Dark Redux, Part 1.12 -- Sports Medicine

[darkdreamer]

Title: Dark Redux
Episode: 1.12 -- Sports Medicine
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-13
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: violence
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 makes special plans for the two of them, but when Wilson can't go, chooses to take Cameron instead. Wilson is not pleased.

 

“I scored.” House held out the mysterious sealed envelope across his desk toward Wilson, then tossed it down within the other man’s reach. “It’s a brave new world, Doc, and we are at the cutting edge. You are looking at two all-access passes to paradise itself!”

Wilson stared with unguarded awe at the virtually priceless slips of paper in the envelope, his jaw slack with amazement before he remembered to close his mouth, swallowing slowly before venturing to ask the question that filled his mind.

“How much?”

“True cost, no man can say.”

Wilson’s lips twisted into the beginnings of a grin as he replied, “Could that man’s accountant say?”

He couldn’t hide his affectionate amusement at the expression on House’s face – eager and excited and subtly vulnerable. House was trying to conceal how much this gesture meant to him, how important it was to him to do this for his friend-turned-lover, whom he knew loved monster trucks as much as he did, but would never have spent that much of his own money on something he would consider so frivolous.

Wilson had always suspected that, beneath House’s harsh, emotionless façade beat the heart of a hopeless romantic; and a gesture like this – well, it was just about as romantic a thing as House could have done for Wilson. It was an extravagant gift, making no secret of how willing House was to lavish every last shred of his affection, energy, and worldly resources on the man that he loved – even if he hadn’t yet allowed himself the vulnerability to actually say so.

“One thousand dollars. Friday night – the biggest official monster truck jam in the history of New Jersey.”

Wilson’s heart sank, even as it thrilled to the joy of knowing how far House was willing to go to make him happy.

And I’m going to have to turn him down…

Genuine horror on his face, Wilson looked up from the tickets to meet House’s eyes. “Okay… please tell me you didn’t just say Friday night.”

“Whatever you’ve got, you cancel.”

House’s tone was casual, but as he spoke he looked away, and despite his attempts to conceal his emotions, Wilson could immediately read the disappointment and resignation forming in his eyes. Wilson’s heart sank with the understanding that regardless of the token protest he was making, House already expected to be rejected – and Wilson was going to have to meet those expectations.

“I-I can’t do it,” he admitted. “I-I’ve got the oncology thing. The rectal cancer lecture – they booked me a year ago! I-I-I can’t get out; there’s no way out!”

“Fine. Okay. Another time, then.” House turned away from Wilson to focus on some imaginary work on his desk.

They were both well aware that “another time” would not come around for an event this amazing – not within the next twenty years, anyway. Wilson sighed, lowering his head in mingled guilt and disappointment.

“I’m sorry, House,” he said gently, leaning forward to rest his hand over House’s restlessly tapping fingertips, momentarily stilling them. “I wish I could. You know I want to, but…” He shook his head, his voice trailing off as he sighed again. “Maybe you should just… ask someone else.”

House looked up at him sharply, a spark of suspicion in his eyes.

After all, they both knew that there was no one else.

But House saw nothing but genuine regret in Wilson’s dark, expressive eyes. Finally, House’s shoulders fell as he relented, turning his hand under Wilson’s to momentarily return the gentle caress, before glancing self-consciously toward the hall beyond his office and reluctantly withdrawing his hand.

“Okay,” he agreed quietly. “I will.”

Wilson knew that House would find no one else to accompany him to the show. His words were a meaningless suggestion of sympathy, which served the dual purpose of subtly reminding House just how important Wilson had become in his life – reaffirming the fact that there was no one else to whom he could turn as a friend or companion.

Despite that slight benefit, however, Wilson was genuinely disappointed that he would not be able to go with House to the monster truck show. He enjoyed monster trucks nearly as much as House did, and the trouble House had gone to alone made him feel terrible for having to turn him down.

But it could not be helped.

After all… I’m doing this for him… for us…

For a few weeks now, House’s ex-girlfriend Stacey had been calling Wilson, going on and on about her husband, who was ill, and how she had been considering coming to Princeton-Plainsboro to get House’s opinion.

Wilson was certain that was not her only motivation.

So far, he had managed to talk her out of it, convincing her that House would never consent to see her at all, much less to treat her husband. House was still resentful and angry over the way she had treated him in the past – the way she had betrayed him and eventually walked out on him – and, quite frankly, wanted nothing to do with her.

Of course, she believed him completely. She had no reason not to. Wilson had made a point of maintaining a casual communication with her ever since her breakup with House. After all, if there was ever a time when she realized the mistake she had made and wanted to try to unmake it – as it appeared she was considering now – Wilson wanted to be the first to know about it, and have the opportunity to head her off before she could succeed.

“Keep your enemies closer” and all that… Well, it seems to be working so far… and when I meet with her on Friday, I’ll make sure it keeps working. I don’t want her anywhere near House. He’s mine now… and she’ll just have to deal with that.

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

It was not really surprising to House, but strangely troubling, to realize that there really was no one besides Wilson who he could think of asking to go with him. Gradually, throughout the day, the knowledge that his world had narrowed to contain only one other human being to whom he was meaningful and valuable wore on him, until he decided that he simply had to find someone to go with him to the show.

It was that, or admit to himself that he really was as pathetic as he was beginning to suspect that he was.

During a rather distracted conversation with Cameron regarding the point at which human life began, House began to consider asking her to go with him. After all, she was sickeningly sweet, annoyingly caring, with a sense of guilty responsibility that made even Wilson roll his eyes in response to it.

In short, she was the furthest thing from House’s type imaginable – and therefore a safe choice, unlikely to arouse Wilson’s jealousy.

You’d think the fact that I’m in a serious relationship with a man would give him a clue that I’m not exactly into chasing women right now. But Cameron – he’d have to be out of his mind to think that I’d actually date her. She should be perfectly safe… but… but Wilson does tend to get jealous really easily these days…

“So. Big weekend planned?” he asked casually, testing the waters, though he hadn’t quite decided yet whether he intended to dive in.

Cameron froze, turning a puzzled, suspicious frown in his direction. He suppressed a smile at her reaction, well aware of how unusual it was for him to actually show an interest in the personal life of any of his employees. Her words were slow, cautious, when she finally ventured a response.

“Not really. I… was gonna go to the oncology dinner…”

“Of course,” House sighed, his heart sinking again – not because Cameron had plans, but at the reminder of Wilson’s plans. “You have to hear Wilson’s lecture.”

“No. I just found out he canceled like, two weeks ago.”

House blinked, stunned but trying not to let it show, as he slowly processed the implications of her words. He tried to fight back the cold sense of hurt he felt at the knowledge that Wilson had lied to him – and apparently in order to get out of going to something he ordinarily would have been eager to see. A thoughtful frown creased House’s brow as he wondered what Wilson was up to, what could possibly be both so important and such a secret that he would feel the need to lie.

Maybe he’s got a perfectly valid reason… or maybe he’s seeing someone else…

The nasty, creeping thought filled House with a sense of insecurity – mingled with rising anger and indignation.

Fine. Forget him. I’ll go where I want, with whoever I want.

“Did you… have a question?”

Cameron’s voice was hesitant, uncertain, a puzzled frown on her face as she stood in the doorway ready to leave, but awaiting House’s response. House studied her face for a long moment, indulging in one final moment of internal debate, before finally making his decision, a slow smile spreading across his face.

“Yeah. Do you like monster trucks?”

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

By the end of the evening, House had to reluctantly admit that he had actually had a surprisingly good time with Cameron. She had never even seen a monster truck before, but she quite easily got into the excitement and adrenaline of the show, and before it was over was cheering loudly right along with House at the appearances of his favorites.

Every now and then, House caught her casting an awkwardly long glance in his direction, or focusing a little too intently on him, instead of the show; but he did his best to ignore it, choosing to enjoy the evening rather than to allow her obviously developing crush to ruin it for him. He tried to shut out her unintentional flirtations, as well as his suspicions about Wilson’s whereabouts and choice of activities for the evening – his lies – and simply enjoy the show.

And he mostly succeeded.

When he arrived home that evening to find Wilson waiting on the couch, blankly staring at the television with the sound turned down, House felt his good mood fade away, his hurt and suspicion returning with a vengeance. He was silent, meeting Wilson’s eyes for a moment before looking away as he took off his coat and hung it up. He waited until he had turned back toward the couch, carefully gauging Wilson’s reaction when at last he spoke in a soft, cool voice.

“Where were you tonight?”

A flash of understanding in Wilson’s eyes revealed that he knew House had somehow found out about his deception – at least in part. A momentarily trapped, self-conscious expression gave way almost instantly to angry defiance as Wilson rose to his feet, moving in swift, fluid strides across the room until he was only a foot away from where House stood.

“I think a better question might be who were you with tonight, House?”

“No.” House shook his head emphatically, his jaw set stubbornly. “No, you are not going to turn this around on me. You lied to me, Wilson. You told me where you were going to be and what you were going to be doing, and none of it was true. On the other hand, you knew exactly what my plans were for tonight – so you are not the one who has a right to be suspicious, here. You…”

House’s indignant words broke off abruptly, the breath driven from his lungs, as Wilson suddenly caught his arms and slammed him, hard, into the wall beside the door. Stunned and in pain from the blow, House bit back a cry, closing his eyes in an instinctive reaction to the unexpected violence. Wilson’s right hand stayed fastened around House’s arm in a painfully tight grip, his left hand rising to seize House’s hair and yank his head back as his voice lowered to a seething, furious hiss.

“You do not have the right to make these ridiculous accusations, just because I chose to keep a secret from you, House. I am not the one who spent tonight out with some slut who wants to get me into bed!”

“It wasn’t like that,” House insisted, grinding out the words in frustration as he strained to push against Wilson’s restraining hands. “It wasn’t a date. We just went as friends…”

“She… wants you, House,” Wilson cut him off with cold, possessive anger, moving in even further into House’s space. “Don’t tell me you don’t know that.”

House was silent, swallowing hard, unable to deny the truth of the statement.

Wilson swore softly under his breath, looking away, his hands tightening as he struggled visibly against his own jealous fury. House struggled against him, trying to push him away, to pull free of the painful grip of the hands that held him pinned against the wall.

“Stop it, Wilson,” he muttered. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. I didn’t know when I asked her, and you said I should…”

“Shut up!”

Wilson snarled as he shoved House against the wall again, causing him to gasp in pain at the impact. Before House could resist again, Wilson slid in closer to him, his leg against House’s holding him back, not allowing him the room he needed to try to maneuver away. House drew in a sharp breath of alarm as he felt Wilson’s left thigh pressed against his right, tensing in anticipation of pain. He couldn’t be sure whether Wilson was aware of what he was doing – but it was enough to make him go still, unwilling to find out what Wilson might do if he continued to struggle.

Wilson smiled in cold approval when House went still, his hand softening slightly in House’s hair, his voice low and intent and deceptively gentle as he continued to speak.

“I’m talking right now, House. And I’m telling you how this looks from my perspective – okay?”

House nodded automatically, eyes closed, swallowing hard. Wilson’s behavior was definitely alarming – frightening, even. And yet, House wasn’t completely sure that he did not deserve Wilson’s anger. He had known from the start that Wilson would not be thrilled by his choice of Cameron for his companion that evening.

House’s head was pounding from the impact with the wall, his heart racing with fear. The claustrophobic sensation of Wilson’s body pressing, restraining his own, mingled with the dazed effect of too many blows to the head, resulted in a sort of confused compliance that kept him quiet and still, listening as Wilson went on in a soft, scathing tone of quiet anger and disgust.

“I don’t have to tell you everything. I have a right to some privacy. And tonight, I was not cheating on you. I was not on some secret date. I had something I had to do – something to make things better for us, House. And it wasn’t fun, or even remotely pleasant. I much rather would have been with you at the monster truck rally. But I chose to do what I had to do to make things better for us – for you. And what were you doing while I was making that sacrifice?”

Wilson’s hands and tone both hardened as he continued, biting off the words with bitter resentment.

“You were out spending a thousand freaking dollars on a woman who would love to have you for herself. I’m sure you had a great time, laughing and talking and living it up on what should have been a very special occasion for us – but you chose to take her – to punish me. Didn’t you, House?”

House opened his mouth to protest – then stopped, biting his lip instead, an uncertain frown on his face.

Had he done it to punish Wilson? He wasn’t sure. He did know that he hadn’t really decided to take Cameron until she had revealed Wilson’s lie to him. He had been angry and suspicious of Wilson, and decided suddenly that he didn’t care what Wilson thought about his choice; he was going to do what he wanted to do.

Which indicated that he had known ahead of time that Wilson wouldn’t approve of his going with Cameron.

House shook his head slightly in confusion and uncertainty.

“You took Cameron just to hurt me.” Wilson’s voice had lowered to a whisper, his hands softening on House’s arm and hair until they were no longer restraining – just there. “You knew I wouldn’t want to think of the two of you there, together, without me – so you decided to ask her. That’s really great, House – really shows me what you think of me. How much I mean to you.”

“I… I’m sorry,” House whispered almost automatically, his eyes lowered in shame, not quite daring to meet Wilson’s accusing gaze.

Wilson was quiet and still for a moment, before abruptly releasing House completely, taking a step backward, leaving the older man leaning against the wall, struggling to catch his breath, to recover from the intensity of the frightening encounter. Wilson’s voice was soft, carrying a note of disappointment and defeat.

“Damn right, you are.”

With those cold, dismissive words, Wilson turned his back and stormed into the bedroom, slamming the door behind him.

/>
Traffic Ticket Lawyers

Comments

[chaoskir.livejournal.com]

Urrgh your Wilson is really sick in those fic. Sick mind, sick behaviour and so bad.

Thanks for sharing this update. I can't say I like your Wilson in here but I can say I like the other pov of season one. So I can say I like in which way you let season one pass in review.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx, love, glad you are enjoying the story even though wilson is so bad :-S thanx so much for your kind words, but i'll let you know... wilson will only get worse :P *hugs* the next one is up now, hope you like it as well :)

[emeriin.livejournal.com]

And I wonder how Wilson's rejection is going to force House to make this up to him... Actually, let's not think about that because I would just make myself ill. It's like watching an awesome trainwreck, I want to look away but I can't wait to see how dark Wilson can get. :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, wilsons definitely going to require house to make this up to him :( and house isn't even the one who did anything wrong *sigh* thanx so much for your kind words, hon, glad you enjoyed this chapter :) *Hugs* the next one is up now, hope you like :)

[dynamics-xx.livejournal.com]

Argghh Wilsoooonnnn whhhhyyyy???
:(
Excuse me while I go off and cry now.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, wilson's really playing house well in this.. which is very bad for him :( thanx so much for your kind words, hon, glad you enjoyed this update :) *Hugs* the next one is up now, hope you like :)

[arhh.livejournal.com]

Here again, Wilson has to thank House's dad for conditioning him to be so accepting of fault, blame and this kind of relationship. Great job, thanks for sharing :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yes, indeed, house has been conditioned to accept this type of treatment, and thus far wilson has concealed it well within a disguise of love and intense desire... but it's taking a darker turn now, and house isn't yet letting himself see it :( thanx, love, glad you liked this update :) *hugs*

[caged-obsession.livejournal.com]

Wow. I'm officially disturbed by this Wilson. He's so sly and a master manipulator of his captive (House). It's sad watching House's indignant and appropriate anger and hurt get turned around on himself. I literally saw one more hook go into House's brain in this. o.O

I am truly enjoying this. You are doing a great job of progressing the abusive relationship House has gotten himself caught up in. I can see how the violence could easily escalate at any moment. Great job!

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx so much, hon, i'm aiming for making this as realistic and believable as possible, and therefore it has to be soooo gradual... wilson is playing house frighteningly well, and house isn't fully aware of what he's doing to him :( thanx so much for your kind words, hon, glad you liked this update... the next one is up now :) *hugs*

[liahuk.livejournal.com]

Wilsons starting to scare me now *cuddles teddy*

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, as he's intended to :-S wilson's getting gradually darker and more abusive, but it's such a gradual process, and hes slowly brainwashing house as it happens, so that house doesn't really realize what's happening until it's too late :( thanx so much, hon, glad you liked this update :) *hugs* the next one is up now, hope you enjoy :)

[jennybliss.livejournal.com]

Wow I knew that this was going to happen, but it is still shocking when it did. It is so sad that he has House like this. Make it better, PLEASE!!

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, he's gradually managed to get house to the point that he accepts this kind of behavior and believes that he brought it on himself... and i'm sorry, but it won't be getting much better for a while :( glad you're enjoying the story, hon, the next chapter is up now, hope you like :) *hugs*

[jackssilverwolf.livejournal.com]

O_o Ooh. More!! :o)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe... glad you're enjoying, hon :) *Hugs* more is up now :)

[madwriter223.livejournal.com]

Oh, you fucking bastard.
I especially enjoyed how Wilson managed to prove himself to be the "loving, sacrifing lover" while House was made the "uncaring, immature bastardly brat". Even better how Wilson is so stuck up he completely turned the tables around and assaulted House, and still managed House to feel guilty for that. And make him regret acting like a normal human being.
Toxic relentionship manipulating the mind at it's 'best'.
Wonderful job on showing how Wilson is continuing to brainwash House into thinking he's completely alone.
Kudos for this chap.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, at this point wilson's manipulated house so well that he sees wilson's behavior as something he deserves, something he brought on himself, as opposed to abuse... so far, he can still rationalize that wilson's never actually hit him, and every time wilson's gotten angry enough that he's "accidentally" hurt him, it was because house himself did something to anger him to that point :(

thanx so much, hon, glad you're enjoying the story :) *Hugs* the next chapter is up now, hope you like :)

[jadzia7667.livejournal.com]

OK, Wilson is an evil SOB in this fic. You write this version of him very well, and weave canon with the black hole of Wilson equally well.

I don't like Wilson here, you understand, but I love the writing and the story in general. The manipulation in this chapter is excellent.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx so much, hon, glad you're enjoying the story, if not the evil wilson :P lol... glad the subtle manipulation is coming across well :) *Hugs* the next chapter is up now, hope you enjoy it :)

[catgirlpoison.livejournal.com]

Wow, what a seriously FU mind Wilson has, and kudos for writing such a twisted story. There is so much to repel, so much that bugs about Wilson, that while i want to turn away from this train wreck of a relationship, I find myself coming back for more. Eager to see what the other episodes look like.

Can't say it enough, what a total dick Wilson is, sorry for the language. His privacy!!!! What the hell!

Thanks House Senior for training your son to be believe he deserves being abused. If you weren't dead, I would kill you myself.

You are doing a great job with the story.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe... glad you're enjoying the twistedness... i could see wilson's personality type -- not necessarily his canon character, but his type of person -- easily becoming abusive, and house's past definitely makes him a ready if not willing victim :(

thanx so much, hon, glad you enjoyed this update :)

*hugs*
DoS

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

when I saw the original version of this ep...

me: I'd go with him to monster trucks.
my best friend: You'd go with him to the moon if he asked.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehehe.. wouldn't we all, love? *sigh*

thanx so much, hon, glad you liked this update... the next chapter is up now, hope you like :) *hugs*

[jbfangirl.livejournal.com]

Grr...Wilson!!!! Oh gosh. He just completely turned things around and made House believe it was all his fault. It is ok for Wilson to be secretive, but heaven forbid House keeps something from him.

He is continuing manipulating House and making him believe he deserves this horrible treatment.

I am really looking forward to see how you redux the other eps. Update soon!

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, even though house stated explicitly, "you will *not* turn this around on me..." that's exactly what wilson did :( and made him feel like he brought this treatment on himself...

thanx so much for your kind words, hon, glad you enjoyed this update :) *hugs* the next chapter is up now, hope you like :)

[moz17.livejournal.com]

Argh, this Wilson is really one hell of a manipulative BASTARD. Argh.

Excellent writing as always. x

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, wilson is nothing if not manipulative ... thanx, love :) *Hugs*