Picture Puzzles Part 3
Title: Picture Puzzles Part 3/?
Rating: PG13 this part (NC-17 later parts)
Paring: House/Wilson/Chase
Disclaimer: Don't own them, as we all know.
Summary: House worried can be both good and bad.
Warnings: Mention of abuse in the past to more than one character.
Now beta'd by the lovely
recrudescence anything still messed up is all my own falut.
(Part 2)
*****
Wilson woke with Chase curled into his side with his head resting on the outside of Wilson’s shoulder. House was already gone. Wilson lay still listening to the sounds of House making coffee. Please let it be just coffee, I’m not sure I can handle more cooking right now. The whole thing was bizarre. They hadn’t talked about it amongst the three of them at all. Wilson blinked. What am I thinking? This is House we’re talking about. Actions are more important than words. I know that.
Suddenly there was a crash from the kitchen. Chase bolted straight up.
“Bugger.”
Wilson laid a hand on Chase’s arm. “I’ll go check on him.”
Chase nodded as he rubbed his face.
Wilson padded out into the living room, noticed that the couch was still made up for someone to sleep, but hadn’t been used, and continued on into the kitchen. House was busy at the stove. He looked like he’d already been running. Wilson could see where the good leg was trembling.
“Hey.”
House looked at him and raised his eyebrows. “Heard the skillet hit the floor, huh?” House turned back to the stove. “Get me the milk.”
“Was that what that was? I thought it sounded more like the time you dropped that big metal bowl of yours.” Wilson pulled the milk out of the fridge and handed it to House.
“Nah, that would have been a clang type more than a crash type noise.”
Wilson watched in fascination as House made gravy. He knew that if he brought up what was happening between the three of them House would either run away or get pissed, possibly both. Wilson watched House dump hamburger meat into the gravy. Silently debating whether talking about it was worth the trouble it was bound to cause Wilson followed House’s directions for making toast.
Chase came in ready for work just as House dished the finished hamburger gravy over the toast Wilson had made.
“Here, Chase. Eat in the living room. Don’t get gravy on anything.”
Chase nodded, took his plate, and disappeared into the living room.
Wilson sat with House at the table. They ate in silence until Wilson gave in to his urge to talk. Maybe he’ll quit being mad by next month. “Are we going to talk about it?”
House glanced up from his food. “Have a problem?”
Yes, of course, I do. I’m not sure any of us know what we’re doing at all. “Just curious.”
“Give him more time to eat. We’ll talk before we leave.”
Wilson nodded and went back to his food.
*****
Chase wasn’t certain that the others knew he could hear them from his spot on the couch. He knew this was bothering Wilson the most. It was probably bothering House more than he let on to have them around so much, but House wouldn’t do anything unless he wanted to. And I don’t care as long as I can spend time with them.
His stomach was starting to protest so he stopped and checked his plate. Wow. The whole plate. Chase grinned as he gathered his dishes to take them back to the kitchen. They’d be proud of him. At least Wilson would, House might or might not.
He took his dishes to the sink and then sat down at the table with the others.
“Wilson wants to talk.” House made a disgusted face.
“Okay. He gets to start then.” This had better be short. House will throw us out if Wilson makes him too upset.
Wilson grabbed his and House’s dishes and took them to the sink. “I just want to make sure we all know what’s happening.”
Chase watched House gaze at Wilson’s back. House glanced at him then back at Wilson. Wilson turned to face them. Chase decided to say something before House insulted Wilson or turned what was happening into a joke.
“We know. I think we can make this work if we try.” Chase turned to House. “You do know, right?”
House nodded. “It’ll be fine.”
Chase and Wilson watched as House limped out of the kitchen. Moments later they heard the shower start up. Wilson sighed and sat back down at the table.
“He’s mad at me now.”
Chase shook his head. “Nah, just scared. Fight with him about lunch and all will be forgiven. He’s going to plow through until something bothers him too much. Then we’ll see a light show.”
Wilson gave a short chuckle. “Working around his problems would be so much easier if we knew just what sets him off.”
Chase nodded as he thought. Wilson worries, but he doesn’t see much past some of House’s masks. He doesn’t always notice when House needs an out. Stubborn, the both of them. Chase tapped the table absently. Offer him something he can think on for a distraction. “He doesn’t want to feel trapped.”
Wilson nodded. “Yeah, that makes sense. So we can’t put him in the middle.” Wilson thought for a moment. “I didn’t wake when he got up last night, you know.”
“He got up around four. He watched us for a while and then he left.” Chase watched Wilson’s eyes widen.
“You were awake?”
“Nah, he woke me when he groaned.” Chase tapped his fingers faster. “I’ll take the middle next time, if that’s okay?”
Wilson smiled. “Sure. That’s fine.”
They heard the water shut off.
Wilson frowned. “What about you? Are you okay with all of this?”
Chase blinked. I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t, no matter how much they all think I just follow along. Oh, I wonder if he’s worried about how all of this goes against everything I believed for so long. Hmm. We’re not having that discussion this morning, that’s for certain. “I’m good. I’ll say something if I have trouble.”
“Yeah, like we believe that.” Both men turned to see House standing in the doorway with only his jeans on and his cane in his hand. “Chase, go into my closet and pull out a blue shirt.”
Chase ducked around House, being careful not to touch skin, and headed for the bedroom.
*****
House watched Wilson watching him as they waited for Chase to come back with the shirt. Finally House blew a breath out. “We’ve all got issues, Wilson. At some point you’re going to worry that we think you are cheating. At some point Chase is going to tell me off for ordering him around. At some point I’m going to run.” House took a step towards the other man. “I expect to have to buy lunch for you, a crossword book for Chase, and both of you to stay with me.”
Wilson nodded blankly at him.
House smirked. Cool. A dumb face before work. Wish I had my camera right now. Wilson should be good for a couple of days while he works out what he thinks I really mean. “No more talking about it. You’ve hit your quota for the month.”
House turned to face Chase as he held out a yellow shirt. House blinked. I said blue. I know I said blue. It only took a moment for it to click. Brown marker for yellow. Yellow shirt for blue. Colorblind. Huh. “That’s not blue, that’s yellow.”
Chase looked from the shirt to House and back.
“Give it here, it’ll work.” House turned back to Wilson. “If you aren’t ready in five minutes we’re leaving without you.”
Wilson snorted. “Like you care if you’re late.”
*****
Wilson was letting himself into his office when it occurred to him that House had brought the cane, but wasn't using it as he went into Diagnostics. Probably saving it for later in the day. Damn.
Wilson was charting when there was a knock on his door. “Come in.”
Chase slid inside and closed the door behind himself. “House said to tell you I work for you today.”
Wilson blinked. “For me?”
Chase put his hands in his lab coat pockets. “He made it sound a lot more lewd, but yeah, pretty much.”
“Oh, okay. Where do you want to work today?”
Chase cocked his head. “I’ve a choice?”
Wilson frowned. “Yes, you do.”
“Oh, I’ll do clinic then.” Chase started to turn to leave.
“Whoa, whoa. Clinic? Are you feeling okay?”
Chase turned back and glared at Wilson. “I’m not House, I don’t mind clinic.”
“I never said you were, but I thought you did enough of House’s clinic hours to last for a lifetime.”
Chase grinned. “I saw him check the roster and he tapped his slot. I think he’s going to be on time for his hours today. I want to see what happens.”
Wilson could feel his mouth drop open. “It’s the end of the world, isn’t it?”
Chase grinned wider. “Nah. House is just messing with Cuddy.” Chase glanced down at his watch.
Wilson slapped the chart he was working on closed. “This I have to see. Come on, I’ll walk with you.”
*****
Cuddy looked up from her spot near the clinic’s reception desk when she heard the entirely wrong voice say, “Dr. House signing in.”
Cuddy stared, blinked, and stared some more. It can’t be him. I’m hallucinating. Some exotic disease is killing my brain. Cuddy cocked her head. If it is some disease I’m screwed because he’s obviously gone insane.
Cuddy stepped up beside House. “House! What are you doing in the clinic?”
House turned to her with his ‘what, who, me?’ face firmly in place. “Why, my dear Dr. Cuddy, I’m here to do my clinic hours, of course. See, there’s my name on the roster. And here I am.”
Cuddy scowled at him. “House.”
“What? You yell when I don’t do my hours, and you yell when I do. You really need to work on your positive reinforcement skills.”
Cuddy blinked. No comment about my breasts. Crap, he must be sick. “You’re sick, aren’t you?”
House’s mouth turned up just a touch on the ends. “No. But if I can clear the clinic in under five minutes, can I have tomorrow off?”
Cuddy looked around at the full waiting room. “Clear the clinic, do your hours, and don’t give me crap for at least a week.”
“Two days.”
“Six.”
“Three.”
“Four.”
“Deal.” House turned to the waiting patients. “Listen up! I’m Dr. House and I’m working on a world’s record. When I ask you a question, answer it promptly and I won’t hit you with my cane.” House held up the cane he had with him, but hadn’t resorted to using for walking or hitting purposes yet that day.
Cuddy could only watch on in amazement. He’d pulled this kind of thing before, but never this many this fast. She glanced at her watch as the last patient was diagnosed and sent on his way.
“So, Mistress. How’d I do?”
“Three minutes and forty-seven seconds. If you finish your own clinic hours, you get tomorrow off.”
Cuddy headed for her office. Partway to the clinic doors she turned and said, “Don’t call me ‘mistress,’ ever.”
“What would you rather I called you? Mommy?”
She hated when he shouted loud enough for the whole floor to hear. She ignored him and continued on to her office. I really need to lie down. She absently nodded to Wilson and Chase as she passed them.
*****
Chase watched as House limped up to stand beside them. It’s getting worse. He’s going to be back on the cane fulltime within a week. “Four days of being nice to Cuddy, then?”
House grinned. “Actually, she said not to give her crap which is completely different from being nice.”
Wilson snorted. “You’re doing your own clinic hours now?”
House twirled his cane. “Just today so Cuddy would be so surprised she’d agree to me having tomorrow off.”
Chare frowned. “What’s so important about tomorrow?”
House used his cane to point at both of the others. “You two have the day off.” Then House limped off to his favorite exam room to watch his soaps.
Chase watched Wilson watching House walk away. “Could be worse, you know.”
Wilson turned to stare at Chase. “Oh?”
“He could have given Dr. Cuddy the real reason he wants tomorrow off.”
Wilson grimaced. “Oh, God forbid. I don’t mind her knowing so much as the idea of House actually being remotely normal long enough to disscuss anything seriously just scares the shit out of me.”
Chase touched Wilson’s arm lightly. “Don’t let him know the idea scares you. He’d be normal for an entire morning just to bug you and it’d cause half the staff to run screaming.”
“At least I wouldn’t be alone then.” Wilson smiled. “Come on. If you are mine for the day we’ve rounds to start on.”
Chase followed Wilson towards the elevator. I wonder what House will want to do tomorrow?
*****
House let himself into his apartment. Having sent the others on a food and movie run, House was happy for a chance to be by himself. Shrugging out of his coat, House debated using the cane he’d been carrying with him all day. No one is here to see you, Greg. House used the cane to limp into his bedroom.
House took a moment to look through his closet and memorize where everything was. He changed into clothes he could sleep in and then headed back out into the living room. He sat down at the piano and tapped a few keys. Face it. You miss them. Shit. House stood a little too quickly for his right leg to support.
House cussed as he caught himself against the piano and slid to the floor. This will be a great sight for them to come home to. House rubbed at the throbbing in his right thigh. Wilson will never leave you alone again if he sees this. House worked his way across the floor and painfully pulled himself up onto couch.
House pulled his right leg up onto the coffee table and crossed his left foot over his right ankle. I hope they remembered the extra breadsticks. Laying his head back House closed his eyes and waited.
*****
Chase opened the door for Wilson and followed him inside. Good, he got here all right. Chase had been worried that morning when House had waited until they were halfway out the door to announce that he’d be taking the bike and that they should ride in together. I suppose I should be happy all he called my car was ‘death trap.’
House looked like he was asleep, but Chase didn’t trust that he really was. Moving quietly in case the older man really had gone to sleep Chase headed for the kitchen. I wonder what made him decide on the middle of the couch. Maybe he’s wanting more space.
Wilson didn’t seem worried about noise at all. “Hey, House.” Wilson tapped House’s shoulder. “You want beer or something else to drink.”
Chase watched from the kitchen door as House cracked one eye open. “Hey. I’m trying to die here, go away.”
“Everyone’s dying. You’ve said so yourself. What do you want to drink?”
House closed his eye. “Water’s good.”
Wilson looked up from House to lock eyes with Chase even as he answered, “Okay.”
Chase moved towards the sink as Wilson came on into the kitchen. I’ve got Darvocet in my car. I wonder if we can get him to take anything. Chase stepped around Wilson to check on House through the doorway. Maybe he’s already taken something. Actually, I’d be surprised if he hasn’t.
Chase moved out to sit next to House on the couch. “Have you taken anything for the pain?”
House turned his head and opened his eyes to glare at Chase.
Don’t back down. He might actually tell you if you can startle him. “I want to know so that when I drug your food I won’t kill you.”
House blinked, raised his head off the couch, and smiled at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”
Chase smirked. “You spiked my beer. You didn’t think I’d notice that?”
House’s smile got bigger. “You still drank it.”
“Yeah, and at some point you’ll eat and I’ll make sure it’s drugged if you don’t just take something. So, I need to know what you’ve had.”
House dropped his head back. “Nothing. Don’t want anything either.”
Chase blinked. Okay. Actually that makes sense. He’s probably got Vicodin hidden around here somewhere, but I’ve not seen anything weaker just lying around either. “What about a heat pad, then?”
House grimaced without opening his eyes. “Doesn’t help either.”
Chase thought for a few moments. “I’ve got an idea that might help, but I think it’d be better for Wilson to do it.”
House brought his head up and dropped his left leg off of the coffee table. “Wilson! Chase has a stupid idea!”
Chase turned to see Wilson come out of the kitchen with a frown on his face.
“House, remember the talk we had about pissing off non-pitying people that are trying to help you?” At House’s nod Wilson pointed at Chase. “He’s trying to help because he cares, not from pity.”
“He’s threatening to drug my food, Wilson.”
“See, not pity then is it?” Wilson turned to Chase. “What’s the idea?”
“I thought maybe a massage would help.” Chase watched House frown, but continued on in the hope the man would let him finish before calling him more names. “I figured you’d be better at it than me, Wilson.”
Wilson started to open his mouth only to have House drop his right leg to the floor hard enough to make noise. Chase forced himself not to move to help, out of the corner of his eye he saw Wilson start to move, and then stop himself.
“Wilson, go cook. Come here, Chase.”
Wilson quickly went back into the kitchen. Chase moved to sit on House right side as House was indicating he wanted. They sat listening to Wilson move around the kitchen for a few minutes. Suddenly House’s hands shoot out and grabbed Chase’s left hand.
Chase sat very still as he watched House examine his hand, turning it over, tracing the lines in his palm.
“You still play piano?”
Chase almost pulled his hand free before he stopped himself. “Not anymore.”
“What happened?”
Chase looked at House’s expression carefully. The neutral face. He’s trying to not show that my answer matters. Hmm. I don’t suppose the teasing can get much worse. “I was practicing one morning too early for my Mum’s hangover. She held my face against the keys and yelled in my ear for a while.”
House nodded. He placed Chase’s hand back into his lap. “My neck hurts. Make it feel better and I’ll think about the leg.” House closed his eyes and let his head drop back onto the couch.
Chase quietly moved to stand behind the couch and reached under House’s head to work on the neck muscles. Even if I have to tell him something every time before he lets me help him I won’t run out of things to talk about. Bloody stubborn ass. He’d be more relaxed with Wilson and we all know it. Chase moved his hands around to work on the base of House’s neck near his clavicles. If I was hopeful I’d think he was trying to get used to the idea of someone besides Wilson touching him.
Chase felt House relax more into the couch and moved his fingers up the sides of the man’s neck slowly.
*****
House tried to relax as Chase kneaded his fingertips into the base of his neck. This isn’t nearly as bad as I thought. Maybe he could help the thigh. His fingers are slimmer and longer. House sank further into the couch. Wilson’s upset though. I haven’t shocked him in the last couple of hours. I need to think of something. House didn’t want to move, ever. Chase’s fingers were like magic.
“Food’s ready.”
House felt Chase kiss the side of his neck. Snapping open his eyes House watched as Chase quickly moved away from him into the kitchen to help Wilson bring everything out to the coffee table. Well, I have been putting them off.
When Wilson moved around the end of the couch to sit in the armchair House scowled at him. “Come here, Wilson.”
When Wilson got close enough House pulled him down and kissed him. He listened to Chase’s small gasp with part of his brain as he reveled in the feel of Wilson’s lips against his own. Moments later House released Wilson and let the stunned man fall back to sit beside him.
House could feel both of them watching him as he pulled his plate into his lap. It was annoying. House turned to Wilson. “What?”
Wilson shook his head and turned to his food. “Nothing.”
House turned his head to Chase. “What?”
“Just this.” Chase leaned in and kissed House lightly.
House pulled back slowly. “Get me a beer.”
Chase smiled at him and headed for the kitchen.
*****
(Part 4)