Chapter 21
House unlocked the door, and stepped back so Cameron could walk in. He flipped the light on, closed the door, and dropped his keys on the table next to the entrance. She went to take the bag from him, and he slapped her hand.
"Ouch," she said rubbing her hand.
"Serves you right," he said tipping her face up to him. "I should turn you over my knee for taking off like that in the hospital." He planted a kiss on her forehead and stepped around her.
She watched him disappear down the hallway. "I might like it," she called after him.
"I wouldn't be surprised," he called back.
The light came on in the bedroom and filtered down the hall. She made her way down the hall to the bedroom. Leaning against the doorframe, she saw her bag on the chair, his dress shirt on the bed, but no House. Noticing the sliver of light from under the door of the bathroom, she came into the room and sat on the bed. Picking up his shirt, she brought it to her nose and inhaled deeply. Setting it back on the bed, she got up and stripped out of her sweatshirt and jeans. Slipping on his shirt, she buttoned a few buttons, and went down the hall to the laundry room. She took a pair of his boxers out of the dryer, put them on, and went into the living room. Taking her pills off the table, she went into the kitchen, and turned the water on. Leaning on the counter, she held her hand under the water until it was cold. Filling the glass, she read the prescription and shook two from the bottle.
"Amateur," House said from the door of the kitchen.
Glass in hand she turned to him, her heart quickening seeing him standing there leaning against the wall a cocky smirk on his face, but a soft look in his eyes meant for her. Popping the pills in her mouth, she drank the small glass of water. Setting the glass on the counter next to the pill bottle she walked over to House. Wrapping her arms around his middle, she rested her chin on his chest and stared up at him, "Why because I take my pills with water?"
"Nope," he said putting his arms around her.
"Then what?" she asked.
"Reading the prescription on the bottle before taking the pills, you going to do that every time?"
"Oh stupid me, I wanted to make sure I was taking the proper amount."
"You better know the proper amount; we prescribe it all the time."
"There are different milligram's you know?" she countered.
"I saw you uncap it at the hospital and look at the pills, you knew the milligrams and still had to read the prescription."
"Quit teasing me, I'm in pain."
"Only for… he looked up at the clock on the wall for another 2 or 3 minutes."
"Show off, she said pressing her cheek into his chest, remember I specialize in immunology you're the pill doctor.
"Pill doctor?" he said squeezing her. "Are you mocking your boss?"
"Are you teasing your subordinate?"
"Possibly," he said.
"Well you get what you give," she said giggling muffling the sound by turning her face into his chest.
"Less than two minutes, we should get some food in you," he said pulling her back from him. "You're stoned," he laughed looking into her eyes.
Frowning at him she hit his chest lightly, "I'm not stoned."
"Ok you're not stoned you are the exception to the rule. Everyone else is doped up when they take that stuff, except you."
"We do deal with the unusual," she said pulling on his tee shirt. "Come here I want to kiss you."
"Sorry, he said I just can't let you take advantage of me in your state."
She looked at him confused, "I don't think that's how it goes."
"How would you know, you're stone."
"I'm not…" she said interrupted by a loud pounding on the door.
"Who the hell could that be? Nobody comes here," he said.
"I have," she said giggling.
"Right, he said trying not to laugh at her lewd comment, you're not stoned at all."
More pounding at the door and then a shout, "House, open up. I brought food."
"Wilson… Let me go, he said trying to extricate from her grip on him, I have to get the door."
"Kiss first," she said.
"I'll be right there," House shouted and the pounding stopped. Leaning down he went to peck her on the mouth, but she pulled him down her soft lips enticing his open. He pulled her closer his tongue diving into her mouth. Her arms snaked up his chest and around his neck pressing the length of her body against him.
House heard the door opened, crap spare key, he thought breaking away from her realizing he hadn't intended to answer the door the moment she pressed her body against him. She tried to pull him back a small cry of frustration when he resisted. "Stop, he whispered his voice hoarse, Wilson's in the living room he used the spare key."
"He can't watch, tell him to leave," she said staring at him.
The look on her face was so serious he started laughing. She grinned back at him and stepped back. "I don't know where you think this was going, but it wasn't to the bed room," he said.
"I didn't think that," she said. He nodded. "I really didn't think we'd get any farther than the dining room table," she said softly walking past him into the living room.
House took a moment, to shake off the intense urge to kick Wilson out. When he felt the desire dissipating, he walked into the living room. Cameron was sitting on the sofa, chatting quietly with Wilson; a bag of grocery's sitting on the coffee table. "What's this?" House tapped the bag with his cane.
"Food," Wilson said.
"Wilson brought us the makings of Chicken Marcella," Cameron said beaming.
"Really, House said, peeking in the bag did he bring someone to make it for us because Mario's down the block does and they deliver it piping hot?"
Sighing Wilson said, "I'll make it for you."
"You're going to cook." House cocked his head leaning forward on his cane looking Wilson over. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," Wilson said looking away.
"Fighting?"
"I don't want to talk about it."
Cameron leaned over and squeezed Wilson's arm. She looked at House, "I think we should let him stay, she said I'll cook dinner. You boys do whatever you boys do."
Wilson started to protest, "You just had surgery… relax I don't mind…"
House piped in, "She's stoned I don't think we should trust her with dinner."
"I'm not stoned," she said to Wilson.
"Look at her eyes, House laughed she's stoned. Can't hold her drugs like some of us," House said popping a Vicodin in his mouth.
Wilson leaned over peering into her eyes. She shut them and said, "I'm fine. Besides Dr. Bernstein said I could go about normal activity as long as I didn't push it. Cooking dinner isn't pushing it there isn't any exertion at all."
"You shouldn't touch that, House said when Cameron took the remote off the coffee table, it's complicated."
Cameron rolled her eyes, "I think I can handle it."
"It's mine, House said sitting on the sofa trying to grab it from her, you're going to break it."
She easily kept the remote from him, moving it from one hand to the other. Pointing it at the television, she turned it on and quickly found the channel for the Monday night football game. The sound of the announcers drew both men's attention. They were discussing the lineup. "See, wouldn't you rather watch Monday night football."
"You're going to let us watch Monday night football, and cook us dinner," Wilson said a shocked look on his face.
"Let you?" she said raising an eyebrow, handing the remote to House. "You're not a child. If you feel like watching football, or baseball or whatever why should I care. I can amuse myself if I don't feel like watching. I'll read a book or something."
Wilson looked at House who shrugged at him grinning. He had no intention of letting Cameron cook dinner, "My girl's better than your girl."
"Apparently," Wilson grumbled.
She smiled at House liking the way he called her his girl. He winked at her when he saw her looking at him. "One thing though… could someone that hasn't had surgery today carry the grocery bag into the kitchen?" she asked moving to get up.
"Wait," House said placing his hand on Cameron's thigh. Cameron relaxed back into the sofa. "Here's what we're going to do. We'll put the groceries away, I'll call Mario's and order dinner for us, and we all can just relax. It's been a long day for all of us, House said. Wilson and his wife, you he said squeezing Cameron's thigh just had surgery, and I had to…"
Wilson smiled, "What have you done all day?"
"Never mind, my house… my rules," he said pushing himself off the sofa. Cameron got up. House looked at her "Sit I'll bring the menu to you." Wilson nodded grabbing the bag and following House out of the room.
"If I have to sit here and watch football alone, she yelled someone could at least bring me a beer."
House walked back into the living room with the take out menu, and sat next to her on the sofa. "No beer, he said until you eat." She started to protest; "It will be no beer if you give me a hard time. You shouldn't be drinking with your medication anyway."
"You're not actually telling me not to mix alcohol and pills?" She looked over towards the kitchen and could hear Wilson putting things away.
"That's not exactly what I said?"
"No? Sure sounded like it," she said her hand moving up his thigh.
"I said no beer until we get something in your belly," he said grabbing her hand. "Besides, alcohol only heightens the effect of the pills and Wilson is right in the other room."
"That's not the pills effect, that's all you," she said grinning at him.
"Flattered, but I think you might not be the best judge right now. Seriously, he chuckled if it's all me; we might have a problem at work. I'm at the white board and you leap out of your chair and attack me, fun for me but I think the other two will definitely know something's up."
She started giggling picturing the look on Chase and Forman's face. He might be right, she thought. She did have a weird giddy feeling in her stomach. "I do feel a little strange," she conceded.
"Did they give you anything at the hospital before you left?" he asked. "Maybe you should have waited a little longer before taking any." He could tell by the look on her face he was right. Laughing he took her wrist looking at his watch he said, "I guess reading that prescription bottle didn't really help." He let go of her wrist, "Oh you'll be fine," he said seeing the worried look on her face.
"What's wrong," Wilson said coming into the living room, three beers in his hand.
"I told you she was stoned, House said no alcohol until we get some food in her. She took to many painkillers."
"What?" an alarmed look on his face. Wilson sat on the other side of her, "Are you alright?" he asked setting the beer on the coffee table. Wilson took her wrist checking her pulse.
She took the take out menu from House, and looked through it while Wilson timed her pulse. "I'm ok, she said the diagnostician already diagnosed the problem, said I'd be fine."
"Well, that's good enough for me," Wilson said letting go of her wrist.
"I am the man," House said.
"So you've said," Wilson said standing up. Grabbing all the beers from the table he headed towards the kitchen.
"Where are you going with those?" House held out his hand, "Give me, the game is starting in 10 minutes."
"I think we should wait until the food gets here," Wilson said stopping in the doorway to the kitchen.
"Why, I didn't take too many painkillers."
"I think that's debatable, Wilson said stepping back into the room and handing a beer to him. House glared at him.
"Don't pick on him," Cameron said curling up against House.
"Yeah, don't pick on me," House said grinning over the top of Cameron's head.
Rolling his eyes, he took the remaining beers into the kitchen. "New love is so disgusting," Wilson called out as he left the room.
When she saw the light flip on in the kitchen she turned to House and whispered, "Give me a drink."
"No," he said holding it away from her.
"Please," she said purring into his ear.
"One sip he said but I'm holding it." He tipped the bottle and she took a drink just as Wilson came out of the kitchen.
"Good grief." Wilson turned back around and went back into the kitchen.
"Oops," she said.
"You're so in trouble," House said.
"Me, I'm stoned I'm not responsible for my actions."
"Oh how convenient, now your stoned. Too bad missy, Wilson is use to me being irresponsible. He still hopes you might straighten me out."
"You're both children, he said throwing a bag of chips at them. Sitting down he opened both beers he brought back, and handed one over to Cameron."
"Daddy's nice, House said.
"Shut up," Wilson said taking a drink of his beer. "Now give me the menu."
Cameron handed the menu over and House opened the chips. "What no bowl," House asked.
Wilson turned the menu over, put his feet up on the coffee table and said, "You know where they are if you want one."
"I'll get one," Cameron said setting her beer down.
As soon as she left the room, House picked up her beer and drank half of it. Wilson looked at him strangely. "She shouldn't be drinking," House said shrugging setting the beer back where she left it.
"You got her to leave the room, so you could down half her beer?"
"Yep."
"How'd you know she'd go," Wilson asked.
"It's her nature to be helpful," House said leaning back on the sofa and putting his feet up. "Hand me the phone."
Wilson reached behind him and grabbed the phone off the receiver. "I'll call. What do you want?"
Cameron came back in "Lasagna, and a small salad with blue cheese dressing on the side." she said.
"House?"
"I'll have the same, hold the salad, and get a loaf of bread."
Wilson hit speed dial 5, and ordered.
Cameron sat on the sofa next to House and picked up her beer. Looking at him, she shook the bottle and held it up to the light. House, kept his attention focused on the television but he could see her staring at him out of the corner of his eye.
"Mm hmm," she said sitting back in the sofa. Leaning against him she nudged at him until he put his arm around her.
"Twenty minutes," Wilson said setting the phone back in the cradle.
"Good," House said finishing his beer off. He stood up and looked at Wilson. Wilson finished his and handed the empty over. By the time, House got back the game was beginning. Watching the television, House handed a beer to Wilson, carefully moved around Cameron, and sat down. Pulling her over to him, he put his feet back up on the table and opened his beer.
Less than twenty minutes later there was a knock at the door. House was groaning about the last play, as he got up to get the food. "Unbelievable," he said swinging the door open. "How much?" he asked pulling out his wallet.
Cameron got up and went into the kitchen; she came back with another beer for each of them. House glanced at the full beer in front of her but didn't say anything he just unpacked the food. Resting his cane against the end table, he eased down on the sofa.
They all ate in comfortable silence, the men sucked immediately back into the game. Cameron curled up in the chair with a blanket and a book, occasionally looking at House and
Wilson debating a call or when they really started hollering at the television. House caught her watching them a couple of times, blushing she stuck her nose back in her book a grin on her face.
At half time, House looked over and saw that Cameron had fallen asleep in the chair. House turned the volume down on the television, nodding towards Cameron when Wilson looked at him questioningly.
Wilson smiled and said quietly, "Maybe I should go."
"Stay and watch the game," Cameron said smiling her eyes opening. "I was just contemplating a bowl of chocolate ice cream, anyone interested."
"I'll get it," Wilson said getting up and going into the kitchen.
"If you were contemplating chocolate ice cream it was in your sleep," House said.
"Possibly," she said getting up and coming over to House. Sitting down next to him, she kissed him. "I think, I'm going to go to bed," she said.
"Ok, I'll tell Wilson it's time to call it a night"
"No, she said you guys finish your game."
"Are you sure?"
"Yep," she said kissing him and standing up. "I'm going to take another pill; I'll be out before my head hits the pillow."
"Go get ready for bed," House said getting up. He pulled her into his arms, "I'll get your pills and bring them into you."
She rested her head briefly on his chest. "Ok, thanks," she said.
"Go on," he said letting her go.
She went over to the chair and started folding up the blanket. "Go," House said taking the blanket away from her. Leaning down he kissed her, then turned her around and gently pushed her in the direction of the hall.
"Tell Jim, good night for me," she said disappearing down the hall.
House went into the kitchen. Wilson had just finished scooping out the ice cream and was putting it back in the freezer. "We only need two bowls," House said turning on the faucet. "Allison is going to bed."
"Oh," Wilson said staring at the three bowls of ice cream. "I should get going then."
"Just scoop one bowl back in the container. I'm going to watch the rest of the game, how about you?"
"Are you sure?"
House filled a glass with water. "Rather go home? I'm sure your wife is still up… Ding round two," House said.
Wilson cringed he looked at the clock. House was right she'd still be up. "Hmm, Wilson said ice cream and football or screaming wife."
"Doesn't seem like a hard decision. Beside Allison would feel bad, if you went home because she went to bed. In fact she'd probably stay up just so you wouldn't feel like you had to go."
Wilson opened the freezer and took out the ice cream container, scooping the ice cream back in he said, "You know how lucky you are don't you?"
"Yes," House said watching Wilson scoop the ice cream back into the container. "So you're staying?"
Wilson nodded, not looking at House. "Good... you know my sofa is always open to you, even with Allison here."
"Thanks," Wilson said looking up at him.
House nodded and grabbed the pills off the counter. Shoving them in his pocket, he left the kitchen. "Oh, House said stopping just outside the kitchen archway, Allison said to tell you good night."
"Tell her good night back," Wilson said opening the freezer.
"What? I'm an errand boy now?"
"Appears that way," Wilson said chuckling.
"Brilliant doctor reduced to errand boy in his own house. Probably won't even get tipped," House said loudly.
"Poor you, Wilson called out what do you want a big kiss."
"Thanks I'll pass," House called from the hallway.
"What are you passing on," Cameron asked when House appeared in the bedroom doorway.
"A kiss from Wilson," he said stopping. She was sitting in his bed leaning against the headboard, still wearing his dress shirt. Her glasses were perched on her nose a book laid open on her lap. House came over set the water on the nightstand, and pulled the pills out of his pocket setting them next to the water. "Going to read for a while," he asked sitting down and brushing her hair back off her shoulder.
"I was thinking about it," she said yawning.
"So I should come back in ten minutes to pull you into a prone position so you don't end up with a crick in your neck."
"Would you," she said smiling closing the book.
"Of course," he said taking the book she handed to him. Pulling open the drawer of the nightstand, he put the book in and took out her brush. He held it up raising an eyebrow. "This isn't mine," he said turning it over in his hand looking at it from different angles.
"No?" she said biting her bottom lip, blushing.
He held the brush to his nose and inhaled, then leaned in and smelled her hair. "Curious, he said this brush and your hair smell the same." He put the brush next to the book and slid the drawer shut. Leaning over he whispered into her ear, "I don't mind," and kissed her neck.
She tipped her chin up elongating her neck; her hand cupped the back of his head. "Stop or I'll be hiding more of my stuff around here," she breathed as his lips moved to the spot right behind her ear. Her breath caught as he sucked her earlobe into his mouth, his hand slipping around her neck and up into her hair. Wrapping her hair around his hand, he gently tugged her head back, kissing the hollow of her throat. The bristles of his beard rub against her collarbone sending a pleasant shiver through her. Her eyes shut, a low guttural moan escaping her lips.
The sound sent his pulse racing. "We should stop," he gasped pulling back.
"We, she said trying to catch her breath should stop?" Her eyes slowly open. "I was only holding on while we hit every erogenous zone on me."
"I don't think every erogenous zone was hit, but I promise to make a concerted effort in the next few days," he said watching her.
"That's not helpful," she said closing her eyes.
Removing her glasses, he brushed her hair back, "Sorry," he said kissing her forehead. He took her pills off the nightstand and shook out one. Popping the lid back on the bottle, he set it back on the nightstand.
She opened her eyes, when she felt him take her hand and place the pills in her palm. "Thank you," she said smiling up at him.
He winked at her and held the glass of water out to her. When she went to take it he held onto it and looked at her thoughtfully, "Need me to dump the cold water over your head?" he asked smirking.
"How sweet of you, she said holding her hand out, but I think I'll pass."
"Just checking," he said handing the water to her. She took the pills and gave the glass back to him. "Scoot down," he said holding the blankets up enough for her to slide down. Tucking the blankets around her, he leaned down and gently kissed her. "Go to sleep," he said brushing his fingers over her eyes closing them.
"You're not the boss of me," she said smiling opening her eyes.
"Yes, I am," he said closing them again.
"Quit telling me what to do, and go play with your friend," she yawned.
He reached over and turned the light off. "Ok I'm going," he said stroking her cheek listening to her breathing slow. When he thought she'd fallen asleep, he pushed himself up with his cane. Standing, he looked down at her small form in his big bed, wanting to crawl in with her.
"Wilson," she said.
"Wilson? I don't think I like you saying another man's name while lying in my bed."
"I would agree if I was moaning it. In this case I was just reminding you he was sitting alone in the living room, watching the game all by himself."
"You expected me to get all that, by saying Wilson?"
"Yes," she said turning on her side and tugging at his pant leg.
When she tugged, again he sat back down next to her and said, "Yes?"
She stretched her arm out and took his hand pulling him over on top of her. "Hey," he said grabbing the headboard with his free hand so he didn't crush her. "What about Wilson, he whispered trying not to moan when her lips latched onto his throat and her hands pushed into his hair.
"What?" she breathed her hand trailing down his side and under his tee shirt.
"Wilson?" he asked slipping a button free on her shirt, his fingertips brushing the soft skin beneath.
"Right…" she said capturing his mouth with hers, nudging gently until he let her in. His hand slipped another button loose she could feel the shirt slipping off her shoulder. Tipping her head to the side, he kissed down her throat to her collarbone.
"Defense," Wilson cried from the living room. "Oh… what is wrong with you people," he groaned.
House rested his forehead on her shoulder, his laughter muffled. Groaning she let go of him her arms flopping down on the bed. He kissed her neck and sat up running his hand over his face. Exhaling loudly he said, "We definitely shouldn't be doing this anyway. Maybe I should sleep on the sofa tonight," he said reluctantly.
"You're going to make me sleep on the sofa," she asked.
"No, he said I'll sleep on the sofa, you sleep here."
"I sleep where you sleep."
He could hear the stubborn way she said it and liked the warm feeling it gave him. "Ok, he relented chuckling you sleep with me."
She rubbed her hand over his thigh. "I sleep with you."
He took her hand and kissed the palm, "Of course you do. Now go to sleep."
"Ok," she said curling up on her side.
He patted her on the butt, stood up, and crossed the room. Stepping out of the bedroom, he slowly pulled the door closed. "I'll leave the door cracked in case you need something." Letting go of the doorknob, he turned towards the living room.
"Wake me when you come to bed," she said softly.
House paused in the hallway. Moving back to the door, he pushed the door open a little. "Go to sleep."
"Will you wake me?"
"No."
"Please."
He closed his eyes, finding it harder and harder to deny anything to her. "Allison, should I ask Wilson to leave? I'll come in now." She didn't say anything. "Allison?"
"No, she said finally. Go watch football."
"Mm hmm," he said scrubbing his jaw with his hand. He pulled the door closed and went down the hall to the living room. "Allison could use some company."
"Ok," Wilson said pushing himself up off the sofa.
"Sit or you'll get a cane upside the head."
Wilson held his hands up in surrender plopping back down on the sofa. "You have it bad my friend," he said chuckling reaching down and grabbing his shoes.
"You don't want to stay?"
"I don't want to intrude."
House scoffed and went into the laundry room. He brought back the stuff to make up the sofa. "Stay, you look like you could use a quiet night, House said tossing the stuff on the sofa next to Wilson.
Wilson looked relieved. "Thanks," he said swinging his legs up on the sofa and tucking the pillow under his head. House waved the thanks away and turned towards the hallway. "Greg, Wilson said to House's retreating back.
"Yes?" House stopped turning to look at Wilson.
"You and Allison are good together. I'm glad you finally let her in."
House looked at the floor, tapping his cane a few times. "She's too good for me," he said softly.
Wilson reached over and turned the lamp off. In the darkness he said, "No… She's good for you Greg… and you're good for her. In some weird way you balance each other out."
House didn't say anything right away. He stood there for a moment giving the floor a few more taps. "Thanks," he said quietly before turning and making his way down to the bedroom.
Wilson ran his hand through his hair, and watched House's shadow disappear down the hallway. Smiling he wondered how long they would be able to keep their relationship a secret. Every time they looked at one another, it screamed how they felt.