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The curtain opened.
Lights flashed and spot lights shined on the two.
Wilson had his back half turned to the crowed, his arm out reached slightly to House who had his head down, the witches hat covering his eyes, letting his mouth be seen by the crowds eyes.
Some chuckled at the sight of the hat but others stayed quiet, they wanted to know where this was going. They wanted to know what House would do to ruin this song.
A lone pair of eyes in the back wanted to know, why House held Wilson's wrist to gently.
"I'm Limited..." House voice whispered, the speakers letting the crowed lean forward, their eyes wide. Music began to play, gentle, soft, perhaps flutes. But House's voice was so light, so winded, it sounded like he was....
"Just look at me- I'm limited." Rising his head a little, his blue eyes looked to Wilsons, seeing those brown orbs glow in the light with such warmth. It made a small smile touch Houses lips, his hand raising Wilsons wrist slowly.
"And just look at you
You can do all I couldn't do... Wilson."
Wilson heart sank a little, he knew it was a song but the look, the sound of Houses voice wanted to bring tears to his eyes. House took a step back, his arm stretched out, as if wanting to hold onto Wilson a little bit longer. "Now its up to you, for the both of us."
Wilson reached and grasped Houses hand lightly only to have those fingers go limp and slip away as his friends voice sang out lightly, limping himself back.
"Now its up to 'you'....."
The music began to grow, getting louder and Wilson turned slowly to the crowed. All those eyes staring at him, watching him. Bringing his hand to his chest that held Houses so, he grasped his own wrist tightly, letting his eyes sink to the floor.
"I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason."
Closing his eyes he took another step forward to the crowed, his arms opening, singing to them, his voice tender, light. He had a great speaking voice but when he sang, it was like he was trying to sway their hearts. Convince them.
"Bringing something we must learn
And we are led....to those."
He lowered his arms a little turning a little bit, letting his eyes glance over his shoulder to his friend, who stayed away. "Who helped us most to grew.. if we let them." Hugging himself a little, he looked back to the floor, making House squeeze his cane tightly. "And if we help them in return."
His voice got louder as he pushed away, walking along the stage, his hand falling to his chest, battling with himself. "Well, I don't know if I believe that's true, but..."
Turning around, turning his back to the crowd, he looked up, a smile touching his face.
"But I know I'm who I am today, Because.." He lifted his arm out, reaching for House, his words coming out with more ease, as thou it was meant to be said, as thou it were true.
" I knew you..."
Turning a little, his arm sweeped over his head slowly, his eyes glancing up to the lights.
"Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood..."
Lowering his arms to his side, he took a few steps back, finding himself wanting to be back at Houses side. "Who can say if I've been changed for the better?"
"But because I knew you.." Looking back over his shoulder, seeing House staring at him so, he smiled his childish smile, his hands finding themselves positioned on his hips, like all the other times he spoke with House. His trademark, his stances.
His Wilson.
"I have been changed... for good."
The crowed murred a little, but no one dared laugh. It was strange and yet, mystical. Even thou some of the people knew this song, even thou some knew the two guys on stage. They all had one thing on their mind,
Was this truly... an act?
The music softened a little before growing louder. House watched Wilson, watched those cheek bones give a hint of red under the lights but seeing that true smile. His smile. Looking away, he moved forward, closer, each step clicking on the floor to his cane.
"It well may be
That we will never meet again..."
Stopping an arms length from his friends side, he looked out into the crowed, settling his cane before him. "In this life time, so let me say before we part."
Foremen rose a brow a little, whistling out a little while 13 shock her head in disbelief. They knew their boss was talented in all keys of music but his voice, it was so deep, so soothing. He could seduce anyone with those notes he sang if he really tried.
"So much of me...." Pressing his lips a little, he lifted his hand, staring at his palm lightly, seeing the rough skin, his proof of his never ending use of his cane. "Is made of what I learned from you..You'll be with me."
Bowing his head, letting the rim of his hat cover his eyes back in shadow, he sang out louder, his hand touching his chest, his fingers spreading. "Like a hand print on my heart."
A sudden movement Made House jerk a little. Wilson had stepped closer and reached for his hat, pushing it back up, letting their eyes met. They stared, House slightly shocked from the break in their rehearse steps. "And now whatever way our stories end..."
Breaking his own steps, he reached out, taking Wilsons hand lightly, his thumb brushing along his palm, his fingers squeezing those knuckles tightly.
"I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend..."
Letting go, House took a step forward to the crowed. Pointing his cane out, his voice growing out, singing out, leaving some the watchers in still shock.
"Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
Like a seed dropped by a skybird
In a distant wood."
Placing his cane back onto the stage, he gave a light shrug muttering, "Who can say if I've been changed for the better?"
Looking back to the ground, he sighed lightly. He loved Wilson, this song was hitting to close to home. "Because I knew you..."
A hand touched his shoulder jarring him, letting the corner of his eye see Wilson pop back into view, standing beside him, where he always was, squeezing his shoulder lightly, whispered back. "Because I knew you."
Turning his head to face his friend, they both stared at once another, singing out, those voice mixing, blending like lovers to a dance.
"I have been changed for good."
His shoulder moved, getting Wilson to let go as he looked away, back to the crowed, his free hand slipping into his jeans pocket.
"And just to clear the air
I ask forgiveness
For the things I've done you blame me for.."
Wilson followed the same suit, slipping his hands into his coat pockets. Standing beside his friend like he did every day, watching him, listening.
"But then, I guess we know
There's blame to share.."
House chuckled at Wilsons voice, hearing it shake a little. There was a little truth in their words. Looking back, they both grinned and sang out together, their eyes dancing in the light with pure fun, with delight...even love.
"And none of it seems to matter anymore!!"
They didn't need to dance, they didn't need to move. They could just stand there and sing, just as they were doing now and it would touch alot of hearts and souls. It wasn't in their moves that the crowed could see, that Cuddy could hear the emotions. No. It was their voice, it was their body language. And to Lucas's whisper.
It was their eyes.
So side by side they sang together. Not touching, not brushing, but they locked eyes and it was almost as intimate as if they were holding hands.
"Like a comet pulled from orbit
As it passes a sun
Like a stream that meets a boulder
Halfway through the wood"
"Like a ship blown from its mooring
By a wind off the sea
like seed by a bird
in the woods\"
They both paused, House moved a little, his tiny step bringing him closer to Wilsons side, only to have Wilson look away and do the same, bring their arms closer, just an air brush away from touching. Together, they sang lightly, their voice whispered, light, Chase wondered if they both had forgotten they were performing in front a room filled with people.
"Who can say if I've been
Changed for the better?
I do believe I have been
Changed for the better.."
Wilson bowed his head a little smiling, bumping his shoulder lightly against Houses,
"Because I knew you...."
House chuckled before raising his arm dramatically, giving a little head bow to Wilson causing his friend to laugh out as House sang out.
"Because I knew you..."
House stood back up straight when Wilson reached out and touched his arm, giving it a squeeze, whispering.
"Because... I knew you."
Looking to Wilsons hand, the touch burning threw Houses sleeve to his flesh, they both sang out lengthy. "Because I knew you... I have been changed..."
Slowly, unsure. House rose his hand to his arm, his fingers shaking a little before they slowly covered Wilsons own. Wilson tilted his head back, looking up at his friend questionably, but blushed when House just bowed his head own, pressing his chin into Wilsons forehead, his lips touching those thick locks of hair. But Wilson only smiled under him warmly, letting his eyes close, his fingers moving, lacing into Houses own as he held on tightly, whispering out into the air around them, both their voices mixing, both their voices blending.
No one could mistake it. If this was an act, it was very well played out.
"For good..."
Their voices held out with the gentle fading tunes of the song before it ended and even then. They did not part. Close to each other they stood, Houses face buried into Wilsons hair while Wilson held his hand, all but nuzzling under his chin.
No one clapped, they all were struck amazed and bewildered. Some did not want to ruin the moment and fear a single sound would cause the two to part. Sudden someone stood and clapped, followed by another. Soon the room began to ring out in applause and shouts.
That was the best ending to a talent show.
**********************
Jessica stared in dismay, hearing the deafening applaud.
"Told you."
She turned slowly, her eyes wide and filled with pain. Gab leaned her shoulder against the door frame, her eyes half open in her bored expression, watching the stage that held the topic. Gab looked tired, sore, but she could see it, pass those emotionless eyes, deep down she saw the hurt and the relief that now she had her answer.
Looking back, Jessica squeezed her fingers into her palm. Listening to Gabs dress that she still wore russle around her form, dragging along the floor as she approached her friends side.
Greg and Wilson stood on stage, having ended their duet. Everyone was amused for the mere fact that Wilson talked his best friend into singing with him... not only that, but the most cheesiest song. The fact they sang did not leave everyone speechless, no it was their interactions...
The song was over and yet, they stayed close. So close that if Wilson tilted his head just right, his cheek would rest upon Gregs shoulder. But Greg went further and pressed his chin into Wilsons forehead, burying his lips into those thick locks of chestnut hair. They didn't look like best friends, no they looked like secret lovers...
"Told you so..." Gabs voice whispered. Jessica shock her head, feeling a hand touch her shoulder, giving a tight squeeze. How could this be any worse? Gab should be the one in disbelief and pain. Before them, the simple little act Greg and Wilson displayed on stage just rubbed into Gabs face that Wilson in fact... loved Greg far more, even if Wilson didn't relies it yet. Jessica should be consoling Gab, she should be holding onto her shoulder and giving her strength. But it was turned, Jessica was the one who suffered, who needed Gab to grab her and tell her it was going to be okay.
Why?
Because she failed again.
Covering her face, she let out a deep sigh, feeling the tears swell. All she wanted, all she prayed for was to help Gab finally find someone to love. Someone to take care of her, someone to make her smile like before.
She found the person, she found James and she put all her efforts into pushing them together. Sure it was hard, since Greg liked Gab as well, liking the idea of sleeping with his own alter ego. But Jessica was finally proud and so filled with joy knowing she finally was able to give Gab something that would make her happy...
But she failed again. James loved Greg far more and no matter how much Jessica tried, how much she willed it. He would never see Gab as his only star, but just another speck of dust that limped idly around his sun... around his Greg.
"I'm sorry." Jessica whispered, tears kissing their way down her cheeks. Tonight was suppose to be a great night, filled with love and laughter. A strong nudge made her sniffle. Fingers touched her chin, lifting her head. Lowering her own hands from her face, she looked up to Gab, watching her friend smile down at her sadly. Gabs fingers held her chin lightly before they reached up and brushed away the tears that trailed her cheek. Bowing her head, Jess closed her eyes at the feel of Gabs cheek pressing onto the top of her head, feeling the warm puffs of hair that left her lips.
"Lets go home."
Reaching up, her fingers touched Gabs hand that touched her face still. Curling tight, holding on as she whispered, "Looks like we're room mates again... Hope you don't mind a hotel room." She felt her friend shake her head, making her frown confused. "... I want to go back home. Our home.." Tilting her head up, she saw the need in Gabs eyes, the plea. Gab wanted to leave this world. Jessica gave a nod of understanding, she could not have James, why would she stay in their world? With a deep breath, she nodded, whispering lightly. "Alright... Come on." With a gentle tug on Jess hand, they made their way out as the first hint of fading applauds. Holding Jessicas hand lightly, her free hand gripping her cane tightly, Gab looked back one last time.
A pair of confused blue orbs met her own. Greg looked at her from his spot on stage, watching her, studying her. Gab narrowed her eyes. Greg knew this love, the need to have James at his side and have James only need him. He knew he was ruining Gabs and James relationships, but just like those ex wives. House did it again but this time, Gab could see it. He was regretting this.
So he watched Gab, a plea in his eyes as he held onto James hand that laid so gentle on his chest, over his beating heart. James didn't realize the love Greg had for him, perhaps he never will but Greg... being as stubborn and selfish, even foolish, would not let him go.
Not even to his own counterpart.
With a tilt of her head, Gab let go of all the pain she felt and gave him a gentle nod. She knew what this meant.
The out come was not going to be pretty.