Shadows of Doubt, 2.4
Mar. 26th, 2009 04:55 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
darkdreamer*hugs*
DoS
Title: Shadows of Doubt: A Dark!Wilson House Redux
Episode: 2.4 -- TB or Not TB
Beta:
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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 -- 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: House has a special request for Wilson, who is still trying very hard to prove himself to House again. Meanwhile, a small disaster looms just ahead of them.
Wilson was headed toward House’s office when he saw Cameron hurrying out the door, slamming it as hard as a pressurized glass door could be slammed and fuming as she stormed down the hall. Curious, Wilson made a split second decision and kept moving down the hallway, hurrying his pace until he fell into step with the furious young doctor. She was aware of his presence, shooting him a dark, dubious glare, but said nothing as Wilson walked along beside her for a few moments. When he spoke at last, his voice was mild and rueful.
“Should I be calling the authorities? Is there about to be a murder on hospital grounds?”
Cameron did not even crack a smile, though her expression softened somewhat as she let out a weary sigh. She rolled her eyes, reluctantly slowing her pace as they reached the elevators, and there was no way to escape Wilson’s quiet concern.
“All I did was give the guy the TB test we should have given him when he first got here,” Cameron muttered, raising her hands to brush them down over her eyes in frustration before crossing her arms over her chest, glaring impatiently at the lighted numbers above the elevator door. “It’s what the patient has wanted and asked for since he got here. It’s what we should have done.”
“Patients are often wrong,” Wilson pointed out with a casual shrug, watching with her for the elevator doors to open. “That’s why we need House…”
“Yeah, well, this time, House was wrong,” Cameron snapped. “The TB test came back positive. Positive. Sebastian was right all along. He has TB, and that’s what we should have been treating him for from the beginning, instead of playing games with his life…”
She continued to vent as she got into the elevator, and Wilson got in with her, partially listening to what she was saying, while wondering with amusement why it was that Cameron still considered him a friend to whom she could vent. Cameron seemed to have gathered not a hint of the rising animosity Wilson felt for her, and had chosen on more than one occasion to seek him out as a confidante.
It’s better this way, though… At least I know what she’s up to…
Wilson smiled slightly to himself as Cameron went on. The fact that she had used their patient’s first name, and the rather personal tone with which she spoke of him, were not lost on Wilson’s keen skills of perception.
And right now, it looks like maybe what she’s up to is building a more-than-professional rapport with House’s latest patient… which might actually be a very good thing…
“Did you know he actually asked me to go to work with him in Africa?”
Wilson blinked, somewhat startled by Cameron’s admission. He shook his head slightly with a thoughtful frown of mild interest.
“Really?”
Cameron nodded, her lips tightened in a smile of grim self-satisfaction. “Really. He thinks I’d make an excellent addition to his team.” She paused a moment, meeting Wilson’s eyes as she stated her point. “I don’t have to put up with this… with… the way he treats me.”
Wilson’s expression was sympathetic as he slowly shook his head in agreement. “No. No, you don’t.”
Cameron seemed surprised by his response. She frowned, troubled as she asked in a hesitant voice, “Do you… do you think I should do it? Do you really think I should go to work with Sebastian in Africa?”
Wilson shrugged, non-committal, his head tilted slightly as he pretended to consider the question. “It would be an excellent opportunity for you to… to really make a difference, on a larger scale than just a patient or so every week. It’s… definitely something to consider.”
Cameron nodded slowly, her expression pensive and distracted as she stepped out of the elevator on the bottom floor. Wilson nodded a silent goodbye to her as he pressed the button to return to House’s floor, then watched her turn and go as the elevator doors slid shut.
With any luck, she’ll be right about the TB, and the patient will get better… and they’ll both be gone by the end of the week…
*****************************
“I need a favor.”
Wilson paused just inside House’s office door, a single brow raised dubiously in response to the vague statement. After a moment, Wilson allowed his expression to shift into a suggestive smile as he crossed the room to where House sat at his desk, trailing a gentle hand through the back of House’s hair in a slow, subtle caress.
“What kind of favor?”
House smirked as he raised his own hand to take Wilson’s, gently lowering it, but not letting go of it. “Not that kind,” he answered regretfully, “but if you feel like throwing that in, too, later… I won’t say no.” House’s smile faded and he glanced down at the floor, swallowing hard before he continued. “I, uh… need some money.”
Wilson shrugged, unbothered by the request. “Sure. How much money?”
House hesitated for a moment, taking a deep breath before responding, “Five thousand dollars.”
Wilson frowned slightly, troubled by House’s answer. “For what?”
“I need a new car.”
Wilson’s mouth quirked into the beginnings of an ironic smile. “And you’re going to get one for five thousand dollars?”
House shrugged slightly, encouraged by Wilson’s reaction. “New enough. Newer than mine.”
Wilson’s smile faded, his expression becoming thoughtful, as he leaned on the edge of House’s desk, his fingers playing around the edges of his pockets. “And… you don’t have… five thousand dollars for a car?”
House shrugged again, looking away. “Would I be asking if I did?”
Wilson considered for a few moments in silence. He knew that House was a man of many vices, and had a tendency to waste his money on various toys and fleeting entertainments; but it did not make sense that, given his high-paying position at PPTH, he would not have enough money to buy his own $5,000 car.
Still… Wilson certainly had enough to loan the money without missing it.
The barely visible remnants of the bruise he’d left on House’s cheek a couple of weeks earlier made Wilson’s decision easier.
He’s forgiven me… I’m sure he’s forgiven me… but… it can’t hurt to do something to ensure it… some… little gesture to further cement his devotion… to make sure he knows that he’s better off with me than without me…
The thought of how terribly out of control House’s finances must be was troubling to Wilson, but he thought that he had greater concerns than that at the moment.
There’ll be plenty of time later to figure out why House needs the money in the first place – to help him get some kind of control over his finances so that this doesn’t happen again – and I intend to do so, the first chance I get. But… for now…
“All right,” Wilson agreed, and House’s surprised glance revealed that his agreement came much more easily than House had expected. “No problem. I’ve got an appointment in a few minutes, but come by my office in an hour or so, and I’ll write you a check.”
The gleam of excited anticipation in House’s eyes – somewhat more than one would have ordinarily felt at the prospect of buying the type of car he could get for five thousand dollars – should have given Wilson a clue that all was not as it seemed. For the moment, however, Wilson decided to let the matter drop. There would be plenty of time later to handle House’s problems with his finances, and to figure out what it was that he was hiding. For now, Wilson’s priority was making sure that he had regained House’s loyalty and trust.
The look of adoring gratitude on House’s face, like a child who’d just been given an amazing Christmas gift, told Wilson that he had succeeded. House rose to his feet and shifted closer to Wilson, a soft kiss taking the place of grateful words… and Wilson left House’s office feeling like the hero that he wanted to be in House’s eyes.
*****************************
For his part, House was more than content with the results of his latest test of Wilson’s devotion.
He arrived home that night before Wilson, who had stayed to work late in his office. As he walked through the door of his apartment, House pulled the check from his pocket, smiling down at it in warm satisfaction.
He really does care… If he’s willing to just shell out that much cash, just because I ask for it… he definitely cares. He must… really love me…
A couple of weeks ago, House had had his doubts.
He’d tried to explain away Wilson’s violent outburst, tried to justify it based on the outrageous words he had spoken to provoke Wilson’s attack; but deep down, House had to wonder what Wilson’s striking out at him physically really meant. He had spent the next few days in a state of insecurity and uncertainty, wondering whether or not he had already ruined everything between himself and Wilson with his careless words – if perhaps he had crossed a line, made Wilson decide that it really wasn’t worth having a relationship with him, after all.
However, Wilson’s demeanor had drastically changed almost immediately following his violent outburst. That very night, he was amazingly concerned and attentive, using his words and his body to express to House how very sorry he was that the entire ugly incident had happened at all. He was loving and affectionate, treating House with a gentle reverence that made him forget all about the pain of the blow he had taken.
As the bruises faded from House’s body – the image of the incident faded in his mind, shifting in form and impact, becoming something much more reasonable and less ominous in his memory.
Wilson didn’t really mean to hurt me. It was just an impulse reaction, an instinctive response to words that simply crossed an emotional line with him – like the impulse to knock a man unconscious if he calls your mother a whore. He would’ve hit anyone who said it, not just me – and it didn’t even hurt me that badly. He was probably subconsciously holding back because it was me. I can’t really blame him, even though he obviously blamed himself. He’s been trying so hard to make up for it ever since… how could I not forgive him?
There’s hardly anything to forgive…
And besides, House found that he was quite enjoying Wilson’s efforts to redeem himself. Wilson was loving and attentive, willingly doing everything in his power to make House happy, to let him know how much he meant to him, how deeply he valued their relationship. The past few weeks had been the best for the two of them since their relationship had begun.
And the sex had never been better.
Judging by the reputation Wilson had earned among the nursing staff – and bits and pieces House had gathered from brief and utterly inappropriate conversations he had had with Wilson’s ex-wives – House had already guessed that Wilson was an incredibly skilled lover.
Now… he was learning that first hand.
House was not exactly inexperienced himself, and yet he found that every night Wilson blew his mind again in some new and amazing way. Wilson knew ways to take him to heights and depths he’d never imagined with any other partner, pushing his limits and drawing out his pleasure until House thought he couldn’t stand it for another moment, then finally pushing him over the edge, falling with him… and yet somehow always seemed to be there to catch him at the bottom.
True, Wilson’s sexual appetites did seem to run a bit toward the darker side. House quickly found out that Wilson liked to dominate in bed: liked to hold him down, liked to cover his mouth to silence him… liked to call all the shots.
It was sometimes a little alarming.
But then, Wilson never went so far as to actually hurt him; and House had to admit that Wilson’s dominance was actually a little bit of a turn on. The more he thought about it, in fact, the more eager House was for Wilson to get home. He smiled, humming a little to himself as he put the check back in his pocket and crossed the living room to the answering machine, and the blinking red light announcing that he had messages.
House was only half-listening to the messages as he took off his coat and settled down on the sofa to wait for Wilson. The first couple messages were nothing more than the equivalent of junk mail – strangers trying to sell him a cruise, or a magazine subscription or something.
The third message caught his attention.
House glanced toward the answering machine, a wistful sadness filling him with the soft, familiar sound of his mother’s voice – until the actual words she spoke sent his stomach plummeting to somewhere around his feet. House’s mouth went dry, and he was suddenly trembling, sick to his stomach with dread.
“Hi, Greg, it’s Mom. I just wanted to call to let you know that your father and I will be taking our vacation next week, and we’d really like to spend a little bit of time with you. We’ll be in Princeton on Tuesday, so try to set aside a few hours. We’ll go out to dinner or something. Anyway, I’ll call back tomorrow and see if I can catch you to make plans.”
There was a long pause that sounded awkward even on the answering machine, before her voice continued with soft hesitance.
“I… we love you, sweetheart. I can’t wait to see you.”
House was silent and still, his mind processing his mother’s message, and the potential consequences of it. A visit from his parents was torture under normal circumstances – and the circumstances of his life these days were anything but normal.
His parents did not know about him and Wilson – and if House had his way, they never would.
TBC...
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no subject
Date: 2009-03-26 11:49 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-31 10:25 pm (UTC)the next chapter's up now, hope you enjoy it :) i'm really looking forward to people's thoughts on this latest chapter, it's was quite emotional for me... let me know what you think :)
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Date: 2009-03-26 11:50 pm (UTC)It almost hurts to see House constantly trying to make excuses for Wilson's behaviour :(
Looking forward to the dreaded parental visit!
no subject
Date: 2009-03-31 10:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-27 02:20 am (UTC)House is not going to do very well with his parents' visit. He could probably handle his mom, but his dad is another story. Maybe thinking about his parents' relationship will clear up some of his ideas about Wilson's violence.
Great job, girl. Keep rockin'.
no subject
Date: 2009-03-31 10:27 pm (UTC)and yeah, the visit from his parents is going to have quite an effect... the next chapter is up now, hope you enjoy it :) *Hugs* it's quite an emotional chapter, and i'm especially looking forward to your thoughts on it...
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Date: 2009-03-27 03:13 am (UTC)Can't wait for the next one!
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Date: 2009-03-31 10:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-27 04:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-31 10:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-27 04:13 am (UTC)I still don't know whether to hate Wilson or love him. You write these characters so well. Love this chapter.
Thanks for the update.
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Date: 2009-03-31 10:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-27 07:44 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-31 10:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-27 07:48 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-31 10:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-27 03:25 pm (UTC)This was great as usual, look forward to the arrival of House's parents and what happens when Wilson finds out that House bought a motorcycle with that money. *hugs*
no subject
Date: 2009-03-31 10:32 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-27 03:55 pm (UTC):-)
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Date: 2009-03-31 10:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-27 05:01 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-31 10:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-27 06:26 pm (UTC)I really liked how you delved into House's reasoning for forgiving Wilson everything - justifying everything, no matter how farfetched it looks.
And the description of Wilson in bed - yum. ^__^
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Date: 2009-03-31 10:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-03-31 02:58 am (UTC)I'm looking forward to seeing how you write House's interaction with his parents.
Update soon!
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Date: 2009-03-31 10:36 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-21 12:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-21 07:58 pm (UTC)