Wilson dragged into the Hospital with a yawn at ten past eight. Cuddy saw him going towards the elevator and quickened her pace which she found was with out cause since he was barely moving. "How's everything going this morning?" She asked taking in his appearance: wrinkled shirt, no tie, his belt didn't match his shoes, and although both of his shoes were black they were not from the same pair.

"Hmm?" Wilson said not really sure of what she said.

Cuddy cocked an eyebrow at him, "Well, I knew you missed House, Wilson, but I never thought you would try to impersonate him." She said with a smile and held open the elevator door for him.

Wilson walked in and gave her a weak smile, "I'm sorry, but I only slept two hours last night." Wilson gave a half chuckle, "I guess in a weird way I understand him a little better, except some how he is always alert even after taking medications that should knock him out."

Cuddy frowned, "Actually he at least has matching shoes. So did something happen with House or are you just worrying yourself to death over what has already happened."

Wilson sighed as he rested his head against the elevator, "His infection from the fall keeps getting worse and last night I... upset him, and he jumped out the bed and ended up almost falling. I caught him but he pulled four stitches and then freaked out because I got some blood on me."

Cuddy blinked in confusion, "Why would some blood make House freak out? I mean, he's a doctor who see's blood all the time."

Wilson blinked at her blankly as he realized he had let that slip, he licked his lips and tried to think up a reasonable recovery. "Well you saw all that blood at his place, maybe it just reminded him of that night."

Cuddy's frown deepened, "Yeah, maybe. It's weird that his infection isn't healing up, House has always recovered so quickly. You know out of all the procedures he's had he's never got an infection here." Wilson walked out of the elevator and Cuddy followed. "So does that mean he's still getting to go home with you tomorrow night?"

Wilson ran his hand through his hair, "I'm not sure." He walked into his office and flopped down in his chair. "To be honest I think he should wait until the infection is gone, but at the same time I can tell that just being stuck in that Hospital is driving him nuts."

Cuddy shrugged, "They have him on antibiotics right?" Wilson nodded. "Well then he should be fine. I think you're just worrying to much about this Wilson, people get infections all the time. He'll be fine."

Wilson gave her a doubtful nod, "You're probably right."

Cuddy got up, "You just have to learn not to worry so much Wilson. House isn't like your cancer patients he's got a good immune system and he'll bounce back."

Wilson put on a fake smile and nodded but as she walked out it slipped off and he had never felt like a worse human being. If House's infection didn't get better and it became serious he would have to tell Cuddy and she would hate him for keeping something about House's health from her.

Cuddy went back down to her office and was about to settle into reading last quarters reports when her phone rang and she answered it only half paying attention. "This is Dr. Lisa Cuddy Administrator for Princeton Plainsboro Hospital, how may I help you?"

"Hello Dr. Cuddy, my name is Carol, and I was calling because I heard that you had the best Diagnostics Department around." She said with a British accent.

Cuddy turned the page on the report smiling, "I'm pleased to tell you that we do but I'm not sure what it was you were wanting."

"Is it true that Dr. House runs that department. I've heard he's an arrogant asshole." Carol say happily.

Cuddy cocked an eyebrow, "Yes he is, but I promise what he lacks in bedside manner he makes up for in talent and unmatched cleverness and skill. He's honestly the best there is."

There was a deep laugh over the phone, "Well well well, Dr. Cuddy, I'm glad to hear you think so highly of me." House said over the phone.

Cuddy blushed and then gritted her teeth, "Don't you have something else to do beside prank calling people?"

House pouted, "Ouch... I thought we were friends, but if you're too busy to talk that's fine."

Cuddy felt the sting of guilt and closed her report, "No, we are. So what did you want to talk about?"

House grinned, "What are you wearing?"

Cuddy rolled her eyes, "House we aren't dating anymore."

"So, I would have asked you that anyway. Come on Cuddy if I'm not going to get my daily visitation from Patty and Selma and that giant ass of yours you can at least be kind enough to tell me what little clothing is covering them." House said with a smirk.

Cuddy was now pouting slightly, "You're the one who asked me to stop visiting."

House sighed deeply, "Can't we just have a fun conversation like we use to or is it always going to be serious."

Cuddy bit her lip as she thought about his words. She had truly missed the sound of his voice and even his playful and flirty manner. "Fine, I'm wearing a navy blue skirt suit."

House thought for a second, "The one with the blue buttons or the one with the hooks?"

Cuddy looked at the phone with a cocked eyebrow, "Hooks..." She said cautiously.

"Nice and what shirt?" He asked

Cuddy looked down at the low hanging red shirt and smiled, "A red one."

House gave an appreciative smile, "I bet it's the satin one that hangs way to low to qualify as business wear."

Cuddy looked around trying to make sure he wasn't watching her from somewhere, "Actually its cotton."

House tusked, "Oh Cuddy didn't anyone ever tell you it's wrong to lie to your friends. You would never wear cotton with that blue suit because it's wool, which would mean the fabrics would hang up. That's also how I know that you are wearing one of your garter belts because full pantyhose would be too hot."

Cuddy face contorted, "House you realize how creepy and just plain odd that sounds right?"

House rolled his eyes, "You wouldn't wear tight fitting suits like the one your wearing and low cut red blouses if you didn't want me and every other man to remember it."

"Remember the color, but the type of fabric is a little much, it sounds like you sneak into my room and go through my closet." Cuddy said.

House chuckle, "Oh if I sneaked into your room, I would have better places to be than your closet." House waited for Cuddy to respond and when she didn't he sighed, "I knew it was wool because you gave me a hug when you wore it for the picture they took to go along with that article about the Niemann Pick Disease case."

Cuddy thought about it, "You're right I was wearing this suit, but that was almost two years ago."

House half smiled, "Well it's not like you gave me a lot of hugs."

Cuddy frowned, "And now you wont even let me touch you." House suddenly became silent and Cuddy knew he wasn't going to respond to her statement. "By the way how are you calling me? I thought you were strapped down to the bed?"

House shrugged, "They took off the restraints yesterday and haven't put them back on, so I'm trying to make the most of my new found freedom."

Cuddy smiled, "I bet you are, just don't get in any trouble alright. Wilson's been so worried about you he hardly slept last night."

"What happened?" House said.

"He came dragging in today and said he only slept two hours. When I asked him what was going on he said that you had popped some stitches and freakout about some blood and that your infection was getting worse." Cuddy said waiting to see what House would say.

"Well if he hadn't have grabbed me then he wouldn't have gotten blood all over him, and it's not like I can do anything about the infection they have me on three antibiotics right now." House said curtly.

"I'm not blaming you House," Cuddy said, "I'm just saying you didn't have to freak out on him."

"So let me get this straight, NOW.. I'm being too emotional?" House said coldly.

Cuddy felt bad about saying it, "Maybe."

House swallowed, "Fine, let me cut to the chase I wouldn't want to get to personal with you then I might feel something and say something about what I feel and that would just be a waste of your precious time. Why aren't you using my team?" He said professionally.

"I'm sorry House, it's just that..." Cuddy's sentence was cut short as he interrupted.

"Sorry... hmm, isn't that one of those emotional things. No we better just stay away from that, once again why aren't you using my team?" House said quickly.

"Because they aren't as good as you are! Now stop over..." Cuddy stopped but she knew it was to late.

"Reacting," House finished. "My team is still good and it's not like I'm dead, if they need my help they can still call me or come to my apartment, hopefully I'll be there after tomorrow."

"House you aren't suppose to be working and since I know that if I give your team the kind of cases I usually do it will some how inevitably get to you I'm not. Also you aren't going to your apartment until you can walk you need to stay with Wilson," Cuddy said.

House frowned, "Some work could do me some good and I don't want to stay with Wilson, just trust me it isn't a good idea."

"Well House you can't stay with me because you won't even let me touch you and Wilson is already taking off the time so he can be there. You could be a little more grateful of all he's done for you. So tell why you don't want to stay with him." Cuddy said with frustration.

"I didn't ask him to do that, he didn't even ask me if I was okay with that. I'm telling you if I go and stay with him it's going to be bad. It's hard enough for me to control my PTSD when he visits for an hour or two, Cuddy... I'm afraid I might hurt him." House said hesitantly.

Cuddy was worried, "Why would you say that? Your PTSD makes you a little shaky but you've never seemed violent because of it."

House spoke softly, "I get shaky because I'm holding myself back. When ever things get to loud or stressful my body wants to fight but I hold it back. I've dealt with PTSD before, and I'm telling you it really is one of those things I do better on my own with."

Cuddy was silent for a moment while she thought. She could tell by his voice that he really was worried. "House you can't go home alone, you know that. Maybe you should talk to the Psychologist if nothing else she might can prescribe you something to help calm you down."

"You mean like the Ativan. I still don't remember everything from when I was on that crap." House said with worry.

"Not Ativan but something, I'm sure she can find something that will help House. I would let you stay with me if you wanted to, you know that right?" Cuddy said biting her lip.

House let out a soft sigh, "Yeah, I'm sorry I can't do that." He looked up and saw Cops outside his window, "Fuck,"

Cuddy cocked an eyebrow, "House, what's wrong."

"Cops are here and... oh shit, Cuddy could you come up here." House said with distress.

Cuddy immediately got up and started gathering her things, "Why what is it House?"

"Tritter's here," House said as he felt his pulse rise.

Cuddy felt worry sweep over her as she thought about what he had said when they broke up about Tritter. "I'm already in the car do you think it's coincidence or do you think you asked in on the case because of you."

House stared at the cops, "I'm not sure but I don't trust him and I don't want him here not when I can't defend myself."

Cuddy swallowed, "What did he do you in jail?"

House felt his body getting ready for a fight and he fought for control, "Not now Cuddy, I promise I'll tell you just not now."

Cuddy could hear the slight shake in his voice. "Alright, just don't say..."

"Well hello Dr. House, it's a small world isn't it. I was sorry to hear about your misfortune. How many guys was it?" Tritter said with a small curl of his lips.

"Ah Capt. Tritter I thought taking statements about a clear cut case was below your pay grade." House said defiantly.

"It is, but the department has a lot going on right now. It's kind of like how you have to work in the clinic sometimes. Dr. House you know it's rude to be on the phone when talking to the Police and it's actually illegal to be on your cell phone in the Hospital room." Tritter picked up the phone that was lying by his head, slightly brushing his hair. House's body jerked as his shaking increased. Tritter smiled obviously delighted to get such a reaction. "Well that nurse was right you really are jerky. I'm just going to turn this phone off and close the blinds so we can have some privacy."

Cuddy heard the phone hang up and was pleased as she now saw the Hospital in sight.

House watched as Tritter turned off the phone and the other man closed the blinds. He tried to control his breathing and body as he could see Tritter trying to close him off as much as possible. "It was four men." House said watching him.

"Oh," Tritter said as if he could care less, "tell me Dr. House why there are restraint straps on your bed."

House looked down at them and back up at Tritter, "I thought you were here to take my statement about what happened."

Tritter smiled, "You're right, I am. It's just that restraint straps indicate that you are violent, and you did kill three men, didn't you."

House narrowed his eyes on Tritter, "It's not like I had much of choice."

Tritter leaned closer to House, "Really? Because it say's here that you were in the Marines. Aren't you taught in the Marines how to take a man down with out killing him."

House gritted his teeth, "I haven't been in the Marines in over 20 years, and my survivor instinct kind of took over after everything they did to me."

Tritter smiled as he sat down in a chair the other man had pulled up for him. "Yes, that's something we are going to have to go over in great detail." He opened the report, "It looks like they had you for five hours."

House smiled, "Yeah something like that. Didn't you have me for 48 hours?" He asked then smiled again, "But it's best not to dwell on the past right, it's okay Tritter everyone loses some."

Tritter clinched his jaw and was about to open his mouth when Cuddy opened the door.

Cuddy looked up at House and then at the two officer, "Hello Captain Tritter, I thought that was you who hung up on me." She said as she made her way to the opposite side of House.

Tritter smiled, "How have things been Dr. Cuddy? You purger yourself anytime lately?"

Cuddy smiled innocently, "I don't know what you are referring too. Do you still use your badge to try and settle your personal vendettas against people?"

Tritter smiled and looked back at House, "Let me guess, you two are dating?"

House smiled broadly, "Nope, but don't worry it's not like you're a detective... oh, wait you are."

Tritter put his hand on bed and looked at House still smiling, "You know what I hate Dr. House. I hate having to take statements twice. See it happens a lot, people are on medication that makes their memories blurry or unclear." Tritter opened the folder, "Lets see, ah there it is. You are on morphine, now that is powerful stuff, I would hate to have to redo this wouldn't you Dr. House."

House smiled back, "Oh it wouldn't bother me, I just love catching up with you. But I would hate to waste your time, so I don't mind if you would rather them unhook it."

Cuddy's jaw dropped, "House, are you crazy? You need to be on the morphine after the injuries you sustained."

House was still looking at Tritter, "Don't worry I can handle it."

Cuddy had an urge to hit both of them right now for being stupid jerks. "Fine, I'll disconnect it you idiot." She unhooked it and rolled the morphine machine across the room.

Tritter settled into the chair some more and looked over the report. "So tell me, what's the first thing you remember?"

House stared at the ceiling, "I remember waking up and feeling some pain in my stomach, the smell of something sweet and being tied down. My eye lids felt heavy and then I felt people hitting me, but I stayed still and quite not wanting them to know I was awake. After that I listened to them talk about rumors of my time in the Marines while I watched them. Young noticed, threw a heavy duffel bag on my stomach and put a dogs choke collar on me. Harrison duct taped my armpits and ripped it off taking most of the hair with it, then he punched me in my scar on my right thigh for referring to his mother as a hairy bitch."

Tritter shook his head, "You know Dr. House it seems to me that you could save yourself a lot of grief if you could just learn when to keep that mouth of yours shut.

House smiled, "It's so touching to know you care," he said with sarcasm. "Then Young put nipple clamps on me and he told Miller to start the water works."

"And by water works you mean?" Tritter said with a smile.

House looked at Tritter and could tell by the grin that he knew what it was he just wanted to make him say what was done to him. House spoke very slowly as if talking to a dim child, "Well first he got a towel and wrapped it around my face and then he pour water over my face. First time was short, the next time was longer and Harrison hit me hard with my cane which made me gasp taking in water."

Tritter grinned, "So they basically drowned you. What went through your mind with each mouthful of water you took in?"

House eyed Tritter, "I knew they wouldn't kill me yet, because for sadistic bastards like Young having someone in a place of vulnerability and abusing them is fun. I've never understood it really because I've always wanted a fair fight, but I bet you understand it on a level that no one else could." House watched as the smile on Tritters face fell. "Anyway, back to why you are here. After I coughed up the water Young pour water all over my body and grabbed a cattle prod which he used on my stomach, nipple, water soaked underwear, and my right thigh scar. Then Harrison took that as his cue to start beating me again with my cane, breaking a rib. Young then got out a torch too heat up the branding irons." Now House sighed and closed his eyes as he laid back in the bed. "After he was done with that Harrison took the torch to my scarred thigh." He swallowed opening his eyes again. "That's when Young offered me the deal of killing me quickly if I asked him to, but I convinced him instead to untie me and let me die fighting."

Tritter eyed House, "So killing them was premeditated."

House just looked at the ceiling again, "No fighting for my life was all that was on my mind at that point." He said as he was trying to push the incredible pain of his body out of his mind.

Tritter smiled as he could see some of the tell tell signs of pain on House's features, "You sure you can handle not being on morphine?"

House swallowed, "Yep, I'm feeling just peachy except for the awful hospital food from breakfast." He said as some sweat beads ran down his face.

Cuddy got him a plastic bucket that he held tight to with trembling hands. "House maybe you should finish this some other time." She said softly as she could see the pain in his eyes as he looked up at her and shook his head.

"No, I can... handle," but he stopped talking as his stomach emptied it's self. As soon as he was done he continued, "Everything went pretty fast after that, Harrison charged at me and I grabbed his neck and snapped it, then I hit Miller on the head with a lamp. I wasn't sure if he was out or just stunned so I grabbed the lamp to make sure and Anderson pulled me on my back by the choke collar and started into me with the cane breaking my hand and the cane. I grabbed at his ankles because I know it's standard for military to carry knifes there when I found his I just stabbed up, it landed...," House heaved again and when he was done he was panting, "landed under his jaw and had gone straight up. I pushed him off of me and took off the collar wrapping it around my hand, then Young charged and I kicked him and rolled on my back to push in him the wall. While he was recovering I tried to get a piece of the cane but Young recovered quicker than I expected and he kicked the crap out of my left leg breaking the femur. Next thing I knew he was on top of me with his hands clapped as he bounced my head off of the floor," House ran a hand over his forehead and closed his eyes, "Then everything went silent and I knew if I didn't stop him I was going to die, so I held the choke collar as tight as my hand would allow and punched him in the throat. Blood... just poured out of him and while he tried uselessly to stop it I knew there was no saving him I grabbed the handle of the cane and stuffed it through his mouth until his spinal cord was severed." House looked at Tritter, "Seeing people suffer has never been my thing."

Tritter smiled, "Wow, that's truly a amazing story. Too bad that's all it is."

House's eyes searched Tritter's, "That's what happened."

Tritter chuckled smugly, "You want me to believe a cripple who can't walk with out a cane, after being burned, electrocuted, beaten, branded, and drowned, killed three decorated soldiers half your age and knocked out one." He smiled shaking his head, "Nope, not buying it. You know what I think."

House rolled his eyes, "Nope, but I'm sure it won't make you look like anymore of an idiot than you are."

Tritter watched House, "I think Wilson interrupted the soldiers and that you and him took them down together. That sounds a lot more logical than you taking them out on your own."

"You know what, maybe you should just go!" Cuddy said furiously. "He has told you what happened so why are you still here."

House smiled at Tritter, "Don't mind her, she just has this thing about ignorance. You're right, your story is a lot more logical except Wilson, who's never so much as thrown a punch managed to fight and kill soldiers and not get so much as a scratch. But I can see why a lesser man couldn't understand how I did what I did."

Tritter stared House down with a smug smile, "No one in your shape could have done what you are saying you did."

House smiled with gritted teeth and quickly pushed himself off the bed standing in front of Tritter who jumped slightly. "I was in the Military Competition Games and I'll make sure they send you a copy of what exactly I'm capable of."

Tritter looked House up and down with a frown, "I thought you couldn't stand with out a cane." He said noticing that House was standing with out supporting himself at all.

House could see he had shook Tritter, "I'm capable of a lot more than you know. See a stronger man can let a weaker man walk on him, because a strong man knows he wont break."

Tritter mouth turned into a grimace and he stood up quickly so that they were chest to chest.

"Captain," The other officer said as he grabbed Tritter's arm.

House smiled and Tritter shook the man's hand off his arm. "By the way House I heard about Young, hope you get what you deserve you drugged up son of a bitch. I read the file... I knew you couldn't keep clean. I see you moved on to Oxycodone."

House laughed, "And I see that you haven't moved on at all."

Tritter grabbed his coat and left, leaving the other officer standing there awkwardly, "Thank you for your time sir." He said quickly running off after Tritter.

House sat back down on the bed as he hissed through teeth at the pain. Cuddy quickly grabbed the morphine machine and hooked it back up to his IV giving it several pushes. She watched as House sat facing away from her and could see his hand shaking. "That was stupid, you could have displaced the femur that is trying to heal." Cuddy said with a slight shriek.

House let his head drop slightly, "I know, thank you for coming, you didn't have to. I would have understood if you hadn't."

Cuddy bit her lip, "House, we're still friends." She waited for him to respond but he didn't. Slowly she walked around to see his body shaking and him gritting his teeth in pain.

House looked up as her feet came in view and saw her scared wide eyes on him and he looked back down quickly, "I'll be alright, it... my feet..." House shook his head, "and this damn infection."

Cuddy looked down at his right thigh as he pulled off the bandage, "Oh God House, Wilson had said it was bad, but that is just horrible."

He covered it back as soon as he realized she had been watching. He pulled him self back on the bed and pulled the covers over his body.

Cuddy sighed as she could tell that this was his way of closing her off. "How did you tell Tritter what happened with out... any emotion. I mean don't you feel something about.."

"Being tortured? Almost dying..." House finished glaring at her, "Tell me Cuddy how I should act? I mean I've just been through this crap over a dozen times, but obviously you know more about how I should act! You think you know how I feel... but you have no idea."

Cuddy felt bad for sounding cold, "I'm sorry I shouldn't have said that, and you're right I don't know how you feel Greg because you haven't told me?"

House's eyes softened at his first name, "I've never really been the kiss and tell type." Cuddy frowned as she walked closer and let her fingertips hesitantly rake his hair and when she heard a soft sigh from his lips she continued. House looked up at her with cautious eyes, "Why are you so nice to me?"

Cuddy could feel the water gather in her eyes and took a deep breath as she pushed them back. "I'll answer that when you tell me why you are so surprised when someone treats you like a decent human being."

House looked away slightly, "It's obvious, I'm not a decent human being." He said with his eyes meeting hers.

Cuddy frowned, "Don't say that. You are a wonderful person, you're one of my favorite people in the whole world."

House smiled, "You only say that because you haven't met everyone in the world."

Cuddy bit her lip as she smiled and then she looked at him with searching eyes, "What did he do to you?"

House's smile faded as his eyes watched hers, "He handcuffed me to the jail bars then he would come in and beat me ever couple of hours. After the tenth beating he pulled my shirt up so he could see if he was leaving marks since I wouldn't make any noise... after a few more he... took my pants, so he could see where to aim his kick at my right leg. When he came to get me since Wilson made my bail, before he took the handcuffs off he ran a hand over my butt and said that next time my ass was his... literally. But I think he was just trying to scare me."

Cuddy ran her hand through his hair again. "I'm so sorry, if I had known... I never would have acted the way I did."

House smirked, "I don't know your whole rant about owning my ass... was kinda hot, I liked it."

Cuddy laughed and ran her hand to the side of his face, "I bet you did." Then she seemed to be lost in thought, "I was just wondering... how you seemed so calm and relaxed in jail. I mean after what happened in the military when you were captured and then what Tritter did and said."

House shrugged, "It's not hard to look calm."

Cuddy let her hand slide down to his neck as her thumb rubbed his jaw bone. "You think you will ever let me see just you with out the masks." She asked honestly

House swallowed, "You already have Lisa." He said looking down

Cuddy pulled her hand away slowly, "I think there have been times you have let me see more than most, but I'm not even sure you know how to let someone see you with out any walls."

House looked up at her and blinked then suddenly his face was emotionless, "How's work?"

Cuddy looked disappointed by the change in the conversation, "The same I guess, except now no one is there to burst in my office with out knocking."

House let one of the corners of his mouth curl up and motioned with his index finger for her to come closer. She leaned down with a cocked eyebrow, for a second she wasn't sure what he was doing until she followed his eyes line and saw he was looking down her shirt. She quickly stood up giving him a playful slap. House looked up at her with a cocked eyebrow. Cuddy suddenly felt her stomach fall, what if she had hurt him. His facial bones had suffered a lot of injuries from the attack. "I.. didn't mean... I shouldn't have."

House started laughing hard, and it made Cuddy jump which only made him laugh harder. She watched in amazement as his body trembled from the laughter he couldn't contain instead of pain. Soon she found that it was infectious as she was laughing with him. When House finally started to calm down, he sighed, "I can't wait to get out of here."

"Are you going to call the psychologist?" Cuddy asked.

"I really think it would be best if I were just on my own." House said watching her.

Cuddy sighed, "Yeah, well that's not going to happen. So are you going to see if she can give you something to help or not."

House shrugged, "I guess."

Cuddy gave him a confident smile, "It'll be fine House." She said although she could see he wasn't as believing. Cuddy looked around as her hands straightened her cloths, "I should probably go."

House gave a smile, "Those reports aren't going to read themselves."

Cuddy nodded and was almost to the door when she stopped and turned around to look at him. "House, how are you doing physically? Are you healing properly other than the infection?"

House's eyes were wide and then he looked at his leg, "Why are you asking that?"

Cuddy wasn't sure if something was wrong or if he was just being House. "Because I'm worried about you."

House looked at her with guarded eyes, "Why now all the sudden? You did ask how I was after the leg, or shooting, not even after the DBS."

Cuddy took a good breath, "Then you were in my Hospital and... I never was naive enough to think you would answer."

House kept his eyes on hers, "And what makes you think I will now."

Cuddy bit her lip and then shook her head, "I don't know," she said with frustration and turned back to leave.

House swallowed, "I'll be fine."

Cuddy had her hand on the door as she heard the words he had said so much. "When?" She stood there for a little while but after she could tell he wasn't going to answer she left.