Chapter 2
(I apologize for not updating sooner the past few months have been pretty hectic. Anyway, enjoy the chapter it is a bit short but, the next one will come quick. Thanks to everyone who commented they were helpful and kind)
As Cuddy headed for the nurses station, she was surprised to see House limping through the hospital entrance extraordinarily early. It was a miracle when he arrived on time; coming in this early only meant trouble when it came to House. She took this moment to get a decent look at him and noticed his limp was more pronounced, his pace cautiously slow and grasp tight around the handle of his cane. The dark circles under his eyes only added to how already exhausted he looked as he made his way towards the elevators.
As House made his way to the hospitals main entrance he realized with regret that taking the bike may have not been the wisest choice; his leg felt worse then the previous day. "I'll have to catch a ride home from Wilson, that's all I need rationalization man to save the day." He thought bitterly. Opening the doors he groaned inwardly, his plans for avoiding Cuddy vanishing as she made her way towards him; expression a mixture of concern and curiosity, dangerous things in the eyes of House. He continued walking towards the elevators signaling he wasn't going to stop to chitchat, Cuddy ignored this and walked along side him.
"What are you doing here?" She said in a concerned yet accusing manner.
"And good morning to you too." He mumbled.
"You can barely stand upright." She pointed out (literally pointing) analyzing him.
"My, aren't we observant today," he responded annoyed by her constant pestering, "and for the record, I'm fine." He added emphasizing the word fine. Cuddy rolled her eyes, obviously not believing him in the slightest, giving him a look that confirmed that quite clearly. House stopped in front of the elevator and began incessantly pressing the up arrow key, impatiently waiting for the elevator doors to hurry up and open.
When the doors slid open House quickly stepped into the elevator with Cuddy right behind him.
Glaring daggers at her, House shifted his weight to his left leg profusely wishing that she woulddisappear so he then could close his eyes and lean on the wall again. House knew Cuddy was a very persistent woman who would continue to follow him into his office and most likely lecture him or worse send him to the clinic. Ether way it would interfere with his plans to sit in his office and do nothing. Feeling a hand on his arm, House realized he had been daydreaming and glanced up to see a concerned Cuddy staring back at him.
"House" Cuddy said voice light in an uncharacteristically calm manner, meaning she was going to get all personal with him, precisely the thing House tries to avoid.
"So, about that case?" he stated deflecting the conversation that would have come if he hadn't.
"Too late I already assigned it to Dr. Macmen" she answered aware of his deflection.
"Macmen's an idiot who can't tell a headache from a brain tumor, give me the case."
"Fine but House…"
The elevator doors opened and House took the opportunity to escape making his way to his office as fast as a cripple could manage.
Much to his surprise and delight Cuddy did not follow him; he smiled at that fact dropping his cane and backpack beside the ottoman. Slowly, he lowered himself into a sitting position grimacing as he did so. He stretched his legs, out rubbing the right one which was slightly bent. Unzipping his backpack and rummaging though it a bit, he took out a book and his always handy vicoden. Letting the book rest securely on his lap, untwisting the aggravatingly child safe vicoden cap then pouring a few into his palm. He stared down at them for a fraction of a second before swallowing them dry. When the pills began to take effect he retrieved his reading glasses from his shirt packet, placing them on the bridge of his nose. He lifted the book entitled complications of the human brain off his lap and began reading soon drifting off.