The Knife and the Cane

Chapter 4- It's a bet, Sparky

No one had ever stood up to House the way that...kid had. He was shocked but impressed, maybe even slightly proud. The rest of his team had learned how to deal with his bullshit and just accept it, ignore it, and move on. Nora, on the other hand, was fiery and House could tell that she wouldn't take his shit. House's heart beat slightly out of rhythm and he checked his pulse to make sure he wasn't having a heart attack. No, this was something different, something deeper.

He didn't want to think about that.

In the patient's room, Nora caught Thirteen by the arm just as she was leaving.

"Hey, how'd it go with House?" She asked.

"I still have a job, but I think I offended him." Nora replied, sheepishly. "Not the point. I think the kid has Tourette's and I want to test the parents."

"I agree. While it could just be muscle spasms, the movements he's making are more advanced than that. He also called out random words a few times while I was there."

"I'm going to run a blood test and check."

"Like hell you are." House snapped, coming from behind them. "You can go help Foreman with an fMRI or you can go find something else to do that doesn't involve the patient."

"House, Dylan has a high likelihood of having Tourette's, he's spouting off random words and twitching." Thirteen explained.

"Don't you have other places to be?"
Thirteen sighed and looked sympathetically at Nora before walking off.

"And you," House said, returning his gaze to Nora. "You were told several times that you were wrong, and yet you persistently give an incorrect diagnosis."

"Dr. House, I propose a solution." Nora replied, gritting her teeth.

"Shoot. Can't be worse than some of your other ideas."

"The only other slightly plausible explanation for Dylan's behavior is Rheumatic fever which can cause Sydenham's Chorea. If it is Sydenham's, the ticking will stop as soon as he's asleep, but if it's Tourette's he will tick in his sleep or wake himself up. If we watch him overnight, we can make an official diagnosis."

"Let's make it a bet, Sparky."

"Alright."

"If you're right, we will listen to your suggestions and I will approve any tests you deem necessary from here on out."

"Okay."

"If I'm right, you get to take everyone's clinic hours for a month."

"Agreed." Nora shook House's hand as he smirked.

"Thanks for the clinic hours." House said as he hobbled back to his office with Nora by his side.

"What makes you so sure he isn't going to have Tourette's?"

"Call it a hunch."

The day flew by as House dragged Nora around like she was his personal assistant. They sat down in the Cafeteria to enjoy a break before their shifts were over when Wilson came around the corner. House flagged him down and invited him to sit with them while Nora got nervous. House didn't know. He couldn't know. Wilson sat down next to House in the booth and offered Nora an uncomfortable smile.

"Dr. Graves, meet Wilson." House said.

"I know Dr. Wilson." Nora replied, sitting up straighter. "We're old friends."

"How could you not tell me, Willy?" He pretended to be hurt, but Wilson wasn't falling for it.

"It's not my business who you're friends with, since when is it your business who I'm friends with?" Wilson asked.

"Well how do you know each other?"

"We sort of grew up together."

"Boy next door type of thing, huh? Oh, by the way, one of us has to stay to watch the kid to see if he stops twitching." House said, turning to Nora.

"I'll do it, I'm used to pulling all-nighters." She answered. "And he lived four houses down from me."

"You two ever date in high school?" House pressed.

"No, we didn't. It's not important, anyway." Wilson snapped. He could see how uncomfortable Nora was and he wished House would shut up.

House kept pressing.

"I beg to differ."

"Can we please change the subject?" Nora asked, flustered.

"Why? I like knowing things about my team members."

"It's not important."

"Everyone on my team is damaged in some way, I like knowing what it is and I'd like to know yours."

"I'm not damaged!"

"Why are you getting so defensive about it then?"

"House!" Wilson scolded.

"Because my childhood trauma is none of your business. Good night, Dr. House."
Nora grabbed her things from the booth and stormed off, back towards the Diagnostics work room.

"Great job, House." Wilson sighed. He slid out of the booth and made his way up to his office. House sighed.
He'd hurt her. That much, he knew. If he had to guess, he'd brought up painful memories or a past she was trying to walk away from. Wilson knew, he had to know, but he was the type of guy to keep secrets. House massaged his temple and checked his watch. 5:30. He had time to go up and talk to her. Ultimately, he decided to leave.

He'd hurt the girl he liked enough for one night.