CHAPTER 14

Let me know what you think as I'm a little unsure about this chapter.

Enjoy!

It was a nurses that coughed. Something causing the back of her throat to tickle and the involuntary splutter that followed. It happens every second of every day. Somebody inhaling car fumes off the street. The pollen off some freshly mowed grass. A particle of dust that came off the IV machine next Daniel Houses bed. 99.9% of the time no one notices. But it's that 0.1% of the time that it can be catastrophic.

Tubes and leads snaked out of nearly each part of Dans body. House stood outside the clean room, clutching his sons teddy bear. The chemo had destroyed his white blood count. He felt helpless, as the nurses changed the IV's, Dans catheter and took bloods. They changed the vomit and sweat-stained sheets and put Dan into a new gown.

One of the nurses came and put her hand on House's shoulder.

"We're done Dr House if you would like to go back in." He was in a sort of daze. Things happening all around him. He just nodded and walked back in. He scrubbed his arms and hands and put on the mask and gown. It was almost as if he was on autopilot. He left the teddy bear in the cleaning area as he wasn't allowed to bring it in with him. He walked over to the side of the bed and took Dans pale hand in his.

He felt a weak squeeze. He quickly turned his attention Dans face. Dans eyes darted around until they rested on his dad.

Danny had been flitting in and out of awareness for the last day and a half. It would sometimes appear that he was awake. Eyes wide open but distant. In a place unknown to House. What House did know was that Dan wasn't in the present.

House levered himself gently onto the bed, careful not to jostle either of their legs. He put his arm around his sons shoulders and learnt back. He felt a soft pressure on his chest and Dans head moved to lay on him.

House smiled at the slight improvement.

Cuddy rapped on the window gently, asking to come in. House nodded.

"How is he?"

"His breathing has depleted meaning that the infection's gone to his lungs. He's had fleeting moments of awareness but he's still not lucid. Wilson's got him on different antibiotics to see if he will respond to that." House continued to stroke Dans head but stopped when he felt something soft in his hands.

"It's too soon" House whispered in disbelief. Cuddy settled her hand on Houses arm.

"It was a high dose House, it's expected. Maybe you could get him a beanie." House shrugged off Cuddys hand off.

"And how's that going to help? It's not going to bring his hair back or explain why it's gone!" He whispered angrily.

"I know, I know. But at least he won't feel as self conscious." She replied. Dan started to gag against Houses chest.

"Grab the basin!" Cuddy sprung to her feet and handed House the basin. House lifted up the oxygen mask and held the bowl in front of Dans mouth. He held him up and rubbed his back. He whispered quiet reassurances as Dan continued to gag.

After a few minutes, Dan fell back against his chest. Cuddy handed him a damp cloth and he wiped Dans mouth before placing back the mask.

"No school dad, not well." Dan mumbled through his mask.

"No school today Dan, you're in hospital." Dan mumbled something which House didn't catch before falling asleep.

"How are you?" Cuddy attempted.

"Just brilliant." House replied sarcastically.

"Have you eaten or even slept in the last 3 days?" Cuddy probed.

"I've got the vending machine nearby."

"Definitely a sustainable diet there."

"Well, I do have a sweet tongue." House winked.

"You need sleep and a proper meal in the next 3 hours before I sedate you and force IV fluids into you."

"I can't leave him Cuddy." House admitted.

"Me or Wilson can stay with him for a bit. You'll be absolutely no use if you've passed out from exhaustion."

"I'm not going to say it but your ... the 'r' word. It's just hard to sleep knowing that Dans here in pain." Cuddy laid her hand on Houses shoulder. This time, he didn't shrug it off.

"You know I'm right House. Go get some sleep and something to eat, I'll stay with Daniel.

House shifted himself of the bed. He took one last look at the pale, fragile body on the bed before leaving.

—

A few days later and Dan had been moved back to his room. House had managed to dash home and grab a few things for them both. Cuddy had a recliner moved into Dans room so House could be comfortable.

He had pulled through the infection, but Wilson insisted on keeping him in hospital. His immune system had been attacked and they both didn't want to risk another infection.

Dan was currently asleep with Teddy clutched in his arm. Wilson walked in looking flustered and House put down the medical journal he was reading.

"What's up Doc?" House said impersonating Daffy Duck.

"Your ducklings are ruffling my feathers. They seem completely lost without you and it hasn't even been a week."

"It's the effect my charm has on people."

"They wanted you to consult on something I managed to solve just by looking at the bloody file." He flung his arms in the air in some form of dramatic gesture. "I'm pretty sure Dan could of solved it." He looked over and smiled at the peacefully sleeping boy.

"They will find their feet at some point. Daddy can't babysit them for forever."

"Why didn't you put Foreman in charge by the way?" Wilson grabbed the nearest chair and slumped into it.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, you always leave Foreman in charge when you've been off. Why choose Chase this time?" Wilson asked curiously

"I didn't want Doctor power hungry messing up my department again. He nearly ended up killing someone under my name. Plus, it will teach Foreman that he's not top dog and will hopefully kick a foot up Chases perfectly feminine ass to stop being so god damn lazy."

"Fair enough. His ass is gorgeous though. I wouldn't want any foot destroying my piece of daily eye candy."

"So, you're gay this month? Or straight? I always get confused."

"I'm bisexual House. I don't wake up on the first of every month and decide if I should like guys or girls."

"I think that trans nurse has been eying you up. You could have a bit of both sexes then. Maybe then you're marriages might work out."

"Or why don't I just change religion and become polygamy and have a boyfriend and a girlfriend."

"You wouldn't cope well with the floggings Jimmy, you're a delicate soul."

"That makes no sense House. Anyway, I want to grab a full blood work and a X-Ray to see if the tumour has shrunk."

"He's been sleeping a lot and still hasn't eaten properly. Let's hope this has been all worth it." Wilson stood and took the bloods he'd originally came in here to do.

"I'll send these to the lab now and schedule an X-Ray. I'll be back in hour or so." Wilson left the room and trekked up to the lab. He could of sent a nurse to do it for him but he purposely did it himself; For two reasons: that he himself made sure the bloods got delivered and two, so he could chat with Will. But obviously, he would never tell House about the hot, charming guy who worked up in the lab.

An hour later, they took Dan up to radiology and got him settled. Wilson and House sat in the booth.

"You've got to sit as still as possible Dan. Try not to wriggle."

"Okayyy" Dan shouted back. He hated sitting still and was getting fed up of the hospital now he was feeling slightly better. He wanted to go back to school.

They grabbed the X-Ray. Wilson sighed heavily. His heart rate sped up knowing what could follow this news. He waited to tell House until he got the bloods to confirm.

—

"In the light of the moon, a little egg lays on a leaf" House whispered with a touch of mystery to his voice.

House sat on the bed next to Dan, reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar. It was Dans favourite picture book. But Dan interrupted.

"Why don't I have any hair Daddy?" Dan wore a beanie to keep his head warm.

"The medication caused it to disappear." House answered

"But I thought it was suppose to make me better, not make my hair disappear."

"Sometimes, medicines have something called side effects. The medicine will make you all better but it caused your hair to fall out because it's really really strong. It's like superman, stopping the baddies winning."

"Cool! Will I turn into superman then?"

"You'll always be my little superman" He whispered into his ear.

Wilson walked through the door, eyes blood shot. He looked at House and just shook his head. House knew exactly what that meant.

"Now, there's a hungry Caterpillar waiting for us." House sniffed. Wilson sat the opposite side, trying to hide his tears.

"Why are you and Uncy upset?" Dan queried.

"Superman isn't as strong as we thought he was going to be. It's going to take a little more to get you better."

"One Sunday morning and the warm sun comes up ...