The next day House, Ace, and the ducklings were taking turns on House's gameboy.
"Oh, look, Tina is here," Cameron said all of the sudden. Ace looked up, Foreman and Wolf turned all the way around to look, Chase went with Cameron to go greet her, and House didn't move. Ace's eyes widened at the sight of Justin. She went out to see the family.
"Yo, what up? I'm Ace, and you are?"
"My name is Justin and this is…"
"What kind of mother names their kid Ace," Jackie asked.
"Well, I don't know my mom to well. I was put up for adoptionat four. I see her once a year. Anyway, she named me Julia. Everyone just calls me Ace, though."
"Why is that?"
"Aren't we just full of curiosity? Hey, Cam, I was wrong. She isn't like you at all."
"Are you saying I'm not curious?"
"I'm saying you're not utterly annoying. Well you are, but in a different since."
"Forgive her, Tina. She doesn't have manners."
"Better than your boss. At least I think. Oy, House, have you ever been polite to someone," she yelled, at which many of the nearby nurses laughed, but House answered.
"Yes, the legends say many years ago there was one woman who could get through to me. The called her the miracle worker. Well, that's her Indian name. On her driver license it says STACY."
"I thought women-who-used-to-live-with-you was her Indian name," Cameron said.
"She goes by many a name."
"Am I missing something here," asked Tina.
"A lot," Ace replied. "I'm guessing your Jackie."
"Well duh," she said. She found Ace annoying, and was going to act just like her to annoy her.
"Huh, you are sarcastic! Or are trying to annoy me?"
"I'm trying to ignore you."
"Then why are you talkin'"
"Ace, calm yourself," Chase said.
Ace showed an angelic smile. "Come on other Camerons, to the conference room."
"House wouldn't like—" Cameron started, but Ace cut in.
"Sucking up is your boyfriend's job."
"Are you mocking me," asked Chase.
"No, no, of course not." She said verycondencending tone.
"Little ducklings, please come. You can catch up with family later," House called.
"Nope they are coming," Ace said.
"Why is that?"
"Because Kristen and Katie will be here in an hour. I want to see you against five teenagers."
"I hate teenagers," House mumbled.
"No you don't, you love them. They have no problem being rude."
"Do you have any guy friends," Jackie asked. All she saw was a girl in a raggedy sweatshirt. She didn't think guys talked to her, so her plan was to torment her about that fact.
"Yep, tons. Guys don't look at me a sex symbol, so I even have conversations with them."
"Every guy in school wants me."
"Are you jealous of me," Ace asked. It sure seemed like it.
"I don't know, but if so, your not just preppy, you are weird." Ace took off her hoodie to reveal a tight fitting, long sleeved shirt, under a slightly looser short sleeved one. The shirt was black. On the front is read 'The eyes can deceive, a smile can lie.' On the back it said, 'But the shoes always tell the truth.'
"And here I was thinking you were clever," Wilson said to House after reading the shirt.
Justin's widened at the sight of her. Foreman was the only on to notice of course. Ace plugged her iPod into House's station again.
"Hey, you got a new one," said Cameron.
"I won the money in a bet. You think people wouldn't bet with me, I'm a master, but they do of course. It gets quite boring. Which is why I only play poker with the SPADES."
"You think we can't beat you."
"I think I can tell every time you are bluffing."
"Fine, tomorrow, someone bring cards…"
"What scared? Wanna play now?"
"Do you have cards and chips with you?"
"Duh, I run a gambling club. And Robby should have extra chips with him, too."
"Is he still here?"
"Danno. I'll go check. I'll take the wee Camerons with me," and she left, with Justin following. Jackie stayed behind.
"So, what kind of music do you listen to," Justin asked.
"Greenday."
"No way! Me too!"
"Really what is your favorite song?" This had happened a number of times. Guys pretend to like the same band,
"Longview or Good Riddance."
"You pass," she smiled. Any true Greenday fan will refer to 'Time of Your Life' as Good Riddance.
"Your favorites?"
"Castaway and Burnout."
"I used to love Burnout. Then I sort of over played it."
"You know, you look like a jock."
"I guess I am."
"The why are you talking to me, jocks only talk to me when they are placing a bet on a game illegally, or when my faces bad mouth them."
"What?"
"Don't you have a gambling gang in your school?"
"No," he said.
"Never mind then."
"Do you not want me talking to you?"
"No, it's not that. I just don't know how to talk to you."
"What makes you think I'm different from your friends?"
"What you are wearing."
"Oh," he said. His sister picked out his clothes, usually. He didn't care how he dressed
They walked into a room. Robby was standing there, getting ready to leave.
"Give me you pieces," Ace demanded. He handed a big bag. Then he handed her his ID card, and she snapped it in half.
"You are out, sorry Robby."
"Fine, whatever."
"Sorry, Robby. I would bend the rules but…"
"Yea, I know. If I was in your position, I wouldn't even give me a chance."
Robby left. Ace turned to Justin.
"Hey, you're cute and all, but I just don't trust jocks. But you aren't like the others. I can tell. Let's just see what happens."
"Huh?"
"I can see you like me by the way you are staring, and I'll admit I like you. But I need to know you first."
'She's good,' he thought.
They went back to the room. Ace sat on the chair at the table. Kristen and Katie were there. It seemed that they didn't like Jackie either. Ace walked in behind Justin. She saw her friends eyes widen, but mouthed 'He's mine,' and they left it to be.
"Okay," said Ace sitting down, "we are playing Texas Hold'em. I am dealing first," she said as she opened a new deck, "One blind each deal," she took the cards out and began to shuffle, "Betting goes around the table once." She shuffled the deck a few more times, then placed it in front of Justin. He just looked at it.
"Cut."
"Oh, right."
Each chip is equal to that many dimes, cost a white to play." Wilson, Foreman, Chase, Wolf and Tina handed her a five. House and Cameron gave her a ten. The teens all put in tens, too.
"Jokers are wild," she said, and she dealt everyone two cards.
"How do you play," Jackie asked.
"You are kidding, right?"
"No. Why would I—"
"Whatever, just watch."
Ace had the ace of spades, and 6 of hearts. Wilson raised tencents, or one chip, Foreman checked, Chase checked, Wolf raised ten, Tina raised ten, Cameron checked, House raised twenty, Jackie asked what check meant, Katie raised ten, Kristen checked, Justin checked, and Ace checked. She dealt a blind and the first three cards. 7 of clubs, 10 of clubs, and a 2 of diamonds. Everyone checked except for Chase, who raised ten. Ace dealt the next round. An ace of clubs. House raised ten, and Justin folded. Ace dealt for the last time, and got an ace of diamonds. Everyone raised except Tina, Cameron, and Jackie. When they showed there hands, Kristen won with a flush of clubs. The game continued like this for 50 hands. In the end, Ace won 14 hands, Cameron won 10, House won 6, Kristen won 5 more, Katie won 5, Justin won 4, Chase won 3, and Foreman one 2. Wilson didn't win any. All the money pretty much went to Cameron and Ace.
"Chase, you have the worst poker face, in like, ever. And Wilson, you still lost to him."
"I was never too good at poker," Wilson mumbled.
"OK, who is up for lunch," Wolf asked.
"Got clinic duty, and the crapateria if a really bad place to hide," House said.
"I'm on diet," Jackie said.
"Why," asked Ace.
"Cause I'm fat," Jackie said. They all sort of looked at her.
"No," said Tina, "You are not on a diet. You are skin and bones to begin with."
"Anyone else not going," Chase asked. No said anything. They all left, but Cameron stayed behind.
"You coming Aunt Ally," Jackie asked.
"Oh, I'll be right there. I have to ask House something."
"Okay." She left satisfied with the answer.
When everyone left, Cameron turned to House.
"Umm… House, I need off clinic duty today…"
"Take it up with Cuddy, not me."
"Umm… Well… I…"
"That's right, you ducklings are scared of the big bird."
"No, I just...Will you ask for me?"
"No," he said. He got up to leave.
"Why not?"
"Because, then she will accuse me of something, and I'll be landed with your hours."
"No look, House I think—"
"I know you think your pregnant."
"How," she asked.
"Yesterday, Foreman said, 'Let's go out for drinks,' and you said no, which didn't really mean anything. But then Chase said no, and the boy likes to drink. He just seems to like you more. And since you had been crying all morning, but you didn't look sad."
"Oh, was it that obvious?"
"No, I just have been waiting for you to get pregnant since your whole little meth thing."
"You're an idiot," she said.
"Why do people say that? I'm not an idiot, just a jerk." She glared. "I'll take your hours," he said.
"Really? Why?"
"Because, if we take it to Cuddy, she'll find out you're pregnant. That means your relationship with Chase definitely has affected your work life. She will be pissed. Might make her baby sick, you know? And we wouldn't that."
"Thanks House," she said, and went to the cafeteria.
CAFETERIA
"Hey, I'm here," Cameron said, sitting down. Chase handed her a salad.
"What did he say?"
"He actually is going to do them." Ace coughed on what she was eating.
"No, didn't."
"Umm… yea, I had a similar reaction."
"No, wow, I didn't think he cared for anything more than he hated clinic."
"He loves Cameron," Chase asked. He face changed. It sort of dropped, and got a cute little overly defensive look on his face that made Ace want to laugh. That would be mean, though.
"Cuddy," the two said together. The conversation ended when Justin sat down.
"So," Cameron began, looking at Justin, "How have you been?"
"Good, Dad is flying up tomorrow."
"Oh good, I haven't seen him in a while."
Jackie sat down, looking disgustingly at a salad.
"Something wrong," Ace asked.
"It's like way to much," she said.
"Yea, if you are anorexic. And I'm the Jersey girl, I use the word like inappropriately."
"I'm not, I'm just dieting," she said, ignoring the second comment.
"Try exercising, you will gain a bit of weight, but you will look healthy."
"Eww… you mean get sweaty," she squealed.
"It often happens when you exercise. To bad they don't have showers yet."
"Well… I don't like you," she said.
"Wow, Jackie, great comeback," said Justin rolling his eyes.
The rest of the crew sat down, and they began talking. Cuddy walked over to the table.
"Cameron, you should be in clinic," she said.
"I… um… eh…" Cameron stuttered, but Ace cut in.
"Nope, House lost a bet. He should be in clinic."
"Oh, good. It's more fun to annoy him." She turned around, and Ace made a kissy noise. Cuddy whipped around and glared at her. Then she left.
"Well, it's good thing she isn't totally obvious, other wise blackmailing her wouldn't be any fun," Ace said as she left. The ducklings laughed. Katie and Kristen smiled.
"She is going out with someone? Who," Jackie asked.
"Uh… chaDuh," Katie snapped. Tina didn't stop the girls from being mean to Jackie for one reason; she knew Jackie treated tons of girls worse than this at school.
"I still think its… friends with benefits kind of thing, you know," said Ace.
"Mmhmm, I agree," Foreman said. Ace looked out the door, and Cuddy was back.
"We don't know where he is. Last time we saw him he was in his office. Do you want to look under the table," Ace asked.
"What kind of father raises a kid like you," Cuddy said. She was so easy to annoy, how did House find this interesting?
"I never met my father, I was adopted when I was 9, and was in foster homes before that."
"Oh… I… Um… Eh…"
"It's no biggy," Ace said.
"What happened?"
"He doesn't know I exist."
"Oh…"
"And your mom?"
Ace didn't say anything. Her mom was Cameron's age, and got pregnant. She couldn't handle a kid. She loved her mom now, her life was great. She wasn't ashamed at all. But the story was a bit like Cameron's. The difference was when she found out she was pregnant, she ran away, not tell her boyfriend. She was too scared. They were a one night stand, which was a huge difference compared to Cameron and Chase.
No, Chase and Cameron were going somewhere.
"She got pregnant young."
"Oh…"
Stupid nosey Cuddy, gonna make Cameron depressed. Yep there it was. Her eyes all watery. 'Damn her if she really is feeling bad for me,' Ace thought.
"Well, I just came to say House is actually doing clinic."
"No, I doubt it," Kristen said.
"He is."
"What people do for love," Kristen said.
"Who does he love," asked Cuddy.
"Stop playing dumb, it doesn't work for you. And by love, Kristen means, like, LOVE. Like sex." Cuddy got a look on her face, that one usually reserved for House, where it looks like she wants to bang her head into a wall.
Ace, Kristen, and Katie's cell phones all began to beep. They looked. It read PARTY AT TIA'S HOUSE FRIDAY.
"Wanna go?"
"Sure why not."
"Hey, Justin, wanna go to a party with us," Ace asked.
"Sure, uh… Mom?"
"Go ahead."
"Thanks," he said.
"You can come to Jackie," Ace said.
"Why, I don't know anyone."
"Well, this is how to meet people." Jackie just stared. "There will be guys," Ace said.
"Fine, I'll go," she retorted.
After they ate Cameron and Chase left for the maternity ward. Too bad no one except Ace knew this. They all began to walk up to the conference room.
"Do we have a case," Kristen asked.
"No," replied Foreman.
"What about now," Ace asked.
"Still no," he answered.
"And now," Katie asked trying not giggle.
"No."
"What about now? What about now? What about now?" The three girls chanted. Foreman looked ready to punch them. Instead he just yelled.
"SHUT UP."
"Kill Joy," Ace said.
"Okay, I'm thinking of a sickness of some kind. Okay. Your patient comes in with—" Wolf started.
"What," asked Foreman.
"You have to guess it what the patient has." Wolf gave a long list of symptoms. Foreman said a medicine or two, and Wolf told him he killed the patient both times.
"Give her steroids," Ace said.
"What, they are illegal," Jackie said.
"She gets a bit better, and she is eating. But now she is getting worse; going blind," Wolf said.
"Oh… Tapeworm larva in the brain."
"What," Ace asked.
"Yep. Foreman, come on. You should have gotten that quicker," Wolf laughed. House had told her about that interesting case.
"Foreman, you would have killed her," Ace said. "Ahh… I'm never letting you be my doctor."
"Shut up."
"See Ace, this actually happened, one of their first cases with all the original ducklings together."
"And you couldn't figure it out?"
"No, we did. House had me brake into her apartment."
"Why not ask for the keys," Jackie asked.
"House thought she could have had a Meth lab in her house."
"Did she," Jackie asked.
"No, if she did, we would have heard the story about how…" Ace stopped; she was going to say something about Cameron, but then thought it best not to.
"What? We would have heard what?"
"How House's brilliant deduction led to the discovery of a Meth lab."
"Huh?"
"Nevermind." Foreman sort of guessed what she was going to say, and gave her a warning look. Ace walked over to get a drink of water. Wow, that was close.
