Please let me know if you like this story, as there are 20 completed chapters and I will only post if someone reads them. :o)
I hope you like it...here's some more
CHAPTER TWO
The next morning, the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, House walked into the clinic around 1p.m. Cuddy saw him walk in and went to meet him at the lobby reception desk.
"Sarah Lewis has been asking for you, again. Though I can't understand why. Can you please go see her in room 1216?" Cuddy asked.
"Oh, do I HAVE to? There are 28 patients I have to see in my two hours of clinic duty. Hey, what are YOU doing? Can't you go see her?"
"No, I have to go home and pack for the Dallas conference on Friday." Cuddy answered.
"Does that mean our date tomorrow night has been cancelled?" House asked sounding disappointed.
"No, no. It's fine. I'm still expecting you. Don't forget dessert." Cuddy said as she turned to walk away.
'Oh, I'll have dessert for you, don't you worry.' House thought to himself. He walked to the elevator just as Cameron came down the stairs.
"Dr. House, Barbara Sherrill died early this morning." House nodded his head and got on the elevator.
"Is that all you have to say?"
"No. Buy her some flowers for her grave." He said just as the door closed.
House walked toward Sarah's room and noticed Wilson in with her. He was doing the ultrasound over her lower abdomen. He stood at the window watching them for a couple of minutes. They were smiling and laughing like they had been buddies for years. She even put her hand on his arm in a fit of laughter. He'd seen enough. He walked into the room.
"Wow, what's so funny? I heard this REALLY funny joke about a donkey and a nun." House said. Both Wilson and Sarah looked at him with strange expressions.
"What did you need me for, Ms. Lewis? I see you are in good hands here." House said, giving Wilson a 'you dawg you' grin.
"I just wanted to tell you LizBeth said don't forget the cranberries." Sarah told House.
"Oh, not THIS again. Wilson, have you done an MRI on any possible brain deterioration?" House joked it off.
"Actually, we were laughing about YOU." Wilson said to shut him up. House cleared his throat.
"So, how does the ultrasound look, James?" Sarah asked.
"James? You're on a first name basis with your patients, now?" House snottily asked.
"Actually, we've known each other for about ten years." Sarah said.
"Oh, really? Wilson, you and I need to have a little chat later." House said.
"Would you just tell me what you see, James?" Sarah asked impatiently.
"Sorry. It looks fine. I do see multiple cysts on your right ovary, like you said, but nothing extraordinarily big."
"Well, do you two need me anymore? Or can I stay and watch?" House asked.
"No, you can leave." Wilson answered.
"And don't forget the cranberries, Dr. House." Sarah hollered as he walked toward the door. House stopped and turned around.
"Would you knock it off! I told you I don't believe in that crap." House snapped.
"She said you'd say that." Sarah said with a little laugh.
"It's okay. Alot of people don't believe this or that. But you can't deny it, can you Dr.? By the way, what's up with the cranberries? She's driving me NUTS!" Sarah challenged.
House sighed, walked toward the door and just before he walked out, he said, "I don't like them."
Dr. Wilson stayed with Sarah Lewis for almost an hour, rehashing old times.
"So, Sarah, what have you been doing with yourself since we las...er, saw each?"
"I'm still writing the editorials for the Princeton Tribune. But I think I want a change."
"What are you planning on getting into?" Wilson asked.
"I don't know. I'm kinda stuck on what to write about. I was thinking of checking out a couple of music companies to see if they are hiring admin assistants."
"Yeah, I remember you love music. How's Daniel doing?"
"I have no clue. A couple weeks after you and I were together I told him about us. He flew off the handle. We were divorced a month later."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that, and to be the cause of it."
"Please, James! The thing is, he didn't know I knew he was seeing another woman. It was for the best."
"Maybe." Wilson said.
"What about Julie? How's she?"
"Well, things aren't so good right now. We've had a few ups and downs. Right now it's a humungus down. She won't talk to me anymore. She doesn't like that I'm here all the time. But that's what she wanted: to be married to a Dr. She just didn't want to marry me."
Sarah put her hand on Wilson's cheek. "James, you know I would have married you. But it just didn't happen."
Wilson looks at her affectionately. "And I would have married you, Sarah." He said as he leaned in and kissed her on the lips. After a few seconds she grabbed her stomach and moaned, turning her head away from him.
"Is the pain bad, punkin'?" Wilson asked worriedly.
"Yeah...punkin? Man, I haven't heard that in so long."
"I'll get you something for the pain. You're down for the cone biopsy in a few hours so it's okay if you take something now. Sarah?"
She turned to look at him. "Do you want to be my punkin?" He asked sheepishly.
House had gone back into his office. He was sooo close to killing the purple onion monsters and he was feeling extra confident. He sat playing the game for a few minutes when Cameron walked in.
"Dr. House, I thought you'd want to go over a few things on Barbara Sherrill's chart."
"And why would I want to do that?" He said nastily.
"You're smart, you went to medical school. See if you can figure it out." She snapped and walked out of his office. House watched her walk out the door. He liked watching her from behind. He went back to the game where he entered the haunted garden patch, but his mind kept going back to the file. He reluctantly picked it up and flipped it open.
'okay, Dr. Cameron. What is it I'm looking for?' House thought to himself as he looked at her past medical history.
'Dwarfism...Achondroplasia - Felicia Sherrill, death aged 15...Kidney failure - Mable Sherrill, death aged 41.'
"Hmmm. I wonder..." House said aloud as he picked up his cane and headed to the morgue, hoping they were still doing the postmartim autopsy. He hit the elevator button and waited. When it opened, Wilson was standing there. He gave Wilson a sly grin and walked in.
"So, buddy, friend, confidant, special-ist Dr. in the world, how are YOU?" He said. Wilson didn't answer because he knew where House was going, and he wasn't about to tell him. Not yet.
"okay, okay. I'm sorry. I just thought you'd want to tell me about Sarah because, well, you know, us men LUV to gossip about women."
"No, not really." Wilson answered.
"Yes, we do!"
"No, I meant about Sarah." He snapped. "Hey, do you want to go out for drinks tonight? Julie's parents and brothers are coming over for dinner tomorrow, and I need to be out of the kitchen when Julie cooks. I don't want to be home. Football isn't on 'til tomorrow."
"Uh, sure. I've got a hot date tomorrow night myself." House said.
"Oh, Bambi again?" Wilson laughed.
"No, someone we all know and love." House said as the door opened and he started to walk out of the elevator.
"Yeah, okay, fine." Wilson said. "I'll tell you about Sarah if you tell me about your date."
"You're on!" House said as the elevator door closed.
House walked down the hall to the morgue. He hated this place, but he liked how quiet it was. And his Lynard Skynard CD would sound great with those tiled walls. He opened the door and went into the mortician's office. Carl and Rog were sitting at a desk; Carl was on the computer and Rog was looking through a microscope.
"Hey Rog, buddy! How's it going?" House asked. Rog jumped and the chair scooted back a few inches.
"Good, Sir." Rog stuttered.
"Have you done the autopsy on Barbie Sherrill? House asked.
"That's Barbara, Dr. House." Carl corrected. "And, yes." House looked at him in disappointment.
"But I did the karyotype blood test, and she did have Turner Syndrome." Rog said as he knocked over the cup of pens by the keyboard. He bent over to pick them up off the floor.
"Who ordered that?" House asked in confusion.
"Dr. Cameron." Carl answered.
"And she was starting to go into kidney failure." Rog stuttered.
"Ah. Okay, thanks." House said with an air of smugness then walked out of the office.
'So, she did have Turner. That only complicated the encephalitis. Cameron picked that up? Wow, I'm impressed. My little girl is doing so well.' House thought to himself. 'Okay, where can I go now?' He thought as his stomach growled. He headed for the cafeteria for an early dinner. He figured he'd fill up before he went drinking. He walked in and saw Wilson sitting at a table eating alone. He walked over to his table and sat down.
"Hey, Wilson. You have change for $20?" House asked. Wilson reached into his pocket without a word and handed House two $10.
"Great, thanks!" House said as he stood up and walked to the food line.
"HEY! Where's my $20?" Wilson hollered at him.
"I'll have to get change from the cashier. Be right back." House said with a playful grin.
'How do I fall for that all the time? I'm such a wuss.' Wilson said to himself as he laughed. House returned to Wilson's table a few minutes later and set down a tray with a roast beef sandwich, fries and chocolate milk.
"What's up with the roast beef, House?"
"I had a Reuben for lunch...and breakfast. I need a change." He answered.
"Have you done your drug test yet in Cuddy's office?" Wilson asked.
"No. I'll do it after I eat. The food will absorb the Vicodin and I'll be all clear." House playfully lied. "Has Cameron?"
"Has Cameron what?" Wilson asked biting into lettuce at the end of his fork.
"Has she had her blood work done?"
"Yeah, I saw her in there this morning. She's been nervous all day. Do you know what's wrong with her?"
"No." House lied, then took a bite from his roast beef sandwich. House had a full stomach and was ready to head back to his haunted vegetable garden...office. He reached for the door when he heard Cuddy holler his name. He tried to ignore her and opened the door, but Cuddy was right behind him keeping the door closed with her hand.
"Dr. House, you have to take the drug test. I'm sure you'll pass with flying colors."
"But I have a date with the purple onion monsters, Mom! I need to keep the oil and vinegar dressing away from them or they'll die! You know how I need to save people."
"Enough, House. Come on!" She said as she grabbed his left elbow and pulled him down the hallway.
"Ooh, I like it when you're rough. But can't you wait til we get to your office? There are too man..."
Ten minutes later, House sat in his office picking off the bandaid from the inside of his elbow. Cameron slowly walked into his office and sat down heavily in the chair.
"How'd it go, Cameron?"
"The blood test? Oh, fine."
"Cameron, I've been to the morgue. Good catch on that Turner Syndrome."
"Thanks. Thats why you pay me the big bucks. Now, can I have a raise?"
"Sure. Stand up and raise your skirt." House snickered.
"Out of respect, shut up!" Cameron yelled. House's eyebrows flew up.
"Cameron, I really am concerned about you, you know. I wanted you to stay home because I knew about the drug test. Why won't you talk to me?" House asked as he leaned across his desk.
"I can't." She replied solemnly.
"Okay, fine. But you know you can talk to me, right?"
"Yeah, I know." She answered, but didn't get up to leave. "House, I'm pregnant."
Later that night, House and Wilson sat in a bar with a pianoman playing solemn tunes and ate stuffed baked potato slices.
"So, Wilson, who's Sarah to you?" House said as he brought a potato to his mouth and put half the potato in.
"She was Sharon's friend from high school; she was wife number one. We went to Sharon's high school reunion and I liked Sarah from the moment I met her, with her husband. She made me feel good, like I was the funniest, smartest, best looking man in the world."
"I find that hard to believe." House said teasingly.
"We went out with Sarah and her husband for dinner a few times after that. And she and I just clicked. She could always make me laugh. So, one night when Julie was at her parents' house Sarah came over. And it just happened."
"What?" House said with a smirk.
"I will not go into details, but let's just say we grew close, and closer. I fell in love with her. We talked about marrying, but we were both married to other people. We agreed to cool off for a while, but we still got together for lunches occasionally. The last time we got together was three years ago." The waitress walked over to their table and asked if they wanted another drink.
"Yes, and make his a double." House said as he nodded his head at Wilson.
"So, what's up with that date of yours tomorrow?" Wilson asked.
"It's not a date. I'm just going to Cuddy's for dinner. She's lonely and needs my company."
"I wouldn't go that far, House. Do you think that's smart? You two have been able to work together well the past few years." Wilson said as he sipped his gin and soda.
"It'll be fine. She might jump my bones but I can control myself."
"Uh...no, you can't!" Wilson said and clicked his glass with House's.
"What did Sarah's biopsy show, Wilson?" House asked as he downed the last shot of scotch.
"It's cancer, stage 3. I'll need to check to see if it's spread further. But she'll need chemo and radiation. She has a long battle ahead of her."
"I'm sorry, really." House said tenderly.
"Yeah, well, she'll get the best care from me, that's for sure." Wilson said as he took the last of his drink.
"Are we talking medically here, or physically?" House said as he handed the bill from the waitress to Wilson. Wilson pulled out the money, handed it to the waitress as he stood up and put on his jacket. House followed Wilson out the door.
"Man, it's snowing! I don't believe this!" House said.
"Feels like it's mixed with sleet. Isn't it about time you put that thing in storage?"
"Hell, no. She's my baby! How dare you call her a 'thing'!" House said seriously then a smile crossed his face. "Have a good day tomorrow, Wilson. Happy Thanksgiving." House said as he put on his helmet.
Wilson was just about to answer when he took a few steps to the left and walked smack in the light pole. He rubbed his forehead as he turned back around to say the same to House.
"Smart move, Ace!" House teased him, then asked concerned, "You need me to take you home?"
"No, thanks. I'm fine. Your driving scares me. Good night, and thanks." Wilson said as he walked down the street to his car. House watched him until he got behind the wheel then he revved up the bike and pulled into the street.
During that time House and Wilson were in the bar, Foreman was over at Chase's apt.
"So, Chase. Are you and Cameron an item now?" Foreman asked as he took a bite of the pizza they'd ordered.
"I wouldn't say that. Having sex one time doesn't constitute a relationship."
"Well, I know you like her. But you know she still has that thing for House. Do you notice how she opens the door for him and puts the stirrer in his coffee and stuff? It's kinda nauseating." Foreman asked.
"Yeah, I notice it. And yeah, I do like her. But I don't think it's a good idea if I pursue a relationship with her while we work together." Chase answered.
"You can always go work at another hospital."
"And miss the opportunity for House to chew me out when I do something wrong? Heck, no. I live for that." Chase said sarcastically and laughed.
"Oh, Lisa, I love you! Let me ravish you with my kisses and make sweet, passionate, 3-hour long love to you!" House begged.
"Greg, let me escort you to the bedroom, my Master of Love." She said as she reached for his hand. The phone rang.
"Ignore it, Lisa. I've got something for you that I've been wanting to give you for a lonnnnnnng time." The phone rang again.
"Ignore it, Lisaaaaaaaaaaaaaa..." The phone rang as loud as a tornado siren going off. House rolled over, yanked at the phone and brought it to his ear.
"Lisaaaaa...I said don..." House said into the phone.
"House? HOUSE! It's Cameron."
'Oh, great! A threesome.' He thought to himself. Then he slowly woke up and realized it was Cameron on the other end.
"Ughhh...are you out of your mind? I said if you needed to talk you could, but not at, uh..." House looked at the clock. "...3:30 in the morning." House said as he lay his head back down on the pillow.
"House, Wilson's in surgery. He's in bad shape." Cameron said then sniffed.
"Cameron, what are you talking about? I saw him last ni...wait, did he get in an accident? Damn, I knew I should have driven him home." House hung up the phone, jumped out of bed, grabbed his jeans and t-shirt and ran to the door. He was in the hospital in 15 minutes. He met Cameron and Cuddy in the hallway outside the emergency center. House walked up to Cuddy and hugged her. He noticed Cameron frowning as she stared at them. He broke the hug and went to Cameron. He noticed her eyes were swollen and red. He reached out his arms for her. She hesitated a moment, then fell into his arms.
"He'll be alright, Allison. He's a trooper." House said trying to comfort her. They walked to the surgical unit where they were met by Julie, who had on sweats, a big sweater and slippers." Foreman and Chase joined them shortly.
"Julie, what happened?" House asked as they approached and sat down in the chairs. Chase and Cameron sat down beside each other, where Chase held her at his side.
"He was sitting at a stop light when another car came barreling through the intersection. The driver skid in the sleet and smashed into James' car. He's lost alot of blood; he has three broken ribs, a punctured spleen, internal bleeding and concussion. It took them almost an hour to remove him from the car."
"How's he doing now?" Chase asked.
"A surgical assistant came out an hour or so ago and said they were having trouble controlling the bleeding and they had to remove his spleen." Cuddy answered for Julie, as she hung her head to the floor.
House reached out his hand and patted her on her shoulder. Dr. Slater walked through the surgical unit door and walked toward the group. He didn't have a smile on his face and he walked rather slowly. House looked at his watch; it read 6:45a.m. House and Julie stood up and approached the Dr.
"How is he, Slater?" House asked. Cuddy and Foreman also stood up, but the didn't approach them. Dr. Slater looked at each one in the group as if a look would reassure them that he would be okay.
"I'll need to speak to Mrs. Wilson alone, please."
"No, no. It's okay. They're his friends. Please, how is he?" She pleaded.
"We've stopped the bleeding but it'll be touch and go for 24 hours. His stats are stable, which is a good sign. You can see him as soon as he is out of recovery, around lunchtime."
"Thank you, Dr. Slater." Julie said as Cuddy wrapped her arm around her and took her back to the chair.
"I have to go do something. I'll be right back." House said.
"Damnit, House! Playing your GameBoy now is real..." Foreman started.
"Calm down, Foreman. I have to see a patient." He said as he walked down the hall to the elevator. House slid the door open to Sarah's room and found her sitting in a chair staring out the window.
"Sar..." House started to say but Sarah interrupted him.
"He's gone, isn't he?" She asked, sniffling.
"I didn't think anyone tol..."
"They didn't. But I know what happened. He came to me." She said as she turned around to look at House. Tears were streaming down her face and she wiped them away, then sat on the bed. House just rolled his eyes.
"They lost him for a while. He came to tell me goodbye. I told him not to go b..." She broke into sobs again. House didn't quite know what to do. He walked toward the bed and put his hand on her shoulder. She pressed her forehead to his chest.
"No, Sarah. He's not gone. He just got out of surgery. He made it." House said, saying to himself, 'God, let him make it.' Sarah lifted her head and looked into his eyes. They were brimming with tears.
"Can I see him, please?" She begged.
"Uh, no, Sarah. His wife is downstairs and he can't have any visitors until this afternoon." House said as a tear rolled down his cheek. He didn't wipe it away.
"Sharon? Sharon's downstairs? But he said they divorced." She sniffled.
"No, his new wife, Julie. I don't think it would be a good idea." Sarah nodded her head in agreement and threw herself back down on the bed. "Greg?" She asked.
"Yeah?"
"Do you believe in God?" House didn't answer.
"Because if you do, you better start doing alot of praying." She said and rolled over on her side away from House. House quietly walked out of the room and went to his office.
House hadn't planned on coming into work on Thanksgiving morning. He'd even bought the apple pie and ice cream for dessert, which he almost lost on the back of the bike on the way back home from the bar. But he was really looking forward to dinner at Cuddy's. He turned on the t.v., but it was just for the noise, not to watch. He thought to himself about what Sarah had said when she last saw him:
'She knew about the purple flowers, and her calling me Gray, when LizBeth was the only one that called me that. And the bird's wings? That was just creepy. Wow, I'm starting to wonder now.' House unconsciously rubbed his right thigh. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the bottle. He looked at it for a minute, debating whether he could go without taking them. He popped two in his mouth because it was going to be a long Thanksgiving. Cuddy walked into House's office, turned off the t.v. and sat down in the chair across from him.
"I've sent the gang home for the day. They'll be back later this afternoon. I was thinking of bringing in the food I cooked for us, but I need someone to help me carry it all in. Would you mind? You do have one free arm." She teased as she looked at his leg.
"Not until I see him in the rec..."
"No, no, after that. That's fine." Cuddy interrupted. House nodded his head as Cuddy stood up. "He'll be okay, Greg." She said as she walked out the door.
House looked up to see Cameron, Foreman and Chase walk into the conference room. The men sat down and Cameron went to the coffee machine. He looked at his own mug; it was empty. He grabbed his cane and limped into the room and filled his mug with coffee.
"I thought Cuddy said you three could go home." House said as he sat down at the desk in the corner of the room.
"We couldn't, House. I'd rather be here in ca..." She stopped. He stared at her blankly. He knew what she meant, she didn't have to say it. They sat in the conference room in silence for the next couple of hours anxiously awaiting news about Wilson. Around 12:30 Cuddy came into the room.
"Guys, James woke up." She said with a smile on her face. Julie just left to get some sleep. You can see him now, but one at a time." Then she closed the door and went to her office.
House was the first to stand and head to the door, then Cameron, Foreman then Chase. House was limping so fast the three had trouble keeping up with him. He walked into Wilson's I.C.U. room and the three stood back waiting for their turn. He walked up to his bed and couldn't believe it was his best friend lying there. He had an oxygen tube in his nose, he was on a respirator (which made a click-swoosh sound as it helped him breath), his face was cut up but there were only a few areas that had a stitch or two in them.
"Buddy, hey, it's Greg. You'd better get your butt out of this bed before I kick you out." He teased, but tears had swelled up in his eyes again. It was hard for him to see Wilson like this; he never had seen Wilson like this. He put his arms on the bedrail and just stared at him. After a few minutes Wilson moaned and tried to open his eyes.
"Wils...James. Hey, don't talk. You've got a tube down your throat to help you breath." House said.
Wilson fluttered his eyes open a few times before he focused on House's face. His chin went up a little bit as he tried to speak. House heard 'aira' and nodded his head because he understand it to be 'Sarah.'
"She knows. I went in and told her. Seems she already knew." Wilson frowned a little and closed his eyes.
"Get some sleep, buddy. We have that Monster Rally next week and you need to come with me. You're not getting out of it this time." House said.
He waited a few minutes longer to be sure he was resting comfortably. He walked out of the door and Cameron was alarmed at his expression. She was the next to go in, but only spent a few minutes. She came out with tears in her eyes and Chase held her as Foreman went in. Then Chase took his turn. When Chase came out from Wilson's room, they all walked back to the conference room without speaking a word. Even when Rog, the new intern, slipped on the wet tile floor and fell on his butt they didn't laugh. There was nothing to laugh at, nothing to joke about, nothing to talk about. There were no words that could fill the emptiness they felt about Wilson's condition. It was grave, very grave. An hour later, after staring at the wall, looking out the window, wearing a path into the carpet and sipping coffee, Cuddy walked into the conference room.
"Hey. They've taken James off the ventilator. His blood pressure is still too low but they've put him on intravaneous fluids with electrolytes. He's also become anemic due to the blood he lost." None of the doctors said anything after she spoke.
"House, are you ready? I'm sure you guys are famished. I've got plenty of food at home we're going to get." Cuddy said.
"We're really not very hungry, Dr. Cuddy, but thank you." Cameron told her.
Chase and Wilson looked at each other. "Uh, we are! Do you need any help?" Chase asked.
"No, Chase, we've got it covered. I'm now able to balance food trays on my head. Didn't you get the memo?" House said jokingly, or, rather, attempted to be funny.
"Hey, I was only as..."
"Thanks, it's fine, Chase. We've got it." Cuddy interrupted. Cuddy and House both walked to the door.
"Cameron, call me if anything happens, okay?" House asked. Cameron just nodded her head. House and Cuddy walked to the elevator, to the lobby, and walked to her Rav4.
"When did you get this?" House asked, looking over the exterior of the SVU.
"I traded my Kawaski 450 for the down payment." Cuddy said with a little smile as she unlocked the doors and they both got in. Cuddy started the engine and House turned on the radio.
'If the skies above you should turn dark and full of clouds,
Keep your head together, and call my name out lo...'
House quickly turned off the radio, and theyd drove to Cuddy's house in silence. Cuddy and House walked into the foyer and she put her keys and purse on the table by the door. She led him to the kitchen where she headed for the refrigerator. He looked over at the sink with the dishes filled to the brim.
"Sorry about the mess. I was still cooking when I got the call. I rushed over to the hospital when an attendant called me. I didn't call Cameron until a few hours later when I knew what his condition was." Cuddy said as she put bowl after bowl of food on the counter. House stood and watched her. He had noticed her eyes had gotten dark and she'd occassionally slur a word. She fumbled with a plastic bowl she took out, and just as she was about to place it on the counter the edge hit the corner, the lid popped open and corn scattered all over the floor. Cuddy cursed, grabbed a towel and began to wipe up the mess. He bent down to help, and heard Cuddy sniffle. He saw a tear fall to the floor over the corn. House reached for her hand that held the towel and stopped her.
"Cud...Lisa. It's just corn." House tried to joke it off to reassure her. Cuddy pulled back her bangs with her hand and sat on the floor heavily.
"I don't know why I am crying." She said as she wiped her cheek. "I'm just tired. I haven't had much sleep."
"He'll be fine. We're all worried about him." He said as she reached out for her shoulder. He wiped her cheek and pulled her close to him. She accepted his arms around her and he rocked her in his arms. The tears came, and he ran his hand through her hair while he whispered softly in her ear.
Cuddy lay in House's arms for a few minutes as she tried to control her tears. She remembered the time when her Father died and he'd comforted her. She never would have gotten through it if it hadn't been for House. She wiped her eyes and sat up, with House's arm still around her. They looked lovingly in each other's eyes.
"I'm sorry, House. You know I don't get this emo..."
Cuddy was cutoff mid sentence when House planted a kiss on her lips. At first she resisted, but his warm lips felt so good against hers. Her body melted into his as their arms went around each others.
"Hmmmph?" House asked.
"Hmmph?" Cuddy said as tore her lips away from his.
"I'd love to have you in the kitchen, but honestly, with all this corn on the floor, it'd be kinda messy."
"Huh? Wa...oh. You sure you want to? I mean, I'm okay with...wait! What am I saying? We have to get back, Greg!"
House gave her a look of disappointment as she stood up and straightened her skirt. She put out her hand to help House up, and with his weight coming toward her she lost her balance and ended up against the refrigerator door with Hugh pressed against her.
"I'll ask again," House said as he grabbed her hands and tried to lead her out of the kitchen to the stairs.
"No, you don't have to ask." She said as she grabbed his cane and took off up the stairs. He grinned wickedly, grabbed a Vicodin, popped it and limped up the stairs as fast as he could. He was met by Cuddy, who had slipped out of her skirt and blouse and stood there in her bra and garter...
Cuddy and House walked into the conference room with a cart full of covered bowls of food and a turkey wrapped in aluminum foil. Chase and Foreman immediately jumped out of their chairs toward the cart and helped put them on the table. Cameron looked at the clock on the desk. It read 4:05. She knew Cuddy only lived a few minutes away, and it looked like Cuddy's hair was straightened a bit; not curly like it was when she'd left. And House? He had a permanent grin on his face, which was rare for him, even under the current circumstances.
"How's Wilson, Cameron?" House asked her as he'd noticed she'd been staring at him.
"No change. And Julie is back." She answered as she went back to the computer.
"Did you ask her to come up to eat with us?" Cuddy asked.
"She said she couldn't eat. Wonder why?" She said nastily. Chase looked at Foreman, who just shrugged his shoulders. The gang put food on their plates and ate in silence. As they were almost finished Cuddy's pager went off. A second later House's pager went off.
"What is..." Cameron started to say. House headed straight to the door without answering.
"It's Wilson. He's gone into cardiac arrest." Cuddy answered as she followed behing House, who were quickly joined by Chase, Foreman and Cameron. They rushed down the hallway in I.C.U. where they saw nurses running in and out of Wilson's room.
"CLEAR!" They heard someone scream. House rushed into the room and stood at the door with an anxious expression on his face. The others stayed outside with Julie while the doctors and nurses tried to revive Wilson. The paddles were smeared with vasoline and the Doctor shocked Wilson's heart. No change in the flat line.
"More epi!" The Doctor ordered, then punctured the syringe directly into his heart. He began to pump his chest again, then ordered the paddles. He placed them to the right of his breast and to the left. "CLEAR!" He yelled, then shocked his heart again. No change in the flat line.
"Come on!" House said, not realizing how loud he really said it. Several nurses gave him a dirty look. After five more minutes of trying to revive Wilson, ten of which had already been spent, the Dr. stepped back.
"Time of..."
"NO! House screamed as he ran to Wilson, grabbed the paddles out of the nurses' hands. He went directly to Wilson heart, screamed "400!" to the nurse but she just stared at him. Cuddy raced into the room and put the setting to 400. House put the two paddles on his chest and shocked his heart. He looked at the monitor: still flatline.
"NO! Damnit! NO!" House screamed, then punched Wilson's heart as hard as he could.
Then...beeps...from the monitor. His heart beat on its own again. House stepped back and the nurses continued to attend to Wilson. House let out his breath he'd held. House looked at Cuddy and they walked out of the room. House approached Julie, who had tears streaming down her face. Cameron was holding onto her shoulder for support.
"He's back, Julie." House said as he walked away. Julie collapsed in Cameron's arms in relief.
Cuddy followed him back to his office, to the couch where House sat in. He sat up with his head in his hands. Cuddy put her arm around him to comfort him. Neither spoke a word. Neither of them had to.
A few hours later, Cameron walked into the room and found House and Cuddy asleep on the couch. Cuddy was beside him; his arm was around her, with her head on his arm.
"I'm sorry to wake you, House."
"Ca...Cameron, what is it?" House asked as he shook Cuddy awake. They both sat up.
"Wilson. His blood pressure is back to normal and he's asking for you." She said.
"Great." House said as he sat up and walked out the door. Cuddy looked at Cameron and told her to sit down.
"Have you slept at all today, Cameron?" Cuddy asked.
"No, I haven't." She answered.
"Come on. Lie down. I'm going to check on Wilson my...ah, there's Chase." Cuddy said as Chase came into House's office.
"Chase, can you stay with Cameron?" Cuddy asked as she walked toward the door.
"Of course I will. Are you okay, Allison?" Chase asked concerned as he sat down next to her.
When House approached Wilson's room, House first noticed Wilson still had the oxygen tube in his nose, I.V. drip in his arm and pads of electrodes taped all over his chest. His heart was beating strong and steady. Then he saw Sarah sitting next to him and holding his hand. He was awake and talking with her.
"Hey, buddy! How ya doin'?" House asked as he walked to the bed.
"I hear you punched the hell outta me." Wilson said with a slight grin. "You owe me one."
"Yeah, well, next time I go into cardiac arrest you can hit me. I have enough patients beating me up now as it is. Sarah, would you mind leaving us alone for a minute?" House said.
She looked at Wilson, who nodded his head. "It's okay, sweetie. You need to stay off your feet." Sarah stood up, gave him a peck on the cheek and walked out of his room.
"James, you scared the hell out of all of us."
"Yeah, I scared the hell outta me, too. Where's Julie?" Wilson asked as he stretched his neck.
"Fine. I hear she's gone home. How's Sarah?"
"She's started radiation, and she did look bad, don't you think? She's starting to hemorrage, though. I told her she should stay in bed." Wilson said as he coughed. He grabbed his stomach as the coughing had stretched his scar from the area they removed his spleen.
House shrugged his shoulder. "Glad you are back, James." House said as he patted Wilson on his shoulder.
"By the way, did the Dr. tell you if they lost you in surgery?"
"Yeah, he did. Said I was gone for about two minutes." Wilson answered.
"okay. Get some rest, will ya? I'm taking over your clinic duty and I've had enough of that." House said as he laughed.
"But I don't have clinic duty, House." Wilson said as he closed his eyes.
"You will when you are up and on your feet. You owe me!"
"Yeah, okay. Whatever you say, boss." Wilson mumbled as he fell to sleep.
House sighed and walked out of his room. He stopped just outside the door and leaned against the wall. 'No, I've never prayed. And I don't really know what God's plans are, but someone answered my pray.' House said as he started to walk down the hall.
Back in House's office, where Cameron and Chase were sitting on the couch, neither one of them spoke a word. They avoided each other outside the conference room as best they could, which, considering they worked together, was hard to do. Cameron hadn't yet told Chase she was pregnant, but she'd stupidly told him she was taking the amphetamines, just to get him off track of her being pregnant. She didn't know why she lied. She never lied.
"Chase, I'm not doing drugs."
"But you said you were. Why did you tell me you were?" Chase asked.
"I don't know." She said as she turned to look at Chase. "I'm pregnant, Robert."
Chase looked at her flabbergasted. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure. That's why I've been so tired lately."
"Allison, we'll talk after Wilson gets better. Our heads will be clearer then."
"Oh, I've already thought about it. I don't want to keep it." Cameron whispered.
"WHAT? You can't be serious! It's my baby, too!" Chase said as he stood up. Cameron kept quiet.
"Allison, it's because of House, isn't it?"
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"You still have feelings for him, right? You'd kill our baby in the hopes that he'd want you? What has gotten into you? Don't be an idiot. You know he's been with Cuddy, don't you?"
"Yeah, yea…how did you know?"
"Oh, please. I know it didn't take them three hours to go to Cuddy's house, get the food and bring back here. You knew it, too. I saw it in your face."
Cameron sat back on the couch. She didn't want to believe it, but she couldn't deny it.
"Chase, fine, we'll do it your way. We'll talk after Wilson gets better." Cameron said as she closed her eyes. Chase went to the couch and sat beside her. He put his arm around her shoulders, and she put her head on his. Chase closed his eyes and they both drifted off to sleep.
With Wilson still in I.C.U., House felt obligated to continue to treat Sarah Lewis. Actually, the truth was, it was his way of keeping an eye on her and what she and Wilson were up to. And Barbara kept popping into his mind. That never happened; a patient's case being played over and over in his head. It was almost 7p.m. and House headed to Sarah's room. He popped a couple of pills on his way.
"Hi, Ms. Lewis. I wanted to check on you before I headed home. How are you feeling?" House said as he walked through the door with her file in his hand.
"Hi, Dr. House. Much better, thanks." She lied. She'd just woken up after seeing Wilson in his room. The radiation treatment was beginning to take its toll.
"Dr. House, Barbara said she knew you did everything you could. I keep seeing her press her hands to her ears. Does that make sense to you?"
House looked at her curiously. 'Oh, what the hell.' He thought to himself.
"Yes."
"I keep seeing those three monkeys: See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil. And I hear bickering….wait. She said she got into drugs because her mother blamed her for Carrie, or Karen's illness. She was kind of glad she was deaf because she could block out her mother's voice. But, she knew she was really sick, and doesn't blame you."
House's eyebrows had gone up as she spoke. 'Why is she telling me this, now? I don't feel guilty for Barbara's death. True, I thought I neglected her and was not able to find out what caused her to be sick. But maybe that's why she is on my mind so much. Well, that just doesn't make sense.' House thought to himself.
"okay. I'll remember that." House said as he walked to her I.V. to check the level of fluid in the bag.
"Dr. House? I'm still bleeding quite a bit. Why am I bleeding so much?" She asked.
"It'll stop on its own. After you have the hysterectomy tomorrow morning to remove your cervix, it'll go back to normal. But with the one radiation treatment, your body has lost some signals to other parts of your body and they've gone whacky. Once the radiation begins to work, it'll slow down."
"Oh, okay. Thanks, Dr. House. How's James?" She asked as she settled down into the bed.
"Better. Looks like he's going to make it. He's got a long way to go, though. But he'll be fine."
Sarah smiled as she closed her eyes. "okay, great."
House looked at her a moment before he walked out into the hall to go to his office to get his things. He approached his office and saw Cameron and Chase asleep on the couch. Her head was on his shoulder and his head was on top of hers.
'They really do make a nice couple.' House thought to himself. He walked to his desk quietly, put his duffle bag on his desk, put in his Ipod, GameBoy, bike helmet and the folder he'd brought in the day before on his license renewal. He still hadn't made a dent in it. But he told himself he'd do it tonight at home.
He turned off his computer and turned off the lights. He wasn't going to wake them, but he'd been a little too nice to them lately and he needed to do something nasty. As he passed by the couch, he purposefully stepped on Chase's foot.
"Wha…HEY! That hurt!" Chase yelled as he put his head up. Cameron stirred and woke up.
"Time you two went home. Preferably in your own beds." House stated.
"Uh, how's Wilson?" Cameron asked as she rubbed her eyes.
"Resting comfortably. Now get out of my office!"
Chase and Cameron walked out silently as House closed and locked the door behind him. The three walked down the hall to the elevator.
"How are you two holding up?" House asked, just because he couldn't think of anything else to say.
"Better, knowing Wilson has improved." Cameron answered.
"Did Foreman go home?" House asked.
"No, he volunteered for night duty. He was already here and he couldn't sleep." House just nodded his head. When the elevator door opened they stepped out into the lobby.
"See you two love birds tomorrow." House said with a wink and he walked out the door.
"Cameron? Are you going to be okay tonight? I can stay if you want me to." Chase asked hopefully.
"No, I'll be asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow."
"You sure? I can stay with you tonight. We still have to talk, remember?" Chase said.
"Yeah, I remember. Fine, you can stay if you want. But don't get your hopes up." Cameron said as they headed for the door.
"Hopes up about what?" Chase asked teasingly.
"Robert, shut up." Cameron said with a grin on her face.
They walked toward Cameron's car as House passed them on his bike. He slowed down like he was going to say something, but he only slowed down to see if Chase and Cameron were actually going in the same car. He saw they were. He thought of giving the 'thumbs up' signal, but decided against it. He'd have plenty of time to harass them later.
Later that night, House sat in his apt. staring at the papers he didn't want to do, as usual. He'd thought about calling Cuddy, but thought against it. The pain of knowing Stacy was leaving kept him from getting attached to Cuddy. 'But would that be so bad?' He thought to himself.
Chase and Cameron got in her apt. and they sat on the couch, trying to watch a movie. "Cameron, can we talk now?" Chase asked right in the middle of the movie.
"I guess."
"You know I like you, right? And I don't want you to abort the baby. No way! We'll get through it, I promise. I can take care of the both of you. But you've got to forget about House. He's told you more than once that he doesn't like you. What kind of relationship would you two have?"
"If he doesn't like me, then why did he give me a dirty look when you and I hugged? Why is harassing us about being 'together?' Why does he keep acting like he's jealous? I'm not a child. I can read the signs."
"Allison, he's too old for you! He's at leas…"
"Robert, cut it out. Age doesn't mean anything."
"What I'm trying to say is he's not GOOD enough for you! Can't you see that?"
"Oh. So, you are telling me what's good for me?" Cameron snapped.
"Yes, well, no. But you know what I mean. He doesn't know how to love anyone but himself."
"That's mean, Ro…"
"But it's the truth! You are too blind to see it. He'd treat you like crap!" He said.
"You don't know that." Chase sighed heavily. He didn't want to do this with her. Not now. Not now that she's pregnant. That's a whole different ballgame.
"Allison," He said as he stood up. "I do not nor WILL not let you abort that baby. Do you understand me?"
"Excuse me! Chase, I think you should leave." Cameron said as she stood up to go to the door.
"Allison, listen to me."
"Out, Robert. I will see you tomorrow." She said as she opened the door.
Chase reluctantly grabbed his coat and walked out the door. He'd stopped and looked into her eyes, trying to read something in them. There was nothing, nothing but hatred. When the door closed behind Chase, Cameron walked back to the couch and sat down. She was so tired, and it wasn't just because of the baby. There were too many things going on. She didn't know how to handle it all. She decided to go to bed early and get a good night sleep. Her tummy had been bothering her the past few hours but she attributed it to stress. She crawled under the sheets, thought about House, Chase, the baby. She was asleep in two minutes.
When she woke up the next morning, her stomach was really bothering her. She had trouble getting out of bed, and when she stood up to go to the bathroom, it felt like she'd pee'd. When she looked down, she saw blood on the inside of her thighs, and she looked at the bed; there was a huge puddle of blood in the spot where her hips were.
"No…no…no…" She cried out as she reached for the phone.
Dr. Wilson lay in his bed for the second day slowly getting his strength back. The Dr. told him he could get into a regular room the next day. He was recuperating very well, although it was hard for him to sit up with his broken ribs and missing spleen. But he was doing much better than he was before. The gang came to visit him when they could, and Julie finally left for the day. She was really starting to irritate him with all her questions. She never seemed to be this concerned before. They had been doing nothing but argue the past few months. He was glad when she left. But Sarah made his day go by so much quicker. She make him laugh, although it hurt, but it was good to smile. And to see her smile. He really didn't know why he never stayed with Sarah; oh, yeah, he was married, to Julie. He just loved it when Sarah would come to visit him after hours. He closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
Early the next morning, before the sun rose, Wilson was lying awake in his bed. He knew Sarah's hysterectomy was this morning, and he was worrying about her. He was sitting in the dark when he heard her voice.
"Hey, baby!" Sarah said as she bounced into his room.
"What are you doing here so early?"
"I wanted to sneek in here and see you before my surgery. I wanted your face to be the last one I saw, and your lips to be the last I'd kissed." She said as she leaned over the bedrail and kissed him on his lips.
"How are you feeling?" Sarah asked him as she rubbed his cheek.
"Good, now that you're here." Wilson said.
"James, there's something I want to show you." She said as she pulled something out from her left hand. It was a picture of a 5-year old boy, blonde hair and big smile.
"See, he has your eyes." Sarah said.
Wilson looked at her bewildered. "What? What are you saying? He's mine?"
"Yes, darlin'. He's yours. And he's as smart and funny as you are."
"Why didn't you tell me earlier, Sarah?"
"I couldn't. I tried, but then you got in that accident. I am so glad you are okay."
"What's his name?" Wilson asked.
"Charlie. Your middle name, Daddy." Sarah said, smiling.
Wilson was flabbergasted that he had a son. The last time he'd seen Sarah it was three years ago, but she never mentioned Charlie. With his first wife, Sharon, she had non-specific ovarian failure, and she never could get pregnant. His second wife, Ida...well, they were only married for three months, and luckily they didn't have children. Then, with Julie, they'd been married for four years, and they never talked about kids. But deep down, Wilson wanted a child, maybe two. And, now it seemed he has a son.
Wilson looked at his watch and it was 6:30. They were probably wheeling Sarah in right now for her surgery. 'But she'll be fine.' He told himself. 'After all, I want to see him.' The nurse walked in to get his vitals and get some blood work to check his liver and kidney functions. But overall, Wilson was going to be fine, too.
Cameron sat on the bed and cried. She couldn't go through another miscarriage, actually, losing another baby. She reached for the phone.
"Hello?" Came the male voice. All he could hear were sobs.
"Hello? Cameron, is that you? What's wrong?"
"Ch...ase...I...ost the bay...bee." Cameron cried.
"Allison, stay right there! I'll be over in 15 minutes!" Chase said as he hung up the phone.
Cameron really wanted to call House, but she couldn't. She didn't want to get him involved in this. She slowly walked to the bathroom to clean up, but the pain was too bad. She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her waist and between her legs. Then she sat on the edge of the bed until the door bell rang. She walked, bent over, to the door, unlocked it and Chase came in. He held her, and he could feel all the strength was out of her. He led her to the couch and sat her down gently.
"Allison, can you make it to the hospital?" Chase asked, concerned.
"No, I ca...an't. It hurts to stand."
"okay, okay. Let me call an ambulance, okay?" Chase said as he stood up to get the phone.
"No, no. It'll stop." She said.
"Allison, would you just be quiet and let me take care of you for a change?" Chase snapped. He reached for the phone and dialed 911.
House walked into the clinic at 8:45. His shift started at 8. But, as always, he didn't care he was late. He looked into Cuddy's office and the lights were still off. He glanced at the couch and grinned remembering the night before. He went up to his office and saw Chase sitting in the conference room, asleep with his head in his arms that were crossed. He dropped his things at his desk and went back to Chase.
"Chase! FIRE!" He said seriously.
"Huh...wa...oh, House. You jerk." Chase said before he realized he'd just called his boss a jerk.
"Another late night, stud?"
"House, leave it alone, will ya?"
"What's going on? Is it Wilson again?"
"No, no. He's fine. It's Cameron." Chase said as he stood up to get make some coffee.
"What is it? Is it the baby?" House asked.
Chase turned away from the coffee pot in a flash. "You knew?"
"Yeah, people just luv coming to me with their problems."
"She didn't even tell me until last night. House, she lost it. She called me this morning and she just came out from having a DNC. She's in room #236 if you want to see her." Chase said as he sat down at the table. House approached Chase and put his hand on Chase's shoulder.
"Chase, I'm sorry. Really." House said sincerely.
"Bet you are relieved, eh?" Chase snipped.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Nothing." Chase said as he stood up to fill his mug with coffee. House thought he deserved that, then a milisecond later, he didn't deserve it. House walked out of the room and headed to see Wilson first, before he went to see Cameron.
House walked into Wilson's room expecting to find him, but they had moved him to his regular room. He'd have to track down a nurse to see which room. House sighed. 'Well, I guess I should see Cameron.' He thought to himself. He walked down to the second floor to 236. He stood outside the door for a second before he walked in so he could get his thoughts together. 'She told me before she told Chase? What was that all about?' When House walked into her room, she was lying on her side facing the window. It had started to flurry.
"Cam?" House said. She didn't answer.
"Ca...Allison. I'm sorry about the baby. I saw Chase in the conf..."
She sniffed, then said, "I don't want to talk right now."
House shook his head and walked toward the bed. "Cameron, why can't you talk to me?"
"Because...I don't know. I like Chase, I really do. But I can't deny my feelings for you. And I know you have feelings for me. But you and Cuddy...yesterday. I saw the picture of you and her by that buggy. And you two looked really happy. I can't compete with her. You two have a past."
"Right, exactly. It's in the past. What happened yesterday, well, I don't think it's going to happen again. Bambi was busy and..."
"Shut up, House. That's not funny anymore. I hope you and Cuddy are happy together." She said, then covered herself up with the blanket to shut House out.
"Allison, I know you're hurting, I really do. Believe me, I do." House said as he limped to the side of the bed she was facing. "But you're just going to give up on me?" House asked. Cameron blinked her eyes, not realizing what she'd just heard. She pulled the blanket down from her face and looked at him.
"Yes, Allison. You're right. I do have feelings for you. But I'm just not ready. I told you how you reminded me of my father. It just...scares me. I don't want to hurt you, and you know I would. I don't want us to be like Stacy and I. I hired you for a reason."
"And what was the reason? To do a job that I'm good at, or play stupid, childish games and lead me on to get into my pants?" She retorted. Then she rolled over to face the other side of the bed. House had gotten angry, grabbed her left shoulder and pulled her toward him.
"What do you think?" House asked, as he bent over the rail and kissed Cameron on her lips.
She pulled away. "House, don't do this. Not now."
"Not now? What do you mean 'not now'?"
"I don't know, House, I don't know. Go away, okay?"
With that, House didn't know what to say. She had been throwing herself at him since forever, and now that he kissed her, she pushed him away? 'WOMEN!' House said to himself and walked out without saying goodbye. He walked back up to the floor Wilson was on and asked the nurse at the station what room he was moved to. He got the room number and headed down the hall to the stairs. He rarely, if at all took the stairs, but he needed a few minutes to gather his thoughts, again. 'This is too much! My brain hurts with all this thinking, damnit!' He thought to himself as he walked up a flight and sat at the last step of the next flight of stairs. 'I knew I should have kept Bambi's phone number.' He joked to himself. He grabbed his cane and walked up the few steps to Wilson's room.
"Hey, buddy!" House said cheerily as he walked into Wilson's room. The curtain to the other bed was drawn completely, and House's hello had woken the patient up from his snoring.
"How can you sleep with all that racket, Wilson?" House asked as he leaned against the wall.
"Oh, you know. It's the pain killers! They're great!" Wilson answered.
"I wasn't talking about Frosted Flakes, dude!" House joked. "So, what's the verdict?"
"I'll be out of here by next week, Wednesday, hopefully." Wilson said, as he reached for something and gave it to House.
"Who's this? OH! James! You had my baby! And he's walking already!" House laughed.
"House, shut up." Wilson said seriously. House had alot of people telling to shut up lately. He made a mental note to add one more.
"He's my son, House. With Sarah. She's in surgery right now."
"Oh, oh...OH! Really? You the man!" House said with a smirk.
"You know I've always wanted a kid. But with Sarah's cancer, and Julie. Sht! Julie! What am I thinking?" Wilson exclaimed.
"You're thinking about dumping your little nurse girlfriend, divorce Julie and marry Sarah."
"Uh, NO! God, this has been the worst Thanksgiving I have ever had." Wilson said.
"No. Remember that time you got food poisoning at your sister-in-law's house and you threw up for three da..."
"Goodbye, House." Wilson said with a little grin on his face.
"Later!" House said as he walked out the door.
'Okay, I've got one more person to see.' House said to himself as he headed for the elevator and pressed 'L' for the lobby. When he approached Cuddy's office he noticed her sitting behind her desk. Her hair was a mess and it didn't look like she wore makeup. 'Just the way I like her.' House thought to himself as he pushed open the door.
"Morning, boss!" House said. Cuddy jumped a little bit out of his chair.
"There are three cases for you out front. A runny nose, and hemoroid and a sticky belly button?"
"Oh, you are kidding me, right?" House whined.
"No, dead serious. Now get out there."
"But, but, boss! I wanted to talk about what happened yesterday."
"Nothing happened yesterday." Cuddy answered with a dry tone.
"Nothing? I'd say something happened, three times for you and twice for me!"
"House, OUT!" Cuddy said as she pointed to the door. He shuffled his feet and walked out the door.
House grabbed the file of the runny nose first because that was the easiest case. He walked into Exam room 2, where a little boy sat on the table and his father was sitting in a chair by the door.
"It's about time you got here, Doc! He hasn't stopped sneezing and I've had to stuff three kleenex up his nose!" The father said.
"Are you a single father?" House asked as he opened the file to review the notes.
"Yeah, how'd you know?"
To House, it was easy. The kid had a haircut like a bowl was put on his head and then Stevie Wonder cut the hair, the kid's clothes were dirty and the color of the father's clothes didn't even match.
"Just a lucky guess. What medications have you been giving him?" House asked.
"Tylenol, Robitussin, NyQuil, DayQuil, Suda..."
"okay, okay. Hold on a minute. You've given him all those?" House asked surprised.
"Yeah, and nothing has worked."
"Of course they didn't, Father of the Year! You've just doped up your son! That's why he has those wonderful green hazy looking eyes!"
The father look at him dumfounded. "Excuse me?"
"Why? Did you fart? okay, you are excused." House, but hesitated. "Here, get this filled at the Pharmacy. And give him ONLY this. It's called an antihistamine. And keep him away from cats, will ya?" House said as he handed the prescription to the father and walked out.
He went and got the file of the second patient, the stinky belly button. 'This ought to be good.' House thought to himself as he walked into Exam room 1. There was a woman of about 25 sitting on the exam table. She had long, blonde, straight hair, blue eyes, almost as blue as his. She 'filled out that paper gown rather nicely.' House thought to himself with a grin.
"I'm Dr. House. okay, take off your blouse." House said.
"But I'm already wearing the gown." She answered.
"Oh, oh. Yes, you are, aren't you? okay, lay back." She did as she was told.
House reached for a Q-tip, with a handle about 12 inches long. "Now, take a deep breath and hold it." House said.
"What? For my belly button?"
"No, so you can blow up a balloon for me!" He said sarcastically. "okay, fine, don't."
House dipped the cotton tip into her belly button then brought it to his nose. He made a disgusted face and threw it in the trash.
"Do you ever clean your belly button?" He asked.
"Of course I do."
"Then why does it smell like a cess pool in the middle of summer?"
"What are you talking about?" She asked.
"okay. Listen to me very carefully. When you get home, get a Q-tip, dip it in alcohol, clean it out, then put powder in it. Everytime you take a shower, sprinkle a little bit of powder in it."
"Are you serious? I thought I had a hole in my belly button, it smelled so bad."
House rolled his eyes.
"Have a nice day." House said as he walked out the door.
'One more! Yippeee!' House thought to himself as he grabbed the next file and went to exam room 1.
"Dr. House! I'm not done changing, yet!" She screamed when he opened the door where the previous patient was.
"It's okay, just pretend I'm not here." House said as he sat down and pulled out his GameBoy.
"You played Purple Onion?" House asked her as she button her blouse. She stared at him blankly.
"I can't get past the Haunted Vegetable Garden with the Purple Carrot Monsters." House said, pressing button after button with overexaggerated facial expressions.
She grabbed her purse and hurried to the door.
"Hey! Close the door behind you, will ya?" House called after her. She did so.
Thirty minutes later, with House still sitting in the exam room playing his game, his pager went off. He groaned, turned it off, popped two Vicodin and went up to his office. Chase was seated at the conference table, bored, as usual.
"Where's Dar'Tanyon?" House asked as he filled his coffee mug.
"He's sleeping in this morning." Chase answered. "He had the late shift last night."
"Oh, that's right." House said. "How's Cameron?"
"She's fine. She's being released this afternoon."
"Good, good. Glad to hear it. You gonna be with her tonight?" House asked as he sat down in the chair.
"I really don't believe you, House! How could you even be going there wh..."
"Oh, Chase. You get excited too easily...oops, or is that what Cameron told you?"
"House, stop being an a$$." He snapped and walked out of the room.
'Good, one more to my list. I LOVE it!' House thought to himself as he sipped his coffee.
Chase walked upstairs to Cameron's room. She was just changing into her sweat pants and sweater.
"Got everything together, Allison?" Chase asked her as he stood by her and kissed her cheek.
"Yeah, just about. Robert, thanks for this morning. I mean, coming over so quickly and all."
"Stop. You don't have to thank me. I'm glad I was there for you. Glad you let me be there for you." Cameron stopped tieing her sneakers and looked up at him.
"Chase, I don't need you to babysit me. I'm a big girl."
"Oh, come on! You know what I meant! You don't have to be a marytr, Allison. Why won't you let me in?" Cameron sighed and sat back on the bed.
"Chase, it took me years to get over the loss of my first baby. She died at three months of a heart murmur. She shouldn't have died! I just can't do this again."
Chase empathized with her and walked toward her. "You don't have to do this alone. I'm here for you. I've always been here for you."
She turned and looked into his eyes. She had to fight back the tears, and what she felt the best she could. "Robert, I'm sor..."
"Hey, don't apologize." He said as he put his arm around her. "We'll get through this together, okay?"
She pressed her head against his chest and sobbed. And sobbed. And he held her, tight. And tears began to form in Chase's eyes, too.
"I'll stay with you tonight, Allison. It'll be alright."
"How can you even th..." Chase shut Cameron up when he placed a long, passionate kiss on her lips. Her tears faded and her heart opened. For him. For Chase. And only Chase.
Dr. Cuddy sat at her desk going through paperwork that had piled up over the past few days. But she didn't mind. She wanted to speak to Cameron before they released her from the hospital. Foreman was to arrive shortly, and Rog, the new intern, could assist him. Everyone has been through a lot the past few days, including Cuddy. She surprised herself at how easily she gave in to him. She still hadn't figured out why, even after hours of tossing and turning in bed last night. She'd thought about calling him, just for the heck of it. But she decided against it. She didn't know what to say anyway.
She looked at her clock; it read 12:51. House hadn't bugged her since this morning, and it was nice. He had nine more minutes to his shift. But, still, it worried her. The more House stayed away from Cuddy, the more she worried. She had every reason in the world to worry. Cuddy sighed, reached for her coffee mug for a sip, and glanced out the window at the reception desk. House was sitting in one of the chairs, pretending to fill out papers. She knew that couldn't be right. Something told her something was going on. She stood up and walked out into the lobby.
"Dr. House? What are you doing out here?" She asked him.
"I'm anxiously awaiting my next patient, Dr. Cuddy. Aren't you proud of me?" He said as he closed the file he was working on. 'She doesn't know I didn't fill anything out.' House thought to himself.
"House, you stuck me with that hemorrhoid patient this morning. You owe me another hour." She snipped.
"A whole hour? Geez, can't you just send me to the principal's office?"
"No. He told me to take care of you myself." She replied, playing right into his hands.
"Oh, he did?" He said with a wicked grin. "Should we take his advice, say, tonight?"
"House, it's been a long week. And I'm planning on doing nothing all weekend. Can we just let it go?"
"Let it go? Where have I heard that one before?" He hesitated.
"Oh, yeah. Stacy. Well, I've taken her advice, but now I can't seem to get you out of my head. Well, you and Anjelina…" His thoughts drift off as he stares into space with a grin on his face.
"HOUSE! Stop it. Now, take this pat…" House said as he stood up. He went to the waiting room, which was packed full of patients. Cuddy hid her face in her hand because she knew what was coming.
"Happy Thanksgiving! I see lots of you were eating a bit too much yesterday. Might I suggest each of you take some Peptobismal and let nature take its course. Trust me, I know exactly how you are feeling. I had the best meal I've ever had yesterday! Let me tell you! I had turkey and mashed potatoes and corn…well, not corn, oh, that's a long story. Anyway, I'm all bloated and have gas myself, so, who wants me?" The patients all look at each other. About half the room raised their hand.
"okay, let me put…oops, excuse me. Seems I tooted a little. okay, those that raised your hands, who wants me now?"
No one raised their hand. House grinned in satisfaction because it actually worked. He turned around and looked for Cuddy, but she had gone into her office and the door was still in the process of closing.
'House 1, Cuddy 0.' House smirked, then headed to his office for his duffle bag and stuff to take home for the weekend.