Note...as I think many of you know...the medical end of this story is based on my mom's experience...and yes, the events of this chapter did happen. It was not a fun day, but 12 years later, I'm happy to say she is still chugging along! LOL

When the Fog Lifts

Chapter 11

House glanced at the display on his ringing cell phone.

5:12 p.m. Unknown Caller

Hmmm...must be the recovery team calling to let us know they're on their way back.

He picked up the phone and answered. "House."

"Dr. House. This is Dr. Brown on the transplant recovery team." answered the voice on the other end.

"You guys on your way back with my liver and kidney?"

"Well…not exactly."

"What do you mean not exactly?"

"The liver is fine. There's a problem with the kidney, though."

"What kind of problem?" House inquired.

"Horseshoe kidney."

"Crap. So, not transplantable."

"Nope. What do you want to do about the liver? I wanted to check with you before we let it go."

"Hate to see you come back empty handed, but our lady really needs both. So, yeah, let it go to the next guy."

"Ok. Sorry about that." Dr. Brown said.

House scowled. "Not as sorry as the doctor who has to tell her family is gonna be."

"Next one for sure." Brown added.

"If she lives that long."

Ah...must be time to get Mrs. Bishop for her surgery both Foreman and Chase thought as their pagers went off simultaneously.

OFFICE – HOUSE – NOW

"Ready to get her prepped?" Foreman asked as he and Chase casually walked into House's office. They saw Cameron sitting, staring silently at the floor.

"Nope. Surgery's cancelled." House said emotionlessly.

Chase asked "What do you mean cancelled?"

"Cancelled – not happening – no go – icksnay on the urgerysay…..Kidney was no good."

Both of their faces dropped upon hearing that news. "No good?" Chase exclaimed.

House turned to him with a look of exasperation. "Yes – no good! Unusable. Worthless….Horseshoe kidney."

They both nodded, recognizing the problem.

"Have you told the family yet?" Foreman asked.

"Nope….that's what I've got you boys for."

Cameron lifted her gaze from the floor and rose from the chair. "I'll do it."

All three of the other doctors turned to look at her, somewhat surprised. Historically, Cameron had not had a good track record when it came to passing along bad news to patients. House stared at her until his eyes caught hers. He quickly raised an eyebrow at her as if to say, Are you sure you want to do this? Allison gave a slight, and silent, nod of agreement in his direction and walked out the door.

"Ok. Looks like you boys are off the hook for now." House said, looking down at the tennis ball in his hands.

Chase turned to go after her.

"Chase! Leave her be" instructed House, tightening his grip on the ball.

"But you know how she is in these situations. She might be able to use my…"

"She doesn't need you." The double meaning of House's statement was not lost on Chase, who turned to look at him with eyes full of rage. House lifted his eyes to meet Chase's stare head on and continued. "She's a big girl. She can handle more than you could ever imagine."

Foreman glanced down and saw Chase's hands curl into fists by his side. He knew he had to get him out of there before…SLAM! Foreman jumped at the sound of Chase's fist hitting the desk.

"Just what in the hell are you trying to say House?" Chase hissed, his eyes never leaving those of his boss. Chase felt Foreman's hand on his arm, pulling him backwards from the desk. He quickly turned his stare towards him and said, "DON'T!" Foreman removed his arm and backed away.

House used that brief break in eye contact, to stand, catching Chase off-guard when he turned back towards him.

"What? Are you so dense that I have to explain that to you, too? Leave her be, Chase."

"Or what?! I don't answer to you!"

"Well, actually, at least if you value your job, not to mention any future recommendations, you do."

"Are you threatening me, House?"

"Again with the questions! No! I'm not threatening YOU…just any hope you might have of ever working again if you do not LEAVE HER BE!" The volume of House's voice rose and he slammed his cane down for emphasis.

Foreman exhaled loudly. "Chase – c'mon. It's after 5:30. Let's go get a drink." He put his hand back on Chase's shoulder and quietly said again, "Chase…"

Chase looked down, finally breaking the death glare he had had on House, but quickly returned to stare at him again. "If you ever do anything to hurt her…"

"Yeah, yeah, I know…" House answered. "Your inner (House puts in air quotes) Prince Charming will come out and I'll be forced to cower like, a, well, like y…"

"HOUSE!" Foreman yelled, stopping his boss in mid-sentence. "Now YOU need to drop it." He turned to Chase. "Come on. I'm buying."