PART 1

Time: 5:00pm 23rd December

She scanned the room, trying to spot someone, anyone she knew.

She didn't really want to be here, but all department heads were supposed to be there, but at least two were missing, and she hazarded a guess at who they were.

Wilson and House.

The annual Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital Christmas Party was notorious for causing accidents, arguments and hook-ups, not necessarily in that order.

At the Christmas party two years ago, Wilson was caught, by his wife who showed up late, in his office with a nurse from Pediatrics. It was one of those things you just never talk about.

She still couldn't see House, but she knew he was not with Wilson because Wilson walked in, with a pretty nurse on his arm. For once he was not committing adultery, that though caused her to laugh and catch Wilson's attention.

He said something to the nurse, whom threw a very dirty glance her way, and Wilson walked over.

'Merry Christmas Wilson. Or is it Happy Hanukkah?'

'Either Dr Cameron. Merry Christmas.'

Wilson answered her unasked question.

'House is hiding in his office, with his own secret stash of scotch.'

'Ah. Who's the nurse? She seems very jealous.' Cameron asked with a smirk on her face.

'That's Natalie from NICU. She only started last week.'

'New enough not to know your reputation?'

'Hey!'

'I was joking. Anyway. House stoned yet?'

'If you want to wish him Merry Christmas, I'd go now, because I think he was planning to get completely drunk and stoned in the next two hours.'

'Thanks Wilson.'

She walked over to the elevator and waited for it to show up. She got in the car, and pushed the '3' button.

Her thoughts overtook her, how much had really changed in the two years she hadn't worked for him?

Nothing. Nothing has changed. You're still infactuated with him, you can't stop thinking about him. Wilson knew you were looking for him before you even asked. Chase broke up with you because you are still in love with him. Cuddy refused to date House because of you. Nothing has changed.

She shook those thoughts out of her head. She was beginning to wish that she had accepted Foreman's earlier offer of tequila shots, then she wouldn't feel as scared.

Scared? Scared of what? A few emotions?

She noticed that the elevator had stopped. She walked out, pausing only sightly to give herself a split second to go downstairs and pretend this never happened.

She walked down the corridor, walking to the office she once called hers. She noticed the blinds were open.

That was a good sign, or a really, really bad one.

She opened the door, and lent against the frame.

'Hiding from the party?'

'No. They refused to hold the party here. I'm boycotting on principle.' The sarcasm of his remark was blatantly obvious.

'They have free liquor.'

'Hmm. Getting boozed up and running into Cuddy, or not getting drunk and avoiding Cuddy. I know which one I'd choose.'

He pulled out a bottle of scotch from his desk.

'Besides. I have my own secret stash.'

He looked at her for the first time properly. Her blonde hair was tied up, leaving tendrils curling softly around her face. She looked tired, but that was part of the territory, being an ER doctor. She was wearing tight fitting pair of jeans, and her red v neck sweater.

'Why aren't you at the party?'

'Things to avoid, people to ignore.'

He glared at her.

'Fine. Person to ignore.'

Her eyes picked a spot on the floor, in an attempt to avoid his gaze.

'That's better. Denial is bad for you. Causes cancer.'

Her mouth dropped open.

'It does not! Besides, if denial causes cancer, you would be on chemo already!'

'Touché.'

He opened his bottle of scotch, and poured himself another drink into his coffee mug. He noticed Cameron's raised eyebrow.

'Did you want some?' The insincerity of the remark (But when is he ever sincere?) was obvious to her, yet she accepted.

'Sure.'

'Get yourself a mug then, I aren't letting you drink from the bottle. You might get your cooties on it.'

It was obvious his Vicodin was kicking in, and it was obvious the Scotch and Vicodin were mixing.

'Are you high?'

'If it's Wednesday I'm stoned.'

'Riiiiight….' Cameron muttered under her breath.

It was Tuesday.