A couple of people correctly but post-emptively commented that this story should be betaed despite the fact it was marked as FIRST DRAFT. I have now posted the corrected chapters of LEGACIES AND LOLLIPOPS.

I thank Taruia for so kindly offering to edit my work. You will see how much a good editor gives to a writer's work without imposing their own words or attitudes on the text. Taruia is a fine editor and she is also the person who provides us with those invaluable transcripts of HOUSE MD at http/malaquent. . I also thank MacNMolly for her invaluable information on microdiscectomy spine surgery.

This story is a continuation of my previous fic "Breakfast with an Orang Utan" therefore the characters behave in character with their shared experiences in that fiction as well as their shared experiences at PPTH as seen on HOUSE MD. All characters from the series HOUSE MD are the property of the producers.

LEGACIES AND LOLLIPOPS - Part One

Written by Magdala

Editor/beta: Taruia

PART ONE

I was about to log off the computer and head home to Mark when I noticed I had mail. I clicked on and saw a message from Greg. Like all his emails it was cryptic and not something I could ignore. "Stacy. We have a problem please come to my office before you leave for the day."

I hit reply. "On my way can't be long though. Guests for dinner." I hit send and then logged off. I picked up my coat and briefcase and left my office; as I was halfway down the corridor I heard the phone ringing. I paused and it stopped so I continued to the lift.

"Hang on ... hold it!" A voice called as the elevator doors slipped shut. I held the door with one hand and pressed the open door button with the other. "Thanks" said Cuddy as she entered the lift, holding the door for Wilson who for some reason was carrying a red lollipop. If he hadn't looked so serious I would have laughed.

"Emergency?" I asked.

"Hope not." said Cuddy. I stepped back as she and Wilson exited the lift first. Their pace was one of haste, and I watched them go with more then a hint of curiosity. As I stepped out of the lift after them I realized where they were going. As they rushed into Greg's office I felt my heart miss a beat.

"Give me a number." I heard Cuddy say.

"Nine" it was more of a yell. I had heard Greg scream in agony before, and the sound was one I was painfully familiar with.

"When did it hit you?" I could clearly hear to concern in Cuddy's voice.

"On the hour."

"Twenty minutes." said Wilson and then he addressed Greg gently "Here suck on this."

I looked through the closed glass door of Greg's office; he was half lying across the yellow recliner chair. Wilson looked up and saw me. "Get in here Stacy we need your help"

"Hold the end of this for me ... make sure he doesn't crack his teeth" I did as I was told holding the ludicrous lollipop in his mouth, but removing it swiftly as he struggled to speak.

"The bin … the bin."

Wilson understanding immediately what he wanted positioned the trash bin so he could throw up into it. It wasn't his first bout of nausea. His hands shook on the sides of the bin. The pain brought on the nausea and each retch increased the pain. He was close to passing out when he finished weakly spitting bile from is mouth.

"It's alright, Greg." said Wilson wiping his mouth with a tissue.

"Get that back in his mouth" Cuddy snapped.

"But it's a lollipop" I replied, somewhat confused.

"No, darling. It's Oral transmucosal fentanyl a pain killer" He held onto my arm as I replaced the lollipop in his mouth and as Wilson and Cuddy straightened him out on the chair and gently lifted his legs onto the footrest he, bit down on the lollipop stick, clasped me to him and buried his face against my neck. I could feel his tears, as they darkened my silk blouse, and his body shaking against the insult it had suffered.

Both Cuddy and Wilson had heard him call me 'darling,' but thankfully hadn't commented on it. He was clinging to me and I never wanted to let go of him again. He pulled his mouth away from the lollipop.

"Stacy I'm sorry I've been such a shit." He whispered, pain filling his every word.

"Yes you have but it wasn't your fault."

A sharp intake of breath and Wilson guided the lollipop back into his mouth. "It's for breakthrough pain, Stacy. It's absorbed faster through the membranes in the mouth" Greg's eyes closed and he lay with his head cradled in my arms.

Cuddy looked at Wilson. "I'm admitting him."

Wilson nodded. Cuddy walked around Greg's desk and dialed his phone. She held the phone to her ear as she handed the blood pressure unit on Greg's desk to Wilson. As Cuddy arranged for a gurney and admission; Wilson took Greg's blood pressure. "What were you doing down here?" Wilson asked me

"I told her to come down," mumbled Greg. "We got mail?"

Cuddy pointed to a partially unwrapped parcel on Greg's desk. "It's addressed to both of you."

"Greg said we had a problem."

"Whoever addressed this thinks you are married to each other." Cuddy answered my non-question.

"Audrey died" he opened his eyes and looked at me. "God Stacy. I've been so stupid" I couldn't stop myself I turned and kissed his forehead.

Wilson was not as circumspect as Cuddy as he put the blood pressure kit back on the desk, he looked at one of the photographs. It was Greg holding the baby Orang Utan at Singapore Zoo. He held it up so that I could see it. I reached out and Wilson handed it to me.

"Pain getting any better?" he asked Greg

"About a seven"

"Good"

"What's wrong with him?" I asked.

"I think it's a herniated disc," said Greg.

Cuddy and Wilson exchanged a look. They were worried.

I held the photograph so that Greg could see it. Despite the pain he smiled.

"I love you" he said and closed his eyes. I rested my lips on his forehead and did not move as I cradled him while we waited for the nurses and the gurney to arrive.