It has been WAY too long since I updated. But, lots of stuff's been going on and I'm really thankful to those of you who have hung on for this next chapter!
Chapter twenty four- Devoid of complexity.
He hadn't thought she'd remember he had clinic hours. Well, he hadn't hoped she would remember. They had eaten a delicious Christmas lunch which they had prepared together and he was watching TV when she called through to him:
"Time to set off, House, or you'll not be there in time for clinic"
Sh1t. How does she remember stuff like that?
"Oh, do I have to? It's Christmas!" He whined.
"Yes, off you go" She smiled and handed him his motorbike jacket, continuing, "I would ask you to take the car as it's been snowing but you never listen to me, so."
He couldn't help but grin as he stepped into the freezing air outside, she knew him so well it was unnerving.
The clinic was as dull as previously predicted; he spent most of it yawning with his feet up on the examination room bench, lollypop in mouth reading the latest magazine to hit New Jersey.
---
As he dismounted his motorcycle he realised that he was actually returning to a woman waiting for him, and he hadn't done that in a very long time. He was actually happy about it.
As he shook the snow off the shoulder pads of his jacket and hung it up he sarcastically called out:
"Honey, I'm home"
He heard the unmistakable laugh as she came round the corner in her robe. After looking her up and down he smiled a little:
"I seriously hope there's nothing under that"
"You won't be disappointed" She raised her eyebrows seductively as she came to peck him on the lips. She added as he kept his arms around her waist: "Do you know what's waiting for you?"
"No, but I could make a hopeful presumption"
"A hot, steamy tub" She smiled
"Sounds good, as long as you're joining me"
"Naturally"
---
They emerged an hour later to get ready for their evening out with Wilson and Cuddy. House took all of twenty seconds to choose his outfit. Band t-shirt, trademark un-ironed shirt, jeans and sneakers. Cameron on the other hand took at least fifteen minutes to even pick her outfit which was (to House's appreciation) a denim miniskirt, gray jumper, black tights and gray stiletto suede ankle boots.
As they sat in the corvette, which Cameron had insisted on taking, House gave her an approving look.
"You know, you should really consider dressing more like this to work. Maybe loose the tights. Nothing beats flesh."
"Oh, yeah, I'd really degrade myself enough in the workplace to please my male colleagues"
"Cuddy does it."
"House!" She scolded, playfully hitting his arm.
"Well, she is Dean of Medicine… who knows where you'd be if you showed a little cleavage"
She shook her head smiling a little. He was unbelievable. But that was what she loved about him. She had found herself holding back the 'love' word several times today. This was one of the occasions.
---
Cuddy and Wilson were laughing and joking when House and Cameron approached. All but House greeted one another with holiday greetings and excited comments about the bar's new décor.
He rolled his eyes, turning them to Cameron. She had a beautiful manner about her. He loved her. That scared him, but it was true. He pushed the thought to the back of his mind, and set off with Wilson to buy the women's drinks.
As soon as the guys were gone, the women's talk went straight to them.
"You and Wilson seem to be very close"
"Ha, take a look at you and House!" Cuddy laughed
"Your just as bad as House" the immunologist exclaimed, "avoiding talking about your personal life by deflecting the question back to me"
"I wasn't deflecting anything! And you're as bad as James, psychoanalysing every situation!"
"Hey, maybe we're dating the wrong people." Cameron smiled, waiting for Cuddy's objection to the word 'dating', but no such objection came.
---
Wilson and House were waiting for the drinks to come when Wilson spoke.
"Well, that sullen expression you're trying to pull sure is a great smokescreen… for people who don't know you. Me on the other hand, know that you're- dare I say it- happy."
"Oh here we go. Did you ever consider writing chick flicks for a living? You sure seem great at making the mundane into the saccharine sweetness of Jimmy-land"
"OK, so you don't wanna talk about it. Just so you know, you've never looked that way at anyone since" House waited for the word 'Stacey' but it didn't come "well, since ever"
"Great" House snatched the ten dollar bill from Wilson's hand and passed it to the bartender, turning away with just his drink. Wilson sighed and picked up the other three glasses, and followed his best friend.
---
The four shared what can only be described as a harmonious evening together. Their personalities seemed to form a kind of balance when they were together and they snarked back and forth in a somewhat playful almost affectionate manner. To anyone watching they were two ordinary couples, devoid of the complexity of these four people's pasts.