The Moment When You Know

I had just finished up the report when House charged into my office. I looked up from my computer with a sigh to find him smirking at me, "You look like shit. Ya' know, all work and no play makes Jimmy a dull boy. There's a Sherlock Holmes marathon on tonight. The Adventures I believe. You know how much I love Jeremy Brett and David Burke. You should join me. I'll get some beer and order pizza."

"Tempting as that is I actually-"

"Uh-uh, you ditched me last week. The invitation was only a formality. You will join me tonight or I am revoking my friendship and all that comes with it."

At this I laughed, "Right, because being your friend comes with so many perks."

"Hey, free beer and pizza. What more could you want? I might even throw in some Oreos if you're lucky."

"Tempting, but no. I have work to finish up."

"What? Patient reports? Please. I'll get one of the ducklings to finish those up for you. Come on, Wilson. Don't make me pout." He stuck out his lower lip and blinked at me in a pitiful attempt at a puppy face.

"Fine," I sighed, "Don't worry about getting them to do my papers. I'll finish them tomorrow. Oh, and you'll need to work on your puppy face if you want any more out of me. I'll be there after work."

Pleased, he limped out the room.

"Cuddy had me working the clinic today for blowing off my cases last week."

"Oh really, how'd that go?"

"Horrible! This dumbass came in thinking he broke his penis and lost a testicle while skateboarding. Poor kid had no idea they could go back up." We both laughed.

"I'm sure that was a pleasant conversation."

"I'm gonna grab some more beer, you need another?"

I stretched and looked at my watch, "I was actually just thinking about leaving," House paused half way up and looked at me, the smile fading from his face. I felt a twinge in my heart, "But I could stay a while longer."

"Great! So, you want another?" He got up without waiting for a response, already knowing my answer. He came back, two beers in hand and plopped down beside me. We continued talking about his day at the clinic, cracking up at the ridiculous patients he had to deal with. People always wonder why I'm friends with him and I often find myself thinking about it too. But it's times like these when I know. It's the little things about him that draw me to him. Looking over at him now, seeing that big smile on his face, watching him bring the bottle to his cracked lips, seeing the light in his brilliant blue eyes. I knew. In that moment I realized the things I hadn't let myself see for the past twenty years, feel the feelings I had felt all along but had never let myself understand. I was so smitten for this man that for twenty years I had let him corrupt my life, ruin my relationships and cause me so much stress. And oddly, I don't regret a thing.