Chapter 2
"Lucy? Lucy can you hear me?"
Lucy turned her head and slowly opened her eyes. Standing beside her bed was the stand-in doctor, Dr Miller.
"Good afternoon, Lucy. How are you feeling?"
"Much better Dr Miller, thank you. How was the surgery?"
"Absolutely fine. We want to keep you in here for a couple of days, just in case you develop any complications, after that you're free to go."
Lucy smiled and sat up. The curtains were open in her room, and sunlight flooded in. She looked around; Dr Millar was the only one there.
"Now then, is there anything I can get you?"
"Some water would be lovely, my mouth's dry as a bone!"
"No problem. I'll just be a minute."
Lucy lay back down as Dr Miller left the room. She could hear the hustle bustle of the hospital from her room, it must be really busy, she thought. She closed her eyes and relaxed. The last few days had been a living nightmare, and this seemed to be the pinnacle. Still, it was good to get some peace.
"Ahem."
Lucy opened her eyes. She glanced over to the door to see a man looking at her. He looked old, or perhaps worn out would be more fitting. He didn't look like a doctor, but who else could he be? A specialist maybe. Or he could be another patient, what with the walking stick in his hand.
"I'm sorry, I think you must have the wrong room sir."
"Ms Brandon, right?"
She nodded, "Yes, that's me."
"Good, then I'm most definitely in the right room. I'm Dr House."
He walked slowly towards her bed and checked the chart which lay at the bottom. He flicked through it as a smile flickered across his face.
"Leg trouble. I should be your doctor; I'm probably over-qualified for this case."
She smiled back at him. "Why aren't you?"
"You're not interesting enough, I'm afraid. I only treat interesting people."
The smile faded. "Oh." She closed her eyes again, trying to ignore him. Even if he was a doctor, he was starting to get on her nerves.
"Ah, I see you've met Dr House. He's not been troubling you I hope."
She welcomed Dr Miller's return. She welcomed the water more than anything. But now that he was back, maybe this House guy would leave.
"Oh, come on now Roger, you know I don't hassle people, there's too much work involved. I was just checking Ms Brandon's chart, having a look at what you normal doctors get to do all day."
"Are you really that bored House?"
House smiled, and headed for the door. Dr Miller handed the water to Lucy and followed him out. Before he left, he turned and smiled at her. Funnily enough, so did House. She smiled back at them both, holding the smile slightly longer with House, although she was not sure why. They both turned and left, and Lucy sat back with her water, enjoying the day.
Dr Roger Miller and Dr Gregory House strolled down the corridor, barely talking. In fact, it was as if House hadn't even acknowledged that Roger was there. He didn't mind though, that was just House being House. But he did wonder why House had gone to that patients' room. House handled specialist cases, and to be honest there was nothing special about this case. It wasn't at all like House to be interested in patients, especially when the patients weren't his.
"So, is this the new, improved House? The House that has an interest in other people's lives?"
House glanced at him. "Of course not. Like I said, I wanted to see what you normal people do for a living. Gives me a boost to know that what I do is so much more satisfying."
Roger laughed a little at this. Same old House.
"Having said that, Ms Brandon is suffering from a minor head injury and that is slightly better than your usual breakage. But only slightly."
"Mm, I have to say, I'm worried about her. Since she was admitted she hasn't eaten anything, she just drinks water all day. And one of the night staff informed me she'd be been crying a lot. Could be post traumatic stress."
House murmured his agreement. Roger could tell he'd already lost interest. They reached House's office and said their goodbyes for the time being. House paused before entering, his hand on the handle.
"Poor girl." He said, and went inside.