GREGORY HOUSE, MD (An Alternate Story)

Chapter XI

I came to the hospital early that day to finish my patient's case since Foreman and Chase found out what's wrong with our patient. Good thing the lungs we gave her worked so I'm just going to finish my paperwork. As the elevators were about to close, a briefcase stopped it and Wilson came in the elevator.

"You're back and you didn't tell me?" he asked

I looked at him and didn't say a word. I was trying to make a full sentence or a thought in my head just to explain to him what happened to me. I don't know what to say and I know whatever I say he'll rationalize and find explanations.

"Sorry" the only word I could say

"Sorry? That's it? No explanation?"

"I will explain when I'm capable of telling you everything"

He looked at me with that suspicious look. Squinting his eyes and looking me with intense scrutiny.

"I promise I will explain everything when I can. I am telling you now, you will not find anything behind or any pranks later. Just let me find the right way and words to say" I assured him

He looked shocked but eventually nodded his head.

"You're early. Do you have an urgent case?" he asked trying to divert the tension in the air

"Uhmm. No actually the case is already solved. I came in early to finish the paperwork for the case and finish everything about the case"

"You do paper works now? What is rea—"he stopped when I gave him a look of "I just need a moment"

"I guess I'll see around" he said as the elevators opened and we both headed to our offices.

We were able to finish the case and I ordered a discharge for the patient tomorrow. I headed downstairs to do clinic hours since I have nothing to do. I honestly don't know why I'm doing this. I just feel like it's the right to do. And it actually feels kind of nice. As the elevators opened, I saw Samantha coming and she smiled as soon as she sees me

"You're back!" she exclaimed

"Yeah. You're here. Is everything fine?" I was shocked that I said that and when I looked at her she also gave me a confused and shocked look.

"Yeah. I just drop by to ask James some help with my medical papers"

"Okay. Nice seeing you today. I am just going to do some clinic work"

I headed to my first clinic duty for today. Nurses and other hospital personnel are looking at me which looks like they are gossiping about my sudden disappearance from the hospital. I just ignored them and went to exam room one.

It was lunch time when I finished my clinic duty and I'm about to go for lunch when I saw someone came out of Cuddy's office. I can't believe I am seeing her here. This is so weird. I decided to ignore her since she looked like she had some serious conversation with Cuddy. Then out of nowhere she called my name.

"Greg?"

I looked at her and noticed that Cuddy was surprised that she knows me.

"You know Dr. House?" Cuddy asked

"Yeah. I know Dr. House" Malayna looked back and forth between me and Cuddy

"Thank you for your time Dr. Cuddy. It was great talking to you about the project" she said

"Pleasure was mine. I'd like to offer lunch if you don't mind" Cuddy offered

I can see Malayna looked at me since I was looking down. Then I hear her.

"That is very nice of you but I'll go. Thank you again"

She walked away from Cuddy and grab my arms. I can see Cuddy looking at us for a while then went back to her office.

"I didn't expect you to work in the clinic. I thought would be in you department. And I didn't mean to shout your name, I just got excited" she explained

"No it's fine. I just didn't expect to see you here"

"Oh. My project needed doctors on board. So I the city council sent me to the hospitals here. I'd be in Princeton General this afternoon"

"Do you want to have lunch first?" I asked

"Sure. Where is your cafeteria here?"

"Come with me"

We were eating our lunch when I noticed Wilson looking at us. He is having lunch with Sam. I ignored him and focused on Malayna who was talking a lot. There she is again. Talks a lot about something she is passionate. Always like this.

"Anyway, I am sure Dr. Cuddy will inform the board and the hospital staff about this project. I hope people will be on board for this"

She paused for a while and looked at me. Then she sighed. She started talking.

"We keep bumping into each other, don't we?" she said and looked at her with a questioning look

"I don't believe in coincidences but I think the universe really wants me to tell you my story. We haven't really talked about what really happened with us. You know when I migrated and everything in between and after that"

"No. It's okay. You're not really obligated to tell, you ---"

"I feel like I owe you my story. I left you and didn't call or write you any letter after that. I like to be friends with you again Greg. And it's the universe that keeps making ways for us to catch up. And if there is one thing I've learned in the past years is that make use of the times that you still can because you might never have it again"

She looked at me and smile. But I can see someone scarred behind that smile. I smiled back after a while of looking at her.

"Okay" the only word I can say.

After our lunch, she left and went to Princeton General. As I was going upstairs, Wilson stand beside me while waiting for the elevator to open.

"Who was that?" he asked

"She was an old friend"

"Just an old friend?"

I looked at her and paused for a while. I was thinking if I'm ready to tell him about Malayna and then I said

"Yes, just an old friend"

He nodded. The elevator opened and we went upstairs. I will tell him when I'm ready. As I was walking to my office, I received a text message from Malayna. I smiled as soon as I read the message. 

Note: Thank you guys for the 100 reads. This is so cool I never have anything so big in my life. This is my first book and your reads and votes mean a lot to me. I promise I will do better in the next chapters. I will try to keep updating this story as I can.

Let us all follow House's journey in this story. Keep reading and sharing this story