SUMMARY: Wilson gets House a kitten, and we go from there.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own them. Sobs

Note: I figured that I might as well put up this part since it is already at my LJ. Glad you all seem to be liking it :-D

Chapter 2

After several attempts and false starts, Wilson finally manages to leave. The kitten is still curled up against House's neck. "You can get off of me any time."

A contented purr begins.

House uses his cane to pull himself to his feet and Wilson claws a hold on House's shirt to keep from tipping off. House picks up one of the plastic sacks and deposits it on the dining table. "What do we have here," he muses. "Food dishes and…three different types of cat food. How thoughtful." After giving each type the sniff test, he shrugs and pours some of each onto one of the plastic bowls and fills up the second with water. He scans the room for a good location, shrugs again, and leaves them on the table. Then he nudges the furball with one of his long fingers and feels a little barb-like claw poke his finger in return.

With the kitten finally eating from his bowl, House sets up the litter box. He is tempted to place it near the couch for when Wilson—the human—came over. . He resists the temptation--it hurts to be practical--and places it in the far corner of the room.

When Wilson finishes eating, House shows him the litter box and gives him a little 'where to crap' speech. He cuts the speech short when Wilson seems to be listening to him.

The next day, Wilson arrives at the hospital and starts to seek out House. He wants to ask him how the kitten is adjusting. A giggling nurse catches his attention and, when he turns to look at her, she immediately looks away, biting her lip to keep from smiling. Odd. Wilson walks on.

A group of young interns hush as the oncologist walks by. Several other nurses and doctors hide smiles, conversations, and their faces behind paperwork as he passes, further confusing him. When he finally finds House, he begins to make a mention of the oddities he had noticed. Then pauses. "What happened to your nose?" he says after staring a few seconds at the small bandage.

"Wilson bit me," House replies.

He blinks. "What?"

"Kitten, remember?"

"You have been telling the staff that I bit you."

The statement was not meant as a question, but House feels the need to respond as such. "No. Wilson."

Chase chooses that moment to step into the office. He looks between the two doctors before timidly asking, "Am I interrupting something?" He sounds unsure of himself.

"Yes."

Wilson glares at House for his lack of elaboration.

"I can come back another time…" He takes a tiny step backwards towards the door. When the dumbfounded look on the oncologist's face and the smug look on House's face don't give way to conversation, he turns and zips away.

Wilson turns from the closed door to look at House. "See what you have started?"

"Started? The rumor mill has been going overtime with that one for years."

Wilson blinks, his expression saying a hundred words, most not repeatable.

"What rock have you been lying under these past few years?"

"Damn it." Wilson's curse lacks the proper strength and he sags into a chair. They had both, in the past, avoided talking about their deep friendship. Time to avoid a little longer. "Can you at least tell people that you have a cat?"

"And ruin my tough guy image? Never!"

Wilson signs. Another argument lost.

TBC

P.S Thanks for all the lovely reviews!