"I know change isn't your thing, but I went with cream cheese danishes instead of chocolate chip bagels today," she said as she swept through the door Thursday morning. He didn't sit up or even glance at her. "House? Are you okay?" Alarmed, she glanced at his monitor and saw all vitals strong.

As she approached the bed, he propped himself up on his elbows and snapped, "I don't want a danish." Taken aback, she opened her mouth to speak, but he interrupted. "Don't you have anywhere else to be?"

"What...are you okay?" she asked again.

"Don't I look okay? I don't think I can be much clearer...I don't want breakfast. It's not like they don't serve it in this hospital, I don't need you to bring me food. Go to work or something. Just not here." Stunned, she froze where she was for a moment. "Seriously. Go." He turned away.

Absolutely shocked and confused, she backed out the door still clutching the Panera carry-out bag. What the...She didn't want to admit how much the sudden hostility hurt. Fighting back uncharacteristic tears, she turned and fled to the empty stairwell.

By the time she reached the abandoned storage nook three flights down, her tears had turned to anger. "Asshole!" she growled, kicking the wall in frustration. "What the hell?" She just didn't understand why he didn't want her there that morning.

Saturday, she'd brought in a selection of movies and typical junk food, and they'd spent the afternoon and most of the evening together. As strange as it was to admit, it was actually enjoyable. When he wasn't in defense mode, he could be almost considered good company. The conversation remained light, and she was careful not to brush up against any subject that would make him uncomfortable or raise his defenses.

Since that day, they'd fallen into a routine. Mornings were bagels - blueberry for her, chocolate chip for him, both with honey-nut cream cheese. The nurses frowned on her bringing him coffee, but twice she'd snuck one in anyway. Then throughout the day, she'd stop in to see him when she had a chance, just to say hi and add a little variety to his monotonous routine. Each evening, she came by after her shift with some kind of food: sandwiches usually, once it had been Chinese carryout. They had a chess rematch (which he won even faster than the first game), but the next night she got her revenge winning Jenga - a game she liked to play because it required the steady hands she so cherished. Wednesday night was House's favorite soap opera, and he spent most of dinner filling her in on the background so she could truly appreciate the experience when it came on.

Remy had even become more comfortable with Stephen spending time with House. After all, it was good for him to have another visitor so he wouldn't feel so isolated. And if House was going to share everything he knew about her, he would have done it by now. Maybe House was too wrapped up in trying to figure out her and Stephen's relationship, which she really didn't mind at all - since they were just friends. So when both the men told her Stephen had stopped by House's room on Tuesday, she hadn't been alarmed. She was even a little impressed, since Stephen still hadn't seemed shocked at House's lack of people skills. He was acting almost like a socially well-adjusted individual.

Which was why his outburst this morning stung so much. All I've done the last few days is try to make his fucking life easier. Bringing him food and movies, spending time in that room...and this is what I get? He was fine last night when we were watching his fucking soap opera. What the hell is he so mad about? He couldn't have found out I called Chase. Even if he had, he wouldn't be this upset about it. Yell at me, maybe, but not just tell me to get out. What else could his problem be? I didn't do anything!

Is he in more pain? With that thought, she straightened up against the wall and wiped her traitorously overflowing eyes. All right, Remy, pity party over. The one thing you know about House - when he's hurt, he lashes out like a wounded animal. The only reason this got to me so much is that I started to expect him to act normal, but he's still House. If something's wrong, he's not just going to come right out and tell me about it. Determined to get to the bottom of his strange behavior, she took a calming breath and climbed the stairs back up to the sixth floor.

**********

Remy knocked lightly on the office door labeled "Chris Myers, M.D."

"Come in," a voice called. She entered to find the middle-aged doctor seated at his desk, which was covered in paperwork. "Hello. Dr. Hadley, isn't it? Greg House's friend?"

"I guess," she smiled, surprised he remembered. "Actually, I was wondering if I could speak with you about his case."

"Certainly. Of course, I must respected patient confidentiality policies since this isn't an official consult, but I would be glad to discuss anything I can."

"Thank you. I'm not even sure what I'm asking...Maybe I should just tell you why I'm here. This morning, when I went to visit House, he was unusually hostile - wouldn't even look at me, just ordered me to get out. See, for as long as I've known him, he's dealt with persistent pain from his leg injury. I've found that sudden anger and defensiveness are a sign that his pain is worse than usual. So I was wondering if you were aware of any increased pain problems, or any changes in his condition that could cause this?"

The doctor leaned back in his chair. "As far as I know, his condition is actually improving. His pain-scale rankings have been going down to a level he described as almost normal, and his mobility has been increasing as well, which is why he was put up for early transfer."

"Excuse me?" Remy was confused.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you knew. Doctor Randall, his physical therapist, and I agree that the rest of his recovery can be monitored through an out-patient program. So this morning he was put on a list for transfer back to Princeton-Plainsboro, where he can be released and finish his therapy from home."

"I...Oh...Thank you," she stammered. "Thank you for your help." She turned and left the office quickly.

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