The Knife and the Cane

Chapter 19- $20 is $20

The black dress in the back of Nora’s closet fit her like a glove, accentuating every curve. She turned around in front of the full-length mirror, examining the silk as it reflected in the low light. In the bathroom, House was straightening his tie and slicking his hair back.

“Hey, Nora?” He called.

“Yeah?” She yelled back.

“Do you think it’d be appropriate to keep a cigar clenched in my teeth all night or is that going too far?”

“I don’t care about smelling like smoke, but I’m not kissing you.”

“It’s not worth it then if I don’t get kissed.” House checked his watch and his eyebrows shot up his forehead. “Oh, shit. We’re gonna be late.” He hollered, throwing his jacket on and grabbing his skull-shaped cane.

“I’m coming.” Nora answered, grabbing a single rose out of the bouquet on her dresser and moving to the front door. “We’re taking my car, there’s no way I can ride on the bike in this dress.”

House stepped out of the bathroom and looked over at Nora as she stood in the doorway of her apartment, checking her phone. His jaw could have grazed the floor.

“Come on, Greg.” She laughed. “You’ll have all night to ogle me.”

“Let’s get going.”

When they arrived at the hospital, the diagnostics team met them in the parking garage, everyone getting out of their own vehicles. Thirteen, Chase, Foreman and a woman Nora didn’t recognize had all decided to be the scooby gang, Chase as Fred, Thirteen as Daphne, Foreman as Shaggy, and the unknown woman as Velma.

“Well that’s original.” Thirteen said as House and Nora swung out of the car.

“You’re one to talk.” House shot back, stumbling as he closed the door. “Who’s the new addition?”

“This is Elanor Collins from Radiology. I thought it’d only be fitting to ask her to join our little group for the night.”

“Let’s go before we actually are late.” Foreman sighed. It was obvious he was annoyed.

“If you insist.” Chase replied. They all packed in the elevator and got off on their floor, passing their workroom on the way to the Oncology department where the party was.

“Are you okay, Greg?” Nora asked, pausing in the dark hallway.

“My hand’s starting to cramp from this cane.” He sighed, massaging his hand.

“Use the other one. Use the one that’s more comfortable.”

“I’ll be alright.”

“Take some Vicodin.”

“I have been. I’m alright, honey, I promise.”

“Babe, if you want to go home, we’ll go.”

“You want to be here. I’ll just take some more Vicodin.”

“Well I don’t want you to overdose.”

“I won’t. It was just a bad pain day, I’ll live. By the way, did you just call me ‘babe?’”

“Yeah, sorry. It just kinda slipped out.”

“It’s alright.” He chuckled. “Let’s go dance, cara mia.”

“You went and watched the movies, didn’t you?”

“Yes.”

House picked up his cane and they made their way towards the commotion. As soon as they looked around, Nora sighed and pulled out her wallet, handing House a $20 bill. He grinned and offered her his arm. She took it happily, walking into the commotion with him.

sorry for the shorter chapter, but ive got some new things in the works. take a guess abt what it is :)