There's one more chapter after this and then this part is done. I'm working on the next part but I'm finding it harder than I originally thought. But with my two weeks of vacation I hope to have a good chunk of it down on paper soon. Thank you all again for the reviews. I've relized that feedback has become my Vicodin. Please feed the addiction.
"What the hell were you doing in there?" He burst into her office.
"Excuse me?"
"You nearly gave the kid a heart attack with that comment."
"I'm sorry. I didn't think that he's react so strongly. In fact, I'm surprised that you have also. Is there something else you need to tell me about this? Because if you can't handle this let me know. We'll work something out."
"I'm fine."
"Tell that to the tears in your eyes." House had nothing to say. "You don't have to talk to me, talk to Wilson, Stacy, anyone. I don't know what's going on but this is eating you up inside Greg. I don't want to see you hurt."
"Just watch what you say in front of him at the moment."
"House." Cuddy called as he walked back out the door.
"I'll be in the clinic."
Cuddy shook her head. This was way too complicated to deal with first thing in the morning. And House always gave her a headache.
James Wilson had spent most of his day looking for Greg House. But it seemed that he was no where to be found. If he didn't know better he would guess that House was trying to avoid him. He would have taken offence if it was anyone else, or if it was only him he was avoiding.
That wasn't the case. No one had seen him. Well that wasn't true. Many people saw him. It just that no one knew where he was at one particular moment.
Wilson checked all the normal haunts to no avail. The only people who had seen him were the nurses in the clinic and that was for four hours earlier in the morning. He hadn't been seen in Chase's room since earlier this morning.
The nurses informed him that Cuddy had shown up too. That gave him an idea.
"Dr. Cuddy?" He knocked on his boss's door.
"Dr. Wilson, what can I do for you?"
"Have you seen House?"
"No not since this morning, why?"
"I haven't seen him all day. I can't find him. I've asked Cameron and Foreman. The nurses in the clinic saw him this morning for a few hours but then he disappeared."
"You're worried."
"Yeah."
"Why?"
"It's personal."
"Has to do with Chase?" Wilson didn't bother to answer. Cuddy let out a deep breath. "Something is going on with House and it has to do with Chase. I don't know why but it is. I'm worried that it's going to hurt both of them. Is there anything that you can tell me?"
Wilson weighed his options. He could tell Cuddy the whole truth. House would never trust him and it could send House further down what ever path he was on. Or he could lie and not tell Cuddy anything. Then an ally and someone who could help House wouldn't be able to. "Chase reminds him of someone from his past. He doesn't want to talk about it but it's someone who he was very close to when he was younger."
"You know who it is?"
"Yeah." It was as much of the truth that he could give without it being really specific.
"You'll keep an eye on him? Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid?"
"No problem. No guarantees on the stupid part, but I'll try."
"Try paging him, with the emergency number for his department. That should get him running."
"Tried that. Didn't work. I have one more place to look."
Cuddy nodded and dismissed him.
Wilson opened the door to the roof slowly. This was where House went when he really needed to get away. The last time he was out here was when Stacy was working at the hospital. This was where he could go and no one would look for him.
Well no one but Wilson.
And that's where Wilson found him. Sitting on the ground, back against the wall, cane between his legs beating a steady beat against the roof top.
"This seat taken?"
House looked up at the man who was standing at his side and shrugged. He wasn't really up to company, but if anyone was going to look for him, Wilson was the least offensive.
Wilson sat down, and in silence they sat for a few minutes. "How long have been up here?"
Again House shrugged. He wasn't up for talking. There were too many things going around his mind at the moment.
"It's after five. Let's get out of here. I'll buy you a drink." Wilson stood back up and held his hand out to his friend.
House looked up at the hand in front of his face. As much as he didn't want to admit it, maybe talking to Wilson would help. If not, at least he was a sounding board to tell him if he was crazy or not. He reached out and let Wilson pull him up.
"Do you want to check in on Chase before we go?"
"Yeah, I should. Just for a moment." He knew it was probably a mistake, but at the moment he couldn't not care.
Wilson followed him silently. He would let House lead for the moment. Give him the illusion of control that he loved so much. But when he reached the road block, Wilson would be there to help direct him to the detour.
Wilson let House walk into the room on his own while he went to the nurse's station. "How's he doing?"
"Spent most of the day sleeping. Woke up a few times, from a nightmare if I had to guess. We've been keeping him sedated while Dr. House isn't here. It keeps him calmer and less likely to hurt himself."
"How's the fever?"
"Hovering around 100. We're keeping an eye on him. Don't worry."
"Thank you Cara. If anything happens page me."
"I will Dr. Wilson. Can I ask you a favor?" She hesitated.
"Sure."
"Take care of Dr House. I'm worried about him too. I would never say anything to any one but I know he trusts you. I'd ask Dr. Chase but." She let it drop.
"I know. I'm taking care of it. Hopefully he'll be back to normal soon."
"Thank you. It's actually making some of the nurses nervous the way he's acting."
Wilson smiled at that one. Greg would love that. Scaring the nurses by being nice. That was typical House. "No problem. Thanks again." He quickly finished as he saw House walk out of the room. "You ready?"
House shrugged. "Got my keys, wallet, and coat. Do I need anything else?"
"Naw, lets go. I need a drink." And Wilson led his friend out of the building.