Chapter 16: Other plans

Wilson listens to House's version of how his ex-wife assaulted him while he was exhausted from his PT session while he drives him home. House finally says "What do you think?"

Wilson glances over at House. "I think I've heard Cameron's and Kate's version and they match up better than yours does. Cuddy told you to leave Kate alone while she was here."

"You're supposed to side with me. You're my friend."

"And Kate is my friend too."

House suspiciously eyes Wilson. "You're trying to get laid."

"By your ex-wife? I think not."

"I doubt you could handle her. Did you know she was a screamer?"

"Dammit, I don't want to know that about her!"

House changes the subject. "Let's go to the strip club. Kiki's probably missing us something fierce since we haven't been there in so long."

Wilson shakes his head as he parks the car in front of House's place. "No, I've got to go back to work."

"After work then."

"I already have plans."

House raises an eyebrow. "Female?"

Wilson nods. "Yes."

"Nurse or doctor?"

"Doctor."

"Blond, brunette or red head?"

"Blond and brunette."

House smirks. "You're going out with Kowal and Cuddy instead of going out with me? Wonderful." House throws open the car door and gets out. "Thanks for the ride, Benedict Arnold."

Wilson sighs in exasperation. "OH come on! I'm allowed to go out with co-workers on occasion."

"Yes yes. I know: you wear the big boy pants now. Go have fun with Party Pants and Goldilocks." House slams the car door shut and stomps off to his apartment. Wilson sighs and heads back to the hospital.

Wilson's afternoon passes quickly. He missed having lunch with Kate and is thankful for it; he really didn't want to listen to her rehash her episode with House that morning. He also knows that she won't rehash it in front of Cuddy at dinner. He is sitting in his office, finishing off the last of his medical charts for the day when he hears someone tapping on the balcony door. He glances up and sees Kate peeking in at him. She waves at him and he stands up and heads for the door. She steps back as he opens it and comes out the balcony to join her. She is holding a steaming mug of tea in one hand and has a shawl wrapped around her shoulders to ward off the chill of the crisp early-fall evening.

"Kate, I think House is rubbing off on you."

"Why do you say that?"

"He loves to bang on the balcony door to get me to come out and chat."

Kate smiles. "Well, it just felt natural at the end of a long day to have a chat with a friend while watching the sun set over the fall leaves."

Wilson laughs. "Ok, maybe you aren't totally turning into House. He'd never saying anything that poetic." Kate rolls her eyes at the thought of House being poetic. "So, is Lisa running behind?"

"Yeah, she's running a bit late. She said she would come up and let us know when she'd be able to go, but to leave by 6:30 if we haven't seen her." Kate sips her tea.

Wilson studies her for a moment. "House thinks I want to hook up with you."

Kate chokes on her tea. She finally manages to gasp "What?"

"He thinks I'm interested in you romantically. No, let me phrase that more accurately: he thinks I want to get you in bed."

Kate's cheeks redden. "Well, you told him you didn't, right?"

Wilson nods. "Of course." He casts a sideways glance at her. "I mean, the whole idea of you and I is just ridiculous."

Kate vehemently nods. "Jimmy, you're an attractive man, but you and I'd never be able to get along. You are a touch too obsessive-compulsive for my liking."

Wilson looks wounded. "I'm not obsessive-compulsive!"

"Jimmy, you are. But that's part of your charm."

"You just said I was too obsessive-compulsive for you!"

"Well, you are. But you would be perfect for some other nice woman. I need someone a bit more laid back, but still willing to challenge the rules. You're so straight-laced. And you don't argue. I need someone who will argue with me; challenge me."

Wilson laughs. "You just described House."

Kate rolls her eyes. "I forgot to add I need someone who isn't an self-centered, self-absorbed curmudgeon."

"Whatever. So, you seriously think I'm too obsessive-compulsive?"

"A bit. It's not a bad thing. It's just not my thing."

"Well, you're too bossy for me. And you can be pretty mean sometimes too."

"I am not bossy!"

"Sure you are, but that's part of your charm." His eyes twinkle and his lips turn up in a small smile.

Kate gracefully accepts the barb. "Touché, Dr. Wilson."

"What? You aren't going to argue the 'mean'?"

Kate shakes her head. "No, I know I can be pretty mean sometimes. It' a personality flaw of mine that I need to work on."

Wilson glances at his watch and sighs. "It's getting close to 6:30."

Kate is about to say something when Cuddy pokes her head out the balcony door that joins to House's office. Cuddy says "You two ready to go yet?"

Kate nods. Wilson says "Let me lock up and I'll met you two in the hallway." Wilson goes back to his office. He puts away the files he was working on, grabs his jacket and turns off the lights. He walks into the hallway and Kate and Cuddy are standing there chatting.

Cuddy says "Let's all just take our own vehicles so we don't have to come back here after dinner, ok?" Everyone agrees. They choose a restaurant to meet at.

About twenty minutes later, the trio is being seated in one of the many small, intimate pubs that line the downtown Princeton streets. They are chatting about various things, such as what do older adult singles do for fun in a college town, golf, and movies that are out. They are about halfway through dinner when Kate's pager goes off.

Kate studies the pager and sighs. "Well, that does it for me. Some problems have popped up with our patient and I need to go back to the hospital." Kate hands Cuddy a twenty. "Can you cover me if that isn't enough? I will pay you back when I get home."

Cuddy nods. "Of course. See you later."