The Knife and the Cane

Chapter 16- Item: Danger

With her eyes pressed up to a microscope, Nora hardly noticed anyone entering the lab. She only noticed when the person grabbed her hips, causing her to jolt. She threw her head back into the person's chest as he began laughing.

"What the...House?" She asked, meeting his gaze.

"You were so focused I had to interrupt it." He replied as she turned in her chair.

"You're an ass."

"Want to go have lunch with me?"

"I have plans with Remy, sorry." Nora said, standing. "I was going to go meet her as soon as I was done here."

"It's alright. I'll go ask Wilson or Chase."

"I'll be back in a little while." She pressed a kiss to his cheek and left, her heels clacking the entire way.

A short lunch was long enough for test results to develop, and there was a manila folder with "Dr. Graves" scrawled on it waiting for her in the diagnostics work room when she walked in.

"What's that?" Thirteen asked, motioning to the folder.

"Test results." Nora replied, looking at the images from the fMRI. "The lady who's jaundiced and had seizures."

"What is it?"

"I was right. Where's House?"

"I don't know, he said he would be with Wilson, go check his office."

Nora rushed out of the workroom and down the hall towards Wilson's office. The department of Oncology was empty except for a few interns, no sign of House or Wilson. Nora had just begun walking back towards the workroom when she caught sight of a familiar cane and sneaker combo walking out.

"House!"

House turned around and grinned as Nora jogged to catch up with him.

"You know," He began quietly, "When you run like that it makes your boobs bounce and it really turns me on."

"House, we're at work, we can't do anything...yet."

"Is that the promise of something?"

"Yes, test results for the lady with the tumor on her brain."

"Wow, all that foreplay and you kill the moment."

"Wanna see foreplay? Let's step into your office."

"Can't." House sighed, disappointed. "I'm on my way to see the kid, I promised his mom I'd be there by noon, and I'm running late so I don't have time for a quickie."

"Damn. You know what, I'll come with you." Nora said, walking alongside him into the patient's room.

"I'd like that."

In the room, however, House only got more and more anxious. The patient, Ben, continued to flirt with Nora and look at her, up and down over and over again.

"Ma'am," Nora said to his mother. "Your son has Schizophrenia. There is no cure, but we can start treatment as soon as tomorrow."

"You mean he's really crazy? Like the people who see things and throw things?" The mother asked.

"Not every case of Schizophrenia is like that. Only in some cases do patients become violent or paranoid."

"No, you must have diagnosed him wrong. You're incompetent."

"She did nothing wrong and she is one of the most competent doctors in this hospital." House shot back.

"House..." Nora started. "Ma'am, your son has Schizophrenia. We caught it early enough to begin treatment, but it is ultimately up to Ben."

"I'm his legal guardian, I decide."

"He's a legal tax-paying adult. Ben, what would you like to do?"

"I'm really crazy?" He asked, almost in a daze. "I don't wanna be crazy, start treating me now."

"We'll be by with your first prescription tomorrow morning."

"What else can help? Like with the meds?"

"Being social, sports, even going on a date could help."

"Well..." Ben started blushing. "Would you go on a date with me?"

"Sorry, buddy." House replied, throwing his arm around Nora's shoulders. "She's mine."

"That one, dear?" The mother asked. "He's got to be thirty years older than you!"

"Only fourteen, not thirty." Nora corrected.

"My boy is closer to your age than he is."

"I don't go on dates with patients." Nora gave one last reassuring smile and left with House. They were discussing when they could go on their next date when they heard a commotion behind them. House turned and caught a flash of movement in his peripheral vision.

"Nora, watch out!" He yelled. It was too late. The boy who'd been calm and flirtatious only moments before had hit Nora in the side of her head with his IV pole, ripping all of his tubes out with a grunt. House moved over to his unconscious girlfriend but wasn't quick enough. The boy threw a punch and pushed House back.

since creative genius can only get me so far, comment some ideas for dates you think they should go on. maybe they will :)