The Knife and the Cane

Chapter 23- Make It Better

Dr. Thatcher was a short woman. She didn't pass five feet, and she was a little on the larger side. She was more like a grandmother than anything else. She spoke softly and checked in with Nora every half an hour to make sure she was doing alright, always reassuring her that she could take a break if she needed to.

Nora stopped by the Diagnostics workroom to pick up a file when she noticed she wasn't alone.

"Doctor Alex Callaghan." House announced, flipping through the file in his hands. "Graduated top of his class with a specialty in Pediatrics."

"'Hi, honey. How was your day?'" Nora deadpanned.

"He's really close to your age. Only a few years older, three to be exact."

"House, what are you getting at?"

"Getting tired of your old man? Looking for something younger?"

"Greg, you can't possibly think I'm cheating on you."

"I ran into him and he handed me a file. I didn't think about it until I saw your number written on his hand."

"He's a car nerd like me. He has a girlfriend, House. He's not even that handsome."

"If it were me, you'd be yelling and screaming right now."

"No, I wouldn't.

"I love you."

Nora's eyes met House's, her brows furrowing slightly with confusion.

"I love you." He repeated. "I don't know why but I do. You came into my life so suddenly and now for some reason, I can't imagine you leaving. I don't want to lose you."

"House, you won't lose me. Especially not to Callaghan. I love you, too. Too much to want anyone else."

"Why don't you come over tonight? I've got beer and wine."

"House, I don't know. It's been a long day."

"You didn't let me come in last night and I felt like something was wrong. I feel like whatever it is is still wrong."

Nora's eyes watered and she brushed her wrist with her fingers absentmindedly. House noticed it immediately. Leaning on the doorframe between his office and the workroom, he gently took Nora's hand and lifted her sleeve.

"You did it again." He mumbled. "That's why you were off last night."

"I'm sorry." Nora breathed.

"I'm not mad."

"I'm sorry."

"I'm not upset, Nora. What can I do to help?"

"Don't touch them. They hurt."

"You cleaned them?"

"Yes."

"Bandages?"

"No."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you do it?"

"It's an addiction at this point, House. I can't stop."

"Yes, you can."

"I've tried. Only two percent of people ever beat their addictions. You know that."

"Nora...I'm an addict, too. I don't want this for you."

"And you think I want this? You think I want to be dependent on mutilating myself to feel better?"

"I know you don't. But I know you're strong. Strong enough to stop."

"I..."

"Please? For me?"

She smiled lightly. "I'll try."

"I'll be here for you when you need it."

"Right now I need a drink."

"My place it is."

"Might as well give each other spare keys."

"That's not a bad idea."

Nora grabbed everything she needed and exited behind House, making her way to the parking garage. They decided to race to House's apartment, but by the time Nora got there, House was already inside and pouring liquor. Four drinks in and Nora was a little past tipsy while House was nearly sober.

"Greg, can I tell you something?" Nora asked as she laid in his arms on the couch.

"Anything. You know that." House replied, brushing her hair out of her eyes.

"T-This is gonna be my f-first Christmas without some s-sort of family since I r-ran away."

"What do you mean?"

"In college, I-I sorta had a f-family. Those girls were so c-close to me we f-felt like sisters. N-Now I'm gonna be alone."

"You're not gonna be alone."

"Why?"

"Thirteen and Chase and Foreman. Even Wilson. We're all here for you and we're like a family. You know what else?"

"What?" Nora's eyes went wide as if she was surprised.

"This is gonna be our first Christmas together."

"Can we s-sleep first? I'm so tired."

"Come on, princess." He sighed, grinning. "Time for bed."