[ This really was absolutely the worst introduction anyone could have asked for. Just two days earlier, Will would have been a lot more domesticated, would have reflected more of his tablet personality.

Now his already unstable mind was being messed with, he was suffering the nightmare images of Hannibal dead, ever part of the nightmare as real to his imagination as the dreams where he'd been drowning. They left him waking up feeling even more devoid of anything left to lose than usual.

And his self-destructive streak when normal was already pretty high.

So when House discreetly shifted himself so that Will wasn't at his back, the younger man smirked. He saw the move for what it was and a quick jerk of his eyebrow suggested that he approved of House' choice. Will wouldn't turn his back on himself either. ]

What do you expect people to do when you so expertly bait them, House? [ He asked, still lounging in the shadow of the corner. ] You'd be disappointed if they didn't take a swipe; just means more self-flagellation work for you later.

[ He watched the near compulsive manner in which House laid out the pieces, it made his lips twitch. ]

If you're so slopping in your murder habits to allow yourself to be inconvenienced, you deserve the trouble.

Is that how you practice medicine? Every little nut and bolt in it's place on the tray beside the body?