CHAPTER 10:
The next day, House had made arrangements through Mayfield to have a cab come and pick him up, mainly because he didn't feel like listening to Wilson play twenty questions with him on the way home. As he walked out the doors to the hospital and down the steps, he turned to look back one more time, much the same way he did when those doors closed on him. He turned back to the cab awaiting him and as he carefully got into it, we see another image of Dr. Scott and the head of the hospital Dr. Mastaccoli looking through a window hidden from House's site.
Inside the office of Dr. Mastaccoli, he says to her, "There goes one incredibly brilliant, troubled man."
She says, "Yes, but aren't we all a bit troubled in some way, David? He's complex and unique. And I do hope if I come down with some rare, crazy disease, he's my doctor, because he's the most honest, interesting person I've ever met in my life."
Dr. Mastaccoli looks at her quizzically.
She walks away as Dr. Mastaccoli watches House's cab drive away.
Later that night, we find House back home. Wilson is with him, as he's refused to let House stay by himself that night. Wilson has made himself comfortable on House's couch watching monster trucks on TV with his feet propped up on the coffee table.
Coming out of the kitchen, mug of coffee in hand, House says to him, "You know, you can go home. I can wipe my own ass, mom."
"I would feel better if you had a little company for the night in case things get a little rough."
"Things would only get a little rough in here if I had three hookers, a box of handcuffs, and keg of beer in here."
"House, you just came from….."
"….the loony bin? Yeah I know. I've got the t-shirt…."I survived the ride of the criminally insane. The delusions stop here."
"I get it. You want to return to normal….get on with your life. Hey, I'm all for that. I've missed the words of wisdom concerning my personal life and the multitude of insults hurled on a daily basis. But I'm concerned about you stepping off the curb and getting hit by a bus."
"Ironic that you would mention the same moving vehicle that killed your dead girlfriend and put me on the yellow brick road to see the wizard. Unfortunately, I did lose my brain for awhile but I got it back." He taps his cane on the side of his foot and says, "There's no place like home." He then takes a sip from the mug.
"I'm not leaving."
"Fine. Just don't screw up my TiVo."
House places his cane on the side of the couch, puts the mug on his coffee table, sits and gets comfortable on the couch by propping up his feet.
As both are staring at the television, watching the monster trucks, Wilson asks, "You want pizza?"
"Yeah." House answers.
Later that night, House is sitting in his bed reading one of his medical textbooks with his glasses on. Unable to concentrate or sleep, House places the open book on his lap face down and sits staring blankly for a minute. He then looks over at the clock and notices that the time is eleven thirty. The appearance on his face shows that he is thinking for a minute. Finally, he takes off his glasses, placing them on the nightstand next to him, picks up the phone and dials. We then are transported to Cuddy's house where she lay sleeping in the darkened confines of her room. Suddenly, she is awakened by her ringing phone. She turns to pick up the phone, noticing the late hour on the clock next to it.
She sits up in her bed and answers with a weary, "Hello."
"Did I wake the baby?"
Cuddy turns on the light next to her and we see her give a soft smile at the familiarity of the voice on the other end.
She answers him, "No, not yet anyway. Is everything okay?"
"I couldn't sleep. Wilson's snoring is so loud I keep thinking someone is trying to steal my motorcycle."
"He's there with you?"
"Yes…unfortunately. I really need to get him a hooker."
"He's worried about you. Be grateful."
"I bet you're worried about me too. Probably spent a lot of sleepless nights watching Beaches over and over again, crying your eyes out."
She laughs and says, "You're an ass."
It's quiet for a moment then House says to her, "I wanna come back tomorrow."
She gives him a hesitant sigh saying, "Oh…House….I don't know if I can do that. It's too soon."
"Cuddy, you know me. You know if I stay here in this apartment by myself, I'm gonna go crazy…which is pretty ironic since I just came from the wacko ward. I need to do something…exercise my brain again…mock moron patients…tell my fellows their idiots while providing them with my genius mentoring skills."
She thinks for a minute then says, "I'll let you back on a few conditions. One…you get a week probationary period with Foreman supervising you as he continues to oversee your cases."
"I'm okay with that."
"Good, because two has you exercising your secondary diagnostic skills in the clinic for two hours a day for one month."
He winces, "Are you kidding me? Seriously?"
"Hey, I have to make sure that you're still competent enough to practice so I can protect the hospital's ass."
"Couldn't you have just put me in the MRI machine, asked me a few questions and looked to see if the diagnostic part of my brain was highlighted?"
" I could, but what's the fun in that."
"You're evil."
"Those are the terms. Take them or leave them."
Rolling his eyes, he answers her flatly, "Fine."
"Great. Make sure you get there at nine…AM."
Jokingly he says, "I don't know if I can do that. I signed up for a crochet class at that time. My therapist says I should try new things."
"Shut up and get your ass there on time tomorrow. Goodnight, House."
"Wait." He says quickly. "Don't hang up yet. I have one more request."
"What's that?"
He pauses for a minute and says, "A date."
"A date?" She asks. She then smiles and says, "What if I say no?"
"Then I'll ask Cameron. I mean…I know she's married and everything but I still think she has the hots for me."
Cuddy laughs at his sarcasm. Then says, "Okay….but….not to some bar for wing night. I want a real dinner…with you paying."
"Damn…and just when I wanted to drink you under the table again." He says sarcastically.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last time I believe I drank you under the table and pocketed two hundred dollars in cash in the process."
"I still want a recount."
She laughs and again says, "Goodnight, House."
"What are you wearing?"
"Use your imagination."
"Okay, should I go with swimsuit model Cuddy or porn star Cuddy?"
"Goodnight, House."
"Night, Cuddy."
They each hang up the phone. House places the book on the nightstand, turns off the light and falls asleep.