8

They walked into the clinic together where they found Cuddy awaiting their arrival. House usually avoided her early in the day, for starting out a day by working in the clinic was not a good omen for the remainder, but he braved it for Wilson. Just has he had expected, Cuddy engaged in conversation with Wilson since he had been away, leaving House plenty of time to plan his getaway.

"Good morning Dr. Wilson." She addressed him. "House."

"Morning." Wilson responded. House's response was just a nod. He listened while they talked.

"You're looking really good. Any appointments this morning?"

"I think I have a few, don't really know."

"If you're up to working in the clinic I'd appreciate it. I know this one (points in House's direction) will just avoid me."

Wilson smiled. "That's true. I'll see what I can work in. I'm not sure if I'll make it through the day but I'll let you know."

"Whatever works for you."

House butted in. "Cameron's got a case for me. I'll see you two later."

Wilson and Cuddy parted ways shortly after House's departure. Mondays are always busy.

When House arrived at his office, Cameron was waiting with a case and no team. Chase had fallen ill, and Foreman was on vacation visiting his family.

"So it's just us?" He asked as Cameron handed him the chart and informed him of the team's status.

"Yeah."

"Why don't you go run the usual labs and I'll stay here pondering what might happen."

"Yeah sure, you're just going to watch porn, listen to music or fall asleep."

"You know me too well."

Wilson rode the elevator up to his office alone. He was mentally ready for a new day but he didn't know how he would do physically. Reaching his office, he found his schedule for the day as well as a message from his assistant. Taking a seat in the desk chair he looked over the day. It wasn't too busy, seemed like just enough for his first day back.

Most of his patients didn't really notice his wardrobe change, since they were there under more important circumstances. A patient who thinks that they have cancer is usually more worried about the cancer than why the doctor is wearing a t-shirt and has crutches resting behind his desk.

The appointments went well; they were mostly follow ups on labs and tests, nothing that he would have to actually perform a procedure for. He worked until around noon, once his appointments were over it felt like he had hit a wall and fatigue washed over him. Considering it was around lunch time, he pondered finding House and eating. Deciding that he wasn't hungry and that if House was he would come find him, he lied down on the couch and had a nap.

Cameron ran the labs and brought back the results. She found House pouring over texts and the internet at his desk, trying to see if his ideas were leading anywhere. Handing over negative tests results she awaited his next move. He skimmed the pages and then it hit him. He had a dull throbbing around his temples and his eyes, it made it almost impossible to think. He scrunched his eyes and then opened them again. Without looking at her he asked, "What do you think we should do?"

"I think it's autoimmune and well you know the treatment for that."

"Of course you think it's autoimmune." He mumbled, it was barely audible. "Fine do that, it can't hurt anyways." She left him alone with his pile of books and results. Making sure that she was gone he popped a Vicodin and waited a few minutes. It having no effect he put the heals of his hands into his eyes. After trying to massage his temples and various pressure points, he retired to the chair that resides in the corner of his office.

"All the work I do, and I rarely get a headache. What a day to be on the receiving end."

After Cuddy's lunch meeting she decided to check on the two boys. The first stop was House's office, for she would probably have something to talk to Wilson about concerning House after her visit to see him. She found the office darkened and hidden from the hallway via vertical blinds. Cameron was in the conference room, doing paperwork.

"Hey, what's up with House?"

Cameron looked up from her charting. "I only talked to him for a moment. Our patient is taken care of. He was half asleep when I tried to discuss our case. He didn't look good, said that he had a headache, which surprised me because he never has one, it's always leg pain, but anyway he had me close the blinds and turn off the light."

"How long has be been in there like that?"

"Around lunchtime, so about an hour or two. I'm sure he took some Vicodin but it doesn't seem to be helping."

"Alright I'm going to see Wilson. Maybe he knows more about House's headache habits."

Cameron smiled at her alliteration. "Let me know if I can do anything."

Cuddy smiled back and left the office.

Coming up on Wilson's office she found the office bathed in sunlight, but Wilson was asleep on the couch, his leg elevated on a pillow. "How come my two hardest working employees are asleep this afternoon?" Wilson heard her and he stirred from his slumber. "What?" He raised his head and looked around, discovering that the voice belonged to Cuddy. Putting his head back down on the pillow he rubbed his eyes. "What time is it?" He said with a yawn.

"A little after one. And what is the reason behind your nap?"

"I'm not used to working all day yet. This won't be a daily thing if that's what you're asking, and I didn't have any appointments so I'm not canceling to nap or anything." She could tell that Wilson thought he was in trouble.

"You're fine. Don't worry about it. I know you aren't one to sleep on the job, House on the other hand."

"Wait you said that we were both asleep today?"

"Yeah. Do you know anything about him and headaches?"

"Uh he doesn't usually mention them. I'm usually the one with a headache. He's usually leg pain."

"That's what Cameron said."

"He's got a headache today?"

"Yeah. A pretty big one from what Cameron said. Light sensitive and everything."

"Now that's surprising. I heard that he only had Cameron today. Maybe he just stressed himself out, but he almost never gets a headache even when his case is kicking his ass."

"Maybe he would talk to you later today. Only when you're ready for it though, don't let him stress you out or anything."

"Oh no, if he's in pain I have the upper hand. I'll let you know how it goes."