A/N And there's finally more. This was the most difficult chapter to write by far, but I think this was the hump, where things get easier and easier to write from here on out. It would help if I stopped distracting myself with Huddy fics and my Taub fixation, but meh. Enjoy it anyway.


"Dressing up" for House meant pulling a shirt that had been ironed sometime in the last decade out of his closet, and actually buttoning it up all the way. Khakis instead of jeans, and a pair of real shoes instead of sneakers. It wasn't much of an improvement, but it was a noticeable one.

Dressing up for Wilson was him dressing as he always did. Shirt, tie, sport coat and slacks. All in all, they looked like any two professionals going out for a meal. He was however, surprised to come back from his hotel to see House looking decent. "You actually dressed up." Wilson commented on the outfit, noticing that House did look better with a pressed shirt and and buttoned shirt.

"So I did." House looked down at his sport coat-something that he wore every day-as though amazed that he was wearing it. "Ready to eat?"

"Yeah." There was a moment of near-awkwardness between them as the idea that House had actually dressed up for dinner might mean something, but it was quickly dispelled as House limped towards his bike and Wilson shook his head. "We're not taking that." House pretended to pout, but headed towards Wilson's car instead.

Parking in downtown Princeton was always something that was a bit of a bitch on slow days, and at nights tended to be downright awful. Even with most of the shops closed, the close proximity of most of the restaurants to one another made parking at night difficult. Winberries and Mediterra and the Tap Room were all within two blocks of Theresa's, but House's production of a handicap permit from his pocket managed to snag them a half-decent spot within half a block of the restaurant. "A benefit of being a gimp." House commented, as they walked inside.

It was a short wait before they were seated, and the first glass of wine was poured. Wilson couldn't help but feel nervous-this was their first dinner as an engaged couple, even if it was all just for a farce. "So-" Wilson began, trying to find some sort of avenue for conversation as he munched idly on the bruschetta on the table.

"You look like you're waiting for someone to come arrest you."

"Yes, well, this is something that's entirely new to me. Forgive me for it being awkward."

"What's so damn different about going out to dinner with your friends. I'm willing to bet Antonio over there has already plugged our orders in, considering how often we've been here."

"Yes, but we've never actually been here together. You've been here with dates, I've been here with my wives, we've been here for hospital functions, but this is-"

"Quit acting like it's a goddamn date, it's dinner."

"Well I'm sorry that I've never seen you actually dress up for something without someone shoving a cattle prod up your ass." House mulled over the comment, Wilson did have a point. And he hadn't known why he agreed to dress up for dinner-it wasn't a date. It was just dinner with Wilson, it was nothing he hadn't done plenty of times before. But Wilson was right, their dynamic had changed, and change was different. Change was awkward.

"Their clam sauce is worth dressing up for." House commented, gulping down the rest of his wine, and pouring another glass out of the bottle.

"You always drink like this on dates?" Wilson asked as House set the glass down, already half empty before they had even ordered.

"Oh, so now it's a date?" They were starting to get argumentative, after a day spent just enjoying the other's company. "Funny, I thought you didn't want that. Or are you already assuming the role of doting Jewish bride, able to nag everyone within earshot to death?" The anger was momentarily diffused by the waiter taking their orders, and House was right-it was merely confirming what they always got. No comment was made that they'd never been seen in there together before.

"I don't nag."

"If I recall correctly, you nagged me into quitting smoking, you nagged me into going to rehab, you nagged me into actually not getting fired, you nag me about my drinking-in fact, all you ever do is nag." Wilson closed his eyes, taking a deep breath as to not cause a scene in the middle of one of Princeton's nicer restaurants.

"Can we continue this conversation after dinner? Preferably when we're not in public?" Dealing with House was like dealing with an unruly five year old. Not only was he about to enter into a marriage, he was also gaining a child in the process. It was, however, slightly pathetic that the bridegroom and the child were the same person. A five year old in a fifty year old's body.

"You started it. After all, you're the one that called this a date."

"It's not wings and beer."

"Do you want it to be a date?" House asked, and Wilson shifted in his seat.

"Generally, that's what people do before they get married."

"And this is far from a conventional marriage. Should I have bought a corsage and compliment your choice in ties?"

"If you actually complimented my tie, I'd be very afraid."

"You're right, it looks horrible on you. You have horrible taste in ties."

"Thanks for the vote of confidence." House merely smirked as the food made its way out, and House shoved a fork roughly into one of the clams, pulling out the long-dead and steamed sea creature and relishing the taste.

"You're right, this isn't the date, you'd at least attempt table manners if it was."

"You obviously didn't send a spy for my date with Cameron." Wilson merely quirked an eyebrow, knowing that House could be very charming if he wanted to be. And that House actually had decent table manners, again when he wanted to display them.

"So what are we going to say tomorrow?" Wilson asked, half-dreading the idea of going to work.

"Do we have to say anything?"

"Cuddy already has the gist of it, I'm sure the rest of the hospital will find out soon enough."

"Want to put on a show?" House asked, slurping up a long trail of linguine, leaving Wilson to roll his eyes as he carefully chewed his veal parm.

"Of course you'd want to embarrass me in front of everyone."

"Just an hour ago you were saying you enjoy being the punchlines of my jokes."

"I never said I enjoyed it, just that I expect it." House rolled his eyes, and signaled for the check as they both finished off their meals.

"So no grand announcement in the middle of reception tomorrow?" Wilson visibly paled at the idea, and House merely smirked. "Take that as a no. But you know they will find out."

"Yes, but at that point we'll already be heading for the divorce proceedings and they'll all know it's just a farce." House was too busy fishing through his wallet for Wilson to notice the faint pained expression that crossed his friend's face at the mention that this was going to be just another divorce.