You are mine, and I am yours (Gregory House)

Chapter 35

2011
Two weeks before Cameron was due to return from maternity leave, Reilly took Jenny to tour MIT. She was gone for a week. Niamh continued to follow House wherever he went. Nothing he did could stop the hallucination. During that time, House, Volakis, and Kutner caused the death of two patients. The first was a homeless girl who had a staph infection from a scratch on her back. Since no one did a thorough physical exam, they missed it and in an attempt to prepare her for a bone marrow transplant, irradiated her. Her immune system was destroyed and she developed sepsis. The next patient was a male quadriplegic. House took one look at his file, diagnosed strongyloides and ordered Kutner and Volakis to treat him. They decided to test him first. As they argued over who would administer the test, the medication was knocked on the floor. The patient's guide dog found it, ate it and died moments after his master did. In a fit of rage, House fired Volakis and Kutner and shut down the department. Niamh was always there, watching.

XxXxXxXx

The following week, when House didn't show up for work, Wilson went to House's apartment and used his key to enter. The place was a mess. Empty takeout containers, newspapers, magazines, books and beer bottles were strewn everywhere. House sat on the couch, eating cereal, wearing his bathrobe, his feet propped up on the coffee table, staring at his bookcase.

"You can't fire your team and shut down the department," Wilson commented as he closed the door.

"Sure I can," House told him. "Actually, I already did."

"You need Reilly's approval," Wilson reminded him.

"We killed two patients in less than a week. I think that must qualify as some kind of record. If Cameron and Reilly were here, it never would've happened. So, when they get back, I'll hire a new team." Greg said, staring at Niamh in the corner by the bookcase

"Cuddy already re-hired your old team," Wilson informed him. "What are you staring at?"

House glanced over at him and then back at the bookcase. "Nothing. I was thinking when you came in and started lecturing me."

"You need to get dressed and get to the hospital. Cuddy has a patient for you."

"Nope."

"House."

"I'll go back when Reilly gets back," House informed him. Wilson shook his head and left. Niamh smiled at House from her spot in front of the bookcase.

"You should've told him yer hallucinating, Greg," she said. "He could help ya."

"Don't need his help." He patted the couch. "Come sit down."

"Who are you talking to?" Reilly asked as she came in. "Eesh! I leave for a week and all hell breaks loose. This place is a pit again. I saw Wilson on my way in an he just growled at me. So... What's going on?" He looked over his shoulder at her.

"Tell her," Niamh urged.

House swallowed. "I'm hallucinating."

Reilly's eyes widened and she came to sit on the coffee table. "Again? Who? How long? Do you know why?" she asked in a rush, concerned.

"It's Niamh. About a week. I don't know why. Could be the Vicodin. Could be something else. I'm not sure I want to stop. I miss her."

Reilly blinked several times. "I know you miss her. I miss her, too. But hallucinations, even of Niamh, aren't good. I want you to come to the hospital and let me run some tests. We'll do it using a fake name. If it is the Vicodin, you can go to rehab. I see a psychiatrist who runs a psychiatric hospital and rehab center. You could go, get clean and he could help you. I was a mess after the divorce and your shooting. Niamh's death was just too much. I can't even begin to imagine how you felt when she died."