Snowmelt Chapter 15 Part 1

Rehab is for Quitters

"Wife?" The woman behind the counter eyed House with suspicion. But she reviewed the documentation and concluded that, the emaciated woman shaking in the corner was, indeed, his wife. Phone calls were made to insurance hotlines, documents reviewed and faxed. Around midnight Maia was ensconced in a bed, asleep, on the fourth floor of PPTH.

The on-duty physician's assistant warned House, "This is a relapse. She got off it by herself the first time, but people who relapse tend to need more intensive support during withdrawal and maintenance. I suspect the doctors will let her go through withdrawals here for the first ten days. Then we'll send her to our sister rehab center in Reston, Virginia for ten to 24 weeks."

House jerked his head back, "Twenty-four weeks?"

The man nodded, "Dr. House, she'll be off the drugs and cope pretty well for the first ten days. It's the next two months that are the most challenging, the lethargy, depression, dealing with feelings of guilt and unworthiness. She's going to want the coke to make her feel energetic, able to face life again. We need to keep her in a safe environment during that period."

House exhaled and looked at the clock. He was tired and wanted to go home to bed. He turned and started to leave.

"Dr. House, she's lucky you brought her in. In her state, I'd have given her two maybe three weeks before her heart gave out or she had a major stroke. She's lucky to have you."

House shook his head solemnly, "No she isn't."

Wilson popped into his office, "There's a rumor floating around the hospital that Gregory House is married, to a coke addict."

House looked up and took his glasses off, "That's not news to you.'

"Not to me, but the fact that the cat is out of the bag is big news. What happened? I hear you got her into rehab."

"I remembered that as my wife she has substantial medical benefits."

"That's right! Wow, so what happened to the annulment?"

"On hold. I told her that there would be no annulment until she went through rehab on my dime."

"My God, House. That was generous of you. Could it be that you want to try again? Make it work between you two?"

"No, I just figured it wasn't coming out of my pocket, so why not throw her a bone."

Wilson, smiling, obviously not convinced, chuckled, "So the annulment is on as soon as she's clean and sober. That makes sense. Let's get her healthy and yank the carpet out from under her so we can watch her spiral down the stairs again."

House sat back and sneered, "Your drivel isn't going to work. The only advice I'm going to need from you for the next six months is how to keep away from her feminine wiles."

Wilson shook his head, "You want me to keep you from copulating with your wife?"

"Precisely. I can't consummate the relationship or I have to divorce her and it will take twice as long and cost twice as much."

"There are some tasks I can help you with, but keeping you from nailing free ass is a task that I believe is beyond my abilities. Perhaps you need Cuddy or Cameron for that. See you later House."

Wilson left and House frowned. It's not really that big a deal, she'll be in rehab for six months and when she comes out, we'll get the annulment. When am I going to find time or a place to screw her?

Cuddy crept into Wilson's office. "He married her? He married a crack head?"

"Coke, not crack. Apparently she doesn't freebase. And yes, he married her months ago. But they haven't consummated the marriage."

Cuddy's mouth dropped open, "House hasn't had sex with his wife? Are you kidding?"

"No, they were going to get an annulment, but she needs rehab. If he screws her, he has to go through a divorce which will require lawyers, more time, more money."

"So this marriage was just to get medical attention for her?"

"No, I think they both love each other. Well, I'm pretty sure he loves her."

Cuddy threw her hands up in frustration, "Then why the annulment?"

Wilson laughed, "There won't be an annulment. I see copulation in the near future. It's the only way House can prolong the marriage until he can think of a way for her to beg him to stay in it."

Cuddy rolled her eyes, "Oh my God. Why doesn't he just tell her he wants to make it work?"

"House? Put his emotions on the line first? Ha. The simple answer is -- rejection. If she says it first then he doesn't risk being rejected. He just has to manipulate it out of her. Problem is, in some respects, she's a carbon copy of House. Getting it out of her might not be that easy."

"Oh God, they deserve each other."

House had been discouraged by the counselors from visiting Maia for the first 48 hours, which didn't bother him because he had a patient. On the third day he went up to talk to the doctor. He waited in the waiting area, nervous and worried. He heard someone call his name.

"Dr. House?"

He looked up to see a beautiful woman, black hair, deep brown eyes, about six inches shorter than him. She was in a lab coat with, "Dr. Payson" written on the pocket. House stood up and shook her extended hand.

"I'm Dr. Payson, your wife's therapist and doctor."

"Are you a shrink?"

"Psychiatrist and Pain Management Specialist. I was assigned your wife's case because no one else would take on the case knowing you were …let's just say, knowing that they'd have to interact with you. I'm new, so I drew the short straw. What is it about you that makes grown men cringe?"

House liked her bluntness and knew that Maia would too, "I'm honest and I don't have a governor on my mouth."

She nodded, "Oh, so politically correct or not, it will come out of your mouth."

"Usually."

"Well, Maia has signed a Hippa release, so I can talk to you about her case. Why don't you come back to my office?"

House followed the leggy brunette and couldn't help but admire the curve of her long legs, the gentle sway in her walk. He wondered how the male patients managed to concentrate on anything but her. He sat down and she closed the door.

"Dr. House, Maia gave me this to give to you." She handed him an envelope.

He opened the large envelop and pulled out the papers. They were signed annulment papers. There was a note with them,

Dear Greg,

I don't want you to think that I would take advantage of your kindness, so I have given you your 'get out of jail free' papers. Anytime you need to file, you're free to do so. I don't want your life held up because of my folly. All you need to do is sign them and file them with a check for the filing fees. You should get final papers back in a month. Usually, there is no requirement for a hearing as long as both parties have filled out and signed the papers.

So, if you meet someone, get tired of footing the medical bills or just get tired of being married, please file the forms. I won't think any less of you. You've already put me on the right path and I have so much to thank you for.

Take care, if you feel up to it, please drop me a line from time to time or call. Remember to try and be less miserable.

Your Faithful Maia

House looked up, "Do you know what this is?" He held up the papers.

She smiled sweetly and nodded, "It's her way of letting you know how much you mean to her."

"Annulment papers? I'm supposed to feel good that my wife wants an annulment?"

"Oh, Dr. House, from what I hear, you're smarter than that. She's trying to give you what she thinks you want or need. It's a demonstration of her appreciation. She never asked for the annulment, she just wants to make sure that she's not standing in your way of happiness. I guess you don't get too many people being selfless on your behalf do you?"

House said nothing as he stuffed the papers back into the envelope. "So what happens now? How is she?"

"She's doing much better, better than most. Since you ordered the rapid detox, she's ready to go to the next stage. She's not healthy, still very anemic; she weighed in at 99 pounds. But she made it through the first phase and did well. I think she really wants to get straight. But after hearing her story, I don't think there's much for her to go back to when she gets out. She owes her dealer $500 that she doesn't have. He's ready to pimp her out to pay it off and to keep her hooked. The little money she had saved went to drugs. Right now if we send her back out in to the real world, she'll relapse. I'd like to send her to our facility in Reston, Virginia. In light of her progress she won't need to stay more than 120, probably 90 days. But, it's up to you. The insurance will pay for the first 96 hours of her stay in Reston, after that, they pay 80. You pay the 20 until you pay $2,000. They'll pick up the coverage for everything after that. She doesn't have $2,000, but you do."

House rolled his eyes and chuckled, "Of course. I'll just put it on her tab. Find out who she owes the $500 to and I'll pay that off too."

"I can't do that, you'd be supporting an illegal activity and I'd be aiding you. I will have her send you another note."

"Don't I get to see her before she goes?"

Payson winced, trying to think of what harm it might do. "You're an addict too, aren't you?"

"I have a pain problem. I take Vicodin to ease the pain."

"You're addicted. I understand the difference between your addiction and Maia's, but you still require the Vicodin, don't you?"

"What has this got to do with seeing Maia?"

"It's not normally a good idea to let spouses see each other if they're both addicts and one of them isn't getting treatment. But, your circumstances are unique, I think we could allow you to see her. I'll make arrangements. She'll be leaving early tomorrow. How late are you staying tonight?"

"I'll be here all night, I've got a problem with a patient."

"Okay, when she wakes up, I'll give you a call." Payson stood up along with House, "You know, if I had gone through that she has in the year, I think I'd be on something too. She's pretty tough despite it all."

House nodded as they walked to the door.

"If you ever decide to address your pain problem, let me know. I'd like to help you out."

House turned his head sideways, "Why?"

"You're joking? If I could get the great Gregory House off of Vicodin, my cache would go through the roof!"

He chuckled and left the department.

Dear Readers, You're almost done with the story! Only one or two more posts. I hope that you have enjoyed it. Please leave me a comment and I hope that you read my next story. Thanks again for reading. Gorblimey2 aka Kim Brogan