After Cuddy's capitulation on hiring three new fellows, House was in a satisfied mood, and couldn't wait to share his good news. He sauntered up to Wilson's door and stuck his head in. Wilson was sitting at his desk, which was piled high with charts and other paperwork.

"Let's get outta here," House said.

Wilson shook his head. "I've gotta finish up some of this stuff."

"All work and no play makes Jimmy a cranky boy."

Wilson squinted at House and said, "You seem chipper."

"Got what I wanted out of Cuddy."

"Meaning?"

"Three new fellows."

"You mean, in addition to Foreman?"

"Yup."

"Wow, how'd you manage that?"

"Manipulation."

Wilson raised an eyebrow. "I should've known. Just what type of manipulation are we talking about?"

"Nothing erotic, if that's what you have in mind. She tried to goad me into hiring Taub and Thirteen by telling me to hire Taub and Kutner."

"You said you thought she wanted Kutner as far away from this hospital as possible."

"Exactly."

"So you hired Taub and Kutner."

"Yeah, and then she told me I also needed a woman on the team."

"So, who is it? Thirteen or the bitch?"

"Thirteen."

"Why?"

"She's not a bitch."

"She drugged you and performed unnecessary biopsies on you!"

"She didn't know they were unnecessary at the time. I still hadn't figured out the patient's blood-type fake-out or the lupus. Plus, I sort of deserved it."

"How so?"

House realized he had no right to answer this question, so gave Wilson a noncommittal "I just did."

"I thought you were pretty impressed with Amber, and the attitude certainly wouldn't have stopped you from hiring her. Geez, House – you trusted her with your life," Wilson exclaimed.

House nodded. "She's a good doctor. But I'm pretty impressed with Thirteen too."

"Well, it's obvious why." Wilson laughed and rolled his eyes.

"No, that's not it. Yeah, she's a knockout. But she's also smart and knows how to keep her cool under fire."

"That can't be the whole story."

"Why not? You think there's another reason?"

"Yeah. I just can't figure out what. This isn't like you. You love to gossip. Does Thirteen have a name, by the way?"

"Thought you knew all their names. It's Remy Hadley. But I like calling her Thirteen. Suits her."

"An unlucky number. Does the fact that you hired her have anything to do with that?"

House just shrugged, and tried changing the subject. "I'm hungry. Come on, let's go. You can finish this stuff tomorrow."

Wilson stretched and stood up reluctantly. "Okay, but having a meal with me, which will no doubt involve alcohol, will only loosen you up to the point where I'll get you to fess up about what you're hiding."

"I highly doubt that. Look, I just want to celebrate."

Wilson put his hand up. "Don't break into song, please."

At that, House sang, "Another day of livin'."

"You should stick to the guitar and piano – your hands are way more talented than your vocal cords."

House grinned, and kept on singing, "I just want to celebrate another day of life!"

Wilson groaned, while putting on his coat. "Okay, enough, I'm ready to leave now. How, exactly, do you wanna celebrate?"

"Strip joint?"

Wilson shook his head.

"Killjoy. Okay, how about beer and Chinese at Chez House?"

"That, I can do."

"Onward and upward," House proclaimed.

"This cheeriness of yours is depressing me, for some reason."

"Have no fear, Wilson -- you know it can't last long. Just let me savor my triumph for a day or two, huh?"

Wilson patted House on the back as they left the office. "Okay, big guy -- let the savoring begin."