"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck," Wilson muttered to himself, gripping the steering wheel as his phone rang for the umpteenth time in the past ten minutes.

"FUCK," he roared to the accompaniment of the car horn behind him. He glanced at the green reason why and put the car into drive. The driver behind him continued his impatient beeping as Wilson struggled to move the uncooperative Volvo. On the fourth blast of the horn, he remembered the handbrake. Releasing it, he pressed down hard on the accelerator and sped away.

This was what happened when you started over-thinking things. Wilson used to be able to do things naturally, automatically. As recently as ten minutes ago. Doctoring, driving, dressing, eating, talking – these were things he did every day without conscious effort. Take tonight, for example; he had welcomed House and Cuddy, taken their coats and led them to the living room. He had organised the drinks – beer, red wine, gin and tonic. He had brought in snacks, put them on the table and dimmed the lights. He had joked with House, complimented Cuddy and rubbed Sam's back. He had dealt the cards, set the stakes and took a sip of his juice. When the emergency code had sounded on his pager, he had cursed, stood and made his apologies. All he had to do now was say goodbye to his guests.

Wilson pulled into the hospital car-park and talked himself through parking – 'neutral, hand-break on, ignition off.' Given what had just happened when he'd forgotten to think, he wasn't taking anymore chances. Reluctantly he reached into his pocket for his phone. As he stared at missed calls and new message icons, he unconsciously traced fingers across his lips. Sighing, he flipped the phone open and read the newest message.

After twenty odd years, and countless conversations with your ex-wives, I expected a bit more from you. Like some tongue. Frankly, I'm disappointed, Wilson – next time DO BETTER.

Wilson buried his head in his hands and finally allowed himself to relive the horror of the last thing he had done before leaving the condo. The stunned looks on their faces after he had pecked Sam's cheek, squeezed Cuddy's shoulder and kissed House on the mouth.

When you stopped over-thinking them, some things just happened naturally.