Author's note: One of my reviewers mentioned that it would be more likely that Nica had an arterial clot, rather than a DVT. Well, I started thinking and I decided to give her both. Hope y'all like!

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Ch. 3 Screwed

Entering Nica's room, House noticed that Kara Harmon was sitting next to Nica's bed, head lolling to the side and apparently asleep. House tapped his cane against Kara's wheelchair, rousing the teenager.

"Hi," Kara said, as she sat up straighter and rubbed her neck with her left hand. "I was just sitting with Nica. Her parents went to a hotel. They'll be in later." Kara stretched, watching House check Nica's vitals and the incision on her leg. "I can't believe this is happening to her. I mean she's had DVTs before and it's never caused muscle death. Hell, DVTs aren't even supposed to cause muscle death."

"Didn't know you were a doctor, too," House said, looking at Kara.

"I'm not," Kara said, patting her wheelchair. "But I've been in hospitals a time or two."

House quietly excused himself and headed to his office where he grabbed the MRI and snapped them into the lightbox on the wall as Chase, Cameron, and Foreman entered the room. "Thought you were gone for the day," Foreman said, watching his boss.

"DVTs don not usually cause muscle death, correct?" House asked, his eyes studying every part of the scan.

"Usually, you're right," Chase agreed. "But Nica's not a usual case."

"Arterial clots cause muscle death," Cameron said. "Maybe we got it switched?"

"What if it's both?" House mused to himself. "Get a new MRI."

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When Cameron returned with the new films, House's sharp eyes spotted the second small clot in Nica's calf. "It's an arterial clot," he said, handing the scan to his three ducklings. "Go get it and tell the parents."

As House left for the day—again—he saw Dr. Lisa Cuddy, the hospital administrator heading his way. "I thought you were already."

"Situation with a patient came up," House replied, heading for the door.

"Cameron told me about Wilson," Cuddy added, making House stop and turn around. "How's your leg?"

"I'll live," House said, succinctly before turning again and leaving.

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The pain Nica found herself in when she regained consciousness was almost bad enough to make her miss cancer treatments. At least the with the cancer the pain came in waves. This pain was just hard, angry and constant. A note on the bedside stand revealed that Kara was in the cafeteria and Nica's parents were still at the hotel. Crumpling the note and throwing it against the wall, Nica took a deep breath.

"God? If I've done anything to royally piss you off I am very, very sorry." Nica had not uttered any sort of prayer in 7 years so the words seemed distant. Still… what could it hurt? "If it's because I was upset with Kara about the who Homecoming Queen thing, I'll apologize again. It's just… this is a little more pain than I'm used to dealing with. So whatever hacked you off… Let me know, God, and I'll try and fix it." Nica paused, and then amended her statement. "Unless it's about me lusting after that hot doctor. I'm not apologizing for that."

Nica's eyes popped open when she heard the door to her room close. "Oh, sorry," she said, as Cameron walked in. "I, uh… didn't know anyone was listening."

"The new MRI showed an arterial clot in your calf," Cameron said, softly. "It was hidden by the DVT, so we need to do an—"

"Another angiogram?" Nica asked.

"In about an hour," Cameron said, handing over the consent form.

"No problem. Knock yourself out."

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The next day, House pulled into the driveway of a small two-story home. Pulling his cane out of the side holder, he climbed off and limped to the front door and knocked.

"Dr. House?" Ms. Sharon Williams said, looking confused. "Can I help you with something?"

"Is it too early for Andie to come out and play?" House asked, smiling.

"I guess not," Sharon said, stepping aside. "Come inside, please."

"It's okay. I'll wait," House replied as Sharon called her daughter down.

A few moments later, Andie ran downstairs and up to House, grinning. "Hi, Dr. House."

"Hey," House said, smiling at the 10-year-old girl. "Want to go for a ride with me?" he asked, nodding at the motorcycle.

Andie beamed and hurried out. House smiled at her mother, and then limped after her. Once they were on and Andie had the helmet on, House pulled out of the driveway and headed down to a small ice cream shop next to a lake. Parking, House got off and ordered two fudge and caramel sundaes before he and Andie sat down at a picnic table. "So what did you want to talk about?" Andie asked, licking a little bit of whipped cream off of her spoon.

"Just wanted to catch up. Kiss any boys your age yet?" House asked, scooping up a little puddle of caramel.

"There's this boy," Andie replied, slyly. "He asked me to be his girlfriend."

"He cute?"

"Yeah. He's sick too, though," Andie said, taking another bite of her sundae. "It's… lupine…?"

"Lupus?" House said, licking his spoon.

"Yeah," Andie said, smiling. "We get along really well, though."

"Great."

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When House got to the hospital later that afternoon, he went up to Nica's room where he found her watching TV. Seeing him, she turned the TV off and sat up, smiling. "Hey, Doc. How's it going?"

"Good," House said, sitting next to the bed. "You seem to be doing better."

"Better living through chemistry," Nica replied, jerking a thumb at her IV. "I've always loved morphine. Did you know it's named after the Roman God of sleep and dreams?"

"Yeah, I did," House said, watching her. "Can I ask you a question?"

"I'm happily loaded up on painkillers. Ask me anything."

"It's about what Dr. Cameron overheard the other day."

Nica chuckled. "Show me a cancer patient who doesn't utter at least one prayer in bad times and I'll show you someone who has given up."

"Actually, I meant when you were talking about lusting after one of your doctors," House replied. "Wilson's newly single."

"He's nice, but no," Nica said, smiling.

"You don't strike me as the lesbian type despite the close relationship you have with your friend Kara so that excludes Cameron. Chase? Women do like the accent. Or maybe it's the hair…"

"He is cute," Nica admitted. "But again, no. I like older… and crippled."

House didn't say anything, but he tried to make sense of this. Nica was attracted to him?

"It's the fun thing about almost dying of cancer," Nica explained. "People let you get away with a lot of crap. They figure you want to all the joy out of life you can before you croak. My parents already know if that makes you any less uncomfortable."

"Not especially," House said, still not believing what he was hearing. "Why me?"

"Because you don't step around me, telling me it will be okay, that I'll be just fine. You know I'm going to die… soon. No one else seems to be okay with that."

"You're okay with dying?" House asked, curious.

"With all that I've been through… yeah. I mean, I don't want to die, but I'm going to. I have 3 good years left, max. Despite what everyone else tells me."

Nica was one of the most interesting people House had ever known. She was entirely okay with dying and it wasn't based on bravery, but rather an acceptance that House found fascinating. "I'm 43," House said, trying to logic Nica out of her notions.

"So?" Nica said, shrugging. "My grandmother was 47 when she married my 19-year-old grandfather. I'm not asking you to marry me, Doc…. Just date me for a while. Who knows? I might end up growing on you."