We're getting close to the end. I hope you all like it.
The hospital was hectic this morning. Gurneys and doctors went whizzing by at top speed down the many glass hallways. It seemed chaos penetrated every portion of the hospital, except one. Room 112 was the most peaceful room on the floor. This was very peculiar for anyone with the knowledge of the room's current occupants. Peaceful was not a word often used to describe a room both House and Cuddy occupied at the same time.
"I give them till Thursday, they won't be able to keep their hands off each other by then."
"Don't you have anything better to do then spy on your boss?"
"Nope."
Cameron rolled her eyes at her nosy boyfriend. He couldn't help himself when it came to hospital gossip.
"Oh come on Cameron, where is your sense of fun? They're obviously crazy about each other." He said gesturing to their room.
"They're definitely crazy, but if they haven't slept together in twenty years, why start now?" Cameron asked skeptically.
"It's perfect. He just saved her life from some maniac psych patient, what better to push them together then that?" Chase said matter-of-factly. He was looking into the room at the pair sleeping on the bed.
"It was pretty amazing; House doing something heroic." Chase nodded in agreement.
"Now we just sit back and wait for the fireworks." He smiled to her, and she rolled her eyes at his immaturity.
"I'm going to head down to the ER; I have actual work to do."
"Have you joined the pool yet? It's over $500 now."
"I'm not going to bet on my boss' personal life." Cameron muttered to Chase as she passed him. As she walked by their room, she couldn't help but take a peek into the darkness. They were sleeping. Cuddy had her head resting on House's bed, and their hands were strongly clasped together.
"So, should I let you know when it hits $1000?" Chase called from behind her.
Cameron turned back, trying to hide the smile forming on her lips.
"Definitely."
*
Cuddy felt a slight nudge to her head. She blinked, turning away from the offending object. It nudged her again, and she swatted at it. Her hand came into contact with a solid form that felt a lot like a man's chest.
"I wish I had a camera."
Cuddy's eyes snapped open, as she suddenly remembered where she was. She had fallen asleep in her chair, with her head resting on House's bed. Their hands were still entwined.
She looked around to find the source of the familiar voice; Wilson was standing next to the bed, grinning like a fool.
"Rough night?" Wilson asked teasingly. The nurses had obviously failed to inform him about House's fever. Cuddy was more than happy to fill him in herself.
"Yes it was." Cuddy stood up, glaring at Wilson. "Do you know why?"
Noticing her angry demeanor, Wilson decided it would be best to drop the teasing tone for now.
"Um…no." Wilson answered in a small voice.
"When I came to check on House last night, he had a fever of 104 degrees!" Cuddy poked him in the chest. "I told you to monitor him, make sure he took care of himself."
"I did! He was fine when-" Wilson stopped abruptly, putting his face in his hands. "He had a bad headache yesterday, I though it was from the concussion." Wilson's voice was muffled by his hands, but Cuddy understood every word. "He wouldn't eat his dinner last night either…It's an infection isn't it." Wilson looked at Cuddy who nodded.
"A lung infection from the fractured ribs. The infection caused the fever." Cuddy had calmed down now. It wasn't fair to blame Wilson for House's ineptitude at taking care of himself. "He was delusional for most of the night. We had to use ice packs to get his temperature down."
"I'm sorry Cuddy."
"No, you didn't do anything wrong Wilson. This all could have been prevented if House would have just done his breathing exercises like the therapist told him to. But no, he'd rather sit there in pain then try to help himself! If he cared about himself half as much as we care about him, we'd never worry about him again!" Cuddy ended her tirade, realizing she was getting worked up again. "Sorry for yelling." Wilson gave her shoulder an affectionate squeeze; completely understanding what years of a friendship with House could do to your health. They smiled, and both turned to look at the cause of their anxiety. Much to their surprise, House was looking back.
"Don't mind me, continue." He gestured to Cuddy. "It's not like anyone is trying to get some sleep around here." House was annoyed…again. He felt like shit. This week couldn't possibly get any worse for him.
"House, how are you feeling?" Cuddy asked first. They both looked at him, eagerly awaiting an answer.
"Just peachy." House answered sarcastically. "How are you?"
"Any nausea, chills…dizziness? Anything we should be worried about?" Cuddy asked him.
"No, I'm just tired. The antibiotics are working."
"You're going to feel weak for a few days, just until the infection clears up." Wilson informed him, knowing House already knew it, but needing to say something.
"House, do you remember what happened?" Cuddy asked him.
"Not really, but you were practically screaming it in my ear a minute ago." He looked up at them and both wore looks of concern. Concern for him. House felt a pang of regret at his rude words. He was awake for Cuddy's ranting, and he knew what she said was true. They cared about him more then he cared about himself, and he couldn't understand why they bothered. Why did they put so much effort into caring for someone who didn't want to be cared for? He could tell by Cuddy's clothes that she hadn't gone home last night, and Wilson had bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. He didn't deserve them. And they didn't deserve his sarcasm.
"I remember ice…being cold. That's it." House answered again, this time without his usual cynicism. "I assume I had a fever?"
Cuddy nodded. "You hit 104, so we had to use ice packs. You were having hallucinations, as well."
House shook his head, staring at his bed sheets. "I don't remember anything."
Cuddy didn't believe him, but she didn't want to push it.
"We need to get another MRI, make sure your ribs aren't getting any worse. If all comes back well, this shouldn't be too much of a setback." She said brightly, trying to lighten House's mood. He was still staring at his sheets, not listening to what was going on.
House's stomach broke the silence that had fallen upon the three companions. "Who do I have to ravage to get some breakfast around here?" House asked, holding his growling stomach. He hadn't eaten for almost 18 hours now. He was starving.
"I need a cup of coffee anyway." Wilson said, getting up out of his seat. He pointed to House. "What'll it be? Bacon and eggs, French toast....black Coffee?"
"Bacon, lots and lots of bacon."
Wilson looked at Cuddy. "You want anything?" She shook her head.
"No thanks Wilson."
"Get some of those hash browns if they have any!" House shouted to Wilson who had already left the room.
House and Cuddy were alone once again. He shifted in his bed uncomfortably. Cuddy was sitting in her usual chair, wearing her usual look of concern.
"Maybe now you will at least think about listening to a physical therapist? It will make all of our lives much easier."
"Deep breathing isn't going to solve all my problems, Cuddy." House replied leaning back into his pillow.
"At least it'll keep your lungs clear. You have to start taking care of yourself." Cuddy scolded.
"Thanks mom, but I can take care of myself just fine."
"Yeah, I can see that."
House closed his eyes; his head was beginning to pound again. The yelling wasn't helping his situation.
"House, are you alright?"
"Fine. I'm fine Cuddy." House opened his eyes and blue met blue. He quickly tried to get her off the topic of his health.
"How is the team coping without me? Foreman trying to fill the big shoes again?" House asked.
"Yes he is, but they still don't quite fit him yet." Cuddy said. "Although, it has been a nice change to have that department running smoothly the last few days."
"Admit it Cuddy. You miss me." House stated more then asked.
Cuddy smiled. "Yeah, I miss the sexual innuendoes, the unannounced office visits, the screaming matches, and the complete disregard of everything I say…"
"I'd hate to hear what you don't miss." House quipped.
She laughed that deep throaty laugh that was distinctly Cuddy. He loved to make her laugh like that.
"But seriously House." She said as her laughter subsided. "If you don't start telling us what's wrong, I'm going to be stuck with Foreman for a long time." She gave him a stern look.
"I don't know what you want me to say? My ribs hurt, my head hurts, and my leg hurts. Just like any other day."
Cuddy sighed. So much for helping.
"Is there anything you need? Anything I can do?"
House stared at her with a huge grin on his face. "Don't tease me Cuddy."
She rolled her eyes at his childishness. "Did you want me to call your mother?"
"Is that a trick question?"
"No, it's just…you sounded like you wanted to see her yesterday."
"I ask for my mother's help and immediately we should have a family reunion? No thanks Cuddy."
"Ah-ha." Cuddy pointed at him accusingly. "You do remember your hallucination."
House shrugged trying to hide his frustration. "I don't want to have another pointless conversation. Like the one you're about to start."
"What did you hallucinate last night?" Cuddy could no long contain her curiosity. "I want to help you, House. You just have to let me."
"It's none of your business. Why do you even care?" House was getting angry again. Angry at himself for his slip-up, and angry at Cuddy for her persistent nagging.
Cuddy felt her own anger flaring up. "Why do I care?" She seethed. "I care because I've known you for almost two decades now. You've always been there for me, whether I wanted you to be, or not. I'd like to return the favor every once in a while. You don't have to keep things so locked up. You don't always have to be alone."
House heard the honesty in her voice and it scared him. They were heading into uncharted territory now, and they were moving fast.
Cuddy continued. "There's no one in the world I trust more then you. Now I'm asking you, if you can trust me."
House scoffed. "I make your life miserable. Hell, I make everyone's life miserable. How can you trust someone like that?"
Cuddy composed herself, and replied calmly, "I trust the people I love." She turned and walked out of his room, unable to face him after her revelation. A stunned House could do nothing but watch her go, allowing her words some time to sink in.
*
The door opened and Wilson enters not noticing the turmoil going through House's head.
"No hash browns today, but they had some home fries." He said happily while setting the large tray on House's bedside table. Wilson proceeded to steal a piece of bacon from House's plate. When he received no punishment for his crime he finally looked up at his friend's face. House's eyes were wide, and his brow was furrowed in confusion. He looked as if he'd just been slapped in the face. Wilson looked around the room and noticed Cuddy's absence. All of this was adding up to one big mess.
"Alright, what did I miss?"
TBC…
