[a/n: Sorry for the delay in update, folks. Real life got in the way. *pout*]

Spoiler warning: "Last Resort," "Joy to the World" and "Big Baby"

Choices

Part 3

The week at work had been crazy and Cameron had not had the chance to see Wilson or to talk to House about the kiss he had seen them share. Chase was back from his conference and she had deliberately avoided talking to him, uncertain how to break it to him and certain that it was going to destroy any chance she had of building a life with him - but marrying Chase wasn't something she was sure she wanted to do. On top of that, since Cuddy's pending adoption had made her take administrative leave to look after Rachael, Cameron had had her hands full. And - she was still dealing with the aftermath of the hostage situation. A crazed gunman walks into the ER and takes a half dozen or so hostages.... and House and Thirteen. The news had hit Cameron like something large and heavy hitting her in the stomach. Suddenly her world had turned upside-down and Cameron was questioning everything she felt. About Wilson, about Chase... and about House. He could have died.... and he had given the gun back to the homicidal maniac. Without making sure all of the hostages were safe, first.

"Got a second?" she hadn't heard the door open, but Chase had poked his head inside and Cameron sank down into Cuddy's chair.

"Yeah. We.... need to talk."

"What's wrong?" Chase closed the door, came around the desk and sat on it, facing her. "You look like hell."

"Thanks, just what every woman loves to hear," she said dryly. Chase gave a small smile but did not speak. She sighed.

"While you were gone...." Cameron took a deep breath. "Something happened." Chase took her hands, looking into her eyes.

"Allison, what's wrong?" he asked again and Cameron looked away. Chase stared at her for a moment and then swore softly. "Oh, my God. You slept with House."

"No," she said softly. "Not House." Chase's eyes widened. The realization that she hadn't denied it was not lost on him. Cameron sighed.

"Who?" Chase asked softly.

"It was-" she looked up as House limped out of the elevator. Dear God, not now. "It was Wilson." Chase's eyes widened, the hurt obvious, and he turned and strode out of the office without another word. "Chase-" he ignored her. House limped into the office, looked from Cameron to Chase's retreating form, and rolled his eyes.

"You idiot," he said to her. "You told him."

"He deserves the truth."

"No, you're being selfish. He wanted to live in a world where you could do no wrong, which means you just threw your relationship out the window."

"Taub and his wife are still together," she reminded him.

"Chase isn't Taub's wife. He's less the forgiving sort than she is," House said in his usual matter of fact way.

"What do you want, House?"

"Approval to run some more tests."

"Okay, fine, run them, just get out of here," she commanded. House looked at her for a moment, then turned and strode out without another word. Cameron sank back down into Cuddy's chair and put her hands over her face, but the tears refused to come.

It was late when at last she turned off the light, picked up her coat and briefcase and left Cuddy's office. Hesitating for a moment in the hall, she glanced at the sign for the surgery department, where Chase was probably still burying himself in work, she chaned her mind and instead headed for Wilson's office in Oncology. She was not surprised to see the desk lamp on, Wilson at his desk, sleeves rolled up, hard at it even though it was nearly eleven.

"Hi," she greeted softly, coming over to stand across his desk from him. Wilson gave her a tired grin.

"Hey. I was beginning to wonder if you were having regrets after all," he said softly. Ten years of friendship with House had not exactly made him the beat-about-the bush type. He said what was on his mind.

"No regrets," she promised him. "Doing Cuddy's job is harder than I thought," she confessed. "It's been.... the week from hell," she confessed. "James.... I told Chase." Wilson looked up, then came around the desk and pulled her into his arms. She leaned her head on his shoulder, her arms around his waist, for a long moment.

"Not good?" he guessed. Cameron shook her head.

"Not good."