A/N: Sorry for the delay. Issues, issues with logging on and posting here. So, here's two chapters to make up for it. Please R&R:)

Chapter 7

Wilson popped his head into House's office at about lunchtime. He noticed the array of books strewn about the desk, and was curious. He also noticed that odor again. It was even stronger than this morning. Odd, if House had just smelled of that Chinese take-out, it should have been wearing off not getting worse.

House heard Wilson open the door, and panicked. He'd never get all these books off the desk before Wilson saw one of them. But, he wasn't the most brilliant doctor in the hospital for nothing. Thinking quickly, he picked up his tennis ball and threw it as hard as he could at Wilson's head.

"Think fast!" he shouted, only to be crushed when Wilson reached up almost lazily and caught the ball a mere half-inch before it broke his nose.

"Ate my Wheaties this morning," Wilson quipped, tossing the ball lightly back to House. House caught it and replaced it on the desk. Make-a-cat-jealous reflexes, House thought to himself. He stood up and grabbed his cane, limping quickly toward the door. Maybe he could get Wilson out of the office before he saw the book titles.

Wilson seemed perfectly happy to leave, but crinkled his noise when House slid past him into the hall. That smell was even stronger now. As they walked down the hall to the elevators, Wilson thought he recognized it again.

"New cologne?" Wilson asked. He wondered if House had bought it at a garage sale.

"Eau d'ail," House replied. Wilson balked, he knew. Why else would he be rubbing himself with garlic? Well, luckily for Wilson that was just folklore. Garlic actually had no effect on vampires at all, except maybe a little heartburn now and again.

"I love garlic as much as the next guy, but it's probably going overboard to bathe in it," Wilson commented, hoping his voice came out as light as it sounded in his head. House cocked his head, but made no reply. The elevator doors opened, and they stepped inside. Wilson was pleased. Maybe if he debunked one of two of the myths he was sure House had heard he could throw him off track.

"Feel like eating outside today? Channel Six says it's the last sun we'll see for a week," Wilson suggested.

"You want to eat outside in the sun?" House asked.

"You know," Wilson said, making his voice slightly lower in a passable imitation of House, "this conversation is going to take a lot longer if you repeat everything I say in question form."

"Shut up," House muttered, feeling a little silly. Okay, so Wilson drank blood. What was wrong with him, deciding he was a vampire? That was just crazy. The elevator stopped a floor above the cafeteria level and a young couple got on. House and Wilson shifted over to make room, and Wilson and House both noticed a rather large crucifix the man was wearing. Wilson edged closer to House almost imperceptibly, almost.

As soon as the elevator doors opened in the lobby, Wilson sprung out. House limped out more slowly, thinking. He had been hoping to avoid this, but he was going to have to try something a little more drastic.