Disclaimed.

Ok folks here's the deal. I have the flu which blows but it's not a very bad case and we caught it early so I shouldn't be out for too long. However with this and tests and projects and homework (two honors classes in one semester...big mistake. Thanks a lot guidance!) I know I haven't updated like I should. I think I have the final song list for the serious version of Piano Man so I should post that any day now. I'm really truly VERY sorry for the stupid long wait. I hate when authors do that to me. I will try to do better in the future. So this chapter might not be very long but I really left you hanging last chapter so here goes nothing. Not as drama filled as I tend to like but hey, I can't throw too many problems their way! If it gets weird blame it on the meds.

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"Enjoying the show?"

"Hey you can't get mad at me for it now, so why not?" Wilson's eyes grew wide and Cameron wrinkled her nose before grinning and turning to put away the rest of the dishes.

"Whatever you say House."

"I wouldn't put it like that if I were you." Wilson warned. The three laughed for a moment until they were interrupted by the phone. Looking at the caller I.D. House dropped his smile.

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"Who is it?" Wilson asked, a glimpse of worry touching his voice. Cameron placed her hand on House's shoulder.

"It's my Mom. I told Joy to call if something was wrong." House pressed talk and put the phone to his ear. "Hello?"

"Greg it's your mother."

"Hi Mom. Joy get there ok last night?"

"Yes Greg, she got here fine. And nothing was wrong, just like I told you on the phone last night. But Greg...I have some...news. I got a call today from the police."

"The police? What did they want?" House furrowed his brow and Wilson and Cameron stopped doing the dishes and sat near their friend, trying to get some information from just House's side of the conversation.

"Honey...apparently your fa-...John had been drinking last night."

"There's a shock." House rolled his eyes.

"Darling. There was an accident. He didn't make it."

House was silent.

"The police think it may have been on purpose. I'm going to have him cremated. I'd really like it if you could come. But I'll understand if you don't. Just please...think about it. The ceremony is in two days. I have some more calls to make. Call back when you decide, Darling. I love you."

"Yeah...you too." House hung up the phone and set it on the table. Looking at it a moment he looked to Wilson. "How long would you say until I can travel."

"Depends on how far, why?"

"John House killed himself drunk driving last night. Cremations on Saturday." House rolled his wheelchair out of the room, leaving Wilson and Cameron sitting in shock. Regaining their senses, they stood and followed him into the living room where he was flipping through the channels on the tv.

"Are you...alright?" Wilson offered up, placing his hand on the back of his neck the way he always does when he can't quite think of what he should say. Cameron just stood in the doorway, hands by her sides, looking at him as if she were a lost puppy, not entirely sure what to do, but willing to do whatever it takes to make him happy. House gave Wilson a thoughtful look before wheeling over to his cd collection. He began scanning through, apparently looking for something.

"Why wouldn't I be Jimmy? It's not like he was my father or anything. You heard what he said last night. Before he decided to kill himself that is." Finding the desired cd, he popped it in the player and skipped to a song. The beginning strands of Lucinda Williams' "Are You Alright?" permeated the room, passing through their bodies like some spirit sent to distract them all from the bomb that had been dropped upon them. House closed his eyes and just listened to the music.

"Are you sleeping through the night?
Do you have someone to hold you tight?
Do you have someone to hang out with?
Do you have someone to hug and kiss you,
Hug and kiss you, Hug and kiss you?
Are you alright?"

Sitting down, Wilson trained his eyes on his friend. Cameron remained in place, a statue in the rain.

"Are you alright?
'Cause you took off without a word.
Are you alright?
You flew away like a little bird.
Are you alright?
Is there anything I can do?
Are you alright?
'Cause I need to hear from you.
Are you alright?"

As the song ended, House opened his eyes.

"Is it bad that I feel a bit relieved?" Wilson and Cameron glanced at each other. They didn't need to speak, as House answered his own question. "I don't think it is. I think it's alright." He turned and headed for the bathroom. "I'm going to take a shower." Cameron took her cue and stood. Stopping House, she placed a kiss on his cheek.

"I'm going to head home to shower and change. Check my email and stuff. I'll stop back by later?" In other words she said, "I'm gonna give you some space to wrap your head around this and then is it ok if I come back to help you lick your wounds?" House nodded in appreciation. As she walked out the door, Wilson pushed House's chair to the bathroom. Setting his shower chair in the tub, he turned on the water to heat up. Stripping to his boxers, House sat in silence. Wilson got out a towel and closed the toilet to sit down. Steam peaked out from behind the curtain and Wilson helped House in. Once in his shower chair, House flung his boxers over the top of the curtain. They landed on Wilson's shoulder. Gingerly, he picked them up between his thumb and forefinger, looking at them in disgust.

"Did I make it in the sink?" House questioned hopefully, like a child. Wilson smirked and tossed the boxers into the sink.

"Yeah House. You made it in the sink." Wilson managed to sound mildly annoyed, even though both men knew it was a act. A stab at normalcy in this Alice in Wonderland movie they both felt they were living in. Leaving the bathroom door cracked, Wilson headed to the kitchen to finish the dishes.

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Sorry it's short you guys. Just felt like a good place to end it. Hope you kinda enjoyed it. This should hold you over for another little bit.

"Take care of the sense, and the sounds will take care of themselves." -The Duchess, Alice in Wonderland.