So sorry about the delay! The next chapter is being a pain and I like to keep a chapter ahead as a nice cushion :-)

LonelyWord--Thanks for the link! Some very interesting information there!

Sorry not as funny as this story started out as. Bitmore humor in the next chapters. Hard to crack jokes when Wilson needs comforting:-)

Anywho, enjoy :D

Chapter 9

Wilson opens his eyes. His eyes had closed to a similar scene. Except now Dr. House is asleep, with the kitten curled up on his shoulder. A smile tugs at the corner of Wilson's lips. There is just something about that strange man…

The door opens, scattering his thoughts. Wilson first notices the low-cut blouse, then his eyes dart up to the face. Cuddy glances at House and whispers to avoid waking him; he gets cranky if he doesn't get enough sleep. "You two aren't pulling my leg?"

Wilson wants to make a one-leg-shorter-than-the-other joke, but decides it unwise. "I hope this isn't my usual brand of humor," he says instead, wondering if it is.

"Closer to House's, actually."

The lump on the chair groans. "I knew it wouldn't take you two long to start talking about me." Dr. House reaches into his pocket and retrieves his bottle of pills, shaking one onto his palm and swallowing the pill dry. "Get use to it," he says to Wilson after catching him staring, shaking the bottle for emphasis. He turns towards Cuddy, making a show of looking at her chest. "Looks like we both got something pleasant to wake up to."

She sighs, feigning annoyance. She knows House just wants to be alone with his friend, so she decides to give him his way, as always. "Glad you are doing better, Dr. Wilson," she says on her way out the door.

"Dr House--"

"House."

"Pardon?"

"Call me House. The Doctor part is only to use used in roll playing instances." He laughs at the look on Wilson's face. "I see your mind is still in the same place it always has been; the gutter."

Wilson shakes his head. He takes a breath and continues, "House. Why was my wife so angry at you?"

"Because you like me more than her." He sounds pleased of that simply-put fact.

"She also said I saved your life?"

"Oh, she misunderstood. This Wilson saved me," he says, poking the soft furball still curled up on his shoulder. "Don't feel bad. You did help. Besides, you have had more than your share of saving my life."

"So we go back a long ways?"

House ponders. "10 years? More? You were always the best with dates. Anytime I asked you could tell me how long ago we had met, down to the day. Maybe even the hour, but that is just creepy," he adds, mock shivering.

Wilson sinks deeper into his pillow, willing himself to not fall asleep. "So what happened? I was told that I was shot and fell."

"What is this, story hour?"

"If you insist." He gives House The Smile. The look that House can never refuse.

House grabs at the Wilson on his shoulder and pulls until his little claws let go of his shirt. The kitten squeaks until he is dumped on the bed. "Wilson here was making me late for work. He wouldn't let me leave. I called you to hold the little rat back so I could leave."

"Wait," Wilson holds up his good hand. "You couldn't get past your own cat?"

"He was sitting in front of the door. Besides, you came."

"And let me guess: Julie was mad?"

"I heard her throw the phone at you. Anyways, after I left, Wilson somehow talked you into taking him to the hospital with you."

"He what?"

"You'll have to remember that bit on your own. He is very persuasive when he wants to be." House pauses. The next bit is hard for him to think about. "There was a relative to a patient I can't even remember…upset even though I didn't kill anyone that time. He pulled a gun. Funny how time slows down some times," he muses quietly, then continues, voice still low. "I saw his finger twitch on the trigger. I think he was waiting for me to give him a reason to shoot, and getting rather impatient. Next we both know, Wilson is hissing at his feet and you aren't too far behind, minus the hissing. At first I think he is going to shoot the cat, but then the gun points towards you. I was relieved—relieved!—that the bullet only hit your arm. But then you fell. Your head hit the gurney. And you didn't move."

"Wow."

"Yeah," House agrees and they both fall silent.

TBC