The roads were icy on the way in to Princeton Plainsboro. Wilson took it slowly and was relieved not to see House's bike parked in its usual spot. He did wonder how the older doctor was going to get in but he decided not to worry about it.

He managed to achieve this goal for the whole hour and a half it took for him to realize that even House would normally be in by now. He picked up his phone and dialed the familiar number, hoping he was worrying about nothing. The phone rang seven times and then switched to voice-mail, House's characteristically gruff voice telling him not to bother with a message unless it was related to the stack of money he was owed.

Wilson hung up the phone and sat silently for a few moments before deciding to head down to the clinic. He wasn't planning to wait for House. He had… hours…plus, it couldn't hurt to be somewhere he could keep an eye on the entrance.

He hadn't been there for long when he heard a curiously upbeat House exclaiming, "Yes indeed. This is where the magic happens!"

Wilson was relieved as he looked up from his file to see House, limping no more than usual, flanked by an older couple in matching turtleneck jerseys.

"Dr. Wilson!" House cried as he moved closer to the younger doctor.

The relief Wilson had been feeling was quickly replaced with suspicion. "Dr. House," he replied. "Glad to see you made it in safely."

"Absolutely Jimmy." House responded as he clapped the younger doctor on the shoulder. "Couldn't have done it without the help of this lovely couple here." He leaned toward the pair with an angelic smirk on his face. "They saw me riding my bike and just knew it couldn't be safe on a day like today."

He turned back to Wilson, who could see the scorn hiding in his eyes. "They stopped me and insisted on following me in to make sure I made it all nice and safe."

Wilson smiled at the couple. "Thank you very much. We do try to tell him, but you know what children are like when you try to take away their toys."

The older lady chuckled as she extended her hand. "Yes, you're quite right. But we were very excited when he told us where he was headed. Our granddaughter has just started medical school and we thought Dr. House could give us a tour of the hospital so we could tell her all about it."

Wilson glanced at House with a small smile around his lips. "Well I'm sure he'd love to. Dr. House is always eager to encourage prospective young doctors in their studies."

"Sorry Dr. Wilson. But I think I just got a page." He made a great show of checking his belt. "Yup. Must mean I've got a case. Busy, busy."

"Oh, you have a patient?" The woman asked, her eyes filling up with admiration. "You doctors are so committed to your work."

"Well, yes. This is true." House nodded sagely. "But oh!" his face took on a look of exaggerated concern. "I would hate for you to miss your tour."

Wilson wasn't convinced. He stood quietly, knowing how this was likely to end. He tried to close his file and back away discreetly but House was far too committed to ruining his day to allow him to escape that easily.

"You know, Dr. Wilson doesn't have any patients right now. Perhaps he could show you around?" He gave Wilson a look as though the thought had only then entered his mind.

"Oh, that would be lovely." The woman smiled hopefully.

Wilson rolled his eyes at House before he turned to the couple, resigned to his fate. "I'd love to." He gave them a genuine smile. "Is there anything in particular you'd like to see? We have a fantastic diagnostic department you really must observe." He cast a quick look at House who had already begun his retreat.

"Just whatever is convenient for you." The man spoke for the first time. "We really don't want to be a bother."

"Not at all." Wilson smiled. "I'm sorry; I didn't catch your names." He noticed House pause in his stride.

"Oh course. John and Susan Dove." The man replied. "It's a pleasure."

Even standing behind him, Wilson could tell House was smiling. "Dove." He nodded, understanding beginning to dawn. "Great. Let's get started. By the way, I love your sweaters."

He could hear the laughter following him down the hallway.