Hey all, long time no see on this one, too. The "Resurrect the Dormant House Fics" project continues now that Jam Sessions is complete, so now we're getting back over to this universe. As with Jam Sessions, I'll be updating as I go, most likely going above and beyond my word count goal to finish this one. At any rate, welcome back, and enjoy the new chapter, and welcome to any new readers who might find this one. Feel free to leave a review.
# # #
Rob parked the truck in the lot of the VA hospital, pausing before finally hopping down and making his way across the lot. He was suddenly edgy at the idea of going through with this.
It was just a consultation. It wasn't as if they were going to fit him with a whole new leg today. And it couldn't hurt to see what his options were.
He checked in at the desk and sat down in the waiting room, the weekend with Celia still on his mind. Saying goodbye had been tough. If he'd had his way, they would still be tangled up with each other, talking and touching and…
He let out a brief sigh. It wouldn't be long and he'd be hitting the road with Greg, and he wouldn't be seeing Celia for a while anyway. There was no telling how long he would be up in New Jersey.
Hell, he wasn't even sure why he'd agreed to this road trip. He had to admit it hadn't been so bad having someone else around after isolating himself for so long. And who knew? Maybe this road trip was just what he needed.
A little adventure couldn't be all bad, could it?
"Robert?" The voice rang out in the waiting room, snapping Rob out of his thoughts as he rose from the chair to follow.
Soon he was in another room, glancing around at the models of joints and bone and the posters on the wall. He nearly jumped a mile when someone knocked on the door and entered.
"Rob, long time, no see." Doctor Randolph was almost aggressively cheerful, a wide smile lighting his dark face as he reached for Rob's hand. "What brings you in here?"
Rob accepted the extended hand. "This old thing ain't workin' for me anymore. Thought I'd see what my options were."
Doctor Randolph sat down on a stool and rolled over to where Rob sat. "Well, first let's have a look."
Rob knew the doctor was going to give him hell for the shape his stump was in, and he winced as the doctor removed his prothesis and unwrapped the stump.
Doctor Randolph frowned slightly. "Mind telling me what happened here?"
Rob shrugged. "Thing's been rubbin' a little."
The doctor gave him a look that normally preceded one of his lectures. Instead he inspected it carefully. "I know you didn't stitch this up. That's some mighty fine work."
"Got a friend that's a doctor." Rob replied.
Doctor Randolph nodded. "Looks like it's healing all right. Little concerned about those other little scars you've got. How long have you been having trouble with this thing?"
"Too long." Rob admitted. "Didn't feel like botherin' with it."
"Well, it's looking a little swollen yet." The doctor told him. "Don't think we'll be able to get an accurate measurement today. Try to stay off it for a couple weeks, then come on back in here. We'll get you fitted for something better."
Rob was disappointed but not terribly surprised. "Kinda figured you'd say that."
"You've got to take care of that thing." Doctor Randolph replied. "You know that."
"I know." Rob answered resignedly.
"In the meantime, we'll work with what we've got." Doctor Randolph continued.
They talked for a while after that as the doctor took care of the part that was rubbing the worst and made some adjustments before reattaching it. "Give that a try."
Rob eased himself down from the table, pleasantly surprised that nothing was rubbing. "That's a hell of a lot better."
"Good, good. That ought to hold you for a while. We'll see how it looks in a couple weeks, and then we can talk about your options."
"Really appreciate it, Doc." Rob extended a hand to him.
Doctor Randolph took it with that same wide smile as earlier. "I'm glad you came back in here. We'll see you soon, right?"
"Right."
After making his next appointment, Rob made his way back across the parking lot. The prosthesis was already fitting a lot better, and hopefully things would improve enough to get a fitting next time around.
Hell, maybe he would even get one of those fancy ones for running.
He started the truck and turned up the radio, humming along as he returned to the house. With any luck, Greg was all ready and they could hit the road.
The dogs greeted him, tails wagging, and Rob bent down to pet them both before going into the house. "Greg?"
"Yeah."
Rob entered to see Greg closing his phone and shoving it in his pocket. "You about ready to go?"
Greg nodded, picking up his backpack. "Thought we might stop at the café. Maybe get some coffee before we head out."
Rob knew Greg had other reasons to stop by, but kept his thoughts to himself. "Sure. Maybe a little somethin' to eat, too."
Rob thought he spotted the slightest smile on Greg's face as he nodded. Yeah, he had it bad for Caroline. Things were going to get real interesting once Greg moved down here for good.
Soon they were on the road, with Rob glancing over his shoulder to make sure Greg was behind him on the bike, and they pulled into a pair of parking spaces in front of the café. Marge greeted them both with a smile and a nod.
"Mornin', boys." She spoke as both men settled in at the counter. "Figured y'all would be gone already."
"Had some things to do this mornin'." Rob answered.
Greg seemed to be searching around, barely nodding as Marge poured him a cup of coffee. Marge responded with a knowing smile. "Caroline ain't here, honey. Got some business of her own to attend to this mornin'."
If Rob had to guess, Greg looked almost disappointed. He nudged the other man lightly. "S'pose you'll have to wait 'til we get back to see her."
The bell over the door dinged, and Marge's face lit up. "Hi, baby."
Caroline rounded the end of the counter as Kieran reached for Marge, and the other woman took the boy into her arms, placing a noisy kiss on his cheek before glancing from Caroline to Greg.
Rob took that as his cue to leave. Whatever Greg wanted to say to Caroline, he wasn't going to say it in front of Rob. "Think I'll take some coffee for the road."
"You got it, Rob." Caroline grabbed a Styrofoam cup and a lid, filling it and setting it on the counter. "You guys have a safe trip, all right?"
"We'll be back before you know it." Rob told her before turning to Greg. "See you in a bit."
Greg nodded, and Rob slid down from the stool to return to the truck while he waited for Greg.
He could spot them through the café window, Caroline leaning on the counter with a smile, Greg's head dipping down. It felt almost as if Rob were intruding on a private moment.
Rob drank his coffee, looking anywhere but in the café window. God help these two. Rob had a feeling that they needed each other more than either one of them was willing to admit.
# # #
House watched as Caroline poured a cup of coffee for Rob and handed it to him, waiting until that little bell went off over the door. His nerves were jangling almost as loudly as that damn bell.
He had no idea what he wanted to say to Caroline. After all, he and Rob wouldn't be gone that long. It had taken him a couple days to get here from Princeton, and it probably wouldn't take all that much longer to pack up what he wanted to take with him and return.
So why did it feel as if he was leaving forever? Something about this place and this woman had taken hold of him, and he was reluctant to leave it behind, even for a few days.
Maybe Wilson was right. Maybe he really was going native.
Caroline turned to him after Rob left. "How 'bout you? You want that coffee to go?"
"Not yet." House answered, looking for a way to ask the questions he wasn't sure he wanted to know the answers to. "Marge said you had some business this morning."
Caroline leaned on the counter. "Went and saw a lawyer. I'm fixin' to file for divorce."
House's heart thudded in his chest. "Kevin's going to be pissed."
"Well now, that's just too bad, ain't it?" Caroline managed a little smile. She seemed so different already, stronger somehow.
He shouldn't be so worried about her. He should be keeping his distance, waiting for this to all shake out. He knew there were a million ways that this could go wrong, that Caroline could end up not going through with it. Even if she did, it didn't mean that she would want to pursue anything with him. It wasn't as if he had hell of a lot to offer her.
And yet, House couldn't help himself. He was already involved, already in deeper than he had ever intended. After all, he was getting ready to move all the way down here to this little town, and it wasn't just for the atmosphere.
"Yeah, guess it is too bad…for him." House answered. "You know you're going to need a restraining order once Kevin gets out of jail, right?"
Caroline nodded. "Workin' on that, too. Not that it'll stop him."
"No, but it might slow him down a little." House replied. "Buy you a little time."
Caroline reached out and took his hand. "You don't need to worry none about me. I'll be all right."
If only House felt so sure. It's not as if House would be able to do much of anything, anyway.
House let his fingers curl around Caroline's hand. Something about this simple contact stirred something in him, something he had no business feeling. "We won't be gone long, just a week or so. Think you can stay out of trouble for that long?"
Caroline smiled more widely at that. "I think so. How 'bout you?"
"No promises." House tried to sound casual.
Caroline glanced around the diner before leaning forward to kiss House lightly on the lips. "I'll see you when you get back. Maybe help you put your place together if you want."
House was startled but nodded. "I'd like that." He found himself saying.
He could spot the blush rising in Caroline's cheeks as she glanced downward, seemingly embarrassed at her impulsiveness. "You ready for that coffee now?"
House looked over his shoulder out the window. "Yeah, guess I've left Rob waiting long enough."
Caroline turned away to pour a Styrofoam cup full before turning back to set it on the counter. "Be safe."
House nodded, stirring in cream and sugar before snapping the lid on. "You too."
He badly wanted to kiss her just one more time. One for the road, as it were. Instead he simply slid down from the stool, picking up his cane and his coffee before making his way out of the café.
He couldn't help staring back through the glass one more time, watching as Caroline gave him one more wave. He nodded in acknowledgement before making his way over to the truck, tapping on the window.
Rob rolled down the window. "You finally ready?"
House let out a short huff and handed out his coffee. "Just hold on to this, will you? I don't have room for it on the bike."
"Sure." Rob took the coffee and placed it in a makeshift cup holder. One thing about the man, he was creative. "You go ahead and lead the way. Just know this old girl can only go so fast."
House couldn't help smiling at that. "No promises."
Rob merely chuckled and shook his head, starting up the small truck as House climbed swung a leg over the bike, clipping his cane into place and fired it up.
He backed out of the spot, waiting as Rob did the same, and soon they were on their way out of town and on the same back roads that had brought House here.
His memory was starting to come back to him as he rode, though the last time he had taken these roads, it had been at night. He hoped he would be able to find his way back to Princeton.
But if it took a little longer than he planned, that wasn't so bad. He had set out on this trip with no particular destination in mind, just seeking to get away, to find a little peace of mind.
As it turned out, he had found it, or so it seemed. It was too soon to say, really. Maybe it wouldn't be long and he would be bored again, and he would once again find himself off to parts unknown.
He had an odd feeling that wouldn't turn out to be the case.
# # #
House pulled up to his apartment building a couple of days later, with Rob not far behind. It had been a surprisingly easy trip, the weather cooperating for a change.
And Rob had turned out to be a good travel companion, sticking close to House the whole way and kicking in more than his share of the expenses at his own insistence. The man's own pride wouldn't allow anything else.
House hoped he'd be able to find a way to repay Rob for all he'd done. It didn't seem that Rob expected that, but House felt the need to do so anyway.
It was becoming a very different kind of friendship than House had ever had with Wilson, and House didn't know what to think of that. Maybe things would change and they got to know each other better, but for the time being, House decided to set those doubts aside. There was other business to attend to.
Rob pulled up alongside House. "Where you want me to park?"
House nodded ahead of him. "Right in front of the bike's fine."
Rob pulled into the spot, shutting off the truck and easing himself down. The trip had obviously taken a lot out of him, though he was covering it well enough. House still wasn't sure how Rob managed to drive stick with that prosthesis, but he had to admire the man's resourcefulness.
He followed House into the building as House unlocked the door and stepped inside. It almost felt the same as when he had returned after staying with Wilson, as if he was stepping into a museum.
"Nice place." Rob observed. "Sure you wanna leave it?"
"Already committed." House replied. "Movers are coming soon, and Wilson's already taking my piano."
"Your friend."
"Yeah, my friend." House paused. "One of my friends."
There was a brief silence before Rob broke it. "Guess we can get started whenever you're ready."
"There really isn't much." House told him. "Moving company's going to take care of most of it."
"So, why are we really here?"
"I told you, there's some things I don't trust the moving company with." House answered sharply.
Rob took a deep breath and exhaled. "You know, if you just wanted the company, that's all right, too."
"Mostly needed your truck." House replied. "But…you're not bad company."
Rob smiled a little at that. "Yeah, you ain't half bad yourself. It's been kinda fun, you know?"
"Don't get used to it." House told him. "Once I get settled, I'm not leaving again."
Rob shrugged. "That's all right. Might be makin' my own little trips to Memphis, dependin' on how things go."
"So, you two had a good weekend."
"Oh yeah." A full grin lit Rob's face. "Real good. Real good."
House merely shook his head as he and Rob started working, and he found himself lost in the memories that each object called up.
This was going to be harder than he thought.
The sound of the door opening pulled House out of his reverie. No surprise, there was Wilson with an unreadable expression on his face.
House took a deep breath, not sure what to expect. "Wilson."
Wilson nodded briefly. "House."
There was a long, awkward silence between the two men. House had known this wouldn't be easy, and he still had his doubts about this move. Standing here with Wilson was doing nothing to alleviate those doubts.
Rob stepped toward Wilson, extending a hand. "How you doin'? I'm Rob."
"James." Wilson seemed to regard Rob curiously. "That must be your truck out front?"
"Yes, sir." Rob answered. "Greg here asked me to give him a hand."
Wilson looked from Rob to House and back again. "House, can I talk to you?"
House huffed irritably. "Whatever you've got to say, you can say it right here."
Wilson frowned, running a hand through his hair. "House, are you sure about this? I mean, Tennessee? Seriously?"
House caught Rob out of the corner of his eye, his defensive stance obvious. "Yes, Wilson. Seriously."
"You know Cuddy would give you your job back in a minute if you wanted it." Wilson argued.
"I don't want it." House answered sharply.
"And what the hell are you going to do…there?" Wilson demanded.
"I'll figure it out." House told him, still not entirely confident. "Sent my CV over to Vanderbilt University, and I might even check out the VA."
Wilson shook his head, clearly not accepting House's answer. "You've lost your mind."
"I don't think so, Wilson." House replied.
Wilson went quiet for a long moment before seeming to admit defeat. "I'll make arrangements for your piano. And if you ever want it, just let me know."
"I will, thanks." House nodded.
Wilson nodded toward Rob. "Nice to meet you. Keep an eye on this guy, will you?" He turned back toward House. "And…good luck."
With that Wilson was gone, and Rob merely shook his head. "Some friend."
House wanted to defend Wilson, but instead he shrugged. "He'll get over it. Or he won't. Either way, it's not my problem. Not anymore."
Rob looked thoughtful for a moment. "Must be tough, leavin' all of this."
"I'm an old military brat." House answered. "Never stayed in one place long enough to call anyplace home."
"Still, you've been here a long time, right?"
House considered that. He'd been in Princeton longer than anywhere else, and this apartment was the closest thing he'd ever had to a permanent home. "I didn't plan on leaving. Didn't have a plan when I left, really."
Rob let out a low chuckle. "Small town life might grow on you."
"Yeah, like a fungus." House snarked.
Rob scoffed. "You don't mean that."
"I guess we'll see."
"Caroline sure would miss you if you didn't stick around." Rob threw out casually.
Something in House clutched at the thought. "That's not why I'm staying."
"You ain't foolin' no one, Greg." Rob told him. "You like her, she likes you. Ain't nothin' wrong with it."
"Yeah, except for her psycho husband." House responded as he and Rob continued packing up. "She says she's filing for divorce. No telling how long that'll take, or if she'll even end up going through with it. And she's got that kid. I've never had kids. Don't know how to handle them."
"Sheeit." Rob scoffed. "You're gonna talk yourself out of this before you even get started. Besides, you've already signed the lease, right? Three months. That ain't that long. If you don't like it, you can bail. But hell, at least give it an honest chance."
House had to admit that Rob had a point. He'd already made the commitment, such as it was. It seemed stupid to try and talk himself out of it now.
He just hoped he wouldn't come to regret it.
