A Rush Of Blood To The Head – Chapter III

The interns were walking out of the conference room as Christina waited in her chair, finishing her coffee and watching Burke as he organised the patient's files. As everyone else had left, Burke headed out the door and Christina got up and quickly followed him.

"Burke!" He stopped and turned around to face Cristina. "Burke, you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, it's fine, I've just got to finish some paper work. I'll see you at home ok?"

"Ok."

Burke walked down the hallway, hand in pocket while Christina watched helplessly. What was wrong with him?

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"Why are we going to Seattle?"

Cameron was following that waddling House as he left the office for home. She couldn't believe that House would travel half way across the continent to do something he could do on a phone.

"To meet the patient. That all important human connection. What's his name, Dunce? Doe?"

"Dunn" Cameron replied in a monotone voice.

"That's right!" House waddled over the elevator and pressed the button with his cane.

"But there is no reason for us to go."

"You don't want to go? I though you need the human connection with a patient. Or only the ones who are terminal? You're getting dehumanised. You didn't get interested in the case because of the patient, you wanted it for the sickness." House leaned towards Cameron so his face was in hers "You need the puzzle."

There was a ding and the elevator doors opened. House walking in quickly but Cameron followed.

"I thought I had you convinced." said House with raised eyebrows.

"What are you trying to escape from?"

"I ratted out Cuddy to the police and I have to run away before her dyke catches me."

Cameron looked at House bluntly. The doors opened and he walked out into the foyer.

"You running away from clinic duty." said Cameron, hurrying after House.

"Really, I just thought it would be fun for a vacation. We could bunk together! Oh, that's right, the sexual tension thing." House moved towards the glass doors as Cameron stopped at the reception desk. House turned around to face her. "Just watch out for the stunned Wombat, he gets a bit rowdy after midnight."

"I know." said Cameron bluntly. House smiled and walked out the doors.

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"Since when does Burke need a consult?"

Christina was sitting with the others at Joes, Beer in hand.

"He's a doctor. Doctors ask for consults." said Izzie bluntly, staring at the air in front of her. Christina looked at her.

"Yeah but since when does Burke ask for a consult?"

Alex looked down the neck of his beer. "You think he's going soft after being shot?"

Christina became uncomfortable. They cannot know. Not even Meredith can know about Burke. "No, it's just... It's now like him, that's all."

Alex became more interested in the conversation. "I'm amazed he can still perform surgery after being shot. I though he would have some pretty major hand function problems."

Christina knew it was time to change the conversation. "So what about this Dr House eh? The tortured genius!"

Meredith looked up from her tequila. "I seriously thought he would be your god or something."

"Why?"

"Well, the stories I've heard about him, he's worse than you. Proof that you don't need a good bedside manner to be a good doctor."

"Sounds like Alex's god." Izzie smirked.

"I think McSteamy's got that covered." said George, gulping down the last of his beer.

"He's not that great." Said Alex softly. Everyone stared at Alex in disbelief.

"Seriously? When he first came here you were practically grovelling at his feet" said Christina, now happy at the change of conversation.

"Yeah, you were like mini-McSteamy" George said.

Izzie piped up. "Mc-MiniSteam?"

"Mc Happy Meal Steamy with added stubble," said Meredith with her best advertising voice.

"Shut up guys. At least I'm not the one who hasn't told McDreamy that I dumped McVet."

Christina slammed down her glass. "You still haven't told him?"

"No I have, I have."

Everyone looked at Meredith intently.

"Well, what did he say?" jutted out Izzie.

"Ok."

"Well?" said Christina impatiently.

"Ok, he said 'ok' "

Christina looked let down. "Seriously?"

"Seriously."

"Damn man, he's got it bad." Smirked Alex.

"Shut it McMini." Hitting down her shot glass, she asked for another from Joe. And another. What happened with Derek? He was so, so happy that whole day, but the moment she got herself worked up, he just dogged her. "Maybe it was just never meant to be..."

George put his hands down on the bar and turned to Meredith.

"Seriously? Seriously? You went out with McDreamy for two months and spent the next 10 pining for him. Do you know how much we've had to put up with you whining and moaning? You then had an affair with him, dumped the perfect McVet for him, and the moment you actually have him you question whether you should be with him. Seriously?"

"Ok, so maybe I should be with him. I just, what happened?"

Christina looked up from her drink. "Here's a radical thought: talk to him. Sounds crazy but apparently it works."

Meredith shot down the last of her tequila and got up from the stool. "Come on guys, time to get back. House tomorrow remember?" The interns lit up. Now this was going to be interesting.

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NB: Ok that last bit might have seemed like a bit of self promotion but it wasn't. Answers to questions: Burke did go to Johns Hopkins, as did House. Christina went to Stanford. And about Chase, don't worry I definitely haven't forgotten him - a pretty boy like him would be a nice match for Izzie... MUHAHAHA!!! Please review!