A/N: The song lyrics in this chapter are from Cleo Brown's 'Did You Mean It?', which, like House, I do not own. More's the pity.
Chapter 8
When House awoke on Friday morning to find several inches of snow on the streets he contemplated calling in sick for work. But sitting at home alone all day, even with Steve's company, meant dwelling on things he'd rather avoid thinking about. Snow meant no bike, and his leg in the cold meant no driving himself. Sighing, he reached for his cell phone on the nightstand and flipped it open. He dialed Wilson's number.
"I'll be there in twenty minutes, get out of bed," Wilson answered.
"And good morning sunshine to you too," House grumbled.
"Ha. I'm serious, I have early patients so if you're not dressed when I get there I'm not waiting," Wilson warned.
"You always say that, and you always wait," House said knowingly.
"Not today," Wilson said, and hung up. Something about Wilson's tone made House reconsider. Not wanting to lose his ride, he grudgingly got out of bed and dressed. When Wilson arrived, he was tapping an impatient rhythm on his kitchen counter while waiting for the coffee pot to finish.
"Let's go," Wilson said.
"Five minutes," House said.
"Two," Wilson replied.
"Three and a half," House offered.
"I'll buy you a coffee on the way if we can leave right now," Wilson countered.
"Done," House said, grabbing his cane and limping toward the door. Donning his jacket, he turned to Wilson. "I love a 'Pretty Woman' moment, don't you?"
When Foreman saw House and Wilson enter the hospital together that morning he groaned. He'd decided as soon as Cameron asked him to distract House to simply steal his keys and hide them somewhere unexpected. He could count on at least ten minutes while House searched around his office and probably another five while he interrogated himself, Jasper and Price. Cameron would have had her twenty minutes easily. Obviously, House had gotten a ride with Wilson. Stealing Wilson's keys was not tops on his priority list, but Foreman thought he might be able to persuade Wilson to lose his keys.
"Dr. Wilson," Foreman called. "Can I have a minute?"
"Damn where are my keys?" Wilson muttered in frustration. He pawed through his briefcase thoroughly, knowing that attention to detail was the key to fooling House. "Did you swipe them?" Wilson asked House accusingly.
"Jimmy, I'm hurt," House replied, leaning against the door frame of Wilson's office. "And as much fun as it is to watch you search for them, staying here late on a Friday just isn't worth it."
"Well, if you want to get out of here, you'd better start looking," Wilson said, turning his back on House to hide the grin that kept threatening. House would never find them, as they were currently residing in Foreman's pocket, to be released to the nurse's station downstairs no earlier than 5:30.
House dropped his bag inside the front door and cocked his head to the right. On his coffee table were two cartons of Chinese food, a six pack of beer and his stereo remote control, each with a post-it note attached. Raising an eyebrow, House limped around the couch and sat down. The notes read 'Eat Me', 'Drink Me' and most interesting 'Play Me'. Reaching out, House withdrew a beer from the six-pack; it was still cold. This was obviously Cameron's handiwork and House was a little worried. Looking the table over very carefully, he didn't see a ring box. Relaxing slightly, he picked up the remote for the stereo and pressed play.
A light piano tune began to play, and House was puzzled. As Cleo Brown's voice filled the apartment, House grinned. He knew Cameron hated jazz, and he wondered briefly how many hours she had spent searching for this particular song. Pleased that she'd taken so much effort, he leaned back against the couch and closed his eyes, listening to the music ask him the question she couldn't voice herself.
Did you mean it?
When you made that mischief dance in your eyes
Did you mean it?
When it ended in a kiss
House knew Wilson was right again. She was feeling unsure, and he was beginning to realize why. When she'd asked him why, he had told her he'd heard Price asking her out. She must have thought this was just a jealous reaction; she was afraid he would regret his decision.
And did you mean that remark
That you whispered in the dark
Snatches of the lyrics floated through House's own thoughts. She wanted reassurance that she could trust him.
Did you mean it?
When you held me while a night drifted by
Did you mean it?
Hope you did 'cuz so did I
Smiling now, House sat forward and grabbed the notes from the food and the beer and tossing them to the side. When he grabbed the one from the remote, he noticed writing on the reverse side. Turning it over, he saw three little words that summed up everything she wanted from him. "Let me in'.