Dark Redux, Part 1.21 -- Three Stories

[darkdreamer]

Hi, guys :)

Wow, I can't believe I'm almost finished with Season One of this fic!! :D

We're getting to the whole Stacy-arc, which could get preeeetty bad for House, considering Wilson's violent, jealous tendencies :-S
Things will be picking up in the next couple chapters, and not really slowing down for a while... Hope you enjoy this update, please let me know how you like it :)

*hugs*
DoS

Title: Dark Redux
Episode: 1.20 -- Three Stories
Beta: andi88
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: none
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: When a familiar person from House's past shows up, it awakens feelings he thought he'd long since gotten over. How will Wilson respond to this new threat to his hold over House?

 

“Dr. House, there’s a patient…”

“I’m out of here. Take it up with Cuddy.”

House brushed past the clinic nurse trying to talk to him, headed toward the classrooms to teach the class Cuddy had assigned him. As much as he had given her a fight over it, he was actually somewhat looking forward to it. If nothing else, it certainly beat dealing with one more annoying idiot in the clinic – including the nurse currently trying to stop him.

“Greg.”

A familiar voice stopped him in his tracks, his heart giving a funny little lurch at the sound. House turned slowly toward the source of the voice… then froze, staring in wonder at a vision from his past, one he’d thought to never see again. His voice was soft, momentarily unguarded in his surprise, when he finally found it again and was able to speak.

“Hi, Stacy.”

House was scarcely aware of what was said in the conversation that followed. He did manage to register the fact that Stacy was married now – and the fact that that fact hurt. He didn’t tell her that he was with someone now; he didn’t really have time amidst her anxious pleas for his help for her new husband. He wasn’t really sure how she would take the knowledge that, following their break-up, his next relationship was with a man – especially considering the fact that she’d never known he had any attraction to men at all.

Then again, he thought with a strangely bereft feeling, why should she care? She’s got someone else now.

He did, too, he reminded himself. And he was happy with Wilson.

Still, he was surprised by the sheer amount of emotion he still held for Stacy, upon seeing her again like this, so unexpectedly. As she described what she needed from him, House found himself caught up in the memories of the years they had spent together. So much had changed in his life since she had left, and her sudden appearance now brought it all back to him with startling clarity.

The thought of Wilson’s reaction to Stacy’s return never once crossed his mind.

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

Wilson stood in the doorway of an empty exam room, watching in stunned silence as House was reunited with his former lover. He felt no anger or betrayal as he watched House speak with her; it was clear that House was as startled by her presence as Wilson was.

That by no means meant that he was pleased that she was there.

This is what I’ve been trying to keep from happening, for months now… and yet, here she is… What is she doing here? I told her he wouldn’t help her… so why did she come anyway?

He waited until House walked away, ducking back into the exam room until he had passed, before stepping out and making his way toward Stacy, intent on getting the answers to his questions – and heading off a potential disaster before it could begin.

“Hey!” He greeted her with a practiced tone of pleasant surprise. “What are you doing here?” His warm, disarming smile took any accusation from being perceived in his rather versatile choice of words.

Stacy returned his smile and moved forward to give him a brief hug, drawing back with an apologetic grimace.

“I know, I know you told me not to bother,” she acknowledged with a rueful shake of her head. “But I couldn’t help it. I couldn’t not come, not if there’s a chance that he can help Mark…”

“I know.” Wilson’s tone and expression were sympathetic as he rested a supportive hand on her arm. “But like I told you before… don’t count on his being willing to help. I… don’t think he’s over it yet – everything that happened between you two. I wouldn’t be surprised if he… won’t even discuss it with you, to be honest.”

“He was kind of evasive,” Stacy admitted with a discouraged sigh. “He looked at his test results, but wouldn’t give me a straight answer. I think he’s really… not even remotely interested in helping.”

Wilson shook his head ruefully and sighed. “See, yeah… I’m sorry to tell you this, Stacy… but I think you’re wasting your time.”

“You’re probably right,” Stacy admitted, raising a hand to her face in a gesture of weary frustration. “He didn’t talk as if he wants to help me at all. Maybe I should just…” Her pensive voice trailed off, and she shook her head before looking up to meet Wilson’s eyes again.

There was a resignation in her gaze that Wilson found quite satisfying.

“We’ve had a long flight… a long day…” Stacy explained. “We’ll stay the night in our hotel, and then… we’ll head home in the morning.”

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

Another strategic conversation – this time with House during the break he gave his class – assured Wilson that the problem with Stacy would soon be a thing of the past.

House had no idea that Wilson had seen or talked to Stacy, so it was a tremendous relief to Wilson when House brought up the subject on his own, unsure of how he should respond to Stacy’s request. Wilson advised him not to get involved, warning him that spending time around Stacy would only be an unnecessary torment to himself – a painful reminder of past events best left buried.

House reluctantly agreed that he was probably right before returning to teach the second half of his class.

Still feeling unsettled and a bit insecure, Wilson somehow found his way into House’s classroom, where he was surprised and a little amused to find House’s team already assembled, listening with rapt interest as House told his own personal story, veiled in the guise of a random example.

Wilson watched him closely, noting every nuance of expression and voice, perceiving things that no one else would have noticed, as both he and House were transported back in time by the familiar story.

He knew that House loved him, and didn’t want anyone else; and yet, Wilson also knew that Stacy had meant more to House than possibly any other relationship he had ever had. He realized with an uneasy sensation in the pit of his stomach, as House recounted the events that had eventually led to their break-up, that the simple act of telling the story was probably bringing up a lot of House’s old feelings for Stacy again.

But that’s over now… He’s mine now, not hers… and I’m going to make sure that everybody knows it. If she thinks she still has a chance with him, she’s wrong. I’m not letting go of him without a fight…

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

Nearly an hour later, House was making his way slowly back toward his office, deep in thought.

Although he wasn’t sure he would ever fully forgive Stacy for her well-intentioned betrayal all those years ago, time had lent a certain perspective to the whole affair that it had lacked at the time. House still believed – would always believe – that Stacy had violated his rights and done permanent damage to his quality of life when she had made the decision to have the surgery done against his wishes.

Now, however, it was easier to consider the reasons that had led her to do so.

She hurt me… betrayed my trust in a way that I can never get past… that’s why our relationship was doomed from that moment… but… but she did it because she loved me. She genuinely wanted to save my life, to do what was best for me…

The image filled his mind of Stacy that morning, the desperation in her eyes as she had pleaded with him to help her husband. He had told her the truth. He really was not sure whether or not he wanted his replacement in her life to live or die. Stacy’s new husband did not matter to him – but that was not important.

What was important was that he mattered to Stacy.

She made a mistake – a huge, unforgivable mistake – but she did it out of love. I spent every day of our relationship after that paying her back for the mistake. Maybe it’s time I paid her back for the love behind it.

As he neared his office, House took out his cell phone and swiftly dialed a number he still knew by heart. He waited through four rings and her voicemail message, until the tone sounded, prompting him to speak. His voice was soft and even, careful not to betray too much of the tumultuous emotions he was feeling, as he gave her his answer to the desperate plea she had made.

“Stacy, it’s Greg. I’ve got an opening for ten tomorrow morning. Make sure your husband isn’t late.”

He hung up the phone and replaced it in his pocket as he opened the door to his office, where the members of his team were getting their things together and getting ready to leave for the day. He glanced at his watch, surprised to see how late it was, before taking a seat at the conference table, leaning forward and resting his weary head in his hands.

“You okay?”

Cameron’s concerned voice was heard almost immediately, and House made no effort to disguise his grimace of irritation as he lowered his hands and looked up at her with a false smile.

“Just fine,” he replied. “Just a little tired. Non-stop lecturing for half the day, telling people where they’re wrong and what they need to do to fix it…” He shook his head in mock amazement. “How do you manage it, day after day?”

Hurt, Cameron turned away.

But at least she shut up…

House was about to tell his team to go ahead and leave for the day, as they had no patient to deal with, and it was nearly time to go, anyway, when he heard the door to his office open and glanced up with irritation to see who it was.

Irritation faded into pleased surprise – and then almost immediately into anxiety – when he saw that it was Wilson.

House knew that Wilson didn’t want him to take Stacy’s husband’s case, and he wasn’t looking forward to explaining to him why he had decided to take it after all. However, Wilson hadn’t seemed too upset by the fact that Stacy was there, and had actually seemed somewhat understanding about the confusion that her sudden arrival had caused House to feel.

I can make him understand. It’s really not his decision, anyway. It’s mine. He’ll just have to understand…

That particular train of thought broke off in surprise when Wilson walked up to House and placed an affectionate hand on his shoulder, smiling down at him with anticipation in his dark eyes.

House glanced uneasily at his team, who were beginning to cast curious glances in his direction, clearly wondering why Wilson was there, and why he was actually touching House – something he had never done in public, not even back when they were nothing more than friends.

“Hey, guys… there’s something I think you should know.”

Wilson began in a voice of nervous excitement, and Cameron, Chase and Foreman turned expectantly toward him, waiting for him to go on. All at once, House was sure he knew what Wilson was going to say, and a mixture of pleased pride and uneasy apprehension filled him.

Surely he’s not going to… He was the one who didn’t want to say anything…

“I don’t see any reason to hide it. We’ve been keeping it pretty private, but I don’t feel like we have anything to be ashamed of, so I’m just going to say it.” Wilson drew in a deep, trembling breath, then blurted out his announcement. “House and I are together. In a relationship. We’re a couple.”

A tense, stunned silence followed his announcement, as House’s team stared at them in disbelief. House fell back on his instinctive defense of sarcasm to break the silence.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure ‘House and I are together’ covered it, Wilson.” He smirked up at his lover before rolling his eyes impatiently in the direction of his team, who was still staring. “And pick your jaws up off the floor, please. It’s not exactly a big deal – and I’m sure it’s not that big of a surprise.”

“Actually,” Chase admitted after a moment, finally breaking the spell of silence that seemed to have fallen over the team, “I’m just surprised it’s taken you two this long to admit it.”

Cameron turned startled eyes toward him, then looked at Foreman, whose face was slowly breaking into a grin, as he nodded in agreement. It had clearly not occurred to him before that there might be more than friendship between House and Wilson, but now that Wilson had said it, it seemed like something that he should have known already.

Cameron turned away, face flushed with embarrassment, as she realized that she was apparently the only one taken completely off guard. House thought back to the remarks she had made on their date, and realized that in the context of Wilson’s revelation, those words probably seemed far more humiliating to her than they had at the time.

“Well, go on, get out of here,” he ordered at last, his tone light in an attempt to ease the last of the tension from the room – most of which was coming from Cameron at this point. “We don’t have a patient, so that gives you all plenty of time to go home and come to terms with your varying levels of homophobia before returning to work tomorrow.”

Once his team had gone, Wilson sat down in the chair beside House, reaching out to take his hand as he gave him a conspiratorial grin.

“I give it until noon tomorrow before the whole hospital knows.”

House returned his grin, though a bit uneasily at those words. Wilson’s smile faded, and his hand slipped from House’s hand to rest on his knee, sliding slowly upward in an intimate gesture of reassurance.

“I didn’t think you’d mind. You thought we should tell everybody from the start. You don’t mind, do you?”

Maybe that’s a question you should have asked before you told everyone.

But House didn’t voice the sarcastic thought that sprang to his mind. After all, he didn’t really mind. Much. Wilson was right, as usual. House had wanted to be open about their relationship from the start; Wilson had insisted that it was wiser to keep it quiet, at least for a little while. So why should Wilson assume that House had changed his mind in the past few months? He hadn’t changed his mind. If Wilson had asked him, House knew that he would have agreed that it was perfectly fine to reveal their secret relationship.

Still – it would have been nice to be asked.

“We have nothing to be ashamed of, House,” Wilson reassured him, scooting his chair closer to House and reaching out his free hand to run affectionately through House’s hair. He glanced at the hallway beyond the glass wall of the conference room with a little laugh, shaking his head as he added, “I don’t care who knows that we’re together, House. I love you. You are… amazing, and incredible and brilliant and mysterious and… and I want everyone in this hospital to know that you’re mine – that I’m the guy who finally won your heart.”

House felt his misgivings swallowed up in a warm sense of security and belonging. He felt a suspicious lump forming in his throat, and forced his lips into a smirk as he blinked back the moisture that had risen to his eyes.

“Do you have any idea…” he began in a soft, intent voice, “… what a girl you are?”

Wilson blinked, startled by the unexpected mockery – and then both men burst into spontaneous laughter born of relief and affection. Wilson impulsively pulled House into his arms, pressing a firm, possessive kiss to his lips, one hand gripping his hair as he deepened the kiss before finally drawing back.

“I love you,” Wilson repeated, his dark eyes searching House’s gaze for the awaited response.

When House finally spoke, there was a sort of shy hesitation in his soft voice. “I… I love you, too.”

Wilson smiled, his eyes lighting up with pleasure at the coveted and rare declaration from House’s lips.

Now there’s no denying it, no reason to hide it anymore. He’s mine. He knows it, I know it, his team knows it… and soon, Stacy will know it, too. Everyone will.

TBC...

/>
Accident Lawyers

Comments

[arhh.livejournal.com]

Even though with everyone knowing, I don't think Wilson is going to be too pleased with House agreeing to look at Mark. Great job, thanks for sharing :)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

no, wilson is not going to be pleased with that at all... :( thanx, love, glad you liked this chapter :) *Hugs* the next one is up now :)

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

it'll be really interesting to see how your version of this arc develops, especially seeing as how canon!Wilson seemed to think the sun shone out Stacey's ass (which I never understood).

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeaaaah, in this version he *really* won't feel that way :-S i typically never cared for Stacy either, though in this verse she may get painted in a somewhat more favorable light, given the situation...

thanx so much, hon, glad you liked this chapter :) *Hugs* the next one is up now :)

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

she seemed to have no personality, although I'm not sure if that was how the character was written or if Sela Ward just can't act.

[chaoskir.livejournal.com]

Since I'm reading your exciting and great Dark Redux I'm always thinking your brainsick Wilson really needs a shrink. A good one and I'm afraid even a Supershrink like Stepen Fry (Bones) would not be able to find a cure.
Thanks for sharing this another great chapter.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe... yeaaah, that would be a good thing, if he realized that anything was wrong with him :( thanx so much, hon, glad you liked this update :) *Hugs* the next one is up now, hope you enjoy it :)

[bertie-tiger.livejournal.com]

I too wanna see how you handle the arc. I have a feeling you're gonna do it really well =]

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx so much, hon, i hope i don't disappoint you... glad you liked this chapter... the next one is up now, hope you enjoy it :)

[bertie-tiger.livejournal.com]

*read it. comments now*

Keep up the great work!!!

[rivercrossing2.livejournal.com]

"Three Stories" being one of my favorites, I loved your interpretation of it...I can't believe I haven't yet chewed off all my fingernails in the process...your talent for suspense is unbelievable! Can't wait for the next installment! :)

Re: Keep up the great work!!!

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

thanx so much, hon, glad you liked the three stories redux :) that was always one of my favorite episodes, too :) *hugs* the next chapter is up now, hope you enjoy it :)

[catgirlpoison.livejournal.com]

Wow, so we are finally at Three Stories which I always loved. I am looking forward to you handing this story arc, in particular since I totally never liked Stacy. I know there are a lot of people who did, but I couldn't wait for when she left the show.

Shrewd of Wilson to come out of closet just to show House that he loved him. Plus, it helps that he got one over Cameron too. Does Wilson ever think of doing anything that isn't about him and his needs? I think Wilson loves House, but in a way that I never want. Poor sweety, and I don't mean Wilson.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

no, i never really cared for stacy, though she may get a bit more of a positive turn in this fic... and yeah, wilson is utterly manipulative here :( glad you enjoyed the chapter, hon, the next one is up now :)

[mireya-11.livejournal.com]

<sub>O________O
oh noes!!! problems problems!!!

but a good fic :D</sub>

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yep, wilson's getting more and more dangerous all the time, and house has been brainwashed enough that he's not likely to do anything about it :( thanx, love, glad you liked this update... the next one is up now, hope you enjoy :)

[mireya-11.livejournal.com]

<sub>Oh noes... it sounds too interesting x333

my pleasure :3</sub>

[jackssilverwolf.livejournal.com]

Can not wait for Wilson's reaction!!

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeaaah, it won't be pretty :-S thanx, love, glad you liked this update :) the next one is up now :)

[photoash.livejournal.com]

I dunno if I can say I'm enjoying this fic but it is interesting. I think it was a cool idea to "rewrite" canon one episode at a time. Your Wilson makes me think of the Bare Naked Ladies song "Old Apartment" :) thanks for sharing your writing.

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe... never heard that song but i'll have to check it out... and i know what you mean, this isnt exactly a "fun" fic... but i'm glad you like it anyway... the next chapter is up now, hope you enjoy it :)

[hephaistia.livejournal.com]

I was waiting to see how you handled this one. This is so interesting. Just can't imagine how you're going to interpret the beginning of the second season.

liked this a lot. Wilson isn't that scary in this chapter. It feels like he does have a kind of love for House, doesn't he?

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

well, it's a very twisted sort of love... even his coming out to the team was a manipulation to keep house where he wanted him :( thanx so much, hon, glad you liked this chapter :) *Hugs* the next one is up now :)

[cathepsut.livejournal.com]

Nice ending, but what a devious bastard!

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, wilson's pretty sneaky here, playing everyone to his own advantage :( glad you liked the chapter, hon :) *Hugs* the next one is up now ;)

[madwriter223.livejournal.com]

I have to admit something about that last scene. I knew all along it was part of Wilson's manipulations, but I still was grinning like an idiot the whole time. But damn, can that dude LIE! XD
I liked how you portrayed House's thoughts on Stacy in that episode. Especially when he realised there are more peole in the world that care about him than Wilson. Not that it'll probably make a lot of difference though...
Still, awesome chapter! I have a distinct feeling either House or Stacy are going to get seriously freaked out or hurt by the PsychoInDisguise in the incoming chapters. -_-'

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

hehe... i'm so glad that was your reaction to the last scene, i was kind of hoping for that -- the idea that even though you know wilson's playing house, he's just so romantic and sweet about it that you almost *want* to believe it's sincere :P... hehe...

and you're feeling about someone getting hurt... er... well... just read on ;)

thanx so much, hon, glad you enjoyed this chapter :) the next one is up now, hope you like it as well :)

[caged-obsession.livejournal.com]

I would just like to say that I didn't really hate Stacey in the series. I hate what she did to House, but she wasn't a bad person. House was so romantically lonely in canon so when his ex came back, even married, he couldn't help himself and who wouldn't sway under House's advances? *swoon*


Breaking from that. This is the chapter that shows me just how dangerous Wilson will get because when a person is willing to alter their public identity just to make a point, they do not care what they do. These are the people that kill just to settle an argument.

I enjoyed this chapter greatly. I was so surprised when Wilson announced their relationship. Knowing why he was doing it snuffed my excitement and gave me a queasy stomach. House, your are in such danger. Start hiding a switchblade in the cane, baby, you'll need it... Though, with his SANE brain, House may not be able to hurt Wilson, the man he loves, like Wilson is able to hurt House.

A small comment on your comment above about playing House (like a fiddle, as they say). A little word play...Wilson is playing House as he is playing house.

Another score for you, girl! =)

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, i'm glad you saw the danger behind wilson's seemingly good intentions... he's really hurting house badly by bringing him further and further under his own power :(

glad you liked this chapter, hon :) *hugs* the next chapter is up now, hope you enjoy it :)

[moz17.livejournal.com]

Argh, this was so good. But- House saying "I love you" and you just KNOW he's going to get hurt so much worse now. *wishes she could protect House*

[dreamsofspike.livejournal.com]

yeah, the more he opens himself up to this wilson, the worse it will be for him :( thanx, love, glad you liked :)