Outer office 9.24am

House wondered why she had suddenly bolted like that. He didn't think he'd crossed the line, after all she was used to his barbed comments by now, surely? All things considered, he'd been quite tame this morning, what with the hangover and all. He looked at his team, to find them all staring at him. Chase's mouth had dropped open, a big blob of ink on his lower lip from where he had bitten so hard on his biro, shocked by Cameron's unexpected departure, whilst Foreman, eyeballs in 5th, looked like he wanted to offer House outside. Clarkson, meanwhile, had risen from his seat and was heading for the door.

'I'd better go and check on Allison, make sure she's ok.'

'Whoa there, Dr. Kildare. I'm sure she can manage quite nicely in taking herself to the bathroom. As I'm sure you are already aware, she's a big girl now.'

'But she seemed...'

'She seemed what? Emotional and highly-strung? Like a deer caught in the headlights? Yep, that's Cameron for you. Probably just realised that Old Yeller never made it after all. Either that, or she found out that Santy-Claus ain't coming down her chimney this year, 'cause she's been such a naughty girl.'

Clarkson hesitated, unsure whether to go after her, or stay behind. His English reserve, and deference to his boss meant he returned to his seat, repositioning it slightly so that he could keep one eye on the door.

'Ok people, 53 year old male, breathing difficulties...' House paused as he saw Wilson appear in the doorway.

'House, a word.' Wilson's eyebrow was raised. Oh goody, sermon time.

'Absolutely correct Dr. Wilson, it is indeed a word, although I have to say, I prefer the word 'decadence'. Great word. Personally, it's right up there in my top ten, alongside nubile, perky and debauchery.'

Wilson, ignoring House's flippant remark, made his way into House's office.

'Oh, I get it,' House said to the team, 'it's story time. At ease people, heads down, time for a nap. I may be gone for quite a while, judging by the peculiarly high arc of Dr. Wilson's left eyebrow.'

House gathered his cane and made his way across the room to join Wilson.

'Jimmy Boy, want to arrange another drinking session so soon? I know, I'm irresistible to be around when I'm pumped full of bourbon, but I gotta say, I can't return the compliment. You really need to let your hair down, lay off the soda, and go pro. Have a Bud Light, hell, have two. Live on the edge, feel the fear.'

'Or...I was on my way to see you to make sure you had recovered from last night, given the fact that when I dropped you home you were calling me Jessie and wanted to take me away from it all, make an honest woman of me. And now, this morning I almost get swept off my feet in a different way, by Dr. Cameron who's going hell for leather down the hallway. What did you say to her?'

House sat down in his chair and stretched his legs out, knocking his cane to the floor as he did so. 'Why would you assume I said anything to her? Why would I want to complicate a relationship by communicating with someone? Couldn't it simply be that she looked at me, imagined me naked, got all hot and sweaty and felt an urgent need for a cold shower. Kinda hard not to get over-excited at the thought of me in my birthday suit, wouldn't you say? It's ok, you don't have to answer that 'Jessie'. In fact, I'd prefer it if you didn't.'

'Oh right, of course that's it. Duh, silly me. Clearly after a fairytale date last night with the dishy doc, and a romantic breakfast for two this morning if I'm not mistaken, she's removed the blinkers from her eyes, looked at you in a whole new light and had a House-epiphany. Chosen bachelor number 2, the grizzly, emotionally-retarded 40-something cripple, that has more issues than she has stuffed toys.'

House feigned a hurt look. 'No, honestly, don't hold back. Say what you really mean. You know I'm a real emotional guy.'

'Seriously, what happened?' Wilson asked, picking up House's cane for him and leaning it against the desk. 'Does she know that you know that they went out last night? Have you asked her about it? Did they do it?'

House looked at his friend in disbelief. 'What is it with you and your voyeurism? Enough of this 'did they do it' already. How on earth would I know? You think that I am that tactless that I would just ask her outright?' House pondered the thought. ' Well, ok, you're right, it is the sort of thing I would do. But no, I haven't asked. Clearly, I never got the opportunity, as our damsel appears to be in distress.'

'You know, you're a fool to yourself House. The path was clear, you had her eating out of your hand, and you blew it. You should have done what I said and gone with the dreams, hopes and aspirations line. Told you it was a sure-fire panty-peeler. But no, you plumped for option B, telling her she was overly needy, a dysfunctional doormat. And now you're paying the price. She's moved on, met someone who will be able to give her what she needs. You're just going to have to accept that fact.'

With that, Wilson shook his head disappointedly, just as House's mother had when she took the call informing her that her boy had got caught in 3rd grade stealing sugared almonds off the teacher's desk. House followed Wilson's gaze to the outer office, where Clarkson was looking anxiously out of the window, Foreman was idly flicking through the funnies and Chase had gotten hold of all the marker pens and was amusing himself playing solo Pictionary on the whiteboard. And then, House found himself alone, Wilson having given him another disapproving look before leaving the office.

House took the last part of Wilson's diatribe particularly badly. He knew his friend was right, he had warned him to act on his feelings months ago, or forever run the risk of losing her. But he hadn't been able to act on it. And if Wilson, an eternal optimist and hopeless romantic, was calling time on this potential coupling, then it must surely mean, the ship had sailed, right? The fat lady appeared to have sung.