Chapter Text
“Doctor Wayne,” The door to the hospital administrator’s office opened up. “Come on in.”
A slim woman with dark, curly brown hair greeted Damian at the entrance. Her big blue eyes and camera-worthy smile were the first notable things before her formal taste in fashion. She held her hand out for him to shake.
“Lisa Cuddy,” Her grip on his hand was firm as they shook. “Take a seat.”
She held the door open, allowing him to enter her office. It smelled of perfume and something sterile. Damian knew Princeton Plainsboro well enough. It was safer than Gotham for sure, far enough away so no vigilante would find him. He also knew the stories, which proved to be interesting. For such a reputable hospital, there were many matters concerning malpractice and a rather questionable or perhaps, challenging staff. Once he settled in, Cuddy sat down and gave him an amicable smile before opening a file.
“The Wayne Family has been generous benefactors for years and everyone here is truly grateful for the donations, but…”
Cuddy hesitated to talk further, pursing her lips. She inhaled sharply and sighed.
“Doctor House is an exceptionally gifted, brilliant doctor. One of the best out there… However, I have to be honest with you. Doctor House can be a difficult individual to work with.”
Something in her tone pressed on, making the word “difficult” weigh more in the air than everything else she said. Damian tilted his head in question, though he could already guess what she was going to say. He heard about the horror stories—violating the consent of patients, the insensitivity, and the HIPAA violations. Damian made it a point before coming to PPH to hear the experiences of past interns and fellows. They shivered at the memory. Damian always listened, no hesitation in his mind. Damian wanted to be in the diagnostics department. He had nothing to prove to anyone—not even to House, he thought.
“If you’re not sure about Diagnostics, there are many other depart-”
Cuddy stopped in her sentence when she heard a small, attention-yielding, “tt.” She could’ve easily ignored it, but there was something about it that made her halt. It was something about the sharp green in his eyes, the subtle scowl that reminded her of someone she knew all too well. With that observation, she went quiet.
“Thank you, Doctor Cuddy,” Damian leaned forward in his seat. “I’ve made it a point to inform myself on what lies ahead. I am fully prepared to go forth with this path.”
Damian's voice was sharp, leaving little room for further discussion. Cuddy’s expression softened, her smile turning forced. She nodded, looking down at the file in front of her before closing it. She sighed again, sliding it forward on her desk. Damian looked down at the folder. This was a new start, no more Robin, no more Batman. Just Damian—or rather, Doctor Wayne. The world hadn’t heard that name in a while.
“Good luck, Doctor Wayne.”
Damian nodded his head in thanks before taking the folder in his hands. He left the office hastily, approaching the elevator. It took a few seconds before the light blinked and the elevator entrance opened. He pressed a button and then, he was on his way to the first day of work. As the doors were about to seal shut, something lodged it open. As the steel parted, a middle-aged, caned man stepped in. Something in the man's blue eyes rang familiar in Damian's mind, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. The ride up was silent, the caned man looking at the ceiling, letting out a sharp sigh. As soon as the door opened, the man rushed out. Damian followed a few seconds later, only to hear someone shout.
"House!"