CHAPTER 4: QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
On the very moment sleep was beginning to overcome her, his voice transported her back into reality. "Dominika?", House had said, prompting her to look at him straight in the eyes. "Welcome back", she said softly. "How are you?", she asked, concern and caring evident in her voice. "You still here?", he asked instead of answering. "How are you?", she asked him for a second time. "Alive", he muttered, further stating, "Better you than most of the others. You speak English, but not judgmental. You don't wear a nurse uniform, but you are hot. Half my fantasy fulfilled". Trying to ignore his comments, she asked, "How did this happen?". But he, once more, avoided to answer. "Gotta go to the bathroom", he said, trying to get up. Dominika bolted upright and helped him rise. "Here you go", she said, after getting him on his feet. "I'm a big boy, you know", he replied in his jesting tone. "Big boy with bad leg", she retorted. "And I'm still waiting for you to tell me how this happened", she added, pointing towards his mangled leg. "Story time is when I get back", he promised, as she escorted him to the bathroom.
Once House was in the bathroom, Dominika looked around for a nurse. Approaching one of them, she said that House had wakened up. "I will inform his physician", the nurse replied, adding that she would soon bring something for her husband to eat. Minutes later, House was out of the bathroom and she supported him again all the way to his bed. "And now, explain what happened", she requested. "You have much free time, no mention of your work, you're dressed in plain clothes, with no finery... Weird. And more weird how your boyfriend hasn't yet popped in our conversation", he responded instead. "What are you talking about?", she blurted out. "Y'know, your boyfriend. The one you dumped me for when you skipped town", he clarified. "Everybody lies, House", she shot back. "That's my motto, don't add plagiarism to the list of transgressions a judge may find", was his reply. "There never was any boyfriend, House", she confessed. "I lied about a fictitious one, finding an excuse to leave, because...", she kept on with her confession, but he cut her short, "Because you couldn't bear living with the pill-popping psychopath cripple you depend on for your green card", he practically spat the words out. "Wrong diagnosis, Doctor", she said. "I left because you... You left me on that couch on our wedding night, saying you don't sleep with married women", she continued explaining. "Didn't know the couch was so uncomfortable", he said with a sigh. "Not this. I told you I really like you and...", her voice trailed off. "You like me? That's the joke of the century", he remarked in a sarcastic tone. "Only it's not joke", she said in a higher voice than intended.
Before anyone of them could say anything more, the door knocked and the nurse Dominika had spoken to earlier appeared, carrying a tray with some food. "Thank you, you can leave it here", said Dominika. "I'll make sure he eats", she added. The nurse replied, "Your physician is coming to examine you in a couple of hours", and left the room. "I'm not in the mood for eating", House grumbled. "But you will", Dominika declared, taking hold of the bowl and the spoon. "Open your mouth", she requested. "You're not my mommy", he answered, looking away from her. "I'm your wife", she replied, adding "And you're gonna eat this, like it or not". He didn't say anything, allowing her to feed him his food. He merely grumbled about the taste, but soon focused on the ceiling, avoiding her gaze. "You still haven't told me what happened to your leg", she mused. "Fine. It's not a fairy tale, mind you. My leg hurt. I'd heard about an experimental compound for muscle growth. The lab rats seemed to respond so well to the treatment. I... I stole some of the compound and tested it on myself. Got some ugly tumors, which I tried to remove by myself. The rest, you know. I called everybody, no one answered. Only you picked the damn phone and responded to my call. You were my last alternative, just after Cuddy", he answered her question, falling silent again, still not looking her at the eyes.
"It must have hurt you a lot", she remarked. "Life is pain", he observed, his voice monotonous. "Not necessarily", she objected, extending her arm and brushing at his cheek with her fingertips. His first instinct was to push her away, but he merely stood as he was, still, and closed his eyes, breathing deeply. Feeling herself grow bolder, Dominika hunched over him and wrapped her arms around his neck. "What are you doing?", he muttered, looking confused, as she pushed the tray aside and leaned forward, her lips meeting his. House was not tardy in responding to her movements, kissing her back with a fervour. For a moment, he lost himself in that osculation, until he had to pull back, gasping for air. Mere seconds later, while he was still struggling to recover his breath, she repeated her motions, leaning again towards him, about to plant her second kiss. "Stop, stop", he said, trying his best not to allow his voice to sound broken. "Why?", she asked, frustrated. "It's gonna end up in someone getting hurt", he answered. "I'm the most screwed up guy in the world. 50-year-old, a cripple, antisocial... I'm not for you. Hot, smart and good young girls are for handsome, strong and good boys", he further said, looking downwards. "No matter... I want... To be... With you", she answered, showering him in light kisses, this time meeting no resistance. House was rendered speechless for a moment. "Me too", he whispered, taking the initiative. He grabbed the back of her head and pulled her in, kissing her with a fierce passion.
"Where are you staying here, in Atlantic City?", he asked, immediately after pulling back. "What?", she said, confused. "Answers first, questions next", he quipped. "In apartment close to casino strip. Low rent, bedroom, bathroom and living room", she replied. "Address and owner's phone number", he requested. "Write them down", he clarified, and she obeyed. "What are you doing?", she asked, still confused. "You ain't giving any more massages or baking pastries for a living", he declared. "You're returning home, Mrs. House", he added.
She couldn't believe it! No, it couldn't be, it just couldn't be, it had to be a dream, a happy, blissful dream. His words were still echoing in her ears, but she were unable to grasp their meaning, as if her brain had gone into a short-circuit. "Cat got your tongue?", he said, his tone almost playful. "S-say it one more time", she pleaded. "You're returning home, Mrs. House", he obliged her. Her head was spinning, he'd said those words for real! "Pinch me, I have to be dreaming", she said, her heart fluttering, beating loudly. "Here you go", he replied, pinching her arm, making her wince. "Ow!", she exclaimed, adding "It's not funny", yet a brief chuckle escaped her lips. "Need any more proofs you ain't dreaming?", House quipped, his deep-set blue eyes glittering, something resembling a smile etched on his face. "No, thanks, my arm still hurts", she answered. "And now, on to the details", he said. "You give me my phone and I call your landlord. You're moving out of your quarters today. Check in at a hotel, you're staying in a proper place until I'm out of here. When I'm free to go, we go back at Princeton, unless you're after another imaginary boyfriend", he concluded. "I... I don't know what...", her voice trailed off. "You better say nothing, just do as I said. Phone, please", he instructed. He turned his phone on and it buzzed repeatedly, due to the sheer amount of missed calls. "That's a lot of calls. Hmmm, most are from Wilson", he observed, then turned to Dominika again, "When my doctor comes to examine me, you go there and pack your things", he further instructed, to which she nodded. Just as he was about to call her landlord, she asked, "You're not calling your coworkers?". "Gotta play it with them a little", he answered, touching the tip of her nose with his finger. Dominika sighed, still having trouble taking in the course of recent events