Chapter 3 – Hell on earth
House arrives at Princeton-Plainsboro before six in the morning, the hospital's corridors still quiet and dimly lit. He makes his way to the west wing, where he finds Cuddy waiting for him. She is dressed in her white coat, sipping a cup of coffee.
"Skipping your administrative duties today, Dr. Cuddy?" House teases, his voice carrying a hint of tension masked by his usual sarcasm.
Cuddy smiles warmly at him, recognizing his attempt to lighten the mood. "No, Dr. House, today I'm just a common attending physician for my patient" she replies with a smile. "Who, by the way, should already be in that hospital bed, wearing a gown, so I can draw blood and run tests."
House rolls his eyes but moves towards the bed, unbuttoning his shirt. "Ah, the glamorous life of a patient," he mutters, slipping into the hospital gown with minimal grumbling. "When do I get my sponge bath as well?"
"I'll me making sure Nurse Jeffrey knows you want a sponge bath House, don't worry" Cuddy steps closer, her demeanor shifting to one of professional focus. "We need to get a baseline for everything before Nifo arrives. Blood work, vitals, the works."
House climbed onto the bed, his movements slow and deliberate. "Fine, let's get this show on the road," he said, extending his arm towards Cuddy. He watched as she efficiently gathered her supplies, her hands steady and practiced.
She tied a tourniquet around his upper arm, checking for a suitable vein. "You know the drill," she said, her tone brisk. "Just a quick pinch." With precision, she inserted the needle, drawing several vials of blood. House winced slightly but remained silent.
As she worked, Cuddy glanced at him. "You ok?" she asked softly, her eyes meeting his.
House snorted. "Yeah... I'm fine," he replied, though the tension in his jaw betrayed his casual tone.
Cuddy finished labeling the vials and set them aside. She then took his blood pressure, temperature, and other vital signs, meticulously recording each measurement. "Your vitals are stable," she noted, her voice calm. "That's a good start.
"You know I'm here for you, right?" she says, her voice steady. "We'll get through this together."
House offers her a small, genuine smile. "Protecting your biggest hospital asset! I know," he says.
"You know that's not what I meant," Cuddy responds, her tone softening. "I'm here, for you House, as in you, not the hospital biggest asset."
"I know," he replies, looking into her eyes. "Thank you, for everything, Cuddy."
As she finishes the initial tests, the door opens and Dr. Xavier Nifo steps in, tall, blonde, and exuding confidence. "Good morning, Dr. House, Dr. Cuddy," he greets them both, his presence commanding the room. "Are we ready to begin?"
Cuddy nods, stepping back to allow Nifo to approach. "We are," she confirms. "Let's do this."
Nifo moves to House's bedside, his demeanor professional yet approachable. "Dr. House, today's the first step. We'll start with the initial injection and monitor your response closely."
House watches as Nifo's team of nurses enters, wheeling in a sleek, silver case that looks like something out of a spy movie. They open it with precision, revealing a small vial containing the mysterious substance that is supposed to change his life. His eyes narrow as he observes the careful, almost ritualistic way they handle the vial.
Nifo takes the file from Cuddy's hands, their fingers brushing momentarily. House's focus sharpens, a pang of something unidentifiable stirring within him. For a second, he forgets he's lying in a hospital bed, his attention riveted on how close Nifo stands to Cuddy, to his Cuddy. Damn it, that possessive pronoun again. He and Cuddy were nothing, had never been anything, well except for that night more than 20 years ago. But seeing them exchange clinical information, it didn't sit right with him. This was Cuddy—the same Cuddy who argued with him daily, who could look him in the eye and say no a thousand times, yet knew when to say yes even when he had lost faith in himself.
She was the same girl who made him go to that stupid party just to see her, just to kiss her, just to be with her that night, she was the brilliant student in endocrinology, and the woman who later gave him a job when no one else would. She was his Cuddy, even if he was too much of a coward to ask her out and try for what he had wanted for so many years: for her to be truly his.
Nifo, oblivious to House's internal struggle, takes a step closer to the bed. "Dr. House, today's the first step. We'll start with the initial injection and monitor your response closely."
Cuddy returns to House's side, her presence a calming anchor. House looks up at her, their eyes meeting. She offers him a small, reassuring smile. "Ready?" she asked him, her voice steady.
Nifo moves to House's bedside, his demeanor professional yet approachable. "Dr. House, today's the first step. We'll start with the initial injection and monitor your response closely."
House nods, his usual bravado tempered by the seriousness of the moment. "Let's get on with it," he says.
Nifo prepares the injection, explaining each step to House and Cuddy. "This first dose is crucial. It will begin the process of desensitizing the damaged nerves. We'll need to monitor your pain levels and reactions closely over the next 24 hours."
Cuddy stands by, ready to assist. "I'll be monitoring him," she assures Nifo. "Every step of the way.
Nifo nods, appreciating her dedication. "Good. Let's begin." Nifo begins the procedure, his hands steady as he prepares the injection. House watches with a mix of apprehension and curiosity, the room filled with a tense anticipation. This was it, the beginning of something that could either change everything or confirm his deepest fears.
The next 24 hours will be critical, but for now, they've taken the first step.
-/-
The injections were painless, but House felt the cold liquid begin to flow through his veins. Nifo monitored some of his vital signs, then quickly left House and Cuddy alone, leaving one of his nurses to assist the team that would be monitoring House over the next 24 hours.
"Cuddy," House said, looking at her, "Go eat before the pain starts."
"I already have everything I need with me and I set everything else," she replied. "Nurse Ann will bring my meals and your, as long as you can eat, and anything else we might need. It'll be just you, me, and the nurses here. No one will disturb us."
She explained further, "I have security at the entrance to the wing. Only authorized personnel can enter."
House raised an eyebrow, impressed. "You've thought of everything."
Cuddy nodded, her eyes serious. "I want to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible."
House tried to relax, but the anticipation of what was to come gnawed at him. The liquid continued to spread, a chilling sensation creeping through his body. Cuddy stayed by his side, her presence a steady reassurance.
As the hours ticked by, House could feel the first twinges of pain beginning to creep in. He glanced at Cuddy, who was already preparing the necessary equipment and supplies for the long night ahead.
"Here we go," he muttered, bracing himself.
Cuddy gave him a determined look. "We'll get through this, House. Together."
With that, they settled in for what would undoubtedly be a challenging 24 hours. The nurses moved efficiently around them, ensuring everything was in place. The room was quiet, save for the soft beeps of the monitors and the occasional murmur of the medical staff.
As the pain began to intensify, House gritted his teeth. Cuddy was there, her hand on his, providing both a physical and emotional anchor. The hours stretched on, filled with moments of intense discomfort and fleeting relief.
Throughout it all, Cuddy never left his side, proving once again that when it came to House, she was all in.
As the hours ticked by, House could feel the first twinges of pain beginning to creep in. He glanced at Cuddy, who was already preparing the necessary equipment and supplies for the long night ahead.
"Here we go," he muttered, bracing himself.
Cuddy gave him a determined look. "We'll get through this, House. Together."
With that, they settled in for what would undoubtedly be a challenging 24 hours. The nurses moved efficiently around them, ensuring everything was in place. The room was quiet, save for the soft beeps of the monitors and the occasional murmur of the medical staff.
8:00 AM
The initial discomfort quickly escalated. House felt a burning sensation spreading through his leg, sharp and relentless. He gritted his teeth, his face contorting with the effort to maintain control. Cuddy stood by his side, monitoring his vitals and noting any changes.
"How are you holding up?" she asked, her voice steady despite the concern in her eyes.
"Just peachy," House replied, his sarcasm masking the agony he felt. "Remind me why I agreed to this again?"
9:00 AM
By nine, the pain had intensified significantly. House was sweating profusely, his breathing heavy and labored. He felt like his leg was on fire, each wave of pain more intense than the last. Cuddy wiped his forehead with a cool cloth, her touch gentle and reassuring.
"You're doing great," she murmured, more to herself than to him, as she adjusted the IV drip and checked his vitals again.
10:00 AM
The hours seemed to stretch endlessly. House's pain was now excruciating, and he could feel every nerve ending in his leg screaming in protest. His muscles spasmed involuntarily, and he couldn't hold back the screams any longer.
"Fuck!" he shouted, his voice raw with pain. "I can't take this, Cuddy!"
Cuddy's heart pounded in her chest. She had never seen him like this. "Hang in there, House," she whispered, her hand squeezing his. "We're going to get through this."
12:00 PM
By noon, House was in agony. The pain had reached a crescendo, and he was barely able to keep his eyes open. Every breath was a struggle, and his entire body trembled with the effort of enduring the relentless torture. Cuddy continued to monitor him closely, adjusting his position and ensuring he stayed hydrated.
"You're stronger than this," she said, her voice unwavering. "You can do this."
2:00 PM
The afternoon brought no relief. House's condition seemed to worsen with each passing minute. He was pale and drenched in sweat, his eyes glazed over from the sheer intensity of the pain. Cuddy administered another dose of pain medication, hoping to take the edge off, but it seemed to have little effect.
"Goddamn it, Cuddy!" he yelled, his voice hoarse. "This is fucking unbearable!"
Cuddy's hands shook as she tried to comfort him. "I know, House. I know. Just hold on a little longer. We're almost through."
4:00 PM
As the day wore on, House's pain began to plateau, though it remained at an unbearable level. His breathing was ragged, and his body felt like it was being torn apart from the inside. Cuddy's heart ached to see him in such agony, but she knew they had to see this through.
"You're the toughest person I know, House," she said softly. "You've got this."
6:00 PM
By six in the evening, the pain had started to ebb slightly, though it was still intense. House felt completely drained, his body exhausted from the constant battle against the agony. Cuddy remained vigilant, her eyes never leaving him for more than a few seconds.
"We're getting there," she said, a hint of hope in her voice. "Just a little longer."
8:00 PM
As night fell, the worst of the pain began to subside. House could feel his body slowly starting to relax, the intense waves of pain diminishing to a more manageable level. He looked at Cuddy, who was still by his side, her face etched with concern and fatigue.
"Thank you," he managed to whisper, his voice weak but sincere.
Cuddy smiled, relief washing over her. "We did it, House. We're through the worst of it."
10:00 PM
By ten, the room was quiet again. House lay back against the pillows, utterly spent but grateful that the worst was over. Cuddy sat beside him, her hand resting on his arm, both of them silently acknowledging the long road ahead but also the small victory they had achieved today.
"We've got this," she said softly, more to herself than to him, but House heard her and nodded.
"Yeah," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "We do."
It was almost eleven at night when House finally managed to fall into a light sleep. Cuddy decided she would take just twenty minutes to shower in her office, change clothes, and return to House's room to monitor him closely throughout the night. She gave instructions to the nurses and to one of Nifo's medical team members, Dr. Gizelle, who had arrived recently to check on the process. The young German doctor smiled at Cuddy and assured her to take her time.
Cuddy showed her ID card to the security guard and exited the fourth floor of the west wing, where few services were operational, especially at that hour of the night. To her surprise, as she descended to the ground floor, the elevator doors opened to reveal Wilson sitting in a chair, clearly waiting for her.
"May I know what's going on? Where's House?" Wilson demanded, standing up quickly, his face tense with worry.
"Good evening, Wilson," Cuddy said tiredly, trying to maintain her composure. "House is fine," she replied simply.
Wilson frowned, unconvinced. "Fine? I heard him screaming, Cuddy. That doesn't sound like someone who's fine. What's happening to him? And why can't any of us see him?"
Cuddy sighed, knowing Wilson wouldn't be satisfied with a vague answer. "Wilson, I can't go into details right now. House is undergoing a treatment and it's confidential."
"Confidential? Since when do we keep secrets about House's health?" Wilson's voice rose, his frustration evident.
"Since this treatment required it," Cuddy responded firmly, trying to convey the seriousness of the situation without revealing too much. "Look, Wilson, I promise he's being closely monitored and I won't leave his side. But I need you to trust me."
"Trust you? I do trust you, Cuddy, but that doesn't change the fact that he's my best friend and I'm worried. I need to know more," Wilson insisted, his tone more desperate. "I need to see him, now!"
Cuddy took a deep breath, trying to keep her patience. "I understand, Wilson. But you can't see him, at least not for now... But you need to trust that we are doing what's best for him. He's being well taken care of."
Wilson shook his head, clearly frustrated. "And who is this man everyone's talking about? The one you've been having meetings with, who was seen leaving the fourth floor?"
Cuddy closed her eyes for a moment, trying to control her irritation. "That's part of the treatment, Wilson. I can't give you more details."
At that moment, Cameron, Chase, and Foreman arrived, their expressions mirroring Wilson's concern and frustration.
"What's going on, Dr. Cuddy? Where's House?" Cameron asked, her tone accusatory.
"He's fine," Cuddy repeated, her patience wearing thin.
"What is happening to House, we all heard him scream" Chase told her.
"Why all the secrecy? Who's this guy you're meeting with?" Foreman demanded. "What is happening here?"
Cuddy finally lost her patience. "Listen, all of you! I am the Dean of Medicine at this hospital. I am House's attending physician and his medical proxy. I know what I'm doing, and House is under my care. Respect that." The group fell silent, surprised by the vehemence of her statement. Cameron, especially, looked hurt and jealous. "You're his medical proxy? Why?" Cameron's voice held a note of accusation, her disbelief evident.
Cuddy's retort was swift and cutting. "Yes, I am his medical proxy, Dr. Cameron. Dr. House and I made that decision together, and it's not up for debate. Our personal choices are not open for discussion."
"Now, if you excuse me, I'm going to take a shower, change, and get back to where I need to be," Cuddy said, beginning to walk towards her office. She stopped at the door and looked at them. "House is fine and he's with me. That's all you need to know." She closed the door behind her, leaving them outside, perplexed and unsure of what to do next.
The hallway fell into an uncomfortable silence. Wilson, Chase, Cameron, and Foreman stood there, absorbing the weight of Cuddy's words. Wilson ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident on his face. Cameron's eyes filled with unshed tears, and she turned away, hiding her emotions. Foreman leaned against the wall, arms still crossed, his expression thoughtful but troubled. Chase simply sighed, shaking his head in disbelief.
They all knew that pressing Cuddy further would be futile. For now, all they could do was wait and hope that House would be ok.