"Good morning my ducklings".

Chase looked at House, looked around the room, and then returned his gaze back to his superior. "There's no one else in the room".

House put his book down on his desk before looking up and around exaggeratedly. "Huh".

Chase went back to chewing his pencil whilst trying to figure out his crossword.

"Why is no one else here?"

Chase didn't even bother to look up to answer his boss. "You're an hour early".

House cocked his head to the side, studying the back of his intensivist. "You're here…"

Chase only replied, "I had the night shift in ICU."

House cocked his head to the side, "You worked the late shift on Christmas?"

Looking uncomfortable, the young Australian said, "I offered."

House leaned against his desk and carried on watching the young man thoughtfully. "How does your hair stay soo bouncy?" Chase looked at his boss incredulously. "Seriously? I mean how…"

There was a knock on the glass before "Interrupting am I?".

House got up from the table and swung his cane in the hair amiably "Aah, my dear Wilson!"

Wilson turned to the young doctor, "Is he okay?"

House only growled to himself, "Your hair's bouncy as well…"

Wilson had no idea how to respond so just looked at his friend oddly, "Err.."

House took the opportunity to take a couple of his beloved vicodin's before proceeding out the glass doors, with Wilson amiably falling into step beside him.

"So what's the matter with you?" he asked as they walked past

"Me? Why would you assume that there's something wrong?"

"Well, you seem…chipper."

"Yes well your powers of perception seem to be failing you. I don't do chipper."

"Which is why I ask what the matter is?"

"You look awful."

"Well, aren't you a darling."

"Seriously, ever heard of this remarkable thing called sleep? Yeah, stops you from looking like me."

"Night shift."

"What?"

"What?"

"What do you mean what?"

"What?"

"Okay, you know what?"

"What?"

"Ha ha…we're far too intelligent to be using an array of tones hung to the word 'what' to form our witty diatribes."

"Maybe some classical poetry."

"Maybe later."

"So…"

"I thought you went home after leaving mine last night."

"No…like I said, nightshift."

"And Julie?"

"I'm sure she was fine."

Wilson gave House a look and the matter was dropped.

"Chase is strange."

"Well, that seems to be an enlightened observation."

"Why would a young, good-looking guy…who can brag about being a doctor at one of the most prestigious hospitals in the world…spend Christmas working…why would he offer?"

"You don't have a crush on him do you?"

"Why, does that make you jealous?"

"Insanely."

"Then no. But the question still hangs…"

"I have a feeling you're going to answer it though."

"There must be some pathological abnormality at work."

Wilson rolled his eyes, "Well, he is your protégé, isn't he? No wonder…"

"Ooh, nice."

"Not everyone who chooses to help out during the holidays has a maladaptive psyche."

"Somehow, I don't think we're talking bout the wombat."

"Greg…"

"Jimmy…"

"Where are we going?"

"Your office."

"Oh right…why exactly?"

"You know? You both have very bouncy hair…"

"Somehow I don't think that's the reason."

They both spot Cuddy talking to Stacy as they turn the corner.

Speaking louder: "Look at that hunk-a burnin love."

Cuddy, rolling her eyes: "I don't think sexually harassing our lawyer is the best way to go House."

"Who says I was harassing her? I was talking bout your trim loins."

"Excuse me?"

In a southern accent: "Why Miss.Cuddy you look awfully fine today."

"Did you take too many of your precious vicodine?"

She looks at an incredulous Wilson as House only smiles at her sarcastically. "Right well…I have many important things to be doing, and one of them is walking away from you."

"She was sweet this morning."

"Loins?"

"Yes, my dear James, loins."