[Well, yeah, that ruse is up. House mentally berates himself for taunting the other man enough to have him test whether he was still unable to make decisions.]
why are you trying to get me as an ally? i don't play nice and you can't control me past however far this freaking death price lasts i'm not like your pet and he's scary which makes the guy holding his chain scary by extension but it's not like i haven't died already
Did I say ally? No, I did not, but every smart man both needs a challenge and someone to keep them in check. We need someone to push back against.
I have no interest in controlling you. I have no interest in controlling anyone. I want to see everyone here home to wherever they came from.
Dr. House, a dog is scary when showing its teeth, but the manner in which it is makes all the difference. Fear is the primary reason the Soldier acts out. He's calm now. Like you, he has instructions; he works within the boundaries of them and thus has security.
You and I could stay alive longer helping one another.
so, i need a challenge and someone to keep me in check but you don't wanna control me are you planning to have someone else do it? or is it just a bullshit concept goal? because those two things don't jive, dude
and trust me i feel anything but secure right now
i might stay alive longer you're more likely to get killed or injured if you're hanging with me just fyi and that's one of the honest ones
No, I think you are the type of man that rubs people the wrong way and few can put up with your antics for long. You push others away, but no one so far has pushed back enough beyond threats. I suppose that's why you attempt suicidal experiments.
How long will the affects last?
[Pierce sends a series of pictures to House. One of each of his palms which have been pierced with objects through and through. One of his cheek where a deep open laceration is carved in. The next is his impressive shiners and the bruising that masks most of the middle of his face.]
I have no trouble sustaining my own injuries as it were. There was a reason I was requesting your medical assistance.
Should I add you probably resent your father and want to have sexual relations with your mother to accept that title better? Though, let's be honest, one of those we already know to be true.
So because you are so lovely abrasive, we should assume a week. Who holds your leash at present?
I had no intention to muzzle him at the time, but he was going to kill me. It was a last resort. What's the likelihood of infection in this environment?
[House is grateful Pierce moves on from the first question quickly. It means he doesn't have to answer it.]
like i'm telling you
infection likelihood is minimal with the radiation levels around here most things are probably dead the nanomachines also seem to fight off most things minus mn poisoning symptoms frostbite and gangrene are the most likely things you'll be dealing with
[Not really, anymore, after Sherlock's order... and Alfie still has him locked in. But he doesn't want to play this guessing game. Pierce might just order him, anyway.]
you owe me at least the cost of your insurance copay for it
[House hangs up, wondering what the hell Pierce is up to. This has to be some kind of reverse psychology bullshit with him not really taking much advantage of House's current condition. He can fret over it while wondering what to do about the situation with Bucky, at least.]
Okay, he can get no more from this, and he's so far beyond the end of his tether that it's not even funny. He's high, he's crying, and he's had enough. He doesn't have the wit to respond to Greg's stupid joke about John.
So for once, without getting the last word, he just stops replying.]
[God damn it. House's fingers are typing before he can stop himself.]
i'm under direct orders not to identify who gave me certain current order i can't disobey orders right now i can't make choices right now beyond basic survival it's my death price
[Okay, he didn't expect that, now he feels a little bad.]
I'm sorry, I'll be careful what I say from now on. I just wanted to let you know that I'm with Mr. Gray, and he wants to come and find you. I thought you'd appreciate the warning.
[You know, since House told him to stay away.]
Anyway, I'll go now so you don't have to say anything else. Goodbye, Dr. House.
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