House stirred as Cuddy's arm slid around him. His eyes came open. The light of the streetlamp bounced off a passing car, sending light across the ceiling. Apart from the howling wind, and the tires crunching; it truly, deceptively was a silent night.

He wasn't falling for that again. He knew Wilson was there. In the shadows of the hall, if not the shadows of his mind.

He closed his eyes again, trying to relax and focus on Cuddy. Her smell, her touch, the way she felt against him. He turned his head into her hair and breathed her in. His nerves were... He was a wreck. He needed to unwind, but first he needed to figure out how. And tonight he'd learned that the love of a good woman wasn't enough. Not anymore.

Having the traditional Christmas feast with all his favorite people wasn't enough. The dinner had gone over well; it just didn't please him. He had been able to ignore Wilson's ghost without feeling like he was ruining their friendship. But he didn't know if he could maintain his usual indifference at the party. He'd rather not risk it.

Cuddy's scent was hurting his pride. He couldn't tell her.

She was already dealing with so much. How could she take on his burdens as well?

Perhaps his secrets could save their marriage. All he knew with absolute certainty was that he couldn't sleep. And he had a sickening suspicion that his nap had nothing to do with it. He gently began moving her arm, sliding himself away. She kept her arm suspended, which indicated she was somewhat awake; then she brought her hand down and slightly moved her head. When she remained still, House was able to sneak out of bed and out of the room.

The hall was empty. The guest bedroom was empty. House was smiling as he limped slowly down the curving stairs that lead into the living room and the kitchen beyond. Coming down the stairs, everything looked normal. The Christmas lights had been shut off. It was dark. Peaceful. He used the facilities, during which time the power started flickering. He washed his hands, scowling at the taps as he thought about the feast in the fridge; then grabbed the flashlight and limped to the kitchen.

He prepared a turkey sandwich under the flickering lights, reaching for the moonlit flashlight when the room went dark. TV was out of the question. He poured himself an orange juice; then, picking up his snack, he turned to the couch.

The Christmas tree lights were blinking away. And in their dim light, he could barely discern the left side of a person, standing between the tree and the staircase. House sighed, wondering when the presence of a dead person would stop surprising him. "Hi, Wilson."

The ghost moved forward, stepping into a square of moonlight—her feet clad in pretty heels. Closer she came, until the moonlight illuminated her golden hair, parted to the side and cascading to her shoulders.

Hearing the cutlery clatter, House quickly put his plate and cup down on the island countertop. He looked up into Amber's pale, striking eyes.

She smiled at him, raising her eyebrows. "What are we doing today?"

House reached into his pocket and grabbed the pills meant to suppress his hallucinations. They rattled in the container as his hands shook. He downed the extra dose with little regard to his own safety.

"You know, I'd really like to go to the pet store," Amber suggested.

"Then go," House growled. "Stay as long as you like."

Amber's smile faded and the pattern of the lights changed. "I don't want to leave."

"I want you to leave. And I don't think the dead can vote." Having recovered from the shock, he slid his food and drink closer to the chair and limped around the island, taking his seat. "When one person is happy in a relationship, and the other person isn't; you split." He picked up his sandwich and frowned at it for a moment. He really thought he had succeeded in getting rid of his damn Amber problem.

"Do you want me to leave?" Wilson asked, and House raised his eyes.

Amber surprised him by responding to Wilson. "Of course he wants you to leave. But," she looked at House and smiled. "You can't always get what you want."