Recs by Title (N-Z)
The House "What-If" Rec List
This is Part 3 of our rec list. View Part 1 (Titles A-D) or Part 2 (Titles E-M). Part 3: Titles N-Z
Hi! We're lit_luminary and resourceress7. We'd like to share with you some of our favorite House, M.D. fics, 'verses, and authors that form a genre we call "What-If." Many stories were already among our personal favorites, and we discovered many more gems while collecting hundreds of potential recs. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
This is the main rec list, organized by title. This is a good starting place as you explore this site, as it has the most detailed information per fic.
Notes:
Ningyo [ LJ] [DW] by yarroway (5,800 words. June 2012. Rated R) A post finale fic in which autumn comes (but this is not a death fic). Written for petitecuriosity's Luck Of The Dice challenge at Camp Sick!Wilson. My prompt was "water." • Category: Magical Realism • Rec Reasons: Emotion, Imagery, Premise No Little Charity [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] by perspi, with a Hidden Bonus Track by blackmare (37,400 words. Oct 2006. Rated PG-13) It was an old ritual, old magic from before the world had rational explanations and cold science. Cold science had failed House, and Wilson had nothing left to try but this. • Category: Magical Realism, Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Emotion, Premise • See also: Discussion about including No Little Charity in the Housefic Meta Library. DVD Commentary: No Little Charity [ LJ] [DW] by perspi (5,800 words. July 2007. Rated PG-13) Companion piece: The Jealous Lover [ LJ] [AO3] by nightdog_barks (300 words. Jan 2007. Rated PG) Wilson tries to convince himself he's dealing with his pain. Companion piece: Transference [ LJ] [DW] by lit_luminary (200 words. March 2007. Not Rated) A poem based on chapter 1 of No Little Charity. Nor Any Voice of Mourning [ LJ] [ LJ] [ LJ] [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] [DW] by nightdog_barks (3,100 words. July 2009. Rated PG-13) In the unlikeliest of places, they meet again for the first time. • Category: Alternate Time Period • Rec Reasons: Imagery, Research Northern Light [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] by nightdog_barks (2,700 words. Oct 2013. Rated PG-13) Everybody comes here for a reason, House says. What's Wilson's? • Category: Alternate Personal History, Crossover Elements (Northern Exposure - thematic elements only; no prior knowledge needed), • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise Not Angels [ LJ] [AO3] by deelaundry (600 words. May 2007. Rated PG-13) From the “Name something you think I will never, ever, ever write” meme, prompt: The Super Six wake up and find that they've all grown wings. Big, fluffy angel wings. • Category: Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Dialogue, Humor Nothing [ LJ] by daisylily (800 words. Nov 2007. Rated PG-13) This isn't the first time that House thinks he saw 'nothing'… • Category: After Death/Afterlife, Deity Chat • Rec Reasons: Dialogue, Humor Of a Feather [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] by yarroway (1,500 words. July 2012. Rated R) "House whistled. 'Foreman, you imported team-builders from Britain? Couldn't you find anyone that useless in the USA? Where's your patriotism?'[…]
'Dr. House,' Fred (or George, House couldn't tell them apart) said, 'we guarantee that you'll find this workshop magical.'
'Not magical,' George or Fred said urgently. 'There's no such thing as magic.'
'Of course not. Transformative. That's what I meant.'" • Category: Crossover Elements (Harry Potter - very little familiarity required), Magical Realism, Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Emotion, Humor Of Capes and Cod [AO3] by st_aurafina (4,900 words. Aug 2011. Rated G) What do you do when your patient has a fish head? House's team seeks out an expert on the mutant condition. • Category: Crossover Elements (X-Men - no prior knowledge needed), Science Fiction • Rec Reasons: Dialogue, Humor One and One and One is Three [ LJ] [AO3] by daasgrrl (1,100 words. Aug 2009. Rated PG-13) Things are finally working out for Wilson. Maybe. • Category: Alternate Personal History, Parallel Universe • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Structure The One Where It All Ends [ LJ] [AO3] by deelaundry (5,000 words. Jan 2008. Rated R) That Strange Time At The Hospital ended with both a bang and a whimper, House is fond of saying. • Category: Transmogrification • Rec Reasons (for these two stories): Brainglue • Note: These fics are part of the larger Genderfuck Crack!Verse [ masterpost]. Sequel: Unicorn Hunter [ LJ] [AO3] by deelaundry (1,100 words. Jan 2008. Rated PG) Munchkins, unicorns, and princesses, oh my. Future fic. Can be read as stand-alone, although it's technically a sequel to The One Where It All Ends. The One Where They Get Turned into Penguins [ LJ] [AO3] by thedeadparrot (2,600 words. April 2007. Rated PG) House and Wilson get turned into penguins. • Category: Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Humor An Opening Door [ LJ: 1-7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27] [FF] [AO3] by tailkinker_au (menolly_au) (81,200 words. July 2013. Rated T) Wilson encounters a disabled cleaning slave at PPTH called Greg and becomes intrigued with him. An unlikely friendship forms between the two as Wilson tries to secure a better life for Greg. • Category: Alternate Governance, Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise The Oracle [ LJ] by fee_folay (25,400 words. March 2008. Rated PG) House gets a really bad calling plan. • Category: Magical Realism • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Premise Patterns [ LJ] [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] by nightdog_barks (2,100 words. Jan 2007. Rated soft R) House is troubled by strange dreams of Wilson's death. Where are they coming from, and why? • Category: Powers • Rec Reasons: Premise, Structure Pencils Are Dangerous (WIP) [ LJ pencils tag] by alex51324 (111,900 words. May 2007. Not Rated) Released from wrongful imprisonment, House is deaf and blind, and living with Wilson as he recovers from his injuries. Contractverse. • Category: Life-Altering Events, Recovery Fic • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Emotion, Portrayal of Disability • Note: Chapters 1-27 are internally linked, so you can start at chapter 1 and keep reading through chapter 27. Then use the 'pencils tag' link to view the rest of the chapters. Companion piece: The Kindness of Strangers [FF] by KathainBowen (6,700 words. Aug 2009. Rated T) A random chance encounter leads to a bittersweet present for House the first Christmas after his release from prison and a few years after Steve McQueen has passed away. Tag to the Contractverse … Pencils Are Dangerous. • Category: Life-Altering Events, Recovery Fic • Rec Reasons: Emotion Permutations [ LJ] by daasgrrl (3,200 words. Sept 2006. Rated NC-17) Sometimes, when he's bored or pensive, House toys with the universe, and right now seems as good a time as any. • Category: Parallel Universe • Rec Reasons: Premise, Structure Piano Man [ LJ] by animagiblender (1,000 words. Feb 2006. Rated PG) I wish I could say I spotted him from afar and the love affair was sparked, but the truth of the matter was I almost missed him until he stepped up to me and plucked out a few notes confidently. • Category: Magical Realism • Rec Reasons: Characterization Pirate's Booty [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] by srsly_yes (4,900 words. Dec 2011. Rated NC-17) The one where House and Wilson are pirates. • Category: Alternate Time Period • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise P.L.O.T Device 'verse by alex51324 • Category: Transmogrification • Rec Reasons (for this series): Characterization, Premise Chase and the P.L.O.T. Device [ LJ] (28,900 words. March 2007. Not Rated) Chase agrees to participate in medical research that will temporarily turn him into a child. Sequel: House and the P.L.O.T. Device [ LJ] (48,800 words. April 2007. Not Rated) House goes though the Potent Localized Ontogenetic Transformation device, which returns him to a biological age of six, as an experimental treatment for his chronic leg pain. Porcelain [ LJ] [AO3] by zulu (3,000 words. Aug 2007. Rated PG-13) Prompt #143. What if Cuddy had been the injured doctor and House had the choice to make? • Category: Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Premise, Structure Post-Trauma [ masterpost] by alex51324 (57,500 words. Dec 2006. Not Rated) After DIY Sheep sent House to Weird Creepy Rehab, Wilson (and his new, non-evil therapist) help him put his life back together. • Category: Life-Altering Events, Recovery Fic • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Characterization The Princess and the Peeved [LJ: 1-115 116] by cuddyclothes (168,400 words. Feb 2010. Rated NC-17) Total AU. Dropped into an 18th century kingdom, House copes with a Wilson-esque princess, her power-crazed uncle, a mad king, and a rebellion. Then Wilson shows up. • Category: Alternate Time Period, Parallel Universe • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Humor, Research, Worldbuilding The Principles of Growth Dæmonverse [masterpost] by lit_luminary (March 2008. Rated G to R) A crossover with major elements of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, though you will instantly recognize House, Wilson, (and Chase, with a twist), using modern medicine and technologies as doctors at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Every person has a dæmon, i.e., the soul/psyche, which in this world is externalized and takes the physical form of an animal representative of the given character's personality. Society is run by an aggressively patriarchal, overzealously theocratic institution, with no separation of church and state. As you might expect, House, Wilson, and Chase find ways to subvert the dominant paradigm. • Category: Alternate Governance, Crossover Elements (His Dark Materials - no prior knowledge needed; see Dæmonverse Intro), Human Variation, Magical Realism • Rec Reasons: Research, Worldbuilding • Note: Consider this resourceress7's resounding rec for lit_luminary's work, as well as the author's self-rec of one of her favorite 'verses. Reboot [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] by srsly_yes (3,800 words. March 2011. Rated R) Long overdue prompt from sickwilson_fest: Wilson is injured/has a medical condition in childhood which leaves him with a permanent limp. How does that affect his friendship with House? Be warned, I took a somewhat different approach. • Category: Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Dialogue, Portrayal of Disability Rebuild the Bridges in Your Mind [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] by st_aurafina (25,600 words. June 2010. Rated PG) Chase was a student at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Time and personal differences mean that he's estranged from his former friends, the X-Men. Now he moonlights as a doctor for vigilantes and mutants at a clinic in NYC, but he's juggling so many secrets that his past is sure to catch up with him soon. • Category: Alternate Personal History, Crossover Elements (X-Men - no prior knowledge needed), Powers • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Characterization Companion piece: Doctor Robert Chase's Queen on the Money Playlist [ LJ] [DW] by st_aurafina (800 words. June 2010. Not Rated) Regarding House [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] by flywoman (33,200 words. Jan 2011. Rated NC-17) Do the memories make the man? House struggles to redefine himself and his relationships while suffering from severe amnesia. Holiday hiatus fic written after 7X08 "Small Sacrifices," set roughly around the projected end of Season 7. • Category: Amnesiac Odyssey • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise, Structure Rematch [ LJ] by daisylily (2,500 words. Aug 2007. Rated PG-13) [Bible AU] A burning bush talks to House. House tells it to STFU and goes to find a pitcher of water. Then he gets pissed when he can't extinguish it, and it still won't STFU. • Category: Deity Chat • Rec Reasons: Dialogue, Humor Resurrection of the Unspoken Word [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW: 1 2 3] by srsly_yes (6,800 words. Nov 2008. Rated R) A nontraditional love story. How much do House and Wilson love each other? • Category: Science Fiction • Rec Reasons: Premise • See also: Discussion about including Resurrection of the Unspoken Word in the Housefic Meta Library. The Room at the End of the World [ LJ] [DW] by pwcorgigirl (2,600 words. Aug 2006. Rated T) A deadly plague strikes, and House notices something unusual shared by those who don’t die. • Category: Apocalypse • Rec Reasons (for this series): Characterization, Emotion, Imagery • Note: Sequels are listed chronologically below. In the Ruins [ LJ] [DW] by pwcorgigirl (4,300 words. Sept 2007. Rated T) Two years after the plague, the world is still falling apart in slow motion. til the sun breaks down [ LJ] [DW] by pwcorgigirl (9,700 words. June 2008. Rated T) For the first time in a long time, he wanted to live. And he couldn't really say why, except maybe that he'd at last reached his own threshold for punishing himself. Sleeping Man 'verse [ masterpost] by maineac, with companion pieces by zeppomarx, cindy_lou_who8, & deelaundry (700 to 36,300 words. Oct 2007. Rated G to R) When House goes missing, Wilson, Cuddy and his team have to solve their toughest puzzle ever: where is he? And House has to solve his toughest puzzle ever: who is he? • Category: Amnesiac Odyssey • Rec Reasons (for this series): Characterization, Emotion A Song to Be Sung [ LJ] [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] by nightdog_barks (1,800 words. Jan 2008. Rated R) Benjamin Wilson meets a stranger who seems very, very familiar. • Category: Crossover Elements (some familiarity helpful: I'll Tell Thee Everything I Can, My Fathers' Son 'verse) • Rec Reasons: Premise Standoff [ LJ] [LJ: 1 2 3 4 5 6] [FF] [AO3] [DW: 1 2 3 4 5 6] by nightdog_barks (10,500 words. June 2006. Rated PG-13) Wilson has an unexpectedly rough time at a convenience store, and it's all House's fault. • Category: After Death/Afterlife • Rec Reasons: Emotion, Imagery • Note: Cold Call [ LJ] [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] by nightdog_barks (500 words. Aug 2006. Rated PG-13) is an alternate ending, though it doesn't have any what-iffy elements. The Stump and the Butterfly [ LJ f-locked] by californiaquail (1,200 words. Oct 2008. Rated G) I wanted to write a children's book about House and Wilson's friendship, or at least one that might closely mirror it. Their names are not used directly. But it should make sense who is who and how it relates to them. • Category: Allegory • Rec Reasons: Emotion, Premise Sunday Brunch [ LJ] [FF] by zeppomarx (11,700 words. Oct 2008. Rated PG-13) When a jazz musician collapses on stage, House has only a short time to diagnose and treat. • Category: Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise Tea and Impossibility [ LJ] by vitawash24 (3,600 words. Oct 2006. Rated PG) Prompt: Chase is granted 3 wishes. What would they be? • Category: Wishful Thinking • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Emotion Teddy House [ LJ] by alex51324 (34,800 words. Sept 2007. Not Rated) House gets turned into a teddy bear. • Category: Magical Realism, Transmogrification • Rec Reasons (for this series): Humor • See also: Discussion about including Teddy House in the Housefic Meta Library. Teddy House Ficlet [ LJ] by alex51324 (1,000 words. March 2008. Not Rated) For the RSL's B-day charity drive, imfreakinorange requested a fic where Teddy House encounters an animatronic teddy bear. This is the result. Template [ LJ] [ LJ] [AO3] by nightdog_barks (1,200 words. Feb 2007. Rated PG-13) House and Wilson reflect on their interesting lives, as Wilson ponders the big questions. • Category: Alternate Personal History, Parallel Universe • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Premise There, and Back Again [ LJ] [AO3] by alternatealto (6,700 words. June 2014. Rated G) Set in an alternate universe, in which Wilson decides not to go to that conference in New Orleans. • Category: Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Imagery, Premise This Is Me [ LJ] by ze_toaster (2,200 words. Sept 2006. Rated PG-13) Prompt: Chase has some disability. How would that affect him? • Category: Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Portrayal of Disability This Place [ LJ] [FF] by downuptime (4,800 words. Nov 2011. Rated PG-13) "This road you're on…" he says slowly. "It's a road leading to nowhere good." She doesn't remember him, nor does she know why he's doing this. A strange little one-shot set in the future. • Category: After Death/Afterlife • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Emotion, Structure Two Ghosts, Sitting Around Talking [ LJ] [AO3] by nightdog_barks (300 words. Aug 2006. Not Rated) "Great. We're dead and you're chortling about the guy who killed us."
"Well, technically speaking, we're both still alive… oh, wait. Nope, now you're dead." • Category: After Death/Afterlife • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Dialogue, Humor Two Steps [ LJ] [DW] by alternatealto (1,000 words. Jan 2010. Rated G) Sometimes it's all in how you look at things. • Category: After Death/Afterlife, Allegory • Rec Reasons: Premise, Structure Uniforming (Made to Seem) [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] [DW] by hannahrorlove (36,000 words. April 2010. Rated NC-17) Playing the boy, and the complications therein. • Category: Alternate World History, Human Variation, Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Worldbuilding Fan art: Made to Seem [ LJ] by leiascully (April 2010. Rated G) Cameron's transformation. Fan art: Metamorphosis [ LJ] by usomitai (April 2010. Not Rated) Cameron begins a new life. Untitled [the pony one] [ LJ] by vitawash24 (1,000 words. May 2007. Not Rated) [No description provided.] • Category: Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Characterization The Waiting (is unbearable) [ LJ] [ LJ] by wanttobeatree (1,400 words. March 2007. Rated PG-13) It's the quietest apocalypse you've ever seen. • Category: Apocalypse, with a wisp of After Death/Afterlife • Rec Reasons: Emotion, Imagery, Structure The War Against the Gabes [ LJ] [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] by nightdog_barks (900 words. May 2007. Rated PG-13) House and Wilson find themselves on opposite sides of a terrible battleground. • Category: Human Variation • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Premise Water from the Moon [ LJ] [DW] by pwcorgigirl (5,000 words. Oct 2009. Rated T) Life, even the artificial kind, had ways of making its rules known. • Category: Science Fiction • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Worldbuilding Watermark [no longer posted online] by euclase (49,300 words. Probably 2008. Rated R) After an accident leaves him emotionally altered and without a memory, House and those who knew him must rebuild and adjust. • Category: Amnesiac Odyssey • Rec Reasons: Emotion, Imagery, Language, Premise West of the Moon 'verse by srsly_yes • Category: Alternate Time Period • Rec Reasons (for this series): Research, Worldbuilding • Note: In the LJ, AO3, and DW versions, each chapter has illustrations from the 'verse time period. West of the Moon [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] (25,800 words. Jan 2012. Rated NC-17) Between two world wars and two continents, House and Wilson meet by chance. Will they make the most of their fateful encounter? Sequel: West of the Reichenbach Falls [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] (2,400 words. April 2012. Rated PG-13) Since House has an uncanny way of landing on his feet after every ordeal he faces on the show, a continuation of "West of the Moon" with a different ending didn't seem beyond the realm of possibility. The epilogue of Moon was indeed The End. If you loved that as it was, just stop there and don't read further, but if you prefer an upbeat epilogue to the previous epilogue, please check out the sequel. Companion materials: West of the Moon Time Capsule [ LJ] and Video Gallery [ LJ] (Not Rated) A collection of images, videos, and references cited in the fic, plus a few that were never displayed. The Whitney Street Mystery [ LJ: 1 2] [FF] [AO3] [DW: 1 2] [SQ] by t_eyla (12,600 words. July 2008. Rated PG-13) A mysterious patient arrives in PPTH's emergency room, and his dual cardiovascular system is by far not the most intriguing thing about him. • Category: Crossover Elements (Doctor Who - no prior knowledge needed), Science Fiction • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise Wild, Wild Horses [ LJ] [DW] by yarroway (1,200 words. Aug 2012. Rated R) Asklepios, the God of Medicine, visits with House and Wilson in the afterlife. • Category: After Death/Afterlife, Deity Chat • Rec Reasons: Dialogue World of Weeping [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW: 1 2 3 4] by mer_duff (25,800 words. March 2009. Rated PG-13) House is consulted by a secret organization led by a mysterious man who seems to know Wilson just a little bit too well for House's comfort.
"A/N: This is a sequel, of sorts, to Elemental Forces, but can be read as a stand-alone." • Category: Crossover Elements (Torchwood - little to no familiarity required), Science Fiction • Rec Reasons (for this series): Characterization, Emotion Fan art: Cover Art [ LJ] [DW] by hllangel (March 2009. Rated G) Fan art: Down the Rabbit Hole [ LJ] [DW] by aolian (March 2009. Rated PG) Fan art: Untitled (Encounters) [ LJ] [DW] by alexwhitewell (March 2009. Rated G) Prequel: Elemental Forces [ LJ] [FF] [DW] by mer_duff (7,300 words. Feb 2009. Rated NC-17) While House-sitting at a symposium in London, James Wilson has a close encounter in more ways than one. You and You Can See [ LJ f-locked] by hannahrorlove (4,600 words. Feb 2006. Rated R) AU. In this world, there are two sexes, and within each sex, there are two genders. • Category: Alternate Personal History, Human Variation • Rec Reasons: Worldbuilding Author's Commentary: You and You Can See [ LJ f-locked] (7,900 words. Feb 2007. Not Rated)
Return to Part 1 (Titles A-D) or Part 2 (Titles E-M) of the House "What-If" Rec List by title.
This is Part 3 of our rec list. View Part 1 (Titles A-D) or Part 2 (Titles E-M). Part 3: Titles N-Z
Hi! We're lit_luminary and resourceress7. We'd like to share with you some of our favorite House, M.D. fics, 'verses, and authors that form a genre we call "What-If." Many stories were already among our personal favorites, and we discovered many more gems while collecting hundreds of potential recs. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
This is the main rec list, organized by title. This is a good starting place as you explore this site, as it has the most detailed information per fic.
Notes:
- What-If: This rec list is focused on a genre we call "What-If." In our review of the literature, several categories presented themselves. Stories range from wildly fantastical to essentially realistic, but all depart significantly from canon reality.
- Recs: We've chosen our top few rec reasons for each work, and listed them alphabetically. Of course, these stories have additional facets that led us to share them with you.
- Data: Use the sidebar at right to view our recs by by title, by category, by rec reason, by word count, by date, or in the author directory. The main rec list (by title) has the most detailed information per entry, but we deliberately left out pairings. Don't judge a fic by its pairing; jump in and savor the storytelling.
- Links: Why so many links per fic? Stuff disappears, and we like to be prepared. Plus, it gives you the opportunity to read and leave feedback where you feel most comfortable, no matter how long ago fics were written. We also encourage you to contact authors directly via their journals to let them know you read their work.
- Lost and Found: If you encounter any broken links or have trouble locating fics, please contact us by PM. Thanks.
Ningyo [ LJ] [DW] by yarroway (5,800 words. June 2012. Rated R) A post finale fic in which autumn comes (but this is not a death fic). Written for petitecuriosity's Luck Of The Dice challenge at Camp Sick!Wilson. My prompt was "water." • Category: Magical Realism • Rec Reasons: Emotion, Imagery, Premise No Little Charity [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] by perspi, with a Hidden Bonus Track by blackmare (37,400 words. Oct 2006. Rated PG-13) It was an old ritual, old magic from before the world had rational explanations and cold science. Cold science had failed House, and Wilson had nothing left to try but this. • Category: Magical Realism, Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Emotion, Premise • See also: Discussion about including No Little Charity in the Housefic Meta Library. DVD Commentary: No Little Charity [ LJ] [DW] by perspi (5,800 words. July 2007. Rated PG-13) Companion piece: The Jealous Lover [ LJ] [AO3] by nightdog_barks (300 words. Jan 2007. Rated PG) Wilson tries to convince himself he's dealing with his pain. Companion piece: Transference [ LJ] [DW] by lit_luminary (200 words. March 2007. Not Rated) A poem based on chapter 1 of No Little Charity. Nor Any Voice of Mourning [ LJ] [ LJ] [ LJ] [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] [DW] by nightdog_barks (3,100 words. July 2009. Rated PG-13) In the unlikeliest of places, they meet again for the first time. • Category: Alternate Time Period • Rec Reasons: Imagery, Research Northern Light [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] by nightdog_barks (2,700 words. Oct 2013. Rated PG-13) Everybody comes here for a reason, House says. What's Wilson's? • Category: Alternate Personal History, Crossover Elements (Northern Exposure - thematic elements only; no prior knowledge needed), • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise Not Angels [ LJ] [AO3] by deelaundry (600 words. May 2007. Rated PG-13) From the “Name something you think I will never, ever, ever write” meme, prompt: The Super Six wake up and find that they've all grown wings. Big, fluffy angel wings. • Category: Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Dialogue, Humor Nothing [ LJ] by daisylily (800 words. Nov 2007. Rated PG-13) This isn't the first time that House thinks he saw 'nothing'… • Category: After Death/Afterlife, Deity Chat • Rec Reasons: Dialogue, Humor Of a Feather [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] by yarroway (1,500 words. July 2012. Rated R) "House whistled. 'Foreman, you imported team-builders from Britain? Couldn't you find anyone that useless in the USA? Where's your patriotism?'[…]
'Dr. House,' Fred (or George, House couldn't tell them apart) said, 'we guarantee that you'll find this workshop magical.'
'Not magical,' George or Fred said urgently. 'There's no such thing as magic.'
'Of course not. Transformative. That's what I meant.'" • Category: Crossover Elements (Harry Potter - very little familiarity required), Magical Realism, Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Emotion, Humor Of Capes and Cod [AO3] by st_aurafina (4,900 words. Aug 2011. Rated G) What do you do when your patient has a fish head? House's team seeks out an expert on the mutant condition. • Category: Crossover Elements (X-Men - no prior knowledge needed), Science Fiction • Rec Reasons: Dialogue, Humor One and One and One is Three [ LJ] [AO3] by daasgrrl (1,100 words. Aug 2009. Rated PG-13) Things are finally working out for Wilson. Maybe. • Category: Alternate Personal History, Parallel Universe • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Structure The One Where It All Ends [ LJ] [AO3] by deelaundry (5,000 words. Jan 2008. Rated R) That Strange Time At The Hospital ended with both a bang and a whimper, House is fond of saying. • Category: Transmogrification • Rec Reasons (for these two stories): Brainglue • Note: These fics are part of the larger Genderfuck Crack!Verse [ masterpost]. Sequel: Unicorn Hunter [ LJ] [AO3] by deelaundry (1,100 words. Jan 2008. Rated PG) Munchkins, unicorns, and princesses, oh my. Future fic. Can be read as stand-alone, although it's technically a sequel to The One Where It All Ends. The One Where They Get Turned into Penguins [ LJ] [AO3] by thedeadparrot (2,600 words. April 2007. Rated PG) House and Wilson get turned into penguins. • Category: Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Humor An Opening Door [ LJ: 1-7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27] [FF] [AO3] by tailkinker_au (menolly_au) (81,200 words. July 2013. Rated T) Wilson encounters a disabled cleaning slave at PPTH called Greg and becomes intrigued with him. An unlikely friendship forms between the two as Wilson tries to secure a better life for Greg. • Category: Alternate Governance, Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise The Oracle [ LJ] by fee_folay (25,400 words. March 2008. Rated PG) House gets a really bad calling plan. • Category: Magical Realism • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Premise Patterns [ LJ] [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] by nightdog_barks (2,100 words. Jan 2007. Rated soft R) House is troubled by strange dreams of Wilson's death. Where are they coming from, and why? • Category: Powers • Rec Reasons: Premise, Structure Pencils Are Dangerous (WIP) [ LJ pencils tag] by alex51324 (111,900 words. May 2007. Not Rated) Released from wrongful imprisonment, House is deaf and blind, and living with Wilson as he recovers from his injuries. Contractverse. • Category: Life-Altering Events, Recovery Fic • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Emotion, Portrayal of Disability • Note: Chapters 1-27 are internally linked, so you can start at chapter 1 and keep reading through chapter 27. Then use the 'pencils tag' link to view the rest of the chapters. Companion piece: The Kindness of Strangers [FF] by KathainBowen (6,700 words. Aug 2009. Rated T) A random chance encounter leads to a bittersweet present for House the first Christmas after his release from prison and a few years after Steve McQueen has passed away. Tag to the Contractverse … Pencils Are Dangerous. • Category: Life-Altering Events, Recovery Fic • Rec Reasons: Emotion Permutations [ LJ] by daasgrrl (3,200 words. Sept 2006. Rated NC-17) Sometimes, when he's bored or pensive, House toys with the universe, and right now seems as good a time as any. • Category: Parallel Universe • Rec Reasons: Premise, Structure Piano Man [ LJ] by animagiblender (1,000 words. Feb 2006. Rated PG) I wish I could say I spotted him from afar and the love affair was sparked, but the truth of the matter was I almost missed him until he stepped up to me and plucked out a few notes confidently. • Category: Magical Realism • Rec Reasons: Characterization Pirate's Booty [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] by srsly_yes (4,900 words. Dec 2011. Rated NC-17) The one where House and Wilson are pirates. • Category: Alternate Time Period • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise P.L.O.T Device 'verse by alex51324 • Category: Transmogrification • Rec Reasons (for this series): Characterization, Premise Chase and the P.L.O.T. Device [ LJ] (28,900 words. March 2007. Not Rated) Chase agrees to participate in medical research that will temporarily turn him into a child. Sequel: House and the P.L.O.T. Device [ LJ] (48,800 words. April 2007. Not Rated) House goes though the Potent Localized Ontogenetic Transformation device, which returns him to a biological age of six, as an experimental treatment for his chronic leg pain. Porcelain [ LJ] [AO3] by zulu (3,000 words. Aug 2007. Rated PG-13) Prompt #143. What if Cuddy had been the injured doctor and House had the choice to make? • Category: Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Premise, Structure Post-Trauma [ masterpost] by alex51324 (57,500 words. Dec 2006. Not Rated) After DIY Sheep sent House to Weird Creepy Rehab, Wilson (and his new, non-evil therapist) help him put his life back together. • Category: Life-Altering Events, Recovery Fic • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Characterization The Princess and the Peeved [LJ: 1-115 116] by cuddyclothes (168,400 words. Feb 2010. Rated NC-17) Total AU. Dropped into an 18th century kingdom, House copes with a Wilson-esque princess, her power-crazed uncle, a mad king, and a rebellion. Then Wilson shows up. • Category: Alternate Time Period, Parallel Universe • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Humor, Research, Worldbuilding The Principles of Growth Dæmonverse [masterpost] by lit_luminary (March 2008. Rated G to R) A crossover with major elements of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, though you will instantly recognize House, Wilson, (and Chase, with a twist), using modern medicine and technologies as doctors at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. Every person has a dæmon, i.e., the soul/psyche, which in this world is externalized and takes the physical form of an animal representative of the given character's personality. Society is run by an aggressively patriarchal, overzealously theocratic institution, with no separation of church and state. As you might expect, House, Wilson, and Chase find ways to subvert the dominant paradigm. • Category: Alternate Governance, Crossover Elements (His Dark Materials - no prior knowledge needed; see Dæmonverse Intro), Human Variation, Magical Realism • Rec Reasons: Research, Worldbuilding • Note: Consider this resourceress7's resounding rec for lit_luminary's work, as well as the author's self-rec of one of her favorite 'verses. Reboot [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] by srsly_yes (3,800 words. March 2011. Rated R) Long overdue prompt from sickwilson_fest: Wilson is injured/has a medical condition in childhood which leaves him with a permanent limp. How does that affect his friendship with House? Be warned, I took a somewhat different approach. • Category: Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Dialogue, Portrayal of Disability Rebuild the Bridges in Your Mind [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] by st_aurafina (25,600 words. June 2010. Rated PG) Chase was a student at Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Time and personal differences mean that he's estranged from his former friends, the X-Men. Now he moonlights as a doctor for vigilantes and mutants at a clinic in NYC, but he's juggling so many secrets that his past is sure to catch up with him soon. • Category: Alternate Personal History, Crossover Elements (X-Men - no prior knowledge needed), Powers • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Characterization Companion piece: Doctor Robert Chase's Queen on the Money Playlist [ LJ] [DW] by st_aurafina (800 words. June 2010. Not Rated) Regarding House [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] by flywoman (33,200 words. Jan 2011. Rated NC-17) Do the memories make the man? House struggles to redefine himself and his relationships while suffering from severe amnesia. Holiday hiatus fic written after 7X08 "Small Sacrifices," set roughly around the projected end of Season 7. • Category: Amnesiac Odyssey • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise, Structure Rematch [ LJ] by daisylily (2,500 words. Aug 2007. Rated PG-13) [Bible AU] A burning bush talks to House. House tells it to STFU and goes to find a pitcher of water. Then he gets pissed when he can't extinguish it, and it still won't STFU. • Category: Deity Chat • Rec Reasons: Dialogue, Humor Resurrection of the Unspoken Word [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW: 1 2 3] by srsly_yes (6,800 words. Nov 2008. Rated R) A nontraditional love story. How much do House and Wilson love each other? • Category: Science Fiction • Rec Reasons: Premise • See also: Discussion about including Resurrection of the Unspoken Word in the Housefic Meta Library. The Room at the End of the World [ LJ] [DW] by pwcorgigirl (2,600 words. Aug 2006. Rated T) A deadly plague strikes, and House notices something unusual shared by those who don’t die. • Category: Apocalypse • Rec Reasons (for this series): Characterization, Emotion, Imagery • Note: Sequels are listed chronologically below. In the Ruins [ LJ] [DW] by pwcorgigirl (4,300 words. Sept 2007. Rated T) Two years after the plague, the world is still falling apart in slow motion. til the sun breaks down [ LJ] [DW] by pwcorgigirl (9,700 words. June 2008. Rated T) For the first time in a long time, he wanted to live. And he couldn't really say why, except maybe that he'd at last reached his own threshold for punishing himself. Sleeping Man 'verse [ masterpost] by maineac, with companion pieces by zeppomarx, cindy_lou_who8, & deelaundry (700 to 36,300 words. Oct 2007. Rated G to R) When House goes missing, Wilson, Cuddy and his team have to solve their toughest puzzle ever: where is he? And House has to solve his toughest puzzle ever: who is he? • Category: Amnesiac Odyssey • Rec Reasons (for this series): Characterization, Emotion A Song to Be Sung [ LJ] [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] by nightdog_barks (1,800 words. Jan 2008. Rated R) Benjamin Wilson meets a stranger who seems very, very familiar. • Category: Crossover Elements (some familiarity helpful: I'll Tell Thee Everything I Can, My Fathers' Son 'verse) • Rec Reasons: Premise Standoff [ LJ] [LJ: 1 2 3 4 5 6] [FF] [AO3] [DW: 1 2 3 4 5 6] by nightdog_barks (10,500 words. June 2006. Rated PG-13) Wilson has an unexpectedly rough time at a convenience store, and it's all House's fault. • Category: After Death/Afterlife • Rec Reasons: Emotion, Imagery • Note: Cold Call [ LJ] [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] by nightdog_barks (500 words. Aug 2006. Rated PG-13) is an alternate ending, though it doesn't have any what-iffy elements. The Stump and the Butterfly [ LJ f-locked] by californiaquail (1,200 words. Oct 2008. Rated G) I wanted to write a children's book about House and Wilson's friendship, or at least one that might closely mirror it. Their names are not used directly. But it should make sense who is who and how it relates to them. • Category: Allegory • Rec Reasons: Emotion, Premise Sunday Brunch [ LJ] [FF] by zeppomarx (11,700 words. Oct 2008. Rated PG-13) When a jazz musician collapses on stage, House has only a short time to diagnose and treat. • Category: Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise Tea and Impossibility [ LJ] by vitawash24 (3,600 words. Oct 2006. Rated PG) Prompt: Chase is granted 3 wishes. What would they be? • Category: Wishful Thinking • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Emotion Teddy House [ LJ] by alex51324 (34,800 words. Sept 2007. Not Rated) House gets turned into a teddy bear. • Category: Magical Realism, Transmogrification • Rec Reasons (for this series): Humor • See also: Discussion about including Teddy House in the Housefic Meta Library. Teddy House Ficlet [ LJ] by alex51324 (1,000 words. March 2008. Not Rated) For the RSL's B-day charity drive, imfreakinorange requested a fic where Teddy House encounters an animatronic teddy bear. This is the result. Template [ LJ] [ LJ] [AO3] by nightdog_barks (1,200 words. Feb 2007. Rated PG-13) House and Wilson reflect on their interesting lives, as Wilson ponders the big questions. • Category: Alternate Personal History, Parallel Universe • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Premise There, and Back Again [ LJ] [AO3] by alternatealto (6,700 words. June 2014. Rated G) Set in an alternate universe, in which Wilson decides not to go to that conference in New Orleans. • Category: Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Imagery, Premise This Is Me [ LJ] by ze_toaster (2,200 words. Sept 2006. Rated PG-13) Prompt: Chase has some disability. How would that affect him? • Category: Alternate Personal History • Rec Reasons: Portrayal of Disability This Place [ LJ] [FF] by downuptime (4,800 words. Nov 2011. Rated PG-13) "This road you're on…" he says slowly. "It's a road leading to nowhere good." She doesn't remember him, nor does she know why he's doing this. A strange little one-shot set in the future. • Category: After Death/Afterlife • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Emotion, Structure Two Ghosts, Sitting Around Talking [ LJ] [AO3] by nightdog_barks (300 words. Aug 2006. Not Rated) "Great. We're dead and you're chortling about the guy who killed us."
"Well, technically speaking, we're both still alive… oh, wait. Nope, now you're dead." • Category: After Death/Afterlife • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Dialogue, Humor Two Steps [ LJ] [DW] by alternatealto (1,000 words. Jan 2010. Rated G) Sometimes it's all in how you look at things. • Category: After Death/Afterlife, Allegory • Rec Reasons: Premise, Structure Uniforming (Made to Seem) [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] [DW] by hannahrorlove (36,000 words. April 2010. Rated NC-17) Playing the boy, and the complications therein. • Category: Alternate World History, Human Variation, Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Worldbuilding Fan art: Made to Seem [ LJ] by leiascully (April 2010. Rated G) Cameron's transformation. Fan art: Metamorphosis [ LJ] by usomitai (April 2010. Not Rated) Cameron begins a new life. Untitled [the pony one] [ LJ] by vitawash24 (1,000 words. May 2007. Not Rated) [No description provided.] • Category: Transmogrification • Rec Reasons: Characterization The Waiting (is unbearable) [ LJ] [ LJ] by wanttobeatree (1,400 words. March 2007. Rated PG-13) It's the quietest apocalypse you've ever seen. • Category: Apocalypse, with a wisp of After Death/Afterlife • Rec Reasons: Emotion, Imagery, Structure The War Against the Gabes [ LJ] [ LJ] [AO3] [DW] by nightdog_barks (900 words. May 2007. Rated PG-13) House and Wilson find themselves on opposite sides of a terrible battleground. • Category: Human Variation • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Premise Water from the Moon [ LJ] [DW] by pwcorgigirl (5,000 words. Oct 2009. Rated T) Life, even the artificial kind, had ways of making its rules known. • Category: Science Fiction • Rec Reasons: Brainglue, Worldbuilding Watermark [no longer posted online] by euclase (49,300 words. Probably 2008. Rated R) After an accident leaves him emotionally altered and without a memory, House and those who knew him must rebuild and adjust. • Category: Amnesiac Odyssey • Rec Reasons: Emotion, Imagery, Language, Premise West of the Moon 'verse by srsly_yes • Category: Alternate Time Period • Rec Reasons (for this series): Research, Worldbuilding • Note: In the LJ, AO3, and DW versions, each chapter has illustrations from the 'verse time period. West of the Moon [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] (25,800 words. Jan 2012. Rated NC-17) Between two world wars and two continents, House and Wilson meet by chance. Will they make the most of their fateful encounter? Sequel: West of the Reichenbach Falls [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW] (2,400 words. April 2012. Rated PG-13) Since House has an uncanny way of landing on his feet after every ordeal he faces on the show, a continuation of "West of the Moon" with a different ending didn't seem beyond the realm of possibility. The epilogue of Moon was indeed The End. If you loved that as it was, just stop there and don't read further, but if you prefer an upbeat epilogue to the previous epilogue, please check out the sequel. Companion materials: West of the Moon Time Capsule [ LJ] and Video Gallery [ LJ] (Not Rated) A collection of images, videos, and references cited in the fic, plus a few that were never displayed. The Whitney Street Mystery [ LJ: 1 2] [FF] [AO3] [DW: 1 2] [SQ] by t_eyla (12,600 words. July 2008. Rated PG-13) A mysterious patient arrives in PPTH's emergency room, and his dual cardiovascular system is by far not the most intriguing thing about him. • Category: Crossover Elements (Doctor Who - no prior knowledge needed), Science Fiction • Rec Reasons: Characterization, Premise Wild, Wild Horses [ LJ] [DW] by yarroway (1,200 words. Aug 2012. Rated R) Asklepios, the God of Medicine, visits with House and Wilson in the afterlife. • Category: After Death/Afterlife, Deity Chat • Rec Reasons: Dialogue World of Weeping [ LJ] [FF] [AO3] [DW: 1 2 3 4] by mer_duff (25,800 words. March 2009. Rated PG-13) House is consulted by a secret organization led by a mysterious man who seems to know Wilson just a little bit too well for House's comfort.
"A/N: This is a sequel, of sorts, to Elemental Forces, but can be read as a stand-alone." • Category: Crossover Elements (Torchwood - little to no familiarity required), Science Fiction • Rec Reasons (for this series): Characterization, Emotion Fan art: Cover Art [ LJ] [DW] by hllangel (March 2009. Rated G) Fan art: Down the Rabbit Hole [ LJ] [DW] by aolian (March 2009. Rated PG) Fan art: Untitled (Encounters) [ LJ] [DW] by alexwhitewell (March 2009. Rated G) Prequel: Elemental Forces [ LJ] [FF] [DW] by mer_duff (7,300 words. Feb 2009. Rated NC-17) While House-sitting at a symposium in London, James Wilson has a close encounter in more ways than one. You and You Can See [ LJ f-locked] by hannahrorlove (4,600 words. Feb 2006. Rated R) AU. In this world, there are two sexes, and within each sex, there are two genders. • Category: Alternate Personal History, Human Variation • Rec Reasons: Worldbuilding Author's Commentary: You and You Can See [ LJ f-locked] (7,900 words. Feb 2007. Not Rated)
Return to Part 1 (Titles A-D) or Part 2 (Titles E-M) of the House "What-If" Rec List by title.