Dark Redux, Part 1.3 -- Occam's Razor

[darkdreamer]

Okay, here's my next entry in the Dark Redux series, for the episode "Occam's Razor" -- hope you all enjoy it, please let me know :)

*hugs*
DoS


Title: Dark Redux
Episode: 1.3 -- Occam's Razor
Beta: misanthropicobs
Disclaimer: House, Wilson, and all other characters/ideas taken from the show are not my own, and I'm making no profit from the writing of this fiction -- just for fun, I promise. :P (Some dialogue this chapter taken directly from the episode.)
Pairing: House/Wilson
Rating: PG
Author's Note: In this particular 'verse, I've changed one thing about the canon timeline. At the beginning of the story, when House and Wilson first get together, Wilson is already recently divorced from Julie.
Story Warnings: slash, dark Wilson eventually -- specific warnings for each chapter as necessary
Chapter Warnings: possessive!wilson, mild sexuality
Story Summary: A darker version of how canon might have gone, if House and Wilson had entered into a relationship from the start -- and if that relationship took a gradually dark, disturbing turn.
Chapter Summary: House's relationship with Wilson deepens, and Wilson becomes gradually more possessive and protective of him.

 

"Why do you want me to treat this guy?"

House quickened his pace as he made his way down the hall toward the elevator, once again simply enjoying stringing Wilson along and making him work for it, while he already had decided that he was going to accept the patient Wilson was recommending.

"Blood pressure's not responding to IV fluids," Wilson replied, glancing down at the patient's chart in his hands.

"No, no... I didn't ask how you plan to con me into treating him. I asked you why you want me to treat him," House clarified as they turned the corner and the elevator came into view.

Wilson shrugged with a sheepish, self-deprecating laugh. "He's sick, I care, I'm pathetic..."

"There are about a billion sick people on the planet. Why this one?" House pressed. Despite the fact that his decision had already been made, he was still curious as to Wilson's motives.

Then again, lately he was curious about everything when it came to Wilson.

"Because this one's in our emergency room?" Wilson offered unconvincingly.

With a knowing smirk, House replied, "Ah, so it's a proximity issue. If somebody was sick in the third floor stairwell, that's who we would be talking about."

"Yes, I checked the stairwell. It's clear."

House's smirk became a full-fledged grin that he couldn't suppress at Wilson's good-natured sarcasm. His defenses were lost, defeated by Wilson's humor and persistence – at least, those things made good excuses for why House was willing to give in to him so quickly.

"Okay, then," he conceded as he stepped into the elevator. "Emergency room guy it is."

Wilson's expression went from mild amusement, to an elated grin, to a suspicious frown, all in the space of less than a second. "Wait... how was that so easy?"

With an evasive half-shrug, House rolled his eyes toward the ceiling before reluctantly meeting Wilson's gaze. "You know why," he replied softly.

There was a brief flash of understanding and desire in Wilson's eyes, as his expression softened into a smile. "Blood pressure's not responding to IV fluids?" he suggested.

"Yeah," House confirmed, gratefully latching onto the offered explanation for his unusually easy acquiescence. "That's just weird."

The elevator doors began to close, and House breathed a sigh of relief at the knowledge that he was escaping the uncomfortable scrutiny of Wilson's too-perceptive attention. Just before they closed, however, a hand reached between them, and they slid open again. Wilson stepped into the elevator, standing beside House and giving him a sideways smirk as he waited patiently for the doors to close again.

The moment they did, Wilson's cool professionalism vanished, as he caught House by the arm, pushing him back against the wall and covering his mouth in a hurried, ravenous kiss. House allowed his cane to drop to the floor with a loud clattering sound, raising his hands to grasp Wilson's arms as he eagerly returned Wilson's kiss.

Wilson drew back, eyes narrowed in playful skepticism. "What's the real reason?" he demanded quietly.

House's gaze dropped self-consciously for a moment, and when he looked up into Wilson's eyes again, his brow was creased slightly in uncertainty. There was an unusually vulnerable, almost shy tone in his low voice as he repeated his simple, meaningful words.

"You know why."

Wilson's eyes lit up with pleasure at House's words, and he leaned in to kiss him again, slowly and tenderly this time, drawing back to gaze up at him through warm, dark eyes sparkling with affection.

"Thank you," he whispered, as he finally pulled away completely.

As the tiny electronic chime announced their arrival, Wilson reached down to retrieve House's cane, placing it carefully in his hand before returning to his original position beside him, just as the elevator doors slid open to reveal what appeared to be absolutely nothing out of the ordinary going on inside.

"See you later," Wilson said with flawless ease, utterly casual as he made his way down the hall toward his office.

House watched him go for a few moments, unmasked adoration in his eyes for just a moment, before he concealed it, turning and walking in the other direction, toward his own office and his waiting team.

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

"You're half an hour late."

House was unperturbed by Cuddy's sharp, disapproving tone as he reluctantly entered the clinic, Wilson at his side. Wilson had managed to change his clinic shift to match House's, and if all went as planned, House was looking forward to a stolen, secret rendezvous in an empty exam room at some point during the next two hours he had to serve.

"Busy case load." House carelessly shrugged.

"One case is not a 'load'," Cuddy informed him, one eyebrow raised dubiously.

Wilson lingered beside the counter as House signed his name in, then took his time signing his own name as House turned back toward Cuddy, taking the opportunity to bait her again.

"So, how are we doing on cotton swabs today? If there's an acute shortage, I could run home..."

"No, you couldn't," Cuddy cut him off with a pointed glance toward his damaged leg.

"Nice," House muttered as he quickly turned away from her toward the waiting room full of patients.

The flash of embarrassment and hurt that had crossed his face was so instantaneous that Cuddy did not notice it -- but Wilson did. Though House was expert by now at concealing his emotions, Wilson knew that Cuddy's careless words had stung.

"Hello, sick people and their loved ones..."

House began to address the group of waiting patients, and Cuddy frowned as she looked toward him suspiciously. However, before she could focus on what House was saying, Wilson caught her arm and pulled her back around to face him, an expression of barely veiled fury on his face.

Cuddy raised an eyebrow as she glanced pointedly down at his hand on her arm, then met his gaze with dubious curiosity as Wilson reluctantly dropped his hand from her arm. Despite his silent acknowledgment of the inappropriateness of his actions, however, Wilson's dark eyes were smoldering with anger as he spoke in a quiet, unyielding voice.

"That was way out of line."

"Excuse me?" Cuddy's tone was incredulous.

"You know comments like that are grounds for a lawsuit, right?" Wilson informed her sharply, a cold smile beginning around the edges of his mouth. When Cuddy didn't respond, apparently too stunned to speak, he demanded calmly, "What makes you think it's in any way acceptable to make belittling, degrading comments to a disabled hospital employee – about his disability?"

Cuddy just stared at Wilson in incredulous disbelief for a long, tense moment.

Finally, she replied, "You do realize this is House we're talking about, right? You actually think that he'd have grounds to sue me for harassment -- after his nearly daily comments about my body, my clothes..." Cuddy shook her head with a short, dismissive laugh. "I'm sorry, but I think the countersuit would make it not worth his time or money -- and that's assuming he cared enough to file a lawsuit, anyway..."

"He cares," Wilson sharply informed her, dark eyes piercing and intent on hers. "You have no idea how much damage..."

"No, and excuse me if at the moment I don't really care," she cut him off impatiently. "I have an entire hospital to run. I could fire him for his inappropriate sexual comments, inexcusable rudeness with patients and staff, and outrageous disregard for policy -- or I can fight fire with fire and give back as good as he gives to me. I choose Option B."

Cuddy turned dismissively away from Wilson, focusing with irritation on House as she realized that he was still speaking to the waiting room, and wondered with visible dread what exactly it was that he was saying.

"... not to worry, because for most of you this job could be done by a monkey with a bottle of... of Motrin..." House's voice faltered slightly as he glanced over his shoulder with a frown, momentarily distracted by the confrontation taking place behind him, before turning to continue his monologue. "... no, I do not have a pain management problem, I have a pain problem. But who knows? Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm too stoned to tell. So, who wants me?"

Frustrated and outraged by House's tactics at escaping his duty, Cuddy stepped into the waiting room as House made his way toward Exam Room 1, holding up the chart on the top of the stack at the nurse's station.

"Jodi Matthews? Please accompany Dr. House to Exam Room 1."

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

"Hey, Cuddy said you needed a consult. What's up? I'm busy."

Wilson frowned as he stepped into the exam room, somewhat surprised to see an actual patient seated on the examining table. He had half-expected that the request for a consult was merely a ploy by House to get him alone in an exam room for a bit of privacy, and was actually disappointed to find that was apparently not the case.

House frowned as he looked up at him, and the fact that House looked disappointed to see him started a tightening sensation of hurt and irritation in Wilson's chest.

"Crap," House muttered. "She wins."

Wilson's frown deepened with confusion. "What do you mean she..." His voice trailed off and he shook his head, at a loss.

"Cuddy," House clarified, unnecessarily. "I've been calling her in for consults on all my clinic patients for the last two days. Guess she got smart and found a way around doing her job, too."

House turned his attention to the patient sitting on the exam table, rudely wresting his game boy from her hands as he announced, "You ran six miles. That's why your legs hurt. Take a couple of ibuprofen, and a break from the running until the inflammation in your muscles go down, and this…” He handed her the chart. “…to the nurse on your way out."

The woman gave him an odd, uncertain look as she took the chart from his hand, muttering in irritation under her breath as she left the room, closing the door behind her.

"So... the last two days... you've spent all this time and energy, just to torment Cuddy?" Wilson shook his head in confused agitation as he stepped further into the room, taking House's game boy from his hands and laying it down on the exam table, waiting until House looked up at him expectantly to continue. "It's completely pointless for me to attempt to stand up for your rights, when you just go behind me and do everything in your power to provoke her. You know it's not actually going to get you out of clinic duty, right?"

House shrugged. Apparently victory was not necessarily the point of this particular battle.

Wilson's tone was calm and thoughtful, but tinged with a barely perceptible note of suspicion and uncertainty as his eyes narrowed and he asked, "What's with you and her, anyway?"

House was very good at picking up on what was barely perceptible.

A slow grin began to spread across his face, a knowing light dancing in his blue eyes, as he rose to his feet and pointed a finger in Wilson's direction. "I know what this is. You're jealous. You think I have a thing for Cuddy."

"No, that's ridiculous," Wilson cut him off, his face flushing with embarrassed irritation as he turned slightly away from House -- then turned back again, head tilted skeptically.

"Do you?"

"You're kidding, right?" House raised a single eyebrow in Wilson's direction, eyes widening incredulously.

Wilson shrugged. "Well, the only people who can get to you..."

House rolled his eyes with a weary sigh as he interrupted, anticipating Wilson's argument. "No, there is not a thin line between love and hate. There is, in fact, a Great Wall of China with armed sentries posted every twenty feet between love and hate." He paused, meeting Wilson's eyes with a momentary intensity of sincerity as he stated, "I do not have a thing for Cuddy."

Wilson studied his expression for a long moment, and House knew that he wasn't entirely convinced. Finally, however, the dark suspicion seemed to fade into the background, and a small, reluctant smile began on Wilson's lips, as he edged nearer to House, taking hold of the lapels of his jacket and pulling him in close.

"You'd better not," he murmured, only half-teasing, punctuating the words with a series of brief, soft kisses. "You're mine... and you shouldn't need... her attention..." Wilson pushed House back against the wall behind the chair, gently possessive hands trailing slowly down House's body as his low voice laid emphatic claim to what he considered to be his. "... not when you've got... every last bit... of mine..."

House's breath caught in his throat as Wilson's hand trailed down to firmly cup the swelling bulge in the front of his jeans, moving in a slow, circular motion that only served to heighten House's desire.

"I don't," he whispered breathlessly. "I don't... need her... just... just you..."

"That's right," Wilson whispered back against House's lips, before slowly withdrawing. He held his gaze with an intensity that made House's eyes widen, a convulsive swallow visible in his throat. "And don't you forget it."

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

It was nearly six o'clock when Cuddy finished her daily tasks, packing what work she had not managed to accomplish during the day into her briefcase and heading toward her office door. Distracted, she jumped slightly, startled, when she found herself face-to-face with Wilson, dressed in his coat and scarf, carrying his own briefcase, just inside the doorway.

"My God," she gasped. "You scared me." Her tensed shoulders relaxing as the momentary flare of fear faded away, she shook her head slightly. "What... what can I do for you...?"

"You can leave House alone."

Cuddy blinked, momentarily thrown by the blunt words, as well as the warning tone of Wilson's voice. "I'm... I'm sorry?"

"Things have been going too far lately between the two of you," Wilson clarified in a quiet, even voice, a disarmingly calm expression on his face. "And you know he's not one to back down -- so that means you might have to."

Cuddy frowned, indignant. "I'm not going to let him do whatever he wants just to appease you. And you are, by the way, way out of line..."

"I'm not saying for you to give him whatever he wants." Wilson shook his head. "I'm saying that the little mind games... the flirtatious little exchanges that go both ways, if you think I haven't noticed... need to stop."

Cuddy's frown deepened with confusion, and she opened her mouth to respond, but Wilson was already speaking again.

"You know, a lawsuit made by an employer against her employee, over comments and such that have supposedly gone on for years, without her saying a word or taking any disciplinary actions against that employee..." Wilson shook his head, the barest hint of a smirk playing about his lips as he looked away briefly, before meeting her eyes again. "I can't imagine such a lawsuit being taken seriously."

He paused, allowing the words to sink in, before continuing in a soft, serious voice.

"A lawsuit by a disabled employee against his employer who consistently flirts with him and deliberately taunts him about his disability – in front of witnesses, I might add – that might be taken a little more seriously." His smile faded as he added, "House might not have the self-respect it takes to look out for his own interests. Good thing for him... I do."

He was quiet for a moment, taking a backward step toward her door and opening it for her in a gracious, gentlemanly gesture.

"I'm just saying," he concluded with an innocent, disarming smile. "You should be cautious."

Without another word, Wilson turned and walked toward the hospital exit with a casual, confident stride that in no way betrayed the subtly threatening manner in which he had just spoken to her.

The whole thing was so surreal, so utterly unexpected, that as she made her way to the car, Cuddy found herself wondering if it had really occurred as she thought it had, or if perhaps she had imagined the hints of dark menace she thought she'd heard in Wilson's voice and seen in his eyes.

TBC...

Comments

[jadzia7667.livejournal.com]

The flash of embarrassment and hurt that had crossed his face was so instantaneous that Cuddy did not notice it -- but Wilson did.

Thank you! I was beginning to wonder if I was the only person who could see the veiled hurt in his eyes when Cuddy nails him like that.

Granted, he brings it on himself, because he's got a vicious tongue, but still...

Your Wilson is awesome, as usual, and the rest of this fits seamlessly with canon.

Happy Holidays :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx so much, love.. and yeah, i think a lot of times the characters act as if house doesn't have feelings, but he does, and at least wilson's seeing it, even if he's starting to get a liiiittle too possessive ;) hehe

glad you enjoyed the chapter, the next one is up now :) hope you like :)

[jennybliss.livejournal.com]

Wow!! I really like Wilson in this. He is kind of scary and there is this fear that you don't know how far he will go. I am a little scarred for House in this. Wilson has a lot of the markers of someone who could abuse his significant other. Good job! I am waiting for more!!

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx, love, i'm glad those signs are coming across, because they're supposed to :-S ... things will eventually get bad for house in this fic, though for now they seem fairly innocent... glad you enjoyed this chapter, love :) *hugs* the next one is up now :)

[ohhfreud.livejournal.com]

I love how possessive Wilson is!
Love it. =]

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe... glad you like it, hon :) *Hugs* the next chapter is up now :)

[arhh.livejournal.com]

Cuddy had better watch out.... I love possessive!dark!Wilson :) Thanks for sharing :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe.. yeaaah, wilson's not exactly liking cuddy right now :P which could be bad for her later on :P glad you enjoyed this update, love, the next one is up now :) *Hugs*

[jackssilverwolf.livejournal.com]

I love the episodes, but you are making them so much better. I loved that scene where House addresses the patients. I swear, if I had been there I would have jumped up and volunteered to have him as my doctor. :oD

I am so loving possessive Wilson. I can't get enough!

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe.. yeah, i loved that scene, too... it's fun, rewriting these eps like this :P and i'm glad you're enjoying possessive!wilson... he's only going to get moreso :P thanx so much for your kind words, the next one is up now, hope you enjoy it as well :P

[madwriter223.livejournal.com]

Oh wow... the darkness shows, at long last. Finally! XD
I really enjoy Wilson's jealousy towards Cuddy.
Yah know, I have a feeling she's gonna get it, right? Please? She's been pissing me off through the whole show.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe.. we'll see ;) cuddy's definitely in a bit of danger, if she messes with wilson's man :P hehe... glad you're enjoying this story, hon :) *Hugs* the next chapter is up now :)

[chaoskir.livejournal.com]

Oh I do love your possesive Wilson and I like how he react as House was hurt by Cuddy. Thank you so much for sharing those great update at Christmas-Evening (at least it's here, where I'm living).

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx so much, love, glad you enjoyed the update :) *hugs* the next one is up now :)

[zamaza.livejournal.com]

Possessive!Wilson gets a seal of approval!

I too also think the small comments of Cuddy's occasionally nip a bit too deep, but I really like how your new twist on that whole bit! That was a brilliant scene to begin with.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx, love, glad you enjoyed the update, and possessive!wilson... he's getting gradually more and more dangerous :P

thanx for your kind words, hon, the next chapter is up now, hope you like it as well :)

*hugs*
DoS

[mireya-11.livejournal.com]

<sub>O_____________________O

wow
amazing!!!!!!!!!!!
I love it
please continue! <3

Merry Christmas</sub>

[evila-elf.livejournal.com]

Ut oh!

I think Cuddy had best watch her back!

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

you may be right ;) thanx, love, glad you liked this update... the next one's up now :) *hugs*

[dynamics-xx.livejournal.com]

Oh, man..Wilson's gunna slap a bitch! XD
I'm loving this story! Wilson's getting a little creepy, but I expected that considering this will eventually be a dark!Wilson fic. Which will be awesome. (:

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe... yeah, wilson's starting to get a bit dangerous :P glad you're enjoying it, love :) *Hugs* the next one is up now :)

[djfavorite.livejournal.com]

Very good. I'm enjoying these.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx, love, glad you're liking it :) the next one is up now :) *Hugs*

[moz17.livejournal.com]

Possessive Wilson= hot.

The exchange with Cuddy was a bt frightening though.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, wilson in this is a bit beyond normally possessive... he's going to get scarier and scarier as this goes on... thanx so much, love, glad you enjoyed this update :) *hugs*