-1CHAPTER FIVE - A Mother Always Knows

After Cameron stands in the corner watching House with his parents for a few minutes, she grudgingly heads back to the conference room. She walks up to the door and hears a voice coming from Wilson's office and, deciding she doesn't want to be alone, heads to his office. She approaches the door and sees he is on the phone, turns and is about to walk away when he calls after her. She turns back around, walks through the door but stands against the wall and waits for him to get off the phone. He says his goodbyes, hangs up the phone and waves to her to sit down.

"That was just my lawyer. Divorce stuff. Real fun. Hey, are you okay, Allison? You look a little…peaked," he says. She hesitates a moment thinking of the right words.

"I guess."

"Did you sleep ok? I mean, after I called you?"

She shakes her head. "I had a fight with a vodka bottle."

"Ah, and it won," he asks.

She smiles awkwardly and says, "Yeah."

"He's going to be okay, you know."

"Yeah, I know."

"What are you apprehensive about? You aren't really acting right."

"It's just…I don't know." She takes a deep breath and tells him about the dream she'd had the night before. "So, what do you think the meaning is of chasing after the rambunctious one and the runt?"

Wilson lets out a laugh but then stifles it rather quickly when he sees her expression change. "You know what I think? I think it's your subconscious telling you something."

"No, really?" she says sarcastically.

"Have you and Chase been tog…uh, dated since that first time?" he asks, trying to be delicate but doesn't succeed.

"Wow, Wilson, I never took you for the type of person to be so blunt. "

"I think House has rubbed a little assertiveness on me," he says with a laugh. "What I think , and this is only my opinion, is that your subconscious is trying to tell you to choose."

"Choose? Choose what?" she asks exasperatingly.

"Cam…Allison, come on. I know you're not stupid."

"Oh, thanks for your vote of confidence."

"What I'm trying to say is that maybe you need to make a decision between House and Chase but you aren't ready to face it, yet." He sighs, thankful he's finally said it.

She looks at him questionably and is silent for a few moments. "Oh, please. What Chase and I did was something I'm not happy about but it happened. Both he and Foreman think they know how I feel but they don't. You and I are both so similar. We are needy. I hated to admit that but House was right. And it's not that I want to change him but more like I…I just want to be there for him."

"Look, you have no idea what you'd be getting yourself into. Chase is your age, and I think you two would make a…"

"Oh! Don't even say it! He is such a boy. He follows House around like a puppy dog and…"

Wilson laughs under his breath and says, "Allison! House is still a boy himself. You and Chase…"

"Would you STOP with the 'you and Chase!' I have NO interest in him."

"Ok, ok. Sorry. Didn't mean to hit your buttons. But he does like you, you know."

What has started as an honest statement from Wilson has now escalated to a full blown war. "How in the hell do you know that? Oh, my god! He talked to you, didn't he!"

"No," he squeaks then clears his throat. "Well, yes. But it's only because you've sparked something in him that he was confused about. I mean, you turn him down for drinks once and then attack him the next. Any man would be baffled."

"I don't believe this!" she cries out, brushing her hair away from her forehead. She instantly gets into a defensive mode. "He TOLD you? At least House figured it out on his own."

"Look, Allison, calm down…"

"Don't tell ME to calm down! I'm gonna kick his as…" she says as she stands up.

"Please don't tell him I…" he starts to say.

"No, no, I won't," she says and walks out of his office.

For some strange reason, Wilson doesn't quite believe her.

HOUSE MD HOUSE MD HOUSE MD

Back in House's hospital room he is still pretending to be asleep.

"Why don't you go get us some coffee?" Blythe asks.

"Ok, fine. How do I find the cafeteria?" he asks rather naively.

"Ask the nurse, John," she says then sighs.

"Ok, ok." John turns and walks out of the room. Blythe turns her attention back to her son.

"Greg, I know you're awake," she says as she leans against the railing and brushes his cheek with her hand.

He slowly opens his right eye halfway and looks at her and gives her a small smile. "Hi, Mom," he says weakly.

"Hi, son. How are you feeling?"

He groans under his breath as he tries to move his neck. "I'm not sure yet."

"No, no, don't move your neck. Do you want some water?" He shakes his head.

"Thanks, Mom."

"For what?" she asks.

"Getting him to leave."

"I know things are tense between you two and you don't need to be under any stress. I'll take care of him for you, dear," she says as she gives him a smile. "Wilson gave us the key to your apartment and we'll be staying there until you are home."

"No, wait, my apartment?" He nods his head then suddenly panic sets in.

He left the tool box with the morphine and syringes sitting on his dresser the night before!