Disclaimer: I own nothing that belongs to House (except the DVDs).
Sorry for not updating sooner. I was struck by inspiration (which is never good) and I decided to re-write the chapters that I had intended to post. Anyway, I hope that you enjoy it. Please review and tell me what you think, because all the changes I made were thanks to your comments.
Dr. Cuddy called Foreman and Chase into her office that evening.
As soon as their pagers went off, Cameron had realized what it was about. She was amused that she hadn't been summoned along with her colleagues. Apparently Cuddy didn't anticipate a good reaction.
In the end it was just as well that she hadn't been there. The two doctor's responses would hardly have bolstered her confidence.
Dr. Wilson and Dr. Cuddy observed their reactions in silence.
"What?" Chase's face was almost comical in it's expression of disbelief.
"House put Cameron in charge?" Foreman's reaction was by far the more controlled.
Lisa Cuddy could almost see the arguments against her decision forming in his mind. Eric Foreman was the more important of the two to win over, in her opinion. If he supported his temporary boss, Cameron's job would be a whole lot simpler. However, from the expression on his face, it looked as if his acceptance of her new position was a long way away.
Dr. Cuddy spoke firmly, it was not the time to try and coax them: "House is still in a coma. It wasn't his decision- it's mine. I've discussed it with the board. We didn't want to go outside the hospital. Cameron was the logical choice. It's my decision, and I stand by it."
What she was really saying was: 'Don't argue with me', Chase thought bitterly.
Dr. Foreman cut in: "I'm a neurologist."
"Dr. Cameron's speciality is more adapted to a temporary Head of Diagnostics."
"I had a 4.0 grade average in college."
"You've just had brain surgery."
"I've fully recovered. I've been back at work for months."
"The board feels that we can't take that chance." she paused for a moment before going on, "Look, Dr. Cameron is an excellent doctor. She efficient and she cares about her patients."
"We care about our patients." Chase said, in the tone of a petulant child.
Dr. Wilson turned a contemptuous gaze on him and spoke for the first time: "You both treat the disease. Cameron sees the person."
Cuddy decided to bring the meeting to a close, they were getting no where.
"We have every confidence in Dr. Cameron. We know that this is the right decision. And I want you two to support her and to do as she says. For the moment, she's your boss- so treat her with respect."
The younger doctors left the office without protest, but neither of them looked happy.
Dr. Cuddy gazed after them in silence for a moment, then she turned to Wilson.
"All the same, James, I hope that you're right about this."
He sighed deeply. The last two days had been a nightmare and he looked, and felt, like hell.
"So do I," he spoke so quietly that he might have been talking to himself, "So do I."
AN: Well? What did you think?? Please review- and tell me where to go from here!