"We need to talk."
House continues spinning his tennis ball idly, staring into the blur of mixing colors.
"What, no flowers? No chocolates? No serenading me with the dulcet tones of your sweet, subtle voice?"
Wilson sighs and takes the empty seat opposite House, reaching out to still the ball's movement. House glares at him irritably.
"I wonder what this could be about? I'm afraid Cuddy beat you however, if you've come to lecture me on deciding which of my little ducklings is for the chopping block."
He leans back in his chair and counts them off one by one on his fingers.
"She seems to think Foreman has the best ability to hold us all in check, but then of course, maybe she's just into some of that dark chocolate...It's also less useful advice when she likewise has only positive things to say about Chase- who's ass I believe she secretly covets- and Cameron- who I can only hope to dream the filthy fantasies she has about."
He makes a burlesque show of his lustful longing at the thought, before steeping his fingers under his chin and regarding Wilson seriously.
"Who would you fire?"
Wilson is a little taken aback by how swiftly they have reached the subject, but perseveres with the topic he's come to discuss; treading carefully.
"Vogler's been talking to Cameron."
House raises an eyebrow, but doesn't seem otherwise phased as he interjects
"I believe I saw him talking to Foreman earlier- it's certainly cruel the way he's getting into their worried little heads... My poor little kiddies; fighting for daddy's approval-"
"-I doubt the conversation with Foreman went the same way as the one I overhead..."
House's eyebrow climbs a little higher as he actually finds himself mildly interested.
"Oh?"
"Vogler seems to think Cameron may be able to persuade him to keep the whole team..."
Wilson watches House intently as the ambiguous statement hangs between them.
"And how would he imagine she would go about doing that, I wonder?"
House smirks maliciously, gratified to have his earlier musings on the likelihood of Vogler unethically approaching Cameron validated.
"Perhaps after she's done with Vogler, I should offer her a pay rise... See what kind of persuasion our lovely young doctor can offer me!"
Wilson leans forward irritably and beats a fist on the desk.
"House, it's not funny! The man propositioned her; not only is it highly inappropriate, but you now have a member of your team worrying that if she doesn't comply with such deplorable commands, all of you will be out of a job!"
House shrugs, regaining his initial disinterest in the matter.
"Cameron's not stupid. At least, not as stupid as you're currently painting her. Vogler was playing with her, and- innocent little darling our precious girl is- I'm sure she was appalled by the suggestion. He wants her scared. He'll probably approach Chase with a similar proposition; he's precious and pretty too."
"It was more than a suggestion, House. You really should talk to Cameron..."
"I have no need to talk to Cameron. If the offer was legit, she'd be smart to take it. If I thought I had a similar chance at buttering up our good chairman, I would invest in some fetching low-cut tops and a bottle of whipped cream-"
"-Will you take this seriously!?"
"Why? Either a rich, contentious bastard made a pass at an attractive younger doctor; distressing you with the knowledge that chivalry truly is indeed dead. Or, Cameron really is considering prostituting herself out for the good of the people; in this case, the three of us with less appealing genitalia. I know which one I'd prefer, but I would also place money on which is more likely."
Wilson ignores this sarcastic grumbling and presses on with the heart of the issue. After hearing House's remarks on the situation, he cant help but feel a little foolish, but he says what he feels needs to be said, regarding his old friend sombrely.
'It was more than just a suggestion, House. He gave her a choice. A choice where he made it very clear that if she were to make the wrong decision, things would end very badly for both Cameron and the rest of you. If you let Vogler close the diagnostics unit, those three won't have a reference worth a damn once he's through with you. He made that much very clear."
House's cool disinterest crumbles as he searches Wilson's face for any hint of foul play. He leans back in his chair and sighs, deciding this conversation is turning out to be even less enjoyable than the one he had anticipated.
"If Vogler has offered her a future, she would be smart to take it..."
Wilson stares at him, appalled.
"You honestly have no problem with this?"
"Why would I?! She's a big girl, and she can make her own decisions! If she wants to scratch his back so he'll scratch hers, then good for her!"
"This isn't a simple game of swapping favours, House! This is blackmail! This is Cameron! It's Vogler taking advantage of her because you were too stubborn to just play nice! It's Cameron allowing him to use her! It's Cameron allowing him to fuck her!'
Wilson spits the word out in disgust, glaring up at House who looks taken aback at his friend's sudden anger. He lets the silence settle between them heavily, somewhat stunned. Wilson's cheeks are flushed as his earlier discomfort in the lobby is replaced by outrage.
"It's not so funny when you hear it put like that, is it?"
Wilson asks hotly. House lowers his unnervingly blue eyes and returns to his ball.
"...As you said; it's Cameron. She wouldn't put herself in that position for a job. Not even this one."
"Maybe not for hers. But what about for Foreman's? Chase's?... Yours?"
House picks up the ball and begins bouncing it against the wall, turning away from Wilson, who gets up and turns to leave when he realizes he is being dismissed.
"...Do you really think she's taking Vogler seriously?"
Wilson turns back to House who carries on with the ball as though he hasn't said anything.
"I think Cameron tends to take everything seriously... Talk to her... you owe her that much."
