Chapter 22

"What did she see, Daddy?!" asked Auddy. House started tapping his cane and continued his story.

Meanwhile, in the ER, Hart was getting along fine with his new job. He actually liked... not having to think that much. He realized he was more of a doer than a thinker, just like his new buddy Chase.

"He actually said that to you?!" asked the aussie in surprise.

Hart nodded and raised his eyebrows. "I'm guessing since Riley left too, that there's some new fellowships opening up soon."

"What about his third fellow.. uh.. Mathiessen?"

"Yeah," said Hart, "She's almost out of her contract anyways, and I don't think House could handle a one man team. You should go for it."

"But you just said you hated the guy."

"I do," said Hart, "But if you stand your ground, and don't let him push you around, then it's a great oppurtunity, trust me."

"Why is that?"

"Oh come on, Dr. House is only the nation's best diagnostician!" finished Hart as he headed towards a bleeding stab-wound victim.

Chase couldn't help but think about it... Diagnostics, eh? Hmm... He called his dad, a rheumetologist, later that night to ask his opinion, but right as he hung up the phone, his father was already calling Dr. House to give a strong reccomendation.

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In the auditorium, Dr. Riley was sitting near another doctor. He was old, gruffy, and didn't wear a lab coat. He was retiring soon, and after learning to teach first, Riley planned on taking his place. He continued to take notes on everything the doctor said, did, how he presented things. Everything. He still couldn't believe that House had talked him into becoming a teacher instead, but hey, House was always right.

Sitting in the front row of the large auditorium was a young girl in her mid-twenties. This gorgeous green-eyed brunette didn't go unoticed by Dr. Riley. She smiled up at him, and him her. After class, he asked if he could buy her a coffee, and she agreed to it.

"I'm sorry," said Riley, "I never even caught your name..."

"Cameron..." she smiled offering her hand, which he shook, "Allison Cameron."

"Dr. Riley," he smiled. "So, Dr. Cameron, Allison, what area are you studying?"

"I'm actually not studying anymore. I have my license. I was just on my way to see Dr. Cuddy about possible fellowships. What about you?"

"Well, same here," started Riley, "I used to be a cardiologist..."

"USED to be...?"

"I was in a fellowship with Dr. House and..."

"I'm hoping to get one with him, actually! Do you know if he has any openings coming up soon?!" she sounded like a school-girl.

Riley laughed. "I'm sure he does. I left mine a bit early, and so did another fellow on our team, Dr. Hart. As far as I know, he only has one fellow left, Dr. Mathiessen, unless she's left too."

"Why did you guys leave?" she asked curiously.

Riley stared down at the table. "House said I had no stomach; I may be smart, but I wasn't cut out to be a doctor. Told me to be a teacher... so here I am."

"You just listened to him... like that?"

"He was right," sighed Riley. Cameron frowned.

"What about Dr. Hart?"

"House... called him a moron. Kind of fired HIM, kind of..." Riley bit his lip. How could this girl WANT a fellowship with him?

"So..." said Cameron, "You DON'T think I should look into a fellowship with Dr. House?" She bit her lip in anticipation.

"Well," he said, "if you can stand up to him, let him know he's wrong once in a while, then maybe you should."

"Why's that?"

"He's only the best diagnostician in the country!" Riley smiled and left for the auditorium again.