A/N: H/W from here on. Thanks to T.M.K.06 for speeding up the update process. I think this'll be wrapped up in the next couple of parts, but am pretty open to suggestion. Please feel free to offer up suggestions for what you'd like to see more or less of in this

Part 6

"House," Wilson began not quite sure how to continue. House was doing a great job of not paying him any mind, busying himself trying to change position, awkwardly trying to lift his right leg onto the table with his left hand.

"Hand me that cushion from over there, would 'ya?" House's voice was strained with effort.

Wilson let out an exasperated sigh as he moved to help his friend.

"Here," he said as he helped prop the leg up on the cushion. He was about to step away when House grabbed his hand. Their eyes conversed. The deep pools of blue reflected a vulnerability borne of things long-hidden coming to the forefront as the chocolate orbs brimmed with caring and love that had been re-awoken.

The love House saw in Wilson overwhelmed him for a moment as he found himself pulling the young man into a chaste kiss. Wilson allowed himself to be swept into the lip lock for a moment, relishing the intimacy with the man who held everyone at arm's length, relishing feeling close to anyone when just a few hours earlier he had sat at the bus stop feeling utterly and completely alone, relishing feeling at home with his friend. House buried his fingers in Wilson's chestnut mane as flashes of tongue flicked between them. They shared kisses that were at once deep, needy and searching, and full, self-assured and comfortable. It was Wilson who pulled away first. His pragmatic side won out. There were matters at hand that needed to be discussed.

"House we need to talk," he said after a few moments. "Did you really think this was going to be that easy?"

"No, but I figured you might be."

"Well, how sad for you, you figured wrong."

"Come on Jimmy, bedroom's right down the hall there."

"Using that as a ploy to get out of this conversation, means you'll be getting there with me later rather than sooner, if at all," Wilson said seriously as he made his way to the kitchen. He knew that one of them needed to be adult about this.

House's lecherous expression was wiped clean at that comment. He might have thought the kiss would be a convenient out from this conversation that he didn't want to have, but he knew there was much more to be explored there, for both of them.

"Here drink this," Wilson said shoving a glass of juice into his hand. "Your lips are dryer than the Mojave. The last thing I need right now is you dehydrated or hypoglycemic."

"You wound me," House said with mock drama, as he took the glass.

"You'll get over it," replied Wilson, who then dropped all mirth from his expression and grew serious and sincere.

"You could have told me," he said quietly as he looked directly into House's eyes.

"Evidence to the contrary, the fact that I didn't," House replied before growing serious. "No. If I could have, I would have," he said, gaze unwavering. "And, besides, it's not like the times I tried went so well," House said shooting daggers from his eyes. Relying on his years of verbal sparring experience, he knew the best defense was a good offense.

"That's bull," Wilson replied, knowing House's tricks all too well, and that if he let any of his guilt show now, he was a goner. "You insist on having every piece of a puzzle before trying to solve it: you break into people's homes; retake their histories; snoop around in their personal files," Wilson defiantly emphasized the word personal before continuing.

"But then you expect me to react appropriately when you give me hardly any information to go on. I've asked you for that kind of information how many times over the years? I had a right to know. Forget about the fact that we're supposedly friends since I know that's a difficult concept for you, but as your prescribing physician, I had a right to know. You had an obligation to tell me. So no, you don't get to be hurt or mad that my reaction when you tried to tell me wasn't what you wanted because I had crap to go on. Years, House, for years I asked you about these things. And little did I know, you had a catalogue of all the answers sitting here in your apartment. That file. That file has pain ratings, your thoughts on other drugs and methods. The fact that you tried other drugs and methods, and didn't bother to mention it. God House, you could have told me," Wilson was speaking quickly and emphatically, having trouble containing himself. "You should have told me. Do you know how much easier things could have been if you just told me?"

"Ah yes, let's never forget the toll that my pain has taken on you. Oh, how you've suffered. You poor thing, having to deal with being able-bodied and pain free all these years must have been oh so hard."

"Don't House." Wilson said holding up a hand to stop House. Wilson knew he needed to hang on to every bit of his anger to get anything accomplished in this conversation. He looked at House studying him. The blue eyes were ripe with indignation, but behind that, Wilson could see the vulnerability remained, and he softened his tone a bit before continuing.

"I can't imagine how hard all of this has been for you. But if you had told me about some of the things in that file, I'd have had a much better idea a hell of a lot sooner."

"Yeah well, focusing on the past is always the best way to move forward, I always say," House tried to hide the fact that he winced when he shifted to reach for his Vicodin. His leg, shoulder, and everything else were killing him after his in-shower tumbling act. He downed one and took another sip of the juice Wilson had brought with him. Wilson stayed absolutely silent and did not let his expression falter while House took the pill. He knew what House meant, and that House was gauging his reaction to House's pain and pills now that he knew what he knew.

"Look, I wish you'd have told me about all this stuff sooner, when it happened. But for whatever reason, you didn't. Fine, I get that. You want to move forward, than tell me that it'll be different. That you'll be more open with me about this stuff from now on."

"Because that's worked so well for me in the past. I'm really looking forward to more placebos and psychobabble. Oh, and you know what's super fun, detoxing for your pleasure. Especially, when you and Cuddy decide to throw out basic medical knowledge like how physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms do not equal addiction. Jeez, the first year med students know better."

"Ah yes, focusing on the past is always the best way to move forward, you always say," Wilson snarked back. "I was wrong House, I get it, but then again, I had crap to go on. I'm willing to accept my mistakes and work with you, but that means you have to work with me too. I need you to be more honest with me. Besides just think, if you tell me everything, and I'm still wrong, well then, you get to be all mad and self-righteous and rub it in my face. Right now, you've given me a hell of a defense. I'm putting a lot on the line here lying to the cops. I'd like to know that it won't happen again." Wilson paused before going on. He reached over and touched House's hand looking straight into his eyes. "You can trust me House. Whether I want to throw you across the room, or I want to kiss you, you can trust me."

House sighed wearily. He knew Wilson had a point, and he couldn't shake the feeling that he owed him something given this whole legal mess, and the forged prescription. The fall earlier, and so many instances like it, reminded him that having someone on his side who he could depend on was something he needed. He nodded tightly. "I don't like making promises I can't keep, but I'll try," he said sincerely. "Now did my ears deceive me, or was there a proposition for more kissing in there." House shifted quickly from serious and somber to playful. "I knew you were easy."

"You're incorrigible," Wilson mused, feeling triumphant that he had actually gotten through to House for a change, and content to let this be enough for now. They had both been through too much recently.

"You wouldn't want me any other way," House said smiling as he pulled Wilson back towards him. Maybe being more open with Wilson wouldn't be so bad, he thought to himself.