The next day much to the surprise of everyone on his team, House had come in early looking clean shaven while wearing a newly pressed sports jacket over a pair of jeans.

"Good morning, isn't it a beautiful day?"

Despite this sunny demeanor which in itself was a shock, Forman was the first to notice the heaviness in the older man's gate as well as the thin line of sweat covering his chizz led features.

"Jesus House, you look terrible."

"Really? I don't know, I thought the pants looked slimming."

Rolling his eyes at this comment, Kutner interjected while putting his hands on hips very much like a certain oncologist they all had come to know and respect.

"He means your complexion, your so pale, what happened?"

These questions were starting to get the department head as he had a seat at the coffee table while closing his eyes a moment. House had had one chocolate before going to bed last night and it caused him to wake up like this.

"Detoxification, it's a beautiful thing."

Before this conversation could continue, Cuddy walked in looking stunning in a red business suit with matching pumps.

"Your, you're here early?"

"Certainly appears that way boss, I guess I'm turning over a new leaf."

This being said House looked down at his watch and sighed.

"Ah, I almost forgot, (reaching into his pocket) time for my fix."

House unwrapped the small half dollar piece of chocolate and popped it into his mouth well aware of the eyes following his every move.

"Don't you think it's a little early for candy?"

Taub's question was met with a smirk as House shook his head while leaning back in his chair.

"This isn't candy it's a treatment."

"For what? Extreme Jerkism?"

Choosing to ignore this comment for Thirteen momentarily, the diagnostician said the first thing that popped into his head which happened to be the truth.

"No, for addiction."

Getting up from the table House could tell he was still be watched while pouring himself a glass of water.

"What? I'm serious, now if you'll excuse me I have clinic duty."

Limping out of the room House could only imagine the kind of speculation and rumors that were about to come.

"He actually went to the clinic."

The shock in Cuddy's voice only matched that of her colleagues as the dean of medicine started to pace the room.

"Okay let's look at this logically…"

Meanwhile, on the ground floor of the hospital as House arrived in the clinic he was met by the curious glare of Nurse Brenda sitting behind the reception desk.

"How much did Cuddy have to pay you to come down here?"

"Nothing, but party pants promised me a lap dance and an hour of dirty sex in exchange for my cooperation. Oh dear, have a said too much?"

"You've said plenty, exam room one."

An hour or so later House still hadn't left the clinic but was now sitting alone behind the closed door of exam room 2 thinking things over. It had been a long time since he'd considered happiness but now with everything that's happened it was all he could think about.

Looking down at the pill bottle he held in his hand House suddenly felt a wave of guilt wash over his entire body.

"Why is this so hard?"

The realization that this was the only way he could keep his medical license without being suspended angered House greatly but there was nothing else that could be done.

A knock on the door brought the brilliant physician out of his thoughts with such a jolt that he nearly fell off the stool.

"With a patient."

As the door opened and Wilson walked in there was an heir about him that made it clear that they needed to talk.

"Not according to Nurse Brenda, what are you doing down here? certainly not your job."

House didn't answer but continued to tap his cane while shooting the oncologist a glare.

"I could ask you the same question. Let me guess. Cuddy?"

Nodding his head at this question, Wilson sighed while rubbing the back of his neck.

"She wanted me to make sure you hadn't jumped off the roof."

"Nope still here, bum leg and all."

Wilson shot his friend a sympathetic look while pulling over a stool.

"The treatment's not working."

"What are you talking about? I'm in the best shape of my life."

The obvious denial in House's voice was down played by the hurt in his eyes.

"Its only been twenty four hours, these things take time. (sigh) It is working…trust me."

Hearing this intrigued Wilson as the younger man watched his friend drop his head to the floor.

"What? How do you know?"

"Well, I'm shaking like a leaf, running a slight fever and oh yeah, the pain's come down a lot. Do I need more of a clue?"

"Can you give me a number?"

This question was met with a soft unrecognizable smile as the department head closed his eyes for a moment in order to get an accurate reading.

6 no maybe a 5 yeah a 5. That feels about right."

Silence followed this statement as House re opened his eyes while the smile remained. This was good, very good.

Unfortunately, they still had to deal with the fact that this may be a temporary solution for the pain.

"Is there anyone currently on staff here whose a specialist in managing pain?"

This question took Wilson off guard. Especially considering the fact that the oncologist usually acted as his friend's physician. However, there was obviously a reason House didn't suggest it and James wasn't about to push him on it.

"You should know that better then anyone House. There isn't a doctor employed at Princeton Plainsboro that you haven't irritated at least once. Besides, I thought you said your leg was feeling better?"

"It is, I just want to be sure there isn't more we can do before going ahead with this thing."

Nodding his head in understanding, the oncologist crossed his arms over chest and started to think. Then, moments later the answer was clear to both doctors.

"Doctor Julie Rumsfeld."

Even though Rumsfeld had been an author for many years she also had a back round in physical therapy and dealing with pain.

"Do you think she'll do it?"

"Of course she will. Need I remind you that Rummy and I go way back? I can wrap her around my little finger."

(So what do you think? What do you think will happen? I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend and there will be more to come soon. Thanks again for reading and have a great day!)