I've decided that Chapter 10 (last chapter) will be a two for one deal; two different endings…a seriously crackfic ending, and an alternate ending which isn't so crackish.
Thanks for reading and reviewing…I've really enjoyed writing this fic!
Chapter 9
Chase, Foreman and Cameron looked down at the ongoing operation from the observation room. Dr. Jackson was skillfully repairing Cuddy's spleen as House stood nearby, watching absolutely every move, and occasionally making comments or suggestions. Wilson stood just outside the swinging doors, near the wash basins, acting as messenger for House's team. House broke away momentarily and made his way towards Wilson, who held the door open for his gimpy friend. Once House had relayed his message, Wilson made his trek up to the fellows in the observation lounge.
"I can't imagine what he's going through right now," Cameron said, sandwiched between Foreman and Chase at the observation window.
Foreman looked at her, "You don't honestly think they got married out of love?"
"She married him, didn't she? They both looked perfectly willing in that photo."
"He probably got her drunk, or drugged," Chase said with a smile.
"Did you see how gentle he was with her in the clinic? Or the concern on his face when he first walk in? He pushed us out of there pretty fast and you heard her when she got here. She only wanted House."
"I still don't buy it." Foreman pointed at the glass, "Look, he's sending a message to Wilson."
"We should just ask Wilson; he was there in Vegas." Cameron whispered.
"I wonder if they, you know," Chase said with a smirk, while looking at Cameron.
Foreman laughed out loud, "She did have back pain." Chase chuckled.
"I can't believe you two. Cuddy's down there on an operating table, bleeding into her abdomen as her husband stands watch and all you two can think about it is whether or not they did it." Both boys looked a bit sheepish at her words, "She could have died. Imagine what House is going through right now."
Wilson cleared his throat at the entrance to the observation room.
"Dr. Wilson, hi." Cameron said, as they turned to look at him.
"House wants you to make sure she's got a private room, one with a cot in it. He said no exceptions; the dean of medicine, under no circumstances, is to share a room while she recovers. Those were his exact words. Dr. Jackson's about to close now, it went well."
Chase nodded solemnly, "So, it's true?"
"Yes, it was her spleen, but Dr. Jackson was able to repair it. Thankfully there was no need to remove it completely. House made the right call which saved her a lifetime of complications." Wilson said as he watched Foreman stare at his shoes.
"No, I mean, they're married? Really married?" Chase said quietly. Wilson nodded.
"What happened?" Cameron asked.
"Why don't you make her room arrangements and then meet me in the cafeteria and we can talk?" The trio agreed.
"They eloped and didn't tell you about it? And just to win a bet?" Chase took a bite of his sandwich.
"I had no idea. House mumbled something about getting married but I was half asleep when he said it and then he was gone."
"So they did spend the night together?" Foreman said with a grin. Cameron sent him a scowl.
Wilson shook his head, feeling loyalty creep up on him, "He was icing her back every twenty minutes and fell asleep."
Cameron looked at Wilson with a glazed look, "He was taking care of her," she said with a dreamy smile.
Chase rolled his eyes, "Cameron, House is far from a knight in shining armor."
Wilson felt the need to defend House, though he wasn't sure why, "You should have seen him after the fire. We couldn't find Cuddy anywhere and…" he sighed, "He didn't say anything but he was worried."
"Where was she?"
"Mixed in with all the other hotel guests. By the time she got out to the parking lot, House and I had moved to the medical tent." Wilson decided to keep the private hug a secret; the fellows had no need for that information, "She was equally as relieved to find him as he was her."
"So, you think this marriage is real?" Cameron asked.
Wilson puffed out his cheeks and held the air in his mouth a moment, thinking. Releasing the air he said, "I think initially…well I don't know. I don't know why they decided to get married, but I do think they're closer than they've let on. They've known each other for a very long time."
"But marriage?" Foreman asked.
Wilson shrugged, "I don't pretend to understand it. If they want to be married, or if they don't, I'll stand by their decision."
Wilson quietly entered Cuddy's private room later in the day, "How is she?"
House opened his eyes and looked up at Wilson, "Blood pressure is back to normal. Tachycardia's gone. It was a small bleed; she got lucky."
"All this from the fall?"
"Hard to say but yes, it started with the fall; when the plane took off yesterday, I think it may have made the tear worse."
"She must have been in a lot of pain." House nodded.
"So have you thought about what to do once she's out of here?"
House frowned, "No."
"I can stay at her place until she's ambulatory."
"No, I'll stay."
"The whole hospital knows."
"I know."
"Have you contacted a lawyer yet?"
House shook his head, "We won't have the final decree for two weeks; can't do much until we get it."
"Do you want an annulment?"
House stared at his hands and shrugged.
"What does she want?"
"I don't know." House leaned back on the second hospital bed, the one he was certain Cameron insisted upon instead of the simple cot, and watched Cuddy from the corner of his eye. Wilson took his seat in the corner chair, waiting. Still feeling the weight of the jet lag, the crazy weekend and the stress from the long day, both were asleep within minutes.
A very groggy croak sounded from the hospital bed, "House?" She hadn't opened her eyes just yet, still swimming in a foggy haze. She called him a little louder, "House?"
Wilson woke with a start and went to her bedside, "Hey, how do you feel?"
"Like I took a ride on the roulette wheel. Where's House?"
"He's sleeping on the other bed. Can you open your eyes?"
Cuddy peeled one eye open, then the other and spent a few moments focusing her eyes on Wilson, "Have you ever considered having your eyebrows waxed?"
Wilson laughed out loud, "You've turned into House, hopped up on painkillers."
"Mmmm, feels so much better than the fire in my gut. What time is it?"
"Just after seven."
"You should go home and get some sleep. House too. I'm just going to fall back asleep here anyway. I'm thirsty."
Wilson spooned a few ice chips into her mouth, "I will, but your husband over there hasn't left your side since you got here and I don't think he's going anywhere."
"So, everyone knows then?" She watched as Wilson nodded, "How did the surgery go? Did they take the whole spleen?"
"No. House fought them tooth and nail to do a repair instead of a removal. He was right."
"He's right a lot; it's why I hired him."
Wilson smiled, "That's not how he tells it."
Cuddy furrowed her brown a bit, "What did he say?"
"Something about how he gave you everything you asked for one night and in return, you hired him," Wilson watched Cuddy smile a bit, "I thought he was being facetious."
"He got it wrong."
"What?"
"He didn't give me everything I asked for; I gave him everything he asked for."
"So you just hired him?"
"No Wilson, I don't mean the job."
"I don't think I want to hear this."
Cuddy smiled, "I'm tired."
"Rest. I'll see you in the morning."
Cuddy opened her eyes again a few hours later, awakened by the sounds of House returning back to his own bed, "Hey," she half whispered.
House walked over to her bedside and looked down at her. He did a quick, cursory vitals check, "Any pain?"
"No."
He nodded, "Good." She patted the side of her bed and he sat, being careful not to jostle her.
"You should have called me last night if it was that bad."
"I thought you would just show up."
"Why?"
"I was sure you'd show up demanding a proper honeymoon," she said, as she watched him smile, "And It's just like you to annoy me when I'm exhausted."
"I'm sorry, I'll never fail to annoy you again," he said with a smirk.
She smiled, "I don't see any thermometers around here."
House leaned in, kissed her forehead, and then ever so lightly, touched her lips with his. He looked at her grinning, "You know, keep this up and we may not need an annulment."
"I don't want an annulment," she said honestly.
House pulled back, confusion gracing his face, "Why not?"
"An annulment means that it never happened."
"You don't seriously think we'd move in together and settle in with two and half kids, a dog and a white picket fence."
Cuddy stifled a laugh, grimacing just a bit, "That's not what I mean. I want a divorce, not an annulment."
House slowly nodded, "So that this marriage won't cease to exist."
Cuddy smiled, sadly, "This marriage may be the only one I'll ever get. I don't want it to be erased."
"Okay."
"That's it? It's okay?"
"If that's what you want."
"It is."
House nodded, "You should go back to sleep."
"So should you."
"Yes, Mrs. House."
"I'm going to miss that. I always wondered what my married name would be," she yawned, "Silly little childhood dreams."
"You'll still be Mrs. House for the next two weeks."
She smiled again, "I love you."
House snorted, "How much morphine are they giving you?"
"I don't know but I can see why you like it."
