"You know, it feels intoxicating,
To be intimidating,
It's invigorating,
To see you shaking,
I've got the power to bring you down."
Chapter 4: Sanity is Overrated
James didn't come home. How'd Amber know? She knew because she had waited patiently for him. She wasn't really surprised and she was smart enough to realize where he was staying for the night. The thought continued to make her sick.
Amber carefully applied her make-up as she thoroughly prepared herself for the day ahead. She took her time as she mapped out her plan again in her mind. She fastened on her earrings and secured her fashionable black and white skirt with decorative swirls. She then adjusted her white blouse and collar along with her diamond necklace. Finally, Amber observed herself in a full-scale mirror in her stunning high heels. She couldn't recall the last time she'd dressed up, but today was a special day, a day that they would all remember for the rest of their short, short lives. She smiled devilishly. Amber had to be insane to do what she was about to do, but then again, sanity is overrated.
Cuddy had assigned them both to clinic duty and for once House didn't protest. His silence actually shocked her past the point of disbelief so that she could only gawk in the middle of the hallway. Wilson saw her face and couldn't help but laugh at House's profound ability to toy with Cuddy. "No complaining about how people are stupid and how clinic duty is the seventh circle of hell?" He laughed incredulously. House returned a genuine smile before leafing through the file in his hand.
"I'm in a really good mood today." He answered, his eyes still trained on the papers in his hands.
"And why would that be?" Wilson asked innocently; although, he already knew the answer.
"I fell in love yesterday and found someone I want to spend the rest of my life with." House stated simply without a hint of sarcasm. The answer froze Wilson to the spot as House continued to the clinic unaffected. He then turned when he realized his lover wasn't following, and looked up from his client's family history. "You look surprised?" Wilson tried to find a suitable answer.
"No it's just…I didn't really expect it…I mean…I want the same thing, I just didn't think you'd ever say it." Wilson stammered stupidly. House smiled. He's also cute when he's shocked. Wilson finally resumed walking and caught up with the cripple, so that they fell in step. They walked in silence, both deep in thought, until they reached the clinic. They both walked over to the nurse's desk and grabbed a file.
"What do you have?" House asked with disgust.
"Relentless Coughing. You?"
"Another crotch rot. Those patients are always fun to exploit."
"Just don't get fired."
"Cuddy won't fire me-" House paused mid-sentence as he recognized Cut Throat Bitch walking into the clinic. Wilson followed House's gaze to see his wife elegantly dressed and staring right at him. He felt scrutinized under her fierce glare. She knows. House, having the amazing gift of reading people like a book, realized this too. He also recognized the searing hate that was directed, not at him for once, but Wilson. He glanced over at Wilson as Amber approached the couple. She frowned angrily.
"I know your little secret." She threatened without restraining the volume of her voice. The nurses sensed the end of the world and quickly avoided the threesome, but still inconspicuously eavesdropped on the gossip unfolding. Cuddy and her unique House-is-going-to-burn-this-hospital-to-the-ground senses were tingling, so she left her office and arrived just as the woman finished her threat. Cuddy stopped on the other side of the nurses' station to monitor the conflict.
Wilson's face morphed into pure horror while House remained indifferent, though his eyes revealed some kind of hesitation. House glanced at his lover and realized he wasn't going to talk, so he intervened. "Maybe we should talk privately in one of the clinic rooms." He offered in all seriousness. Cuddy then realized the severity of the circumstances (if House is being polite); although, she had no idea what was going on or what would happen next.
In one swift movement, Amber intensified the situation greatly. Suddenly she pulled a handgun out of her purse and directed it skillfully at her terror-stricken husband. The man took a huge intake of air as his mind tried to comprehend what was going on. His eyes widened and he became petrified with fear. House, having too much experience with weapons directed at himself by his father and angry patients, didn't panic. He remained visibly calm; although, his heart was now beating a mile a minute as he realized that there was absolutely no way to talk her out of this. Someone was going to die and she intended for it to be Wilson.
The rest of the clinic turned into a chaotic scramble to escape. Patients began screaming while children were crying. Luckily, Amber made no move to stop them from leaving, but she did order the nurses, doctors, and Cuddy to remain. "I will shoot him if you make any move to leave." She directed to the hospital staff. "That includes you Cuddy." She leveled. Cuddy just stared, horrified by the sudden hostage situation unfolding before her. She focused on controlling her flight or flight response as she could only wait to see what Amber would do next.
House decided he would stall as long as possible until the SWAT team arrived, but even then, they won't shoot her down until her gun is no longer directed at any hostages…or until she's shot someone. "I was right! You really are a cutthroat bitch, or maybe I should call you a gun-wielding maniac from now on. Well, needless to say, I'm glad I fired you." House antagonized the bitch in order to direct her attention away from Wilson. Wilson looked over at House, terrified by his resistance. Did he want to get shot?
Amber directed the gun in his direction, which was exactly what House wanted. He was never considered the self-sacrificing type, even by his own standards, but for once, he threw aside his reputation and focused solely on protecting his friend and lover. Wow, so soap operas really do come true. Maybe I'll be shot and end up in a coma until the season finale.
Amber realized House's plan and refused to give in to his mockery. Instead she turned the gun back to Wilson, who visibly tensed. "You fucking cheated on me!" She yelled, releasing all her anger on her husband. The gun shook in her hand and threatened to fire at any moment. Wilson was near tears by this point and House was nervous as hell. Cuddy could only stare, unable to say anything or stop the conflict from escalating. "Did you really think I wouldn't find out? After three marriages I thought you knew better than to be unfaithful! I thought you were different, but now I see you are still the same cheating asshole-" Wilson surprised everyone by suddenly interrupting his wife's rant.
"Well what the hell was I supposed to say?" He countered angrily. Tears were rolling down his face, but his expression had now transformed into fury. "I'm gay!" He yelled. Everyone was shocked by his sudden confession…except for House who was still eyeing the gun anxiously. "How was I supposed to tell you that?" He added in a defeated tone. "After four marriages, I finally realize that…that I like guys, okay? Tell me, honey, how would you react to that? Would you have killed me right on the spot?" He challenged. He moved forward angrily until House grabbed his arm and pulled him back. House then gave Cuddy a pleading look and the dean conveniently interrupted and redirected Amber's unfathomable anger.
"You don't want to do this, Amber." Cuddy managed to say will all the conviction she could muster. House took this chance to steady his friend's emotions.
"Don't do anything stupid." House whispered worriedly. His friend was beyond himself and wasn't thinking straight. Wilson laughed a little.
"You're the one who's practically begging her to fucking shoot you." Wilson countered in tone that everyone could hear. Luckily, Amber remained enthralled in an argument with Cuddy. He looked briefly at House before turning his gaze back to his wife. House shook his arm and forced him to make eye contact.
"I have my reasons." He stressed, his blue eyes brimming with concern. "I'm not about to go to your funeral, so shut up…," he paused, "and remember I love you." He added sincerely before releasing Wilson's arm. The oncologist just stared, trying to process what House meant. As if on cue, Amber turned back to the two doctors, gun still flailing.
"What you didn't tell your boss about your little love affair?" She directed at both of them. Cuddy, along with all the nurses and doctors still remaining, stood shocked by whatever Amber had told them and House had a pretty good idea what that was. Wilson had confessed to being gay, but only now did everyone know who the affair was with. House, however, didn't miss a beat.
"Oh we didn't? Didn't she get the memo explaining every little detail? Apparently you did." He smirked, though his expression changed into a grimace as he shifted his weight painfully. Hostage situations don't fare well for his bum leg. Amber was about to speak, but House continued. "You know, most people actually deal with their emotions instead of going on a vengeful rampage. I think the whole murder is illegal thing throws a lot of people off." Amber couldn't keep her composure as she finally gave in to his ridicule. She took a step forward in which House immediately stepped in front of Wilson. Her husband was terrified and wanted to stop House from taking the fall, but he couldn't move. What could he possibly do that would result in House not getting shot? Amber walked up to House and placed the barrel of the gun at his heart. He flinched slightly, but kept up his defiant glare.
"Do you think this is irrational!" She yelled, her voice echoing through the now seemingly empty hospital. "I want revenge, I want what's mine! He ruined my life and now I want him to pay for it! I want him to suffer and beg for mercy! He's going to regret what he did to me!" Amber had had it with the bastard. If he wanted to be shot then so be it.
"You know something; you see it coming,
You know I will stop at nothing."