Insert my usual disclaimers and stuff here. I don't own anything but the cast of O/Cs, blah, blah, blah. Enjoy. :)
# # #
House's eyes popped open when he felt something bump his Eames chair. He blinked and finally focused on the figure in front of him. It was Avery, regarding him with an amused expression on her face.
"Does Cuddy know you're up here?"
House rolled his eyes and leaned back further in the chair. "Don't worry, I have a real case…Well, the team has a case. I'm just 'consulting'."
Avery laughed softly and sat down on the footstool, patting House's still-encased leg. "So you're consulting in your sleep. That's talent, baby."
House chuckled and nudged Avery back. "What can I say? I'm that good."
Before Avery could answer, her phone chimed with an incoming message. She casually flipped open her phone, a smile slowly creeping onto her face. She quickly texted the caller back, her eyes darting between House and her phone.
House was immediately curious, watching Avery during the entire exchange. Finally Avery handed the phone to House. "Check this out."
House studied the image on the phone, smirking to himself and shaking his head. "Looks like there's a little kangaroo hopping around inside Cameron. I'll be damned." He quickly texted a response to Cameron, closed the phone, and handed it back to Avery.
Avery looked a bit pensive as she fiddled with her phone. House tilted his head, studying her. "Something wrong, babe?"
Avery sighed a little before smiling wanly. "Did I tell you Alice is pregnant, too?"
Alice…Alice…I should know this one… "Your brother's wife?"
"Yes."
"Damn…the world's all baby crazy all of a sudden." House looked thoughtful, then a horrified expression crossed his face. "You…"
"No!" Avery's eyes grew wide. "It's just…I don't know…" She turned the phone over in her hands, finally raising her head to meet House's eyes. "You ever feel like you've had all your options taken away from you?"
House gestured to his right leg. "Is that a serious question?"
"Good point." Avery's mouth quirked upward. "I never wanted children. Ever. It was a major bone of contention in more than a few relationships."
"And now…?" House wasn't quite following.
Avery sighed and shrugged. "If you wanted kids, you could easily hook up with some younger woman and be done with it. I don't have that option."
House reached out to cover Avery's hand with his own. "Don't you think I would have done that already? Jesus, it's like you don't even know me."
"You still could."
"When did you become me? I'm the insecure one in this relationship, remember?"
"Right. How silly of me." Avery rose from the footstool to press a kiss to House's lips.
"Mmm…" House grabbed the nape of Avery's neck and pushed his tongue into her mouth, taking his sweet time with her before finally breaking away. "And this is why I'm with you. You know…there's a lot to be said for an experienced woman." He briefly kissed her once more, stroking her cheek. "Better now?"
"I think so." Avery rose and started toward House's office door. "Ready to head for home?"
"Nope, not yet. I've got a thing with the ortho. I'll see you at home."
Avery look baffled. "How are you getting home?"
"David's meeting me. I've got it covered, don't worry so damn much." House shifted from the chair to his wheelchair, rolling over to the desk to grab his backpack.
"Okay…I guess I'll see you at home, then." Avery wrinkled her brow in concern. "Is there something you're not telling me?"
House grinned conspiratorially. "Yes, there is. You'll just have to wait."
"I hope it's a good surprise." Avery pushed through the office door and turned toward her own.
"Oh, believe me, babe." House murmured to himself. "You will like this one." He grinned inwardly as he rolled out of his office for what he hoped would be the last time.
# # #
David was waiting for House in the hallway just outside the orthopedist's office, the metal crutches casually slung over his shoulder.
"Big day, Doc." David smiled a little as he held the door for House to roll through.
"Sure is." House was on edge as he entered the office. Chase and Roger were both waiting for him as he rolled in. "Well damn, if I'd known this was a party…"
"We just wanted to make arrangements for the next stage of your physical therapy, that's all." Chase chuckled at his former boss's mocking tone. He looked around, puzzled. "Where's Matthews?"
"Homeward bound. It's supposed to be a surprise."
Chase smirked slightly to himself. House's demeanor was completely different whenever Matthews' name was mentioned. If he didn't know better, he'd say that House had…not necessarily softened, but he had definitely mellowed somewhat. House was still House, but better.
The receptionist sent House into the exam room, and Evans already had House's most recent films on the lightbox, comparing them to the originals from the accident. Except for the surgical pins, one could hardly tell any damage had been done at all.
"Looks like this is our last meeting, House."
"Can't say I'm sorry, either."
Evans laughed softly. "Same here. Let's get you up on the table and get that thing off you."
House shifted from the chair toward the exam table, grudgingly accepting assistance from Evans. While Evans was readying his equipment, House made quick work of his jeans and lay back on the table, tensing up slightly in anticipation.
He closed his eyes, barely hearing the whirring sound of the saw as it quickly cut through the cast that encased his leg from hip to foot. Evans removed the cast, and House grinned slightly as he felt the cool air of the exam room hit his now bare leg.
"You'll probably have some stiffness, but you should be able to work that out as part of your PT." Evans poked his head out of the exam room door and motioned for Roger and Chase to come in.
"Bring the kid in here, too." House slipped his jeans back on, slowly attempting to flex his stiff joints. Christ, he felt older than usual. Roger chuckled at him as he observed House's movements.
"It feels strange at first. Keep doing what you're doing. You should see some improvement soon." Roger explained. "Once we get you back on that leg press machine, we'll give your left leg some extra emphasis to help it catch up to your right."
"Just answer the fifty thousand dollar question. Do I get to leave that damn chair behind today or not?" House sat up, dangling his legs over the edge of the table, awaiting a response. "Today, people. Got a little something-something waiting for me at home, if you know what I mean."
David snorted, Chase rolled his eyes, Roger looked amused, and Evans just looked stunned. Finally Evans seemed to snap back, examining the films one more time.
"If your right leg can support you, I see no reason why you can't switch over to the crutches." Evans glanced over to Chase, who nodded in agreement. " Just keep the chair as a back-up plan for a while." Evans pulled out a full leg support designed to go over his jeans. "Use this to help support your left leg any time you're on the crutches. Other than that…" Evans held out a hand to House. "…have a nice life."
House smiled slightly as he shook the orthopedist's outstretched hand. "Same to you. And…" His voice dropped to a near whisper. "…thanks for...you know. Everything."
Evans smiled a little as he signed off on House's chart. House's demeanor was completely unexpected, and Evans thought he might actually miss the older doctor.
"Okay, kids, let's get this show on the road." House was already wrapping his leg and motioning for David to hand him the crutches.
"Hold on, House." Chase folded his arms across his chest and scowled at House. "We've still got a treatment plan to work out."
"Later. Right now I just want to go home." House casually eased himself off the exam table and onto the floor, stopping when he felt the head rush from the quick movement.
Chase immediately noticed the dizzy look in House's eyes and rushed to his side, Roger taking the other as they both steadied House on the crutches. "Alright, now we'll go nice and easy out to the waiting area, then we'll sit and work things out, okay?"
"Fine." House huffed in irritation and slowly made his way to the waiting area. "But I'm getting there under my own power. Ah, ah, ah, no touchy." He scowled at Chase as he tried to help House along. "Save the warm fuzzies for your real kid."
Chase's mouth dropped open. "How…how did you know? Allie just found out this afternoon."
House smirked as he plopped down in a chair in the waiting area. "Word gets around."
"Yeah…guess it does." Chase sat next to House, leaning on his knees and staring at the floor. "I just don't know…what kind of dad I'll be. It's not as if I had such a great example to follow."
"So make your own rules. Do it your way. Between the two of you, you won't screw that little rugrat up too badly."
"Uh…thanks…I think." Chase gave House a sideways glance. "Now, about your treatment plan…"
# # #
David pulled up in front of House's apartment and parked behind Avery's car. The older man opened up the car door and dragged his crutches out of the back seat, quickly swinging his legs out of the car and positioning his crutches to heave himself out of the vehicle.
"You want me to bring the wheelchair inside?"
House sighed as he prepared to make his way up the ramp to the building. "I guess. Wouldn't kill me to keep it around." He waited for David to bring the chair before continuing. "You know…you're not fired yet. I still can't drive, and I still have appointments to get to."
"Good to know, Doc." David looked amused as he hauled the chair up the ramp and into the building. He had to admit, this wasn't the worst job he'd ever had. David actually had come to enjoy hanging out with House, whether they were playing music, running through the park, or driving around on various errands.
House motioned to David to be quiet as he opened the apartment door. He stepped in as quietly as he could, with David and the chair right behind him.
As it turned out, there was no need to be quiet. Avery was in the kitchen, her music cranked up as she fixed dinner. House could hear her singing loudly along with an old Salt N Pepa song, and he grinned at her soulful alto. He waved David out the door, quietly closing it behind him.
Slowly, painfully, House made his way to the kitchen. He waited until Avery had her back turned before clunking up behind her, lightly kissing the back of her neck.
"Hey, babe." He whispered in her ear. "I'm home."
Avery nearly jumped a mile and turned to face a grinning House. "What the…" She looked down, noticing the support wrapped around House's leg. "No more cast?"
"Nope." House leaned down to plant a firm kiss on Avery's lips. "I seem to have 'surpassed expectations', according to Chase. Pretty sure that's his way of telling me he was wrong."
"Good." Avery wrapped her arms around House's neck, pulling him in for another kiss. "Mmm…I've missed this."
"Me too, woman." House leaned against the counter, trapping Avery between his hands and brushing his lips along her neck. "How long until dinner?"
Avery laughed. "Not very if you behave yourself."
"Ooh…does this mean I get…" House placed another gentle kiss on Avery's neck. "…dessert later?"
"Anything's possible, baby." Avery tilted her head, enjoying the simple sensation of House's lips on her neck. "But nothing will happen if you don't get out of here."
"Right." House fixed her with a teasing grin and lumbered out of the kitchen. "Don't be too long."
House finally made it to the couch, ripping off the leg support before sitting down. He slowly attempted to flex his knee, wincing as he did so. He only managed to bend it somewhere around the halfway point before stopping to rub around the area, willing the damn thing to just move already.
"Take it easy, baby. That thing's been immobile for eight weeks." Avery brought two plates into the living room, handing one to House.
"Yeah, yeah, yeah." House rolled his eyes as he took the plate from Avery. She settled in on his left side, giving his thigh a brief squeeze before digging into her dinner.
House glanced over at Avery, appraising her from head to toe. When she tucked her hair behind her ear, House couldn't help but notice the glint of silver in the light of the living room.
"What's so funny, baby?"
House reached out to touch Avery's hair. "Nothing…just thought I spotted a couple of gray hairs in there. Probably just an optical illusion, though."
Avery laughed softly, brushing House's hand away. "After everything that's happened since we've been together, I should be as gray as you."
House's face turned somber. "So I stress you out?"
"It's not just you, you know." Avery set down her plate and turned to House. "Besides, if you were causing me nothing but stress, I wouldn't be here. You should know me better than that."
"Guess you're right…again." House's mouth quirked upward slightly. He set down his own plate and reached out to stroke Avery's cheek. "You're not going to try and cover it up, are you?"
Avery shrugged and took House's hand. "I doubt it. I mean, people grow older, they go gray, go bald, develop a few wrinkles…it's a natural thing."
"Well…if I have to grow old, gray, bald, and wrinkly with someone…I'm very glad it's you." House spoke softly, studying Avery's face. The few strands of silver and fine lines around her eyes did nothing to detract from her beauty. If anything, they enhanced it. He pulled Avery closer, touching his forehead to hers, feeling a small wave of emotion wash over him.
Avery placed a hand on House's rough cheek. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah." House's voice was a little rough with emotion. "I just…I didn't picture myself growing old at all, never mind with someone." He quickly kissed her and pulled back slightly. "Thanks for sticking with me."
"You bet." Avery tilted her head and brushed a thumb down House's cheek. "I can't say life with you is boring, that's for damn sure."
House arched an eyebrow upward, smirking at Avery. "Let's see if we can keep it that way." He leaned into her, pressing Avery against the arm of the couch with a slow, lingering kiss, his tongue tangling with hers.
A small laugh escaped Avery's lips as she slid her hands under House's shirt, spreading her fingers out along his lower back. House gasped sharply in response, and Avery could feel him spring to attention.
"Definitely not boring." Avery softly whispered in House's ear.
"You either." House's rough whisper sent a shiver through her. "Think I need to be not boring…elsewhere."
"Lead the way."
House reluctantly pushed himself off Avery, reaching for the leg brace. "You first. I'll be there."
Avery leaned over for one more gentle kiss before rising from the couch and heading down the hallway. Suddenly House heard the sound of running water. He grinned and heaved himself off the couch. Tonight would be anything but boring, guaranteed.
# # #
This is the part where you read and review. You do that, I'll keep writing. :)
