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Warning: This work may be offensive to some readers. There's also the canon typical mention of health issues. Feel free to back out if need be.

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Submitting Info:
Stacked with: Hogwarts (Term 15); MC4A (Year 4)
Individual Challenges: Adult Activities; My Favorite Things; Medic MC (x2); Rian-Russo Inversion; Ship Sails; Zed Era; Old Shoes; New Fandom Smell; Fresh Fandom High; In a Flash; The Real MC; Two Cakes (Y); Eating Cake (Y)
House: Slytherin
Assignment No.: Term 15 – Assignment 06
Subject (Task No.): n/a
Other Hogwarts Challenges: 365 [361](Opposites Attract)
Other MC4A Challenges: FaB [3C](Mashed Potatoes); Set [4E](Aquarium);Ship (n/a)[SuMic1 (Fusion/Crossover); FaBig (Feast; Spoon/Fork; Talking); FaMic1 (Fusion/Crossover); Bingo (5C - Pub/Bar)]; Hunt [Fa Con (Brisket)]; Chim [Loride] (Indigo); Fire [x3](Minimalist; Dangle; Jam It Janet); Garden [Herbologist (Cumin; Chives; Garlic Powder)]; Hang [Phrase 02] (n/a)
Representation(s): James Wilson/Amber Volakis; James Wilson & Gregory House QPR
Primary & Secondary Bonus Challenges: Hot Apple; Turtle-Duck; Second Verse (Ladylike; Not a Lamp; Persistence Still; Found Family; Nontraditional; Zucchini Bread; Nightingale; Unwanted Advice; Deadliest Catch; Lovely Coconuts; Lyre Liar; Muck & Slime); Chorus (Pocky Pockets; Machismo; Peddling Pots; Tomorrow's Shade; Larger than Life; Unicorn; In the Trench; Surprise!)
Tertiary & Generic Bonus Challenges: TY (n/a); War (n/a)
Word Count: 490 words

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House & Homes
Questions
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James leaned back in his half of the booth as he processed the call he had just finished. House had called to let him know that he was not going to make bowling that night. That was… That was not like him. It just wasn't. House didn't call to let anyone know when he wasn't going to be somewhere, despite how often James had tried to impress upon him that it would be nice if he did. Moreover, James had already told him earlier that he wasn't going to be able to go bowling because Amber wanted to visit the new pub style diner at the aquarium.

Something had to be up, but he couldn't for the life of him think of anything House might be trying.

"What did House want?" Amber asked before taking a bit of her salad. The tines glistened slightly under the lamp that hung over their booth. Delicately, she tapped the fork against the indigo edge of the bowl holding her meal It was the same kind of casual restlessness that House would do when he was nervous about something.

Now that House had pointed it out, James couldn't not see the similarities.

"He, uh," James stammered, because he honestly still didn't understand what was happening. "He wanted to let me know that he was not going to make bowling night. He said that he knew we were going out, but he wanted me to know that he wouldn't be at the bowling alley if I went looking for him."

"That's… actually considerate of him," she said in a very neutral tone of voice. Her brow wrinkled for a moment before smoothing out again. "Did he get a patient?"

"Yeah, some guy from the ER—Foreman thinks it's just a mild case of the flu."

"It wouldn't have caught House's eye if it was just the flu."

"Did I mention that the guy is reportedly unbelievable happy and never complains about anything?" James asked, knowing that it intrigue his girlfriend just as it intrigued his friend. He took a bit of his own meal, enjoying the distinctive smokiness that came from the cumin used to flavor the brisket and how it meshed well with the chives and garlic powder in the mashed potatoes. He swallowed before continuing. "Even House being his usual charming self didn't even phase him."

"That's pathological," Amber said. Her blue eyes sparkled with interest as she leaned forward. James tried not to compare how much she loved puzzles to House. "What would you bet that it's neurological? A week of dish duty?"

"This is a man's health," he protested out of habit. Amber's grin only grew, just like House's would. He sighed in defeat. "Two weeks of laundry says it's something viral."

"Done," she agreed excitedly. Leaning over the table, they kissed to seal the wager. Then she whispered against his lips. "House is up to something, isn't he?"

"Oh, definitely."

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To Be Continued
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