The Greatest Puzzle of All

I do not own House or any of the characters on the show House. This story is being written for entertainment value alone. That said, this is my first ever piece of fan-fiction, and the only chapter I have written so far. Your feedback and suggestions are greatly welcomed and appreciated. If you like my story and would like me to continue writing, please leave me your feedback, the rest of the story is wide open to your influence in regards to what will come next.

Chapter One

Wilson was agitated, after they had returned from the conference House just wasn't right. Oh sure he put on a good show, but something was just off. There was no question as to what it was that was bothering him, or rather eating away at him like a cancerous mass.

However this was not the sole purpose for Wilson's current agitation. House had left early that morning saying that he wanted to checkout some things at his apartment before work. It was now lunch time and Wilson was starting to wonder if it was the mistake of a life time to let his best friend go off on his own like that. That was when he decided that he should use his lunch break to check on him. But first he would try his luck with the phone.

"What do you want Wilson?"

"Are you still at your apartment? I thought you said you just had to check something out and you'd be in"

"Well it's so nice for you to worry about me DEAR, but I'm fine… just… needed some time to think… "

*Click*

"House? House?" Ohh crap, what now?

Well at least it didn't seem like he was in any immediate danger, but never the less, Wilson decided to head over to check on him anyway.

Wilson found the door unlocked and let himself in only to be greeted with a rough growl, "I said I was fine…" "Yeah well…" Wilson began in retort when he stopped dead in mid sentence. He had walked in to find House sitting on the side of his bed with an open box sitting next to him. The box seemed to contain random bits of college memorabilia, a few pictures, a pin or two, but what caught Wilsons eye was the picture laying out closest to House. It was clearly a random snapshot someone had taken at a college party that House had probably hunted down. The picture was a tender moment caught in time of a much younger House delicately holding Cuddy as they swayed to the music of some forgotten song.

But that wasn't the most startling thing in that room Wilson's eye beheld. For in House's hand was a small jewelry box and House was intently gazing upon its contents. As thou reading his friends thoughts House started to speak.

"It was my Grandmother's… I've often wondered what it would be like to give this to her."

Wilson didn't need any further explanation as to what "her" house was referring.

"The thought never even crossed my mind when I was with Staci, no she's the only one I've ever considered wanting to give this too. She's the only woman I've ever found truly interesting, like the ultimate puzzle… I mean I think the only reason I even liked Staci was because she had a fraction of the same ability to put up with me as Cuddy."

Wilson stood speechless. House looked up at him for the first time since he had arrived.

"I tell you something like that and all you can give me is your best Flounder impression?"

"I… no House, no that's not all I've got! Look, sure you're not the most responsible or most consistent guy in the world but you're trying."

"Pift" House puffed "So what? I'm trying, and she's got a guy that is already there."

"Just give it time House, I see how she tip-toes around you, it's because she's afraid of what might happen if she let herself give in, she wants you House, she's just…"

"Afraid that I'll f**k up like I have before"

"Yes"

"And what do you think?"

"I think… what do I think? I think you should do what you do best and do everything in your power to prove to her that you aren't just the man she secretly wants but also the one she can trust"

"And how do you propose I do that?"

"I don't know house that's your department but whatever you do don't screw it up, you need her to trust you, meaning don't do anything that will come back to bite you in the butt."

House readjusted his gaze on Wilson, "Thanks a lot… I think. That's a pretty tall order, I'll have to give this one some though then"