Blinded by the Light

Ch. 10

Here it is, the next installment. I think it's like filler for the next chapter, which I have no idea what will come with but I guess I'll find out soon. Let me know if you have any ideas or what you want to see happen.

"Is it gone?" Wilson called from the shower. House had walked in to relieve himself, it was mid morning.
"Not as severe as yesterday but still here."
"Anything else?"
"Nah."
"You are a liar. How long has your head been like this?" Wilson was still in the shower.
"Guess a couple of days. More importantly how did you know it was more than just recently?"
"I've learned to notice your subtleties. Not stealing my food as much, staying in the office." House just left the room; Wilson had stopped the water and was reaching for the towel. He had learned the hard way that he could not crutch and keep a towel around his waist; he donned some shorts before leaving.

House was quiet for most of the day, which was also uncharacteristic. Well he was quiet until Wilson brought out the fourth bottle of water in 4 hours.
"Are you trying to drown me?"
"Nope. Just hydrate you."
"I'm not going to shrivel up and die if that's what you're getting at."
"I think your headache is caused by lake of water. So drink."
"It's not that, but water will help in both cases."
"What do you mean that dehydration isn't it?" Wilson asked as he sat back down on the couch.
"Too much caffeine this week. Creates dehydration and a headache."
"I hope that's it."

Everything was great, until it wasn't. Late that night Wilson woke to a light from the hall. He left the door to his room open, for easy access purposes. He was pretty used to the whole lack of mobility and was doing well for himself. The light was coming from the bathroom, he just knew it. It was confirmed by the sounds coming from the hall as well. Getting up he made his way down the hall and leaned in the doorway. House looked up at him from his kneeling position in front of the toilet. "It's not the caffeine."
"Apparently not."
Wilson had hoped and actually believed that House was right earlier, and now he was a little worried for him. He would just make the best of it for the time being and try to make House comfortable. After getting House situated in his room, Wilson slipped Cuddy a quick email and then tried to get some sleep. Who got the flu in the summer anyways?

Cuddy arrived that morning and, after finding the spare key Wilson had mentioned, let herself into the dark and cool apartment. All she knew was that House had the flu or that's what Wilson thought and Wilson didn't think he could handle it with the lack of supplies in the apartment. After adjusting to the conditions she began to look around for signs of life within the darkened cave of an apartment. There was a light being emitted from the hall, coming from the bathroom. Her first move was to find Wilson, House was probably asleep. She found them both in House's bedroom, House on her left, Wilson on the right. Both were asleep, Wilson more than House by the looks of it. House looked uncomfortable and exhausted, a look Cuddy only saw occasionally and was glad for that, Wilson also looked tired but not exhausted, more like he had been up most of the night, which was probably correct. Sitting facing Wilson she called his name several times and finally woke him by placing a hand on his knee. Rubbing his eyes he tried to focus on her figure.
"Shh" She called, "Let's go talk in the other room, he's asleep." After helping him out of the room she led them to the living room couch. "So how was last night?"
"It was up and down. He's ill and right now, empty. We thought, well he thought it was an excess of caffeine this week but that was ruled out when he started vomiting. He's in rough shape now, leg hurts from the muscle strain on his whole body and probably dehydrated. He only drank so he had something to get rid of later." He stopped and shuffled for a better, more comfortable on the couch.
"I've brought everything you asked for. Can I get you anything while I'm here?"
"Nah, I'm fine. He's been asleep for a few hours if you want to go and get some vitals. He's probably had enough of me bugging him."
"He knows you did it because you care about him."
"Yeah but he still hates it when I treat him like a kid."
"Sometimes he needs it." She said with a smile, picturing the usual crabby House when he's ill. Grouchy, doesn't want to talk and doesn't want help even though he can barely walk or move.

Hoping she'd get a sleepy version of the usual House, she again entered the bedroom. He was in the same position but he breathing was a little faster than the pace was for sleeping. Sitting this time on his side of the bed, she took his wrist for a pulse and waited quietly.
"You're not Wilson." He remarked still with his eyes closed.
"You're right." She said with a hint of a smile in her voice. "How are you feeling?"
"How do I look?"
"That bad huh?" She said with another smile.
"Now stop that." He retorted with a hint of a smirk "I'm not in the right state to be joking with you. Not today."
"You feel that bad?"
"Sometimes."
"How's your leg? Your head? Fever?"
"Moderate, Moderate and yes. In that order."
"Can you keep anything down?"
"I've tried. It's a game I won't win."
"You know what that means?"
"Yes. Just make it quick."
"I'll be back."
Cuddy left the room and found Wilson dozing in the living room where she left him. Gathering her bag, "He's consented to IV meds, he really is sick." She turned and went back to House. Wilson was left thinking about what was really wrong with his friend.