Chapter 12

Three paces into the lobby the next morning, Wilson fell into step beside House, who was making his way jauntily toward the elevators. Wilson noticed the extra spring in his limp and decided Lisa had been right. She had called him this morning, positive that something good must have happened from the smile on Cameron's face. She hadn't been able to get near her to see the ring or ask any questions, as Cameron had been called away for a consult, and she wanted details.

"Morning," Wilson said. "You seem … less miserable."

"Morning Jimmy. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, God is in his heaven and all is right with the world," House grinned mischievously, pressing the button for the elevator.

"Are you high?" Wilson asked him.

"High on life, my friend," House replied sunnily. Wilson already knew, of course, there could only be one reason for this unnerving happiness. The elevator doors opened and an elderly couple stepped out. The normally impatient House moved aside politely and watched them shuffle past with, dare Wilson think it, a hopeful expression.

Stepping into the elevators, Wilson quickly pressed the 'close door' button to avoid any other passengers. He'd been waiting years to have something this good to tease House about and he wasn't about to lose the opportunity.

"Dying to be alone with me, are you? Well, I can't blame you. Look at me. I am magnificent," House said smiling. He knew exactly what Wilson was doing and he didn't mind in the least. In fact, he was looking forward to it. Although shy before an audience, Wilson was actually quite humorous when he wanted to be. And he'd certainly earned this chance to have a little fun at House's expense. House wouldn't begrudge him that.

Wilson began by making rather a show of looking House up and down. At first, he merely glanced at him from the side. But, pretending to see something interesting, he turned his entire body to face House and really gave him the once over, craning his neck for effect.

"Want me to do a little twirl?" House offered.

Shaking his head, but still not speaking, Wilson stepped very close to House. Knowing full well that House knew exactly what he was doing, he decided the best way to rattle him was to get just a little too close and break that personal space boundary that House so carefully maintained. Now barely an inch apart, Wilson leaned in even closer to House's neck and sniffed, then stepped left and repeated on the other side. House looked at him askance.

"You," Wilson announced with an air of one having discovered something interesting, "had sex last night."

"What are you, a bloodhound? You can smell sex on other people now?" House asked.

"You were not alone, for a change," Wilson smirked. House rolled his eyes; Wilson was really playing this huge. "Brunette, young, very attractive." House frowned, Wilson pretended not to notice. "Your fiancé."

House grinned. He couldn't help it. He was actually enjoying their little game, and he wanted to play along but the grin just crept across his face and he couldn't control it. Wilson grinned back.

Foreman stormed into the conference room. He jerked his coat off and hung it roughly, then flung his bag into the corner. He flopped him self into the nearest chair and began drumming his fingers on the arm. Price and Jasper, seated quietly at the conference table, exchanged glances while deciding whether to poke the bear.

"Rough morning?" Price asked hesitantly. Foreman glared at him.

"Foreman, you okay?" Jasper asked with concern. Foreman turned to level a nasty look at her as well but she genuinely looked concerned. He folded.

"Rough night," he grunted. Jasper nodded. He looked about ready to explode, so she was sure he would keep talking if given the chance. "I asked her if she'd like to meet my family in a few weeks."

Price looked at Jasper. 'Girlfriend?' he mouthed. She nodded and he made a face. Foreman didn't seem to notice.

"She said four words that I don't ever want to hear from another woman's mouth as long as I live," Foreman said.

"And you're the daddy?" Chase asked from the doorway, smirking. He'd only caught that last bit and he wasn't aware of Foreman's mood.

"We need to talk." Foreman grumbled at him, the anger fading and leaving just the hurt evident on his face.

"Ouch. Sorry man," Chase said sympathetically. Foreman nodded and continued pouting. Chase turned to Jasper. "Did you ask him?"

"He's not in yet," Jasper replied.

"Yes he is," House said as he entered the conference room, Wilson following closely behind. "Chase, lovely to see you. Stick around for a few minutes; I've got an announcement to make."

"I've got to get to the NICU, my shift is starting soon," Chase said, more than puzzled by House's jovial mood. It was unnerving, like seeing Glinda the Good Witch kicking Toto.

"I'll call and let them know you're here and you'll be a few minutes late," House offered. Chase just stared, but wisely said nothing. Never look a gift horse in the mouth, right? House looked at Wilson. "Stay."

"Woof," Wilson said.

"Good dog," House smiled, and limped into his office.

Cameron entered her office with her hands in the pockets of her lab coat. She walked around her desk to sit down and Cuddy was in the door before her 'stunning little ass' was even in the seat.

"You seem much happier this morning," Cuddy noted. Cameron smiled reservedly, but before she could respond her phone rang.

"Dr. Cameron," she answered. She smiled again, and Cuddy was nearly blinded by its radiance. That could only mean one thing. "Yes … yes … all right." Cameron hung up the phone and turned to Cuddy. "Let's take a walk."

Cuddy nodded and Cameron stood. Reaching beneath the desk, she grabbed a bag from a local novelty store and walked through the clinic with Cuddy close on her heels. Cuddy began to ask her, but before she could get a word out Cameron shook her head. Cuddy would just have to wait.

They boarded the elevator and Cuddy smiled when Cameron pushed the button that would take them to the floor for the diagnostic department. She wasn't supposed to know about the proposal, so she couldn't very well congratulate her, but inside she was jumping for joy. She'd been thrilled when House and Cameron had finally started their relationship. She'd actually been afraid after Stacy left for the second time that House would never fall in love again and she couldn't be happier to have been wrong.

The elevator doors opened and the two ladies stepped out, Cuddy allowing Cameron to lead the way as if she didn't already know where they were going. They entered the diagnostic conference room to find a full house. Seating herself next to Wilson, Cuddy looked expectantly at House as Cameron joined him.

"I am pleased to say," House began, "that as of last night, Dr. Allison Cameron now officially belongs to me." Cameron smirked, not even annoyed at the terribly sexist way he'd decided to announce their engagement. She removed her left hand from the pocket of her lab coat and showed off the ring.