picked up the bedroom and removed all traces that he was sleeping there with her. It had been a real effort for Lucy to pick up the room. She wasn't sure if she cared if Jim came up and noticed anything of Greg's in her room. That's how lousy she felt.

Greg had a habit of tossing their clothes any where and every where when they started making love, but she was pretty sure she found it all. Lucy had just gotten comfortable on the couch when Greg and Jim walked in. They both tried to get her in bed, but the look on her face stopped them in their tracks. They had actually considered picking her up and forcefully putting her in the bed until she glared at them. They both kissed her on the cheek and said they would come back later. Greg took one last look at her over his shoulder on his way out. Lucy was almost asleep.