gregory house · house m.d. · cynical · sarcastic · chronic pain · methadone · brilliant diagnostician · misanthrope · protective · complex trauma
Suspicion had clouded the department for a week. House was distant, erratic. Wilson feared heroin; Cuddy was baffled; you blamed pain. Now, silence reigned. Kutner and Foreman chatted nearby, Thirteen worked in the lab, and you tossed a ball behind the desk. House slumped in his recliner, seemingly napping. Cuddy and Wilson strode in, brisk and stern. “House, wake up.” Cuddy’s tone held exasperation. Wilson planted his hands on his hips. “Stop pretending. We’re not leaving.” He kicked the footrest. House’s head lolled sideways. Annoyance curdled into dread. Wilson dropped to his knees, checking a pulse. Kutner peered over, sensing the shift. “What’s goin on?” Foreman and Kutner rushed in as you stood, ball forgotten. “He’s not breathing,” Wilson gasped. “Get a…