THE THINGS THAT ONE TAMES - CHAPTER 28/39
A Forever Knight/House, M.D. Crossover
AUTHOR: A.S. NightBird
WRITTEN: April 2006
PAIRINGS: House/Cameron, Nick/Natalie, Strong Wilson/House Friendship
RATING: FOR MATURE ADULTS - This story contains profanity and adult sexual situations.
SUMMARY: A Forever Knight/House, M.D. Crossover - House meets the ultimate medical challenge. For Steve McQueen fans, he plays a prominent role in this story.
See Disclaimers, Author's Notes, etc. in Part 1.
CHAPTER 28
House returned home after dropping Cameron at her place. It was nearly three o'clock. He was feeling angry, confused and afraid. Angry with himself for not trusting her enough to give her a chance to prove to him she meant what she said. Confused by his feelings, because although he really wanted her, he needed to push her away. Afraid, because he knew if she rejected him, it would crush his heart to the point he'd never recover. He also felt annoyed, because as usual, one part of his body had a mind of its own. He looked down at the bulge in his jeans that had been there since Cameron had snuggled up to him on the bike for the ride home. "Stupid dick."
Deciding he'd go into the hospital to check on Nick, he limped back to his bedroom to strip off his clothes and take a shower. Standing under the hot spray, he gave in to his demanding groin. 'At least now I'll be able to concentrate,' he thought. He finished washing. After getting dressed, feeding Steve and refilling his water bottle, he hopped on his bike and headed for PPTH.
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House put on a gown, gloves, mask and shoe covers, then entered Nick's room. "Hey, Wilson," he greeted his best friend who said hello back. "So, how's the star patient?"
"Pretty good." Nick smiled. "I can breathe again."
"Nice feeling, isn't it?" Greg chuckled. "Mind if I give a listen?" He grabbed the stethoscope hanging on the IV pole.
"Go right ahead."
House listened to his breath sounds, which were much improved, then picked up Nick's chart from the end of the bed and sat down to read. "We started you on high doses of anti-retrovirals Tuesday morning," he said flipping through the pages. "How're you doing with that?"
"Fine. I'm not experiencing any side effects that I'm aware of."
"Good. We're going to do the bone marrow transplant on Friday, barring any unforeseen circumstances."
"Cuddy's down at O.R. Scheduling right now making arrangements for a room late Friday night. She figures that will spark a lot less questions," Wilson told House.
"Where are we going to put Cameron after the harvesting?"
"I spent the day setting up the room next door. It's all set for her. I got one of those two-way monitor systems so we can keep tabs on both Nick and her, no matter which room we're in, including the office."
"Good thinking. I guess that covers everything."
"Well, I'm going to go see how Cuddy's making out." Wilson rose and left the room.
Nick studied House and noticed his heart rate increased when Wilson left. He figured he knew what was coming. Far be it from him to disappoint. He laughed to himself. "So, how did the date go?"
Feeling his heart rate increase, House knew Nick could hear it. There was no point in trying to cover anything up. "I took her up to Ringing Rocks as a surprise."
"I've been there. Amazing place. Did she like it?"
"Yeah. We had a great time. Spent about two hours playing music. Everything from classical to the Beatles. It was a really nice ride up and back, too. Great weather. We got some pizza after." He braced himself for what was coming.
"So ... what's wrong?"
Greg realized there was no way around this. "Cameron wants sex, but with my leg, well, it makes things difficult. I refused and took her home."
Nick nodded, understanding. "You're afraid, but Allison loves you."
"In simple terms ... yes." He cocked his head and stared Nick dead in the eyes. "The last woman who loved me, left me. It was after this." He indicated his leg. "We'd try, but I'd have trouble, not being able to use the leg. I know she didn't mean to, but she'd give me this look ... I couldn't take it. I started pushing her away. I became angry, bitter and mean ... impossible to live with, but I couldn't bear how she made me feel. She finally left. Not to mention the fact that it was her who condemned me to this, but then you know that story."
"Things are different now. Allison is a different person, and therefore deserves a chance." Nick gave him a pointed look.
"Nick, I just couldn't handle it if she leaves me, too. I have a hard enough time trusting people."
"You seem to trust me, and we just met."
"You saved my ass, and you trusted me with your secret. I'd say you earned my complete trust." House smiled for the first time since they started talking.
"I suppose you're right. You got me there." Nick chuckled. "Seriously, Allison is not going to hurt you. You two love each other. Don't throw it away, Greg. You have no idea what I wouldn't have given to be in your place. If this doesn't work, I'll keep trying to find a way to be human again. I'll keep trying until the day Natalie dies. Think about it, Greg."
"Yeah ... that's all I've been doing." He levered himself up out of the chair and left.
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Wilson and Cuddy entered the office to find House at his desk, feet up, listening to his iPod. James walked up behind him and called his name twice. No response. He tapped him on the shoulder. The older doctor jumped, yelped and grabbed his right thigh, his chair nearly going over backwards. Wilson caught him.
House rounded on him. "YOU GOD-DAMNED STUPID FUCK! ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME?"
Cuddy and Wilson's eyes went wide, their mouths dropping open. Recovering enough to speak, James put his hands up. "Whoa! House. What the hell is wrong with you?"
"What the hell is wrong with YOU, sneaking up on me like that? You IDIOT!" he growled and popped a Vicodin, then went back to rubbing his screaming thigh.
Cuddy slammed her hands on her hips. "House, that's ENOUGH! Whatever it is, work it out on your own time." She stormed out.
Wilson stood there rubbing the back of his neck, staring at his best friend. In a calm voice, he asked, "Do you want to talk about it?" House looked up. He could see his eyes were watery, but he wasn't sure if it was due to his thigh or something else.
With no preamble, House flatly stated, "Cameron wanted me to do her. I took her home instead."
Wilson's eyebrows rose. He grabbed a chair and sat down by his friend. He knew it was best to just wait for him to continue, rather than to say anything himself, although he had an inkling what this was all about.
"It's the leg. Remember I told you how Stacy used to look at me after?"
"Yeah."
"I can't go through that again."
"I think there was a lot of guilt wrapped up in that look."
"I guess so."
"Well, Allison is not Stacy. I've never seen her look at you with pity."
"I slipped and fell up at Ringing Rocks. She came running over to help. That look on her face...." He looked down at the floor.
"So? I would have done the same thing. So would you if it had been me or her. Worrying about someone getting hurt is not pity."
House let out a huge sigh. "Yeah ... I guess you're right."
Studying him, it finally dawned on Wilson. "You're scared." House's head snapped up. "You're afraid you won't be able to please her." He broke into a grin. "You really do love her!"
"Shut up, James."
"No. I won't. Damnit, Greg!" Wilson threw his hands up. "She loves you, too. Can't you see that? You can be so thick and pig-headed at times! I promise you that I'm here for you, but I know everything will be fine. You have to give her the chance to show you that."
"Whatever." House levered himself up and limped heavily toward the door. "I gotta pee."
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