Disclaimer: Nope.
A/N: I dedicate this chapter to one of my most loyal supporters. Happy birthday again and remember, coming of age is not just about privileges but also about responsibilities. (Actually, there's more of the latter.) As for the rest of you, I sure hope I won't get a full mailbox of pm's tomorrow stating that all of you have a birthday this week. :)
Chapter 12 – Whipping post
The car ride was beyond awkward. You could practically hear the deadly silence echo over the hum of the engine. House held the steering wheel like a vice, his eyes glued to the road while Cameron was clutching her purse and staring out of the side window.
It was incredible how they could go from playful and completely comfortable around each other to... this. But it was natural to be nervous before a wedding, right? Especially if you're not marrying out of love, Cameron's mind supplied.
She didn't dare to look at him. She barely dared to breathe, afraid she would attract his attention. This was crazy. What they were doing was completely insane.
House took a right turn and then gradually lowered the speed, eventually stopping the car in a crowded parking lot.
She cautiously glanced over at him to see him pull the cell phone out of his pocket and dial a number. He still stubbornly refused to meet her eyes.
"We're here. Right outside the entrance," he mumbled into the phone before flipping it closed and returning it to his pocket. His hands resumed their previous position on the steering wheel and his fingers started to tap it rhythmically.
She hoped that Wilson will come soon, so that the tension will break. But at the same time she dreaded his arrival, because she knew he didn't want to ride with them purely out of concern for the environment.
Several minutes went by until House finally spoke.
"Why is he taking so long?" grumbled House and stepped out of the car. Cameron hesitated for a moment and then followed him.
He was looking around trying to spot Wilson, who was nowhere in sight. Eventually he gave up and once again reached for his phone.
"You're not the one getting married...this time. So, stop fixing your hair in front of the mirror and get your ass down here."
"Where?" He started looking around again.
"There's a huge sycamore tree in the middle of the parking lot for some reason."
He rolled his eyes. "It figures." And ended the call.
"Apparently this hotel has two entrances and Saint James the Great here naturally took the wrong one," he explained to Cameron.
It wasn't long before Wilson emerged from behind a corner wearing a tuxedo and his hair did indeed look very orderly.
"What's with the outfit? You out to steal my thunder?" commented House.
Wilson wasn't at all deterred by his jibe. In fact, he looked rather amused. "You two look very…in sync."
"Watch it or I'll leave you right here," House threatened him.
"You can't. You need me there," Wilson responded with a self- satisfied smirk.
"He's right," Cameron chimed in, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"Fine, but if he doesn't behave we'll lock him in the trunk," House told Cameron.
"Fine with me," she agreed.
Wilson followed them into the car, still not quite sure what to think of this whole situation. Not that it stopped him from commenting on House's looks.
The second he took residence on the back seat he opened his mouth again, "You could have at least shaved for your wedding day."
House replied without missing a beat, "Chicks dig the beard. It gives the appearance of nonchalance, like I'm not trying to look hot, but I still do. Right, Cameron?"
Cameron tried to think of the least embarrassing answer as both guys turned to her expectantly.
"Uh, it doesn't bother me."
"See," House triumphantly said to Wilson who just sighed.
"By the way, you look very lovely, Allison. The dress is beautiful."
"Thank you… James," Cameron responded with a smile.
House glared at Wilson with the help of the rear-view mirror, but he didn't say anything.
Yet again, a tense quiet descended upon the passengers of the car. Of course, Wilson immediately seized the opportunity to once again try prying into the affairs of his colleagues.
"You two seem a bit… uptight. If you're having second thoughts…"
"No," House and Cameron interrupted him in unison. They glanced at each other as if sizing each other up when Wilson caught their attention again.
"Marriage is not something to be taken lightly. It is an important decision…"
"Says the guy who has been married three times and is just about to finalise his third divorce," reminded him House.
This was still a sore spot for Wilson, but he vowed not to let any of House's deflection techniques get to him that day. Today, he was a man on a mission. On a mission to prevent his friends from making one of the biggest mistakes of their lives. Well, that and he was curious. Still, his intentions were noble.
"Maybe things would have turned out differently if I had a friend to talk to," Wilson said pointedly.
"Hey I tried to stop you, it's not my fault that you didn't listen," House defended.
Wilson sighed theatrically, "Right and your advice started with: 'Do you know what hurricanes and women have in common'."
House smirked and filled Cameron in on the joke, "When they come they are wet and wild but when they go they take your house and car away."
She smiled despite herself.
"Turns out I was right."
"And you spent the entire ceremony humming Whipping post by Allman brothers!" exclaimed Wilson.
"I gave it my best shot. It didn't work."
Wilson sighed. House was right after all. He always was. However, he did just give him some heavy ammunition.
"Why the sudden change of heart then? If you believe that marriage is all about pain and suffering…"
"Because…" House started but then discovered that he doesn't have a ready-made answer.
He took a few moments to think while stopping the car in front of the City Hall. He turned off the ignition and looked straight at Cameron when he said the next words, "She's all I need."
A/N: As it turns out Saint James the great was one of the 12 apostles of Jesus. You should check the "Whipping post" lyrics to get the full meaning of the reference, although the title is already quite self-explanatory. Those of you who are into classical rock, I suggest you look it up on YouTube, there are some decent recordings of the song. Now, do you promise not to tie me to a whipping post if I tell you that there just might be another chapter before the ceremony? :)
