Shows not mine.

There were some of you who weren't sure what House slipped in Cameron's hand in chapter 7. He handed her her own copy of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Sort of to prove how much he knew her. Glad that's all cleared up.

And here we go...

Cuddy stood, rooted in place, staring through the glass window into the lab. Why did she agree to find Cameron and Foreman and tell them what had happened? All of the sudden, Cameron looked up from the slide on the microscope and noticed the Dean watching her. A confused expression flitted across her face as she rose to her feet. Cuddy gave a brief smile and smoothed her skirt before walking to the closed door of the lab and reached for the knob. Cameron was facing her when she entered; the confused look still gracing her soft features.

"Dr. Cuddy? Is...something wrong?"

"Dr. Cameron...Allison. There's been an...accident of sorts." Not an accident at all. "House is in surgery right now. His leg may be broken, and he will need a few stitches on his head. He's a bit bruised but it looks like that's the extent of the damage. We won't know for sure quite yet though."

"What? What happened? Who operating?"

"There was a...problem...at his house. I don't know all the details myself. But nothing seems to be broken beyond repair. No more than before at least. Dr. Chase is performing the surgery. I trust fully in his capabilities, so try not to worry."

Cameron's expression went from one of confusion, to worry, and then to concentration, all in a time span of about 45 seconds.

"What kind of...problem?"

"I don't kn-"

"Does it involve his Dad?"

A mildly shocked look crossed Cuddy's face.

"You...he told you about that?"

Cameron got a very sad, far-away look in her eyes.

"No he didn't tell me...just a guess. Which OR? I want to observe the surgery."

The second the answer fled her lips, Cameron was halfway out the door and on her way. Cuddy grabbed her arm. Annoyed, Cameron turned quickly to face her captor.

"Foreman...do you know where he is? He doesn't know yet."

"Probably in neurology assisting. If not there, then I don't know." She turned and left Cuddy standing alone in the lab. She glanced over to the slides the normally compulsively neat Cameron had left laying out on the counter. She took a deep breath. That was awkward. I wish I could go straight to the observation room...

Sighing, she walked out the door in search of the one missing duckling.

Standing in the back of the small room, Foreman was watching the screens as the MRI images of a 56 year old woman flashed. He only looked up when the door he stood beside flew open.

"Foreman...House is in surgery." Cuddy continued to relay the information once more to the stoic neurologist. "Come on, I'm on my way down to observation. Wilson and Cameron are already there."

"I'll come up later, I just want to see these images."

Cuddy's mouth dropped open and she stared at the man before her.

"Foreman...he's your boss. His life might be over...and you want to look at images that you must have seen exactly the same way on a hundred other patients?"

"You think if it was ME who was in surgery, that House would go out of his way to watch and make sure I was ok? He's not my brother, Dr. Cuddy. Or my father, or mentor, or friend for that matter. He's my boss. And someone I don't particularly care for."

"You know what? For someone who would risk ruining his career because you don't want to be like House, you sure do act a helluva lot like the bastard." With that, the incensed woman stormed out of the room, leaving Foreman alone with the pictures and technician.

Wilson and Cameron didn't move a muscle when Cuddy walked in. The wore twins masks of worry. You never think of how awful and serious a surgery is until you watch one being performed on someone you care deeply about. Cuddy glanced down. The sight almost made her sick. There was a dear friend that she had known for years, laying on a table with his leg slit open to have a pin placed just so in the broken places. It was a sight she thought she would never have to see again after the infarction. One she had hoped to never see again. Sitting down and covering her face with her hands, she thought back on the days before the infarction. When they were in college. He had been happy then. Jaded, of course. But happy none the less. House had been involved in many sports. Rowing, lacrosse, football, rugby. He had been associated with every music related class he could get in. It hurt her heart to know her friend, once so active and joyful, was reduced to a hollow shell of a man. Bitter and barely able to walk, much less make a tackle, or run across campus so as not to be late to his next class. That was back when he actually cared about life, and whether or not he got to places on time. The loss of his muscle had taken so much of his spirit away from him. She knew she would never fully understand how much of him was bitterness and how much was pain.

"Couldn't find him?"

Pulled from her thoughts, Cuddy glanced at Cameron. Her eyes looked red. Had she been crying?

"What? Oh...no I found him. He just...he was too busy."

Both Wilson and Cameron just looked at her, shocked at the thought of Foreman being so cold.

"My thoughts exactly." Cuddy leaned back in the chair.

For a few minutes, they all just sat in silence, each lost in thoughts of their own. That is until they heard a sharp tone from the operating room, and everyone seemed to be rushing around. Right as they placed the paddles on House's chest, the door opened and Foreman walked in.

Gah I'm evil with the cliffy's...I annoy myself with them. Sorry folks! Won't be too long though I promise. Now click the little button and review!