Chapter 25
Fifteen minutes later, Chase, Foreman, and Cameron were waiting for House in Cameron's hotel room. House had gone back to his own room to call Wilson and pick up some extra Vicodin. He had insisted that Izzie go back to the hospital. House knew she was intelligent, but emotions were not needed during the differential. Cameron had enough emotions to go around.
"So how are we going to get them to let us diagnose George?" Chase asked.
Foreman popped a mint into his mouth that the maids had left, mumbling, "Like we always do. With exploitation and extortion."
Cameron chuckled. "House will get it done. He always does."
Chase and Foreman smugly crossed their arms over their chests. "Speaking of always getting the job done," Chase insinuated, "has House…?"
Cameron blushed. But then she decided that Chase might as well be blushing too. "Do you really want to compare notes, Chase?" Cameron said snidely, referring to their drug-induced one night stand. "Trust me, you're abilities belong in Cliff Notes compared to House."
Chase glanced away in embarrassment as Foreman snickered. Foreman stood in front of her. "Come on, Cameron. What's going on with House?" he asked sincerely.
Sighing, she looked down at her hands. "I don't know," she answered.
"Well, that's not good, people," House declared, stepping into the room. "Knowing something is usually the first step to saving a patient's life."
Wilson followed him in, asking, "Why are we doing this here instead of at the hospital?"
House rolled his eyes. "If we don't have a diagnosis before we get to the hospital, Marty and McDreamy will have a Mcfit." He held out his hand to Cameron. She stared at it like he was holding a snake until his request became clear. Cameron went into the bathroom. When she got back, she tossed him her lipstick. House went over to the mirror and began writing. "Okay, what do we know?" he asked.
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Cristina sat on an empty cot outside of George's room, her feet tucked underneath her. Burke was standing next to her, pacing. "Are you all right," he asked huskily.
His voice was so deep and comforting. It roused her like nothing else ever had. Uncharacteristic emotions filled her eyes when she said quietly, "It's George."
Burke looked down at her with love. He squeezed her hand, replying, "I know." Burke searched her face. She looked exhausted. But he needed an answer. "Cristina, you can't hold me off forever."
Cristina eyed him wearily. Burke often gave her an ultimatum. She knew a proposal would be no different. Her reply was straight, as it always was when she finally decided to give him an answer. "My mother doesn't have to be there, does she?"
It was Cristina's way of saying yes and Burke knew it. His smile was slow as his eyes glowed with happiness. If Burke didn't know any better, he thought she looked even a bit gleeful. He bent down and kissed her. Cristina's hands came up to cup the back of his head as she leaned in for the kiss.
Derrick and Hamilton strode up to them, pulling the newly betrothed couple apart. "We have a situation," Hamilton said mysteriously.
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"He has doctors, House," Derrick said. "It wouldn't help George at all to switch now."
House let out a deep breath in frustration. They were all gathered in Marty Hamilton's office. "We have a diagnosis. We just want to see if it works," he retorted.
Hamilton interfered. "Greg, with all due respect," he said patronizingly, "we're doing everything that we can. You can share your ideas, but this is my department. This is my hospital. And George O'Malley is my patient."
House's eyes glowed with a flint of anger. "With no due respect, Marty," he sneered, "you're going to let George die. Give us two days. If he doesn't get any better, then you can shoo us away."
Izzie jumped out of her seat. She had been sitting quietly, but fear was bursting from her body. Once again, she confronted Burke. "Please let them treat George. I know I'm still under probation. If I end up being wrong, fire me."
Burke tilted his body in worry. He realized that it was Hamilton's final call, but he bet that Hamilton would not challenge him. "Okay, you have two days, but I get informed of every move."
"We get informed," Hamilton corrected. Everyone barely acknowledged the man.
Izzie closed her eyes in relief. "Thank you, sir."
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Derrick saw Meredith heading towards the bathroom and ran for her. Grabbing her arm, he asked, "Hey, can we talk?"
Her eyes dragged over to him. "How's George?"
Derrick scratched his five o'clock shadow. "House has already started new medication, but George's condition hasn't changed yet." Meredith wiped her hand over her forehead. "That's not why I stopped you," he added.
"Then what is it, Derrick?" Meredith asked tiredly. She did not want to look at him right now. When she glanced up at his face, she kept seeing George's unconscious body lying beside that pool.
"You should know why I acted like I did this past week," Derrick announced. His hand was still on her arm.
Meredith grimaced, shrugging off his touch. Pointing down the hall, she cried, "George is dying in that room, and you're taking the time to explain to me why you're a jackass?" His face dropped in shock, so she continued, "If you were lying there and George was supposed to save your life, he would not stop until he knew that you were safe. George O'Malley is the kind of man that fights until there's nothing left and then he gives just a little bit more."
"What the hell are you saying?" Derrick asked, nerves cringing with worry. He had never heard her speak about O'Malley like this before.
Meredith's eyes trained on him with conviction. "I'm saying that I think I wasted my time with you," she declared brazenly.
"Meredith?" Derrick felt his heart sinking.
Meredith Grey raised her hand between them to silence him. Then she walked into the bathroom.
TBC
