Author's note: A week from Valentine's Day, and we're almost at the end. Let me just say, after reading this chapter... it's not what you think. Heh. Anyhow, enjoy!

"The MRI was clean."

House found himself presented with a series of scans that were neatly bundled together in a large yellow envelope. He frowned. "Nothing?"

"Nothing." Foreman's response was accompanied with a shake of the head.

"Okay then."

Jerking his head to indicate that the other doctor should follow him, House began limping towards the elevator.

The two men walked the next few metres in silence as they fell into step with each other. Once they had arrived at their destination and the up button had been unceremoniously pushed by the end of a cane, Foreman turned to face House. "So... what now?"

"We wait."

Foreman raised an eyebrow as he glanced at his boss. "Wait for what?"

"More symptoms."

The sigh that escaped Foreman's lips was lost amidst the grating noise of the opening elevator doors. Both doctors stepped inside and the doors closed once more.

"Then why do you need me here?"

There was a pause as House considered his answer. Almost reluctantly, he pulled the box out of his bag and brandished it between them. "Recognise this?"

Creased brows indicated confusion as Foreman took the box into his hands and examined it.

"No. Should I?"

"Damn."

"What?"

"Didn't think it was you, but it was worth a shot."

"What do you... wait, someone gave these to you?"

House hesitated, but his silence and the apparently uneasy response gave Foreman the answer he needed. He laughed.

"Who?"

House's expression was one of distaste. "Well if I knew, I wouldn't be here, would I?"

Foreman turned the box over in his hands.

"It looks like something-"

"-Cameron would do, I know. Not her."

"Cuddy?"

"Asked her too. No luck. Not Chase either."

"You considered Chase?" Foreman stared at House with a mixed expression of incredulity and amusement. "This is really getting to you, isn't it?"

The elevator doors opened, saving House from the trouble of formulating a response. He limped into the corridor, determined to get away from Foreman, but the other doctor easily kept pace.

Unfortunately for House, he didn't let up either.

"Seemingly impossible medical cases you can handle, but this one little pink box of chocolates has got you stumped."

House shot a glare at Foreman in irritation. "I'm not stumped."

"Sure you're not. But I'd put money on the fact that you'll be needing a refill of Vicodin all the same."

They had reached the door of House's office. He turned to face Foreman with a sharp gaze, and when he spoke, it was with the air of stating the obvious.

"I'm in pain."

"Being unable to solve a puzzle does not mean you're in pain."

"No, but this does." House tapped his leg with the cane, before pushing the door open and entering his office.

Foreman shook his head and, unable to resist, followed his boss inside.

"Maybe you just have a secret admirer who's attracted by your dashing good looks, your charming persona, your-"

"If you're not going to say anything useful, then go away." House flipped through a file, assuming an expression of disinterest.

"Fine, ignore me." There was the sound of receding footsteps as the door eased shut. "But ignoring it isn't going to help you figure this out, you know!"

Unfortunately for House, the glass pane that separated his office from the hallway was thin enough to enable this parting shot to travel to his ears. He growled and, throwing the file to the ground, slammed his fist against the papers on his desk.