House shook his bottle of Vicodin and groaned angrily as he tossed the empty bottle into the wastebasket across the room. He stood up, shakily from the pain in his leg, and left his office to get a new bottle from the hospital store-room. On his way there, however, he caught sight of Cuddy, and fearing a lecture about the hypochondriac he had insulted in the clinic that morning, he slipped into the closest office.

"Hello, House," Wilson said without even looking up from the charts on his desk.

"Oh, hey, Wilson. I hear you--" but just then the door to Wilson's office opened and Cuddy came in.

"House," she said hastily, "I still need to..."she paused noticing Wilson at the desk, "Oh, Wilson, this is your office isn't it?"

"Yes, but it seems I have a bit of an open-door policy these days, doesn't it?" Wilson glanced irritably at House and Cuddy.

"I'm sorry, I didn't realize... House... uh, I"ll talk to you later... um... You boys keep up the good work," Cuddy stammered as she let herself back out the door.

"What is going on with her lately?" Wilson asked.

"Don't know," House said, and, forgetting that he had a whole arsenal of things to irritate Wilson with this morning, left to get some more Vicodin.

As the door closed behind House, Wilson let out a sigh of relief. The last thing he needed today was House. Wilson couldn't stop thinking about last night. Honestly, Wilson had hardly given Cameron a second glance before, but now... He remembered the way her voice had sounded so gentle, and he thought of how nice it was to have had a conversation with someone who was actually pleasant... Nothing like his conversations with House or... Well, actually, House was the only person who he regularly conversed with.

He sighed and leaned forward at his desk. He rubbed his aching forehead and thought, "Wilson, Wilson, Wilson, what are you even thinking? How could you even consider dragging her into your pathetic, twisted little life? Anyway, what even makes you think you would have a chance with a girl like that?" Then he said aloud, "Right, you're right. I have no chance, and it's not like being with me would do her any favors."

Then there was a knock at the door. "Come in," called Wilson from his desk.

"Hi, Wilson," said Cameron as she walked into the office.

Wilson's stomach did a flip. "Oh, Hello, Dr. Cameron," he said, trying to keep his cool. "Do you need something? A patient with cancer perhaps?" He suggested, but with hope that she was not in his office for medical advice.

She laughed, "No, none of that. And there is no need to call me 'Dr.' Cameron," she added. "I just wanted to thank you for all your help last night. It was very sweet of you, and I wanted to return the favor." Cameron felt her cheeks turn hot.

"Oh?" Wilson hoped he didn't sound too hopeful.

"So, would you, um, let me take you out for dinner tonight as payment?"

Wilson faked a cough to hide the smile he felt at those words. "Now, you know that isn't necessary, Cameron. Like I said before, it wasn't even out of my way."

"I know, but I just wouldn't feel right if I just let this go." Cameron had not expected this to be so difficult. It wasn't like she was asking Wilson on a date or anything, she just wanted to thank him for his help last night, right? She felt herself shaking as she waited for him to answer.

"Well, I wouldn't want you to feel bad about it," Wilson laughed, "besides, House has pretty well drained my finances lately, and I could use a meal that didn't come out of a box."

"So it's a date then," Cameron beamed, but then caught herself, " I mean, you know, a date as in, not a date, but a date, not a date date, ha ha..."

Wilson faked a laugh. "Great," He smiled, "I can't wait."