Chapter 6

Wilson hadn't seen Cameron all day except for the rather strange encounter they had in House's office.

Wilson had gone to talk to House during his break. Despite his annoyance at the Stacy drama he enjoyed House's company. And when he was forced to listen to the Stacy bashing, he could tune House out. Despite what his friend might think, House wasn't reigning in his feelings very well. And his early Christmas present helped Wilson's relieve frustration quite well. Granted, he still hadn't had a chance to use it, but just the thought of pasting House's picture over the clown face and wailing on it made him smile.

House stopped what he was saying and asked annoyed. "Why are you grinning like a Cheshire cat? Is my personal life amusing to you?"

"What personal life?" Wilson dead panned.

House pointed at him, "If you're not careful I'll ditch you for Kevin…"

"Carl."

House made a face and continued "… in book keeping."

Wilson scoffed. "You could never ditch me. No one else would put up with your bull shit." Where as I do and it causes me to rant about you in my head.

"And besides who else would buy all your lunches, tic tacs…" He pointed at House. "…and more importantly write out you Vicodin scripts." He shrugged his shoulders. "Without me you'd have to kiss Cuddy's ass to get your Vicodin."

"Is this what you did with kids in the playground? Blackmail them to stay friends with you?"

"Yeah. It's just a shame it doesn't work on my wives." He mocked.

"Oh, are we still having some trouble in the marital bed?" House tutted. "Well, you know it would be better if you didn't share…" At which point Cameron walked as House continued. "…that marital bed with someone who isn't your wife. You and your mistress will end up hogging all the covers."

Wilson didn't rise to the challenge, he just rolled his eyes. Cameron knew House was just making a dig at Wilson but she couldn't help the slight blush that rose on her cheeks. She adverted her eyes from both House and Wilson.

Though Cameron was hiding her embarrassment well, Wilson saw her flushed cheeks and down turned eyes none the less.

Cameron handed House some paperwork and coughed to hide her nervousness. "Cuddy asked me to give these to you. She said she wants them done before the new year."

House reluctantly took the papers from her. "Does Cuddy not know me at all?" He opened up a drawer and threw them in as he looked up at Wilson. "Does she think that if she gives them to a much younger…" He then sat back in his chair and casted an appreciative eye over Cameron. "…and better looking delivery service that…" He looked back at Wilson. "…I'll actually do them?"

Wilson stuck his tongue in the side of his cheek to try and stop himself from smiling. Having Cameron bring me my paperwork would certainty be an incentive to do it.

"Yeah, well for some reason she's under the impression you're a real doctor. And part of being a doctor is paperwork. If you can't handle that you should give your degree back." Cameron said sarcasticallyHer stomach was still doing summersaults but snarking with House was as easy as it always had been.

House gave her a sarcastic look. "Nice to know the rod is still firmly in place."

She smiled brightly. "Yes, thank you." Then dropped her smiling features just as fast as she turned on her heels. She noticed that Wilson was now giving her a curious expression and a concerned look in his eyes. Cameron just offered a quick smile and hurried out of the room.

Wilson watched her leave, wishing he could follow her and comfort her.

House looked between Wilson and Cameron as he tilted back in his chair waiting for his friend to come back to earth.

Wilson made a mental note to look for Cameron in the lab once he was done with the upcoming battle with House. "What did you say to her?"

House sat, mouth agape. "What?" He asked innocently.

"The minute Cameron walked in her she tensed up and wouldn't look either of us in the eye."

"And you think that's my fault?" House said with mock offence.

"Um…" Wilson pretended to think for a moment. "Yes." He said nodding his head. "Yes I do."

This is it. This is were you can put a stop to what is happening. House told himself."Why would it bother you if I had said something to upset her? If you haven't noticed I do it all the time."

"Because she works for you. You should take more care of you employees." Wilson stressed.

"Well, you never used to complain." House argued. "And you don't give a damn when I take shots at Foreman and Chase." House put his finger to his lower lip in mock thoughts. "Is it that they're not pretty enough for you or is it that they don't put out for you?" House sat up straight, "That's it, isn't it?"

Wilson shook his head in disbelief. "You're an ass."

"That's common knowledge. But what people don't know is when you two became best friends."

"What do you mean, we've always gotten on well?" Wilson parried.

"No." House replied. "The only time you guys used to talk was when you were in here working on a case. You guys never used to hunt each other down."

Wilson shook his head and quite astonished by House ridiculous questions, said. "Well if you weren't so wrapped up your Stacy drama Cameron might have been able to talk to you about patient matters."

"She doesn't talk to me about patients because she knows I don't care."

"But you are here boss and mentor, you should care. You should be there when she has a problem with patient and is put into a difficult position." Wilson closed his eyes and chastised himself. He shouldn't have let that last part slip as he saw House ears perk up and his curiosity spike.

House looked at Wilson full of curiosity. "What sort of position?" His eyebrows raised. "The kind of position Dr TB wanted to get her in?"

Wilson stood and shook his hands. "Doesn't matter."

House sat forward in his seat. "No, no. Wait a minute. You said I'm her boss and I should care when she wants to talk about a patient. You're my friend. You should tell me."

Wilson placed his hands on his hips. House was right he really should tell him. He nervously rubbed the back of his neck. "A patient asked Cameron if she would help him die." He said with regret at betraying her trust.

He nodded his head. "Right. I'm guessing she said no."

Wilson nodded. "Yes, she did."

House went on, regardless of the fact that he was going to piss Wilson off. "So she went to you for what? Reassurance or attention?" House saw Wilson's eyes turn steely. Yep, this is really going to piss him off.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Wilson asked almost yelling.

House shrugged his shoulders. "Well if she had already said no, and made up her mind not to do it why would she come to you?"

Wilson stepped closer to House's desk. "She didn't know what to say to him. She was freaked out and needed to talk. Since when is that a crime?"

House scoffed. "Talk about what? That's she was actually thinking of help him die. Do you think Cameron could do that?"

"No, of course not." Wilson said aggressively.

"Then why would Cameron need to talk to you when we both know she never would have agreed?"

Wilson raised his hands from his hips searching for a way to explain. "Because…"

"She wanted your attention." House said calmly. He knew this wouldn't work if he got angry. The calmer he remained the more it would annoy Wilson. Hopefully, the more annoyed he got the more he would see that Cameron was a bad idea. House knew that Cameron would never let herself become involved with a married man.

Wilson let out a scornful breath. "Even I can't believe you're that cynical." He turned to leave but House continued.

"It's not cynical, it's the truth. The amount of flirting that you to do is enough to make Richard Curtis throw up."

Wilson stopped and turned. He spoke calmly, his hands raised in defence. "We're just friends."

House let out a small laugh. "People only say that out loud to convince themselves."

Wilson didn't reply as he turned to leave again. House stopped him, saying, "Oh and by the way it wasn't me who pissed Cameron off this morning. I figure it was Chase. He's been walking around looking like he's been bitch slapped. So play your concerned boyfriend routine to him."

Boyfriend routine. Wilson thought as he walked out the door and down the hallway and towards the lab.

When Wilson reached the lab he stopped in tracks as he saw that Cameron's presence in the lab had been replaced by Chase. Wilson stood outside the lab, wondering what he should do. Though he was trying his best to not get involved, Wilson really wanted to know what Chase had said to Cameron to make her so upset.

Chase looked up when he heard the door open he looked up gave Wilson a simple smile. "What can I do for you, Dr Wilson?"

Wilson walked up beside Chase and nervously leaned on the counter.

"Do you know were Cameron is?"

Chase shook his head. "No why?"

"Well, she seems troubled about something." He stood up straight and raised his chin somewhat as if offering a challenge. "Would you have any idea what it is?"

Chase gave a look of innocence and shook his head pretending to think. "Nope." He shrugged his shoulders. "Couldn't really say."

Wilson pursed his lips slightly. "Really." He stepped closer to Chase, trying to seem intimidating. "Well, House seems to think that you do know what to say."

Chase tilted his head, trying to seem undaunted. "Well, House has been known to be wrong now and then." Chase turned back round in his chair to return to what he had been doing.

"Yeah? Well, I don't think he is." Wilson said annoyed. "What did you say to her?"

Chase let out a breath he didn't look at Wilson. "Why do you even care?" Because you want to get into her pants.

Wilson's jaw set and he became irritated which showed in his voice. "I care because I'm a friend and she seems upset. And I think House is right that you had something to do with it."

Chase turned angrily at Wilson. "And what? You think I'm not her friend that I don't care about her?"

"If you were her friend, you'd care more about not upsetting her." Wilson voice rose a little more. "Now what did you say?"

Chase let out an angry breath and pointed at Wilson. "I warned her about you."

Wilson was utterly confused. "Warned her about me?"

"Yes." Chase said nodding his head.

"What about me?"

Chased scoffed. "I've seen how you look at her. And how she looks at you. You've become a little too concerned with her feelings, Wilson. You should be a little more concerned about your wife."

Wilson was now moved forward on an attack. "And what is that supposed to mean?" Wilson couldn't believe he was getting this from Chase. Why should it be his business? We're just friends, for Christ's sake.

"Oh come on." Chased said. "I've seen you with the nurses, how you listen to their every worry and concern and offer the friendly shoulder to cry on. I surprised that they haven't put up a warning about you and your ability to remove underwear faster than a hooker."

Wilson's hand tightened into a fist he raised his chin. Then lowered his head and stepped back. "I think, Dr Chase you're the one we should post the warning about considering your willingness to sleep with drugged out women."

Chase rose quickly from his chair the heat of anger rising on his face.

Wilson smiled cockily having got the better of Chase he turned to leave but at the door stopped and turned back. He ran his hand over his mouth and looked Chase squarely in the eye. "Cameron and I are just friends."

Chase scoffed again and crossed his arms over his chest. "You keeping telling yourself that."

Wilson turned on his heel and walked out the lab thinking, I do every time I see her.

M.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.DM.D

Cameron had been hiding out in the clinic for most of the day. It was a tedious job as most of the people who came to the clinic were either hypochondriacs or had very minor health issues. But it kept her away from Chase, House and, somewhat reluctantly, Wilson. She kept her focus on dealing with the patients. This was why she liked doing clinic duty or working in the lab. She could keep her focus on work and her private life could be forgotten for a few hours.

Finishing with her current patient, Cameron wrapped up her notes as the door opened and shut softly. Glancing out of the corner of her eye, she saw House leaning on his cane. So much for forgetting my personal life.

"What do you want, House?" She asked crossing her arms defensively. She figured he must be there to simply say something to annoy her.

House leaned on the counter by the door he rolled his eyes at her. "Could you please wait until I say something to piss you off before you start clenching?"

"No." Cameron said slowly and irritably.

"Fine." House regarded Cameron slowly, seeing the affect of the day wearing on her face. Perfect, she's still pissed at Chase. But that was only half the reason he was there.

He pursed his lips. "So what's going on with you?"

"I'm fine, why do you ask?" She asked with caution.

"Well, I'm your boss. And it's part of my duty to be sure my employees are well and happy in their work." House said it as if it was a practiced speech. He began to walk closer to Cameron. "I mean I especially need to know if anyone who works for me has been put into any kind of awkward positions." He spoke almost kind-heartedly as he continued. "Has that happened to you with a patient or…" His tone was now bordering on accusing. "…a colleague."

Cameron shifted uncomfortably. "No." She said cautiously.

House raised his chin. "You sure about that?"

"Yes." Cameron said slowly as if she was talking to a child.

House tighten his lips together. "Well, word on the street is that, that's just not true." He now looked at her more kindly. "Who was the patient?"

Cameron let out a shaky breath and lowered her hands to her hips. It was obvious that Wilson had told him so their was no point lying. "It was Mr Hawkins who asked me if I could ease his pain and help him die."

"Wilson says that you didn't say no straight away. Why?"

Cameron stuttered for a moment. "I-I was shocked I don't know what to say and I sort of ran out of the room."

House nodded his head and looked off to the side in thought. "When a person doesn't immediately say no to something it suggest to me that they're subconsciously contemplating it."

Cameron started to defend herself. "I didn't…"

But House soon cut in his voiced cold and harsh. "Like you were subconsciously contemplating an affair with Wilson." He looked back at her somewhat betrayed.

Cameron just stood their stunned. Not just at what House said but at the hurt and betrayal in is eyes. She stood their silent as House turned and left the room. The minute he was gone she held her head in her hands trying not to cry.

As Wilson made his way from the lab to the clinic his mind was in overdrive.

We're just friends. Boyfriend routine. Warned her about you. We're just friends. Just. Friends.

He stepped out of the elevator at the floor of the clinic and as he did he saw House coming out of an exam room. As the door closed, Wilson looked for the familiar presence of an upset patient, but instead saw Cameron, looking worse than he felt. Wilson hid in the waiting area by the door. He waited until House had passed him and was in the elevator before he made his way to the exam room Cameron was in. As he reached the door he stopped he placed his forehead against the cool metal.

We're just friends. Boyfriend routine. Warned her about you. We're just friends. Just. Friends.

He took a breath and opened the door. Cameron made an effort to compose herself but when she saw it was Wilson she dropped her defences and smiled weakly at him.

"We need to talk." Wilson said caringly as he closed the door behind him.