The Knife and the Cane

Chapter 21- Change of Plans

*⚠️TW⚠️*

When Nora wandered into the Diagnostics workroom later that week, Chase and House were the only ones there.

"Morning, Graves." Chase said, flipping through a car magazine.

"Morning, Chase." She replied, setting her bag down on the table.

"Graves, what are you doing here?" House asked, whirling around at the coffee bar.

"It's seven o'clock?"

"You're supposed to be in Pediatrics."

"No I'm not." Nora scoffed. "I declined Hendly's offer."

"That's not the way it was told to me."

"Oh?"

"Dr. Hendly, Dr. Thatcher, and Cuddy all approached me and pretty much told me that you'd be split between teams."

"There's no way I can split five days a week evenly between three teams."

"No, there isn't. I was told that you were to work on Mondays in Pediatrics, Tuesdays in Psychology, and the rest of the week here."

"That's crazy. I'm gonna go talk to Cuddy about this."

"She seemed insistent on keeping this schedule."

"House, what if one of my patients from Pediatrics needs me while I'm in Psychology? What if you guys need my help on a Tuesday morning and it can't wait until Wednesday morning?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"You can't be serious."

"I'm sorry. This is how things are gonna be. Look, you're not the only doctor that I loan out to people, you're just my favorite loaner."

"Hey!" Chase exclaimed.

"Shut up, I have to keep you around, no one else wants you." House teased.

"Rude."

House returned his attention to Nora. "Foreman and Taub both go to their respective departments once in a while. It might be good for you to get away from us for a while."

"Greg, I don't like this. I'm gonna be stretched too thin and the...thing is gonna get worse." Nora hissed so Chase couldn't hear.

"You can do it. I know you can. And if the...thing gets worse, we'll pull you off of the other teams and make sure you stay here in Diagnostics."

"Thank you."

Nora wrapped her arms around his waist and held him tightly. "Anything for my favorite loaner."

"I guess I start Pediatrics today?"

"Yep."

"I'll head down. Text me if you need anything."

"I will. You, too. Good luck."

"Thanks." Nora left the workroom with her bag and sighed. "I'm gonna need it."

"Do you really think she can do it? Three different teams in one week?" Chase asked, putting down his magazine.

"No." House replied, sadly. "I don't think she can do it. Not forever at least."

In the Pediatrics workroom, Dr. Hendly was waiting for Nora, a small smirk perched on his face. He gave her a tour around the department and introduced her to some members of his team including a man who looked just barely older than her with a sharp jawline, mysterious eyes, and a silent smile. His name was Dr. Alex Callaghan and he was going to be her mentor until she got a hold of things. Hendly hovered over her shoulder all day until she left.

"Hey, beautiful." House announced, leaning against her Mazda in the parking garage.

"Hm?" Nora replied, looking up from her phone. "Oh. Hi, House." She moved to the side of her car and got in, closing the door behind her.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Home. Why is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, I just thought you could come over, we could have dinner, maybe have a little after-hours fun?" House smiled seductively.

"Can I take a rain check?"

"Is something up?"

"Nothing's wrong, I'm just exhausted and a little stressed. I'm gonna head to my apartment."

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"No, you need rest, too."

"Nora, if something is up, let me take care of you."

"I'll be okay. You and I both know I just need sleep."

House leaned down and kissed her, his eyes examining her features. "You need to not be alone."

"House..."

"Greg. Please." He sighed as he stood up and moved over to his bike.

"Wait, I'm sorry." Nora stood up out of her car just as House strapped on his helmet and left. "Greg!" He ignored her, vanishing from view.

There was no way that Nora's grandfather intended his hand-made pocket knife to be used the way Nora used it. She thought about that every time she slid it across her arm like a violin bow. A mixture of blood and tears stained her shirt and the floor around her, hours of sorrow continuously drenching her clothing. Her phone rang on the floor next to her, "Can't Always Get What You Want" by the Rolling Stones pouring out of her speakers. She declined it again. House had called six or seven times and she hadn't picked up once.

"You've reached Nora Graves." Her voicemail chirped. "Leave a message and I'll get back to you when I can."

"Hey, Nora." House sighed. "I'm really worried about you, honey. Please let me know you're okay. A call, a text, hell, I'll even settle for an Email. If you don't let me know soon, I'll be over in fifteen minutes. I love you."

The tone beeped again, but Nora couldn't bring herself to pick her phone up.

"I love you, too." He muttered.

She had to choose between the two things she loved the most:

The Knife and the Cane.