CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Jasper asked, "Where's Bella?"
"She's in there with him," Edward answered.
"Figures," Jasper whispered.
Edward gave Jasper a knowing look before looking at House. "Do you think you're strong enough to see Jacob?"
"I won't know till I get in there," he answered honestly. "I don't know what I can do, though, without being in a hospital."
Not giving House the information that Jacob was a werewolf, Edward led them into the house. House was cautious when he saw Jacob lying on a small cot in the living room. He was out cold, and definitely in bad shape. Carlisle had just finished listening to his breathing with a stethoscope.
As House looked over the boy, he noticed a deep gash across his cheek that would require multiple stitches, and Carlisle was already getting the equipment to do that. His breathing was erratic and he was wheezing heavily. Wearing only shorts and barefoot, House saw no other signs of injury.
Looking up at House, Carlisle said, "Can you come here, please?"
"I . . . the smell is . . . rancid," he commented, his nose crinkled in disgust.
"No, he always smells like that," Edward replied then received a sharp jab in his side from Bella.
House stood at the end of the cot. "What is it exactly you want me to do?"
"Place your hand here, if you don't mind," Carlisle pointed then stepped back.
"I don't understand what good that'll do," he grumbled as he bent over and placed his hand flat on Jacob's chest.
Within seconds, Jacob inhaled sharply and sat up, looking around confused as to where he was. He showed no sign of pain whatsover. "What's going on—oh, yeah."
"Jacob!" Bella exclaimed, relieved that he responded.
When Jacob saw Carlisle staring at him with a smile on his face, he then looked at House. "Are you Dr. House?" he asked.
"Will someone please explain to me what the hell just happened?" Suddenly he realized his language and looked guilty at Esme. "I'm sorry."
Esme shook her head, for now was perfectly suitable for the language.
Bella sat down beside Jacob and looked over his face carefully. "You're going to have a nasty scar," she commented. "You'll be all ugly," she teased playfully.
"Nah. Once your Dad sews me up, you won't be able to keep your hands off of me," Jacob said seriously but wore an evil grin.
Edward growled.
"Oh, calm down," Jacob snickered.
"Enough with the little love triangle here," House snapped.
Carlisle gave House a dirty look. "His x-rays showed his lungs had collapsed, his 2nd and 3rd cervical vertebrae were cracked and he was bleeding internally."
"You brought him here from the hospital?" he asked astonished.
Carlisle didn't answer. "Greg, do you remember back in March when we went hunting and you chased after the deer with its fawn?"
House nodded.
"That was the same deer Bella was hunting and she saw you break the neck of the fawn then fed on its mother. You must have heard Bella coming because you grabbed the fawn and pulled it closer to you."
"And?" he asked impatiently.
"You confirm the fawn was indeed dead?"
"Yes. I heard its neck break." His stomach grew a little sour at hearing how nonchalantly he talked about killing the baby.
"Dr. House, when you touched that fawn," Bella said, looking at him, "it immediately jumped up and ran off. I was so startled I didn't even chase after it."
House frowned at the implication. "I remem—holy crap," he muttered when realization set in.
Carlisle nodded. "I was positive Bella was mistaken, but didn't want to press the issue." Looking at Jacob, he continued. "It seems I owe Bella an apology."
~~ * ~~
Early the next morning, Dr. James Wilson arrived at Seattle airport and drove off in the rental car, heading to Forks.
Wilson couldn't believe his luck. He'd actually found House, well, the detective he hired found him. He wasn't dead. But what he didn't understand was what House was doing in Washington. And for a year he was gone! He never imagined House would ever up and leave as he did.
All Wilson knew was he was going to beat the shit out of his best friend when he saw him again.
~~ * ~~
Carlisle was sitting in his office at the hospital going over patient's file when his cell phone rang. Answering it, Alice's frantic voice shot at him.
"Carlisle, you know Greg's friend that he's mentioned a couple of times? He's on his way to the hospital."
"Hmm, I'll take care of it. Keep him occupied, and thanks for calling."
Hanging up the phone, he sat thinking of what to say to James Wilson.
~~ * ~~
Shortly afterwards, Wilson walked into the lobby of Wake County General Hospital and approached the Information Desk. "Excuse me. I'm looking for Dr. Carlisle Cullen," he told the woman.
"Your name?"
"Dr. James Wilson."
The woman searched the computer. "Ah. Yes, he's expecting you."
Wilson's eyebrow rose then he proceeded to Carlisle's office. Taking a deep breath, he knocked lightly.
The door opened and Wilson's heart skipped a beat when he saw how incredibly pale Carlisle was.
"Hello, Dr. Wilson. I'm Carlisle Cullen. It's a pleasure to meet you," he said as he opened the door for Wilson.
He was curious why Carlisle didn't offer his hand in a handshake, but it didn't matter to him.
Carlisle showed him to the chair across from his desk and sat down behind it. "What can I do for you, Dr. Wilson?" Carlisle asked calmly.
