Author's Note: Sorry about the delay, everyone. It's been a crazy week. Thanks for sticking with the story. Hope you like where it's going.

"Unbelievable," Wilson thought to himself, as he surveyed the mountain of dirty dishes threatening to overtake House's kitchen sink. "I think these are the same dishes that were here three months ago when I moved out".

"Good plan. Wash a few of those up so you'll have a clean pan to make me some eggs and a couple pancakes," House said sarcastically, buttoning his shirt from the kitchen doorway behind Wilson.

Wilson cringed and turned to look at his hopelessly disorganized friend. "Ok, not going to happen. And, even if I wanted to, I wouldn't know where to begin. How can you live like this? Even getting some peanut butter from the jar requires a clean spoon at some point, House".

House shrugged as he slipped his arms into his blazer. "When the real stuff runs out, I restock from the cafeteria. Never underestimate the functionality of a spork," he sniped. "Besides, it's not my fault your maid quit coming around".

Wilson began to rub imaginary knots out of his neck. "You threatened to deport her and her entire family when she dusted the guitars on the wall. And, she's not even an illegal! If you want someone to come in twice a month and clean this hovel, you're on your own".

House looked completely unruffled by Wilson's outrage. "So, no breakfast then?"

Wilson turned out the kitchen light, walking past House to pick up his newspaper from the coffee table. "Fine. Tell me why I had to drive you into work this morning, and I'll stop at McDonalds".

House slung his backpack over his right shoulder and looked at Wilson in disgust. "McDonalds? Are you trying to kill me? If you're not going to make me pancakes and eggs, the least you can do is take me to IHOP or Waffle House. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day".

"Take it or leave it," Wilson said, smugly.

"Fine. But, you're paying".

"Naturally," and with that, Wilson pulled the locked door of House's townhouse shut behind them.

Wilson politely thanked the cashier at the drive- through window before rolling up his window. "So, let's have it. You've got your egg McMuffin, and hash browns, too. And, I'm begging you, don't eat the hash browns in the car, I still haven't gotten the last greasy thing you ate in here off of the leather seats yet. Now, why couldn't you drive yourself in today?"

Bits of cheese and egg sandwich fell from House's mouth as he tried to speak. "I needed to talk to you away from the hospital…privately".

"Yes, because our offices aren't due to be swept for electronic bugs until next Friday, right?"

House crammed more of the English muffin sandwich into his mouth, causing the right side of his cheek to puff out like a squirrel's. "What do you know about why Sebastian Charles is in town?"

"Ok, first of all-- use a napkin, please," Wilson said, in an annoyed voice, as he shoved several white napkins onto House's lap. "And, all I know is that Cuddy told me yesterday afternoon that he was coming to run a TB clinic on the college campus and that we are to give him our complete support," Wilson lied, trying to fly under House's impeccably honed 'shit- detector' radar.

House eyed his friend intently. "Did she ask you to work it this week or was that only my office that had that honor?"

"I'm working a couple hours each day as my schedule permits".

"As your schedule permits? What the hell does that mean?" House bellowed, as he shoved the last bite of egg McMuffin into his already overstuffed mouth.

"Why are you getting so worked up about this? She's excused you from regular clinic duty next week. And, it's just two hours a day, House. You should be thanking her".

A small smile snaked its way across House's mouth. "How did you know she excused me from my regular clinic duty?"

"Because she said she did when she excused me, as well," Wilson lobbed back. "What, do you think she's got an ulterior motive? Making you act like a doctor and actually treat sick people is some sort of crazy punishment for breaking up with her?"

"Just don't believe in coincidences, that's all. Especially when they involve me or my team", he sulked.

Wilson closed his eyes briefly to avoid rolling them in exasperation. "House, you have no new cases. You've only got three interviews this week and she's letting you off the hook from having to see any other patients for almost ten days. Shut up and be thankful she's not making you work there any longer than she is".

House stared out the window in silence as Wilson pulled his car into his parking space in the hospital parking garage.

"What? You're mad at me, now?"

House roughly swung the car door. "Nope. Just find it very interesting," he scoffed.
"That's the same load of crap Cuddy gave me". House turned back to smile at him, and then quickened his pace, leaving Wilson far behind.