Used, Chapter 37 :)

[darkdreamer]

Hi, guys :)

First of all, check out my pretty new icon, made by my dear friend Tamakin :) I think this particular pic of House is one of the hottest ones I've ever seen, and now I can look at it whenever I want :D hehe

Next order of business: This update of Used :P

I don't want to spoil anyone before they read it, but things might be slightly confusing this chapter. I have to just say this: TRUST ME :)

I'm a bit uncertain about this chapter, and am very interested in what you all have to say about it :P Please leave a comment and let me know what you think :)

*hugs*
DoS

Title: Used
Beta: zeppomarx 
Rating: R
Pairing: House/Wilson friendship, House/Cuddy friendship, Wilson/OFC, and possible future House/Cuddy, not in this fic though :P
Warnings: implied and explicit non-con, violence and non-con of a flashback/memory sort, mild language, general angst and trauma and darkness
Summary: House endures the unimaginable...will his friends be able to deal with it? Will he be able to deal with it? A story about damaged human beings, and ultimately recovery and healing

Chapter 37
Independence

 

As Wilson got out of his car in the parking lot of the tiny, out-of-the-way diner where he had arranged to meet Jenna, he felt a sense of satisfaction and relief to see that besides Jenna’s old, red Geo Metro, there were few other cars parked outside.

Good… We should have some privacy…

When he walked inside, he saw her immediately. The dining room was small, and she was seated at a corner booth facing the door. She waved to catch his attention, apparently unaware that she already had it – in more ways than one.

As he slid into the seat across from her, Wilson gave her a nervous smile, glancing quickly over his shoulder before looking back at her and nodding his approval.

“Good choice.”

Pleased with his approval, Jenna smiled. “They wouldn’t follow us in here. It’d be too obvious.”

Wilson nodded again, drawing in a deep breath and letting it out slowly, biting his lip in a nervous gesture as he opened his mouth to speak.

When he hesitated, Jenna spoke first.

“How’s House?”

Wilson considered for a moment. “Jumpy. Scared. The usual – but in triplicate, today.”

Jenna sighed. “Understandable.”

“He’s working in the clinic today, having lunch in the cafeteria with Cuddy right now. Nice and public. Safer.” Wilson was quiet a moment, before adding in a hesitant, apologetic tone. “I’m… not sure we should do this. If he’s too scared. I mean… this whole thing hinges on him, and whether or not he can hold it together…”

“Well…” Jenna considered, a reluctant grimace on her lips, “…if he doesn’t want to do it, we shouldn’t push him. Has he said he doesn’t want to do it?”

“He’d be crazy to want to do this,” Wilson reminded her. “There are no good options here. And I think he knows that this is… probably our best shot. He’s scared, yeah… terrified, even. But if you’re asking if he’s changed his mind… if he’s gonna back out?” He shook his head. “No. He won’t. He’ll go through with it.”

Jenna nodded, and they exchanged a grim look of resignation.

“I met with those other two men – the potential victims?”

Wilson nodded expectantly.

“Make that confirmed, definite victims.”

Jenna’s eyes were troubled, tinged with horror. Wilson recognized that look. He had seen it in the mirror immediately after House had been attacked. Instinctively, he reached across the table and took her hand, offering her his comfort and understanding. She turned her hand to clasp his in return, allowing him to comfort her in a way that House had been unable to do. She swallowed hard before going on.

“The first one, Lieberman, the mental patient… I got in to see him by claiming to be family, and… I guess he doesn’t get a lot of visitors.” Jenna shrugged sadly, staring down at the table as she went on. “He couldn’t tell me much. Not surprisingly. He… didn’t make much sense at all. I asked about what happened, how he got here, and… it was mostly rambling, incoherent nonsense, but… but he was scared to talk. I mentioned Tritter’s name, and he panicked. Ended up… cowering in a corner, shaking his head, rocking back and forth…”

Wilson winced, trying hard not to think of the similarities between her description and the behavior he had seen from House in the past couple of weeks.

We won’t let it get that far… We’ll stop Tritter before he can crush House that completely…

… but what if he already has?

“I think for a little while there, he… thought I was Tritter,” Jenna continued, a haunted sound to her voice. “He kept… saying he was sorry… begging me not to hurt him… not to… to make him…” Her words trailed off, and she shook her head, drawing in a deep, shaky breath as she struggled to control her voice. “He said… ‘I didn’t tell. I never told. I hadn’t told the last time you asked me, and I still haven’t told anyone’…”

“So…” Wilson frowned thoughtfully, considering her disturbing story. “…presumably, whatever Tritter did to this guy… he did it more than once.”

Jenna nodded. “Like I said, it was hard to make sense of what he said, but… it sounded like he’d had several… encounters, with Tritter. The nurses mentioned a… a cousin, who visits him once every few months, though they wouldn’t disclose his name. I think… I think it’s Tritter, visiting him, even since he was committed.”

“That’s… disturbing.” Wilson’s frown deepened, a sick sensation building in the pit of his stomach.

“Yeah.” Jenna agreed with a grim nod. “Which is why it’s a good thing that we’re doing something to stop Tritter now, before he can take things that far with House.” She squeezed Wilson’s hand gently, drawing his attention as she reassured him. “The nurses at the psychiatric center told me that Lieberman didn’t have any friends. That’s why he rarely has any visitors. It’s not like that for House. He has us… and Dr. Cuddy. He has help… support.”

Although he wasn’t really convinced, Wilson nodded.

“The second visit was a little more promising.” Jenna hurried to change the subject, which had obviously only served to increase Wilson’s fears. “Ray Amato – the one who was convicted of drug charges, but given probation.”

“The quadriplegic.”

Jenna nodded. “Apparently, Tritter’s involvement with him was a little less… hands on.” Jenna bit her lip with an apologetic shrug when Wilson winced at her unfortunate choice of words. “He was actually willing to talk with me. He said at the time of the hit-and-run, he knew Tritter was behind it, tried to get him charged, but there was no evidence to link Tritter to the accident.”

“It was no accident,” Wilson muttered.

“No, it wasn’t,” Jenna agreed. “Amato says he was able to convince a friend of his – a detective on the Princeton police force – to help him investigate. He said this detective – a Marcus Benson – said he knew Tritter had shady dealings, but he was too good, never left evidence… always got away with it. Apparently Benson tried to help Amato investigate, but it never went anywhere.”

Wilson frowned. “A police detective, friends with a drug dealer?”

“Amato claims he’s innocent,” Jenna explained. “Tritter made a routine traffic stop on him a few months before the drug charges, and apparently didn’t care for his attitude. Amato says the charges were all false.”

“Just like House.” Wilson nodded sadly. “Except House didn’t have a friend on the police force to help him get out of it with minimal damage.”

“Exactly,” Jenna confirmed. “Benson put in a good word for him, helped him get off with probation – and probably got him paralyzed in the process.”

“Wow. Amato doesn’t sound like… like Tritter’s other victims,” Wilson observed thoughtfully. “I know this Benson is his friend, but he actually went to the police about it… that’s something…”

Jenna nodded. “He talked to Benson as soon as he got out of the hospital. When I mentioned that there’d been other victims who weren’t willing to come forward, he said he did get a few threatening phone calls. A couple of times he thought someone was following him… but no one ever attacked him, nothing like that. He thinks it’s because he got Benson involved. Tritter was afraid to do anything that might get linked back to him.”

A grim, angry smile crossed Wilson’s face as he met her eyes. “Tritter was counting on the fact that House didn’t have any such influential friends.”

Jenna nodded. “But Amato says that if we can get some kind of solid evidence against Tritter, and if House is willing to come forward, he’ll testify in court about his own experiences with Tritter, to establish Tritter’s history of similar behavior. And if House wants him to, he’ll get Benson involved. That should give him a measure of protection he doesn’t already have.”

Wilson nodded slowly, excitement slowly building in his eyes as he took in her words. “This is good, Jenna,” he observed with a cautious smile. “This could be exactly what we’ve been looking for.”

Jenna returned his smile, relieved by his reaction. “I think it is.”

Wilson’s smile faded slightly as he reminded her, “We’ll have to check with House, of course. He may not be willing to take such a big, scary step.”

“He’s taking a pretty huge step already,” Jenna pointed out. “If this works, we’ll have evidence.”

Wilson nodded.

“We’ll ask him tomorrow. If that’s what he wants, then that’s what we’ll do.”

*************************

“I don’t want to do this, Wilson.”

House’s voice was shaky, uncertain, and he reached out to grasp Wilson’s arm in an uncharacteristic need for reassurance. Despite the pang of guilt and sympathy he felt, Wilson forced himself to meet his friend’s eyes in a reassuring expression.

“You’re going to be fine, House. I promise. You’re not going to be in any danger, not for a moment.”

“I know, but… I… I’m not sure…”

“House… it’s just for a couple of hours,” Wilson reminded him gently. “I have to work late. I can’t help it. I’ll be home in a couple of hours.”

“I can wait here…”

“House.” Wilson’s voice softened just slightly, but was still audible to anyone who might have been within earshot. “We’ve been talking about this. Haven’t we?”

House nodded reluctantly, eyes downcast. “I know.”

“You can’t spend the rest of your life afraid to go anywhere unless someone is with you. You have to somehow get to a point where you’re all right on your own.”

“I… I don’t want to be alone,” House finally admitted, subdued, fearful.

“I know.” Wilson’s tone was kind, sympathetic, as he gently removed House’s hand from his arm. “That’s the problem.” When House voiced no further objection, Wilson continued, “The cab will be here in ten minutes. You can wait in Cuddy’s office until it gets here. Ask the driver to watch to be sure you get in all right. No one will try anything as long as they know someone’s watching. All right? You’ll be perfectly safe – I promise.”

“Please, Wilson…” House’s voice rose slightly with panic as Wilson started back inside.

“House.” Wilson’s voice was sharp, firm, as he stopped, but did not turn around. “It’s not up for discussion. I have work to do.”

****************************

“This it?” The cab driver asked as he slowed to a stop in front of House’s apartment.

House swallowed hard, his mouth dry, his palms damp as he shifted his backpack on his shoulder and opened the door of the cab.

“Yeah,” he agreed with a nod.

He opened his mouth as if to speak again, but then seemed to think better of it, and simply paid the man and got out without another word. The cab driver sped off into the night, and House made his way on shaking legs up the sidewalk toward his apartment. It was already dark, and he forced himself not to give in to his own fears by glancing over his shoulder as he approached the door, key already in hand.

Perfectly safe… just a little while alone… nothing will happen… perfectly safe…

Wilson’s words echoed in his mind as he entered the security code to momentarily disable the alarm.

They were still echoing when he felt a hand slide around his waist from behind, pressing him forward against the door, while another strong hand locked around his throat, pulling him back against the warm, oppressive bulk of a body with which he was sickeningly familiar.

“Nice of you not to ask the cabbie to wait,” Tritter murmured into his ear, sending a shudder through House as he struggled to control the panicked racing of his heart. “You should have listened to your good buddy Wilson on that one. Except… he’s not such a good buddy, after all, is he?” Tritter sneered. “Or you wouldn’t be in this position right now.”

Frozen with terror, not daring to resist, or even move, all House could think to do was to whisper, almost inaudibly, “Please… please, don’t…”

“Shut up.”

Tritter’s hand clenched around his neck, and House flinched, biting his lip to hold back the keening cry that rose in his throat. Tritter shifted in closer behind him, and House’s entire body tensed, but he didn’t fight, as the bigger, stronger man slid his arm backward along House’s stomach, dropping it to close gently around the hand that held the keys and guide it toward the door.

“Go ahead and unlock it,” he ordered softly. “Let’s get inside, where we can have a little privacy. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”

TBC...

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Comments

[chickloveslotr.livejournal.com]

OH NO!!!!!!!!!!!

:-0!!!!!!

[bahahumbug.livejournal.com]

AHHGGG! Don't leave it there!!! :) It's got to be a plan right...mmm?? right???

[amproof.livejournal.com]

I feel like such a sicko, but I got a little thrill to see tritter back...

[llumik.livejournal.com]

Didn't find it confusing at all, but that might of course just be me, so confused that I don't even realize it :P

The suspense at the end was pretty thick. Left me wondering what Tritter is going to do next. Just talking (even though that might be bad enough in itself) or something physical.. Another great chapter, again.

[2cbetter2.livejournal.com]

Yep you are officially murder on your readers! You know that right don't you? :-P

Besides the fact it's hard to breath after reading the end of this chapter *wishes she could shoot Tritter right about now* I have to say Wilson annoyed me somewhat at the hospital and I might be outright mad with him if I didn't know he does have a practice of his own he needs to give his attention to at some point.

“I don’t want to do this, Wilson.”

House’s voice was shaky, uncertain, and he reached out to grasp Wilson’s arm in an uncharacteristic need for reassurance. Despite the pang of guilt and sympathy he felt, Wilson forced himself to meet his friend’s eyes in a reassuring expression.

“You’re going to be fine, House. I promise. You’re not going to be in any danger, not for a moment.”

“I know, but… I… I’m not sure…”

“House… it’s just for a couple of hours,” Wilson reminded him gently. “I have to work late. I can’t help it. I’ll be home in a couple of hours.”

“I can wait here…”

“House.” Wilson’s voice softened just slightly, but was still audible to anyone who might have been within earshot. “We’ve been talking about this. Haven’t we?”

House nodded reluctantly, eyes downcast. “I know.”

“You can’t spend the rest of your life afraid to go anywhere unless someone is with you. You have to somehow get to a point where you’re all right on your own.”

“I… I don’t want to be alone,” House finally admitted, subdued, fearful.

“I know.” Wilson’s tone was kind, sympathetic, as he gently removed House’s hand from his arm. “That’s the problem.” When House voiced no further objection, Wilson continued, “The cab will be here in ten minutes. You can wait in Cuddy’s office until it gets here. Ask the driver to watch to be sure you get in all right. No one will try anything as long as they know someone’s watching. All right? You’ll be perfectly safe – I promise.”

“Please, Wilson…” House’s voice rose slightly with panic as Wilson started back inside.

“House.” Wilson’s voice was sharp, firm, as he stopped, but did not turn around. “It’s not up for discussion. I have work to do.”

Oh gosh do you know how painful it was to read House's end of that conversation? It hurts to think someone as independant as he was before what Tritter did to him is now afraid of making a simple trip home alone out of fear of being attacked and I imagine being raped again by Tritter.

And of course Tritter showing up totally proved House was justified in his fears.

I cannot wait until the next update of this story!

[2cbetter2.livejournal.com]

Left me wondering what Tritter is going to do next. Just talking (even though that might be bad enough in itself)

Yeah considering the pure poison Tritter can spout out he doesn't really have to lay a hand on House beyond what he's already done to terrorize him.

[californiaquail.livejournal.com]

Okay now I'm thinking that maybe this is a dream? Because it seems odd that Wilson would want to leave House alone, when he was so very protective just hours before.

Sorry if my speculation bothers you. I just can't figure out what else you'd be getting at.

[starskyslady.livejournal.com]

How the hell did Tritter know about the cabbie that was supposed to wait?????

I understand why House didn't have him wait...being forced by Wilson to do something he was desperatly afraid of, I can see House seeing the cabbie thing as asserting himself a bit, believing in Wilson that it will be ok. (not sure how I feel about Wilson here...for this story it seems a bit ooc, but then who knows what you have in store!!!)

Sorry I've been a bit MIA...been pretty sick...but have been keeping up :-)

Once again...pins and needles till you update again!

Hugs! Barb

[myene-01.livejournal.com]

I'm going for the 'plan to trap the evil cop' theroy on this one.

I liked the way you discribed the other victums reactions, and the little bit about the good cop, wich could help House adjust to the legal system when thos goes that far.

[evila-elf.livejournal.com]

!!!!!!!! DAMN CLIFFIE!!!

*crosses fingers*
Please let someone else be inside! With a videocamera. And a gun. Loaded. *nods*

[misanthropicobs.livejournal.com]

Ouch, House's fear here is extremely well done and therefore extremely hard to read. House certainly can't remain sane very long living with this level of fear and anxiety.

The conversation between Wilson & House done as it was, in public, has got to be part of whatever the new plan is that House talked about in the last section. Given House's present state and how very much aware of his present fragility leaving him alone is something that Wilson would not have done except as part of a scheme to get Tritter to make a move so they can get something usable on him. House, although extremely fearful, does seem to have realized that he can't continue the present course for very long. Despite the fear he has a great deal of strength that shows in his decision to go ahead with his decision to stop Tritter.

If they can get Tritter stopped House still has a great deal of recovery ahead of him but at least then it will be something that can eventually happen instead of being caught up in the constant stress and anxiety that doesn't allow room for anything else. I think that everyone of them who cares about House realizes that there is no other option at this point. If this plan doesn't work then House is as good as dead, just what Tritter wants.

[phoenix-of-hell.livejournal.com]

Yet another cliffhanger... You're killing me, you know that? Anyway, either this is a very big misfortune, caused partly by House's pride, which stopped him from telling the cabbie to wait, OR... it is all an elaborate plan to catch Tritter red-handed. Either way, things are going to get nasty, and I hope House is able to survive this, psychologically speaking.

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

ohhhhh fuck no!!

[sganzy-fics.livejournal.com]

Please tell me it is part of the plan? That Wilson was that unconcerned because he want to lure Tritter by letting House alone? Please please please, I'm dying here!

[bonomania.livejournal.com]

Oh my! If only you could see the horrified look on my face right now.

Bad Tritter! Bad!

Can't believe Wilson just let him go Home ALONE.
I swear I didn't blink the whole time I was reading. I actually said, "Oh God!" out loud when Tritter approached him.

Role on next chapter :D

[chaoskir.livejournal.com]

Urrgh, that has to be a fake. It has. Thanks a lot for the exciting update. I do believe Wilson wouldn't being so dumb in that situation. I like the new chapter very much but I also hate it *smile*.

[isilinde1982.livejournal.com]

Please no! I was desperately hoping that House was on the way to recovery and they would soon get around to punishing Tritter... and now this!
Aside from that: wonderful job!

[lab38.livejournal.com]

Okay, so first of all: Sometimes, you're just plain evil (just to establish that fact from the beginning... ;). Secondly: I'm a bit confused here... They do have a plan, right? I mean, it certainly sounded so at the beginning. - But does House know of the plan?? It felt like that at first, but then... I'm not sure. I guess I'll just have to WAIT PATIENTLY FOR YOU TO UPDATE! PATIENTLY. - Yeah. That's it... ;)
But seriously now... Wonderful job! As always... Absolutely love the very real feel to the whole thing. - Just pleeeeease. Don't let us wait for too long. This is pure torture. I'm telling you... :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeaaaah, this doesn't look good :-S ... thanx, love, glad you liked the chapter... the next is up now, and should help provide some answers :P *hugs*

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hmmm... not telling :P hehe... but the next one is up now, should help clear things up a bit :P thanx so much for your kind review, hope you enjoy the next chapter :) *hugs*

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

lol... yeah, i know the feeling :P hehe... *hugs* thanx, love, glad you enjoyed the chapter... the next one is up now, hope you like it as well :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, good point :( tritter really just has to talk to terrorize house at this point, so much damage has already been done :( thanx, love, glad you enjoyed the chapter... the next one is up now, hope you enjoy it :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, house has really been damaged by this whole thing :( he's terrified to be alone... and now, he's alone with tritter :( so glad you liked the chapter, hon, the next one is up now... hope you like it as well, though i'll warn you its pretty heavy and dark :(

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

nope, tritter's played house very well, played on all his vulnerabilities, and knows exactly what chords to strike to frighten him again :( thanx, love :P

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

your speculation by no means bothers me, hon... i kinda wrote this chapter expecting to get a lot of it... :P hope you enjoy the next chapter, hon, it's up now, and should provide some answers :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeaaaaaah, a few people were mad at wilson after that last chapter... and tritter's had people following/watching house since the attack... it wouldn't be hard for someone to overhear that conversation :( thanx so much for your kind review, love, i'm so glad you liked the chapter... the next one is up now, and should provide some clarification... it's pretty dark though, i'll warn you... lots of scariness :-S

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, at least jenna's made some progress now... they're actually beginning to get somewhere... thanx, love, glad you enjoyed the chapter.. the next one is up now :) *hugs*

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeaaaah, pretty scary spot house is in here :-S thanx, love, glad you enjoyed the chapter :) *hugs* the next one is up now :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx, love, i'm glad house's fear came across realistically... even though it made it more painful to read :( *hugs* and you're quite observant... is all i will say ;) hope you enjoy the next chapter as well, love, it's up now :) *hugs*

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe... i shall not say anything either way... but thanx, love, glad you enjoyed the chapter :) *Hugs* the next one is up now and should clear a few things up :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeaaaah, this isn't looking good :( thanx, love, glad you liked the chapter... the next one is up now, hope you like it as well :) *hugs*

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

i shall tell you nothing... :P hehe ... the next chapter is up now, hope you like it as well :) it should at least clear up some things for you... *hugds* thanx, love :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeaaaah, he's in a really dangerous place now... :( thanx, love, i'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter, hon... the next one is up now and should help clear up some of the questions :P *hugs*

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx, love, i'm so glad you enjoyed this chapter, hon :) the next one is up now and should help clear up some of the questions... thanx so much :) *hugs*

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeaaah, things are looking bad :( thanx, love, glad you liked the chapter.. the next one is up now :) *Hugs* hope you enjoy it :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehehe... tell you what... if you still have questions after this chapter, i'll clarify, but this chapter i just posted should help clear things up :) *hugs* thanx so much for your kind words, hon :)

[stlyn.livejournal.com]

Wilson is STUPID. I want to slap him.

Nice update. :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe... yeah, it does appear that way, doesn't it? ;) thanx, love, glad you enjoyed the update :)

[moz17.livejournal.com]

Oh FUCK.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeaaaah... :( this doesn't look good, does it? :P

thanx for reading, love... looking forward to your thoughts on the next chapter ;)

*hugs*
DoS

[barush.livejournal.com]

OH MY GOD!!! I'd love to kick Wilson in the nuts right now! Or Tritter, for that matter. The suspense is gonna kill me, so I'd better read on. Why, oh why, I have to have a seminar work to write this week? Meh.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, seems rather careless of wilson, doesn't it? and tritter definitely needs to be punished... don't worry, he will be ;) thanx so much, hon, i enjoy and appreciate your comments very much :) *hugs*

[house-lover27.livejournal.com]

No!! NO NO NO!! Tritter is a f***ing bastard and should be killed. I can't believe he did that to those other people!

(I'm also getting WAY too into this. Haha)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, tritter's terribly evil, but don't worry, he'll be getting paid back for all he's done... looking forward to your reaction on the next chapter... thanx, love :)