Chapter 9

Cameron entered her office and sat at her desk. She sighed heavily and put her head in her hands, letting her thumbs gently massage her temples. After a moment, she composed herself and glanced at her pager again. She smirked. Wilson. She wondered how long it would take Cuddy to tell him.

"I thought I'd save you the phone call and just walk down the hall instead," came his voice from the doorway. She glanced up.

"Hey Wilson. Heard the news?"

He shook his head. "I…I'm literally in shock."

She smiled. "I thought you'd be in his office right about now, not mine."

"I wanted to make sure you were ok before I went to question his sanity," Wilson replied, sitting in the chair across from her desk.

"I'm fine, really," she said.

"So?"

She questioned him with her eyes. "What do you mean, so?"

"Lisa said you said no to his proposal…did you mean it?"

She read something in the way he was looking at her, as if he was implying she may have said no, but she really wants to say yes.

"Wilson, I…I don't know, I'm…" she sighed again, and dropped her head on her arms that were resting on top of her desk. She felt defeated.

"Allison, you shouldn't feel pressured into making any decision this big," Wilson said softly. "You deserve to take all the time in the world."

"Yeah, but would he wait that long?" she responded, her head still buried in her arms.

Wilson chuckled. "For you? Um…yeah, I think he would."

She lifted her head and stared intently at him.

"Seriously, James. Would he?"

Wilson's smirk dissolved. He leaned forward and took her hand in his.

"Yes, he would." His answer was simple but meaningful. She smiled at him. He was such a good friend. House was lucky to have a friend like Wilson in his life, especially when he was his only friend. His loyalty and genuine caring for House more than made up for what House lacked elsewhere in the relationship department.

"Thanks, James. But, you're right. It is a big decision, and while in my heart I feel like I want to say yes, something in my brain is telling me to hold back. It's too fast. Too soon."

He squeezed her hand. "Do you love him?"

She met his eyes. "With everything that I am."

"Then maybe you should search for clarity in that. Sometimes you should turn off your brain and just let your heart lead you."

She hesitated a moment. "Is that enough? I mean, did you think it was when you entered into each of your marriages? You of all people know what a huge commitment marriage is, and how much of a heartbreak it can be when it doesn't work out."

He smirked and released her hand, sitting back in the chair.

"Oh, James, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…"

"No, it's ok," he said, holding up his hands. "You're absolutely right. I guess I am the resident expert in marriage and divorce around this place. I guess…I guess I just fall in love easily, and it's true what they say, love can blind you."

She smiled gently. "You see?"

He sat forward quickly. "But what you and House have? It's different. I've seen you together, I've heard you both talk about each other. It's unlike anything I've ever witnessed. With you two…it's the real thing. I've never had anything like that…never."

She watched him closely. "But…now?"

He dropped his gaze to the floor. "You mean, with Lisa?"

"Yes."

He blushed at the mention of her name, and Cameron couldn't help but think how cute it was. "I don't know. I mean, with her it's…it's definitely different. She's unlike any woman I've ever dated before."

"And how does she make you feel?"

He thought a moment and smiled, lifting his eyes to Cameron's. "Like I'm alive for the very first time."

Cameron met his smile. "Sounds like love to me."

He shrugged. "Maybe it is. But I'm determined to take it easy with this one, to not screw this one up. She's too important to me."

"Maybe I feel the same way," Cameron said, furrowing her brow.

Wilson reached across the desk and took her hand again. "You may feel scared and unsure now, but maybe if you just let reason fall away and just look at him, really look at him, you'll see that your whole life is entwined with his. There's no mistaking the two of you are joined already, and from what I've seen, that bond is pretty strong. I've known House a long time. Since he's been with you, I feel like I've witnessed a miracle. You honestly saved him, Allison."

"He didn't need saving. He only needed to be loved," she said.

"No, he needed to be saved, and your love did that for him," Wilson said. They stared at each other a moment until the silence turned slightly awkward.

"Hey," Wilson said finally, releasing her hand. "How about grabbing an early lunch?"

"You're not going to go see House?"

Wilson stood. "Ok, I lied. I stopped in his office on the way down the hall and he was nowhere to be found. I did see the whiteboard proposal, however."

Cameron blushed and shook her head. "Romantic, huh? He even dragged his poor team into it."

"Oh, I bet Matthews was thrilled with that."

She laughed. "He was the first one out the door."

Wilson sighed. "Well, no doubt House is off planning his next attempt at a proposal, so we might as well get something to eat."

"Oh, I hope he's not looking for a skywriter or anything like that," she said, closing her eyes and silent praying to be spared the embarrassment.

Wilson laughed. "Come on."

Wilson and Cameron headed for the cafeteria. It was still early and the cafeteria was nearly empty, and Cameron was grateful. She got her usual grilled chicken salad while Wilson opted for turkey sandwich.

They took a seat at a small table near the window and ate their lunch over pleasant conversation. Wilson decided to change the subject since he could tell she was stressed and would probably rather talk about something else…for the moment.

Cameron pierced a few salad leaves with her fork when she noticed a person approaching them out of the corner of her eye.

"Still eating grilled chicken salads for lunch," said the male voice with its all-too-familiar Australian accent. "Not much has changed."

She looked up quickly to find the blonde haired, blue eyed doctor and his youthful, dashing smile gazing right back at her.