CHAPTER 6: DECISIONS
"Darrien is doing much better now, we've found out what she had. It was amoebic parasitoma", Wilson informed the Dean of Medicine. "And why are you the one to inform me?", Cuddy asked. "I had to help them in Diagnostics, since House still hasn't appeared or answered any calls", he answered. "Your place here is in the Oncology department", she replied, looking at her paperwork. "Someone had to help them, it's a human being we are talking about, someone had to help them save her!", the oncologist objected. "The one responsible for the Diagnostics department should be that one. But, he's not here, and you are not saying a word about this", she shot back. "We still don't know where he is. I've already told you my suspicions", he responded, getting defensive. "Call him again. When he answers, because he's eventually going to answer, tell him that, unless he's back in his place within 48 hours, he's getting fired", Cuddy delivered her ultimatum. "I thought we agreed not to add fuel to the fire", Wilson said in protest. "You first break up with him, then act pretending he wasn't affected by the breakup, and now you threaten to fire him. That's the definition of adding fuel to the fire", he added. "If someone adds fuel to the fire, it's your friend, not me", the Dean of Medicine shouted. "All those years he's here, he plays games, pulls pranks, defies every rule and expects us to pay up for the damages he's caused", she continued, rising from her chair and pacing over the room. "And in return, he makes the hospital famous, he cures a lot of patients, the mention of his name is enough to attract all those donors", Wilson answered, feeling it his obligation to defend his friend. "So he's the angel and I'm the demon, right?", she retorted, in much agitation. "Of course not, Lisa, I'm just trying to make you see things from his own perspective", the oncologist clarified. "He was attracted to you for years and, shortly after finally entering a relationship with you , you dump him. You'd expect him not to be hurt?", he further pressed his point. "And you think it was easy for me to break up with him? But it's the right thing. Besides, if he was so hurt and so unable to live without me, he wouldn't get married to that... woman", she practically spat the last word out. "That was childish of him, I know, but...", he would say something, but she cut him off abruptly, "But what? I'm bad now for insisting he does his job? Regardless of what happened between us, I'm still his superior, he's still my employee. And that's my final word. If he doesn't show up in the next two days, he's fired. Let's see what kind of honeymoon he is going to have if I fire him". "You're not speaking like an employer now, Lisa", Wilson said, trying to calm her down. "If you were speaking as an employer, you wouldn't mention his... wife", he clarified, himself also having trouble with referring to Dominika as House's wife. "Don't even mention that woman. And go do your job", she insisted. "You're the Dean of Medicine. Your own job is to do the best for the hospital. House, for all his shortcomings, is a boon for the hospital, for his sheer damn medical genius", the oncologist defended his friend. "No one is indispensable. Your successful handling of the case proved that", Cuddy replied. "All I ask is that you reconsider. If it turns out he's sick? What's your stance then?", he still tried to press his point. "I'm not hearing anything more about House", she thundered, adding "If he doesn't show up, he's fired. Accept it". "And what if I resign?", Wilson tried his hand at a quasi-blackmail. "Then someone else will take your department over. This time, there is no turning back. My decision is not to be compromised or bargained away. Be sure to tell him that, as well", was her response. "I won't speak as a doctor or an employee or as House's friend, but as your friend, Lisa. You should really have a talk with him. Maybe you both will be able to move on", he made his effort. "He showed how seriously he takes everything when he got married", she retorted. "I've much to do now, I'm not going to discuss it anymore", Cuddy almost barked, once more saying, "Two days, that's his last chance". Wilson sighed and turned to leave, stopping briefly at the door, his last words in the conversation being, "At least, consider what I advised when you calm down".
Back in his own office, the oncologist once more attempted to call his friend. This time, House at last replied! Wilson was taken aback by his seemingly nonchalant and calm attitude, as he was by House's refusal to explain where he was. When the call ended, he was very frustrated. He exhaled audibly, not knowing what to say, how to act. He headed, once more, for Cuddy's office. Being late, the Dean of Medicine was preparing to leave in a short while.
"I have news from House", Wilson informed her. "Did you tell him what I said? Him being fired and all", she enquired. "Told him that. Also told him you are furious with his disappearance. He said he's returning here after two days", the oncologist responded. "Where is he?", she asked, adding, "You surely asked him that question and he told you. Answer, where is House?". "Look, I... I don't know where he is. All I know is that he isn't in his home and that he is being taken care of by... Two women. He said one of them is a redhead and the other has something to do with Ukraine", he replied. "And you were trying to convince me he's sick, in a hospital or anything. He's gone on another spree of drinking, calling on women, and so on", Cuddy said, exasperated. "He has a long history of...", Wilson began to say, but was cut off by the irate Dean of Medicine, "I've had enough! Enough of his irrational behaviour, enough of his pranks, enough of his harassment of me! He said he's returning after two days? When he returns, I'm telling him he's fired! And don't try to change my mind, you won't succeed!". "I implore you to think about it with a clearer mind", Wilson made his last-ditch effort. "Give him more clinic hours, restrict his privileges...", but she interrupted him again, "As if this has ever been successful. He always finds a way to get what he wants. No more! Let's see whether he'll be able to get another job everywhere in the country". "And what about the Diagnostics department? Who's leading if House gets fired?", he asked, hoping to steer the conversation in such a way he would be able to highlight his friend's extraordinary brilliance. "Foreman is able enough to lead the team. As I said before, House isn't indispensable. And I will advice you not to resign as a way of supporting your friend. I'm not giving you any letter of recommendation and I doubt any other hospital would have such a young doctor leading their Oncology department", she shot back, leaving Wilson speechless.
He got back to his office, gathering his own things, wanting to bang his head against the wall. He thought of calling House again, but was at a loss for what to say. He couldn't sit back and let his friend be fired. Yet, knowing House, he couldn't even think of a scenario where his friend apologized or made any concessions. He knew that threats of being fired hadn't dismayed him in the past, so he doubted they would have any effect on him now. Perhaps the best course of action would be to have another conversation with Cuddy tomorrow, trying to persuade her not to insist on firing House. As he exited the hospital through the main gate, he still was perplexed and confused. His main wish was now to successfully plead on behalf of his friend and he was trying to find a way to accomplish his goal. He'd made his decision, and he would stand by it.