Wilson's Turn
Chapter 1
"Oh, brother I can't, I can't get through
I've been trying hard to reach you 'cause I don't know what to do
Oh, brother I can't believe it's true
I'm so scared about the future and I want to talk to you
Oh I want to talk to you"
- Talk, Coldplay
Part 1
A tired James Wilson finally gets to sit down and rest after a crazy day, and the last thing he wanted to hear, he heard. The phone rang. Usually it was no big deal, it was probably some telemarketer that he would just hang up on, but when you're expecting a call that has potential to utter words that you don't want to hear, any ring startles you and makes you nervous. As he heard the ring, he remained on the couch and stared in its direction. Finally on the third ring he decided that he better answer it; it was better to hear bad news in person than it was to hear it on the answering machine. They would just tell him to call them back anyway and then he would have to be nervous all over again.
The discussion with the person on the other end was short, and Wilson didn't say much on his end. He didn't even say good-bye, just hung up the phone and returned to the couch as he was before the call. On the couch he just sat in awe. He knew the news had a great potential to be bad, but he didn't want to believe it until he heard it. Now that he heard it he didn't know exactly what to do. He sat until he couldn't stand it anymore, and then decided to go take a long shower, and try to clear his head. He knew before he left his seat that the new idea wouldn't work but it was better than just sitting alone in the dark. All throughout his shower and changing he just had a million and one things swimming around in his head. He just couldn't take it anymore and ended up picking up the phone again, this time dialing one of his only friends. It was very apparent that his friend only had two or three friends total, but everyone overlooked that Wilson himself only had two or three friends. Calling his best friend he waited as it rang. It rang until he was talking to the answering machine. 'Typical' he thought as he reached that last ring. He left a message and hoped for a returned call.
'House it's me, I know your home. Pick up, I have to talk to you. Come on, I need you now, for once. Fine. Call me back when you get this.'
That was just like him, leaving Wilson alone when Wilson needed something, but expected Wilson's help when he needed him. Now his night was even worse, bad news and no one to talk to. He decided to take a page out of House's book and after two or three beers and some television watching he retired to his room. Laying on the bed and staring at the ceiling he began to talk to the ceiling. It was always there and always listened, House had told him once. He must have been drunk or close to it when he said this, for House would never admit to carrying on a conversation with his bedroom ceiling unless he was pretty buzzed or drunk. Wilson hoped it helped, but he really wanted to talk to House.
Part 2
After finishing a particularly tough case House went for a relaxing bike ride after work, to clear his head. He returned home well after dark and walked in as the phone was ringing. He was bustling around the house as he let the phone continue ringing and the machine picked up. He had gone into the bathroom shortly after Wilson had said that it was 'me' meaning him and figured he was just checking up on him so he ignored the message and continued with his night.
The night was filled with its usual Tivo watching, sandwich eating, and alcohol drinking. The case was solved, so it meant for a quiet night. The team wouldn't be working so the phone should remain silent, and even if it did ring he probably wouldn't answer it. Most nights, Wilson came over and hung out, but he had been busy with work and such, so they didn't plan anything for this evening. He seemed very to himself these days, not asking many questions or giving many answers. This started House's mind in wondering, what was Wilson up to these days that was so private? And why wasn't he letting House in on the details? He spent some time pondering useless ideas, when all he really needed to do what pick up the phone and ask Wilson himself. Finally, after an hour of thinking and pondering he decided to listen to his machine again, maybe Wilson left something more than a 'House where are you?' type message and would lead him in on what was going on.
In listening to the message he kicked himself, metaphorically. He could tell by Wilson's tone that he really did want to talk and House thought that he should have just answered the phone like a good friend and taken care of whatever it was Wilson needed to talk about. The 'I need you now, for once' was what really got House wondering if he should call back despite the lateness of the evening now. He did say to call back when he heard it, but it was getting to be around 11 and he figured Wilson had gone to bed. Deciding against waking his friend, even though he probably still wanted to talk, he retired to his bedroom to get some sleep and get ready for the unfriendly fire he might receive from Wilson tomorrow. He was sure he could handle whatever it was Wilson might throw at him.