Chapter 11 : new chapter! Almost in time, sorry the short delay, hope you'll enjoy it : )
The next day, his team comes to see him.
-You're doctors?
-Yes, we are doctor. I'm Chase, this is Taub and this is Foreman. And we're working for you.
-Really? House replies and scrutinizes them. Am I a good boss?
They look at each other and finally Chase answers: I think we can say yes… even if your ways are not always orthodox.
-Which means?
-House, you're a real jerk, you don't care about anyone, you always do what you want, you break the rules and often disregards Cuddy's opinion, but yes, you're the best doctor and the best mentor I've ever worked with, Foreman says.
-And what about you? House asks Taub.
-Me? Hm, you're certainly a good doctor but … you often go too far.
-So why do you still work for me if you don't agree with my behavior?
-…
-You don't answer? Interesting… Do we have a case?
-Nope. We're looking for one.
-So why are you here? Go and find one! Then come back and explain it to me.
-Are you sure you…
-I don't remember people but as weird as it is I haven't forgotten medicine! Now go away!
Once in the hallway, Taub says: He's maybe amnesic – which needs to be proved – but he didn't lose his "jerk side".
-What do you mean? Do you think he can feign amnesia? But why?
-Why not? He may hope to get Cuddy back if he's sick.
-I think you've seen too many films.
-You wanna bet?
Chase and Foreman look at Taub. Are you kidding? Have you been hit on the head? You miss your wife so much that you're going insane?
-Ha ha ha, don't worry for me, I'm fine, and I don't need my wife. So, do you bet or not? 100 dollars.
Foreman and Chase exchange a glance.
-It's a deal!
Wilson comes to see his friend for lunch.
-I have this for you, he says giving House half of his sandwich.
-Did we use to share our food? Are we … "gays"?
-You tried to make the girl next door believe it…
-Do we live together? I thought I was dating Cuddy! I have to rethink my behavior towards her, replies House half jokingly.
-We lived together for a while and I fancied the girl next door and you…
-Don't tell me, I know
-Really? Do you remember it?
-No, but I guess I tried to seduce her to annoy you, am I wrong?
-No, you're right, as usual…
-And to reach my goal, I wanted to make her believe we were gays? I really have a twisted mind.
-For sure… but it's part of your charm, Wilson replies ironically.
-Why are we friend? It seems that I'm not a good friend, so why?
-I think it's complicated to say, I'm not always a good friend at all. It's… I don't know how to explain it, you just need to know that we're friend, very good friend. And to accept it without trying to find some reasons. We can't always find a reason for everything…. You must also accept that.
-But I love puzzle…
Wilson looks at House. Would it be possible that Taub were right? Half of the hospital has already bet, but Wilson doesn't know in which direction the balance tips.
-Why do you say that? Do you remember something?
-I don't know why I said that, it's … it's a kind of intuition… and a deduction of what all people told me about myself.
-Tomorrow I'll bring you some photos, maybe it will help you to remember…and …
-And?
-I told your mother. She'll be there tomorrow.
-I feel in your voice that it's not a good thing for me to see my mom… Can you tell me why?
-I… I should go now, I try to come back later.
-Coward!
House remained alone the whole afternoon; nobody came to visit him, except a nurse to check his drip and to see if everything was ok for him. House tried desperately to remember his personal past, he hoped his fellows would have come with a new case so he could have something concrete to think about. Instead of that, he just thought about himself, about what people have told him, about the kind of person he was, and except the positive fact that he's a genius in medicine, everything else seems rather negative. From what he could read between the lines, one woman really cared about him and even loved him, but she finally broke up because of his inability to share his feelings, his fears with her and to show her how much he cared about her. A sudden flash of images crosses his mind: a crane, a dying woman, the long look full of respect and gratitude Cuddy gave him before he closed the door of the ambulance, the pain to see Cuddy with a man he seems to know, himself with champagne and hookers.
-What happens? How do you feel? House? Can you hear me?
Suddenly House comes back to reality. Foreman is here and speaks to him.
-Why are you shouting? I'm not deaf!
-Your heart rate has suddenly increased and you lost consciousness.
-How long?
-A few seconds, I guess. But we have to find out why…
-Don't worry about that, I'm fine. Do we have a case?
-No, but maybe you could be the case.
-I'm not sick, I just had a motorbike accident.
-But you fell in a coma and you just got tachycardia.
-Find another case, a real one.
Foreman looks at House and leaves. He was about to quit the room when House calls him back.
-Hey, Foreman! Do you know where Cuddy is?
-I'd say in her office, why?
-Just to know, thanks. You can go.
Once alone, House tries to remember the man he saw with Cuddy he's sure to know him, but can't remember his name or his relation with him. And he feels frustrated. And why doesn't Cuddy come to see him today? He'd like to see her; he has some questions he wants her to answer. Just then he sees his phone and he has an idea. He takes it and begins to write: "Need your help! Urgent!" Five minutes later, Cuddy comes in and House feigns to suffocate.
-House! What's wrong? Are you having trouble breathing? Cuddy says and runs towards him, ready to use the resuscitation gurney and to call the nurses.
-Hey! Hello little sunshine! House says with a smile.
-House! It's not funny! Do you think I have time to waste with your stupid and childish behavior?
-Aha, you were scared…
-Of course! What do you think? You may not remember but we have a past in common and whatever had happened, I…
-You?
-I have to go.
-Cuddy, please! You know me!
-Do you recover your memory?
-No, he replies sadly. I …
-You?
-I just had some flashes but nothing meaningful.
-Do you want to talk about it?
-I thought you had more important things to do than to talk with me…
-House! Why do you need to analyze everything? Can't you just enjoy the moment without trying to find a reason for everything!
-I don't know. Do you think I'm gonna recover my past?
-I don't know, she says and sits on his bed. They give each other an intense gaze and she finally breaks the silence: Do you want to talk about your flashes with me? Maybe I can help you to make sense of them…
-Do you have time? Because I have some questions I'd like to ask you.
Cuddy looks at her watch. I'd like to but…
-Oh you have better to do than to help your boyfriend, he replies sarcastically, probably a stupid guy who's waiting for you and just wants to have sex with you.
-House! I don't know if you're really amnesic but you're still an ass! Cuddy stands up and lets him alone.
House feels so stupid! Why did I say that? He's angry with him and with her. This woman drives me crazy, I should apologize to her and I know how.
On the way home, Cuddy thinks about what has just happened with House. She knows that Taub made a bet on the possible fictional amnesia of House and she refused this hypothesis but now… House didn't change, he's still the same jerk, she thinks bitter. With this amnesia she had hoped they can take a new start…