Potential spoilers for 7x23 of House, for anyone who doesn't know what happened in that episode.
Allison arrived back in Boston late on Sunday night. It had become routine for her, having spent the last month with one of them commuting every weekend. Next week was James' turn to come there, but she still felt her heart sink every time she heard the final boarding call for her plane. Not only had she found she didn't want to run anymore, she wanted to stay. With James. In Princeton. She didn't know what to do anymore. She'd always been the one who wanted to be needed by someone. Now, she found that she needed to be with him. It took a lot for herself to admit that. It also took a lot to admit to herself that she was officially head over heels in love with James Wilson. They hadn't said it to one another yet, they'd danced around the issue, but Allison was finally admitting to herself that she loved him. In spite of everything, in spite of House, Allison wanted to stay in Princeton and be with him. She sighed as she unlocked her apartment door and let herself in.
She slept fitfully that night, missing the feel of his body beside her. She'd stopped sleeping in the separate room the second time she'd flown to stay with him, preferring to have him by her side. It scared her to admit that she'd become used to being with him so quickly. She'd lived in the same town as Chase and hadn't been able to co-habitat with him for the longest time. A few weeks with James and it was as if she'd found where she belonged. Friday seemed to take forever to come. He was suppose to come on a later flight than normal, when they'd talked he'd told her he had some things to do with House first. She'd grown to accept that they were part and parcel of one another and she had adapted to this in their lives. She found she didn't even mind anymore.
Allison was just getting ready to go to the airport to pick James up when her phone rang. She smiled when she seen his name on her phone and wondered if he'd arrived earlier than anticipated.
"Hi, Allison." James voice sounded defeated and sad, making her worry. She knew something was wrong immediately.
"Are you okay? You don't sound okay. What's wrong?" Allison quickly asked.
"I don't think I'm coming this weekend. Everything has gone wrong here, everything. I can't make it."
"What happened? Are you hurt?" Panic was starting to invade her, concern flood through her.
"House drove his car into Cuddy's house. I was with him til he kicked me out of the car, but I hurt myself jumping out of the way. They're looking for him and I have to stay. I'm not that bad off, but Cuddy's a wreck."
"I'll be there as soon as I can." Allison blurted out. She had to see he was okay herself, wouldn't take his word for it that he was alright.
"You don't have to do that. I'll be fine. I'm think I'm just in shock right now. I can't believe he did this."
"Where are you? I'm catching the next flight that I can."
James sighed. He knew there was no stopping her. It struck him that it was nice that someone was concerned about him for a change.
"I'll probably be at the condo. I'm hoping to finish up here with the police and then I'm going home. If I'm not there, you have the key, let yourself in. I'll be there when I can."
"Okay, James. I'll see you in a bit."
Allison sighed, looked at her phone and called the airport. She booked the next flight out and then headed to her bedroom, quickly throwing a few things in her overnight case. She called a cab next and was out the door. The entire flight, she couldn't concentrate on anything, just had an overwhelming need to see James, to make sure he was alright. She knew that it had to be a double whammy to him. He was friends with both House and Cuddy and the fallout was going to be tremendous. She felt it deep inside her that maybe this time, in spite of every other dumb thing House had done in the last few weeks, that he'd finally gone too far and there might not be any coming back from it. She'd been shocked when James had told her of the jumping from hotel balconies, the green card marriage, being back on Vicodin after almost two years of being off it. But this? She shook her head.
Her flight landed and she hurried as fast as she could through the airport process. In no time she was in a cab, heading for Wilson's place. She seen lights in the windows when they arrived there, quickly paid the cabbie, grabbed her bag and purse and headed in. Using her key, she let herself into his place, seeing him sitting on the couch, arm bandaged, his head resting on the palm of his other hand, staring into space. She dropped her bag and headed straight for him.
James didn't even seem to notice her until she sat down beside him. Only then did he come around, reaching out for her and pulling her into a hug. She returned it, just holding on to him. They stayed that way for several minutes.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Allison asked.
"I want to go to sleep and forget this ever happened." James sighed.
"I know, sweetie. I'm sorry." Allison didn't know what to say, nothing she could say to make it better. "Where's Lisa? Is she okay?"
"She went to her sister's as far as I know. She wouldn't talk to me, for me to even find out if she was fine. Her place is a mess. House is missing. The police haven't been able to find him yet."
"Lisa's in shock. I'm sure she'll talk to you tomorrow. As for House, I'm sure they'll find him."
James got up off the couch. "Do you want a tea? I could really use some tea right now."
"A tea would be great. I'll make it, you go get ready for bed. You look exhausted."
"I am exhausted. And thank you, Allison, for coming. I really need you here."
Allison came to him and kissed him gently on the side of the cheek. "I'm here for you anytime you need me."
James looked at her and for the first time in hours, he smiled. He turned and walked down the hall to the bathroom, leaving Allison alone again. Her worry that he was hurt badly had dissipated somewhat once she'd laid eyes on him, but she knew that emotionally, he was more damaged. She wondered how much time she could get off work, to stay here and make sure he was okay. She couldn't leave him, not when he was like this. She set to work in the kitchen, making the tea. He came back out shortly, just as she finished pouring the hot water into the tea cups and took a seat at the counter.
She put one of the cups in front of him, before joining him on a stool. She noticed a bottle of pain killers in his hand and took it from him, knowing he would have trouble opening the bottle. She looked at the label to see how many to give him before opening it and handing him a couple. She went to get him a cup of water, making sure he took the medication. He looked like he needed the rest and she didn't want the pain from his wrist injury waking him up. She came back around, standing behind him, before enveloping him in a hug.
They finished up their tea and headed for the bedroom. Allison grabbed her overnight bag and trailed after him, making sure he was in bed before heading for the bathroom to get ready for bed. He was already drifting off to sleep when she returned, so she carefully got into bed with him, making sure to not jostle his wrist.
Curling up next to him, she whispered softly to him "I love you."
He heard her and his eyes grew wide. Giving her a gentle kiss on the lips, he responded with an "I love you, too." With his good hand, he gripped her hand in his, settling in, content that she was with him. As much as he hadn't wanted her to worry, to rush here, he was glad she'd came. He needed her here with him. He loved her and was glad that someone was there for him, looking out for him. It felt good to be taken care of for a change. His eyes grew heavy as the medication took effect. He drifted off to sleep, ending what was one of the worst days of his life.
Allison listened to his breathing, knowing he was falling asleep, glad that he'd responded with an "I love you." She couldn't bear the thought of leaving him again, not like this. She needed to come back here, stay with him. She wasn't sure what she was going to do for a job, but she knew that she couldn't abandon him, not after this. She loved him and for that, she'd come back here, to the place where she'd once run from. This time, however, she would stay.