With Vogler disappearing shortly after the abrupt end of the presentation, the auditorium remained in absolute silence... for half a second.
Quickly, whispers broke the atmosphere at every table, the topic of conversation more than obvious, and with the hospital administration around me, my table was no different, in fact their conversation being even less difficult to deduce, I mean, their faces did not hide even a bit of the concern they were feeling while discussing possible moves to prevent Vogler, specifically his money, from walking out the hospital door.
Being the only one at the table who truly had neither voice nor vote in what was happening within the hospital, at least not in any official way, I awkwardly stayed in my seat, slowly eating the appetizers I had managed to put on my plate before the presentation, trying not to draw more attention than my impulsiveness had already done earlier.
Finally, after a long time of whispers among the people in front of me, one after another, the members of the hospital board stood up, saying goodbye to me with a completely forced smile, obviously thanks to my applause.
Fortunately, doctor Wilson and Cuddy stayed in their seats.
Deciding not to bother doctor Cuddy, who was quietly trying to get the attention of one of the waiters across the room. "So that's it?" I asked doctor Wilson in a low voice.
Drinking the rest of the drink in his glass in one gulp. "House?" he asked without caring about his volume, clearly exhausted by the problems his friend had caused.
Deciding to restrain myself, knowing that my untimely applause had already caused enough trouble on my own and avoiding responding with sarcasm 'no, the presentation,' or something similar, I simply nodded.
Raising his eyebrows doctor Wilson shook his head. "No" he replied snorting, "at least not officially" he added with irony, "he has tenure after all" he stated with a sigh as he leaned back in his chair.
It was clear that he and the entire board knew that House's tenure would only buy time for Vogler to achieve his goal, with the one hundred million dollars as backing, it would be very difficult for them to deny him anything.
Doctor Cuddy, who was busy silently ordering the waiter, snorted visibly exasperated once the worker moved away from our table. "Tenure" she sarcastically declared obviously annoyed once the worker moved away from our table, "is it too much to ask that he behave like a normal human being for one day and just one day?" she asked into the air, completely ignoring that the volume of her voice grew with every word she said, drawing the attention of many people.
Snorting, doctor Wilson nodded. "Well, it's House, I don't think he knows what a real human being acts like."
Clenching her jaw. "Yeah" doctor Cuddy spat, turning a second later sharply toward me "and why did you clap?" she asked me frustrated.
Embarrassed I was left without a way to respond, at least not a response that would not make her angrier.
After several seconds without receiving an answer. "Yes, that's what I thought" the woman murmured shaking her head, obviously disappointed.
Fortunately, before she could continue the same waiter the doctor had spoken to a couple of seconds earlier returned carrying one of the champagne bottles.
Before the man could even offer to refill doctor Cuddy's glass. "You can give me that" the woman said, practically snatching the bottle from the waiter's hands as she stood up, "see you tomorrow" she added smiling rigidly before leaving.
Wilson, the waiter and I, watched as doctor Cuddy walked away with heavy steps between the tables of the room, in her hands she carried her glass and the full bottle.
Following doctor Cuddy, the rest of the people who attended the presentation did not take long to leave as well, and having consumed a large part of the available appetizers I too returned to my room.
Completely exhausted by the day I had had, after taking a shower immediately I buried myself among the sheets of the incredibly comfortable bed ready to sleep, however staring at the ceiling of the room lit only by the little light coming in from the windows it took hours for me to finally fall asleep.
As much as House was a bitter idiot, thinking that the opportunity to continue learning from him would be taken from me actually bothered me quite a bit more than I thought.
I knew that possibly, with my knowledge as it was at that moment I could enter any university I chose without any problem, after all interactions like with doctor Thomas and doctor Tapley had shown me that, but despite that, I doubted quite a bit that in any of those schools I could learn from someone with House's knowledge.
Time passed and my mind would not stop reminding me of the warning that doctor Tapley had given me, a warning about my role model and knowing how to choose it well, annoyed and worried since at that moment I could not think of anyone better than House I finally fell asleep.
The next day everyone except House, who had somehow completely disappeared from the hotel the night before, met again in the hotel lobby each doing their own check out, ready to return to Medford.
While I waited in the reception line, doctor Cuddy, visibly affected by the daylight, despite wearing sunglasses, appeared at my side.
It was not necessary to have the observational abilities that House and I had to see that doctor Cuddy was suffering the pain of a horrible hangover, pain that was only intensified by all the noise of people talking in the lobby.
Pressing my lips, trying not to make evident how obvious the hangover was on the doctor's face. "Good morning" I said.
Snorting with displeasure while holding her clearly aching forehead. "Yeah, 'good'" she spat ironically, "do you have all your things from your room?" she asked a second later, seriously.
Strange. "Yes" I replied, instinctively looking at my suitcase.
"Great, I promised your parents that you would return in one piece and at least I hope to accomplish that" she declared with a touch of her own disdain.
Feeling some pity for the state the woman was in, I decided not to say anything the rest of the time we waited in line.
Some time later, having turned in the room key, with the bus already waiting in front of the hotel, all the members of the hospital, and the university, left following the same routine as a couple of days earlier.
This time somehow Cameron had arrived first inside the bus, allowing me not to have to go through the same problem as that day.
"Hey" I said as I took a seat beside her.
Smiling in a somewhat forced way. "PJ" replied the always kind doctor before turning her face to the window.
Surprised, but not shocked by Cameron's behavior, I avoided attempting any kind of conversation.
It was obvious that she was much more distressed than anyone by what had happened, clearly knowing that what House had caused meant at least one hundred percent that one of the three doctors on the diagnostic team would be fired.
Respecting Cameron's decision to remain silent was not a problem at all, at least until the rest of the people began to board the bus.
I did not know if it was thanks to my own presentation, where the very 'right hand of God,' doctor Tapley had attended, or that I was the only one who clapped at the end of House's speech, but every doctor, resident and student who passed by me looked at me with the same interest as looking at a zoo animal, which made me quite uncomfortable.
Fortunately, the number of people returning to Medford was not very large, and in a short time we were on our way.
Given that everyone on the bus had been present at Vogler's company presentation, it did not take long after we set off for the atmosphere inside the bus to become very heavy, all the rows, from the back seat to the front of the bus where doctor Cuddy was, were full of whispers, and from what I could discern from the conversations in front of and behind me, clearly everyone was discussing what had happened.
Cameron on her part, remained silent the entire trip, so with nothing more to do, listening to the quiet whispers, I traveled in complete silence during the little more than two hours of travel.
My first victory that day arrived back in Medford where, Bob, was already waiting ready to leave back home, even though it was still quite early and I had not done much of anything besides having breakfast in Houston, thanks to the tension of the trip, I was completely exhausted.
Taking my suitcase from the compartment under the bus, quickly saying goodbye to whoever was near me, I approached Bob.
Looking at me strangely, obviously noticing my apathy. "How was your convention son?" Bob asked nervously.
Thinking about what had happened at the end of the previous day. "Good" I replied not entirely sure.
Apparently understanding that there was more depth in my answer than it showed, Bob limited himself to nodding, opening without further comment the trunk of his truck to store my heavy suitcase.
The drive back home served to really deepen my answer to Bob, I knew there was no need to lie, because even if I said nothing at home, mom would sooner or later find out thanks to the network of spies, nurses, at the hospital.
Listening to my narration. "I remember when your mom talked about doctor House saying he was an arrogant idiot" Bob slowly declared, "he sounded like someone who only cared about himself."
"Yeah, that's House" I murmured causing Bob to snort amused.
Without taking his eyes off the road, Bob stayed silent for a second. "And I was worried" he confessed after letting out a heavy sigh, "and even though your mother did not show it, she was too, after all an arrogant idiot who only thinks about himself is not the best role model you can have."
Surprised, I looked at the side of Bob's face, I honestly did not know what to expect when telling him what had happened, but hearing that I knew was not on my list.
Perhaps noticing my surprise, Bob let his gaze wander toward me for a second. "But time passed and you clearly enjoyed going there" he assured me quickly, "and you once again showed us how good a man you are by not becoming an arrogant idiot who only thinks about himself" he added, "but going that far, and still continuing to move forward, just as your mother and I knew you could" he declared proudly.
Unable to help it I smiled, feeling my chest fill with pride.
"I don't know how important doctor House's participation was in you achieving everything you have achieved, but however little it was, it's clear that my judgment of the man was not entirely correct, so I'm sure he did what he did for an important reason."
Speechless I looked at Bob surprised, I really did not need him to convince me of anything, in fact on my own I had reached the same conclusion the day before, but embarrassed I realized that somehow, despite it having been a well thought out decision at the time, I had left my family out of my life for a long time.
"Well..." I said drawing Bob's attention, "Vogler deserved it" I declared surprising Bob.
Again, knowing that the existence of the diagnostic team and my opportunity to learn from House hung by a thread, I decided to tell Bob everything Vogler had done, from threatening mom's job to extorting House to give the speech.
During the couple of minutes it took me to tell Bob what had been going on all that time, he had remained silent, even furrowing his brow upon hearing the threat to mom. "Yeah, he had it coming" he finally said, "he sounds like a real arrogant asshole."
"Yeah" I murmured.
"But maybe if he hadn't pressured you, you wouldn't have presented at the national cardiology convention" Bob added a second later, making me look at him incredulously, "oh don't look at me like that, the guy is an idiot, but an idiot who unintentionally pushed you to publish in a super important magazine."
"Journal" I corrected him softly.
Ignoring me. "And yes, he threatened your mother, something I still haven't forgotten" Bob declared gripping the steering wheel tightly, "but fortunately it was an empty threat, he can't take your mother's job if she resigns first" he added jokingly.
Snorting amused, I nodded, certainly Vogler had nothing against me, but that did not mean he could not affect me in some way.
Answering a couple more questions from Bob, mostly about the hotel and the convention center, we finally arrived home a few minutes later.
While I was taking the suitcase down from the trunk of his truck. "Are you going to see Diane" Bob, patting my shoulder, asked me.
"Yes, maybe after unpacking" I replied patting the heavy suitcase beside me.
Nodding, Bob snorted amused. "Better get that done quickly."
With my suitcase out of the car, Bob and I walked toward the house, and before we could even make it halfway across the yard, the door burst open, mom with Charlie in her arms looked worried.
Surprised by mom's behavior. "Hey mom" I said when I reached the door.
Using her free arm to pull me into a hug. "Oh honey" she declared holding my neck, "I heard what happened at the convention."
Of course she did.
Incredulous at the speed of gossip transmission among nurses I shook my head unable to say anything.
"Maybe doctor House can keep his job, I know you really like going to the hospital to learn from him" mom added.
Just seconds away from having to beg for mercy for my neck and back, having to be practically bent ninety degrees so mom could hug me, Bob intervened. "Come on honey, let PJ breathe" he said taking Charlie from mom's arm.
After reassuring mom several times that I was fine, even though I certainly felt somewhat discouraged, and with Bob's help, we managed to get mom to let me go to my room where I found Gabe on his bed practicing with one of his guitars completely focused with his eyes closed.
Kicking one of the legs of his bed. "Hey kid" I greeted him causing him to jump startled.
Opening his eyes abruptly, coming out of the sort of trance he was in, he looked at me annoyed for a second. "Oh, you're back" he murmured immediately shifting to disappointment.
"Oh come on, at least pretend to be happy" I said pretending to be hurt.
Nodding, Gabe smiled exaggeratedly for half a second before returning to his apathetic expression, only this time pretending to be exhausted. "I tried" he confessed sarcastically a second later, "I just can't" he added with distaste.
Dropping my suitcase abruptly, letting it fall to the floor with force. "I'm sorry" I said slowly tilting my head, "I didn't catch that last part" I added opening the buttons of my shirt sleeves making an effort to do them one by one.
With his mouth open, apparently unable to form any words, Gabe looked at me in fear.
Rolling up my sleeves forcing the muscles of my forearms to stand out. "Would you mind repeating that?" I asked smiling broadly.
Swallowing hard. "No, I'm good" Gabe replied trembling.
Nodding amused but without showing it on my face, I narrowed my eyes staring at my brother who slowly moved his guitar out of the way clearly preparing in case he had to try to defend himself, emphasis on try.
Bending down to open my suitcase. "That's what I thought" I said calmly.
Just as I was about to reach the zipper of my suitcase, I suddenly tensed my body, as if I were ready to jump toward Gabe, seeing out of the corner of my eye how he jumped scared onto his bed.
Amused I snorted and ignoring Gabe who was sending daggers through his eyes, I continued with what would be my task for at least the next hour, putting away all the clothes mom had packed for me.
With my suitcase completely open on the floor of the room, facing all the shirts and pants perfectly folded to take up as little space as possible with a slight headache I sighed heavily before taking the first pile of clothes.
Seeing that I was really focused on unpacking my suitcase, and that I would not attack him, Gabe managed to relax again enough to continue practicing with his guitar
Living in the same room as my brother, listening to him practice every day, I already knew how good he was, that did not mean he stopped surprising me.
A couple of minutes later, while I was focused on putting my clothes back in my closet and listening to Gabe play music calmly, the door frame of our room was knocked drawing our attention.
Diane pressing her lips into a small smile, raised her hand. "Hey" she said softly, "your mom let me, I hope that's not a problem" she added a moment later, genuinely worried.
Shaking my head quickly. "Of course not" I replied immediately approaching her "it's a great surprise" I added wrapping her in a hug, "I missed you."
Pressing her forehead firmly against my chest. "I missed you too" she murmured.
Before Diane or I could say anything else, carefully setting his guitar next to his bed. "Oh this is gross" Gabe spat with disgust as he stood up, "it was only three days" he added exasperated walking out of the room.
Snorting, without letting go of Diane. "Oh yeah, I can't wait to see you in a couple of years" I declared ironically, "maybe with Missy" I added slowly raising my eyebrows.
Picking up his pace, practically running down the hallway. "Shut up" Gabe shouted disappearing shortly after.
Amused I snorted making Diane, who was still pressed against my chest, bounce her head.
Clenching my jaw. "Oh, sorry" I said embarrassed.
Pressing her lips Diane gently shook her head. "Missy?" she asked, tilting her head a moment later.
"It's nothing" I assured her immediately, even though I knew it was quite obvious that Gabe in fact had a small crush on Missy.
Letting Diane take a seat at my desk, I continued putting away my clothes while we caught up on our weekends.
While I organized my desk, surely with a bit of anxiety over the mess of all the papers I had. "How much time do you think House has?" Diane asked me seriously.
Shaking my head slowly. "Not much" I replied disappointed.
Being reminded that my time learning from House in a hospital was definitely coming to an end, much sooner than I had planned, I thoughtfully fell silent, unfortunately there was not much I could do.
A few seconds later, breaking the silence that had settled in my room and my train of thought. "Is it normal for the same patient to be used for two different drug trials?" Diane asked with interest.
"No, it's not ethical. No doctor-" I started to respond, still distracted, until the question really hit me. "What?" I asked, turning toward her, now completely alert.
Diane holding what I immediately recognized as Vogler's binder, the same one House had given me several days earlier. "Here" she said lifting the document, "it has no name, but the data matches exactly with that of a patient in this document" she added pointing to another stack of papers, the documents Danny had taken from Vogler's computer, documents of his new drug.
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Dun dun dun!!!
Extra special reminder: I am NOT a doctor nor American.
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Author Thoughts:
As always, I'm not American, not a doctor, not a fighter, not Magnus Carlsen, not Michael Phelps, not Arsene Lupin, not McLovin, not Elliot, not Capone and not Tiger Woods.
Another chapter has passed, so new thanks are in order. I would like to especially thank:
11332223
RandomPasserby96
Victor_Venegas
I think that's all. As always, if you find any errors, please let me know, and I'll correct them immediately.
Thank you for reading! :D
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