#james willson

House so desperately wanted Lucas to shut up and stop talking. He wanted to walk away from this god-awful situation. And Cuddy was just sitting there, letting this guy run his mouth. It's a bit ironic since she always bites back at House for saying something stupid. She’s not even trying to stop Lucas. If she wanted, she would have told him to shut up and give that famous glare she always shot his way. 

He knew how Lucas worked and how airing out his problems was a way to rile him up. It’s a low-ball move, really. House is just waiting for him to mention his leg if Cuddy decides to share that information. She clearly doesn’t have a problem talking about his issues; why stop at his addiction? A shame, really, they could have been good friends. 

“I mean, I imagine having sex with women all the time. No big deal. Though I guess if they knew what I imagine, it could get awkward. And I guess it's different because in the fantasy, she was your savior. But I mean, that was months ago, right? All the work that you had to do to get straight- You've been institutionalized. You've had way bigger stuff to deal with.” 

Does this guy know when to shut up? House has half a brain to take his cane and-

“Will you shut up? Didn’t your mother teach you that if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all?” Willson dropped his hands to the table, startling everyone. “Seriously, you wouldn’t be able to take the hint if it hit you in the face.” 

“Wilson.” Cuddy placed her tea down and gave him a look. House looked at Willson in surprise as well. 

“First of all, why do you know all of this?” He’s sure the team doesn’t even know the extent of House’s hallucinations. Willson shot a glare at Cuddy, then towards Lucas, pointing a finger at the guy. “And second, how dare you!” 

“Whoa, man, listen…” Lucas cowardly threw his hands up in surrender. Looking at Cuddy to see if she’d tell Willson to back off.

“Oh, don’t give me that innocent man's act, I see right through it. Heck, I’ve put up that act. Yeah, I see the problem… but this isn’t about ME. You may act like a clueless idiot, but behind that is all a calculated motive. You and I both know the end goal, so don’t even make me say it.” He took a deep breath, holding himself back from punching the guy. “Don’t you dare talk about something you weren’t even a part of. And don’t you dare rub my best friend’s issues in his face like that! You weren’t there, and you certainly weren’t involved, so keep your thoughts to yourself. I don’t care what you two are, and she had no right to tell you the extent. And you most of all certainly don’t have the right to voice it!” 

“Hmmm,”  House let out. Still surprised by Willson’s actions. Looks like he’s taking what he said to heart. House appreciated the gesture. 

“And you,” he turned to Cuddy. “I expect better from you. When House runs his mouth, you are quick to fight back. And it’s always been within reason. I’ve also seen you defend him multiple times for good reason, too. So why choose today to let it slide? Out of everyone, you’re letting this…this outsider go on about something he has no right to talk about.” Just thinking about that time when House was hallucinating and driving up to Mayfield had surfaced some unwanted feelings. The fear, worry, and sadness he felt knowing that his friend’s addiction had become so severe. “At least House doesn’t play the white knight savior act. Sure, he’ll find your weaknesses and manipulate you into facing them. But he doesn’t let them weigh you down. He makes you overcome them, no matter how unorthodox the methods may be.” Willson stood slowly, “This whole trip, we’ve been debating House’s reliability. He sure doesn’t do it enough to any normal human capacity, but he does it when it matters the most. And we… I’ve been too blind to see that.” He thought of Amber and the whole situation, a wave of sadness washing over him. He walked away from the table, leaving everyone in silence. 

“I should have brought a microphone for this encounter.” House stood up and turned towards Cuddy. “Congratulations, you made a great choice.” He quipped with obvious sarcasm. He tipped his imaginary hat and walked in the same direction as Willson. 

~~~~

The two sat in silence on the car ride back home. House stared out the window while Willson drove. House left the conference feeling conflicted, part of him wishing he hadn’t come. But he’s glad he did; he stopped Willson from making a mistake that would have put his whole career in jeopardy. 

House slowly turns his head to look at Willson. 

“You didn’t have to do that.” 

“Yes. I did. You’re my best friend, and he insulted you.” 

“I almost threw my cane at him.” 

“You would do the same anyway.”

“True.” 

“I almost hopped over the table to punch him,” he chuckled. “Gosh, what does she even see in him? Of course, I’m biased but still.” 

“He’s easy,” House admitted. “We may share similarities. But as you said, he plays the innocent white knight role. All push, no pull. He’ll take chances with no risk.” He sighs. “I should have called her back in college.” 

“It’ll be okay.” He reassures. “And if he ever says something like that to your face, I will punch him. He seems like the type of guy who should have been punched in the face long ago.” 

Bonus because how dare he mess with Chase:

Chase stormed into Cuddy’s office. His encounter with Lucas leaves a sour taste in his mouth. “I know Cameron, and I’s decision is out of the blue, but can you please leave others out of it?” Cuddy looked confused. Before she could speak, Chase started first, “Cuddy, I don’t know what you told your boy toy, but I don’t appreciate him trying to meddle in my life. I already get that enough with House.” 

Cuddy lifts a brow, “Dr.Chase, I’m not sure what you’re…” 

“You boy toy,” he said, putting an extra emphasis on the nickname, “is meddling in my affairs with the House. He’s snooped through my papers. Claiming the House’s team issues make you miserable, which makes him miserable. A little self-centered if you ask me...” Chase drew the last words under his breath, yet she heard every one of them.

She straightened, her voice turning firm.“I agree, Lucas shouldn’t be meddling in your decision.” She cleared her throat, letting her boss persona fade, “Listen, I know this is a difficult decision to make so quickly, but I think you should sleep on it.” 

“I don’t want to die in a hospital.”

Rain poured down on the afternoon James Wilson’s casket was lowered into the ground. A man who disappeared a little over 5 months ago after the tragic loss of his best friend. No one was sure as to why he disappeared suddenly. Rumors spread like wildfire. 

Perhaps he couldn’t take being alone, not with Amber, then House dying, and Cuddy leaving.

Cancer? Are you sure? Guess if I were told I didn’t have long to live, I’d leave too.

Everyone he was close to is gone. Perhaps he sped it up.

People tried to reach out, but he left his belongings behind. No note, nothing. One day he was here and the next he was gone. Only to be discovered months later, dead in a hotel room in Atlantic City, his body being found by an anonymous patron. Their close kept secret in that casino, dying with them. 

In the far distance stood a man with a trenchcoat, hat, and cane. Watching from afar behind a big enough tree to hide behind. House recognized everyone like a hawk. Deep inside, he felt a twang of pain in his heart knowing everyone he cared about attended. The same faces who attended his funeral as well, not too long ago. 

When his eyes caught Thirtee,n he immediately stared, watching her every movement. Thankfully, she looked as if she had a full range of motion at the moment. But he knew that wouldn’t last forever, for he made a promise. And she was the reason for his “return” and no one else. Right? 

“When I’m gone in 5 months.”

“If you’re gone,” House corrected.

Willson rolled his eyes, “If I’m gone in 5 months, what will you do afterwards?” 

“Keep an eye on Thirteen.” 

Willson’s eyes went wide. “What?” House asked with a raised brow.

“I expected you to say you were going to join me in the dirt.” 

“Things like that are why people assume we're together,” he quipped. “Sigh. I made a promise, Thirteen, and I intend to keep that promise.” 

“Plan to do anything while you wait.” 

“Nope.” 

“No surprise visits to anyone else? Foreman, Chase, Cameron? Taub? Your mother?” He forgot one more name, hoping his friend would say it.

“No.” He said in a serious tone. Knowing who Willson wanted him to say. “Thirteen is the only person I plan to see when the time comes.” If it ever comes, he thought. In a perfect world, she would die of old age, Kutner would be around, and Willson wouldn’t have cancer. He wouldn’t have had the infarction or muscle removed without his consent because, without the infarction, he wouldn’t have split with Stacy. If he stayed with Stacy, he wouldn’t have gotten in a relationship with…

“Hmm.” Willson smiled. “Good, lord knows you crushed that hope for her when you faked your death. Always for the theatrics.” Willson mused.

“Exactly, got to make sure she goes out with a bang.” House pointed finger guns towards Willson.

“House!” House looked confused for a moment by Willson’s reaction. After replaying his words, he realized his choice of words.

“I’m not going to shoot her, you idiot! That’ll just put the police on my tail. Also, it’s too bloody and messy. OD’ing is the best way to go.”

“Always the savior.” Never the saved, he wanted to say. Looking at House with a solemn gaze.

“Yeah.” 

His funeral service was nice, peaceful. Kinder words were said than his. More people showed up than House suspected. Assuming a lot of the unfamiliar faces were old patients of Willson. He spotted familiar faces as well. Such as Cameron, Chase, Foreman, Taub, Masters, Park, Adams, and even House’s mother. Seeing his mother brought up the urge to step out of hiding and approach her. But he knew he couldn’t do that; it would be too much.

He watched the whole thing and stayed after to people watch. He spotted two figures who weren’t there earlier; he must’ve missed them in the sea of people. His heart almost burst out of his chest, and his eyes widened at the sight of Lisa and Rachel Cuddy making their way to the now covered grave sight. Two people he never planned to see ever again. His fist clenched his cane, resisting the temptation to walk up to them.

Rachel was holding a bouquet of flowers in her hand, and Cuddy was wearing a face of sadness he had only seen a handful of times. The last time he had seen it was at his very own funeral. He wanted to reach out so desperately back then and now. He wanted to hold them both one more time. But he couldn’t, life wasn’t happy endings and fairy tales. He had to stay hidden; it was for the best.

While he was too far to hear, he read their lips as they spoke to the not-so-lonely grave. Rachel said goodbye to her uncle and to take care of House. Cuddy flinched at the sound of his name, then said her own goodbye. Wishing him and Wilson the best and to say hi for them. 

When the funeral was over and everyone left, he lingered for a while and then stepped out of the shadows. Limping towards his best friend's grave, he gave it one last look. 

“Thank you, Wilson, for everything. Say hi to Amber for me.” His last words echoed in his mind, remembering Wilson’s eyes closing for the last time, and his breathing stopped. Luckily, he wasn’t in pain when he passed, and House made sure he was comfortable in his final moments. 

“He’s all yours Bitch.” He said to a hallucination of Amber standing beside Wilson’s grave. When he blinked, Wilson appeared alongside her. The two conjoined hands soon disappeared completely. All that remained were three tombstones.

“You’re trying to save me.” 

“Yes, I think that little of you and that much of me.” 

As the years went by, House observed everyone from afar. He was killing time, so to speak. Waiting and hoping he’d have to keep waiting for Thirteen’s condition to kick in. Maybe his wish worked, as she got a few more years to live normally. Live without fear and uncertainty, whether she did carry the trait or not. But like it’s said, life isn’t sunshine and rainbows. 

Thirteen’s condition worsened and spread quickly. One day, she was fully mobilized,e and just a few days later, she lost all control over her entire body. Not long after, she couldn’t even breathe on her own. Thankfully, her mind was still intact, and she wasn’t sure if she could be grateful or not. She could do nothing for herself except move her eyes and blink. She wished she’d gone mad, unable to comprehend not being mobile but conscious. She wanted to stop experiencing this and die. But she knew no one had the heart to do so. No one except for a dead man. 

“I’ll kill you. When the time comes, and you want me to.”  

She was admitted to PPTH, a choice she made. As odd as it is, she found a bit of comfort in the halls she once worked in. However, she hated being in this hospital room, waiting to die. Despised knowing that she’d lose her sanity before she stopped breathing. It wouldn’t be long now before everyone would witness her at her lowest, remembering her at her worst. But how could she ask them to kill her? No one alive would be crazy enough to do that. 

She heard the crack of the door open and glanced over to see a ghost standing in the doorway. She tried to move her lips but couldn’t speak. None of her other limbs seemed to listen to her as she wanted to reach out to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating. 

“Save yourself, I know you can’t talk. Don’t worry, this will be painless, and you’ll be able to rest easy.” He pulled a bottle out of his pocket and searched for a syringe. “You’re probably wondering how I did it. Simple, it was greatly exaggerated.” He joked and saw a little smile form on her lips. “Sigh. Obviously, it was a fake death attempt. It’s not as fun when you can’t make a comment about how there was no way I could survive being burned alive. I was with Wilson until the very end; he died happily with little pain. At least as happy as he could. I couldn’t reach out sooner; I had to make the whole death thing stick as long as possible.” 

Tears fell down her face as she watched someone who she thought was dead fulfill her wish. A wish she wouldn’t dare ask anyone to fulfill. 

“You didn’t think I’d leave you hanging, did you? Don’t think so little of me. I’m sorry I dragged this out so long, though.” Her symptoms showed much quicker than he anticipated. She crashed down fast. 

She missed this. Missed the sound of his voice. His stupid, poorly timed jokes. His bluntness. She grew sick and tired of everyone’s assurance when she knew this disease would kill her no matter what. He was the only person who’d be willing to do this for her. While everyone dragged out her misery. She couldn’t look her associates in the eyes, knowing that they believed her being comfortable was the answer rather than ending her pain altogether. 

“H—-h-ou-se. T—th-a-ank y-you.” She said with all of her energy, sounding nothing louder than a strained whisper. There was a small smile on her face, her eyes lighting up again with life. That sparkle in her eye, House was all too familiar with and missed.