Just What the Doctor Ordered -- Chapter 4

Here's the next installment. Enjoy :D

Summary: House recovering from being stabbed

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: AU but reference to anything from first season is fair game.

Beta: veronicca05

Feedback: I thrive on it.

Disclaimer: When I succeed in my plot to take over the world House will be mine, all mine. MUAHAHAHAAA ahem Until then David Shore, Brian Singer an Fox hold all the rights.

Chapter 4 ?xml:namespace prefix o ns "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /

Days passed. Physically House's body started to heal but emotionally he was even more withdrawn and irritable than usual. His humor-laced sarcasm was totally absent, in its place could be found either a weary rage or simply complete apathy. He refused to listen to anyone about his post-surgery care trying, with the aid of his cane, to get out of bed before his doctors had okayed it. His efforts were met by a jarring impact with the cold, bleached floor. Afterwards Wilson had put his cane out of his reach so he wouldn't be tempted to try it again.

Forman had dropped by once but refused to return after House had thrown a cup of water in his face and the nurses only enter when they absolutely had to. Even his two regular visitors, Dr.'s Cameron and Wilson were finding it more and more difficult to find reasons to keep returning day after day.

That first night Cameron had returned with some of House's favorite things, his Gameboy, his iPod and the most recent copy of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue. He hadn't commented or thanked her or even acknowledged her presence. When she had tried engaging in small talk he had closed his eyes and pretended to sleep until she had left.

Wilson hadn't fared much better. He had come baring a bag full of lollipops and House's laptop. He could use it to do research or look at Internet porn. "I have some sites bookmarked already," Wilson had informed him. All he got for his efforts of levity was a request for more painkillers.

On the day he was to be released from the hospital Cameron went to Dr. Wilson's office and gently knocked on the door before peeking her head in. "Got a minute?"

Wilson was busy shuffling papers around on his desk, unable to concentrate, and was happy for the distraction. "Yes of course Allison. Come in."

She entered, closing the door behind her, and took a seat in one of the two other chairs in the room. She sat there silently for a few moments, looking everywhere but at Wilson.

"Is everything alright Allison?"

"I guess you know that House is being released later today," she said, ignoring his question.

"Yeah, Nurse Hendricks invited me to the party the 4th floor nurses station is having to celebrate."

Cameron chuckled and shook her head, "I know doctors make the worst patients but he's been a complete horse's ass." When he just quirked an eyebrow at her she shrugged her shoulders and added, "More so than normal."

Wilson sighed and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his desk and rubbed a hand over his tired eyes. "I know. I've only seen him this bad once before."

"After the infarction." When he looked up at her she saw the now familiar pained expression.

Over the course of House's hospitalization the two of them had forged the beginnings of a close friendship. Most evenings, after House had all but thrown them out of his room, they would go out for dinner or Wilson would come up to her apartment, where they would polish off a bottle of wine or two. They would just talk, about anything really but mostly about the misanthropic doctor. Actually, Wilson did most of the talking and she would listen hoping to gain some insight that would help her get through to him. One night she had asked and he had told her, in heartbreaking detail, about the injury to his leg and the sordid aftermath of Stacey's betrayal and desertion. It helped her to understand why he constantly pushed everyone away.

"I tried talking to him about it earlier this morning. I even went so far as to offer to get the resident shrink to come down and visit him."

Her eyes widened in amazement. "Your are probably the only person who could suggest such a thing to him and come out of it alive."

"Well, the fact that he is lying in a hospital bed unable to get up helped." He winced painfully and rubbed at his shoulder, "But I still got the Gameboy shaped bruise from where he threw it at me."

"He's definitely has good aim," she laughed

"Tell me about it," he grumbled, "he could probably pitch for the Red Sox with that arm of his."

Cameron laughed some more but quickly sobered when she remembered her real reason for visiting Wilson's office.

"So umm... here's the thing, what would you think if I were to stay with him for a while. Just until he's back on track and we know he can take care of himself" she finished quickly before he could get over his initial shock.

"Allison, I really don't think that's a very good idea. I…."

"Look James, I'm worried about him. What with his leg and the wound in his abdomen, he can barely walk. He's going to need help just getting around. And you know that any home health aid worker we could find wouldn't last 5 minutes alone in a room with him."

"Alli…" He tried to interrupt but she wasn't finished.

"What do you think he'll do if he's left on his own? He'll pop Vicodin one after the other, he'll drink himself into a stupor every night, he won't eat. James, he'll end up killing himself." Tears had started to form in her eyes as she spoke but she brushed them away angrily with the back of her hand.

Wilson picked up a file from his desk and started to fiddle with it. What she was suggesting would only lead to someone getting hurt. And of course he would be the one left to pick up the pieces. But how could he convince her of that. Breathing a deep sigh he tossed the file back on his desk and leaned back, studying her closely.

"There's no way he'll agree to this."

"I won't give him a choice."

Seeing the stubborn set of her jaw he knew that this was a battle he wasn't going to win but he had to keep trying. "You'll get the full brunt of his anger. He'll throw everything he has at you."

"I can handle anything he's got. I think I've proven that."

"He'll make you hate him." He said this so quietly that she barely heard him.

"Do you hate him?" she asked, just as quiet.

He didn't answer her right away, instead looking down at his folded hands. When he finally looked back up at her it was with an unreadable expression, "Sometimes I do Allison, but I love him even more."

"Well so do I."

"Home sweet home." Using Wilson's spare key, Cameron unlocked the door to House's apartment, and held it open while he helped him over the threshold. They went straight to House's favorite chair where he sat with an audible sigh of relief. Cameron dropped his bag by the door and found her way into the kitchen.

House followed her with his eyes but said nothing.

"How's the pain?" Wilson asked.

"I need my Vicodin," he grouched by way of an answer.

As if on cue Cameron appeared at his side with two pills and a glass of water. "Here take these. I've put some water on for tea, it will be ready in a few minutes."

He took the pills, ignoring the water and quickly dry swallowed them before casting a frown in her direction. "Make your self at home why don't you."

He watched as she looked up at Wilson and they shared a look that he couldn't read. "What, have you two been having an illicit affair in my apartment while I was lying helpless in the hospital? Jimmy, shame on you, does Julie know?"

Wilson turned his back unwilling to answer. This was Cameron's idea so she would have to be the one to tell him. He still had reservations about the whole thing.

Seeing that she wasn't going to be getting any help she squared her shoulders and looked back down at House. "Umm, well…."He's like an angry dog. If he senses fear he'll strike

"Well what? What the hell is going on?" He was almost yelling now.

Show no fear. Show no fear"Wilson and I have decided that it would be a good idea if I stayed here for a few days." She heard Wilson huff behind her but he didn't say anything.

"Oh, you and Wilson have decided have you?" He said incredulously, his eyebrows almost disappearing into his hairline.

"You're going to need help House. I've taken it upon myself to be your home health aid until you can take care of yourself." When he didn't say anything, just continued to look at her like she'd grown a pair of horns, she gave him a bright smile and added, "Free of charge."

"Well," Wilson piped up, finally deciding to help, "you can't beat that. Those home health aids can cost a fortune."

He shot his glare up to Wilson, completely disregarding Cameron. Maybe if I ignore her long enough she'll give up and leave "I don't need any help. I'm a big boy now and have been taking care of myself for well over 20 years now. I think I can manage, Daddy."

"But you've never had a stab wound to the gut before," Cameron said, refusing to be dismissed so easily.

"And whose fault would that be I wonder."

"Come on House, this isn't her fault."

"It's alright Wilson, he can blame me if it makes him feel better. It's not going to make me change my mind about staying here though."

"Last time I looked at the lease it had my name one it. So unless that has changed this is still my apartment. If I want you to leave You. Will. Leave." He was really starting to get angry now. He felt like he was being backed into a corner and he didn't like the feeling at all.

"Tell you what," Cameron said looking up at the ceiling and then down the hall to where the two bedrooms and the bathroom were located. "If you can make it to your room, change your clothes and get into bed without any help then I will gladly leave you alone."

He sat there for a moment looking from Cameron to Wilson and back again. What the hell have I done to deserve this torment? "Hand me my cane." He never was one to back down from a challenge. Wilson held out his cane, which was promptly snatched from his hand then he stepped back to see what would happen.

With much grunting and effort House was able to get himself to his feet. He stopped for a minute as a wave of dizziness washed over him. Cameron and Wilson stood at a distance, unmoving, but ready to jump to his aid should he start to fall. After regaining his equilibrium he took a few experimental steps. He had been up and walking in the hospital but it was much more difficult than he let on. The limp that he was forced to walk with caused the stitches in his gut to put taunt. He had to bend slightly more at the waist than he was used to so this wouldn't happen. It wasn't a comfortable gait but he somehow managed to make it to his bedroom without any help.

Once there, he sat down on the edge of his bed, breathing heavy and sweating slightly. I think I'll just wait for the Vicodin to kick in before I get undressed He sat there waiting for the numbing effect of the painkillers to start working when he was engulfed by a wave of nausea. He tried to lie back on his bed but quickly abandoned that idea when the pain in his abdomen increased. Relying heavily on his cane he pushed himself to his feet in hopes of making it to the bathroom but it was more than his abused body could take and he collapsed to the floor, vomiting.

"House!" "Greg!"

The noise had alerted the two in the living room and they were now outside his bedroom door calling out to him. The sound of his retching erased any need on their part to respect his privacy and they both barged in.

"Dammit Greg." Wilson dropped to his knees beside his friend and helped him to a sitting position. "Too bloody proud to ask for help. Do you want to pop your stitches and end up back in the hospital?"

"More like too bloody stubborn." When Cameron had seen what had happened she had ran to the kitchen to grab a bowl of cold water and a cloth as well as some paper towels to clean up the mess on the floor. She put everything down on the nightstand and after pulling down the bed sheets she gestured to Wilson, "Need help getting him up into the bed?"

House had a lean frame but he was tall with a sinewy, muscled upper body and he was no lightweight. Without waiting for an answer she leaned down and grabbed him putting his right arm over her shoulder while Wilson did the same with his left. Being very careful of his leg and his wound they managed the get him into bed.

"Get him undressed while I clean up this mess on the floor. Good thing you have hardwood floors," she muttered as she went about mopping up the spew.

When she was done she finished making the tea she had started earlier and returned to his bedroom. With Wilson's help he had gotten down to his t-shirt and boxers and when he saw her he quickly tossed the blankets over his bare legs.

Smirking slightly she set the tea down to cool and grabbed the cloth from the bowl of water. "Don't worry, it's not like you have anything under there that I haven't seen before. I am a doctor you know." She started to mop his brow and he couldn't stop the small sigh of pleasure that escaped his lips.

"Difference is you actually want to see what's under there," he said, covering up his momentary weakness.

"Yeah right, you're a real turn on right now, all pale and sweaty and smelling of vomit," she said, rolling her eyes.

"Ahh, but you haven't seen how well hung I am." He looked up at her and wagged his brows with a lecherous grin. "Just ask Wilson."

"Like an elephant." He remarked with a laugh. He was a little surprised at how quickly House's mood had changed but he wasn't going to question it.

"I so don't want to know how you know this," she quipped, arching an eyebrow in Wilson's direction.

"Well, I did give him his last physical," he blushed good-naturedly.

"Riiiight," Cameron laughed. She dropped the cloth back in the bowl and passed House his tea, which he accepted with a nod.

"Do you want something to eat?"

"Right now I just want to sleep. I'm tired."

"Ok, I'll make you some soup when you wake up."

"I guess this means you're not leaving."

"Nope."

"Looks like your stuck with Nurse Cameron for now," Wilson shook his head unable to believe how easily his friend acquiesced.

"Make in 'Naughty Nurse Cameron' and you got yourself a deal."

Laughing, Cameron and Wilson left the room to let House get some much needed sleep.