Chapter 27

House was with the ducklings discussing their new case. Every two minutes he'd glance at the carrier in his office that he could see through the glass door and then pay attention again. The ducklings noticed this but didn't say anything for word of House's outburst towards one of the nurses this morning had reached their ears. They were surprised that their boss wasn't yelling and criticizing them, he was very quiet and looked really tired, so they finished up the meeting quickly and then took off to do their appointed tasks. In the lab room, they began to talk about House.

"Isn't House supposed to be off today?" Chase asked.

"Yeah" Foreman answered. Cameron didn't say anything and the other two looked at her.

"Cameron, you know something, spill" Foreman said.

"Cuddy was admitted last night but they're not sure what she has yet, she could be pregnant or she might have a virus or food poisoning, the tests aren't in yet" Cameron reluctantly shared.

"Naw, it's too soon for her to be pregnant again" Foreman answered.

"ANOTHER KID? WITH HOUSE? Is the woman insane? Chase shouted.

"Chase keep your voice down" Cameron chastised.

"Well, that explains why House had the baby with him" Foreman answered.

"It's so weird seeing House with that kid" Chase stated.

"I know eh? A man like that walking around the hospital with a tiny baby in the crook of his arm all the time" Foreman answered.

"I think he looks like a good father" Cameron said.

"He really likes that kid you can tell" Foreman continued.

"Ya, but he's an extremely grouchy sonofabitch since that kid's been born" Chase said.

"Having a kid is a big responsibility" Cameron answered. "Especially if it's not really planned"

"You're just jealous he didn't have a kid with you" Foreman snickered.

"I think two people should be in a loving relationship if they're going to have a baby" Cameron answered heatedly. "That poor kid's going to suffer because her parents didn't think of how confused she would be!"

"I'm surprised he's so involved" Chase remarked.

"Cuddy probably threatens him with clinic duty if he doesn't" Foreman said. Foreman and Chase laughed and Cameron just rolled her eyes until they heard a noise behind them. They turned around and saw House standing there looking livid. He'd caught them talking about him before but this time he was furious. None of them said anything for they were actually afraid of House's thunderous expression.

"What did the tests show?" House's voice was cold and dangerous. They had really never seen him so angry.

"We…we're not finished yet" Cameron stammered.

"House, I'm…" Chase started a little ashamed.

"Then I suggest, that you all shut the hell up and do your job, unless you want to lose it" House limped away and the ducklings didn't mutter another word.

…

House sat in Cuddy's hospital room with Emily sleeping in the carrier which was now placed beside him. He willed Cuddy to wake up but the nurse had told him she was very weak and the test results should be back in about a half hour. House was getting sleepy himself and didn't notice himself doze off until he was being shaken by the shoulders by an unfriendly looking nurse.

"Sir, wake up sir" She coaxed annoyed. House glared at the nurse angry at her for having woken him from a deep slumber. Cuddy was sitting up in the bed looking groggy as she stared at House and Emily. She had been watching them sleep for the last twenty minutes and then grew impatient and decided to get the nurse to wake him up. The baby could sleep but she wanted someone to talk to. And she knew damn well he would wake her if it was him in bed in an instant. The nurse walked out of the room having done all that needed to be done for the time being and didn't say a word.

House rubbed his eyes and looked beside him. Content that Emily was still sleeping and rather a little jealous he turned his gaze to Cuddy.

"How are you feeling?" He knew it was a stupid question but his brain was foggy and he didn't know what else to say.

"Not great" Cuddy answered quietly. "I wanted to hold Emily but the nurses said that if I have some kind of virus and it was contagious…" a tear fell down her cheek and House looked away. He couldn't bear to see her cry.

"She's fine Cuddy, and once we get you all better you can hold her all you want" House replied. He still couldn't look at her so he stared at Emily instead.

"They say I could be pregnant House" Cuddy said quietly. House's head snapped in her direction so fast she was surprised he didn't let out a painful yelp.

"Is that possible Cuddy?" he asked her completely shocked. He thought about it for a minute and then he remembered;

"Well, we're still doing tests doctor House, if she's pregnant it'll pass but…"

He had shrugged it off thinking there was no way. Feeling stupid he looked hard at Cuddy who was watching his expression with interest.

"Have we used protection in the last few weeks?" Cuddy asked. She couldn't remember.

"No" House's eyes grew in shock. "No we didn't" Cuddy gasped and House merely stared into space with a surprised expression on his face. Just then the doctor walked in and House's face turned into an ugly scowl.

"Hello doctor Cuddy I'm doctor Tremblay and…"

"Not you!" House had turned bright red and had gotten up as quickly as his leg would allow. The doctor turned in his direction surprised, he clearly hadn't noticed House's presence and his expression turned scared when he saw who was speaking.

"Now doctor House I…" But the doctor was once again interrupted.

"No! We want someone else! You're not treating Lisa!" House shouted. His anger was shocking and the doctor took a few steps back just in case.

"House!" Cuddy answered recovering from her shock at him using her first name.

"What's wrong with doctor Tremblay?" Cuddy asked. Realization hit her and she was quickly caught up in the memory.

House was sitting in the hospital bed shouting out in agony. Stacey sat beside him wiping a cool washcloth over his forehead.

"Doctor House, you have a blood clot in your thigh. Because of it, the blood flow in your leg has been blocked. This has lead to death of you muscle tissue." Cuddy said in a flat tone.

"Yes, I know this, I MADE THE DIAGNOSIS REMEMBER?" House shouted.

"Yes doctor House, I'm really sorry about that…"

"THAT TREMBLAY IS A COMPLETE IDIOT! I WANT HIM FIRED!" House shouted in agony.

"Doctor House I will personally take over your case from here and make sure you get the best medical care" Cuddy responded calmly.

"Oh shit" Cuddy thought to herself. This was not good.