Chapter 6: Wake up, Sleepyhead
Kate is standing in the hallway of the ICU, watching Wilson yap at House. House's doctors and nurses claim that he is showing signs of waking up very soon. Wilson gestures while he talks to House.
Kate sips her coffee as she watches Wilson. She starts thinking about House. I want him to wake up, but I am scared of what will happen when he does. What am I supposed to say to him? Hi asshole? Did you ask for me so you could apologize? Is this your idea of funny? Ugh! Why did I come here? Kate begins to nervously twist a strand of hair while she stands outside of House's room. I know I don't still love him. But I don't hate him very much either. I guess time has healed that wound. I wonder how much of jerk he really is now? Lisa said he still makes lots of questionable remarks about her cleavage. Jeez, you would think she would have slapped him with some sort of discipline. I am amazed he hasn't been sued for sexual harassment. Heh. I guess all those malpractice suits make up for that.
Wilson walks out of House's room. He says "I am going down to my office to catch up on patient files. If you need anything, page me or call me. I will come back up when I am getting ready to head back home."
"Will do." Wilson gives her shoulder a reassuring squeeze before he hurries down to his office. Kate goes into House's room and sits in the chair next to his bed. She sets her purse on the floor next to her seat and stares at House.
House is doing well enough that he has been taken off the ventilator. He has an IV running to his hand and is hooked up to a monitor that is tracking his vitals. Kate glances at the monitor and notes that his vitals have improved since she visited earlier that morning. She pulls a medical journal out of her bag and starts to read.
Kate reads for close to an hour, when she hears a rustling sound coming from the hospital bed. She looks up from her journal and sees that House's hand is twitching on the blanket. She stands up and places the journal on her chair. She goes to the bedside and says "Greg, wake up."
House groans. The monitor shows that his vitals are increasing to normal values. A nurse comes into the room. "Is he waking up?"
"It appears so." Kate grabs a cup of water from the small bedside table to the left of the bed. It has a small sponge swab in it. Kate gently moistens House's cracked lips. She sets the cup down and turns back to the bed. She firmly says "Ok Greg, enough of this pussy-footing around. Wake up."
House's eyes flutter open. It takes him a moment to focus his eyes. His head is facing the nurse on his right side. He sees the nurse first and makes a face. He croaks in a hoarse voice to the nurse "You sound just like my ex-wife."
The nurse smiles at him. Kate says "No, she doesn't. I sound like your ex-wife."
House turns and sees Kate. He smirks at her. Kate rolls her eyes at him. His smirk turns into a grin. He says "You came. Does that mean they gave me ketamine?"
Kate nods. "They did."
House says "Good job, Cameron." House licks his lips and asks "Can I have some water; I am thirsty."
Kate pours a fresh cup of water. The nurse elevates the back of the bed to a sitting position. Once the bed is done moving, Kate holds the cup to House's lips and he sips from it. Once he has had enough, he turns his head away. Kate sets the cup on the table. The nurse excuses herself to go page House's doctor.
Kate studies House's face. He has bags under his eyes and has much more stubble than he normally would. His blue eyes seem a bit dull. His hair is sticking up in about thirty different directions. He seems slightly dazed. He startles Kate by asking "So, why did you come?"
Kate stares at him. "I really don't know why. There was no logical reason for me to come. My best guess is that I was either really bored or I am a glutton for punishment. Although, if I didn't use up some of my vacation time, I was going to lose the time. Why did you ask for me to come?"
Greg says "I want you take care of me while I recuperate. And I want you to cover for me at work for me while I am out."
Kate laughs. "I didn't realize you had brain damage from being shot."
Greg says in a serious tone "I will pay you to do it."
"I don't need your money."
Greg raises an eyebrow. "Then why do you keep cashing my alimony checks?"
Kate struggles to keep her tone calm. "Because I can. It really is none of your business."
"What, do you buy shoes with it?"
Kate shrugs. "Sure, if I am in the mood for shoes. Don't worry, Greggy-poo, at the end of this year, you don't have to pay me anymore alimony. It will have been ten years and that was all the judge ordered."
"Trust me; I'm more than well aware of it. Now back to the subject at hand. I want you to stay and help me out while I recuperate. I want you to run my department. Take a leave of absence from your job. You can have my salary for the time you work, plus I'll pay you too."
"You've lost your mind."
House's eyes narrow. "I think you are scared to do it."
Kate realizes she is falling into his trap, yet she can't seem to stop herself. "I AM NOT! I just don't want to put up with your snark and unpleasantness while you recuperate. Why don't you get your ex-girlfriend to do it? Or Wilson?"
House shakes his head. "Stacy wouldn't do it for a million dollars and world peace. And I like Wilson, but he'd smother me with his girlish concern. Honestly, you're the best choice. You already hate me, so it's not like I can piss you off anymore. Plus you're mean, and you won't let me sit and wallow in self-pity. And even if you won't admit it, you're still intrigued by me."
Kate vehemently shakes her head. "I am not intrigued by you."
"You are, otherwise you wouldn't be here right now. You would have told Cuddy where to go shove it when she asked you to come, even though you two are best friends forever." House bats his eyelashes at Kate.
Kate grabs the medical journal and jams it in her bag. She picks up her bag and coffee cup and says "You're an ass. You were an ass when I was married to you. You'll always be an ass. But, I am a dumbass for thinking two bullets might convince you to not be an ass. I'm glad you aren't dead. I expect my next alimony check on time and being shot is not an excuse for being late." Kate heads for the doorway.
"Kat." House's voice stops her. She slightly softens at his use of his pet name for her. "Please, will you stay and help me out? You are the only one I trust to not make any stupid decisions."
Kate is silent for a moment and then says "I'll think about it." She hurries away.
House smiles at her and thinks Round 1 goes to Greg House.
