Disclaimer: Same as before…..please don't sue me!
The Lilac Elf of Lothlorien: I am so glad you're liking it. I think I need to tweak his character a bit though as I'm not sure I've got him right at the moment. Hopefully you'll like this chapter too. As for Genius….well, your name is but not sure about my writing. :O)
Calliann: I knew you'd like that line – I have to say it was my favourite too! LOL Aww, you're my mate! (and so am I – still right too). Oh he was…some of the stuff he got up to when I was a kid – he was what you would definitely call a 'lovable rogue' and I adored him to bits, totally worshipped him, he could never and still never did anything wrong in my eyes. Yours sounds a laugh too! I was 18 when mine died and I still miss him 21 years later. Glad you liked the chapter and hope you like this one too. (there is a small amount of Cuddy bashing! LOL)
SpectralLady: It's actually what's wrong with me when I get angry. No brain damage for me though(I'd have to have one in the first place for that!) just a severe speech impediment from when I was small that rears it's ugly head when I get upset or angry…it does usually render me speechless though if I get seriously upset and annoyed. Molly is a really little sweetie, but you'll see she is like her Mum! God help House! LOL
WARNING: POSSIBLE BAD LANGUAGE, SO READ AT YOUR OWN PERIL.
All reviews, and constructive criticism, gratefully received – but no flaming please; and I will try to update regularly.
'—' signifies thoughts.
"—" signifies speech.
Anyway…chapter Four!
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Kindred Spirits
Chapter Four – Green Eyed Monster
An hour later, Monty was drinking coffee in his office when House turned to her "What are you going to do?"
"I've rung Hank and advised him I need the Bithionol ASAP. We should kick it into touch for her, but I can't guarantee it – the kids will be fine though.
She said she only started coughing 4 weeks ago, so there's a chance we can catch them before they become too infested."
"Well, that's good to know – but I was actually talking about the CDC job." He looked at her bluntly.
"I was going to take it, why?"
"So you'll be leaving……." A short hesitation "me, then?" he looked annoyed.
"Why on earth would I be doing that?" She was confused.
"Well, you can't deal with them and me, Monty…."
"Why can't I? I have been up to now - do you know I've been doing work for them on and off for the last three months? That's why they offered me the post. The only thing that suffered was my counselling; hence the reason I'm letting it go. Immunology was always where I wanted to be, we both know that."
"This will be different now – they can send you where they want….you won't be here." He stabbed his finger onto his desk.
"Yes, I will – look did nothing I said to you last night, sorry just 4 hours ago, compute into that reprobate brain of yours? I am not going to do anything that jeopardises our friendship, and that includes my work.
Hank knows I will only work the New York State and he knows why. He had to pull strings to make it happen, but happen it has; and that is why I'm accepting it."
She stood and walked around his desk, turned his chair around so he was facing her and prodded his shoulder "I will never leave you, you insecure old goat!" She tapped his face with her hand "who would I torment and generally irritate? You're my best friend in the world House, don't forget it!"
He sat there looking at her "would it kill you to stoop?" he raised an eyebrow.
"Is it my fault you're a midget?" she smirked, but bent down and kissed his cheek anyway. Then ruffled his hair….
House glared murderously at her "You know I hate that."
"Yup and that's why I do it!" She grinned evilly and walked quickly to the door.
"I will get you!" he stood and hobbled after her.
"Yeah? And I'll grow old and grey waiting!" She smirked.
"Bitch!" He exclaimed.
"Yup…so, your point is?"
"I am just ensuring you know…"
"Yeah, you've been telling me for the last 20 years and I've not changed – no more than you've suddenly decided to no longer be a miserable bastard."
He caught her up and leaned on her shoulder "Nope, guess we're stuck then…" he shrugged.
"Yeah with each other, 'coz no other sap is daft enough to want our friendship!"
"Sorry, am I disturbing something?" A tall dark haired man stood in the doorway.
"Hank!" she gave House his cane and then shot over to the other man, hugging him "Wow! That was quick – thanks!" She took the cool box from him "We can get her started on this right away."
"What about the kids?"
"We don't know for sure yet whether they're infected – but if they are…" she tailed off. "I just want to know who infected them."
"I pulled a few strings to get you this quickly." grinned Hank.
House eyed him suspiciously; he had short brown hair, dark brown eyes, a warm smile and a good physique. From the form fitting grey t-shirt he was wearing tucked into his black jeans it was obvious he also had a six pack, House realised with disgust.
Overall he was a very handsome man and, from the way he was looking at Monty it was obvious he had a king-size crush on her; House disliked him immediately, he was too smarmy and too good looking for everyone's good – particularly Monty's.
Of course he wasn't jealous or anything, why bother? She was his friend, and had been for so long that he often thought he genuinely couldn't remember his life without her; she had also just got through telling him no one would be more important to her than him.
But that didn't mean he couldn't look out for her and find her the right man; or better still, for her to remain single for the rest of her life…
"Right Hank, I get the hint - so what's the payback?"
"Payback? There's payback?" House exclaimed.
"Oh, what - and there's never payback with you?" Monty grinned.
"Yeah, but that's different….that's me!"
"So? This is him!"
"Who's this?" Hank asked eyeing House.
"This is Dr. Gregory House, my most dear and bestest friend in the entire world; probably the universe…" she took House's arm and positively beamed.
"Shut up." he growled at her, knowing she was teasing.
"Well, I think that's a compliment – so you should be nice." Hank admonished House.
"She makes me sound like a cross between her spaniel and an old 4th grade buddy." House muttered, staring darkly at Monty who merely returned the stare with studied innocence. Her eyes wide, she dipped behind Hank and stuck her tongue out at House.
He smirked.
"What's funny?" Hank asked trying to look round at Monty.
"You wouldn't get it!" She grinned.
House grinned back "Yeah, you wouldn't get it…..Hank."
At that moment Cuddy stalked in "Who the hell authorised calling the CDC in here?"
"I did." Monty looked at her "Dear God Cuddy…do you actually live here? Or is this place just some kind of vampiric lair for your nefarious bean counting obsession?"
"As I understand it, you're only here to assist Dr. House." Cuddy said importantly, ignoring the last part of what the other woman had said "You no longer work at this hospital and I am the Clinical Manager here…."
Wilson, Cameron, Foreman and Chase all wandered in – hearing Cuddy's high voice and knowing from earlier that if Jess was anywhere in the vicinity much (unintentional) hilarity, at Cuddy's expense, would ensue…
Foreman looked at the others "ding, ding – round three" he muttered under his breath with a smile.
They all stifled a smirk, glad they hadn't gone home.
"Yup you are and I hope with all my heart that you are enjoying the job of 'pen pushing bean counter' as I preferred to call it, far more than I would've when they offered it to me……." She paused pointedly "first."
"ff..first? They offered it to you first?" Cuddy was stunned.
"Oh, I'm sorry – did no one tell you?" Jess feigned sad surprise; Wilson felt she was Oscar material "Yeah, when I decided to leave, the Board of Governors were so keen for me to stay that they offered me the job.
But I wanted to stay in active medicine, not be buried under piles of paperwork - I would rather have leapt from the roof of this building." House and Wilson exchanged a look "so I turned it down flat; but hey I'm glad you like pen pushing and bean counting so much - someone has to…."
"Yes…well….that's besides the point; I have this position now and I do not know why…." Cuddy blustered as Jess broke in.
"House's patient, Mrs Abigail Mulholland, has got Paragonimus Westermani with Pulmonary Paragonimiasis complications. She is severely infected and we suspect so are both her 8 year old son and 5 year old daughter, they will be tested when they arrive here in a few hours time.
The best treatment for the severity of her infestation is Bithionol, but that is only available from the CDC. Hence Hank Ditchfield…" she pointed to Hank.
Cameron and Cuddy both smiled prettily at him – Jess and House rolled their eyes causing Wilson to grin.
"Ditchfield? Did he live in a ditch and act as a field worker in a previous life?" House muttered into her ear. She kicked his good ankle….he barely flinched but did blink a bit; and the others stifled a smile, including Hank as Jess continued.
"….kindly brought the medication over so we could immediately get on with her treatment; plus as yet we are unsure as to where the initial infection originated from."
"How do you propose to treat them?" Cuddy asked, still pulling rank and keen to see if she could put Jess down in front of the handsome man stood next to her.
Jess thought for a moment "It'll be 30–50 mg/kg doses on alternate days for 10–15 days for Abigail and one-half of the maximum adult dose For Zach and Cydni of the Bithionol.
I think it advisable to follow that up with Praziquantel in 75 mg/kg/d in 3 doses for 2 days for Abigail and half that again for the kids. Am I wrong?" she raised an eyebrow.
Cuddy closed her eyes in frustration "No, Jessica you are not. But of course you will not be able to administer the medication."
"Why not?" Hank asked.
"She is no longer a practicing doctor…"
"Yes she is…she has been working for us for the last three months – we made sure all her licenses and stuff were up to date."
Cuddy sighed in defeat as Jess openly smirked "You're a manager right Cudster?"
"Clinical Manager, yes."
"Well I am now a Field Microbiologist/Public Health Analyst with the CDC…so think of it this way; if Clinical Manager makes you a Captain - then my title, which is too bloody long to keep repeating, makes me a Colonel……so I outrank you." she said slowly and grinned evilly at her nemesis.
Cuddy sighed deeply knowing that once more she had been outmanoeuvred by the woman in front of her.
But she decided she should push her luck anyway "I don't think I could take just your word on that Jessica….."she smiled thinly.
Jess smiled brightly back "Oh, you don't have to Cudster – just ask Hank." She pointed to the handsome man standing next to her "this is Hank Ditchfield, think of him as a General as he is the Senior Director in charge of the Eastern Seaboard of the CDC. So Hank….do I outrank her?"
"In spades" Hank smiled, and then looked at Cuddy "It wouldn't look good for you to be making waves for a representative of the CDC Dr Cuddy."
Cuddy blushed realising he was putting her in her place "Well, whatever….." she left.
As she got to the door she heard Jess humming the tune to 'sweet chariot' - she paused, as if to say something; but then, ignoring the collective snigger from the rest of the doctor's there, she went out.
"Ding, ding – and round three goes to…….Jess…" grinned Foreman "Why does she bother?"
"Glutton for punishment obviously!" smiled Jess.
"Round three?" murmured Chase to Foreman.
"Yeah, the office, the hall and now here – three."
"Oh, right…"
"Jeez man, try and keep up will ya!" Foreman smirked.
"Listen I better get going….." Hank hugged Jess round the shoulders "See ya later kiddo…" he walked to the door, Jess turned her attention immediately to the medical files on Abigail "Oh and Jess, you owe me a dinner and a date; I'm happy to combine…" he grinned mischievously at her.
"Dinner's fine Hank, but you know I don't date – why don't you give it up?"
"Not a phrase I'm used to – I always get what I want! See ya buddy!" He waved to House and left.
"Not this time Buddy…" House muttered, glaring at his retreating back.
"Hey, Mr Happy…what's eating you?" Jess turned to House.
"What? Nothing - just get on with it alright Monty, unless you want her to die?" he snapped "I mean that's what you're here for isn't it, Colonel Field Microbiologist/Public Health Analyst – to save her?"
The others all looked at Jess - she eyed him coolly "Tired of it, are you?" she asked.
"Tired of what?" he asked testily.
"Being able to chew - because snap at me like that again, and I'll make sure your sucking your steak through a straw." She said matter of factly but the clipped tone was back, before turning and picking up the cool box.
She turned to the others and studiously ignored House "Come on guys we have a sick lady to make well!" and with a smile at them she left.
Foreman turned to the others "I say again, I am never pissing her off!"
Wilson loitered momentarily after the others had left "well, you could have handled that better…"
"What?"
"The attack of the green eyed monster."
"Don't think I've seen that one…not into B movies…."
"She likes you more than him you know…."
"I should care why?"
"Not should House…do….you do care…" and he left.
"Arrogant pup…" then House saw Monty stalking down the hall and sighed. He knew that stalk too well, she was seriously pissed at him - but she'd be fine in half an hour…..he hoped. If she wasn't, his arse was grass…..
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He rubbed a hand over his face…..well, at least it couldn't get any worse….
"Hey Housey – howya doing? Mummy looks mad and she only ever looks that mad with you…."
Correction – they could and just had.
A little person hugged his legs "Hey ankle biter, yeah I pissed her off again…so sue me…" House hugged her quickly "now get off…."
Wilson sniggered "I found her in the hall….apparently Uncle Alex dropped her off while he went to see Uncle Carl….Jess is apparently going to castrate Alex for leaving her!" he turned and left.
"Why are you here?" House looked down at her.
"Mummy said to say that…." She stopped for a minute to think of her mother's exact phrase "remember payback? Well say hi to yours……...Hi!" the little girl grinned.
House smirked, he was forgiven. He smiled evilly "Hey, Midget…….want some chocolate?"
