...That season finale was TORTURE! Knowing that Cuddy wasn't going to be in Season Eight, and that watching that scene where House says he feels hurt...god I'm a sucker for sappy moments. I'll admit to that.
I'm changing the rating to teen simply for the mentioning of sex and such. xD Don't worry, no smut. Bleh.
Chapter Seven- False Change
Evalyn stared at the cream colored wall, trying to no avail to clear her mind. It did shock her, her mind was always going a mile a minute. When she inevitably failed to think only of the bland, smooth color of the wall, she gave in to her minds pleading. Her thoughts swarmed, covering every inch of that day. One of her doctors had no parents. Maybe they died from some terrible illness and that's why he chose to be a doctor. That short man that came in to ask were I live was, at some point, a plastic surgeon, I'm sure of it. He seemed to be scanning me for any imperfections, looking for what could be changed. The other doctor that came in with him was quite the opposite, almost jealousy of me. Her, jealous of me. That was ridiculous; Thirteen was so pretty and a young doctor with her entire career ahead of her. Maybe she has recently lost a patient, and was feeling guilty. No, it was jealousy, that or hate, but that had been before either of them said anything. That was when I was merely a patient, and she was my doctor. If it was anger, it was misguided. Wait, Thirteen? Where did I get that name from? Maybe it's a nickname, and the short one called her by it. That would make sense if I remembered anyone else's name. Her's and House. House. God he was interesting; so puzzling yet he seemed to be a looking glass to a wealth of answers. He's like me, to some extent, now that I think about it... Intellectually superior to those around him, except there was a difference; he was their boss. He was supposed to be smarter, whereas she was a flunky. The newbie in the hive that can't figure out how to fly straight, but instead she was flying circles around everyone else. Wait, boss? Where did I get THAT from? Is he their boss? I'll have to ask... Wait, he wasn't wearing a lab coat. Although House is his last name, so he must be a doctor if people call him by it. Or from the military...he did have a cane. He could have been injured in battle. But then why did have any interest in me? He knew the twitch was fake, HE noticed me favor my left hand over my right. So was he a doctor? He never said any medical stuff, or anything really. All he did was question my reasons. Why? Why does he care? She couldn't stop the grin from tugging at her lips. Because he NEEDS to know.
Just then, the young female doctor walked in. "Is your name Thirteen?" Evalyn blurted, but knew it would be gnawing at her skull if she didn't ask.
She paused, "Umm, yes, why?"
Realizing she may have given the illusion of distaste, she quickly replied, "That's neat. I thought it was, but couldn't remember... how I knew..." she trailed off.
Sensing the awkward silence looming over the horizon, Thirteen offered with a smile, "We work in the same hospital, I'm sure you've just walked past me when someone called my name or something."
No, I wouldn't have known who they were calling to. I've also never seen you before in my life, so any argument is invalid, expect for the one pertaining to my sanity...THAT could be called into question. "Yeah, you're probably right. So why are you here?"
Thirteen sighed, "STD panel. I'm not assuming you're sexual activity-"
Evalyn cut her off for Thirteen's sake, "I know, my father had aids. It's a good theory, but I've been tested. And besides, testing for syphilis can take up to ten days. It does fit my symptoms; the rash and brain, but as you know, I'm a doctor, and already thought of that. Plus, if I was born with it, I'd be dead. Unless they knew I was infected, in which case I would know I was infected, and wouldn't be here."
Thirteen paused before asking, hoping her guess was correct, "I thought the rash was why you came in, and after other neurological symptoms formed." Evalyn was silent for a few minutes, but it seemed to span over a lifetime.
"No."
Thirteen crossed her arms, "Look, if I don't do this test, my boss will yell at me, and get one of the guys to do it," she quirked an eyebrow.
Evalyn shook her head, "No, I'm not letting you waste your time with this. It's not an STD, I've been tested. If you think that's what it is, go ahead and give me Penicillin. But you don't actually think that's what it is, or you would have given me the antibiotic already, since there isn't really anything dangerous."
For a moment, they just glared at each other. "And I'll tell the guy that comes in the same thing."
Thirteen smiled lightly, "Fine, we'll think of something else," she spoke with mock care, turned on her heel, and left.
Thirteen went to Cuddy's office, opening the door after knocking twice. "Seen House?" Cuddy was just now sitting down, having just got back from talking to the diagnostician. "Exam Room 3," she looked up, still smiling. Thirteen was a bit confused, her theory of them sleeping together sprang into her mind again, but she pushed it away. Cuddy was far to professional for that. Plus, they weren't dating-not to her knowledge- and Cuddy wasn't like that. She wouldn't sleep with someone she wasn't dating, even IF she had known him for what, twenty years? There was the obvious spark between them, and tension strong enough to snap, but no; Cuddy was too moral for that.
Thirteen sighed, "Thanks." Cuddy gave a small nod, and opened her laptop as the young doctor gently closed the door. Cuddy took a sharp intake of air, resisting a fit of laughter. Stretched across her screen was the dirtiest pornographic picture House could find. It was by far the most explicit thing she'd ever seen, and she found it absolutely hilarious. With a grin, she closed it softly, and made her way through the lobby and into the elevator, hitting the four. She grin disappeared when a cane kept the door from closing. House and Thirteen walked in, House staying absolutely silent while Cuddy hid her disappointment. Thirteen looked between the two, confusion and skepticism bubbling within her.
"Are you two sleeping together?" she finally asked, the disbelief dripping from her voice matched that of Cuddy's expression.
"I've already told you no," she turned towards them.
House held in a snicker, "Oh, that's not what you were saying earlier. If I recall correctly, it was more yes, oh god yes," he flashed a grin.
Cuddy shook her head lightly, "Well there's your answer. If he says yes, the answer is obviously no."
Thirteen sighed, "Forget I asked. You two just seemed so awkwardly silent, as though you're trying to hide something," she raised an eyebrow and looked between the two. Cuddy looked guilty as hell, but House was impassive. Which was actually flipped of what it should be, but Thirteen didn't know that.
"Oh my god. You did," her eyes widened as she looked from House to Cuddy; to and fro.
A grin stretched across House's previously unreadable face, "Care for a threesome?" Thirteen's jaw hung open, and Cuddy resisted slamming her face into the wall of the elevator.
"We didn't have sex," she stated firmly. Thirteen wasn't believing it, but shut up as the elevator opened, only Cuddy stepping out. As the elevator shut, she sighed and walked down to House's office, sat at his desk, and looked for the most lovable picture of ponies and cute little puppies that she could find, setting it as his background. When it was all said and down, there was butterflies and all sorts of fluffy baby animals marching across his computer.
₰ΩΩ₰
When the elevator shut, Thirteen turned to House, "Seriously?"
He gave a short laugh, "No, now leave her alone about the subject."
Thirteen's eye twitched at the comment. "I'm sorry, what?"
House kept his tone even, "She's been really stressed out lately, and deserves a break from...everything; me included. As you saw, I was in the clinic earlier."
There was a pause, and Thirteen broke out laughing. "You can't be serious. She craves your adolescent idiocy just as much as you crave her attention. And since when do you care what other people deserve."
House hit the 'stop elevator' button, and turned to her. "Can you keep a secret?" he asked, dead serious. Trust was far from his forte, but reasoning wasn't. If she knows, maybe she'll lay off. Astonished, Thirteen nodded. House waited a moment, trying to rationalize that this was the right thing to do. Although the elevator was vacant besides them, he felt as though a million eyes lay on him, waiting for an answer. He leaned over, and whispered something in her ear. Thirteen's eye grew as big as dinner plates, and she looked up at him.
He answered the unspoken question firmly, "No." She furrowed her eyebrows, and he again cut to the chase, "No idea." He hit the button again, and the elevation started its descend again. "Tell her, anyone, and I'll fire you, and get your medical license taken away," he threaten, the usually sarcastic tone eradicated.
Her mouth went dry, and it took her a moment to say, "I won't." He glared at her for a moment before looking back at the elevator doors as they opened. They stepped out and went to the ICU.
Evalyn looked up as the two walked into her room. Thirteen looked as though she had seen a ghost, and House was impassive...odd. "Hello, Doctor House," she gave a smile, trying to get some emotion out of him. "What are you doing here?" House looked over at Thirteen, who left at the silent command.
House sighed, "You're ashamed that you aren't a virgin," he stated, ignoring the small talk and jumping right in.
"Are you kidding me, I'm only fifteen!" Her mouth stayed gaped open as she realized she had let her filter down.
House looked over, "Whoops," he said, still deadpan. "Look, I don't care, but you're getting tested"
"No," she said, voice absolutely rigid with defiance.
House raised an eyebrow. "Yes. See, I can repeat myself too."
Her eyes narrowed, "I'm not going to die while you run a stupid test that takes at least a week for something I'm POSITIVE I don't have. If you think I have it, give me the damn Penicillin. Then when something else happens, add it to your whiteboard, and think of something that makes absolutely no sense until the test comes back positive."
He was silent for a moment, "That's true..." With that he left, deep in thought, and for the first time this week, entirely off the subject of Cuddy. Evalyn shook her head in disbelief of his lack of an argument, sinking back into the pillows.
₰ΩΩ₰
House kicked open Wilson's door. "I'm loosing it. I'm too distracted." Cuddy looked up from her seat on his couch, and House jerked to a stop. "What are you doing here?" He then turned to Wilson. "What is she dong here?"
Cuddy quirked an eyebrow. "Oh, I don't know, maybe discussing business about my hospital with one of my hospital employees," she rolled her eyes.
"But not your oncologist. Go away, it's our private lunch hour. Brought a cosmos quiz and everything."
She sighed, "Whatever your petty excuse for being here is isn't as valid as mine."
"And why is that?" his blue eyes sparked with a challenge.
"Because I would think you would think of the topic of yourself to be on the top of importance," she narrowed her eyes, glaring back. Wilson was dead silent.
"...get out," House repeated, icy eyes solid. Surprised, she fell silent, and glanced over a Wilson who know wore a mask of apathy. He merely offered a slight shrug. House was growing frustrated with their wordless conversation, jumping to the assumption that they were actually communicating; not just sharing confusion. "Get OUT!" his blue eyes blared as he swung his cane towards the door, as if she didn't know where the exit was. Cuddy silently obeyed, genuinely frightened; she rarely saw House so absolutely livid. When she pulled the door shut, House turned to Wilson. "What the hell was that about?" he demanded, grabbing half his sandwich.
Wilson quirked an eyebrow, "We were talking about you, like she said," he said, keeping his cool; much unlike his friend.
House rolled his eyes, "Everybody lies," he recited. "Tell me what you were talking about," he said again, growing frustrated.
"We were talking about your odd behavior, and what you;re planning. She's worried, I'm worried; it was a consult on your insanity," he said as though it was obvious.
House's anger vaporized, "How worried?" Wilson's mouth fell agap, "Oh my god...it's Cuddy. That's who you're keeping something from. You actually care about her." This wasn't what truly shocked Wilson, but House's lack of shield was.
House sighed, "If I tell you yes, will you keep her from drowning in worry?"
Wilson continued with speculating, "You're going out of the way to try to make her stress-free as possible, and that's stressing her out.." After a moment he gave a small laugh, "Ironic," before growing serious again. "What is it? What happened?" At this, House laughed.
"Yeah, like I'd tell you," he rolled his eyes. Well, I told Thirteen...only because that way she'd shut up. "You'd run over and tell her."
Wilson shook his head, "You're the smartest guy I know. If you think that keeping it from her is for benefit, than I won't."
House flashed an icy glare, "Everybody lies," he repeated, taking a bite of the forgotten sandwich still in his grip. Wilson pulled his signature move; leaning back and spreading his hands in defense. "Whatever, I'll just tell her that you're acting like this because you care." House wore a modified expression, and there was a pause before he scowled, "You monster."
Wilson gave a shrug, "The only reason you wouldn't be telling me is if you don't think that her not knowing is better for her."
"Or," House stated, matter-of-factly, "I think you're an idiot, and you may think that not telling her is immoral."
Wilson sighed, "Fine." House bore into him with a stare, scaling his sincerity. After a moment, House nodded, "Good. Now we can move onto why I'm actually here."
