Flooded- Ch. 7- The Bad News

"I'm going to drop you off at the door. I'll meet you in the clinic and we can go from there."

"Sounds like a plan boss. You're still too good to me."

They both smiled as House got out of the car. He was supposed to wait in the clinic but he stayed outside on a bench instead. People would think he was a regular person if he was outside, inside someone was liable to recognize him and questions may come out. It was unlike House to put himself in the clinic on a Sunday, he was never in there during the week under his own power anyway. He saw Cuddy walking up the walk. She had gotten to her parking spot and was coming in to get him. She saw him sitting there and sat next to him.

"What are you doing?"

"Just sitting... thinking."

"About what?"

"Oh…you know, this and that."

"Are you ready?"

"As ready as I could be…I guess."

House tried to stand, but his leg gave out. He sat back down and took a deep breath. With a little help from Cuddy he stood up and was ready to go to the MRI suite. They walked down the halls, casually talking, pretending to be busy with work. It was very weird for House to be seen in the hospital on Sundays unless he had a case, so that's what they were pretending to have, a new case.

They arrived at the suite and Cuddy went in first to make sure it was empty. Then she got him all setup with a gown and left the room until he was ready for her to come back. He had to change into the gown and he didn't mind if she was there, but she wanted to give him some privacy.

"Cuddy you can come back. I'm not exposed anymore. You missed out." He yelled this so that she could hear him from the hall. She smiled and came back.

"Oh no passer-bys could tell that Greg House was in here or anything."

He smiled and she got him all set on the MRI bed.

"Now House no moving or talking…you know that."

"Got it mom."

The test took around twenty minutes and he was done. He got dressed while Cuddy went and got the films. They met in her office and she arrived shortly with the films. Her expression looked serious, not exactly what he wanted to see.

"What's up?" He asked once he saw her look.

"Well…"

"Don't well me. You know something and I need to know it. No secrets remember?"

"I can explain the spasm now, and you're not going to like it."

"Out with it already, it's not like I'm going to hurt you or throw things."

"You might."

She paused and he stared at her with his piercing blue eyes.

"You have another infarction. The residual muscle that you have is spasming because it's not getting enough blood. How long has this been going on?"

House was in a daze and was staring at the floor again. He heard her question and looked up.

"What? Oh a few days to a week I think."

"Well, we could try Heparin, but you know what that may do to your organs if it's been too long. Your muscle may have started to die again and that can cause problems. I need to do some more tests to see if your muscle is dying and then we will go from there."

"Guess I will be here way longer than I wanted to."

"Do you want me to call Wilson?"

"No, I'll do it later once we know more. Where do we go from here?"

"I've got a private room set up for us, no one will come by I promise. Told all the nurse's that I was giving a tour or something so no one needs to stop by."

"Always looking out for me."

They arrived at the room and House got on the bed. His leg needed a rest and he figured Cuddy would take the chair. She did and he turned on the TV, but turned it off again.

"Am I going to have to go through an Electromyogram and nerve conduction tests? You know I'm not going to be in a good mood after that. You sure you still want to be around?"

"House…yes you have to go through those tests, but I'll be here the whole time, and the tech won't tell a soul who they are testing or else I cut their pay. No matter your mood I'll be here. You can try to push me out, but I'm not going anywhere, so get used to it."

"What time is that test? I don't want people knowing I'm here."

"I've set it up for about an hour from now. Figured you could use some time to get situated and I could tell you that it was coming. I didn't know how you would react, but as always you are a step ahead of me and you know what is coming. I can move it up if you'd like, but the results might make you stay here for the day you know. Depending on if it's a clot with muscle death."

"Even though I'd like to never have that test, you can move it up. Might as well know what we're dealing with as soon as possible, so I can call Jimmy when I'm ready."

Cuddy picked up the phone and called to get the test ready. House turned on the TV and leaned back on the pillows. He closed his eyes and tried to prepare for the pain that was ahead. He might be given a mild sedative, but it probably wouldn't be enough for the pain that was to come. "Maybe I'll get a sedative after, a nap would be nice." He thought to himself. He was glad that Cuddy would be there for the test, even if he was to swear and try to kick her out, he would only try that so that she didn't have to see his pain again. He would mention that before the test, but he was sure that she would stay with him anyways. He tried to nap until the test arrived. He was sure Cuddy would update him once they arrived, but he didn't want to think about that now.