Chapter 8
Wilson dropped his bag by the door of his hotel room and kicked the door shut behind him. He loosened his tie, unbuttoned the top button of his shirt and puffed his cheeks out as he let out a long and worn-out breath. He rubbed his hands over his face.
"Our friendship is an ethical responsibility."
"I voted to keep you."
He sank back onto the bed his arms stretched out above his head and closed his eyes.
"…we've been friends for so long that if we weren't it would be like…"
"Losing a limb."
"If you weren't married."
Divorce papers
"But don't worry, it wasn't just my marriage stopping Cameron, stopping us both."
Wilson opened his eyes and stared blankly at the ceiling. He knew that he and House each played a role in their friendship. House was the selfish one and Wilson the one who would always forgive him anything.
"I want to see how brave she is when you tell her she's gonna die."
"Go to hell."
He forgave House almost costing him his job.
"I voted to keep you."
And why?
"I've got no kids, my marriage sucks; I've only got two things that work for me: this job and this stupid, screwed-up friendship, and neither mattered enough to you to give one lousy speech."
Wilson laughed bitterly to himself and sat up rubbing a hand over his face. It was sad when all a man had in his life was his job and a screwed-up friendship.
"They mattered. If I could do it all again –"
"You'd do the same thing."
Wilson stood and removed his jacket throwing it back onto the bed. He stood hands on hips staring out of the window into darkness. He was tired. He was tired of always been the good guy in the double act. The forgiving and non-selfish one. It's not as if planned on falling in love with Cameron.
"You can't control your emotions."
It's not as if he wanted to intentionally cause his friend harm.
But there were other people involved with this than just House. For once his job and his friendship with House could not be the centre of his life.
"I've only got two things that work for me: this job and this stupid, screwed-up friendship…"
He knew that people would raise questions about their relationship. He knew what he was about to do would cause injury to House, but he knew that he had to do it
"You'd be surprised with what you can live with."
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Cameron had been agonising over what to do since she got home. She knew that House wasn't lying to her and she knew she wasn't lying when she had said that she wasn't sure if House was still an obstacle for her. But would he still be one for Wilson?
"He's my friend, you had feelings for him and maybe deep down maybe you still do."
She crashed angrily onto her sofa. She lent her head back against the soft cream coloured material and closed her eyes.
"Wilson's getting a divorce."
Now that she was away from the scrutiny of House she could really admit how the news made her feel and the truth was she felt hopeful. The prospect of her and Wilson was something she could truly see happening if only they could get over their obstacles. Though one was out of the way, the biggest remained. House.
"…it's just you stopping us, and that worries you. "
"Argh." She lent forward and rested her head in her hands.
Falling for a man who could give her everything and falling for a man who she may have to wait her whole life for.
She heaved herself off her sofa and walked barefoot into her kitchen. She opened the fridge absently and peered in. She wasn't particularly hungry and she hadn't bothered turning on the T.V when she came in, as her thoughts were too loud in her head. She reached into the fridge and pulled out the cranberry juice and drank straight from the carton. She spent most of her life obliging to social graces, so drinking straight from the carton felt wonderfully taboo.
She stood in front of the sink, placing the carton down and rested her hands on the counter as she looked outside. The darkness covering everything and only small glimmers of light penetrating it. It was a long time ago when she had last felt like this, felt like she was on the edge of the darkness torn between taking the leap of faith or staying safe.
I fell in love with my husband's best friend. We kind of clung on to each other.
Joe was her leap of faith that she'd never taken. She lowered her head and closed her eyes as she remembered her conversation with Wilson.
You didn't do it, did you? You didn't sleep with him
I couldn't have lived with myself .
Her husband had been dying, she never could have taken that leap of faith with Joe. That would have been too cruel to her wonderful husband. But House was different. He had already had his opportunity and keeping herself for him was ridiculous and unfair to both of them. House couldn't expect her to do that and she couldn't expect that of herself either. It was horrible to think that she would wait for a man who may never be over his ex. Waiting for him was safe, it was secure. But she had let the idea of House go.
I thought you were too screwed up to love anyone. I was wrong. You just couldn't love me. It's okay. I'm happy for you.
She pushed herself away from the counter and walked to were her telephone was sat.
But falling for his best friend was unexpected.
You can't control your emotions.
She bit her bottom lip.
Just your actions.
She reached out her hand to pick up her phone and dialled Wilson's mobile number. Cameron's brow furrowed in surprise as along with a knock at the door she heard the shrill of a mobile phone. She immediately hung up the phone and looked at her front door.
Her mind went momentarily blank, she had no idea what she would say. Fumbling through this on the phone would have been much easier.
It wasn't until Wilson called her name through the door that see remembered social etiquette. She walked over to the door and placed her hand on the knob. She took a deep breath before slowly opening the door. They looked at each other. This was the first step of their fall into darkness, except for them, there were no glimmers of light. This was all or nothing.
She opened the door fully and Wilson was stood leaning against the door frame his tie slightly loose at the collar, a lazy smile on his face. "Hi." He said apprehensively.
Cameron swallowed a lump in her throat. "Hi."
Wilson stood up straight and pointed into her apartment. "Do you mind if I come in?"
Cameron shook her head and stepped aside, gesturing for Wilson to come in.
Wilson looked at her nervously. "Thanks."
Cameron shut the door. "House's says you're getting a divorce." She turned around and lent against the door. She looked at Wilson and tried to keep her face free of emotion but it was hard when she saw her own hopes and fears reflected in Wilson's eyes.
Wilson pursed his lips. "I thought he might inform you of it." He stood with his hands on his hips he gaze focused on the floor. "Probably wanted to see if it changed anything for you." He stole a look at Cameron.
Cameron nodded her head. "Yeah, that's what I thought." She started at Wilson for a moment then looked away into the kitchen. She pushed herself away from the door. "You want a drink?" She asked with fake brightness as she walked passed Wilson and into the kitchen.
Wilson let his head drop as he spun round on his feet. "Sure." He took of his coat and placed it over the chair in the kitchen. He had a feeling he would be here for a while.
"What would you like?" Social etiquette was always a good way to work through awkward situations, and Cameron decided she could hide in it for a little bit longer.
Wilson put his hands in his pockets and scuffled from foot to foot. "Um just a soft drink."
Cameron picked up the carton of cranberry juice and shook it. "This ok."
Wilson nodded. Cameron turned her back to him and picked up two glasses from the counter top. She kept her eyes down the whole time to avoid looking at Wilson's reflection. She could tell that he was nervous and just wanted to talk the whole situation through but he was giving her a chance. The chance to gather her thoughts and feelings.
She picked up the two glasses and turned with a strained small on her face. She handed the glass to Wilson but he didn't drink from it. She gestured her head for him to join her in the sitting room. But neither sat down they stood on opposite sides of the coffee table where they both placed their glasses. There were no social manners to protect either of them now.
Wilson begun rubbing his neck one hand still in his pocket. "Allison." He started nervously but Cameron cut in.
"Why did you get a divorce?" She couldn't hold it in any longer.
Wilson looked at her anxiously and let his hand drop to his hip. "There's no point staying in a marriage if you want to be with someone else. That is normally a very good sign that your marriage is over." He smiled wearily and walked to the side of the coffee table. "At least that's one obstacle out of the way." He stopped leaving just a space of air between him and Cameron.
Cameron bit her lower lip. "So your marriage is no longer an obstacle. "
Wilson shook his head. "No." He whispered. He began to step closer. "But that's not the question we should be asking." He stopped a few feet from her, "Is House still an obstacle for us?"
Cameron lifted her eyes up to the ceiling her heart was bounding in her chest. Take the leap. She took an assuring breath and step forward and gazed at Wilson her eyes were glowing with her hopes and vulnerability. "Not for me." She said with promise.
Wilson's breath seized in his throat and he watched Cameron with surprise as she continued.
"But what about you?"
He made a move to step forward and looked at Cameron for permission. She gave it to him with a smile. He returned her smile with his whole heart. "A friend once told me that I should remember to do something for myself for a change." He reached out with his hand to lightly brush his fingers along Cameron's. "House isn't an obstacle for me either."
Cameron took hold of his hand and linked her fingers between his. Their smiles held a yearning for each other but behind their yearning, there were still questions.
Was this a mistake? Would they both regret it in the morning? Would he wake up early and sneak out of her apartment as if nothing had happened? Would she wake up first and run to the bathroom to hide herself until he got the hint to leave? Or would they wake up together in each others arms content that they'd found one another at last?
Have you ever cheated?
The nagging doubts and questions didn't stay in their minds for long, as they were more determined to discover each other completely, devouring souls and tasting skin. She ran her hands up his chest and removed his offending tie as she kissed him with an intense urgency. Tossing the tie over her shoulder, she unbuttoned his shirt, ripping it out of his trousers and sighing with ecstasy as it exposed his chest. They broke away from the kiss panting heavily and rested their foreheads together.
I met someone who made me feel funny, good and I didn't want to let that feeling go.
It exhilarated her to think that she could make him feel that good again, like the woman he had sacrificed a marriage for. She wondered if it meant that he may never want to let her go; she hoped he didn't want to let her go. Her thoughts were interrupted as he began to unzip her jeans and push them down, his smooth hands gracefully touching her hips. He pushed her jeans past her velvety thighs and she stepped out of them, their foreheads remaining in constant contact the whole time. She snaked her arms around his neck, running her fingers through his hair and they once again began to kiss each other hungrily.
The kisses were urgent and their tongues exploring, tasting every inch of each other. Her hands came down from his hair and began to push the shirt from his shoulders and pulled his arms free. Once he was rid of the shirt he wrapped his arms around her waist and picked her up easily; she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist.
Wilson broke the kiss, "Bedroom." He panted.
Cameron stretched out her arm and pointed. "The far door across the room." Without hesitation she began to trace kisses along his strong, clean jaw line and down his neck.
Wilson made his way to Cameron's bedroom. He stopped when Cameron's back hit the door and he fumbled for the door handle. Before he made it to the bed Cameron had removed her legs from around his waist and stood in front of him.
She started to remove his trousers and tilted her head to the side with a lazy grin on her face, "Your still way over dressed."
Wilson smiled as he placed a hand on the back of her neck and pulled her in for a kiss as she worked on his trousers. His hands moved under her shirt and ran his hand up and down her spine as he stepped out of his trousers. He once again grabbed Cameron around the waist and turned to place her on the bed.
Cameron ran her hands along his sides and broad shoulders as she once more delved into his hair. Wilson was tracing kisses down her neck and chest as he begun unbuttoning her shirt.
This is not what either of them had expected ever to happen. Wilson had only been her mentor, then suddenly a confident and friend and now just as suddenly, he had become a lover.
It was still night outside and Cameron and Wilson were held in each others embrace. Cameron had her arm across Wilson's chest and her head resting on his shoulder. Wilson arms were wrapped around Cameron, one hand was moving across her waist and the other resting on her shoulder. His gentle touch brought her closer to him and he kissed the top of her head. He spoke cautiously. "Allison, you do know that from now on things have changed."
"I know, James." Cameron mumbled sleepily into his chest.
"And that we can never go back to how we were."
"I know." She opened her eyes and leaned back from Wilson a bit to gaze tenderly at him. "But you can't control your emotions."
Wilson smiled and brought his mouth towards hers. "And I have no intention of controlling my actions." He kissed her feverishly.
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The only thing House was doing feverishly was downing his scotch, adding fuel to his bitter and jealous fire.
"What makes you think I haven't put the moves on her."
He poured himself another scotch. House knew that at the time of that conversation with Wilson that Cameron and he were just mere colleagues. It was strange how things could change dramatically with the return of an old flame.
"Well if you weren't so wrapped up in your Stacy drama Cameron might have been able to talk to you."
House pressed the cool glass of scotch against his temple and closed his eyes.
"I thought you were too screwed up to love anyone. I was wrong. You just couldn't love me. It's okay. I'm happy for you."
He couldn't identify exactly what his feelings for Cameron were, but she brought out a protectiveness quality in him.
"Everybody likes you."
"Do you?…..I have to know."
House took another drink of his scotch and winced at the harshness.
"No."
He would say he was protecting her by not giving into his desires. He was protecting her from the heartache that he would no doubt cause her. And yes, though he feared that he would hurt her, it was himself who he was protecting. So to keep himself and her safe he had distanced himself from Cameron. His protectiveness of her had never wavered but he had missed the bond and attraction between her and Wilson.
"I had lunch with one of the nurses. It's her first time in an oncology unit and she's having a tough time, emotionally."
"Perfect."
"I wanted to be nice. That's all. I mean it."
"You always do. It's part of your charm."
That was Wilson. That was what he did he was charming and caring and gave the impression that he wore his heart on his sleeve. But the truth was that he and Wilson had more in common than people liked to think. It worried House that Wilson however unintentionally would be the one to break Cameron's heart.
House put his scotch down and closed his eyes thinking of their conversation in the hallway.
"Everybody likes you."
"Do you?"
Yes. He whispered to an empty room.
A/N: Ok that is the end of this story but I ma thinking of doing a sequel. Please let me know what you think of this chapter.