10.

As House turned a corner and moved down the corridor he noticed Wilson not far away, standing outside a restroom door. Wilson checked his watch and then looked around furtively, spotting House as he approached.

"Hey," he said.

House just looked at him, and then up at the little sign with the triangle-shaped person on the door. "So, lunch?" he said finally.

"I was just in a meeting. Cuddy called a five minute recess. That was," Wilson checked his watch again, "eight minutes ago."

"Anxious to get back to it? Must have been some meeting."

"Actually I was just wondering if I should go in and check on her."

"You know she's in there puking, right?"

"Yes, I managed to work that much out myself, thanks."

"That's why you're the smart one. Hey, I don't mind - makes me the pretty one."

"Know what I think? I think you should go in there."

He made a face. "I have it on good authority that she doesn't want me watching her spew."

"She told you that?"

"Yep."

"And since when do you do exactly what Cuddy wants?"

"Since she can make a paternity claim and steal half my money. Duh."

"Right." Wilson's eyes narrowed suddenly. "And when exactly did she tell you that, anyway? You've been completely avoiding her lately from what I've seen."

"You realise we look like idiots standing here, right? Or maybe perverts. Yeah, I think I prefer perverts."

"You're avoiding the question. Why -'

"How long's she been in there now?"

Wilson sighed as House ignored him. "Nine minutes now."

"Here's the plan. I'll go in there and make sure she hasn't fallen in. You stay out here and make sure no one has to pee."

"I think we already scared off an intern or two."

"Who can blame them - a couple of old pervs like us?" he said as he pushed through the door.

As he entered he caught a glimpse of her, propped up against the wall by the sinks, looking miserable. At the sudden intrusion she straightened and started to move away, only to stop when she saw who it was. Frowning, she pressed her forehead back against the cool tile.

"This is the ladies room," she said, her eyes closed.

"So this is where all that secret women's business goes on. I don't know what I was expecting. Crystal fountains? Cage dancers?"

"Why are you in here?" she clarified.

"Found Wilson hovering outside."

"You can tell him I'm coming. I just need a minute."

He didn't leave, stepping closer instead. "So what do you tell people when they ask why you're bolting to the restroom all the time?"

She shook her head, still not looking at him. "I haven't been vomiting that often during the day. Mostly I just want to."

"You've lost weight."

"A little, yes. Sweet of you to notice," she said dryly.

"Hard not to when your hip bones are sticking into me all night." At that she turned to stare at him, but before she could respond he asked, "Are you taking anything?"

"B6," she replied, crossing her arms as she leaned with one shoulder against the wall. "It's helping a little." He raised an eyebrow at her. "I'm not hyperemetic, if that's what you're getting at - I'm not even close. Really, I'm fine."

"Yeah, you look fabulous."

She sighed, tilting her head to rest her temple against the wall. "I'm managing. Why the sudden interest? I know you like interrogating people but this is a fairly clear-cut case of morning sickness."

He shrugged. "Because I care?"

She closed her eyes as she laughed. "Even if you did, there's nothing you can do. It's just a few more weeks, anyway, and I should be past it. Believe me, no one is looking forward to that more than me."

He was moving as she spoke, grabbing a paper towel from the dispenser and running it under the nearest faucet. She turned to watch him as he came up behind her, brushing aside her hair and laying the cool, damp towel across the back of her neck. She sighed and allowed it, tilting her head further forward.

"You're being nice to me," she said after a moment. "Should I be worried?"

"Maybe I'm hoping it'll improve my chances of getting you into bed again." She snorted softly and he went on, "Wilson already thinks we're getting it on in here."

"What did you tell him?"

"Nothing. He's just naturally suspicious - probably got his ear stuck to the door right now. Wanna give him something to listen to?"

"Nope."

"Seriously, it'd take your mind off things." He curved a hand around her hip. She promptly removed it.

"I can't believe you're groping me while I'm standing here sick," she complained.

"Then you obviously don't know me very well."

"Anyway, I thought we weren't going to talk about this?"

"Well I have to talk about it a little - how else am I supposed to proposition you? Interpretive dance?" he ventured. "I could do that, I guess, if you don't mind a few lewd gestures."

"House." She reached up to pull the paper towel away from her neck as she stepped away from him, tossing it in the nearest receptacle.

"Smoke signals? Semaphore?"

She was trying to cover up her amusement with disapproval. "You can't proposition me at all. We're at work. It's the middle of the day."

"It's a matter of timing, then. Explains why that make-out session after hours in the clinic worked out so well. Not to mention that time in your office after the awards dinner. Why don't I come by tonight and you can throw yourself at me again? That's always fun."

'Once! One time," she protested, "and I was drunk, and it's not like that's going to happen again any time soon." She put a hand over her eyes as she shook her head, then brought it away to look at her watch. "I've got to get back. I've been in here for ages."

"Feels like it, doesn't it?"

She gave him a look, and moved to go.

"So, tonight? My place or yours?" he said as her hand reached for the door.

She stopped and stared at him, her mouth opening to reply. He expected a curt response, but none came and the moment stretched out until finally she looked away. "Yours," she said. "Maybe. If I feel better later." She was gone then, without waiting for a reply. Which was a good thing, since he hadn't come up with one yet. "Coming Dr Wilson?" she was saying as he pushed through the door after her.

Wilson hung back as she started off down the corridor without looking back. "She's looking better," he said.

House shrugged. "I've got the magic touch. It's a blessing and a curse."

Wilson looked at him askance. "What were you doing in there?"

"You have to ask?"

"I didn't hear anything."

"Which means you were listening. Now we know who the real pervert is, don't we?"

"Dr Wilson?" Cuddy's voice interrupted them. She was looking back at them impatiently. Wilson spared him a look and then jogged to catch up with her.

"So what was this meeting about again?" House heard Wilson say as the pair of them walked away. "I was so busy guarding the bathroom against infidels I've forgotten."

He missed her reply as he turned away, trying to remember where he'd been going before running into Wilson. Lunch, he decided. And then he thought he might find somewhere he could take a nap.

Apparently he was going to have another busy night. Well, maybe - but he was nothing if not an optimist.