CHAPTER 17

Really short Chapter exploring House and Dans feelings towards Amputation.

Reviews prevent writers block!

Enjoy!

House paced the hallway angrily. He couldn't go back to Dan yet. Anyway, Cuddy was sat with him at the moment and he needed to calm his nerves.

History was repeating itself. But this time it was his decision. Save Dans leg but risk his life or give his leg up and always hate himself for not fighting.

"Hey." A voice came out of nowhere. House ignored it but kept pacing, lost in his thoughts.

"House" a feminine hand laid itself upon his shoulder.

"You're supposed to be with Dan"

"He's asleep. I came out for a drink and spotted you on the verge of a breakdown." Cuddy said sympathetically.

"Did you know about their plan?" House growled, walking towards Cuddy.

"Of course, I'm Daniels attending." Cuddy said, not backing down. This seemed to work. House saw he had no power over Cuddy and backed away.

"Are you going to let them do it?"

"No, I'm not letting them chop off his leg. Not without a fight."

"But you have fought House, Daniels fought. But sometimes, as much as you try and fight, you can't win everything."

"It's his leg though!"

"What good has it done you by keeping it House?" House stares at her, sending shivers down her spine, not breaking eye contact.

"What I mean is that, yes he might lose his leg, but he'll be alive. He can get a prosthetic and be happy. Or the other option would be to risk his life and have them perform the limb salvaging operation. The chance that it could work is minimal and it could leave Dan in pain for the rest of his life if it did. You don't want that House." Cuddy tried to engage House but all he did was stare at the floor.

"It's your choice after all House. I just hope you make the right one" Cuddy turned and left House to think it over.

—

It had been two days since House had been given the news. He sat in Dans room playing top trumps, trying to keep him entertained.

Wilson came through the door and smiled at the pair. He hadn't spoken to Wilson much. He was still slightly angrily at the man for suggesting amputation.

"Hey Dan, would you like to get out of bed for a bit?" Dans eyes lit up.

"Yesss! Please Uncy? I'm so bored!"

"Okay, I'll go and get a wheelchair and some help. House, can I speak to you?" Wilson looked towards House who quickly threw him daggers before fake smiling and nodding. They left an excited Dan and left the room.

"Do you mind House?" Wilson asked, smile falling off his face.

"Doesn't really matter now since you've got him all excited."

"Look, I'm sorry. I just thought ...

"Wilson! I'm not bothered about taking him outside. Frankly, I think it would be good for him."

"So what is it?"

"You want to chop his fucking leg off!" House shouted.

"It's the best thing to do. He'll die if we don't!" Wilson shouted back.

"Get the damn wheelchair and some nurses to transfer him. This conversation is over." Wilson stomped off and House went back to Dan who was still excited.

The nurses came into the room with a wheelchair. Wilson wasn't with them though.

"Hey Dan!" The young, blonde nurse cheered.

"Hello Nurse Amber!" Amber was his favourite nurse and would sometimes come and play snap if she wasn't busy. She had a soft spot for Dan.

"Right, Dan, we need you to stay as still as possible and try not to tense up for us. If we hurt you, will you tell us bud?"

"I don't want it to hurt." Dan frowned.

"We'll try are best not to hurt you. Just follow our instructions." Dan nodded.

The nurses got themselves into position and carefully but swiftly transferred Dan. They strapped him in and put a pillow under his leg which was raised.

"Comfy?" Amber smiled

Dan put his thumbs up and grinned. Amber looked towards House.

"If there's any issues, either bring him back or page us. Make sure he keeps his mask on." House nodded and the nurses left.

House got up and hung his cane over the handle of the wheelchair.

"Right matey, where to?" House put on a cockney accent.

"To the garden!" Dan pointed. House wheeled him out and took in his surroundings, from the people walking past to the colour of the plants that were on the nurses station.

The fresh air entered his lungs and he gulped it in as much as he could through the mask he was wearing. House pulled up to a bench and sat Dan next to him, putting the brakes on.

"Dan, do you know what happened to my leg?" House turned towards Dan.

"You have a limp, you have a big scar and it hurts a lot." Dan looked confused.

"Yeah kind of. I had something called an infarction where blood clotted in my leg and caused a blockage. It caused some of my muscle to die. Do you understand?" Danny nodded.

"They wanted to amputate my leg but I refused." House looked at Dan, his body bent over and resting on his forearms.

"What's amputation?"

"It's when an arm or leg has to be cut off because it doesn't work properly."

"If your leg didn't work properly then why did you keep it?"

"Because I was stubborn and liked my leg. So I chose to do something that could of killed me. My ... friend didn't want me to die so chose a risky procedure that left me in constant pain and with leg a doesn't really work. "

"Would you of got one of those fake legs, like Johnnys dad has if you ampu-amputateded?"

"Yep" House looked down at his lap and kneaded his scar with his knuckles.

"Why keep a leg that doesn't work if you could of had a new one that didn't hurt? That's stupid." Dan stated. House chuckled and looked towards his son.

"I did it out of principle. If the Doctors had treated me properly and cured my leg, it would of been fine. I also really liked my leg."

"I wouldn't like my leg if it was going to hurt me. I'd rather have a new one." House smiled at the wise little boy sat next to him. In Dans words, he was 'stupid'.

"I told you that because I'm in a bit of pickle about you. You see, your leg is not very well and it's going to hurt you."

"The lump?" Dan asked.

"Yeah and we need to make a tough decision together."

"Do I need my leg amputating?" Dan connected the dots of what his dad was talking about.

"Yes Dan, you do. But I don't know if I should fight more for your leg like I did mine."

"I don't want to be in pain Daddy. Also metal legs look cool."House smiled. He knew what he had to do.

"Okay kid. Do you want an ice cream before we go back?" House asked, hoping he would say yes.

"I'm not hungry." Dan frowned

"Okay, lets get you back to your room." Dan nodded, feeling worn out.

—

House knocked on Wilson's door they shared to the balcony. Wilson got up and opened the door. House was leaning on the wall, looking out onto the late summer evening. Wilson joined him.

"My 7 year old called me stupid." House said, not looking at Wilson.

"What?"

"Dan called me stupid because I didn't amputate my leg. I explained the infarction."

"Well I can't say I disagree with the boy but it was your decision to not amputate."

"That's the point. It was my leg. This time it's not my leg. It's Daniel's. And he doesn't want to live in pain to keep a stupid leg. Therefore I'll sign the consent form." House kept his eyes focussed on the skyline.

"You doing the right thing House." House nodded.

"I've got a few conditions first. Number 1, both you and Chase are present during the operation. Number 2, Brooke's is the lead and Mackey has no involvement. She'll kill him.

"Deal." They shook hands.

"Do you fancy a pint?" House asked . He needed to get out of the hospital for a while.

"Sure, why not." They grabbed their stuff and headed out. They walked past Dans room to check on the sleeping boy and Cuddy who was sat doing paperwork.

Wilson put his thumbs up to Cuddy and she smiled.