Just One Week, 5/9
Mar. 18th, 2011 08:41 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
damigellaBack to Chapter 4
Chapter 5 Tuesday to Thursday
When House woke up the next morning, Wilson was dressed and starting breakfast. He answered his friend’s “Good morning!” by a calm “Good morning to you. My answer is yes.” He still didn’t look happy, but apparently he had managed to clarify his thoughts.
House sat near him, still pajama-clad, and started breakfast as well. “I’m happy to hear that. Scratch that, I’m delighted. Now a few simple rules. We behave at all times as we used to do. When one of us thinks it is time to have some fun, and that it’s safe to do so, he mentions that he would like to play Scrabble. If the other one agrees, he says yes. And I’ve even brought a Scrabble along in case someone overhears.”
“You were quite sure of my acceptance, I see.” Wilson at first sounded bitter, then mildly puzzled. “But what's the purpose of this Scrabble story?”
“It helps us remember that most of the time we have to behave as just friends.” House smiled at the recollection. “My supervisor during my nephrology internship introduced me to this trick. We were never caught.” Wilson looked like he might want to ask whether said supervisor was a man or a woman, then realized this was irrelevant and remained silent.
Soon after breakfast they were picked up and brought to the inviting Institute. They had a meeting with the Board, then Wilson was whisked away to visit the Institute’s small but very fancy Art Gallery. The Board then made House an offer that left him almost speechless, both as far as the working conditions and the income were. They were very polite about it, said that they would feel like having made a bargain if he accepted, and that he should take his time to decide and add any further requests he felt he may have.
Then Wilson joined him again, and they were both treated to a quick but very tasty luncheon. After that, they were shown into a large office and left alone, so that House could prepare his next lecture. Since the lecture was ready, House decided that some Scrabble might relax him, and Wilson was ready to oblige. Three minutes later House’s phone rang.
Wilson took a brief pause. “Do you really have to answer?” then he continued what he was doing.
“It’s Cuddy, and she knows my schedule. I have to answer.”
“Hello, Cuddy.”
“Yeah, love you too.”
“No, I’m not prepared yet. We have to keep this brief.”
“Yes, yes. And please, don’t call me again until the last lecture is over. Mmmmhhh.” He gesticulated towards Wilson to slow it down a bit.
“I made a funny sound? I might be catching a cold. Don’t worry, I’m in a hospital most of the time.”
“Yeah, I’ll call you Friday after the last lecture.”
“I love you, too.”
House closed the phone, but the sound of its falling to the floor was completely obliterated by the very loud moan that escaped his throat. He hoped the office walls were thick enough. He silently decided that from now on they better avoid Scrabble on the Institute premises.
One hour later, Dr. Gregory House delivered another masterful lecture. If anyone had paid attention, they might have remarked that Dr. Wilson’s hair was somewhat less elegantly styled than it had been in the morning. But as he was not the one lecturing, nobody noticed.
From then on their week proceeded on a double track. In public, they were just Dr. House the Star Diagnostician and Invited Lecturer, together with Dr. Wilson the Member of the Board; once they were safely in the privacy of their room, House (if he wasn’t hungry or too tired) would mention playing Scrabble, and Wilson would agree. The mild weather continued and they thoroughly enjoyed the Jacuzzi on the balcony.
The only exception was on Wednesday, when a very pleasant day trip had been planned by the organizers. House claimed that he was slightly sick and needed a day of rest in the hotel. They asked if he needed medical attention but he pointed out that the accompanying Board member was also his personal physician.
“You lied to them.”
“Not really. You are my personal physician. And you are going to spend the day taking care of my physical well-being in a way you couldn’t possibly do if we were taking part in a day trip.”
“Am I?”
“Yes. We can write a joint paper later about the curative properties of Scrabble.”
Wilson returned House’s smile. “Scrabble it is. A day of nonstop Scrabble."
Chapter 6 Friday to Saturday afternoon
Chapter 5 Tuesday to Thursday
When House woke up the next morning, Wilson was dressed and starting breakfast. He answered his friend’s “Good morning!” by a calm “Good morning to you. My answer is yes.” He still didn’t look happy, but apparently he had managed to clarify his thoughts.
House sat near him, still pajama-clad, and started breakfast as well. “I’m happy to hear that. Scratch that, I’m delighted. Now a few simple rules. We behave at all times as we used to do. When one of us thinks it is time to have some fun, and that it’s safe to do so, he mentions that he would like to play Scrabble. If the other one agrees, he says yes. And I’ve even brought a Scrabble along in case someone overhears.”
“You were quite sure of my acceptance, I see.” Wilson at first sounded bitter, then mildly puzzled. “But what's the purpose of this Scrabble story?”
“It helps us remember that most of the time we have to behave as just friends.” House smiled at the recollection. “My supervisor during my nephrology internship introduced me to this trick. We were never caught.” Wilson looked like he might want to ask whether said supervisor was a man or a woman, then realized this was irrelevant and remained silent.
Soon after breakfast they were picked up and brought to the inviting Institute. They had a meeting with the Board, then Wilson was whisked away to visit the Institute’s small but very fancy Art Gallery. The Board then made House an offer that left him almost speechless, both as far as the working conditions and the income were. They were very polite about it, said that they would feel like having made a bargain if he accepted, and that he should take his time to decide and add any further requests he felt he may have.
Then Wilson joined him again, and they were both treated to a quick but very tasty luncheon. After that, they were shown into a large office and left alone, so that House could prepare his next lecture. Since the lecture was ready, House decided that some Scrabble might relax him, and Wilson was ready to oblige. Three minutes later House’s phone rang.
Wilson took a brief pause. “Do you really have to answer?” then he continued what he was doing.
“It’s Cuddy, and she knows my schedule. I have to answer.”
“Hello, Cuddy.”
“Yeah, love you too.”
“No, I’m not prepared yet. We have to keep this brief.”
“Yes, yes. And please, don’t call me again until the last lecture is over. Mmmmhhh.” He gesticulated towards Wilson to slow it down a bit.
“I made a funny sound? I might be catching a cold. Don’t worry, I’m in a hospital most of the time.”
“Yeah, I’ll call you Friday after the last lecture.”
“I love you, too.”
House closed the phone, but the sound of its falling to the floor was completely obliterated by the very loud moan that escaped his throat. He hoped the office walls were thick enough. He silently decided that from now on they better avoid Scrabble on the Institute premises.
One hour later, Dr. Gregory House delivered another masterful lecture. If anyone had paid attention, they might have remarked that Dr. Wilson’s hair was somewhat less elegantly styled than it had been in the morning. But as he was not the one lecturing, nobody noticed.
From then on their week proceeded on a double track. In public, they were just Dr. House the Star Diagnostician and Invited Lecturer, together with Dr. Wilson the Member of the Board; once they were safely in the privacy of their room, House (if he wasn’t hungry or too tired) would mention playing Scrabble, and Wilson would agree. The mild weather continued and they thoroughly enjoyed the Jacuzzi on the balcony.
The only exception was on Wednesday, when a very pleasant day trip had been planned by the organizers. House claimed that he was slightly sick and needed a day of rest in the hotel. They asked if he needed medical attention but he pointed out that the accompanying Board member was also his personal physician.
“You lied to them.”
“Not really. You are my personal physician. And you are going to spend the day taking care of my physical well-being in a way you couldn’t possibly do if we were taking part in a day trip.”
“Am I?”
“Yes. We can write a joint paper later about the curative properties of Scrabble.”
Wilson returned House’s smile. “Scrabble it is. A day of nonstop Scrabble."
Chapter 6 Friday to Saturday afternoon