House wasn't the only one dealing with feelings of guilt. When Kelly awoke warm and content in the arms of a man that was not her husband, she suddenly found herself with an awful lot to think about.

She feigned sleep when he rose from the bed, checking her temperature as he did so. As soon as she knew he was gone, she checked it herself. Normal.

It was just after 8, and she felt as though she could sleep all day but knew that to try would be a bad idea; Kutner had explained it, about the way the body's temperature changes in sleep and how during REM it didn't regulate as well even in a normal body. It was okay that the science largely eluded her, because it many ways it was eluding them as well.

She skipped the shower, knowing she'd probably end up in one against her will at some point during the day anyway. No one had warned her about what sorts of tests or procedures she'd be facing that day, so she figured she may as well get dressed.

Clothes, hair, makeup. If she kept the hospital bracelet under the sleeve of her sweater, it was just a normal day.

Dr. Foreman was first to arrive. She checked her temperature pre-emptively and handed him the thermometer. When he looked at her chart and noticed there was nothing reported for the night, he had to ask. Her only response: "Do you really want to know?"

Smiling, he shook his head and let it drop.

"So, can I eat today, or do I need to be ready for some slicing and dicing?"

"I haven't booked you in for today. I'd really like to know more before we have to resort to surgery, and since we've found ways to keep you stable, it definitely wouldn't hurt to hold off. I'd like to talk to Dr. House about something. We'll probably have a sit down with you later today."

She was largely unconcerned. "But I can eat?"

He chuckled. "Yes, you can eat. You took your thyroid medication, right?"

She nodded. "It's been almost an hour."

"Good." He looked up. "Speak of the devil."

Breakfast had arrived. The woman who delivered it received a gracious "thank you" from Kelly, but as soon as she was gone, a wrinked nose preceeded the question, "Do I have to eat THAT?"

Foreman laughed aloud at her theatrics. "There's no evidence that your diet has anything to do with your condition, so you can feel free to eat whatever you'd like. Just make sure you DO eat."

She saluted good naturedly and held up the thermometer. "Every 20 minutes, and I'll tell a nurse if there's any change." Then she was headed for her purse. "So where's the cafeteria?"

He told her. "You'd better not wander too far. We need to know where to find you in case we need you."

"Dr. House has my cell phone number; you can just text me and I'll come a-running." And she had left the room before it occurred to Foreman to question why on earth House would have her cell phone number.

The cafeteria was just opening when she arrived, and was empty of anyone she recognized except for a dark haired woman at a corner table nursing a cup of coffee while she read a file. Kelly was curious about this woman, so breakfast tray in hand she walked that way.

"It's Dr. Cuddy, isn't it? Mind if I join you?"

Whether or not she did mind, Cuddy was characteristically polite. "Not at all -- please. You look like you're feeling much better than the last time I saw you, Ms. Janes."

"Call me Kelly, please." And she started on her strawberry yogurt. "You'll need to excuse me for saying so, but I'm afraid patient meals aren't quite my cup of tea, especially the breakfasts. Dr. Foreman was kind enough to permit me to forage for my own food this morning."

"Well, I'm rather glad you were forced to "hunt and gather" today, because I was hoping I might get a chance to speak with you."

"Oh, really? What about?"

Cuddy paused. She'd only gotten to the point of deciding to talk to her; she'd yet to form an adequate cover story as to WHY. "Well... you're from far away, and here with a bit of a mysterious condition receiving some... unconventional treatments. I guess I just wanted to check in with you and see how you were doing, make sure you were satisfied with the quality of care you've been receiving. And with the team administering it, of course. That sort of thing."

Kelly chewed her toast longer than necessary as she examined the woman, weighing how tactful she needed to be to still "win friends and influence people" in this situation. She surmised from House's assessment that the direct approach might be effective.

"Dr. Cuddy, is there something you're not saying?"

Cuddy's expression didn't change, but her eyes revealed she'd been found out. "I beg your pardon?"

"You'll have to excuse me. In my line of work you develop great skill and great appreciation for cutting through the crap." Her smile and friendly tone offset her statement. "Are you concerned about my quality of care? Is there something I should know?"

Caught in her fib, Cuddy felt compelled to tell the truth, though she was determined to keep the details vague. "Oh, no, nothing for you to be concerned about. The fact is that a few of our staff experienced a few personal events recently, and I'm just..." She looked for the words.

"You're wanting to find out about Dr. House, am I right?"

Cuddy was at a bit of a loss. "Are you just incredibly perceptive, or is there something *I* need to know?"

Kelly laughed. "Work with troubled teens for as many years as I have, and you'll learn to ferret out the heart of issues pretty quickly. It's a big time saver." A mouthful of hot cereal later, she added, "You can feel free to level with me. I promise I don't have a lawyer on retainer."

Cuddy shrugged and sighed, bemused. "I'll keep that in mind."

It still took a few minutes for Kelly to draw it out of her. But finally: "I've had some reports that Dr. House has been acting... a bit irratically."

"In what way?"

"Nothing bad. Just... out of character... for him."

The picture clarified, and Kelly had to fight to keep from smiling. "I see." She lost the fight. "Dr. Cuddy, would I be right in assuming you're concerned because House has been acting NICELY?"

"I know that must sound strange..."

"A little. Well, I'm not sure what it is you're looking for me to say, but I can assure you that Dr. House has treated me in a manner that I would consider completely appropriate for his station, and that I have no complaints at all about the care I've received from him." Kelly could tell that this in itself was contrary to House's characteristic brand of doctor-patient interaction, which amused her to no end. But she didn't offer any more, and Cuddy didn't seem to know how to ask for me. She simply thanked her, wished her well, and went on her way.

Kelly left her breakfast unfinished and checked her temperature. Cooling down just slightly, probably because of the air conditioning. Nothing to worry about yet, but it would be irresponsible not to report in. After all.

x- Good morning, sunshine. Just had a chat with your Dr. Cuddy about what a nice fella you've been. Best harrass a nurse or tell off a patient before she calls for a psych consult. -x

The responding text came quickly, and made her laugh out loud:

x- Rectal. Probe. Thermometer. -x

x- You always say the sweetest things. Lunch? -x

x- K. Now leave me alone. Lives to save etc. -x

x- Just don't forget to save MINE. -x

x- On it. -x

"Yeah, you'd better be," she mumbled to herself, and she left in search of something to fill her time until noon. Anything to distract her from considering why she'd just scheduled a lunch date with the man who less than two hours before had made her feel unfaithful to her husband's memory. Anything to keep her from dwelling on the fact that she couldn't wait to see him again.