Finally feeling rested enough, Chase got up off the bench in the locker room and went to his locker. He was emptying it out when a thump from behind got his attention. He turned to see Wells emptying his locker out as well, boxing up his things.
"You quit?" Chase asked.
"No, got canned. House incident."
"Me, too. Hope they at least call me when they track 'im down."
Wells paused in his packing to face him directly. "They did."
Cameron smiled, squeezing House's hand warmly. "I'm really glad you're alive."
"Yeah... Another day, another death."
Cameron's smile slowly faded as a thought occurred to her. She released him and looked at Cuddy. "I think I need to call Stacy," she said, and overlooked the way House turned his head against the pillow to squint at her, as he vaguely recalled the name. Cameron smiled at Cuddy as she got to her feet. "I'm really happy for you," she told her, and walked to the doors. Stepping out into the hallway, she skidded off to the side as Chase nearly bowled her over.
"Sorry," he said, and stepped into the room, examining House with wide eyes. All too aware that House infrequently used it as a weapon, his eyes searched for the cane. It was only the realization House was handcuffed that convinced him to move closer to the gurney. "Welcome back to the land of the living."
House's analytical eyes followed him through the room. He couldn't help but feel like he knew this man... Actually, he felt like he knew everyone here. And not just from surgery. Misinterpreting the severe expression on his face, Chase stopped a safe distance away, suddenly wondering at the strength of the old man and the cuffs that bound him. "Uh, what—what's wrong?"
House subtly shook his head. "I think I'm starting to remember," he said, and he looked at the people so obviously concerned for his welfare. "Is that good?"
The answers were vague and mixed. Chase looked into the man's acidic face. "So, what do you remember?"
"I remember you holding the scalpel," he announced, and observed the sudden guilt in his eyes. "And I know that everyone important to me can never be under the same roof again."
Park looked nervously at her fellows. "Is this weirding anyone else out?"
"Some people don't regain memories, and some do. House, I need to give a proper assessment of your hippocampus. Keep talking."
House attempted to point at Foreman, restrained by the cuffs. "You were a neurologist, right?"
"Right. Now talk to me about what you remember."
House paused, staring up at the ceiling. "I remember... I don't know. Was Wilson my dog?"
Adams spared Cuddy a brief glance. "Yes."
House stared knowingly into her eyes. "No he wasn't," he deduced.
"How would you..."
"I just told you I'm starting to remember. You're kind of a bitch, aren't you?"
"I'm not trying to be a bitch!" Knowing she had managed to simultaneously piss off seven people at once, she stepped closer. "You wanted to forget. You put yourself through hell trying. And I don't want you to do it all again. Because next time, you might not be so lucky."
They seemed to accept her explanation.
"Well, I don't feel like offing myself so you can have a proper funeral," House told them. "But I'm cool if you want to celebrate my life."
The door slid open and Cameron walked in carrying House's cane.
"How's Stacy?" House asked.
"Relieved." She hooked the cane onto the handle and started uncuffing him. He watched her with hero worship in his eyes. "Do you feel weak? Nauseated?"
"I feel old." Finally free, he reached for his cane and began getting off the bed.
"Do you know where you are?" Taub asked.
Sitting on the edge, House looked up at him and finally nodded. "Princeton-Plainsboro, New Jersey. And I am not," he stood up, "Going to do it all again."
"Well, now that we have that established," Chase said, "Your phone is in the Lost And Found."
"You should probably take a wheelchair," Park began, as House began limping for the doors.
"Nah, I'm fine. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." He pushed open the door and limped through the hallway towards the elevator. Cuddy and her employees, past and present, followed him to the doors, but wouldn't get on. He turned around and saw them looking at one another like lost puppies. House reached out and stopped the door from closing, then gave them an expecting look. Nervously, they stepped into the elevator with him.
Taub looked at Park. "This is different," he said, as the door whooshed shut.