urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lilybeth0529lilybeth0529lilybeth0529lilybeth05292038-01-19T03:14:07Zurn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:lilybeth0529:6397The Real Dr. House2038-01-19T03:14:07Z2038-01-19T03:14:07ZWell, I'm branching out of Grey's Anatomy fanfic and into another realm. I've really fallen for House and Cuddy, and so here's my first glimmer of fanfic in that fandom. I'm not entirely happy with it, but I wanted to do something after last night's episode. The usual disclaimer is that of course I do not own the characters and greatly appreciate and respect those who do. I hope they don't mind if I borrow them and return them gently used.<br /><br /><a name="cutid1"></a><br /><br />For his first day back at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, Cuddy scheduled House for eight hours of clinic. <br /><br />She waited impatiently for Brenda to arrive in her office and tell her House had skipped out/was watching soap operas/had insulted a mother of three’s ability to care for her offspring. <br /><br />She was waiting, she admitted to herself, to go yell at him. She had a lot of anger built up.<br /><br />Brenda never arrived.<br /><br />On House’s second day at PPTH, the Diagnostic Department handled three cases simultaneously. <br /><br />A coma patient transferred from NYU woke up after the Diagnostics Department found an aneurysm seven other doctors had missed hiding behind the left eye. A patient with what appeared to be an incurable flu was diagnosed with a rare disease from Africa making its first appearance in the United States to the CDC’s great consternation. And a baby was found to have Adams-Oliver syndrome. <br /><br />Three cases. One day. House.<br /><br />On House’s third day back at PPTH, Cuddy heard through the grapevine that House had apologized to Chase. She also heard that he did more than his scheduled clinic hours without complaint and without breaking for General Hospital. Even after a four-year-old puked green jello on him.<br /><br />On House’s fourth day back at PPTH, Cuddy found an envelope addressed to her on her desk. The check inside was made out to the hospital from one Mrs. Clara P. Lavelle in the amount of $300,000. <br /><br />“Dear Dr. Cuddy,” the attached note began. “The charming Dr. House told me all about the good work being done at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. I felt it was my duty to help support the research and teaching. Dr. House assured me that you would make sure that my contribution was put to good use. Sincerely, Clara P. Lavelle.”<br /><br />On House’s fifth day back, Cuddy found herself staring across her desk at Foreman, Chase and Cameron. <br /><br />“He’s just not House,” Cameron complained. “He brought us all coffee this morning,” Foreman added. <br /><br />“Enjoy it while it lasts,” Cuddy responded, but she could not help the gnawing in the pit of her stomach. <br /><br />That was before she heard that House bought Wilson lunch.<br /><br />On House’s sixth day back at PPTH, Cuddy ran into him in the elevator. <br /><br />“You look really beautiful today, Lisa,” she heard. Not one comment about funbags or prostituting herself for the hospital. He called her Lisa. <br /><br />When she got to her office, she closed her door, put her head down on the desk, and cried. <br /><br />On House’s seventh day back at PPTH, he was politely dismissive to a pediatrician who interfered in his treatment of the seven-year-old she had misdiagnosed. <br /><br />Until several hours into the case when the pediatrician stopped two of the tests that House ordered because she thought they were too painful for a child to experience.<br /><br />“You are an idiot, Dr. Samuels,” House proclaimed loudly in the middle of the hallway, his voice drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity. “You screwed up and now you won’t let us fix your mistake. You either let me perform these tests, which might hurt a little now but will let me diagnose what’s really wrong. Or you explain to her parents why they’re burying her tomorrow.” <br /><br />There was silence as the staff of PPTH took in the scene. <br /><br />“Dr. House, that’s enough,” Cuddy stepped in before the pediatrician could respond, careful to keep the glee out of her voice. “Go treat your patient.”<br /><br />House hesitated. "Cuddy," he started.<br /><br />“Now,” her tone was commanding. “Do I make myself clear?”<br /><br />“Yes, your most supreme worship and queen of the realm,” House replied, gesturing to Chase to go do as directed. “Your humble servant hears and obeys.” As he walked passed her, he added softly, “After all, my ass is yours.”<br /><br />Cuddy could not keep from smiling as she returned to her office. <br /><br />The real Dr. House was on his way back.