A/N: Sorry for the delay. This chapter and the next are the hardest ones to write. House needs to open up and getting him to do that and stay in character are a challenge. I greatly admire all you wonderful fan fiction writers who do such a terrific job with these stories. I've been writing for years, but doing an original story and keeping in character is very hard. So those who do it well are to be admired. I am trying to keep him the House we all know and love, as well as to write an interesting story.

Thanks for the reviews as well. I do appreciate the support.

Chapter 25: Stalemate

House limped into Wilson's office the next day and looked at his friend without speaking. Wilson looked up from his desk and asked, "What's up?"

House sat down. "How's your new apartment?"

Wilson smiled. "It's great. I'm still unpacking, since I've only been there a few days, but it's great to have my own place again."

"So you have all new furniture and all?"

"Yep. Bought new bedroom, living room and kitchen furniture."

House hesitated, then said. "Is a comfortable sofa in that new living room?"

Wilson looked at his friend and saw the pain in his eyes for the first time. "Why are you asking? What's wrong?"

"Just seeing if that sofa is comfortable enough to sleep on."

"For who to sleep on?"

"Me."

Wilson shook his head sadly. "What did you do?"

House shot his head up. "What makes you think I did something?"

"Hello? I am acquainted with you. If I had to lay odds on who screwed up, all my money goes on you."

"Lot of faith you have in your friend. Look, forget it. I'll find someplace else to go." House got up from the chair and headed for the door.

"Of course you can stay with me." Wilson said.

House nodded and started out, but turned once to say, "Thanks."

As soon as he was gone, Wilson picked up his phone.

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At the police station, Kate and Joanne were in the employee lunchroom eating. Or at least, Joanne was eating. Kate was playing with her sandwich.

"So," Joanne said, "How long before you tell me what's wrong?"

Kate looked at her. "You've told me that you don't read minds, but I think you do. How do you always know when there's something wrong?"

"Oh, honey, years of dealing with children's problems. Not to mention that I know you very well."

Kate smiled at her friend, then went back to playing with the sandwich.

"Katie?" Joanne prompted quietly.

Without looking up, Kate said, "Greg moved out."

"Oh, no. What did you do?"

Kate sat back. "What makes you think I did something?"

"Because I know that temper of yours. And your tendency to speak without thinking. I also know how much that man loves you."

"Not that much, apparently."

"Do you want to tell me about it?"

"Not yet. There's a lot I need to process first." She looked at the sandwich again. "I'm not really hungry. I need to go question that witness. I'll talk to you later."

Joanne just nodded as Kate left the room. She quickly finished her lunch and returned to her desk.

She was just about to dial a number on her phone when she saw the light indicating that she had a message. She smiled, knowing who it was from.

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"Jimmy, I don't know. She wouldn't tell me anything." Joanne said, exasperation in her voice.

Wilson ran his hand through his hair as he cradled the receiver. "It's got to be him. He knows how to screw up good things better than anyone I know."

"She's no angel either. I've seen her temper get her into plenty of uncomfortable situations."

"Well, he's going to be staying with me, so I'll see what I can out of him."

"I'll do the same with her. And I'll talk to you in a few days to see where this stands."

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Three weeks later.

"Joanne, has she said anything? Because he won't tell me a thing."

Joanne sighed. "Actually, she did tell me some of it."

Wilson started to ask, "Well, what…"

She interrupted him. "Don't even ask. She knows I talk to you and she made me promise not to tell you. She wants Gregory to tell you himself. She said if he does, then he'll be facing the problems and maybe they can work them out."

Wilson rolled his eyes. "He'll never admit a thing. He's the most stubborn man alive!"

"I know, but there's nothing we can do until they start talking about the problem."

"This is so crazy. They really love each other and they belong together."

"Jimmy, I absolutely agree with you. But it's out of our hands."

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House missed his wife and daughter. He couldn't admit this to anyone. But late at night, laying awake on Wilson's sofa, he knew how much he missed them. Since Emily was in the day care center at the hospital, he went to see her there every day. He also spent every Sunday afternoon with her. But it wasn't the same as singing her to sleep each night and seeing her pixie face each morning when he woke up.

And Kate. He had gotten so used to her warm body beside him at night. He slept so well when they slept together. He missed her cop stories and the way she reacted to his stories about the hospital.

He hadn't discussed the separation with his team, but they knew right away that something was different. Eventually Wilson let them know what was going on, but made them swear not to let House know he'd told them. They tried to have patience with him, but he was even more miserable than he had been before Kate entered his life. Ultimately, they stayed out of his way as much as possible.

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Kate missed House as well. Their big bed felt empty without him. She kept waiting to hear his slow gait and the thump of his cane as walked through the house. She couldn't manage to practice her piano lessons without him correcting her and she missed listening to him play. And every time she looked at her daughter's blue eyes, she felt a deep sadness fill her.

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Wilson tried to talk to House, but every time he brought up Kate, House clammed up and refused to discuss it. Wilson knew that his friend was hiding something, but there was no way to get through to him. Joanne still refused to betray Kate's confidence, so there was nothing Wilson could do.

Joanne also tried talking to Kate, to get her to approach her husband and force him to face the problems, but Kate was adamant that House had to come to the realization himself.

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Three months had passed since House had moved out. They barely saw or talked to each other. When he spent Sundays with Emily, they coolly greeted each other. Usually, Kate went out to go grocery shopping or something on those days, so that House could spend the time with Emily at the house. He liked to take the opportunity to play his beloved piano. He knew he should get a place of his own so that he could have the piano moved there, but that would mean admitting the marriage was over. He wasn't ready to do that.

Unfortunately, he was also not ready to discuss the problems.