Occam's Razor - House M.D.

Part 18- Dreamy Blue Skies

For the rest of the week, the hospital was quiet and the days went by slowly. Partly, it was because there weren't as many patients coming in, and also because the team had practically speed-solved the case given to them the other day. Cuddy had decided the team earned time off, while House could devote more time to his clinic hours which was to everyone except House's liking.

House spent Wednesday and Thursday in the clinic, but took Friday off with Cuddy's permission.  As a long-time doctor, House wasn't a stranger to burn-out, however, he felt particularly unmotivated and exhausted this week. House was used to working under pressure and to working on cases that require extra speedy diagnoses, but that Friday afternoon when he had time to himself, he had nothing left to distract him from the real problem: Madelyn Gilmore. 

Without ever uttering the words, House never particularly felt as if he were a lovable person, or easy to love which began with his father from the time he was only a small child. Being undermined and devalued from such a young age left a scar on his heart that never fully heal; for the rest of his life it would constantly tear open where House's competence and character were concerned. 

House had only had two long-term, significant relationships in his life. First, with Stacy, and second with Cuddy. With any relationship comes sacrifice, loyalty, and commitment, but when it came to somebody he loved, it almost came naturally. Stacy loved House for his ambition, genius, and the way he faced adversity when he got his leg surgery. The way he could muster up confidence when life only had fear to offer made Stacy believe in House's bravery, and to be brave herself. For Cuddy, however, she loved House for his intolerance, genius, and his ability to be true to himself, even if it was infuriating. House has never been one to back down, and Cuddy learned to believe in herself and her own capabilities as a doctor, medical director, mother, and as a person. 

As House sat alone at his grand piano, he tinkered at the keys, listening to the notes lift up into the air and into his ears. In those notes, he heard the vibrations of sadness, worry, misguidance, confusion, and yearning. He couldn't shake the sound of this feelings, or the weight of them in his chest. Whether or not he would admit it out loud, House felt something for Madelyn, but it didn't feel like what he felt for Stacy or for Cuddy. 

Madelyn, he understood, was younger, but mature. She was also quiet, but outspoken. Above all things, the connection he felt with her was light, airy, but all-consuming. House felt eaten up by the thought of her, not because it was destructive, but because Madelyn was enigmatic. House liked the way she thought and spoke for herself, but was still a team-player, and that Madelyn was intelligent beyond understanding the science of medicine, but the science of expertly practicing it. She was good with the patients, with he staff at the hospital, and with House himself. Madelyn didn't try to change him or his methods, which she not only accepted, but respected. House couldn't think of many times where someone accepted him for exactly who he was. And it wasn't because of a lack of caring, for it was quite the opposite. House accepted Madelyn too, but had unexplainably convinced himself she was better off not knowing how he felt; giving his heart away was difficult, but the idea of messing with hers seemed worse.  Although, it didn't make seeing Madelyn with Wilson hurt any less. 

Running rampant in his thoughts, House took a look outside his window and noticed his skin warm with the rays of the sun that lit up the dreamy, blue sky. He watched as people floated through the streets, and wondered about Madelyn who was somewhere underneath the same sky. 

At the exact same time, far across town at a music festival, Madelyn danced, sang, and laughed with James Wilson. While they had run into each other unexpectedly, the two former lovers felt their old flame burning strong and bright. Wilson spun Madelyn around, and watched as her sun-struck hair twirled with her. His eyes locked with hers, and the two could hardly contain their happiness. 

In the safe embrace of Wilson, Madelyn considered the chances of getting back together with Wilson were decent––he was everything she'd ever wanted in a partner. But, no matter how inviting it was to be in Wilson's company, the idea of being wrapped up, held, and kissed by House were excruciatingly more desirable. For days, Madelyn couldn't tear him from her mind, for weeks she couldn't extract him from under her skin, and for the last two months, she couldn't kill the butterflies in her stomach when she saw him. And up until a couple days ago, Madelyn wasn't all that sure that she would want to stop feeling something for House, that is, if she had the choice.

Madelyn danced in the heartbeat of the music that played, and felt the warm sunshine melt over her skin like butter. And although she was still pissed and annoyed, she wished House was here too. For Madelyn, the closest she was to getting her wish was the dreamy, blue sky that sparkled like his eyes.

To anyone who has read this (or has been reading this story), thank you so much! This show has impacted me in tremendous ways, and I can only attempt to do the characters justice in this story! Please let me know your thoughts- I would love to talk with you :)