Wilson's Turn

Caution: I'm not a doctor, not yet anyway so the medical info. Might not be that accurate, but just go with it. If it bugs you that much, then go find something else to read.

Chapter 3

"There's things you need to hear

So turn off your tears and listen…

You know it's nothing new

Bad news never had good timing."

The heart of life, John Mayer

Part 1

He was in the apartment and hoped that House wouldn't say anything until Wilson spoke first. If House did start the conversation he wasn't sure how it would go and he wasn't sure what emotions he would be capable of tonight. As hoped, House stayed silent enough that Wilson didn't have to talk to answer. He made his way to the couch removed his jacket. He could tell that House was waiting for him, even though the television was on, playing another random House like movie. House couldn't handle it anymore and needed to talk.

"Want a beer?"

"Sure."

He was off to the kitchen and came back rather quickly with two in hand. In the drinking of his beer, Wilson tried to come up with a way to lead in to the bad news he was about to give to House. He could see the nervous contemplation in Wilson's face and manners; he needed to give this conversation a push, no matter how bad the outcome could be.

"James?"

"Since when do I get a first name?"

"Since you're my friend and you have a first name. I should use it more often; I don't know why I don't."

"Because I call you House and you call me Wilson, it's understood."

"Oh. Well…"

"No it's fine. I know what you're trying to do."

They paused and then he tried to continue, and he ended up rambling.

"Last night I needed to talk to you because all my emotion and personal news I had been keeping to myself until I knew what I was dealing with. Once I found out what that was, I just couldn't handle it any more and if I didn't talk then I was going to, well I don't know what I was going to do."

"I've noticed that you've been more to yourself, but I didn't realize that it was that personal. Or I did and just thought it was work related. What's going on?"

"I hit my leg on a coffee table a week or two ago and I got a bruise. No big deal, but the pain wouldn't go away and neither would the bruise. Being who I am and what I treat on a daily basis I consulted a fellow Oncologist for his opinion. Last night it was confirmed."

"Osteosarcoma?"

"Yeah…"

Both men sat in awe. House couldn't believe that he guessed right, he didn't want to be right, not now. Not when the patient was his best friend and the outcome could really suck for Wilson. Wilson was in awe because confirming House's guess meant that it was real, that everything was going to happen as it had for many of his patients and he didn't want it to happen.

"Talk about ironic huh?"

"What?"

"The Oncologist gets cancer."

"Shut up House, that really doesn't help you know. Sarcasm and jokes can't fix everything."

"I know, but you know what? I'm here for you and always will be. Anything you need, anytime I'm here…for you."

"Do you mean that? Because when I really do need you I'm going to expect you to be there and you better be there. It's not going to help me at all if you start lying and making false promises from the beginning."

"No lies, all true promises."

"I have some tests tomorrow and I need a ride home. Think you can handle that?"

"Of course, just give me a time and a place."

"Will do."

Part 2

They sat together, watched TV and ordered pizza. Shortly after dinner Wilson fell asleep, the stress of the week must have exhausted him and he really needed some sleep. House left him with a blanket on the couch, just like old times and headed in for bed himself. Sleep didn't come quickly, House was feeling guilty for what happened to Wilson, and ashamed at how he ignored his call.

"I should have called him, why didn't I? He needed me and I wasn't there, I've gotta be there for him, have to. He's always there for me, even if he's in the middle of a divorce, he would always drop things for me and what do I do? I ignore his phone call and make it even harder to cope with such horrible news." House was talking to the ceiling and Wilson heard him. He had stirred from the couch and could hear House's faint voice in the bedroom.

"Stop beating yourself up. No one could see this coming. I'm the Oncologist for god's sake and I didn't even suspect it until it was too late. It's not your fault; you were just acting as you always do."

He had startled House when he came into the room and made his way to the other side of the bed. He sat down and House started talking again, this time to Wilson.

"I know it's not anyone's fault but me acting as I always do isn't good enough. How can you be a friend to a great friend if you are always ignoring phone calls and all the help he gives you?"

"You're my friend because you are you. Don't change; I won't be able to find another one like you."

"Now you're talking crazy."

"Whatever, but now I'm tired and I'm too comfortable to get up, so you will just have to deal with me in your bed tonight."

"Sure, what are friends for?"

They both chuckled and then fell asleep. The next days were going to get pretty rough, so it was good that they could end such a rough day on a semi-good note. Were they prepared for what the future had laid ahead for them? It was going to take one strong friendship to get through what Wilson had in store for him.