It was almost noon when Thirteen arrived at the hospital. She and Cameron lost track of time and spent the morning cuddled up while talking on the couch. It surprised her how easy everything felt - touches felt warm and familiar, words didn't need to be chosen, and moments of silence brought comfort. If it were her choice they'd never leave the couch, but Cameron's words reassured her: we'll see each other again soon.

She walked into the diagnostics room and found it dark and empty. I guess they're still busy, she thought, pulling herself a chair. She was about to get her phone out when she noticed House walking in from his office.

"We solved the case. You missed it," he said. She looked at him intently, trying to get a read of his mood. But the only thing she got was that he was watching her just as much as she was watching him.

"I know," she answered. "I called Taub earlier, he said they can manage it. I'll just do the paperwork when they're done."

House nodded dismissively. Thirteen found his behavior strange; normally at this point House would already be grilling her about being late and making snide comments about her late-night activities. The fact that he hadn't made her wonder. Choosing silence as the safer route for now, she nodded back at House and rose from her seat. "I'll just go check on the guys."

She was already by the door when she heard House speak again. "I'd ask if you were with Cameron last night but that would be boring."

Thirteen turned around and saw House seemingly trying to hide a mischievous smile on his face. Of course he knows. She let go of the door and walked back towards him, letting him know she was ready for that conversation. If not asking was his way of asking, not answering can be hers, too. "Why would that be boring?"

House's smile became less subtle as she got closer. "Because spending a drunken Friday night with a hot chick wouldn't even make the news in your town," he answered. "You already have that kind of Friday night regularly. Saturday mornings on the other hand, are headline material. The morning after the drunken night is usually when you make your exit, to never be seen again. But you didn't do it this time, did you? You actually went to see her."

Thirteen stared back at him, trying to not show much of a reaction. House was right, what happened that morning was the opposite of what she often did with the women she'd been with. But it didn't cross her mind until she heard House say it. All she knew then was that she wanted to tell Cameron how she felt as soon as she could. She crossed her arms and slightly raised an eyebrow at him. "And that's... not boring?"

"Of course!" House quipped, setting down his cane on a nearby table. "As sad as it seems, you've actually managed to make watching you numbly go through woman after woman like you're bingeing a TV series boring!" He pulled out a Vicodin bottle from his blazer. "At least this one would be more fun to watch, because it counts!"

Is he being... supportive? Thirteen knew better than to outright trust House's seemingly rational reaction, but then again, House had been different towards her after they met when they got out of jail. He still mocked her of course, but only on things related to the cases they had. He never messed with anything personal. She decided to take what he was saying at face value, at least for now.

"It's an honor to know my life is serving to be adequate entertainment for you, House" she answered. She turned around and headed back towards the door, but stopped before leaving. "Wait, how did you find out?"

House smirked. He always loved how he and Thirteen shared certain tendencies.

"You haven't been coming in hungover, and you've been wearing nicer perfume. At first I figured you had your scope set on one of the nurses but I noticed you've been subtly doing a double take whenever a blonde wearing ER scrubs walked by the diagnostics room the past weeks. A lot of blonde lookers in the ER team, of course, but we both know who's the top prize there. And you have the caliber to bag top prize.

I also know the four of you went to that barbaric soiree last night and that Cuddy took Wilson home, so that leaves you two. Cameron's car is still parked on the same spot on the lot since yesterday, and I doubt she walked her way home so you likely drove her. She's not here today, which interestingly coincided with you also not being here for most of the day. You're wearing your own clothes and they're not the 'spare clothes in the locker' type which means you made it home at some point. But also you have some blonde hair on your jacket which tells me you were at her place before coming here."

House ended his explanation with a satisfied smile, and Thirteen felt that he was proud of having figured it out. As crazy as House gets, it always comforted her that there's someone who paid that much attention. It made her feel like he had her back, in a strange kind of way. She returned the smile before reaching for the door. "Right. Later, House."

Cameron was reading a text message from Thirteen about paperwork and clinic hours when Cuddy arrived. The brunette also told her that House knows about them which didn't surprise her, and also made her feel glad she invited the dean to late lunch.

"It's good to see you up and about," Cuddy greeted, sitting down on the chair across Cameron. "Wilson was barely coherent when he called earlier."

"I did get a bit drunk but not as much," Cameron answered. "By the way I already ordered some appetizers, if that's ok."

"That's fine," Cuddy answered. She took the menu on the table and began scanning through it. "I know we're friends beyond work but having lunch with your boss is definitely not among the things you do on an off day." She raised her head, her eyes barely visible above the menu page. "What are we here to talk about?"

Cameron paused from looking at the menu and looked up to smile at her boss. "I need to tell you something and I think it's better to do it now and in person."

Cuddy set the menu back down on the table, a worried look now on her face. "Are you leaving the hospital?"

"No," the blonde answered. A server arrived with their appetizers so she waited until he'd left. Cuddy just looked at her, nervously anticipating what she was about to say.

"I'm dating someone..."

Cuddy didn't move an inch. She knew there had to be a catch for Cameron to ask to meet her in such short notice.

"I'm dating someone from the hospital..."

The dean of medicine suddenly remembered Wilson's comment from the night before about who Cameron was driving home with and it suddenly clicked. Relief washed over her, realizing what the ER head was trying to say. "Let me guess... the long-haired brunette from diagnostics?" she asked with a teasing tone.

Cameron grinned. "You see why I had to tell you right away. Also we think House already knows."

Cuddy let out a huge breath upon hearing House's name mentioned. "Of course he does."

Both women started their meal, with Cuddy asking Cameron about how she and Thirteen started out. Cameron told her about their chance encounters in the hospital from the past weeks, which led to lunch, and them getting to know each other more.

"I'm very happy for the both of you," Cuddy answered upon hearing their story. "It's always better to take the chance than to wonder what could have been."

The comment made Cameron feel a little sad, knowing that Cuddy was pertaining to her failed relationship with House. She felt that the dean had reservations about her relationship with Thirteen, especially since the latter's inclination towards casual sex wasn't exactly a secret in the hospital. But she also knew that Cuddy wouldn't be the one to discourage her, as she'd also once taken a chance on someone people thought was incapable of keeping a good relationship.

"Remy is kind, brilliant, sweet, and she makes me happy," Cameron finally responded. "I mean, she's done questionable things, but who hasn't? I trust that her heart is in the right place, and that makes this worth a shot."

Author's note: This turned out to be like a filler chapter. Writing House/Thirteen interactions is such an indulgence, and is something I really enjoy doing. The second part was sort of an exploration of the Cuddy/Cameron dynamic. Will simmer over the idea a bit more if it's worth doing again. Let me know if you have thoughts.