Wilson's Turn
Chapter 8
"You'll go backwards
But then
You'll go forwards again."
-Twisted Logic, Coldplay
Part 1
It was about two hours into the surgery, and House was coming for an update. When he arrived at the nurse's station Cuddy was there. He didn't really want to deal with her right now, but maybe she would distract him for long enough that he wouldn't worry about James for a couple minutes. He approached the desk and began talking with the nurse there.
"How is he?"
"Everything is going fine still. No updates from the OR so far, so everything should be going according to their plans."
"Good."
House found a chair and sat down. Cuddy could see a little relief in his eyes. She thought about how he knew that they wouldn't hide "bad" news from him but he probably thought they might have anyway. She sat next to him.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have the clinic to tend to?"
"I wanted to check on James myself, and to check on you too. That was if you were still around here. How are you doing?"
"Fine."
"Don't give me that bull. Your best friend is in there and you say fine? Come on tell me."
"You sound like Wilson."
She could see the worry and the lack of sleep in his eyes when he looked at her. She always admired his eyes, but today she noticed that they do tell you how he is, even if he won't.
"So how are you?"
"I'm going crazy. Nothing to do except sit and wait. I was never good at that."
"You can work in the clinic."
"Or not. I'm sure I can find something to do."
"Ok, I'll be in my office if you want to do whatever."
"What's whatever exactly?"
She knew he might take it that way, the "mind in the gutter way".
"Talk, sit, bug the hell out of me. Anything to keep you from climbing the walls or doing anything crazier than your ordinary stuff."
"Ok."
She got a smirk out of him, which was what she hoped to do. He left her sitting alone and she left to go to her office.
He had two hours he didn't know what to do with. He could see a movie, but he didn't want to leave the hospital. That left watching a movie in his office or in their room, but he doubted that he could sit still long enough. The final decision was to do what he always did when he had too much on his mind. He walked. It both took his mind off his pain and anything else he had in his mind. He could process what was floating in his head and that's just what he needed. He went anywhere he could think of. The floor his office is on created a big loop and he had walked it countless times. Today would be another day of countless laps. The two hours seemed to crawl by at a snails pace but he kept walking and eventually made it through the grueling wait. He was rounding the clinic again, for the 4th time at least when his phone started ringing. Pausing for a moment to answer he found himself talking to the nurse from before. "He's out of surgery and they are taking him to his room. He should be asleep for a while yet but you can see him as soon as he is settled in." He was so relieved to have Wilson back. He had only experienced a four hour eternity one other time in his life. After his surgery four hours did seem like an eternity between the pain and the boredom it was hard to make the time pass when all he could do was lay in bed.
Part 2
When he saw Wilson for the first time since his surgery he barely recognized him. He looked like hell that was the only way to explain it. Still knocked out from the anesthesia with his leg propped up. He wanted to look at Wilson's leg, see the damage and how much therapy he would need, but he decided to wait until Wilson was awake and said it was ok. He wanted to be a good friend, even though his friend was still unconscious basically. House turned on the Ipod and lay down. If Wilson could hear he would know that House was there and would appreciate it.
House didn't want to fall asleep, but woke up to a nurse lightly tugging on his shoulder. "Dr. House, Dr. Wilson is awake and would like to talk to you." House opened his eyes quickly after hearing those words. He was awake and talking, he was ok. He walked over to his bedside and found a chair waiting for him. Wilson managed a meek smile but still looked very tired and drowsy.
"How are ya buddy?"
"I've been better, but the pain's not too bad right now. What did you do while I was gone?"
"Walked around in circles. I couldn't think about much but you."
"Well I'm glad you're here. Have you taken a look yet?"
"Nope, was waiting for you. Didn't want to break our privacy code, if we even have one."
"Well what are we waiting for?"
Wilson sat up a little more with the help from House and the blankets were pulled down so that they both could see what Wilson's new leg looked like. It was all bandaged but from what they could see his knee and ankle were severely bruised, purple and about twice their usual size. House had anticipated something to this effect but Wilson looked a little shocked.
"Wilson, it will get better. It just looks bad now. Does it hurt?"
"A little discomfort but most of it is numb still from the surgery. We will find out by tomorrow how much this will actually hurt. Let's not think about it right now."
"Sure."
House knew that it was going to hurt a lot by tomorrow and tried to mentally prepare for the help Wilson was going to need. Also the surgeon would be back tomorrow to discuss how it went and to change the dressing; that would be a powerful day. Wilson would see the damage that was done and learn of his medical fate. Tonight they would just hang out, silently preparing for what tomorrow held. Wilson might talk about it, but House was to himself until Wilson needed him. No need to worry him until the doctor discussed what would be done next.
Part 3
Since the surgery ended late in the day the surgeon stopped by the next morning to discuss the outcome of the surgery and all that would follow it. House made sure he was up before the visit in case Wilson wanted to talk or anything. They were having breakfast when the conversation started.
"What's next?"
"I don't know yet."
"Oh come on, you always know. You are diagnostically two steps ahead of everyone all the time."
"Not on this case. I'm just the friend here."
"That doesn't stop you from solving the puzzle, even if it's in your head. So tell me."
"Maybe a few rounds of chemo to make sure the tumor won't spread and that they got it all. They will tell us if they got it all, but chemo might be needed."
"Will you stay through that? That's no fun for anyone you know."
"I'm here for the long haul, you know that. This is one man who's not going anywhere."
"Good."
After breakfast was finished Dr. Wagner arrived and briefed them on how it went.
"We got clean margins on the bone we took out. The muscles were unaffected and you should make a full recovery. I'll just have a look at your leg and I'll be on my way. Rehab will start in two to three days to get you walking again and once your up you will be out of here and on to living life again." Wilson was relieved to hear this news and was ready to see his leg. There was a long scar on the front of his shin, where they took out the bone, but besides it being swollen and bruised it looked ok. After everything was re-bandaged he left the two of them to talk. They had some new news and it needed to be discussed.
I'm not really sure where this is going to go, I might end it here and add on a sequel or just keep this going. I know this chapter isn't my best writing, but your reviews will help me in continuing this fic. Thanks for all the reviews thus far.