House of Strange
By Michael Weyer
"So, what's this guy's story?" Chase asked. He, Cameron, Wilson and Foreman were still in the room, watching the windows to the hallway. There, House seemed to be in an argument with Cuddy as Strange stood by watching.
"From what I heard, he was a great surgeon," Wilson answered. "But he was also an unbelievable asshole. I actually heard people say he was even more self-involved than House."
His colleagues gave him wide-eyed stares. "Yeah, that's a hard concept to wrap around your head," Wilson agreed. "Got into a car accident, gave him neural damage so he couldn't do surgery anymore. He couldn't accept it, kept trying to find a way to fix it. Last I heard, he'd set up shop in New York, some sort of New Age healing thing."
"That'll go over well with House," Cameron noted. "So what brings him here?"
As if on cue, House entered with Strange behind him. "Well, kiddies, it appears that Cuddy is suffering from some sort of hormonal imbalance as she's now allowing our good Doctor Strange to take a look at this case."
"Dr. Cuddy merely understands that a viewpoint such as mine can be a help here," Strange intoned. "This girl is suffering from a…unique condition that most medical studies can miss. I, however, have some different skills that can help."
House snorted. "What, you're going to use leeches on the girl? Cause if so, I want to call a TV station, maybe make a new series out of it."
Strange fixed him with a level gaze. "Gregory, I had hoped that by now, you would have allowed some sympathy for the patients to shine through."
"Did he just call him Gregory?" Chase whispered to his colleagues.
"Someone said that it doesn't matter a damn what the patient feels, it just matters how to fix them." House smirked. "Funny, I think he looked a lot like you."
Strange simply glared before speaking. "May I see the woman in question?"
"Cameron, take the good Doctor to Ms. Fairchild," House ordered. "But if he tries to bleed her out…call me to watch."
Cameron led Strange out of the room as House tapped his cane on the floor. "Well, this is going to be very annoying," he said. "I hate having someone waltz in here, throw their weight around and have Cuddy roll over for them." He shook his head, failing to notice the stares the other doctors were giving him.
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Cameron wasn't quite sure what kind of medical school Stephen Strange had attended but judging by his technique, it wasn't one she'd heard of.
So far, the man hadn't bothered to examine a single chart or ask anything of Katie's symptoms. Instead, he was quizzing her on where she had been lately and the types of books she had last purchased. He was speaking in a nicer tone than House usually did, even if it seemed a bit grandiose.
"So your reading materials have been limited to only magazines and 'girl lit' novels," he stated. "No fantasy? Nothing more…arcane?"
Katie shook her head. "No, nothing. Not even sure what arcane means."
Strange looked at her closely, examining her eyes and then her hands. "Does the name Gharataz mean anything to you?"
The young woman frowned. "Um, no. That some sort of country in Europe?"
Strange glanced toward Cameron. "May I have a minute alone with her?"
Cameron frowned. "I think Dr. House would prefer I stay here."
"It will only be a moment," Strange insisted.
"Then you won't mind if I just stay here," Cameron said.
Strange smiled. "I can see House has rubbed off on you."
"Oh be grateful he's not here for a set-up like that," Cameron intoned. She watched as Strange turned to the woman and whispered something to herself. Cameron blinked. It had to be a trick of the light but she could have sworn she'd seen some sort of glow from Strange's coat. He furrowed his brow as if looking over Katie.
"Doctor?" Cameron asked.
Katie suddenly sucked in a breath. "Whoa. I…feel hot…" She lay back, wiping at her face. Cameron heard the sudden beeping of the monitors and raced in to feel the woman's forehead. "She's got a fever now!" She hit an alert button as she checked the woman's vitals.
"What's going on?" Foreman asked as he and Chase burst into the room.
"Some sort of seizure!" Cameron stated. "Doctor Strange, back away, we need to-----"
"This is beyond your scope, I fear," Strange suddenly said. His voice was more powerful and more serious than before. "Back away." He held his hands as he began to whisper.
"We need to help her," Chase snapped as he moved in. Without warning, he, Cameron and Foreman felt themselves shoved away by some sort of invisible force. Strange raised his hands and his clothing suddenly shifted. The suit was gone, replaced by what appeared to be a blue shirt with strange patterns on it. He wore black pants that seemed to end in slippers. A red cloak with yellow trimming now billowed around his shoulders. His hands became encased in yellow gloves and joining the ends of the cloak was a large golden amulet.
"How the hell…" Cameron gasped.
Strange ignored her, holding his hands over Katie, who was now thrashing hard on the bed. "By the Hoary Hosts of Hoggath," he intoned. "Be gone from this innocent vessel!" His hands seemed to glow, covering the young woman in a blue light. She arched up and screamed.
"What the hell?!" Foreman yelled out. Chase's mouth was agape as Cameron stared with wide eyes. As Katie shuddered on the bed, something appeared to come out of her. It was a cloud of red mist but seemed alive at the same time, its glowing eyes focused on Strange. It hissed something in a bizarre series of sounds.
"Begone, foul creature!" Strange called out. "By the Shades of the Seraphim, I banish you from this woman!" The light around the girl increased and the mist seemed to howl. Without warning, it sped out and into the hallway. "Damn!" Strange hissed as he lowered his hands. The glow around Katie faded and the young woman sighed as she fell limp.
Foreman rushed in to check on her while Chase and Cameron stared at Strange. "What…what was…" Cameron stammered.
House burst into the room, trying his best to run with the cane. "All right, which one of you set the Christmas lights on overdrive?" He stopped and looked over Strange. "Taking casual Fridays a bit too far, Stephen."
Strange brushed past him to march into the hallway. His eyes peered around as he searched for something. House looked over to the bed with Katie. "What's going on?"
"Her vitals are okay," Cameron said. She looked at Katie's eyes and blinked. "Her eyes are normal again."
Chase had managed to get over his shock to move in and check the woman's hands. "The bleeding here has stopped too," he intoned, still in awe of what he had just seen.
House took in the stunned looks on their faces and frowned. "Did I miss anything?"
"He…he…he…" Chase was weakly waving toward Strange, who was standing in the hallway, one hand held over the other as if holding a ball between them.
"He what?" House looked at Strange, then back at Chase. "Has raided Elton John's wardrobe, that I noticed." He moved to Strange. "Okay, you've had some sort of fun, Strange, maybe it's time you hit the road, huh?"
Strange didn't reply but simply stared out at the hallway, his hands seeming to shimmer between them. House didn't notice it as he moved in. "Hello? Earth to Strange, do you copy? The only person who gets to be an arrogant asshole around here is me and I don't like my territory------"
Without a word, Strange broke away and strode down the hallway toward the main offices. House began to stalk after him, Cameron and Chase following while Foreman tended to Katie. "Nice cape," House called, trying to get Strange's attention. "Blue is out this time of year, you know."
Strange ignored him as he marched into the office at the end of the hallway. Cuddy started behind her desk. "What the hell?!"
Strange stopped and glanced around. "Is anyone else here?"
On cue, Wilson stepped in from the side. "Sorry, had to check something." He stopped, looked over Strange, then to House behind the other man. "He has to be someone you know."
"At the moment, I'd pay good money not to," House snapped.
Strange glanced to Wilson, then to Cuddy. "Reveal yourself," he intoned.
"Hey, Cuddy doesn't do that!" House stated. "Well, not unless you buy her two drinks first. And for Wilson, I used to live with him. Trust me, you don't want to see him revealed."
"I will ask only once more," Strange stated, his eyes never wavering from the two baffled doctors before. "Reveal yourself now."
"All right, I don't know how much House paid you to do this sideshow act but I'm tired of it!" Cuddy snapped, pointing to the door. "I'll give you two minutes to leave before I call security!"
"Very well." Strange straightened. "Let the All-Seeing Eye of Agamotto expose the truth, then!" He spread his hands and the amulet at his neck glowed. Part of it slid back like a lens and a wide beam of golden light spread out to strike both Wilson and Cuddy.
For Wilson, it was just a bright light from a bizarre source. But the effect on Cuddy was far more dramatic. She cried out as if in pain, backing by her desk while raising her arms. Her entire body seemed to shudder and suddenly, that same red mist form appeared around her.
Strange thrust his hands forward and beams of blue light surrounded the creature. The being howled and tried to pry itself away but Strange brought his hands together. Cuddy's own body jerked and her cries could be heard over the howls of the mist being. Strange let a string of bizarre words flow from his mouth as he slammed his palms together.
With a final piercing howl, the misty form blew apart in all directions. Cuddy slumped to the ground, Wilson instantly going to her side. Strange also knelt by her as Cameron, Chase and House all stared in mute astonishment.
Foreman burst into the room. "I think I got her stabilized and…" He stopped as he took in the scene. He didn't know what was more jarring: Seeing Cuddy on the ground or seeing House open-mouthed. "What happened?"
"No clue," Cameron admitted. "House?" When she didn't get a response, she tried again. "House?"
He slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out a small bottle. He held it up to the light as he peered at it. "Nope, Vidocain. Okay, someone must have spiked it somehow…"
Wilson felt at Cuddy's forehead. "She's burning up!"
"The demon had to enter her body and take over far more quickly," Strange intoned as if reciting from a medical chart. "The shock of leaving has weakened her but I can stabilize her."
"Did he just say demon?" Chase asked no one in particular.
"Chase, get an IV ready, Cameron, find a bed!" House snapped as he moved forward. "Foreman, you'd better-----"
"This is far beyond your own medicines, Gregory," Strange said as he rose up. "I fear I must tend to her myself."
House pointed his cane at Strange. "Strange, I've got zero clue what's going on but I do know you're not dragging Cuddy out of here! You want to help her, we want to know what this little light show has been about!"
Strange gazed at him before slowly nodding. "Very well, Gregory. If you insist." He brought his hands together and once again spoke in a set of words no one could recognize. A shimmering light filled the room, coming from the carpet underneath them. All looked down and stared at the purple glow and emanated under their feet.
In a flash, the light swept up to cover them from toes to heads. Each one of them felt as if they'd taken the first drop on the world's tallest roller coaster then gone right back up again. The office faded and in its place was a large chamber, mostly wood, some tables and chairs around. A large circular window was set by a raised platform at one end and the smell of incense filled the area, made by the candles set around it.
House, Cameron, Chase, Wilson and Foreman all looked around in bafflement at the new surroundings. Strange stepped toward Cuddy and absently flicked a finger at the tie in his cloak. The cloak fell away but instead of landing on the floor, it floated off toward a nearby rack as if carried on a wire. "Wong!" Strange called out.
In seconds, the door to the room opened to reveal a middle-aged Oriental man with a bald head, clad in silk green robes. He paused as he gazed at the group, then raised an eyebrow at Strange. "Shall I set extra places for dinner, Master?"
"Wh….wh….wh…." Cameron tried to speak.
"Your record's stuck," House managed to jibe. "You do know what a record is, don't you?"
The Oriental man bowed. "Greetings. I am Wong, humble servant to Doctor Strange. Welcome to the Sanctum Sanctorum."
A bit abrupt but lots more fun interaction to come soon.