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Chapter 40: Truce

Kate was getting stronger each day, but she hadn't yet gotten back to her weight from before the kidnapping. As long as she remembered to eat regularly – three regular meals and three healthy snacks - and get enough rest, she was pretty good. But with the stress of getting Monica adjusted and trying to register for college, her health was often put aside.

Kate ran around like a wild woman to get everything done for the holidays. During the kidnapping, she had believed that she would never see her family again and never share Christmas with them. But since she was here, she was determined that it would be the perfect holiday.

Emily was just old enough to be entranced by the lights and bright colors. So Kate took her to see Santa Claus and had her picture taken with him. Not just one Santa. Kate took her to every Santa in every mall or store in the area and got pictures with each one. House was confused.

"Are we looking for the one that will really bring her toys so that we don't have to?"

But Kate ignored him and went on. She made long lists of everything she wanted to buy for their friends and for him and the girls. It was just as important that Monica have a wonderful Christmas. Kate spent long hours shopping for the perfect gifts. Then, when she came home, she decorated the house. The next day, she would take down whatever she'd done and do it over, differently. House would leave home in the morning and return to a totally changed room.

She attempted to bake cookies. Some of them were passable, but most were inedible. This would frustrate her and she would try all over again.

In between all of this, she had to meet with the university advisors to get her paperwork and roster in order so that she could begin classes in January.

It was a Sunday, a few days before Christmas. After searching every Christmas tree lot in Princeton and the surrounding towns, she felt she found the perfect tree. It was a lovely, seven-foot blue spruce. She paid extra for them to deliver it and set it up in the house. Then she got out the ornaments and her ladder and began decorating it.

She was so engrossed in her task, she forgot all about breakfast, lunch or her snacks. She had also been up late the night before, trying to perfect the last batch of cookies. One too many trips up the ladder with no fuel in her already weakened system spelt disaster. As she was climbing down the ladder, a wave of dizziness hit her. She couldn't keep her balance and she fell.

House had taken Emily with him to Wilson's apartment to watch football. He didn't mind celebrating Christmas with his family, but the whole tree trimming, gift buying, house decorating was too much for him. He volunteered to get Emily out of Kate's way while she did her thing.

Monica had gone to the library. She had joined the teen advisory board and they were having their monthly meeting. She had wanted to stay and help with the tree, but Kate knew how important it was for the girl to associate with kids her age. She promised there would plenty for her to do when she came home.

When the game was over, House packed up Emily and headed home. When he came in, he saw the big tree in the corner. There was a ladder in front of it, but he didn't see Kate. It wasn't finished, so he didn't think she'd leave it half done. He got closer and saw her on the floor. He was down on his knees in seconds, calling out her name and taking her pulse.

He heard a gasp behind him and saw Monica walking into the room.

Her voice was angry when she said, "What have you done to her?"

House only spared her a momentary glance, before saying, "Call 911!"

"What did you do to Kate???" she screamed.

"Nothing! Monica, I don't have time for this. Call 911. NOW!"

Monica raced to the phone and did as he asked, but seconds later she was back in the room. She pulled on his arm and said, "You hurt her! I knew you would! Leave her alone!"

House realized quickly that he wasn't going to accomplish anything unless the girl calmed down.

"Monica, I just got home. See, I still have my coat on. Emily is still in the stroller. I walked in and found her on the floor. Do you understand?"

There were tears in her eyes, but she looked around, then nodded.

"Okay, good. Now, take Emily to her room and get her settled. Then find Joanne's phone number and call her to come and stay with you girls. I need to go to the hospital with Kate. Got it?"

She nodded and took Emily out of the room. A few minutes later, he heard her on the telephone. She came back to him then.

"I called Joanne. She'll be right here."

"Good." House said as he continued to try to revive Kate.

"But I'm not staying here."

"What?" He had no time for teenage histrionics.

"I'm going to the hospital with you."

"No, you're not."

"Yes, I am. I can't stay here and wonder what's happening to her. I have to be there."

"Monica…" he began.

"They took my mom to the hospital and I never saw her again." There were tears in her eyes. "Please don't make me stay here to wait."

When he saw her face, filled with sadness, but also with determination, he relented.

"Okay, you can come. But I don't know how long it will take."

"That doesn't matter."

There was a knock on the door and Monica ran to let the EMS in. They brought a gurney and loaded Kate on it. House identified himself and instructed them to take her to Princeton Plainsboro.

"Are you riding with us, Dr. House?"

"I can't. I have to wait for someone to come to watch my daughter. But I'll be there shortly."

They took her out and House watched as they loaded her into the ambulance, closed the doors and pulled away. Seconds later, Joanne pulled up.

House explained briefly what he knew and told her he was taking Monica with him. Joanne assured him she would take good care of the baby and House and Monica got into his car and headed for the hospital.

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Figuring she would be more comfortable there, House led Monica to his office to wait. Then he went to the ER as fast as his bum leg would allow him. The ambulance drivers had told the doctors and nurses there that the woman they were bringing in was House's wife. Everyone rushed to take care of her quickly. No one wanted to hear the grumpy doctor if his wife was left waiting.

By the time House got there, the doctor had revived Kate. He told House, "She was malnourished and dehydrated. We've set her up on an IV, she should be okay, but she's weak. She should stay here a few days to get her strength up and she has to follow a strict nutrition plan."

House nodded, then asked for her chart. The doctor handed it to him, then left. House glanced at what was written, assuring himself that everything looked okay. They had taken blood and tested it. She was also anemic, but that could be controlled with medication. He let out a breath, then went to see her.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi. What happened? How did I end up here?"

"You decided to take a nap under the Christmas tree. Guess that pine scent just put you out."

"Greg…"

"Okay, okay." He said, then told her about her condition. Finally, he asked, "When was the last time you ate?"

She averted her eyes. "This morning, I guess."

"Kate, look at me."

She looked up to see intense blue eyes staring at her.

"Now, tell me, when was the last time you ate?"

She sighed. "I don't remember."

"Are you suicidal or just plain stupid? If it's the first, you already had a funeral and I'm not going to another one. If it's the second, well, how could you be so stupid?"

Tears started to well up in her eyes and House started to feel like a heel.

"I don't know." She said. "I just got so caught up in the holidays and everything else, I wasn't thinking."

"Well, unless you want to stop thinking permanently, you're going to change some habits." He tried to be a little calmer with her. "Do you want to see Monica?"

"Monica's here?"

"Yeah. They're gonna move you to a room. I'm making sure it's on my floor. I'll bring Monica in as soon as you're settled."

House spoke briefly to the ER staff, then returned to his office. Monica was sitting in his desk chair, playing with his oversized tennis ball when he entered.

"Hey, kid, my stuff. No touching."

She jumped up when she heard his voice. "How's Kate?"

"She'll be okay."

"Can I see her?"

"In a bit. They're moving her to a room."

"She has to stay here?"

"For a few days. She wasn't eating enough, that's why she passed out. We need to get her strength up here, then she can go home. And then we both have to make sure she eats regularly and the right stuff."

"I can do that."

"We'll both do that."

Monica looked at him. She could see the worry in his face. She remembered how he looked while bending over Kate. He had been scared.

She said softly, "I'm sorry for thinking you hurt her."

"It's okay." He watched the kid trying to come to terms with a multitude of emotions. He didn't envy her. He usually preferred to ignore emotions, instead of dealing with them.

"You really love her, don't you?" she asked.

"Yeah, I really do."

"Me too."

"I know."

Together, they headed down the hall to Kate's room.