'Innocence'
Don't wail on me for this idea. Like most ideas do, it just popped into my head, no invitation or anything. Uh, savour the one-shot-ness, because I'm not touching this idea any further with a long stick, even if you paid me.
It was the normal morning routine, or the very start of it anyway, as House lumbered his way down the hospital corridor. He ignored how people got out of his way, but secretly got a kick out of it, knowing that by now, it was out of fear rather than sympathy.
And in the diagnostics lounge waited one of the few things that could cheer him up these days. Three little residents to niggle and push until they got really angry with him. Or in Cameron's case, look mournfully hurt about.
As predicted, three innocent pairs of eyes glanced up at him as he swung the glass door open. And stopped. Looking at the three of them looking at him, little clues from the past- god, how long was it? How long had he not noticed this for? It didn't matter. Today, for one reason or another, it all snapped together, and with amused glee, House saw his day being just a little bit more interesting.
But all he said was; 'huh.' And limped forward to hang his cane on the whiteboard and pick up a marker.
'What?' Asked Cameron, when no explanation followed his unorthodox greeting. He faced the three of them, pausing again, savouring the moment as two pairs of blue eyes and one pair of brown looked at him like they had no idea. Like lambs to the slaughter.
'I just never thought I'd see they day when you three could surprise me.' He turned back to the board, writing up a symptom whilst he waited. Normally, that would have had their instant attention. Now they were cautious, wary, distracted by his words, but still acting innocent.
'What do you mean?' Asked Chase, doing as well at mild concern as Cameron. House faced them once again, pen still in hand as he feigned shock.
'I didn't even think about that… what would the bible say Dr. Chase?'
'About what?'
House rolled his eyes then briefly hung his head. Done with his charade of disappointment, he pinned the Australian with a direct stare. 'No, no, no. You see, when someone clearly knows the truth, no matter how potentially damaging, continuing to lie is a really bad idea.'
'Fine then. I'm not religious.'
'Ah, no. Of course not. Well then, carry on. The three of you have whatever my blessing would be in non-religious terms.'
'Just like that?' Ventured Foreman doubtfully. House wondered if that was pride he felt about the honesty that the neurologist wasn't afraid of now. Probably just indigestion.
'Well, the potential for sarcastic jibes are just huge, so no, not really. But as long as you three keep your little fuck games out of the office, and specifically off my desk if you please, then I'm fairly sure there's something in the constitution about me not stopping you.'
'We didn't… uh…' Cameron trailed off, flushing bright red, which was interesting, House thought, since she was in a three way relationship with two men- you think she'd be getting over her innocence just a little bit. In answer to her stumbling denial, House lifted a sardonic eyebrow, cutting her off. He almost would have believed her, if he hadn't just realised a few moments ago the cause behind the strong antiseptic smell his office had been developing some mornings- paranoid ducklings cleaning up after themselves.
'Right, now we've had that discussion… let's see if sleeping together will improve your diagnostic abilities. So…' He began to write. Sharing an uneasy glance, the three members of House's team turned to the whiteboard. Arguments had been had over House discovering their relationship. Great lengths had been gone to, relations had been strained, and nightmares had been had. Figures he'd just walk in one morning, work it out, and then not care. But that was House.
The End.
