Author's Note: Yes, I suck. It's taken me two weeks to hammer out this chapter. Thank you for sticking with me, dear Readers. I fervently hope it will not take me so long to put together chapter 38, which will be the conclusion to this story (but not to House and Sarah's story). If you'd be so kind, I'd greatly appreciate it if you left a review on your way out!
House stalked away from his office, ignoring the twinges in his leg. He was part way to the elevators when he stopped, realizing that he had no idea where he was going. He leaned against the wall for a moment, rubbing at his leg, before pushing himself off and starting a slow loop of the floor. He'd always thought better while walking, even if it was painful.
What did she do that was so wrong? he asked himself. She doesn't want you to give up, that's all. And what did the team do that was so wrong, other than let the patient sit in on the differential?
"I'm being stupid," he muttered, shaking his head at himself. There had been a list of possible diagnoses on the board along with CRPS. The tests the team had slated might confirm or eliminate any one of them. There was no reason not to go through with the tests. Sarah was right.
The thought stopped him again and he sagged against the wall. He remembered the sneering, condescending tone he'd taken with her and cringed. He'd sounded so... contemptuous. She should have slapped me and walked off, he thought, bowing his head. He needed to go back and apologize. The thought made him shudder as his father's voice sounded in his head. That's right – go show her what a sniveling weakling you are, it sneered. Typical, Gregory. Typical.
He shook his head, trying to scatter the thoughts, and remembered Sarah telling him I'm not looking for perfection. "No," he muttered, straightening up. "No, she won't think it's weak." He started forward again. His office came into view and he could see the team standing around in the Conference room. He breathed a sigh of relief when he spotted Sarah with them. As he got closer, he could hear the team talking but he didn't try to make out the words. He kept his eyes on Sarah and kept moving forward.
Everyone fell silent when he pushed open the door and stepped inside. He stopped a few feet in and looked at his fellows, almost laughing at the startled expressions on the faces of Taub and Chase.
"Go make sure Liu isn't stealing my spot again," he told them. When they continued to stare, he sighed. "I'm going for the tests. Now, get out of here." He jerked his head toward the door and the team started to move, filing out rapidly. He waited until they were gone before daring to look at Sarah. She was watching him; he couldn't decide if she looked relieved or confused. He took a half-step toward her and stopped, unsure how to proceed. Maggie squeaked in Sarah's arms, straining toward him.
"You'd better come pet her before she starts wiggling," Sarah said, a note of exasperation in her voice. "I don't want to drop her."
"Sorry," House muttered, stepping forward and reaching out to pet Maggie. He froze in mid-pet as he realized what he'd said. Maggie squeaked and he resumed stroking her head. "I… I'm an ass," he said, not taking his eyes off the dog.
"No you're not," Sarah replied.
"I was condescending and obnoxious…"
"You acted like an ass," Sarah said. He lifted his gaze from Maggie's face to hers, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw a half-smile there.
"There's a difference?"
"Yes. An ass wouldn't have come back to apologize."
"I haven't apologized yet," he huffed, ducking his head again.
"Really? Kind of sounded like one to me."
"That… that was for making you almost drop Maggie."
"Oh. Ok."
"I was… I acted like an ass, before." He took a shaky breath and plunged on. "You… I had no right to treat you that way. I'm sorry." He waited, scarcely daring to breathe. Surely she was going to tell him off. He heard a squeak and looked up to see Sarah shifting Maggie to one arm. She took a half-step toward him, putting a hand on his arm before stretching up on tip-toe to kiss him lightly.
"Thank you," she said softly.
"For… for what?" he asked, incredulous.
"For coming back and apologizing," she replied. "I know it wasn't easy for you, but it means a lot to me."
"Hmph." He looked away from her, unsure what to say.
"We get to kiss and make up now, you know." She ran her hand up and down his arm, her soft touch making his skin tingle despite his long-sleeved shirt. He looked back to her and found her smiling at him. She kept moving her hand and he felt his tension easing. He'd apologized, she'd accepted, and she didn't seem to think any less of him for it.
"Didn't we just do the making up part?" he asked.
"We did," Sarah confirmed, her smile widening. "I guess that just leaves the kissing part." She moved up on tip-toe again and he put his arm around her, pulling her close for a deeper kiss. He felt Maggie squirming between them and a second later she was lapping at the underside of his chin. He felt Sarah's lips twitch beneath his even as he fought back laughter. They broke apart, chuckling, and Sarah set Maggie down on the floor.
"Let's try that again," she murmured, stepping into his embrace. He moved his hand up to the nape of her neck, tangling his fingers in her soft hair. Her lips parted, allowing him to deepen the kiss, and he took full advantage.
"Ah-hem." The sound of a throat clearing reached him and he reluctantly broke off the kiss, keeping his arm around Sarah. Foreman stood just inside the door to the conference room, his lips curled in a half-smile. "Your MRA is slated to start in 20 minutes. We've confirmed that there are no conflicts," he said.
"Ok," House said, fighting back the urge to tell Foreman to get lost. "I'll see you in radiology in 20 minutes."
"Right." Foreman gave Sarah a nod of acknowledgement, his half-smile widening to a whole one, before turning and leaving. House caught a glimpse of the rest of the team lurking in the hallway before they moved off out of sight.
"I guess I'd better let you go," Sarah said, starting to move her hands from his shoulders.
"Not yet," he protested, drawing her close again. "I've got 20 minutes." He winced as pain shot through his leg. Sarah stopped him from moving closer.
"Come on, let's sit down," she said, steering him toward the couch in the corner. Maggie ran ahead of them, leaping onto the seat. Sarah shoved her aside so he could sit. She scooped up the dog and dropped into the seat beside him, setting Maggie to one side, then turned back toward House. He reached out to catch her right hand.
"You should get those stitches out today," he said, lightly tracing them with his thumb.
"I'm sure I can find someone around here to take care of them," Sarah replied. "Maybe I can leave Maggie upstairs with Bob and Meryl for a little while."
"I'll send Taub down. Then you won't have to worry about Maggie."
"He'll be busy with your tests," she protested.
"He'll be able to get away long enough for this," House insisted.
"Alright." Sarah sighed. "You should probably get going. You don't want to be late for your test."
"In a minute," he replied, releasing her hand so he could tip up her chin. He leaned over to kiss her softly. When he drew back, she smiled at him.
"Now you really do need to go," she said. "You don't want to keep your team waiting."
"I'll see you this evening," he said, getting carefully to his feet.
"Yes you will," she promised. "Now go already." She got up as well and shooed him toward the door. He went with a final backward glance. This evening. His heart beat a little faster at the thought and he smiled broadly. He didn't even notice the startled expression on the face of a passing nurse.
Thirteen felt her heart sink when House stalked past the conference room. She watched him, her mind scrambling. Surely there was some way they could persuade him to go through with the testing.
"Here," Chase said, reaching toward Sarah. "I'll take Maggie so you can go after him."
"No," Sarah replied, shaking her head. "This is his decision to make."
"But you're the only one who can persuade him," Chase protested.
"He knows what I think."
"Sarah…"
"Chase," Thirteen said, cutting him off. "Enough."
"If she doesn't convince him…"
"It isn't Sarah's job to convince House," Foreman said. "It's ours."
"And we screwed it up," Taub put in. "Now what?"
"We let him blow off some steam and we try again," Foreman replied. "CRPS isn't the only diagnosis on the board."
"I don't think we're going to get him to look past that one," Chase said, shaking his head.
"So what?" Thirteen demanded. "We just give up?"
"Of course not," Foreman said. "No one's suggesting that. Right?" He stared hard at Chase for a second before shifting his gaze to Taub.
"I'm open to suggestions," Taub said with a shrug. "But I don't see how we're going to get House to agree…" His voice trailed off and Thirteen turned to follow his gaze. House was making his way toward the conference room. He'd obviously made a loop of the floor. She watched as he pushed open the door, stopping a few feet inside it to look at them. Thirteen couldn't read his expression; was he angry or amused?
"Go make sure Liu isn't stealing my spot again," he growled. Thirteen fought back a smile. When no one moved, House sighed. "I'm going for the tests. Now, get out of here." He jerked his head toward the door. Foreman nodded once and started out, the rest of the team following him. They made their way to the elevators and up to radiology, Chase and Taub arguing the whole way.
"I knew she could do it," Chase said.
"Forget it," Taub replied. "I'm not paying you."
"This is obviously Sarah's doing. She convinced him," Chase insisted.
"If she'd convinced him, he wouldn't have stalked off like that."
"You're going back on our bet?" Chase frowned at Taub. "Cadger."
"Actually, I think you're the one who's welching," Taub retorted. "The bet was that House would agree when we got back upstairs."
"And he just did."
"After stalking off."
"Oh, enough!" Foreman snapped, shaking his head at them. "Call it a wash and be done with it." He stalked ahead of the group, pushing open the door into radiology. Chase, Taub, and Thirteen came to a stop in the hall.
"What do you think?" Chase asked her.
"Oh no," she protested. "You're not dragging me into this."
"Ha!" Taub laughed. Chase started to complain but Foreman was emerging from radiology.
"We're good to go," he said. "Let's go tell House." He started back down the hall and the team fell into step behind him. Chase ended up beside Thirteen, frowning at Taub.
"Oh, get over it," she told him when they reached the elevator. "The important thing is that House is letting us run the tests."
"True," Chase sighed, his frown vanishing. "Alright then. We're square?" He held his hand out and Taub.
"Cubed," he replied with a grin.
When they neared the Conference room, they could see that House and Sarah were together. Thirteen's steps slowed and she felt her face grow warm as she realized that they were kissing. The entire team came to a halt.
"I'm not going in there," Thirteen announced.
"This seems like a job for one of the more senior members of the team," Taub said, smirking at Chase and Foreman.
"You're our leader," Chase said to Foreman.
"You've been here the longest," Foreman replied.
"Alright. I know how to settle this." Chase held out a fisted hand and after a second Foreman did the same. Thirteen fought back a laugh as they proceeded to do rock, paper, scissors. "Ha! Paper covers rock," Chase announced triumphantly. With a grimace, Foreman turned toward the conference room door. House and Sarah broke apart, though they kept their arms around one another, and Foreman spoke. He emerged a minute later, breathing a sigh of relief.
"I'm going to camp out in radiology and make sure everything's ready," he said. "House knows he's got 20 minutes. If he doesn't show, you get to come and retrieve him." He pointed at Chase.
"Me?"
"As you said, I am our leader," Foreman replied.
"Me and my big mouth," Chase muttered, shaking his head.
Thirteen fought to keep her jaw from dropping when House arrived in radiology. Not only was he a few minutes early, but he was smiling and humming too. She forced herself to stop staring and nudged the stunned technician beside her.
"This is just too bizarre," the woman murmured, resuming her work. "House is… cheerful. Earlier today, Dr. Wilson practically took my head off. It's like the world's gone backwards." She shook her head and moved away, muttering to herself. Thirteen fought back laughter. She thought House would get a kick out of the woman's reaction but stopped herself from saying anything. It's so nice to see him happy, she thought. Do not spoil it. She bit back a smile when House started whistling and focused on setting up the test.
Sarah had watched Greg closely when he came in to the Conference room, unsure what prompted his return. He didn't look at her, focusing on his team. Some of her anxiety faded when he growled at them to go and check on the rest of his tests. He'd waited until they were gone to speak to her. He stammered out an apology while staring at the floor, almost cringing at the end. She felt her stomach twist at the sight and quickly shifted Maggie in her arms as she moved toward Greg. She raised up on tip-toe to lightly brush his lips with hers.
"Thank you," she said softly.
Greg stared at her, clearly stunned by her response. "For… for what?" he asked.
"For coming back and apologizing. I know it wasn't easy for you, but it means a lot to me."
"Hmph." He looked away from her, his expression still puzzled.
"We get to kiss and make up now, you know," Sarah said, rubbing his arm gently. She could feel his tension easing.
"Didn't we just do the making up part?" he asked, sounding more confident than before.
"We did. I guess that just leaves the kissing part." Sarah smiled, moving in to kiss him again. He put his arm around her and pulled her in closer. She could feel Maggie squirming between them. Of course – she wants in on the affection! she thought, fighting a smile. Greg's lips were twitching too and after a second they broke apart, both giving in to their laughter. Sarah shook her head and set Maggie down on the floor.
"Let's try that again." She stepped into his embrace, sliding her hands over his shoulders and up to the back of his neck as he threaded his fingers into her hair. She let her lips part and he tangled his tongue with hers, his grip tightening a little.
"Ah-hem." It took Sarah's addled mind a second to recognize the sound of a throat clearing. Greg drew back slowly, keeping his arm around her, and she turned her head to see Dr. Foreman standing just inside the conference room door. He was trying not to smile and failing.
"Your MRA is slated to start in 20 minutes," he said. "We've confirmed that there are no conflicts."
"Ok. I'll see you in radiology in 20 minutes," Greg replied curtly.
"Right." Foreman nodded at Sarah, giving in and grinning, before leaving the room quickly. She looked back to Greg, trying not to sigh.
"I guess I'd better let you go." She started to move back but his grip tightened.
"Not yet. I've got 20 minutes." He drew her in for another kiss, wincing, and she stopped him.
"Come on, let's sit down," she said. She steered him toward a couch in the corner, shoving Maggie aside when she leapt up onto the cushion. He sank down and Sarah retrieved Maggie so she could sit beside him. She set the little dog next to her, turning back to Greg. She expected to be pulled into another embrace and was surprised when he reached out to catch her right hand instead. He ran his thumb over the stitches in her palm gently.
"You should get those stitches out today."
"I'm sure I can find someone around here to take care of them. Maybe I can leave Maggie upstairs with Bob and Meryl for a little while."
"I'll send Taub down. Then you won't have to worry about Maggie."
"He'll be busy with your tests."
"He'll be able to get away long enough for this," Greg said firmly.
"Alright." Sarah said, unable to stop a sigh. "You should probably get going. You don't want to be late for your test."
"In a minute." He let go of her hand and reached for her chin, lifting it gently before leaning over to kiss her softly. She smiled at him when he drew back.
"Now you really do need to go," she told him. "You don't want to keep your team waiting." He got slowly to his feet.
"I'll see you this evening." Sarah wasn't sure if it was a statement or a question.
"Yes you will," she said, trying to make her voice as certain as possible. She stood as well, steering him toward the door. "Now go already." He smiled, glancing back at her once as he started down the hall. She let him get out of sight before gathering up Maggie and making her own way to the elevators.
She'd been in their room for half-an-hour when Dr. Taub arrived. She turned off the tv when he entered, moving quickly to stop Maggie from tripping him.
"I'll just go wash my hands and we can take care of those stitches." Taub gave Maggie's ears a rub before heading for the bathroom.
"I hope I'm not keeping you away from an important test," Sarah called after him. "House is getting x-rays to check his collar-bone and ribs." Taub spoke loudly over the sound of running water. "It doesn't take four doctors to read an x-ray." The water turned off and he emerged from the bathroom.
"Ok."
"Let's see this hand of yours," he said, pulling on a pair of latex gloves. Sarah held out her hand, looking away as he worked. "There – all done." He released her hand and she looked down to examine the faint scar crossing her palm. Great, she thought. Now I'll always have something to remember Todd by.
"Thanks," she murmured. Taub moved to the bed, removing his gloves and stuffing them into the kit with the soiled remains of her stitches.
"The scar will fade with time, and I can get you a cream that will help too."
"Thank you. I'd appreciate that."
"Thank you," he answered. "I'm not sure what you did, but House has been really easy to work with since you… talked."
Sarah shook her head. "I'm glad but I really didn't do anything."
"You're good for him."
"You make me sound like broccoli or something."
"Huh?"
She put on a serious look. "Eat your vegetables – they're good for you. Date Sarah – she's good for you."
"Oh." Taub chuckled. "I guess that's not the most flattering comparison."
"Not really," Sarah said with a laugh.
"Well, I should get back to the tests. I'll get that cream to you later." He gave her a quick smile, gathered up his kit, and left. Sarah looked back at the scar crossing her palm and sighed. I should be relieved that Todd didn't do more damage, she told herself. And it will fade. She shook her head. Todd is gone, and Greg is here. She smiled, thinking of the evening ahead.