House was resting in Wilson's office as Wilson told him about what he had overheard between the Dean and Foreman. House was in too much pain to answer but heard everything and the wheels were turning slightly already.

"Maybe you should give Cuddy a call House, let her know how you are" House groaned.

"She doesn't know anything" Wilson lifted his eyes in surprise.

"You looked awful when you walked in. Don't tell me she didn't notice"

"Her brother's here. She wasn't really paying attention and I'm certainly not complaining." House shifted his position and Wilson got up and grabbed his cell.

"Call her." House opened his eyes and grabbed the phone. He dialed slowly in Wilson's opinion and then waited for the ringing to cease.

"House?" Cuddy's worried voice filled the line. House wondered why she was already worrying when he hadn't told her anything yet. Then he remembered Chris scrutinizing him.

"Cuddy" House tried in vain to steady his voice. He couldn't.

"House what's wrong? And don't you lie to me!" Cuddy was near tears.

"I'm with Wilson. I'm going to spend the night here" House bit his lip as another wave of nausea hit him. When he trusted himself to speak again, he added.

"Cuddy? I can't come home…like this"

"House, I don't care what's wrong with you I want you here! If you're ill you'll be ill where I can watch over you" Cuddy wanted him home, now.

"Cuddy you're brother…"

"Has seen people ill before. Now give Wilson the phone" Cuddy's voice broke. She was worried as hell. She had been pacing for the last two hours.

"What's wrong with him?!"

"He's detoxing" Wilson sat down in his chair awaiting the shriek.

"What?! Why the hell would he do that?"

"He needs to Cuddy. He needs to switch medications"

"We've been telling him that for years and he hasn't done it. Why the hell would he consent now?"

"Because the Vicodin isn't helping him anymore." Cuddy's hand shook.

"You mean his body has become totally tolerant to Vicodin?"

"It appears so" Wilson looked over at House who was throwing up again.

"How is he?"

"Not good. His pain is magnifying more and more. He's ten times worse than last time" Wilson was almost whispering now. He didn't want House to hear him. He doubted if he could anyway.

"Oh no" Cuddy closed her eyes to stop the tears from falling.

"Bring him home" Cuddy hung up the phone as did Wilson. Wilson grabbed his coat and walked up to House.

"Up for a drive?"

…

Cuddy returned to the living room once she was composed again and sat down where Chris waited looking concerned.

"How is he?"

"Not well. Wilson's bringing him home" Cuddy wiped a tear away. "Why now damn it?!"

"He's a tough man Lisa, he'll be ok" Chris smiled faintly.

"He won't let them go. If he wasn't sick he would never…"

"What are you talking about?"

"His pills. They're everything to him, he won't just change medications."

"He's in severe pain?" Cuddy looked up.

"Yes"

"Then he will do whatever it takes, to get things back to normal. He's not weak, and he's definitely not stupid."

"You're right. But he is stubborn"

"Mommy?" Emily stood in the hallway with her doll. She rubbed her eyes sleepily.

"Emily what are you doing?" Cuddy turned and wiped her eyes so Emily wouldn't see, but it was too late.

"Mommy what's wrong?" Cuddy turned to face Emily and Emily ran over to her.

"Everything's going to be ok sweetheart" Cuddy hugged Emily who was beginning to cry.

"Where's daddy?" Cuddy looked over at Chris.

"He'll be home soon"

"I want to wait for him"

"You can't sweetie, daddy's leg is hurting really bad and he's going to go straight to sleep when he gets home. You can see him in the morning" Cuddy got up but Emily grabbed onto her.

"NO! I want daddy! I want daddy!" Emily cried and Cuddy couldn't help the tears now falling down her cheeks.

"Come here Emily" Chris put out his arms and Emily sobbing, went to him. He picked her up and put her on his lap making soft shushing noises. Cuddy sat back down and looked at the clock. Slowly, Emily drifted to sleep in Chris's arms.

"Why don't I go put her to bed?" Chris got up lifting the little girl gently with him.

"Ok. Thanks, her room is the second on the left" Cuddy watched as her brother brought a sleeping Emily to her room, and then jumped as the door opened and a cry left her throat as she saw him come into the house.

"Oh House!" Cuddy wanted to run over and throw her hands around his neck, but she knew better.

"It's not as bad as it looks" House's voice was below a whisper, he looked awful his eyes were watery, he shook slightly with chills, and he held his stomach as he limped in with Wilson following closely behind occasionally grabbing his arm when he stumbled.

"I certainly hope not" Cuddy walked over and kissed him. Wilson surprised at the affectionate gesture but didn't say a word. It was short, and soon she was unbuttoning his jacket.

"I can do it" House went to push her away but Cuddy put her finger to her lips and continued. Too tired to argue, House let her do it. Once she was done, Wilson told him he would come to see him the next day and left. House limped to the couch and sat down. Cuddy looked at him in confusion.

"What are you doing? You need to get some rest"

"I'm sleeping here"

"Of course not. You sleep in the bed and I'll sleep out here" Cuddy went to help him up but he pushed her away.

"You get the bed. I'll be fine, don't worry. Just get me a blanket and I'll go right to sleep" Cuddy shook her head but knew better than to argue.

"Get me a bucket too" Cuddy hurried into the bathroom and got him the bucket. Then she went to the closet, grabbed a warm blanket and a pillow and brought them to him.

"I'm sorry" House looked up at Cuddy. She smiled sadly.

"So am I. Try to get some sleep"

"You know I won't"

"Then I hope you feel better" It sounded lame even as she said it.

"You know that won't…happen either" House rubbed his leg furiously.

"I know. But god I wish it would" Cuddy turned and headed for her bedroom. She was going to say goodnight to Chris, but his door was closed and his light was off. She turned tiredly and headed off to bed. She doubted she'd be able to sleep.

…

The next morning the three ducklings sat in the conference room doing research when Wilson walked in.

"You have a case" he put a file onto the table and didn't acknowledge the bewildered looks coming his way.

"But we can't have a case when House isn't here" Cameron argued. Foreman happily reached over and grabbed the file.

"You can now. I'm going to supervise. So, the girl is thirteen…"

"Does House know about the case?"

"Forget about House. This girl is dying, let's focus on the diagnosis. Patient presented with a rash. The clinic doctor suggested allergies and sent her on her way with a prescription of antihistamine, which obviously didn't help. So…"

"Foreman did you take House's job?" Cameron quickly turned on Foreman.

"Nothing has been decided"

"Cameron can we please talk about the girl?" Wilson said annoyed.

"It was the only reason I could figure why House wouldn't be consulted…"

"Damn it Cameron House is resting, you don't need to know everything! Now either you can do your job, or you can leave." Wilson took a deep breath.

"I'll be in the clinic" Cameron stalked out leaving a shocked Wilson behind.

"Why would she leave? Usually she's all warm and fuzzy when it comes to dying girls" Foreman stated looking at Chase.

"Bad day?" Chase shrugged. The three continued the differential and then set off to do the necessary treatment. Wilson watched Foreman debating on how to approach him.