Author's note: Sorry, I have been busy with work and life in general and haven't been able to devote much time to writing. But, I have two new chapters with this update and we are quickly closing in on the end of the story. As always, thanks for the reviews. I am glad you are enjoying reading this as much as I am enjoying writing it. I still don't House or any of the ducklings or Cuddy or Wilson, however, Kate is all mine.

Chapter 20: Get some sugar

Another few weeks have passed with little trouble. Kate has managed to mostly avoid House. He has stopped in a few times to the office to pass around insults and make sure everything is running smoothly. He also keeps tabs on her through Wilson and Cuddy.

House is as close to be being "better" as he will get. He is bored with being at home but he isn't anxious to get back to the hospital either. While the thought of a difficult case is attractive, clinic hours and paperwork and having to deal with Cuddy and the ducklings do not appeal to him.

House is at his apartment, sitting on his piano bench and staring out the window at the rainy, dreary day. He is twirling his cane in his left hand and playing the piano with his right hand. He absently hums along with the plucky little waltz he is tapping out on the ivory keys. He hears a knock at the door and yells "It's open!"

Wilson comes in the front door and shakes his head. "Do you think it is wise to leave your front door unlocked?" House continues playing the piano and ignores Wilson. "Are you ready to go to lunch?"

House stops playing and stands up. He slowly and awkwardly walks over to Wilson, without using the cane. Wilson hides his smile. He knows House will get mad if he makes any sort of acknowledgement about his progress. Instead, Wilson asks "Where do you want to go eat?"

House thinks for a moment and says "How about the pizza place down by the campus?"

Wilson nods. "Sounds good to me." They walk out to Wilson's car and get in. Wilson heads for the pizza place. "So, anything new and exciting going on with you?"

House shakes his head. "Nope. Just the same old stuff. You know, watching soap operas and Sponge Bob. Thinking of new insults for Cuddy and new ways to torture Chase."

Wilson smirks. "Rough existence."

House nods. "It is. There are only so many euphemisms for cleavage. What's going on with you?"

"The divorce will be final at the end of the month. I am pretty sure Julie moved in with the guy she was sleeping with."

"Well, that should make you have to pay less alimony."

Wilson bitterly laughs. "Actually, she is paying me alimony. She was the one who was cheating, plus with her job, she makes more than I do."

"Are you going to spend your alimony on shoes like Kate does? I personally think you should spend your alimony on me to even out the karmic imbalance that is created from me paying her alimony."

Wilson shakes his head. "You are amazing."

"Awww. I didn't know you cared."

Wilson parks the car in front of the pizza place and kills the engine. House and Wilson hurry into the restaurant and get moderately wet from the rain. The restaurant is filled mostly with college students and some adults from the offices close to campus. There are also some doctors from the hospital. They grab a table in the back after placing their orders.

House is sipping his soda and staring at the television set with the soap operas. Wilson casually says "Cameron wants to throw a going away party for Kate."

House continues staring at the television set and asks "Why?"

Wilson says "Generally, that is the type of thing that is done for someone that is well-respected by their peers when they leave their job voluntarily."

House sighs. "Cameron respects her? I figured that Cameron would hate her."

"Why would Cameron hate her?"

"Competition. And because Kate was replacing her crush. Cameron pines after me, y'know."

Wilson laughs. "You're delusional. You pretty much blew your chances with Cameron after you slept with Stacy."

House looks at Wilson. "Do you think so? It seemed like she was ready to come to my rescue after that bitch Stacy broke my heart again."

"You broke Stacy's heart!"

"Eh, you say to-may-to, I say ta-mah-to. The important thing is that Cameron once again thought I was broken and damaged and she thinks that's hot. Besides, she digs my bike."

Wilson shakes his head. "You're hopeless."

"Says you, Mr. Third-Divorce-Is-Nearly-Final." The waitress brings their food and House turns on his million dollar smile at the cute blonde. "Thanks sweetie."

The waitress grins at House. "No problem, sugar."

House watches her walk away and then says "You need yourself a young one this next time."

"Who said I was looking again?"

House sagely says "You can't go long without a woman. Women are a necessity with you, not an option."

"Ok, somehow this went from Cameron wanting to throw a going away party for Kate to my love life."

House takes a bite of pizza and then says with his mouth full "Oh yeah. I think if Cameron is throwing Kate a going away party, she needs to throw me a Welcome Back party."

Wilson dryly says "I'll be sure to tell her that."

"Tell her I prefer chocolate cake. The kind with the really rich fudge frosting."

"Who said you were going to get cake?"

"It's a party, right? What kind of party doesn't have cake?"

"Somehow, I just don't see Cameron throwing you a Welcome Back party."

"Why not? She always decorates for Christmas and puts up stockings and all that crap. If she is throwing Kate a Going Away party, she'll definitely throw me a Welcome Back party. Ooo, do you suppose she will give me a hug like she did Foreman when he came back after her attempt to lobotomize him? I would think being shot by a psycho ex-husband of a patient has got to rate up there with lobotomy."

"House, Cameron didn't try to lobotomize Foreman! She was doing a brain biopsy in an effort to save his life!"

"Whatever. She kept pressure on the gunshot wound in my abdomen until they got me down to Trauma 1. She helped to save my life too. All I'm saying is that I ought to get some sugar too when I come back to work after my convalescence."

Wilson decides the ignoring House is his best bet. He starts eating his lunch. The two men finish their meals in silence. As they are finishing eating, Wilson's pager goes off. Wilson studies the pager for a moment and then says "Although it is against my better judgment, I am going to have to stop at the hospital before I bring you home. I have an emergency with a patient."

"I will stop by and visit the ducklings then."

Wilson throws a twenty on the table and then stands up and heads to the car as House follows him. "You are supposed to stay away from Kate while she is working here."

"I know. I am going to visit the ducklings, not her."

Wilson simply sighs and leads the way to his car.