Chapter 7

"I get all...numb

We're the same numb And it brings our knees to the earth"

"Minerva" - The Deftones


"So Mrs. ------Warner," Detective Adams begins. "I am assuming that you don't remember anything from last night; is that correct?"

Stacy grits her teeth at his question, but can't help from feeling a little embarrassed. Knowing that she was blacked out in front of a bunch of cops, especially if they were as cute as this one; makes her want to apologize.

"Yes; and it's not Warner anymore it's Blake. My husband and I got divorced so I decided to change back to my maiden name." She explains.

"Thank you, for that clarification," he replies somewhat grimly. "Now, I see here from your file that you are a lawyer, which means you should know how important telling the truth is."

"Oh great," she thinks, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "Here comes the typical psychological guilt trip."

"Detective Adams you say that like I have a reason to lie, and if that's the case I can assure you I have nothing to lie about."

He chuckles lightly, "hmmm, well then, I guess you won't have any objections to answering a few questions then right?"

"None what so ever," She smiles lightly.


House has no clue why he still has to be here, or why it's taking so long. How much time could it possibly take to ask her who might be trying to kill her?

It's times like these when he starts to long for the Vicodin tucked so neatly away in his jacket pocket. Normally nothing would get in his way of getting pain relief but with all that's happened, he dare not even think about waving around a prescription bottle in this place. Doing so almost seems like a death sentence.

There are lots of people buzzing around, some in uniform, some not. He tried to count them awhile ago but it was almost impossible once a whole parade of guys in handcuffs came waltzing in; he decided they were probably from a drug bust since half of them looked like they were about to overdose, and the other half had no idea where they were. "Oh well," he thinks. "At least they're getting all of those REAL drug dealers off the streets."

The argument he and Stacy had earlier is something he's pushed aside until later. It was his fault he knows, but things have just been snapping inside of him lately. Some of what he says House isn't even sure where it comes from, although when the words come out it's almost like a weightlessness engulfs his body and causes a euphoric state. Like the anger inside is what he uses for a sweet release. The only downside to this is it always makes him tired afterwards.

There is a rustling of leaves outside that makes House want to go for a ride on his bike. The clean October air triggers this effect inside him he decides. Riding ninety plus miles per hour on the open road would be like a dream right now compared to the current nightmare going on. Even working in the clinic would be better than this.


Stacy finishes the interview with confidence and Adams directs her out of the room. Like she thought there was nothing she could tell him that would be useful. How is she supposed to know why someone is trying to kill House, maybe even herself anyways? The way she's been living the last six months is bland enough, and to think that anyone is after is crazy.

They meet House at the end of the hall where he is loudly thumping his cane on the floor, and Stacy takes the chance to take him in since he hasn't looked up yet.

She doesn't need to see his face to know he's died a little more inside since the last time she's seen him. The exhausted slump in his shoulders tells her that he's probably close to giving up a with each passing day. It's a feeling that she herself can relate to, except she tells herself that it will pass, hopes it will. Another thing is a sense of defeat his body radiates if you get close enough; it speaks a world of depression that almost makes her want to hug him.

That's as far as she gets before he finally looks up and causes her to cast her eyes somewhere else. Adams stops in his once easy stride beside her as they reach House; he lets out a sigh that doesn't sound good for any of them before speaking.

"Well, I know I originally said it would only be one night but given the current status of this investigation I'm afraid both of you are going to have to stay in police custody for the time being."

"WHAT?"

"I'm sorry Dr. House but it's in both of your best interests…"

"I don't care what YOU THINK is in my best interest right now, I want to go home, I have a pet rat to feed, and I have work for god's sake."

Stacy can't stop the snicker that spills out of her mouth and House glares at her; she can't believe that he actually kept that stupid rat.

"What's so funny?" He asks sharply.

She shakes her head, not in the mood to start another argument right now. Adams watches the both of them and begins to get a headache from all the glares they are exchanging.

"Look," he interjects. "I know you two are ex's and you probably don't like each other from what I'm seeing now; but it's either that or be gunned down for a reason your not even sure of. So I ask, do you want that, or do you want to play by the law and find out who wants you dead?"

House switches his glare to the detective before him, still not understanding why this has anything to do with him.

"Why should it be both of us?" He asks, except he already knows the answer; it just feels good to bitch about something.

"Because we still don't know which one of you they're after yet. Now, here's what's going to happen. We'll stop back by both of your houses so you can get some clothes and feed whatever animals you may have before I drop you off at the hotel. By tomorrow if nothing unexpected happens, you'll be able to go back home and we'll post a cop car by each of your homes to be on the look out for suspicious activity Ok?"

House just sneers at him and Stacy nods, neither are exactly liking any of this but what choice do they have? Die?

"Wouldn't be any sweat off of my back," House thinks at first. The images of his body pumped full of bullet holes convinces him otherwise though.

"Good, Both of you just wait here and I'll see what I can do about getting you separate rooms for the night.

Then he was gone. Leaving House and Stacy once again alone with each other.