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Post by Dr. House on May 6, 2007 1:03:26 GMT -5
*House woke up to telephone ringing. He first decided to ignore it and let the person hang up but whoever it was kept calling.
He gumpily got out of bed and answered the phone.* "Someone better be dying," *he said hoarsly.*
"Doctor House, it's almost noon!" *Screamed Diana from the other end.*
*House held the phone away from his ear,* "Good morning to do too," *he muttered sarcastically.*
"And it's the day of the surgery! Did you forget?"
"My PDA got flushed down the toilet."
*Diana let out a frustrated sigh* "The couple is waiting in the prep room, doctor. We need you in right now."
"Incase you didn't know, I'm not a board certified plastic surgeon."
"It's a simple procedure and...she's...cute," *Diana said, trying to give him an incentive to come in.*
"Puppies are cute too but when you stare at their leg for three hours..."
"I meant attractive and it's an hour-long procedure."
"Not doing it."
"But doctor--"
*House hung up and put the phone down. As he limped back to his bed, he stopped, turned, picked the phone back up and quickly dialed a number.*
"Yeah. Opera House Infirmary. Skin graph. 26 year-old female. There'll be a check waiting for you in my office," *House said shortly before hanging up and going back to bed.*
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Post by Dr. House on Aug 20, 2007 22:19:09 GMT -5
***NEW DAY/NIGHT/WHATEVER***
A nearly empty glass of scotch and a cluster of metal keys sat on House's black grand piano as he played a soft tune from one of Bach's French Suites. His fingers deftly moved over it's black and white keys, remembering all the sharps in the piece.
A beatiful as the melody was, the notes were empty: no conviction or drive could be found within the fluid phrases of the music. His fingers moved on their down, depening on muscle memory rather than the brain. His fingers moved on without him, leaving behind music that allowed him a sort of a haven, letting him be alone with his emotions and thoughts. He neither enjoyed confronting them nor looked forward to them... but when faced with them, he wouldn't turn back not having addressed them.
"She overreacted," he rationalized. "I've stalked her before, even to a date and she didn't blow up on me like that."
It was true. That was why he did was he normally did to Cuddy: because nothing would piss her off beyond control. She was always the proud, calm, quick witted Dea of Medicine that his usual antics and work-place-inapporporiate snarks coulnd't touch.
"Except now, she no longer has that title," said a nagging voice from the back of his head that he assumed was his conscience.
That title meant everything to her and he knew it. He accused her several times since her arrival that she was orchestrating a powerplay but, in truth, he was the one doing exactly that. House was fully aware of his fascination with human behavior... he just coulnd't stop it when an interesting 'specimen' came out of nowhere and slapped him in the face. Like this whole situation with Cuddy. He was completely unaware at the time but he really did want to see what happened to that powerful woman when she was thrown off that horse. Would she suck it up or would she collapse when everything she ever worked for was yanked out from under her within a matter of seconds.
"Of course it's the latter. She's not an emotionless cyborge like you."
House smirked mirthlessly as the thought entered his mind. If he was rational and logical like that during all of this, Cuddy wouldn't have--
"Since when have you suddenly become this sensitive about anything or anyone?" asked another voice that sounded disturbingly like Cuddy's.
Because, as much as he hated to admit it, his job wasn't the same without her smiles and her quick-witted jabs that left House searching his head for something to counter... Because, even thought he wouldn't ever admit to to her or to anyone else, he had a thing for her--something he couldn't quite put a finger on. Love? Maybe not but there was a definite attraction. Even if it was love, he wouldn't pass it off as anything more than a sexual attraction. This world reknown dignostician was much too proud to admit the L word-- and no, not that kinky cable TV show.
"Quit psycho analysing yourself. What are you going to do about this?" asked... was that Wilson's voice?
As intimidating as that question sounded, the answer was simple: giver her the title back.
"You know you like calling the shots around the hosptial," said... well, he guessed that was his huge ego talking. "You can't honestly say that people not breathing down your neck isn't a relief. That screaching hyena isn't worth all that."
"Give it up," said another voice that sounded like Chase (Even the accent was there...). "You know you hate doing the billings almost as much as you hate doing clinic duty. For you, it'll be a win-win situation. Cuddy gets what she wants, her insanely scheduled job; you'll get what you want, the good-old boss-lady."
"Fight it until you've got both," said a voice that sounded a lot like Foreman. "You know she'll eventually cave. Give it all a few weeks and you'll have both you position and Cuddy."
The third option didn't sound too bad. Cuddy's ego wasn't nearly as huge as his. Giving this all a few days would probably chagne her mind...
Houses's ears vaguely picked up on the last harmonies of Bach. His mind was still away though, hovering inbetween being incrontol of his fingers and not. Closing his eyes, he decided to let them pick up on another familiar tune of their choosing.
The music skitted through a few songs, twisting in many different directions for a moment before settling on something by the Rolling Stones.
House's mind fully enmerged from it's deep, thought state and back into reality.
He grinned.
He knew this tune all too well and, of course, his subconscious would choose this evening out of the countless others to remind him that "You Can't Always Get What You Want".
House played for another moment before stopping. Resting his arms on the dark wood of his piano, he stared thoughtfully at the cluster of golden keys through the dim lights of his apartment. Without taking his eyes off the keys, he reached over, took his glass and drained the rest of his scotch.
It was all there: the key to his office, all the medicine cabinets (except one thanks to that insane nurse), the master key to the exam rooms, etc...
After a quick glance at the clock on the other side of the room, House snatched the keys and shot up from his piano bench, ignoring the screeching of wood grating on wood. He grabbed his cane, jacket and helmet and opened his door...
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Dr. Cuddy
- Ingenious Pilot -
don't even start with me
Posts: 244
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Post by Dr. Cuddy on Aug 20, 2007 22:33:52 GMT -5
*Cuddy stood with her hand raised in a fist to knock, now mere inches from House's forehead.*
"Oh. Hi."
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Post by Dr. House on Aug 20, 2007 22:46:21 GMT -5
"--Jesus!" *House jumped back, biting back a few curses with a cringe.*
"What are you doing here?" *He asked, casually pocketing the keys.* "Change your mind?"
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Dr. Cuddy
- Ingenious Pilot -
don't even start with me
Posts: 244
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Post by Dr. Cuddy on Aug 20, 2007 22:50:23 GMT -5
"Patient files. I noticed you weren't in the clinic today."
*She handed him the stack of papers and turned to go.*
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Post by Dr. House on Aug 20, 2007 22:53:48 GMT -5
*House lowered his head. A weird habit that came out when he knew he couldn't handle a situation right.*
"Cuddy..." *he said with an uncharacteristic softness to his voice.*
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Dr. Cuddy
- Ingenious Pilot -
don't even start with me
Posts: 244
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Post by Dr. Cuddy on Aug 20, 2007 23:02:08 GMT -5
"Save it. I've gone back to the clinic and I'm ready to do my job--whatever that may be--and I don't want to talk about anything outside of professional matters."
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Post by Dr. House on Aug 20, 2007 23:13:25 GMT -5
"You're miserable in the clinic," *he stated shortly.*
*House carefully took a few steps towards her.* "I want you back..." *he said quietly. He went into his pocket, took out the keys and held it out to her cautiously, as if she would collapse if he disturbed the air around her. She seemed strong on the out side but she couldn't fool him. Not after nearly a decade.* "I want you back."
"This is me... compromising." *He snorted mirthlessly, awkwardly fidgeting with the keys in his hands.*
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Dr. Cuddy
- Ingenious Pilot -
don't even start with me
Posts: 244
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Post by Dr. Cuddy on Aug 20, 2007 23:15:08 GMT -5
"...I told you, I've returned to the clinic. You have me back," *she said awkwardly. It was late; she'd put in twelve hours at the clinic, and it showed.*
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Post by Dr. House on Aug 20, 2007 23:26:44 GMT -5
"No I don't," *he said seriously, making direct eye contact now.*
"I won't have you back unless your title comes with. You two are like... chip and dale," *He said, holding the keys out a little further.* "I don't want it anymore. I'm sick and tired of the billings."
*After a moment of silence and Cuddy's frozen gaze, House took her by the wrist, turned her hand over, placed the keys in them then promptly let go.*
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Dr. Cuddy
- Ingenious Pilot -
don't even start with me
Posts: 244
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Post by Dr. Cuddy on Aug 20, 2007 23:28:17 GMT -5
"You--you're giving me your job?"
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Post by Dr. House on Aug 20, 2007 23:33:10 GMT -5
"Uh-huh," *he said at the very end of a sigh.*
"Look, I'm not pulling a Cameron: I'm not doing this for you or for the sake of humanity. I'm doing this for me." *House tried to sound as convincing and callous as possible. He was sure he was sucking right then.*
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Dr. Cuddy
- Ingenious Pilot -
don't even start with me
Posts: 244
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Post by Dr. Cuddy on Aug 20, 2007 23:41:05 GMT -5
*Cuddy twitched an eyebrow.*
"You find the responsibility is chafing, hmm?"
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Post by Dr. House on Aug 20, 2007 23:46:45 GMT -5
*House snorted, finally finding his safe ground of sarcasm.* "Not as chafing as your underwear," *he said, shuddering animatedly.* "Victoria's Secret might look great but... I'm not too sure where it ranks on my comfort meter."
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Dr. Cuddy
- Ingenious Pilot -
don't even start with me
Posts: 244
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Post by Dr. Cuddy on Aug 20, 2007 23:49:14 GMT -5
*Cuddy slipped the keys into her coat pocket.*
"Still--if you've worn it, you can keep it," *she said.* "I don't want that pair back."
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