The Knife and the Cane

Chapter 24- Reflections of Experience

In the next few weeks, the leaves changed colors, turning Princeton-Plainsboro into a snapshot of an oil painting.

"So be honest." Chase said, walking alongside Nora into the building. "Do you actually like Monday shifts?"

"No one likes Mondays, but I really don't like them. I thought working in Pediatrics would be a nice and rewarding ordeal, but I feel like I'm constantly being ordered around and no one can appreciate my skills. Hendly's getting on my nerves." Nora replied.

"It's only four days a month."

"With an idiot doctor who only cares about fame, not the patients he's treating."

"What about that one doctor? Callaghan?"

"What about him?"

"He's cool. He complimented my car."

"He's a really big car nerd. We should invite him next time we go drinking."

"Are you free tonight?"

"I should be. I can check but I think my next date with House isn't until Wednesday."

Chase's gaze met Nora's and a single thought passed through them.

"I'll get Thirteen and Callaghan." Nora said.

"I'll get Foreman and House." Chase added.

"Good."

Nora smiled and pressed on, ready to face the day. It didn't last long. Hendly handed her a file with the name "Makayla" on it in exchange for test results.

"Go give that to Dr. Wilson in Oncology." He said, absentmindedly. "When you're doing I might have a little something for you."

"You do realize that I have a boyfriend, right?" Nora sighed. She was fed up with his advances.

"I'm better than him, we both know that. Now shoo."

Nora rolled her eyes before making her way to Wilson's office. She gently knocked on the door and entered when Wilson yelled, "come in."

"James?" She asked, quietly. He whipped his head up and a small smile appeared.

"Nora. I was just gonna come find you."

"What's wrong?"

"I want to apologize. For...kissing you."

"James, it's fine."

"It's not. I missed you and I wasn't thinking. I didn't even think that House would change any of this. I'm sorry."

"You're forgiven. You're my best friend, I'm not upset about it anymore."

"That's good. What do you have?"

"It's probably test results on Makayla. The little girl with the tumor?" She replied, handing the file to him.

"This is exactly what I was worried about." James sighed, cursing under his breath. "Will you come with me to tell the parents?"

"Of course. What are you going to tell them?"

"Exactly what they need to know. Their daughter has cancer."

Nora cried. She cried because Makayla's parents brushed her diagnosis off. She held it together at the bar, though. She was just...quiet.

"Graves? Is something wrong?" Chase asked.

"Just a rough day." Nora sighed.

"Pediatrics can be demanding. It'll get better." Callaghan chirped.

"Thanks. Hendly gives me weird vibes, though. He tried to reward me like a dog. He said he had something for me if I did my task quickly."

"I'm gonna punch him in the mouth next time I see him." House growled.

"Easy, tiger. He's been warned."

"House, with all due respect," Thirteen said, setting her drink on the table. "I'm more scared of Nora when she's quiet than I am of you when you're mad."

"Same." Foreman added.

"Honestly, me too. And I'm the one dating her." House sighed, causing their small group to erupt into laughter. House smiled at Nora reassuringly, pushing the horrid memories out of her brain for a little bit.

Sorry about the shorter chapter, I have some personal things going on, so I had less time to write. Next chapter will be regular length, I promise :)