Cover of a Book 
 

Murphy Morrighan had her orders in her hand when she walked out of her
detailers office in Norfolk, Virginia. The detailer was an old Master
Chief, a lifer, about ready to retire with 30 in the Navy. She liked him,
he was no nonsense and he was a miracle worker. He had really gone to bat
for her and had managed to get her a slot in the military/civilian health
care exchange program. The program was new and only the best doctors were
being allowed to take advantage of it. Essentially it allowed military
doctors to take a one year position in a teaching hospital to study skills
the Navy considered important for the ever increasing demands of overseas
duty. It wasnt really a residency, just simply training that would assist
the doctor in the field. It counted as shore duty and it was only offered
to doctors who had re-enlisted for another tour of duty, or four more
years. Murphy wasnt getting out so she saw this as a great way of
expanding her horizons and finding out what it would be like to practice
in a civilian facility. 
 

A lot of the doctors in the program had opted for training in orthopedics
and emergency medicine. Murphy already had an extensive background in
emergency medicine. She had done rotations on the USNS Mercy and in the
field in Iraq and realized that she was frequently asked to examine
civilians while she was on the Mercy and in Iraq and had to diagnose some
fairly strange maladies. She had just finished combat duty with the Shock
Trauma Platoon in Camp Korean Village about seventy miles from Baghdad.
Her job had been to stabilize casualties and then move them to higher
care. It wasnt easy to do it with RPGs a dime a dozen and in the hands of
so many, but then they did have a platoon of Marines who were kept busy
keeping them safe to do their jobs. The best thing about combat duty was
combat pay...a little extra moolah in her pocket. She was hoping to put a
down payment on a house with both her combat pay, savings and the $35,000
she had received as a re-enlistment bonus. Navy doctors had been jumping
into civilian practice by the droves so the bonuses for re-enlistment had
gone up substantially. 
 

Murphy was being sent to Princeton. She had asked for UCLA but the last
slot there had been taken a week before she applied. The only open slot
that interested her was one at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. It
had been open for quite awhile and she couldnt understand why. It sounded
incredibly interesting and challenging. It was a position in the
Diagnostics department. She would do a a year rotation in the department.
It was just what she was looking for. She was going to take some of her
thirty day leave at home in San Diego and then use a week of it to look
for a place to live in Princeton. 
 

House. Lisa Cuddy, dressed in a burgundy tweed suit and matching pumps,
tried to get his attention but his eyes were closed and he had headphones
on listening to music. She kicked his chair and his eyes flew open. He
took the Bose headphones off and looked at her. 
 

Youve changed your hairstyle. he said. 
 

I got it cut. she looked at her reflection in the glass and thought that
the new cut looked good on her. 
 

A lot cut for you. You look better with longer hair. Hides that mole on
the back of your neck. House started to put the headphones on again but
she grabbed the right one off of his ear. 
 

House, the new member of your team is starting on Monday. 
 

He looked at her in disbelief, What new member? I dont need a new member.
I didnt ask for a new member. 
 

We went over this last spring...when your billables fell. We agreed to
join the militarys new exchange program. Remember? He looked baffled. The
military sends us a doctor. That doctors salary is paid by the military so
essentially we get a free doctor. She can bill in your department and not
cost you a thing. All you have to do is teach her something about
diagnosing patients. GET IT? 
 

Vaguely. Send her back. My billables are fine now. 
 

Barely. House this gives you a chance to get ahead of the game. If the
Board sees your billables are up it will take pressure off of both of us.
Suck it up. Shes coming tomorrow. 
 

Im not feeling the vibe...I dont think this is a good idea. I dont need
some snot nosed kid who couldnt cut it in the real world taking a place at
the table with real doctors. 
 

I dont care what vibe youre getting. Heres her profile, get used to it.
Shes coming in tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. She has some papers to fill out in HR
but she should be down here by 10 a.m. And TRY to make her feel ...ok, I
know you cant make her feel welcomed, but try not to make her feel like a
caretaker in an insane asylum. 
 

House gave her an insane look and she closed her eyes in fear and left.
House opened the file. Commander Murphy Morrighan, 36, single, no
dependents. In the Navy since she was 18. Undergraduate at UCSD, med
school at UCLA, residency at Bethesda. Tours of duty included the U.S.N.S.
Mercy and recently Iraq. She had also practiced at Tripler Army Hospital
in Honolulu, Hawaii and Balboa Naval Hospital, San Diego. She had a
specialty in infectious diseases. There wasnt much more given in the
profile so House couldnt tell if she was bald, fat, green or mean.  
 

House didnt like changes but he did like challenges. He wondered how long
it would take to make her beg Cuddy to rotate her into another department?
He gave it one month. House grabbed his cane and made his way to the
elevator. It was time for clinic. Then it dawned on him, he could have the
newbie do his clinic time. Sweet.  
 

It was late September and they had switched to dress blues about two weeks
ago. Murphy thought the uniform was a little boring, but she did have some
nice hash marks and some service medals and ribbons. She even had a purple
heart she got in Iraq in 2003 from shrapnel that flew off of an exploding
personnel vehicle during a SAR run. The shrapnel landed in her right thigh
requiring some surgery. The incident had also resulted in a commendation
and Navy Cross. 
 

She was required to wear her dress or duty uniform to the civilian
hospital each day unless she was given permission by the hospital to wear
civilian clothes. This would not include wearing her medals but she would
be required to wear her ribbons which reflected the medals she had earned
or won. She was also required to wear her uniform when she stood duty at
the Philadelphia Naval Shipyards Sickbay once a month.	
 

Murphy walked through the doors into the very modern hospital. She thought
back to the seagreen walls of most military hospitals and thought how
archaic they were in comparison. She stopped at the front desk. 
 

Hello, Im Commander Morrighan, Im here to see Lisa Cuddy. 
 

Her office is in there. The nurse pointed to some french doors and Murphy
nodded her thanks.  
 

Murphy announced to the assistant that she was there and then took a seat
to wait for Dr. Cuddy. When Dr. Cuddy came through the door she was spit
and polish... manicured finger nails, expensive hair cut, Tahari suit,
gold earrings. This woman was beautiful and professional. Murphy already
liked her. 
 

Commander Morrighan, Im Lisa Cuddy, Dean of Medicine. Its great to have
you aboard. 
 

Thank you Mam. 
 

Oh, please Im not much older than you, please call me Lisa. 
 

Lisa. Thank you. Im looking forward to meeting Dr. House. 
 

Well, before you embark on that journey, lets get you through the maze of
human resource paperwork. We have to get information for your malpractice
insurance. 
 

She and Lisa went over to Human Resources and as Lisa was going to leave
she started to feel guilty.  
 

Dr. Morrighan, can I talk to you over here in private? She motioned to a
quiet corner. I have to warn you, you are about to enter the Twilight
Zone. I need to tell you about Dr. House. Hes...hes not the easiest person
to tolerate. He is not politically correct in ANY sense of the word, he
can be crude, mean, rude and judgmental. Im afraid hell make your life in
his department a living hell. But if you can get past his personality, hes
absolutely brilliant and the best doctor in the hospital. You cant help
but learn from him even if youd like to kill him or yourself while doing
so. There, Ive warned you. If you absolutely cant take it any longer, come
and see me and Ill see what I can do. 
 

Murphy didnt flinch. Lisa, I did my homework, although I did it late.
After I got the position I wanted to know why the slot had been open for
so long. Usually the slots fill up rather quickly, everyone in the
military wants a break from the military. So I started making phone calls
and I pretty much gathered from what I was told that I had gotten myself
into a hornets nest. So be it. I just have to suck it up and try my best.
But I really appreciate the warning, its kind of you to not paint the
position as a bed of roses. 
 

Oh, its a bed of roses, youll just be laying on a lot of thorns. She
smiled. When youre done, Dr. Houses office is on the second floor. Good
luck. Lisa took one last look at her. She was a strawberry blonde with a
tight chignon under her cap. She had a pert little nose, freckles, small
ears, a nice figure and striking legs. She carried herself well with great
posture. Her smile was warm and friendly, her voice a little on the high
side, but not much. She might have had mascara on, but that was all. But
she was pretty. Judging from the rows of ribbons on her, she had a lot of
experiences that Lisa couldnt even begin to relate to. She was Lisas
height, maybe a fraction shorter. And she certainly sounded smart when she
talked. 

*** 

House and the team were in the white board room reading the chart of the
newest patient. The patient, a 70 year old man, had been receiving
radiation treatment for prostate cancer when he developed a cough and
chest pains. His liver and spleen were also enlarged. A cardiovascular
event was ruled out so House was brought in by Wilson. House got up and
began to write the symptoms on the white board when he saw her open the
door to his office next door. He looked around the door jamb and said, Im
sorry but Foreman is 4F, come back next week and well let you have
Cameron. 
 

She cocked her head to one side quizzically and walked into the room they
were in, Dr. House? She had her hand out to shake his. He ignored it and
went back to the white board.  
 

Obviously, we have an infectious disease here but no one seems to know
which one. He hasnt been out of the country for centuries and he lives in
a home for diapered geriatrics. Any ideas? 
 

Murphy continued to stand, almost at attention, when House finally looked
at her, grimaced and quickly hobbled over to a chair, pulled it out for
her and then passed a hand over it to motion for her to sit down. Im
sorry, I didnt know you needed a formal invitation to the ball or I would
have worn my tux. In case youre wondering what were doing, were treating a
real patient under real conditions found in real places. I know that youre
used to treating the black syph patients or the dreaded gonorrhea riddled
sailors but in real places people get real diseases. 
 

House turned back to the white board after Murphy sat down and started
barking orders. Get a CBC, SED rate and start culturing some of the spew
from one of his lungs. Lets see if we can grow us a zombie. Foreman, get
us a CT scan of the lungs. 
 

The team got up and slowly exited while looking at her with curiosity. She
just smiled.  

House was looking at the board and then he heard a sound. He turned and
saw she was still in the room . Are you a moron? What part of get a CBC
and Sed rate didnt you get? I recognize that youre used to attending a
brief before you do anything more complicated than wiping your @ss, but
youll just have to wing it today without one. 
 

I didnt realize you wanted me to join them and frankly, I didnt think it
took four doctors to do that. Usually, a nurse can do it. As the words
came out of her mouth she immediately regretted it. She knew she had just
put herself in the crosshairs. 
 

Oh, well, we wouldnt want you to get your hands dirty or a little blood on
that nice uniform. Forgive me for thinking you were here to actually do a
job. Ill have them bring in a rollaway and you can take a nap. He raised
his voice like she was deaf, I think that cap is too small for your head,
the circulation has been cut off. WE actually do most of our own lab work
and analysis. Were in a department that has the word Diagnostics written
on it...that means we D..i..a..g..n..o..s..e.. illnesses. 
 

Im sorry Dr. House, youre right, Im wrong. Ill go find the others and help
them. she nodded her head quickly and left but not before she saw him
staring at her chest blatantly. 
 

For once House wasnt actually staring at breasts, he really was staring at
the chest, the chest of ribbons. Houses father had been awarded the Navy
Cross and a Purple Heart so House was well aware of what they meant. It
both annoyed and impressed him at the same time. It meant she was a hero.
His dad was a hero. Crap. 
 

House was curious about the circumstances surrounding her medals but he
didnt want to acknowledge her hero status. She made him uneasy. He wanted
to make her life miserable, humiliate her and yet she hadnt done a thing
except show up in that uniform. It was the uniform. It reminded him of the
day-in, day-out arguments he had with his Dad on just about every topic
under the sun. Houses father was black and white. Your behavior was either
good or bad...there was no room in the Marines for grey. No room in his
heart for tolerance. Tolerance was for social workers and lefties. 
 

Murphy had no clue where to go or who she was following. She couldnt even
ask someone where they were because she didnt know who they were. Murphy
went up to the third floor and was lucky enough to see the female doctor
in with a patient. 
 

HI! My name is Murphy Morrighan, Ill be working with Dr. House. He told me
that I should assist you and the others in running the tests. How can I
help? Murphy walked over and smiled at Cameron and then down at the
patient. She noticed he was sweating even though his fever had abated. 
 

Cameron looked curious. Youll be working with Dr. House? Doing what? 
 

Im doing a year rotation under him...trying to pick up some pointers on
diagnosing patients. Mind if I examine him? 
 

Sure. Cameron backed off so Murphy could do an examination. But isnt that
a Navy uniform? 
 

Murphy put on some latex gloves and began her examination. Yes, Im in the
Navy but Ive been assigned this year to this civilian hospital to learn
some new tricks. She tried to be pleasant and kind. She checked the
patients legs, forearms and head. She grabbed a few culture tubes and took
swabs of various areas on the patients body. Cameron ignored Murphys exam
since she had already performed one herself. While Murphy did the
examination she continued to talk pleasantly with the her. She wanted to
at least start off on the right foot with this doctor. She took off her
gloves and reached out her hand to shake the womans. Then she continued to
observe the patient who had a productive cough, lots of mucous. 
 

Im Allison Cameron, I have a fellowship with Dr. House. She still looked a
little stunned, We werent told to expect another addition to the team. 
 

Just for a year! Now, how can I help? 
 

Let me show you where the lab is and you can help me run some tests there.
Allison picked up the various vials of blood and cultures and took them
with her. Where were you stationed before this? 
 

Iraq. A base outside of Baghdad. Trauma and triage mostly. 
 

Oh, youll get along well with Chase then. Hes an Intensevist. 
 

He would be? 
 

The young blonde doctor. 
 

Ok...and the African-American? 
 

Neurologist. Dr. Eric Foreman. Cameron said as they reached the lab. 
 

Are they Fellows? She asked with an air of respect. 
 

Yes. 
 

Im impressed, Dr. House is well known, must not be easy to get selected,
he must have had dozens of applicants. 
 

Yes, I heard there were 432 when I applied. 
 

Whoa! Congratulations. You must be brilliant! She said it earnestly. You
must all be brilliant. Im afraid I was foisted on Dr. House. The hospital
is part of the military program and I took the slot here. It wasnt as if
he had a say in who came, so I didnt have to beat out anyone. I can tell
Im going to be pretty useless to this team. 
 

Im sure you bring a lot of experience. She smiled kindly but she was
thinking that it must irk House that he didnt have a say in who would take
the slot. She wouldnt want to be this woman. Life was going to get very
complicated for her, very soon. 
 

Murphy thought the young doctor was gorgeous and that seemed to fit Houses
M.O. He was known for liking beautiful women. Dr. Cameron couldnt be more
than 28 and she looked so innocent. But Murphy knew that looks could be
misleading. 
 

Can you run the cultures? 
 

Sure, Im faster with blood work but I enjoy cultures more, so anything you
want, you let me know. 
 

Faster? 
 

Well, in the field you learn some tricks on how to speed things up. But
its nice to be able to do everything by the book and not be in such a
hurry.	
 

After a few hours they were back in the white board room but House was at
lunch with Wilson. Murphy was studying the patients history. Cameron
decided that she would make the introductions. 
 

Chase, Foreman, this is Dr. Murphy Morrighan. Shes doing a year rotation
under House under a new military program. 
 

Chase put out his hand and his best smile. They shook hands. Welcome
aboard the U.S.S. WhattheF@#k? Hope you enjoy the ride. 
 

She laughed a little and then turned to Foreman. They shook hands and
Foreman said, I cant tell you how happy I am to see you. It means youll be
the focus of the Houses scorn for at least a couple of weeks instead of
us. 
 

Thanks, I guess. She looked at them and asked questions about their time
with House. They seemed to get along but unlike the military, she knew
that there was a lot more competition in the civilian hospitals. Once you
had been in the battlefield and had to deal with constant injuries, death
and the possibility that you might also die, politics was the last thing
you thought about. Oh sure, there was a lot of competition in the military
for promotions but there was also a strong sense of family and in the end
they all looked out for each others back. Murphy had been lucky. She had
been in the right places at the right time and had been promoted each time
she was allowed to seek promotion.  
 

A few minutes later House strolled in with a sucker in his mouth staring
at Murphy. So children, I assume youve met our new student, little Murphy
Morrighan. Were going to call her Murphy or Murph...whichever you prefer.
Now lets make little Murphy welcomed. Just to make her welcomed were going
to let her go first. 
 

He sat down and smiled like a overzealous kindergarten teacher. The room
went silent and Murphy was uneasy. She wasnt sure what House wanted from
her except her humiliation. Cameron couldnt stand the silence so she piped
up. He wants you to present the case and findings so far. 
 

Oh. Murphy jumped up and went to the white board. The team cringed when
she picked up a marker. Houses cane came slamming down on Murphys
knuckles. OWWW... Murphy jumped back and shook her hand in pain. 
 

No one touches the markers without my permission first. 
 

Sorry Dr. House, I didnt know. I wont do it again. She was obviously angry
but kept it in check. 

*** 
 

We have a 60 year old Caucasian male with stage II prostate cancer. He has
had two unremarkable doses of radiation treatment. He was admitted when he
started having chest pains and a productive cough. The patient is
obviously immunocompromised from the radiation. He is also allergic to
penicillin and sulpha. The Laboratory tests showed the white blood cell
count at 18,000/mm3, absolute neutrophil count, 12,780/mm3, erythrocyte
sedimentation rate, 75 mm/h; and a very elevated C-reactive protein, 14.2
mg/dl. I noted nodules on the lungs in the CT scan. 
 

Physical examination revealed that the patient was sweating profusely
despite a low fever which suggested that I do a physical examination of
his upper extremities for possible bacterial infection. I discovered
multiple erythematous subcutaneous nodules along the lymphatics extending
from a healed cut on the patients left hand and up the patient's left
forearm. These nodules were tender and painful. There was no regional
lymphadenopathy. Debridement of the lesions was performed and the tissue
was tested for bacterial and fungal cultures. The Gram-stained smear
showed polymorphonuclear leucocytes and Gram-positive fine, branching
filaments, partially acid-fast, with a tendency to fragment into coccoid
and bacillary forms. It is my opinion that the nomenclature of the
bacteria is . It is my opinion that in light of the patients allergies we
should start him on gentamicin and if it is non-responsive we should move
on to Cipro. 
 

The present case is consistent with the classical presentation of
lymphocutaneous infection with a primary lesion at the site of injury on
the hand and an ascending lymphangitis involving the forearm. The
inoculation probably occurred from exposure to the soil after the patient
cut himself on the spade he was using in the nursing communitys patients
garden. 
 

She looked around at everyone and their faces were blank. She looked at
House who was rubbing his upper lip on his cane. She started to get
anxious and sweat a little. But to anyone looking at her, they would say
she was the epitome of calm and confidence. 
 

House looked at the rest of his team, not sure if they had reached the
same diagnosis or not. He was annoyed at them. He had wanted them to show
her up, not the other way around. 
 

Cameron, do you disagree? 
 

No, but then I have to admit I missed the subcutaneous nodules and I didnt
observe the cultures under the microscope, I left that to Dr. Morrighan.
Cameron heard House clear his throat. I mean Murphy. 
 

House had the habit of referring to all doctors by their surnames. It was
a common thing done in the military and so House wanted to do just the
opposite with Murphy Morrighan. He would single her out by calling her by
her first name, thus letting her know she was not on par with the others
on the team and by stripping her of that military formality that helps
give officers a sense of belonging to a unit. 
 

House looked at Chase and Foreman who were studying the table and their
fingernails in humiliation. House rolled his eyes and got up. He grabbed
the chart and took off out the door towards the elevator. Murphy wasnt
sure what she was suppose to do but the others jumped up and followed. So
she took their cue. 
 

House entered the patients room, put on gloves and examined his right
forearm and cut. He looked at the chart and the CT scan print. He turned
to Murphy. Hes your patient now, treat him. I want the other three of you
to follow me back to the office. 
 

House was not happy with the team. They were getting lazy, not being
thorough in their work because they had House to fall back on. They knew
House would solve the case no matter what shoddy work they might do. This
was common with all the teams he had put together in the past, they just
got lax after awhile. House was livid. 
 

The next time she beats any of you to the punch on a diagnosis, you each
get to do a third of my clinic hours and hers too. Do I make myself clear?

 

Look, she was the one who had access to the cultures. Anyone could figure
it out if you have access to them? Foreman moaned. 
 

Yeah..right. First you have to find the nodules to debride so that you can
culture the bacteria and two, you have to put it all together to know
which bacteria you are probably looking for so that you can run the right
tests to identify it...Norcardosis effects maybe 500 people a year in the
USA. Not an easy diagnosis and yet she put the diagnosis together in three
hours while you guys played twiddly winks. Go do your clinic hours, I dont
want to look at you. 
 

Murphy was back within the hour and wondered where everyone was. House
yelled out to her from his chair at the computer, You better hurry, youre
late for your clinic hours, they started ten minutes ago. If youre five
more minutes late they add on a full hour to your time. She jumped up and
ran downstairs to the clinic and discovered Houses name crossed out and
hers written over it. The nurses gave her the cooks tour of the clinic and
then she started seeing patients. 
 

When she went home that night to her new house, she was beat. There were
boxes all around her and she just couldnt take it. Murphy laid down on the
sofa and didnt wake up until 3:00 am. She went into her bed and slept some
more until her alarm clock went off at 5:30. She got up, put on her
running clothes and took off across Princeton on her hour long run. When
she got back she did free weights. This would be her routine until the
second week when she discovered the staff gym at PPTH. Once she discovered
the modern gym and its fancy Nautilus machines, she began running to work,
doing several cycles of the Nautilus machines and then showering and
dressing for work at the hospital. At night she would either walk home or
take the bus. 
 

When she got to work the following day the team was silent and she knew
she was screwed. Alright, please tell me where I went wrong. I can feel
the tension in here and I suppose I was the cause of it. What did I do? 
 

Only Chase would be honest with her. You showed us up in front of House
and now he thinks were lazy and not doing our jobs. He threatened to make
us do more clinic time if we dont improve. Even Chase didnt want to tell
her that they had orders to diagnose the next case before she did or else.

 

Oh God, I am sorry but it really isnt fair to you guys. We used to get
guys in from southern Iraq and Kuwait that had Nocardia infections. Its
much more frequent over there than here. 
 

That doesnt matter to House, he thinks we should have been more observant.
Cameron didnt look her in the eye when she said it. 
 

At 9:30 a.m. House walked in and threw his backpack down on the chair. He
looked into the team room and saw a very quiet group of doctors. 
 

Dr. House, may I speak to you? Murphy asked. 
 

No...you dont want to do that. Foreman advised her. They all shook their
heads no. 
 

But Murphy was sure she could make House understand that it wasnt his
teams fault. 
 

And what would you like to tell me? You need a pass to the bathroom?
Foreman hit you? Chase looked up your skirt? Cameron called you a slut? 
 

No, I just wanted to say that I treated Nocardia infections in Iraq at
least once a month. It was much more common over there than here. The
first time I was presented with a case, I didnt have a clue what it was
until one of the doctors showed me the symptoms, tests and treatment for
the disease. So you see, it isnt their fault...its a hard one to pin down.

 

And yet the military seems to have nailed this one on the head. Did you
hear that kiddies, Mommy says you shouldnt be punished for your stupidity.
But Daddy thinks you should be punished for missing some very important
symptoms. What do you think we should do with you? 
 

Cameron started to speak,  We all... 
 

House interrupted, aaaaaannnt, he made the sound of a buzzer, Wrong
answer. The answer is, when I want your opinion, Ill give it to you. He
then turned to Murphy, And I dont want your lame excuses for the team. Who
gives a crap what you did in Iraq and how many ragheads you treated.  
 

House turned around and went back to his computer. The others took off to
the clinic. Murphy decided she better go down too and see if she was
suppose to be on duty. Apparently she wasnt but House was and he had just
called down to let them know that Murphy would be taking his place...all
month. She also found out that Cuddy had put her down for evening
rotations which meant that she had two evening shifts each week from 4:00
p.m. to 9:00 p.m. when the night clinic closed. It turned out that, with
Houses clinic duty she was going to be putting in 30 hours a week in the
clinic. It wasnt anything new. Whenever the Mercy went overseas to help
out in disasters they would end up serving as a clinic for the civilians
day in and day out. She had to admit, the complaints in Africa and
Southeast Asia were a little more debilitating than the colds and flu that
came through the doors at PPTH. Some of the patients at PPTH had fairly
trivial complaints but then Americans were used to health care at the snap
of a finger so she knew she would see a lot of ridiculous presentations. 
 

On her way home she met up with Cuddy in the elevator. Murphy, hows the
spawn of the devil? Ready to run yet? 
 

He is different isnt he? I understand you hired him when no one else
would. WHY? 
 

There was an awkward silence as Lisa looked up into the air as if the
answer might be up there.  
 

 Lisa, if you told me it was because of his sexy blue eyes and long,
graceful fingers, Id understand. 
 

It was because I knew how bright he was and I just couldnt let that mind
go to waste. Cuddy told her. 
 

I think I liked the blue eyes and long finger excuse better. They both
laughed as they left the elevator. 

*** 

The next day a new patient had been referred to the department and she
could tell that the team was happy about it. Everyone in the diagnostics
department got out of clinic duty if House had a patient that required
immediate attention. Not every patient of Houses was dying, but his
patients all presented with a medical problem that the other doctors could
not diagnose and therefore, could not treat. 
 

Murphy and the team went up to examine the patient. She didnt want to
touch the teenage boy because she was afraid that the team might think she
was an eager beaver. Nonetheless, they looked at her like they expected
her to be the first to take a turn.  
 

Come on guys...please dont treat me like a pariah. Lets do this one
together...Im not that good at this, thats why Im here.  
 

They didnt believe her. Her presentation of findings had sounded like a
textbook, almost perfect. They stepped away so she could get closer to the
patient. She relented and started examining the patient. Chase did an
examination too. The parents answered Foreman and Camerons questions on
the history of the patient. 
 

The patient, Louis Welsch, was a 17 year old referred to House by a
private medical clinic with arthritis in his left knee. He was given non
steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy but the arthritis continued and was
actually exacerbated by the treatment. Foreman was concerned because the
boy was on medications for mini-seizures due to the excision of a cerebral
mass when he was eleven.  
 

They met with House in the presentation room. He stood in front of the
white board ready to write down the symptoms and the differential. Murphy
purposefully came in second to last...not first, not last, in the middle.
She sat down as far away from the white board as she could get. Chase sat
next to her at the end of the table and Cameron to her right. Foreman was
directly across.  
 

Murphy thought the team looked presentable and professional but House was
unkept. He didnt iron his shirts or even take them out of the dryer before
they wrinkled. He wore faded t-shirts under the wrinkled shirts and he had
worn jeans both days. His beard wasnt really a beard, it was a three day
growth that he obviously spent time trimming to that very length because
it never got longer or shorter. His hair had been a reddish brown but was
turning grey as was his beard. His face was long and sometimes it looked
fresh, other times he looked haggard. He was tall and thin. There were two
things that kept distracting her about House. He had gorgeous, long, thin
fingers and his eyes were a shameful blue with a dark blue outer circle
that emphasized just how blue his cornea was. If he had been her type, she
would have eaten those eyes. But then, he didnt appeal to her. 
 

House wrote seizures and knee-arthritis on the board. He turned and looked
at the group. Come on people, whats going on with this kid? 
 

Foreman started, He had a craniotomy to excise a cerebral mass six years
ago and he continues to be on antiepileptic medications. Just two years
ago he was treated for pulmonary tbc and he received antituberculosis
therapy for one year. House was writing the symptoms/history as Foreman
talked. Foreman paused and Chase took up the mantle.  
 

Hes not had trauma or surgical intervention in the left knee. His
temperature is 103 F., he has mulltiple lymphadenopathy with different
sizes at the axillar region, hepatosplenomegaly and arthritis at his left
knee. 
 

Sounds like a virus, bacteria or critters. Get an ESR, CBC and an IgG. The
team, including Murphy jumped up to leave. House yelled, Hey sailor, stay
behind. He walked into his office and sat down behind the desk. He looked
up at her standing across from him. His face was serious and almost angry.
You will participate. You cant hide behind silence and your attempts to
blend into the wall. If I think you are compromising your contribution to
a diagnosis in your hopes to be loved by your peers or tolerated by me, I
will get rid of you. Is that understood? 
 

Yes sir. I mean, yes Dr. House. She stayed close to the desk. He started
working and then looked up when he noticed she was still there. 
 

You can go now...oh wait, dismissed sailor. He chuckled to himself. She
turned slowly towards the door as if there was something she wanted to say
to him. WHAT? he yelled at her.  
 

His knee was red. Very red. 
 

Why didnt you say this earlier? 
 

She said nothing but he knew it was because she didnt want the others to
think she was raining on their parade. He took his hand and slammed it
down on the desk. This is exactly what I mean, exactly. DONT EVER DO
THIS.....GET OUT OF HERE...NOW. As she left with her tail between her legs
he yelled, You are a lousy doctor, choosing popularity over the health of
your patient. What are they teaching you in the military? She turned to
say something but he gave her a sharp look that warned her to keep her
mouth shut and keep walking, which she did. 
 

F@#k, F@#k, F@#k, she said to herself all the way down the hall. She didnt
know that she was being followed. 
 

You must be Houses new stepchild. My name is James Wilson, head of
Oncology. 
 

How could you tell? 
 

You might remember youre wearing a uniform in a civilian hospital? Plus,
only someone who worked for House would be cussing themselves out as they
walked down the hall. What did he do? 
 

She had completely forgotten that she was the only one wearing a uniform.
He just reminded me what an @ss Ive been. I was trying to avoid his wrath
at the expense of the patient and he called me on it. 
 

Wow...youre pretty honest arent you? Thats quite a confession but dont be
too hard on yourself. Weve all done that. Houses wrath can be pretty
painful. What are you doing for lunch? Why dont you join me in the
cafeteria and I can give you some pointers. House is my friend. 
 

Murphy didnt want to give out any signals that she was in the least bit
interested. Im sorry but I better keep my mind on the patient today, Im
already low man on the totem pole. 
 

Understood, maybe some other day? 
 

That would be nice, thanks. 
 

And your name is? 
 

Oh, sorry...Murphy Morrighan. 
 

Later Murphy. 
 

Later Dr. Wilson. 
 

Call me Jim. 
 

Jim. Murphy smiled and then took the hall down to the lab where the three
minions were waiting. 
 

Well? Foreman said. 
 

Ive been chastised for not contributing this morning. Its the damn if you
do, damn if you dont syndrome. But hes right, I noticed that the knee was
red and didnt mention it. 
 

Well of course its red, its inflamed. Cameron said. 
 

Yes, but redness located just near the capella in the knee means an
isolated infection. We need to run a culture of the synovial fluid.  
 

Did House ok that? Foreman asked. 
 

I didnt ask him. Im a doctor, do I have to ask permission to run a test?
She looked at him incredulously.  
 

Yes, you have to ask me ... She turned around and saw House leaning on his
cane and staring at her. Its my case, my patient, my @ss. 
 

Ok. She sounded exasperated,  May I PLEASE run a synovial test? 
 

He looked at her and with a whiny voice said, Nooooooo. 
 

She looked stunned.  
 

Cameron, run a test of the synovial fluid and Foreman, get an MRI. Im
going to an early lunch. 
 

Am I allowed to help run the tests or do you want me out of the loop? 
 

You expect me to let you...an adult who has to be inspected to see if they
put on their clothes right...do something as important as a synovial test?
  

*** 

Cameron really didnt want her help. House had already shown her a lot of
attention, sure it was negative attention, but it was attention. House
didnt show attention unless there was something that interested him in the
person. She reluctantly let Murphy run back up tests on the synovial
fluid. Cameron kept her results close to the vest. Murphy didnt care who
knew her results or when they knew it, she thought the members of the team
were all in it together. Her results were posted on the computer as soon
as she obtained them. House was receiving email flags telling him that
results were available. He started reading them as they came in. 
 

The team met back at the office at 3:00 p.m. with the results. House had
in his hands the results from the work that Murphy had posted: SED rate
was elevated (ESR) 86 mm/h, hemoglobin 9.5 gr/dl, leukocyte 5900 /mm3,
thrombocyte 473 000/m3, CRP 221 mg/dl (normal < 5 mg/dl), Ig G 20.9 g/l
(normal 716 g/l), Ig A 5.5 g/l (normal 0.74 g/l), Ig M 2.8 g/l (normal
0.42.3 g/l), albumin 24 mg/dl (normal > 35 mg/dl), PPD 20 mm diameter and
HIV, rheumatoid factor and brucella agglutination tests were all negative.
 
 

Chase indicated that all the other biochemical tests were normal. Foreman
found that X rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the left joint
showed septic arthritis and patellar osteomyelitis. His cranial MRI was
normal except secondary findings due to his previous cranial operation. In
the computerized tomography (CT) of the thoracal region, there were
multiple lymph nodes at the axillary region and multiple calcified lymph
nodes at the hilar region but the bilateral pulmonary paranchimal regions
were normal.  
 

Murphy had just handed House the results of her synovial fluid analysis
which she had conducted. She had assumed that Cameron had already posted
hers because Murphy had performed her analysis after Cameron. The analysis
found that the synovial fluid displayed 80 % polymorphonuclear leukocytes.
The results of the blood cultures were negative. At the examination of the
synovial fluid, AARB was negative.  
 

Cameron realized that House was holding Murphys results and that he was
unaware that Camerons results were in her hand. She spoke up, I found
Aspergillus fumigatus in the synovial fluid. 
 

I know, Im holding the same findings from Murphy. You dont see it very
often but occasionally Aspergillus causes granulomatous lesions and
arthritis like what were seeing here. Schedule him for surgical excision
of the patellar osteomyelitic tissue and switch the antibiotic treatment
to Amphotericin B deoxicolate 0.7 mg/kg/day. If we arent seeing results in
30 days switch him to itraconazole 400 mg/day. Give him co-trimoxazole for
prophylaxis. 
 

He looked at Cameron and Murphy. Good work. 
 

Murphy picked up her stethoscope and started for the door.  
 

Where are you going? House demanded. 
 

 I have night clinic Tuesday and Friday. She continued towards the door. 
 

House shrugged his shoulders, And Ive got a hot date with a lady of the
night... House grabbed his backpack, helmet and cane and went out the door
just before Murphy. Murphy followed him to the elevator and waited
patiently behind him for the doors to open. They both got in. 
 

He looked at the Navy wool skirt that hung just slightly below the hem of
her lab coat and thought that her ugly pumps did nothing to compliment her
beautiful legs.  
 

Nice legs, ugly shoes. Do you have to wear a uniform? 
 

Until they give me permission not to. She said staring at the light
marking the floors over the elevator doors. 
 

Who is they? 
 

I guess Dr. Cuddy. The door opened and she walked over to the clinic desk.

 

What has she got to do with the uniform? He was curious. 
 

I thought your hooker was waiting? 
 

Im paying, she doesnt care what she does as long as I pay. Answer the
question. 
 

Some of the hospitals want us to wear our uniforms as P.R. You know, it
looks good right now to be connected to or supporting someone in the
military. Other hospitals dont care what you wear. Dr. Cuddy hasnt said
anything so I assume I am to wear my uniform. The documents she received
about the program clearly say it is the hospitals decision. But tomorrow
Ill be wearing my service uniform. I just wore my dress uniform because my
service uniform wasnt back from dry cleaning. 
 

Cuddy received those documents last spring...I doubt she remembers the
uniform information. Have fun in clinic. He gave her a silly little look. 

  

Good night. she said. 
 

Around 7:40 p.m. Murphy was in with a young college student who had been
having headaches when House popped his head into the room.  
 

Whats with her? he asked. 
 

Migraines. 
 

Get rid of her, we have a patient. He turned and walked to the elevator,
twirling his cane as he waited for the doors to open. 
 

When Murphy was done with the migraine patient, she went upstairs. It was
just her and House. She didnt say anything but her expression begged the
question where were the others? 
 

House chuckled, Afraid to be alone with the big bad wolf? 
 

No, I just dont want to step on toes. 
 

He sat down and opened the chart and threw her one of the three he had
brought in. She still didnt know where the others were but she wasnt about
to ask. The patient was a middle aged woman with organs that were shutting
down quickly. They went through their steps and put all of the symptoms on
the board. Murphy went up to get her history while House did some research
in JAMA. Murphy called down to House. Can I get some bloodwork? A CBC,
SED, Liver panel and Creatine? 
 

Yeah, but send them downstairs, I dont want you tied up doing lab work
when we have other work to do.	
 

After getting the lab work going and taking the history from the patient
and family, she joined House back in the office. He was on the phone. 
 

...patient, so get your @ss in when you get this message. House hung up
the phone and looked at her. I am afraid you are going to be busy tonight.
Foreman is gone for the weekend, Chase isnt answering and Cameron has the
flu but said she is willing to come in for my sake. Im not interested in
getting the flu so I told her to stay home. Of course if she knew we were
alone shed be here in a flash. 
 

Why? 
 

He pretended to flip his hair back like a woman and in a high pitched
voice he said, She loves me. She knows Im just a wounded soul seeking love
in this world. Its my vulnerability and sweet nature. He walked towards
the table and went back to his normal voice, So anything in her history
that we should know? 
 

They sat down at the table and started going through her history and
medical journal articles which had anything to do with her symptoms.
Anything that seemed to fit they shared with the other. Murphy received a
page indicating that some of the labs were on the computer. 
 

We have results.  
 

House and Murphy went into his office and Murphy put in her information
and password and brought up the results. House was standing behind her. He
looked down at her neck and hair. He could tell she was a natural
strawberry blonde from her roots. He also saw that wisps of her hair at
the bottom of the chignon rolled naturally into little ringlets Her hair
was either wavy or curly when let down. Her shirt was crisp and clean. He
watched her take her foot out of her pump curl it and roll it back out to
stretch it. She was probably tired and her feet were most likely swollen
and sore. He could smell just a hint of the perfume she was wearing, it
was fading as the day and evening dragged on. It had a vanilla note to it.
He liked it. 
 

She could smell him standing next to her. It was a nice, musky male smell.
He wasnt pungent or overwhelming. When he bent down to read the screen she
had a chance to take a good look at the scar on his neck. She could swear
it was a gun wound, she had seen enough of them. Who shot him in the neck?
He quickly turned to look at her and caught her staring at him and his
neck. He didnt say anything, just gave her a serious look. 
 

Any suggestions? 
 

Septicemia from some underlying pathogen, but whats the pathogen? We have
fever, headache, light sensitivity, diarrhea and tightness in her chest.
Dr. House, we need to start treatment or shell die soon, any treatment. We
cant wait until we have a diagnosis. 
 

Sure Einstein...but what treatment? 
 

Id hit her with something broad. Murphy answered. 
 

This came on like gunslingers...broad may be too weak to knock it down. 
 

Then go with Cipro. Its a heavy gun. 
 

I agree. He picked up the phone and told the nurses to start her on an
immediate drip of Cipro and then he turned to Murphy. Tell me her recent
history again. 
 

No known colds or flu, has a cat and two dogs. Lives in the suburbs of
Philadelphia. Only thing she did out of the ordinary was visit the Grand
Canyon two weeks ago. She is a housewife, volunteers at the local library
twice a week. No allergies... 
 

House was staring at the keyboard with intensity. It was obvious that
something was clicking in his brain. He jumped up, grabbed his cane and
took off. She followed him to the elevator but he said nothing to her. 
 

They entered the patients room and House looked at the very distress
husband. Your trip to the Grand Canyon, did you take one of those trips
down to the bottom? 
 

Yeah. 
 

Your wife, on a horse, mule, donkey? 
 

Mule. 
 

House looked for cuts on her legs and found a blister on her foot which
looked like it came from shoes, but House was pretty sure it was from
bacteria. House turned to Murphy, Get a sample of the nasal discharge and
this blister. Look for Burkholderia mallei. 
 

The husband asked House, Whats that? 
 

Bad sh!t. and then he walked out. 
 

Murphy took a sample and while she was doing it said, Its a zoonotic
disease passed to humans usually through contact with infected horses,
donkeys or mules. Its not typically found in the USA but it is found in
Central and South America. 
 

Is it fatal? 
 

It can be. 
 

There was no assay test for Burkholderia mallei, also known as Glanders.
She had to actually isolate the bacteria and test it. This would take
hours, possibly days. She worked as diligently as she could but it had
been a long time since she had performed straight microbiology isolation
techniques. House came into the lab while she was scoring the agar. 
 

Shes responding to the Cipro, but I dont know if shell make it. Too much
damage to her organs. Well see, maybe her kid has an important soccer
match she needs to make and shell recover in time. 
 

That was amazing, if it is Glanders, how did you even think of it? There
havent been any cases in the USA. 
 

I read that Mexico had just reported their first cases in Donkeys and
horses. I also read that the Arizona border patrol was having trouble with
illegal caballeros bringing in their own horses for working the ranches. A
lot of Mexicans work as cowboys in Arizona and in the Grand Canyon for the
vendors and its possible an infected horse was brought up and it spread. 
 

A few hours later the woman was still holding her own. House had gone home
to sleep and told her not to wake him unless it wasnt Glanders. After ten
hours, she pulled the plate and prayed there had been enough time to get a
viable colony.	
 

She ran the Gram stain and other tests and confirmed that it was Glanders.
She checked on the patient and continued the Cipro because she was
responding to it. She called the CDC and reported the disease. She knew
this might get her in trouble with House, but Glanders had been considered
as a possible biological weapon and the CDC had a reporting requirement.
She packed up at 8:00 a.m. and went home. 
 

Murphy slept most of the weekend. 

*** 

House had to cancel his hooker and he was not happy. It wasnt that he
really wanted hookers in his life, he just needed a release without the
complications of social niceties.  

House had been licking his wounds for awhile, ever since he sent Stacy
Warner back to her husband. A few months ago he had decided it was time to
put Stacy behind him and had begun to strike up the obligatory
conversation with the occasional barfly. He was just wetting his whistle
before getting back in the game. 
 

On Monday Chase and Foreman were shocked and somewhat miffed to hear that
there had been a patient and that House and Murphy had diagnosed her
without them. Cameron was still ill and had called in sick. House waltzed
in at 9:30 and looked at Murphy, Chase and Foreman.  
 

No patient today, you guys are free to complete your clinic duty or do
your charting or write ups. Wheres Cameron? 
 

Your girlfriend is sick. Foreman said with a sly smile. 
 

House shooed them away with his hand to go play with themselves. He sat
down and began going through the mail that Cameron had set aside for his
review. He watched as Murphy, in her service uniform of shirt, pants and
cap, made her way to the clinic. House saw her backpack in the next room
and knew she kept a laptop inside it. He was about to go next door and
crank it up to snoop when Wilson walked into the office.  
 

I have tickets for tonights, Evening with Dave Chapelle. 
 

Sweeeeeet. How did you score those?  
 

Pharmacy whore... 
 

Oh yeah, the best. House nodded in approval. 
 

Ill pick you up at 6:30 p.m. and well get dinner. 
 

House again nodded yes. 
 

Hey, hows Murphy working out? 
 

Shes alright. If someone was able to pull that corncob out of her butt she
might be easier to tolerate. Shes too spit and shine for me. You thinking
of nailing her? 
 

I struck out the other day when I asked her to lunch. Wilson said with an
air of defeat. 
 

Sadly shes just waiting for me to ask her out and I just dont find her
attractive. House answered. 
 

Really? Wilson was surprised, she seemed pretty aloof to him. 
 

No, well no shes not waiting for me and yes, I dont find her attractive. 
 

Shes really pretty in a spit and polish kind of way. 
 

Well the only polishing I want my women to do is polish my knob. I dont
think shes got her rag out to do that. 
 

I thought youd have her crying by now. Wilson was sitting across from his
at the desk. 
 

That was the plan but it turns out shes not bad at diagnosing patients.
Kind of makes it hard to humiliate her when shes scoring more hits than
your own team. 
 

What does the team think of it?  
 

Chase is taking it in strides. Foreman is up for the kill and Cameron is
worried that she is going to be usurped as my favorite groupie. Im
actually having fun watching them all position themselves. 
 

Now that scares me. What are you planning? 
 

Id like to see what the monkeys do when I make Murphy the alpha female.  
 

House. Youll not only make your team miserable but youll kill any chance
for Murphy to be integrated into the team. 
 

So? Shes only here temporarily. I think it will be good to stir things up
and make them sharpen their knives. Theyve been getting rusty and lazy.
They rely too much on me to pull their butts out of the fire. 
 

Be careful what you wish for House. 
 

Lunch? He asked as he got up.  
 

Youre buying. Wilson responded. 
 

Can you spot me $20 until I get to the ATM? House smiled. 
 

Wilson rolled his eyes and started walking towards the elevator.  
 

For the next three weeks Murphy knew she was being played but couldnt do
anything about it. When performing the differential House had started
asking her first what she thought. If she tried to back off and let the
others speak first he would quiet them and wait in painful silence until
Murphy said something. She hated everything...the clinic, the humiliation,
the competition within the team and Houses games. She had only been there
one month and had eleven long ones to go.  
 

House made it a practice to find something wrong with her each day. One
day she had dropped some tea on her shoe and House made a big fuss over
her failure to maintain the dignity of the U.S. Navy uniform. Another day
she tripped and he asked Cuddy to have a discussion with Murphy about her
drinking because she was beginning to stumble. Poor Cuddy did talk to her
and soon found that House had been playing them both.  
 

House gave her the crappy jobs. She did all the pelvics, colonoscopies,
fecal smears, debridement of sores...anything that involved bodily fluid,
she got to test or clean it. He wanted to see how long it would take
before she went running to Cuddy. It didnt take much for Cameron to run.
But Murphy never said a word and he hated her for it. She was just like
his Dad, it all stayed within the platoon or division...you were taught to
deal with it, suck it up and get on with your duty. Sure you could moan
about it to people in your platoon, or division, or team...but it always
stayed inside. To everyone outside the group you were one big happy
family.  
 

The day that things turned worse House had was making a derogatory remark
about the size of her breasts underneath her uniform in front of several
doctors in the cafeteria. Lets face it, if someone could have found those
lost puppies you might be married today. But when theyre the size of two
sunny side eggs, its hard to get excited about getting you in bed. Maybe
some guy with his own shortcomings, pun intended, will take pity on you. 
 

She was feeling rather sorry for herself so she sat down in the office to
write Susan an email on her lunch hour. She had just finished when House
came back from lunch and checked to see if the lab results of their
patient were back. The child patient was in no danger of dying, but she
was in a lot of discomfort.  
 

The results werent back and so House was bored. The rest of the team kept
occupied with journals, charts and write ups. Murphy excused herself to
use the rest room. When she got back, to her horror House had her laptop. 

 

Well, well, seems that youve been busy writing emails...hmmm, this is
interesting. Dear Susan... 
 

Dr. House, please give me back my laptop, thats private. 
 

Foreman chuckled, Not to House. 
 

Dear Susan,  
 

Im here in hell, commonly known to most Princetonians as Princeton
Plainsboro Teaching Hospital where I have been sentenced to hard labor
under the thumbs of the evil and malicious Dr. Gregory House. 
 

House paused and looked up at her with a smirk on his face. Murphy was
looking down at the table and couldnt meet his eyes. 
 

Dr. House, please, Im begging you, dont do this. Please. 
 

Lets see, where was I? Evil and malicious Dr. Gregory House. I am serving
a year of indentured servitude to this misanthrope who enjoys making me
the bait to stir up the pot. He loves aggravating the doctors in his
department by favoring me in the differential. The truth is that he really
doesnt favor me, he just likes to see the reaction of the others when he
shows me preference. Typically, he makes my life miserable by assigning me
every crap job that comes down the pike. But, it could be worse, I could
be back in Iraq getting my @ss shot at again. 
 

You would laugh if you saw this man. He is disheveled, worse than those
photos of Albert Einstein you see in the poster stores. He typically looks
like he just got out of bed...his hair looks tossed, his clothes are
wrinkled and he has a three day beard that is sprinkled with gray and
brown. His saving grace is that he is brilliant and he does save lives.
Unfortunately, he knows hes brilliant so he doesnt even have the
consideration to be humble about his superiority to others. He revels in
the fact that he is at the top of the brain food chain and the rest of us
fumble through life having to work at being bright. His wit is acidic and
he cruelly says anything that comes to the top of his head. There is no
governor on his mouth. If he thinks it, he says it. He wouldnt know a
politically correct idea if it kicked him in the @ss.  
 

But to be truthful, I feel sorry for him. Imagine being so far above
others that you dont relate to them on even the most basic level of human
needs? I suspect he is an island to himself and I dont know if he likes
that or finds it lonely. I doubt he lets anyone close enough to find out.
He cant even have a normal conversation because it would mean coming down
to our level. 
 

I miss you terribly and wish you were here to give you a kiss and a hug. I
received the warm throw you sent me. Is that to make up for all the times
that you... and House paused for a second, unsure if he should continue
reading it, Is that to make up for all the times you hogged the covers and
I woke up freezing in the night? I wish we were back on Oahu, sharing a
hotel room and surfing and diving. Lets hope that we can get stationed
together again and rent a house together. That would be fun.  
 

Well Susan, I cant tell you how much I love and miss you. I think of you
all the time. 

Take care and keep your head down. You mean the world to me. 
 

Love, 
 

Murphy 
 

House started chuckling to himself. So,...a genuine lesbian in our
military. Hey, youre Irish...what do they call an Irish lesbian?
Gaylick... He started laughing, Guy walks into a bar. Orders five tequilas
at once. Bartender asks whats wrong? He says his youngest son told him he
was gay. Next day, same guy walks in and orders ten tequilas at once.
Bartender asks whats wrong? He says his older son just told him he was
gay. Next day he comes in and orders 20 tequilas at once. The bartender
says, Christ isnt there anyone in your family getting some pussy? The guy
says, Yeah, my wife. 
 

Murphy said nothing but got up and grabbed the laptop out of his hand and
put it in her backpack. House smiled at her and said, I would never have
pegged you as a muff diver. She went down to the clinic. 
 

House was dying to tell Wilson. He ran over and found him with a patient.
I know why you didnt score with the Commander. 
 

Wilson looked with disdain at House and then told his patient, Excuse me,
but I have to make sure he has his medication or he starts bouncing off
the walls. He got up and joined House in the hall. What? 
 

You didnt get to first base with Murphy because shes a carpet muncher. 
 

Shes gay? 
 

Yeah, isnt that hot?  
 

How did this come up? Wilson asked. 
 

Never mind that...she has a lover named Susan. House smiled an evil grin. 
 

But Murphy is in the military... 
 

Dont ask, dont tell. He gave a look of disdain. House gave Wilson his best
ORiley voice, See thats why this nation is going to hell, the lesbians are
taking over the Navy. 
 

This is all very interesting but I have to get back to my patient. 
 

Within days the whole hospital knew about Susan and Murphy. When Cuddy
heard she almost ran into Houses office. She found Cameron. 
 

Is he behaving? She knew that Cameron would know what she meant. 
 

No. Every reference aimed at her is about her sexual preference. Its very
painful but she just keeps her mouth shut and takes it. 
 

Oh God. Were going to get hit with a lawsuit. Theres nothing touchier than
a lesbian. 
 

Cameron giggled a little at that statement and then she noticed that Cuddy
hadnt realized what she had said. She asked an obvious question, How would
you know? 
 

I know a few lesbian couples and believe me, they are very protective of
being lesbian. 
 

I dont think shell say anything. If she does and she acknowledges it, then
she is essentially coming out and the Navy will be forced to boot her. The
best she can do is ignore him. 
 

Thats true. Cuddy started to relax. She has more to lose from a lawsuit
than to gain. Still, have him call me when he gets back. 
 

House was invited by Cuddy into her office. You cant harass her...stop the
innuendos and jokes. 
 

You want me to lick this? 
 

HOUSE!! 
 

I guess youll have to put a muff-ler on me. He snickered. 
 

Im not joking. Cuddy warned him. 
 

The jokes, innuendos and crude suggestions kept coming. House offered to
watch Murphy and Susan to see if they were doing it right. He told her,
Theres a new lesbian shoe called Dike. It comes with an extra long tongue
and you can get it off with one finger. Murphy ignored him. 

*** 

At the beginning of December, House had a patient with unremarkable but
steadily worsening symptoms including fatigue, diarrhea, fever, vomiting
and cough. For days the team ran tests and couldnt figure out the problem
although the CBC showed decreased cellular material in the blood and there
was a decrease in serum protein in the blood. The third day they had all
come in early as the patients skin turned grey. He now had an enlarged
spleen and liver. To everyone it seemed as if he had malaria but he didnt.
House came to the realization that the patient was probably infected with
a parasite but he wanted to check something out with Murphy.  
 

Wheres Murphy? He asked the team. 
 

She went to work out in the gym. Chase told him. 
 

House grabbed his cane and took off towards the staff gym. The team
followed behind. It was 5:30 a.m. and the gym was deserted. The lights
were on indicating that someone had used it earlier. The gym had great
equipment but it wasnt large. It could accommodate maybe twelve people at
one time. The changing rooms each had two showers and two changing booths
and a toilet. House heard the shower in the womens changing room and
hobbled towards the door. 
 

HOUSE, you cant go in there. Thats the womens changing room...wait until
she comes out. Cameron chastised him. 
 

Yeah, and do you want to tell our patient that, while he was dying we were
waiting for Murphy to wash her hair? He opened the door and walked in. The
rest of the team shook their heads and stayed outside. 
 

Murphy was rinsing her hair. She turned off the shower and opened the door
to get out. Her towel was hanging on a peg about ten feet away. House was
standing by the peg. At first she didnt see him because of the water in
her eyes. But then she realized he was standing there leaning on his cane
and waiting for her. Ahhhhhhhhhhh........ She screamed loudly and tried to
cover up with her arms. House grabbed the towel and handed it to her. When
she reached out to get it he playfully pulled it back. She jumped and
grabbed the towel out of his hands. She was very angry. 
 

House had heard the water stop as he entered the changing room. He stopped
and watched the door to the shower open. He had no intent of actually
seeing her naked, he had intended to simply talk to her while she was
still in the shower but he considered this development a bonus. When she
came out he could tell she hadnt seen him and that gave him time to check
her out. He was struck with what a beautiful body she had. It was pale but
in perfect asymmetrical proportions with breasts that sat high and round
with perfect pink nipples. More importantly the breasts were bigger than
the uniform revealed. She had a patch of dark blonde pubic hair that
looked downy and soft. He swallowed hard wondering what her body would
feel like next to his. He watched her as she hastily put the towel around
her. He sighed and said to himself, Damn, what a waste.  
 

You are the lowest piece of sh!t on the ladder. How dare you invade my
privacy like this and humiliate me. Do women find this attractive because
I cant imagine that they do. 
 

I AM a doctor. You dont have anything that I havent seen before. Now I
need to know, have you treated anyone for leishmaniasis ? 
 

Sure, in Iraq. She paused, looked at the floor and then looked at him. Oh
my God, youre right. I just never considered it because its not Iraq. How
would he get it? 
 

How long can it incubate? 
 

Two weeks to two months. She said. He watched as a rivulet of water ran
from under the towel and down her leg . Will you leave so that I can get
dressed? 
 

Meet us in the lab, well have a sample for you to run an assay. He looked
back at her wrapped in the towel which barely touched her thigh, shook his
head and said, Damn, what a waste. 
 

She ran the assay and felt stupid. It was leishmaniasis, a disease she had
seen numerous times in Iraq. But she wondered where he had contracted it.
Dr. House, where did he get the protozoa? Was he in Iraq? 
 

Were going to find out. They walked to the patients room and met Cameron
who was coming out of the room. Cameron, you took the history...whats his
connection to sand flies? 
 

Mexico, I just found out that he was in Acapulco two months ago. They
forgot to tell us that because he was only down there three days for a
wedding on the beach.  
 

Later that night Wilson and House went to dinner and House ordered a beer.
He took a swig and said, Have you ever noticed that a lot of lesbians have
incredibly beautiful bodies? 
 

What brought this on? 
 

I was looking at Murphy Morrighans naked body this morning and thinking
what a waste it is for her to be a carpet muncher. Its a perfect little
body with perfect breasts. 
 

Wilson shook his head in disbelief HOUSE, how did you see her naked? 
 

I went into the womens changing room in the gym to ask her a question and
she was naked. 
 

Dont you have any shame or sense of propriety? 
 

I needed to talk to her and she was in the shower. I have seen naked women
before, I am a doctor. 
 

Thats no excuse. Wilson paused, So she was hot? 
 

Beyond hot. We lost a great player for our side when the muff divers got
her. 
 

What a shame. 
 

Precisely. 
 

The following week House and Wilson were joined by Cuddy in the cafeteria.


I understand you were purposefully in the womens changing room while
Murphy was taking a shower and that you saw her naked. 
 

I needed to talk to her. I was going to talk to her over the shower door
but she was getting out of the shower and I was standing there. I hadnt
expected to see her naked, I just happened to be in the right place at the
right time. 
 

Oh House, you really have to stop tormenting her. Why are you doing this?
Youre just lucky she keeps her mouth shut. 
 

I take it Cameron informed you of the situation? 
 

Of course. It wasnt Murphy. 
 

Why are you making her wear her uniform all the time? House asked. 
 

What do you mean, make her wear her uniform? She came with a uniform. 
 

Yes, but you can give her permission to wear civilian clothes. 
 

I can? She seemed surprised. 
 

Yeah, if you tell her she has the option to wear civilian clothes, then
she can. 
 

I dont care. Its nice to see her in the uniform but if she wants to wear
civilian clothes thats fine. 
 

That afternoon, Cuddy saw Murphy starting the night shift in the clinic. 
 

You can wear civilian clothes although I would like you to wear your
uniform once in awhile, its good P.R. for us. But do feel free to wear
civilian clothes. 
 

Well, thanks. 
 

I heard what happened in the changing room. Do you want me to do anything?

 

If I thought it would have an effect I would, but theres no chance of that
happening. 
 

She nodded in agreement. I wish I could make your life easier. Are you
getting anything from your work here? 
 

Oh, of course. I have already expanded my thinking when it comes to
diagnosing illnesses. He is brilliant and Ive learned some of the process
he uses. You know, I secretly admire his skills and his ability and have
been amazed at his work. Despite the crap he deals out, I think Ill take
something back with me to the Navy. 
 

Oh, I am so glad to hear you say that. You have made my day. I know what
you mean, he has surprised and amazed me for years. Lisa was about to
leave and she stopped, You know we have a Christmas party at the
University Arms each year. Its going to be the Saturday after next. You
are invited along with the rest of the staff. 
 

My dress uniform is somewhere buried in my boxes in the garage. 
 

Then wear a civilian dress. 
 

Ill think about it. But I dont know if I fit in with everyone. Im a little
different if you hadnt noticed. 
 

Hey, some of my best friends are a little different. Feel free to bring
whomever you want. Cuddy wanted her to know that Cuddy was comfortable
with her alternative life style. She smiled and left. 
 

Murphy wasnt sure what to make of that, but she thought that maybe going
to the party would be a good way to meet more people and try to make
friends. Most of the people at PPTH had been nice but hadnt been really
approachable. 
 

House had a hard time getting to sleep the Friday before the party. His
leg was uncomfortable. He had been faithful in doing his strengthening
exercises ever since his second round of rehab. The exercises along with
new, non-narcotic pain relievers had helped House break his addiction to
Vicodin but it hadnt been easy and there were nights, like this, when the
pain lurked in the back and he felt uncomfortable, uneasy and unable to
sleep. 
 

He lay in bed trying to think about anything but the discomfort. He
thought about music and the various new pieces he was trying to learn. But
it wasnt helping, his mind kept wandering back to the leg. And then he
thought about work and the last patient and then that day in the shower.
He played her coming out of the shower over and over and over. He was
starting to get aroused. In his mind he walked over to her and put his
hands up to cup her breasts and then he moved his hand around her and
pulled her into him and kissed her, moving his tongue past her lips and
exploring her mouth. She pulled down his zipper and she started to rub it.
Cameron came in behind him and started to pull his shirt out from his
pants. Murphy undid the button on his trousers and the pants fell to the
floor. Then Cameron and Murphy kissed deeply. Cameron then undid his shirt
and helped him pull the shirt and t-shirt off over his head while Murphy
kneeled in front of him. Cameron was now naked and he could feel her small
nubescent breasts pressed up against his back while Murphy pleasured him
with her mouth and tongue. House pleasured himself with these thoughts
until the leg discomfort was a distant thought. He found the release to be
almost too pleasurable to bear. He fell asleep soon afterwards. 

*** 

The next night House put on a burgundy silk t-shirt under a black sports
coat and grey slacks and drove to the party. He walked in and saw Wilson
with a date. She was the English professor he had met at another party.
Wilson waved at him and House walked over to him and his date. Chase was
also at the table. 
 

Greg House, Clara Thompson. Clara, House is my friend I was telling you
about. Wilson looked at House, So, no date tonight? Wilson looked around
although he didnt expect to see anyone interesting. 
 

No. I came alone. I dont plan on staying long. House looked around for the
bar and spotted it. He went and got a gin and tonic. He walked back over
to the table where Wilson, Clara and Chase were sitting and talking to
each other. He took a chair across from Wilson. A quarter of an hour went
by when Wilson looked up and smiled past House towards the front door.
House turned to look and there stood Cameron in a slinky green silk dress.
Her small breasts and nipples were outlined by the silky fabric. House
looked down and smiled so that no one would see how attractive he found
her in the dress. House thought that Cameron was lovely, but her breasts
and hips were no match for Murphys. Murphys hips were round and ample but
in no way was Murphy fat. 
 

Cameron made her way over to the table and sat down between House and
Chase. Good evening everyone. 
 

You look hot. Chase said. 
 

Thanks. 
 

They returned to their talking. Chase brought them all another drink. They
were all having a good time teasing House who, for once, was taking it
pretty well. Chase looked up and scrunched his face as if he was trying to
figure out who had walked in. The entire table turned around to look at
the front door. She was in a scarlet red cocktail dress with spaghetti
straps that attached to a gathered peasant cut top. The peasant cut
revealed the tops of her round, pert breasts. The dress came down in satin
skimming her waist and glancing over her round hips and round tight
bottom. Her reddish blonde hair was up on top of her head with tendrils of
curls hanging down the back of her neck. She turned to say something to
Foreman who had stepped in behind her. The tendrils fell down her back.
The dress itself was cut low down the curve of her back to just below her
waist. All House could think was, Sweet. 
 

He looked at Wilson who smiled at House and mouthed, What a waste. House
chuckled and shook his head in agreement. She walked in and talked briefly
with Cuddy. They watched as Carolyn Castle, a known dyke, walked over to
Murphy and started to talk to her. Murphy followed Carolyn to a table full
of women. The entire group was known as the hospitals lezbos. Murphy shook
hands with a few of them, smiled, said a few words and then made her way
over to their table. 
 

Good evening everyone. Merry Christmas. Murphy smiled at the table. 
 

Merry Christmas. They all answered in unison. 
 

I think Ill go get a drink. She stepped away to get her drink. 
 

Chase and the others felt a little sheepish that they hadnt offered to
fetch her a drink. But things were strained between her and the rest of
the team. The guys felt uneasy with such a gorgeous and intelligent
lesbian on the team. Cameron just didnt know how to relate to her. Even
though she agreed that House was using her to stir things up, it still
made her uneasy that she was receiving Houses attention, good or bad. This
also made Cameron feel guilty...the fact that she was pissed off at Murphy
for something that House was doing. It was illogical but it was the way
she felt.  
 

House expected Murphy to go back to her female friends but instead she
came over to their table. Foreman got her a chair. She sat down and
started to nurse the drink. The conversation became centered around the
hospital and things that had happened before Murphy had arrived. There was
a lot of laughter about things that were apparently inside jokes and
Murphy felt awkward and out of place. She smiled and chuckled but in truth
she felt left out. House looked at her and remembered her stepping out of
the shower. He compared it to how she looked now, her makeup was perfect,
just setting off her lips and eyes. Little diamond earrings dangled from
her ears enhancing the fact that her ears were just the right size for her
head and perfectly formed. She looked up and saw him studying her. She
gave him a slight smile of courtesy.  
 

House leaned forward, Murphy, do you know why Marine pilots prefer planes
to women? She shook her head no, Airplanes dont get mad if you touch and
go. 

Everyone laughed. Airplanes expect to be tied down. Airplanes can be
turned on with the flick of a switch. More laughter, Airplanes can be
flown at any time of the month. The laughter kept coming and House kept
throwing them out, Airplanes come with strict weight instructions. They
dont care how many planes youve flown before. He finally ended it with,
Airplanes dont object to pre-flight inspections. 
 

She turned and said to House, A man fell asleep on the beach. He woke up
several hours later and suffered a severe sunburn to his legs and was
taken to the closest hospital, which happened to be a U.S. Naval Hospital.
 
 

His skin had turned a bright red and was very painful and had started to
blister. Anything that touched his legs caused agony. The lead that night
in the emergency room was a Chief Corpsman,. The Chief checked him out and
then prescribed intravenous feedings of water, electrolytes, a mild
sedative, and Viagra. 
 

Rather astounded, the 3rd class corpsman, who was with the Chief inquired,
"What good will Viagra do him in that condition?"  
 

The Chief replied, "It'll keep the sheet off his legs." 
 

House started laughing out loud much to the astonishment of the entire
table. Even Wilson could only remember a handful of times that he had
heard House genuinely laugh a belly-laugh. 
 

A few minutes later the band began. Everyone at the table was out dancing
except the most beautiful woman in the room, Murphy Morrighan. No man
bothered to come over to ask her to dance, it would be a fruitless
gesture, especially when there were so many eligible straight women
present. Even the lesbians seemed to be ignoring her. Of course House
couldnt dance with his leg and cane so he sat at the table with her. She
pretended to listen to the music but he could tell she was embarrassed.
Embarrassed that no one was dancing with her and that no one was engaging
her in conversation at the table. She was an outsider and no one was
making any attempt to make her feel a part of the team or staff.  
 

House felt guilty, as much as House could feel guilty. He had made her the
subject of ridicule at the hospital. People knew she was a lesbian because
of him and the team didnt accept her because he had set them at odds with
her. He watched as she tried to put on a good face. Bobbing slightly to
the music and taking too many sips of her drink to fill in the gaps of
silence. She finally leaned over to House and said, Ive got to go, I have
another party to go to. 
 

He nodded to her and said, Are you sure you have to leave so soon? I was
going to ask you to dance the next fast one... She laughed an appreciative
laugh. She stood up. He grabbed her wrist, Before you go. Do you like to
sing? 
 

What? She was confused. 
 

Theres a piano in the next room and I was going to play it. I need a
singer, I could use your assistance. Come on. He still had her wrist. He
could see her weighing her options, I know Im a jerk and the devil
incarnate, but lets call a truce tonight. Were both alone and we both know
you dont have another party to go to. Stay and sing with me. 
 

She hated that he could read people so well and was so observant. She
shook her head in disbelief. Im not a very good singer. I doubt youll want
my assistance. 
 

No ones going to hear us, well be sequestered next door. he raised his
eyebrows as of he was asking a question. 
 

Ok. Its your funeral.  
 

He grabbed his cane and then held up his left arm for her to take and she
placed her hand lightly on his forearm as if she was being escorted to the
dance floor for a waltz. They went into the next room where the grand
piano sat almost in the middle of the room and he sat down. He did a few
scales to limber up his fingers and then looked at her. What would you
like to start out with? 
 

Oh my God, dont ask me...I dont know what you can play. You pick. 
 

Do you know, Everybody Makes Mistakes? House started playing the melody to
it. 
 

Lacey J. Dalton, it was one of my favorite songs when I was a resident.  
 

 House did an intro and then started to sing with her. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

When the song was over they were both were chuckling,I love those lyrics,
they are so true. I thought you said you couldnt sing. She smiled at him. 
 

Hey, you said the same thing and you were adequate. He continued fooling
around with the keys. 
 

Now I can tell you are lying, but thanks for the vote of confidence. 
 

How about, Dont You Feel My Leg? 
 

She took a big drink of her third Margarita. Im shocked...you know that
song? I didnt think anyone but sailors knew it. Where did you learn it? I
love that song... 
 

Sit down over here on the piano bench. He patted next to him. The bench
was long compared to most so she just sat on the edge of it. Cameron came
in and saw them sitting together.  
 

Murphy saw her, Cameron, come on over. Help us out. Were going to sing,
Dont You Feel My Leg. 
 

Ive never heard of it. She said. 
 

House smiled at Murphy, Its older than she is and so are we. House started
playing the melody, which was distinctly honky tonk. 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 
 

As House played the great honky tonk melody, Murphy sang the song by
herself . She would raise her skirt a little up her thigh whenever touch
my thigh was sung. About two dozen people had joined them in the room and
were sitting or standing near the piano. The crowd clapped their hands at
the end. House had been staring at her leg and thigh as she sang the song
and having a hard time concentrating on the melody. He took a good gulp of
his drink and smiled, Its a good thing youre batting for the other side or
Id be on you like white on rice. 
 

Murphy shook her head and laughed. Well, considering Ive had three strong
Margaritas, you might have had a chance. Thank God we have an audience
now, maybe youll behave! 
 

House wasnt sure of what to make of that. Hed never had carnal knowledge
of a lesbian before. It made him excited to think about it. He was kicking
himself for not locking the door behind them when they came in. 
 

House played some songs which Cameron knew so that she could sing along.
They were mostly Broadway songs. She knew none of the honkey tonk songs
that Murphy and House knew. House learned a lot of the Honkey Tonk songs
from hanging out with his dad in Honky Tonks frequented by Marines when he
was a kid. He suspected that Murphy, being a sailor, had experienced the
same Honky Tonks.  
 

Murphy was talking with Chase and laughing quite a bit. She came over to
House a few songs later and surprised him by kissing his cheek as he
continued to play for Cameron. Im going to go, but thanks for saving the
evening and thanks for the truce. Merry Christmas Dr. House.  
 

She looked over at Cameron to wave goodnight and was disheartened to see
Cameron glaring at her. Murphy realized that she had just kissed House and
Cameron wasnt pleased. 
 

If you wait, Ill give you a ride home, you shouldnt drive after four
Margaritas. House suggested. 
 

They have a stand of taxis out front, Im going to take one. You stay and
have a good time, good night. She took off swiftly and decisively.  
 

Damn. House said to himself. He had visions of offering her a ride and her
inviting him in to her place for a drink. He was sorely disappointed. He
looked at Cameron and as much as he would have liked to have screwed her,
it would mean having to deal with all the painful emotions in the morning
and afterwards. Cameron was the kind of woman that would equate sex with
him as an act of love instead of just meaningless but enjoyable sex. He
couldnt get away with the one night stand that Chase had managed to get
out of Cameron. 
 

It looked like House was going to go home alone unless he hit up one of
the nurses. The alcohol would have softened them up for the kill by now.
He thought about it and decided to go for it after the song was over. In
the end, House left with two women on his arm and his Christmas wish for a
manage a trois was granted. Things were looking up. 

*** 

On Christmas Murphy was alone and fixed herself a small Christmas lunch of
a chicken breast in mushroom soup sauce and green beans. She looked in the
newspaper and saw that the movie she wanted to see was out. She grabbed
her coat, scarf, hat and gloves and drove down to the theater. She was
waiting in line to get in when she felt something poking her butt. She
turned around and saw House behind her, poking her with his cane. 
 

Dr. House, what are you doing here? I thought youd be with friends or
family today. 
 

My family lives on the west coast and Im meeting up with Wilson for drinks
and dinner after the movies. What about you? 
 

No family on the east coast...no friends close enough to drive to in one
day. Cuddy begged me to cover the clinic tomorrow so I couldnt fly out
anywhere. Im one pathetic person. 
 

Which movie are you seeing? He asked. 
 

The Matt Damon one.  
 

I am too. You can sit with me and then you can tell everyone that you went
to the movies with a friend. 
 

I dont think anyone will believe that you are my friend, we havent exactly
been buddies at work Dr. House. 
 

They dont have to know. And outside of work you can call me Greg. 
 

The theater opened and they went in and grabbed seats. Would you like
anything from the snack bar? My treat for Christmas. She offered. 
 

Popcorn and a coke? He asked. 
 

Ok, Ill be back. She brought back a large popcorn for them to share, a
coke and a diet coke. He held the popcorn and she ate out of his lap. He
secretly enjoyed the thought of her reaching her hand between his legs.
The movie was good but House kept sneaking glances at her profile and
wondering whether lesbians could be turned. It was a real turn on to think
that maybe really good sex with a man could make her come over to the
straight side. Of course, in reality, he knew it was a joke and lesbians
couldnt be miraculously turned, but in his imagination he had her begging
him not to stop. After the movie they said goodbye to each other and Merry
Christmas. House went to meet up with Wilson and Murphy went home to an
empty house. 
 

In January, the humiliation got back to normal and, in some ways had
escalated. It almost seemed that House was making up for being nice during
the holidays. Murphy was tired of the long hours she was working between
Houses patients and the clinic. It was hard keeping up sometimes. House
was enjoying the break from clinic and loving the fact that a feud had
erupted between Cameron and Murphy. Murphy had accused Cameron of
withholding important information about patients that would help Murphy
run her tests and reach conclusions. Cameron said that the same
information was available to Murphy if she just asked the right questions
of the patient and did a thorough examination.	
 

I share everything with you, everything...even all the information that I
know you missed. Its for the patient, not my ego or a pathetic desire to
get Houses attention. Thats why we are a team, we each bring information
and knowledge to the table. You intentionally withhold it until you can
reveal it to the almighty House and show him how brilliant you are. In the
meantime, Im wasting hours on tests that could have been short-circuited
with just a little information from you. Murphy was livid and it was the
first time they had all seen her really angry. 
 

House shrugged his shoulders, Camerons information is obtained from her
history and examination... you dont need her to get the same information
from the client. 
 

Murphy looked at House in disbelief and threw her hands up. Fine...FINE!
Just wait Allison, from now on Im holding my information back and Ill
sandbag you with it in front of House. And for the record, why dont you
two just get a room and go F@#k your brains out? Maybe when you see hes a
pathetic loser and you get your fill of the young sycophant, we can all
get back to work like a team. She stormed out the door and House looked at
Cameron. 
 

Shes has a point, want to screw? House waved his hand towards his office. 
 

Go screw yourself. Cameron yelled and stormed out herself. 
 

House looked at Foreman and Chase and they all began to laugh. 
 

The next week it was late and the team had gone home. The patient was
stable so there was no reason to pull an all-nighter. Before going home,
House went up to read the patients stats. He noticed Murphy was in the
lab. He strolled into the lab with a coke in his hand.	
 

What are you doing? 
 

Oh, I was playing a hunch but I just got the results and I struck out. She
looked sad and disappointed. She also looked exhausted. 
 

You look like sh!t. 
 

Well thats rich coming from you. Im working your clinic shifts, my clinic
shifts and then my hours in this department. Im working 65 hours a week
and have been working 65 hours a week since I got here four months ago. 
 

House didnt realize that she had been racking up so many hours. Boo hoo.
Welcome to civilian life. 
 

Yeah? Well I dont see Cameron working 65 hours or any of the other team
members. 
 

Well, if you had been Cameron you would have gone into Cuddy and
complained. But youre military, huh? You wouldnt go to Cuddy until you
went to me first and you wouldnt come to me because you wouldnt want me to
have the satisfaction of knowing it was getting to you, right? 
 

Yes, yes, yes. She said defeatedly. 
 

He sucked his drink through his straw. Ok, Ill start doing five hours of
my clinic time and Ill get Cuddy to cut yours back. 
 

She looked down and rubbed her forehead. I didnt want to sound like I was
complaining or whining. Im just disappointed in the results here AND Im
tired. 
 

Yeah, right. He said sarcastically. He looked at her and thought that he
hadnt seen her with any friends or family since she arrived. She seemed
pretty much to be alone. Why didnt you take time and go see your parents
over the holidays? 
 

Dead. 
 

Want to grab a drink? 
 

 What has my parents being dead have to do with getting a drink? 
 

Nothing. 
 

He offered no explanation for the jump in topics. She waited, but he said
nothing more, I dont think Id make good company, Id probably moan and
whine too much. 
 

I like wine with my meals, we can get something to eat too. Come on, I
sense a need for you to tell me where to go. 
 

You can say that again. 
 

She agreed and they went to the Triumph to have a meal, provided it was
Dutch treat. House was happy to share the costs.  
 

She asked him questions about his background, his desire to go into
medicine, his desire to be different, and about Camerons infatuation with
him. She was surprised to find that he was fairly candid about all of it. 
 

He asked her a lot about Iraq and then finally he asked about the Navy
Cross. The Navy Cross, what stupid thing did you do to get it? 
 

I was hitching a ride with a SAR team... 
 

He interrupted, The military and all their acronyms, please interpret. 
 

SAR, search and rescue team. The PX, post exchange, at our base sucked. It
was so small that it didnt carry tampons or kotex even though there were
ten female health care workers on base. So whenever we needed those items
we would either have to beg family to send them from the States or we had
to hitch a ride to the next base over which had a fairly large PX,
complete with feminine hygiene and even some make up. The problem is that
anytime you go out of your base you risk being ambushed. Four out of five
times youre ok, but then theres that one time and something happens. But
sometimes you just have to take your chances.  
 

On that day I loaded up my medical bag and M16 and we all hit the road.
Ten minutes later an RPG got the Humvee in back of us. The explosion was
so bad that the shrapnel went through the back of our personnel carrier
where I was sitting and a piece lodged in my leg. I started to administer
triage to seven injured soldiers and then we were ambushed again. While we
were under heavy gunfire I stayed out in the open to get the guys
stabilized. Of course, I had the help of a young marine who shot anything
within 300 feet, but it was still scary. I had a scalpel shot out of my
hand, thats how scary it got. But we still lost three of the guys. So I
didnt exactly feel like I was a hero...you know the old cliche was true,
the ones who died were the heroes. While youre in the middle of it all you
can think to do is your job. But I owe my life to that Marine who covered
for me while I did my job. He was my personal hero. 
 

He looked at her like she was nuts, Im the kind that wants an RPG to be a
Really Pretty Girl and a scalpel to stay in my hand. 
 

I didnt realize how badly I was bleeding until we got the last guy loaded
on the helicopter and then they made me hop on with him. The corpsman
bandaged me so that the bleeding would stop. The wound became infected
which meant I got sent to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany.
The Marine, Jackson Albany, and I both got the Navy Cross.  
 

They continued their conversation and discussed everything from James
Joyce to Muddy Waters. He was surprised as to the depth of her knowledge
and varied opinions. She was military but she didnt quite see everything
as being black and white like his Dad did. 
 

The conversation slowed after the meal was over and they sat waiting for
the bill to arrive. When the bill did arrive, House got out his wallet and
put down enough money to pay the entire bill and tip.  
 

We were going to go Dutch. She said firmly. 
 

Youve got to be kidding...Im sitting here with a woman who won the Navy
Cross while trying to buy tampons and Im going to let her pay for her
meal? Give me a break, Im a Marine brat...my father would never forgive
me. 
 

Youre a Marine brat? My God, I cant believe it. I would never take you for
a military brat. Your Dad was a Marine? You know, in some ways it does
explain you. Military brats either adopt their parents lifestyle and
manners or rebel against them. I adopted, you rebelled. 
 

They walked out to the parking lot. Well, Dr. ...I mean Greg, good night
and thank you for dinner. She unlocked her car and then turned around only
to find House less than a foot from her. She looked at his lips and felt a
little unhinged. She could feel his breath and thought for sure he was
going to kiss her. 
 

They stood there awkwardly until House finally said,Good night. 
 

House found himself perplexed. If he didnt know that she was a lesbian, he
would have sworn her body language was inviting him to kiss her. As he
drove home he wished they could have continued the evening, his time with
her had been intellectually stimulating. She had something interesting to
say. She talked about places and things that mattered and when she had
opinions, they were well grounded in facts and information. It was strange
for him. He rarely had conversations with others that he enjoyed so much.
It turned out that she was bright, intelligent and funny. He found himself
strangely attracted to her and that made him uncomfortable. He was rarely
attracted intellectually to a woman. Yet in this case he was not only
attracted to her on an intellectual basis but on a physical one too. He
liked watching her talk, the way her mouth moved, her voice, the look in
her eyes when she disagreed with him, the lines that formed when she
laughed. He kept seeing her breasts in his mind and it made him want her
even more. The fact that he wanted to dominate her intellectually also
made his desire to have her physically more palpable. Normally he would
make a move, but it would be ridiculous considering she wasnt even
attracted to men. It frustrated him to know that no matter how hard he
tried, it would all be futile. It was just his luck that the first woman
he found interesting in a long time was a carpet cruncher. 
 

He wanted to ask her about being a lesbian. How and when did she know she
was a lesbian? Who was Susan? How did they meet? He found the whole idea
of two women having sex fascinating. But he didnt quite feel like his
questions about that would be welcomed. He went home and realized he
needed a diversion soon. He wanted to take a woman. He needed that
release. 
 

All Murphy felt was confusion. She had thought she had Greg House pigeon
holed into that of a misanthrope and jerk. But he was more complex than
that and she didnt know what to think. She had really enjoyed talking to
him...maybe it was just that she had enjoyed having an adult conversation
with someone. She was incredibly lonely. She typically had no problem
making friends but something had happened at PPTH. She wasnt sure why
everyone had been so nice and yet kept themselves at arms length. It was
frustrating to her. 

*** 

Things changed quickly for Murphy. One Friday at the end of January,
Murphy had come to work in her service uniform because she was going to
drive down to Philadelphia to spend her duty weekend. House looked up from
his desk and saw them first. He watched them closely as they stopped in
their tracks and snapped to a salute. He saw Murphy return the salute and
then walk up to them. There were two of them. One was a young Marine
officer and the other was an enlisted Marine in his dress blues. The
officer carried a manila envelope. The officer spoke for a minute and then
handed her an envelope. It finally dawned on House what was happening and
he began to rise to his feet. He grabbed his cane and started as fast as
he could for the hall where he could see Murphy turning white, start to
crumble and then fall to the floor. The two men knelt around her. House
reached her in a matter of seconds. 
 

Christ, you morons told her someone died in the middle of a hallway? What
was wrong, Grand Central Station not available? Is this how they teach you
to break bad news...do it where everyone can see it? House looked around
as a crowd started to gather. 
 

Were new to this sir. I didnt think. We were told that she was both
military and a doctor so we assumed it would be ok. Are you a doctor, can
you help her? the baby faced officer was obviously distressed over the
developments. 
 

Murphy was already coming through and as she became conscious she realized
that it wasnt a dream. She looked around at the crowd. The team had just
come back from lunch and saw the three men, including House, huddled
around Murphy. They walked up to see if they could help.  
 

House was cradling Murphy in his arms. The two Marines were now standing.
Murphy sat up and then looked at the crowd gathered around. Greg, can you
help me into your office. Id like to get out of the hall.  
 

House barked at the Marines, Help her into the office. 
 

Yes sir. They gently picked her up and helped her into his office and sat
her on his chair. 
 

The two Marines continued to address Murphy. Commander, this is the number
to contact to make arrangements. If you need anything else, please contact
that number. Commander, is there anything we can do for you before we
leave? 
 

She shook her head no while House gave her his water bottle off of his
desk. She took a drink.  
 

Then we will be leaving. You have our sincere condolences. They snapped to
attention and saluted whereupon Murphy gave a weak salute in reply. They
left the office.  
 

House went to the blinds and pulled them to keep the crowd from peering
into the office. The team were all waiting for an explanation but instead
House shooed them into the adjacent office as Murphy started to sob
uncontrollably. He went and sat down on the ottoman and held her hand. She
threw herself forward and grabbed onto his neck out of sheer grief.  
 

As a child House had seen similar visits by two Marines in dress uniform.
During the Viet Nam war they would knock on the doors in the military
housing he lived in with his parents. The visits always resulted in the
same pitiful sobbing. He was often dragged by his Mom to someones house to
offer condolences. His father always made him attend the funerals of any
Marine pilots from his platoon that were killed in action. House was
familiar with military protocols dealing with death. He also knew that
Murphy would need time to cry until she finally went numb.  
 

He took the manila envelope and opened it. Inside was a letter simply
stating that Lt. Colonel Susan Morrighan had been killed in Afghanistan
two days ago by a single rifle shot from an insurgent. The insurgent was
killed in the fire fight. 
 

It hit House like a ton of bricks. Susan wasnt her lover, she was her
sister. The affection and desire to share a home was with her sister.
Murphy wasnt a lesbian, she was just an older sister. He was trying to
wrap his head around it. Her isolation at the hospital was because the
straight staff thought she was gay and the gay staff thought she was
either denying who she was or knew she was straight. His attempt to be
funny about an email had made her life a living hell at PPTH. 
 

Cameron came in and asked if she could do anything. He instructed her to
get Cuddy. Cameron left quickly to go get Cuddy. Murphy let go of Houses
neck and sat back again in the chair. Instead of sobbing her crying had
ended in hiccups. He held her hands just as he watched his mother hold the
hands of young wives who lost their husbands in Nam. 
 

Cuddy came almost running inside his office and was slightly distracted by
the sight of House giving comfort to someone. Whats wrong? 
 

Murphy just received notice that her sister was killed in action in
Afghanistan. In looking through the documents she is going to be returned
to her home town of record, San Diego, for cremation and interment at
Rosecrans National Cemetary. Shes going to be leaving tomorrow for San
Diego and will need at least a week off to take care of her sisters
affairs. 
 

Cuddy was shocked by Houses businesslike manner and obvious compassion for
Murphy. Of course she can have it off. Is there anything I can do? 
 

Call her Commanding Officer, explain the situation and let them know that
you have no problem with her taking the time off. I need to make a call.
House picked up the phone and dialed. Hi Mom, yeah, fine and you? Mom, I
need to talk to Dad, this is important. Sure, I promise to call and talk
to you this weekend. House looked up at Cuddy who was now consoling
Murphy. House was waiting for his Father to get on the phone. Hi Dad. Im
well and you? Great. Dad, I need a favor for a friend. Shes a doctor in
the Navy...Yeah a sailor...I know, sailors are just Marine wannabes. Dad,
her sister was a Marine, her duty station was Camp Pendleton but she was
serving in Afghanistan. The sister was killed by a sniper a few days ago.
Her body is being flown into Miramar. My friend has no family to help her
through this, shes on her own. There was a pause and House was listening
intently, Yeah Dad, thats what I was thinking. Thanks Dad. Ok. Ill email
you the information. Yeah Dad, semper fi. Bye. 
 

He went over and pulled up the desk chair next to Murphy. Cuddy was
sitting on the ottoman and holding Murphys hands as she sat in the easy
chair. My Dad was a Marine pilot and the head of his squadron for years.
He has a lot of experience with bringing home dead Marines. Hes walked a
lot of widows through the process and made sure that they were ok. Hes
going to be with you the whole time, from the minute you get off the plane
to the minute you get back on. His name is Major General John House and I
just have to send your flight number and time and hell be there. 
 

Murphy looked at House and on impulse grabbed him around the neck again
and hugged him. Between the sobs she managed a clear, Thank you, thank
you. 
 

House didnt know what to do...Cuddy motioned for him to hug her back.
House put his arms around Murphy and felt her breasts melt into him as
they each embraced each other. He realized he was holding a woman...one
that probably liked men and he could tell he was responding in a manner
not appropriate for the occasion. He just hoped he wouldnt be asked to
stand up soon. 
 

Murphy pulled back and put her hands up to her face to wipe the tears from
both eyes. Cuddy asked her some questions, Murphy, how old was your
sister? 
 

She would be 33 in two weeks. I went into the Navy like our Dad and she
wanted to show me up by being a communications officer in the Marines. My
Dad thought it was funny to have two daughters and both of them be in the
military. 
 

So San Diego is where youre from? Cuddy asked. 
 

Yes, it was just my sister and I. We have some cousins in the midwest but
we dont really know them well. We have lots of friends in San Diego who
are like family. Susan said that if she died she wanted to be interred at
Fort Rosecrans. You cant be buried there because they dont have room for
burials so shell have to be cremated and then interred.  
 

House, why dont you take Murphy to her house, she shouldnt be alone. 
 

Oh, I couldnt take Dr. House away from his work. Ill be ok. 
 

No, Ill drive you. I get off on watching misery in action. Let me get my
keys.  
 

House drove her to her little home and escorted her inside. The house was
small with two bedrooms, two baths and a nice sized back yard but it was
hers. She had saved a down payment of $150,000 and taken a mortgage out of
$120,000. The house had been built in 1942 and had been remodeled a few
times to add certain amenities including upgraded electrical wiring and
internet connections. It had a great fireplace with a large mantel and
built in bookcases on either side of the fireplace.  
 

House looked at her and asked her, Do you want some water? 
 

Great, I would like that. I need to get on the internet and find a flight
home. She said with some anxiety. She had forgotten that she had to find a
way to San Diego. 
 

I tell you what, you get your water and let me work on that. 
 

House picked up her phone and dialed his Dad again, Dad, my... my friend,
Murphy Morrighan doesnt have a flight...what should she do? Ok, let me get
you her number. House put his hand over the receiver and yelled to Murphy
who was in the kitchen. Murphy, whats your full name, rank, social
security number and phone number? 
 

Why, you want to apply for a credit card? she walked into the living room
where he was. 
 

No, my Dad is going to make arrangements for your transportation home. 
 

Greg, thats too much to ask. 
 

Hes waiting, come on...here, you talk to him. He pushed the receiver into
her chest. 
 

Major General House? There was a pause as she listened to him, Thank you
sir, yes she was a hero and a good soldier...Sir I feel strange asking a
Major General to do this....ok, Murphy Marie Morrighan, Commander,
555-39-5994, phone 609-258-3000. Yes sir. Yes John. Thank you so much.
Yes, thank you. She hung up the phone and looked at House, Your Dad is
going to get someone from McGuire Air Force Base to fly me out to San
Diego. Do you really think he can arrange that? 
 

House started laughing, He had a widow flown out of Cordoba, Alaska the
day after her husband died...I think this will be a walk in the park for
him. If he said he would do it, he will do it. Thats one thing about my
Dad, hes a man of his word. You better start packing. 
 

She nodded yes and walked into her bedroom. It was a nice room, about 14'
by 15" with an adjoining small bathroom. Greg, can you help me get down
the suitcase? 
 

House went into the bedroom and saw the suitcase on the top shelf of her
bedroom closet. He poked it and pulled it forward using his cane. It
tilted and then fell one foot into his upstretched hands. He brought it
down and handed it to Murphy who thanked him and put it on her bed. 
 

I guess I should take some photos of her for her wake. She went into the
living room and grabbed two photo albums off of the shelf and went back to
the bedroom. House was already looking at some of the framed photos of
Murphy and her sister. There was one on the top of Half Dome in Yosemite
where they have their arms clasped and raised together in a salute of
accomplishment. Her sister was at least four inches taller than Murphy and
she was pretty but not beautiful like Murphy. She was also a little fuller
through the hips than Murphy. 
 

Half Dome? 
 

Yeah, we spent a lot of time in Yosemite together. A lot of the photos are
from us hiking the High Sierra camps. We also did a lot of white water
rafting and traveling. We were best friends and the only family we had.
Her lip started to quiver. 
 

House wasnt surprised to hear her start sobbing again. He had seen widows
go through waves of grief followed by calm in which they were able to work
through the mechanics of death...the ordering of the death certificates,
the notifying of branches of the government that the loved one was dead so
that the allotments could be stopped, the selection of the funeral music
and readings, the decision of what the loved one would be buried in...the
mechanics, followed by the waves of grief, the realization that the loved
one would never wear the clothes again, hear the music, read the readings,
work for the allotment. House had seen it many times. Being the son of a
pilot gave him ample opportunity to see grief up close. 
 

He walked over and put his hand on her shoulder and patted it. It was the
best he could do. He couldnt bring himself to actually hold her again. It
was too awkward for both of them. He was both attracted to her and
painfully aware that she reminded him too much of his father and the pain
that came with his childhood. 
 

She walked away and grabbed some Kleenex and blew her nose. Then she
started to take clothes out of her chest of drawers and closet and put
them into the suitcase. She packed a makeup bag and grabbed shoes from her
closet, wrapped them in a shoe bag and packed them too. She didnt think
she would be able to read but she packed a book anyway in her backpack.
House sat on the chair in her bedroom watching her do all of this. They
didnt talk but it wasnt awkward. It was if all she wanted from him at that
moment in time was to be there, to be present and alive. 
 

The phone rang and she answered it. Hello? Yes John. Thank You!! Oh, thats
great. Sure, let me get a pen...ok, Lt. Colonel David Pratt. Yes,
8:30...thanks. Yes, hes sitting here. Sure and Ill see you tomorrow.
Thanks again, bye. Greg, your Dad would like to talk to you. 
 

Dad? No, I cant get away. I know, but its bad timing. Yeah, I know its
been two years. Maybe in the fall. Give her my love. Thanks Dad for ...ok,
bye. 
 

You havent been home in two years? 
 

Ive seen them for short periods of time and when I was shot my Mom came
out and stayed with me for a week to help out. My Dad and I arent on the
same wavelength. Hes black and white...Im a kaleidoscope of grey. He finds
me annoying and I find the fact that he finds me annoying, annoying. 
 

I somehow suspect theres more to this, but its none of my business and
frankly, I cant handle any more angst today. 
 

He chuckled and she smiled at him. Greg, you really dont have to stay. 
 

You say that, but this is all going to sneak up and hit you over and over.
Its good just to have a warm body around...even if we arent exactly on
each others Christmas card list. 
 

I wish I had figured out how to get on your good side. But I guess youre
the one that makes that decision. 
 

Well, take heart. When you started I had decided that you were going to be
out of the department within a month but you were pretty good at
diagnosing people and you made the department money...so I kept you. 
 

Gee Dad, thanks for keeping me. Abortions are so messy! She stopped
packing for a second and looked up at him, If were going to be frank about
all of this, I never understood why everyone seemed to treat me like a
leper. Ive never experienced that. Usually I make friends fairly easy. 
 

They thought you were a muff diver.  
 

Gay, they thought I was a lesbian? I thought that was all a really bad
joke on your part. You mean they bought it? 
 

I bought it. 
 

YOU REALLY THOUGHT I WAS GAY? She started laughing really hard. Thats so
funny and sad all at the same time. 
 

Well, we didnt know Susan was your sister, that email made it sound like
she was your lover. 
 

Oh my God. Thats disgusting. You really are a piece of work arent you? 
 

Hey Chase, Cameron and Foreman thought you were a lezbo too! 
 

With my sister? Youre all sick then. She said, You know, Im about ready to
take Cameron down...shes really pissing me off. She found out some obscure
piece of the patients history, something by accident and didnt tell me. I
spent six hours running an assay that she KNEW would be negative. House,
thats not good for the patient and its expensive. 
 

House put his hands up, I dont want to hear about it...that cat fight is
between you and Cameron. You need to work it out. 
 

Ive tried. I took her to lunch and talked to her about it and she got in
my face telling me that if I had better skills as a doctor I wouldnt need
her help. 
 

House laughed to himself and Murphy gave him a dirty look. Dont look at
me. You figure it out...youre an adult. Secretly House was hoping to see a
real cat fight. Women fight dirty and he loved to see them get down an
dirty. But he couldnt see Cameron actually fighting. He could see Murphy
doing it...she was a scrapper...the kind that did what was necessary. Shed
take Cameron out in less than a minute. 
 

That night House ordered some Chinese from the restaurant a block away and
he went down to pick it up with his backpack. When he got back he found
her face down on the bed crying. He went to the kitchen and fixed two
plates but he doubted she was going to eat. He was right. She took five
bites and that was it. 
 

He told her that he planned to stay the night, did she want him on the
couch or in the second bedroom. She didnt even fight him. By then she was
so exhausted from the waves of crying that she didnt care. 
 

Take the guest room, theres several new toothbrushes in the guest
bathroom, in the top drawer. Im going to bed...thanks. 
 

He took a shower even though he had to put on his old clothes. He had
clean clothes at work that he could put on tomorrow. He brushed his teeth
and went into the guest room. It had a full bed and a nightstand, chest of
drawers and a television on top of the chest of drawers. He started
watching the news at eleven when he heard the sound of crying from her
room next door. He turned off the television and laid there and thought
how desperate she sounded. The kind of grief that you just have to succumb
to, allow it to escape and then fall asleep exhausted. He heard her door
open and slow footsteps come down the hall and stop in front of his door.
He could see a shadow under the door. He waited and prayed she wouldnt
come in. He wasnt sure what he would do with a vulnerable woman in his
bedroom. He was praying he would be good but he really didnt want her to
test him, he had a feeling he might be more grey than black and white. 
 

The footsteps went back up the hall and the door closed again. He let out
a sigh of relief and waited. The crying had stopped and the house was
quiet. House thought of her in that red dress and laughed softly when he
realized that she was straight and he could have nailed her that night.
What a waste. 

*** 

House drove her the next day to McGuire Air Force Base, about an hour
drive from Princeton. House didnt have a base sticker so they had to pull
over and get a guest pass at the front gate. It didnt take long since
Murphy was a Commander in the Navy. They received instructions on where to
go to find David Pratt. Within fifteen minutes House was pulling out of
the base, having left Murphy with Pratt. He drove back to PPTH and the
prying eyes and ears of the team and staff of the hospital. 
 

When House got to the hospital and informed them that her sister, Susan
had been killed in action, there was both sadness and confusion.  
 

Is that the Susan we thought was her lover? Foreman asked. 
 

One and the same. 
 

So shes not gay? Chase asked. 
 

Nope. 
 

You mean shes attracted to men? Chase asked. 
 

Yes, to men, not to little boys with pretty hair. 
 

Wow, what a waste of time. Chase replied ignoring the insult. 
 

Major General John House and Blythe House met the plane at Miramar Marine
Air Base about ten miles from their house in Solana Beach, just north of
San Diego but still within San Diego County.  
 

Commander Morrighan? He asked as she crossed the tarmac. 
 

Yes, Major General House? 
 

John and my wife, Blythe. Were very sorry for your loss. Ive been getting
information from your sisters command. Your sister was a very brave woman.
They all knew this sniper liked to take pot shots but they were random and
he hadnt shot at anyone for months. The communications were down at a
small outpost and your sister was worried about the men stationed at it.
She and a small group of Marines went out to check up on them and fix the
communications equipment. Thats when she was hit. Your sister was well
liked. The men under her said she was very fair and funny. 
 

She was. And please call me Murphy. 
 

Her body has already arrived, its at the base morgue. Do you want to see
her before the cremation? 
 

Yes. 
 

Then we need to stop by and see her now because she is scheduled for
cremation tomorrow morning. Are you up for it? 
 

Yes I am. And thank you for everything. 
 

Blythe turned to her, How is Greg? 
 

Murphy laughed, Hes well but then, hes House. 
 

Oh dear, hes still creating havoc wherever he goes? 
 

Im afraid that when he has a spare moment he uses it to figure out how to
make me miserable. 
 

John looked at her, He must have some respect for you, Greg never asks me
for a favor. In fact, I almost fell off my chair when he did. You have to
understand, for Greg to ask me for anything or to even carry on a decent
conversation, he has to really want something. We arent on the best of
terms. 
 

So I gathered. I dont know though. I never got the impression that I was
anything more than a target. 
 

Blythe smiled. Well, youre a beautiful target and that in itself is enough
for Greg to want to get on your good side. Is his leg hurting him? 
 

It still does, but from what Ive learned from others, its better. He still
does strength training on the machines.  
 

I understand you received the Navy Cross for your action in Iraq. 
 

It really was just me doing my job. 
 

It usually is, but its the fact that you continued to do your job under
difficult circumstance. 
 

They arrived at the morgue and John House insisted that he go in first to
look at her sister. He did and then came out. I find that if I describe
what you are going to see then it isnt as big a shock and you can start
dealing with it before you even see the body. With the exception of an
entrance wound on her right temple and an exit wound below her left ear,
she looks pretty much in tact. Theres some indentation but otherwise, she
looks like shes asleep. Sometimes thats harder than if you saw a large
wound of some sort. When they look like you could wake them its harder to
believe that they are dead. Are you ready Murphy? 
 

Thank you John, Im glad you told me. Yes, Im ready. 
 

They took her in and the room was cold. The body bag was unzipped and John
was right. She looked asleep with the exception of two small wounds on
both sides of her head. Murphy stroked Susans blonde hair with the loving
hands of a sister. She looked sweetly at the child that she had helped
nurture, played and fought with. This was the girl who asked a million
questions about getting your period, kissing boys and falling in love. She
gave Murphy headaches and made her laugh. And now she was a body in a bag,
a body count in a war. Murphys eyes spilled over and over and over. Blythe
put a motherly arm around her shoulders and John reached down and held her
hand. Murphy was so grateful that the Houses were there. This was so hard.

 

John and Blythe House insisted that she come and stay with them. Although
her friends had all begged her to come and stay with them, she did not
want the added burden of having to keep up appearances and make small
talk. John and Blythe seemed to anticipate what she needed, when she
needed it. She agreed to stay with them. 
 

She ended up in Houses old bedroom. He had only stayed there a couple of
years before entering college. And although most of the room had been
changed into a guest room, she discovered that the bottom drawers of the
dresser had items that obviously belonged to House. There was a small
babys outfit of a white shirt, brown vest and darker brown romper shorts
and a baseball cap lovingly packed into tissue. There was a scrapbook
about odd things, one was an article from England about a cow that fell
off a short cliff into the convertible of a passing car, an article on
treating blood diseases with leaches, pictures of odd maladies and other
interesting information that he had saved for years. She found some photos
of House and friends. He looked happy in some and serious in others. He
was always somewhat apart from the others in the photo either physically
or in some other manner...dress, posture, looks. It was if he was never
normal or average, even with his friends. There was a lock of brown hair
in the scrapbook that had under it simply, Gregs. She couldnt resist going
through the drawers and snooping. He had collected some of the oddest
things and yet as she picked the things up she couldnt help but feel a
certain loneliness about the person who had taken time to collect them. 
 

A lot of their friends, many of Susans friends in the Marines and the
necessary dignitaries filled the old mission style chapel on Camp
Pendleton. It was a lovely adobe chapel with red tile roof that had
beautiful mesquite doors. As always, the sun was shining in San Diego and
it seemed strange to have a funeral on such a gorgeous day. The memorial
was very moving. Most of Susans friends from her platoon got up and spoke
about what a great leader and intelligent person she was and most of all,
what a funny and happy person she was. The memorial lasted an hour and
then they all went to Fort Rosecrans for the interment. Murphy was fine
until they played taps. Susan and her parents had all gone to the Berkeley
Plantation in Virginia where taps was played for the dead for the first
time in military history. It brought back memories of her father lecturing
her and Susan about Taps. Both girls just wanted to run around the
Plantation but instead, they were forced by their Dad to hear the story. 
 

Of all the military bugle calls, taps is the easiest to recognize and also
the one to make a grown man cry. Until the Civil War, the traditional call
at day's end was a tune called Lights Out. In 1862, in the aftermath of
the bloody Seven Days battles, Union General Butterfield called the
brigade bugler to his tent. He thought "Lights Out" was too formal and he
wished to honor his men. The bugler later told everyone how Butterfield
had changed some of the notes to make the call more melancholy. After
getting it to his satisfaction, Butterfield told the bugler to sound that
call for Taps in place of the regulation call. The music was beautiful and
was heard far beyond the limits of Butterfields Brigade. The next day the
bugler was visited by several buglers from neighboring Brigades, asking
for copies of the music. The call was gradually taken up through the Army
of the Potomac." It became standard at military funeral ceremonies in
1891. And girls, when you hear that song, I want you remember all the men
and women who gave their lives for this great country. Susan and Murphy
nodded solemnly. 
 

Next they went to the Officers Club for her wake. The wake lasted all
evening and consisted of a lot of drinking, swearing, laughter and tears.
John House poured a very drunk Murphy into bed that night. 
 

Murphy and the Houses went to the Navy Exchange the following day and
Murphy bought John House a new Callaway driver and Blythe a Dooney Burke
purse to say thank you. She was at a loss as to what to get House for all
that he had done. She ended up buying him an IPOD video, the new one. It
wasnt very personal but then, she wasnt close to him anyway. 
 

When she left to go back to Princeton the Houses were sorry to see her go.
Despite the circumstances and sadness of the occasion, she had been good
company and Blythe had especially appreciated the little things she
mentioned about Gregory. Murphy was shocked to find herself hugging and
crying when she said goodbye to the Houses. She realized that in some ways
Gregs parents reminded her of her own. Granted, her Dad had been a Master
Chief in the Navy, not a General, but still they were military and it felt
similar in structure to her own home.  
 

Wilson picked her up at the base because House had a patient. It took him
an hour to get a guest pass to the base and the confirmation of Major
General House that he was indeed ok to pick up Commander Morrighan. 
 

On the way home Murphy mentioned that she had spent the entire six days
with the Houses. Wilson was not just shocked but curious.  
 

Is his dad an overbearing ogre? 
 

I dont know what he was like when Greg was growing up but hes very nice
now. He took very good care of me and whenever he talked about Greg being
a doctor he spoke with a lot of pride. I dont really understand what
happened between them. But knowing Greg, I suspect him being a military
brat is like sending Keith Richards to a monastery for eighteen years. 
 

She talked a little more about his parents and the events and then asked
about House and the team. 
 

Theyve kind of gotten back into the groove of the old team dynamics. I
heard from House that you arent really a lesbian. You know thats going to
change the dynamics of the department again. 
 

What do you mean? 
 

Well when Cameron thought you were a lesbian, you werent a threat in one
way... 
 

I get your drift. 
 

But Im more worried about House. 
 

What do you mean? 
 

House likes a lot of sexual tension between him and the women he works
with...I think as an Alpha male he feels like it keeps the females in
control. Youre no longer a neutral. 
 

You think he is going to hit on me? 
 

Nothing that blatant, hell just do that lingering look, brush of the hand,
lusty looks...you know. Then when Cameron sees it shell be really pissed. 
 

I rue the day I took this job. I dont understand civilians. 
 

This has nothing to do with civilians, you dont understand House. Neither
do we. 

*** 

Wilson was right. House started throwing out sexual innuendos at Murphy
right and left. The relationship between Cameron and Murphy deteriorated
to the point where Murphy barely acknowledged she was alive and Cameron
was in Houses face about her almost every day. 
 

It drove Murphy nuts that Cameron spent a lot of her waking time trying to
figure out what House was doing and the motives behind it. Murphy thought
that if anyone needed to get laid, it was Cameron. Murphy had to laugh,
she and Cameron had one thing in common, the only life they had was PPTH. 

 

At the end of February, Murphy and Cameron had not called a truce but they
had reached a certain level of tolerance. This happened because, despite
Murphys threats, she still shared her work with Cameron. During a routine
examination of a patient, Murphy found a tick that Cameron had missed.
Rather than gloat over it, she told Cameron that she might want to do
another examination of the patients feet. Cameron was no fool and
immediately did an examination and found the buried tick between the
patients toes. The patient had plantar warts and bunions and never felt
the tick. Cameron reported the tick and the case was solved within an
hour. After that, Cameron stopped complaining to House about Murphy except
on the odd occasion. 
 

But Murphy was having trouble concentrating and getting back into the
swing of things. She was having terrible mood swings. She spent a lot of
time at night crying over her sister and drinking alone. She didnt have a
drinking problem yet, but she was well on her way. At work she was crabby
and having a hard time keeping it together. She was at the breaking point
with House and Cameron.  
 

One late afternoon in early March, the entire team plus Wilson were all
standing or leaning over the bannister on the second floor overlooking the
clinic talking about the day and their plans for the weekend. Wilson,
House and Murphy all noticed the Navy blue uniform at the same time. In
walked a guy, an older Mark Wahlberg look alike in full Navy dress blues.
He stopped at the desk, talked to a nurse who then pointed up to the
balcony where they were all standing. Murphy was in a pink sweater, gray
flip skirt and black pumps. She gave a slight woop and started running. 
 

He looked up and saw her. He came around the desk as she raced down the
stairs as fast as she could and at break neck speed jumped into his arms
with her legs wrapped around his waist. They had a passionate kiss in
front of the entire staff. The nurses were all smiling. House stood up and
watched the event unfold quietly. 
 

Wilson asked the team and House, Do you think she knows him? 
 

They all giggled, except for House. He went over to the elevator and
pushed the button. Wilson and House got into the elevator and it stopped
on the first floor twenty feet from the kissing couple. 
 

House and Wilson walked towards them, House, why not let them just have
this time together. We can meet him later. 
 

House kept walking towards them. Murphy stopped kissing him and turned to
introduce him. House stuck out his hand, Tall, handsome, intelligent,
charming and well hung. But, enough about me, who are you? 
 

Murphy rolled her eyes. This is Captain Anthony Mezzaluna. Tony, these are
Drs. Gregory House and James Wilson. 
 

He stuck out his hand and shook Wilsons hand. Glad to meet you. House
didnt offer his hand so Tony didnt bother to acknowledge him. He turned to
Murphy and gave her another deep kiss. 
 

You two need to get a room. House said with disdain. 
 

Tony looked at Murphy, Hes right, Ive got us a room. Can you get off now? 
 

Im the only one who can get her off. House gave him a phony smile. 
 

Murphy turned to look at House with a look of distaste. She kissed Tony
quickly on the lips and said, Ill be down in a minute, I just have to get
my things. 
 

After she left Wilson asked Tony,How do you know Murphy? 
 

She served under me. 
 

I bet she did. House remarked. 
 

Aboard the U.S.N.S. Mercy. I was the Captain of the ship. 
 

House couldnt think of a comeback for that, so he kept his mouth shut. He
did take a good look at the Captain and noted some interesting things. 
 

How long have you been divorced? House asked him. 
 

Tony was clearly taken off guard and gave House a strange look. Tony didnt
have an answer and looked incredibly awkward. Then it hit House, You arent
divorced, you just dont have your ring on today. Did you take it off for
Murphy? 
 

Tony looked around to see if Murphy was near, Look...Dr....Dr. House, I
married my wife a few months ago when I got her pregnant. Im going to
divorce her and ask Murphy to marry me. Im waiting for the baby to be born
before I ask her for one. 
 

House chuckled delightedly.You are the perfect sailor, a woman in every
port and a pregnant wife at home. Does Murphy even know youre married? 
 

Not yet, Im going to tell her tonight. How did you know? 
 

Now thats really special, get a hotel room, have sex and THEN let her know
youre married. You are perfect. House looked down at Tonys ring finger,
Youve got an indent on your ring finger where you usually wear a wedding
band. 
 

Tony and Wilson both looked at Tonys hand and realized House was right.
Boy, you are observant. Well....are you going to tell her? 
 

Nope. None of my business. House said. 
 

Wilson looked at House in shock. House!!! Youve got to tell her. 
 

Why? If we tell her now, then she wont have sex and you and I both know if
anyone needs to get laid, its her. He turned to Tony, I just want to you
make sure you have protected sex or I will hunt you down and go to your
CO. Understand? 
 

Tony shook his head yes. Murphy showed up and Wilson began to say
something. 
 

House jumped in and said, Now you two run...go have that conjugal
visit...skidaddle... he started talking over Wilson. Murphy was confused.
Wilson was trying to say something but Tony was rushing her out the door
and House was going on and on about what a cute couple they made while
holding Wilson back.  
 

What was that about? She asked Tony outside.  
 

Who knows. You work with some strange people. 
 

They went to her house instead of the motel and had a night of rather
athletic sex. It wasnt imaginative or even erotic, just slammin sex. But
for Murphy, it was a Godsend. Sex always helped her release her anger,
anxiety and emotional pain and lately she had a lot of that. 
 

Tony had to be back to Norfolk on Monday so he left Sunday afternoon. They
made plans for Murphy to join him in Norfolk in two weeks for a weekend.
Tonys ship, a sub tender, the U.S.S. Proteus, was in port for three months
of maintenance before going on a Westpac through the canal, San Diego,
Hawaii and then its home port, Guam. 
 

On Monday she went into the office and everyone teased her about having a
good weekend. Wilson and House showed up together and Wilson walked into
the office in his coat and carrying his briefcase. He looked seriously at
Murphy. 
 

Did Tony tell you? He was very sober. 
 

She stopped smiling and looked at him questioningly, Tell me what? 
 

Wilson looked at House, You see House? This is why you should have told
her. 
 

She looked at House, See what...told me what? 
 

Wilson is referring to the fact that your boyfriend is married and has a
pregnant wife. 
 

Something finally snapped in Murphy. Liar! She jumped up and gave House a
right cross that was as effective as one from a 200 lb. male. House went
sailing and Murphy went after him.  
 

Wilson pulled her off of him and said, Its true, its true...Tony told us
on Friday. Thats what I was trying to tell you as you left. 
 

She relaxed and turned to Wilson. He really is married? She asked it like
a seven year old who finds out that there is no Santa Clause. 
 

Yes, Im afraid so. A few months ago after he got her pregnant. He looked
at her and watched as her face slipped from anger to disbelief to
devastation.  
 

She grabbed her things, looked down at House, And so you thought it would
be fun to just let me go screw with a married man. You are incredibly
callous arent you? 
 

House looked up from the floor where he was rubbing his chin. Oh big deal,
you had a good time this weekend didnt you? Who cares if he lied to get
you in bed. Welcome to reality. Besides, you needed to get screwed, big
time.  
 

She walked over to where he was laying on the floor and kicked him square
in the genitals. He doubled over and screamed out in pain. She walked out
and Wilson followed her. Cameron ran to House and Chase got up with a
smile to get House an ice pack for his nuts. Foreman just watched the
circus. 
 

Wilson ran up to her, Murphy, are you ok? 
 

She turned and looked at him with tears running down her cheek, Alright?
Ive lost my sister, Im working for Dr. Demento and my boyfriend just
forgets to mention that hes gotten married and has a pregnant wife. Im
having a great life. 
 

Wilson looked at her, House just thought it would be good for you to have
a weekend of unbridled sex. He thinks like a man...being married probably
wouldnt stop him. Well, I know it wouldnt stop him. He had an affair with
his ex-girlfriend while her husband was recuperating from a life
threatening disease so I know he doesnt see marriage as a deterrent to
having sex with someone. 
 

She shook her head and then smiled at him, Thanks for trying to tell me.
My gut told me on Friday to go back in and ask you what you wanted, but I
was so excited about having something fun in my life, that I didnt listen
to my gut. Tell House Ill be back tomorrow. 
 

The next day she walked in and House was already in the office. The team
wasnt there. She saw a huge bruise on his jaw. 
 

Wheres the team? she asked. 
 

Up running tests. We have a patient in serious condition. 
 

Why didnt you call me in? 
 

Right. He rolled his chair back and showed the cold gel pack planted
between his legs. 
 

Oh...I am sorry. That was uncalled for, did you have someone look at it? 
 

Chase took a look. Apparently they are still in tact....barely. I threw up
a few times. 
 

Sorry, really...I am sorry. I can get pretty physical when I am angry. 
 

Ya think? Go on up and help Foreman with the MRI. Stay away from Cameron,
shes ready to protect me from the evil Sailor formally known as Murphy. 

*** 

The next few weeks were strained between House, Murphy and Cameron. The
guys were in love with Murphy. She was smart, funny and she could kick
@ss, especially Houses @ss. They were getting pretty close to her. 
 

Murphy had finished for the week and was going to take off at 4:00 p.m. At
around 3:30 p.m. Wilson stuck his head into the office and said to Murphy,
You better come and see this.  
 

Murphy and the entire office, followed by House, went to the banister and
looked down. There were two sailors, four Marines and three Army soldiers
downstairs, in uniform with their hats under their arms or in their hands.
Cuddy had come out of the office to ask them what they wanted when one of
the Marines spotted Murphy. Cuddy opened her mouth to ask when one of the
Marines yelled, Atten-hut. 
 

The group of guys formed a set of three rows of three and came to
attention. They looked great in their uniforms. They all looked up at
Murphy who was smiling broadly and also had tears in her eyes. The entire
clinic and several staff had wandered out to find out what was happening.
They all saluted. Murphy saluted back and yelled down to them, At ease.  
 

She walked down the stairs and paraded back forth in front of them. Ive
never seen a sorrier excuse for soldiers and sailors as you guys. Even so,
you are all a sight for sore eyes. Dismissed. 
 

They all cheered and crowded around her. Lot of hugging and laughing. One
large Marine grabbed her and threw her up in the air. Nelson, put me down.
 
 

Who are you guys? Cuddy asked. 
 

Were back from Iraq and Landstuhl, Germany. Commander Morrighan saved our
lives in Iraq. Weve come down to thank Commander Morrighan for what she
did for each of us. 
 

Come on guys, lets go get a drink. Murphy offered and they all cheered.
She looked back up at the team around the bannister. Well be at the
Triumph if you guys want to join us. 
 

The team did join them, including Cameron who went along to keep tabs on
House. They all had a roudy time. The soldiers and sailors told House, the
team and Wilson how Murphy was the first to work on them after being
wounded. One Marine said, I got hit in the chest with shrapnel and was
bleeding out with no plasma or blood on hand. The Commanders CO was a
Marine Colonel. He told Commander Morrighan that I was a gonner and to
leave me and move on to the next soldier. The guys in my Platoon told me
that she yelled at him, Like hell, this is some mothers son and Im not
giving up on him. Shes at home praying that well take care of her baby and
I intend to honor that if you dont mind, SIR. She asked around and found
an O negative Marine and gave me an on the spot blood transfusion which
kept me alive. She stabilized me and I was put on the next helicopter out.
I heard she got written up for refusing a direct order. She also got a
commendation from the General for not leaving a Marine behind. Shes was
know to us as the Angel. If you saw her you knew two things, you were
close to death and she wasnt going to give up on you unless you were dead.

 

The evening was laced with enough alcohol to float a boat. The army guys
lagged way behind, the Marines could drink seriously, but the sailors had
hollow legs. They were able to stay afloat long after the Marines heads
hit the deck. They were all poured into cabs and sent back to their hotel
rooms at the Embassy Suites. Murphy was driven home by Chase.  
 

Murphy was on a high for several days after the guys left. Their visit
reminded her of what she missed in the military. It wasnt the drinking, it
was the comradery. Her high slipped quickly into a depression that she was
having a hard time shaking. House began to notice that she didnt say much
anymore and she was starting to miss important symptoms and she even
screwed up an assay he asked her to run. 
 

Wilson noticed it too. Whats up with Murphy? 
 

I think shes drinking. Probably depression. 
 

Murphy, drinking? Even when the guys were here she only had four drinks
all night. 
 

I think she likes drinking alone. He tilted his head to the side waiting
for his reply. 
 

Well, you would know. Wilson said 
 

House thought about it and one night when the team had gone and Murphy was
just getting ready to leave he called her into the office.  
 

Youre Fu@king up. I dont really care why, but you need to get a grip.
Youre turning into a lush and the alcohol is interfering with your
performance. If you keep screwing up Im going to ask that you be
transferred. 
 

She looked at him with anger. Screw you. Youre an addict and youre telling
me I have a problem? 
 

You do have a problem and its becoming my problem. One more screw up and
IlI ask for your transfer. I cant have a screw up on my team. 
 

So you can be an addict but you wont cut any slack for someone else who
has problems? 
 

Im an addict because of physical pain. Youre an addict because of
emotional pain. And I dont care why you are the way you are, I just dont
want a drunk on my team. 
 

A few days later, Murphy received the life insurance on Susan provided by
the Corps. She also received a box from Susans platoon with Susans
personal belongings. Murphy threw up when she opened the envelope. That
night she drank herself into oblivion. She didnt wake up the next day
until House sent Chase to check up on her. House wanted her in as soon as
possible because the new patient had been in Thailand and Murphy had spent
a lot of time on the UNSN Mercy off the coast of Thailand.  
 

Chase could hear a television but no one was answering his pounding on the
front door. He looked through a window and saw Murphy on the couch ...she
wasnt moving. He got in through the window and tried to wake her. He
looked over and saw a half empty bottle of Patron Tequila and a partially
empty bottle of Grey Goose. She smelled like hell. 
 

Murphy...MURPHY...wake up. He slapped her cheek lightly and there was a
little moan. Murphy, whats going on with you? Come on girl, youve got to
get up and walk this off. Chases phone went off and he answered it.  
 

Well sunshine, what did you find out? It was a very sarcastic House. 
 

Shes here but shes a little under the weather. I dont think shell be in
today. 
 

Shes drunk and passed out. House said angrily. There was silence. Chase
said nothing. Im right, arent I? 
 

Yes, but I can sober her up and get her in... 
 

Dont bother, let her sleep it off. I need you back here. 
 

Chase looked around before he left and saw the opened box. There was a
letter with it which he stopped to read. It was clear from the letter that
the contents of the box was her sisters. Chase realized that she had just
received the box and this had probably triggered the drinking. 
 

He propped her up on her side so that she wouldnt aspirate if she vomited
and then he left to get back to the hospital. 
 

In the meantime, a very angry House was on the phone to Murphys CO. He
told him that Murphy had started to drink and that she was missing work
because of it. He wanted her transferred to a different department or
hospital. The CO listened and then said he would take care of it. 
 

When Chase got back he said to House, Murphy just received her sisters
personal belongings from her platoon. There was a half finished letter
from her sister to Murphy in the box, a very hopeful letter about the
future. House, I dont think anyone would have made it in after getting
that box and letter. 
 

House felt some remorse for calling the CO. He couldnt imagine receiving
the personal belongings of your beloved sister. In addition, Murphy was
now totally alone, trying to get through this without the assistance of
her friends, her family or even her military support system. She must feel
like a fish out of water. 
 

The next day a very sheepish Murphy showed up and when she appeared in the
lab to run tests Cameron gave her a tongue lashing. We could have used you
yesterday, Chase said you were passed out drunk. I always suspected you
were emotionally unstable. Its obvious you have a real problem with
alcohol and I have a hard time trusting you to run any tests. Im going to
ask that House not let you do assays or tests with me anymore, at least
not until I can trust you. 
 

Murphy was trying hard to hold back but she finally had to let some steam
off. You want to talk about emotional problems? You seem to be an
intelligent woman. Ask yourself why you have spent over three years of
your life pinning over a man who, despite the occasional flirting, hasnt
made a single move on you. In fact, he ignored your desperate moves and
went after his former girlfriend who was MARRIED and had a husband who was
chronically ill. Im not asking you to try to understand House, Im asking
you to try and understand your own behavior. You spend way too much time
on a man who hasnt given you the time of day because its safe for you. You
dont have to put yourself out there and get hurt. Better to be hurt and
rejected constantly by the devil you know and know wont commit than to
take a chance you might get hurt if you go after real love and possible
happiness. Now, thats my gift to you Cameron. However, if you ever talk to
me like you just did, and I DO MEAN EVER, then you wont have much of that
lovely brunette hair left when I get done with you. Do I make myself
clear? I will run whatever Fricking tests I want. I have ten more years as
a doctor and a lot more experience in the real practice of medicine than
you will ever have so just get over yourself sister. She turned to leave
but stopped, Oh and dont worry about telling Cuddy and House what I just
said, Ill make sure theyre told. 
 

When the team had gone home she went in to Houses office. I just told
Cameron to stop needling me and pinning for you. I told her that I was
going to separate her hair from her scalp if she didnt behave. Just so you
know. She paused, Now, on another note, I am having some hard times right
now and I would appreciate your patience. I need to deal with my drinking.
I dont think I am an alcoholic but I think I could easily become one. Im
not sure how I am going to do it, but I plan on dealing with it starting
today. 
 

I guess a shrink would probably tell you to substitute a positive behavior
for a negative. Every time you want a drink, do something physical...run,
exercise, have sex, clean house...I dont care. I just want to see some
improvement real soon. 
 

She said nothing but grabbed her stuff and left. His eyes followed her out
the door and down the hall. He was worried about her but didnt dare tell
her or anyone else. He had come to admire her for her spunk and backbone.
She was no shrinking violet. She went after what she wanted and she stood
up to others when she had to. He could still feel the pain in his nuts
from her last round with him. 
 

The next day was March 28th and on his way to work he saw her running
along the side of the road. She was almost to the hospital so he didnt
bother offering a ride. He also realized that a ride would defeat the
purpose of running. That night he offered her a ride home, it was still
chilly outside. 
 

No thanks, Im going to go for a run.  
 

For the next two weeks she ran to and from the hospital in all kinds of
weather. She would take her shower after she got to work. She would work
out in the gym after work and before going home. She stopped drinking at
home by herself. She was still depressed, she just stuffed it down better.

 

April came and House had noticed an improvement in her work. Things had
changed on the team. Cameron was dating a young doctor from
Gastroenterology. She wasnt as absorbed with House as usual and this
actually aggravated House. One thing House liked was being the center of
attention, especially the attention of a beautiful woman. 
 

House aimed his aggravation at Murphy. He decided that he would become the
center of her world over the next few weeks. He started by assigning her
charting duty, something that Cameron usually did for him. It meant
staying in the office near him and writing up the charts from cases.
Murphy would occasionally have to ask him a question about a case and so
she was in contact more with House than usual.	
 

One afternoon she was writing up a chart from a case that had dropped
through the cracks. It had happened while she was in California. House was
laying on the floor with his legs crossed and his eyes closed listening to
music through headphones. Murphy poked his foot with hers.  
 

He opened his eyes and focused on her looking down at him. She felt
strange. In that position he was very vulnerable, at least from a martial
arts point of view. She could have him for breakfast and he seemed to read
that in her face. 
 

Youre staring at my penis. Normally Id get off on that, but given your
history with my genitals, Im feeling a little threatened. 
 

Actually I wasnt staring at the penis. I was thinking how vulnerable you
are down there on the floor. I could do some real damage to you and not
just to your willy. 
 

I didnt realize you were into sado-masochism. But whatever floats your
boat. 
 

Is everything sex with you? 
 

As a species, everything is sex or leads to sex. 
 

You should have nailed Cameron when you could have. Now theres no one in
the department to drool over you . It must make you sad. 
 

Theres you. 
 

She laughed, I find you about as attractive as a terrorist attack. Id have
a hard time choosing between fu@king you or fu@king Bin Laden. 
 

He chuckled. You dont know what youre missing. 
 

You are a legend in your own mind. 
 

Youll never know unless you go for a ride. 
 

Now it was her turn to chuckle. Youd be a kiddy ride compared to the rides
Ive been on. 
 

I know your type, they think that sex is something you endure. Youre the
kind that lays back and thinks of God and Country. You probably think
sexual participation is cleaning up the wet spot. He would have kept going
but she turned and went into the other room. The sexual banter didnt stop,
it back and forth a few more times over the next few days. 
 

Cameron came in and was in a great mood. I just bought my dress for the
May Charity Ball. I get to go with a date this time. 
 

Im taking Nancy Bashears from Otolaryngology. Chase volunteered. 
 

Im probably going stag. What about you Murphy? Foreman asked. 
 

Not going. 
 

You should go, its fun. They set up tents everywhere on campus and each
tent has a different type of entertainment. Its great. Chase said
enthusiastically. 
 

House and Wilson walked in. Are you two going to the May ball? Chase
asked. 
 

They both nodded their heads yes. Why ask? Wilson wanted to know. 
 

Murphy isnt going. 
 

Murphy, you have to go. Youll have fun. Wilson insisted. 
 

She shook her head no. End of discussion. 
 

What wrong Murphy, afraid no one will ask you to the ball or dance with
you? House asked. 
 

Thats it. Im dateless. She said while she continued to chart.  
 

Theres always George in accounting, hell screw anything, even if it just
lies there and thinks of God and country. 
 

Gosh, and I thought only you would screw anything that moved. Bet its nice
to know you arent alone. 
 

Id screw anything but a sailor thats drunk or should I say, a drunk thats
a sailor. 
 

The team screwed up their faces at the insult. She just said, I kicked you
with my left foot, imagine what damage I can do with my right. Murphy had
managed a draw but she was secretly getting tired of the sexual bantering
and suggestive language. She wished that for a week she could just do her
job without his crap. She kept thinking, maybe if the sexual tension was
put to bed (so to speak) he would grow tired of ragging on her. 

*** 

House went into his office. Later that afternoon the team took off for the
weekend. He was still in his office playing a game on his Game Boy and
waiting for a phone call. He was trying to buy tickets to the Monster
truck rally for Saturday night in Philadelphia. He had a guy who always
managed to get him floor passes but the guy didnt get off work until 7:00
p.m. He promised to call House when he got home. 
 

He was sitting in the chair playing his game when he saw Murphy opening
the door to his office. She walked in huffing and puffing and bent over to
catch her breath.She was wearing jersey shorts, sneakers and a sleeveless
gray t-shirt. Her hair was in a ponytail and the sweat was running down
her neck from the run she had just finished. He found it incredibly sexy. 
 

I (puff) want to ..have a talk ...(puff) with you and I ...(puff) ...dont
want to be ...interrupted. She closed the blinds and locked the door. She
had his attention. He turned off the Game Boy and stared at her.
Ok....(puff)...what do you want? I cant imagine that you want to really
have sex with me, so why do you keep teasing and making suggestive
remarks? Cant you...(puff) stop this insanity? Its getting old. 
 

Who said I dont want to have sex with you? Id have sex with Rosie ODonnell
if she put a bag over her face. He said mischievously. 
 

She pulled her head back in surprise, You cant be serious. 
 

About having sex with you or Rosie ODonnell? Why not? Ive never slept with
a sailor before. he smiled. 
 

For one thing, I dont find you attractive so I doubt you find me
attractive. And the other is that sex with me is like a Lays potato chip,
once you have one, you want to have another, and another, and another... 
 

Now whos a legend in their own mind. Tell me the truth, are you really
that hot in bed, or is this your vivid and lonely imagination? 
 

You cant handle the truth. She said snickering to herself. 
 

He reached out and tugged lightly on the hem of her shorts. And then,
while looking up into her eyes he pulled the shorts and her towards him.
Arent you just the least bit curious about what it would be like between
us? We have been dancing around it ever since that day in the shower room.
He ran his fingers along the edge of her shorts with his index finger
brushing her thigh. He raised the right leg of her shorts and looked at
the shrapnel scar on her thigh. He stroked it softly, thinking about his
own scar on his right thigh.  
 

She almost jerked away but the touch was soft and gentle. YOUVE been
dancing, Ive been to forget. She looked into his blue eyes and thought
that if she pretended he was someone else, it might just be the release
she needed.  
 

 She took off her T-shirt to reveal a jersey sports bra. Lets just get
this over with...if we do this, can you promise to leave me alone for
awhile...no comments, no mean retorts? 
 

House was completely stunned, he hadnt expected this from her. His mouth
was open in shock as he nodded yes. She was still breathing heavily from
the run. She yanked the sports bra off and there were those breasts he
dreamed about. She dropped her shorts and walked closer to the chair. He
reached up to grab her breasts. They were heaving up and down as she still
tried to catch her breath. She knocked his hands away. 
 

Hold on. I need a minute to catch my breath. As she did she grabbed his
belt, undid it and the button. He couldnt wait any longer, he reached up
and grabbed her breasts and then with his left hand, reached around and
pulled her down so he could lick the sweat rivulet running from her neck,
past the shoulder bones and down her left breast. He sat up straighter so
that he could reach her lips.  
 

She didnt want him to kiss her on the lips but he did. She straddled his
legs on the chair. He pulled her into him so he could give her a deeper
kiss and run his hand down her spine, across the curve of her cheek and
down her panties. The kiss had been pleasant, more intimate than she
wanted, but still pleasant. 
 

She could feel the large bulge pushing up under the zipper of his pants.
He brought his hand around and started feeling her skin up her rib cage
and to her breasts. He grabbed her left breast and kissed it. He loved the
taste of her and how salty she was from sweating. She lifted up and
unzipped his pants under her. She took him in her hand and looked down to
see whether he was worth all the fuss. She had to admit, it was a nice
package. She stood up, took off her panties, straddled him again and then
slowly guided him inside of her while she looked into those blue eyes.	
 

She was warm. He was watching her as she used her hips to make circles
while she also rode up and down. Her muscles squeezed him with each
downward motion. It was too much. He closed his eyes to slow down his
response and then opened them again. Her breasts were dancing slowly in
front of him. He tried to hold back but he couldnt. He picked up the speed
until her breasts were bouncing lightly. He had his hands on the cheeks of
her lovely round bottom as it traveled up and down. When he exploded he
felt a little wobbly and needed to hold onto something to keep his head
from swimming. He grabbed her and rested his forehead just below her
breasts. All he could yell was, Ahhhhhhhhhhh. He didnt breath out until
the last of the orgasm swept through him. He grabbed her hips to stop her
from moving. He was so sensitive that any movement gave him a sensation of
pain and discomfort. She moved and he yelled out, Ahhh, wait, wait.... She
stopped until he nodded it was ok for her to move. He knew it was her
turn, that she hadnt come and he should take her to the same place he had
just been, but he was so spent he needed some time to get himself
together.  
 

When he saw that she was getting up and putting on her clothes he grabbed
her wrist. NO! Dont go...I need to do the same for you. She looked down at
him as she wrestled her wrist out of his hand.	
 

Its alright, Ive got to get going. I have a friend making a stopover at
Trenton Airport in an hour and were having dinner. She put on the rest of
her clothes and went down to the shower room.  
 

He put his head back and just sat listening to his own pulse pound in his
head. He grabbed his willy, put it back in his trousers and then zipped up
his jeans. He tried to get up but the room was spinning. He waited a few
more minutes and then he was able to stand. The phone rang, it was the guy
with the passes. House had to convince the guy that it was him because he
kept saying, It doesnt sound like you.	
 

By the time he was able to walk down to the shower room, she had already
showered and gone. He went back to his office, grabbed his backpack and
took off. He was haunted all weekend long by what had happened. It was so
fast and so intense, he felt like it had all been a dream. He also
realized she hadnt lied. She was a Lays potato chip.  
 

On Monday he said nothing to her about it. He simply spoke to her only
when necessary. The whole team was puzzled by their behavior. When he
didnt tease or torment her on Tuesday or Wednesday, the team asked her
what had happened. She simply said that they had a discussion and he had
agreed to give her some space for a little while so she could deal with
her sisters death. Occasionally Murphy couldnt contain herself and would
hint around about Minutemen. The team had no clue what she meant, but
House did. 
 

Cuddy asked Murphy if she would take tickets at the May ball from 8:00
p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Murphy told Cuddy she wasnt going. Im sorry, thats not
an option. You get a discount on the ticket if you work the hour. Its $150
instead of $250. What will it be, go at full price or work an hour? 
 

Ok, Ill work an hour. Is it really a ball, complete with ball gowns? 
 

Yes, you can wear a ball gown, a cocktail dress or, in your case, your
dress uniform. Its your choice. 
 

She thought about it. Wearing her dress uniform would be the cheapest
alternative but it meant wearing the miniature medals along with it and
then explaining all night long what they were and how she got them. Each
time she wore her medals she spent the whole evening talking about them.
She decided she would have to go shopping. 

*** 

She went to Wanamakers in Philadelphia and bought a dress off the rack. It
was a beautiful long dress designed by Vera Wang. It was a Lavender label
off the shoulder dress which was gathered right under the bustline and
then was fitted all the way down until it flared out at the bottom. It was
in royal blue. She wore the sapphire necklace and earrings she had bought
in the mideast. Her hair was styled into a loose knot in the back with
tendrils coming down the back. Her shoes were 2 ½ inch heels that were
comfortable but pretty. She took her black velour stole to keep warm
outside. The ticket tent was heated so she didnt need to wear it to take
tickets.  
 

The rest of the campus was set up with tents all over and in-between, in
the halls were tables set up with goodies donated from various vendors in
Princeton. The goodies rotated on the hour. One minute it would be Dom
Perignon and strawberries, the next hours it would decadent chocolate
truffles or cheeses. Each of the forty tables offered something different
and even that rotated on an hourly basis. The twelve tents offered
different forms of entertainment. There was the country western tent with
a band, dance floor and broncing mechanical bull. Then there were several
band tents with dance floors. One of the tents had comedians rotate on a
fifteen minute basis. Another had a karaoke machine set up. There were
even boat rides on Carnegie Lake complete with singing gondoliers. It was
an incredible setup and well worth the $250 per ticket.  
 

As the members of the team showed up with their dates they all came over
for Murphy to put the band around their wrist signifying that they were
authorized to be at the ball and receive the goodies. They all introduced
their dates and the men complimented Murphy on how nice she looked. Even
Foreman, who was going to go stag, had ended up with a gorgeous girl on
his arm at the last moment.  
 

The truth was that Murphy did look gorgeous. The tops of her breasts rode
high over the top of her dress, the dress had a black ribbon just below
the breasts and a second one down a few inches at the empire line. She
looked incredibly beautiful with her strawberry blonde hair cascading in
tendrils down the back. Even Cuddy came over and told her that no one
would believe she was a sailor.  
 

Wilson and House arrived with their dates. Wilson was with Sarah and House
had brought Sarahs friend, Kathy. Both of the dates were young and very
pretty. But when House and Wilson saw Murphy they both stopped in their
tracks. She looked like a sexy version of a Victorian lady, very romantic.
House hadnt told Wilson of the tryst in the office. In some ways he was
embarrassed by the fact that she had made mince meat out of him. When they
went over to Murphy to have her put the bands on them they both smiled at
her. 
 

Murphy, you look beautiful tonight. Really stunning. 
 

Thank you Jim. 
 

House came over and even Murphy thought he looked handsome in his tuxedo.
Good evening. 
 

Good evening Dr. House. Here are the programs for you and your date and I
need your arms so I can band your wrists.  
 

They held out their wrists and she put the bands on. She could feel Houses
eyes on her. She was sure that if she looked up those blue eyes would be
focused on her breasts but they werent. They were looking her straight in
the eye. This made her more nervous than if he had been ogling her
breasts. She smiled and then backed off to band the next couple. With her
body turned, he could see the deep cut back and the hair tumbling down
over the nape of her neck and between her shoulder blades. He quickly
looked away so that she didnt catch him watching her. 
 

After her hour was up, Murphy decided to go into each tent to see what was
in them. She stayed the longest in the comedy tent and then went back to
the tent where there was a variety show, including a magician and tango
presentation. 
 

In the meantime, House and Wilsons dates were excited about the champagne
and the various expensive spirits being served. They were knocking each
drink back quickly so that they could taste the next one at another table.
House was nursing his first Grey Goose and looking around for Murphy. He
tried to be engaging but he just wasnt interested in his date.	
 

Houses date wanted to dance and so he found a table near the dance floor,
parked her at it with Sarah and Wilson and then excused himself to search
for the bathroom. If he stayed, no one would have asked her to dance.
Within minutes he watched as a young man, close to her age, came up and
asked her to dance. She was happy, drunk and could care less where House
had gone. 
 

House saw Murphy getting into one of the horse and buggies that were
taking couples down to Carnegie Lake for the boat ride. He tried to get to
her before she left but he and his cane werent fast enough. He had to wait
for the next carriage. When he got down to the boat launch he saw she was
next in line to get into a boat. He was suppose to wait in line, but he
played the handicap card and was moved up to the front of the line just as
she was getting into her boat. 
 

How many in your party? The boatman asked.  
 

One. She said. 
 

A voice behind her said, Two. 
 

She turned and saw House. He put his hand on her back and escorted her to
the boat. She got in, tucked her wrap around her and sat a little in shock
as House got into the boat and sat next to her with his arm around her. 
 

She whispered so that the boatman wouldnt hear, What do you think youre
doing? 
 

He looked down at her face and kissed her. She pulled back as much as she
could without giving the boatman the impression she was being touched
against her will. He didnt stop. He put his hand on her chin and kissed
her again.  
 

She whispered loudly, S.T.O.P. stop. Stop or Ill have this young man beat
the crap out of you with his oar. 
 

You kissed me back that time. 
 

It was a mistake, a reflex. 
 

He came in for another kiss and she let him explore her with his tongue.
She shivered and he quickly took off his tuxedo jacket and put it on her
and then kissed her again. The boatman was amused. These two were acting
like teenagers. Those kisses were pretty deep and with a lot of tongue. He
was pretty sure that he saw the guy reach into the tuxedo coat, now on the
woman, and grab her breast although he wasnt sure since his hand was under
the coat and the man had shifted, blocking his view of what was going on.
He didnt blame the guy. When she had said that she was the only one going
for a boat ride, he got his hopes up. She was fifteen years older than him
but she was incredibly hot.  
 

House gave him a $20 tip and asked that they be let out at a different
spot about 100 yards from where they were suppose to be let out. The guy
knew what was going on. Every boatman knew that behind the boathouse was a
large boat shed where many a woman had been relieved of her knickers. He
let them out and House headed straight for the shed with Murphy in tow.  
 

Where are you taking me? 
 

Someplace where we can get in out of the cool air and talk. 
 

About what? 
 

Anything you want to talk about. 
 

She laughed, Why do I get the feeling that you dont really plan on doing a
lot of talking? 
 

Perceptive. He said as he opened the door. There was a pile of canvas
covers on the floor and he took the tuxedo jacket off of her and laid it
down on the covers. She smiled knowingly and sat down on the edge of the
tuxedo jacket. He sat down next to her and kissed her shoulder and then
neck. They were so pale and soft. He kissed her ear and then moved across
her cheek he connected with her lips. The feel of his warm breath coming
up her neck and across her face and the feel of his beard sent shivers
down her. The kiss started with him gently sucking her lower lip and then
engulfing her mouth and then their tongues met. He reached around and
unzipped her dress and pulled it down to the waist, He kissed her exposed
breasts and then disappeared down to the hem of her skirt. He pulled the
full length skirt up past the thigh high nylons and the silk and lace
panties. He pulled the panties down, off her legs and then he tantalized
her with his tongue, driving her just to the point of orgasm but not
letting her quite ride the peak sensation. Finally he didnt hold back and
she reached out to the sides as she screamed out in pleasure going up and
up until finally the sensations became too much and she grabbed his head
and stopped him. He looked up and she pulled him up to her and kissed him.
He unbuttoned and unzipped his pants and entered her, taking his time and
watching her watch him. They started smiling at each other until House
could feel the pleasure escalating as he picked up the pace. He buried his
face in the crook of her neck as he came. He collapsed onto her and then
rolled off.  
 

She started giggling, Ok...now that was hot. I take it all back. I guess I
do find you more attractive than Bin Laden...but just by a little. 
 

He started chuckling. House put everything back in place and zipped up his
pants. She sat up on her elbows and looked at him. He turned over and put
a hand out to touch her breast. These are perfect. Too bad you keep them
covered so much. 
 

Please zip me up and find my panties. 
 

Ill zip you up but your panties are going in my pocket. I want the
pleasure of knowing that you have no panties on as I escort you around the
tents. 
 

Youre a pervert. 
 

No, Id call it romantic. 
 

They got up and straightened themselves up but her hair looked wild with
hair flying out all over her head so she took it down and let it just flow
down her back. House looked at it. The strawberry blonde hair was wavy and
curly. It looked soft and shiny flowing down her back. 
 

They walked back to the boat dock and took a carriage back to the tents.
When they got out Wilson saw them, excused himself and walked over. Murphy
was standing there with her hair down and wrapped in Houses tuxedo jacket.
She looked disheveled and the two of them were holding hands. 
 

Did you forget you have a date? He said, confused as to Houses actions. 
 

Do I? He said in shock. Shes probably having a lot more fun without me. 
 

I have to admit thats probably true. Shes still inside dancing. Im
confused...in less than an hour you two have hooked up? They shrugged
their shoulders and looked at Wilson innocently. Actually, something tells
me you two have been doing more than just hooking up. 
 

Ill go in and tell my date that I have another date. House told both of
them. 
 

I think maybe I better go home and let you finish out your date. She said.

 

He pulled her to him and put his arm around her. No,no,no,no.no...you
arent going anywhere. Wilson, sit on her if you have to. Ill be back. 
 

Hey dont ruin it for me with Sarah. Wilson yelled at him. 
 

House went off and Wilson turned to Murphy, Are you nuts? 
 

She started laughing, If you were to tell me just a week ago that this
would be happening I would have told you to go see a shrink. I feel like a
giddy teenager right now. 
 

Its because youre at the ball Cinderella. At midnight he turns into the
mean ogre. You need to think this through before you let it go any
further. I cant think of two people more likely to start World War III by
hooking up than you two. 
 

Jim, I do nothing but think. Im tired of thinking. He just gave me the
best present Ive had since Tony was here and Id like to have some more. 
 

Too much information. 
 

House walked back up. Your reputation with Sarah is in tact. When I walked
in my date was dry humping a guy on the dance floor. I asked if she could
get a ride home and she nodded yes. That was it. 
 

Ok, well Im going to go get Sarah and see some of the shows. Try that
table over there, they have Baileys and coffee and Baileys truffels. 
 

The night was so much fun that it went very quickly. At five in the
morning House and Murphy joined all those who had made it to the end of
the ball for the Survivors Photo which was taken on the front lawn. Chase
and his date joined House and Murphy. Chase was confused, he had met
Houses date earlier and here he was lip locked with Murphy. Lucky guy.
They each ordered a photo and then went home. 

*** 

My house? Murphy suggested. 
 

I think your house is a great idea. 
 

They walked into her house and into her bedroom. I am exhausted. She
started taking her clothes off and saw him doing the same. He was taking
the bow tie off and the cummerbund next. He undid the cuffs on his sleeves
and then took the shirt off. He threw it on the floor and then sat on the
edge of the bed and took off his shoes and socks. She grabbed a t-shirt
that was on the floor and put it on. 
 

She was sure that couples all over the world did these mundane activities
on a regular basis but to her it was strange to see House doing something
as normal as get ready for bed. He was in his own world, thinking about
something and so he didnt see that she had stopped to watch him. He took
off his pants and folded them. Finally the silence from her side of the
bed made him look up.  
 

She was standing there in a t-shirt and thigh high nylons watching him. He
gave her an elfin look, one that was mischievous,Did I do something
naughty? he asked. 

   

No, just the opposite. You were just being human, something you arent well
known for being. She smiled at him. He started to get up and come over to
her. She could tell from the look in his eye that he was getting a second
wind. Now I told you I was tired.  
 

Dont worry, you can lay back and think of God and Country, Ill do all the
work. 
 

She let him take her nylons off her thighs and down her legs. He ran his
hand up her leg and thigh. He took her over to the bed, pulled the covers
back and she climbed in. He climbed in behind her and they snuggled up
inside the cold sheets. He realized then just how tired he was and how he
would just like to hold her until he got to sleep. Thats what he did. He
spooned her with his hands up her t-shirt on her breasts until they were
both deep asleep. The next morning she got up and made him some coffee and
breakfast.  
 

He went into the guest bathroom, found his toothbrush and brushed his
teeth. He looked around and found a large t-shirt from Yosemite in her
dirty clothes basket. He put that on and walked out to the kitchen in the
t-shirt and boxers. 
 

Hey Dude, thats my shirt. She feigned indignation. 
 

Yeah I could tell, there were mountain peaks where there shouldnt be. Come
here and let me see you. He grabbed her and put his hands up the back of
her t-shirt. Her skin was warm and smooth. He lifted the front of her
shirt and kissed her breasts and then pulled the t-shirt down again. He
kissed her cheek and then just held her. She didnt move and neither did
he. They were both enjoying just feeling the other breath.  
 

Before I kick you out, I thought youd like to take a look at my sheets
again, theyre a lovely color. 
 

The color seems to have eluded me, could we go back in and see these
sheets again? I may need to buy myself some. 
 

Problem with my sheets is that once you get in them, its hard to get
out... 
 

Ill have to take my chances.  
 

She grabbed their plates, some fruit and juice and they went back to bed.
They didnt get out of bed until Sunday night, except to get more food and
drink. You have to go home, we have work tomorrow. 
 

I dont want to go home. 
 

I wish you didnt have to go either, but you do. 
 

He turned over and faced her in the bed. He kissed her lightly on the lips
and looked in her eyes. Why dont you grab some clothes and come spend the
night at my apartment? 
 

She thought about it, Ok, but dont get used to this.  
 

She grabbed her stuff and was going to take her car but he told her,I can
bring you home tomorrow. 
 

When they got home to his house he tucked her into bed and grabbed the
mail and a glass of water. After brushing his teeth and clipping his
beard, he crawled in next to her.  
 

She was asleep so he just kissed her hair lightly and turned off the
light. Around six in the morning he woke up ready to go. She was sliding
up next to him and then felt something pushing against her leg, it was his
wake up call.  
 

I cant think of a nicer way to wake up than you and I making love. She
told House. 
 

I can. It would be nicer if I woke up, made love to you, got to go back to
sleep and someone paid my bills for me.  
 

She began stroking him and his testicles. She put a firm hand on him and
french kissed him until he begged her to let him have her. He climbed on
top of her. He was moving slowly in and out and she was enjoying it. He
was looking down at her deep pink colored nipples. He reached up and
fondled the left one. Then he kissed it as she continued the rhythm
between them. She couldnt resist torturing him a little and she would
occasionally stop the rhythm or pick the pace up a little. When he finally
came he grabbed under her shoulders and went as deep as he could. With her
muscles she pulled him in deeper until he finally yelled into her ear. He
rolled over and made sure she came. They waited a few minutes and then got
up to get ready for work.  
 

They went into work together, talking and teasing each other. Cuddy caught
them as they waited for the elevator. I need to see the two of you in my
office.  
 

They looked at each other and followed her into her office. When they
arrived she told them to sit down. 
 

You two seem almost nice to each other this morning. 
 

We both got laid. Whats up? House asked. 
 

Your request came through. she said to House. 
 

What request? He asked. 
 

That Murphy be transferred. Cuddy announced. Murphys mouth dropped open
and she looked at House like he had betrayed her. 

*** 

Oh crap, I didnt expect them to believe me! He looked anxiously at Murphy,
Ill just call them and explain it was a mistake. 
 

Im not tracking, whats going on? Murphy asked House and then looked at
Cuddy. 
 

When you didnt show up to work the other day I made a call to your CO and
told him you had a little drinking problem and he should transfer you out
of my department. House was looking at the floor. 
 

Why, what did I do to you? I thought we had agreed to give me some time.
She asked. 
 

Yes, I, YOUR BOSS, would like to know why you did it? Cuddy chimed in. 
 

I was angry and thought you had a drinking problem. I told you I didnt
want a lush on my team...but I probably acted too quickly. Ill tell him it
was a mistake. 
 

You know the military Greg. The horses are out of the barn, youre not
going to be able to undo this. Im sure theyll want to punish me for
screwing up the civilian work program. 
 

You didnt screw up the program, theyre not going to punish you. Youll
probably get oncology or orthopedics. Dont worry, Ill talk to your CO. 
 

Cuddy handed her an envelope, Your CO said that he was sending over your
orders, I received this envelope this morning. She handed the envelope
addressed to Murphy. 
 

House was visibly worried. Murphy looked at him and then tore open the
envelope. She read the orders and started shaking her head at him and
tearing up.  
 

Camp Baharia, Iraq. Great...I hope youre happy now. Im going back to that
hell-hole and not just any hell-hole, the hell-hole of ALL hell-holes,
Fallujah.  
 

Murphy turned around and ran out of the office. House gave Cuddy a look
that said how sorry he was. Cuddy could feel Houses pain and knew he
really was sorry. 
 

House tried to find her but she wasnt in the office. He was panicking, he
thought that if she was transferred it would be to another department or
at most, another hospital. He never thought they would transfer her back
to Iraq, especially since she had just been there. House was going through
the hospital trying to find her. She was in the lab sitting in a corner
drinking a coke while Cameron ran a lab test. He was puzzled, he never
figured hed find her like this? 
 

Murphy, I need to see you in my office. 
 

F@ck you... 
 

House looked over sheepishly at Cameron who had turned around in shock
when she heard Murphys answer. Cameron was waiting for a witty retort from
House but none came. House just stood there shifting his weight back and
forth. 
 

Murphy, Ill call your CO and well get this straightened out. 
 

Oh yeah, Im sure that youll straighten out the Navy...better hurry, once
they hear that the great Greg House made a mistake Im sure theyll pull my
orders and probably bring home the troops from Iraq too. She paused, I
have one week to report to North Carolina and then I ship out...You better
hurry, make that little phone call thats going to set this all straight.
She sat in the corner and glared at him. He finally left and went to his
office. He found her file and called her CO. 
 

I made a mistake, shes not a drunk and I want her to stay. So pull her
orders, shes staying here. House was adamant. 
 

Im afraid the military doesnt work that way Dr. House...you were unhappy
with her performance and we can use her in Iraq...its a perfect fit. 
 

ITS NOT A FIT...SHE ISNT GIVING ME ANY PROBLEMS, SHE HAS AN EXEMPLARY
PERFORMANCE HERE. Look, I called you on a bad day when I was having a
problem. You cant send her to Iraq because I was having a bad day.
Besides, she just got back from Iraq. 
 

Look, Ill tell you what Ill do, Ill correct her file and enter that she
performed well. But Im afraid I cant do anything about her billet now.
Shes on her way. The military needs doctors who already know the score
over there. Sorry Doctor House.  
 

The phone clicked before House could get another word out. He went back to
the lab but she wasnt there. He finally found her in Wilsons office laying
down on his love seat and talking to him.  
 

Wilson gave him a look of disgust, House, you could screw up a wet dream.
Did you talk to the CO? 
 

House said nothing. Murphy started laughing at him, Did you really think
you could get them to pull the orders? Hell. theyre dying to find reasons
to send doctors back to Iraq. She paused, Well at least you can say that
you scored more than Tony, you got a whole weekend of sex out of me before
screwing me over. I loved the look on your face in Cuddys office. You
should have seen it Jim, I bought it at first. I really thought he didnt
know what he had done or about the orders. I tell you Jim, Im a sucker.
Murphy sat up on the couch, looked into eyes blue eyes and said. You
really had me there, Greg. I was actually starting to feel good about my
life again. You have accomplished what you set out to do, get rid of me.
And to make me care about you just before screwing me over, that was the
icing wasnt it? You win...you are the king of inflicting pain. She stood
up and went back to the lab. 
 

House looked at Wilson and said nothing. He left and went back to his
office. He didnt know what to do about the situation. He called as many
places as he thought to call but he had no joy as the British say. That
afternoon he found her again running lab tests with Cameron. Apparently
when Cameron discovered what House had done and that Murphy would soon be
back in Iraq, she felt guilty for complaining so much to House and now she
was Murphys new best friend. 
 

Murphy, lets go, Ill give you a ride home. House nodded towards the door. 
 

Go? Go? You think Im going to go with you? You just got me shipped out to
Iraq and you think Im going to go with you? Tears started to well up and
they poured down her cheek. Dont you have any decency? You cant really
expect me to go with you. With that she jumped up and made her way down to
the shower room and removed all of her belongings from the locker, packed
them up and started to walk home like a homeless person with all her
possessions in plastic bags. House drove past her and then pulled over. 
 

Let me give you a ride home. Please? Please? 
 

I dont think so. By the way, Im not going to be in for the rest of the
week. I have a lot to do before I ship out. Ok? You wont be calling my CO
and telling him I didnt show will you? 
 

House looked away and then pulled back out into traffic. He pulled into
his garage behind the apartment and got out. He wasnt sure what he was
going to do, He just wanted to make it right and he couldnt. 
 

Murphy packed what she needed in her duffle bag and then hired a property
manager to rent out her house, furnished. She was told it would be easy
because it was a college town. She packed most of her belongings in boxes,
some with moth balls and then hired a truck. She hauled them to a storage
facility by herself, unloaded them and packed them away. For the next few
nights she slept on the bed with no sheets or pillows, just the throw her
sister had sent her. She cried herself to sleep each night wondering how
she had managed to screw up her life so quickly. 
 

*** 

It was sticky and hot when Murphy arrived at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Camp Lejeune is the home of "Expeditionary Forces in Readiness" and the
home base for the II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd
Marine Logistics Group and other combat units as well as the Naval
Hospital. Murphy was assigned to the naval hospitals combat field unit.
She renewed her vaccines, updated her will and emergency contacts and then
went down to the Officers Club for some R&R before she went. She was happy
to find that Lieutenant Theresa Moldanado was in the club having her usual
gin and tonic. 
 

Pipsqueek!Murphy yelled with arms outstretched. 
 

Angel! Theresa threw up her arms to hug Murphy. 
 

What are you doing here? Murphy asked. 
 

My shore duty is up. Im shipping out Thursday for Fallujah, back with the
Marines. 
 

Camp Baharia? Murphy asked excitedly. Murphy loved Theresas no nonsense
attitude, she wasnt beautiful but she was pretty and she turned heads on
base because of her attitude. She walked like a woman who was not just
pretty, but beautiful and the men responded. 
 

You too? 
 

Yeah...oh, thank God, Ive got a nurse who knows what shes doing. I am so
happy to hear that you are joining me. Where did you do your shore duty?  
 

Long Beach Naval Hospital, sunny California. It was the bomb... She smiled
and raised her glass. 
 

Yeah, California. I think Ill ask for California next time.  
 

I thought youd have more shore duty? Last time you sent me an email from
Iraq was back in the summer. Theresa was curious, it was obvious that
something had happened for Murphy to get sent back to Iraq so soon.
Theresa could also tell that Murphy had been crying...a lot. Her eyes were
swollen and her face was haggard.  
 

It was a Clusterf#ck. I got this plumb position but under a dirtbag. He
complained about me to the CO and here I am! 
 

Wait, someone complained about your work? Youre the best, I dont believe
it. 
 

Its a long convoluted story of sex, alcohol and betrayal. 
 

Ah, I knew you would liven up my night as soon as I saw you...let me buy
you a drink and you can begin your tale of woe. 
 

They talked all night and by the time Murphy got to her sad ending, she
was tipsy and tearful. Theresa patted her hand, You really cared about
him, didnt you? With her lip quivering Murphy shook her head yes. Well,
you picked a real winner. You should never trust a civilian. she took a
drink and looked at Murphy, Boy he played you, didnt he? You got f#cked
coming and going. 
 

Yeah, I did. At least my CO apologized...he said he should have contacted
the Dean Of Medicine before taking any action based on just one doctors
word. But he did say that he will work with my detailer to get me a billet
wherever I want in two years and Ill get at least eighteen months shore
duty. Im thinking Tripler or Balboa again. Somewhere as far as I can get
from Greg House and still be in the good ol USA. 
 

Theres always Guam. She laughed because no one wanted to be stationed on
Guam. It was an island, 36 miles long and 8 miles wide at its widest
point. It was isolated and the native Chamorrans werent exactly happy to
have the military there. 
 

I lived on Guam when my parents were stationed there...Hafai Dai! Agana,
Guam-where Americas Day Begins! I was 16 and totaled my Moms car. Did you
know their asphalt is made with crushed coral and it gets slippier than
snot when it rains...and it rains a lot in Guam. The car and I lost a
fight with a Dempsey Dumpster sitting next to the road on the base where
we lived. 
 

Your parents must have been proud... 
 

So proud I didnt get to go anywhere for a month. 
 

The ladies frequented the bar for the next two nights knowing that for the
next year they wouldnt have any alcohol while they were in Iraq. Because
it was a Muslim country the troops were not allowed to have alcohol or
pork products. Families were warned not to send their loved ones booze,
pork or pornography. 

  

Theresa and Murphy traveled together the whole way. The two had already
been friends but by the time they got to Camp Baharia they were
inseparable. FOB (Forward Operating Base) Volturno was renamed Camp
Baharia when the Marine Corps took over the facility. The facility,
specifically named after the Marine Corps, uses an Arabic word for the
Marine Corps, 'mushaat al-baharia,' which translates into 'walkers of the
navy' or naval infantry. When written in Arabic, it reportedly looks
almost like the phrase "with freedom."	

  

The facility is the closest U.S. base to Fallujah and located about 2
miles southeast of the city of Fallujah. Sitting near a palm-tree-lined,
artificial lake, the location was once a Ba'ath Party retreat called
Dreamland frequented by Saddam Hussein's sons. The lake also sports a
waterside amphitheater from where Saadam's sons could reportedly watch
boat races. An island connected to the shore by a stone bridge with white
lamp-posts sits in the middle of the lake.  

  

Most of the Marine and Naval personnel stationed at Camp Baharia are
lodged in cement bungalows fitted with plywood windows; the rest are
housed in tents. The facility has 134 portable toilets. Apache Company,
2nd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion is stationed at Camp Baharia.
The unit informally renamed its portion of Camp Baharia, Camp Geronimo. 

  

Camp Baharia's Internet café provided Marines and sailors with access to
several telephones and computers with Internet, web camera and instant
messaging capabilities. On their off time, troops could also attend
religious services at the camp chapel, work out in the camp's gym tent, or
purchase hygiene and entertainment supplies at the Baharia exchange. 

  

Murphy and Theresa requested and were assigned a tent together. Once a
vacancy came up in one of the cement bungalows they would move inside.
They werent exactly ecstatic about being in a tent because of the
vulnerability of a tent and the searing heat, but they sucked it up and
made the tent home for the next few weeks. 

  

It was hot...really hot. The temperatures were reaching 108 F. Murphy had
forgotten just how hot it got in Iraq and they still had the really hot
months in front of them. Their second day in camp, Murphy and Theresa
dressed in their uniforms, the new Naval Work Uniform (NWUs). The new NWU
uniform is a combat utility-style uniform that uses a predominately blue
digital pattern with gray and black serving as the supplementing colors. A
replica of the U.S.S. Constitution is embroidered on the left breast
pocket on all NWU uniforms. The camouflage pattern was designed to provide
tactical properties, instead, it was designed to hide stains that would
otherwise show up on previous uniforms. The digital pattern also has the
same infrared readback patterns like that of the MARPAT (Marine disruptive
pattern-uniform camouflage) pattern that is used on the Marine uniform,
thus allowing U.S. Marines to easily identify Naval personnel using IR
(infra-red) equipment. 

  

Well, what do you think of the new uniform? Theresa asked. 

  

I like it, I like it a lot. It doesnt have to be ironed and that in itself
would make me love it. 

  

They showed up for duty in the concrete bunker that was used as a sick bay
complete with a dozen beds. It was connected by a series of tarps to
another bunker which served as a triage unit. They had two doctors
(including Murphy), one physicians assistant, three nurses, one medic and
one corpsman. Murphy had never met Lt. Commander Edward Cramer despite the
fact that there werent many U.S. Navy doctors and they typically rotated
through the same Naval or military hospitals. 

  

Dr. Cramer? Murphy stuck out her hand. Here was a rather attractive man,
maybe a few years younger than Murphy. She was impressed, he looked like a
young Colin Firth. 

  

Dr. Morrighan I presume? He saluted her and then smiled. Im glad to see
that they sent someone with experience. Its hard handling all the problems
here and training someone. 

  

Been there, done that. Murphy smiled. 

  

Weve been getting in more and more casualties, theyre thinking about
adding another doctor. We have sickbay hours most of the day and we get in
a lot of guys from the Forward Operating Bases. We have... 

  

They were interrupted by a nurse, Doctor Cramer, were getting in
casualties, two soldiers from a roadside bomb. Ones not looking good, the
other has been stabilized. 

  

Cramer and Murphy ran to the triage bunker and found their patients.
Murphy automatically went to the more injured soldier, as did Dr. Cramer.
Dr. Cramer, I have this one, you work on the other soldier.  

  

Cramer was a little leery, he had heard that she had been in Iraq before
and so she probably had some triage experience, but he was unaware of
Murphys reputation. He looked hesitant but she did outrank him. Theresa
saw his confusion and said, Dr. Cramer, youre looking at the best triage
doctor in Iraq, dont worry this guy is in great hands. 

  

Murphy did her best to save the soldier and even Cramer was impressed with
her efforts but he died. Great.... She threw her gloves down on the
ground, Damn it. My first casualty and I lose him, crap. 

  

Murphy was unlike most doctors. When one of her soldiers died, after all
the triage patients were dealt with, she would stay behind and clean the
dead up. She did what she could to make the soldier look good and
respectable. She knew that the military had morticians who did this, but
it was important for her to honor the kid in front of her. Theresa was
used to this and assisted but Dr. Cramer, who was finishing up on the
other patient, was again confused. He wondered if they had done this in
Iraq when she was here before. 

  

Dr. Morrighan, you dont have to do that. Cramer said kindly. 

  

Murphy smiled at Theresa and then they turned to smile at Cramer, We dont
have to do anything in this life but pay taxes and die. She turned and
continued. When they were done they motioned for the medics to take the
body. They would take him to Baghdad and then fly him home. 

  

Dr. Cramer, does this sick bay have a diet coke anywhere? 

  

*** 

House was enjoying his air conditioned office with his IPOD and Bose sound
system playing in the background. It was the Labor Day weekend and even
though it was early September, New Jersey was still hot and muggy. He and
Wilson had rented a place on the shore for the holiday and so he was just
getting ready to pack up and leave for the day. It was noon.  

  

Foreman walked in with a large box of Godiva chocolates.  

  

I like how you think. Youre bearing chocolates, very expensive chocolates,
what do you want from me? House asked. 

  

 You know that patient that you and Murphy saved...the one with Glanders?
She just showed up at the clinic and dropped this off for you and Murphy.
There was a silence as Foreman let the word Murphy hang in the air. Houses
face dropped and he grimaced to himself. Do you know where she is? 

  

Some Camp in Iraq...Baharia. Its near Fallujah. 

  

Do you talk to her or write? he asked.	

  

House shook his head no. Foreman shrugged his shoulders and left the
office. House threw the chocolates in the trash and left. 

  

*** 

The Labor Day weekend found most of the troops out enjoying some tag
football and a picnic under the shade of numerous tarps. Since they
couldnt have alcohol, Murphy was drinking a Virgin Mary. It was 110 F and
Murphy decided she had better get inside and cool off. She had told Cramer
and the Physicians Assistant, Betty, that she would take the duty watch at
the clinic. She walked in and sighed with relief as the air around her
cooled her skin. Theresa came into the clinic.	

  

You took duty? Murphy asked. 

  

Theresa shook her head and said, No, but I thought Id just come in and get
cool. Im gonna buy one of those misters that some of the guys have, you
know, the ones that you can spray yourself and get cool.  

  

I didnt see Cramer out there, where is he? Murphy asked. 

  

Hes gone to Baghdad for the weekend...young nurse...you know. 

  

Oh, good for him. Shes not a civilian is she? Murphy asked. 

  

No, Navy. 

  

They were talking as Murphy gave a Marine a tetanus shot for stepping on a
nail while he was playing tag football. A young Marine ran into the
clinic. 

  

He snapped to attention and Murphy returned the salute, At ease, what is
it soldier? 

  

Commander, we have several injured and pinned down at FOB Laurie. We cant
get them out. We can get you in...we have a tunnel that was built by
Husseins troops that we can sneak you through. 

  

How bad are these guys and how many? 

  

One has been shot and one has a shrapnel wound. Theyre bad. 

  

Christ. Theresa, call this in. Get Betty to take over the clinic. She
started packing up supplies and instruments. Get me some plasma... 

  

In less than ten minutes Murphy grabbed her flak jacket and helmet and
found herself on the way to FOB Laurie, a small forward base that
frequently came under attack. It was in a hot zone and that meant that
Murphy could be shot, bombed, or kidnaped if she was caught or seen
rushing to the area. When she left the clinic, Murphy was really shocked
to see that the Lance Corporal had traveled to Baharia by open jeep.  

  

Jesus H. Christ...you didnt even come in a Humvee? You really like to
cheat death dont you? Come one, lets go. 

  

Sorry, Commander, but when we found the tunnel we never thought we would
really need it so we just put this jeep at the other end. 

  

They started driving down the road, Aw Crap, its hot. Murphy pulled out
some sunscreen from her pocket and lathered up. She also took out a bottle
of water for herself and opened one up for the Lance Corporal. You need to
keep hydrated, drink some. 

  

He gratefully took the bottle and drank half of it down. He kept driving
as fast as he could for the roads. Murphy kept playing the day she won the
Navy Cross over and over in her head...the humvee getting hit by the RPG.
She started to get nervous. She wondered if there were any roadside bombs
or snipers. She was starting to feel the signs of a panic attack. She
started to breath slowly to calm herself down. She thought about having
sex with Gregory House and a smile came over her face. She could feel his
beard on her neck and breasts and his tongue in her mouth. She imagined
him inside of her and she realized they were close to FOB Laurie. She had
managed to avoid the panic attack by screwing House in her head. Well, he
was good for something. 

  

As they got closer to FOB Laurie she could see and smell the smoke rising
up from the town. The Lance Corporal drove the jeep down a dirt road and
through a series of deserted buildings. He stopped, open the door to an
abandoned warehouse and drove the jeep into it. They got out and there was
a hatch he grabbed her bags to help her and some flashlights. 

  

When she saw how small the hatch and tunnel were she started to panic. She
had a touch of claustrophobia and she doubted she would be able to climb
through it. She turned to the Lance Corporal and said, Im not good in
tight places...I cant take any of the equipment because it will make me
even more claustrophobic. You need to take the supplies and go through
first and go through all the way. If I see you while Im in there, its
going to make me feel like my exits are plugged and it might spook me, ok?
How long does it take to get through? 

  

About 8 minutes. Ok, youre going to have to haul all of the supplies so I
will give you fifteen minutes to get it all through, starting NOW. 

  

He grabbed the duffle bags and pushed them into the tunnel. He pulled the
rest behind him. Push...pull. Push...pull. He was in the tunnel fifteen
minutes and had about a third of the way to go. She had planned to travel
fast...the longer she stayed in the small place, the more small places
closed in on her. She pushed through as fast as she could, faster and
faster. The Lance Corporal had managed to get most of the way through but
he could hear her coming up behind him. 

  

Commander? He called out. 

  

She stopped and immediately broke out into sweat when she realized that he
was still in the tunnel and her out would be blocked by him and the
supplies. She started to black out from the panic swelling up in her.
Damn! Youre not out yet? How far do you have to go? she yelled ahead to
him. 

  

Maybe a 100 feet.  

  

Ok, Im moving up to you but you keep going. The only way Ill be able to do
this is if I realize it will be quicker to go forward than to go back. 

  

She caught up to him just as he was about twenty-five feet from the hatch
door. She was trying to keep herself from running back in the opposite
direction to the hatch that she knew wasnt blocked and that she could
escape. He looked into her eyes with the flash light and could see she was
about to bolt. 

  

Commander. My friend is up there dying. We need you to focus here. Im
moving forward and you are too. Were going forward...see how were moving
here...we are going forward and out... 

  

He was perfect. He could see that if she was moving towards an exit then
she would be fine. So the best thing he could do was to keep reminding her
of the fact that they were moving forward. It helped, his words coupled
with the fact that they were actually moving forward was doing the trick.
Within a few minutes he was banging on the hatch and the door was opened.
He jumped out, grabbed the supplies and helped pull Murphy up to the
surface. She rolled around on the floor gasping for a minute and then sat
up. The troops were looking at her like she was an alien. 

  

The Lance Corporal said, Claustrophobia...but she made it. Take her to
Jeffries and Gunney. 

*** 

Two soldiers grabbed the supplies and took her inside a quonset hut where
a corpsman and another soldier were huddled over a solider. Hey soldier
whats his stats? 

 

He snapped a salute to her. She responded and then gave a nod at the
Gunney Sergeant laying on the table. Yes, maam, he has sustained a single
gunshot wound to the left chest. The entrance wound is 3 cm inferior to
the nipple and the exit wound is just below the scapula. He needs a chest
tube but Ive got the bleeding slowed. 

  

What about the young Private over there? 

  

Hes got a shrapnel wound in his left thigh but hes stable. 

  

Ok, then lets work on Gunney here. Alright, Gunney, soldier...where are
you from? 

She was trying to determine his reaction to stimuli.  

  

He tried to focus on her, New Orleans, Maam...before the Hurricane. 

  

She first administered pain killers. She started inserting a chest tube
which drained 400 mL of blood. Give him 2 L crystalloid, his bp is low,
its 70/40. The corpsman administered the crystalloid and the blood
pressure rose to 100/70. She found that the abdominal examination was
unremarkable. There appeared to be no free air under the diaphragm.  

  

She started talking to the corpsman who seemed interested in what she was
doing. Were going to have to give him an exploratory celiotomy. Gunshot
wounds to the lower chest are often associated with intra-abdominal
injuries. The diaphragm can rise to the level of T4 during maximal
expiration. So when any patient with a gunshot wound below the level of T4
should be subjected to abdominal exploration. As many as 25% of patients
with negative physical findings and negative peritoneal lavage will have
significant intra-abdominal injuries with a gunshot wound like this. Were
looking for injuries to the colon, kidney, pancreas, aorta, and diaphragm.


  

She began the celiotomy and discovered a nick on the colon. She was going
to have to clean and drain the area, sew up the nick and then buttoned him
up. As she was sewing up the colon she said, Hey soldier, do you know this
one? She began singing to him softly as she continued her work: 

  

There's a storm across the valley, clouds are rollin' in 

the afternoon is heavy on your shoulders. 

There's a truck out on the four lane, a mile or more away 

the whinin' of his wheels just makes it colder. 

  

He's an hour away from ridin' on your prayers up in the sky 

and ten days on the road are barely gone. 

There's a fire softly burning; supper's on the stove 

but it's the light in your eyes that makes him warm. 

  

The Gunnery Sergeantgent smiled at her to indicate he knew the song. The
corpsman knew it too. Come on, if you know it, you have to help me... 

  

 

 

 

  

There's all the news to tell him: how's you spend your time? 

And what's the latest thing the neighbors say 

and your mother called last friday; "Sunshine" made her cry 

and you felt the baby move just yesterday. 

  

And oh, the time that I can lay this tired old body down 

and feel your fingers feather soft upon me 

the kisses that I live for, the love that lights my way 

the happiness that livin' with you brings me. 

  

She was done sewing him up, her eyes met his. She stood over him and
finished the song,  

  

It's the sweetest thing I know of, just spending time with you 

it's the little things that make a house a home. 

Like a fire softly burning and supper on the stove. 

And the light in your eyes that makes me warm. 

  

Well, Gunney, youre goin home. She smiled at him and then turned to check
on the kid with the shrapnel wound. 

  

While she was giving aid to the shrapnel wound a gray haired Marine walked
in and snapped a salute. She took one look at him and blurted out, Master
Sergeant Pickford, what the hell are you doing here? 

  

Commander. I just had to see if it was you. When they told me a blond
female doctor had arrived, I thought it might be you. What are you doing
back in country? 

  

Trying to find me a rich husband to take care of me. They both smiled. And
you? Last time I saw you, you were on a table like this fellow with holes
all over you. I thought you had your ticket home. What are you doing here?


  

Volunteered. 

  

Jesus H. Christ...you are a masochist. I can never figure out why you
Marines feel a need to get back in the fight. 

  

Pickford turned to the guys in the room and the ones that had just joined
him. Fellows, this here is the Angel I told you about. Commander Morrighan
has saved more jarheads than any other doctor I know of...even though she
is a squid! 

  

Well Pick, we all have our Achilles Heel.  Murphy joked. Whats the story,
why arent we moving these guys out of here? Murphy had always thought that
Pick looked a little like Sam Elliot, only younger. 

  

We woke up to a barrage of 155 mm shells and RPGs and heavy machine
guns.We heard that they had anti-aircraft weapons but we havent seen any.
Ive called in some air delivered precision-guided munitions to see if we
can get these f#ckers blown to kingdom come but theyre too close to
civilians. They managed to target a few places, which is why you see the
smoke, but were still surrounded. They got Gunney and the kid this morning
because they were up standing duty on the roof. Right now were pinned down
so I wont be able to get you out of here for awhile. 

  

I trust you Pick. Just let me know what you need from me. Everyone knows
Laurie is a hotbed. You guys are always hoppin up here. Do we have a plan?


  

Gee Commander, I was going to ask you? he chuckled. Youre the senior
officer here. 

  

FUBAR. Murphy yelled, her eyes wide. She was frequently the senior officer
in these FBOs but she had little combat strategy training. She just knew
to keep her head down and move quick. 

  

The whole room laughed. Yeah, FUBAR. Dont worry, well get through this.
How long do we have before we have to get these two to Baghdad? Pick
asked. 

  

Gunney needs to go soon. Hes going to get infected if we dont move him.
The kid isnt that bad but hes probably going to get an infection unless we
can get him to a hospital. 

  

She helped clean up the makeshift sickbay. It was 5:00 p.m., she had been
there for two hours and was worried about Gunney. Pick sent a Private over
to her with some MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) for dinner. She sat down with
beef stroganoff, green beans and another warm diet coke. She went outside
to find Pick and eat with him. It was a cool 102 F out. She realized that
back in the States people were having picnics and barbeques to celebrate
the last weekend of the summer. 

  

She found Pick, Well? 

  

They said theyre sending in troops soon from Camp Baharia. That was an
hour ago. Hows Gunney? 

  

Hes still stable but I dont like his fever. We need to move him. 

*** 

It was so fast it didnt register at first but the explosion knocked her
back against the wall where she banged her helmet pretty hard. She was
down on the ground when the second one came through. She realized these
were two of the anti-aircraft missiles they suspected the insurgents had.
She didnt dare stand so she crawled part of the way to the sickbay to grab
her medical kit and supplies. The corpsman and Murphy went out and started
doing assessments. They had three patients and two dead. One patient was
mobile and was taken back to the sickbay for attention. The other two
needed to be attended to on the spot.  

  

She could hear voices yelling, including Picks, but she was only
concentrating on her patients and trying to stop the bleeding in one of
them while the corpsman attended the other. The wound was pretty deep and
she used her fingers to explore it. It had entered under his right armpit
and under his flak jacket. She found a piece of shrapnel the size of a
book of matches inside. She could feel the ragged edges and was afraid
that if she pulled it out it would cut other organs and blood vessels. But
if she didnt get it out then she wasnt going to be able to sew up the
bleeders and see what else was damaged. The great thing about having small
fingers was that she could dig easily without doing damage. 

  

She wrapped the shrapnel with her two fingers, cutting herself in the
process. She brought it out slowly. She was pretty sure moving it didnt do
added damage. When she opened her hand, there was the piece of metal with
rough edges. It was ragged and bloody. She wrapped the shrapnel in gauze
and put it in the soldiers pocket as a souvenir (they always asked for it
when they woke up.) She started checking out the bleeders inside of him
and found that there were plenty of them. She was sewing, draining and
feeling, sewing and feeling. She had stopped the major bleeders. Someone
called her, it was Pick.  

  

Commander Angel, we have a problem over here, he was breathing and now hes
not. 

  

Crap. She turned around, crawled over, looked down at the soldier, the
corpsman shook his head. She dropped her ear to the soldiers chest and she
listened. The pupils were fixed and dilated. She looked at Pike and shook
her head indicating that he was dead. She looked at her watch and said,
Time of death, 6:23 p.m. Im sorry Pike. Pike nodded at her and then
signaled for two guys to remove the body. She went back to the first
Marine. 

  

Pike came over and crouched next to her, Can we move this guy now...the
wall has been breached and Im worried about you being out in the open like
this. 

  

Cant move him just yet. Give me a few more minutes. 

  

Pike looked at her and then said, Hurry up. Ill be back. 

  

She worked on the soldier for several minutes and then signaled that they
could get him inside. She stood up and looked around to see if there were
any other injured. She could see the breach in the wall and was startled
to see that there were two insurgents with a large machine gun headed
towards the breach in the wall and none of our guys were there to stop
them. They were looking straight at her. She screamed at Pick who started
pointing wildly to some of the soldiers. She could see that she was in the
wrong place at the wrong time. She tried to dive but the gun got her in
her right arm, the right side of her chest under the vest and right thigh.
She fell into the dirt and rolled onto her back. 

  

She could feel the blood this time, it was rising in her mouth and out the
side of her chest. She was looking straight into the sky when she saw the
helicopter guns firing towards the breach in the wall. She could see out
of the corner of her eyes that soldiers were running around responding to
orders. The wind and dust was whipped up by the blades of the copter but
she couldnt hear anything. At the same time that she watched the soldiers
respond, she saw her sister and her playing in the snow in Yosemite. The
scene was like an overlay of the current combat scene, she could see both
at the same time. They were throwing snowballs and sledding, she could
hear laughter and see her parents waving at them. Pick was looking down at
her yelling at her but she couldnt hear, she saw her sister and her in
Oahu drinking Chi Chis and flirting with men at the Daiichi bar. They were
out on the dance floor with two good looking guys dancing and singing to,
Smooth by Santana. Scenes of the things she had done, moments of happiness
and sadness passed through her head at the same time that she could see
two soldiers pick her up and load her into a helicopter. The corpsman was
obviously yelling at her, screaming his head off, but she couldnt hear
him. She saw her friends and her rafting the Upper Klamath River in
Southern Oregon. They pulled over just after one of the rapids and ate
blackberries that clung to a rock in the river. They stuffed their mouths
full of the berries and laughed at each other as the rim of their lips
were stained with the juice. She saw House place the pizza box on her
stomach as she lay nude in bed. He was propped up against the bed watching
The Daily Show. He grabbed a slice out of the box and after taking a big
bite, looked over at her and grinned. She raised herself on her elbows and
he fed her the pizza chased with a swig of coke.  

  

The corpsman was giving her chest compressions but she couldnt feel them
or hear him. He stopped after a minute and put on his stethoscope to
listen to her heart. She could see his hands were covered with blood and
he was hooking her up to plasma and saline. She could hear Greg House
snoring in her ear as they lay on their sides, him behind her with his arm
around her. It felt so warm and safe. The corpsman was talking to someone
else in the helicopter but she couldnt tell who until a face appeared over
her. It was Pick. He was talking but she couldnt hear him. She wanted to
go back to bed with House so she closed her eyes. 

  

She could see an old movie she had watched on television and hear a cowboy
singing: 

  

As I walked out in the streets of Laredo 

As I walked out in Laredo one day 

I spied a poor cowboy wrapped up in white linen 

All wrapped in white linen as cold as the clay 

  

"I see by your outfit that you are a cowboy" 

These words he did say as I proudly stepped by 

"Come sit down beside me and hear my sad story 

I'm shot in the breast and I know I must die 

  

"'Twas once in the saddle I used to go ridin' 

Once in the saddle I used to go gay 

First lead to drinkin', and then to card-playing 

I'm shot in the breast and I'm dying today 

  

"Let six jolly cowboys come carry my coffin 

Let six pretty gals come to carry my pall 

Throw bunches of roses all over my coffin 

Throw roses to deaden the clods as they fall 

  

"Oh, beat the drum slowly, and play the fife lowly 

And play the death march as you carry me along 

Take me to the green valley and lay the earth o'er me 

For I'm a poor cowboy and I know I've done wrong" 

  

We beat the drum slowly and played the fife lowly 

And bitterly wept as we carried him along 

For we all loved our comrade, so brave, young and handsome 

We all loved our comrade although he done wrong 

  

*** 

House and Wilson began the drive to the shore but first stopped for beer
and ice for the cooler. Wilson stood in line to buy some twizzlers and
House handed him some Ding Dongs for Wilson to buy for him. They got back
into the car and played, Top Ten. They had to decide the top ten heavy
metal songs, top ten guitarists, jazz players, classical composers,
movies, songs to have sex to, actors, actresses, tv shows. The game lasted
all the way to the shore. They arrived at the bungalow they had rented not
too far from Wildwoods boardwalk. They unloaded the car and enjoyed the
evening drinking beer on the porch overlooking the beach.  

  

Have you heard from Murphy? Wilson ventured. 

  

House shook his head no, Youre more likely to hear from her than I am. 

  

How are you doing, I mean about the whole Murphy deal? 

  

Fine, we were only together one weekend, it wasnt like we picked out
wedding invitations. House tried to pass it off as nothing. 

  

No, I was thinking more like, how are you handling the fact that you got
her sent off to war? Wilson asked. 

  

House looked seriously at him and then took a drink of beer before
answering. I feel like crap about that. I try NOT to think about it. It
makes me nauseated to know shes over there again. But Im sure shell be ok.
Lightening doesnt strike twice. 

  

Well, sometimes it does. Did you read about that guy who has been struck
by lightening seven times? 

  

Thanks MORON, it was a metaphor! I didnt really needed to hear that. House
moaned. 

  

Nah, Im sure shes ok and is doing fine. No new is good news. 

  

I wouldnt get any news anyway. I dont really know any of her friends over
there and I dont know her Command. I just know the Camp. But its unlikely
if she was hurt I would find out...I just dont have a connection. I asked
her old CO to keep me informed and he said that she would be under someone
elses command and so he couldnt help me. 

  

Mmm, well theres probably nothing to report. Wilson tried to assure a
rather pained looking House. 

  

Wilson changed subjects and House gratefully let him. The next day they
spent on the beach talking to two brunettes, House talked one of them into
letting him spread sunscreen on her, medicinally. They all went out to
dinner and then back to the cottage. House had forgotten condoms and had
to interrupt Wilson and his date to grab one from him. Wilson shook his
head in disbelief when House simply walked into his bedroom.  

  

Hey, you dont want any little Houses around do you? He said as he took the
condom of the nightstand. He smiled at the naked Wilson laying in bed with
a naked brunette. House thought he had gotten the better deal, his date
had bigger breasts. 

  

The next day Wilson asked House how it went. Amazing, but the little fella
still works after all these years of abuse. 

  

Wilson rolled his eyes. By abuse do you mean the hookers or your friend,
Rosy Palm? We need to buy more condoms today or were both going to have to
use plastic wrap. 

  

This time we buy French ticklers...theyre better than the English wits. 

  

Again Wilson made a face. 

  

By the time they got back to Princeton, they were exhausted and hung over,
meaning they had a blast. Both had the phone numbers of their guests who
lived in Camden, not too far away. Houses brunette, Vicki, was a purchaser
for Campbell Soup and he had to admit, she had a great sense of humor. He
was pretty sure hed give her a call this coming weekend. 

  

*** 

At the end of September, House called Vicki to see what they were going to
do that weekend. Vicki couldnt make it up to Princeton. Vicki told him, I
have these third quarter budgets to put together and on the desk of my
boss by Monday. Youll just have to go it alone this weekend. 

  

What if I come down there? He asked. 

  

Im not going to be home so dont bother. Call me Monday night, ok? 

  

Yeah, Monday night. He hung up the phone. He was disappointed. Vicki had
been a lot of fun and they had enjoyed seeing each other on the weekends.
She usually came up and stayed at Princeton. He went down to Camden once
but he wasnt fond of the city. House enjoyed her, she was a distraction
and the anticipation of sex on the weekend had been nice. 

  

Thursday afternoon House was sitting at his desk in his office when the
door opened. He looked up and to his amazement his Mom and Dad walked into
the room. He jumped up. Mom? Dad? What are you doing here? 

  

Were on the east coast to conduct some business. Greg, can we go somewhere
and have a bite to eat? 

  

The cafeteria? House suggested. 

  

No son, we need to go somewhere else, we need to talk to you about
something. 

  

House was going to just tell them to say it right then and there but he
knew better. His parents had a sense of the dramatic when they wanted to
make a point. Lets go to Palmers He grabbed his wallet, jacket and keys
and they left in the Houses rental car. 

  

Why didnt you call to let me know you were coming? 

  

Just as House pulled up to the curb to let his parents out his Dad said,
We got the first flight out after we got the news, we went standby on a
flight into McGuire Air Force Base. It was last minute. 

  

House let his parents out and then parked the car. After he caught up with
them at the reception desk, Greg asked, Why? What news? Whats wrong?  

  

When they were seated and had ordered drinks John looked at his son and
said, We got a phone call last night at midnight from Baghdad. 

  

Greg House felt his stomach churn and his muscles tightened. He was even
more alarmed because his father was choking up and trying hard not to cry.
House had never seen his father cry except after his grandmothers funeral.


  

I dont know why, but Murphy put me down as next of kin and gave me her
power of attorney. Apparently, four weeks ago Murphy was administering aid
to a soldier in a FOB when it was overran by some insurgents. There had
been a standoff for hours and Murphy had gone to the base to take care of
two soldiers. While she was there they launched anti-aircraft missiles,
several of them, at the FOB. The wall was completely demolished in one
area by one of the blasts. Murphy was giving aid to a soldier on the
ground when several insurgents started to come through the wall with heavy
weaponry, including a machine gun. She took three bullets. 

  

He stopped talking while the waitress sat their drinks down and then took
their orders. Greg couldnt think about food. He couldnt let himself feel
anything or he would feel guilty. He allowed himself to go numb. His Dad
was choked up again and having a hard time saying anything. Houses mom
reached over and patted her husbands hand. 

  

Is she dead? There was no response, IS SHE DEAD? 

  

His Dad, still choked up, shook his head no. She...she was taken to
Baghdad and then to Germany. She went to Bethesda yesterday. Shes been in
a coma for almost three weeks. The bas#ards got her in the arm, chest and
thigh. The doctors want me to pull her off of everything and take out the
feeding tube and.... He had trouble saying it, ...and let her go. But I
wanted you to go with me to Bethesda. Before I make that decision I want
another doctor to check her out. I trust you Greg, Ill do whatever you
say. 

  

Greg House wanted to go back to bed and find himself in another
dimension...one in which this scenario wasnt playing out. He looked at his
Dad and then closed his eyes to take it in. He wondered what his Dad would
say if he found out that this was all his fault? 

  

He went to Cuddy and asked for a few days off. 

  

You have the time but whats up? You look awful? He wasnt his usual
obnoxious self. 

  

Its Murphy. 

  

Oh, have you heard from her? Lisa perked up. 

  

My Dad did. She gave him her power of attorney. Lisa, Murphys at Bethesda.
She was in an ambush and theyre asking my dad to take her off of life
support. 

  

Lisa put her hand up to her mouth in horror and felt a little weak. Oh,
House...Oh, God, you cant think this is your fault. She looked into his
eyes and could see he did blame himself, You dont think this is your fault
do you? 

  

Ive got to go. Im going with my parents down to Bethesda to examine her
and help them out.  

  

Lisa simply nodded yes and watched as Greg House walked out. She was
worried. As much as people thought Greg House was heartless, she knew
better. House cared, in his on way, House cared. And she knew he cared a
lot about Murphy.  

  

House packed an overnight bag and threw it in the back of the rental and
got in to drive his parents to Bethesda. His Dad was riding shotgun and
his mother was in back. His Dad asked him, Why did she go back over? Didnt
she have another six months on her shore duty? 

  

House wanted to be punished, he wanted the pain he knew his father would
inflict, She was depressed and had started drinking. It was affecting her
work and when she failed to show up for work one day I called her
Commanding Officer and asked him to transfer her. They sent her to Iraq. 

  

It wasnt his father who reacted, it was his mother, Oh no Greg, you had
her sent back to Iraq? Why didnt you just get her help? She was all alone,
no family, no friends, just you to protect and help her. I thought she was
your friend? 

  

He couldnt respond to his mother or the disappointment he heard in her
voice. He wished it had been his father who had responded. He hadnt
expected his mother to weigh in like this and it hurt. Hearing her pain
was like a knife in his gut. 

  

His Dad spoke up, Thats the past, we cant change it. I just want to know
if there is anything we can do for her now. Greg, if we pull her off of
the feeding tube and oxygen, what happens? 

  

House took a breath and turned to look at his Dad. It depends on how
reliant she is on the support system. If she can live without the oxygen
then it could take a week or weeks before she dies of starvation. If we
take her off of the saline and liquids, shell probably die of dehydration
in 4-6 days. 

  

His Dad took it all in and was quiet. House thought about seeing her in a
coma and then thought about the last time they made love. He wanted so
much for this trip to be over. He wanted to forget all of it. Forget he
met her, he cared about her, he hurt her and forget that she was going to
probably die because they had met. 

  

What was your relationship with Murphy? You told me when you called me
after her sister died that she was your friend. John asked. 

  

We had a strange relationship. I was her boss and for several months we
didnt exactly get along that well...but towards the end of her time at the
hospital we were dating. he was trying to be as honest as possible. 

  

You were dating her and you asked her CO to transfer her? His mother was
still trying to figure it out. 

  

We started dating after I had called the CO. Mom, it was a big mistake...I
jumped the gun and Im sorry.  

  

To anyone else his voice sounded devoid of emotion but Blythe knew her son
and when he spent that much effort trying to control his voice it meant
inside he was having trouble controlling his emotions. She could tell that
he was having a hard time dealing with this. 

*** 

They arrived at Bethesda and were instructed to go to the fourth floor,
west wing. Greg, John and Blythe checked with the Nurses at the nursing
station. They paged Murphys doctor Dr Kolluro, but were told he was
finishing up duty at sickbay and would join them later. They were then
instructed to go down the hall to the third door on the right.	

  

They walked down the hall and turned into the door. There were four beds
in the room and hers was nearest to the door. Blythe drew in her breath
sharply when she saw her. John took his wifes hand. Greg went up to look
at her. Her appearance was devastating but what was even more haunting is
that her eyes were open and staring into space, as if she would start to
talk to them any minute. However, the pupils were apparently fixed and
dilated. Murphys tendons were starting to contract and pull into the fetal
position which meant she wasnt getting exercised. She had several
intravenous drugs including ampicillin. She was so tiny in the bed, her
body wasting away. He could tell that she had lost at least twenty pounds
since he last saw her which meant she was probably under 100 lbs.  

  

House pulled the blankets back and saw that she had a Foley tube and that
the urine was clear. He could see the entrance and exit wound on her arm.
He pulled up her gown and checked the chest wound. The bullet hole and
surgical scar was in the side, just under her arm pit. It was seeping and
looked inflamed. He looked at her thigh wound and it was a clean entrance
and exit wound. He finally looked up at his parents who were staring at
her with a look of horror and worry. 

  

Im going to go get her chart. I may need your help to get it released to
me Dad. 

  

Sure son. They went out to the nurses station. It took twenty minutes but
they verified that John House had Murphys power of attorney and so they
released the records to him and he handed them over to his son.  

  

Greg went back into the hospital room and sat down in a chair while his
parents went down to the cafeteria for a light dinner. He turned on the
light and noticed that her pupils reacted to the light. It took him an
hour but he read the chart from start to finish, from the corpsmans notes
of his triage of her wounds, the administration of heart compressions, her
surgery to control the bleeding, the pneumonia, the infection and coma.
Apparently she did not suffer the coma from bleeding out or apoxia. She
entered a coma a week later when she developed septicemia. The surgery was
performed to stop the bleeding and re-inflate her right lung but the
subsequent infection had caused most of the damage and the coma.  

  

His parents came back into the room with a sandwich for Greg and a coke. 

  

Dr. Kolluro entered the room soon after and asked, General House? 

  

John put his hand out to shake the doctors. Yes, this is my wife, Blythe
and my son, Gregory. My son is... 

  

Gregory House? Dr. Gregory House? Kolluro acted as if he was meeting a
rock star. Dr. House, I was an intern at Johns Hopkins and you were a
legend there. 

  

Greg ignored his hand and admiration. He immediately asked, You want to
remove her from life support? Shes only been in a PVS for just under three
weeks ? She hasnt received any manual stimulation and yet I just noticed
pupil reaction to light. Were not going to pull the plug on her yet. I
want her transferred up to Princeton Plainsboro. 

  

Dr. House, I never suggested taking her off of life support, that was the
recommendation of the doctors at Landstuhl before she arrived. She may
never come out of this but I think she needs a concentrated program of
stimulation before any decisions are made about her long term care. With
stimulation she may come out of it but we dont have the staff or time to
conduct the stimulation. 

  

House had been ready to do battle and was taken off guard by the doctors
agreement with him. He told his Dad that they needed to talk to her CO and
get her moved to PPTH. He asked her doctor, I take it that you will
recommend she be transferred? Ill make sure that shell get the necessary
stimulation. 

  

Yes, not a problem. 

  

When they were done in the hospital, House and his parents went to a hotel
and booked two rooms for two nights. Greg and his parents were going to go
down to the bar for a drink and snacks. Greg knocked on his parents hotel
room door. His Dad opened it and Greg walked in. His Mom was in the
bathroom getting cleaned up. Gregs Dad laid back down on the bed to watch
television. Greg did the same on the opposite side of the bed.	

  

Whats this? Greg asked his Dad. 

  

24. 

  

The new series? 

  

Nah, a repeat. Greg, before your Mom gets out of the shower, whats Murphys
chances of actually coming out of this? 

  

Greg looked down at his hands and then back up at his Dad. He shook his
head and said, Not Good. When they go into a coma and dont come out in a
few days its best to induce intensive stimulation right away. The brain
takes a long time to heal but without stimulation and the longer the coma,
the worse the outcome. 

  

What do you mean by stimulation? 

  

Bright lights, music, noise, activity, different environmental factors
like smells, warmth, cold. Anything that makes the brain react. 

  

So all those television programs where the loved ones are talking to the
coma victim and playing music is right. 

  

Yes...stimulation is key to a coma patient. Were not sure but it appears
that they are more likely to come out of a coma, even a long term one, if
they are stimulated. But shes been out of it a long time Dad. Her odds go
down each day. And I dont know if we can wean her off the ventilator. I
want to see if she can be weaned off tomorrow. Im going to transfer her
care to Foreman, one of my Fellows. Hes a neurologist and hes good. 

  

Id prefer if you were her doctor. I trust you son. 

  

House smiled slightly to acknowledge his fathers compliment. I cant, we
were intimate and you shouldnt treat patients that you are... 

  

I understand. Have you talked to Foreman? 

  

Yes, I talked to him and Lisa Cuddy and they have agreed to let me bring
her to Princeton. 

  

Well, all we can do is try our best for her before we remove the feeding
tube. 

  

His Mom stepped out of the bathroom. Greg, dont you ever iron anything?
That shirt looks horrible. If youre not going to iron then at least get
some perma-press shirts. 

  

House became a little boy again, But I like cotton. It feeeeels better. 

  

You look like you just woke up. With that beard you look homeless. Come on
you two, lets get some snacks. 

  

They spent the next day wrapped up in paperwork. Luckily General House
still had some pull in Washington and was able to lean on a friend who
pushed the paperwork to release Commander Morrighan to General House and
PPTH. Greg and his dad spent a lot of time just sitting and waiting for
someone to push a paper around and get signatures. There were numerous
young men and women with obvious war injuries waiting with them. John
House struck up conversations with several of them. Towards the end of the
day one of the kids, without a leg, was wheeled in by an orderly. John and
the kid talked about how he got his injury. Greg had listened but didnt
join in the conversation. When the kid left John turned to his son. 

  

What a clusterf#ck. Afghanistan I understood. This war in Iraq was screwed
up from the beginning. We keep pouring our troops into Iraq and now the
Taliban are making their way back into Afghanistan. What the hell were
they thinking? I support the Commander in Chief, but Bushs planning was
flawed and the execution was poor. Our troops are going to be there
forever unless someone bites the bullet and does whats necessary and calls
it what it is, a civil war. They need to divide that country up just like
they did in Yugoslavia. Give the Kurds the north, the Sunnis the middle
and the Shiites the south... and get the hell out of there. 

  

House was blown away. He had never heard his father say a bad word against
any Commander in Chief, let alone a military action. He smiled to himself
as his Dad continued to lambast Rumsfield. John House looked at his son
who was grinning. 

  

What are you grinning about? 

  

Ive just never heard you disagree with a President of the United States,
its oddly out of character and very endearing. 

  

Well theres a lot of things you dont know about me Greg. Sometimes I feel
like you just want to see one side of me, you never wanted to know
anything else about me because then I couldnt be the cause of all your
problems or your whipping boy. 

  

House started getting annoyed, Yeah, you were so respectful of me. The
truth is that you never tried to understand me Dad, 

  

Oh, I tried, but Greg, youre a difficult person to understand and youre
intellect is so far above me that I dont know how to relate to you or talk
to you so that I dont sound dumb. I see now that I shouldnt have done what
I did to you, but I didnt know how to handle you. You were so difficult to
discipline. When I was away your Mom was always frustrated and tired from
trying to deal with you. You ran rings around her and she couldnt control
you. Thats why we never had a second child. Your Mom said she couldnt take
two of you no matter how much she loved you. When I got home she expected
me to deal with you. Deal with YOU!!! It was like dealing with a
hurricane. A SMART hurricane. I dont know where you get your smarts but
they certainly are in a league above me and Im no dummy.  

  

Well, 24 genes came from you...you had to have something to do with it. 

  

I guess. I think the thing Im sorriest for is that you dont think I love
you or that I dont respect you. It couldnt be further from the truth.
Yeah, theres parts of you that I wish I could change, but you are who you
are and if it means taking you with those parts or not taking you at all,
Ill take those parts. Ive always respected you for saying what you
believe, even if it isnt popular. And I respect you for the decisions you
made, even if it wasnt the life I wanted for you. The only thing that gets
to me is that you arent happy. Id like for you to be happy. 

  

General House? a man in his forties, short, compact and smiling entered
the waiting room. 

  

John got up and stuck out his hand to the Naval Captain. Yes, Im John
House and this is my son... 

  

Yes, Gregory House, I heard you were in the building. From the
scuttlebutt, youre quite infamous. The brilliant doctor who was wounded in
action by friendly fire...his own patient. Im Captain Heap and Im in
charge of transfers. Heres the Commanders orders allowing her to be
transferred to PPTH for now. If she doesnt come out of the coma in 90 days
shell be discharged from the Navy and be turned over to the VAs office. By
the way General, shes been awarded the Silver Star. Of course her Navy
Cross trumps the Silver Star but between the two shes one of the most
highly decorated sailors or soldiers in the war. We would probably make a
big deal out of it if she werent in a coma. Shes one hell of a woman from
what weve heard. Very well liked. Well, all you need is to see
disbursements and theyll give you her paycheck stubs and arrange for you
to have an allotment for her personal needs. Take care and I hope she does
come out of it. 

  

Thank you Captain. 

  

The mechanics of getting Murphy transferred to PPTH took another day but
eventually they got back up to Princeton. She had been weaned off the
respirator but House thought that she may need it again because the lung
wound wasnt healing as well as he would have liked. The next day the
Houses flew back to San Diego. House met the team and Wilson down in the
PSV ward. They were all silent when they saw the shell of a person Murphy
had become. Her eyes didnt follow them but they were open and reactive to
light. 

*** 

Lets figure out why her wound isnt healing and I want her out of this
ward, its too quiet down here. I want each of you to take an hour a day
and give her stimulation. I also want PT down with her at least twice a
day. 

  

I thought Foreman was the doctor in charge? Cameron asked. 

  

Foreman looked at them and said, I have nothing to add except lets get an
MRI to see if we have anything else going on. 

  

House took the first shift and grabbed his knapsack and filled it with
things he would need. He made his way into the ward and began by banging a
stainless steel table with a bedpan. It was a startling sound and one that
even made him jump. He then went over and grabbed a spot lamp and aimed it
directly into her eyes, which again reacted. He talked to her about
anything that came into his head, the fate of the Yankees, the height of
various mountains, the look on her face when she kicked him. He went over
and reached down and kissed her on her cheek. He whispered into her ear
everything that he wanted to do to and with her in a sexual way. He talked
about the shape of her breasts compared to Cuddy, Cameron and Stacy. His
hour was almost up and so he took out an old IPOD and plugged it into her
ears. He played hip hop and rap...the two types of music she liked the
least in the world. The idea was not to make her comfortable but to make
her so miserable she would want to come out of the coma and turn it off.
He put the IPOD with a note not to turn it off next to her. He kissed her
on the cheek and forehead and told her that Cameron was coming in to talk
to her next.  

  

Cameron came in and read to her, she took her covers off so that Murphy
would get cold. Murphy was skin and bones, the image of a holocaust
survivor. Her beautiful hair had been cut and shaved off so that she
looked like Sinead OConnor. In reality, Cameron thought that if she had a
little more meat on her, she would be really lovely with short hair. Yet
still, when she remembered how enchanting her long strawberry blonde hair
had been, it made her sad. 

  

Murphy received four hours of stimulation each day for the next week.
Nothing happened. One day House was bored himself and grabbed her, got her
into a wheelchair and took off with her saline drip and Foley Tube. He
took her downstairs to the outdoor hospital café with no robe or blanket
and stuck her in the cool October air facing the campus where people were
coming and going. The fall light was directly in her eyes and he started
talking to her.  

  

Look, if you dont come out of this coma, Im going to marry this other
chick. Her name is Vicki and weve been seeing each other on a regular
basis. Shes funny, good in bed and she seems to like me. More importantly,
she hasnt kicked me in the balls yet. Im not going to wait forever. I dont
even know if youd give me the time of day if you were healthy. I do know
that if you stay like this the Navy is going to boot you out and were
going to pull your feeding tube. Youll die within a week. So if youre in
there, you need to wake up and wake up fast. He paused, took a drink and
looked at her, Ok, lets get you back inside before someone calls Adult
Protective Services on me. 

  

The team was starting to get bored with the stimulation duty and tried to
figure out ways to stimulate her without being around. They would take her
to lunch in the cafeteria and park her next to the dishwashing door where
she would be exposed to all the banging pans and dishes not to mention the
yelling from the workers. They would roll her into a cubicle in the ER for
an hour...lots of action down there. They even put her in the nursery with
all the crying babies. It wasnt working. She had officially been in the
PVC for six weeks and there was no sign of her coming out of it. 

  

John House was keeping tabs on Murphy by making daily calls to Greg. He
called one day and told Greg he had just received Murphys personal goods. 

  

Greg, theres a letter in here to you. I havent opened it, Ill send it to
you tomorrow. How is she doing? 

  

No change Dad. They talked for a few more minutes and then said good bye. 


  

Whats wrong, you look a little upset? Wilson asked. 

  

My Dad just got Murphys things from Iraq. Theres a letter for me. 

  

Oh, great, shes probably telling you where to go. I wouldnt read it if I
were you. 

  

Theres nothing she can say that I havent said to myself. 

  

Two days later the letter arrived by Priority Mail. It was just a regular
envelope with his address and up in the right corner was simply written,
Free Mail. All military personnel in a combat zone got their mail, at
least their first class letters, sent home free. House took the letter
down to Murphys room and sat in the chair next to her. In his mind he
could hear her speaking the words: 

  

Dear Greg, 

  

I want you to know that I forgive you. Whether this was what you intended
or not, it no longer matters. For the last couple of months I have come to
realize that I am where I should be. I am back with my family. Do I wish I
could have finished my time at PPTH? Yes, if the rest of the time could
have been like our last weekend together. Otherwise, no. I was miserable
and despite the fact that I was learning things from you, my talents lie
in putting people back together when they get blown apart.  

  

I marked this to be mailed only if I died so I guess I was on the wrong
side of the getting blown apart. I suppose its better me than some guy or
gal with kids waiting for them at home. Its not like Ill be missed much. I
know you dont believe it, but I think Ill see my parents and sister again
and so Im not afraid to die. My only regret is that to this day I dont
know if you were for real or just playing me because you knew Id be
transferred soon. On days that I feel good about myself and the world, I
try to convince myself that it was real. On days when I lose a patient or
I have cramps, then you were just a sh!t playing me. 

  

Thank you for everything you taught me and thank you for a wonderful
weekend. I want you to know, I was always honest with you. I think we
would have been good for each other. Go find someone else to be good with.
You deserve to be happy.  

  

Murphy 

  

House was rubbing his lips with his thumb and trying to not cry. He just
kept reading the last sentence, You deserve to be happy. He thought to
himself that maybe his last chance to be happy was laying wasting away in
a bed next to him. He got up and went over to her leaned down and yelled
in her ear, I wasnt playing, do you hear me? I wasnt playing. He turned
and left the room.  

  

The next afternoon Wilson wandered quietly into Houses office. He wasnt
surprised to see Murphy sitting in her wheelchair by the door staring out
into space. He took a look at her and said to House, When are you going to
let her go? 

  

You mean kill her? He said emphatically. 

  

Would you want to be like that? Wilson pointed to her as she sat staring
into space with drool coming out of her mouth. 

  

If it meant I might come out of it, yeah. 

  

House, come on. Two months in a coma is bad news. Look at her. Shes a
skeleton and even if she comes out of it, who knows what damage there will
be and if shell be able to function. He paused. If she comes out of it,
whos going to take care of her while she recuperates? She has no family
and the Navy is going to kick her out in a few months. What are you going
to do? Your team is getting tired of this duty and youd need a whole
battalion to take care of her. 

  

House looked at him and smiled slowly, You just gave me an idea. 

  

Two days later there was an article in USA Today about the Navy Cross/
Silver Star recipient who had no family and was left to rot. It talked
about how she was receiving stimulation therapy at Princeton but that they
needed volunteers to help take care of her. The story was heart wrenching
and got the attention of the evening news. House watched as they showed a
video tape of Murphy that had been taken by the implanted journalist two
weeks before she was shot. She was thinner than she had been at PPTH but
at least she was laughing and joking about the heat. She answered several
serious questions about being in Iraq. When the journalist found out she
was there for the second time in less than a year she was asked how that
happened. And she told them, I guess God wanted me here more than at home.
They ended the segment with that quote. 

  

Within hours PPTH was bombarded with veteran groups, soldiers and
individuals all wanting to help Murphy. In fact, several of the soldiers
she had saved were at PPTH within days trying to make a difference. House
had Cameron coordinating all of it. The hospital was getting positive
press for having taken Murphy in and working with her. Of course Bethesda
wasnt happy because it sounded like they were letting the sailors and
soldiers languish, but it turned out well for Murphy. 

  

One late afternoon at the beginning of December, House and Wilson were in
his office talking when House saw a grey haired man with grey eyes and a
large moustache wandering in the hall looking for something. He came to
Houses office and knocked on the door. House signaled through the glass
for him to come in. He did. 

  

Youll have to be quick, I have somewhere to go. House said. 

  

Youre Dr. House? 

  

Yes. 

  

Im Master Sergeant Stone Pickford, but you can call me Pick. I was with
Commander Angel when she was shot. I was hoping I could see her. 

  

Commander Angel? 

  

In Iraq, thats what we called her. She was certainly our angel that day
and every day I served with her. She was the one who warned us that they
were coming through the wall with a machine gun, she also refused to leave
a soldier who was injured, that soldier was a good friend of mine and hes
alive today because of her. Ive come to do whatever I can for her. I took
leave so I could help with her recovery. 

  

I dont think shes going to recover Sergeant. The statistics arent good.
House said quietly. 

  

I dont believe in statistics. Can I see her? 

  

*** 

House nodded yes and grabbed his cane. He led Pick to her room and
explained what stimulation did for coma victims. When they went in Pick
tried not to flinch but he did. Pick went over to her bedside and started
to yell in a drill sergeant tone of voice, Alright Sailor, its time to get
your sorry butt back to duty. Youve had enough of a vacation. I expect you
to start making your way back now. DO YOU HEAR ME? 

  

House looked at Wilson and gave him a look of uh,oh. House and Wilson
slinked out of the room while Pick kept it up. Over the next few days Pick
screamed and badgered and coaxed. He sat her up, pulled her up and pushed
her around. There was a stream of people who came and went but Pick stayed
almost 24/7. It was mid December, House had gone down to Murphys room one
Friday night around midnight and sat with them both. Pick began to tell
him stories about her. 

  

The first time I was in Iraq we were stationed at the same base. I watched
her work non-stop on guys who were torn apart. The other doctors were
great but she was relentless. I think she just couldnt give up on anyone.
Sometimes the staff would have to pull her off of someone when it was
clear they were dead. The day my Humvee got hit they were dragging my
bleeding butt back to the base and all I said was, Make sure Commander
Angel works on me. And the guys did. I was awake most of the time, but I
could feel her working and prodding with her fingers, sewing me up and the
whole time she was doing it she was singing to me. She always sang when
she patched people up. The last thing she said to me as she finished
working on me was, Soldier, youre going home. Pick looked down at his
shoes, Pipsqueak said that the Commander had a thing for you and you hurt
her. Why would you want to hurt someone as sweet and beautiful as her? 

  

He was going to make a flippant remark but saw that this was a man who
really wanted to know. He wasnt going to take a flippant remark lightly. 

  

I didnt intend to hurt her. When she lost her sister she went off the deep
end for awhile, she was messing up at work. I told her CO that I wanted
her transferred. I thought shed be transferred to another department. She
cleaned up her act, we had a few days together and in the meantime her CO
was working on her transfer. I had completely forgotten about asking for
her transfer. I didnt want her to go away. Look, I care, why do you think
Im here? And whos Pipsqueak? 

  

Pick looked at him and said nothing but gave him a look that said he
believed him. House didnt know why but he felt that if Pick believed him
then Murphy did too. They looked at Murphy and she blinked. She blinked
twice in a row and moved her head slightly towards them. House jumped up
and without his cane hobbled to her side. He took out his penlight and
moved it over her eyes. The pupils reacted and she blinked. He laughed
gently to himself and almost cried.  

  

Doc? 

  

I cant say for sure but this is a good sign. 

  

House and Pick didnt leave. They talked to Murphy, yelled at her, sat her
up. She continued to blink and then around dawn she started to track them
with her eyes. House and Pick looked at each other and grinned.  

  

Over the next few days Murphy came out of her coma but she was by no means
herself. Each day she improved a little to the point that by the end of
the week she could be fed and no longer needed the tube. She was also
making noises, trying to talk. 

  

Houses parents flew out to see her a week later. She was eating with the
help of Pick and all the others who had shown up to help. The news media
made a big deal over her and the fact that so many had come forward to
help. She was the darling of the media. There were interviews splashed all
over with soldiers she had saved in the field. Talking heads explained the
Navy Cross and Silver Star over and over. The hero was sitting in her room
blinking, tracking, drooling and trying to talk. 

  

Foreman was optimistic, he explained it to the Houses. Her progress has
been exponential. She is getting better at a faster rate each day. I cant
say shell be able to practice medicine but if she continues to improve
like this, then theres hope that she will. 

  

John and Blythe walked in with Greg and watched as Murphy looked up from
the chair she was sitting in and grinned at them. John grinned and Blythe
started to cry while they both hugged Murphy who tried to hold up her arm
to hug them back but couldnt. She made plaintive sounds as they hugged her
and when they pulled back she looked up at Greg. She tried to lift her arm
and hand to him but it flopped back down. She tried again. 

  

What? What do you want? Water? He asked. 

  

She shook her head no and tried hard to say something but the sounds that
came out were guttural and incomprehensible.  

  

She wants you to hug her. Blythe said. 

  

Murphy smiled and calmly nodded her head up and down. House snickered and
went over to hug her, Im not sure I want to do this, Im afraid youre going
to drool all over me. He reached down and gave her a hug. He whispered in
her ear as he hugged her, You really want me to feel you up dont you? she
smiled and nodded yes. He stood up and said, Ill have my way with you
later. 

  

They spent an hour with her and she started to get tired. Foreman
suggested they let her sleep for a few hours.  

  

John asked, I thought we were suppose to keep her stimulated? 

  

No Dad, now that shes out of the coma she needs sleep when she gets tired
so that she can recharge her batteries. Well come back later and see her
after she has her nap. 

  

Blythe and John went over and kissed her goodbye. They left to go to their
hotel room and told Greg they would return around 6:00 p.m. After they
were gone, House snuck back in to see Murphy. She was tired and smiled
weakly when he walked in. She was back in bed. He sat on the edge of the
bed and grabbed her hand. It was the first time that they had been alone
since she woke up. He kissed her hand and she weakly pulled him towards
her.  

  

Not very subtle...this dragging me across the bed for a kiss. What makes
you think I want to kiss you? You arent all that appealing, you have no
hair, youve got bullet holes, you drool, you sound like a drunk and youre
in a diaper. And now you expect me to kiss you?  

  

She shook her head yes.  

  

He reached over and kissed her on the lips. No frenching until you learn
how to control that drooling. And absolutely no screwing until you can
talk dirty to me. She actually giggled. He petted her head and kissed her
lips again. Im glad youre back. She squeezed his hand as hard as she
could. 

  

  

*** 

  

Houses parents left a few days later and he could tell from Murphys
reaction that she was sad about it. Hey, I know theyll be back in a flash
if you need anything. When you are a little more mobile Ill take you out
to see them, ok? 

  

She gave him a slight smile. She was gaining a little weight although she
still had a long way to go. Her hair was now about an inch long on her
head and it was still strawberry blonde, more strawberry than before. She
was still unable to lift her arms or control the drooling, but with Pick
exercising her as much as possible, she was gaining strength every day.
Her tendons were lengthening again as she exercised so she was no longer
scrunching down when she sat up.  

  

It was Friday and Vicki arrived around 8:00 p.m. House had been distant
the last few weekends and had to spend a lot more time at the hospital.
When he opened the door he gave her a hug, a kiss and asked her if she
wanted a beer. 

  

I just had a horrible week, lets just forget the formalities, I want to
screw. 

  

He smiled, No argument from me. He put his beer down and they went into
his bedroom. Vicki felt great to House, she had a lot more meat on her
than Murphy and she felt like a pillow when they had sex. She wasnt as
inventive as Murphy but she was the kind that let you do anything you
wanted and House had enjoyed that. When House was done she rolled off to
the side and laughed. 

  

God I needed that. she said. 

  

House thought the same thing. It had been an emotional week and he just
wanted to give in to the needs of his body. I have to go into the hospital
tomorrow for a few hours, but then we can go do something. 

  

She was disappointed but didnt want to complain. She liked Greg and had
hoped he would be the one. He was funny, sexy and a doctor. Not a bad
combination.  

  

The next morning she insisted on going with him to see where he worked.
When he resisted she sensed there was more to it than just work. Come on
Greg, I wont be in the way. Ill take a book and Ill be quiet. 

  

House could tell that he had no choice, Vicki either came with him or she
would make his life miserable. Ok, but I wont be able to stay with you.
Youll just be sitting in my office. 

  

Thats fine.  

  

It was a Saturday at PPTH and when they got to his office it was dark. He
turned on the lights and showed her around the office and presentation
room next door. She saw some things written on a white board and a little
kitchenette with a coffee pot, refrigerator and microwave.  

  

He told her where the bathrooms were and the cafeteria and then left. A
few minutes later a grey haired man pushing a woman in a wheelchair showed
up at Houses office. He looked in and asked her, Is Doctor House here? 

  

Yes, hes here. Hell be back in awhile. Can I take a message or help you? 

  

Nah, I was taking Murphy for a spin and she pointed to the office. She
wanted to come in when she saw you sitting here. 

  

Vicki looked at the woman in th wheel chair and introduced herself, Im
Vicki, Dr. Houses girlfriend. She reached down, grabbed Murphys hand and
lightly shook it. 

She looked back up at the grey haired man and he looked nervous and
anxious like he had just made a huge mistake. Is there something wrong? 

  

No, we need to go. Bye. Pick started to wheel her to the elevator as the
woman said, Nice to meet you ...uh sir and Murphy! 

  

When they were in the elevator Murphy bent around to look at her and she
had tears streaming down her cheek. Pick told her, Commander, we dont know
what thats about. Dont judge a book by its cover.  

  

She made noises like she was trying desperately to tell him something. She
was very agitated and her arms started flailing around trying to tell him
what she needed for him to know. They got back to her room and he put her
back in her bed. She started motioning trying to talk. He was able to
understand the word House although it sounded like how and the word @ss
although it sounded like asth.	

  

Pick looked up and saw House, with a coke in his hand walking into the
room. Pick tried to motion for him to get out but House didnt understand
his frantic faces. 

  

Good morning, hows the Angel of Iraq. He started to walk towards the bed
and Pick motioned for him to get back. 

  

Pick warned him, Dr. House, I wouldnt... But it was too late. Murphy had
knocked the drink up into Houses face and it came down, covering him in
coke. She was flailing her arms and legs and connecting with Houses torso
every once in awhile.  

  

House backed away and said, What the hell is this about? 

  

She met Vicki. 

  

Houses face fell and he went gray. Murphy, its not serious...I was going
to tell her this weekend... 

  

Murphy was at high pitch by now...screaming and yelling,
Maaari...Maaari...how... 

  

Pick shrugged his shoulders and said, I dont know what she is saying. 

  

House said, I do. He started to walk back over to her but she kept trying
to hit him. STOP IT. He grabbed her arms and held them down. You remember
me telling you about Vicki when you were in the coma, dont you? She shook
her head up and down yes. Im not marrying her. I only said that to make
you come out of your coma. Murphy relaxed. I just havent had the guts to
tell her that it is over. I will today, I promise. He let go of her arms
and started to stand up when he saw the bare knuckles come flying at his
nose. BAMM!!! Jesus H. Christ. MURPHY, you have got to stop beating me up!
Im going to start fighting back. He wiped the blood from his nose.  

  

Ooo deshrv i. Murphy said angrily. 

  

House shrugged his shoulders and held his hands out to say, I dont know
what youre saying. 

  

I got that one. Pick said, She says that you deserve it. I have to admit
shes right. Dr. House, are you paying attention to Murphy so that shell
get better and you wont feel guilty or do you actually care? Murphy was
shaking her head wildly up and down, yes, in support of Picks question. 

  

I dont have to answer to you or to YOU if youre going to continue to
batter me. 

  

Ahhnher daa keshin she said, drool coming down the side of her mouth. 

  

Answer the question. Pike repeated in English. 

  

Alright, Ill be back in a minute to answer the question. House turned and
left. 

  

Ten minutes later House was in her room with Vicki. Pike and Murphy looked
at each other confused. 

  

Vicki, this is Dr. Murphy Morrighan and her traveling monkey. He took a
deep breath, Dr. Morrighan here was just in Iraq fighting for our oil...or
freedom, whichever. She played hero, for the second time in her life, and
got three bullets. Before she left, we were screwing each other and now
shes back. Im afraid its over between you and I. he turned to Murphy and
said with deliberation, You see I have a thing for BALD, DROOLING women
who like to hit and kick. 

  

Uuuu aaashl. She said angrily. 

  

Yeah, I know. he said. 

  

Vicki looked at him and said, Youre breaking up with me here, in front of
everyone. You mean you never really cared? 

  

Looks like it. I didnt expect this blob here to come back into my life.
But she has and I cant help it, she outranks you. Now Ill take you to your
car. He then turned to Murphy, Satisfied? 

  

Uuuu aaashl. 

  

Come on, lets go. House told Vicki. 

  

She followed like a kicked puppy and when they got into the car she
started to sob. How can you be so callous? 

  

If Im this callous, it will be easier for you to forget me and move on. 

  

Vicki grabbed her things and then was out of Houses life for good. House
drove back to the hospital. 

  

Uuuu aaahl, aat ooor oman. 

  

He looked at her quizzically, Im betting you said, you @sshole, that poor
woman. Right? She nodded yes. You wouldnt have believed me if I just told
you I had let her know it was over. So I thought this was the best way to
fix all of it. Vicki gets to think Im an @sshole and get over me quickly
and you get the satisfaction of knowing Im serious. Now figure out how to
stop drooling so that I can get a little action. He turned and left. 

  

Pick looked at her, Hes different, but you have to admire his bluntness.
Are you sure this is the guy for you? 

  

Hooo nose.. she shrugged her little shoulders and chuckled. 

  

The next day Pick came in to say goodbye, he had to get back to the
Marines. He was going to be a drill instructor at the Marine Corps Recruit
Depo in San Diego and he still had to stop by Des Moines to see his
sister. 

  

House and the team were there to say goodbye to Pick, he had endured
himself to just about everyone in the hospital.Commander, I consider it an
honor to serve with you anytime, anywhere. He gave her a salute. She
raised her hand slowly and returned the salute. She reached out for a hug.


  

I hope this doesnt constitute fraternizing with an officer. He reached
down and hugged her. Dr. House, take care of her. Oh, and if you ever do
to her what you did yesterday to Vicki, Ill hunt you down and kill you. He
nodded goodbye and left. House gave a nervous smile. 

*** 

The next day Murphy was transferred to a convalescent home for
rehabilitation and physical therapy. House spent most of the evenings with
her except when he had a patient. She was improving rapidly mainly because
she was so gung ho about her rehab.  

Emma Mason was assigned to Murphy for the purpose of getting her up and
moving. She soon discovered that she was more motivated when she used
sarcasm and called her names than when he was kind and caring. 

  

Get that scrawny butt of yours in gear. You think those legs are just
going to start walking without work? 

  

These legs are going to walk all over you. Murphy managed to get out. 

  

Emma was sure that Murphy would be out of the center in less than a week.
She was more determined than any patient she had ever had.  

  

She once asked her why she pushed herself so hard. I have to get my act
together so that I can get back to Iraq. Murphys words were slow and
slurred but they were much better than just two days ago. 

  

You must be joking! Emma was shocked. 

  

Of course Im kidding you idiot. They wouldnt dare send me back so soon. Im
going to finish out my time at PPTH and keep an eye on Greg. 

  

I know I shouldnt say this, you being a patient and all, but what do you
see in him? Hes rude, sarcastic, and downright mean. Her face was
scrunched up in distaste. 

  

You are right, but hes also very gentle, generous and loving. Plus hes
damn good in bed. 

  

Well then, lets get you back in shape so you can have some bedroom
acrobatics with the acerbic Dr. House. But I still dont get it. 

  

Every time House came to visit, Emma would try to imagine him being gentle
and kind and good in bed. He was attractive in a homeless looking way.
When he wasnt watching she did see him do nice things for her. He would
bring her things like chocolate suckers, magazines, books, Sudoku puzzles.
More interesting was the fact that in the last few days his kisses had
gone from a peck on the lips to deep french kissing. Very hot. She even
saw him cop a feel. Emma was starting to find Dr. House very interesting. 

  

House started to notice that wherever he was in the convalescence home,
Emma was there, nearby. She was making a lot of eye contact with him and
it was lingering eye contact. He had a way of smiling that acknowledged a
womans flirting and he couldnt help but give her that smile. He was
curious to see what she was up to. In the meantime, he was starting to get
frustrated over Murphy. She was getting her figure back and the heavy
petting they were doing made it hard to go home alone. 

  

Greg came later than usual and all of the Physical Therapy staff,
including Emma, had gone home. The facility was low on staff because of
the holidays. Murphy asked Greg if he could take a walk with her. She was
in her little pink nightie and matching nylon robe and fluffy slippers. I
have an early Christmas present for you. He walked with her while he held
her hand in his free hand. She ducked down a dark corridor and into a room
that contained extra furniture and equipment. There were wheelchairs,
walkers, chairs and...to his delight...an extra bed that had been made up
with clean sheets. 

  

He smiled mischievously at her and she gave him a sly smile back. Put
something up against the door. House went over and grabbed a chair which
he propped to prevent anyone from coming in. He noticed that there was a
piece of paper taped over the little window. She had been thinking ahead. 

  

Would you get those clothes off. She demanded. 

  

House turned around and was happy to see that she was standing in just her
panties. She looked so beautiful even in the horrible overhead light. He
walked over and grabbed her and held her without doing or saying anything.
He just wanted to feel her next to him. He leaned in to kiss her. It was
Murphy who was impatient. 

  

Look slowpoke, I havent been laid since the last time I was with you. If
you dont get those clothes off, Im going to call an orderly to do the job.


  

He laughed and started stripping while she climbed into bed. He got down
to his boxers and then with great fanfare pulled them down and off. Murphy
clapped wildly and patted the bed. He did a little hop and jumped in the
bed. She actually squealed which made him laugh.  

  

Oh God you feel good. Murphy was languishing in his smell and his warm
body. Greg, you better get on this train soon or its leaving the station
without you. 

  

House started laughing, Ok, Im hopping on but I dont have a ticket. House
was more than happy that she started to come almost the minute he was in
her because he didnt last long either. They were both moaning, it was
getting so loud that Murphy buried her mouth in the crook of Houses neck
to muffle hers. Her orgasm took him with her and he rode it for what
seemed like the longest climax he ever had. When it was over he didnt even
have the energy to get off of her.  

  

Greg, youre going to have to get off of me, I cant take the weight. 

  

Ahh. He shook his head and rolled to the side and onto his back, Sorry, Im
a little light headed. 

  

She rolled on her side and snuggled as close to his side as she could get.
She lifted her knee and leg up to rest on his abdomen. He turned his head
and they kissed. What happens after this institution? You seem fine to me,
why dont you come live with me? 

  

She chuckled, So we can do this every night? 

  

He gave her puppy eyes, Or day. 

  

Tempting but it depends on the Navy. Im getting new orders in two weeks.
The only way I can stay here is if you and Cuddy ask that I be given a
chance to finish the civilian program. 

  

Ok, where do we go to sign up? 

  

Ill give you the information later. 

  

They snuggled for a few minutes and kissed each other until Murphy could
feel that he was ready again. The second round wasnt so frenetic or
exciting but it was satisfying in other ways. It was gentle and loving,
with a lot of touching and caressing. She wrapped her legs around him and
rocked with him until he was satisfied. He then made sure that she was
satisfied. An hour later they dressed and Murphy gathered up the sheets. 

  

Merry Christmas. she said sweetly to him. 

  

Merry Christmas. Tomorrows Christmas Eve, Im going to spring you from this
place and youll stay with me for a few days. 

  

Do you think theyll let me leave...I thought this was Hotel California? 

  

Dont worry, Ill bring a ladder.  

  

The next day he came for her at 1:00 p.m. and while he was waiting for her
to come back from speech therapy, Emma cornered him. She smiled sweetly
and said, Dr. House, I was wondering if you would like to get some coffee
while Murphy is having her therapy. I could explain to you what exercises
she needs to do to keep getting stronger. 

  

Sure. He went with her to the elevator and they got in. She gave her a sly
sensual smile and he returned it. They got their cups of coffee and she
went to a booth in the corner away from most people. 

  

You know, she may never be the woman you knew before the attack. Was the
first volley out of her mouth. 

  

He managed to hold in his laughter, What do you mean? 

  

Well, physically she may never be as flexible as she was before the coma
with the shortening of her tendons. It may effect her ability to do a lot
of things, for example, ski or rock climb or ...have sex. 

  

He was having a hard time keeping it in, You mean, our sex may not be as
satisfying as before? 

  

Yes, Im afraid between the emotional damage and her limited flexibility,
it may be very difficult for her to give you the sexual satisfaction that
you enjoyed before. 

  

What do you suggest? 

  

Patience and work. Of course, in the meantime you and I have been getting
closer and if you wanted, maybe we could start spending a little time
together. Murphy may never be the woman you knew. I think I could take
help you out. 

  

Horizontally? 

  

She put her hand on his, That might be fun.  

  

He had seen her come through the door a few seconds earlier and look for
him. So when Murphy walked up and saw Emma with her hands on House, Murphy
gave him a look that begged the question, What is going on? 

  

Murphy, House said as Emma drew her hands away as if House was a hot fire.
Its very sad dear. Emma says that between the emotional trauma and lack of
flexibility we may be unable to have sex like before. She has been
comforting me. 

  

Is that true Emma, is it possible that I may not have the hot, passionate
sex that I had before? 

  

Its possible. She was getting anxious and started to squirm a little. 

  

Greg, I cant hold you back, maybe Emma ...oh God I hate to ask this but
Emma, do you think that maybe you could help Greg out, you know, sexually,
until I get better? I can vouch for him, he is hot in bed, you wont be
disappointed. I mean just last night when we were F#cking our brains out
in the equipment room, I had multiple orgasms. 

  

Emmas face dropped and she turned white. 

  

If you ever, ever, ever come near my man again I will personally pull out
every pubic hair in your body, one by one and feed them to you...and then
you know all those big Marines who keep coming here to see me? Theyll do
whatever I ask, get the picture? 

  

Emma got up from the booth and almost ran from the cafeteria.  

  

Am I always going to have to pry you away from women? she asked. 

  

God I hope so. 

  

Just as long as you look at the menu but dont order. she said. 

  

Lets get you out of here. This place is depressing. 

*** 

She grabbed some things and checked out. They went to his apartment and he
opened the door. Her mouth flew open and she did a little jump up and
down. Oh Greg, how cool...a tree. You know how much I love Christmas and
you got me a tree. And you even decorated it. She turned and gave him a
hug.  

  

I have to admit that the pansy formerly known as James Wilson bought the
decorations for the tree. I strung the lights. He closed the door behind
her and said Two packages showed up at my door addressed to you. I put
them under the tree. 

  

I know this sounds lame, but Im a little tired. Can we just sit down on
the sofa and watch television for a bit? 

  

Sounds good to me. Im going to get a beer, you want something? 

  

Just you for now. 

  

He came back to the couch and turned on the television. They watched Eddie
Izzard on  

the British television channel. House was laughing more than usual and
Murphy was enjoying both the show and Houses reaction. They kissed at the
commercial and he asked her, If the Navy lets you stay, will you stay here
with me? 

  

If I work for you it might present some problems. What if we disagree on
something or you call me a moron as usual? Plus, dont you think youll get
sick of me if we live together and work together? 

  

God, Im suppose to be the cynic. This relationship can only have one
pessimist and I do a better job at it than you do. Lets try it. If it
seems too much then we move you back into your house. 

  

I dont know. This seems to be inviting trouble. Lets first see if the Navy
lets me finish. 

  

After Eddie Izzard they ordered Pizza and then turned on the Sopranos to
watch. He went into the kitchen and she heard the refrigerator door open.
He brought her a glass of real eggnog, complete with brandy and rum. He
had gone all out to make her Christmas special. She was really moved by
how sweet he was to her at times. She understood how Stacy could have
stayed with him for five years. Every once in awhile he would show you
just how romantic and vulnerable he was.  

  

They went to bed and just talked for awhile. You know yesterday when you
were having your casual discussion with Emma? I almost busted out laughing
when you told her not to come near your man. I think that is the first
time anyone has referred to me as their man. I felt like I was a character
in some bad blues song. 

  

Im sorry...Ive been hangin with the sisters. Youre lucky that I didnt just
let her have you. Boy, she would have bitten off more than she could chew.


  

Talk about sex..... 

  

Mmm. Can we table that motion until morning. I really am tired. This is a
lot of excitement and exertion for me right now, especially after last
nights fun. 

  

Spoil sport. Can I still feel you up? 

  

Be my guest. She turned on her side, he turned out the light and his hands
came up her pajama top and he got his wish. 

  

Christmas morning, House woke up and still had his hand under her top but
she had turned onto her back. Perfect. He pulled up the top and started
kissing and fondling her. She woke up and kissed his head. He reached up
and kissed her mouth. She reached down and felt him. Then she disappeared
under the covers. He loved the feel of her tongue and mouth and it wasnt
long before he was handing her a Kleenex.  

  

That wasnt very bright of me. I was looking forward to a little cowboy
action today...me doing a little riding. 

  

I think if we just give the old stallion a little rest, you might be able
to ride him in a few minutes. And he might just be up for a long ride. 

  

Oh Santa..you brought me a pony. she laughed. 

  

There was no snow on Christmas Day and none on the ground. It was chilly
outside but dry. Around ten they finally got up and opened gifts. House
gave her a San Diego Chargers Jersey with her all time favorite player,
Lance Alworth, aka Bambi on it. She had watched old Charger footage and
had admired him for his grace and talent. He came down with the ball even
when he was triple teamed. The rules protecting receivers changed in the
seventies, giving more protection to the receivers. In reality Lance
Alworth had played when things were rougher on the field. She thought if
he was playing today he would be a real superstar, but then, he was a
superstar in the 60s. She was so amazed that House had done this for her.
These jerseys were not only difficult to find but extremely expensive. He
also bought her some beautiful ruby and diamond earrings, ruby being her
birthstone. There were also little gifts like books and chocolate.  

  

Murphy handed him a box, As you know, I didnt have a chance to go out and
shop for you but I got a couple of gifts online. He opened the gifts. One
was all the dvds of James Bond, which he had mentioned he wanted to get.
Its as much for me as you...anytime I get to see Sir Connery is a good
day. 

  

 The other box contained a new leather coat and riding gloves. They were
made out of kid leather. He was very pleased with them.  

  

He grabbed her off the floor and up onto the couch where he just held her
until she finally said. Im hungry. 

  

House had bought a honey ham and some vegetables and potatoes. Murphy
prepared a nice dinner for them and Wilson who showed up bearing gifts.
House gave him the American first edition of the Sherlock Holmes novel,
The Hounds of the Baskervilles. It wasnt quite as cool as owning the
English First Edition, but it certainly wasnt cheap and Wilson was very
chuffed over his present. Not only did House remember he loved Sherlock
Holmes, but he hunted down a first edition for him. Wilson gave House some
new sheet music and an autographed record album signed Muddy Waters. House
was also very happy with his gift.  

  

The dinner was fun. Wilson and House did dishes (although not without some
moaning by House) and cleaned up the kitchen. They sat on the sofa and
talked. House played some music for them, including some Christmas music.
At 9:00 Murphy excused herself and went to bed. House and Wilson stayed up
until midnight talking and laughing. Upon leaving Wilson gave House a
quick Christmas hug which surprisingly House allowed and then disappeared
into the Christmas night. 

  

House crawled into bed next to a sleeping Murphy and thought that this had
been one of the best Christmases ever. He kissed the crown of her head and
then fell asleep. 

  

*** 

Murphy never went back to the Convalescent home. She checked herself out
permanently and arranged for Physical Therapy and Speech Therapy on an
outpatient basis at PPTH. She had moved into Houses apartment on a
temporary basis, or at least thats what she told him. She wasnt happy with
the closet space. It was hard to fit her uniforms in let alone any
civilian clothes. They packed up jackets from the front closet and put
some of her uniforms in it. 

  

The Navy brought her in at the end of January for blood, psychological and
skills testing before letting her ply her trade on others. Although she
had some memory loss around the Laurie event itself, her mental faculties
were in tact. She left Bethesda with a manila envelope containing orders
back to PPTH for one year. Because of the earlier screw up, the Navy was
rewarding their highly decorated doctor with some extra shore duty. 

  

She called Cuddy to let her know that she was coming back on Monday. Cuddy
said, If you had told me just one month ago that you would be back working
with us, I would have told you that you were crazy. Are you sure you feel
up to it? 

  

I am going crazy at home...crazy. I cant wait to get back to the hospital.
Dont worry, the Navy tested me for six hours to see how fast my reflexes
and memory were. I scored very high. 

  

Well, were happy to have you. See you on Monday. 

  

He walked through the door and she was jumping up and down waving her
orders at him. Im back, Im back, Im back!!! I get to join the program. Im
officially released from sick leave and am back on active duty under you! 

  

Well lets get you under me to celebrate. 

  

She grabbed him and hugged him tightly. Murphy, for a scrawny thing, you
are very strong...please let go, I would like to breath. 

  

She laughed at him and said, You want to hear the kicker? They are
extending my enlistment four months or the time that I spent on sick
leave! Can you believe that? It sucks. 

  

Excuse me, but could we get back to the under me part of the conversation?
I wouldnt mind later afternoon delight. 

  

She began taking her t-shirt off, her sweatpants and her socks... You
better catch up, its a little chilly in here and my nips are sticking
straight out. 

  

I see...how charming. He was taking off his jacket, scarf, gloves, shirt,
t-shirt and had started on his belt when the phone rang. 

  

Oh crap, she was shivering. Ill get the phone, you turn up the heater. 

  

Hello? What? There was a long pause. Yes, of course...Ill be there as soon
as possible. She motioned for House to turn on the television. Ill bring
him too. Bye. 

  

House turned on the television and on every station the same scene was
being shown. It was the photo of a large building, completely shattered
and in pieces surrounded by other buildings, some in tact and some with
damage. 

  

There was an explosion at Fuld Hall at the Institute for Advanced Studies.
There are casualties. Lisa asked if I would go to the scene and provide
triage. She asked Chase to go too because hes an intensevist. She also
thought you should go because you have ...I dont know what you have to
offer, but she thought you should go.  

  

House went to the bedroom and started to get dressed. Murphy joined him
and they both dressed in very warm clothes, to brace themselves for the
January afternoon and evening. Murphy grabbed her triage bag and House his
medical bag and they left.  

  

When they arrived at the site, people were running around like chickens
with their heads cut off. Murphy went straight to the FBI tent. Im
Commander Murphy Morrighan and this is Dr. Gregory House, we are here to
give triage to victims, where should we go? 

  

Were only accepting people with actual triage experience, do you have it? 

  

Two tours in Iraq. I have it. 

  

What about you? He asked House. 

  

He is my assistant, where I go, he goes. Murphy interrupted. 

  

Ok...lets get you to the triage tent. 

  

A tent had already been erected to deal immediately with victims who could
not wait to be transferred to the nearby hospitals. Murphy looked around
and saw several health care workers just standing around waiting for
victims. She could see rescue workers out in the rubble searching for what
apparently would be approximately 200 people who had poured into the hall
to hear a lecture by the one of the foremost mathematicians of the day.  

  

Screw this. She started walking quickly to the bomb site. House followed
as quick as possible behind her. She saw a cop who appeared to be in
charge and pulled him aside, I was told to get my @ss out there and give
triage to the wounded. Its my specialty. Now Dr. House and I need two of
those SAR vests and a couple of flashlights. 

  

She sounded so authoritative, was carrying a medical kit and showed
credentials from the Navy that the cop grabbed two vests and two high beam
flashlights. He pointed to a guy in the middle of the rubble. Theres
several people in that pile over there that are still alive but injured.
Were getting the rubble off of them and then we should stabilize them
before taking them to the hospital if we can. House and Murphy started to
climb over to them and the cop in charge yelled to another cop, Hey Dom,
we have two triage doctors, theyre coming through. 

  

As they started towards the cop Murphy turned to House, Honey, theyre
going to want us to step back and be careful. If we do that, we wont be
able to stabilize those that need us ...I know. Ive had plenty of soldiers
tell me to get back and it interfered with what I needed to do to save
lives. So follow me. 

  

They got to the area with what looked like numerous people under various
building materials. She started checking pulses and asking questions of
the injured. House followed her lead. In one instance she found a woman
about 60 under a heap of plaster and a small framing joist. Greg, lets see
if we can get this off of her ourselves. 

  

Are you sure? 

  

Yeah, I want to get to her leg. If we dont they wont be able to save it. 

  

As he started to lift, it was Murphy who had trouble lifting the obstacle,
she still didnt have the strength. But just when she was about to give up
a hand came over and helped lift it. She looked up and saw Chase standing
by her. Come on mate, lets move this. The three of them were able to get
it off and over to the side. Murphy and Chase started working on the leg
and stabilizing the woman for transfer. Chase brought Ringers lactate and
plasma in a large duffel bag from PPTH. The woman had a large gash that
was bleeding profusely now that the weight was off of it.  

  

Chase, can you patch her? I want to move on. House, you stay here, hes
going to need an assistant. If I need you I will shake my flashlight at
you. Chase, let me have one of those plasmas and ringers. Chase threw them
to her and she put them in her bag.  

  

She picked her way through the rubble and found a hand sticking out from
under an area that looked like a huge hole. She grabbed the hand and there
was a pulse. She took her flash light and looked in and could see the body
of a man in his late thirties, with a lot of blood on his shirt which was
still seeping through, She looked around and realized the only way she
could take care of this guy was to get inside the hole with him. She also
realized that she should let someone know she was going in but there was
no one nearby.	

  

House followed her with his eyes and his heart went through his shoes when
he saw her flashlight disappear into the ruble itself. What the F#ck is
she thinking? 

  

What? Chase looked up and asked. 

  

Murphy, shes just crawled into the rubble itself...I need to get over
there, can you get by without me? 

  

Just hold the flashlight for another minute and Ill be done.  

  

House held the flashlight but was anxious to get over to Murphy. When
Chase was done, he called a paramedic and the woman was taken by stretcher
to Princeton General. Chase started to clean up so he could move to the
next person. 

  

Murphy, Murphy...damn it Murphy answer me now.	

  

Murphy was in the hole and had put on a miners flashlight that she had in
her bag. It wasnt as strong as the one given to her by the cop but it
would have to do. She was busy sewing up the man as fast as she could. A
piece of glass had gone straight through into his chest, but it was worse
than that, the piece of glass had also fallen back out of the chest,
causing him to bleed out. She was steadily working on the bleeder but it
was making her anxious, she would just get one section sewn and the artery
would blow downstream.	

  

House was still yelling for her but she was concentrating so hard she
couldnt hear him. Finally, House heard her. Her singing got louder as he
got closer. 

  

...Hear the mighty engines roar, see the silver bird on high 

She's away and westward bound, far above the clouds she'll fly 

There the morning rain don't fall and the sun always shines 

She'll be flying o er my home in about three hours time  

  

This old airport's got me down it ain't no earthly good to me 

Because I'm stuck here on the ground, cold and drunk as I can be  

You can't jump a jet plane like you can a freight train  

So I'd best be on my way in the early morning rain.  

 

He looked inside a hole created by steel framing and saw electrical
strands and wiring holding the cement back. It didnt look stable to him
and he was pissed. She was sewing, cleaning and singing. 

  

Murphy! House yelled at her to get her attention. She stopped singing and
looked up through the hole. 

  

Greg, honey, can you get a paramedic, this guy needs to be transported.
Ive stabilized him for now. 

  

Ahhhhhh. He threw his hands up in the air in frustration, Would you get
your frickin @ss out of there? Its not stable. Look, I just got you back,
Id like to have time to fully exploit you before you get another award
posthumously. 

  

Gregor...Im ok, go get the paramedic and probably the SAR team. Theyre
going to have to find a way to get him out of here. She was running plasma
and Ringers into the guys arm. 

  

House started yelling and waving for help. Hey, weve got a live one over
here ready for transport. 

  

Two teams of paramedics and SARs teams looked up but just one responded.
They came running over and saw Murphy in the hole. They could see the med
kit. Doctor... what are you doing? Please get out of there. This hole isnt
stable, it could collapse at any time.	

  

Ive got the patient stabilized. Send him to PPTH and tell them hes Gregory
Houses patient. 

  

He is? House asked. 

  

Well, the staff at PPTH dont know that I work with you yet so if we tell
them hes my patient theyll go, huh? 

  

It made sense so he shut up. He reached in and helped her out of the hole.
She looked happy and upbeat. She dusted herself off and started to walk
around looking for another  

patient. Chase called her over to another man, early twenties, who was
injured. No outward bleeding, but in and out of consciousness with a large
bruise on his abdomen.	

  

Whoa... Murphy cried out. 

  

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Chase said seriously. 

  

You better drain him and find whats bleeding, that looks like its
spreading, fast. 

  

Would you assist? Chase asked. 

  

Sure. Greg, take his bp. She barked orders. We need more saline and plasma
over here. She yelled to the paramedics. 

  

70/40" House said. 

  

Yikes. Chase we need to do this quick or hes going to bleed completely
out. I dont like doing a peritoneal lavage here but if you dont, were
going to lose him. Greg, look in my bag for some epinephrine to reduce the
abdominal wall bleeding. Let me get a Foley tube and nasogastric tube in
him before you begin. Chase, you give him a local. 

  

Chase was impressed with how fast Murphy performed these procedures and
almost asked her to do the lavage herself. But he wanted to show House
that this was where he excelled so he proceeded to make the incision just
below the belly button. House held the flashlight while Murphy inserted a
drain for Chase. She drained blood into a sterile bag for later analysis. 


  

Crikey, I think we have a retroperitoneal haematoma. 

  

Yep, youve got trauma to a major vessel, you better find it quick, his bp
is dropping like Gregs trousers at the mention of sex. She smiled but
Chase looked at her funny, not getting it at first, and then he chuckled. 

  

Chase started to look for the bleeder while Murphy helped with the
traction and draining. She didnt realize it, but she started singing.
House and Chase looked at each other as if to say,What is she singing? 

  

I'm back in the saddle again 

Out where a friend is a friend 

Where the longhorn cattle feed 

On the lowly gypsum weed 

Back in the saddle again 

  

Ridin' the range once more 

Totin' my old .44 

Where you sleep out every night 

And the only law is right 

Back in the saddle again 

  

Whoopi-ty-aye-oh 

Rockin' to and fro 

Back in the saddle again 

Whoopi-ty-aye-yay 

I go my way 

Back in the saddle again... 

  

...there it is! There it is! Murphy dabbed with gauze to reveal the
bleeder.  

  

Chase went into action and did an excellent job sewing it up. The patients
blood pressure responded and Murphy nodded to House to get the paramedics
over. They responded and took the guy to PPTH under Chases name. 

  

That was great work Robert. Murphy said with great sincerity. We could
have used you in Iraq. House nodded affirmatively at Chase. Chase felt a
little high. 

  

They all went on to give first aid and triage to additional patients and
by the time the sun came up they were exhausted and ready to collapse. I
guess you can have the day off. House said reluctantly to Chase. 

  

Ill swing by and check on the patients before I go home to get some sleep.
Chase responded. 

  

I could use some shut-eye too. Murphy said to House. 

  

Lets go home and get some then. 

  

What the three of them didnt know was that at that very moment several
patients at Princeton Plainsboro were being interviewed and each of them
were giving accounts of a several doctors, including a female doctor who
saved their lives and while working on them the woman sang. She was dubbed
the Canary.  

*** 

The press wanted to find her and the two doctors that were with her. It
would make an uplifting human interest story, something that was needed to
balance out all the horror of the bomb. The patients werent sure who the
doctors were but the admitting doctors for the survivors were either
Robert Chase or Gregory House, but no woman.  

  

Friday morning when Chase showed up, Cameron was anxiously waiting. Chase
was immediately escorted into the doctors lounge and told not to come out
until Cuddy had talked to him. He read magazines, watched television
coverage of the events and realized from the reporters that Murphy, House
and he were being called the Three Musketeers. The three doctors who waded
into the rubble to conduct triage instead of waiting safely in a tent. The
paramedic who made Murphy get out of the hole was going on and on about
her. 

  

She was just a little thing. I had to make her get out of the hole because
it was so unstable. She saved that guys life, that guy from England. No
doubt about it. Hed be dead. I dont know who she was but she deserves a
medal. 

  

House made his way in and Cuddy was waiting to grab him. Come with me. She
called up to the lounge and told Chase to get into her office. Look you
two, youre the best publicity this hospital has gotten in ages. Murphy
too. We need to handle this carefully. The whole world is going to hear
about the doctors of Princeton Plainsboro and their fearless triage
capabilities. Its going to be big. So, House, PLEASE let me do the
talking. I want you to give short, factual answers at the press
conference, which , by the way, is set for 11:30 a.m to take advantage of
the noon news. House, can Murphy make it down here for the press
conference? 

  

Gee, just a second, let me check her calendar, I have it right here. How
would I know? Youll have to call her. I left her at the apartment trying
to find room for her pots and pans. 

  

Great, our hero is in a pan cupboard. I want you to call her and get her
down here. 

  

And she always does what I tell her. House said with a look of mocked
sincerity. 

  

Ok, Ill call her. And for the record, what is she doing living with you?
Dont you think thats a little close for comfort when youll be her boss.? 

  

Boss? Are we talking about Murphy Morrighan. Murphy follows orders...those
orders she wants to follow. She reminds me of an old car I had, reliable
but hard to steer. I had to get rid of it...got the newer, shinier model. 

  

Uh, should I tell Murphy that? Cuddy responded. 

  

Not unless you want me homeless. 

  

At 11:30 a.m. a very smug, disheveled House, Chase and Murphy sat at a
table up on the platform along with Lisa Cuddy, the public relations
director and a member of the Board of Directors. Murphy had to clear it
with her CO before she could give the interview. It was ok as long as she
mentioned her training with the Navy and her tours in Iraq. It had been
determined that it was a terrorist attack, a bomb that had been placed in
the building although no one knew yet which group or individual was
responsible for the attack. 

  

Ladies and Gentlemen, youve all been asking to meet the three doctors who
gave care to the injured at the bomb site. Id like you to meet Drs.
Gregory House, head of our Department of Diagnostics, Robert Chase, an
Intensivist doing a Fellowship under Dr. House and Dr. Murphy Morrighan, a
trauma specialist who is on loan to PPTH from the United States Navy. Many
of you are aware that Dr. Morrighan is the Navy Cross and Silver Star
decorated doctor who received treatment while she was in a coma after
injuries she received while on duty in Iraq. Im going to turn over the
floor to the doctors and they will answer your questions. 

  

Dr. Chase, we understand that you are from Australia. What does it feel
like to be a first responder to a terrorist attack on American Soil? 

  

First I would like to offer my condolences to the families of the victims.
Its a shame that we even have to hold this conference. I was honored to be
able to help these men and women the other night. Many of them had
contributed to the advancement of science for the world and to be able to
assist them during this time of need was my great privilege. I deplore
violence against civilians anywhere in the world. 

  

Dr. Morrighan, are you the Canary? 

  

Murphy looked at House and Chase with a puzzled look. Im sorry, Canary?
Whats that?  

  

Chase interrupted, Dr. Morrighan has, like the rest of us, been using the
last twenty-four hours to catch up on our sleep and I doubt she has heard
the news. But Ill just confirm that, yes, she is the Canary. 

  

Dr. Morrighan, is it true you sing to your patients? 

  

Oh... The Canary reference finally dawned on her, Its a nervous habit I
have. It helps me concentrate and not let my emotions take over. When you
are under fire if you have your mind on the patient and youre singing, it
helps you forget about the bullets flying or in this case, the instability
of the bomb site. Yes, I do sing to my patients. 

  

We heard that you climbed into the rubble to save Dr. Peter Berkshire from
All Souls College Oxford. How does it feel to save the next Fields Medal
recipient? 

  

I didnt know who he was when I worked on him. He was just someone injured
and in need of my training, which I must say I got from my two tours of
duty in Iraq with the Navy. Murphy was grateful to be able to get that in
so that her CO wouldnt hound her. 

  

Dr. House, you dont have training in triage do you? 

  

No. But I AM a doctor. He said sarcastically. 

  

Dr. House was brilliant at the scene. He was a great asset to Dr. Chase
and I. Murphy interjected before House could get going. 

  

Dr. House, is it true that you and Dr. Morrighan are living together now? 

  

Yes, I have a penchant for women with scars, nice breasts and who can take
a lot of abuse. 

  

Murphy turned to Cuddy, Uh oh. This is going to go downhill fast. 

  

Ladies and Gentlemen, thats enough for now. We promise to arrange
individual interviews for you later. But right now our doctors have
patients to attend to so thanks for your time and well be talking to you
soon. Cuddy was firm with the reporters and Murphy took her cue to exit.
She kicked House to make him follow her. 

  

Ow, why are you kicking a cripple? He yelled out in phoney protest so that
the reporters could hear. 

  

Murphy whispered to him, If you dont behave, Ill kick something
else...with my right foot. House got up and left with her. 

  

Murphy went up to see how Peter Berkshire was doing. He had gone in for
some additional surgery, but was recuperating in the Post Surgical ward.
She came up to him with his chart. 

  

Ah, my own personal angel. I just saw your press conference on television.
I am glad that I have this chance to thank you in person. Dr. Morrighan,
when I am well I would like to take you to dinner to thank you properly.
Murphy enjoyed listening to his Oxbridge accent. She had heard the
Oxbridge accent from several English officers who served in Iraq. 

  

Dr. Berkshire, you dont need to thank me for doing my job. Its what Im
trained to do. 

  

No, giving triage is your job not climbing in to rubble to save someones
life. That goes above and beyond the job. Please do not be modest. I still
want to take you out for dinner when I am well. 

  

Ok, if you insist. So you are the new Fields Medal recipient? 

  

Yes. I did on Group Representation Theory. 

  

Sounds impressive, but math was not my strong suit. Blood and guts were.
She smiled.  

  

Something tells me that you are very modest and are quite intelligent. 

  

If you want intelligent, you should meet Dr. House. Hes got a mind like a
steel trap. Grant you, Im bright, but hes wickedly bright. She smiled. 

  

He smiled back, Ah, but can he smile like you? 

  

Dr. Berkshire, are you flirting with me? 

  

Doctor, I am laying here with a gash in my chest and tubes coming out of
every direction, I can not be held responsible for anything I say or do.
Besides, you are the most beautiful thing I have seen in this hospital,
who could blame me if I was flirting? 

  

I might. They both turned around to see House standing by the curtain. 

  

Doctor Berkshire, Doctor House. You two have a lot in common. You both
have brains. 

  

Dr. Morrighan was just telling me that you are a genius Dr. House. 

  

Cant fault her for that. 

  

Modest I can see. Berkshire chuckled. Dr. Morrighan, I had a pet duck
named Murphy. In Gaelic it means Sea Warrior, did your parents know you
would go into the Navy? 

  

My father was in the Navy and he purposefully named me that because he
wanted me to go into the Navy. 

  

The name suits you. Berkshire said. 

  

House was looking at the chart and keeping an eye on him and Murphy.  

  

Thank you, we need to be going, but if you need us, have us paged. Murphy
told him as she grabbed House by the sports coat and dragged him away. 

  

Remember, dinner! He yelled as she walked away. She waved back at him with
a smile. 

  

Dinner? House gave her a silly inquisitive expression. 

  

He wants to have dinner with me to thank me. But Im thinking he just wants
to jump me, so who need dinner. Is that ok with you or should I at least
wait until hes out of the hospital before I shag him? 

  

I dont do threesomes that involve two males. Im afraid youll have to pass
up the shagging part. 

  

Too bad, hes hot and he just won the Fields Medal. I bet hes got good
genes to pass on ...maybe I could just get a semen sample. 

  

He looked sideways at her, Do you want children? 

  

Yes. And Im looking for the best sperm donor. Would you like to volunteer?
I could take out the ring and we could start tonight? 

  

House got a little nervous. He knew women were touchy about this. Tell
them no, I dont want kids and they start looking for a new sperm donor.
Say yes and youve got rugrats. Tread softly... I hadnt thought about it.
It would depend on how well we get along in a year or so. 

  

Oh...good save sir. she laughed at the very cautious Gregory House. She
knew that she was in control of the issue anyway. If she took her ring
out, hed never know anyway. But the truth was that when she decided to
have a kid she hoped the father would be on board. She liked the idea of
two parents raising the child together. Especially since she could be
called to Iraq or Afghanistan or Serbia or Thailand or anywhere at
anytime. 

*** 

For the next week there was a media circus culminating in a twenty minute
piece on Murphy on Dateline. Murphy was at the hospital running assays for
a patient when it aired. House and Wilson were at the apartment drinking
beer and watching it. The piece showed Murphy as a young Junior Naval ROTC
candidate in high school with long blonde hair and a freckled face to
which Wilson stated she hadnt changed much, except her hair was slightly
redder. It went on to show photographs of her as a midshipman in the ROTC
(Reserve Officers Training Corps) program in college and medical school.
The announcer said she had exemplary grades, graduated in the top ten of
her class in med school and had served on the Mercy.  

  

It showed photos of Murphy after her first purple heart wound. Her leg
bandaged and several officers and enlisted standing or sitting near her.
Each one accredited her with saving their life in the field. One of them
was Pick. Then it recapped her coma from the second injury and after the
commercial there were clips of interviews that Murphy had just given after
the bombing.  

  

There was a photo of Murphy and House taken surreptitiously. They were
having dinner at a local restaurant, both of them laughing about
something.  

  

Its a good photo of you. People wont be able to tell your such a jerk from
that picture. You almost look human. Wilson remarked. The announcer said
that currently the brilliant but mercurial Gregory House and Murphy were
living together in a one bedroom apartment in Plainsboro, New Jersey.  

  

Dr. House is not only famous for being the best diagnotician in the United
States, possibly the world, but is also known for having been shot by his
own patient. Hes not known in the medical world for having a great bedside
manner. In fact, most people we talked to said they couldnt stand being in
the same room with him but if they were sick theyd want him as their
doctor. Pictures of House and Murphy were flashed on the screen, Dr. House
and Commander Morrighans courtship has been rather stormy. In fact, it was
Dr. House that had requested that the Commander be sent back to Iraq. 

  

THATS NOT TRUE. I never asked for her to be sent to Iraq. House cried out.


  

Ohhhh....Im glad Im not you. Everyones going to think you almost got
Murphy killed. Wilson was chuckling to himself.  

  

Despite his misanthropic nature and the fact that he was responsible for
her being transferred to Iraq, the two seem happy together. Another photo
of them walking hand in hand into the hospital was shown. House was in
shades and Murphy was talking to him, her hand extended in a gesture of
laughter. The narrator went on to talk about Murphys nervous habit of
singing to her patients. They interviewed several of the soldiers in Iraq.
 

  

 She sang Streets of Laredo to me and made me sing along. It did take my
mind off of things. When we were done she told me I was going home and she
was right. 

  

She sang City of New Orleans to me and everyone in ten feet of us had to
sing the chorus. It made the time go quickly and when it was done, I got
to go home, just like she said. 

  

There were others and then finally it was Peter Berkshires turn. I had no
clue what she was singing to me. But I tried hard to listen to the lyrics
and have determined it was a Peter Paul & Mary song from the 60's. I went
out and bought the cd of it. It is a sad song but for some strange reason
it brings me comfort. I think she is Bril. I just hope Dr. House knows how
lucky he is. 

  

House pointed at the television, That prat! Hes been making moves on
Murphy. Hes been seeing her as an outpatient and whenever he leaves shes
all girlie and high. I know hes talking trash to her. 

  

You better watch out, hes smart, hes handsome and hes got an English
accent. You only have one out of those three going for you. Wilson
snickered. 

 

House squinted his eyes at Wilson in a silly gesture. I know, when he
shows up for his next appointment, hes going to get me. 

  

HOUSE...NO THERMOMETERS. Wilson was frantic. 

  

Youre taking all my fun away. He smiled wickedly, No thermometers. But
dont you think he needs a prostate exam? House coughed a couple of times
to emphasize the matter. 

  

Youre are incorrigible. 

  

Murphy found herself daydreaming about Peter and it made her uneasy. She
was very comfortable with House and was enjoying living with him. But
Peter had a way of looking at her that said, You are hot and I could
really get into you. It made her melt. He had asked her out for dinner
again....just to thank her. She finally said yes, she would have dinner
with him on Saturday.  

  

Murphy was home, washing the blankets and comforter when House came in. 

Where are you? He was sticking his head in the kitchen, the bathroom and
bedroom. No Murphy. He threw the backpack down and took off his jacket. He
went into the kitchen and grabbed a V8 out of the refrigerator. Murphy
came up from the basement where landlord kept the washer and dryer. Ah,
there you are! Need any help? House asked. 

  

No, I was just waiting for the bedcovers to dry. When was the last time
that you washed that comforter? 

  

He looked at her and shrugged, Youre suppose to wash it? 

  

Come and help me put it on the bed. She walked into the bedroom and he
followed. They put the blanket and comforter on and while they were doing
it she said, Im going to go to dinner Saturday night with Peter Berkshire.
He wants to thank me for saving his life. 

  

I dont think so. 

  

Excuse me? You are joking right? Murphy put her hands on her hips. 

  

Youre going on a date and Im suppose to say fine? 

  

May I remind you of Vicki and Emma...I chose to trust you on those issues.
You need to trust me on this. And besides, this isnt a date, its a thank
you. 

  

You said you would always be honest with me. 

  

Thats why Im telling you. I could have pretended I was going out with
Cuddy or the nurses or some other lame excuse.	

  

Then answer this question, are you attracted to him? 

  

What do you mean attracted? 

  

Now President Clinton, are we going to have to get into definitions before
you give me a straight answer? 

  

Yes, I find him attractive. Did you find Vicki and Emma attractive? 

  

Yes. 

  

I rest my case. Murphy smiled. 

  

I dont want you to go. He said it as if that was the last word on the
subject. 

  

Yeah, well I dont want cramps every month. Im going to go and if youre
good Ill even come home. She turned and went out to the kitchen to start
dinner. 

  

He followed her and watched while she got out a skillet and began cooking
the hamburger meat, onions and mushrooms so that she could make spaghetti
sauce. She pulled out a dutch oven to cook the pasta. She kept sneaking
glances of him out of the corner of her eye. He was thinking because he
kept rubbing his eyebrow. He tended to rub an eyebrow, his hair, his
cheek, or maybe even his lips whenever he was deep in thought. 

  

Ok, damn it, if you dont trust me I wont go. She was really annoyed at him
and wondered how she was going to explain it to Peter.	

  

I just dont trust him alone with you. He was happy and he poured on the
charm. He even offered to clean up the dishes after dinner by himself. He
was whistling in the kitchen when he heard her make the telephone call.  

  

Hi, is this Peter? Peter, its Murphy, I wont be able to make it tomorrow.
Its not something, its someone. Hes not comfortable with us having dinner
alone. There was a long pause, Really? Fine then. Yes tomorrow at 7:30
p.m. 

  

House stuck his head out into the living room, That didnt sound like you
said no.  

  

Hes invited you to go with us. I said yes. 

  

No, call him back and say no. He was stern but he could see he had finally
hit the chord in Murphy that usually meant screaming...not quite fists
flying yet. 

  

Her voice went to a level 8 on the Richter scale. I cant believe you. You
dont trust us to be alone and now you dont even trust me when Im with you.
Thats it. You can come if you want or you can sit on your sorry butt and
mope tomorrow night, but I AM having dinner with him. 

  

House yelled back at her, If you go you can sleep on the couch tomorrow
night. 

  

She screamed back, Forget that, Ill find a hotel room.	

*** 

She grabbed a coat and got in her car. She wasnt sure where to go at that
time of night so she went to the cineplex and found a movie to see. House
was sure shed be back in just a few minutes but was alarmed when she was
gone for three hours. When she walked through the door he was secretly
relieved that she had come back but didnt let Murphy see it. He continued
to play the piano. 

  

She stopped and crossed her arms over her chest, Am I allowed in the bed
tonight or do you want me to take the couch. 

  

Without looking up he simply said, Bed. 

  

About half an hour later he joined her in bed but she was at the far side
of it. Murphy was used to sleeping in cramped spaces and military cots so
she simply rolled on her side to the edge of the bed and went to sleep.
When House came to bed he turned on the bedside lamp (waking Murphy) and
saw that she might fall off the bed at any moment. He exhaled in
frustration, climbed in bed and turned off the light. Then he moved to the
middle of the bed, but his arm around her and pulled her into her normal
place, let her go and rolled over to his side of the bed. Murphy pretended
to be asleep during all of this and smiled to herself.	

  

The next day was very tense between the two with little or no talking.
Murphy went to Costco in Jamesburg about twenty minutes away. She picked
up some toilet paper, paper towels, the chicken bakes that House liked,
some margarine spread without transfat, dvds and other items. When she got
home she didnt ask for Houses help and he didnt give it. He simply sat and
watched the television while she hauled it all in and put it away. She
made him a sandwich and put it out on the counter, went and got her keys
and left again.  

  

House went in to the kitchen at noon to get something to eat and saw the
sandwich. There was a note on it that said, Since youre already full of
it. Inside the sandwich was bologna...something he rarely ate. 

  

She came home with a new outfit. A black skirt with wide bands of cream
lace topped with a black form fitting top that had cream lace around the v
neck. It looked great on her and as she took her shower, put on makeup,
picked out earrings and slipped on shoes, House was boiling. She packed a
little overnight bag and put it out in the living room so that he could
see she was a Man of her words.  

  

At 7:15 she picked up the bag, her handbag and left. He went into the
kitchen to fix something to eat and stood at the table for a minute. He
was getting angrier by the minute, he didnt even know where she was going.
Wherever it was, it was within 15 minutes of home because Murphy was
military and she was NEVER late. He saw one of her matching coffee mugs on
the table and as hard as he could he took his arm and in one deliberate
move swept it off the table shattering it against the kitchen counter. He
walked out to the living room, grabbed his keys, jacket and went to get
some dinner.  

  

Murphy arrived at The Melting Pot at exactly 7:30 p.m. and Peter greeted
her at the door. Is Dr. House parking your car? 

  

He didnt make it. She said with a look that said, drop it. 

  

Too bad, his loss. I hope you like fondue. He smiled at her while he took
her coat and handed it to the receptionist. 

  

It just so happens that I love fondue and rarely get it. This is going to
be a real treat. 

  

They were escorted to a quiet booth with low light and candles. She looked
around, This really is a nice restaurant. I havent been here before. 

  

Good, I wanted it to be special. I really feel like this is a drop in the
bucket compared to what you did for me. I think I will be trying to think
of ways to pay you back for the rest of my life. But I do have this, He
reached in his pocket and brought out a box. Merry Christmas and thank
you. 

  

Oh dear, Peter, you shouldnt...I mean Greg will flip if I come home with
presents. 

  

I would have brought Dr. House something too but he did not save my life,
you did. It would hurt me terribly if you did not accept this small,
insignificant gift. 

  

She shrugged her shoulders and took the box. The waitress came over as
Murphy opened it, exposing a beautiful diamond and emerald ring, which fit
perfectly on her right ring finger.  

  

The waitress squealed, OH my God, what a gorgeous ring! Are you
celebrating getting engaged tonight? 

  

Murphy panicked, No! This is a Christmas gift from my friend here, nothing
more. 

  

Wow! The waitress turned to Peter, Can we be friends? 

  

Peter and Murphy chuckled and then ordered drinks. 

  

Peter, this is a little much. I honestly cant take it. It would set off
World War III at home. 

  

If he is threatened by a ring from a friend, then he is very insecure. You
must keep it because I refuse to take it back. He smiled at her. Besides
it doesnt fit me. 

  

Oh, hes insecure about everything except his own greatness. 

  

He also seems to be rather cruel and indifferent to his patients and
friends. 

  

Oh, I hear that all the time and if I didnt know him, Id say the same
thing. But he really is a sweetheart when you tie him down and beat the
crap out of him. They both laughed. Thank you for the ring...but I think
you are giving me more headaches than pleasure by giving it to me. 

  

Ah, but such a lovely headache. 

  

That it is. 

  

They spent the rest of the time in the restaurant eating, joking, sharing
stories about England, Iraq, the night of the bombing, the Field
Medal...his other awards. He seemed more impressed by her medals and
Purple Hearts than anything else. 

  

I just received an invitation to the White House. They want to award the
Silver Star in person. Im a PR princess. 

  

When do you go? 

  

Next month. 

  

That must be exciting for you. 

  

I get to take my family but I have none. So I am going to take Gregs
parents and Greg, that is if were still talking to each other after this
ring. She laughed. 

  

He will get over it.  

  

You dont know Greg. But, I guess hes got to learn that I can be trusted. 

  

Can you? Are you sure he is someone who you want to stay with? I am just
asking because of his demeanor towards you. 

  

She knew what he was really asking but she chose to ignore the underlying
question. He drives me nuts, hes a jerk, he makes me want to kick him in
the gonads at least once a week. But when I am not with him, I think about
him, I worry about him and I want to be with him. Pathetic, yes, but it is
what it is. 

  

Well if you ever find that he cannot give you what you want, please feel
free to give me a call. I am staying on at Princeton as a guest lecturer
for the next year. 

  

Ill do that. 

  

They spent the rest of the evening talking about odds and ends and when
the bill came he paid it, helped Murphy with her coat and then walked her
to her car. Murphy, you are beautiful, delightful, entertaining and
incredibly intelligent. Dr. House is a very lucky man. Thank you for
saving me. He gave her a peck on the cheek and they parted for the
evening.  

  

Murphy drove to Cuddys house. Murphy had called her, explained the
situation and she told her to feel free to use her guest room. When she
arrived, Cuddy let her in and greeted her with a quick hug. Murphy liked
Cuddy a lot. She admired her spunk. 

  

How did it go? Cuddy asked. 

  

Really well...too good. He is so charming, so educated and so handsome. I
think I need to introduce the two of you to each other. 

  

It sounds like hes already smitten with you. 

  

I dont think so, but if I were to give him the least indication that there
could be something between us hed be here in a nanosecond. He gave me this
for Christmas and to thank me. 

  

She held the box out Cuddy opened it, Holy Mother of God. Those are some
large diamonds and that emerald is incredible. This has to be worth a good
chunk of change. 

  

I know, I know. But he wouldnt take it back. Can you keep it for me? I
dont want Greg to see it. 

  

Murphy, you need to get this insured and put in a safety deposit box. I
dont want the responsibility and besides, you need to deal with House. 

  

I guess so, I think I can reason with him. 

  

Cuddy started cackling, Yeah and the sun will come up in the west
tomorrow. Keep dreaming. Hes going to act like a child when he sees this.
Be prepared. 

  

Murphy shook her head yes in acknowledgment. Well, I better get some sleep
if Im going to face him tomorrow. 

  

Murphy got up around nine and took a shower, dried her hair and put on her
jeans and top. She put the ring in her purse and steeled herself. She went
out, left Lisa a note thanking her and then drove to the Westin Hotel to
get some breakfast. The hotels restaurant had one of the best breakfasts
in town. She bought a newspaper and sat down to read it. She just didnt
want to go home and face House yet. She drank her Mimosa and sat back. She
finally paid the bill and got up to leave. She looked across the
restaurant and she saw Peter trying to get her attention. Murphy smiled
and waved back. She walked over to say hello. 

  

What are you doing here this morning? He asked. 

  

Just having breakfast. 

  

Alone? Please do not tell me he kicked you out because of the ring. 

  

She started laughing. She sat down at his table to get out of the way of
the waitress, No, he didnt, hes at the hospital and I wanted breakfast. 

  

He looked at her and smiled like he knew she was lying. She thought to
herself, How come I meet men who can read me like a book.  

  

Well, join me.	

  

No, Im already done. I must go...but again, thanks for everything last
night. Look, before I go I have your ring in here and I just cant take it.
She stood up and started to hand the ring box to him.  

  

He took the ring and put it into her purse. Please, do not do this. I do
not want the ring back and if you get it out I will leave it here on the
table. It is your ring now. He was holding his hands up in a stop motion. 


  

Oh, you do like to make things difficult for me. She said. 

  

It should not be difficult. I am sure he will understand. He stood up and
gave her a peck on the cheek. 

  

Across the restaurant was Cameron, out for breakfast with a friend. She
wondered what Murphy was doing with Peter Berkshire, the patient they had
just released last week? Cameron watched as Murphy and Peter talked and
then handed a ring box back and forth to each other and then he kissed
her. Hmmm. 

*** 

Murphy drove home and opened the door, she took her bag into the bedroom
but he wasnt there. She took the ring and stashed it away in her bottom
drawer. She felt guilty about hiding it but wanted time to think about how
to tell Greg about it. She wondered where he was, but then she knew he
wanted her to wonder where he was...oh he was such a player. She made the
bed and straightened up. She could play the game as well as he could. She
took her shower, shaved her legs, put lotion on, brushed her teeth,
brushed her hair (which was now about two inches long), put on mascara and
dressed in a black lowcut Merry Widow with lacing going down the middle
with garters to which she attacked black silk stockings. Over the
stockings she put on her french cut panties. She put on two inch feather
mules and a see-through black robe. She put an apron over her outfit and
went out to make dinner. Once the dinner was made and simmering in the
crock pot, she took off her apron and sat on the bed reading a book while
waiting for Greg to come home. 

  

Around 5:40 p.m. she heard his key open the apartment door but she didnt
move. When he came in, she smiled to herself. He put his keys down on the
desk and started to take off his jacket as he peeked around the edge of
the kitchen doorway but didnt see her. He could smell dinner cooking. She
came down the hall and he turned to look at her, he did a double take. She
was dressed like she was going to pose for Victorias Secret. He wanted to
touch but didnt dare give in to temptation if he wanted to hold the high
ground in their disagreement.  

  

She just looked at him but said nothing. She went over to the couch and
bent over suggestively to pick up the old newspapers. House, staring at
her sweet little behind, smiled and shook his head...he really wanted to
touch. She went past him, threw the papers in the recycle bin and then
grabbed some plates and took them out to the dining table she had set up.
He was blocking her path so she stopped and raised an eyebrow. He slowly
started to smile realizing it was no use, he was a pushover for a
beautiful blonde in sexy lingerie. He reached out to grab her by the waist
but she jumped back. 

  

Put the plates down, I want to bend you over the table and have you. he
ordered her. 

  

Get cleaned up, Wilson will be here in about ten minutes. Murphy barked
back. 

  

Wilson? He couldnt believe his ears, here she was dressed and ready to be
taken, taunting and teasing him with her body, getting him hot and
bothered and Wilson was coming over? Oh, she was good. 

  

She took the plates to the table and went back into the kitchen to get the
silverware and napkins. She turned around, looked at him, walked
over...slipped her panties off and stuffed them in his pocket. She went
into the bedroom, slipped on a skirt and blouse and came back out. She
raised the skirt and mooned him while showing him she still had the Merry
Widow and garter belt on but no panties. She laughed at him just as the
doorbell rang. 

  

This is not funny. House shook his head at her. 

  

Murphy opened the door and let Wilson in, Jim, thanks for coming over for
dinner. Can we get you something to drink? 

  

Gin and tonic? 

  

Sure. Greg can you fix Jim a gin and tonic while I work on the pasta for
the dinner?  

  

Greg gave her the most frustrated look in the world and then went to make
Wilson a drink. They sat down and Murphy began the meal by serving each
their own garlic dripped artichoke. Greg was across from Murphy. He
watched her pull each leaf off of her artichoke, dip it in butter, put it
into her mouth and then pull it slowly back out through her closed teeth
while looking at Greg . She slowly licked her lips after each leaf. House
was watching this very erotic dance. Wilson was telling a somewhat
convoluted story about the bomb and aftermath of the attack. From time to
time Murphy would smile and pretend to be listening but underneath the
tablecloth, her foot was finding its way across the table and tracing the
seam on Gregs left trouser leg until she reached the promised land. She
chuckled when she realized he was already starting to get hard. He was
clenching his teeth and trying to maneuver away from her foot. 

  

She got up and took the remains of the artichokes to the trash and brought
in the spaghetti with meatballs and string beans. She dished the plates
out and took them to the table and also delivered the fresh grated
Parmesan. This time she sat across from Wilson and next to Greg. About
half way through the meal, she put her hand on his leg and started to
follow it the same way her foot had. When she finally touched his pride
and joy, he grabbed her hand and put it back in her lap. She grabbed his
hand back and put it up her skirt, resting it on her thigh. He jerked his
hand back so fast he hit the underside of the table banging it and causing
him to cry out in pain. She let out a quick little snort of laughter and
Wilson looked at the two of them like they were nuts. 

  

What is going on? Wilson asked. 

  

Murphy went out on a date last night, I got pissed, she came home and got
all tarted up, pranced around getting me hot and bothered just before you
got here and now shes feeling me up with her feet and hands. Oh, and she
doesnt have any knickers on. Honey, does that about sum it up? He said
sweetly to Murphy. 

  

Wilsons mouth dropped open and Murphy smile and nodded yes in agreement.
Maybe I should leave, Wilson said. 

  

Oh dont leave Jim, he deserves to be taunted and harassed. He was invited
on my date with me and wouldnt go and then insisted I not go either. Then
he told me that I could sleep on his sofa. So Jim, you can ignore him,
lets go sit on the sofa and talk. She got up and escorted Wilson to the
sofa. Wilson was nervous. 

  

I think you two should have some time alone to figure this out. He started
to get up.  

  

Jim, I tell you what, why dont you and Greg go down to the Triumph for
some drinks and Ill join you in a few minutes? She really didnt want
Wilson to feel bad about coming over. 

  

I dont want to go to the Triumph for drinks. Greg said. 

  

Murphy, I enjoyed the meal but its gotten a little weird. You need to have
some time together. House, you need to get over yourself. Wilson got up,
gave Murphy a peck on the cheek, grabbed his coat and looked at House and
shook his head in disbelief. House looked at him, asking with his body
language for Wilson to believe in him. House, come on. We both know you
test people until they push back. Stop it. He closed the door and took
off. 

  

Murphy stormed into the hallway and grabbed a blanket and then into the
bedroom to grab a pillow. She threw the blanket and pillow on the couch
and then looked at him, Excuse me, but youre in my bedroom and Id like to
go to sleep. 

  

He threw up his hands, Go to sleep? You just made a fool of me in front of
my friend and Im suppose to go off to bed? 

  

When havent you made a fool of yourself in front of Wilson? So you want to
talk? Ok, are you still angry with me for going to dinner? 

  

Where did you stay last night? 

  

On no, you dont get to ask. You banished me from our bedroom. I was with a
friend. 

  

A friend? Is Peter Berkshire a friend? 

  

Thats it, I want to go to sleep. We need to talk about this tomorrow. If I
talk to you right now well both regret it. 

  

He didnt know what to do, but he didnt want her sleeping on the couch. He
collapsed, Lets call a truce tonight. Well talk about this tomorrow. Come
on into bed, its your home too. I promise not to bother you, touch you ,
yell at you ...youll get a good nights rest.  

  

She looked at him crossly and went over and grabbed her pillow. She went
into the bedroom and took off her skirt, her blouse , the nylons and the
merry widow. She was standing there naked trying to find a gown in her
drawer. He walked over to the chest of drawers and put his arms around her
before she could put the gown on. 

  

Im sorry. he said. 

  

I thought you werent going to touch me or bother me? she said quietly. 

  

 I lied. He kissed the crook of her neck and buried his face in her hair.
Im sorry, I just dont want to lose you to anyone. Hes younger, better
looking, intelligent and has two legs. 

  

She turned to him, You idiot. Ive had lots of intelligent, handsome, young
men in my life but Im living here with you, not them. Doesnt that tell you
anything? 

  

That youve had a lapse in judgment? 

  

Im beginning to think youre right. She said. He was rubbing her back and
kissing her ear and cheek.  

  

She was the one who broke away and pulled his hand towards the bed. She
pulled back the covers and climbed in. He undressed and then climbed under
the sheets. They faced each other and kissed. He slipped his hand down to
her bottom and pulled her closer so that she could feel him respond to
their kisses. She felt his chest and the little brown and gray hairs that
curled up on it. She was enjoying his warm, warm body and breath. He
slipped between her legs and felt her welcome him in with a deep sigh. He
propped himself up on his elbow so he could watch her as they made love.
He was deliberate and slow, enjoying every movement and every reaction of
hers. Eventually, he closed his eyes to concentrate on the sensations
coming from the thrusts. She watched him as long as she could before the
pleasure filled her from her groin through her abdomen and up into her
breasts. She started to cry out and he joined her. They both started to
laugh as soon as the waves of pleasure dissipated. 

  

He looked down at her, smiled and stroked her hair and cheek. He couldnt
look at her because he didnt want to see her reaction and then he said, I
love you more than I thought I could love anyone. 

  

Murphy stopped laughing and tried to make eye contact with him but he kept
looking just slightly to the side of her face. Greg, cant you look at me
and say that? 

  

Im afraid Ill see in your eyes that you dont feel the same. And if I do
see that you feel the same, that scares me too. It means that I could be
happy and thats not something Im comfortable with.  

  

I love you too. Now you find a way to deal with that Greg, because I do.
Youre going to have to learn how to be happy because we are going to be
happy. Not all the time, not even most of the time. Most of the time, well
just be living our lives and glad we have each other, but there will be
enough moments of happiness that well stay together to experience those.
Does that make sense to you? 

  

In my world, happiness doesnt make sense, Im struggling with the idea of
it. But if it feels as good as your body, then Im in. He said looking
straight into her eyes. 

  

Im just shocked you said the L word first. She kissed his cheek. 

  

What? I called you a lesbian a long time ago. He chuckled. 

  

Tell me again. She stroked his chest. 

  

Youre a lesbian. 

  

Tell me again. This time look at me. 

  

He looked at her, shook his head, swallowed hard and said, I love you. 

  

Its about time you said it. 

  

Thats your allotment of I Love Yous until your birthday.  

  

He rolled onto his back and grabbed the remote to turn on the television,
Murphy fell asleep with her head on his chest. 

*** 

  

House and Murphy arrived at 9:30 in the lobby. Murphy went to HR to fill
out forms again and get the malpractice insurance back on line. House
found Cameron lingering in his office. He looked at his messages and
waited for her to say something. She had her hands in her lab coat
pockets. He could tell she had gotten over the break up with her boyfriend
because her eyes were no longer puffy. He wondered if she was going to
turn her attention back to him. She cleared her throat and just stood
there in front of his desk.  

  

Are you going to tell me or am I suppose to take my belt off and beat it
out of you? House looked up at her. 

  

I just wanted to know if everything is ok between you and Murphy? 

  

Cameron, I appreciate that you think Im charming, witty and sexy, but dont
you think its time that you moved on? 

  

Its not that! I was at the Westin hotel yesterday morning and I saw Murphy
having breakfast with Peter Berkshire. I think he gave her a box. I just
wondered if you two had broken up? 

  

You saw her yesterday morning in the hotel restaurant with Peter
Berkshire? 

  

Yes. 

  

What did this box look like? 

  

 Cameron hesitated before saying it, A ring box.  

  

House didnt want to show Cameron how shocked he was to hear that but his
face registered surprise. He jumped up, grabbed his keys and left. A few
minutes later Murphy showed up in the office and looked for Greg. 

  

Wheres House? 

  

He left. I dont know where he was going. Cameron told her. 

  

Murphy picked up the phone and dialed Gregs cell phone. He either didnt
pick up or he was in an area where he wasnt getting the signal. She sat
down to read about the additional steps the authorities were taking at
both Princeton University to prevent another terrorist bomb attach. It had
been determined that it was a sleeper cell from Al Qaeda. 

  

House opened the apartment door and thought that the only place in the
apartment that she could hide something was either in the closet or her
drawers. He went straight into the bedroom and felt around in the top
drawer for a box. There was nothing, he went through the next two,
nothing. He finally felt around the last drawer and there was something
stuck way in the back the size and feel of a ring box. He pulled it out
and opened it. It was a very impressive emerald and diamond ring. It wasnt
something you give a stranger. He closed it and put it back. 

  

She had lied to him, she was sleeping with him and now Berkshire was
giving her expensive jewelry. So the friend she stayed with was Peter
Berkshire at the Westin Hotel. House just kept thinking over and over,
Everybody lies, everybody lies. And then he heard her voice, Im honest
with you. He shook his head, Everybody lies. 

  

When he got back to the hospital he discovered that their patient was
being checked out, having been diagnosed and treated by House and the
team. The next patient was being checked in at that very moment. Murphy
was reading the chart when House walked in, he gave her a cold look that
took her back. But then, House was different with her in front of people. 

  

He went over to the white board and grabbed the chart out of Murphys
hands, he wrote 

  

  

Fever 104 

Severe headache 

Myalgias 

Anorexia 

Cough 

Sweats 

Chills 

  

Looks like garden variety flu to me. Murphy said. 

  

Well then you would be a moron. If we assumed every disease with these
symptoms that came through here was the flu most of our patients would be
dead. Cameron, get a history. Chase do reconnaissance at his house and
Foreman, do a CT scan and screen his blood and kidneys for our usual
villains. 

  

They all jumped up and left. Murphy looked at him but he had his back to
her, Greg, what do you want me to do? 

  

Go down and do my clinic hours. He said abruptly before leaving the
office. 

  

She felt like he had just slapped her in her face. She ran out of the
office after him. Why am I going to clinic? Wont I be more useful if I
help Chase or Foreman? 

  

Useful? If he gets an RPG in his side, youll be the one I call. But the
best use for you today is the clinic so that you can free up my time. 

  

The look on her face was just what he wanted. That feeling of rejection
and hurt. Maybe she felt a tiny bit of what he was feeling. He turned and
kept walking. She stood in the middle of the hall looking at him as he
walked away. 

  

Clinic duty was boring but once her hours were over she went back up to
the office and noticed that they must have had another meeting because
more was written on the white board. 

  

Lived in mobile home 

foundry worker 

pleuritic chest pain 

Hawaii -two months ago 

rodeo-last week 

no known allergies 

blood count - normal 

  

Murphy looked around for House and the team, but they were all gone. She
went up to see the patient. He was a long lanky guy with wavy black hair
and nice features like Clint Eastwood or even House. The chart said he was
21. The kid open his eyes and looked at her, Hi, who are you? 

  

Im Dr. Morrighan, I work with Dr. House. How do you feel? She noted that
the whites of his eyes were yellow. 

  

Tired, my head hurts and, (cough, cough) I have this dry cough. My chest
has pains up here. 

  

Yes, that means the sac around your lungs are inflamed, we call it
pleurisy. Any nausea, vomiting or diarrhea? 

  

No...at least not yet. he managed a weak smile. 

  

Ok, kiddo. Were waiting for some results, well let you know something in a
little while. Keep getting some sleep. 

  

She went to the lab and found the entire team and House inside. House
looked up from sipping on his straw to watch her. He told her, Why dont
you go down and cover Camerons clinic duty so she can continue her lab
work. 

  

But House, I just finished my lab... Cameron stopped when House gave her a
stern look. 

  

Murphy didnt want to acknowledge to the team that she was being treated
like an intern. Sure, not a problem. She almost gave House the Nazi salute
but held back. Oh, by the way...has anyone talked to your patient in the
last hour?  

  

They looked at each other and shook their heads No, 

  

As she opened the door and began to leave she said, I ask because he has
jaundice, I think your patient has developed hepatitis...gosh, I wonder
what that means? She left the lab, walked down the hall and then turned
around to see what House was doing. She couldnt hear through the glass of
the lab, but she could see House giving the team hell for not knowing
this. His hands were flailing and he was gesturing all over the place.
After a moment he caught a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye
watching him. He turned and sheepishly gave her a look of frustration. He
walked out to the hall. Ok, go get a liver function test and a blood
sample to test for Q Fever. 

  

I thought so too, especially after seeing on the board that he had gone to
the rodeo. She said as gently as possible to him but he wouldnt make eye
contact, Whats going on Greg? 

  

He started to leave, Maybe YOU should tell me. She had no idea what he
meant. 

  

House correctly diagnosed Q Fever, which is transmitted from cattle, and
started the patient on Vibramycin. After running the tests and confirming
the diagnosis, Murphy went down to clinic and started to handle Camerons
clinic hours. Cameron showed up a half an hour later. 

  

Murphy, why are you handling my clinic duties? 

  

Because House told me to or dont you remember? Murphy said. 

  

That was before the diagnosis. I can handle them now. Cameron took the
file from Murphys hand. 

  

Cameron, do you know any reason that House is upset with me? 

  

You need to talk to him about whatever is going on between you two. 

  

Yes, youre right. She agreed. 

  

Murphy and House left at 5:00 and the ride home was quiet. She went
straight in and started the kettle for a cup of tea. House went through
the mail and checked the phone messages.  

  

Boy, that took a lot out of me. I cant tell you how exhausted I am after
just one day. 

she looked at him hoping he would start talking. 

  

He just raised a single eyebrow and then walked in and got a beer. She
followed him into the kitchen. I thought we made up last night? Am I crazy
but didnt you tell me you loved me? 

  

Murphy, you need to ask yourself why I might be angry. Once you come
clean, then we can talk. For right now let me just kick back and watch
some television. 

  

She wanted to say something back but didnt want to start crying. So she
went in to start dinner. She reheated the spaghetti and left it on the
stove for him to get a plate if he wanted some. She took a bowl of it and
went into the bedroom to watch television by herself. Later, she came back
out, rinsed her bowl, saw an dirty plate in the sink and looked to find
that the spaghetti was gone. She went back to bed, started to watch some
more television but was asleep by 8:00 p.m.  

  

The next morning was a repeat of the night before. They rode into work
quietly with the occasional exchange of necessary information. As they
were pulling into the garage at work he said, I have a dental appointment
this afternoon so Ill come back and get you when Im done. 

  

She shook her head and then got out of the car. Since they didnt have a
patient Murphy went down to do her clinic hours. She was waiting in one of
the offices when she looked up on the wall and saw the calendar photo of
El Capitan in the afternoon sunlight. Its golden granite was gleaming in
the photo. She started to ache for California, for Yosemite, for Big Sur,
for the Sequoias, for Torrey Pines, for Laguna Mountain, for Lake
Cuyamaca. She decided that as soon as she had two weeks of leave saved up
she would go home and do some back country hiking. 

  

She looked at the calendar and realized for the first time that her birth
control medication was way overdue. CRAP! It should have been changed out
in January but with the move into the apartment and trying to get back
into shape, she had just completely forgotten it. She called down to renew
the prescription for the birth control ring and then she went into an
empty exam room, drew some blood and sent it down for a pregnancy check,
just to be safe. 

  

The day was uneventful but that afternoon at five House didnt show up
outside. She called him but he wasnt picking up. She went outside and
looked around, it was starting to get dark. She waited in the little ante
room near the exit. Around 7:00 p.m. she took a taxi home and was
surprised to find him laying on the couch watching the Knicks play. When
she walked through the door he looked at her and then his watch and said,
Ah crap. I forgot. Im sorry. MY bad. And then went back to watching the
Knicks play. Murphy went back to the bedroom, sat on the bed and just
stared into space wondering what was going on with him. She crawled up
onto the bed and watched television until she fell asleep.  

  

She tried to talk to him over the next few weeks but he wouldnt tell her
what was eating him. He did start to say more to her but on a superficial
level. More importantly, they hadnt had sex for the whole time he had been
angry. She knew he was beating off because she walked in on him in the
shower. Murphy was confused, she wish he would stop playing around and
tell him what was pissing him off. She talked to Lisa and neither of them
understood what was going on in his head. 

  

Things were so strained around the apartment that Murphy was constantly
stressed. Murphy started to go to the movies, the mall, rowing or just
walking by herself to get out of the apartment. House assumed she was
going out to meet up with Peter.  

*** 

Murphy flew down to Washington D.C. a few days before the presentation at
the White House at the request of the Navy. She took her dress blues and
some civilian clothes. The Navy had her visiting various government
buildings to meet with a handful of Senators, Congressmen and the entire
Cabinet. They wanted to promote her war record and her visit to the White
House so the press followed her all over D.C.  

  

She was getting excited about the visit to the White House even though she
tried to stay cool about it. She knew that her parents would have been so
proud of her if they were still alive. It was nice that she could share it
with Greg and the Houses. She met the Houses at Reagan International and
drove them in her rental car to the hotel. The presentation at the White
House was to be held the next day. 

  

Wheres Greg? 

  

 Hell be here this evening. 

  

You look tired, whats wrong? 

  

Ive been running around all over D.C. trying to please everyone in the
Navy or military by having my photo taken with them. My hand is red from
shaking it so often. 

  

They had a great time at dinner and when Greg hadnt shown up she called
his cell phone. He immediately saw it was her on the caller i.d. He
answered with a snarl. Yeah. 

  

Where are you? I thought you were going to drive down tonight? 

  

Im not coming. He said bluntly. He had never intended to go. In fact, when
she returned he would have her things packed and waiting for her. He was
tired of the charade. 

  

Her heart sank, Is there a patient?  

  

I need to go, my programs on. The phone went dead. She looked at her phone
in shock. He hung up? 

  

She told the Houses that Greg had a patient and couldnt make it. But since
they were going back to Princeton with her, they would still get to see
him. The Houses could tell how disappointed Murphy was and how hard it was
for her to put on a happy face.  

  

They had all been asked to get to the White House two hours early for
several ceremonial presentations and that the President would meet with
her after those presentations were through. The next day it took half an
hour to get through the White House security even though she and the
Houses were on the schedule. They were led into the Blue Room where the
brass was waiting for her. Over and over the admirals, generals, senators,
congressmen all got up to take their picture with her. Some presented her
with commendations, medals or plaques from their state or constituency.
The press was there in droves and occasionally she answered a question
posed by one of the presenters. 

  

Are these your parents in the front row? One of the senators asked. 

  

My parents are dead but this is General and Mrs. House, they have taken me
under their wing and treated me like their own. 

  

Lets bring them up and have a photo taken with you. 

  

The Houses joined Murphy and the press all took photos. 

  

In the meantime, Foreman was checking his email when he received a patient
notification for Murphy Morrighan. Since Foreman was her doctor of record,
whenever a medical test came back on a patient the doctor of record would
get notified of the result by email. Foreman clicked on the email and read
the results. He started laughing. Murphy was pregnant. 

  

I thought that you were going down to Washington to see Murphy get the
Silver Star? Chased asked. 

  

House looked up, Obviously Im not. 

  

But she was looking forward to having you and your parents there, why
didnt you go? 

  

Yeah, well boo hoo, I had other things to do.  

  

Foreman was sitting by the computer bursting at the seams. He wanted to
tell House but it would have violated the patient confidentiality. When is
Murphy coming back into the office? 

  

Dont know, dont care. House said.  

  

Foreman was surprised by his response. Everyone had noticed Houses
treatment of Murphy was fairly callous lately. It had gone beyond the
House quips and badgering. Something was wrong between them and maybe a
baby wasnt the best thing for their relationship. 

  

Cuddy stuck her head in and had a scarf with her. She looked at House and
asked, What are you doing here? Arent you suppose to be in Washington D.C.
with your girlfriend and your parents? 

  

Christ everyone has their nose in my business. Do you have something to
say or was this just a visit to rattle my cage. 

  

Cuddy held up the scarf, I keep forgetting to give this back to Murphy.
She left it when she spent the night at my house last month. 

  

Last month? When last month? Houses face went blank. 

  

The night she had dinner with the mathematician. You know you told her to
sleep on the couch so she came over and stayed with me. She watched as
House looked away and started to stare, House whats up? She asked
cautiously. 

  

He looked at her standing there in her Tahari suit, Did she show you the
ring? 

  

Yes, its gorgeous isnt it? You know she tried to give it back to him
several times. She told me that they almost got into a fight over it the
next morning when she saw him at breakfast. Whats going on? You look like
you just thought of something. 

  

Ive got to fly down to Washington. House said. 

  

Chase said Its too late, turn on CSPAN. 

  

Lisa Cuddy motioned to House and he turned the tv on to CSPAN and saw a
beautiful, but skinny Murphy standing to the side of the podium with the
President of the United States as he pinned the Silver Star on her chest.
His parents were being called up to the stage to stand with Murphy. The
President read out a long list of Murphys accomplishments in Iraq and she
began to blush. General House started smiling as he heard the President
read paragraph after paragraph of her accomplishments. He felt like a Dad,
he was very proud of her.  

  

Oh God, Im in trouble. House knew he had really hurt her by not going. She
had spent all week packing his bag and deciding what suit he should wear.
She had gotten his shoes out and shined them for him. Even though they
were barely speaking, just about every other word out of her mouth had
been about going to D.C. The whole time she was getting ready, getting
excited and anticipating the trip, he had planned to crush her by telling
her at the last minute he wasnt going. House had accomplished what he had
intended. The whole time Murphy was on the stage with the President she
felt sad and distracted. This scene wasnt what she had envisioned in her
mind. She had always imagined that Greg would with her to crack jokes and
make snide remarks to make her laugh. 

  

Murphy went to the podium to speak. She was so distracted by Gregs absence
that she simply started to read her little 5 x 8 index cards. Id like to
thank the President, Secretary of State, Admiral Cleary, the Navy, Senate
and Congress for this honor. I would also like to thank Dr. Gregory House,
General and Mrs. House for being here today. Then it hit her that he wasnt
there, I mean, General House and Mrs. House for being here today. Dr.
House couldnt make it. Uh... Murphy started to sweat and then a tunnel of
black caved in from the sides or her vision. Without any warning, Murphy
fell like a lead weight to the floor. There was a huge commotion on the
television.  

  

House jumped out of his chair. What the.. He said to the television. He
watched as everyone went to Murphys aid except of course him because he
wasnt there. 

  

Foreman realized that Murphy would be fine in a minute. Pregnant women
frequently experienced dizziness or passed out in their first trimester.
It was just a matter of her cardiovascular system undergoing some pretty
dramatic changes. During pregnancy the heart rate goes up, the heart pumps
more blood per minute, and the amount of blood in the body expands by 40
to 45 percent. The blood pressure gradually decreases in the beginning,
reaching its lowest point in the middle of the pregnancy. It then begins
to rise, returning to its regular level by the end of pregnancy. Most of
the time, the cardiovascular and nervous systems are able to adjust to all
these changes, but occasionally they don't, which can leave the pregnant
woman feeling lightheaded, dizzy or as Murphy was, faint. 

  

Shell be ok in a minute. Foreman told House with some authority. 

  

How do you know? House demanded. 

  

Just a hunch.  

  

House was now suspicious of Foreman. But he was too concerned about Murphy
to do anything. He turned to Cuddy, I need to know, did she sleep with
this Peter guy? 

  

Cuddy was shocked and showed it, Oh my God House, no. Is this why youve
been treating her like crap lately? You think she had an affair with Peter
Berkshire? Cuddy could see from Houses refusal to make eye contact and the
look on his face of a six year old with his hand in the cookie jar that he
did, indeed, think she had been unfaithful. I dont believe you. If you had
talked to her about this you would have straightened it out a long time
ago. But no, you gave her the silent treatment and shes been utterly
miserable. Well done Dr. House, once again you figured a way to screw up a
good thing. 

  

Foreman was shaking his head in disbelief. Chase gave House a look of
contempt.  

  

House threw his hands up in despair, Yes, Im an @ss. Now he needed to
figure a way to get back in her good graces. 

  

The CSPAN announcer interrupted, Commander Morrighan apparently is fine.
Apparently she had not eaten breakfast and has been exhausted from her
duties here in Washington and, as a result fainted briefly. It certainly
would make sense, the Commander is still getting over three gunshot wounds
and a two month long coma. Well wait a minute and see if they are going to
continue. 

  

Murphy did continue and she gave a beautiful speech about the United
States, Abraham Lincoln and the Last Full Measure of Devotion. She honored
those who had died with tears and her sincerity in calling them the true
heros received a hearty applause from the audience. When it was over,
Murphy could have been elected to Congress. 

*** 

The next day the Houses and Murphy drove up to Princeton in her rental
car. Murphy drove them straight to their hotel and made plans to meet them
at six p.m. for dinner. 

She dreaded going home. She knew now it was over and it was killing her,
zapping her of her energy. 

  

She walked in and House almost pounced on her. Im sorry for not making it.
I was a jerk. I really am sorry. 

  

Youre parents are here for three days and I plan to put on a good show for
them. But after theyre gone, Im moving out. Its over Greg. I cant stay on
this roller coaster. I fainted in D.C. from the stress of wondering why
you didnt come. 

  

I saw it on CSPAN. Murphy please, just listen to me. Cameron told me she
saw you having breakfast at a hotel with Peter Berkshire and that he gave
you a ring box. I came home and found this. House pulled the ring box out
of his pocket and showed it to her. I thought that every time you went out
on your own you were going to go meet him. I wanted you to tell me. I
wanted to see if you were going to be honest with me.  

  

She sat down and put the puzzle together and realized what a FUBAR this
was. It doesnt matter Greg, the problem isnt what you thought happened.
The problem is that you couldnt just come and ask me or talk to me when
you found the ring. Which, by the way, was an invasion of my privacy.
We...no...you dont communicate. Its over Greg, lets just salvage a
friendship out of this so that we can work together. 

  

No, I wont accept that. Murphy, I love you. I want you to be around when I
need diapers and false teeth. I want you to have our baby or, God forgive,
babies...I want to marry you. 

  

Dont do this to me Greg. Please, dont do this to me. Ive had several weeks
to think about it. Besides, have a baby with you? Id never know one day to
the other whether we were going to make it or not. I couldnt bring a child
into that. 

  

Murphy, this was an honest mistake. Even you can see that your actions
could have been interpreted as an affair. Why didnt you show me the ring
and tell me about it? 

  

The ring meant nothing to me but I knew it would fuel the fire in you. I
just thought it would be best if I kept it from you. I see that was a
mistake, to keep it from you. But you were vicious the last few weeks,
just vicious. You made my life stressful at work and at home. I didnt have
anywhere to go to get away from it except that bedroom. I felt so alone in
that bed, even with you in it. 

  

House was sitting on the chair staring down at his feet and rubbing his
forehead. He looked up at her and said, Every time you walked out that
door I thought you were going to him. I couldnt stand the idea of having
sex with you knowing you had been with him. I just wanted you to be
miserable too. I wanted you to come to me, confess your sins and then I
would forgive you like a priest. I F#cked up ...dont leave. 

  

Greg, lets get through the next few days with your parents and then we can
talk. Maybe if I move out we can date and see if we can be decent to each
other. Maybe you can learn to talk to me, not try to manipulate me into
some artificial response. I told your parents that we would pick them up
for dinner at 6:00 p.m. Its 3 p.m. now, Im going to go lay day for awhile,
I am exhausted. Murphy took her bag and went into the bedroom. House
followed her and sat on the edge of the bed as she took her dirty clothes
out of the bag and put them in the hamper. 

  

Well, let me see it. He said softly. She pulled it out of her bag and
handed it to him. He opened the box and there it was. It was actually a
five pointed gold star with a tiny silver star in the center surrounded by
two olive branches. The star hung from a red white and blue striped
ribbon. Your speech was incredible. Really, even I was moved by it. I am
really proud of you. 

  

She layed down on the bed and grabbed her throw. House pulled it up and
over her. He crawled up into the middle of the bed and spooned her. She
remembered how safe this made her feel and she wanted to feel that way
again. But right now she was in so much pain and so tired that she just
wanted to go to sleep. 

  

At five Murphy got up and put on fresh clothes. House drove his car and
Murphy drove the rental over and dropped it off. They picked up his
parents at the hotel and went out to dinner. Murphy tried hard to pretend
that everything was fine between her and House. Even House tried hard to
be nice and pleasant to his folks and to Murphy. 

  

The evening went well, his parents enjoyed their time with both Greg and
Murphy. Blythe was surprised at how well Greg treated Murphy all night
long. It was a first. He hadnt been that attentive or kind to any of the
women she had seen him with in the past, including Stacy. Murphy seemed a
little anxious, but then a lot had happened to Murphy in the last year and
she had a right to be a little anxious. When Murphy went to the restroom,
his mother gave him the box and said, I thought you should have this, youd
inherit it anyway. I hate to see it just go to waste.  

  

House dropped his parents off and then he and Murphy drove back to the
apartment. She was looking forward to climbing into bed and sleeping in
the next morning. She went into the bedroom and took off her clothes.
House brought in a bottle of water for her and one for him. After getting
into bed she turned out her lights and sank into a deep sleep. She woke up
around 4 in the morning with Gregs arm around her and his snoring in her
ear. It was somehow very calming and relaxing. She went back to sleep.
When she woke up Greg still had his arm around her but he was on his
stomach and she was on her back. She got up and went into the bathroom,
brushed her teeth and took a shower. He came in and took a leak while she
was in the shower, brushed his teeth, trimmed his beard and then opened
the shower door and got in with her.  

  

This isnt kosher. Please get out of the shower while Im in here. Greg,
after tomorrow, Im out of here. She turned around and put her arms around
her breasts. As usual, he didnt listen. He just grabbed her and kissed her
as the shower beat on her back and over his arms. She wanted so much to
give in and enjoy the feel of him and explore his body. They hadnt made
love in several weeks and she desperately wanted to feel him inside of
her. She pulled away and stepped out of the shower.  

  

House was angry with himself and frustrated with the situation both
mentally and sexually. He stood in the shower trying to decided what he
should do next, besides finish washing his hair.  

  

They dressed and went to pick up the Houses at the hotel. They all went
down to Atlantic City and spent the day walking around, shopping and
gambling. That night they went to a brasserie because John House felt like
a good ol American steak. After everyone was done and they were enjoying
their coffee House turned to Murphy, Murphy, he pulled out his mothers
engagement ring which she had given to him the night before, I know I
havent given you a good reason lately to say yes, but please marry me. 

  

Murphy jumped up in horror and almost choked. This isnt fair. She ran to
the front of the restaurant and out the door. The Houses looked at Greg
for an explanation. Lets just say I knew this was a risk, I kind of
screwed up this last month and she was going to leave me tomorrow. He
looked at them and then towards the front of the restaurant. He threw $200
down on the table. Dad, that should pay the bill, Im going to go try and
find her. They shook their heads in agreement.	

  

Well be back at the Casino around the slot machines. John said. 

  

House ran out the door as fast as his bad leg would let him. He looked up
and down the road and didnt see her. His leg had gotten a real work out
around Atlantic City and now he had to run after her. His leg was giving
him signals that this was going to be a painful night.	

  

Murphy was feeling terrible. She didnt want to disappoint the Houses, they
were such good and caring people. She knew that they wanted more than
anything for her to marry Greg and just one month ago she would have. But
she didnt know then just how cruel he could be. Or course it all came from
hurt and anger over a mistake but it was still cruel. She loved Greg so
much that the proposal had cut and sliced everything that was holding her
together. She ached inside and just wanted to sleep. She was so tired.	

  

Murphy looked around, she didnt realize that she had walked so far. She
turned around and started to go back. She was walking at a fast clip,
looking at the ground and thinking when his hand came out of nowhere and
grabbed her arm to stop her.  

  

Murphy, please stop, I really need to rest my leg, Ive been walking all
over looking for you. She could tell from his face that he was in physical
pain. He sat down on a nearby bus bench. We need to get my parents back to
Princeton so that they can get packed and ready to go home tomorrow. 

  

She looked at him in a daze and nodded yes. Why did you do that in front
of your parents? They must be terribly upset. They must think Im horrible.


  

No, they dont think youre horrible, theyll blame me. I explained why you
reacted the way you did. They werent surprised, Im not known for being an
angel. I asked you in front of them in the hopes that you would find it
harder to say no.  

  

A cunning plan...where did you get the ring? Murphy was curious. 

  

Its my Moms engagement ring. She brought it out to Princeton and gave it
to me last night. Dad gave her an anniversary ring several years ago and
so the engagement ring just sat in her jewelry box. 

  

Its beautiful. Are you ok, can you walk back or do you want me to go get
the car?  

  

Im ok, lets go. 

  

They started walking past the various casinos and crowds. That was a very
mean thing to do. I cant believe you did it even after I told you I was
leaving you. 

  

Murphy, youre going to marry me eventually. Lets just get past this. Lets
do what we have to do to move forward and get where we need to be. 

  

I dont know what to say to you Greg. I like that youre being optimistic
but I wouldnt be.  

  

They all drove home to Princeton in silence. Murphy said her goodbyes and
thanks to the Houses for coming out to the ceremony. They both kissed and
hugged her and John said in her ear, I understand why you dont want to
marry him, but I would have loved for you to be my daughter, legally. She
said her goodbyes and House drove her back to the apartment.  

*** 

They went to bed and just like the night before he kept her close to him
and she felt safe. House got up at 5:00 a.m. and took his parents to the
Trenton airport to catch a Delta flight. He went from the airport to work
at the hospital. He arrived at 7:00 a.m. and was surprised to see Chase
already in running some tests on the new patient. 

  

Murphy drove herself into the hospital and when she got into the office,
House was sitting at his desk. He smiled at her when she walked in.
Foreman jumped up and asked Murphy to take a walk with him.  

  

House was already suspicious of Foremans comments the other day and
wondered why Foreman wanted to talk to her. Murphy and Foreman were
friendly but not the type to go off in a corner and gossip. House then
realized that they shared another relationship, that of doctor/patient. He
started typing away, trying to hack into Murphys medical file. Using
Cuddys password, which he had discovered she kept taped underneath her top
drawer on a piece of paper, he pulled up Murphys file. House took one look
and jumped up and took off in the direction that Foreman and Murphy had
gone.  

  

Foreman and Murphy were in the presentation theater, they took seats in
one of the aisles. Apparently a few days ago you sent down a pregnancy
test to the lab. It was positive. They notified me of the results. You
fainted in D.C. not just because of the stress but also because youre
pregnant. 

  

At first she didnt know what he was talking about but then she remembered
the test she took a few weeks back. Oh noooo. This cant be happening to
me. She bent over in her chair. Oh Foreman, if you only knew. 

  

I think I do Murphy. You love him but youre not sure you can stay with
him. 

  

Yep, that would just about sum it up. What would you do? 

  

I wouldnt have fallen in love with the bast@rd. I dont know Murphy, you
need to ask yourself if you want the baby. If you do, then you need to
decide whether you want House to help you raise it. 

  

You wont tell him will you? I need time to sort this out. Weve had a
falling out and Im going to start moving out over the next few days. 

  

Where are you going? Foreman was concerned, he really liked Murphy and
thought that she was good for House. 

  

I dont know. I have a storage unit, so Im going to store most of my things
and then get a room until I can find an apartment. Then, when my tenants
lease is up, Ill move back into my house. 

  

The door burst open and House came in, I found you. So, what are you two
doing here? 

  

We needed to talk about my rehabilitation and what I should do next. 

  

I suggest Folic Acid and a pelvic exam. House smiled. 

  

Murphy looked at Foreman in surprise. Foreman was just as surprised. She
turned back to House, You hacked into my records? 

  

Were you going to tell me about the pregnancy? the look on her face said
no, I thought not. Foreman, you can leave us, we need to talk. 

  

Foreman was no dummy, he wanted out of there as quick as possible. He left
and then House turned to Murphy who was holding her head in her hands like
she had a terrible headache. 

  

Are you ok? House asked with sincere concern. 

  

Im dizzy and my head hurts. Greg, this changes nothing. 

  

Are you on crack? It changes everything. He looked at her face and it
registered some shame and guilt, You arent thinking of an abortion? 

  

Im thinking about all my options. The one that seems least likely is me
having the baby and marrying you. 

  

Murphy, dont be a fool. I love you, I have all my teeth, a regular job and
Ill behave. What more could you ask for in a father? 

  

Greg, Im really not ready to talk about this, I just learned about it
myself. Please, just give me some time to absorb it. She stood up quickly
and then crumpled back down again. House caught her and gently sat her
back down into the theater seat. 

  

She came through almost as fast as she past out. Whoa. 

  

You stood up too fast, your blood pressure is too low to handle that. You
need to remember that youre pregnant. Just rest a minute and then well
leave. He had his arm still around her shoulders and she leaned onto his
chest. They sat in silence for a few minutes. 

  

I think I can get up now. He kissed the side of her head and then helped
her stand up. She was fine and started to leave.  

  

As they walked down the corridor he looked at her, Dont move out just yet
until we figure this out. Dont make any quick decisions. 

  

Just for a few days. I think I need time to think before I take on the
challenge of finding an apartment. 

  

*** 

  

Murphy asked House if she could go into the lounge and lay down on the
couch for a minute. He smiled and nodded yes. She took off down the
corridor to go lay down, she still felt a little light headed.	

  

House had a moment to think. Did he really want a baby? No, not really,
but it was his only ticket to Murphy. It was the wild card that he could
play. The baby would become his obsession and Murphy would have a hard
time taking that away from him. He chuckled and pushed the door open into
his office. Cameron was sitting at his desk opening mail. 

He thought about Cameron and what she had told him about Murphy and Peter.
He couldnt fault her for what she saw, it was his interpretation of what
she saw that had gotten him into trouble. Still, why did Cameron feel the
need to tattle on Murphy? Sometimes Camerons righteous indignation was
more than just a nuisance, sometimes it was a tragic flaw. He didnt have
enough digits to count the times she went running to Cuddy or Wilson to
tattle. Even Cuddy was annoyed. But Camerons heart was in the right place,
she just needed an outlet for it. 

  

Foreman was in the presentation room. He looked at House and smiled one of
those knowing smiles. Foreman knew things were going to get interesting,
House was in battle mode. He was going to battle to keep Murphy with him. 


  

Wheres Murphy? Chase asked innocently. He looked around. Chase liked
Murphy and enjoyed her company. They had some great times together and she
made him laugh. Plus, she did a mean imitation of House. 

  

Shes resting. Now, my minions, lets start the differential. Murphy will
catch up. 

  

Shes staying in this department? Cameron asked. 

  

Why wouldnt she? Shes assigned to me. 

  

They conducted the differential and then Murphy joined them . She went
with Chase to get a CSF and a liver panel. Chase looked at her, Murphy, I
just wanted to say that I was really proud of your speech. If I was
allowed to vote over here Id vote for you. But are you alright, why did
you faint? 

  

Im pregnant. 

  

Chases eyes bugged out and he stopped in his tracks. Oh no Murphy, not
House. 

  

Who else? What, you think Im some tramp sleeping around? 

  

I wish! Then I would have nailed you. 

  

She slugged his arm. What would you do Chase? 

  

He looked at her as if she had just asked him to eat some poison. If I was
a fertile female, I wouldnt have gotten within ten feet of Houses
tackle...thats for sure. But obviously you were a little closer. I dont
know Murphy, having a child with him means you will be forever connected,
even when things go bad. 

  

I know, it is scary. You know whats scarier and makes me wonder about
myself? Even though he screws me over, I keep going back to him. I feel
like Cameron. 

  

Chase laughed. Yeah, but when you go back you give him as much of a
headache as he gives you. You should have seen him the other day when you
were in D.C. and he thought he had lost you. I thought he was going to
cry. He looked petrified. I dont even think Stacy did that to him. For
what its worth, whatever hold he has on you, youve got it on him too. 

  

Chase, when did you get so wise? 

  

He laughed and they both entered the patients room.  

  

At noon, House, Cuddy and Wilson went to lunch in the cafeteria. Murphy
was already going through the lunch line with Chase, Foreman and Cameron.
She was laughing at Foreman making fun of Chase. Murphy saw House out of
the corner of her eye and turned to wave.  

  

Why doesnt Murphy join us? Cuddy asked. 

  

I dont usually eat with the team and so she doesnt want to be singled out.
House watched Murphy go down the line, he loved her little nose and ears
and the way her mouth went up higher on the right side when she smiled or
laughed. Murphy. House yelled down the line, Honey, dont forget lots of
vegetables with folic acid for the baby. 

  

Murphy stopped and looked around at him. She noticed that the whole
cafeteria was staring at her. Cuddys mouth was slightly open in shock.
Murphy turned red and quickly shot him the finger. The whole cafeteria
started laughing.  

  

Is she really pregnant or are you just making her life miserable? Cuddy
asked. 

  

I assure you, Murphy is pregnant and I am proud to say that I did the
deed. See Cuddy, I told you my little men werent dead. 

  

House, this is serious. What are you two going to do? Shes just about
ready to leave you, what does this do to the equation? Cuddy was worried. 

  

Wilson looked back and forth at them, Pregnant? Leave you? Where have I
been? My God House, I cant believe the havoc you can create in just a few
days.  

  

They paid for their food and sat down. House smiled as he watched people
going up to Murphy to congratulate her. Now the whole world knew, if she
got an abortion now, shed have to explain it to the whole hospital. 

  

I asked her to marry me. House said casually. 

  

Wilson threw up his hands in surprise and frustration, Im your best friend
and you dont even bother to tell me? 

  

Dont worry, it doesnt mean that you and I are breaking up, Ill still love
you. Besides, she said no. But shell say yes, who can resist the charms
and genealogy of Greg House? Shes lucky to have gotten my donation. That
baby will be off the hook. How do you think Ill look in one of those baby
slings? 

  

Wilson looked at Cuddy who had the same look of disbelief. They all ate
their lunches and pondered the idea of Gregory House being a father. 

*** 

After lunch, Cameron and Murphy were alone in the presentation room.
Murphy closed the drapes and sat down at the table across from Cameron.  

  

We need to talk. 

  

About what? 

  

Your meddling. You told Greg that I had breakfast with Peter Berkshire at
a hotel, that he gave me a ring and that he kissed me. 

  

It was all true, I thought House should know. 

  

You knew that Greg would take it the wrong way so why tell him? 

  

The wrong way? Whats the right way? 

  

I did not have breakfast with Peter, I actually ran into him as I was
leaving and the ring was a Christmas gift. You could have come to me and
asked me what was going on. As it is, you may have destroyed my
relationship with Greg. 

  

Murphy, I did nothing but tell House what I saw. 

  

I know that you only told him what you saw, but you knew the import of
what you saw and you knew that Greg would interpret it to mean that I was
having an affair. Anyone else would have come to me and asked me what was
going on. She paused as Cameron gave her a dirty look. You know Cameron, I
could make your life a living hell on earth. But I just realized Im not
even angry at you. I feel sorry for you, for your need to be the righteous
crusader who has to fix everything. And thats what it is, every time you
snitch to Cuddy or House or anyone its because you want to be the catalyst
of fixing the situation or the person. You want everything and everyone to
be perfect. You know, the reason Im with Greg instead of you is due to one
thing, I dont want to fix Greg. Frankly, I dont think Greg can be fixed.
For Gods sake, hes 47 years old. Thats a lot of imprinting. I love him as
he is, flawed, cynical, sarcastic and mean. The best one can hope to do is
prove to him that you are trustworthy so that, on occasion, hell show you
his other side. Cameron, Im asking you as an adult, please stop
interfering. If you do it again, I may just get angry and Cameron, I fight
dirty. 

  

Well Murphy, this is all great but how do you think I feel? For two years
I was the target of his sexual innuendos, he little flirty looks and
touches. I helped pick up the pieces when he was in rehab, Ive patched him
up and what do I get for it? I get ignored the minute you come into his
life. 

  

Oh Cameron, I am sorry but House doesnt need a mother, he needs a woman,
one who lives her own life and can take him head on. Anything less and
hell eat you for lunch. I really hope you can find someone who can
appreciate you and only needs to be fixed a little. I would like to see
you happy. 

  

Murphy got up and went to the bathroom. Cameron started crying and
wondering when it would be her turn to be happy? 

  

When Murphy and House got home, House ordered takeout and propped her up
on the couch with a juice and plate of Chinese. He handed her the remote
and brought her the magazine she had been reading in bed. 

  

Oh, you are so funny. This special attention is funny coming from you.
This is fun, but I dont think I can take too much of the kinder, gentler
Greg House. 

  

Murphy, lets start all over again. Lets live together for awhile. If we
make it for a few months without killing each other then maybe we can talk
about getting married. Ok, one step at a time? 

  

I need to know what you think about having a baby. I have to make my
decision quickly or it will soon be too late. 

  

I want that baby because its the best thing weve done together. Its a
piece of whats good between us. 

  

Sex? 

  

He pretended to laugh, Ha, ha...no the intimacy we have. The intimacy I
have with you that I dont have with anyone else in my life. I want you to
have the baby and if you dont want it, Ill raise it. 

  

She was insulted, How could you think that I would just give up my baby to
you? 

  

Well, if youre willing to kill it, abort it, I just assumed. 

  

She was taken back...she hadnt thought of that and it stung. Its a fetus
right now, not a full grown baby. 

  

Yeah, I guess you want to hang with Roe v. Wade, just a itty bitty
fetus...except that right now he has eyes, fingers, toes, a tongue, and
his intestines are developing. Hes 1/5 of his way to being born. House
told her. From the look on her face he knew he had gotten to her. 

  

I liked it better when I just thought of it as a fetus...it was easier. 

  

Yeah denial makes everything feel good. 

  

He let her think about it and sat back to watch television. When they went
to bed he crawled in behind her and held her he whispered in her ear, I
want you and I want the baby. Turn over. 

  

She turned and looked at him. Her eyes were a little glassy. He kissed her
forehead and then her lips while he fondled her breasts which were
noticeably bigger. He pulled up her gown up and over her head. He kissed
her breasts and her belly. He pulled her head up to him and kissed her
deeply while his hand explored her body. She was warm and soft and he
wanted her. He pulled her on top of him and she guided him into her. She
looked down at him with her strawberry hair just below her ears and her
breasts riding up and down. He reached up to cup them and she came down to
kiss him. As she began to kiss him he could feel her own orgasm traveling
through her and grabbing him with it. He opened his mouth as he reached
his climax. She didnt cry out but he did. It was so delicious, all of it,
all of her. He grabbed her to stop. She collapsed onto him and then rolled
to his left. 

  

He knew at that moment that she was going to stay, that they were going to
get through this. He needed her. No one had ever been able to give him a
run for his money like she did.  

  

After a few minutes he asked her, So will the Navy kick you out? 

  

They dont do that anymore. Pregnancy isnt an excuse to leave the Navy.
They had too many women getting pregnant aboard the ships just to get out
of the Navy and get shipped back home. Doesnt happen now. 

  

How many years do you have left? He asked. 

  

In this enlistment or in the Navy? 

  

What do you mean? After this enlistment, wont you get out? 

  

Why should I? 

  

Answer my first question. Then well talk about you getting out. 

  

I have three years on this enlistment. At twenty I can go out on a
retainer. Its not officially a retirement, but I would get a monthly
pension. You dont officially retire until you hit your 30th year. So they
could call me up between the 20th and 30th year. 

  

Assuming we are together, what do you plan on doing with me when you get
stationed in Hawaii or San Diego or Naples or Iraq? 

  

Cross that bridge when we got there. People face it all the time Greg. We
can work it out. 

  

Gee sports fans, that sounds like a big, I DONT KNOW what wed do to me.
But he did like the idea that she was talking in present terms.  

  

Which is why having a baby isnt such a good idea. Maybe we cant work this
out.  

  

House back peddled, Of course well work it out, Ill just grow a teat and
Ill breast feed the baby while youre gone. Well work it out...we will work
it out. 

  

Youre scaring me, youve become so pollyannish. 

  

Murphy was still undecided what to do and House didnt make it any easier.
He spent every waking moment trying to make her pregnancy more comfortable
and he even went out and bought a baby sling, which he tried on for her.
He put a bag of sugar in it and stood smiling and patting the sugar bag
like a baby. She had to laugh, he looked so silly. By March Murphy still
hadnt made a decision about the baby or House, but every day she stayed in
the apartment, the harder it was to leave even though she knew he was
putting on an act.  

  

The first Monday in March at work they were diagnosing a patient when
House realized that the patient had a viral or bacterial infection that
was possibly lethal. He banned Murphy from the patients room. We have
three doctors in there already, its not like we need one more. You can run
some of the labs, but only the ones that keep you at a distance from the
bodily fluids. There were no jokes, no snide remarks, nothing funny, he
just said it and kept going. Murphy was going to protest but how could she
argue with logic and a very serious House? Was he really taking the idea
of being a father seriously? 

*** 

Murphy and Lisa went out shopping on Saturday and while they were having
lunch Murphy asked Lisa what she would do. 

  

Look, I know and like both of you. But Greg is a real steamroller, you
wont have a chance to think clearly if you stay in the apartment. Why dont
you give him something to think about and move in with me for awhile. Im
going to be gone for most of the next two weeks on training seminars and
to get my continuing education credits, so youll have the run of the
house. 

  

This was ideal. It let Murphy get away without making a commitment one way
or another. 

When she got home she sat House down. Im moving out for awhile. I dont
know if it is permanent but I need to think things through. I cant think
things through while you are holding me and kissing me. Ill leave most of
my stuff here until I make a permanent decision or if you want I can move
them into storage. 

  

Gregs mind was racing. He was upset that she was leaving but if he kept
her things here she;d have to come here to get them. You dont have to
leave to make up your mind. I hold you because I want you near me, always.


  

Greg, you sound so sweet it scares me. I feel like, no, I know that you
are trying to manipulate me. 

  

Well, if you do have to go, leave your things here and keep your keys.	

  

Ok.  

  

Murphy moved into Lisas guest room the following night and enjoyed staying
up with Lisa gossiping and giggling. On Monday they had lunch together and
were eventually joined by the team and Wilson. When House finally made it
to the cafeteria he hesitated to go and eat lunch with the team. But
everyone else was at the table and they were laughing like mad. He sat
down and they all looked at him. 

  

What? 

  

Chase was just telling about us about his growing up in Australia and the
Kangaroo races. Murphy said to him. 

  

Did your Mom let you stay inside the pouch or did she make you get out to
lighten the load. 

  

They all chuckled and House began to eat. The time at the hospital went
quickly and when Murphy got home to Lisas house she realized then how
quiet it was. In some ways it was nice to just have time to herself and
not have to think about House. But it was also lonely in some respects. 

  

House was bored without Murphy. He spent most of the days thinking about
how to get her to move back into the apartment. On Thursday night he
called her and asked her out on a date for Friday. She accepted the date
and smiled to herself when she hung up. They had never really gone out on
an official date. Murphy went shopping Thursday night and bought a new
outfit to show off her new, enlarged, breasts and her still gorgeous legs.
He put her hair up, put on some earrings and makeup.  

  

He drove over to Cuddys and picked her up at 6:00 p.m. When she opened the
door he looked at her with a very sly, sexy smile. She was lovely in a low
cut wrap around dress that came to just above her knees. The dress had its
own built in underwire bra that pushed her breasts up and together to give
her lots of cleavage. He hoped that she would look this sexy after the
baby was born.	

  

She invited him in and he stepped forward, grabbed her and kissed her like
he hadnt seen her in months instead of two hours. She was surprised at how
passionate the kiss had been. She gave him a look to acknowledge that it
was a very special greeting and then grabbed her coat. The went to a new
French Restaurant, Le Aubergine. They were sitting next to each other and
House had his hand on her knee under the table. Every few minutes he would
move it just slightly higher up her thigh and it was driving her crazy.
House ordered wine for himself and water for Murphy. They talked about
France and French wines, of which Murphy knew nothing. House eventually
admitted that Stacy had been a fan of everything French and so they had
spent a weekend in Napa learning the differences between Californian,
French and German wines. He was very entertaining as he mimicked a French
waiter.  

  

Did you two ever get to France? 

  

No, I suspect Mark has taken her by now though. 

  

Have you been to France? 

  

When I was a teenager. I was there with my parents in between duty
stations. I dont remember much about it. 

  

What about you? 

  

My sister and I toured Europe for a month after I got out of Landstuhl the
first time. I liked Italy much more than France. I think it was the
waiters. They cracked us up and were always teasing us. 

  

If we got married soon, we could go to Italy for our honeymoon. 

  

Nice try. Tempting. 

  

His hand was rubbing the interior of her thigh just lightly and she was
going to remove it but it felt so good and when she reached down to his
thigh, she could feel that it was getting to him too. He had to remove his
hand to eat. She could tell from his looks that he wanted the dinner over
with so he could have her for desert. 

  

His phone went off. He looked at it, shut it off and put it back in his
pocked, ignoring it. Her phone went off. She looked at it, realized it was
the hospital and shook her head at House.  

  

Just pretend you didnt see or hear it. 

  

I cant, its my job. You can finish here, Ill catch a cab to the hospital.
She answered the phone, told them she would be right in and looked at him.


  

Aghh. He groaned, Ok, let me pay the bill and well go. 

  

They arrived at the hospital and everyone gave Murphy a wolf whistle as
she went through the corridors. One of the passing nurses said, Lookin hot
Dr. House. 

And Murphy agreed. He had worn his tailored dark blue suit with a medium
blue shirt and a Jerry Garcia tie. He looked very hot. 

  

When they walked into the office the guys smiled slightly. Were you two on
a date or something? 

  

House grimaced, Obviously Ill have to have my or something later. 

  

Murphy, as beautiful as ever. Chase said. 

  

Thanks. 

  

The case was that of a young woman who lost her ability to function at her
job as an accountant. The tests had shown that she did not have dementia.
She was admitted in emergency when she started to vomit blood.	

  

Murphy did the initial examination and found that the liver and spleen
were enlarged. House ordered a hepatitis test and CB3 and CB4. They showed
that she had low platelet and white blood cell counts in the blood as well
as high levels of amino acids, protein, uric acid, and carbohydrates in
urine. Murphy looked at House who was giving her a look of disappointment.


  

House told Chase and Cameron to run the tests stat. He told Foreman to get
an MRI. 

He told Murphy to follow him. As they walked down the corridor House was
looking in each of the windows of the doors and finally he looked in one,
opened the door and dragged Murphy quickly inside. He pinned her up
against the door itself and unwrapped the front of her dress putting his
left hand on her breast and the right hand down the front of her panties
giving her pleasure and bringing her close to climax. He grabbed her and
bent her over the table, lifted the back of her dress and pushed it up
onto her back, pulled down her panties and within minutes they both were
exhausted from the spasms and sensations that went through their bodies at
the same time. 

  

Ah, God...I needed that. He pulled out of her and leaned forward onto her
back as he rested for a minute. He straightened himself and Murphy pulled
up her panties and closed up her dress. I thought I was going to have to
screw one of those nurses at the charge desk. 

  

That...that was hot. I can still feel it. She was breathing heavily. He
pulled her to him and kissed the tops of her breasts and then her lips.
She pulled away and straightened herself. They looked around the room to
see if anything was out of place and the left. When they got to the
presentation room they waited for the results to come back. The team came
back with them and House began to review them. 

  

Murphy, if you werent the mother of my child Id have to take you over my
knee and spank you...oh, but then you like that. Well, Murphy what do you
have to say for yourself? 

  

I know, I screwed up the exam. Im sorry, Ill go back and look at her eyes
again.	

  

Cameron gave a quizzical look but Foreman had figured it out. Its Wilsons,
isnt it? 

  

Yep... House said quickly. 

  

Murphy took out a scope and looked into the cornea. It wasnt very
prominent yet but it was there. The patient had a rusty-green circle
around her cornea which was an indicator for Wilsons disease. Cameron was
already walking in with the D-penicillamine to treat it. 

  

You two need to be more careful. 

  

What? 

  

I saw you two down in the little meeting room. That picture will be
forever branded on my brain. It seems as if you two have sex at the drop
of a hat. 

  

More like the drop of his pants. Cameron, that wasnt planned and I
certainly didnt choose the venue. But Greg likes, well...it doesnt matter
what he likes. Youre right, we should be more careful. Cameron, I wish we
could be friends...or at the least, friendly. I actually like you a lot
and respect you. Please, dont say anything right now, just think about it.


  

  

When House took Murphy home he laughed uncontrollably at the thought of
Cameron snooping through the glass in the door. 

  

Well, maybe she picked up some pointers. 

  

I dont think its funny. We need to be more careful about that. 

  

I tell you what, you stop looking hot and Ill stop jumping you. Murphy,
why dont we just go back to the apartment for tonight. I want to practice
being careful. 

  

Greg, take me to Lisas. I need to think. I enjoyed the evening. 

                                                       *** 

Murphy had one little habit, ok there were several, but this one in
particular drove Greg crazy. She would walk half way across the Princeton
campus to buy a smoothie. She could get one at PPTH, but they didnt make
the kind she liked, banana, peanut butter and chocolate with yogurt ice
cream. Sometimes, rather than get lunch in the cafeteria, she would make a
trek across campus for a smoothie at the student union. In fact, she was
known to make the trek in the dead of winter when she got a craving for
one. Since she had gotten pregnant the craving for a smoothies, her
smoothie, were strong. 

  

For Murphy it was more than just the smoothie, it was the walk and then
the kicking back at the student union to enjoy it that gave her a reason
to make the trek. Sometimes it was nice to have a little time off from
PPTH and from House. He just didnt understand the need to hoof it for
miles just to get a smoothie. 

  

It was a windy and rainy day in late March. Lisa had just come back from
her trips and told Murphy to take as long as she needed to make a
decision. But Murphy needed to make a decision soon, her first trimester
was almost up. Murphy grabbed her rain slicker and bundled up, grabbed an
umbrella and walked into Houses office. He gave her a look of
disappointment and frustration, Ohhh, Murphy, you arent going to go out in
this weather for a smoothie? 

  

Oh Greg, chill out. Its only a mile there and a mile back. Its good for me
and the baby. 

  

Ill buy you lunch in the cafeteria if you dont go out. 

  

She laughed, for Greg to volunteer to pay for food in the cafeteria, he
was desperate for her to stay. When you gotta have it, ya gotta have
it...sorry. 

  

Are we on for tonight? he asked. 

  

You didnt ask me. So no. 

  

We go out every Friday and Saturday night, why would this one be
different? 

  

Because Peter Berkshire just called and asked if I would meet him for
drinks. 

  

House gave her a very serious look. Peter Berkshire is getting my Friday
night?	

  

Hes getting this Friday night. And dont worry, I told him I was pregnant
and that you had been the one to do it. Were just going to catch up. Hes
going back to England in a few months. 

  

Not soon enough. 

  

Why dont you come over after your date with Peter? 

  

Its NOT a date. 

  

Ok after your, Its Not a Date. 

  

I cant promise, I get tired really easily. she grabbed her purse. 

  

Well especially if you hike two miles in a gale. 

  

House...why dont you come? 

  

In a gale? 

  

No, tonight. I dont think Peter would mind...you just have to promise to
behave. 

  

House smiled mischievously and said, Sounds good to me. What time and
where? 

  

7:30 at the Triumph. 

  

She turned and made her way out the door. As she walked along in the
howling wind and rain she thought that it was whipping up a lot like it
did aboard ship during a storm. She was enjoying it and when she finally
got to the student union, she saw that her favorite clerk, Rodney, was
making the smoothies. He always gave her extra banana. 

  

Dude. She said with a straight face. 

  

Dudette. He said back with an equally straight face. Did you see it the
other night? 

  

God yes, I love the show, he really is a character. Lots of tragic flaws.
I hope the cop gets a good tongue lashing by the court. She gushed. 

  

You want a Black Captain Crunch? 

  

Yeah baby, load me up. She started digging out her money.  

  

He put in the extra banana with a wink at her and then hit the blender.
Within seconds she had her smoothie. She went over and sat down on one of
the empty couches. There were several food vendors in the student union
and so she wasnt surprised when a guy sat down near her with a felafel
sandwich. She tried not to watch him but there was something that seemed
familiar about him.  

  

Hi. he said with a nod. 

  

Hi. She said back. 

  

Im Jack. He said with a smile as he licked the sauce that was running down
his fingers. 

  

Murphy. She decided he must be close to her age, maybe a little older and
he was bald on top with black hair on the sides. He wasnt bad looking, not
handsome like House, but not ugly.  

  

Man, what a storm outside. I had a tree blow down on my street. 

  

Yeah it is windy and wet. she acknowledged. 

  

You dont sound like youre from the east coast. 

  

Im not, Im from California. You? 

  

Philadelphia. 

  

Visiting family? He asked her. 

  

No, I work at the hospital. Murphy said. 

  

Which one, General or the teaching hospital? 

  

PPTH. Murphy was still sipping her smoothie. 

  

My wife was treated there almost two years ago for some weird disease. 

  

Oh, well I hope they were able to help her. 

  

Yeah, eventually, but she died a few months later. 

  

Oh, I am sorry. That must have been horrible. Was it from the illness? 

  

No, suicide. You know Ive seen you in here before with one of those. 

  

I confess, Im hooked. They hit the spot. Im pregnant and it seems I cant
get enough of them. 

  

Congratulations! I bet your husband is happy. 

  

My boyfriend is. 

  

Well, I have to go. Ill probably see you again because I eat in here a
lot. Take care Murphy. 

  

Bye Jack. 

  

Murphy got up, threw the smoothie container in the trash and jumped back
out in the storm for her trip back to PPTH. 

  

Murphy debated on what to wear that evening. She wanted to look
attractive, but not so attractive that House would think she was coming on
to Peter. She decided to wear a long sleeve sweater and some black jeans
that had scrolling down the sides of them. She looked good, but not
overtly sexy. 

  

Murphy arrived and saw Peter at a booth in the bar. She walked up to him
took off her rain coat and hung it up on the hook by the booth and stood
so that Peter could give her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek. She sat
down and smiled broadly. Its so good to see you! How have you been? 

  

Fine. So wheres House? He looked around. 

  

How did you know he was coming? 

  

Pregnant girlfriend having drinks with a single guy? I dont think even I
would be happy with that. 

  

I dont understand men, I mean, Im pregnant, less likely to be out doing
the deed if you know what I mean. Murphy said. 

  

Still, its a territorial thing, protecting your young maybe. So, are you
two going to get married?  

  

She looked frustrated and because she was. That question kept coming up
and she was nowhere closer to answering it than when she was living with
Greg, Not sure yet. 

  

That cad knocked you up and then would nott ask you to marry him? 

  

Oh, no, no, no, he asks me every day of the week, sometimes every hour of
every day of the week. I just feel like I have cotton balls in my head and
cant think straight. I invited another friend tonight, Lisa Cuddy, I hope
you dont mind. Shes Dean of Medicine at PPTH. 

  

Is this a setup? 

  

Youd be lucky if it was, but no, we had planned on going out tonight
before you called. 

  

Well good thing I got a booth. he looked up at the door and in the best
Austrian accent said, I think thats the Impregnator is here... 

  

House walked in scowling and wearing sunglasses and his motorcycle jacket.
He looked sexy but oddly out of place and costumish.  

  

Murphy waved at him and he came over and slid into the booth next to her.
Peter you remember Greg.  

  

Good to see you again. Last time I saw you, you gave me a prostate exam. 

  

Yeah, we were doing a special at PPTH, a free prostate exam for every bomb
victim. House smiled wickedly. 

  

What? When did this happen? 

  

Dont worry Murphy, it was fine. Greg was gentle. Peter patted her hand. 

  

Did I forget to tell you your prostate was fine, little, but fine? 

  

Thank you. May I get you something to drink? Peter asked Murphy and House.


  

Virgin Mary for me. Murphy said. 

  

Guinness. House told him. 

  

Lisa walked up to the table before Peter went to the bar. She looked great
in her tight jeans and ribbed sweater. Her hair was pulled back and her
makeup was subtle. 

  

Lisa! Murphy smiled widely, This is Peter Berkshire. Peter, this is Lisa
Cuddy, my friend. 

  

They exchanged pleasantries and Peter asked her what she wanted from the
bar. After everyone was settled. Peter began to ask Lisa a lot of
questions. It was clear that he found her attractive. The conversation
turned to House and his background. House mentioned that he was fired by
three hospitals before coming to PPTH. 

  

Who at PPTH took a chance on you after being let go three times? 

  

I hired House. 

  

You? You hired Greg? He wanted to ask why but shut his mouth quickly so as
not to sound rude. 

  

You want to know why dont you? Lisa volunteered. I get asked that question
more than any other. 

  

We slept together and I know where her G spot is. She likes me to be
around. 

  

Murphy looked surprised at both House and Lisa. Lisa gave a sheepish look
and Murphy realized that there was some kernel of truth in what Greg said
or Lisa would have made a quick comeback Murphy filed the information
away. 

  

The truth is that Greg was a legend at Michigan State and I was an
undergrad. Despite his brilliant mind, he kept getting himself fired. I
needed a hook at PPTH, someone to give us something different from other
hospitals. I decided to build the Diagnostics department around House and
publicize that we only handled the really hard cases. It worked. House
doesnt generate a lot of revenues in his department but he does generate
buzz and people started looking at PPTH as a top notch hospital. Our
revenues overall jumped 10% after Greg came on board. And his department
has actually turned a corner and is making the hospital money. I think
that has something to do with Murphy though because having her has
generated a lot of good P.R. 

  

Murphy was fascinated by what Cuddy had said. House looked bored and Peter
was enchanted. Lisa sounded intelligent and she was talking math to a
mathematician. Thats an incredible risk you took. Gregs not exactly touchy
feely so youre not promoting him as a person but his skills. 

  

Yoo hoo. Im right here. I can hear everyone. PPTH is lucky to have me, I
did have other offers but this one meant I would have my own department.
Which reminds me, I want an LCD screen to run my Digital screenings on, a
large LCD. 

  

Lisa just looked at him like she had heard this whine before. 

  

I like being the center of attention, but lets find out a little about
you. How long are you going to be in Princeton? 

  

I have three months left on my contract. 

  

Do you have your ticket home yet? 

  

No, not yet. 

  

Its better to buy them early so that you get the best price. I could hook
you up with my travel agent. 

  

Dr. House, I assure you that I intend to leave when my time is up. Are you
still worried that I might whisk Murphy away from you? Dont you have any
faith in her? 

  

People do what is expedient and makes them feel good. House said with no
emotion. 

  

What is that suppose to mean? Are you insinuating that if I felt like
screwing Peter I would do it without any thought about you because I could
and it would feel good? 

  

You do have flawed logic. First there is no evidence that you would enjoy
screwing Peter. Nonetheless, if you thought it would make you feel good
and it was convenient, I think youd do it. 

  

Her mouth dropped open. So we just walk around like animals, screwing when
it is expedient and would feel good? 

  

Pretty much. He said quickly. 

  

Then it begs the question, when you are at these seminars and there are
some expedient women around, youre telling me you wouldnt think twice
about sleeping with them? 

  

Houses mouth went dry and he knew he better get himself out of this one.
Welllll...ok, I see your point. Honey, I wouldnt dare, youd have an RPG up
my @ss. 

  

Everyone at the table laughed. Even Murphy relaxed. By the end of the
night House was at east. It was clear that Peter had shifted his
attentions to Lisa and everyone was having a good time (even Greg) talking
and laughing about the antics of the Princeton Math department and PPTH
faculty.  

*** 

It was a slow day, they didnt have a patient and as soon as clinic was
done she grabbed her purse and a sweater and made her way over to the
student union. 

  

Dude. 

  

Dudette. 

  

Black Captain Crunch? 

  

Youre the man. 

  

She got her smoothie and sat down. She saw Jack and he waved at her. This
was the fourth time they had met in the student union. He was really a
funny guy and made her laugh a lot. He was working at a small software
company just off campus. He usually ate on campus because it was cheap and
filling. 

  

She discovered that Jacks wife had found out he had been involved with
another woman and couldnt take it. She was already depressed and that sent
her over the edge. She took her life one sunny afternoon and it was Jack
who found her. She could tell Jack was very broken up about it. 

  

They talked about her being in the Navy and winning the Navy Cross, Silver
Star and two Purple Hearts. Thats a lot of weight on one little chest. Its
a shame your parents arent alive to see it. 

  

She agreed and they talked about loss. He seemed to really understand how
much she missed her sister and her parents. They shared a lot about death
and loss. 

  

What about your boyfriend? Is he supportive? 

  

Hes an odd duck. Sometimes hes very supportive and sometimes he tells me
to get over it, that I cant bring her back. And hes right, I cant. 

  

He sounds a little prickly to me. 

  

Yes, but hes also good to me and now that Im pregnant, hes been incredibly
good to me. 

  

Does your boyfriend want the baby? 

  

He seems to. Got to go...see you Jack.	

  

 Jack smiled and waved at her as she left. Bye Murphy. 

  

Murphy had told Lisa that she had overstayed her welcome. She had been
with Lisa for over a month now although Lisa had only been there the last
two weeks. Lisa was having a blast with Murphy. Murphy was funny and
cynical and easy to get along with. Lisa realized that House would be an
idiot to lose Murphy. 

  

You dont have to move out if you dont want to. 

  

I gave my tenants notice that I was moving back into the house. Theyre
going to let me buy out their lease, they want to get something closer to
Trenton. If I give them $500 to help move then theyre gone and I can move
back into my own house. I realized that Im going to need a bigger place
than Greg's anyway. I have decided that I am going to have the baby but Im
not making any decisions about Greg yet. I get to move in next weekend. 

  

Oh, Im so glad to hear that youre going to have the baby. We all are
curious as to what a House baby will be like. But I am so glad that youll
be raising it and not me! 

  

Gee thanks. Murphy rolled her eyes. 

  

Has House gone with you to your appointments? 

  

Not since the second one. I forget to tell him about them until its too
late and hes doing something already. I did put him on notice of the next
one and hopefully hell show up. 

  

Do his parents know? 

  

I havent told them yet because of the uncertainty but we will soon, I
think. 

  

When she saw Jack at the Student Union he was reading a newspaper. He
mentioned that he had just bought a used truck.  

  

Oh, I could use a truck this weekend, I have a lot of stuff to move from
storage to my house. 

  

Wont your boyfriend help you? 

  

Hes got a bum leg and this weekend hes going to a jazz festival with his
buddy. I moved it by myself, I can move it back. 

  

Does he know youre doing this? 

  

Nah, if I told him he would freak out and go ballistic. 

  

Look I have something to do in the afternoon but Ill help take a load or
two over in the morning if you want me to. 

  

Jack, thats very nice but I hate to take advantage of your kindness. 

  

Please, its just a couple of hours of my time. 

  

Oh wow, great, if you could help me with the heavier stuff, I can get the
smaller stuff by myself.  

  

Fine, just tell me where and when. 

  

Murphy gave Jack the storage facility address and asked that he meet her
there at 8:00 a.m. They parted and Murphy gave him a wave of thanks as she
left the student union. 

  

On Saturday Murphy spent the night with Greg and packed him and Wilson off
to the jazz festival at 7:00 a.m. The festival was three hours away and
started at 9:00 a.m. It just so happened that one of Wilsons favorite jazz
trumpeters was going to sing at 10 a.m. After sending them on their way,
Murphy grabbed some water and left for the storage facility. 

  

She was happy to see that Jack was already there ready to go. He brought
her a smoothie and she was chuffed. He was funny as they were loading the
truck and she thought she was going to pee her pants. He was making fun of
some of her stuff and she had to admit she had an eclectic choice of junk
in her life. There was a lifesized cardboard cutout of Jean Luc Piccard,
given to her by some of the guys in Germany, a flock of pink plastic
flamingos and a collection of Star Trek action figures. 

  

When they got to her house, Jack helped her move in the chest of drawers,
the bed and other heavier items. I wish we had another strong back, I dont
like the idea of you moving heavy things while you are pregnant. Jack told
her. 

  

Youre doing the lions share of the work! Its ok, after this piece the rest
is easy. 

  

They got the last of the heavy things into the house and she handed Jack a
beer. They talked for a few minutes and then he had to take off. Murphy
moved the rest of her things into the house and then drove to Houses
apartment to get the rest. She left some clothes and toiletries but got
her pots and pans, uniforms and the pictures she had on the nightstand. 

  

House got home late that night and looked in the bedroom but she wasnt
there. House was disappointed. He had hoped shed be in the bed. He turned
on the light and noticed that her photos were gone. He opened up the chest
of drawers and noticed that most of the clothing was missing. He sat down
on the bed and looked around and thought about it. She had mentioned
briefly that the tenants were moving out of her house, but he hadnt
realized that what she meant was that she was moving into the house. He
brushed his teeth, got undress and got into bed. He had trouble getting to
sleep at first, he had really wanted to cuddle up to her, but eventually
he went to sleep. 

  

   

*** 

Murphy crashed, she was so tired. She knew it hadnt registered with Greg
that she was moving into her house. She felt a little sad for him when he
came home and found that she had moved out.  

  

The next day Murphy started unpacking and getting the house put together.
She was in the living room when she heard the motorcycle pull up. He
walked in and pulled his helmet off while looking around. Please tell me
you didnt do all of this yourself. 

  

No I had a friend help. How was the jazz festival? 

  

You didnt tell you were moving this weekend. I take it this means you
arent moving back in with me. 

  

Im going to need the extra bedroom for the baby. I did decide to have the
baby. 

  

What about us? 

  

She sat down, exhaled and put her feet up. Greg, sit down.  

  

She grabbed her key ring and took a key off and threw it at House. Thats
the key to my house. 

  

He put it on his key ring and then asked her,Do you need any help? 

  

Sure, I need someone to help unpack the kitchen stuff. She got up and
started to go into the kitchen. He followed her and then looked in the
refrigerator, pulled out a beer and smiled. Yeah, I got in some beer for
you. 

  

Thanks. 

  

Want to tell me now about the festival? 

  

He went into details about the jazz festival and told her he bought her a
cd but left it at the apartment. He reached around from behind and pulled
Murphy to him. He hugged her and smelled her hair. She was starting to get
round and bigger in her breasts, abdomen and thighs. He marveled at her
body and the changes. Until now he had never really thought about the
process a womans body went through to bring a baby into the world. He
tried not to be romantic about it but he couldnt help but love to feel her
and watch her. She didnt know it but she already stood differently and she
snored a little when she slept. She got upset when her face broke out and
she had to buy shoes in a bigger size. She slept more often and couldnt go
an hour without running into the bathroom. He had noticed all these things
but hadnt shared them with her. He didnt know why but he thought if he
articulated his true feelings then he would have to admit to himself that
he was starting to like the idea of having a baby.  

  

She leaned back into him and wondered why he wanted so hard to be so cold
when he could be so sweet? He just held her and felt her tummy, she placed
her hand over his and closed her eyes. After a moment she turned around
gave him a quick kiss and got back to work. 

  

Who was the friend that helped you? 

  

 A friend from the student union, you dont know him. We talk when I go
over for my smoothie. Hes a widower and really funny. We spent more time
laughing than moving. You would really like him. 

  

No thanks, Ive already met one of your boys on the side. 

  

House ran as fast as he could with his cane to the elevator to stop the
door from closing. He caught it with his cane and was relieved when the
doors opened. He got in and pushed the buttons to go down but the elevator
went up. He didnt see the light on the outside indicating the elevator was
going up. Ughhh, he was going to be late. 

  

When he finally got to OB/GYN he saw immediately that she wasnt in the
waiting room. Wheres Dr. Morrighan? He asked the charge nurse. She pointed
to the exam room down the hall. He ran in and both Murphy and Dr. Virtue
looked at him. She was just about ready to put the fetal heart monitor on
Murphy. 

  

Dr. House, glad you could join us. Would you like to hear your babys
heartbeat? 

  

He said nothing but nodded affirmatively.  

  

This is where I usually cry. Murphy said to House.  

  

He snickered and came over to hold her hand. Dr. Virtue put the monitor on
her and moved it around on her belly to find the heartbeat. She was having
trouble finding it and Murphy was getting nervous. Finally she went lower
and the gushing sound started flowing through the microphone in a fast
monotonous rhythm. He started laughing to himself and Murphy started
crying as usual. He squeezed her hand.	

  

Babys heartbeat sounds great. Looks like you are on track for an October
15th delivery date. Greg, are you going to be in the delivery room with
Murphy? 

  

Of course. 

  

Then you need to go to our birthing class. 

  

He gave them both a look of distaste, like he didnt want anything to do
with it. Im a doctor, I dont need birthing classes. Ive delivered babies. 

  

Oooo, good for you. But you still need to go through the class if you are
going to be in the delivery room. 

  

Ahhh, well talk about that later. 

  

The doctor talked to them about the babys development and laughed when
House feigned concern that the big brain on the kid was going to give
Murphy problems in the delivery room.  

  

When Murphy and House left Murphy was excited and chattering away like
mad. House couldnt believe that anyone could talk that fast and still make
sense. She was so happy and excited that she missed the office door
because she was talking so much. House turned and went into his office as
Murphy kept walking forward talking to thin air. He laughed as he watched
her just carry on as if he was still walking next to her. Murphy turned
around to hear Houses response to her question and realized he was no
longer there. 

  

She went running back to the office and stepped inside, looked at House
and they both started laughing. You are pathetic! He said. 

  

Im just excited. House got up to go take a leak . Murphy reached out and
grabbed his arm. He looked down at her hand on his arm and then up to her
eyes. Why dont you move in with me? It wouldnt work in your apartment, we
need the extra bedroom. 

  

Id never be able to get my piano and half my stuff into your little house.


  

She was devastated. It had taken a lot for her to admit to herself that,
yes , she wanted him back in her life, in her bed, in her bathroom, living
room...and he said no. He saw the look on her face and realized she
thought he was dismissing her gesture. He had an alternative solution. 

  

Look, hold that thought, I really do have to pee. Ill be right back. He
went to the restroom and came back. She was gone. He couldnt find her, he
looked around the entire hospital, called all of the desks and she wasnt
in. 

  

She wanted to get out of the hospital, it was closing in. She could
breathe again outside. She took off across campus to get a smoothie. When
she got her smoothie she collapsed into the sofa, Jack wasnt around and
she wished he was. She could have used some cheering up. Just as she was
done and ready to go back and face work again, Jack came in. 

  

Murphy, hey hows the unpacking going? 

  

Fine. 

  

You dont look too good. Whats up? 

  

Oh Jack, its nothing. 

  

Come on, what happened? 

  

My boyfriend turned down my offer to move in together. 

  

Im confused, I thought he kept asking you to move in with him? Jack was
shaking his head. 

  

He cant get all his things in my house. 

  

Well, maybe hes telling the truth. Maybe you two just need to find a
bigger place. 

  

She looked at him like he was a Martian but then she realized that he was
probably right. You know, maybe youre right, maybe he really did mean it
was just a logistics problem. Im going back to the hospital. Thanks Jack. 

  

When she got back he was really pissed at her and launched right in, You
couldnt wait a friggin minute so I could go pee? You had to take off and
leave me flapping in the wind? You moron, you just keep insisting that Im
the bad guy, I just want....ahh. He stopped out of sheer frustration. I
cant do anything right with you. I was going to suggest we find a bigger
place. He grabbed his helmet, his keys and his cane and walked as fast as
he could out the door.	

  

She ran out of the office and down the hall to the elevator and jumped
into the elevator before it closed. Ok, where are we going to look for
this place? Plainsboro or Princeton? 

  

Im mad at you. He said as he kept going. 

  

Boo hoo, get over yourself. She said. House stopped in the middle of the
hospital entryway, turned around and looked down at her. The side of his
lip curled up. She asked him, Are you trying to decide whether to slap me
or kiss me? Im voting for the kiss. 

  

He reached down and put his hand under her chin, lifted it and kissed her
very gently. Youll get more when you apologize. 

  

Who says I want more? She said smiling. He grabbed her by the rear and
pulled her into his groin and french kissed her. She started laughing and
pulled away. Ok, Im sorry. Now should I bend over and let you punish me? 

  

Not unless Camerons around to watch. Lets get out of here. 

  

I need to get my things. She disappeared upstairs to the office and got
her purse and jacket. 

*** 

They left and drove to her house teasing each other with looks and
touching. They were disrobing before they even got to the front door. They
didnt make it to the bedroom but they did make it to the sofa. It was
fast, it was rough and it was over almost as quick as it started. They
were both laughing and joking when Murphy collapsed on House. House was
getting used to having Murphy around and worried about her and what would
happen to them when her year was up. 

  

Youre butt and thighs are like tree trunks. It wont be long and I wont be
able to get my arms around you with that belly. 

  

Honey, youre so romantic and irresistible when you flatter me. 

  

You find a place, well move in together. He informed her 

  

Are we talking about buying or renting? She asked. 

  

Since were getting married why dont we buy? 

  

Oh, now that was a leap. She shook her finger at him. 

  

That weekend House was at his apartment doing laundry while Murphy was
looking for a house. Greg talked Murphy into buying a home and they
decided that they would each put in the same amount for the deposit and
mortgage. Together they had a nice sized budget. 

  

Greg was folding his clothes when there was a knock on the door. He got up
without his cane and hopped to the front door. There were two men, two
Princeton detectives that House was very familiar with, Jefferson and
White. Both had been assigned to try and catch Moriarty, the man who had
shot him. 

  

Detectives, come on in. 

  

Dr. House, weve got good and bad news and were afraid theyre both the
same. We have word that Moriarty is back in Princeton which means we think
we can get him this time, but thats also the bad news, we dont know why
hes here and if he is going to come after you. He's been sited by
someonewho used to know him. It was only one siting but we also got wind
that a man on a videotape in the airport in Phoenix looked a lot like him.
The face recognition software gave it a 72% match and he was in the
airport when three flights were taking off for the east coast. So be
careful and if there is something out of the ordinary, call us. 

  

Great, Im expected to look over my shoulder wherever I go. House was
annoyed. 

  

Sorry, but we think he has been back for some time. Since he hasnt gone
after you, then maybe he hasnt come back for you. We do know that his
brother has terminal cancer, he may be back east for that. 

  

House said in a sarcastic voice Thanks for your time. I need to get to
KMart, there's a gun I have to purchase. 

  

They left and House poured himself a whiskey. When Wilson stopped by to
bring him back his golf clubs, he was surprised to see House almost drunk
at 4:00 in the afternoon. 

  

Whats wrong? Wilson asked. House told him about Moriarty. Are you going to
tell Murphy? 

  

No, why worry her? 

  

Well, in case she sees something. 

  

Lets wait and see if they find out anything more. House said. 

  

Yeah, lets wait until he caps your @ss and she gets to bury you. Have you
thought about changing your will and insurance beneficiaries? Your child
is going to need it. 

  

Great, youve got me dead and buried already. 

  

Wilson and House sat and started watching the Phillies. Wilson had brought
tortilla strips and fire roasted salsa, their favorite. One of their
rituals was to drink Samuel Adams, eat tortillas chips, watch the Phillies
and have belching contests. It was their usual baseball Saturday. 

  

Houses birthday was June 11th and it was the day of Murphys first
sonogram. She had scheduled one earlier but they had a patient in House's
department and Murphy had to cancel. The hospital only had one 4D sonogram
and thats what Murphy wanted. She was very excited about it. House was a
little leery about it. Seeing the baby was just going to make it even more
real to him. Fatherhood was rapidly approaching and life as he knew it
would be over soon. 

  

Dr. Virtue had decided to do the sonogram herself. She put the jelly on
Murphys stomach and rubbed it around. House was sitting on a stool
watching the screen and sucking on a Sees sucker. House's Mom always sent
him See's candy and suckers as one of his birthday presents. As she
prepared the test she lectured them, The baby is probably close to a pound
and very thin but very developed. The eyelids and eyebrows are now formed,
and the brain is starting its rapid growth. If your baby is a boy, his
testes have begun their descent from the pelvis to the scrotum. 

  

That is if he has balls. House said, What if hes gay? 

  

Murphy rolled her eyes. Greg, button it. 

  

She started the machine and Murphy held her breath. She could see the side
of the little face and the hair! Not much hair but some whisps. She looked
at House who was watching her and she started crying again. I cant help
it, I cant help it. 

  

House started shaking his head and laughing at her. He looked back at the
screen. The doctor continued, Your baby looks healthy so far. Lets see."
She brought the scan around. she started talking to the baby, Come on,
move just a little and lets see your tummy.Lets show Mommy and Daddy what
youve got. 

  

Murphy was getting anxious and wanted the baby to turn around. She poked
her stomach and pushed it around. The baby started to move. Dr. Virtue
nodded, Here we go, that did the trick. The baby moved and flailed its
little arms and legs revealing the umbilical cord and to the surprise of
everyone, a nice sized penis.  

  

Murphy squealed, Wow, hung just like his Dad. 

  

House had stopped sucking on the sucker and was just staring at the
screen. A boy was difficult for him to swallow. For some reason he had
always thought that it would be a girl. A boy meant he had to make sure he
didnt make the same mistakes his own father had, but how could he do that?
His whole life had been based on those mistakes. 

  

When they were done they were given a DVD of the sonogram and Murphy
handed it to House, Happy Birthday honey! 

  

House just smiled and said "Gosh just what I wanted, but the plot's a
little thin." 

  

They went back to the office and everyone wanted to know the sex. Let me
show you! Murphy piped up. She popped the DVD into the machine and it
appeared on the screen. 

  

Oh wow! Finger and toes...eyebrows. These 4D sonograms are awesome. Chase
said. 

  

I cant believe the baby is so clear. Cameron said. 

  

Now, watch as all is revealed. They got to the point where the baby turned
around and there was full frontal nudity.  

  

Ah! A boy. Congratulations House. Foreman quipped, Now you get your chance
to screw up fatherhood. 

  

Thanks. House shook his head.  

  

I know today is your birthday. I have something for you. Cameron reached
into her satchel and brought out a present and shyly handed it to House in
front of Murphy. 

  

House opened it and it was a book on medical oddities along with a dvd
that contained a narrative and photos of them. It was right up House's
alley. House nodded at her, Thanks. 

  

When they went into the Houses office, Murphy looked at House and shook
her head, House, do you know how hard it is for anyone to buy anything for
you? You need to go in there and let Cameron know that you appreciate the
effort and time she took to pick a gift that is perfect for you. You know
you love that book. Now get your @ss in there and tell her. 

  

No, shed know that it was forced. 

  

I dont care if it is forced. You need to do this. 

  

Are all big @ss women bossy or is it just big @ss pregnant women? 

  

You better be careful, I have some quips I could make about someones
thinning hair and leather skin. Ooooo, zing. And Happy Birthday you old
fart. He pretended to pout but he grabbed his cane and went into the next
room. 

  

This book and dvd are awesome, incredible, marvelous, ingenious and the
best damn present Ive ever had except for that blow job Murphy gave me the
other night. Cameron was taken aback and didnt know what to say. Ok
Murphy, have I used enough metaphors? 

  

You, darling, will be lucky if you get any more blow jobs after that. 

  

Hey, I complimented you and your prowess. 

  

That night Cuddy, Peter, Wilson and Murphy went to the Brewery to
celebrate Houses birthday. They were watching him blow out the candle on a
sundae as the waitresses all sang Happy Birthday. Murphy gave him his real
present. It was a collection of Mose Allisons best works. Allison was one
of Houses favorite jazz pianist. House hugged her and kissed her.  

  

A son. I cant believe that you are going to have a boy. Murphy, how are
you going to handle a miniature House? And you? How are you going to keep
from screwing with the kids mind? Calling an adult a moron and calling a
child a moron are two different things. 

  

What? Do you think Im a moron? House asked. 

  

They all laughed. How is the house hunting, no pun intended, coming? Peter
asked. 

  

I found a house and weve made an offer. We should hear back at the end of
the week. 

  

Details, details? Cuddy begged. 

  

Princeton, four bedrooms, three baths, nice sized kitchen, big back yard.
Its really nice. The master bedroom is large and on the first floor. 

  

Yeah, for the cripple. He said seriously. 

  

House, what happened with Moriarty? The cops came to my office to warn us
that hes been seen around Princeton. 

  

Murphys face fell and she looked over at House. When were you going to
tell me? 

  

He himed and hawed, Ahhhhh, didnt think you needed to know. They werent
sure if he was here or why.  

  

For the rest of the evening things were strained between them and when
they got home, Murphy went straight into her bedroom closet, rummaged
around and pulled out a gun. House, who was getting ready for bed took one
look at her and said, What the hell do you think youre doing? 

  

Foreplay darling...its my service revolver and Im getting it out to clean
and load it. 

  

Murphy, you arent going to need that, put it away and come to bed. 

  

This guy walks in and shoots you in your carotid artery and colon without
provocation and you dont think there is anything to worry about? 

  

Let me worry about it. You just come to bed. 

  

No. Im going to go clean and load my weapon. She grabbed her cleaning kit
and went into the dining room. As she was cleaning the revolver House came
out and sat at the kitchen table.  

  

Hey, its my birthday, I want some sex. I have to admit this is kind of
errotic...you cleaning the barrel out like that, but Id rather be cleaning
your barrel if you know what I mean. he winked at her. 

  

Go to bed, Ill be there in a minute. 

  

I hate pregnant women with guns, theyre so b!tchy. He went back to bed.  

  

When she was done she brought the weapon in and placed it in the drawer
next to her. She ducked under the blankets and gave him the best part of
his birthday gift. After she was done he said, Damn, that brought tears to
my eyes. 

  

He closed his eyes as he recovered and Murphy got up to get a glass of
water. House thought about Moriarty and the entire shooting incident
played over in his head. By the time Murphy got back in bed he just wanted
to hang on to her and not let go. Murphy was a little stunned at how tight
House was holding her. 

  

Honey, are you ok? She asked. 

  

Do you know how to shoot that thing? 

  

We had target practice almost every day in Iraq for fun and on occasion I
had to use my AK47, so dont worry, I know how to shoot.  

  

Its just that most guns in the house get used by the attacker against the
owner more than the other way around. 

  

Not this one. Oh wow, the baby just gave me a flutter, he moved, right
here, can you feel it? She put his hand on her belly but he shook his head
no. Oh well, you go to sleep, you look a little out of it. Happy Birthday
sweetie, I love you. 

  

"Thanks, I had a great time." 

  

A few weeks later, after escrow closed, House was packing up and getting
ready to move into the new house. Murphy was also packing at her place.
Most of the furniture was going to be moved by paid movers but Murphy had
asked Jack if she could borrow him and his truck to move the things she
didnt want the movers to touch. He had been a real sweetheart and agreed. 

  

House was on the phone to Murphy, Hey, I need a truck to move my musical
instruments and some of my art. Im going to go down and rent one. Ill
swing by and pick your stuff up too. 

  

Oh wait. Murphy put a hand over the receiver, Honey, Jack is here and he
said he would swing by there in a few minutes to pick your stuff up in his
truck and then hell come back to get my stuff, ok? 

  

Fine. House hung up and went into the kitchen to get some water. 

  

Within half an hour House heard a knock on the door. Just a sec. He yelled
and then opened it, Hey thanks.... House stopped in his tracks. 

  

Hello Dr. House, remember me? Jack Moriarty stood at the front door with a
gun in his hand. Arent you going to invite me in? 

  

House said nothing but opened the door for him to come in and then
Moriarty motioned for him to close it, which he did. House felt a cold
sweat develop. His palms were clammy and his stomach was knotted. House
assumed that this would be his last moments on earth. He sat down on the
arm of the leather chair. What do you want?  

  

First things first. Sit down in that chair over there and stick your
wrists out. House got up and went to sit in the chair and then Moriarty
tied his wrists together and then his legs. After that he tied House to
the back of the chair.I think youre pretty secure. Moriarty seemed pleased
with himself. 

  

I take it by the fact that youre tying me down that you arent going to
shoot me? 

  

No Dr. House, if I shoot you dead you wont feel the pain that I do, the
loss. I lost my wife, now youre going to lose whats most precious to you,
Murphy. I dont feel good about this, I really like your girlfriend. Weve
become friends over the last few months. Shes smart, funny and lovely. And
shes even more lovely pregnant. I hate to kill a pregnant woman, but maybe
then, if you lose her and your boy, youll suffer like I did.  

  

Look, you want me to suffer right? Then kill me or maim me, but Murphy has
done nothing but good in this world. She doesnt deserve to be a part of
this. Besides, I dont really love her, Im just playing her for the sex.
Hurting her wont really do me any harm. Oh, Ill feel bad about it at
first, but its not like losing the love of your life...you know what I
mean? Shes nice, but I wont lose sleep over her or the baby a year from
now. House tried to sound nonchalant. 

  

Good speech, but I dont buy it. Ive been watching the two of you and I've
seen how you look at her when she isnt looking and I know that you value
her more than your own life...sorry Dr. House, but your Achilles heel is
Murphy. Gott a go. Murphy's expecting me back in a few minutes. Moriarty
cranked up Houses stereo, smiled at House and left. 

*** 

House was yelling for him to come back as he tried to rock the chair over
to the phone. The chair fell over and a pain shot through his bad leg but
he continued to rock the chair back and forth on its side to get to the
phone. He was having no luck. He was screaming at the top of his lungs but
the stereo was masking his voice. Finally there was a knock and then
Wilson entered with a tray of coffee. 

  

House I got you....what the...?? He ran to House. 

  

Wilson call the police and tell them to get to Murphys house. 1245
Gulfstream Drive. NOW! Moriarty is going after her. Wilson called as he
tried to untie House. After he hung up he ran into the kitchen, grabbed
the biggest knife he could, came out and cut the ropes. 

  

Lets go for Gods Sake. House grabbed Wilsons keys from him. 

  

Murphy was glad to see Jacks truck pull back up, he walked up to the
porch. She was about to go out to greet him when the phone rang. Hello?
She held up a hand and signaled for Jack to come in while she answered the
phone. 

  

Murphy this is Wilson. 

  

Oh hi Wilson. Whats up? 

  

Jack ...Jack Moriarty, is he there with you? Murphy didnt understand at
first but then it registered and she was sure that she had lost all color
in her face.  

  

Yeah, uh well be done soon and you can come over ok? She tried to remain
cool so as not to alert Jack. 

  

The police are on their way and were only a few blocks from your house. Be
careful Murphy, he wants to kill you and the baby. 

  

Ok Wilson, Ill see you tonight and tell that jerk when you see him that I
love him. She wanted House to know that she loved him, just in case they
were her last words to him. 

  

Murphy, be careful. He hung up and then held on as House did his French
Connection impression through the streets of Princeton. 

  

Murphy turned to Jack, Jack, I found the neatest photo of me in Iraq. I
wanted to show it to you, its in my room, Ill be right back. 

  

Maybe next time Murphy, I really need to come in and get your stuff and
get it moved over to the new place. I have some place to go. 

  

It'll be quick and besides one of the boxes I need moved is in the hall by
the bedroom. 

  

Well, ok...wheres the box? he asked. 

  

Over there... she nodded to a box in the hall, My photo is in the
nightstand...just a sec and Ill get it. 

  

Jack looked around to make sure there was no one else in the house and
then he started for her bedroom. He felt a little sad because he had grown
to really enjoy Murphy's company. Murphy was going to climb out the window
but she knew the bedroom window was stuck and made a lot of noise when you
tried to open it. So she walked to the drawer, reached in and felt the
cold metal of the gun barrel. She grabbed the handle and tried to lift it
without giving him reason to suspect. She started to turn around but
stopped when she heard his voice in the doorway. 

  

Murphy, I really enjoy your company. Jack said sincerely. He saw her
pausing over the drawer and suspected that something was going on. He took
his gun and aimed it at the back of her head. 

 *** 

Murphys service revolver rested in her hand but she couldnt get the safety
off without alerting Jack that she had the gun and that would give him the
edge. There was a noise out in the living room and Jack turned and went to
see what it was. Murphy, undid the safety, came around the bed and looked
out the bedroom door. She could see that Jack was holding the gun on
someone and she suspected it was House and Wilson. 

  

Wilson had never been this close to death and he could understand how
people claimed that their lives past before them. He was starting to mourn
the fact that he had never found love, not real, lasting love. He felt
this in the split of a second and then realized that it was silly to be
thinking about love while looking down the barrel of a gun. 

  

Murphy was quiet and as she got closer to Moriarty she picked up speed. He
swung the gun around at her and she stopped in her tracks with her
revolver aimed squarely at him. He backed up a couple of feet and then
trained the gun back on House. He figured that she would be less likely to
pull the trigger if it meant House might die. But when he took the gun off
of Murphy, she put her gun to his temple and then cocked it.  

  

Ill shoot your boyfriend before you can shoot me dead. Jack said. 

  

Yeah, but youll be dead. Put the gun down.  

  

Youd let me shoot Dr. House? 

  

Considering your aim last time, youre a lousy shot. Im faster and better
at killing..much more practiced at shooting people than you. 

  

Moriarty looked at House. You dont deserve to be happy. To have Murphy,
the baby, a life. You made my wife so miserable she killed herself. he
paused and thought about Murphy. He had no doubt that she would take him
out if he even flinched. Ok, for now its over, but you wait Dr. House, Ill
spend my time in jail for shooting you and then Ill be back. He bent down
and put the revolver on the floor. Murphy backed up about ten feet. They
could hear the sirens getting closer. 

  

Murphy? Wilson wasnt sure what she was doing and he didnt like the look in
her eyes. 

  

When Murphy started to talk the tenor of her voice scared both House and
Wilson, You hunted me down, you almost killed the man I love, you wanted
to kill my baby and now you vow to come back for us?  

  

Jack was nervous, Im unarmed, if you pull that trigger it would be murder.
He said with the confidence that she would be sensible and not want to go
to jail. 

  

Yeah? And you really think theyre going to send a pregnant Silver Star and
Navy Cross decorated officer to jail for killing you? Sorry Jack, you
played the wrong woman.  

  

She felt the trigger against her finger and pulled it the quarter inch
that was the difference between life and death. The report of the gun was
stunning. It was one bullet, between the eyes. Moriarty probably never
felt it. Jack Moriarty collapsed lifeless to the floor with his eyes open
in shock. She walked up and kicked his gun away from his body. 

  

Wilson looked at her and then at House. Murphy knew that Wilson was the
wild card. House would have no problem lying to the cops but if Wilson
told them that Moriarty had put the gun down before she shot, they would
probably charge her with manslaughter, maybe second degree murder.  

  

The cops ran in and Murphy put her hands up and then then laid down her
weapon on the table. Detective White looked around and then kicked
Moriarty lightly with his foot to see if there was any reaction. There
wasnt, the guy was as dead as Ted Bundy. 

  

He was about to shoot Dr. House and me when Dr. Morrighan came out of her
bedroom with the gun. He turned to shoot her but she shot him first.
Wilson was talking as fast as he could to the detectives and he could see
immediately that they were buying it...because they wanted to buy it. The
bad guy was dead and the pregnant woman was ok. It was a perfect ending to
a bad story. 

  

The detective turned to Murphy and said, Great aim lady. Youre one helluva
shot. 

  

House walked over to Murphy and held her to him and whispered in her ear.
I never, ever want you angry at me again. He paused and then said, Im so
sorry for bringing this into your life. Are you ok? 

  

She had started shaking. It always surprised her how steady and calm she
was during a stressful situation but then she would turn to putty and melt
when it was over. It was nice to melt into Houses arms. Youre ok, the baby
is ok and Wilson is ok...Im ok. 

  

They were all separated and interviewed but the stories remained similar
enough that the detectives recommended to the D.A. that it be ruled
justifiable homicide. The case was wrapped up within forty-eight hours.  

  

House was amazed at how calm Murphy had been. How she made the decision to
end this once and for all and then executed it without blinking. It was a
whole new side of her that he had never seen. It was a little scary, but
also kind of an aphrodisiac...he was in love with a woman who could take
out an opponent without batting an eye. That was hot.  

  

Wilson was surprised with his own reaction. He was fine with what had
transpired. After having a gun pointed at him and thinking these were his
last minutes on earth, he wanted that son-of-a-b!tch dead and now he was.
When she was standing there with the gun against Moriartys temple, Wilson
had seen a look in Murphys eyes that was cold, calculating and without
mercy. It was the look of a lioness protecting her family. He told Murphy
later. Thanks for saving my life, I owe you big time. 

  

No Jim, by calling me and then you and House risking your lives by coming
inside when you could have waited outside for the cops was what saved me,
you distracted him long enough for me to be able to do what I did. You are
my hero. 

    

  

*** 

The day they moved into the new Craftsman style house was Murphys
birthday. She was excited and exhausted from the heat. It was sapping her
energy and making her cranky. She turned on the a/c and stood in front of
one of the vents. House was staying clear of her and hoping that his
birthday present to her, which he had planned to give her that night,
would soften her. 

  

FUBAR! Ow. Greg, where are you? Murphy had sliced her finger on a piece of
packing paper. 

  

Here. House came out of the family room. What can I do for you Mrs.
Attila? 

  

Just because your leg is screwed up and youre in horrible pain doesnt mean
you cant help...I need for you to unpack your books instead of laying on
the floor listening to your IPOD. Think you can handle that assignment or
should I tape instructions inside your Hustler Magazine? 

  

He rolled his eyes and gave her a look of disdain. He sulked as he walked
back into the family room and began tearing open the boxes that had his
handwriting on it. House started putting the books on the shelf. She
walked in an hour later with a burrito and a beer for him. He turned
around and looked at her. She was now in her seventh month and waddling
yet she wasnt that big and carried most of the baby up front. From the
back you couldnt tell she was pregnant. She sat down on his leather chair
and watched him eat at the little table she had set up in the family room.
 

  

You need to eat. House said with a full mouth. 

  

Dont talk with your mouth full. 

  

He snickered and took a drink of his beer. He motioned for her to come
over to him. She got up by pushing off the arm of the chair, her belly
coming out of the chair first. She waddled over to him and he pulled up
her top to expose her belly. House rubbed her belly and kissed it. Is he
moving? 

  

When I move he tends to sleep. When I get quiet and Im not rocking him in
the womb, he kicks butt. 

  

Hey dude, I know its nice and warm in there but dont get comfortable, I
have some leaves for you to rake when you get out of there. House finished
chewing his burrito, put the top down and looked up at Murphy, Lets make
love in our new house before we go out tonight. We havent had sex in a
week. 

  

I had to go to Philly for my duty weekend, so three of those nights dont
count. If were going to do this, we better do it now...because the more
work I do around this house, the less I feel like bending over. 

  

He got up and gave her a sweet kiss and then a great open mouth one. He
felt her breast and pulled her into him with his hand on her butt. The
belly got in the way but House was used to it by now. 

  

Youre lucky, I just made the bed up. She smiled. 

  

Lets do it in here. House motioned to the floor. 

  

Yeah, dream on. I get down on this floor I wont get up. Youre just going
to have to have sex in a boring bed. 

  

They went to their new bedroom, which was as large as their two old
bedrooms combined, and she sat on the edge of the bed undressing. He
watched from the doorway as she took off her top, her shorts, her bra and
then looked up at him. 

  

Well, am I doing this all by myself? she asked. 

  

When are you going to marry me? 

  

She rolled her eyes and covered her breasts with her arms. When do you
want to get married? 

  

House took his fist and pulled it through the air in a show of victory,
YESSS. Tomorrow. I dont care as long as it is soon. 

  

We need a license. I want your folks to be here when we get married. 

  

You know, sitting there like a naked Buddha, you re absolutely beautiful.
I always thought that when they said pregnant women were beautiful it was
a load of crap, but you really are. 

  

Ok, we can go back in the family room and have sex on the floor. If youre
going to flatter me like that its the least I can do. 

  

He laughed, walked in and started taking off his shorts, t-shirt and
boxers. They laid down looking at each other. He took his right hand and
he slowly traced the curves of her skin, her breasts and her hips. They
made love slowly and softly with Murphy on top. 

  

 *** 

When they walked into the restaurant Murphy just about had a heart attack.
There in front of her were about two dozen people she knew from PPTH and
the Navy. But the best part of Houses birthday present was standing in the
corner. He had flown Pick out just for her birthday. 

  

She ran for Pick and gave him a big bear hug. Oh God I missed you! 

  

Well you can get on a plane and come see me you know. San Diego is a
beautiful city. 

  

Yeah, dont forget I was raised there. Wow, let me say hi to everyone and
well talk. 

  

Murphy went around and said hi to her guests. When she found out that
House had made the arrangements for Pick to fly out she went over to him
and gave him a big hug and kiss. I really do love you even if you drive me
insane most of the time. 

  

Later that evening the guests started hitting their water glasses and
bottles of wine with their forks, demanding a speech from the guest of
honor. Murphy stood up and looked around. 

  

I am a lucky woman. I live in a great country, a big hooh ah rang out from
the sailors and Marines, she continued and as she spoke she looked
straight at Cameron, I have great friends, a challenging man, a lovely
home and good health. I want each of you to know how much I appreciate and
love you,  she began to sit down when she popped back up, Oh, and this
afternoon I accepted a proposal of marriage.  

  

There was a great amount of laughter and shouting at this announcement.
House grinned and Wilson, who already knew for once, patted his back. The
biggest question of the night was When? 

  

On the way home Murphy was really happy. She would get to see Pick
tomorrow but then he had to get back to San Diego. House was tired from
all the unpacking, sex and drinking. You gave me the best day today. I am
always amazed at how thoughtful you can be when you want to be..or when
you want something. Thanks for today. 

  

He looked quickly over to her and gave her a brief smile. When are we
getting married? 

  

Its 8:30 a.m. in San Diego, lets call your parents when we get home and
tell them everything. They are going to be so excited. I feel guilty about
not telling your Mom and Dad before this. 

  

House shrugged his shoulders. He knew that, until he told his parents, he
wasnt going to get married. House was sure that had he married Stacy, they
would have tried harder in the end to make it work. He didnt want that to
happen with Murphy. He wanted her and, yes he hated to admit it, he wanted
their baby in his life. 

  

Murphy handed Greg the phone and he grimaced and dialed. Mom? 

  

Greg! Honey, its good to hear from you. John, Greg is on the phone. Whats
up? Hows Murphy? 

  

Shes here, but we have a lot to tell you and Dad. To start off with, it
was my idea not to tell you until now, so dont blame Murphy. 

  

You two are getting married? 

  

Greg smiled to himself, his mother always had a second sense. Yes Mom, and
wed like for you guys to come out for the wedding. 

  

When is it? 

  

September 22nd.  

  

Murphy had the extension phone in her hand and walked out to House, put
her hand over the mic and said to him, IT IS???? You should have asked me.
she took her hand off the mic and said, I guess it is the 22nd. Weve
bought a house and wed love for you to stay with us. 

  

House covered the mic, You should have asked ME.  

  

Murphy just gave him a wicked smile. 

  

Oh, how wonderful for the two of you. John isnt that great. 

  

Yes, Im very happy for both of you. 

  

The conversation went on for awhile but there was no mention of the baby.
Murphy kept pointing to her bump and House kept ignoring her. When they
were off the phone she asked him why he didnt tell them. 

  

Let it be a surprise. 

  

Murphy was still unpacking and putting the house together and now she had
to plan a wedding. She was stressing out and House could see it. Since he
was her boss, he gave her light duty and let her leave early. Of course
the other moaned and groaned but House pointed out that PPTH didnt pay
Murphys salary, the Navy did. So if they wanted to find someone to pay
their salaries, then fine, hed cut the some slack too. 

  

The commercial places available with just two months notice werent very
appealing to Murphy so it was decided that they would have a small
intimate wedding at the military church on McGuire Air Force Base. They
invited 50 friends and family to the wedding. There would be a reception
at the house afterwards. Murphy found a caterer who didnt bother her with
any of the details, she told him what she liked and he went off and made
it happen.  

  

Murphy found a wedding dress and had it altered making sure it would
accommodate a larger bulge and she asked Lisa to be her maid of honor.
Lisa agreed as long as she got to pick out her dress. Murphy could care
less what she picked as long as it wasnt too frou-frou, she had never
envisioned a matchy-matchy wedding anyway. Lisa picked out a lovely royal
blue cocktail dress and Murphy was pleased with it. The Thursday before
the wedding, the Houses flew in. Murphy and House met them at the airport.
Murphy was eight months pregnant and uncomfortable standing very much.	

  

The Houses made their way towards House and then saw Murphy push herself
out of the airport seat to greet them. Blythe just about burst at the
seams. John was a very shocked. 

  

Youre very pregnant! Oh my God, when are you due? Blythe rubbed Murphys
belly. 

  

October 15th. 

  

John looked at House, Im hoping its yours. 

  

Yep. My kid. 

  

I am so excited! Do you know the sex? Blythe was smiling and giggling. 

  

Murphy looked at Greg and he told his Mom, A boy. 

 

Oh no Murphy, youre going to have your hands full! They were picking up
the luggage at the baggage carousel. As a baby, Greg insisted on being
held and carried everywhere. We used to say that his middle name was
Entertain Me. I was always jealous of those women that could put their
babies down on a blanket and the babies would just smile and look around.
Put Greg down and he howled. 

  

The Houses were genuinely pleased to be getting a daughter-in-law and a
grandson all within a matter of weeks. Blythe offered to come out and help
when Murphy had the baby and Murphy said, Im no fool, thats the best offer
Ive had...except, of course, the offer to get married. 

*** 

The day of the wedding Murphy was experiencing Braxton-Hicks contractions
and it was driving her nuts. She was just praying that during the ceremony
she didnt have one. She put her hair, which was a little longer than
shoulder length into a chignon and the only thing on her head was a ring
of little flowers. Her dress was a white empire with a deep v in the front
and in the back. It had chiffon and lace straps about one inch wide going
over her shoulders and the entire gown flowed gracefully, it wasnt stiff
at all, not like most wedding gowns.  

  

House actually started to laugh as she walked up the aisle. He couldnt
help think that she looked like a very, very pregnant fairy princess, the
operative word being very pregnant. The idea of a pregnant fairy just
cracked him up. He tried not to laugh but the more he tried to contain it
the more he laughed. Wilson didnt have a clue what had gotten into him. At
first Wilson tried to get him to behave but then it was obvious that House
was trying desperately not to laugh and having no luck. The cause Wilson
to start cracking up. Murphy, who had finished the walk down the aisle,
had been presented to Greg by John House. Murphy was looking at House like
her feelings were hurt. Greg was now doubled up and trying hard not to
laugh but half the church was laughing too. He saw how hurt Murphy was and
tried to get out the words, You..oh God...youre really ....you are really
beautiful ah,ha, ha,ha....  

  

By now the entire church was laughing except Murphy. She felt like Carrie
at the prom, she even looked up to make sure there wasnt a bucket above
her head. House saw her sad little face and reached out. She tried to pull
away but he was too quick. He pulled her to him and hugged her. He said it
loud enough for everyone to hear, You are my little pregnant fairy
princess and you are so beautiful...its just I havent ever seen a pregnant
fairy before... More waves of laughter. House wouldnt let her go because
he knew shed probably kick him...with her right foot. He kissed her ear
and said, I love you so much. You are so lovely. He started to get control
over himself and then he motioned for the chaplain to go ahead. He wouldnt
let Murphy go though...he knew she might engage that foot. She was trying
to pull away. The Chaplain decided that he better get on with it or Murphy
might bolt. When they finally got to the part where they exchanged vows.
House looked at Murphy as if to ask, Can I let you go? She exhaled and
nodded yes. He let her go but as he did, he hopped backwards almost
hitting Wilson. He was trying to avoid a kick in the groin, which Murphy
never tried. Murphy was just standing there watching her betrothed laugh
and jump around on the altar. 

  

House walked cautiously back to Murphys side and the Chaplain had him
place the ring on her finger. The Chaplain added, Greg has written his own
vows.  

  

Murphy blinked and was obviously in a state of shock. His own vows? Oh,
no!!! 

  

House began in his best Dr. Seuss voice: 

  

Yes, I'll love through good and bad,  

Whether we're happy or sad,  

Yes, I will have and I will hold 

Just as I have already told,  

Yes, I'll love her if we're rich,  

And I will love her in a ditch,  

I'll love her through good times and bad,  

Whether we are happy or sad,  

Yes, I will have, and I will hold 

(I could have sworn this has been told!)  

I promise to love all my life  

This woman, as my lawful wife!	

I'll love her when we're fit,  

And when we're hurt, and when we're sick,  

And I will love her when we're rich  

And I will love her in a ditch	

And I will love through good and bad,  

And I will love when glad or sad,  

And I will have, and I will hold  

Ten years from now a thousandfold,  

Yes, I will love for my whole life  

This lovely woman as my wife!  

Yes, I'll love with all my heart  

From now until death do us part,  

And I will love her when we're rich,  

And when we're broke and in a ditch,  

And when we're fit, and when we're sick,  

(Oh, CAN'T we get this finished quick?)  

And I will love through good and bad,  

And I will love when glad or sad,  

And I will have, and I will hold,  

And if I might now be so bold,	

I'll love her my entire life,  

Yes, I WILL take her as my wife!  

  

When Greg was finished the entire chapel burst into applause. Even Murphy
was laughing...it was so...so HOUSE. 

  

The Chaplain turned to Murphy, Murphy do you have anything youd like to
say? 

  

I do? 

  

I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride. 

  

House looked at her and chuckled. She smiled back and they gave each other
the sweetest of kisses, PG rated. They turned to the guests to be
introduced and the chapel jumped to their feet in cheers and laughter.
Even the Houses were roaring. 

  

The wedding was a hit. Everyone who was there said it was the most
humorous wedding they had ever attended. The reception started on a high
note with everyone jovial and having a good time.  

  

The food was delicious and the cake was Chocolate inside with fudge
filling and a chocolate icing. I hate white icing. Murphy had told Lisa.
Its chocolate or Im not eating it. House could care less. 

  

There was dancing outside on the patio. Although it was warmer than usual
for a September night, Murphy had hired several outdoor heaters and so a
lot of the guests had chosen to stand or sit outside. House and Murphy had
hired a DJ and he played, I Fooled Around and Fell in Love for their dance
together. Neither of them had selected it, but it seemed appropriate
enough. House wasnt the best dancer with his leg, but Murphy could care
less. 

  

After the dance she went in the house to use the bathroom. Lisa was
slightly drunk and grabbed her as she walked by. I think Peter is going to
ask me to marry him. What should I do? I mean, hes not even circumcised!
Im a Jew and hes...well, hes not Kosher. 

  

Lisa, this is the first guy in your life that youve really, really liked.
He bright, hes famous and hes good looking. Is he willing to stay in
Princeton? 

  

Yes. 

  

Then get your butt back in there and say yes when he asks you. 

  

Murphy went into their bedroom to use their bathroom. She had to pee so
badly it was starting to hurt. As soon as she sat down she had a Braxton
Hicks contraction. She felt something strange. When she got up she looked
in the toilet and realized that she was staring at the Show, the mucous
plug that helps keep everything inside the womb. She had to get House, the
show meant her cervix was dialating and it wouldnt be long now. She was
worried, she was three weeks early. 

  

She saw House in the family room making some cutting remark about the Navy
v. the Marines. John House was laughing at his drunk son, who was standing
up for the Marines. Murphy started to tug on Gregs sleeve. He finally
looked down at her worried face. 

  

What is it my pregnant fairy? he asked. 

  

I....Oh God... Murphy looked down and picked up the skirt of her gown to
reveal a puddle of water all over the tile and her dress. 

  

A very drunk House through his arms into the post position and yelled,
Goooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaal! Houston, we have lift off. I think Im gonna
be a Daddy soon. 

  

It was Blythe that got to Murphys side and started to help her to her
bedroom to get out of her gown and into some clothes that were more
comfortable.  

  

Everyone stopped to look at House. Hey...keep partying, its going to be
awhile. But could someone help clean up this puddle? 

  

The caterer actually came over and mopped up the mess and House gave him a
little salute. The rest of the crowd were having a good time and they kept
on partying. Blythe and Murphy were in the bedroom and Murphy was getting
out of her wedding dress. Lisa walked in and asked if she could help. 

  

It was obvious that Lisa was tipsy too. Dont worry Lisa, we have it under
control. Blythe said. Lisa smiled and left. 

  

Blythe, I think were the only ones sober. 

  

Sweetie, I think you may be right! Oh well, you have time before you have
to worry about getting to the hospital. 

  

Yeah, well Im worried about my obstetrician. Shes the one in the family
room that was yelling, Tequila! Tequila for my friends.  

  

Oh dear, we do have a problem then.  

  

At that moment Dr. Wilma Virtue came in and tried desperately to look
sober. Murphy and Blythe looked wearily at each other. Murphy? Your water
broke? Murphy nodded yes. Then were f#cked. She fell face down on the bed.
Murphy and Blythe exchanged looks and started to laugh. 

  

Murphy had on clean underwear and a loose fitting pair of sweats and a
sweat shirt. House came in...and gave her a serious, but drunk, look. He
sat on the edge of the bed and slapped Wilma Virtue on the butt. I see you
wanted a threesome. He said to Murphy. 

  

GREG! Blythe swatted her sons shoulder. 

  

Owww, Mom! 

  

Well, maybe I should go out and enjoy myself. Murphy looked for approval
from Blythe. 

  

You might as well, you arent going to need to get to the hospital for
awhile. Hopefully your obstetrician here can sleep it off by then. 

  

Just my luck that my obstetrician gets so drunk at my wedding she cant
deliver my baby. 

  

Early days yet dear...she may make it, just wait. 

  

Murphy bent over with a contraction. Ahhhh. That hurt...oh wow. 

  

Have you been having contractions today? Blythe asked her. 

  

Yes, but I thought they were Braxton Hicks contractions...do you think
they were real and I was in labor? Im new to this...ahhhhhhhhh. 

  

Your contractions are coming closer together. Have you got a plastic sheet
to put down on your bed? Just in case. 

  

The mattress pad is waterproof and I do have some of those diaper changing
pads for the baby. Ill go get them......ahhhhh. 

  

Ill get them, you wait here. 

Blythe went out to the guests and started asking around, Are you a doctor?
Are you sober? 

  

Finally she found one sober doctor, Allison Cameron. Could you come with
me? 

  

Allison followed her into the master bedroom only to find Dr. Virtue
passed out on one side of the bed and Murphy squatting by the side of the
bed and panting. 

  

Ok,ok..MUrphy, lets get you on the bed so I can check you. Its probably
fine and well have time to get you to the hospital but lets check first. 

  

Ahhhh. Murphy was screaming her head off and trying to get up on the bed.
Have you delivered babies? Ahhhhhhhh. 

  

Yep, I did two rotations in obstetrics...but I decided against it because
I took it hard when one of them ...forget it. Lets get you in bed. 

  

They got her into bed and Cameron asked her to bring her a spot lamp that
she saw in the family room. Blythe ran to get it while Cameron helped a
screaming Murphy get her sweats off. Murphy looked at Cameron, Oh my God,
Im going to throw up. Murphy turned and puked into the trash can next to
her bed.  

  

Murphy, you just went through transition. We need to get you to the
hospital. But first I better check you to see if youll make it.  

  

Blythe brought in and plugged in the spot lamp. They got Murphys underwear
off and Camerons eyes bugged out. Murphy, youre over 7 centimeters
dialated, 100% effaced and I think I see the babys head. 

  

Blythe, I need towels, warm water and have someone call the hospital. Oh
and you better get House in here or hes going to miss the birth of his
son. 

  

Blythe ran to the phone called the ambulance first. She grabbed the nice
newly cleaned towels out of the linen closet and brought them in. Then she
went into the kitchen and got a couple of pans of water heating. 

  

She ran out to the family room and yelled at Greg. Greg, Greg, GREGORY!
House stopped laughing and turned to his Mom. He saw that she was scared.
He went over and smiled at her. 

  

Its ok Mom, we were just joking. 

  

Greg, Murphy is in labor in the bedroom. 

  

He was very tipsy, Ah, well I know but she should chill out, first labors
take forever. 

  

The music stopped and Blythe was yelling, The baby is coming...right now,
this minute. Get your butt into the bedroom or youre going to miss out on
the delivery of your son. 

  

House looked at his Mom, his face dropped and he said like a little boy,
Well you dont have to shout. 

  

He went quickly into the bedroom and saw Cameron with towels ready to
catch the baby. It went quiet in the house as everyone tried to hear what
was going on.  

  

Ill need scissors eventually. 

  

Blythe went out and found Chase and had him carry the pans of water into
the bedroom. House sat down at the bottom of the bed where Cameron was
standing. He was watching like it was a television program.  

  

The contraction was horrible and the babys head was leaning on a nerve in
her pelvic area. The pain was intense. There was a string of obscenities
from Murphys mouth that could be heard all over the house. 

  

John House looked at one of the Marines and said, You can tell shes a
sailor. 

  

The babys head came out and Cameron checked to make sure that the cord
wasnt wrapped around his neck. He was pink and his face was scrunched up. 

  

House looked at him and said, Ah so youre what all the fuss is about.
Hello, welcome to my world. 

  

Cameron chuckled and then told Murphy to really push the next time.
Murphys contraction was hard and she pushed, the babys shoulders slipped
through and Cameron caught him in the towel. She handed him to House while
she checked the cord and constricted it to make sure the baby was getting
oxygen before she cut the cord. He was and so she tied off the cord and
let House do the cutting. Murphy was stretching her arms out for the baby.
 

  

House let Murphy have the baby try and nurse so that she releases oxytocin
to help expel the placenta. 

  

House handed the baby to Murphy who was crying her heart out. Blythe was
also crying. The baby tried to nurse and within minutes the placenta and
the paramedics had both arrived. 

  

The paramedics wanted the baby so they could check it out, but House said,
You can have him after I do my Simba thing. 

  

Blythe looked at Cameron and mouthed, Simba? 

  

House took the baby out to the living room and held him up and said,
Behold, my son. At least I hope hes mine, I AM going to be paying for his
education. 

  

There was a lot of laughter and cheering. House took him back to the
paramedics and they looked the baby over but it was pretty clear to the
sober doctors that the baby was scoring high on the Apgar scale...he was
screaming his head off. Blythe put a little cap on his head and put him in
a warm gown for the ride to the hospital. Murphy was exhausted but
grateful that it was a short labor. She had heard a lot of nightmares
about two day labors that ended in a C section. 

  

As they were preparing her for the ride she kept saying over and over,
Thank you Allison, thank you...thank you. 

  

Cameron was a little overwhelmed. She hadnt delivered a baby in a long
time and had forgotten what a high it was. In addition, it had meant a lot
to her to deliver this baby. She really did want to see House happy and he
seemed genuinely happy, or as happy as he could get, with Murphy. She
could see that Murphy didnt cut him much slack and that House needed a
woman who could push back like Murphy. It was an honor Murphy. I was happy
that I could do it. 

  

The ride to the hospital was entertaining too. House was regaling the
paramedics with some bawdy English Rugby Songs. Murphy was just rolling
her eyes and laughing at him. He leaned down at one point and said, Dont
think you get extra privileges just because you managed to produce a
healthy son. This doesnt mean you can just lay back and think of
England...if you know what I mean. and he winked at her. The paramedic
shook his head. 

  

House let Murphy name the baby, he couldnt be bothered until he found out
what his sons name was going to be.  

  

Maccoy Cornelius Morrighan-House? Oh God, you might as well tie a sign
around his neck saying,Beat me. Why? He asked. 

  

Maccoy is my fathers name and Cornelius was your grandfathers name. Maccoy
is Irish Gaelic, Cornelius is Scottish Gaelic. 

  

And what do they mean? Maccoy means, Son of Hugh, Cornelius means horned.
Dont you know anything about your heritage? 

  

Not a dead language. 

  

Allison visited Murphy in the hospital and then when they went home. She
doted on the baby and between the two of them they had a good laugh over
the events. Within weeks Cameron and Murphy had developed a solid
friendship. 

  

Cameron came to Murphy a month later with a serious face. Murphy, I think
I need to go back and do a residency in obstetrics. I wanted to be an
obstetrician but I fell apart the first time a baby died in delivery. Im
older now and I think I could handle it. And its truly what I want to do.
What do you think? 

  

Cameron, you already have your answer. Whenever the words, its truly what
I want to do come out of your mouth its a no brainer. You were so calm and
patient during the labor, you would do well. Id go to you! 

  

Within a month Cameron had transferred our of Diagnostics into a residency
program at PPTH in obstetrics. House lambasted her, yelled, swore and even
made fun of her but she stood her ground. It was what she really wanted to
do. And while she was single and young she thought it was the best time
for her to make the change. Murphy chewed House out and told him to get a
life. Someone leaving his department isnt a defection, its growing up. 

  

House and Murphy were on pins and needles to find out where her next sea
duty would be. She had one year and then she would get out with 20 in the
Navy. The orders came back for Pensacola, Florida which was a relief for
both of them. It meant a lot of flying between Princeton and Pensacola,
but it was a fairly quick flight and they would be able to see other
often. House drove down with Murphy and the baby to find her a house to
rent and get her settled. On the day that he had to leave the two of them,
Mac had just turned 9 months and he was just starting to get a
personality. House had become very fond of him. He liked to torment the
child with his goofy faces, but Mac took it in stride. Blythe was amazed,
she said that Mac was curious like his Dad and sometimes easily frustrated
but that he wasnt in need of the attention that House demanded.  

  

You got lucky! Blythe told Murphy. 

  

Blythe frequently made trips to Florida to help Murphy and take care of
the baby. When Blythe wasnt staying with them, Murphy had a nanny come in.
Occasionally, House would take some time off and come down and watch Mac.
When Murphy had time, shed fly with Mac up to Princeton. House brooded
when Murphy and the baby were gone. He just wanted them to be back in
Princeton for good.  

  

Murphy never thought that she would hear herself say that she would be
glad when she got out of the Navy, but it was true. She wanted so much
just to be with Greg and Mac in their home and not have to fly back and
forth. When it came time for her to get out she was given a small party
and a pat on the back. She was sad but they all reminded her that she
could get called back up for the next ten years. 

  

When Murphy drove up to the driveway House came out to meet her. He went
to the back seat where Mac was strapped in to his car seat. House
unlatched him and balanced him on his hip, he grabbed the diaper bag in
the back seat, put it over his shoulder and then grabbed his cane. He had
learned how to balance everything with his bad leg. Mac was still asleep. 

  

Murphy was tired and ready to collapse. House took Mac up and put him in
his crib. He went into the kitchen and watched her get out a bottle of
water and turn to face him. Im home for good. 

  

Are you ok with it? 

  

Ill miss it, but Im still in the reserves, Ill get to go on kiddie cruises
and play sailor once a month...its ok. 

  

House came over to her and gave her a hug. Youll always be my sea warrior.
He kissed her on the mouth and she hugged him back. She grabbed his hand
and said, I need a nap...ok maybe more than a nap. But lets make hay while
the Mac is asleep. 

  

They went into their bedroom, undressed each other and then pulled back
the covers. They made love quickly, in the hopes that Mac wouldnt start
crying for them until they were done. House fell back on the pillow and
looked over at Murphy who was breathing hard herself. They smiled at each
other until a little cry came over the baby monitor. House got up, went
upstairs and got his son, brought him down and put him in bed between them
where they could play with him until it was time for dinner. 

THE END 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

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Ocular surgery...quite motivated, not perfect 85-89% need activities.
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