"Shove over," House said, handing Wilson a soda and taking his place next to him on the worn couch. House leaned back with his own beer; for the time being Wilson had decided to forgo alcohol. The two sat in a companionable silence for several long moments, which was only broken by the sound of the glasses on the table and the T.V. in the background.
"So what did Brown have to say?" House finally asked, his eyes still on the TIVO'd episode of the O.C. in front of him.
"The tumor's still operable, and he figures the Gliadel wafer is the best way to go. I agreed."
House nodded.
"Brown's good. So when does this go down?"
"Monday," Wilson answered, setting his feet on the table, one leg crossed over the other.
There was a long pause during which House seemed to be lost in thought, still staring at the T.V. in front of him, but not really seeing it. Finally, he spoke, his voice quiet and thoughtful.
"What do you think about staying here?"
Wilson turned his head to look at House. All he saw was the other's profile, as House's eyes were still trained determinedly forward.
"What do you mean?" Wilson asked.
"You're going to be in recovery for weeks, what are you going to do go back to that apartment all by yourself?"
Wilson was startled. In point of fact he hadn't yet considered that. Wilson was surprised, however, that House would make the offer. It showed a foresight Wilson rarely saw in the other man, and in truth Wilson was touched.
"Are you sure about this, House? It's not exactly going to be fun."
At this House finally turned to look at his best friend. Wilson saw the concern in his friend's eyes and knew that he was determined. The diagnostician's reply, however, was as irreverent as ever.
"That's all right. Besides, you get to make me pancakes again."
A/N: I feel like I might have blindsided you guys with some of the medical stuff...all that's important really is that a Gliadel wafer is a disk with chemotherapy drug in it that they implant during the removal of a brain tumor. It's a very effective way to deliver medication in brain cancer cases...anyway later, all!