"Did you hear what I said?"

"Of course I heard you. I'm not deaf."

The sad tone in which this comment was made was matched by the look of concern in House's eyes.

"What do you mean he's gone? Did he quit his job? Leave the state? Get abducted by aliens…?"

"I don't know where he went, but I do know that everything's been cleared out of the head of Oncology's office and…I found this note lying on the desk."

Handing the note over to House so he could see for himself, Cuddy subconsciously held her breath trying to hold back her tears.

As House looked at the paper he recognized Wilson's sloppy yet neat hand writing immediately. He remembered joking to Jimmy once that that was the only way people could tell them apart.

To whom it may concern,

I am writing this note as an apology to my friends Lisa Cuddy and Greg House for ruining their wedding plans with my own problems. Well, hopefully they won't find this until I've left but still, I feel like hell.

I need a break, a permanent break from medicine and this hospital. I need to clear my head…(House knew Wilson was drunk when he wrote this because there were dried alcohol stains covering the next few inches of the page)

Goodbye for now….I'm out

James Wilson

"He's out of his mind."

"You may be right but, he's obviously in trouble. What should we do?"

"Hold that thought, I'll be right back." This being said House threw on his jacket and left the apartment while Cuddy glared at him knowingly.

Meanwhile, Wilson had just packed the last of his belongings into boxes and was now lifting them into the car. He knew what he was about to do was stupid but James didn't care he just needed to get out. Unfortunately, the sight of a familiar orange motorcycle with an enormous scrape down the side pulling into the driveway deferred any attempt at an escape, at least for now.

As House got off the bike and limped towards his friend who remained standing by the car there appeared to be a look of concern covering his face if only for a moment before it was replaced by the usual coy smile.

"Smooth Wilson, real smooth."

"Not now House."

"Then when? Your obviously planning on leaving town. What's the matter you don't like me anymore?"

Even though the words suggested sarcasm the eyes portrayed something more. Curiosity? Caring? Sincerity? Wilson watched as House limped over to the three stairs leading into the apartment and sat down while resting his leg above the third step.

"What makes you think this has anything to do with you?"

"(Sigh) I read the note."

"That was just my way of blowing off steam."

"And this?"

House pointed to the car that had been packed with all of Wilson's belongings and arched an eye brow. Couldn't Wilson see how much this was effecting him?

"You of all people should know, that some people are better off alone."

"Yeah, but sooner or later that decision comes back to bite you in the ass."

"Is that why your marrying Cuddy?"

At this question, House closed his eyes for a moment before shaking his head and returning to Wilson with an irritated glare.

"Wilson, even the most stubborn men have a breaking point. (Pause) Now, I have something I'd like to know….why are you so desperate to be alone? Did I make it look that appealing? "

Wilson couldn't help but smirk at this comment. No matter how much he tried the oncologist felt a connection to the life of his friend or at least a connection to the freedom of it.

"Yes."

"So this is your attempt at being me."

"You've spent the past decade thumbing your nose at the world while shouting no at any once of humanity…."

"Yeah, while popping pain pills and feeling isolated and trapped within my own skin."

"What?"

House didn't answer this question but got up from the stairs and limped over to his bike. If Wilson wanted to be alone and cut off the from the rest of the world for awhile he wasn't going to stop him.

"Where are you going?"

"(Pause) I know why your doing this Wilson. After Amber died you left for two months hoping to clear your head. Which worked until you came back and realized that things weren't the same in your love life and they weren't the same with me. The roles have been reversed. This time I'm in love and your alone….I can't tell you how sorry I am."

This being said, House turned the key into the ignition, revved up the engine and within minutes was gone out of sight leaving Wilson alone. Wasn't that what he wanted?

(Any thoughts? More to come soon. Happy Turkey Day)