The trio entered the cabin as Kayla sighed in disappointment. "Well, we can always try again next week."

"I don't think that's going to work for..." Logan trailed off, watching House move about their home, opening every door he saw with his cane. "The hell you doing?"

"Checking. Isn't it obvious?"

"Checking for your boss?"

"My boss is in Michigan, at the head of her hospital. She's certainly not some Colonel with a stick up her rectum!"

"Why there?" Logan asked, and when House looked at him he added, "Oh, is that none of my concern?"

House sighed, but sagged as he relented. "My former boss; she's...cursing my name."

"Why?"

Kayla rolled her eyes and turned to him. "Great, now I have to put up with both of you?"

"You invited him."

"And I'll drop him off at―"

"No," Logan replied forcefully. "If Stryker's got an ambush out there... I should go."

"Is Stryker the Colonel?" House interrupted.

"No," Logan repeated. "Don't worry about it."

House scoffed. "How am I supposed to not worry about an ambush?"

Then he paused, rubbing at his forehead. "Oh, my God," he groaned, "You guys are fugitives. That's why the isolated cabin... And Stryker's a cop, isn't he?"

Realizing Logan was on the verge of another lie, Kayla had to intervene. "Logan, can I talk to you?" she asked. "Alone?"

The couple stepped outside. Alone, House briefly considered his situation. And took out his phone.

Meanwhile, back in New Jersey, in the Dean of Medicine's office at Princeton-Plainsboro, there was a different atmosphere. Taub was defending himself from a humiliating event while Chase and Foreman laughed at his expense.

"Again, it wasn't fecal matter; it was chocolate. I'd really..." Taub shook his head in annoyance and spoke above their laughter. "I'd appreciate it if we could drop it now!"

Foreman's chuckles were cut off by the ringing of his phone. He reached for the one on his desk before realizing it was the one in his pocket, and looking at the caller ID caused the smile to drop instantly off his face. He quickly answered the phone. "Hello?" he asked, and listened to the staticky silence for a moment before surprising his colleagues with an impatient, "Say something!"

The caller gave a long sigh. "It's House."

"I knew it! I knew you were..." Foreman paused as he caught his colleagues' quizzical expressions, then put the earpiece to his shoulder. "Can I have a minute?" he asked, and put the phone back to his ear while they vacated the room. "So...how are you? Where are you?"

"The true north, strong and free."

"Good one," Foreman answered, as Taub strode indignantly down the hallway.

"I need you to help me out."

"Oh...what can I do?"

"Money wire."

"House," Foreman snapped, and behind the closed but open vertical blinds, Chase turned in shock to face the glass. Foreman didn't notice. "Whatever stunt you're ruining yourself to pull, is not my business. And I'm busy."

"With what?"

"Your old job."

"I need the money to get back."

"Then you can go rob a fountain!"

"Stealing is really more your area, Foreman, not mine."

"I didn't...steal." Foreman sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Is this how you ask everyone for a favor? House, where are you, really?"

"I told you, Canada."

"Then wiring money can take several days! It'd be faster if someone came and got you."

"Can you come and get me?"

"No. But...look, let me work something out and get back to you."

A click was his only response. Foreman hung up and was rubbing his eyes, trying not to pop some Tylenol just because he was stressed, when Chase tentatively knocked on the door. Foreman motioned him inside and Chase entered, looking as nervous as he sounded. "Foreman...did I just hear you say House?"

"Yes," Foreman bit.

"He's alive?"

"Apparently," Foreman said, playing it cool. No one had to know how long he'd had his suspicions. Then his eyes flicked up to the unsuppressed joy on his colleague's face. "Chase?" he asked, and continued when Chase looked at him, "Remember that favor you owe me?"

"Yeah."

"I need to ask you for two."

Chase sidestepped the chair, plopping down into the desk and staring at him with an expression of intrigue.

"Keep this information to yourself...and go pick him up."

But Chase barked a laugh. "Are you kidding me? Canada can keep the bastard."

"You can tell him the chocolate story."

"You really want 'im back? Let Taub go and get 'im. Better yet, take some time off work. Looks like it's catching up to you."

"I don't have time to take time off."

"Then they will...arrest him, once his passport expires."

"I thought you loved House! And you can't kiss his ass from here."

When Chase scoffed, Foreman sobered quickly. "Chase...I can't ask anyone else. I'll even pay for the travel, but I just don't have the time. You do."

"I also have a job."

"And me as your boss."

"I have one date with two women tonight."

Foreman leaned on the desk, lacing his fingers together. "Pass it up, and I'll give you a free vacation."

Chase scoffed again, but relented. "Fine. Fine. I'll do it. Why do you want to see him so badly, anyway?" he asked.

"Believe me. I don't."