Peace Offerings

Wilson sat in his usual seat during lunch. He was feeling the loneliness of the void left by House's absence. No new calls had been intercepted. He figured his friend had to be awake by now, so why didn't he call? Should he try calling the hospital? Cuddy had told him to be patient.

Thirteen entered, spied Wilson and approached. James wasn't sure if he wanted her to sit with him or not. Before he could get up and leave, she slunk into the seat across from him.

"Hey, how you holding up?"

"Just waiting for his call."

Remy nodded in understanding. "You might want to bring a peace offering. A dry Reuben might be nice."

"Is that your peace offering to me - give me ideas on how to get back in House's good graces?"

"I didn't know we were at war," Thirteen said innocently.

"No, but you knew House was pissed. Did you two dissect me during your little chats?"

"First of all," Remy stood, angry with the doctor for spewing his jealous accusations in a public place, "I'm not sure House is pissed; but I now realize that he should be. And second, his world does not revolve around you, no matter how much you wish it did."

"I'm sorry," Wilson conceded. "I've been emotionally conflicted over this whole ordeal. I've blown off House before. It backfired a few times, but we've always gotten over it. Since Mayfield, his need has been more for a partner in crime; let's have some fun situations. He's cried wolf so many times before, how was I supposed to know?"

Remy sat back down. Wilson needed someone to talk to and she didn't feel like finding another place to eat in peace. "I can't tell you anything personal about your friendship. All I'm willing to say is he's dealing with some things right now that he's not willing to share."

"He shared with you."

"Not really. I've just been a body in the room. We don't share thoughts, emotions or information. WE haven't really talked at all."

"Somehow I find that believable." Wilson hated all these dead ends. Yet being told that House hadn't shared anything specific with Remy was a relief unto itself.

"He's asked for his knapsack and it's contents. I haven't had the heart to tell him nothing survived. So I'll leave that up to you."

"Great," James snorted. "He's pissed at me for not being there. When he finds out his stuff has been destroyed. I'm not going to catch a break at all."

"That's why I'd bring the Reuben."

House stared down at his lunch. Breakfast had been amazing. He guessed it was because he was hungry. This looked so unappealing. Lunchtime. The perfect time to bug Wilson. What he wouldn't give to be able to snag a few fries off his plate right now. He pushed the tray table aside and reached for the phone.

"James Wilson." Wilson looked at the caller ID. "House, finally!"

"Calm down before you wet your pants."

"You're sounding normal."

"I'm doing okay."

"So…"

"Yeah, about that. I'm in a good place right now. Mentally, I mean. I'm working through some new developments in pain management and other psychological stuff."

"That's good." James wanted to be supportive yet couldn't help wondering why House didn't want him around.

"You don't sound one hundred percent happy for me." House could tell by the way his friend was hesitantly breathing.

"For years we've had a routine, a pattern of dealing with your pain. Now that's changed. I'm feeling a bit left out in the dark."

"I'm burgeoning forth in my ability to be more self-reliant. I'm trying to break old habits." Greg realized that sounded a little crass. "Not that I'm purposefully treating you like a mushroom."

"Is there any place for me in this new incarnation of you?"

"Of course, Jimmy. I'm working through this day by day."

"Got any idea what day I might fit in?"

"When I figure it out, you'll be the first to know."

"So you're not going to tell me what happened to get you where you are now?"

"Oh, that. I slipped on the ice. That's when I called you. Didn't know at the time, but I broke my leg. A neighbor took me to the hospital she works at. So now you have the story."

"You couldn't just tell us that?" Wilson slipped into his usual lecture mode, perturbed by all the useless secrecy.

"And this is why I didn't just tell you. If I had, you'd have run to my rescue, and I'd be stuck at Princeton-Plainsboro instead of here."

James heard the anger creeping into his friend's voice. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to rile you. You're right. Here you'd have been patched up and back on the job; not dealing with issues."

"This has been a life altering experience for me. It's a good thing that I don't want to end anytime soon."

"Didn't know traction could be so enjoyable."

"How'd you find out about that?"

"Snuck in a couple of nights ago. You weren't looking so good then."

"Hit a rough patch. A lot has changed in the past twenty-four hours.

Cindy popped in, noted he was on the phone and started to head back out. Greg snapped his fingers trying to get her attention without letting Wilson know she was there. She faced him, ready to scold him. He put his finger to his lips to shush her, the curled said finger to call her over.

"Uh huh." Wilson started to put two and two together. Maybe they had to give him opiates.

"You're exceptionally silent." House knew Wilson was planning his next move.

"Just wondering . . ." James didn't want to admit his concern and have his friend hang up on him.

Wilson's tension was palpable over the phone. Greg knew if he didn't offer Wilson something to appease him, he'd pay for it later. "Okay. Stop salivating. You can come visit on two conditions: one, bring something edible; and second, leave your self-righteous attitude at the door."

James was smiling. "I'll see you tonight after work."

Once the phone was back on the cradle Cindy started what she came in to do.

"You just can't keep your hands off of me. You like touching me, don't you?"

"What would you say if I told you I did?" She was feeling a bit feisty. Cindy knew she wanted to spend time getting to know Greg, but wasn't sure if his previous advances were in fun or suggestive of how he felt.

Greg thought he was prepared with a witty retort, but he found himself unable to speak it. Damn, what was it about her that caught him off guard?

She couldn't read his face this time, but the fact that he didn't say anything spoke volumes. "What's the matter, not in a playful mood?"

There were just too many thoughts running through his head to keep his mind focused. "How late are you working?"

"My usual shift, why, you wanna go out dancing afterwards?"

"Got a friend dropping by after work."

"Don't worry, I'll be out of here by then." She finished charting his progress.

"I was kind of hoping you'd still be around."

Cindy looked at him, astonished. Was he hoping she'd volunteer to stay? "If you didn't want this person to visit, you probably shouldn't have invited him."

Greg harrumphed. "I know. I had a moment of weakness."

"So call the person and tell him you changed your mind." Cindy thought it was a pretty simple solution.

"I wish it was that easy. Wilson would come anyway. He always thinks he has an answer for everything. So it's easier to just let him come and do his thing. Then I can ignore him until the next crisis presents itself." Greg was picking at the blanket, trying to avoid Cindy's eyes.

"Kind of like ripping off a bandage." Cindy nodded that she understood his dilemma. "Better to get it over with quick."

Greg wanted to ask her to stay, just to be in the room for moral support. But he couldn't come out and ask her. What reason could get her to hang out? But then he envisioned Wilson getting a virtual tongue lashing from her.

Cindy recognized the sly look in his eyes. "What are you thinking?"

"If you stayed, you could bully him around a bit for me."

"Oh, I think you're pretty capable of bullying him yourself." She patted his hand. "I'd like to stay, but I have this thing."

"A thing. I see. No, it's okay. Leave me in my time of need. I'll be okay." Greg faked being upset.

"You're too much," she laughed. "But just in case you need to vent afterwards," Cindy wrote down her number on a napkin she found on his tray table, "call me."