Chapter Four

Thanks to MagickalStar135, AilciA, Mrs Ronald Weasley and Sawyer (you do so make sense)for your wonderful reviews.I was worried about that last chapter seeming overdone,and you wouldn't belief how relieved your reviews made me feel.Terribly sorry, I really am posting on the run here, so here goes...

House went to the clinic, perhaps the first time he had ever done so voluntarily. He didn't want to hide in his office, because at the moment, that was too close to Foreman, and he wasn't sure how in control he was, and if he would be able to restrain himself a second time from actually inflicting physical harm. His other hide-out, Wilson's office, was just out of the question. The oncologist didn't need to see him right now.

Actually, House wanted to go home, but even though Wilson didn't need to talk to him, he wouldn't abandon him at the hospital. So, that left the clinic. He did his duty with a scowl, efficiently working through patients, not in the mood for playing any games.

Just before eleven, Cuddy seemed to get word of what was happening, and intercepted him in exam room one as he was examining an old man complaining of spots in his vision and shortness of breath.

'Why is it that Wilson's relationship troubles always seem to affect you rather than him?' She demanded irritably as she entered. House could hear her desire to berate him in her tone. 'I heard you verbally assaulted Foreman.'

House let the accusation float in the air for several moments, calmly continuing to inspect the old man's eyes. 'He was asking for it,' he said finally, straightening to reach for a stethoscope so he could check the patient's breathing.

'And you're asking to get sued?' Her ire was rising at his calm tone, and the way he was all but ignoring her, continuing to see to the patient.

'He won't sue.'

'No? Sure are you? Newsflash House- you can't just rely on you being his boss to save your ass from a law suit!'

'No, I can rely on the fact that he was asking for it.' House straightened again, and addressed the patient. 'Your tie's pressing in on your carotid arteries. Loosen it or just don't wear one,' he told the man blankly, before stalking out past Cuddy. 'Thankyou,' wavered the man happily, pulling at the knot with arthritic fingers. Cuddy spared him a glance before storming out after House.

House had picked up another file and was flicking through it as he stood at the reception desk. Before Cuddy could accuse him again, he spoke, keeping his tone quiet and even.

'I spent most of last night trying to get Wilson to forget about the bitch who's leaving him, and within five minutes of coming in this morning, Foreman practically makes him cry.' House glanced up at Cuddy from where he'd been reading the file, his face expressionless. 'He was asking for it,' he repeated, before switching the file in his hands, grabbing his cane, and heading to the waiting room.

'Dora Singles?' Cuddy heard House ask. She just stood there for several moments, her previous anger forgotten. Then she headed up to her office and sat for several minutes more, thinking, staring into the air. Deciding on something, she paged Foreman.

He was relatively quick, entering cautiously. 'You paged me?' He asked politely. Cuddy didn't look up from the memo she was writing for a few long seconds- a trick she used to let people know they were in her bad books. Placing the pen down finally, she glanced at Foreman, somehow managing to keep her dismissive expression despite the direct stare.

'This is a warning I've never had to give to anyone in this hospital before, but don't make House angry.'

'Huh?' Foreman articulated dumbly. Cuddy continued as though he hadn't spoken, staring at him seriously.

'He won't ever lose his temper without a very good reason, and it seems that you've discovered one of his reasons. Since-' She paused to look him over meaningfully, '-you have the normal number of appendages though, it seems he was merely very annoyed, not angry.'

'That wasn't angry?' Questioned Foreman dubiously. 'I thought 'merely very annoyed' is what we get every day.'

'No, that's neutral. Angry is when he makes dents in things with his cane. So just try to be nice to Wilson during this divorce please.' She gave him a smile that didn't reach her eyes and gestured to the door. Foreman left mutely, understanding dawning.

oo00OO00oo

Wilson was already there when House got home, sitting on the couch and using the coffee table to write on some papers that he quickly hid when he heard the door open. House limped in without acknowledgement, dumping his bag and heading to his bedroom to get changed. Wilson sat back on the couch staring into space for a bit whilst he waited.

'I take it you found the spare key,' commented House wryly, still pulling down the hem of his t-shirt as he reappeared.

'Sorry House. I'll be gone tomorrow. I'll hire a hotel room or something.'

'How about I let you stay if you let me take a look at those divorce papers you're sitting on?'

Blushing slightly, Wilson extracted the papers and held them up for House to get. His friend limped over the couch and thumped down, taking the papers off him and quickly flicking through them until he found the bit he was looking for.

'Hang on; I know you had a pre-nup this time. I stood over you while you signed it.'

'Yeah, but, I don't know…'

''I don't know' is a really crap reason for just selling your beloved abode and giving her half the money.'

'I feel bad.'

'She's a money-grubbing harpy- she'll soon find another rich professional to marry and take control of his credit card. And you know that. No, you're more worried about what everyone will think of this third divorce. So this is placation money for her to go quietly. Also a really crap reason.'

Wilson was silent, staring at his hands, and anyone other than House would have thought perhaps they had pushed too far. This was one of the many reasons why House was the master- because he knew that Wilson had something else on his mind.

''m sorry for railing on you when I got drunk,' he said quietly after a while. House rolled his eyes, knowing Wilson couldn't see him.

'That's all right. You had an impending divorce to worry about, not to mention the concern that your best friend would refuse to get drunk with you when it came.'

Wilson looked up at him with a small flinch, his eyes liquid pools of pain. House winced. 'Do we really have to do the long and emotional 'feelings' talk right now? General Hospital's on in a few minutes.'

'You've taped it,' pointed out Wilson.

'Yeah. And I plan on watching that tape in a few minutes.'

'You substitute wine, women and dance with TV.'

'You just apologised for doing that analysis thing there… But, yes, I do. Can't dance no more, wine always results in hangovers, and you, I believe, are currently demonstrating the problems with the third category.'

'Is that the only reason with you… and the…'third category'?' Asked Wilson slowly. House stared at him for a few moments, then shuffled away from him on the couch, ever so minutely.

'Foreman's talk been going to your head?' He asked, giving Wilson a funny look.

'No. But I have to wonder. I mean, maybe that's why I'm so bad at marriage. 'cause I'm gay. And you-'

'Stop right there.'

'But I heard you practically tore Foreman apart for upsetting me.'

'It's 'cause we're friends Jimmy,' said House gently, locking their gazes to make his point. Wilson sighed, blinking in acquiescence.

'Sorry.'

'That's OK. You can blame on being officially in rebound as of now. Hand me that remote will you?'

The End.