Wilson's Turn
Chapter 6
"And I could write a song a hundred miles long
Well that's where I belong and you belong with me"
-Swallowed by the sea, Coldplay
Part 1
It was pretty early in the morning by the time James was all checked in, in a room and pain free. Morphine does wonders. His surgery was scheduled for that afternoon, late afternoon following a meeting between House and the surgeon as to what procedure would be done, why and all that. By this time House was very tired and that was apparent. Wilson was put in a double room, with House as his roommate. House wasn't checked in but sleeping in a chair would be hell on his chair so Wilson got some strings pulled, he was sure to see Cuddy later that day but now he needed House to stop hovering.
"House, I'm fine and I thank you for the drive over. Why don't you get some sleep so you don't both look and act like hell on earth later today?"
"Not tired."
"Liar. Honestly all I'm going to do is turn on the television and fall asleep, you can do the same."
"Alright, I'm gonna go to my office and change, I'll be back in about a half hr. Sure you're ok?"
"Yes, if not I'll page you."
"Ok, I'll hold you to that."
House left and went to his office. He would change later, maybe. It was really just a reason to go to his office to get back on his computer. This time to make something for Jimmy. He needed to tell him how he felt, that he was truly there for Wilson for the long run. He was never good at personal expression, but he was good at music, so he let the music speak for him. In about ten minutes he had a new play list on his Ipod to share with Wilson, along with a copy of the list for Wilson himself. He hoped it would speak to Wilson, but also be a little humorous in the meantime. He included their favorites as well as some that would throw Wilson for a loop. The list consisted of these songs, along with others.
You've got a friend- James Taylor
You can't always get what you want- Rolling Stones
How sweet it is to be loved by you- James Taylor (First on the list for the humor and the meaning, Wilson would laugh and then cry)
Sweet baby James- James Taylor
Mexico- James Taylor
You're my home- Billy Joel
Movin' out- Billy Joel
Piano man- Billy Joel
Don't ask me why- Billy Joel
The distance- Cake
Call and answer- Bare Naked Ladies
The fact was that Wilson would be shocked that House listens to both James Taylor and Billy Joel, let alone remembered which songs they listened to and enjoyed singing to from time to time. Deciding that it was time to crash in Wilson's room he gathered up his Ipod speakers, Ipod and after changing into scrub bottoms made his way back to the room.
Part 2
Wilson was waiting for House's return. He wanted to make sure that he slept too and got the rest he needed. He would be worrying a lot in the next few days and he needed his sleep while he could get it. There was mutual surprise when House returned with music and Wilson was still up.
"You're still up?"
"Yes."
"Well, I kinda hoped you would be, but you need to sleep."
"As do you. What's up?"
"Brought you something. I can't always say how I feel, so I made a musical representation of how I do feel. Hoped you would get to hear it before this afternoon."
"Well let's hear it."
House was a little nervous as to how Wilson would take it and hoped all would go well, but he was too tired to stay up for the show. He plugged it in, turned it on and rolled into the accompanying bed.
"Enjoy it Wilson, I'm gonna fall asleep so tell me how you like it in the morning."
"Gotcha, good night."
"Good night."
House had barely rolled over and gotten comfortable when he passed out.
"Knew he was tired" Wilson said to himself as he heard House's light snoring for the other bed.
The first song did as House wanted; it made Wilson both laugh and cry. Through out the whole list of songs he got the message and knew that his friend was in it for the long haul. He cried because House did something that had meaning. He knew he had to show that he was there, and he did. The act itself was touching enough to make Wilson cry, and the lyrics spoke volumes even though the music was played at a barely audible level. He was glad that House was asleep, he didn't want him to see him cry, especially over how much House and his act really meant to him. He knew House was with him, but it was even more powerful knowing that he would go out of his way to show it. He laughed because House had a great memory and knew which songs Wilson enjoyed with him. Mexico, they had joked about going, but he was going to bring something up about it later and mention going together, to forget about life for a while. Wilson called him the piano man, since the melody could be heard frequently in House's apartment. You're my home made him cry because House had said once, that Wilson was his home that he was needed and that House couldn't live without him. At the time he thought that it was just the depression talking, but now he knew that it was true. Wilson fell asleep with tears in his eyes and a smile on his face. A great ending to an exceptionally long day.
Part 3
On her way into the office that morning, Cuddy saw House's car in his usual spot, near the entrance and was shocked. She had to check her watch to make sure it wasn't 10 o'clock. It was only 8 and she had to look into why he was there early. Checking his office and Wilson's office and finding neither of them, she checked the ER on a whim that maybe he had gotten into a fight or hurt his leg. Giving the time of day they were probably together.
"Has anyone seen Dr. House and, or Dr. Wilson?"
One intern who was on since the previous night looked up,
"Yeah, Dr. Wilson was admitted last night, and Dr. House is rooming with him."
"Thanks."
She got the room number and quickened her pace getting there. "Great, both of them are in the hospital, what did they do now?" Arriving at the door she poked her head in and found them both asleep. There was only one chart for the room, and seeing that it had Wilson's name on it she left it in the holder. Walking in, she found House in the far bed sprawled out and still snoring. She nudged him a little, calling his name softly. He sat up quickly after he realized where he was.
"What? Is everything ok?"
"House, it's me. Can we talk in the hall? I don't want to wake him."
"Uh, sure."
He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes tried to wake up as he followed her to the hall. He sat down and she followed suit. She could tell that they got here late in the night as House was still tired and needed some coffee.
"What happened? Everyone ok?"
"I'm fine, besides my leg hurting from carrying him, but he's not so ok."
He paused and she let him.
"I don't know if I should tell you this, but you will find out anyways. He has Osteosarcoma and is having surgery later this afternoon to take out the affected bone and replace it with a metal rod so he can still have leg function. The tumor is in the middle of his leg so his knee and ankle should be unaffected."
"Oh god, how'd he take it?"
"He hid it from me until he was sure that's what it was. So I'm going to be taking some time off to help him."
"Of course."
House heard his name being called from Wilson's room.
"I have to go, he's calling me. I have a meeting with the surgeon before the surgery to discuss the plan of action. I came up with the idea, his leg will be saved. I talk to you later, and call you when he's ready for ya."
"Great, see you then."
"What's up buddy?"
"Who was that? What did you say?"
"It was Cuddy, I told her what's going on, and she gave me time off to be with you. Hope you don't mind I told her."
"Nah, she was going to find out anyways."
"Ya need me?"
"Yeah, wanna turn on the Ipod again? I got your message. Thanks."
He smirked. "No problem. I'm gonna get some more sleep if you don't mind. If you need me I'm only a bed away."
"Go ahead, I might drift back myself."
The two slept for some time, getting closer and closer to their big afternoon, but you couldn't tell what was coming if you just saw them asleep. Both were so sound and comfortable you'd think that they just crashed the room for fun after a late night partying or something.
The next chapter contains the meeting, surgery, and post-op.