Hey guys! I just gotta mention, all the medical stuff, I made up. I'm almost positive that the possible diagnoses don't even match the symptoms, but still. Ignore the medical stuff, is what I'm saying. I'm just trying to add some variety and make it seem less Grey's Anatomy-y.
And I know, I have, yet again changed my story title, but I thought that 'Hard for Me' was a little lame...so yeah
You guys know the drill, review!!!
Disclaimer: Do I look like I own House??? Do I??? Would I be here, sitting at my crappy little computer typing away if I were??? …I don't know why people bother writing these, unless David Shore was somewhere in the Fandom, disguised as a normal Fanfic-er…ooooohhh, that'd be awesome!
-0-
Kimee walks into the conference room, and nobody is there. She smiles affectionately, and she walks over to the whiteboard, and runs her hand over it, her eyes full of forlorn memories. Her heart felt heavy with the burden it carried.
These past few months had been great. She felt more relaxed and blithe than she had in a long time. She had gotten perspective of life. And she had also realized now that it was time to move on. She knew this bliss couldn't last forever, and if she didn't do what she had to do, it would be too late…but how she wished she could just freeze this moment, and never let it stop, this perfect happiness…
I find the map and draw a straight line
Over rivers farms and state lines
The distance from a to where you'd b
It's only finger lengths that I see
I touch the place
Where I'd find your face
"What are you doing?" House ask coming in, and Kimee opens her closed eyes, with a look of poignant happiness.
"Listening to music," she says.
"With my iPod?" House says.
"Mine ran out of battery. It keeps playing up on me," she says. "Love Snow Patrol,"
"Really? Are you just saying that too sound cool?"
"No, I heard of Chasing Cars before it was on Grey's Anatomy,"
"Chasing cars?" Cameron repeats as she walks in.
House and Kimee both sigh.
"You poor deprived girl,"
"Well I'm sorry I don't feel compelled to succumb to that filth that some call 'music'," Cameron says.
"No wonder; you thought Snow Patrol was a rescue team," House says. "And it took her a long time to figure out what ROFL meant…" he says
"Don't be so malicious," Kimee drawls
House opens his mouth to make a clever remark but when her sees Kimee's serious and dismal expression, he stops, and looks at her questioningly, his bright blue eyes searching hers.
"Are you OK?" he asks her.
"I…" she begins but stops. "Um, it's nothing. I can tell you later. You have work," she says and quickly walks out.
"What's wrong with her?" Cameron asks.
"No idea," House says.
-0-
Kimee stands on the hospital roof, looking down below, the winding blowing her hair in her face, her blue eyes sagged from the dark circles under her eyes.
Chelsea had called earlier, so had Dana, and they both reminded her. And she knew, inside, but she didn't want to leave. She looks down on her finger, and fiddles with the gold ring on it, the light hitting it, and the antiqued gold flashed. She pursed her lips, and took it off, holding it up to look at it. She sighs, and then gently placed it back on her long and thin middle finger, and extended her fingers as she again observed it. Everyone, her parents especially, had always said she should play music, like House, for her fingers were perfect and extremely nimble. But instead, she had found more interesting use of her quick hands…
Just then, Cuddy opens the door and walks over to her.
"Hey, sweetie. What are you doing here?" Cuddy asks her softly.
"Thinking," she says simply.
"Yeah? On the roof?" Cuddy asks.
"It's quiet. Great for thinking,"
Cuddy nods awkwardly.
"Y'know, all those people down there, don't realize that they're being watched. They are so unaware that we are looking down on them. They have no idea, no idea, how hard life's been, and how hard it's gonna get," she says
"What do you mean?"
Kimee laughs slightly, and purses her lips. "Oh Cuddy. You would be so much happier if you didn't know,"
"Come off it. You know I'm always happier when I know," Cuddy says trying to coerce her secret out
"You know the saying 'ignorance is bliss'? That applies here," Kimee says.
"How can you say that? How can your life be hard? You are young, happy-go-lucky and full of life. You came here, like a child ready to take on anything, and now you're…tired,"
"Ahhh, Cuddy. Don't you know?" Kimee says, her eyelids drooping in both weariness and sadness. "Appearances can be deceiving,"
Cuddy looks at her, and doesn't see the girl who was so bubbly and quirky that she had grown to love. Now she saw before her a worn-out young woman, who evidently was not so carefree. And this burden she carried was one that had clearly been on her conscience for a long time, but she hadn't noticed. Kimee was good at putting on such an act, but now you could see how it had been on her mind all this time; and it had also taken a toll on her physical appearance. When she first came, her hair was cut nicely and shone radiantly, her skin healthy and slightly tanned, much like House's skin tone, and her eyes sparkled with that mischievous glint, also similar to that of a certain doctor's. Now her skin was had a subtle yet distinct pallor to it, and her eyes were often bleak, her once luscious locks, nowadays is scooped into a ponytail, lost of its colour and luster.
"Kimee, if there is anything going on, you can tell me," she says.
"Cuddy, if had something to tell, you wouldn't believe it anyway," she says with a melancholy smile. "So you can report to me uncle that I'm fine and he's got nothing to worry about,"
Cuddy is silent. "How'd you know he sent me?"
"Please. If it wasn't you, it'd be Wilson up here; he wants to check on me without seeming like he cares," she says. "Besides, only he would've told you to come up here; the roof is the House Hideout place,"
"Yeah," Cuddy says simply, and the two smile, before Cuddy walks off.
When she has gone, Kimee's phone suddenly rings. She answers it, after checking that nobody else as around.
"Wei? What…no…I told you…just… leave me alone…I'm over it,"
-0-
Taylor walks into the conference room, which at the moment was decorated by a Phantom Christmas Lover- tinsel, Christmas ornaments, candy canes, and even a small Christmas tree in the corner. And House was the only one there, getting coffee. He really needed to think of a way of getting rid of all this Christmas junk and make Chase dress as an elf…
Everyone else was down at clinic.
"Oh. Hi," she says
"Hi," he says in that way that just makes the whole situation uncomfortable.
"Um, do we have any cases?" she asks.
"Nope. Though I have received a file about this really puzzling case of a five-your old with a runny nose…it could be pneumonia, thought I should get a consult first," he says.
Taylor smiles slightly. "OK, I will do your clinic hours," she says.
"Aw, and know you are officially one of my lackeys!" he says and hands her his name pin.
"You were meant to start about half an hour ago. Chop, chop!" he says.
Taylor stands there and smiles at him, and then shakes her head.
"You'll be the death of me," she says
"Surprising how many times I've heard that," House replies.
Taylor smiles again at him, flashing her brilliant white teeth. House stared at her, awkwardly for a moment, but it disappeared as quickly as it came. He had to stay in control. She turns to leave, but then stops and turns around, her blonde hair whips through the air.
"Just because I said I liked you doesn't mean I'm gonna do whatever you want me to do," she says with a tiny hint of a smirk, which House makes a look of yeah-right-I-didn't-believe-a-word-of-that at her, and then she walks out.
House stands there for a moment before retreating to his office.
Once he sits down, he grabs his yoyo and starts thinking.
That woman is too cocky; she's acting as if nothing happened and seems even more determined to have me- can't blame her though…
What really seemed to annoy House was how unwavering she was about getting what she wanted- respect, a job, her career, love…
Was that really love? He wondered; she seemed in awe with him and revered him, but did she really like him? Or was it just lust?
He couldn't understand; why would she want him? She's intelligent, young, successful and really gorgeous. She could have anyone, yet why was she so resolute about having him? And couldn't she see that he was in love with Cameron? She didn't seem like the type to break up relationships, but who was he to say?
I really have to get rid of her.
-0-
"Hey," House says coming into the conference room. Everyone else had left for the day, and Cameron was packing up her things.
"Hey," she says. "I was wondering, what's the deal for Christmas? I mean, it is in, what two days?
"Wanna come over to my place?"
"Sure…but who's cooking?"
"You?" he asks hopefully.
"Nuh-uh. Last time I tried to make a ham, it ended up going jet black and I ordered Chinese,"
"Chinese is always good-"
"You can cook,"
"Uh, hello?! Do I look like I know how to make a ham?"
"You're right on that count…"
"I'm always right," he says as he places a rough and impatient kiss on her mouth, one hand trailing down her waist, the other up her shirt.
"Greg…" she says, as he traces her neck with his tongue, and hitches up her skirt, and runs his hand along her thigh. "We can't do this here," she says, but makes no attempt to stop.
"I haven't had sex in way too long, I think here will be fine…" he mutters in her ear, her breath tickling her.
"It was only the day before yesterday," she says, giggling slightly, as she starts unbuttoning his shirt, and sliding her hands along his firm abdomen, he moans slightly.
"That's too long," he says, and before she says anything else, he places his hand on her smooth cheek, and his lips are once again on hers. And then she too, has to admit, that it really was too long ago…
-0-
Cameron and House are in his bedroom, Cameron on top of House, kissing him, her mouth attached to his, as his hands are reaching for her trousers' zipper, undoing her blouse. He runs his hands down her back, and she groans in anticipation. She bites down gently on his lower lip, as she tries and contains her eagerness, and his mouth roams down to her breasts. He fiddles with the back of her bra, and just as he was about to undo it, his phone rings.
"Fucking hell…" he mutters.
"Don't answer it," Cameron says, kissing his neck, her hands on his chest.
"That's the most romantic thing anyone's ever said to me," he says, but reaches over for his cell anyway.
"What?" he barks, as Cameron runs her lips over his chest.
"It's me," Cuddy says on the other side of the line.
"Cuddy, why do you always have to call at the most annoying times?" he says. "Seriously, I know you can't get enough of me, but please, give me some space,"
"Oh, yeah, you're always so-"
"What do you want? I'm a very busy man,"
"Why, are you and Cameron-?"
"Yeah, she is putting on the leather as we speak, so you know, if you could hurry up and tell me what the fuck you called me for…"
"Sorry, sorry. It's just your patient…or patient-s," Cuddy says.
House grumbles something incoherent.
"The kids are having respiratory distress, their lungs are inflamed," Cuddy says distressed and a trace of whining in er voice.
Again House mutters something to himself.
"What's going on?" Cameron asks him.
"So you really are-" Cuddy begins upon hearing Cameron's voice.
"Call Chase and Foreman and I'll meet you at the hospital," House says.
Cameron looks at him.
"The patient?"
"Patient-s," House corrects.
"What happened?"
"Oh, just respiratory distress, same old same old," House says standing up and getting dressed. Cameron gets up to without complaint and is dressed before him.
"Jeez, someone's in a rush to get out of sex- am I that bad?" House says sarcastically.
"Yeah, I don't know why I put up with you," Cameron replies just as acerbically.
House just makes a face at her and opens the door holding it for Cameron in a mock-gesture. She simply walks through it with a smile. He follows after her, but instead of walking to his bike she heads for her car.
"Oh, no, no, no," House says. "The bike!"
"No way! You know I hate that thing!"
"Shh! How could you say that about Josie?"
"You named your bike Josie?"
"Don't listen to her, she's a loony…" House says crooning over his bike.
"Greg!" Cameron exclaims. "Please, let's just take the car!"
"Yeah, take the car," says Kimee. She had been walking down the street and stopped when she saw them.
"What are you doing?" House asks her.
"I'm saying you should take the car," she says.
"Why?"
"So I can take the bike?" Kimee replies, tiredly.
"Not in a billion years even if you paid me!" House yells indignantly.
"Please. I need it," Kimee says quietly.
House looks at her, and guesses there's something going on, but doesn't pursue it. He clicks his tongue and sighs.
"Fine. We gotta go anyway. C'mon Allison," he says to Cameron and they get in the car.
"Bye," Kimee says with a small wave as they drive off.
-0-
"Get an MRI, LP, PET scan and any other tests you can think of that's an acronym," House says to the team, and they disband hurriedly.
He then goes outside to the balcony, hops over to Wilson's and knocks on his door.
"No one's here," calls a voice.
"That's funny," House yells back.
A moment later he appears at the door, and makes to opens the door, but instead, he shuts the blinds on House's stunned face.
"Fine, play hard to get," House mutters. He climbs back over to his balcony, walks out into the corridor, and heads for Wilson's office. Once he is outside, he checks that enough people are around, he bellows at the top of his lungs:
"WILSON WETS THE BED!!!!"
Five seconds later, Wilson opens his door.
"OK, he doesn't," House says to the staring passersby. "Usually,"
"Way to get my attention," Wilson grumbles as he lets House in.
He sits back at his desk without a second glance at House. House plonks down on the chair and watches Wilson as he tries to continue his work.
"Yes?" Wilson asks, finally giving in.
"Are you mad at me?" House says putting on a babyish voice.
"Yeah, I am," Wilson says.
"Why?"
"Because, you can't treat people like trash all the time. It's insane and one day you'll get yourself in trouble and you won't be able to wriggle your way out of it,"
"You're talking about Taylor,"
"Yes, I'm talking about Taylor! God, House, don't you think the people you work with at least get a little bit of respect?"
"Respect," House says with a hint of distaste. "What is that?"
"If you don't know, then you really don't know that human race that well," Wilson says.
House is silent for a moment, and Wilson rubs his forehead.
"Why are you so intent that I stop being so 'disrespectful' to Taylor?"
"Because…I don't like seeing you acting like a jerk to people all the time,"
"No…that's not it. It's something else…something else that you're frustrated about," House says. "Is it Julie?"
Wilson sighs.
"House…"
"Is it Julie?"
"She wants a divorce," he says after a while.
"Did you cheat?"
"No- she did," Wilson says.
House makes a slightly shocked-House-style look, and doesn't say anything.
"Do you need a place to stay?" he asks after a while.
-0-
"We have to keep monitoring these kids. See if there's any change," Cameron says.
"OK then…can anyone say all-nighter?" House says.
"I'll go check on the kids' meds," Foreman says and he gets up and leaves.
"Cameron, go round up as many other doctors as you can to help examine the kids, Chase you go buy all the food,"
"Buy the food? What, is this a sleepover?"
"Yep, when you get back I'm gonna plait your hair and then we can all play Twister,"
Chase sighs.
"I'll have a Reuben and a strawberry milkshake with extra strawberry," House says, and chase resignedly gets up. "And find Taylor while you're at it.
-0-
"Forty cents change," the cashier says, handing Chase the money.
"Thanks," Chase says, taking the 'booty'. He had been sent to buy all the supplies; three sandwiches: a Reuben (for House), one Club, one turkey and cranberries on rye; two Caesar salads, two burgers (man, did these people have big appetites), two choc-chip cookies; five packets of chips, two chocolate puddings, one green Jell-O, one red Jell-O, a packet of Oreos, two packets of animal crackers, one packet of rice crackers, three bottles of chocolate milk, one apple juices and two bottles of water and one strawberry milkshake with extra strawberry.
He struggled as he carried it all, and cursed the fact that he had to be the one who bought the food.
"Do you want some help?" Taylor asks timidly.
"Oh, sure," Chase says and hands her half the food. "Thanks,"
"Wow. I didn't know we could eat so much," she says.
"Yeah, and I'm the one who paid for it all,"
"Oh, well, then let me pay for my share-"
"What? No, no, its fine, I was just saying…"
"Oh, right…"
"House wants us to stay overnight, so…"
"That's why there's so much food,"
"Yeah…"
Taylor and Chase silently make their way towards the waiting room, and they enter the lift, Taylor reaching forward to press the button.
"Do you like Kimee?" Taylor asks.
"What?" Chase asks.
"Do you like Kimee?" Taylor repeats.
"Um…yeah, as a friend,"
"Nothing more?"
"Do you think I'd dare to, considering House is always breathing down my neck?"
"I guess…but that doesn't answer the question,"
"Why do you want to know? It's not like it's really any of your business," chase says a little fiercely.
"She's my friend,"
"How very happy you must be. But that doesn't give you reason to ask about my relationship with her,"
"Or lack thereof," Taylor mutters.
"What did you say?"
"Look, I'm sorry if I was too direct. But at times like these, if you don't admit your feelings, then you won't get a chance in the future," Taylor says.
Chase looks at her, and Taylor stares back, as if daring him to reply. The elevator dings, and the doors open, and Taylor walks out, her Prada heels clicking on the hospital tiles.
-0-
Taylor's POVGreat. Now I just got another person to be pissed at me. First Cameron, then House, now Chase. Who's next, Foreman, Cuddy or Wilson?
Why do I always do this? I always manage to make people hate me. How do I do that? I try so hard to be nice, but they just end up hating me more. I know House doesn't like me because I came and his Equilibrium was ruined, and how I 'get under his skin'. Chase now hates me coz I went snooping into his relationship with Kimee- but what's the big deal? I was just asking…besides, with what's going on with Kimee, she needs definite emotions. And Cameron…she thinks I'm in love with House. And in any other circumstance I would brush off the notion if asked, but I've already told him how I feel…and I can't even lie to myself. He is just…amazing. So brilliant, and so intelligent, and really hot… No. He's with Cameron. And he…loves her…
But maybe…maybe there is a glimmer of hope. Why else does he look at me like that with his stunning blue eyes? Why else would he talk to me and tease me in that affectionate way? Why else would he toy with my feelings like that? Maybe…No! This can't happen. I can't. How can I even think of stealing another woman's, my colleague's, man? What have I done? How can I be so stupid to even think that anything would happen? Not only would that completely be against my personal morals, but my career as a respected doctor will never happen- what will other doctors think of me? Some bimbo who tries to get ahead in work by seducing her boss? I would lose any esteem that I have built for myself. . I've worked too hard to get where I am. I can't risk it for anything. My reputation will be tarnished if I stay here any longer…
-0-
"Chase," Kimee says as she walks over to the entrance of the hospital.
"Kimee. Haven't seen you in a while," Chase says.
"Yeah, well, I've been busy,"
"Right…"
"Going home for the night?"
"Yeah. House finally let us go," Chase says.
"Oh yeah? How is the patient?"
"Patient-s,"
"Right…"
"They're stable, but we still haven't found a diagnosis yet,"
"Got any ideas?"
"Not a clue,"
"You serious?"
"I'm serious. We've tested for everything that it might be, but we are no where closer than when we first started,"
"Oh…"
"Yeah,"
"Don't worry about it though. I'm sure you'll figure it out soon,"
"Yeah. Hey, walk me to my car?"
"Sure," Kimee says and the two walk towards the parking lot.
"So…what's been going on for you lately? Feel like you're always busy,"
"Yep, that's what you think, but I've actually been avoiding you," she says with forlorn sarcasm.
"Seriously?" Chase says.
"I was kidding,"
"Oh…its hard to tell,"
"You work with my uncle. One would think you should know better by now,"
"Believe me, I don't,"
They walk to Chase's car silently, and when the reach it, Kimee stops, and turns to face him, as she does, her hair falls into her eyes. Chase yearns so badly to brush it away, but stops himself. He knew the consequences of his actions would be bad, and he knew too that he couldn't do this. He couldn't fall in love with her- she was too young and she was House's niece. No. In the end only devastation would come from anything that happened between, and he couldn't do that to her. She was too extraordinary to do that. He didn't deserve her.
But in his heart, he knew that he loved her anyway.
"Chase…Robert," Kimee says, her voice soft and silky.
"Yeah?"
"I need to tell you something," she says slowly.
"Ok…"
She looks at him, and opens her mouth but falters.
"Yes?"
"Um…its…what do you want for Christmas?" she asks.
"Er…anything is fine…"
"Good," Kimee says and then nods. "Well, I'm gonna go,"
"OK," Chase says puzzled and Kimee walks off quickly. Chase just shrugs and gets into his car.
Kimee stops at House's motorbike, and places her hand on her chest, her breathing heavy. She reaches into her jacket pocket and takes out an envelope.
She opens the envelope, and takes out…a plane ticket.
-0-
Cameron was in the pathology lab, running tests when Taylor walked in tentatively and clears her throat.
"Oh, Taylor," Cameron says looking up and gives her a small half-smile.
"Hi, Dr Cameron," Taylor says timidly.
"Is there something I can do for you?"
"Um, no. I just came to…tell you something,"
"Ok…sure,"
"This is gonna be hard to hear and really hard for me to say… but I think you deserve to know,"
"Alright…know what?"
"I never meant for any of this to happen. Know that all I wanted was to become a successful doctor, and working here has taught me so much. Which is what I knew would happen when I came here. Dr House is beyond the realms of intelligence; and you, Dr Chase and Dr Foreman have also shown me a completely different side of medicine, one full of mystery and intensity. I am just so grateful to have been given such an opportunity to work with such amazing doctors. This has to be the experience of a lifetime. But one thing that I never even imagined…I never bargained for was to…fall in love…"
Cameron stares at her.
"…with my boss," she finishes quietly.
Cameron breathes out, and shakes her head slightly. After a moment's silence, Cameron opens her mouth slowly.
"Why?"
Taylor looks at her mildly surprised, and the answers unsurely: "I don't know. He's brilliant…and so intriguing. Never have I met someone who was so fascinating…and his eyes…"
She stops and looks at Cameron. Cameron then speaks, her voice unwavering:
"I always knew any relationship with Greg would be an unsteady one: both good and bad. I knew that it would always be exciting and exhilarating- he once insisted that we go to the circus and then got on stage and insisted he should swallow fire; which he did- and I love it, and I love him, even if I never knew what was going to happen. But I thought one thing was guaranteed, being with him, was that no one else would fall for him. He loves me, but is a jerk to everyone else, sometimes even to me, so I thought that nobody else would even think about being attracted to him. I guess I was wrong,"
Taylor licks her lips anxiously.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen," she says.
Cameron nods solemnly.
"I know,"
"And I don't want to hurt you, or get in the way of you too. But as much as I wish that, and want it, if I stay, I'm afraid I won't have control of my actions," Taylor says.
Cameron looks at her questioningly.
"Which is why I'm going to resign,"
"Wh-"
"I've handed in my letter of resignation to Dr Cuddy and I'll be gone by tomorrow," she says.
"Taylor," is all that Cameron can say.
"Don't worry. I just want to thank you for this experience, and I wish you the best of luck,"
Cameron nods, as if in shock. She then looks at her, and smiles gravely.
"Maybe if we had met in different circumstances, we could've been good friends," Taylor says.
"Yes, that would've been nice,"
"I'll be sorry to miss that chance," Taylor says and the two women then hug gently.
"I guess I'll go tell Dr House now," Taylor says.
"Yeah," Cameron says. Taylor nods at her and smiles, and then walks out, her Prada heels clicking on the hospital tiles.
-0-
House sits in his office, Gameboy in hand. There's a knock at the door, and Taylor walks in diffidently, and smiles without conviction, and in her hands is a box with her files, and other doo-dads that she had brought with her when she had begun working in Princeton-Plainsboro.
"Yeah?" House asks, eying the box
"Um, could I talk to you," she asks setting the box down, and House sees that inside is all her stuff- photos, mugs, files…
"Hm, I wonder what this is about," House says.
"I know you don't like me. I know that me being here is going to make everyone's lives difficult. And I don't want to do that. All I came here to do was to become a good…great doctor. But, I can't stay here," Taylor says and takes a deep breath. "I've handed in my resignation to Cuddy. I know you don't want me here. This'll be easier for us both," she says.
House nods and knows there's nothing he can, or would say to prevent her from leaving.
"Sorry to see you leave," House says, and he seems genuinely sincere.
Taylor walks forward and extends her hand for him to shake. House shakes it, and he realises how soft and smooth her delicate hands are, and Taylor feels the warmth and strength of his. They quickly let go, and Taylor gives him a waning smile.
"Thankyou…for everything," she says to him. "Merry Christmas, Dr House,"
"Merry Christmas," House mutters and with that she walked out, her Prada heels clicking on the hospital tiles.
-0-
House sits in his apartment the next night, feet propped up, drinking a scotch sullenly. Next to him is a depressed looking Wilson drinking a beer.
As House takes another sip, he hears the door being unlocked, and Kimee walks in, her hair in a messy bun, and red coat buttoned up tightly.
"Hey," she says.
"Hey," he grunts.
"Hi Jimmy," Kimee says. "You staying here?"
"Yeah," the rest goes unspoken.
"Where's Allison?"
"It's her turn to keep watch at the hospitals. Gotta make sure that no political terrorists try and take over my kingdom,"
"Still don't know what's wrong with those kids?"
"No idea,"
"Then why aren't you at the hospital,"
"Can't you see? I'm in the middle of a very important male bonding session," House says pointing at Wilson.
"Oh yes…" Wilson says
"So, what's happening for Christmas?" she asks.
"Why does everyone keep asking that? I don't know," he says pretending to be exasperated. "Probably will have to stay at the hospital at the rate these stupid kids are dying…"
"Yes, its their fault they got sick," Wilson says.
"It usually is,"
Kimee pauses for a moment.
"So what really is going on for Christmas,"
"Um, hooker and scotch,"
She looks at reproachfully.
"I'll figure something out for you,"
She walks over to the couch and sits down.
"What are you watching?"
"The news," he mumbles.
"The news?" she says in disbelief.
"The OC is on in five minutes," Wilson says to her.
"Oh…that makes more sense," she says.
"Hou…Greg," she says. "Taylor left today, didn't she?"
"Yeah… she did,"
"Did you fire her?"
"No. She quit," House says looking at Wilson. Wilson just throws his hands up in defeat.
"Why?"
"Because…"
Kimee nods.
"Um, guys, I need to tell you something…I'm going to-"
The two men look at her, and once again she hesitates.
"I…just wanna say that…um…I'm really excited about this year's Christmas," she says.
House and Wilson look at each other weirdly.
"Right," Wilson says.
Kimee smiles awkwardly.
"Go see Allison. You like too domestic sitting at home…makes me feel gross," she says to House
"Yeah…this isn't fun at all. Scotch and The OC…shit way to spend time,"
"Exactly," she says.
-0-
Chase, Cameron and Foreman are in the pathology lab, running tests. Chase is sitting on a lab bench, tapping a pencil on the counter, as Cameron became increasingly annoyed.
"Chase! Can you stop that?" Cameron says to him.
"Sorry," Chase says. "Someone's pissy today,"
"I'm not pissy, I'm irritated because of that incessant tapping,"
"She can't think of a good Christmas present for House," Foreman says.
"That's not true," Cameron says indignantly and after a moment asks. "You guys don't have any ideas do you?"
The two of them snort.
"Yeah, like we'd know what to get him. I think out of the three of us here, you're the one who'd know best," Foreman says.
"I don't know…I can't think of anything!"
"It's kinda late isn't it? Christmas is in like two days,"
"Exactly. So I have to go out tonight and buy it. Though there'll probably nothing left,"
"Liquor?"
"I'm sure he has more than enough liquor,"
"How about a year's worth of Vicodin," Chase says jokingly.
The two look at him weirdly, and shake their heads.
"Clothes? I think he lives in a box sometimes. He just wears anything to work,"
"Would you give him a silk shirt and ties?"
A pause.
"Ok, that was stupid,"
"New Gameboy?"
"What is he, ten?"
"He acts like it. Always playing on his Gameboy, never tears hi eyes away from the TV, talks about sex too much-"
"Wait…you've just given me an idea,"
"How? What?"
"Don't worry…I know what to get him now,"
"What?"
"That's for me to know and you to find out,"
"Lingerie?"
"Haha,"
"Hey what do you think Kimee would like?"
Cameron and Foreman both look at him strangely.
"What?" Chase asks, seeing their expressions.
"Isn't a little early in your non-existent relationship to be buying her gifts?"
"Hey, she's a friend. Why can't I buy her a Christmas present?"
"Are you buying us gifts?"
"Yes as a matter of a fact,"
"Yeah right. Crappy food relish doesn't really count as gifts," Foreman says.
"Guys. Either help me out or shut up,"
Cameron just rolls her eyes. "Jewellery is always nice,"
"I think she has more than enough of that," Foreman says.
"Jewellery box?"
"What, do you think he's buying his grandmamma a present?"
"You think of something then,"
"Mmm, concert tickets?"
"Oooh, that's original,"
"Better than jewellery box,"
"Guys!"
Cameron and Foreman both stop.
"What about something cute and fluffy?" Foreman says
Chase stops.
"Eureka!" he shrieks. "Perfect! Thanks Foreman!" and with that he got off the bench and went sprinting out of the lab.
"Chase, we still have tests-"
BANG the door closes
"- to run,"
…
"Who says 'eureka' anyway?"
-0-
Chase, Cameron, Foreman and Cuddy sat in the conference room, the next night, on Christmas Eve
"We should start them on antibiotics…"
"No, that'll destroy their livers!"
"Got a better idea?"
"Autoimmune…"
"We've already tested for…"
"There's more that we can look…"
"I'm telling you guys, its mycosis,"
"Enough!" Cuddy says, silencing the three younger doctors. "We have no idea what these kids have…you guys are just saying anything that comes to mind! Focus! And where's House???"
"He's gone to see the patients," Foreman says.
"Are you kidding?" Cuddy asks.
"Nope," Foreman says. "This is ridiculous. WE can't diagnose these kids because they've got different symptoms. Should we add them all together, and do each separately? Its nuts!"
"I can't believe we're working on Christmas Eve," Chase says. "I'm starving.
"I can almost taste the glistening ham right out of the oven…" Cameron says.
"And the golden roasted potatoes with rosemary…"
"Oh…and a rich Christmas pudding covered in gleaming cream,"
Cuddy looks at the three of them, exasperatedly, who were staring blankly, daydreaming about food.
"GUYS! PULL YOURSELVES TOGETHER!" she yells. "The faster you guys think of a diagnosis, the faster you can go home and celebrate Christmas,"
" No need. Because I've brought Christmas to you," says Kimee appearing in the doorway. She was dressed in a stain emerald green cocktail dress, and had a Santa's hat on.
"Kimee, wh…"
"I knew you guys would be working so I thought I would bring Christmas to you," she said.
"Really…you must be psychic," says Chase.
"Yep, and I know you must all be hungry," Kimee says and as she says that, in come caterers with dishes of ham, potatoes, buttered rolls and Christmas pudding and more, and set it all out on the conference table.
"Wow!" Cuddy says. "You made all this?"
"Er, hello, Cuddy, you see all those caterers. Yeah, the friendly people at Kingston Catering made the food," Kimee says.
"Sorry. Must be the lack of food getting to my head," she says as she grabbed a mince pie.
"Thanks so much Kimee," Cameron says giving her a hug.
At that moment, House and Wilson walk in.
"Ha, I knew there was food here," house says sniffing the air
"Zhe ge gou bi zi… " Kimee says to herself.
"Who's the dog, biatch?" House says to Kimee.
"You," everyone says in unison.
"Oh…woof woof," House says.
"What's with all this food?" Wilson asks.
"I know you guys all had to work so it thought I might give you an…energy boost," Kimee says.
"This is great," Wilson says.
"No problem," Kimee says graciously. Then pauses, and licks her lips. "Consider this my going-away present,"
Everyone stops eating and looks at her.
"Going away?" Cuddy repeats.
"Yes…I'm going to New York for a while…"
"New York?" Cameron says.
"Yeah…um, just for a couple of weeks,"
"Why?" Chase asks.
"Well, I need to…regain perspective?"
"Perspective? Can't you do that here?" Chase asks.
"It's more complicated than that…"
"Then what?"
"Chase," House says warningly.
"Greg…I need to go," Kimee says to him.
"Sure," House says. "Do what you have to do,"
Kimee nods.
"Are you sure about this?" Cameron asks.
"Yeah, I mean New York…" Foreman says.
"I told you, only for a few weeks," Kimee says. "Guys, I'm not leaving for another week, so, let's just spend Christmas celebrating…Christmas,"
"You promise, sweetie?" Wilson asks putting his arm around her.
"Yeah. I just have something I have to do," she says.
"What's that?" Chase asks sombrely.
"I can't tell you…it's complicated and you don't need to know," Kimee says. "Please, can we just spend Christmas having a good time. Y'know, food, happiness, presents…I know it might be hard for you guys to comprehend , but surely you can manage to have a normal holiday for once?"
"Oh, that reminds me!" Cameron says and cheerily bounds over to House. "I've got your present,"
"Please tell me its red and lacy," House says to her.
"Not quite," Cameron says and grabs his hand, heading for his office.
"Office sex then?" House asks out loud so everyone hears.
"No," she says. She opens the door to his office, and with a wave of her hand says "Ta-dah!"
The office looked the same except for…House's television. In place of his small, old, brown one which you needed to hit four times to get it to show anything, was a brand new, latest edition, silver Plasma flat screen, with a big red bow tied around it.
"Oh my God," House says rather loudly causing everybody else to run in quickly.
"Oh, wow!" Kimee says quietly
"Do you like it?" Cameron asks House.
"I…I want to marry it," House says and quickly rushes over to it, crouching down so that he could inspect it better.
"That's so cool," Chase says and also walks over to examine. He reaches out to touch it, but House quickly slaps his hand back, glaring at him.
"Whoa, Cameron, that's a really amazing," Cuddy says.
"Oh, yeah…wait… I'm sorry I put it here, it's just that he has one at home, and you know-"
"It's OK, Cameron. Be assured that I'll still be able to get him into clinic even with this baby,"
"Pfft. I'd like to see you try," House says.
"Um, Cuddy," Wilson says, rather timidly too. Cuddy turns to look at Wilson, as he held up a gift bag to Cuddy.
"This is for you," he says.
"Oh my gosh, thankyou," Cuddy says, and quickly takes out the rather large box out of the bag. She opens the lid, and inside were a pair of red stilettos, heels were about two inches, with red ribbons that when tied up went halfway up your calf.
"Wow! Oh, these are gorgeous!" Cuddy exclaims.
"Oh my God, those are Jimmy Choo's!" Kimee says quickly going over to Cuddy.
"Cuddy, they are amazing! Put them on!" Cameron says.
The male doctors all just look on weirdly as the three women squeal excitedly as Cuddy removes her black shoes and put on the shoes, carefully wrapping the ribbon around her lower leg and tying it neatly in a bow at the top, mid-calf.
"Oh, they are so sexy!" Cameron says.
"Yeah, they like, totally show off your muscle tone," Kimee says.
"Oh, thank you so much!" Cuddy says to Wilson, and kisses him.
Everybody stares. Cuddy, quickly realising what she had done, dislodges herself from Wilson.
"Ahem," House says a look of mischief in his eyes.
"Um…it probably might be time to tell you all…Lisa and I are…together," Wilson says.
"Well, duh," House and Kimee say in unison.
"Wait, since when?" Chase asks.
"Not long. Recently," Cuddy says.
"Wow-ee," House says, looking from Cuddy to Wilson. "This is gonna be fun,"
"Oh shut up, House," Wilson says.
"Yeah. C'mon, let's eat," Kimee says.
"Wait, what about the patients?"
"Don't be a killjoy,"
"We can't just eat ham and exchange gifts while those kids are dying,"
"Toxic paint fumes. The fumes from the classroom's freshly lead painted walls was breathed in by all the kids,"
"But paint is used everyday by everyone. How come only they got sick?"
"Because the school is a cheapskate. Used old paint from about fifteen years ago left in the storeroom,"
"Paint fumes don't account for everything,"
"Another problem with going to a crappy school is the crappy building. There was asbestos in the ceilings, mix it with the paint, creates a toxic learning environment. Who can say lawsuit?" House says.
"I'll go start the treatment-"
"Don't bother. Already have,"
"And you didn't bother telling us?"
"Hey, there's a ham and Plasma here. Who needs to know?"
-0-
"I am so full," Wilson says. Foreman had already left to go spend time with his new girlfriend, Sasha, but the rest stayed behind, having no one to go home too, or their loved ones all at the hospital. House and taken Cameron somewhere and Chase and Kimee had gone to buy some drinks from the cafeteria
"Yep," Cuddy says. "Oh yeah, Jimmy, here's your present," Cuddy says.
"Thanks, Lise," Wilson says unwrapping it. "Ralph Lauren Polo…cologne," he says. Cuddy smiles. "Yeah, I thought it suited you,"
"Because I smell?"
"Noooooo. So you can smell nice,"
"Ha," he says and gives her a kiss. "Thankyou,"
-0-
House and Cameron were standing outside on the roof, looking down on the city.
"This has been the best Christmas," Cameron says.
"Yeah. But I think we should really stop hanging out with people we work with. Its as if we don't…shock horror, have friends!"
"Yeah, well, not my fault. My boss always works us so hard I never get a chance to go out,"
"Touché," House says. He then takes out an envelope from his pocket and hands it to her. "Merry Christmas,"
"Thanks," Cameron says with, a smile and she quickly tears open envelope.
"Oh my god, tickets to the Monster Truck rally!" she exclaims. Ever since that Non-Date, she had actually quite gotten into the whole monster truck thing.
"Yep. And if you noticed, there are two tickets in there, so if you're stuck on who you want to take…"
"Oh, I get the hint," she says. "Thanks," she says giving him a peck on the cheek. House then takes out something from his pocket.
"One more pressie," he says. Cameron looks at the small casket. It clearly had jewellery in it…
"Wow, you're spoiling me,"
"Eh. I got the tickets half-price,"
"That's good to know," she says
"Open it," he says and she does.
Inside was a pair of beautiful pair of white gold and diamond earrings, not too long that she couldn't wear them on a day-to-day basis but they were definitely very fancy and very luxurious…
"Oh! Greg, they're stunning," she says her eyes glittering like the diamonds.
She quickly puts them on.
"Do you like?" she asks.
"Duh, I bought them for you!"
"They're beautiful," Cameron says kissing him. Then with her arms wrapped around his neck she says in a low and husky voice: "I've still got another present for you…but it will wait until we get home,"
"So you did get that bra and thong I circled in the Victoria's Secret catalogue," House growls.
"You'll have to wait and see," she says, but brazenly slides her shirt down, revealing something red and lacy underneath…
-0-
Kimee sat on the clinic bench, waiting for Chase to come back form his car. He had mumbled something about forgetting to take his mobile and rushed off, and left Kimee in the clinic waiting room with about a gazillion cans of soda.
Finally Chase walks in, holding a giant cardboard box.
"Um, Ok…that isn't a mobile," she says.
"It's for you. Merry Christmas," he says
"Oh, thankyou!" she exclaims taking the box. "Oh, what is it?"
"Look and see," Chase says smiling mischievously.
Kimee opens the box carefully, and inside is a beautiful, silvery grey kitten, with bright, bright blue eyes, mewing, its ears twitching, and its fur soft.
"Oh, a kitten!" Kimee squeals and Chase gently lifts the kitten up.
"Yeah, I saw it and I thought it was perfect," Chase says. "But, um, now that your leaving and everything…"
"Robert, I told you. I'll be back," Kimee says.
"Why do you have to go then?"
"Robert…"
"Please. Please stay,"
"I can't. But I promise I will be back. I promise," Kimee says. "Here," she says and slides the gold ring on her middle finger off her right hand. "Merry Christmas,"
Chase takes the ring and looks at it. It's a simple yellow gold band with intricate markings around it, with seemingly Chinese characters. It slips snugly on his pinkie.
Chase nods, reluctantly, and Kimee returns her attention to the little kitten, and strokes it.
"Aw, you are so cute!" she says. The kitten hisses, and swipes at her with its small paws.
"Whoa! Ok…you're not cute…you're… a miserable, sarcastic bitter jerk with a Vicodin addiction," she says. And, the kitten then purrs indulgently, then licks its paw, its tail flickering from side to side, brushing Chase's nose, causing Chase to wriggle it in irritation.
"Reminds you of someone?" Kimee says raising an eyebrow.
"Oh yeah," Chase says. "And look,"
He puts the kitten down, and it begins prowling towards Kimee's leg.
"It has a limp!" Kimee cries. Sure enough the kitten's back right leg seemed to be slightly jarred, though the kitten's step wasn't deterred too much, it was still slightly obvious.
"Yeah. The shopkeeper said it got caught in like a door or something, but its fine, nothing serious," Chase says. "Do you like him?"
"I love him!" Kimee exclaims, and scoops up the little cat. "I'll call him Greg,"
"I'm sure everyone will love him…"
-0-
Oh-ho! As you may have noticed this is very overdue, since Christmas has already passed- so has New Year's in fact, but just ignore that, pretty please? I hope you're all happy, Taylor is GONE! Seriously I think you guys killed her with your spite! Poor girl… there's a phrase in Chinese that perfectly describes that.
Preview for next chapter:
She would change from a caterpillar to a butterfly. An ugly duckling to a swan. A peasant to a Princess. A…well she couldn't think of any more metaphors, but you get the idea.
"They say it takes a special type of person to be a doctor. I think they mean you," she says to him
"And you," he says.
"Sorry, kid. You pinky-promised me,"