"I'm going in for surgery."
"I'm getting married again."
"What?"
There was silence for several moments following this as both House and Wilson tried to make sense of what they had just said and what they had just been told.
It was difficult for House to understand why Wilson had kept this from him. The fact that Jimmy had decided to get married again for a fifth time especially after what had happened with Amber was a step in the right direction towards a life of happiness and House was thrilled for him.
As for Wilson, the oncologist couldn't believe what House had just said. Why had it taken the diagnostician so long to come to this decision? What had changed? Upon thinking about this further, the oncologist realized that that didn't matter, what did matter was the fact that he had made this decision at all despite how long it had taken do so.
At this point, the silence between them had started to overpower the other sounds in the room and it was driving House nuts. So, the diagnostician took it upon himself to put an end to this monotony by beginning to limp slowly across the wooden floor and begin to speak.
"Congratulations Jimmy."
"What?"
"(sigh) I said, congratulations. I think this is a good thing your doing but, why you would think otherwise is beyond me."
Shrugging his shoulders at this comment, Wilson brought his hands to his face and breathed in a sigh of relief.
"It's because of Amber isn't it?"
"It's partially her and it's partially you."
Me?"
"Up until I started seeing Amber, we were always on the same side. Like Butch and Sundance, Hawkeye and Trapper…"
"Good and Evil."
Wilson couldn't help but smirk at this comment. It was typical housian behavior to deflect a serious situation with sarcasm in an attempt to push aside his own feelings but he wasn't doing that this time.
"Right"
"What makes you think that'll change?"
"It happened before."
"True"
House couldn't deny what Wilson was saying but he knew deep down that this time would be better. Why? Because this time House wouldn't do anything to jeopardize Wilson's happiness no matter how tempting it may have been in the past, he wouldn't allow himself.
"But, you know Jimmy we've come a long way since then and I'll tell you right now, I won't do anything to screw this up for you. I owe you that much."
"Thanks House."
"Don't mention it…to anyone."
At this point in the conversation, House turned his back to Wilson and limped over to the couch fully aware of the pair of eyes watching his every move. The uneven gate only reminded Wilson of what House had decided to do but he was unaware of how to approach him about it.
"House…"
"So am I ever going to meet the soon to be fifth Mrs. Wilson?"
"We're having a dinner party next Thursday night if you're interested."
"Sounds good"
Leaning his head against the comfort of the sofa, House couldn't help but smirk to himself while absent mindedly rubbing his thigh.
"It looks like we're both turning over a new leaf."
"Yeah, about that…"
Following his friend's gaze House removed his hand from his thigh and sighed to himself while pinching the bridge of his nose with thumb and fore finger.
"Go on."
"I need to know…"
"Why I'm amputating my leg? Well, technically the surgeon is going to be doing the procedure I'm just his lab rat."
"House, stop deflecting. This is a serious step."
"Yeah and hopefully it'll lead to more and more steps and then who knows? I might even be able to stand on my own two feet without the aid of this."
Holding up the wooden cane to emphasize his point, House glared at Wilson while trying to remain alert and coherent while keeping his annoyance at bay. The diagnostician hadn't expected the subject to be dropped right away but did Jimmy really have to be his usual enabling safe at a time like this? Unfortunately, the answer was undeniably…yes.
"You'll have to go through rehab and physical therapy."
"I can handle it."
"You'll have to deal with the fact that not all places are wheelchair accessible for awhile."
"I did it for a week once without a problem. Actually, the time off my feet did wonders for my back."
Wilson could see there was no convincing House that this was a mistake. In fact, the oncologist wasn't even sure it was. The only thing that worried Wilson was the idea that if anything went wrong and House had another break down or worse there would be no going back. Then, it accord to him that even now there was no going back, House had made up his mind and that was that.
"I know you're just trying to help and protect me Jimmy and I appreciate it but, this time I really wish you'd lay off and stop being a mother hen. I know what I'm doing, everything will be fine."
"Okay."
"Thank you… So, when's the wedding?"
"Four months, two weeks and 10 days."
"That would be September 10…a fall wedding, nice."