Chapter 4

Wilson felt it wiser not to address House's last statement. He walked over towards the lamp next to the couch to add more light to the room. Before turning on the switch, he paused to take a few breaths as a wave of nausea threatened to overtake him. The pain in his head was constant now and he was feeling increasingly drowsy and dizzy. House watched him closely as he turned on the light.

"You really don't look very good. You said he knocked you out?"

"Yeah, the bastard. He even took my watch." The oncologist held out his arm to show his friend his bare wrist.

"Sit down…I want to check you over," House said as he approached Wilson.

"Cuddy's waiting for me at the clinic. I think she wants to do the honors."

House smirked. "I'm sure she does. She probably hopes you have a rash on your ass so she could get a better look."

The young doctor rolled his eyes.

"Sit," House ordered. Wilson sat on the couch as he was told. "Do you have a medical bag here?" the older doctor asked looking around the office.

"Bottom right drawer."

House retrieved the bag, pulled over a chair and sat down across from his new patient. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his Vicodin bottle, flipped off the cap and downed a pill, replacing the cap and returning it to his pocket before Wilson had a chance to say anything. House caught the look his friend was giving him.

"If I'm in pain then my patient is in pain."

"Ah, thanks for the warning."

House pulled out a penlight, gently lifted Wilson's right eyelid and peered into his eye, quickly followed by his left one. "Your pupils aren't equal. Look at me."

House studied his patient's eyes as he stared back at him. He held his right hand up and out to the side. "Look over here with your eyes." He held up his other hand. "Now here."

Wilson obeyed, but wasn't feeling very good and didn't want to continue. "House…"

"Not done yet. Your eye movements are irregular." He put the penlight back into the bag. "Do you have a headache?"

The young doctor nodded reluctantly.

"Dizziness? Nausea?"

"Both."

"So….does that mean I'm in danger of you puking on me right now?"

Wilson sighed. "I think I'm okay."

"Good. Just give me a warning. Now, I need to ask you a few questions and we'll be done." House paused as he formulated his questions. "Do you know what year it is?"

"Two thousand five."

"Month?"

"April."

"Nope."

Wilson frowned. "No?"

"Just messing with you."

The young doctor rolled his eyes towards the ceiling. "Are we done?"

"Almost. Who's the current president of the United States?"

"No more questions…."

"What turns you on?"

"What?"

"I'm trying to conduct a medical exam here. Answer the question."

"Bush…."

"Turns you on?"

"The current president!"

"Oh. Right." House smiled. "Definite concussion," he said. "But since you remember what happened and you're not showing signs of confusion, I'd say it's not serious."

"Great, so we're done." Wilson began to stand, but was held down by House grabbing his wrist.

"I'm not finished yet." He looked at the contusions on Wilson's forehead and cheek. "Did he hit you anywhere else?"

"No, but I fell on concrete," the young doctor responded as he glanced down at his torn slacks and the scrapes on his knees.

House gently pulled back the torn pieces of fabric and inspected his patient's knees. He leaned back in his chair. "You need to be cleaned up. And the fact that you were unconscious means you have to be watched for signs of delayed symptoms. When's the last time you had a tetanus shot?"

"Can't remember."

"You're a doctor and you can't remember?"

"Do you remember the last time you had one?" Wilson asked with annoyance in his voice.

"You're the responsible one."

The young doctor shook his head. "I'm pretty sure it was within the last five years."

"Okay, then you won't need one."

"Thank you, Dr. House. Can I go now?"

"This was just a cursory exam. You'll need to be checked further."

Wilson began to protest, but House continued talking.

"Knowing Cuddy she'll want to keep you here for observation…."

"No way, I'm not…."

"Take it easy, Doc. I'll tell her that I'm taking you home with me so I can keep an eye on you."

Wilson smiled. "You take better care of me than Julie ever did."

"That's because I like you more than Julie ever did."

The young doctor's smile grew wider. "Does that mean you'll never leave me?"

"Never," House said, his eyes sparkling. "Now let's find Cuddy and tell her about that rash on your ass."