California
W
Time passed since their eyes met. It could have been seconds, minutes, hours or even days. James couldn’t tell. The dark room swallowed him whole.
*********
H
He hadn’t heard a word from him. The silence was loud.
His mind had 20 different topics
But two caught his attention.
The investor meeting.
And James.
*********************
The day of the meeting.
H
Everyone was sat at a circular table patiently waiting for the company manager and possible investor.
House was growing inpatient.
His snarky comments were getting more frequent. And meaner.
Stacey rolled her eyes. She wouldn’t risk this opportunity to yell at House. She could do that after.
“Okay… apologies I’m late-“
The door creaked open. Long brown hair peeked through the doorway. A white blouse tugged her chest and a mid length skirt wrapped around her thighs. The clacking sound of her heels echoed through the room.
Stacey jolted up from her seat. She shook her head in attempt to get her hair out of the way.
House didn’t turn around. He was slouched on one of the chairs. Throwing his head back just enough so he could see.
“Hi! I’m Stacey it’s good to finally meet you..”
A moment.
“Uh- this is the band uh- I’ll let you introduce each other.”
An awkward smile plastered on her face. She was flustered.
“Uhm- I’m Cuddy, Lisa.”
She smiled too.
The rest of the band stood up to shook her hand. House stayed put.
“Sorry! Can’t stand up you see I’m a cripple-“
His words were interrupted by a slight stomp on his foot. Damn you Stacey.
“That’s okay, uh Lisa Cuddy, pleasure to meet you.”
She held out her hand to shake his.
Instead of being a complete sane normal human being trying to impress an investor, Gregory House fist bumped her hand.
Stacey had practically dug her own grave.
House did have to admit tho. Lisa Cuddy was attractive. He just… wasn’t expecting Stacey to think so too.
He feels his stomach flip.
With every word Cuddy speaks, House adds a remark, a sexist joke or just a rude comment.
Stacey didn’t look at him. No matter what he did, her eyes remained on Cuddy.
But no matter what he said, how rude he acted or how embarrassed his band members were, Lisa never batted an eye. Not once did she give him the satisfaction of a reaction, that he so desperately wanted.
“So the tour would start in California, obviously you guys would get one free ticket for partner, spouse etc…”
She trailed on.
But there was only one face House could think of. And for the first time when anyone mentioned the word partner it wasn’t his ex wife.
His mind trailed to Wilson once again. His stupid brown eyes and flushed drunk face.
The way he spoke.
James Wilson occupied Greg’s mind.
It went quiet.
Like it did when he was playing the guitar really loudly.
Like it did before, when he was with Stacey.
Like it did when he felt at home.
*******************
W
His phone vibrated.
Another message from House.
♦️H: Look you can be pissed about whatever I did, orrr you can take another break and come with me to California?
♦️W: what?
♦️H: you know you can re read the message this isn’t like talking in real life.
No response
♦️H: Okay sorry forgot you’ve been deprived of human contact for a week.
Seen
♦️H: Just think about it
Seen again.
♦️H: you get a free ticket and get to watch me play.
Delivered.
♦️H: Cmon it’s a free vacation just take it.
Seen.
♦️W: I’m coming over tonight to talk.
Seen.
♦️W: This does NOT mean im going!
What does he do. House didn’t really do anything, he just…
Wilson was jealous of the attention House gave to Stacey.
‘Why doesn’t he look at me that way?’
God he was fucked. This cannot be happening. He can’t feel this way. He doesn’t. Totally doesn’t.
*later}
As he steps into the dimly lit living room he notices Greg holding a bottle of scotch and two glasses. The bottle opener is in his mouth.
“I would prefer we have this conversation sober?”
He says it in a way that sounds like a question, when it really isn’t.
House sets down the scotch and glasses on the table leaning with his now free hands towards his mouth. He takes out the bottle opener from between his teeth and opens the bottle.
“But then you’ll say no to California.”
“And I would love if I had free will before committing to practically quitting my job.”
“You wouldn’t quit-“
“We both know I don’t have any more free days.”
“Okay then just don’t show up.”
“That would get me fired House.”
…
“I’ll teach you to tune a guitar, you will tune Chases guitar for a living. The poor guy still can’t get the hang of-“
“Are you capable of having this conversation or should I leave”
******************************
H
His words are like broken glass through your heart.
“Yeah.”
Wilson manages to get House almost completely speechless. Something no one has been able to do, except Stacey.
“Why do you want me to go to California with you?”
“Because-“
“Be honest.”
…
************************
W
“Look if you haven’t already noticed, I don’t really have any other friends. Everyone is obviously going to bring someone, and I don’t plan on stalking Stacey the whole time there.”
But he does plan on being with her.
House’s holding his bad leg.
“Please say something”
Fuck
“Hand me glass”, Wilson finally replies.
So House does.
He smiles not looking at Wilson.
Greg knows what this means.
They’re going to California.
****************************************
W
Silly time skip idk
A static sound was heard from the phone.
W:“Wait!”
W: “House slow down you’re breaking up!”
.
.
.
H:“Can you hear me now?!”
He sure as hell can.
W: “No shit, stop yelling!
How many days am I staying?”
H:“As long as you want. I’m on tour a month.”
Damn he wishes he could be there the whole time.
H: “How about for two shows?”
W: “Sooo a week?”
H: “Yep!”
W: “Is anyone capable of surviving with you that long?”
H: “Stacey put up with me for 5 years”
He shouldn’t have asked.
W: “I’m going to pack see you tonight”
He doesn’t wait for a response, just hangs up.
*******************************
W
The rest of his day goes on. He packs the last of his things then takes a nap before going to the airport. He meets House and the rest of the crew there. The flight goes fine, he sits next to House.
It was kind of awkward with Lisa and Stacey in front of them, but that doesn’t matter because all he can feel now is the dry air hitting his body, sweat on the back of his head and ache in his hands from carrying both his bag and Greg’s.
He couldn’t say no.
He felt bad.
Or maybe he felt good, helping out
A
Friend.
*****************************
S(Stacey)
“What do you mean there’s no space?!”
This cannot be happening.
“I told you ma’am, we overbooked, one of you will have to share a room.”
Oh. My. God.
“And I told you! We aren’t able to do that!”
“Ma’am if you could calm down-“
“Don’t tell her to calm down. Figure out a way to fix this.”
Lisa spoke from behind Stacey’s shoulder.
Damn.
I like your voice from behind my ear
Fuck Stacey! Get a grip.
Lisa stood up for you. From so close. She isn’t moving away.
“I can share a room with House?”
Wilson burst her bubble of thoughts.
“Hm? What? Oh, right well… are you…sure?”
“Do I have a say in this?”-H
“No.
Lisa and Stacey both say in sync.
“Now all of you get your room numbers and get some rest, we have a FULL day tomorrow!”
“I’ll send over the agendas around 21:15”-L.C
*************************************
W
What did he just do. He deep down knew why he did it.
***********************
H
Why did Wilson do that? Did he really want to be stuck in a room with him for 7 days?