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[vicodincrutch]

 audio;

Are we having fun yet? Heat, limited supplies, limited space...limited patience.

[Oh so cheery and deadpan, it's all factual to Doctor House.]

If you haven't already listened to obvious voices of reason, you could be dead by now.  If not? Spare a moment to say thank you. Some of us are busting our asses. What are you doing?

[private to Chase]

We should have a glass of water and pretend it's coffee. I hear that it does wonders for the effects of swallowing some sand.

Comments

[archivy]

I do not require thanks.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

Busily concluding that when your public relations department fails to grow the laurels you so richly deserve, you exercise your own green thumb.

[vicodincrutch]

You're welcome.

[ TEXT ]

[vicodincrutch]

Not without a little feces. They say it helps.

[archivy]

[ Very prim: ] Thank you.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

Where there is a will, there are bovines.

[locked]

[intheblanks]

I'm not contagious.

[locked]

[vicodincrutch]

Is that supposed to be reassuring?

[locked]

[intheblanks]

It's supposed to account for the fact that Wilson will have told you I'm sick and you'll be concerned about me sharing.

[vicodincrutch]

Have you been playing in the sandbox?

[ TEXT ]

[vicodincrutch]

That reminds me. How is the petition?

[locked]

[vicodincrutch]

That's only part of the equation.

What good are you to anyone if you're sick?

[locked]

[intheblanks]

Good point. Maybe I should go and tell the mozzy it can have it's virus back.

[locked]

[vicodincrutch]

Good. Then you can be utilized properly.

[locked]

[intheblanks]

I set up the clinic. I brought in half the patients. Are you really going to get on my back over making a quota?

[He has to stop here. The sound is coughing muffled against a sleeve.]

When I stop, I'm not going to be able to get back up again for a week. Maybe more. So I haven't stopped.

[locked]

[vicodincrutch]

A clinic would have come into being with or with out you. You are doing your job. Good for you. Very noble.

[Because that sounds like what he's reaching for, some manner of heroism or particular recognition to validate his own suffering. Don't knock the theory because it's one he may or may not know very well himself.]

If you're doing half-assed, half energized treatments and wearing yourself out what will we do after you're forced to stop.

[locked]

[intheblanks]

[It's not the first time he's been accused of aspiring to nobility (chivalry, almost the same thing), and perhaps it's an accurate assertion (after all, a few years ago he'd have been watching his own back over all these others). But it's a compensatory measure. There were people at the hospital he couldn't save (there are people he's hurt).

But thanks, House. There's no one better for making him feel like a useless child.]

Right, I'm doing my job. What's my other option?

[archivy]

I have not. Nor do I have any interest in doing so.

[locked]

[vicodincrutch]

[It's what he does. Dissecting the whole because it's a puzzle and then making sense of the parts and their purpose. That's what he can control.

There will be wins, losses and draws. How and why Chase treats them all as though they are his and his alone is another kettle of fish. House imagines that's one of the reasons why he and Cameron can be two peas in a pod.]

Stay behind the scenes long enough to recover. Don't martyr yourself.

[locked]

[intheblanks]

[He's coughing because he'd laugh otherwise.]

The acute phase lasts a week to ten days. Judging by the fever spike last time I checked, I'd say I'm on the first day of that now, so by tomorrow taking it easy probably won't be much of a choice.

[He's made it into the second day of the acute phase of the fever, in fact. Never let it be said that regular crippling hangovers can't help you build a pain tolerance.]

Don't worry, I didn't come back angling for some shining armour. There just hasn't been much point in stopping for an early nap.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

It is as privileged to enjoy universal attention as ever could be a concept lacking personhood.

[signatures]

Well when you put it like that, you're not listing all the fun bits.

[vicodincrutch]

No doubt you come toting your own list.

[vicodincrutch]

Cats go in there. You're smart enough to figure that out.

[ TEXT ]

[vicodincrutch]

So modest too.

[signatures]

Of course. Though I get the impression you don't want to hear it.

[locked]

[vicodincrutch]

A point besides helping a glacial recovery period?

[vicodincrutch]

Give me your top three and don't waste my time.

[signatures]

Tanning, adventure, less annoying than the usual brand of curses.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

Take heart. I am certain it's not out to be your competition.

[archivy]

Why are you talking to me about sandboxes, Dr House?

[vicodincrutch]

Cancer made the list. You are an adventurous type indeed.

[ TEXT ]

[vicodincrutch]

And miss an opportunity at friendly rivalry at every turn?

[vicodincrutch]

Because we live in one.

[archivy]

Temporarily.

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

I applaud your competitive spirit but feel forced to mention it's not considered a contest unless both parties have a tolerably equal chance of achieving victory.

[ TEXT ]

[vicodincrutch]

Is that the best trash talk you can come up with?

[ TEXT ]

[notelegrams]

I wasn't aware we had engaged in anything but an exchange of pleasantries.

[entangles]

And we appreciate your help.

[signatures]

I like risks even on the cellular level.