Title: Save The Best For Last (Chapter 6)
Pairing: W/C, H/OC
Warnings: Spoilers through the end of Season 1
Summary: "Sometimes the very thing you're looking for is the one thing you can't see."
Disclaimer: Don't own "House, M.D." or any characters, locations or other things related to it. The title and summary are from the Vanessa Williams song "Save the Best for Last" Also, you may recognize bits of the dialogue here because they are a direct quote from the show and therefore not mine. Just borrowing it for a little while.

Notes: Yay, new chapter. Hope you like it. Reviews make me smile. ;)

Chapter 6 – Lunch

Wilson made it to the deli before Cameron and took a seat at a table near the back. He had calmed down from his earlier excitement and was trying not to think too hard. He remembered her hesitation before agreeing to get together; he was afraid that she had regrets about the night before. He didn't want to think about what that thought did to him.

"Hey." The soft voice broke through his thoughts, and he looked up into the smiling face of Cameron.

"Hey." He smiled as she sat across from him.

They ordered sandwiches, and an uncomfortable silence settled between them as they ate.

Finally, as they finished eating, Cameron knew it was time. 'Now or never.' She looked up at him, her sea green eyes meeting his chocolate brown gaze. "Wilson, we need to talk."

'Oh boy, that doesn't sound good.' He tried to ignore that voice and just smile through it. "Ok."

She gave him a small smile. "I like you, Wilson. You're a great guy, and you're fun to be around."

'Here it comes.' He thought

"But last night, kissing you. That shouldn't have happened." She finished quietly.

He looked at the table. "I thought it was nice."

She put her hand over his. "It was." She drew her hand back quickly. "That's not what I meant." She took a deep breath. "I want us to be friends. I value our friendship, and I'm so afraid I've ruined it." Tears were shining in her eyes.

Wilson broke under that watery gaze. Here she was pouring her heart out, and he was getting upset because she didn't want a date. Isn't here friendship as valuable? Shouldn't he accept that as graciously? He felt like an asshole. He took a deep breath. "You didn't ruin anything. I value our friendship too." He took hold of her hand and smiled at her.

Cameron released the breath she hadn't realized she was holding and gave him a tremulous smile. "Thank you. I'm in an emotional state right now; I don't know what I'd do if I lost your friendship."

His smiled softened, and he gave her hand a chaste kiss. "Not going to happen. I'll help you through this." He squeezed her hand gently. "Because that's what friends do."

She gave his hand a slight squeeze in return and they got up to leave.

He walked her to her car. Once she was inside and settled in, she smiled up at him. "Thank you, Wilson, for everything."

He nodded. "Call me if you need anything, ok? Even if it's just to bitch."

She nodded and backed out of the parking space.

He watched until she was gone. 'Friends. I can do this.' He sighed and got into his own car. 'What if I can't do it?'