"House?" Cuddy called through the closed door of 221B Baker Street. Knocking with as much force as she could without hurting her hand, Cuddy called out House's name again.
"House? Damn it you better open this door!"
After several long seconds, Cuddy could hear the door latch slide open and finally House's familiar figure appeared. He looked absolutely terrible. His gaze was less focused than normal, his face paler, and the smell of alcohol still lingered around him.
Cuddy simply shook her head in disgust, her voice cold and hard.
"You did hear about Wilson, didn't you?"
House simply tried to close the door once again, but Cuddy used all her weight to push her way into the apartment.
"What the hell is the matter with you?" Cuddy said, rounding on House. "Your best friend's life is about to change. He needs you now more than ever and you're sitting here drowning in scotch and Vicodin?"
House said nothing, but sank into his couch. Cuddy walked over to stand in front of him, her eyes boring into him. House was staring at the ground, avoiding Cuddy's gaze.
"Are you going to answer me?" Cuddy said acidly.
"What exactly am I supposed to say?" House said, his voice hoarse but clear. "I can't figure out what's wrong with him, there's nothing to figure out. I can't do him any good."
"Is that what you think? That he needs your diagnosis?" Cuddy said incredulously, "that's the worst cop-out you've ever used. You know perfectly well he doesn't need you around for your medical expertise; he's the oncologist for God's sake! He needs you because you're his best friend," Cuddy scoffed. "Heaven knows why that is-"
"You're right", House said fiercely, standing up, "I don't know why he's friends with me and I don't know how to 'be there' for him. He's got you for that, hell he's even got Amber. He doesn't need me, not for this."
"You're wrong, House," Cuddy said flatly, "I know you think you're never wrong, but this time, you've hit the mother-load."
"Don't you think I would know better?" House said, now looking down at Cuddy from his greater height.
"Not this time," Cuddy said, shaking her head, "because clearly you're completely blind when it comes to your own friendship. I've seen how Wilson has been there for you over the years, how much he cares-"
"I'm. Not. Wilson." House said, "which has kind of been my point, so why don't you leave?"
"Fine," Cuddy said, "but you're coming with me."
"Is this a threat? Because I tend to pretty much ignore those," House said sardonically.
"I'll make this simple. You come with me now, or you don't see Wilson while he's a patient in my hospital."
"What?"
"Once he's an outpatient I can't stop you or him from doing whatever you want, but if you want to see him while he's still admitted, you do it right now. Otherwise I tell security that you're not to come within fifty feet of his room. Wilson is my friend, and if you're not going to help him when he needs it then he's better off with people who will. I'll tell you this, though. He is not going to be happy when he finds out what you're doing here."
House looked at Cuddy questioningly.
Cuddy looked around, her arms extending to encompass the apartment.
"Your little pity party for one?"
"Why would you bother telling him?" House said.
"Because he sent me to find out what happened to you," Cuddy said.
"What happened to me?" House asked, seemingly still confused.
"Yeah. I told him what the test results said and when no one had heard from you in a while he seemed to know something was wrong."
House stared at Cuddy. Wilson had seemed to know something was wrong. That was the story of their friendship, wasn't it? House got himself into trouble, Wilson helped him out of it. Wilson gave, House took; that was how it always had been. This time, though, it was Wilson who was in trouble. Wilson truly needed him now, and House had never felt as powerless as he did now.
How in the hell am I supposed to help him? House thought to himself. He didn't know the answer, but he knew he had to at least try.
Making his way to the door, House opened it. Turning to Cuddy, he gestured impatiently to her.
"Well, are you coming or what?"
A/N: OK, so based on this story you can all probably tell I love the character of Wilson... : ) Well, I also really love the actor who plays him, Robert Sean Leonard. I just got around to seeing a film he did years ago, Dead Poets Society. If anyone hasn't seen this, rent it, it is amazing! Anyway, it really got my creative juices flowing and inspired scenes which will be further down the line. Anyway, later all, hope you enjoy!