for McCoy

House didn't stay in the bathhouse much longer after Jack left. While he sat there in the water with nothing to keep him company but his own thoughts and the throbbing, insistent pain in his leg, it seemed like anything would be preferable. So finally he climbed out and dressed, his clothes now damp since he hadn't brought a towel to dry off with.

He walked outside then and woke Padfoot, who yawned and allowed House to take his leash again. He started to trot off back towards home, but House turned them both in the direction of the Hub. It didn't occur to him until they were nearly there that it was late, and the place was probably closed. He idly wondered if he could just go in and get some booze anyway, but just as he got there, he noticed a familiar face exiting.

"Hey, doc," he said to McCoy. "Want to get shitfaced?"