It was a snowy winter. As it always was in New Jersey winters. House scowled as he looked out the window. The snow was only falling lightly, but it was the cold he despised. His leg pain increased when the weather grew colder. And slipping on ice was easily done. Especially when you're a cripple. And wrecking in your car wasn't that hard either. That's why Wilson wouldn't let House drive his motorcycle.

It was 5:58. Wilson would be up any minute. House had woken earlier than usual due to the more intense throbbing in his thigh. Damn leg, he thought. It was his own painful alarm clock. One he didn't call a good one. House sipped at his coffee. It had already cooled somewhat, as the heater wasn't hot enough yet to keep the condo warm. 6:00. Wilson was just waking up.

Wilson hit the snooze button on his alarm clock. It was time to get ready for his job at Princeton-Plainsboro. He sat up and stretched, then shivered slightly. He peered out the window. A thin layer of snow frosted the ground. A few small icicles hung from the window sill. New Jersey winters tended to be cold and snowy, as most residents well knew. Time to begin his morning routine, His "girly routine," as House called it. Wilson tied his robe and slipped his feet into his slippers and made his way to the kitchen, surprised to see House sitting at the table, drinking coffee.

'How long have you been up?" Wilson asked.

"About twenty minutes," House replied. He glanced at Wilson, who was pouring coffee into a mug for himself. House chose not to tell him it wasn't quite hot, he could figure it out himself. He smirked as Wilson rose his eyebrows typical Wilson-style.

"This is cold," he sputtered.

"Heat's not warm enough," House shrugged. Wilson checked the thermostat.

"No wonder, the thermostat's messed up," he said. "I left it on last night. Did you turn it off?"

"Yes, Wilson, I had heat stroke," House said sarcastically. "No, I turned it up." Somebody had to have tampered with it. Suddenly, he had a clue. Lucas had pranked them when they first got the condo. House scowled.

"Idea?" Wilson asked.

"I don't know, but I've got a damn good guess," House said. "Remember when Lucas pr-"

"Why, you think he did it?" Wilson asked. He ran the thought through his head, and the more he did, the more he thought House's guess made sense. Lucas wasn't a natural prankster, but being a PI, could easily break in and screw up their heating system. "Well, let's hurry to the hospital, it's warm there."

House shrugged and limped into his bedroom to slip into some warmer clothes. He selected heavier jeans, a long sleeved T-shirt and a heavy fleece jacket. He laced his sneakers and grabbed his cane again. He went into the kitchen and waited for Wilson. Funny how the cripple was ready first. The he remembered Wilson's "girly routine." He would comb his hair neatly, make sure his clothes were clean and wrinkle-free, and all that crap. None of which House did. He just slapped on his shoes and crammed on whatever he thought he should wear.

Wilson entered the kitchen and slipped into his warm coat after tying his tie neatly. He made sure his shoes were fastened well enough so that the laces didn't come undone. He stole a quick glance at House's shoes as well. House sometimes neglected to lace them more tightly than usual when needed. They looked tight enough. He just didn't want House to fall.

The men climbed inside Wilson's Volvo, and Wilson started the engine and carefully backed out into the street and turned in the direction of the hospital. He was about to park in his spot, but House pestered him to use his handicapped one. Wilson had been considering House's parking spot. It would be better for House not to have to walk so far. House hung the handicap parking label in the window and he and Wilson entered the hospital.

Cuddy, meanwhile, was preparing for the hospital conference. Lucas was driving her, even though he didn't work for the hospital. She knew Wilson was going, and House would eventually give in, as she planned to give him a few days off clinic duty. She felt her phone vibrate just as the door slammed open, revealing House. She read the text on her Blackberry, revealing a picture message from Lucas. Ignoring House, who stared at her, she smiled at the photo of Rachel.

"The boyfriend wanting to have the hots in the car later?" House asked with a smirk.

"How did you know it was Lu-"

"Wild guess," House said sarcastically. Truly, he was jealous. Cuddy rolled her eyes.

"Just make sure you're at the conference," she said.

"Maybe I won't come," House said simply.

"Yes, you are. House. you need to," Cuddy scolded.

"I don't wanna."

"Three days away from clinic once we get home."

"A week."

"Five days."

"Two weeks."

"Fine, House! A week!" Cuddy groaned in frustration. At least now he may actually show up. House simply smirked once more and limped out of her office, where he ventured to his diagnostic room, where his team was waiting as they always did.

It was later that evening, and House and Wilson were packing for the conference. Or rather, Wilson packing, House mocking.

"House, you need to pack," Wilson sighed.

"Already did," House insisted, revealing a duffel bag that he had stuffed with clothing articles. Wilson looked surprised. House rarely packed for conferences, let alone earlier than Wilson himself did. Wilson shrugged it off.

"Damn, I forgot to piss off Lucas today," House grumbled. "Now we have to sleep in a frozen condo."

"House, as much as I think it's true, you don't have proof that-" Wilson was interrupted by House.

"Yeah, he put an opossum in your bathroom, loosened the grab rail, and screwed with our fire sprinklers, I think he's innocent, what do you think?" House sarcastically cracked. Wilson rolled his eyes and zipped his suitcase.

"Just go to bed House," he said.

I do realize I have three other House chapter fics up, but I just had to do this!