095. New Year

Happy New Year

The party was in full swing with doctors, nurses, administrative staff and even a few ambulatory patients all enjoying themselves, eating, drinking and dancing the New Year's Eve away. House sprawled on one of the couches that had been shoved unceremoniously into a corner and watched with sardonic interest. He'd had no real intention of coming to this party but Wilson had insisted and even pulled out the sad, puppy eyes, conning him into coming before he really knew what he was doing. But even though he promised to come he hadn't promised to be sociable and the moment they'd arrived he'd snagged as many beers as he could comfortably carry and ensconced himself in this corner.

It was the ideal corner really; he could sit here, tucked behind part of a table and a couple of potted plants and observe the room while being nicely out of the way and unnoticeable. That kept people from coming over and generally annoying him while he waited until Wilson wanted to leave.

And speaking of the great St Wilson, House had been watching him for most of the night, expecting to see him flirting with every nurse that crossed his path. But he'd noticed early in the night that Wilson was remarkably…un-flirty. Something that was decidedly out of character for the man. Wilson flirted almost unconsciously and House had been having an intriguing time trying to work out what was different tonight.

He'd been distracted from his Wilson-watching at one point by the interesting spectacle of Chase and Cameron dancing way too intimately for just a couple of colleagues. In fact their facial expressions as they danced said that as well. House had watched for several minutes with interest, amusement and more than a little relief. If Cameron was going to turn her attention to Chase then that meant he was off the hook. That and the whole thing would provide him with ample fodder for baiting those two.

Foreman had also drawn his attention, mostly because of the woman he had turned up with. House had mentally applauded the man; the woman was simply stunning and from the reactions of those who met her, apparently charming and witty as well. House had spent a couple of minutes contemplating going out there and seeing if he could scare her off but had eventually decided he was too comfortable where he was. If he went out there people would know he was at the party and he might be obliged to make small-talk.

"You know, it wouldn't kill you do go out and talk to people for once," Wilson said as he collapsed on the couch next to House. "You might find some of them are worth it."

"Nah," House said with a dismissive wave of his beer bottle. "You're the only one here who's worth talking to and you've been depriving me of decent conversation."

House was amused and slightly startled to see Wilson blush at his comment. Surely Wilson knew he preferred his company; why else would he have said yes to coming tonight? It hadn't been to watch him flirt with women…even though he hadn't actually done that…or because he felt like it was his duty.

"Well, I'm here now," Wilson said, leaning back on the couch and bumping House's shoulder with his own.

House glanced at the clock and raised an eyebrow. "Which is interesting given it's about a minute to midnight. Shouldn't you be out there looking for the fourth Mrs Wilson?"

Wilson smiled wryly as he glanced out at the rest of the party where everyone was laughing and milling around with expectant looks on their faces.

"I think I've given up on having anymore Mrs Wilsons," he said dryly. "It doesn't seem to work very well."

They both looked around as the others in the room started up a countdown at thirty seconds to go.

"So what do you think will work?" House said with growing suspicion.

Wilson was sitting here with the seconds counting down to a very auspicious moment. Surely that didn't mean anything?

Wilson didn't reply, just looked out at the party as the countdown continued, "TEN! NINE! EIGHT! SEVEN! SIX! FIVE! FOUR! THREE! TWO! ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

To the background of cheering, laughing and generalised kissing and hugging, Wilson turned to House and said, "I thought I'd try this."

He then leaned forward and kissed House.