A/N: The first half of this chapter was inspired by a poem I wrote for the journalism teacher at my high school for her marriage, which was entitled "Sign."

Chapter Three: Signs of Life and Love
I want to, I need to
Know that you love me.
Give me a sign,
A sign of your love.

Are you blind?
Can't you see
In every little way,
The little signs of my love,
My love for you?
I see the little signs,
I cherish them.
But I need more,
More than a single kiss.

I want to, I need to
Know that you love me.
Give me a sign,
A sign of your love

I reach out for your hand
But mine is weighed down,
Weighed down with lead.
I clasp tight your hand
Praying that you'll wake,
Wake up and surive.

I want to, I need to
Know that you love me.
Give me a sign,
A sign of your love.

I float on the surface
Lifeless, yet breathing.
Dim shapes move,
Move across my vision
The beating of his heart
Speeds up slowly.
Slowly he wakes up,
Wakes up from a week-long slumber.

I want to, I need to
Know that you love me.
Give me a sign,
A sign of your love.

Dim shapes become clearer,
Your face recognizable.
Who are you who makes me,
Makes me feel this way?
I see your confusion,
I see your bewilderment,
I see your feelings.
You are an open book,
An open book that should stay shut.

I want to, I need to
Know that you love me.
Give me a sign,
A sign of your love.

I want to, I need to
Know that you love me.
Give me a sign,
Give me a sign,
Give me a sign,
A sign of your love

sign sign sign sign sign sign
"Cuddy! Cuddy!" shouted Foreman as he burst into Cuddy's office.
"What is it? Is the hospital on fire?" Cuddy asked, wondering what could possibly upset the usually calm neurologist so much.
"House's awake!" Foreman shouted joyously.
Kicking off her stilletoes, Cuddy leapt from her chair and ran to House's room, Foreman close behind her.
sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign
"House! You're awake!" exclaimed Cuddy as she entered House's room.
Duh, Cuddy! House thought. But he didn't say anything out loud.
When he didn't answer, Cuddy looked worriedly at Wilson, who wordlessly told her that House was just fine.
I WANT TO GO HOME, House signed to Wilson.
NOT YET, HOUSE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH YOU, Wilson signed back in reply.
"What was that?" Foreman asked.
"American Sign Language," Wilson explained.
"But House isn't deaf...is he?" Cuddy asked worriedly.
House shook his head and signed, I CAN'T SPEAK. IT'S ONLY TEMPORARY.
Wilson translated for Foreman and Cuddy.
"I'm going to go find Cameron and Chase and update them on House's status," Foreman said.
sign sign sign sign sign sign sign
Cameron and Chase were in the lab, doing nothing at all. Nothing except making out, that is.
"Erm...sorry to interupt, but House just woke up," said Foreman as he entered the lab, adding, "You need to find a less public place in the hospital if you're going to make out here."
sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sign
"Why can't he speak?" Cameron asked.
Foreman shrugged.
"What can we do to help?" Chase asked.
"Don't visit him," replied Wilson, as he entered the diagnostics lounge.
"How is House now?" Cuddy asked.
"Sleeping," replied Wilson.
sign sign sign sign sign sign sign sing sign sign
House found himself standing in a forest.
"You can fight this, House," encouraged a ghostly winged cougar.
"Who the heck are you?" House demanded, turning to face the strange feline.
"I am Nimrodel," the creature purred in answer.
"That's Elvish," House remarked.
Nimrodel only purred in reply.
"Where are we anyway?" House asked.
"Lothlorien."

Of course, we're in Lothlorien, House grumbled to himself as a huge silver gryffin landed beside Nimrodel.
"What the--!?" exclaimed House in surprise.
"I am a gryffin. Name's Estel," the gryffin coolly said. "And I'll be your guide today."

'Estel' is Elvish for hope, House recalled.
"Then let's get moving!" he said, gesturing to Estel to lead the way.
"House! Don't follow him!" shouted a famillar voice.

Wilson?
Turning to face the speaker, House found that it had indeed been Wilson who had shouted.
"Why, Wilson?" he asked.
"Because I can't live without you," admitted Wilson.