Author's note: Sorry it has been a while since I posted the last chapter. Real life has been a bit insane.

Chapter 25: A Taste of Freedom

The next day seemed endless, with only the occasional report from the team as lab results showed that Sheila was rapidly improving. She was off the vent and liver function tests confirmed that her liver was recovering. At lunchtime, Cameron came by with fruit and chicken salad, which they ate while watching soap operas. When she left, Cameron took a fraction of the file folders that had taken up semi-permanent residence in House's apartment.

Sunday was much the same, except that by the afternoon, Sheila was no longer their patient, having been transferred up to OB. All day long, all House could think about was the fact that tonight, for the first time in three months, he was going to leave the apartment.

Since he had come home from the hospital, there had been no reason to leave, due to a grand conspiracy of doctors making weekly (or more recently, daily) housecalls, a large misappropriation of the hospital's medical equipment, and the marvels of modern technology that allowed him to work from home. Of course, this taste of freedom wasn't without a price; it was necessitated by the need for tests which couldn't be done at home, followed by a meeting with his team of doctors to plan how they would deliver his daughter in two days time.

Wilson came home in time for dinner, which was leftovers from the previous night. They watched television until it was time to leave. It was almost eight when they arrived at the hospital, which left plenty of time for all of the tests before their 9 PM appointment for the MRI. Lisa was waiting at loading dock with a wheelchair, which House grudgingly sank into. A blanket was tucked around him to hide his unnatural bulk in case any hospital employees saw him. Then it was up to the OB clinic, where there was an ultrasound with much better capabilities than the portable ultrasound they had been using in House's living room.

By now, the procedure had become so familiar that House didn't even complain about the ultrasound gel. As Barry recorded images that would be reviewed by the whole team of doctors, House just looked at the screen. Everyday, she looked more like a real baby. She looked so peaceful in her watery world, and he knew she had no inkling what was in store for her, as everything would change in two days time.

All too soon they were done with the ultrasound, and it was time for the part he was dreading – the amniocentesis to confirm that her lungs were properly developed. As Barry used the ultrasound to hunt around for a pocket of amniotic fluid, House concentrated on keeping his breathing slow and even. The urge to bolt increased as Barry slid in the needle. There was something almost obscene about watching three inches of needle slide into the mound of his belly. Barry extracted a syringe of amniotic fluid, and then it was over. Wilson then moved in to swab House's arm with alcohol and then drew the blood for the type and crossmatch, and House wondered how many units of blood they planned on having on standby, and would it even be enough if things went horribly wrong?

When they were finally finished with the needles, it was time to head down to Radiology. House changed into a hospital gown, handing his clothes to Wilson who put them into a plastic bag. Then Barry and Wilson helped him onto the sliding table of the MRI. As he was sucked back into the machine, there was the usual feeling of claustrophobia, but this time, it was worse than usual. The tube seemed much smaller than before, but it was probably just because he was so much bigger these days. As the scan began, he closed his eyes and tried to pretend he was somewhere else.

"House. We've got a problem." It was Barry. "She's moving around too much to get clean images."

"You'd be pissed too if someone poked a needle at you," House grumbled. He thought for a moment. "Try some music."

Lisa flipped through the stack of CDs that were in the booth, finally finding something that House would like.

When he heard the beginning notes of Paint it Black, House immediately snapped, "not that! Something soothing," and then under his breath, "morons." There was silence for a minute before the second music selection began.

Oh god. He was in music hell. Enya. He was tempted to complain, but the music was having the desired effect. Great, now he'd be stuck listening to this crap every time he had a fussy baby. He rubbed his belly. Come on kiddo, calm down so we can get out of here.

Wilson and Cuddy exchanged smiles when they realized that House was talking to the baby, even if they couldn't quite make out his words. Finally he called out, "I think she's finally settled down."

Barry cleared the previous scan and restarted the machine. Immediately he could see that the scans were clearer. The three of them leaned back in the chairs and watched as the scans appeared on the screen.

When they were done, House changed back into his clothes and then slumped down in the wheelchair for the ride up to the eight floor conference room. When they entered the room, House was amused. Everyone had sorted themselves into groups –anesthesiologists in one corner, obstetricians and two surgical nurses on the other side. Chase was talking with the neonatologist and the nurse from the NICU.

Now that everyone was here, they all pulled up chairs around the table. The first few minutes were concerned with logistics – getting House into the hospital, and then clearing an OR so that only the select team of doctors and nurses would be present.

When the preliminaries were over, it was time for the anesthesiologists. Before Jason Morgan could begin, House interrupted, "I want a spinal."

Morgan was so nonplussed that he didn't even try and be tactful. "No way. That's impossible."

House was looking stubborn, and Jason hastily continued, "as you know, one consequence of a spinal is that it lowers the blood pressure. This is especially of concern here where there is a possibility of severe bleeding. We'd run the risk of loosing the airway, being unable to control your pressure, which puts you and the baby at risk."

When House tried to interrupt, Morgan continued, "I know you want to see your kid, but my job is make sure you wake up after surgery. Believe me, any anesthesiologist that would agree to a spinal isn't someone you'd want as a doctor, because they'd unnecessarily risk your life." His colleague was nodding in agreement.

House and the anesthesiologists were locked in a silent battle of wills, and all the other people in the room were trying to pretend that they weren't paying attention to the drama unfolding. For once, House was the first to look away. "OK" he mumbled.

Next up was the neonatal team, who were pouring over the ultrasound and MRI scans, taking measurements and going over possible complications of being delivered at thirty-four weeks. In the end, they could only conclude that she was small, but everything else looked normal.

When they were finished, it was time for Barry and Janet. Barry looked up from the stack of papers in front of him. "We've got a problem."

TBC

Author's note: I happen to like Enya. I just think that House would hate her music.