Chapter 3

House entered his office, smiling slightly to himself as he sat down at his desk, setting his cane aside. As he threw his hands behind his head and his feet outstretched on his desktop, he felt a sense of accomplishment. Surely his sudden act in the elevator had triggered something within Wilson, hopefully starting to knock down that ridiculous barrier that Wilson had constructed for himself.

If it had been anyone other than Wilson, House's frustration would've reaching boiling point already. But Wilson was so unlike anyone else House had ever met. Besides the obvious characteristics that had drawn him to Wilson all those years, the sole fact that he had waited for Wilson all those years prompted him to reason that a few more days, perhaps a week at most, shouldn't hurt any more than those four, long years. The biggest difference was that now, with Wilson as his official partner, he could physically push Wilson more quickly towards what he had always expected his physical relationship with Wilson to be like.

He admitted to himself that he had not expected Wilson to be this hesitant at all; he had expected Wilson to carry on as gently and kindly as he had two nights ago, when this entire mutual bond had been carried out into the open. But it was ridiculous to dwell in frustration about things that could've been two nights ago when the possibilities remained open-ended for the time to come. That was the sheer beauty of this new relationship: no more restraints, no more hesitation from fear that one wrong move would utterly destroy their already fragile friendship.

House sighed and gazed up at the ceiling for a moment, before a sound of high heels against the rug could be heard coming towards him. He didn't even have to look down to know that Cuddy had just entered the room.

"New patient," Cuddy's voice said.

"Can't you wait five seconds before attacking me?"

"'Cuddy time' or your time?"

"Ha, ha," House said dryly, finally looking at Cuddy. "But seriously, go away."

"Not until we're done talking," Cuddy said firmly.

"This conversation ended even before it started."

"It's either we start a conversation about a new patient," Cuddy said sternly, "or you tell me about your date with Wilson last night."

"How could you have talked to him already!" House said, jumping about half a foot in his seat.

"I didn't," Cuddy smirked.

"Then you..." House trailed off, remembering his behavior with Wilson in the lobby, elevator and on the current floor.

"Honestly House, I know you and Wilson are close, but when you cause him to lean against the receptionist desk in the lobby, there's obviously been a change of relationship."

"Funny," House said, turning his head sideways to feign struggling for a memory, "I don't remember seeing a low cut blouse anywhere in the lobby."

"That's because I was on the second floor, balcony seating."

"Touché."

"I have my days," Cuddy said, feigning modesty. "But House," she began, her voice lowering slightly in serious concern, "this can't interfere with your job, nor Wilson's. I know I'm supposed to be happy for you, but I'm worried if this is going to last. Have you stopped to think about that?"

"I've only dated him once," House said, throwing up his hands, "we've only been together a day and you're already telling me to start planning for the breakup? Thanks for your vote of confidence."

"House," Cuddy said, attempting to repair the damage, "I'm just saying this out of concern... as a friend. Work relationships often end up making work really awkward when it all falls apart."

"You're telling me," House said, rolling his eyes at the thought of Chase and Cameron who were still dating. "Sex in a closet tends to do that to the rest of the work force."

Cuddy's eyes grew wide, "I thought you said you just started dating Wilson!"

"It wasn't me – it was Chase and Cameron," House revealed carelessly. "Oh please, don't even start," he snapped, seeing Cuddy's look of sheer horror. "They've been dating for too long for you to intervene."

"Just as long as I don't walk in on you and Wilson in a closet anytime soon," Cuddy said, beginning to head towards House's office door.

"If you're going to walk in on us, it wouldn't be in a closet – too symbolic."

"Well, congratulations, House," Cuddy said, shrugging as she reached for the door handle. "One more thing: Amber came by to visit today."

House had to restrain his surprise. "Visit? Or pick up her paycheck?"

"The second one."

"So? Should I care?"

Cuddy clicked her tongue and sighed. "Sadly, yes."

House raised his eyebrows with curiosity, although his heart started to beat with concern.

"She saw you and Wilson," Cuddy said, simply, a purely apologetic look on her face.

"Oh, God," House said, slapping his hand to his forehead. "Like I don't have enough problems already trying to get Wilson comfortable with the fact that I'm a man and he wants to do naughty things with me."

"Wilson's uncomfortable?" Cuddy asked, honestly surprised, ignoring House's outrageous statement. "That's interesting..." she trailed off.

"Well, now he's just going to be even more uncomfortable..." he paused and stared at Cuddy. "Did Amber say if she's... coming back?"

"Mm, mentioned it..." Cuddy said, vaguely.

House sat up straight in his seat, gripping the edge of his desk in shock.

"Be careful with this woman, House."

"Why couldn't you tell security to kick her out?" House said, clearly enraged.

"She hasn't done anything illegal," Cuddy argued, "I can't just tell security to kick her out for no reason," she pulled the door handle, swinging the door open and thereby setting a tone of finality to their conversation.

She gave House one final, apologetic look. "Sorry House, and just don't punch her when she comes through your office door."

"I'll make sure to have Wilson tie my hands together."

"Are you sure you should tell Wilson?"

"He'll find out anyway," House muttered, "either directly or from the way rumors spread around this place."

"But not from you?"

House sighed. "We'll see. Like I said, Wilson's still getting used to me. Amber entering the picture and putting her foot down isn't going to help things."

"I wish there was something I could do, but you two are big boys now and I'm sure nothing will tear your love apart," she said in an obvious, melodramatic voice.

"Thanks for reminding me; General Hospital's on in an hour."

"Anytime, House," Cuddy said, and with that, she was gone.