052. Fire

Burning Embers

Wilson stood frozen in the street as he stared at the charred remains of the building in front of him. The fire was out now and water dripped everywhere as fire-fighters picked their way through the blackened rubble. He could see the remains of the piano and the chairs where they both so often sat and talked about complete rubbish. He could see collapsed bookshelves and charred and water-logged books. He could see through into the bedroom and the remains of the bed where just the night before he and House had had sex for the first time.

"Sir?"

The voice and the accompanying hand on his shoulder startled him and his head whipped around to see a fire-fighter standing there, looking tired and worn.

"Sir, are you alright?"

"Wh…what happened?" he stammered.

"Do you know the man who lived here?" the fire-fighter asked carefully.

"I…I live here," Wilson said, his voice starting to fail as the reality dawned on him. "I…I've been staying with House."

The fire-fighter caught him when he swayed and hustled him over to one of the fire trucks, sitting him down on the rear bumper and draping a blanket over his shoulders.

"The fire started in the kitchen from what we can tell," the fire-fighter said with brusque compassion. "The electric kettle shorted out and probably burst into flames."

"It…it had been making odd noises," Wilson said, his voice distant and shocked.

"That's usually a sign you should replace it," the fire-fighter replied. "Sir, is there anyone we can call for you? A relative or a friend perhaps?"

"Uh, I…I don't…" Wilson's voice trailed off weakly.

"It's just they've taken your housemate to the hospital and I'm sure you'll want to follow but I don't think you should drive right now," the fire-fighter continued.

It took a few moments for the man's words to sink in the Wilson's head shot up.

"House is alive?" he demanded.

"Your friend's name is House?" the fire-fighter asked. When Wilson nodded he continued. "Yeah, he's alive. We pulled him out of the bedroom. He was lying next to the bed. He's suffering from smoke inhalation and he's been burnt but I don't think it's too bad. The paramedics said they were taking him to Princeton-Plainsboro since it's the closest."

Wilson shot to his feet, the blanket falling from his shoulders, and the fire-fighter quickly grabbed him.

"I…I need to get there," Wilson said firmly, trying to shake off the other man's hands.

"I know," the fire-fighter said patiently. "But I don't think you're in any condition to drive. Can I call someone for you?"

"No…No, I will," Wilson said absently as he fumbled for his cell phone.

He quickly dialled Cuddy's number as the fire-fighter let him go but watched warily. When Cuddy answered he managed to stammer out something coherent or at least coherent enough for her to understand. She assured him she'd be there as soon as possible then hung up.

"Someone's coming?" the fire-fighter asked.

Wilson nodded, unable to form any more words.

"Good. I've got to get back to work. Will you be okay?"

Wilson nodded again and the fire-fighter patted him on the shoulder before heading back towards the burnt-out shell. Wilson sat in a daze until Cuddy's face came into his line of sight.

"James?" she said softly as she stood in front of him. She looked horrified and concerned.

"I need…can you drive me to the hospital?" Wilson said in a choked voice. "He's there."

Cuddy glanced over at the ruins of the apartment. "House is alive? He survived that?" She took a deep breath. "Which hospital?"

"Ours," Wilson replied.

Cuddy just nodded and took his arm, leading him over to her car and getting him into the passenger seat. She then hurried around to the other side of the car and got in herself. She took off as quickly as she could and Wilson was fairly sure she broke a few speed limits getting to the hospital. He was out of the car the moment it stopped, hurrying into the ER with Cuddy at his heels. He came to a halt once inside, looking around frantically then starting when Cuddy placed a hand on his arm.

"I'll find out where he is," she said calmly before walking over to the nearest nurse and asking a few quiet questions.

The nurse answered then pointed down towards the end of the ER and Wilson took off immediately. He got to the curtained off area the nurse had indicated and slid past the barriers. His knees nearly went out from underneath him when he saw House lying asleep on the bed, bandages on his face and hands and an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose, and he staggered towards the nearest chair. He collapsed into it and buried his face in his hands with a hoarse sob.

Once again he felt a hand on his shoulder and he looked up to see Cuddy crouched next to him.

"He's going to be fine," she said soothingly. "He breathed in a bit of smoke but the burns are minor, first degree only. They're going to admit him for tonight but he should be released tomorrow."

Wilson relaxed at the news then he gave a harsh bark of laughter.

"Released to go where? Where are we going to go? Julie's getting the house. I was staying with him. We've lost everything."

Cuddy nodded once. "We'll…sort something out. Look, you need a place to stay tonight. I have a spare room you can use."

Wilson shook his head firmly. "No. I'm staying here with House."

Cuddy didn't look surprised. "Okay."

Wilson immediately shifted his chair forward until it was next to the bed and he took House's hand in his own. He then leaned forward and pressed a kiss to the sleeping man's lips, not realising that Cuddy hadn't left yet.

She watched this obvious sign of affection, her jaw dropping silently. There had been rumours about the two men doing the rounds for years but she'd never believed them. House had always seemed too closed off, too defensive to allow anyone that close to him. But obviously Wilson had found a way through the walls. She smiled softly then carefully eased her way out of the vicinity. She didn't know how long it had been going on nor did she really care as long as it worked for them…though it certainly explained Wilson's reaction when she'd arrived at House's destroyed apartment tonight. She walked back towards the front desk to speak to House's doctor and made a decision. She'd offered a room to Wilson tonight; if the two men couldn't find anywhere else appropriate to stay tomorrow she'd offer the room to both of them…and then hope like hell Wilson could be a calming influence. It probably wouldn't look good if she murdered House in the night…