I was always fascinated by the House/Stacy relationship, and the dynamics that House/Wilson/Stacy shared. I never wrote anything for them back when I originally watched it, but, during a re-watch of the series I fell in love with them all over again...and this was born. If you don't like Stacy, you probably won't like this. If you do, I hope you read and review. (Even though this is 10 years too late)

I own nothing.

Chapter One

"All this time you've been manipulating me."

The words catch in her throat and a sudden wave of nausea washes over her as she realises what Greg's been doing all along. Pulling the ice off his face she feels like a fool for tenderly caressing his cheek with it mere seconds ago. Greg's eyes flicker downwards, and the guilty look in them tells her all she needs to know. Stacy crosses over to stand behind her desk, suddenly feeling the need to have a solid barrier between them.

"…..because you want to be with me."

"I don't anymore…Get out."

He bows his head and doesn't protest. Only once he's safely out of the door does she allow her emotions to envelop her. Anger, sadness and betrayal all course through her as she berates herself for not realising sooner that Greg was up to something. Her mobile buzzes on the desk, and she fears looking at it, just in case its Greg wanting to play 'round two' with her emotions. Forcing herself to look down she sees its just Mark. They were supposed to be out with friends for dinner, she remembers. She can't bring herself to answer and she can't bring herself to go out and be social.

Greg's behaviour had worked, albeit backfiring in the most horrific way. However, unfortunately, she thinks he was right. Being up in that attic with him, being honest with each other finally, after all those years….Dammit. It felt good. No, great. But how much truth was in those moments? The emotions that had been stirred up, even under misdirection were too raw, too real. Her heart buzzed with House, her rational mind, Mark.

A cold stream of liquid suddenly hits her elbow and she realises that the ice that she had tossed onto her desk had started to melt. Scooping the melted mixture up with some tissues she throws it in her bin, just as her phone buzzes again. It's Mark, again.

'I can't do this anymore.' She says to herself, as she realises that she can't be with either Mark or Greg right now. Luckily, she knows the exact place to go to for a few weeks of respite. Mind quickly made up she stands and grabs an empty box from underneath her desk and begins to pack away her personal belongings and some of her law books. Turning to her computer she begins to type out a resignation letter to Cuddy. She'd only got as far as 'I apologise for the short notice' when there was a small knock on her door. Feeling irritated by the interruptions coupled with the urgency to go through with her plan she shouts "Go away!"

She hoped that the other person would get the hint and leave her alone but the next sound she hears is Wilson's voice.

"I'm not House!" he said, then, after a beat "and I haven't even done anything wrong!"

Stacy sighed.

"Come in."

He entered, wearing a sympathetic look.

"Unlike him" Stacy said. Wilson sighed and made his way over to the small sofa.

"House?"

"Who else?"

"I'm sorry Stacy." He said sincerely. "I didn't know what he was planning to do with that infor-"

Stacy cut him off.

"So you knew? You knew what he did?! What did he do? Skip straight over to yours and gleefully read you all my private information?"

Wilson couldn't quite meet Stacy's eyes.

"Apart from the skipping part….pretty much."

"James! I thought that I could at least trust you!"

Wilson snapped his gaze up from the floor to look Stacy directly in her eyes.

"You can! Believe me; I tried my best to detour him away from doing what he was doing. Short of taking his cane away from him what was I supposed to do? Look, Stace" he sighed. "I'm sorry that he hurt you, but this situation…this isn't the start of some epic romance."

"You can say that again."

"You know what I mean."

"James, I don't know anything anymore." She raked her hands through her hair in frustration. "I don't know if he wants me back, or if he's just trying to hurt me."

Wilson just stared at her.

"The first point is completely moot! You're married!"

"I know that." She says evenly. "And I didn't say I wanted him back. I just….I just want to know where I stand with him."

They were silent for a moment.

"Do you know what date it is in a week's time, James?"

Wilson creased his forehead in thought.

"April….7th…what does that…" then his memory kicked in. "Oh Stacy…I'm sorry."

She nodded.

"It's the tenth anniversary. Do you know what was going through my mind the whole time we were in the attic together?" She laughed a hollow laugh. "I thought that he remembered, I thought that's why he was being so kind, I thought that's why he was trying to make amends." She looked down, trying to blink away tears. "It sounds so stupid."

Wilson moved from the sofa and crossed to the chair facing her desk. Sitting down he reached for her hand.

"It doesn't sound stupid at all."

Stacy squeezed his hand.

"Thank you James." She cleared her throat. "But that's not what he was doing. I have no idea what he was doing, and I….I don't know what I'm doing….I just know that he made me feel things, emotions that I thought I'd locked away. That's why I'm so angry. With myself just as much as him."

"So how do you move forward? You have to carry on working with him."

Stacy shook her head.

"No I don't."

She let go of Wilson's hand and turned back to her computer, typing rapidly. It was then that Wilson noticed the packed boxes under he desk. His brow furrowed.

"Stacy what are you doing?" She ignored him and concentrated on finishing her letter.

"You can't run away from this."

She finished typing and quickly e-mailed it to Cuddy.

"Why not? This isn't going to end well, for any of us. Greg and I…." She sighed, before turning her chair back around to face Wilson. "And Mark and I…well you saw for yourself. And I'm not running away, I'm just going away from all of this for a few weeks. I need to clear my head; I can't be here right now."

Wilson nodded.

"But you're coming back?"

Stacy nodded slowly.

"Yes." She subconsciously brought her hand up to touch her crucifix. "I just need some time alone. I hope you understand."

"Would I be able to change your mind even if I didn't?"

Stacy shook her head.

"No, I'm sorry James."

"You don't need to apologise. Are you going to tell him?"

"He is the last person I want to see right now."

"And the other….him?"

"I'll leave him a note. I need to grab some stuff from the house before I go."

"You're leaving tonight? I know you like to have your escape routes planned but isn't this a bit hasty?"

"I can't go back to Mark and pretend that's everything's fine, James. I'm not running away. I'm walking. Greg was right. I didn't tell Mark that he was coming round, and I did like where things were going. I wanted to kiss him, when I was lying on the floor of my attic pouring out my soul. I'm not over him. I never was. And you saw the notes about Mark and I. We all need a break."

Wilson nodded slowly.

"I hope it all works out for you."

"You've only known her for a few days! How do you know this will work out" House snorted at Wilson's outburst. "You sound like a hysterical girl."

"I don't care! And speaking of girl's who even is she?"

"She is called Stacy."

He quickly shoved a portion of fries into his mouth so he purposely couldn't say anymore.

"And?"

He waited for House to finish his mouthful, glaring at him impatiently.

"Well, that's who she is."

"Is that all you know about her?" House shook his head. "Well I take it from the smirk that's been on your face for the past few days that you know all about her body."

"A gentleman never kisses and tells."

Now it was Wilson's turn to snort.

"You re in no way a gentleman!"

"Mmmm, Stacy certainly doesn't think so. First date disaster. Luckily, she realised the error of her ways, and fell for my charms."

"So much so that she agreed to move in with you?"

"Pretty much."

"How?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets."

"You're not going to tell me anything else are you?"

House shook his head and returned his attention to his lunch.

"I just know that I like her, okay?"