Disclaimer: I do not own House MD. I make no profit from this.
Notes: I don't pretend to know medical terminology. I know little to nothing about anything in the medical field. I did research, as much as I could off the Internet, for illness/es that appear in this story, but I'm sure some of what I say might and will be off base. If anyone sees a mistake on anything medical, let me know, so I can, hopefully, go back with little trouble and fix the problem. That way I can make it a bit more realistic.

Chapter 3 – Odd Duck Out

House, quickly made his way to his office and sat down in the chair behind his desk. He placed his fingers at the edge of his desk and stared at them for a moment. The exchange between the ducklings and himself in the lounge had been odd. Foreman rarely showed kindness towards House. He had been a large, kind black bear when he complimented House on taking the case.

He would have laughed in Foreman's face and made a sarcastic remark back if he had only acted the part to get in his face about taking a case with no puzzle involved. His expressions never lied. He hadn't looked like he was being cocky or stuck up in the face of his boss. He actually sounded... Sincere with his comment.

And Chase had looked like he was going to blow a gasket at Foreman's own little show of softness towards House. The Australian acted like a hormonal teenage girl as he had left the lounge with the others.

House frowned slightly as the side of his coat shifted and he realized the unusual weigh down of his left-side jacket pocket. He fished a hand down beneath the folds of fabric and pulled out the amber necklace. He had put the necklace there the night before and only now remembered it's presence. He grasped the gold string and amber jewels in his palm. Watching as light trickled and danced off of the shiny material.

His eyes raised as he heard the opening of the glass door of his office and watched as Dr. James Wilson walked in. Wilson raised a hand in a small wave before making his way to the chair in front of the desk and taking a seat.

"The ducklings were odd today." House stilled eyed the piece of jewelry as he talked. "Well, actually two ducklings. Cameron was still her pugnacious cute little self."

"Were they.. Odder then usual?" Wilson asked.

House preceded to tell Wilson about Foreman's little show of appreciation and affection. Then went on about Chase's reaction, using a metaphor that went along the lines of 'he acted like a pit bull after his owner decided to get a cat'.

"Maybe they just can't resist your charm?" Wilson mocked with a laugh.

"They acted more like they wanted to get down my pants." House said. He scrunched up his face like a little kid who had been told one too many horror stories from his mom about older men and their perverted ways.

"Who doesn't?"

House smirked at this comment, realizing it as their usual silly, sexual banter. "Everyone in this hospital except for coma guy, but I'm sure once he wakes up and gets a look at my good-looking, muscular body he'll want me too!"

Wilson gave a small laugh at this and House couldn't help but notice the subtle twinkle his eyes gave. Something pulled slightly at his stomach, but before he had time to analyze it Wilson had inquired about the necklace, currently dangling out of the palm of his hand.

House began telling him of the strange package he received two weeks ago and how it had appeared back on his doorstep last night after he had returned it to the Post Office. He explained the misspelling of his name on the package.

"What sort of good name starts with J anyways?" House asks. "Jay, Jacob, Jared, Jake, Johnathan..."

"James?" Wilson ask with a raise of his eyebrows.

"My point exactly. What sort of good name starts with J anyways?"

Wilson merely shrugged as he plastered a stupid grin across his face. After only a moment, he turns the conversation around. "So, I heard you took a 'boring' case from Cuddy this morning."

"Yup. Guy has heart issues. I'm having the ducklings run tests just to make sure. He'll need a heart transplant." House said as he began rolling the necklace through his fingers.

"You don't know that yet though. Not until the tests return."

"Didn't you hear? I'm God. I know everything. Coronary Artery Disease fo'sure man!"

"If you know what it is, then why are you taking the case?"

"Cuddy was persistent enough to make me realize that saving this young man's life is way more important then solving some puzzle that'll, in turn, save someone's life. I figure this way is easier and I still get to save another pathetic soul who will, once again, walk the Earth."

Wilson merely shook his head and gave up, for the moment, at getting a straight answer about it from House. Instead his gaze returned to House, as the man held the necklace back up to the light to inspect it.

It was an odd necklace really. Almost Victorian looking, but still held a certain luster that made the piece appealing. It'll match with nothing in my wardrobe, House thought sardonically. The necklace would stand out too much against any material worn. Even the flashiest of Hollywoodland gold dresses would pale in comparison to the odd jewelry.

House's eyes looked back into Wilson's and he leered provocatively. "Though, it is quite beautiful isn't it?"

Wilson glanced down to check his watch and rose out of his chair. He gave a bright smile as he began to exit through the front glass door. "Not quite as beautiful as the one who's wearing it."

House gaped as Wilson went through the door and turned down the hall to head to his office.