Important: Nothing Explicit

"I'll play on your fears; I'll leave you in tears,

You'll never be the same, my friend,

You're walking a line; it's a matter of time,

You'll never rest easy again."

Chapter 3: Close Proximity

Amber always gets what she wants. As a child she was spoiled rotten and as a medical student she would do anything to make the better grade. She demanded people give her anything and all she desired. If they didn't, she'd make them. That was until she met House. He fired her…, but she recovered and struck back by dating his best friend. Then after a while, she came to truly like…love the oncologist. What a mistake that was.

Amber felt betrayed and wanted revenge. She wanted to inflict harm on him in a way that would destroy him. James had gotten away with cheating three times. She thought he'd learned. She thought he was different, but now she knew better and she would make sure he never cheated again.

Amber heard the door to their apartment open and she hurriedly hid the gun back in her purse. She set the bag on the table and rushed into the kitchen innocently. James looked up at her, surprised by her sudden appearance. She hid the anger and hate she desperately wanted to express and instead gave him a small smile. He returned it, though his eyes looked her over suspiciously. She seemed tense.

"Hey," she uttered reluctantly before turning her attention to the kitchen cabinets. She avoided his eyes in an effort to remain calm. Now was not the time.

"Hey," he replied while setting his briefcase on the table. He then paused and looked down at the carpet. "What happened?" He asked suddenly with a tinge of concern. Amber turned around to see him staring at the red stain from this morning. He looked up at her, his brown eyes brimming with curiosity.

"I…spilled some wine. Unfortunately, it won't come out." She replied evenly, returning her gaze elsewhere. He shrugged slightly and headed for the bedroom. Amber held in a sigh of relief. James returned a short while later, tie in hand and shirt unbuttoned.

"I'm sorry…, but I can't stay home long." James apologized hesitantly for fear of Amber's reaction. She didn't face him so he continued, "I just stopped by for a shower before heading back. I need to finish some paperwork by tomorrow morning or Cuddy will raise hell." He justified quickly. Amber used all her control not to kill him right then and there. She was devious and cunning and knew better than to act too hastily.

Instead she muttered, "okay." He was not satisfied by this weak acknowledgement.

"I'll be home by-"

"Don't worry about it." Amber interrupted, turning to him confidently, "I won't wait up." She continued, using all restraint. He seemed to believe her because he nodded faintly. Then he proceeded to search the apartment.

"Have you seen my phone? I could've sworn I forgot it here this morning." He continued to search his pockets as he waited for her answer. She glanced over at the table where she had concealed the phone in a bowl. Somehow he'd looked over it in his search. Instead of pointing it out, she lied.

"I haven't seen it. You probably left it at the office." She replied, seemingly untroubled by the lost device. She didn't want him to listen to the message. He ended his search and nodded again. James suddenly made eye contact with Amber.

"I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you." He offered guiltily…and sincerely.

"I know you will." She replied coolly. James headed back to the bedroom. Amber waited until she could hear the shower running before releasing a long-awaited breath. This is harder than I thought.

Fluffy House/Wilson

If this is not your preferred pairing, I hope you will continue reading anyways!

Wilson entered the apartment to find him sitting on the couch. For once the T.V. was off and he seemed to be actually working on something. Wilson was thoroughly impressed by the bizarre scene before him. "Are you just going to stare at me or are you going to come in, James?" House asked without looking up. Wilson sighed and shut the door before sitting down next to the diagnostician. Wilson leaned his head comfortably on House's shoulder and looked down at the medical journal.

"What are you reading?" He asked absent-mindedly.

"You don't really care what I'm reading about." House stated while systematically closing the magazine and throwing it on the table. Wilson simply nodded, adjusting his position. House placed his arm around the man and finally made eye contact. "Okay…what's bugging you?" He pretended it was a burden to ask, but Wilson knew he meant it.

"Amber knows." He answered with no doubt in his mind. The news shocked House, but he refused to show it. Instead he frowned.

"What makes you so sure?" House asked curiously.

"After three failed marriages…you just know." Wilson replied in a harrowed voice. He continued staring ahead at the dark screen, deep in thought.

House had a million wise cracks he could use, but he just couldn't. Normally he exercised no restraint when kicking someone when they're down, but with Wilson…he was beyond himself. He hated the woman who he had (un)affectionately named "cut throat bitch," but he knew these divorces took their toll on the oncologist and he couldn't bring himself to say a word. He tightened his grip and gave him a chaste kiss on the head.

"It's not all that bad." He attempted to comfort him. Of course, compassion is not House's forte.

"Well of course not for you! You get more Wilson for yourself." He frowned indignantly. House began to trace circles on the man's shoulder with his finger, seemingly indifferent.

"You don't want to move back in with me?" He asked with mock hurt (which hid the real hurt). Wilson relaxed in House's embrace.

"Of course I do." He paused before continuing, "It's just…I feel like a failure. I hate doing this to her…to all of them. I hate myself for it. They deserve better than that and…" Wilson drifted back to his thoughts. They both sat in silence as House pondered how to respond.

"It's not your fault." House offered sincerely, only holding him closer. "You didn't know," he considered his words carefully, "what you wanted." Wilson leaned into him more.

"It shouldn't have taken this long to figure it out!" Wilson emphasized with his hands. "How could I not realize…?" His voice faded, not wanting to voice his revelation. House ignored his hesitation.

"You don't think she knows…about us?" He asked, a sudden tinge of worry evident in his voice.

"I don't know." Wilson replied weakly. "She didn't say anything." The oncologist remained unsettled, so House diverted his attention to more pressing matters.

"Are you going to stay here tonight?" He asked, failing to mask his hopefulness. Wilson smiled a little at the older man's slip up.

"Give me one good reason." He countered deviously, turning to face him, but still only inches away.

"Well, I missed your pancakes this morning…and my bed misses you." He eluded without missing a beat. "Well, actually that's two reasons."

"If those are your only reasons…" Wilson sighed with fake disappointment as he suddenly stood and threatened to leave. House immediately grabbed his arm to maintain the close proximity. Somehow the action threw Wilson off balance and he came crashing back down on the couch…and House. Wilson laughed briefly as he managed to make himself comfortable again, this time leaning against House's chest. "What was that for?" He asked expectantly. There was nothing resembling annoyance or anger in his voice. House returned the smile.

"I can't lose my knight in shining armor!" House exclaimed dramatically while ruffling the oncologist's wet hair into a cute mess…well House always considered it cute. "Then who will pay for my lunch?" He added with a smirk. Wilson crossed his arms like a stubborn child and simply waited for House to admit it. The diagnostician rolled his eyes and continued in a soft, sincere voice, "I missed you, James." House pressed his face against his and embraced him again. "Not to mention the fact that I can't function properly without those pancakes of yours." It was Wilson's turn to roll his eyes.

"Does your mind revolve solely on food?" He countered easily. "Also, you never function properly." Wilson emphasized, though he was pleased that House had admitted that he had missed him.

"My mind doesn't revolve solely on food!" House defended. "Sometimes I think about General Hospital…sometimes I think about music…, but…most of my time is spent thinking about you." He added sweetly. Who figured House for a romantic?

Wilson's smile broadened. "I guess that's a good enough reason to stay over." He replied happily. He turned around again and gave House a tender kiss. The kiss lasted only briefly, but was worth a thousand words…and yet House chose to say one last thing.

"I love you, James."

"I love you too, Greg."

Next Chapter: Sanity is Overrated