Let Them Talk Chapter 4: Let Them Talk 4, a house, m.d. fanfic

Let Them Talk 4

Things between House and Wilson were still awkward. They talked and worked together again, but there was something in the atmosphere between them. The others couldn't exactly name it, only Dr. Conner knew what was going on. And what was going on? A lot of tension that is.

Ping!

"House."

"Wilson."

"How are ya today?"

"Fine. You?"

"Great."

The doors opened and a big family, with balloons with 'It's a boy!' on it, squeezed them in the elevator. Causing Wilson to stand really close to House.

Their breath sped up and House looked at the ceiling. His hand on the elevator wall for support. Wilson was mentally praying 'Don't notice anything!'

The family left the elevator and reluctantly they split up. Dilated pupils, heart in a frenzy.

"See you later James." House's voice rasped.

Wilson just made a choked affirmative noise and when the doors closed again he had the ridiculous notion to start fanning himself and clutching his heart.

When Cuddy waited at the elevator and it opened, her eyebrows shut way up high at the sight of Dr. James Wilson banging his head against the elevator wall.

"Wilson?"

"Don't ask!" he groaned and left. Hopefully there were some cancer patients that took all his attention today.

'Knock knock!'

"I'm busy! Leave me alone!" Wilson shouted through the door.

House stepped in with a bottle of scotch in his hands.

"I heard of your patient."

Wilson just scowled at the paperwork in front of him.

House just waited patiently.

Suddenly Wilson flew from his chair and wiped all the papers from his desk, gripping his hair tight and turning his face to the wall.

He heard House limping up to him and felt a hand on his shoulder. Comforting.

"She was just so young. She shouldn't have died. The tests were never wrong before… I could have done more! I could have given her more time!" Tears rolled over his cheek, Wilson didn't like to feel so powerless.

"You did your job admirably. Stop blaming yourself. She was lucky to have such a great doctor like you and you gave her more time they've ever expected. They made the best out of it and they'll never regret that."

Wilson sniffed.

"It's just… It's just so…"

"I know."

The oncologist turned his sad, tearstained face to his friend. Blue understanding eyes met his brown. And for the first time in years they hugged.

Wilson dropped his head defeated on House's shoulder and hesitatingly House put his arm around Wilson. That was enough for the shorter man and he gripped House tight. Shoulders shaking from suppressed emotions. Every confusing thing that has happened lately, House that didn't trust him at first to tell his secret, the loneliness, the dying patients, the feeling of being left out and being jealous just poured out and House took it all in silence. Suffering because James was in pain. He held his best friend tight. He held the love of his life close to his heart with the wish to protect him and care for him like he always wanted to do and never did.

But not anymore. House was going to do something about it.

"House! Stop whining about your piano!" Foreman said angrily at lunch.

The crew, Wilson and Cuddy just laughed with House's faked trembling lip to express his 'hurt' feelings.

"I'm sure the piano tuner will be at your place in a couple of days." Cameron tried to salvage the situation.

"In a couple of days!? It's been weeks since I've played the piano and my fingers are yearning for my sweet sinful music." House looked up as if God would shine his light on him and this mournful declaration.

The others just snorted.

"Well, on this note, it's time I'm going back to work." Cuddy said and she stood up to clear her plates.

"By the way, nice tie, Wilson."

House narrowed his eyes and answered without meaning to "I liked the dark blue one better."

His ducklings looked incredulously at him and before House could fake indifference, Lisa replied.

"Yeah, that one's nice too. House can I talk with you this afternoon?"

"No."

"It's about your patients."

"Sure it is."

"House!"

"No."

"Fine!"

Dr. Cuddy huffed and left. A silence of a couple of seconds filled the table and his occupants.

"So… You liked the dark blue one better?" Wilson asked shyly.

And there it was! An honest to God damn blush high on House's cheeks.

"I don't care what you wear as long as you're not naked." Before the blush could spread he stood up and left too.

Wilson just followed the back of his friend with his eyes, until he went out the door. His mouth open and a blush was staining his face too.

"What in God's name just happened?" Chase asked in a high voice.

Foreman and Cameron just glanced at each other and then at Wilson.

"I'm sure… It's nothing." Cameron slowly answered. The three musketeers looked at Wilson and he felt suddenly very uncomfortable. He cleared his throat. Once, twice and then just gave up.

"See you later guys."

The moment Wilson was gone, Cameron, Chase and Foreman discussed their new observations.

Wilson was talking with a nurse at the reception when suddenly he heard piano music. He turned around, just like all the other people to see where it was coming from.

There was House, playing on the piano in the entrance hall. Entertaining the people who were waiting for their appointment. Little children were dancing to his funny tunes and parents were applauding after every piece of music he played.

House looked up and saw Wilson. Their eyes met and energy crackled between them. Wilson forced his eyes to look at the floor, but after a second he looked back up. House was placing his fingers on the piano again. Frowning slightly to himself.

People were waiting with abated breath. And then…

You told me you were leaving
After all we've been through
Guess I'm fool falling in love with you
There ain't no use in crying
Do what you have to do
Guess I'm a fool falling in love with you.

House glanced up to see Wilson while playing the next verse.

You told me that the kind of love we have
Will last for a million years
I believe everything you said
You felt my heart with tears.
So long pretty baby
Go break some other heart in two
Guess I'm a fool falling in love with you.

Wilson didn't know what to think. Was House looking AND thinking about him while singing? Or just watching him without a real reason?

By now others started noticing and when House noticed they noticed, he looked at his hands again.

Falling in love with you,
Falling in love with you
Falling, falling in love with you

It was silent for a while and then a thunderous applause started. House stood up and made a mocking bow at the public followed by leaving with his cane and a file clasped under his arm.

'The ball's in your court now, Jimmy.'

The song is: "Guess I'm a fool" by Hugh Laurie.