"I miss Diagnostics," I admitted to Chase that night as we waited our turn in line at the movies.

He looked at me. "What brought that on?"

"I was upstairs today and House asked for my opinion."

"That's odd."

I ignored him. "I'm afraid I'll lose that touch for remembering all those diagnoses."

"The ER has you guessing."

"I know but it's not the same. The emergency room isn't as challenging as House's team."

Chase rolled his eyes. "It's also not as brutal or sarcastic."

I shrugged. "I think I'm going to talk to Cuddy."

"Allison, please reconsider. The ER may not be as challenging but it's a far stretch away from being cruel."

"The cases get to me no matter what," I argued.

"Yes, but House is a vicious one."

I glared at him. "This is my decision, Robert Chase. Not yours."

He looked hurt. "I was just trying to help."

"An unbiased opinion would be nice," I told him sarcastically.

"Fine. An unbiased opinion still has House as an arrogant prick who lives to tear other people down. If you go back to be on his team it would be the worst decision you could make."

"Gee, Chase, tell me how you really feel."

He suddenly gave me a strange look. "You still like him, don't you."

I stepped out of line so the crowd could go around us. "I do care for him. He was our boss for years. How could I not?"

He was frustrated. "I meant like-like. As a crush."

I laughed. "I do not have a schoolgirl crush on House, Chase. Why are you so jealous?"

"I'm not jealous," he said, ruining it with a pout. "I just think you'd be stupid to go running back to him."

That pissed me off. "Then I guess I'm stupid. Can you take me home? I no longer am in the mood to be in public."

Having made my decision and egged on by Chase's reluctance to accept it, I marched into Cuddy's office the next morning.

"Dr. Cameron," Lisa Cuddy said, cheerfully. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"

I smiled at her. "I've spoken with House and I wanted to see about working under him again."

She gaped at me. "But you're so good in the ER."

"I don't find it challenging," I repeated for her.

"I wouldn't mind but House already has a full team."

My face fell in disappointment.

She noticed. "How about we put you on as a consultant until House and I come up with a suitable solution."

I went up to tell him. I interrupted his game playing. "Damnit, Cameron, I almost had Princess Zelda!"

I smiled. "On the game or in your head?"

"Both. What do you want?"

I sat down in the chair. "I've talked to Cuddy."

He put down his Game Boy. "And?"

"She won't let me work under you."

He lifted an eyebrow. "You asked?"

I nodded. "You have your team quota."

"Get Thirteen in here. I'll fire her."

I laughed. "I don't think that's an option right now. I can be a consultant."

"Good. Consult the coffee machine and make me a cup."