"I made just as many contributions as you did," Chase grumbled, as he walked alongside. "He acknowledged it, said he owes us, and this is the thanks I get. I mean, when did I even butt into his business?"
"I don't know," Cameron told him.
"Don't take it personally. The guy's a whackjob," Park trilled.
"It's a little hard, to not take it personally." Chase sighed as they stopped on the sidewalk. "All those nights I slept at work, and I didn't have to." He shook his head. "I'm going home."
"'Bye, Chase," Cuddy said, as he walked past her. Still shocked by the revelation, the remaining six stood in a cluster; looking at one another as they silently bonded over House's antics, and their sympathy for his victims.
Over the next few days Cuddy found herself obsessively tracking House's phone. She hadn't seen him since Stacy left, but his location never changed. He didn't call. He didn't email. Nothing. Knowing he was a long-term sufferer of depression, she went to his building to see if he was okay.
He didn't answer her first knock, so she knocked again. "House, it's me," she called. "Are you alright?"
Still nothing. She dug out her phone and checked. His location hadn't changed; she was standing right on top of his signal. She dialed his number and pressed her ear to the door, but couldn't hear his ringtone. But she could hear footsteps, and she turned around to look at a stranger. "Excuse me, do you know if House is here?"
"He left a few minutes ago. Went upstairs."
Cuddy thanked him and began to walk to the stairwell, but stopped, raising her eyes to the ceiling. "Uh, does this building have roof access?"
"Yep." The neighbor disappeared into his unit, not even looking up from his mail. Cuddy slipped out of her high heels and began racing up the stairs. One flight...two flights. Three. The fourth and final flight led to an outside door. Cuddy stepped outside and surveyed the flat roof, towering far above civilization.
She turned her head and finally caught sight of a hunched figure, with a cane in his right hand. He was standing so close to the edge of the roof, it made her heart pound. She scrambled out of the building. "House!"
His head lifted slightly, but he didn't turn around. She raced across the rooftop, bare feet slapping the stones to grab his hand, and he turned his head to look at her with dilated eyes. Then looked down as Cuddy handcuffed herself to him.
House looked ahead again. "Kinky."
"Shut up."