Insert usual disclaimers here. House is the only one I *don't* own here.
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The sound of a ringing phone woke Rob with a start, and he quickly shoved himself into a sitting position to grab it from the charging stand on the end table.
"Hello?" He grumbled.
"Rob?" A young man's voice was sharp in his ear. "It's Tyler. Can I talk to Greg House?"
"Yeah, hold on." Rob glanced over to the sleeping man in the armchair. He pushed himself off the couch and carefully shook House's shoulder. "Greg?"
The other man awakened with a snort. "What?!"" He snarled.
"Tyler's on the phone."
"Who the hell's Tyler?"
"The kid who's supposed to check out your bike, remember?"
House straightened himself in the chair and grabbed the phone out of Rob's hand. "Yeah?" He seemed to listen intently, his expression changing to a frown. "I see. So…how long?" House rolled his eyes. "Jesus, are you serious?! Okay, okay…yeah, keep me posted." He glanced up at Rob. "I guess I'll still be here. Not going too far without my bike."
House hit the button fiercely, muttering a soft curse as he tossed the phone on the coffee table. "Guess you're stuck with me for a few days. They've got to order the part from Nashville."
"Sorry to hear it." Rob answered.
"Yeah, well." House shrugged. "Not like I've got anywhere I've got to be anyway."
Rob nodded. He had to admit, it was kind of nice to have someone around besides the dogs for a change, even if it was just for a few days.
"So, what do you do around here?" House's gravelly voice broke into his thoughts.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean…" House waved a hand around. "How do you keep yourself in such fine style?"
Rob chuckled. "I do a lot of handyman work. It keeps a roof over my head. I was going to go back to school when I got out of the Army, but…life kind of had other plans for me."
House leaned forward in the armchair, eyeing Rob curiously. "You're a military man?"
"Was." Rob answered, realizing he hadn't told House much of anything about himself. "I did two tours in Iraq as a medic. That's where I got all this." He gestured to himself to indicate the heavy scarring and the stump. "We were transporting patients and hit a land mine. Only three of us survived."
"So I guess you count yourself lucky, huh?" House's tone was almost sarcastic.
"Not really." Rob snapped. "I spent almost a year in the hospital while they tried to put me back together. As you can see, they didn't completely succeed. By the time I came home…there wasn't shit to come home to."
Rob fought the emotion that still threatened to overtake him. After six months in the hospital in Germany, he had been sent to the VA hospital in Nashville to be close to home. His wife and young son had been steady visitors at first, even as she had been horrified at his condition.
It had been a slow, painful recovery, and Rob had to admit he was far from the best patient. By the time he was released, with his new prosthesis and a body full of scars both physical and emotional, his marriage was in tatters.
His mother had come to take him home, not his wife. It was then Rob knew the writing was on the wall. He signed the papers that she had left on the kitchen table, officially ending something that had been over months before.
That had been over six years ago. Six years since Rob had decided to shut himself off, living a quiet life in this little house, only going into town when he absolutely had to. He knew that people talked, spreading the legend of the crazy ex-military guy that lived out in the middle of nowhere.
He wasn't crazy. He just couldn't stand to be reminded of all that he had lost. It was easier by far to keep to himself, doing the occasional handyman job to supplement his disability income, than to subject himself to the stares and comments that his appearance in town often brought.
Rob could feel a set of eyes on him, and he glanced up to see House studying him intently. "What?!"
"Nothing." House answered.
"Nothin's always somethin'." Rob told him sharply.
House shrugged. "Not always. Sometimes nothing really is nothing."
Rob shook his head as he started to put on his prosthesis. He hated the damn thing. No matter how many adjustments were made, it never fit quite right, and it rubbed constantly. Every time he saw the specialist at the VA clinic, the guy would go on and on about advances in technology, burbling about how much it would improve his quality of life.
He always left those appointments wondering why it mattered so damn much. 'Quality of life' was just a euphemism for making do with less as far as Rob was concerned.
Finally he got the clunky device attached, and he made his way into the kitchen. It had been a long time since breakfast, and he had essentially napped the afternoon away. Might as well see what he had around for dinner.
He huffed a little as he went through cabinets and the refrigerator. There wasn't a lot there, as he hadn't exactly been prepared for a houseguest. Another trip into town was clearly in order, but suddenly Rob didn't feel up to the task.
"There's at least one bar in town, right?" House was suddenly in the doorway between the living room and the kitchen, leaning on the doorframe and his cane. "Most of them have food, too."
"I don't really hang out in bars." Rob answered.
"What about that place we went for breakfast?" House asked.
Rob considered the idea. "Yeah, pretty sure they're still open."
House pushed himself off the doorframe. "Good. Let's roll. I'll buy."
Rob merely shook his head as he closed the cabinet. He heard an exasperated sigh from the other man. "Get moving, Peg Leg Pete. Pretty sure we don't have all night."
Rob couldn't help but chuckle a little at House's comment. Normally he would have been offended, but it didn't seem like a malicious move on House's part. "Is that some sort of secret cripple code?"
"Make of it what you will." House answered as he headed out the door. "I just want to get moving so I can eat."
They climbed into the truck and started toward town, pulling up in front of the same building as they had earlier in the day. The place looked darker than it should have if it had been open, and Rob spotted Caroline just inside, wiping down the counters while her little boy ran around. Caroline was smiling and laughing at her son's antics. It was a rare sight these days. Ever since Kevin had returned from his latest stint in jail, she seemed to have withdrawn further into herself, doing whatever she had to do to maintain some semblance of peace.
Rob had to wonder if it was really worth it. Somehow his solo existence seemed like a better alternative.
House was already out of the truck and limping quickly toward the door before Rob could stop him. "Greg, hold up! I think she's closing up."
House seemed to ignore him, and Rob simply followed the other man into the café. Caroline lifted her head at the ringing bell.
"Sorry, Rob. I was just about to shut it down."
"That's what I tried to tell this guy." Rob hitched a thumb toward House.
House shrugged and leaned on his cane. "Not my fault. My stomach was leading the way."
A brief smile seemed to cross Caroline's face at House's comment. "Head on down the street. The place shouldn't be too busy just yet."
House tilted his head. "You going to be there?"
Caroline looked flustered. "Maybe in a while. Got to get the short man to bed first."
House nodded. "See you there."
He turned and left, and Rob tried to catch up to him. "Are you out of your goddamn mind? She's a married woman, and her husband ain't nothin' but trouble."
"Somehow I don't think he'll give a damn." House answered as he strode down the street. "Where's this place again?"
"Oh, he'll give a damn, believe that." Rob argued. "Just because he don't show it don't mean he won't kick your ass."
House rolled his eyes. "Your point?"
"My point is…" Rob was almost huffing and puffing from trying to keep up with House. "You're being a goddamn idiot." He shook his head. "Probably won't matter anyway. Ain't no way in hell he'll let her come down."
House regarded him sharply as he swung open the door. "He has that much control over her?"
"You have no idea." Rob told him. "He barely lets that woman out of his sight. Why do you think he works at the café?"
"Huh." House looked thoughtful as he sat at the bar and picked up a menu.
"Rob?" The bartender's voice made him look up. "Long time no see, man."
"Dave." Rob nodded. He and Dave had been close in high school, playing on the football team all four years. After Rob had come home from Iraq, Dave had tried to reach out to him, but Rob had pushed him away. While the friendship wasn't completely destroyed, it had taken one hell of a hit as a result, and they still weren't entirely comfortable around each other.
"What'll it be, man?" Dave seemed to notice House for the first time. "Who are you?"
"Dave, Greg. Greg, Dave." Rob was getting tired of all the introductions. It was rare for a stranger to come through this town, so the curiosity was understandable, but still, it was getting damned irritating.
"Good to meet you, man." Dave extended a meaty hand across the bar to House. "What'll you have?"
"Got any decent bourbon?" House asked, a skeptical tone in his voice.
"Maker's Mark good enough for you?"
House's rough face broke into a slight smile. "Yeah, that'll work. I'll take a bacon cheeseburger and fries, too."
"Sounds good." Dave nodded. "What about you, Rob?"
"Budweiser, an olive burger, and onion rings."
"Alright. Won't be but a few minutes."
The bar was quiet, a few patrons playing pool on one side while another couple played darts. It was early yet, and Rob hoped to get out before the place got too crowded. His balance was good enough as long as he had room to move, but in a crowd, he had a hell of a time.
"So she left you." House's voice snapped Rob out of his thoughts.
"What?" It took Rob a moment to pick up the thread of the conversation from earlier. "Oh. Yeah. Yeah, she did. Not like she didn't have her reasons."
"They all have their reasons." House rolled his eyes, absentmindedly rubbing his right thigh.
"I was a complete SOB to her." Rob commented casually. "No surprise that she bailed on me."
"Having bits of you blown off will kind of put you in a bad mood." House responded, his equally casual tone carrying a slight edge.
"My leg wasn't blown off." Rob told him. "Might as well have been. Land mine turned it to hamburger."
House merely nodded, his hand still working his thigh. Rob was tempted to ask him about it, but House didn't seem like the kind of man who gave up personal information easily.
Their food arrived shortly thereafter, and any further conversation was set aside as both men dug in. The place was starting to fill up now, and slowly the place transitioned from eatery to watering hole.
Rob was good and ready to get out of there, but when he turned to House, House's stool was empty. He blew out a short sigh and turned around to see House making his way toward the pool table.
He slid off the stool after leaving enough cash on the bar to cover both his and House's meals and moved to follow him. Hopefully the man would have the sense to blend in and not cause trouble.
That notion was blown out of the water when Rob spotted Kevin and a couple of his cronies setting up. A familiar feeling of dread settled over him as he saw House limp over to the trio.
"Who's up for a game?" House casually asked.
Three heads turned as one at House's question, cooling regarding the stranger. Finally Kevin stepped forward. "I'll take you on. Twenty bucks?"
House snorted. "Is that the best you can do? Make it fifty."
Kevin pulled out his wallet and peeled off two twenties and a ten. "Done. Break 'em up."
The game progressed as expected at first, the two men seemingly equally matched in skill. Finally it came down to the last couple of balls on either side.
House set up his shot, his weathered face set in concentration. Rob could see his clearly weaker right leg shaking from holding his position over the table.
His leg faltered just enough for House to scratch his shot. "Dammit." He grumbled, gesturing to Kevin.
Kevin smirked and chalked up his cue, setting up what appeared to be an easy shot. He tapped one of the pockets. "Six, corner pocket."
House leaned on his cue, observing. Just as Kevin was about to shoot, he casually threw out, "Your wife's pretty hot."
Rob groaned internally as he saw the signs of Kevin's rising temper. There was no way this would end well for anyone.
"She said she might come down." House continued, his tone still innocent. "I wouldn't mind getting to know her a little better."
With that Kevin scratched, and he fixed House with a death glare. "My wife ain't comin' here. She knows her place."
"Really? Huh." House observed as he set up his shot. He carefully aimed and shot, the ball rolling smoothly into the side pocket.
"Son of a bitch." Kevin muttered.
House didn't seem to hear him as he set up his next shot. He fixed Kevin with a steady look and tapped the pocket. "Seven. Side pocket."
His face was set in concentration as he prepared to shoot, until Kevin's voice broke in. "She wouldn't want nothin' to do with some gimpy old bum, anyway."
House's eyes narrowed as he shot and fired the ball into the pocket. It hit with a thump and a rattle. Rob had to admire the older man's steady hand and even temper.
House limped around the table, frowning as he studied the table. Finally he seemed satisfied with his shot, leaning over the table. "Eight ball…left corner pocket."
Rob caught the door opening just out of the corner of his eye, and he spotted Caroline slip in, her eyes searching out someone. He assumed it was Kevin, and it looked like he had assumed correctly.
She sidled up next to him, slipping an arm around his waist and pressing her head against his shoulder. Kevin turned and fixed her with a sharp scowl, leaning over to say something to her.
If the crushed expression on her face was any indication, that wasn't the reaction she was looking for. Kevin moved away from her to take up residence on the opposite side of the pool table, studying House carefully.
Rob knew that stance. Kevin had used it countless times against his opponents at the pool table. House didn't seem to notice, deep in concentration as he aimed his last shot.
He easily tapped the eight ball into the pocket, and House's face smoothed out into something like satisfaction as it fell in. "That's it. Time to pay up."
Kevin snorted derisively. "Wouldn't have happened if you hadn't distracted me. I say rematch. Double or nothin'."
House shrugged casually and glanced over at Caroline. "Don't want to lose in front of the little woman, right? Can't say as I blame you."
"Ain't got shit to do with her." Kevin snapped.
House snorted derisively. "It's got everything to do with her." He pulled out his wallet and peeled off several twenties, setting them on the edge of the table. "You're on."
A crowd started to gather around the table, curious about this stranger who seemed to be completely unfazed by Kevin's intimidating nature. Rob couldn't help the sinking feeling that coursed through him. Things were okay enough for now, but Kevin's temper was notoriously unpredictable.
House set up the balls and removed the frame, nodding to Kevin. Kevin broke, and the game began. It started normally enough, House and Kevin making little digs at each other in an attempt to distract the other man. The crowd was starting to get into it, too, gasping in surprise and amusement when House got in a few cracks that put Kevin off his game.
Rob made his way around until he could get a decent view of the pool table, pulling up a chair and easing into it. House's running commentary was starting to get under Kevin's skin, Rob could see that. It was only a matter of time before the other man lost it. Rob only hoped that House's cane could double as a weapon. It was starting to look like he was going to need it.
Finally it came down to the last couple of shots on either side, House and Kevin circling each other like lions. House was focused on the table, while Kevin was focused on House.
The strain of standing for so long was starting to show on House's face, and Rob noticed him rubbing his thigh between shots. Kevin picked up on House's weakened state as well, and Rob could see a slight smirk cross his face.
"Hurry up and take the damn shot, already." Kevin called out. "I need to take your money so I can go home and get some."
"A hundred bucks is the going rate for a hooker around here?" House snapped back just before taking his shot. "Good to know."
In a lightening quick move, Kevin slammed House's head to the table, holding his neck with a large hand. "You callin' my wife a whore?!"
"I said it, you didn't." House answered between gritted teeth.
Dave rushed over from behind the bar before Rob could get to his feet. "Kevin, let him up, man! He ain't worth it!"
The crowd started murmuring, already taking sides in the potential altercation. Kevin suddenly released House, stepping back, breathing heavily.
Caroline rushed to his side, rubbing Kevin's arm in an attempt to calm her husband. Kevin immediately turned and grabbed Caroline's arm. "None of this shit would have happened if you had just stayed your ass at home where it belongs!" He screamed at her as he pushed her away. "Dumbass bitch."
Rob could see House rise to his full height, clutching the pool cue in his hand. This was going to get ugly in a hurry. He pushed himself out of the chair and made his way over to House's side, ignoring the murmurs of the growing crowd.
"Let it go, man." Rob told him as he placed a hand on House's shoulder. The other man was trembling, his eyes still fixed on Kevin. "Told you he was nothin' but trouble."
"Well, ain't this somethin'." Kevin mocked. "What the fuck is this, Gimps United?"
"Knock it off, Kevin." Rob told him firmly. "Greg's just messin' with you."
"Someone oughta tell him he's messin' with the wrong man." Kevin snarled, cracking his knuckles threateningly.
Dave grabbed hold of Kevin's shoulder. "You really want to go back to jail over a goddamn pool game? You just now got your family back. Chill out."
House arched an eyebrow, a slight smirk crossing his features. "Yeah, wouldn't want anyone else to have to…'take care' of your wife in your absence." He tilted his head thoughtfully. "Although…I'd be happy to volunteer."
"You son of a bitch!" Kevin lunged forward, catching House off guard as he went for the other man's throat. House recovered quickly, and it was obvious that the two men were as evenly matched in a fight as they were at the pool table.
"Goddammit, break it up!" Dave's voice rose above the din of the crowd. "Rob, get your friend!"
Between the two of them, they managed to break up Kevin and House, and Dave all but pushed both men through the crowd toward the exit. "Show's over, folks. Ain't nothin' more to see."
Soon the four of them were outside, and Dave glared at Kevin and House with his arms folded over his chest. "Now look, I ain't puttin' up with all this goddamn ruckus in my place. Y'all got a beef, settle it somewhere else." He turned to Kevin. "You know better that to start shit in here. It ain't just about you anymore. You've got a wife and a kid to look out for."
"And as for you…" Dave fixed his glare on House, and even Rob shrank a little under the other man's gaze. "I'm warnin' you right now. The next time you try to start somethin' in here, I'm tossin' you out myself, got it? I don't give a damn who you know." He glanced over at Rob. "Get him the hell out of here. I don't need no more damn trouble."
Rob nodded, breathing out a sigh of relief and offering a hand. "Thanks, man."
"Don't mention it." Dave took Rob's hand and shook it firmly. "Good to see you out and about. You should come down more often." He glanced back to House. "Although maybe you should wait til this guy leaves town."
House looked uncomfortable, shifting his weight off his leg. Dave fixed him with a concerned look. "Somethin' wrong?"
"I left my cane inside." House answered quietly.
"Hang tight." Dave told him, firmly patting his shoulder. "I'll go after it. Where'd you leave it?"
"By the pool table."
"Alright. Be right back."
As soon as Dave left, Kevin strode over, a menacing look on his face. Rob moved to intercept him.
"Shove over, cripple." Kevin snapped. "This ain't your fight."
"Fight's over, man." Rob told him. "Let it go."
The door swung open, revealing Caroline. She rushed to Kevin, her expression filled with concern. "Everything okay, baby?"
Kevin immediately lashed out, backhanding the petite woman. "I told you to get your ass home!"
House shoved Rob aside, limping until he was nose to nose with Kevin. Rob gave up keeping any peace between them, and made his way over to where Caroline was sprawled out on the ground.
"Hey, girl." He spoke softly. "You okay?"
"Sure." Caroline brushed back her hair and put on a brave smile. "He's just upset over losin' that pool game."
"Yeah, I'm sure that's all it is." Rob couldn't believe all the lengths Caroline went to justify Kevin's behavior. "You know that you don't have to put up with that shit, right?"
Caroline simply shrugged, ready to reply until the sound of two voices raised in anger drew their attention.
"Goddammit!" Dave was bellowing as he rushed over to where House and Kevin were once again at each other's throats. "What the hell did I tell you two?!"
Caroline allowed herself a small laugh. "Your friend don't know when to quit, does he?"
"Sure don't look that way." Rob sighed resignedly.
The sound of sirens drew both their attention, and Caroline let out a soft gasp, immediately pushing herself to her feet. "What are they doing?!"
"Easy, girl." Dave stopped her with a hand to her shoulder. "They're just gonna keep him overnight, let him cool his heels a bit. You'll probably be able to pick him up in the mornin'."
Rob spotted House, his head down as the officer snapped a set of cuffs on him. Dave clapped Rob's shoulder. "Don't worry none about your friend. You can go pick him up in the mornin'." His mouth quirked in a slight smile as he handed Rob House's cane. "Truth be told, he just did what we've all been wantin' to do for years."
Rob couldn't help but smirk in response. It looked as if House had become something of a hero tonight, despite the altercation. Or perhaps it was because of the altercation.
Either way, the man was shaking things up in a big way. Suddenly Rob kind of hoped that part for House's bike would take its own sweet time getting here. Things were finally starting to get interesting.
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I've done my part, now do yours. Read and review.
