Hi! I'm so happy to be back here. I'd like to apologize for this too long "break" in the story, I had a very "busy year". Sorry. I hope you'll keep reading it.

Just one more thing: English is a difficult language and not my language, so please, be indulgent with me.

Chapter 8: Tritter versus House

On the way back to Chicago, Cuddy tried to analyze her feelings. She loved House and she couldn't help it, but what should she do? Trying to get him back in her life with all that it implied, good things and bad, or trying to just be friends as he suggested and see him from time to time? Did something change? The first time it failed, so why would it work now? Apparently House changed, the sacrifice he made for Wilson would tend to prove it. But what about her? Did she change? Probably. People around her told her she was cold and distant. They also said that she didn't care, that she didn't seem to be involved in her relationships with other people. She cut herself off and she was aware of it, but she didn't want to go out with colleagues. She worked, went home, took care of the children and then remained alone in her living-room. She didn't want to do anything. Something broke in her when House destroyed her dining-room. Maybe because she became aware of what she really was for him, how much he needed her in his life. Wilson told her but she didn't really believe him this night. She thought that House would cope with their break up. With time of course, but she was sure he could do it. And she was wrong. When she understood it, it was too late. House flipped out and she had to go away, to leave her job, to leave the town. As for House he went into jail. What a mess! And now? Now Wilson was dead and House was alone. He wanted to get back his former life. The reason he gave her was a good one, but her intuition told her it wasn't the real one. House had something else in mind and she wondered what. Of course she had her own theory about it, but nothing sure. It could be possible that she imagined things. Just because she wanted so much that a little flame of love still burnt in his heart. A flame for her. And she? She didn't know what to do, nor what she wanted. And to top it all off Tritter came back in her life and probably would meddle in House's case. Which meant big problems ahead.

-oooooooooooo-

"We have a new case. And you know the patient" Chase told Park and Adams.

"Who is it?" Park asked.

"House" Chase replied and stared at his two fellows.

"Wow! I thought he was dead!"

"Chase, are you kidding? House is really our patient?" Adams said flabbergasted.

"But it's written Mike on the file" Park replied.

"Yes. Because House doesn't know he is House."

"What? That's not funny!"

"And that's not a joke. House is amnesic. A beam fell on him during the fire in the building and caused a head trauma. And we think it could be the cause of his amnesia."

"But then who died? The police did identify a charred body as House, but if it wasn't him, who was it?"

"We don't know. Maybe the police will investigate but…"

"His amnesia would explain why he went missing."

"Where did he live all this time?"

"In the street."

"You mean he's been living in the street since about six months!"

"Apparently."

"Why is he here?"

"He got knife in a fight and he's been driven to the ER."

"But why does his file come from the General?"

"Because he was first driven there." Park and Adams gave Chase a questioning look, waiting for an explanation. "A nurse recognized a photo he had in his pocket and they called us. Foreman decided then to transfer him here so we can treat him."

"It's well known that familiar surroundings can help amnesic people to recover their memory but do you think it will work for House?" Adams asked.

"I don't know but we have to try."

"Who was on the photo?" Park wanted to know.

"Why do you want to know?" Chase replied staring at her.

"Idle curiosity" Park replied but seemed to wait an answer to her question. "But it may help us to treat him, it can give us a clue. If we find this person he or she may help us treat House."

"She's right" Adams added.

"His ex-girlfriend" Chase finally said.

"The one who sent him to prison?"

"You have the file and the test results. I'm waiting for some new ideas. Any suggestion?"

-oooooooooooooo-

"Dr. Foreman, I'd like to talk to you" Tritter said and came in.

Foreman was working at his desk. He looked up. "Detective Tritter. May I know why you're here? Is there a problem? Are you... sick? If yes, I suggest you to go to the clinic and wait for your turn."

"No, I'm not. I'm here because of one of your patient."

"Oh really?"

"I'm here for House"

"House? But he doesn't work here anymore, for six months to be exact. Give me a second, I look in the file of our patients." Foreman typed a few words and smiling turned the screen toward Tritter. "You see, we have no patient by the name of House."

"Dr. Foreman, don't play with words nor with my patience. I'm in charge of the investigation of the unknown dead of the building on fire and I do intend to straighten this out."

"I thought the file was closed. And if I remembered well you weren't the Detective in charge six months ago. So why…"

"Dr. Foreman, listen to me: With House's return from the dead the attorney decided to reopen the file. Somewhere someone is probably crying over a man, there is maybe a child crying his father, a woman wondering where her husband is. And because of House, because he led us to believe that the charred body was himself"

"Hey don't go too far! House was hurt by a beam and he suffered a head trauma which caused his amnesia" Foreman exclaimed, annoyed by Tritter's prejudice against House.

"That's what he told you?"

"No. We diagnosed his amnesia. He's convinced to be Mike!"

"Well, let me doubt about this

"Detective Tritter..."

"Ok, ok. But the fact is that nobody investigated to know who the body found in the building was. And that's one of my priority. I have to find who it was. And"

"I don't want to give you advice on how to conduct an investigation, but"

"And I don't ask you to"

"But House is amnesic, he forgot his past, he forgot everything that happened before the accident, how can he help you? He doesn't even know his name!"

"I'd like to ask him a few questions."

"And I repeat Mike is amnesic. He remembers nothing of his former life. Even if his body is the body of a fifty old man, his memory is born six months ago. Do you understand what this means? I don't think he can answer your questions or assist you in anything concerning this case. At least for the moment. He needs time. Leave him alone, Tritter. Resentment and bitterness bring nothing good."

"Dr. Foreman, if House is really amnesic, the attorney won't take him to court. But if he isn't, if it's just a plot to avoid the sentence which was pronounced against him, then I will prove it and he will have to answer for his actions. Now, I'd like to see him."

Foreman stared at Tritter and finally said: "Let's go and ask Dr. Chase."

"One more thing… Why do you still defend him?"

"I don't. I defend a patient." Foreman went by and headed for Chase's office.

Oooooooooo

"Dr Chase, Detective Tritter would like to see Mike." Foreman said as he entered Chase's office.

"Well, I guess I can't stop you, so just go and try to speak with him" Chase replied ironically. Tritter gave him a questioning look, but Chase didn't say anything else. He just got up and went to House's room. Tritter followed him.

"Do I need to know something about "Mike" as you call him?"

"Nope. But… remember one thing: he's amnesic and just remembers his life as Mike. So be indulgent and gentle…"

"Mike, someone is coming to visit you" Chase said and went to House's bed where he stood.

House looked at Tritter. "You're too well dressed to be one of my friends and your face doesn't ring a bell … so who are you?"

"Seriously, House, you don't remember me!"

"I'm not House, I don't even know him! My name is Mike. Am I supposed to know you?"

"Really? You forgot who I am?"

"Are you deaf or stupid? I DON'T KNOW YOU!"

"Tritter, remember you have to be patient with him." Chase said.

"Ok, I introduce myself then. I'm Detective Tritter and I have a few questions for you..." Tritter said, staring at House, trying to catch a sign of simulation on House's face. But House's face was emotionless.

"About the fight in the street?"

"What fight?"

"The reason why I'm here! What else do you want to talk about? You're a Detective, no? So do your job and find the man who stabbed me!"

"I have questions about the body found in the building"

"What are you talking about? I live in the street, not in a building!"

"House you"

"Mike!"

"Ok, Mike, you really don't remember what happened in this building six months ago? It was in fire, do you remember?"

House looked away, sighed and finally whispered "No, I don't."

"Don't you remember the dirty trick you played on me?"

"Why would I make fun of you? You're a police officer, someone not funny, someone people should avoid to draw the attention. It would have been stupid of me to run afoul of you."

"I'm a Detective but… you're right. It was stupid of you to raise my hackles. And without Dr. Cuddy, you would have been sent to prison" Tritter replied and accentuated the name of Cuddy. He tried to catch a reaction but House remained still. One more time, Tritter found himself short changed.

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm tired, can you leave me?"

"Well, I guess I have to find another way to identify the body… If your memory ever comes back, just be sure I'll know it, House. And I hope, I really hope for you and Cuddy, you're not making fun of me with this amnesia" said Tritter, scanning House. And it seemed to him that House started slightly at the mention of Cuddy. But it was so fast that he might have imagined it. Tritter left and House remained immobile. His heart skipped a beat as Tritter mentioned Cuddy and he hoped that the detective didn't notice it.

"House, are you okay?" Chase asked.

"Yeah, I'm just tired."

Chase nodded and left the room.