Author: Milady Dragon
Disclaimer: same as before
Author's note: Yep, John can be a bit of a manipulative jerk…Heehee…that's why I love him so much! Thanks again to all of you out there. You really keep me motivated!
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Chapter Twenty
It would prove to be fairly difficult to arrange to get John out of the hospital and back to the Lab, but not in the way Cameron would have expected.
After seeing John and telling him of their plan to move him, Cameron went straight to Cuddy's office. She made mental contact with Elena on the way.
"Heard anything yet?"
"I was just about to contact you," the other woman responded. "I detailed John's injuries to one of the healers on the Trig, and his opinion was that it might still be too risky to transport him all the way there."
Cameron had been fairly certain that would be the answer. "We still need to get him out of here. I never thought I'd say this, but…I don't trust anyone here anymore."
"Not even Dr. House?"
She was silent on that subject.
Yet, that silence appeared to be all the answer Elena needed. "We can bring John to the Lab," she went on, "and someone can be sent from the Trig to evaluate him. Then we can decide what to do."
"Agreed." At least Elena hadn't decided to push her question. "What about transportation?"
"Paul is seeing to that. We thought maybe if we could just get John just far enough away to jaunt without anyone from the hospital seeing." She chuckled. "Paul says he's always wanted to drive an ambulance…"
"Oh, God, we could be in serious trouble…" Cameron had to admit the image was a funny one. "Of course, they know Paul here at the hospital. Have you thought of that?"
"Yes. In fact, Tim contacted Elizabeth on the Trig. She'll be coming along to help."
Cameron grinned. It had been ages since she'd last seen the senior Tomorrow Person, and it would be nice to see her again. "I'll bet she wasn't happy about John's being hurt."
"She was more angry in that we didn't call her immediately. She and John were always…close."
There was something in Elena's mental tone that puzzled Cameron, but she didn't press it. "I'm on my way now to get the paperwork rolling. I'll let you know when we're ready to leave."
"We'll be waiting."
The door was open, so Cameron knocked on the jamb to get the dean's attention. Cuddy was at her desk; she looked up at the sound. "Dr. Cameron. Please come in." She removed her glasses and motioned to the nearest chair.
Cameron took it. "I'm here about the paperwork to have John released."
Cuddy sighed. "I figured as much."
"We were perfectly willing to keep him here," Cameron went on. She was a little disgusted by how defensive she sounded. "But it's come to my attention that Foreman isn't going to let your decision about House resuming care on John rest. He's been talking about the situation to anyone who'll listen. In fact, I'm surprised the hospital board hasn't said anything about it yet."
"They have." Cuddy handed her a folder. "They've called a meeting. They want an explanation as to why I haven't removed House from the case."
Cameron took the folder. She flipped it open, immediately recognizing the paperwork she'd need. "What are planning on telling them?"
"The truth. That, as Mr. Valentine's medical proxies, you and his cousins have decided to remove him from this hospital due to Dr. Foreman's disruptive influence. Of course, having House there to explain your friend's condition would be nice, but since he's not deigning to answer his pager or his cell…I'll just have to go in there and do what I do best: defend House."
"Look, I just want you to know it's nothing personal…"
"I know, Allison. Believe me. You're only doing what you think is best, and in the process you're backing House's decisions. I can understand that. We both know what kind of man Gregory House is, and for you to be loyal to him…well, it's admirable."
"Just because I agree with what he's doing in this situation doesn't mean that will always be the case."
"I know that, too. You're too good a doctor to let personal feelings get in the way of your conscience. And I also know that, in this case, you have a lot more to lose than just your reputation by backing House. Which is why I intend to go into that meeting and tell them that I trust House to be making the right choices…because you wouldn't let it be otherwise."
Cameron felt herself flushing under the unexpected praise. "Thank you, Dr. Cuddy."
"You're welcome. Now, having said all that, can I at least ask you to reconsider taking Mr. Valentine out of the hospital until after the meeting?"
Cameron wavered. It would be easier to wait, to see what the board decided, than to risk John's health. It might not even be necessary…
But then there's House.
She just didn't think she could face him, not yet. After his reaction…to think they were weak, that they weren't good for anything…perhaps it would be for the best to get away for a bit. Let things calm down. Give House a chance to wrap his mind around just what she was, and what it meant to be a Tomorrow Person.
"We're still moving him," she answered. "I'm sorry, Dr. Cuddy, but it's for the best."
"I do understand," the older woman said. "If you'll just sign the papers, we'll get things started. Do you have any idea where House is? We'll need his signature as well."
"I haven't seen him since before the shunt removal." Which Cameron did think was odd, but then House himself was odd.
"Well, he's probably just hiding somewhere. I'm sure when it's time to eat, he'll come crawling out of whatever hole he's found."
"True." There was a niggling doubt that something might be wrong, but Cameron dismissed it. House was always pulling this shit. It didn't mean anything.
Cuddy handed her a pen, and Cameron signed everywhere indicated. She then handed the folder back to the dean, who in turn signed her own portions of the paperwork. "That should do it. I take it you're making all the arrangements?"
"Yes. That's where Paul and Elena are now. If it's not too much trouble, I do have some vacation time due – "
"That shouldn't be a problem. You're not working on a case right now, and House is determined to shirk his duties…"
"A couple of days should be fine, just to see John settled…"
"Why not take a week? Will that be enough?"
Cameron was grateful, and said so.
Cuddy waved her thanks aside. "I think we'll all be glad to get this behind us."
"You're right." Cameron turned to leave.
"Oh, Dr. Cameron?"
She looked back. "Yes?"
"If you do see House, can you do something for me?"
"Certainly."
"Will you kick him in the ass for me?"
She laughed. "I might enjoy that myself."
"I thought you might. Please tell your friends I wish them all the best."
"I will. And Dr. Cuddy?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you."
Cuddy quirked an eyebrow at her. "You're welcome, although I'm not sure I understand why you feel the need to thank me for anything."
Cameron smiled. "Thank you for understanding."
Cuddy returned the smile, then went back to her work.
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"Dr. Wilson?"
Wilson turned, smiling when he saw it was Cameron calling to him. "What can I do for you, Cameron?"
"I'm looking for House. Have you seen him?"
After leaving Cuddy's office, Cameron had tried everywhere she could think of, in her quest to find House. She wanted to get those AMA papers signed, and get John out of there. Even though it meant she had to find the one person she really didn't want to see at the moment.
It bothered her, House's attitude toward her. She didn't want to admit how much it had hurt for him to dismiss her so utterly, although she was quite certain her fellow Tomorrow People knew it very well. It had been too easy, getting used to not being alone anymore, but Cameron wasn't so sure she liked them knowing her feelings toward House. Especially when she herself didn't know what those feelings were.
"I haven't seen him for hours," the oncologist answered. "Have you checked the nurse's lounge? I think it's time for his soap."
"I checked there. In fact, I've checked pretty much everywhere I know."
"It's not a new case, is it?"
"No. I need him to sign some papers, that's all." She explained about their desire to move John somewhere else.
"And your friend is stable enough for that?" The amazement in his voice was palpable.
"House says he is."
"I'm sorry, it's just that I worked on him, I know the critical injuries he suffered. That's just remarkable, how far he's come in just a little over a week. Your friend must have the constitution of an ox."
Cameron chuckled, but inside she grew cold. She hadn't even considered the swiftness of John's recovery, too caught up in Foreman's drama to think about it. She and her fellow Tomorrow People had been helping out the healing process, by feeding John a little of their own life force a bit at a time. She hadn't thought it would make such a difference, but if Wilson commented on it…
It just strengthened her resolve to move her friend, at least back to the Lab. It wasn't fair, that none of them could count on the resources they had on their own home world, instead having to go beyond Earth for the aid they needed.
This was what it was like to be hunted.
It was the one thing Cameron hadn't missed in her time away from her life.
Well, all she had to do was find House, and then they could leave.