The Little Things

Chapter 2

Around a half hour later, Chase and Foreman arrived, set their stuff down on the conference room table and got their coffee. As they sat down at the conference table, I went over to join them.

"Hi, how are you two doing today?"

"Actually, I'm doing great. I may even offer to do House's clinic duty today," said Foreman.

"I HEARD THAT! GO FOR IT IF YOU WANT!" House said yelling from his office.

"OKAY! YOU COULD COME OUT HERE TO TELL ME THAT. YOU DON'T HAVE TO YELL IT OUT!"

"YELLING IS MUCH EASIER!" replied House.

We all chuckled and Foreman got up and walked over to House's office, closing the door behind him.

"Is everything ready?" House whispered.

"Yeah, just do your part and everything will be ready. I just have to set up a couple of things still but we're good to go."

"Cool," replied House. "Now go get my 'clinic hours' done!" House gave a half smile and said "Chase doesn't know yet, right?"

"Nope, I did as you asked and didn't tell him."

"Good, I could easily see him ruining it. He's so flustered about Cameron that he'd probably end up letting it slip."

Foreman left and walked off towards the elevator.

House walked into the conference room after Foreman left his office. "So what are you two planning on doing today? The patient seems stable but I guess one of you should look after her."

"I'll…" Chase started.

"Cameron, why don't you keep her company and run some more tests," House interrupted.

"Sure," I replied as I got up and walked out of the conference room.

"Chase, why don't you go and see if the ICU could use some help? I heard they're understaffed and I figured I could afford to loan you out."

"Okay," Chase replied. He got up and left House standing alone in the conference room.

This was going to be an interesting day to say the least.

I kept Sara company making sure she stayed stable. Checked her vitals every hour and took some more blood for some lab tests. I still need to check for a few autoimmune diseases that were top of the list in hopes to explain why she's in her current condition. Around 11:00am I went to the lab to run the tests. They'd take a few hours so I hung around waiting for the results. At 12:30pm House paged me to go to his office. I left the lab and sauntered up to his office. I was intrigued by the way he was treating me. He doesn't often ask to do something together. It's just not like him.

When I arrived at his office I walked up to his desk. He looked up from his TV and said "You ready to go?"

"Sure, where are we going?" I replied.

"A little place nearby. I can't do the hospital cafeteria food again this week," he said as he shuddered.

He got up and turned the TV off. We left his office and got into the elevator headed down to the lobby. We were alone.

"So, I'm curious. Why'd you ask me to go to lunch?"

"Does there have to be an ulterior motive for someone to want to hang out with you?" he scoffed in reply.

"Do you always have to answer a question with a question?"

"Do you always have to question me?" he gave me a smirk. We left the hospital and walked up to his motorcycle.

"Get a new helmet?"

"Yeah, I just thought I'd carry two around just in case I ever end up giving someone a lift. You know how Wilson likes to drink. Sometimes I have to take his drunk $$ home."

"Ahhh," I replied. I doubted that was the reason but I'm just going to let it be.

He tossed me the spare helmet and he straddled the motorcycle, placing his cane on the side. "Hop on!" he said.

"Sure thing," I replied as I put on the helmet. I straddled the motorcycle behind him and put my hands on his waist. He reached around and grabbed my hands putting them fully around him.

"I figured you'd get the idea last time. I don't want you to fall off so you've got to get a good grip on me and hold on tight," he explained. He started the engine and we were off headed out of the parking lot. I never told him but I love riding the motorcycle with him. It's invigorating and so much fun. I've wanted to ride again with him since the last time we rode together. There's such a rush you get while speeding down a road; holding someone close. I felt almost vulnerable but I knew I was safe. I knew House wouldn't let anything happen to me.

We arrived at a restaurant about five minutes later. It was a little Italian place; a hole in the wall. We got off the motorcycle, removed the helmets and attached them to the motorcycle. As we walked up to the door he stopped, stood aside and said, "Ladies first!"

"Wow, you're being such a gentleman."

He pulled open the door to the restaurant and as soon as I stepped part way in I heard a loud, "Surprise!" from a group of people inside. I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. I leapt back right into House's arms. He grabbed me and said "Whoa, you okay?"

I had the most shocked look on my face. "What's all this?"

"Your friends and colleagues. They're here to wish you a happy birthday."

I was still in shock and almost couldn't move so House, with his arms still around me, slowly pushed me into the building and let the door close behind us. Everyone started coming up to me giving me hugs and wishing me happy birthday. I wasn't expecting this. I hadn't even told anyone it was my birthday. Who would have set this up for me? I would definitely have to get to the bottom of this.

Either way though, I was happy! My friends and colleagues cared for me enough to want to do something so special for me. I was flabbergasted. As everyone was approaching me, House just stood behind me. I was still sort of leaning on him for support. He amazed me as how supportive and caring he was being.

Eventually I loosened up and we all sat down at a long table that had been set up at the restaurant. I sat at the end of it with House to my left. There were probably around fifteen people there from work; all people I cared for and respected. After we sat down we talked for a few and then we all ordered and ate a marvelous lunch.

After lunch, everyone made me open gifts and around 2:30pm everyone started leaving saying farewell and happy birthday to me. Foreman approached me and said, "So, did you have a good time?"

"Yeah, that was unexpected but having everyone around me was the best present ever. Did you set this up?"

"Well, I helped but it wasn't my idea. I didn't even know it was your birthday until a couple weeks ago. Why didn't you ever tell us?"

"Didn't think it mattered."

"Well, you are obviously surrounded by people who care for you. I'm glad you had a good time. It means this was all worth while." Foreman then gave me a hug and Chase approached me.

"This was great fun. I wish I had been told about it before today," Chase said.

I tilted my head and raised an eyebrow and replied, "You didn't know about it?"

"Nope, for some reason, someone thought I might let it slip to you."

"Ahhhh, well, I'm glad you came."

"Sorry, I didn't have a gift for you. If I had known…"

"Don't worry about it. You just being here was a good enough present. Thank you for coming," I replied cutting him off. He then gave me a hug; then he and Foreman proceeded to the door.

Cuddy and Wilson walked up to me next. Cuddy placed a hand on my forearm and said, "Happy birthday Cameron. I hope you had a good time."

"Yeah, I hope you've had fun so far and I hope the rest of your day goes well," Wilson chimed in.

"Thank you both. I hope you don't mind me asking but whose idea was this?"

Cuddy and Wilson looked at each other in response to my question and then returned their gaze to me. "It was arranged by an anonymous individual," Wilson said this with a half smile and then gave me a hug which was followed by a hug from Cuddy. They walked out the door together.

Well, I know for sure it was one person. At least that's what Wilson implied. If it was one of the two of them then I'm sure they would have spoken up. The only person I know that could do something nice for someone and not want recognition for it would be House. It had to have been him, right? Oh well, I won't push him to tell me. I'll let him tell me if he wants to but otherwise I won't touch it.

I reached up and grabbed my brand new pendant and stroked it with my thumb. Wow, this was just all so surreal to me.

House and I were the last to leave. As I was exiting, I turned and said, "Hey, what about the bill?"

"It's been taken care of little lady. Quit worrying," House replied as he put his hand on my arm, turned me and gave me a little push out. "Keep walking. Once you get me moving you don't want me to stop," he said with a chuckle.

He put on his helmet and got on his motorcycle. I put on the spare helmet and got on the motorcycle behind him; taking the liberty to place my arms tightly around his waist; pressing myself up against him.

"Much better," he said before starting the engine and taking off.