Playing House Chapter 2
TITLE: Chapter 2 Quid Pro Quo?
AUTHOR: new_raven
PAIRING: none yet
RATING: PG-13
WARNINGS: Violence
SUMMARY: There’s more to Chris than meets the eye.
DISCLAIMER: House and his pretty friends don’t belong to me.
SOUNDTRACK: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0E97EE610F950F6A&feature=mh_lolz
When Chris woke there was an IV in her arm and an oxygen tube under her nose. Her mouth was dry and her stomach ached. The clock showed three in the afternoon. She’d missed a day of school and hadn’t been home. She was grateful she’d told her mom she would be at a sleepover. She practiced the words “hello Mom” before reaching for the phone and dialing home.
“Sarah?”
“No Mom. It’s me, Christaline.”
“How was your party?”
“Not great. We think we ate some bad chicken. Rachel’s mom is giving us soup and Pepto. I just wanted to let you know I might not be home tonight.”
“How was school?”
“School was great.”
“Liar!” House’s voice chimed in from the door.
“Who’s that? Are there boys at that party?”
“No Mom. That’s Rachel’s grandfather. He’s really old and senile. I’ve got to let you go. He needs the phone.”
“Don’t drink after him.”
“Ok Mom.” Her mother’s nonsensical responses barely registered with Chris anymore. “Love you.”
“Love you sweetie.”
Chris hung up the phone and waited for some explanation from House. House pulled a chair up beside her bed. She should have known he was preparing to extract an explanation from her as well.
“Well what is it?” She coughed. “Is Rachel ok? Am I ok?”
“Quid pro quo Clarice?” House made his crazy eyes at her and a hissing sucking noise.
“Can I get some water first? And that doesn’t count as a question.” She would have smiled if she had more energy.
“That totally counts.” House hit the call button and requested the water. “My turn. Why is a twenty-one year old posing as a seventeen year old high school student?”
“I’m only twenty and seven-eighths. I am a high school student. I never said I was seventeen.”
“You’re Sociology paper shows May 4, 1994 as your birthday, but you’re a Libra not a Taurus.”
“I use it to keep my lies straight. It’s my sister’s birthday. It’s just easier to remember.” She looked down. She was too tired to care what he read in her face, much less give an effective lie.
“Easy to remember or hard to forget?”
“Uh uh it’s my question.” She started to ask where he got her Sociology paper, but assumed he must have gone back to the school looking for more clues or accurate emergency contact information. “Did you find the poison?”
“Yes.”
“So I helped?”
“I didn’t say where I found it.”
“You mean it wasn’t in the beer?”
“That was three questions. My turn again. Is your sister dead?”
“Yes.” She took a deep breath and tried to word her question better. “Was the drug in the beer what made Rachel sick?”
“Yes and no. The mix of mood stabilizers and allergy medication, that Tommy put into the beer, before recapping it and slapping a pretty, orange date sticker on top, is what helped him to assault Rachel. It also helped you to wax poetic about my face.”
Chris winced and smiled at the same time. “Snow cones…” She groaned.
House nodded. “The botulism in the recalled Taiwanese beer is what almost killed her. Well, the botulism and the idiot who decided to sell it to kids instead of disposing of it properly.”
“Is she… are we going to be alright.”
“You’re not very good at this taking turns thing. Is your baby still alive?” He watched carefully as she took a shallow gasp. “You can’t be that surprised. Legal records are sealed at eighteen, not medical.”
The nurse came in with water and promptly left. The way she didn’t speak or make eye contact gave Chris the impression that House wasn’t very popular with the nurses.
“Yes, he is alive or he was when he was adopted. He could be anywhere now. Will you just tell me what’s happening if I promise to tell you the whole story?”
“Story first.”
“You know I’m very weak and sick. It’s pretty cruel to make me talk about this right now.” She considered throwing in a fake cough, but wasn’t sure if she’d be able to stop.
“I’m a sadist.”
“Dick.” She took a sip of water and leaned back on the pillows, trying to get comfortable before telling her story.
“I was fifteen and Sarah was twelve. I was sneaking out of the house and she caught me. She threatened to rat me out if I didn’t take her with me. So I did. We went to a party. It was lame. The guy I was meeting was making out with some other chick. So we left.
We were almost home, maybe a block away. I was mad and bitching about the stupid girl kissing the stupid guy I liked. I wasn’t paying attention. There was a guy sitting on the back of a car talking on his phone. He never even looked at us… until we were right next to the car. Then he just puts the phone away. No goodbye, didn’t hit a button, just drops it in his pocket.
I knew it was bad. I turned around and saw that there were three more guys behind us and another coming out of the alley. I didn’t see anyone further ahead. I told Sarah to run home. I just tackled the guy with the phone. I knew I couldn’t fight him, but I thought I could give her a chance.
The guy was pissed. He just started throwing me around until I landed face down in the alley. I was just staring at this wet newspaper and I couldn’t read the words. I had a skirt on. It was worse for Sarah. They broke her leg getting her jeans off. There were a lot of them. I passed out and woke up in a hospital. “
“They impregnated you and killed your sister.”
“No actually, I wasn’t finished. We were fine. No, we were alive. We were getting all kinds of therapy and didn’t have to go to school. The story rocked the neighborhood. We probably would have dealt, eventually, but after a couple months we still hadn’t had our periods. I couldn’t shake a stomach bug that several doctors suggested was actually a new eating disorder brought on by the trauma, and Sarah could barely stand up straight thanks to the weight of her new DD’s.
Now we as a family are not lacking in that department,” She motioned to her chest.
“I vaguely recall.” House smirked as the image of her flimsy little dress flashed through his mind.
“You really are a creeper.” She made a huge effort to match his smirk, but the result was feeble.
“Sarah was four foot ten though. It was freakish. Our cycles were about the same and, as you must be aware, puberty is a highly fertile time. They said we had a twenty-five to thirty percent chance of getting pregnant each month with one partner. Multiply that by… well way too much and there you go.
I refused to have an abortion. I knew I wasn’t ready to raise a kid, but I wasn’t going to kill one either. Mom said it was my decision. She was proud I think. Sarah, who still didn’t get that I wasn’t a stellar role model, also refused. Pregnancy is a lot harder at twelve than at fifteen.
Instead of being at home on bed rest, as suggested, she was at a park with her friends when she went into pre-term labor. Her friends ran for help, but of course they didn’t have cell phones and didn’t know the address or name of the park. Public signs don’t last very long in our old neighborhood.
When the EMTs finally got to the park she was bleeding internally and there wasn’t a lot that they could do. I don’t know exactly what happened, because no one wanted to tell me then, and afterwards it doesn’t really matter. They took the baby a few minutes after Sarah died in the ER. The baby was very sick but she made it. Her first set adoptive parents couldn’t handle a sick baby, but we found her another, more prepared, family. They scheduled my C-section at thirty-eight weeks just to be careful and it was text book.
I had a substantial mental break and didn’t go back to school for another year. When I came back from my mental vacation my mom went on hers. She hasn’t been back since. I missed two school years total. We moved here to start over. Is there anything else you’d like to know?”
“How do you pronounce your name?”
“I don’t.” She took another drink. “Chris - tuh - line. My mom heard it on a shopping channel selling stemware. ‘Genuine Crystalline only nineteen ninety-nine.” A sad smile came to her face as she mimicked the way her mother told the story. “Of course she spelled it wrong so now instead of meaning faux crystal it means faux messiah.”
“You’re lucky you couldn’t afford a catholic school.”
She laughed and took a labored breath. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Oh you will definitely be sick.” He hit the call button. “The good news is that we already started your treatment. The antitoxin should minimize your symptoms. We’ll monitor you for a few days to be sure the treatment is working.”
“What happens if it’s not working?”
“Respiratory failure, pneumonia, paralysis. I’ll send Rachel over to tell you about it when she’s feeling better. “
“Is she going to be ok?”
“Yes. So will Tommy.”
“Oh well two out of three ain’t bad.” She smiled weakly.
“I’ll order something for the nausea. It’ll knock you out for a while.”
“Lovely.”
***
She awoke several hours later, to find Dr. Chase was checking her chart.
“That was a very brave thing you did.” He smiled at her.
“Feels pretty stupid at the moment.”
“Are you feeling sick? Do you need a dish?”
“No. I’m good. When can I go home?”
“It’s hard to tell, but we don’t expect you’ll get any worse now.” He listened to her chest for a moment. “Take a deep breath for me.”
She obliged. “When can I go back to school?”
“Once you’re discharged you can return as you feel able. It may take a while to recover your strength. You shouldn’t push it.”
She nodded even though she knew she couldn’t comply. All she knew how to do was push it.
“Are you feeling up to having visitors?”
“It won’t matter.” Her voice was hoarse from the small amount of talking they’d done. Chase handed her some water. “No one can make it.”
“Actually Rachel’s family has been asking after you. They’d like to stop in and I’m sure Rachel would like to see you when she wakes up.”
“Oh…” Her voice trailed. “Yeah that would be ok.”
“Good. I’ll let them know. Do you need anything else right now?”
“Ice chips?”
“Of course and we’ve ordered some broth for your lunch. We’ll see how that takes.”
“Ok.”
Chase shot her his killer smile before he floated out the door. Chris wondered if they only hired pretty doctors at this hospital on purpose. It wasn’t a terrible idea. It certainly improved patient morale. She drifted to sleep imagining the interview process.
***
When she woke again the table on the other side of the room under the TV was spread with flowers, cards, and a large stuffed bear. Chris called the nurse, who helped her get out of bed, and then stood by the door while she used the restroom. She asked if she could walk the halls to ease her restlessness.
The nurse agreed to bring her a wheelchair. She wasn’t supposed to stand on her own but she could roam the hall in the chair as long as she stayed on her floor. A cigarette break was still out of the question.
Chris adjusted her gown and ended up putting a blanket in her lap in hopes of not flashing anyone. She rolled to the little table and inspected her gifts. The flowers were from Rachel’s parents and Plainsboro Baptist Church. There were cards from more of Rachel’s extended family. What surprised her most was the note attached to the teddy bear’s big red bow.
The small card was covered in girly signatures full of hearts, stars, and smiley faces. The inside read “Get well soon!!! *Big Hugs*, the Lady Wildcats”. She examined the bear’s beady, brown eyes and smiling face. She realized that his golden fur and red ribbon were no coincidence. They were Wildcat colors.
Chris ventured out of the room peering down both sides of the corridor. She wasn’t sure where she was headed. She just needed to move around. Almost immediately a thin, pretty woman with perfect highlights rushed out of a room on the other side of the nurses’ station.
“Christy Lynn? How are you feeling?”
“Ok.” Chris froze as the woman approached her.
“Oh honey, you are so brave. We’ve all been praying for your recovery. Come on over here and meet Mr. McKenna.”
Chris’s chair had been commandeered before she could protest. Rachel’s room held such a vast array of gift shop novelties that the overflow had to be placed on the window sills, and on top of the cabinets. Chris sat stunned as everyone burst into cheers and praises of her bravery and selflessness.
“This is Mr. McKenna, Rachel’s father. That’s Momaw and Pop-pop. I’m sure you know Jenna and Emily from school.” Chris nodded and smiled as the family hugged her and Momaw kissed her cheek.
“Hello. Hi. Nice to meet you.” She waved to Rachel and the girls from school not sure which was Jenna and which was Emily. “Hey.”
She answered the questions she could. She was careful not to give any detail that Rachel or the doctors might not have shared. Every word earned her more praise. Nothing seemed to surprise them, and it made her wonder what they must have heard about her before meeting her. Finally, the nurse pointed out, that visiting hours had been over for half an hour, and they really needed to move the party along.
The family shuffled out, and then there were two.
“Sorry about that. I know they can be a lot. They’re really worked up.” Rachel apologized.
“They were really nice.”
“Thank you.” Rachel whispered. She began to cry as she held Chris’s gaze.
“Oh don’t do that.” Chris waved her hand dismissing the girl’s tears. “It’s not a big deal. All I did was drink a beer.”
Rachel shook her head. “You saved my life.”
“The doctors saved your life. I just helped a little.”
“I never even talked to you.”
Chris shrugged. “We’ve got different circles… It’s not a big deal.”
“Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”
“Press charges.” Chris didn’t have to think about the question. “I’ll testify. Just don’t let him get away with this. He’s already going down for possession.”
“Oh we’re pressing charges. My dad has an awesome lawyer. And if all else fails, Tommy, my Tommy, can get the whole team to trash him.”
“Perfect.” Chris smiled.
“How’d you even know I was sick?”
“I saw the doctor up at the school looking for potential causes.”
“Dr. Chase? OMG He’s sooo hot.” Rachel beamed.
“I know, right?” Chris nodded, and only smirked a little when Rachel spoke in text slang. “But it was Dr. House. I think Chase and another doctor were checking your house.”
“There’s more? Are they cute too?” Her eyes lit up.
“The one I met was. He’s older but very…” Chris sucked in a breath trying to find the right word.
“Distinguished? Mysterious?”
“Yeah all of that and just…. Rowwwrrrr.” Chris half growled half purred making Rachel laugh out loud.
“You two seem to be feeling better.” Dr. Chase said walking into the room.
“We’re even better now.” Chris replied and both girls giggled.
AUTHOR: new_raven
PAIRING: none yet
RATING: PG-13
WARNINGS: Violence
SUMMARY: There’s more to Chris than meets the eye.
DISCLAIMER: House and his pretty friends don’t belong to me.
SOUNDTRACK: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0E97EE610F950F6A&feature=mh_lolz
When Chris woke there was an IV in her arm and an oxygen tube under her nose. Her mouth was dry and her stomach ached. The clock showed three in the afternoon. She’d missed a day of school and hadn’t been home. She was grateful she’d told her mom she would be at a sleepover. She practiced the words “hello Mom” before reaching for the phone and dialing home.
“Sarah?”
“No Mom. It’s me, Christaline.”
“How was your party?”
“Not great. We think we ate some bad chicken. Rachel’s mom is giving us soup and Pepto. I just wanted to let you know I might not be home tonight.”
“How was school?”
“School was great.”
“Liar!” House’s voice chimed in from the door.
“Who’s that? Are there boys at that party?”
“No Mom. That’s Rachel’s grandfather. He’s really old and senile. I’ve got to let you go. He needs the phone.”
“Don’t drink after him.”
“Ok Mom.” Her mother’s nonsensical responses barely registered with Chris anymore. “Love you.”
“Love you sweetie.”
Chris hung up the phone and waited for some explanation from House. House pulled a chair up beside her bed. She should have known he was preparing to extract an explanation from her as well.
“Well what is it?” She coughed. “Is Rachel ok? Am I ok?”
“Quid pro quo Clarice?” House made his crazy eyes at her and a hissing sucking noise.
“Can I get some water first? And that doesn’t count as a question.” She would have smiled if she had more energy.
“That totally counts.” House hit the call button and requested the water. “My turn. Why is a twenty-one year old posing as a seventeen year old high school student?”
“I’m only twenty and seven-eighths. I am a high school student. I never said I was seventeen.”
“You’re Sociology paper shows May 4, 1994 as your birthday, but you’re a Libra not a Taurus.”
“I use it to keep my lies straight. It’s my sister’s birthday. It’s just easier to remember.” She looked down. She was too tired to care what he read in her face, much less give an effective lie.
“Easy to remember or hard to forget?”
“Uh uh it’s my question.” She started to ask where he got her Sociology paper, but assumed he must have gone back to the school looking for more clues or accurate emergency contact information. “Did you find the poison?”
“Yes.”
“So I helped?”
“I didn’t say where I found it.”
“You mean it wasn’t in the beer?”
“That was three questions. My turn again. Is your sister dead?”
“Yes.” She took a deep breath and tried to word her question better. “Was the drug in the beer what made Rachel sick?”
“Yes and no. The mix of mood stabilizers and allergy medication, that Tommy put into the beer, before recapping it and slapping a pretty, orange date sticker on top, is what helped him to assault Rachel. It also helped you to wax poetic about my face.”
Chris winced and smiled at the same time. “Snow cones…” She groaned.
House nodded. “The botulism in the recalled Taiwanese beer is what almost killed her. Well, the botulism and the idiot who decided to sell it to kids instead of disposing of it properly.”
“Is she… are we going to be alright.”
“You’re not very good at this taking turns thing. Is your baby still alive?” He watched carefully as she took a shallow gasp. “You can’t be that surprised. Legal records are sealed at eighteen, not medical.”
The nurse came in with water and promptly left. The way she didn’t speak or make eye contact gave Chris the impression that House wasn’t very popular with the nurses.
“Yes, he is alive or he was when he was adopted. He could be anywhere now. Will you just tell me what’s happening if I promise to tell you the whole story?”
“Story first.”
“You know I’m very weak and sick. It’s pretty cruel to make me talk about this right now.” She considered throwing in a fake cough, but wasn’t sure if she’d be able to stop.
“I’m a sadist.”
“Dick.” She took a sip of water and leaned back on the pillows, trying to get comfortable before telling her story.
“I was fifteen and Sarah was twelve. I was sneaking out of the house and she caught me. She threatened to rat me out if I didn’t take her with me. So I did. We went to a party. It was lame. The guy I was meeting was making out with some other chick. So we left.
We were almost home, maybe a block away. I was mad and bitching about the stupid girl kissing the stupid guy I liked. I wasn’t paying attention. There was a guy sitting on the back of a car talking on his phone. He never even looked at us… until we were right next to the car. Then he just puts the phone away. No goodbye, didn’t hit a button, just drops it in his pocket.
I knew it was bad. I turned around and saw that there were three more guys behind us and another coming out of the alley. I didn’t see anyone further ahead. I told Sarah to run home. I just tackled the guy with the phone. I knew I couldn’t fight him, but I thought I could give her a chance.
The guy was pissed. He just started throwing me around until I landed face down in the alley. I was just staring at this wet newspaper and I couldn’t read the words. I had a skirt on. It was worse for Sarah. They broke her leg getting her jeans off. There were a lot of them. I passed out and woke up in a hospital. “
“They impregnated you and killed your sister.”
“No actually, I wasn’t finished. We were fine. No, we were alive. We were getting all kinds of therapy and didn’t have to go to school. The story rocked the neighborhood. We probably would have dealt, eventually, but after a couple months we still hadn’t had our periods. I couldn’t shake a stomach bug that several doctors suggested was actually a new eating disorder brought on by the trauma, and Sarah could barely stand up straight thanks to the weight of her new DD’s.
Now we as a family are not lacking in that department,” She motioned to her chest.
“I vaguely recall.” House smirked as the image of her flimsy little dress flashed through his mind.
“You really are a creeper.” She made a huge effort to match his smirk, but the result was feeble.
“Sarah was four foot ten though. It was freakish. Our cycles were about the same and, as you must be aware, puberty is a highly fertile time. They said we had a twenty-five to thirty percent chance of getting pregnant each month with one partner. Multiply that by… well way too much and there you go.
I refused to have an abortion. I knew I wasn’t ready to raise a kid, but I wasn’t going to kill one either. Mom said it was my decision. She was proud I think. Sarah, who still didn’t get that I wasn’t a stellar role model, also refused. Pregnancy is a lot harder at twelve than at fifteen.
Instead of being at home on bed rest, as suggested, she was at a park with her friends when she went into pre-term labor. Her friends ran for help, but of course they didn’t have cell phones and didn’t know the address or name of the park. Public signs don’t last very long in our old neighborhood.
When the EMTs finally got to the park she was bleeding internally and there wasn’t a lot that they could do. I don’t know exactly what happened, because no one wanted to tell me then, and afterwards it doesn’t really matter. They took the baby a few minutes after Sarah died in the ER. The baby was very sick but she made it. Her first set adoptive parents couldn’t handle a sick baby, but we found her another, more prepared, family. They scheduled my C-section at thirty-eight weeks just to be careful and it was text book.
I had a substantial mental break and didn’t go back to school for another year. When I came back from my mental vacation my mom went on hers. She hasn’t been back since. I missed two school years total. We moved here to start over. Is there anything else you’d like to know?”
“How do you pronounce your name?”
“I don’t.” She took another drink. “Chris - tuh - line. My mom heard it on a shopping channel selling stemware. ‘Genuine Crystalline only nineteen ninety-nine.” A sad smile came to her face as she mimicked the way her mother told the story. “Of course she spelled it wrong so now instead of meaning faux crystal it means faux messiah.”
“You’re lucky you couldn’t afford a catholic school.”
She laughed and took a labored breath. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
“Oh you will definitely be sick.” He hit the call button. “The good news is that we already started your treatment. The antitoxin should minimize your symptoms. We’ll monitor you for a few days to be sure the treatment is working.”
“What happens if it’s not working?”
“Respiratory failure, pneumonia, paralysis. I’ll send Rachel over to tell you about it when she’s feeling better. “
“Is she going to be ok?”
“Yes. So will Tommy.”
“Oh well two out of three ain’t bad.” She smiled weakly.
“I’ll order something for the nausea. It’ll knock you out for a while.”
“Lovely.”
***
She awoke several hours later, to find Dr. Chase was checking her chart.
“That was a very brave thing you did.” He smiled at her.
“Feels pretty stupid at the moment.”
“Are you feeling sick? Do you need a dish?”
“No. I’m good. When can I go home?”
“It’s hard to tell, but we don’t expect you’ll get any worse now.” He listened to her chest for a moment. “Take a deep breath for me.”
She obliged. “When can I go back to school?”
“Once you’re discharged you can return as you feel able. It may take a while to recover your strength. You shouldn’t push it.”
She nodded even though she knew she couldn’t comply. All she knew how to do was push it.
“Are you feeling up to having visitors?”
“It won’t matter.” Her voice was hoarse from the small amount of talking they’d done. Chase handed her some water. “No one can make it.”
“Actually Rachel’s family has been asking after you. They’d like to stop in and I’m sure Rachel would like to see you when she wakes up.”
“Oh…” Her voice trailed. “Yeah that would be ok.”
“Good. I’ll let them know. Do you need anything else right now?”
“Ice chips?”
“Of course and we’ve ordered some broth for your lunch. We’ll see how that takes.”
“Ok.”
Chase shot her his killer smile before he floated out the door. Chris wondered if they only hired pretty doctors at this hospital on purpose. It wasn’t a terrible idea. It certainly improved patient morale. She drifted to sleep imagining the interview process.
***
When she woke again the table on the other side of the room under the TV was spread with flowers, cards, and a large stuffed bear. Chris called the nurse, who helped her get out of bed, and then stood by the door while she used the restroom. She asked if she could walk the halls to ease her restlessness.
The nurse agreed to bring her a wheelchair. She wasn’t supposed to stand on her own but she could roam the hall in the chair as long as she stayed on her floor. A cigarette break was still out of the question.
Chris adjusted her gown and ended up putting a blanket in her lap in hopes of not flashing anyone. She rolled to the little table and inspected her gifts. The flowers were from Rachel’s parents and Plainsboro Baptist Church. There were cards from more of Rachel’s extended family. What surprised her most was the note attached to the teddy bear’s big red bow.
The small card was covered in girly signatures full of hearts, stars, and smiley faces. The inside read “Get well soon!!! *Big Hugs*, the Lady Wildcats”. She examined the bear’s beady, brown eyes and smiling face. She realized that his golden fur and red ribbon were no coincidence. They were Wildcat colors.
Chris ventured out of the room peering down both sides of the corridor. She wasn’t sure where she was headed. She just needed to move around. Almost immediately a thin, pretty woman with perfect highlights rushed out of a room on the other side of the nurses’ station.
“Christy Lynn? How are you feeling?”
“Ok.” Chris froze as the woman approached her.
“Oh honey, you are so brave. We’ve all been praying for your recovery. Come on over here and meet Mr. McKenna.”
Chris’s chair had been commandeered before she could protest. Rachel’s room held such a vast array of gift shop novelties that the overflow had to be placed on the window sills, and on top of the cabinets. Chris sat stunned as everyone burst into cheers and praises of her bravery and selflessness.
“This is Mr. McKenna, Rachel’s father. That’s Momaw and Pop-pop. I’m sure you know Jenna and Emily from school.” Chris nodded and smiled as the family hugged her and Momaw kissed her cheek.
“Hello. Hi. Nice to meet you.” She waved to Rachel and the girls from school not sure which was Jenna and which was Emily. “Hey.”
She answered the questions she could. She was careful not to give any detail that Rachel or the doctors might not have shared. Every word earned her more praise. Nothing seemed to surprise them, and it made her wonder what they must have heard about her before meeting her. Finally, the nurse pointed out, that visiting hours had been over for half an hour, and they really needed to move the party along.
The family shuffled out, and then there were two.
“Sorry about that. I know they can be a lot. They’re really worked up.” Rachel apologized.
“They were really nice.”
“Thank you.” Rachel whispered. She began to cry as she held Chris’s gaze.
“Oh don’t do that.” Chris waved her hand dismissing the girl’s tears. “It’s not a big deal. All I did was drink a beer.”
Rachel shook her head. “You saved my life.”
“The doctors saved your life. I just helped a little.”
“I never even talked to you.”
Chris shrugged. “We’ve got different circles… It’s not a big deal.”
“Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?”
“Press charges.” Chris didn’t have to think about the question. “I’ll testify. Just don’t let him get away with this. He’s already going down for possession.”
“Oh we’re pressing charges. My dad has an awesome lawyer. And if all else fails, Tommy, my Tommy, can get the whole team to trash him.”
“Perfect.” Chris smiled.
“How’d you even know I was sick?”
“I saw the doctor up at the school looking for potential causes.”
“Dr. Chase? OMG He’s sooo hot.” Rachel beamed.
“I know, right?” Chris nodded, and only smirked a little when Rachel spoke in text slang. “But it was Dr. House. I think Chase and another doctor were checking your house.”
“There’s more? Are they cute too?” Her eyes lit up.
“The one I met was. He’s older but very…” Chris sucked in a breath trying to find the right word.
“Distinguished? Mysterious?”
“Yeah all of that and just…. Rowwwrrrr.” Chris half growled half purred making Rachel laugh out loud.
“You two seem to be feeling better.” Dr. Chase said walking into the room.
“We’re even better now.” Chris replied and both girls giggled.