AN: Sorry for the cliffie at the end, but I'm working on the next chapter right now! Thank goodness for Thanksgiving Break!
Chapter Ten
House stepped into the lounge of the bar and took a seat, one of the waiters bringing him a bottle of beer moment later. He was a regular here, having often stopped by after work, but not regular enough to know he would drink himself to death if no one stopped him. And he wasn't planning to either, so no one worried.
A few minutes later, Lucas Douglas entered the bar and made a beeline for his usual spot, only to find it occupied by none other than Gregory House.
"Hey, I know you're really busy moping about, but do you mind?" Lucas glanced at House, his eyes narrowed.
"Sorry, I've been deafened by your idiocy, come again." House looked up at him, a smirk on his lips.
"House, you're an ass, you know that right?" Lucas snapped, sitting down in a chair besides his.
"I'm the ass? You're the one who practically rubs it in my face that you married Cuddy, I don't care anymore."
"Really?" Lucas took a rather large swig of the bottle of beer he was handed, apparently he was a regular too. "Could have fooled me by the way she's been acting lately, you sure about that?"
"Lucas, seriously," House glared at him over his beer, "I don't have any feelings towards Cuddy, I haven't since I heard that you two were engaged. And even if I had feelings towards her now, I wouldn't act on them; she seems happy with you."
"Really?" Lucas laughed, "Could have fooled me, she's being pretty smart with me lately."
House nearly choked on his beer, surprised, but he didn't push it; trying not to sound suspicious.
"Dead serious," Lucas went on, "She's been lying to me about the littlest things; work, her plans - it just doesn't fit. Lisa wasn't like this when I married her, something changed."
"We've all changed since you two started dating," House began, "Why don't you just talk to her?"
"I don't need too," Lucas finished his second beer, which hadn't gone unnoticed by House. "She knows she shouldn't be lying to me like this. When we got married, she agreed that she would obey me. That's not happening and she's obviously aware of it, I've told her that's what she signed up for when we got married. Now though, she doesn't give a damn about it."
"Lucas, really," House began, trying not to make it obvious that he didn't approve of his words. "You don't thunk you're being a bit unreasonable?"
"Unreasonable? Ha! No way in hell, she deserves it." Lucas had nearly finished his third beer already, "Think she'd have an affair?"
"What?" House choked on his beer. "Lisa!? Have an affair? You've got to be kidding me. She loves her job too much."
"Too much," Lucas nodded, "Someone besides me needs to tell her that. Have you seen how much she works?"
"Yes, it's insane, she should breathe every now and then, but have you tried telling her that?" House asked, already guessing what Lucas's answer would be.
"She's my wife, I shouldn't have to talk to her about stuff like this," He was getting tipsy and House quirked his eyebrows, hoping that Cuddy knew that Lucas was getting drunk. "She should know what she should be doing for her family; I shouldn't have to beat that into her until she finally understands it."
"I see," House nodded, "Bye." He stood, paying the waiter quickly and limped from the bar, pulling out his phone. He dialed quickly, hoping that Cuddy would answer.
"House," Cuddy sounded exhausted. "Hurry up, I'm at the twin's daycare right now."
"Oh, well, just to let you know, I ran into your wonderful husband and he's drinking himself to death. Just thought you'd like a warning." House began.
"Thanks House, really, but I'll see you tomorrow. Twins want to go home and I need to get Rachel from dance." Cuddy sounded pleased now, and House smiled inwardly.
"Bye Cuddy, take care." House clicked his phone shut, and made his way to his motorcycle. He hopped on it as best as he could with his leg and started the engine, driving off towards Wilson's.
"Oh, hi Katheryn," House nodded at the woman standing in the doorway, "Is Wilson around?"
"Kitchen," she nodded behind her and stepped back, allowing House into the apartment. "I think he's making some sort of dinner."
"Oh, thanks," House limped into the kitchen and sat down, "Lucas is an alcoholic," he began, "Ran into him now, at the bar. Was grabbing a drink and he came in, sat down by me, and started to complain about Cuddy, while downing multiple beers."
"Does Cuddy know he drinks?" Wilson looked at House quickly before returning to his cooking.
"I called her as soon as I left the place so she'd know," House twirled his cane between his fingers, "But she didn't seem surprised."
"About what?" Katheryn came into the kitchen, her black hair tied behind her neck with a simple blue ribbon.
"Nothing," Wilson responded quickly, not wanting to get more people involved in it.
"If you're talking about Lisa then just spit it out, I've known her longer than you both have and have a right to know what you're saying about her." She sat at the table with House, flipping through the newspaper.
"I think, though I don't have much proof, that she and Lucas are having problems." House began, "He's drinking, she's acting more stressed than usual, their kids are acting oddly; it fits."
"What fits?" Katheryn sounded genuinely worried.
"I don't know if your fiancee wants me to tell you." House glared at Wilson, who busied himself with cleaning out a pot.
"I just don't think ..." Wilson began.
"James," Katheryn began, "Lisa's been my best friend since grade school. Whatever's up with her and Lucas is important to me too. So spill," she leaned forwards, setting down the newspaper.
"House thinks Lucas is being abusive; I think he's still jealous that Lucas got Cuddy and he didn't."
"I'm not jealous of Lucas!" House snapped, "Yeah, okay, maybe I wish I was the one she married, but I'm glad she's happy. I just don't want her to think that her marriage is perfect and that there's never going to be anything wrong with it. Here, listen to this," he pulled out a small recorder, which he had taped Lucas's conversation with.
Lucas's voice came on first, and both Katheryn and Wilson listened intently. "She's been lying to me about the littlest things; work, her plans - it just doesn't fit. Lisa wasn't like this when I married her, something changed."
"We've all changed since you two started dating," House began, sounding earnest, "Why don't you just talk to her?" Katheryn nodded at House's words, still listening. Wilson, on the other hand, stood frozen, shocked to hear Lucas speak about Cuddy in this way.
"I don't need too," Lucas finished his second beer, which hadn't gone unnoticed by House. "She knows she shouldn't be lying to me like this. When we got married, she agreed that she would obey me. That's not happening and she's obviously aware of it, I've told her that's what she signed up for when we got married. Now though, she doesn't give a damn about it."
"That bastard," Katheryn growled, her fists clenched on the table, "I swear to God, if he hurts Lisa ..." she stopped as House elbowed her.
"Lucas, really," House began, trying not to make it obvious that he didn't approve of his words. "You don't thunk you're being a bit unreasonable?"
"Unreasonable? Ha! No way in hell, she deserves it."
House clicked off the recorder and was faced with two, suddenly, very shocked expressions faced him.
"I'm going to personally kill Lucas Douglas with my bare hands," Katheryn stood, but Wilson grabbed her wrist.
"Kat," Wilson looked at her, "I don't want you doing anything of the sort, not so close to our wedding." He kissed her chastely, but long enough to tell her that meant it.
"Fine," Katheryn nodded, "but if he physically abuses her, we might need to rethink that."
House shrugged, "That would only make it worse, if you get too involved in this, like I am, then it'll look suspicious."
"You shouldn't even be involved in this House," Wilson began, "It's none of your business, it never was."
"It is if Cuddy is too blind to see what's happening to her marriage. I can be concerned for her and the kids without wanting to jump her, you know." He drummed his fingers on the table, when a sudden sound jolted them from silence.
"I'd fight for you, I'd lie, it's true; give my life for you. You know I'd always come for you."
"House?" Wilson looked up as House's hand flew to his jacket pocket and he nearly ripped his cellphone from it, opening it and pressing it against his ear.
"Hello?" House's expression morphed into one of shock and fear, "I'll be right there Rachel, it's okay. You're all going to be okay." He hung up and nearly sprinted to the door, well, as best as he could.
"What's going on?" Katheryn had followed him out, Wilson coming more quietly.
"It's Lucas," House began, "He's drunk, angry and he's making Cuddy cry. The kids are scared." He flung open the door, "Wilson, have the police go to Cuddy's, we're going to need all the help we can get."
AN2: Next chapter, Cuddy needs a cane, and some friends goes missing. And a flashback.
Review please?
KM Wilson