Chapter Text
12:00 p.m
Chase drops the papers onto the desk in front of all to see. “tested positive for Pneumonia, “
Everyone smiles as they start to pack up another case solved-
“No”
The three perks up from the House's statement.
“What?”
“Doesn't explain the weight loss, she lost around 40 pounds over the past three months.”
Cameron rolls her eyes “you know, with any other patient you wouldn't care. ”
He shrugs non-nonchalant “Its a drastic amount,"
“She could've been eating less. On a diet."
“She's not, in fact she's been eating more fattier foods lately."
“How do you know?” Camersons voice is sharp, her voice not a question but an accusation. You know her, don't you?
The air seems to still as House doesn't respond. The quiet almost so unnerving that even Foreman and Chase hold their breath as House stares into the distance blankly. He finally unpockets a pill container, popping open the cap, dumping a few into his hand before tossing them into his mouth. House stares coldly at Cameron as he swallows. "She had pancakes for lunch, one of the most calorically dense foods." He hides the fact that House was the one who ordered that for you. "Her appetite has not been decreasing, she ate the whole place, butter scraped clean."
Chase speaks up. “Perhaps we check for infections?” Chase perks up
"Gallium scan was normal, with no bright spots. So it can't be any infections. Foreman gets a CT scan. Test her for any and all autoimmune diseases that fit her symptoms. Now excuse me while I walk aimlessly around the hospital” House casually stands back on his cane to walk towards the exit of his office.
Cameron's brows furrow "Why?"
He looks at her over his shoulder as he opens the door, "Me and cuddly are playing Hide and Seek! Don't tell her where I am" with that he's off to your room.
Cameron huffs and crosses her brows in frustration, her eyes drifting to Chases. She stares at him until Foreman leaves the room to get the tests, allowing Chase to sigh before taking off his reading glasses, finally catching her eyes. "What?"
"I'm making a list," she responds blunt. "Friend, Hookup, Caretaker, Sister, Girlfriend, "
he says, "well you know how he got when Foreman mentioned Hookup, and sister? the man radiates only child energy”
Cameron rolls her eyes. “idunno...seems more like a neglected middle child…whatever the point is…” she tosses him your file with a smirk "we have her address! Besides, patients lie all the time! What if weight loss isn't actually a symptom? We'll look and see at her place. if she has nothing or just diet food, then she's lying. If not, well we can check off other environmental factors"
Chase hesitates before giving in.
𓆩♡𓆪
Chase stands outside of the large cozy looking cabin as Cameron tries to unlock the door. Once done she pushes it open with ease. "Jeez, this place is big, what does she do again?"
"Software engineer. Shes rolling in money. We can probably also check off girlfriend since this isn't the same address as House" he lies before finally popping open the door .
Your place was big but decorated homey instead of lavish. the walls were warm calming colors, lights tinted yellow, there was a large antique piano, a saxophone and electric guitar hung up.
Cameron books it for the kitchen and opens it. She sighs at what she finds. "full fat butter….heavy cream….chocolate"
Chase hums in delight "and some vegetables too, these look fresh, and the butter is half used! seems she's living a pretty balanced diet. House was right! we have reason to believe sudden weight loss is a symptom."
Cameron groans as she slams the fridge closed. They search every inch of the place and find nothing. You ran a pretty tight ship. After their search, Chase and Cameron both lean against your front door. Chase was patiently waiting for Cameron thoughts to finally halt
"I don't believe it"
"what that y/n and House aren't romantically interested?" he scoffs, "You're still in love with him aren't you-"
"no!" she just barely cuts him off as her head snaps to Chase.
Chase sighs, "Look, you wanted to know whether House was with y/n or not, she's not. Best guess we have is that they're close friends and were probably staying up playing poker together."
Cameron's brows pinch together "who would ever choose to be near House willingly?"
Chase laughs "you went on a date with him once!"
she groans and rolls her eyes "shut up, come on we gotta get back."
Meanwhile back at the hospital, you sit up and turn off the e-reader as House walks in. He slides the door closed behind him before marching limply to you. When he looks down at you the tension from his earlier argument seems to leave his shoulders. A smirk unconsciously grows on his lips before quickly falling.
You're both quiet as he sits down in the chair from earlier. His fingers interlock as they hold his cane, chin resting on the metal top.
You decide to try to ease the tension. “You know its kinda seeing you like this, playing doctor instead of imagining it."
House scoffs and rolls his eyes, a smile creeping on his lips. “where was this medical when I wanted it?” He teases.
“That was different!” You giggle before coughing from it. Houses hand comes up to rub soothingly at your back until you stop.
After a long moment he finally looks at you. "You have Pneumonia"
you sigh "Okay…simple fix, just antibiotics right? I must of gotten is when I went out in this cold"
he shakes his head "You barely go out, y/n. 3 out of 5 days you work from home. Besides Pneumonia doesn't explain the sudden weight loss."
“if I knew you liked me curvy I would've indulged in more of my chocolate cravings” you joke. "Its probably nothing,
He doesn't laugh though. As he speaks his thumb unconsciously twists your wedding band. “As your doctor, you're not allowed to leave until I figure out what's wrong with you. Hospital rules. "
you roll your eyes "you just made that up"
“It is.” you roll your eyes with a smile, but then he leans close with a thoughtful look in his eyes, A pause. “But I’m still right. Just give me one more day." Though it doesn't sound like it, you know he's asking.
Your brows furrow and you hesitate for a second before sighing. "f-fine.."
House sighs in relief, hesitating before lifting himself on his good leg to press a quick kiss to your temple. “thank you, ‘hon" He whispers, his voice dropping almost silent at the last word.
You smile sweetly, reaching up to cup his cheek and lovingly scratch his stubble. “you scared?’
House scoffs. “of course not” he says but you can tell with how his voice shakes.
You smile brighter, you always do. It was one of the things that House, despite his nature, loved about you. You squeeze his hand tighter “lets take things one step at a time. First, I'm hungry, second making that diagnosis list smaller and smaller”
Finally his smirk returns, “always you and food, fine. You're getting rib-eye” he stays starting to rise to his feet
“They're serving omelets though.” You pout.
“Mhm don't care! You need more calories. Besides, Omelets aren't my favorite, I want a bite, be back soon!” you smile as you watch him, his smile falling off as he slides open the door and shuts it behind him. Desperate to keep moving before Cuddy finds him.