Summary: Wilson makes a cameo, and joins in the flashback mania, wondering how House and Cuddy managed to survive Cuddy's pregnancy.

Disclaimer: If I owned them, I wouldn't have to use a disclaimer, now would I?

Author's Note: I am soo sorry about the delay in updates. School and exams got very, very busy. I will try to pump out another chapter soon, hopefully finish this story up in a few weeks. I've got several other ideas floating around for a few one-shots and another longer story, heh.

Chapter 4:

"I had a feeling I'd find you here."

House blinked as he was shaken from the trip down memory lane by a very familiar voice. He didn't even turn to look, just took another sip from his scotch.

"That's funny. I would've thought you'd be out on the dance floor hitting on all these star-struck hotties. Weddings are usually your specialty."

Wilson rolled his eyes, and ordered a drink as he sat on the barstool next to his best friend. As he gripped his own glass, the wedding band on his hand was easily visible.

"Not any more they aren't. Elaina looks beautiful, by the way."

House merely grunted in ascent, and Wilson decided his original evaluation of his friend was correct; House was sulking because it was finally hitting him that he was losing his daughter to another man, and there was nothing he could do about it.

"Yeah, she gets it from Cuddy. The brains, however, are all mine."

He tapped his temple with his cane, emphasizing the point. Wilson smiled. He knew that while it irked House that his only daughter had chosen to go to law school (of all things), he recognized a glint of pride in his friend's blue eyes. Then again, considering who her parents were, it wasn't all that surprising that Elaina would show skill at presenting arguments.

"You never were good with change, House. I'm still wondering how the entire hospital didn't self-destruct during Cuddy's pregnancy, what with the two of you being. . well. . .the two of you."

The diagnostician rolled his eyes, meeting his friend's gaze for the first time. Some things just never changed.

"Y'know Jimmy, I think you missed your calling. Seriously, have you ever thought about psychology? I'm sure you'd have a ball with all the head cases. . and then you could finally get off of mine."

"And let Cuddy have all the fun? Not a chance."

The two best friends drank and fell into a companionable silence, which meant House pretending to ignore Wilson until he got bored. Watching Cuddy talking with a few of the guests, James smiled, recalling back to the turbulent months when his two friends were even more temperamental than usual.

"House, what are you do-"

"Shh! Not so loud, Jimmy! She'll hear you! Now let me in, quick."

Wilson shook his head, watching as House crouched behind a potted plant, gaze darting up and down the hallway, as if he were performing some sort of high-risk prison break.

"You do realize that you live with her, House. You can't really avoid her for long."

His refusal to lower his voice, or grant House entrance into his office, earned him a glare.

"But she's scary now, Jimmy. Scarier than before, because now, she could crush me if she fell on me-"

"HOUSE!"

Both House and Wilson whinced at the tone as a very pregnant Cuddy rounded the corner, moving considerably slower than her usual House-chasing pace. However, the fire in her gaze had not changed.

"Help me."

House mouthed to Wilson with a pleading look, to which Wilson only shook his head. Slowly, House stood, pasting a fake smile on his handsome features.

"Why, Cuddles, you know I have clinic duty. I can't possibly give you another quickie. Honestly woman, you could at least try to fight the hormones."

He stage-whispered to Wilson,

"It's the whole pregnant thing. Makes her jump me practically all the time. . then again, who could blame her, with a fine male specimen like me?"

This was apparently the wrong choice of words, because it didn't look like Cuddy was in the mood for humor. Wilson looked confused,

"Wait, you mean she doesn't want you for clinic?"

Cuddy ignored Wilson, having a single goal in mind.

"Ice cream. Butter pecan. With maple syrup. You're on your lunch break, you've got 20 minutes. And for that little comment about my weight, add another three hours of clinic duty."

"Y'know, some of us actually have jobs to do here, people to save and all that, instead of running out to the store for psycho pregnant ladies-"

"You don't have a case, you actually did your clinic hours. You're out of excuses, and I'm not in the mood to argue."

House got a glint in his eye, and started to speak, but Wilson cut him off.

"House, I don't think you're gonna win this one."

The diagnostician stared at him.

"Wait a minute, you're supposed to be on my side!"

"House, please, just-"

Cuddy paused, wobbling for a moment, as a wave of dizziness hit her. With a surprisingly quick move for someone with a bum leg, House moved to grab her arm, steadying her. Normally cold blue eyes shone suddenly with concern.

"Fine. But only if you promise to lie down, 'cause I'm not carrying you anywhere. I don't even think Jimmy could carry you. C'mon, I'll walk you to your office."

His words were sarcastic as ever, but the tone was much softer, and Wilson didn't miss the way House scrutinized the woman carrying his child, studying her with more intensity than he did with most patients. His voice lowered further,

"Lisa, you're taking the rest of the week off. You're almost due, you can't afford to be chasing crazy cripples like me around the hospital."

Even more surprising, Cuddy didn't protest, just nodded. The past week had been a rough one; what with a fundraise for the hospital and a few issues with the staff to attend to. It was a blistering schedule that left Lisa worn out in the best of times, even when she wasn't dealing with hormones, cravings, and pregnancy-induced fatigue.

House supporting Cuddy, in an interesting case of irony, the two moved slowly down the hall, Wilson forgotten.