The Knife and the Cane

Chapter 25- 5 O'Clock Somewhere

When it came time to pay for drinks, Nora realized she'd completely forgotten her wallet at the hospital. She'd ridden with House and accepted his offer of a ride back over once he'd paid. A small kiss, a gentle "be safe" and a goodbye later, House drove off to his apartment while Nora grabbed the things she needed from the Pediatrics workroom. She was finishing up when she heard a voice behind her.

"What are you doing here so late?" Dr. Hendly asked.

"I forgot some things." She replied, her voice shaking a little.

"You and I need to have a little chat."

Nora turned around to see him leaning on the doorframe, blocking the exit. He'd rolled up his sleeves and his white coat was gone.

"Dr. Hendly, I'd like to go home."

"Nora, I'm just gonna outright say it. I requested that you join my team for a few reasons. One, you're hot. Two, you're wicked smart. Both things I can use to my advantage."

"How so?"

"House is in love with you. He follows you around like a puppy dog, and he smiles around you. If I could get you off his team, he'd lose interest in his team, then lose funding and so on."

"Seriously? This is all a ploy to get at House?"

"You're a skilled Pediatrician. Not as skilled as me, but still skilled."

"Excuse me, Dr. Hendly." Nora moved to the door, but Hendly pinned her against the wall before she could leave. He leaned in and kissed her hard before wrapping his arm around her waist, trying to lift her up. Nora wasn't having any of it, she let him lift her leg until she was just the right height before swinging it out, kicking him in the crotch, and leaving.

Nora tried to sleep. She really did. She used every trick in the book before grabbing her pocket knife. This time, she sliced her hip, an area that House wouldn't be able to find. House. She had to tell him. She immediately drove over, tears in her eyes all the way to his apartment. He answered the door in a pair of gray sweatpants and a black t-shirt, pulling Nora into a hug and into his apartment as soon as he saw the tears in her eyes. He led her back into his bedroom, not for anything nefarious, but to comfort her. They sat on his bed, facing each other.

"Talk to me, Nora." He said gently, holding her hands.

"I went back to get my wallet and purse." She began, sucking in a calming breath. "Ian-Dr.Hendley- was there. He was saying some odd things."

"Like what, honey? What did he say?"

"He said that the only reason he yanked me off of diagnostics was because you would lose interest in your team and eventually get fired."

"He used you to get to me."

"He...kissed me."

"He did what?"

"He kissed me. I'm so so sorry, I wasn't thinking right and I didn't wanna do it. I'm sorry, I-"

"Nora."

Nora paused mid-sentence and the tears kept flowing. House pulled her to him and leaned on the headboard, smoothing down her hair and rubbing her back.

"I'm not mad." House said quietly. "I know you didn't want to do that. I trust you."

"I don't know what I'm gonna do." Nora sighed.

"I do."

"Oh?"

"You're gonna talk to Cuddy tomorrow and see if you can get this straightened out. See if we can have you back on Mondays."

"That sounds good."

"Good. I'm tired, and I can tell that you are, too."

"I love you."

"I love you, too. Goodnight, Trouble."

"Night, Chaos."