B Anonymous (PG)

[deelaundry]

Title: B Anonymous
Author: Dee Laundry
Pairing: House-Wilson friendship
Rating: PG
Words: 828
Summary: Apostrophe S
Notes: Spoilers through episode 8-2 only; has nothing to do with later eps. Thank you to nightdog_barks and blackmare_9 for beta, but be warned I didn't follow all of their advice.

"Did you really think you'd get away with it?"

Wilson looked up from paperwork to gauge the facial expression accompanying that tone of voice from House: triumphant, proud, smug. House had somehow, in some way, gotten one over on Wilson; in other words, a normal day. "Apparently I did think that," Wilson replied, "because I have no idea what you're talking about."

The volume thumped onto Wilson's desk, heavy with its thick cardboard cover and slick with clear library plastic. No author's name on the spine or anywhere on the cover. The front showed the ordinary back of an ordinary person's ordinary head, covered with ordinary hair, trimmed short enough to show ordinary skin, of a Caucasian variety. The hair style was one worn primarily but not exclusively by men; the book's title, however, held the most vital clue to the gender of the very ordinary person.

My Name Is James: Notes from a Reflected Life

"There are a lot of people named James," he pointed out to House.

"Five million, one-hundred ninety-nine thousand, and three in the U.S. You noted that on page one."

Wilson picked up the book. It was relatively slim, a few hundred pages. The spine resisted when he began to open the book; obviously, House had been the first to check it out of the library. Assuming House had checked it out, rather than stolen it, but anyway: the book was unused, unread. Not surprising for an ordinary memoir from an ordinary person.

"What makes you think I wrote this?"

House snatched it from his hand and flipped to a page more than three-quarters of the way through, before shoving it back in Wilson's direction. "The Genius's Friend," Wilson read aloud from the top of the page, the title of the eleventh chapter. He smiled and looked back up at House. "Admittedly there are fewer geniuses in the US than there are Jameses, but there are more than just you. I'd hardly call that proof."

Plopping into the closest guest chair and draping a leg over its arm, House made himself at home. "You think I can't recognize my own exploits? Anyway, without that chapter, there's still the med school education, the two brothers, and the three wives."

Wilson shrugged. "Out of all those Jameses, there have to be several who fit those criteria."

"But only one whose ex-wives are Elizabeth, Faye, and Shirley."

"Those are not, as you well know, the names of my ex-wives." The plastic cover of the book was still cool under his fingers.

House snorted. "Allonymously and thematically, they are. Elizabeth Montgomery played Sam on Bewitched; Faye Dunaway was Bonnie to Warren Beatty's Clyde; and Shirley Jones was Julie in the 1956 film version of Carousel."

"She was Marian in The Music Man, too."

"Don't confuse the subject." House pinned Wilson with his eyes for a moment before looking away. "Took me a little bit longer to figure out the Adrienne to Amber connection."

"Really? I would've thought that'd be the easiest for you."

"Bold and the Beautiful's not one of the soaps I follow."

"Ah." Wilson sat back, taking the book with him. The table of contents had them all there, every chapter:

Gregory's Usurper
Beth and Calvin's Kid
James's Grandson
Bergen High's Nicest Smile
The Troublemaker's Brother
Elizabeth's Young Man
Cukor's Senior Fellow
Faye's Rescuer
Shirley's Mistake
Adrienne's Killer
The Genius's Friend

"Why you chose Gregory for your older brother's name was also an interesting question."

"You thought it was you."

House scoffed. "Of course I thought it was me. But then I happened upon David and Bathsheba and realized it was Gregory Peck. How'd David feel about being compared to Peck?"

"I didn't compare them; I just used the name. And David doesn't know, anyway, because he hasn't read it."

"Really?" House looked perturbed; Wilson did his best not to smile. "If you didn't even have your family read it, then what's the point?"

Wilson shrugged again. "Friend of mine from college works for a book publisher, and she needed something to publish." He set the volume back down on his desk, and pushed it House's way. "I had time; no big deal."

"Just thought you'd throw together a memoir that doesn't actually have you in it, and then hide it from the people who are in it."

"It's about me," Wilson protested.

Rolling his eyes, House grabbed the book and made to stand. "It's about everybody but you, as the chapter titles make clear."

"It was just a hook."

House stopped at the doorway to Wilson's office. "You don't need a hook." Frowning, he looked back at Wilson. "You're more than just your relationships to other people. I wasn't lying when I said I liked you."

"I'm your friend," Wilson pointed out, and turned his attention back to patient files.

"I like you even when you aren't my friend," House replied, but by the time Wilson could even look back up, he was gone.

Comments

[taiga13.livejournal.com]

You're more than just your relationships to other people.
(((((Wilson)))))!

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

(((Wilson)))

(((Taiga)))

Thanks!

[underthepiano.livejournal.com]

Excellent.

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

[srsly-yes.livejournal.com]

Ah, poor Wilson, the hollow man. what's the name of the publisher, Jersey Shore Press? lol. Sorry, that's the best I could do. Wonderful idea, and of course, beautifully executed.

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

Thanks. Wilson, Wilson, Wilson.

[downuptime.livejournal.com]

SQUEALS. I like this. I like this a lot. And it's totally what we've seen on the show ie Wilson being defined by his relationship with House and his ex-wives. Like how Wilson is simply unable to stay away from House. Love the references to the films. Very Wilson. But of course House would be able to figure it out.

Thanks for this!!

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

Thank you. When I realized Wilson would want to publish the book anonymously, I knew he would give everyone pseudonyms. I thought it would be hard to think of new names, but it wasn't at all, given Wilson's love of old movies and old television. I'm positive he thinks Elizabeth Montgomery, Faye Dunaway, and Shirley Jones are among the most beautiful women ever. : )

[menolly-au.livejournal.com]

Adrienne's Killer

Ouch, poor Wilson (: Wilson only sees value in himself in what he can do (and be) to others. Very nice character piece.

Do you mean spoilers through 8-2 rather than 7-2? (Trying to think if House said he 'liked' wilson before this season)

[lifes-own-light.livejournal.com]

My favorite thing about the "I like you." from 8-2 was the way HL voiced that line. It's clearly said like most people would say "I love you". The acting skills of HL never cease to amaze me. He adds so many layers to House.

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

I think Wilson still feels guilt about Amber's death ... and even if he didn't feel guilty, it'd still tear him up that he was the one who turned off the machines.

Thanks.

(I did mean 8-2. Fixed; thanks!)

[lifes-own-light.livejournal.com]

Great character study piece. I was a little surprised he caved and admitted he wrote the book so quickly. As others have said, it was truly inspired to show through the book how Wilson only defines his self worth by his relationships. Great job.

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

Wilson intended to hold out, but once House had figured out Amber, Wilson knew it was a moot point. And I think he secretly was very pleased that House knew. Thanks.

Loved it!

[(Anonymous)]

I really liked your fic... well I always like your fics, in fact they're one of the only things that make me visit this site anymore, it's so full of negativity lately.
Your fics and another couple of author's fics keep me coming back, but you're the only one that seems to keep uploading things.
Anyway I loved the ending particularly, it's was sweet but kind of sad, because it's true that Wilson hasen't always being House's friend, but they love eachother and that's all that matters in the end.

Re: Loved it!

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I haven't been writing much over the past couple years, but have been able to get some ficlets written this fall.

it's true that Wilson hasn't always been House's friend

Wilson has withdrawn his friendship when he felt pushed to the brink, and House at most times coasts along doing the bare minimum to maintain the friendship... but, as you say, their love for each other keeps them going.

[maineac.livejournal.com]

Now I have to know: what did you mean by the summary (apostrophe S)?

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

It's a reference to Wilson referring to himself only in relationship to other people, e.g., "The Genius's Friend." Thanks.

[damigella-314.livejournal.com]

This was really satisfactory reading. I like that everyone has a name but House is just labeled the genius (it is one of my fixations that Wilson finds this aspect of House very attractive).
And I can imagine the fun House had with unraveling the cues (and you in writing it!)

I particularly liked House's verbal TLC, so needed after the last episode. Thank you so much.

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

House was very intrigued to unravel the clues. It started as curiosity, and then became a way to tease Wilson, but by the time he finished the conversation with Wilson, House was pissed.

Anyway, thanks!

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[cuddyclothes.livejournal.com]

What an excellent conceit! Ah, Wilson, we hardly know ye. Still. Count me in on those who love the last line.

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

I think most of the things I write are conceits in search of plots. : ) Thanks.

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Wilson deserves better than he thinks he does. :)

[chocolate-frapp.livejournal.com]

I love this!

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[layne67.livejournal.com]

This is absolutely BRILLIANT. Go you for writing this!

[deelaundry.livejournal.com]

Aw, thank you for reading! *hugs*