CHAPTER 5
Wilson filed the report with the ethics committee along with an addendum from Cuddy vetting his work with the evidence she had gathered. They had held their breath for a week to see what Bauer would do and, as promised, he countered that this was all part of an elaborate plan House had to settle a score with him, relaying the story about House impersonating him at the conference. He further insinuated Cuddy as part of the scheme, citing her romantic relationship with House as an impairment to her judgment as the hospital administrator. The investigative committee spent another week going over the evidence, then set up a meeting with the parties concerned: Wilson, Bauer, Cuddy, and House. They all sat in the hospital boardroom – four committee members at one end of the table, House next to Wilson and across from Cuddy, and Bauer next to Cuddy at the end.
"We have several issues of proper conduct to discuss here today," the chairperson began, "All of which are rooted in the idea of identity – of one's work and of one's self." He droned on for a bit about the moral imperative of the good conduct of doctors, professionalism in academic settings, and so on. Cuddy was attentive, trying to read between the lines for any hint of their feelings, and clues as to what she needed to say during this discussion. House was starting to zone out like he was a junior high health class.
"Dr. House," he then heard, coming back to attention. "Is what Dr. Bauer accuses you of true?"
House paused, considering the question. He could feel Cuddy and Wilson holding their breaths. "There is some truth in his description of my actions, but his coloring of the larger context is completely fabricated." He saw Cuddy nod ever so slightly, rooting for him to handle this well.
"What is the truth of your actions?" the committee member asked.
House took a deep breath. There was no going back from here, and he wasn't even sure what was at stake, but if he wove a web of complicated lies, Cuddy and Wilson were sure to get stuck in it. "I went to the conference presentation with Dr. Wilson, my colleague and friend, and Dr. Bauer was not present when they introduced him. I was upset about the fact that he had stolen Wilson's research work, so I impulsively made the decision to use that opportunity to give Wilson the credit," House explained.
"By doing what exactly?" one member pressed.
"By introducing myself as Dr. Bauer, explaining that I took credit for Wilson's work, and handing the floor over to Wilson," House answered.
"I see," the committee member replied. "And Dr. Wilson, how did you respond to these actions?"
Now Wilson took a deep breath. "I was flustered and surprised. Dr. House had introduced me and the audience was waiting. I knew the work well because it was mine, and I felt angry about having it represented as someone else's, so I spoke about it. I added nothing more to what House had said, but I didn't deny any of it either."
"Dr. Cuddy, what was your role in all of this?" another member asked next.
"None," she replied. "The whole thing occurred without my knowledge." House saw Bauer roll his eyes.
"Do you endorse Dr. House's and Dr. Wilson's actions?" the committee member asked.
Cuddy paused. Careful, Cuddy, House thought. You're already lying; don't start thinking about integrity now.
"I wish that Dr. House had not handled it that way and had allowed us to pursue the proper channels upon returning from the conference," she replied.
"But do you approve of what he did instead?" she was asked again.
She looked at House, eye to eye, and said, "No, I do not approve of what he did." She was remarkable. She was looking directly at him, only amplifying the impact of her statement for the committee, and the half of her face to their side remained stoic. But he saw her mouth, the side towards Bauer, tilt upward into an almost imperceptible smile. House had a million dirty quips going through his mind about being reprimanded, punished, etc., but luckily Wilson knew him far too well and kicked him under the table, lest he forget what was going on here.
"And regarding Dr. Wilson's actions?" she was asked.
"I believe Dr. Wilson did what any number of people might have done when put in his position. It was awkward and complex and he had to make a snap decision and follow through with it. Due to the lack of prior knowledge on his part, and his emotional state due to the nature of the incident, I don't hold him responsible for any wrongdoing," Cuddy said completely truthfully.
"That statement makes sense," one committee member agreed, "Assuming that it was, in fact, Dr. Wilson's work being presented by Dr. Bauer." They all felt the tension rising, as this was the real crux of the case. Bauer swallowed.
"Dr. Bauer, do you still contend that the work you were scheduled to present and the paper you submitted to the conference are your own original work?" the committee member asked.
"Yes," he replied.
"Would you please describe the work for us?" the committee member pressed. Bauer was no fool. He came prepared, having reviewed everything Wilson had ever shared with him, and he talked as if he were a passionate advocate for this approach to working with medical students. He just hadn't banked on Cuddy's tenacious efforts to protect not just her boyfriend, but her friend and employee.
The committee excused themselves to deliberate privately and there was a palpably awkward 10 minutes during which the four of them were in the room. It was bizarre. No one spoke, for fear of upsetting the delicate balance of the situation. House met Cuddy's eyes several times, but couldn't read her. Then the committee filed back in.
"You do sound like you have a passion for this work, Dr. Bauer," the committee member noted. Bauer nodded emphatically and smiled. "It's curious to us then, why none of your medical student from this past year have experienced any of these practices while working with you." Bauer stared, confused.
"Dr. Cuddy, as a neutral investigator herself into the situation, interviewed a dozen medical students that you worked with and nearly a dozen who worked under Dr. Wilson. All of Dr. Wilson's students cited at least half of the practices outlined in this line of research, and many made statements that closely resembled the quotes from the qualitative data section, allowing us to almost match people in spite of the pseudonyms used in the data. None of yours made any reference to such experiences." Bauer looked panicked. "Do you have a way to explain this, Dr. Bauer?" He blinked at them. "I do," he said, getting reckless, "Dr. Cuddy has a relationship with Dr. House and fabricated that stuff to try to protect him."
"That is an interesting theory, but the interviews were all videotaped and submitted as support for Dr. Wilson's claim. Moreover, such evidence doesn't make a huge impact on the separate accusations you make against Dr. House." Bauer looked deflated. "Dr. Bauer, I think it is clear that to everyone on the committee that you have stolen the intellectual property of another doctor. The consequences for that are numerous, not least of which is a temporary revoking of your ability to publish in any of the major research venues. We note this consequence here as reassurance to Dr. Wilson that he will be able to claim the work as his own, should he decide to pursue publication. Further consequences will be explained to you and Dr. Cuddy in a private setting."
Bauer got up and was about to storm out of the room. He paused though, and asked with a hiss in his voice, "What about House?"
"Dr. House's actions were incorrect, but also understandable given the grievous nature of your conduct and his longstanding collegial relationship with Dr. Wilson. Given that we have a clear statement from Dr. Cuddy that she understands and disapproves of his actions, we will trust her to take immediate action in reprimanding Dr. House and assuring that such a thing won't happen again."
House looked at Cuddy, biting the inside of his cheeks to keep from all out smiling at her. Cuddy nodded solemnly at the committee. "I assure you I will handle his consequences," she said. She looked straight at him, tiny lopsided smile appearing again. Wilson kicked House for a second time. Bauer's head nearly exploded as he stormed out.
"Finally, Dr. Wilson, on behalf of the ethics committee, we'd like to apologize to you for the stress this situation has surely caused you and to thank you for your patience as we sorted through all of the evidence during the last several weeks," he said.
Wilson was speechless. Over two weeks his worrying mind had cooked up a completely different scenario, never expecting such a tidy ending, let alone an apology to him. "Thanks for all the consideration," was all he could muster.
The committee gathered their things and made awkward goodbyes, leaving House, Cuddy and Wilson alone in the room. Still no one spoke for a minute, the tension of the situation making them feel like they were being videotaped or something. Then House leaned back in his chair, put his feel on the table and said, "So what's it gonna be, Cuddy? Chain me up? Spank me? Bed with no TV?"
"House," Wilson interrupted, before the snarking could gain momentum, "You have no idea what an amazing woman you have somehow been able to ensnare into your weird world." Wilson informed him. He looked at Cuddy, "I don't know how to thank you."
She smiled her first big broad smile since the committee left. "Take us out to dinner?" she asked, "I need a drink."