Third Wave (Dubois Chronicles 2.93)
DJ Dubois
June 2006

 

Rating: T (Teen—language, violence)

Pairings: Mutant X: Shalimar/Brennan, Jesse/Toni, Adam/Emma
Alias: Sydney/Vaughn
Dark Angel: Max/Logan
Smallville: Clana; Chlex
House: House/Cuddy; some Cameron/Chase

Notes Part 1: This piece should be safe for all viewpoints (taking into consideration the pairings above).

Notes Part 2: The characters from Hercules the Legendary Journeys and Xena Warrior Princess belong to StudiosUSA and Universal. Smallville belongs to DC and the WB. The Marvelverse characters belong to Marvel Comics. House belongs to Universal and its other copyright holders. Alias belongs to James Abrams, Buena Vista Entertainment, Touchstone Pictures and ABC. Mutant X belongs to Marvel Studios. Veronica Mars belongs to Rob Thomas Productions and the WB. Dark Angel belongs to James Cameron and the other copyright holders. All other characters are mine. Please send comments to dante0220@yahoo.com .

 


Prologue [Amazon Village, c. 91 AD]

Gabrielle, Bard-Queen of the Amazons, writes….

Now that I’ve recovered my quill from House, I have a lot of catching up to do with the events happening since the events in the “Seasons of the Witch” scroll. We’ve already seen how our friends are adjusting and dealing with their personal, professional and academic crises. New faces have been appearing (and a few more will show up in this scroll).

One will be particularly unwelcome indeed….Poor David, as if he didn’t have enough problems!

Thank Eli that Eve, Lydia and Clarise are there to help him.

Adam Kane has a situation with Mutant X…one that will shake the team.

Two others will need to work out new arrangements with Greg and Lisa.

Speaking of David, he is heading out for one more expedition to ‘recruit’ students as he puts it. There are two he has in mind. (A third one from Colorado went to some rainy place. Don’t ask me why she did that.)

 


Chapter 1 [A month after “Diagnoses”]
[Princeton Plainsboro Hospital]

Transitions are always rough as former administrators move on and new ones take their place. Priorities and personnel change. In the hospital world, it was no different.

For two weeks after their boss’ departure, Drs. Eric Foreman, Allison Cameron and Robert Chase had carried on their diagnostic duties. They actually increased the caseload from House’s usual two (in between the soaps) per week quota.

Still without the diagnostician’s acid wit, barbs and caustic insights, it just didn’t seem the same.

Apparently, the new administration didn’t think so either……

****

[Dean of Medicine’s Office]

The former ducklings hustled off of the elevator toward the Dean’s office. While they had been in the middle of a case, this took precedence.

“What do you suppose he wants?” Chase queried.

Foreman rolled his eyes. “The axe is about to come down. I keep telling you that.”

Cameron countered, “They can’t just take our department apart.”

The African-American looked sarcastically at her. “Administrators do whatever they want, Cameron.”

She glared at him, not really needing that dose of reality at the moment. Even after House’s sudden (and she thought unadvised) departure, she thought they could keep the department going.

“It’s going to be all right,” Chase reassured her.

Foreman shook his head. Despite the latter two’s attempts to keep it a secret, he could see they were drifting into a relationship. Not that it was really his concern. He had only been driven with keeping a position in the hospital. Hopefully, Dr. Erlanger did that for me.

Seeing the trio enter the suite, the office assistant, a petite early-20 something blonde, stared blankly at them. She was chewing on something—gum more than likely. “Yes? Can I help you?”

“Dean Zanger called us,” Cameron replied. “Drs. Foreman, Chase and Cameron to see him.”

“He’s expecting you. Go right in,” the receptionist indicated, motioning to the door.

“Thanks,” Foreman expressed as they walked in.

The suite was still the same area—windows, desk, chair and computer were still in place. The carpeting remained as it always had. However, the décor had changed. A rubber plant stood guard by one window. A few pictures took the place of the degrees which Cuddy had kept on the walls.

Most importantly, the man in the chair was different. Fritz Zanger was a heavy set balding man with a serious attitude and a facial expression to match. He was always dressed in the finest Armani suits and shiny Italian leather dress shoes. He was a man with little time to waste….

…especially where it concerned sweeping away the messes (as he perceived the situation) from Cuddy’s watch.

“Thank you for coming,” Zanger noted. “Dr. Cameron, would you get the door please? Then the three of you can take a seat.”

She managed to keep a straight face, concealing her indignation over his condensing tone. It was clear that he had something against female professionals. “Of course.” She shut the door. Maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing that House took off after all. He’d be at this guy’s throat. Then she joined her colleagues.

“What can we do for you, sir?” Foreman asked although he suspected the answer already.

Zanger nodded, not wasting time with chit chat and getting right to the point. “I’ve been going over the hospital’s budget and organizational structure. It seems there are a number of departments that don’t pull their weight in terms of case load efficiency.”

Chase and Cameron exchanged looks. Ever since the superior’s meeting with the doctors where he had outlined this concept, they knew the diagnostics department was in trouble.

“Sir, we’ve actually increased our caseload over the past three weeks,” she pointed out.

“I’ve noticed and it’s a step in the right direction. However, it’s too little, too late,” the administrator acknowledged while tapping on three files on his desk. “How Dean Cuddy could have allowed House to get away with what he did astounds me. She’s a top notch administrator and a friend.” He sighed. “Anyhow, this isn’t about her, it’s about your department and reassignments. Foreman, Judy Erlanger has requested that I transfer you to Neurology. She’s already talked to you?”

“Yes, sir,” Foreman agreed. “If it works for you.”

Cameron rolled her eyes. Self-promoting, back stabbing, pompous ass! Could you be *any* more obvious?

“Is there a problem, Cameron?” the Dean asked, noting her reaction.

“No, sir.”

“Good. Maybe House liked to run his area like a schoolyard playground but I don’t. Foreman’s earned this move and I think it would benefit the whole hospital. As for you and Chase, I’m afraid that your areas don’t have any openings. Fortunately for you both, I can keep you onboard until the end of your fellowships. I’d be more than happy to recommend you for any job you want. I am sorry but I can’t keep this department afloat,” the Dean explained.

“We understand,” Chase interjected. “It’s not unexpected. We were hoping to stay here but that’s how life goes.”

“Indeed, Chase. Thank you all.” Zanger shook hands with each of them. As he did so with her, he smirked wickedly at her.

All he needs is a top hat and a twirly mustache. Jerk! She forced a smile and they left the room.

It was a mixed bag all around…to say the least.

****

[That night—Cameron’s apartment]

After muddling through the rest of the day, she hustled out of there, driving straight home to her treadmill; a habit she’d been engaging in more so than usual.

She made a salad for herself out of leftover lettuce, croutons, tomatoes and sprinkled some Italian dressing on it. “How does that man do that?” She took a forkful while walking over to the TV.

As she set everything down, a knock came from the door.

Now what? She dragged herself over there and peeked through to find Chase standing there. She opened the door. “Hi. Thought you might want to be alone.”

He shook his head. “At first. Then I thought you might need to talk.” He walked in and closed the door. “We’ll survive this.”

“Will we? You know how tight the job market is!” she protested.

“Hey! It’s going to be all right. We’ll find something,” he reaffirmed while rubbing her shoulders. “At least we don’t have to worry anymore, Allison.”

She smiled, enjoying his touch. For the previous year that they had worked together, she had been so wrapped up with House; she hadn’t noticed how handsome he was. Since the departures, he had been her rock, supporting her. She squeezed his hand. “Thanks, Robert.” She turned and kissed him before backing up. “Sorry.” She blushed.

“For what? I’ve wanted that for a while. I just respected you too much to ask,” he revealed while they sat down on the couch. “I was concerned about what happened in Zanger’s office though.”

“That man is a chauvinistic ass!” she snapped. “He’s reassigned all of the female department heads and I’ll bet he’s sleeping with that bubble gum princess at the reception desk. AUGH!”

“True but you need to watch it. We’ve all learned some bad habits from House,” he urged.

“And some good ones,” she countered.

“Yeah,” he agreed, recalling their experiences. “Meantime, I was thinking we hit the Chronicle and see what’s available. We need to ask House for a reference anyhow.”

“Oh that’s going to be good,” she realized, anticipating the snarky conversation with their former boss. “Especially after he screwed us.”

“Allison, he didn’t screw anyone. Vogler had him, Cuddy and Wilson fired. They found new places. This is going to sound pretentious….” He mused over his words for a minute. “…you brought some of that on yourself.”

“Excuse me?” she demanded. “I tried to talk him out of leaving. Imagine finding Cuddy there in his clothes. You get the picture.”

“I heard about it from Wilson. They didn’t sleep together. Besides, so what if they were/are/are going to? Big deal! They’re both loners. Maybe they can both be happy together?” He squeezed her hand. “Maybe we should take a page out of their book?”

She bowed her head, managing an apologetic smile. “You’re right. We should.” She glanced at her salad. “I can split this with you if you’d like.”

He shook his head. “Thanks but I was thinking of something a little more filling. Maybe Camilla’s?” He smiled. “My treat?”

She chuckled, letting her eyes sparkle at him. “Okay, your treat. Let me change and then we’ll go. Maybe we call for those references tomorrow?”

“Sure,” he agreed as she kissed his cheek and went into the bedroom.

He sank into the couch cushions and stared at the ceiling. I hope House will give us the references.

 

 


Chapter 2 [New Sanctuary]

Shalimar sat in her room, feeling uncertain about things. All around her, her things lay in piles ready to be packed and taken away. I wish we didn’t have to do this. She took off her comlink ring and considered it for a minute. For the previous three months, she, Brennan, Jesse and Toni Quintana had discussed leaving Tucson and heading for Seattle or some other place where they could blend in.

She heard a knocking at the door. “Yeah?”

“Hey,” Brennan replied while coming in. “You all right?”

“Sure,” she agreed, setting her jaw and looking firmly at him.

“You’re having second thoughts, aren’t you?” he inquired.

“Aren’t you?” she queried.

“Nope. Look, Shal, it’s been a great run but I’m ready for a normal life. You and me get married, settle down and maybe have some kids,” he proposed.

“You mean you want to steal some cars,” she teased.

He frowned. “I really want to be honest and do you proud. Bear with me.” He kissed her forehead. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she concurred. “Sorry, feral need to stick with the pack. But the mate comes before that.”

That made him smile. “I appreciate that. I won’t let you down, Shal.”

“Right,” she replied. Seeing the chrono hit 4:30, she added, “Let’s get this over with.”

****

[Living Area]

Mikhail and Laynia walked anxiously into the large space and sat down on the cushioned chairs. Since hearing about this meeting on the day before, they wondered what it was all about.

<“I hope everything’s all right,”> she worried.

<”I’m sure it is,”> he assured her while rubbing her shoulder. Despite their Russian training to the contrary, they had started a relationship of their own.

She snuggled against him, smiling as she did so.

“Nice scene, guys,” Max indicated from where she and Logan Cale entered the room. When the others looked surprised, she grinned. “That’s cool.”

“We won’t tell,” Logan agreed, giving them a comforting smile as he sat down next to his girlfriend.

“Thank you,” Laynia expressed. “Do you know anything?”

Max shook her head. “Only that Adam’s ticked off. That ain’t good.”

Adam entered the room with Emma at his side. His face looked ashen as if frustrated and suffering from lack of sleep. Having overheard the last comment, he responded, “It isn’t, Max.” Then he sighed deeply.

Emma stared at both her seated teammates as well as the quartet who had started this; the latter coming down the stairs from the upper level. “As long as we all know what we’re doing.”

“Don’t start, Emma,” Jesse muttered, running his hand through his hair.

“Jesse, that wasn’t necessary,” Toni admonished. “This is going to hard enough on all of us.”

“What is?” Laynia asked. “What is it?”

Brennan cleared his throat and started, “Guys, it’s been great but we’re leaving.”

“WHAT?” Max demanded, nearly jumping out of her chair. “Shal, he can’t be serious!”

“He is. Sorry, Max,” the other feral mutant apologized, feeling ashamed for some reason.

“After that mess with the witches, we decided that it’s time to go,” Jesse added. “Maybe the rest of you should do the same.”

Emma glared at him. “We’re all still recovering from that situation. But if we disband, who will stop Isobel on campus?”

“There are plenty of others. Why can’t we have a normal life?” Brennan argued.

“Because we aren’t normal, Comrade,” Mikhail reminded him tersely. “We have obligation.”

“Correction, Smokey, you have an obligation. Brennan and I want a life together. Jesse and Toni want the same. Why is that so hard?” Shalimar posed.

“Because you’re targets out there,” Adam noted. “I won’t stop you but just be careful.” He sighed. “I need your comlinks though. Put them on the table and then you can go.”

The three former teammates looked at each other and then at the others. Then one by one, they removed their rings and placed them on the table before departing the area.

Max glared at the three rings. “This is just CRAP!”

“Max,” Adam requested while rubbing his temples. “It’s their choice.”

“What do we do now?” Laynia asked. “I don’t want to leave. This is a good home and we like being part of the team.”

“We still have five members, Adam, between Max, Laynia, Mikhail, you and me,” Emma reminded the leader.

“Correction, six,” Logan indicated.

“We stay together. Adam, what say you?” Mikhail asserted.

The geneticist looked at the pairs of eyes firmly committed to continuing the mission. “Thank you, everyone. All right, a vote then. All in favor of keeping the team?”

They all raised their hands.

“Then Mutant X stays. And Heaven helps anyone who gets in our way,” Adam declared. Even though he felt better, he knew there was work to be done. “Anyone who wants to talk can get me in the lab.” With that, he left.

“Thanks, everyone,” Emma expressed.

“We all want to be here, Emma. We can do this,” Max replied firmly.

“Amen,” Laynia agreed, feeling glad that there was still a team to belong to.

 

 


Chapter 3 [Smallville]
[The Talon]

Dave sat in the corner, reading the Ledger and enjoying a mocha respite from everything. With Angie needing to be at a UMC-wide meeting that night, he dropped the twins off at the Kents so that they and Melissa could catch up on things. Then he headed for this refuge.

Thinking of the café in those terms brought an ironic smile to his face. He glanced at the plaque in the corner and then at the glowing scar on his hand. After everything, it’s weird to think of this place as a refuge. He sipped broodingly from his cup and set the paper down.

“Now that’s a heavy look if I saw one,” Lex noted while joining him. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing much. Potential threat in my backyard. Two iffy students to recruit. Rumored break up of Mutant X? What could be wrong?” the medievalist supposed.

That made the billionaire stare at him. “You’re serious?”

“Adam called, asking for advice on replacements earlier today. We talked. I think I got us past that crisis.” Dave finished his drink.

Lex motioned to Miranda who nodded and made the Professor another one. “Tonight’s on me. You have enough to worry about.”

“You lead a multinational business empire and you’re worried about my concerns?” Dave chucked, marveling at the younger man.

“Mom taught me long ago that your concerns are mine and vice-versa. Besides anything I can do to keep the Child from erupting is a good thing. Speaking of concerns, did you select those last two students?” Lex wondered.

“Yeah. I have to go to Belle Reeve tomorrow to talk with one of them. The other is supposed to be meeting me here,” Dave indicated. Seeing a brunette woman approaching, he added, “Incoming.”

Lex stared at him. “You’re kidding. Dave, that’s Emily Dinsmore!”

“I know. Stay with me,” Dave insisted.

Miri brought his drink over. “Uncle Dave, I agree with Lex.”

“Noted, Miri. She won’t do anything here. If she does, it’ll get interesting very quickly. Thanks, Sunshine.” He accepted the drink from his niece before kicking a chair out. “Miss Dinsmore?”

“Yeah! You’re Dubie, aren’t you?” the girl demanded.

A girl in a woman’s body. Isn’t this ironic? “Close. I’m Professor Dubois. Please sit. Can I get you anything?”

“Ice cream soda with chocolate please,” the woman-child requested.

Miri took the order and returned to the counter. As she did, she looked toward the staircase where Jasmine and Byron watched the dialogue.

Close by, Sasha and Sarah also trained their eyes on the conversation.

Meantime, Emily snapped, “Wanna talk? So talk!”

“First of all, cool it. You want to be a big person, act like it,” he insisted.

Lex excused himself, “I need to get a refill. Be back.”

“Big words,” she scoffed. “You wanna fight.”

“Don’t push me.” He removed his glass, allowing his eyes to glow at her and changing personalities.

“Jus’ try it, Sweets,” the Child rasped. “Now lissen ta Big Bro!” With that, he allowed the change back again and putting the glasses back on.

“Look, Emily, I want to offer you a chance to go to Big School and do art. I need you to work with me, okay? They helped me and they can help you be a great big person. You can have lots of friends just like you,” Dave offered.

“’Kay. Get to see Lana again!” she cheered.

“Can you meet me here day after tomorrow at the same time? We’ll go back then. Thank you, Emily,” he offered.

She nodded before heading out, causing the crowd to buzz.

Dave finished his mocha and shook his head at the other customers. He motioned to his students and Lex who joined him at the table. “She’s about what I expected. This could take some time.”

“Are you sure about this? Clark and Lana are going to go ballistic,” Miri pointed out.

“I’m inclined to agree,” Lex concurred.

“We could use her abilities. She could use some friends and a little guidance.” Dave shrugged. “If Emily ticks them off, wait’ll they see who I’m talking to tomorrow morning.” He stood and smiled. “Thank you, Lex, for the drinks. Miri, see you at home.” He kissed her forehead. “Kids.” With that, he left, leaving the others wondering about what would happen next.

****
[Kent Farm]

Clark sat in the Loft, looking up at the stars through his telescope. Although he had done so since childhood, every time he did so now was different. Now he had an idea of what was out there—both good and bad. I wonder what the next threat is going to be?

[“Not everything is bad, Clark,”] Lana reminded him.

He considered his wife who in turn sat on the couch watching him. “I know that. I guess I’m just paranoid.”

“After what we’ve been through, who can blame you? Still, you need to relax,” she advised while rubbing his shoulders. “If we need help, there’s plenty of it around. You know that.”

He smiled, considering how welcome their friends and teachers’ assistance was. “At least I don’t have to do it alone anymore.”

“Well, Clark, you never really had to anyway,” she pointed out. “If you had trusted us to help you.” Before he could get defensive, she smirked. “That’s in the past though.”

“Right,” he agreed before gazing at her in the moonlight. “I’ve told you I love you, right?”

She arched her brow and grinned. “Not in the last twelve hours.”

He kissed her. “How’s that?”

“Better,” she agreed before looking at her hand and seeing the scar glowing. “Great.”

He asked, “Is that going off for the reason I think it is?”

She nodded. “The Countess!” They rushed down the stairs toward the front to see the confrontation already brewing there.

****

[Minutes earlier]

Isobel materialized by the side of the road across from the Kent Farm. After solidifying her plans, she wanted to survey the property again, looking for an advantage. <The children think I can’t touch them. They’re wrong!> Thinking that she was in the clear, she crossed the street and stepped onto the grass. <”Perhaps a visit.”>

”You aren’t invited,” Dave told her, stepping into view from the shadows. ”I knew you’d be back sooner or later. LEAVE NOW!”

She grinned, looking for a challenge. “I still have power, Dubois.”

He glared at her. “Maybe I should call Hope and let her deal with you.” His eyes glowed at her.

“I never thought you a coward. Deluded in denying your destiny but never that,” she assessed.

“I just like to give my friends some sport. Then again….” He uncorked a psychic energy blast, pancaking her against the oak tree behind her. “I have enough of a mad on to deal with you myself. “That’s Phase 1. Care to taste more of your handiwork?”

“Go ahead. Release Le Puer! Play into my hands!” she taunted.

“Not likely…not here.” He fired again.

This time, she blocked it with an energy shield. “Two can play this game!”

“Can you? I wonder,” he doubted, pitching a smoke bomb at her feet. “Remember that? Little souvenir from Memory Lane.” Then he knocked her back again with another blast. “Last chance, Isobel. Leave or suffer. You’ve done enough to all of us already.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet, Dubois.” With that, she disappeared.

“Great. What did she mean by that?” he asked himself. Then he saw Hope appear. “I was trying to save you a piece.”

“You had it under control.” She shrugged. “And without the demon no less? Very impressive, Dubois.”

“The Child will get his shots in too. Trust me.” He turned back to the house and saw Clark and Lana watching. “You were smart to hang back.”

“What did she mean, Professor?” Clark asked him.

“Knowing that witch, she has something nasty up her sleeve. We’ll just need to deal with it,” Dave surmised, running his hand through his hair. “Meantime, your mother has some of her pie waiting and I want to get the twins back to Tucson before it gets much later.”

Hope watched the darkness. Although she didn’t sense Isobel’s presence, she wouldn’t have put it past the sorceress to appear and disappear quickly. Just come! I’m waiting for you, Pretender!

 


Chapter 4 [Tucson]
[Luthor Hacienda]

Don Schanke pulled up outside of the mansion and parked his station wagon on the street. Even though he had received this invitation a week ago, he still felt out of place. Man o man! Look at this place!

“It’s okay, Dad,” Jenny assured him. “Chloe wants us here.”

He smiled at his daughter, reapplying the funny mask. “Sure. Everything’s great, right?”

“You’re not fooling anyone, Donnie,” Myra noted from beside him. “According to Keith, Chloe’s family. I wish we had known sooner.”

Thinking over the previous month, Jenny nodded. “But better late than never. Can I carry something, Mom?”

“Take the cake. Thanks, Sweetie,” the older woman expressed. “Trust me, Don. We’re going to be fine.”

“Yeah,” he conceded, still staring at the house. “Peachy.”

****

[Inside—ten minutes earlier]

Chloe scurried around the lower floor overseeing every detail. While she usually trusted the staff with such things, she worried about everything being perfect for the family reunion. “It’s not ready!”

“It’s okay,” her mother assured her. “Chloe, calm down.”

“Sorry, Amy,” Chloe conceded, sitting in a chair. “I just want everything to be perfect, you know?”

“I know,” the poetry professor concurred. “And it will be.”

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Rollins opened it to find Veronica and Keith standing there. “Good evening, Mr. and Ms. Mars. Please come in.”

“Thanks,” Keith accepted tentatively, still adjusting to the idea of his cousin living in a pad like that one.

“Dad,” Veronica admonished. “Relax.” Seeing Chloe and Amy, she walked over and hugged them both. “Aunt Amy, Chloe, good to see you both!”

“Trip down here okay?” the hostess asked.

“It went fine. Dad was super careful…almost anal careful,” Veronica informed them while shooting her father a knowing look.

“When it comes to you, Veronica, I’m always careful,” her father retorted, rubbing her shoulder. “Good to see you again, Amy.”

“Likewise, Keith. I’m glad you’re here and that Veronica’s going to be at the university. Hope you don’t mind that I asked Alexander and Chloe to speak with you,” Amy replied while shaking his hand.

“Family looks out for family, right?” Keith had come to terms with Lex and Chloe’s assistance and actually looked forward to seeing his daughter succeed there—especially if the plan he and Donnie were working on came to fruition.

Rollins answered the door again to find the Schankes waiting. “Miss Chloe, your other guests are here.”

“Thanks, Rollins,” Chloe expressed while hugging the other trio. “Welcome! Please make yourselves at home!”

“This place is so big!” Jenny noted feeling a bit awed.

“It is but Lex and I think it’s a great home,” Chloe mentioned.

“It is that,” Myra complimented. “This is wonderful! I hope this wasn’t an inconvenience or anything.”

“What? Are you kidding? Since I learned from Keith that we’re family, I’ve wanted to do this. I wish Lex was here. He sends his regrets but he had business to attend to in Metropolis.”

“Hey, Donnie!” Keith greeted while nearly tackling his cousin.

“Keith, cut that out. You know what that does to the image,” Don retorted with a bit of humor.

“Oh yeah, I forgot what a tough guy you are.” The gumshoe smiled at the detective. “Hate to think what the crime beat would think if they knew how soft you are on the inside.”

“Takes one to know one,” Don retorted. “You’re coming by tomorrow, right?”

“You know it,” Keith agreed.

“What is it, Dad?” Veronica queried.

“A surprise. Let’s see if it works out then I’ll fill you in.”

Meantime, the food was placed on the table.

“That’s our cue. Welcome, everyone. Now let’s sit and dig in. Fernando’s chicken is to die for!” Chloe declared, guiding them toward the main table.

 


Chapter 5
[New Talon]

After spending the previous four hours in their meeting, Angie and Cuddy crossed Speedway to get a cappuccino and relax. While they felt glad to be getting everything together, the two doctors were relieved to leave the complex for the evening.

“This is better,” Angie noted. “Makes me wish that Karen Montoya’s old boss from Amherst would pop in and make one.” She considered the cup.

“The nurse from North 2?” the administrator turned radiologist wondered.

“Right. There was this place in the town where she, Dave and the others went to school called the Cappuccino Express. Best cappuccinos before they caught on. They made a mean mocha too,” Angie explained. “You should try the Dubois Dandy some time.”

“House is addicted to those things,” Cuddy replied dryly while taking a sip of her drink. “What is it? Is David related to the person who invented it?”

Angie chuckled, “As Karen and April tell the story, he didn’t invent it but Dave asked the soda jerk to make it for him right after he moved there. The manager and he both sampled the goods. It stuck and the rest is history.”

“Funny how that stuff works,” Cuddy agreed. “Angie, I wanted to thank you again for speaking up on our behalf.”

“Lisa, cut it out. You’re a great doctor. House is in a league of his own.”

“I’ve never heard it put like that but you’ve got it.” Cuddy nodded. “Mandy, Edward and Denise are great to work with. Talk about innovative! They energize me. I almost forgot how satisfying the practical part of the profession is.”

“Especially where you aren’t having to tail House anymore?” Angie supposed.

“That’s a full time job in itself,” Cuddy commented. She looked down at the floor. “Not that I minded some of the time of course.”

“Of course. He and Michael have at it full time now,” Angie assessed.

Recalling some of the diagnostician’s episodes over the past week alone, Cuddy rubbed her temples. “That man has the patience of a saint to deal with House like that.”

“He knows talent when he sees it. Of course, there is House’s attitude,” Angie pointed out while taking a drink.

“There is that. I’ve been talking to him. I don’t want to push him but….” Cuddy stated. “Can I ask you to keep a secret?”

“Sure,” Angie agreed.

“There’s a reason I do things for him. I think you know why.”

“After the flower display on the first day, we all do. Lisa, it’s okay.”

Cuddy took a deep breath. “What’s your secret, Angie? How do you deal with David and that inner kid of his?”

“Dave has his moments but he does care. As for the Child, I have to keep in mind that he’s an abused ten year old who wants support. He’s saved my life at least ten times. And they both care about our daughters. Part of a good marriage is knowing your partner and when to talk and when to back off. Dave and I give each other space. We’re also equal partners. In his own weird way, House cares about you too,” Angie detailed.

“I know. That’s what I thought.” Cuddy took another brooding sip and mused on that point. That’s what I’m afraid of.


****

[UMC]

Meantime House sat in his department bouncing his ball against the wall and puzzling over a pile of applications. Unlike Angie and Cuddy, he didn’t have people already there who he wanted to work with. Worse still, the application pile stunk worse than week old fish in the Mohave Desert. Can’t a place like this recruit *ANYONE*? “Maybe they can’t deal with my charm.”

Then the phone rang.

He rolled his eyes, not wanting to be disturbed. “Let ‘em call back later. Much later.” He dry swallowed two vicodin.

The message machine kicked on with its sing-song and sarcastic tone: “Hello, you’ve reached the Diagnostics Department. Unfortunately, we’re out doing clinic hours or whatever it is that we big doctor types do. Call the clinic or leave a message. Have a *good* day.”

He smirked, appreciating what a work of art a good message truly was. A message a day keeps the hypochondriacs away.
“House, this is Cameron. Look, I know you aren’t in the clinic. Pick up,” Cameron requested.

He rolled his eyes, recalling the standoff in his apartment. Here we go.  I’m going to hate myself for this. He answered it. “Cameron, what did you do now? Save a bunny and cause a five car pile up on the Turnpike? Best line, you reacted instinctively. Gets the cops and juries every time.”

She ground her teeth. “House, it isn’t funny. This is serious.”

He tilted his head and gave the phone a blank stare. “What happened? New anti-buddy rule with the patients? Sucks to be you.”

“HOUSE!”

He could make out sobbing on the other end of the phone and winced. She’s crying. Crap! He sighed. “What is it?”

“Dean Zanger has dissolved our department. Apparently, your two case a week quota didn’t cut it with him,” she reported.

Just like Chang did at Chicago after he fired my ass. “You need a reference, don’t you?”

“Chase and I both do. I know you aren’t one for favors but you were our boss,” she reminded him.

“Pressuring me won’t do any good, Cameron.” He looked at the applications and got an idea. Ooh yeah! Now to see if she’ll work with this. “Maybe though I might know of two immediate openings. What about Foreman though?”

“The weasel sucked up to Erlanger in Neurology. He left us to hang,” she groused. “What about these two openings?”

“That figures. Two questions. First, would you both be willing to move? Second, as much as I know you want me, can you give me space?” he insisted.

“First answer—yes. Secondly, if I say yes, do you mind if…well…?”

“Allison!” Chase yelled.

House quirked his eyebrow, picking up on that detail. Oooh! He called her by her first name. The plot thickens and the problem’s solved. “You and Chase are seeing each other, aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t think that’s a problem given the game you and Cuddy played for the last few years,” she presumed.

He frowned, knowing she had just scored a point. Still as the high ranking snark master, he had a retort for that one too. “As long as you two keep it under wraps while you’re in the office, fine. Harassing the boss is left to the experts.”

That remark got a pair of snorts in stereo.

“Nobody wants to work for you, do they?” Cameron supposed.

“Hey! I have apps on my desk. Cool it, Cameron. Everyone else can import team members. Why can’t I? It just happens I’m being picky,” House informed her.

“You mean you’re looking for folks who will put up with you,” Chase interjected.

“Whoa! The boy speaks! Glad you finally said something, Chase. I was beginning to think she was charging you by the hour,” the diagnostician cracked, almost hearing the Aussie grinding his teeth on the other end. “Let me try something. Hang on.” He took his cell phone out and speed dialed Cuddy.

“Can’t go fifteen minutes without talking me, can you?” she asked.

“Cute. Listen, Cuddy, I need some help with Mike on something,” he proposed.

She rolled her eyes. Dear God, what did he do now? “What is it, House?”

“Zanger took out Diagnostics at PPTH. Chase and Cameron are out and I was thinking….,” he started.

She looked at Angie before presuming, “You’re going to offer them two of the spots on your team and need references from me?”

“That was the plan. Cameron’s dealt with the other thing if you get my drift,” he mentioned.

“No problem.” That takes care of breaking in a whole new team. Easier all of the way around. “I speak to Michael in the morning. Tell her I’ll call when I get home. Oh, House?”

“Yeah?”

“You owe me dinner over this.”

“At least you can’t make me do clinic hours any more.”

“No but I could mention how much you love them to Michael.” She could almost feel the dirty look coming over the phone. “Do enjoy your evening, House.” With that, she hung up.

House sighed. “Cameron, Chase?”

“We heard some of that,” Chase revealed.

“Share it and I’ll take your first born whatever,” their once and future boss threatened. “Cuddy’s going to call you later. Make me proud, all right?” He hung up and grinned.

Maybe they could be difficult but he was getting the better two-thirds of his team back….


Onto Part 2