Cloudy With a Chance of Rain

Thirteen spent the better part of her day in the Diagnostics Conference Room searching the latest articles in the journals House subscribed to. It was the only way she could distract herself from the morning confrontation with Cuddy. She was unsuccessful with the distraction part and soon switched over to playing a game on the computer.

But no matter how hard she tried to concentrate on the games, Cuddy's voice barged into her thoughts. The hospital administrator's apology would have been sufficient, but her need to clear her conscience and proclaim her feelings for House was just too much information. At the time the 'girl talk' was happening, Remy smiled politely to keep from throwing up. Now, with bits of the conversation bouncing around her brain, a constant wave of nausea caused frequent gagging.

When Taub caught her dry heaving into a waste basket he suggested she go home for the day and get some rest.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you? Always willing to kick someone when they're down. Perhaps you should go down on your wife instead. Give her a reason to believe you're done cheating on her."

"Your hostility is unbecoming. Since you're obviously sick, I was just suggesting you probably shouldn't visit House and infect him with whatever you've got."

"What I've got isn't contagious, it's just exacerbated by saccharin sweet insincerity. If I wanted cancer and diabetes, I'd hang out with Wilson." Thirteen pulled her stuff together and left in a huff.

Taub watched her go, a self-satisfied smile on his face.

Dr. Radcliffe entered his patient's room cautiously. A rumor had been floating the corridors that Cindy and Greg had a confrontation of some sort that ending with both of them sulking. Since House was recovering from a psychotic episode and Cindy had her own issues with HR, Radcliffe was pretty sure nothing major transpired. He felt he at least owed it to the doctor to make sure he was being treated decently.

The patient was indeed sulking. It emanated off him in waves that vacillated through the room. A closer look at Greg's face confirmed it. Radcliffe though he might be able to lessen the attitude by unrestraining the patient. He made to unlatch the cuff.

"Don't," House said firmly.

"Don't what?" Radcliffe continued what he had begun.

"Keep the restraints on." He was direct, forceful and deadly serious.

"Greg, you haven't demonstrated any further reason to restrict you."

"Just because I haven't said or done anything doesn't mean I'm not thinking about it." His own voice sounded strange in his ears.

The doctor left him with one hand free but refrained from undoing the other. "You wanna talk about it?"

"No. Just know that it's not a good idea."

"Did something happen between you and the staff?" Radcliffe was hesitant to ask, but needed to know.

"Only that your ortho tech stopped in to show me my handiwork. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Accidents happen. Without them hospitals wouldn't make any money." Radcliffe shrugged.

"My cover's been blow. She knows I'm a doctor."

"I told you she'd figure it out. My guess is she knew it all along. Is that what the two of you argued about?"

Greg's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Rumor has it the two of you had a confrontation. She left in tears, and you were brooding."

"Why was she crying?" He was concerned and curious.

"Thought you knew. Maybe that part is rumor too."

Greg shook his head. "No. She was upset. I don't know why. I didn't say anything, so I don't know what got her going."

"Well, I wouldn't worry about it. She's just pissed she's being forced to stay home a couple of days. When she's mad, she cries. I guess it's better than punching a wall-" He noted the change in his patient's demeanor. "Don't take it personally. She's definitely not mad at you."

House's eyebrows migrated to his hairline.

"In fact, I'd say she's enamored with you."

Greg's spirit lightened with that tidbit. He held that secret knowledge close to his heart as the doctor went about his business of checking on his leg. It wasn't until an adjustment to the traction tension was made that House was brought out of his reverie. Reality was always a bummer, especially when it came with a dose of pain.

"…You okay?"

Greg nodded. Suddenly he knew what he'd do to punish himself … if he had to. His emotions were always toying with him. If there was a little sunshine, there was always a threat of a dark cloud looming in the background. It was inevitable the sun would be overshadowed.

"If your pain levels start to increase, don't wait to tell us."

"Please, put me back in restraints." It was a hard request to make, but necessary. Spending time rehashing events was all he thought he could do to keep himself company. At the moment Greg didn't feel as if he would self-inflict pain, yet he knew sure as hell he wouldn't do anything if his body decided to get him there.

Radcliffe didn't argue. However, he left implicit instructions on the chart to watch the patient carefully for increased pain and to administer treatment without being asked. He then had a few calls to make. The first was to ascertain whether or not the second would be necessary.