Wilson's Life, Chapter 3

[damigella]

 
Chapter 3

Summary: Thirteen and Cuddy each learn something about Wilson.

Remy looked across the table as Wilson sat down, after having helped her into her seat. She found it funny that he still respected the most traditional forms of politeness even when obviously very upset. The waiter came immediately and took their orders, a well-done steak and a salad for Wilson and a cheeseburger and fries for herself. A minute later he was back with their ice water and then left again, and she could feel Wilson's eyes on her.

"So, how much has House told you already?" He sounded angry, although probably not with her.

She lowered her eyes to the tablecloth. This was going to be hard. "Dr. Wilson, I'm sorry…"

"Call me James," he interrupted her. "After this conversation you'll know more about me than my own mother. Answer, please." His tone had softened.

"House told me that you just came out to him as bisexual, and that you needed someone to talk to. Someone who wouldn't go and repeat what you said to any one else. He insisted on those two points: that you need to talk, and that I wouldn't tell. Not even him."

"And why did you agree?"

She sighed with relief. This was the one question she had expected. "I could say because I care for my job, but that's not the point. Coming out at your age must be hard and you can use a friend. I would have done this myself had I known." She took a sip of her ice water. "That is, had I known that you were aware of it and planning to come out."

"You…you knew?"

"That you're attracted to House? I think everybody has suspected, but they were lulled into oblivion because you were, after all, straight." She smirked as her voice lingered ironically on the last word. "I knew within a week of my starting to work with House. I even told Amber when she started dating you. She said you were obviously in denial and were going to remain so for the rest of your life."

Wilson gasped at the unexpected mention of Amber's name. "Amber…knew? And she still let me spend time with House?"

"She loved you and wanted you happy. She didn't really have a choice, and she didn't mind."

Their food arrived, and they both started eating. Remy was glad of having the opportunity to think back to Amber without speaking, and to have an excuse to change the subject once they were done.

When the waiter removed their dishes, Wilson looked at her intensely. Then he lowered his eyes and said "I'm in love with House. I have been for years. And he forced me to say it. Now I don't know what to do. I don't know what he thinks. I'm afraid of losing his friendship. His respect. His…his affection." She had to struggle to hear him, his voice was so low and the last word was almost a whisper.

"I don't think you'll be losing anything. He genuinely seems to care about you. Only, I'm not sure he cares the way you want him to. He's not totally straight of course, but I think he's much more hetero than you are, James."

Wilson didn't look up. He nodded. "Is it so obvious, really?"

The waiter came back with their espressos.

"Yes. To me, at least. I've seen you checking out a number of men." She poured some milk in her coffee. "Don't worry, I won't tell Chase. Not that he would be so bothered, he likes it when people look at him."

"And House…I don't have a chance, right?"

She felt like shouting Why would you want one? He's an obnoxious asshole and will only break your heart! But she didn't. Instead, she reflected long before answering and chose her words carefully. "You might. I think he likes you, physically, as much as he can like a man at all." She finished her coffee. "He's scared, I think. Being in a relationship with you would be a major change in his life. Much bigger than Cuddy. And if it went wrong…he wouldn't have you to go back to. I'm not sure he will ever want to risk that."

Wilson sunk his head in his hands. "I'm not sure I would want to risk it, either. I didn't want to tell him, ever."

She delicately touched his hand with her fingertips. "I don't think you will ever lose his friendship, whatever you do. Don't worry about that. And now it's time for you to go back home, House will be waiting. Call me anytime you need to talk."

*****

"Hi, Cuddy." She smiled at him when he sat down in the visitor's chair.

"Hi, Wilson. How did the first week with House go?"

"Really well. Making him take care of his health is a bitch, but not as hard as I would have thought." He smiled. He had lost some weight in the last weeks and his hair was slightly longer than usual - he looked younger, she thought, mostly because of the shine in his eyes. Things were really going well, apparently.

"How's the pain control?"

"He does need opiates. I don't prescribe for him anymore, Dr. Li does, but I keep the stuff locked. And he's been surprisingly reasonable, and willing to give physical treatments more space. My massaging techniques are improving."

"I've spoken to Brown. The Department seems to run smoothly. Thank you for checking in every day."

"It was House's idea. As usual with him, a really good one."

"I think we should reconsider your leave agreement. I want to be able to pay you for the work you do these days. I've spoken with accounting-"

An angry red light started shining on and off on her phone. "I'm sorry, this might be urgent." She picked up.

"Dr. Cuddy?"

"Speaking."

"Here Tamara Radcliffe, calling from the New Jersey Board of Physicians. Can we talk privately?"

"Yes, certainly. There's someone here but they can't hear you."

Wilson had gotten kind of lost in thought, Cuddy noticed. Whatever the people at the other hand had to say, he obviously didn't care.

"This is about Dr. James Evan Wilson. Evidence has been presented to the Ethics Committee that he lied during Gregory House's transplant hearing. There will be a preliminary hearing on Tuesday next, and a decision will be taken in a subsequent hearing, probably two weeks later."

"I…uh…am very surprised, but thank you for letting me know. I am sure everything will be clarified soon. Should I inform him?" She looked with worry at the unsuspecting, relaxed physician sitting in front of her, his thoughts clearly somewhere else.

"You may tell him. We tried to contact him directly but his secretary said he's on leave. His license will be suspended until further notice."

"I see. Sure, I'll let him know. Thanks for the information. Goodbye."

Cuddy replaced the receiver in its cradle and turned her face to Wilson, who had returned his attention to her at the end of the phone call. Apparently her face betrayed some of her thoughts, because he looked at her with concern and asked "Bad news?"

Her voice came out steadier than she would have thought possible. "Yes, and I'm afraid it concerns you."

Comments

[menolly-au.livejournal.com]

Ha, I figured out the mysterious woman was 13 after your hint after the last chapter:) Nice conversation, and in character for House to get her to talk to Wilson.I must say I really disliked 13 when she was on the show originally but I haven't minded her since she came back and she does seem to have a certain connection with House.

Poor Wilson, just as Cuddy was about to start paying him again and this happens! House always gets away with lying and various other unethical practices, Wilson might not be so lucky....Looking forward to the next chapter.

[damigella-314.livejournal.com]

I got a certain satisfaction at having Wilson to go into all kinds of trouble (I think it's a more abstract version of the same urge motivating the sick!wilson fans). And all of it with House finding out about him being in love and saying neither yes nor no.

Give my greetings to the future, since I guess it's already Saturday there... and of course let me know if the raptures start at 6pm :-).

[menolly-au.livejournal.com]

LOL :) The future is great, you can't guess what happens...no, wait, it's just another cold dark Saturday morning when I have to go to work...oh well....

[damigella-314.livejournal.com]

You have my sympathy for having to go to work on Saturday morning.