Compromises

Wilson sat across from Dr. Radcliffe with a smug look on his face. They had barely traded pleasantries before getting down to business.

"I think it would be best if we transferred Greg to Princeton-Plainsboro. His Fellows could provide around the clock monitoring. Our Orthopedics Department would continue your treatment protocols, provided they are helpful. We're ready to receive him as soon as the paperwork is complete." Thanks to Cuddy, all Wilson had to do was produce the pre-filled forms.

Dr. Radcliffe leaned forward, his forearms balancing his upper weight on the desk. He placed his fingers tip to tip in a Montgomery Burns fashion. "Dr. Wilson, I called you here to inform you that it might become necessary for us to defer to you within the next twelve hours with regards to Dr. House's care. Greg is having some trouble dealing with news he received earlier today. He gave us the impression that he was not rational in his thinking.

"Dr. Nolan will not arrive until sometime tomorrow morning. Until then, you will be consulted if Greg needs any procedures performed."

Wilson's smugness dissipated. Unless something drastic happened, House was staying put. "Can I see him now?"

Radcliffe stood. "I'm sorry, he would prefer that you didn't."

Wilson stood as well. "This is very uncharacteristic of House. Normally when he's hurting he wants me to suffer with him."

"According to Dr. Nolan, Greg isn't willing to share his emotional pain with anybody. As for his physical pain, we seem to have that under control."

James had nothing further to say. He knew he couldn't say or do anything to change the doctor's or his friend's mind. "Tell him I hope he's feeling better, and I'll be waiting for his call."

House was bored. He and Thirteen ran out of casual conversation. Bored House was never a good thing, but it was a good sign that he was returning to his normal need for intellectual stimulation.

Remy wanted to make several suggestions to curb his mental unrest, but she knew House would shoot her down.

"How 'bout those Phillies," she joked after an uncomfortable stretch of silence.

"We can't have exhausted all avenues of conversation," Greg said with sadness.

"It's not like we have a lot in common. We kind of touched based on everything that might be interesting." Remy was trying to think of anything that could spark his interest without maker herself uncomfortable. Her thoughts kept going to her sex life, or lack therein of. House would love that just a little too much.

"Did you know I was the reason Cindy's on Workers' Comp.?"

'Speak of the devil.' "Yea, I was told. It's not like you did it on purpose."

"Still doesn't excuse my actions." Greg's hands were flexing against the restraints again. "On the bright side, she wants me to forgive myself."

Not the end of the sentence Remy was expecting. "That's good," slipped out. "Wait…I'm confused."

"What's even more confusing was her running out of the room a few moments later." Greg tried to smirk, making it seem like a joke.

Thirteen wasn't sure how he wanted her to respond. "Did you say something you shouldn't have?" She was being cautious.

"Nope. Must have made a face or blinked or something. Next thing I knew, she was out the door."

"Maybe she remembered she left the stove on."

House rolled his eyes. "Nice try."

"You think she's into chicks?"

House furrowed his brow, then raised it in surprise. "You think she's HOT!" His voice was accusatory, his face alight with mirth.

"Maybe. Not in the traditional sense, but she is charismatic."

"Well, she's not my usual type."

"What's that, hooker?"

Greg laughed. "She's not your usual type either."

"And what's my type?"

"Bi or gay. Cindy's straight. At least I think she's straight. She could be bi. She's at least into men."

"And by men, you mean you." Remy figured he was trying to push her buttons.

"According to her boss, she's, and I'm using his terminology, enamored with me." Greg could feel his smirk turn to a smile.

"Oh how nice. Your very own Florence Nightingale," she teased. "What do you plan on doing about it? If anything."

"I know what I'd like to do. But I think she's already over me. She did run out. A new record, I didn't even have to say or do anything."

"Good, now I can hit on her," Thirteen did her best to keep a straight face; but it was hard.

"If she's bi, do you think we could have a three way?"

"House!"