Title: Save The Best For Last (Chapter 12)
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: Ok people, this is a pretty long one. Sorry it took so long to get this up; I had a bit of a hard time writing it. This chapter focuses a lot on House and Elizabeth; hope it's not to hard to follow. This story is coming to a finish soon, probably one or two more chapters. I have an idea for a sequel to The Softer Side; it would also be a sequel to this in a way. Any interest? Reviews keep me going, give 'em up…lol ;P

Chapter 12 – Changes

"We need to go out with House and Elizabeth." Cameron said as she sat on the couch by Wilson.

Caught off guard by his girlfriend's outburst, Wilson tried to come up with a coherent response, but settled for, "Ok…"

She smiled. "I just think it would be good for us to go out with another couple, you know. And since he's your best friend, they're an obvious choice."

He nodded. It had been over a month since House, and thus the rest of the hospital, found out they were dating. "I'll talk to House tomorrow."

"Thank you." She leaned in, initiating a passionate kiss.

He kissed her with equal fervor, pulling her into his lap. Her hands went to his hair, and he moaned into her mouth. "Allison…"

She smiled against his lips and began trailing kisses along his jaw to his ear. She nibbled his earlobe, then whispered. "Stay."

She pulled back to look into his eyes, filled with surprise and love. He gave a slight nod, and then pulled her to him for another kiss. He stood suddenly, holding her; she wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her to the bedroom.

Clothes littered the floor all along the way, and when they fell onto the bed, naked bodies entwined, they both moaned.

Hours later, fully sated and basking in the afterglow, they curled together so happy to have reached another level in their relationship.

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"She may be the best woman I've ever known." Wilson was smiling, walking alongside House, making their way through the brightly lit hospital.

House nodded. "She's the only girlfriend of yours that I've liked." Wilson rolled his eyes. "Seriously, that's great; I'm happy for you." He gave Wilson a small smile.

"Thanks." He shook his head and chuckled. "You know, you've become like, a decent guy since Elizabeth came along. People actually don't mind being around you."

"Yeah, she's totally ruined my reputation. I swear, I'm going to have to start working harder to be a bastard." He emphasized his point by growling at a nurse who had smiled at him.

Chuckling Wilson said. "Well, don't worry; I have a feeling you'll manage. Anyway, Cameron wanted me to ask you if you guys want to get together on Friday."

"I'll talk to Elizabeth." He glanced at Wilson. "You know, she's not mad at Cameron. She's just been waiting for Cameron to be ok with things. I know she would like another couple to be able to do things with, and since you're like the only other person I can stand prolonged exposure to, you two are the logical choice."

Wilson nodded, marveling, not for the first time, at how much Cameron could think like House. "Ok. Well, talk to Elizabeth and let me know." They came to the desk at the ER check-in. Wilson smiled at the nurse behind the desk. "Anything interesting come in today?"

She shook her head. "Not really. We did have a New York City cop brought in about half an hour ago, multiple gunshot wounds."

"New York City cop?" House asked.

"Yeah, apparently he was on vacation here with some friends, and got caught up in a robbery at a convenience store."

"What was the name?"

She looked at him curiously, but started looking through her papers. "Here it is. Waterford, Nathaniel."

"Shit." House breathed out, reaching for his cell phone and heading outside.

Wilson was right beside him. "What is it, House?"

House glanced at him. "I think it's one of Elizabeth's friends." He hit 'Send.'

Wilson waited while House called Elizabeth. "What's going on House?"

"Elizabeth had a friend in New York named Nate; when I heard the name, I thought it might be the same guy. I was right."

"Why do I feel like there's more to the story?" Wilson watched House carefully.

House sighed. "Because there probably is, but I don't know the rest yet. I'm hoping to get the details when she gets here."

"Ok." Wilson nodded. "Call me; let me know what's going on."

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Cameron was sitting across from him in his office when his pager went off. "That's him; I've got to go."

Wilson went around the desk and kissed her cheek. "Let me know what happens."

He nodded and left the office.

Wilson walked into House's office without knocking, expecting his friend to be engrossed in a video game or soap opera. Instead, what he found was his best friend sitting in a silent office staring at a blank computer screen.

"Got your page. What's up?" He asked, taking his normal seat in front of House's desk.

Not looking away from the blank screen, House answered quietly. "She's married."

Wilson stared for a minute, sure that he'd heard wrong. "She's married? When…how…what?"

House looked up then. "You forgot who and where." It was a typical House response, but it was delivered minus his usual sarcasm and wit. He sighed. "The NYC cop that came in today with gunshot wounds. Apparently, that's her husband, and, depending on how much she lied to me, he may also be the brother of her partner, who was killed."

Wilson took a few quiet moments to absorb the information. "Wow. So, what are you going to do?"

House looked at him like the answer was the most obvious thing in the world. "The only thing I can do. Send her home with her husband, and forget about her."

"Wait. You can't just give up like that." He took a deep breath. "Look, I know she lied to you, and that's bad. I get that. But did she tell you why she left her husband? Did you let her explain anything?" The look on House's face told him what he already knew. She had hurt him; giving her a chance to defend herself had been the last thing on his mind. "I've seen the way you two look at each other, how happy you've been since she came along. Don't let her go without a fight." He sighed and stood. "Just…hear her out, ok?" He left the room.

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"Married?" Cameron asked incredulously.

Wilson nodded. "I know; I couldn't believe it either."

Cameron shook her head. "Wow. Poor House; how's he taking it?" At the look on Wilson's face, she conceded. "Yeah, stupid question. So, what now?"

He shrugged. "He says it's over, but I hope he'll reconsider. She's the best thing that's happened to him in a long time. I don't want him to just give her up."

"She lied to him."

"I know, but I think there's more to the story. I told him to hear her out."

"Yeah, you're right. Think he will?"

"I hope so. I shudder to think how we'll deal with the fallout."

Silence settled over them as they thought about that.

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Wilson was finishing some paperwork before leaving for the day. He was going over to Cameron's for dinner; after seeing what his friend was going through, he really couldn't wait to just be able to hold her and feel loved.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts.

Wilson looked up from the paperwork he was working on to see Elizabeth standing in the doorway. "Hi. Please, come in."

"Thanks. Are you busy? I could come back later." She questioned.

"No, I can spare a few minutes. What's up?"

She took a seat in front of his desk. "Um…I just…you've talked to Greg?"

He nodded. "I have."

She nodded and looked away. "I didn't mean for this to happen." She raised her head to meet his eyes. "I've been trying to leave this guy for years. I know that doesn't excuse my lying, but I…I just want Greg to listen. I want him to know that not everything was a lie, that what I feel for him isn't a lie." Her eyes were shiny with unshed tears.

"I know that, and I think he knows that in his heart. You really hurt him, though; he's going to need a little time before he can really think about forgiving you."

She nodded. "Yeah. Anyway, I'll let you get back to work." She stood and went to the door.

"Elizabeth." She turned back to him. "Be patient. It'll work out because he really loves you." Wilson tried to offer some encouragement.

She gave him a small smile, and a single tear slipped down her cheek. "Thanks, James." And she left.

He shook his head, feeling empathy for her obvious sorrow. Then he turned off his desk lamp and went to see a beautiful woman and forget everything else.

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Cameron was preparing to leave for the day and spend the evening with Wilson when a woman ran into her, literally.

"Oh, I'm sorry." The woman excused herself.

"Elizabeth?" Cameron questioned, realizing who the distraught woman in front of her was. Elizabeth's eyes met hers. "Are you ok? I heard what happened."

"Boy, good news really travels fast in this place."

"James told me."

"Oh, right. Congratulations on that by the way; how's it going with the two of you?" Elizabeth was hugging herself.

"Good, thanks." She could see how truly upset Elizabeth was, and was touched by her thoughtfulness. "Um…listen if you need someone to talk to, I…you can call me." Cameron offered.

"Really? I mean, I just expected you to be on his side." Elizabeth's face showed her confusion and surprised.

"I am." Cameron nodded. "In the sense that I know being with you is what he needs." She paused. "I hated you when I first found out about you because I thought you had taken House from me. But the truth is that you didn't take him away; he was never mine to begin with, and you can't lose what was never yours." She smiled. "I know the best woman won, and besides, if that whole thing hadn't happened, James and I may not have gotten together. I really owe you one for that."

Elizabeth gave her a small smile in return. "Thank you. I may take you up on that tomorrow. Tonight I need to soak in a hot bath, let reality sink in, and cry my eyes out."

Cameron nodded in understanding, then did something really unexpected. She pulled Elizabeth in for a comforting hug. "He'll come around. He's a stubborn old fool, but he loves you." Cameron whispered.

Elizabeth hugged her back and fought back her tears.

They pulled away, shared a soft smile, and went their separate ways.

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"Hello?" Cameron answered her cell on the second ring.

"Allison, baby, I'm gonna have to bail tonight." Wilson's voice was filled with apology.

Cameron immediately understood why. "How is he?"

"Pretty bad. He just found out the woman he loves is married. He wants to go out and get drunk."

She nodded. "Right. Well, you can come over after, unless you crash at his place."

"It will be late; I don't want to wake you up."

"I don't mind."

"Ok. I'll call you and let you know how it looks."

"Ok. I love you."

"I love you too."

They hung up, both hoping it wasn't a late, late night. Neither wanted to sleep alone.