Takes place about six weeks after the last chapter.

It was surprising, the level of restraint Wilson showed. He hadn't said a word about House's 'nightmare' for weeks. Thought that could be credited to House threatening to burn all Wilson's ties. It could happen.

So now House was back at work. There was still pain but there always would be. Cuddy had mercifully cut down his clinic hours so that was a plus. He was still in the wheelchair though since Wilson didn't want him walking around just yet even though there was no medically justified reason for him not to. He would try and ditch it as soon as possible.

"Hey." Wilson popped his head through the glass door and smiled at House. "Are you ready for lunch?"

House nodded in reply. He noticed Wilson was wearing his dark blue tie. Out of all the ties he had it was the only one that House could actually tolerate and they both knew it.

The diagnostician rose unsteadily to his feet, grasping the head of his cane tightly.

"You agreed you would use the wheelchair." Wilson complained.

"I'm not waiting around for you to push me everywhere, Wilson. I can move around on my own two feet just fine." He leaned heavily on his cane to prevent putting to much weight on his leg and held his broken wrist close to his body.

Wilson gestured to his friend's painful stance with an open palm. "Look at you. You can't even stand right. Tell me what you did with the wheelchair so I can get it for you."

House hobbled painfully past the oncologist, wincing just a little with every step. "Hurry up so you can pay for my food."

Wilson jogged a little to catch up and walked slowly to keep in step with the older doctor. "You shouldn't be walking around. You just had an accident."

"Over a month ago. So when I'm in pain next month are you going to bring it up again?"

The Wilson pinched the bridge of his nose. A sign that he was quickly becoming fed up. "I think you should talk to someone."

"I'm talking to you." He said as he pushed the button for the elevator.

"You know what I mean." Wilson glared at the other doctor. "So you don't want to talk to me, I get it. You should talk to someone though." He let House step onto the elevator first.

"I talk to someone enough as is." House grumbled under his breath.

"That wasn't the first time you've had those nightmares, is it?"

House shot Wilson a warning glare. "Drop it, Wilson. There's no need to play savior here."

"I'm not playing savior. I'm trying to help you." Wilson stepped quickly to get off the elevator and matched House's stride again.

"Don't want it."

"Don't care."

House was quiet the rest of the way except to the person behind the counter that Wilson was paying. Wilson tried to get him to talk during their lunch but he wouldn't say a word. So they settled for silence with minimal tension in the air.

"I'm burning your green tie." House said suddenly after Wilson had dumped their trays.

"What? Why?" Wilson practically squeaked.

"You promised you wouldn't bring up my nightmare." House answered with a shrug.

"You can't just burn my tie, House." Wilson watched his friend rise laboriously to his feet. "You wouldn't really…right? House?"

"See you, Wilson." House called as he limped out the cafeteria. "Don't worry I'll send you the ashes so you can scatter them as you see fit."

Nearly knocking over a nurse in his haste, Wilson hurried to catch up with the injured doctor but House smirked as the elevator doors closed before Wilson made it. For a man with a bad leg and multiple injuries, he could move fast when he wanted.

House kept smirking as he entered his office even though pain was blazing in his leg. Wilson breathed heavily as he jogged in the diagnostician's office. The younger doctor stood before the desk, hands on hips.

"Let's act like adults and talk about this." He gasped breathlessly. "You can't just go around burning other people's stuff."

House sat down slowly, letting out a measured breath as the pain in his leg lessened slightly. "Actually we had a verbal agreement which you broke."

The younger doctor's eyes widened with disbelief. "You're not seriously going to burn my tie…are you?"

"Maybe." House groaned a little as he used one hand to lift his bad leg onto his desk. "I'm open to compromise."

"I'll pick up dinner on our way home."

"Good man." House said approvingly. If there was one way to his heart it was through food and they both knew it.

Just as the door closed it was opened again. Foreman entered with a small smile on his face.

"I solved it." He threw the file on House's desk and stood back, hands on hips, looking triumphant. "I solved your case."

House merely glanced up at Foreman before reaching into his desk drawer to get his PSP with a wince. "I had no doubt you would solve it without me on account I haven't been here."

"I realize that's probably the best I'm going to get from you but couldn't I get a congratulations?"

"You don't need it therefore I don't have to give it." House tried to play his game but his cast got in his way and he kept losing so he tossed the game into his backpack. He rose laboriously to his feet, shrugged on his backpack, and brushed past Foreman to walk out the door.

"No, I don't need it but most people would like to hear it every once in awhile." Foreman called as the door began to close.

"Good thing you're not most people." House replied just before the door hissed closed.

With slow and careful steps, House made his way down the hall to Wilson's office. The oncologist held up a finger to indicate House should wait in silence while he carried on his conversation. He was astounded that House actually managed to do just that.

"Alright, what is it?" He asked.

"Case solved, I want to go home." House jerked a thumb towards the elevator. "So let's go." He rested both hands on his cane and supported most of his weight on it.

"Fine. There's no point arguing the fact we've been here less than five hours because you'll simply dismiss it." Wilson discarded his lab coat in favor of his regular jacket, giving House a disapproving glare as he adjusted the collar. "Should've stuck to the wheelchair."

"You should stick to keeping quiet." House snapped. He hung his head for a second and let out a long sigh. "Look, I don't need you telling me what I should've done. Let's just go to the car and be done with this day."

Wilson's eyebrows furrowed and he stepped close to House, invading his personal space. It was uncomfortable though. They did it all the time. "I'm sorry I mentioned it then but I'm trying to help you. Don't get angry with me for it." He laid the fingertips of his right hand on House's chest. He was surprised his hand wasn't slapped away.

House took Wilson's hand off his chest but instead of letting go right away he held on for just a moment before letting it drop. The way the light hit Wilson's eyes made his breath hitch ever so slightly. "Let's go home." He whispered. "I'm tired."

He didn't wait for Wilson's response. He was already in the lobby before Wilson even stepped on the elevator. He leaned against the wall, head resting against it. These feeling weren't supposed to be there, not after Stacy left and especially not with his best friend. He didn't want them, didn't know what to do with them. So he did what he did before. He buried them.

AN- So long over due but I got snowed in today (hurray) so I found time to write. Enjoy…