2011

After running every test she could think of, Reilly came to tell House that it was the Vicodin causing him to hallucinate.

He nodded. "I'm going to see Cuddy," he told her.

House walked into Cuddy's office. She was taking her coat off the coat rack.

"Need you," he told her.

She stopped and held her coat. "Okay," she said. "What do you need?"

"I want to detox and I need your help," he told her.

"I can get you a bed-"

"No. Come home with me and help me," he told her.

She sighed. "I have to go home and relieve the nanny."

"Pay her overtime."

"House."

"Please."

She nodded and walked over to her desk. After calling the sitter, she walked with him out to the parking lot. She got into her car and followed him to his apartment.

They arrived at his apartment and Cuddy immediately began clearing the place of his Vicodin stash. Soon, he began to experience the painful withdrawal symptoms. Once she disposed of all his Vicodin, she wet a cloth and wiped the sweat from his face. She helped him to the bathroom and rubbed his back as he threw up repeatedly. She brought him ginger tea as he lay shaking on the bathroom floor. She helped him to the couch where he finally fell asleep.

When he awoke the next morning, she was gone. He felt amazing. His leg didn't hurt and he no craved Vicodin. He showered, dressed and went to the hospital. He walked into Cuddy's office. She glanced up at him and then back at the papers on her desk.

"I know you didn't come to apologize," she said sharply. "So tell me what you want and then get to work."

He frowned and moved further into her office. "Why'd you leave?" he asked.

"You called my daughter a bastard last night." she informed him coldly.

"No," he said shaking his head in confusion. "You came home with me. Helped me detox…."

Niamh appeared at his side. "Oh, my darlin' Greg," she sighed. "That's what you thought you wanted but it's not what happened."

Two visions of Cuddy collided in his mind. In one, she went home with him but the harder he tried to focus on it the further it slipped away. It was replaced by the memory of her calling him an asshole and slamming out of her office.

"No…" he said again closing his eyes. He felt Cuddy's hand on his face.

"Are you okay?" she asked with concern.

His eyes opened. "No," he whispered.

Everything seemed to slow down and jumble together. He was vaguely aware of Cuddy taking him to Wilson's office. He stood staring out the window at the pale sky. Suddenly, he was home and Wilson was packing a bag for him. Then they were pulling up in front of a clean, modern facility. Wilson parked and helped him get out of the car. Wilson carried his gym bag and walked in with him. Then he was in a hospital room. Two nurses helped him undress and put a hospital gown on. Neither spoke to him. One carried his bag out when they left. A moment later a tall, slightly overweight black man entered. He helped House into the bed and then another nurse was there with an IV stand. He felt a prick and darkness descended on him.

House was dimly aware of voices. Someone touched his hand and he felt an IV port being removed from it. Slowly, he opened his eyes. He looked past the nurse who was dealing with his IV and saw Reilly talking to the man he saw when he was admitted. Niamh was gone. He thought he would feel anguish and pain but he didn't. He looked at Reilly and felt relief.

"Good morning, Greg," the man said with a smile. He approached the bed. House became aware he was hooked to a catheter and pulled the blanket up to his chin.

"I'm Doctor Nolan," he continued. "We put you in a coma to let you sleep through the withdrawal from the Vicodin. I'm going to let the nurse finish up in here and then she'll bring you to my office."

Reilly stepped forward. "Hey," she whispered. "How are you feeling?"

"I don't see Niamh," he told her. "And my leg hurts but the pain is bearable."

She touched his arm. "I'll see you in Doctor Nolan's office, okay?"

He nodded. Once they left, the nurse removed the catheter and gathered it up with the bag.

"You need help getting up and into the shower?" she asked.

House swung his legs over the bed and slowly stood. He felt weak and shaky but he waved her away and limped into the bathroom. His underwear and toiletries bag sat on the sink. He turned on the water in the shower and stripped off his hospital gown. Stepping under the hot spray, he used the shampoo and soap in the stall. Once out, he brushed his teeth twice and combed his hair. He pulled on his clean boxer briefs. Grabbing his toiletries bag, he limped back into the room. His gym bag and cane were on the bare mattress. He quickly dressed and pushed the button for the nurse. He packed everything up while he waited for her. She finally arrived and led him down several corridors to an office. Opening the door, she stood back to allow him to enter. The office was large, bright and filled with comfortable furniture, plants and several abstract prints. Doctor Nolan sat behind a large mahogany desk in a big leather chair. Reilly sat in an armchair in front of the desk. She turned when he walked in and the nurse left, closing the door behind her.

Doctor Nolan smiled as he stood and walked around his desk. He motioned toward the couch against the far wall and the two chairs facing it. "Let's go sit down and talk for a few minutes."

House followed Reilly and Nolan. She sat on the couch and he sat down beside her. Nolan sat in one of the chairs and crossed his legs.

"I'm not staying here," House told him.

"Okay," Nolan responded. "That's your right since you admitted yourself voluntarily. I can give you the names of several very good psychiatrists so you can pursue outpatient therapy."

House looked at Reilly. She nodded slightly. "Sure," he replied. "Can we go now?"

"Of course," Nolan said. He rose and walked back to his desk. He pulled out several cards and brought them to House.

"Why can't I see you?" House asked suddenly.

"Conflict of interest," Nolan told him. "I'm Reilly's therapist."

House looked at her and then down at the cards. "Who's the best of this bunch?"

"They're all highly qualified but I think you'd work best with Doctor Davis. She deals with addiction among other things," Nolan told him.

"Then I'll see her," House said tucking her card in his pocket and leaving the others on the couch. "Let's go," he told Reilly.

She nodded and got up. House stood by the door while she thanked the doctor. Finally, she joined him and they walked down more corridors to a reception area. She stopped at the desk. House sighed loudly.

"I have to pay the bill," she told him.

"I'll pay it," he said.

She was taking a credit card out of her wallet. "This is courtesy of Smug," she smiled.

He suddenly realized he didn't have his wallet or his watch. He stood quietly while she settled the bill. Then she led him outside to her SUV. He got in and buckled his seatbelt. He tossed his bag on the floor near his feet and leaned his cane against the door. She got in, buckled her seatbelt and started the SUV. As she pulled out of the parking space, House's stomach growled.

"There's a great diner on the way back home," she told him. "We'll stop there and feed you. Then we'll stop and get your new prescription filled."

He nodded and looked out the window.