A/N: Last chapter! Thanks for all the reviews guys! I don't really know what to write next so if you have any ideas, please let me know. I think I may write a crossover with Grey's anatomy but who knows!
The car pulled up at the hospital at one in the morning. Cuddy leaped out of the driver's seat and yelled into the emergency room.
"I need some help!"
Cameron ran out to the car. "What happened?"
"It's House...he's bleeding...he needs to get out of the car…"
Cameron sprung into action, opening the car door and checking House's vitals. "Get me a gurney!" she yelled into the ER. Two nurses ran out with one and helped her get House strapped onto it. He was limp as a dishtowel. The nurses and Cameron rushed him into the ER.
"What happened?" Cameron asked Cuddy again.
"He...I don't know...I think he had tumors in his leg and he tried to cut them out on his own. Here, I brought the scan…"
"He...what?" Cameron asked.
"Just look at the scan," Cuddy commanded, thrusting it out. Cameron looked.
"Okay, I'll call a surgeon right now."
Cuddy nodded. "My daughter's in the car…"
"Brenda, can you please get Dr. Cuddy's daughter and bring her to Dr. Wilson's office?" Cameron asked.
The nurse nodded and left to retrieve Rachel. Cameron went over to House. His heart rate was fast and his blood pressure was low. A blood transfusion had been started. He was unconscious, so Cameron pulled back the makeshift dressing on his leg. The towel had been soaked through, so she threw it in biowaste. Putting on gloves, she probed the wound. It was deep; she could feel muscle and tendon. Why would House do this to himself?
"I'm calling a surgeon," Cameron informed Cuddy. "Who's his medical proxy?"
"I don't know...it might be Wilson?"
Cameron pulled up one of House's pre existing charts on a tablet. "Actually, it's you."
Cuddy was stunned. House always blamed her for the infarction, although he also blamed Wilson. Regardless, she'd never have thought she was his proxy.
Seeing Cuddy's stunned look, Cameron explained. "You're his primary physician, so you're his proxy by default."
House moaned then, stirring. Cameron and Cuddy both looked over.
"House?" Cuddy ventured. He moaned again. Cameron turned up his morphine a little.
"No surgery…" House begged.
"You need surgery to repair the leg and resect the tumors, House," Cameron said with an air of finality.
"Fine...but I want her in there…" House said, pointing a shaky finger at Cuddy.
"House, I'm too close to the situation...I don't think it's a good idea," Cuddy said.
"Need you in there...so they don't chop my leg. She's there...or no surgery," House ground out through gritted teeth.
Cuddy sighed, seeing she had no choice. "Okay. I'll be there. I won't let them amputate unless it's absolutely necessary."
House nodded slightly and drifted back into unconsciousness.
(LINE BREAK)
Half an hour later, House was wheeled into the operating room. Cuddy walked beside the bed. As an afterthought, she slipped her hand into his. He squeezed it slightly, looking up at her hazily.
"Don't leave…"
"Don't worry; I'll be in there the whole time."
"Rachel…?" House asked. Cuddy was surprised. She never thought he cared all that much for her daughter.
"She's fine. She's with her Uncle Jimmy."
House snorted. "He can babysit your kid...but not answer his phone…"
They wheeled into the operating room and a nurse slipped something into House's IV. His eyes drooped. A mask was thrust over his face and he was told to take deep breaths. Cuddy looked on from his side, making sure he knew she was there until he finally fell asleep.
(LINE BREAK)
Hours passed, and the surgery was finally over.
"You go on home. I'll stay with him," Wilson had offered. Cuddy didn't want to go, but Rachel needed to get home and get some sleep, so she left.
So, it was Wilson whose face House saw when he opened his eyes. Even, in his drugged state, his hands groped for his leg.
"It's still there, House," Wilson assured him.
House nodded and relaxed a little. "Can't be bothered to answer your phone, Mr. Important Doctor?"
Wilson sighed. "I fell asleep at my desk and I think it died. I'm sorry, House."
House seemed to accept this. "How's my patient?"
"You were right about the gene thing. Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency."
House nodded, noticing his friend looked upset.
"Did she die?"
"Did who die? Your patient?"
"Your cancer girl."
Wilson nodded sadly. Her family had surrounded her and said their goodbyes, which had been good at least. Wilson would be attending the funeral on Monday.
"Hey Jimmy?" House waved a hand in front of Wilson's face.
"Hm? Sorry; I zoned out. Is there any point in asking why on earth you would cut into your own leg?"
"Not really. Took an experimental drug and it caused tumors."
"Why didn't you tell me you were taking something?" Wilson asked.
"Only tested on mice."
"Well that's idiotic."
"I was desperate," House whispered. Wilson's tone softened.
"We can get you some help; get a new pain regimine...maybe see a specialist?
House shook his head. "I went to one before; remember? Didn't help."
"We can try another one," Wilson suggested.
"No. Hey Jimmy, I have to pee."
"I'll call a nurse."
"No catheter. I can get up," House said, already starting to adjust his body for the movement.
"No! House, you just had surgery!"
House ignored him and stood. Immediately, his leg gave out and he caught himself on the bed rail, sliding to the ground. Wilson sighed.
"Told you so…" he muttered as he helped his friend to the toilet.
Once he had done his business, Wilson got him back into bed. House closed his eyes, exhausted from the effort. Wilson let him sleep.
(LINE BREAK)
In the morning, House opened his eyes to the sound of a child giggling. He looked over to see Rachel sitting on Cuddy's lap.
"What are you doing here?" he asked Cuddy.
"Why wouldn't I be here?"
"I didn't think you'd be back after…"
"Of course I am. And Rachel wanted to see you. She has a present for you."
"Oh, she does? Is it a nice aged bourbon?"
"No!" Rachel cried, and thrust out a piece of paper. House unfolded it carefully. It was a drawing of him and Rachel on what looked to be a pirate ship. They were both smiling.
"Thanks Rachel…" he said. But he wasn't looking at Rachel. Instead, he set his eyes on Cuddy. She nodded. She understood.