“Women,” Bette sighed, seated in wait beside her male patient. “Can’t live with ‘em … well, I guess that’s it. I know I couldn’t.”

He turned to her with some confusion.

“Just when I thought she really liked me,” Bette sighed again, leaning back into the chair, “She gives me clinical duty again. I swear she’s trying to kill me.”

“Kill you?”

“Nah, not really. But sometimes it just feels that way.” Then she looked up and Tina was headed her way with a look of utter disbelief. “Uh oh. Here comes the boss.”

“House,” Tina breathed, trying not to become angry in front of the patient. “Could you uh … come here for a second.”

With some difficulty, Bette stood up and used her cane to limp about ten feet over.

“What are you doing?” Tina asked, crossing her arms. She did not look pleased.

“Just … passing the time,” Bette smiled, “And talking about this crazy situation between us. All the confusion …”

“House! He’s six!”

Bette looked back at the boy who just smiled and kicked his legs under the chair – carefree as ever. “Don’t worry, he doesn’t know I was talking about you.”

“Oh my god,” Tina half laughed, in complete disbelief. “Who put you in charge of a six year old?!” She was trying to keep her voice down, but it was difficult.

“Well, Wilson was looking after him, and then he said he thought he was having a heart attack.”

“What?!” Tina asked, looking to her left and then to her right. “Wilson’s having a heart attack?! How could you just sit there and-“

“He’s accidentally on …” Bette leaned in a bit to keep it a secret, “… Speed. So don’t worry, he’ll be alright. I told him just what to do.”

Tina ran off in the direction Bette had directed her, and that left Bette with the child once more. She knew she wasn’t particularly good with children, but this one seemed to be alright. He even listened to her, and wasn’t doing anything terribly annoying.

“So kid,” Bette started as she limped back to her chair. “How are you feeling?”

“My heart still hurts,” he pouted, folding his arms across it. They would probably have to do surgery on it, and Bette just leaned back at the thought. It would be a relatively simple procedure, but she couldn’t help but smile at the little boy’s understatement.