012. Chair
What She Saw
Cameron walked into the darkened Diagnostic Medicine conference room and looked into House's office. The sight on the other side of the glass walls made her wince. The only light came from the light on the desk and it showed the form of House lying in the yellow armchair in the corner of his office with his headphones on and he only did that for two diametrically opposite reasons – either he was feeling very good or he was feeling very bad. He either retreated to the chair to ease the pain in his back and leg or he lounged there because he was feeling mellow and wanted to wallow in the feeling for a while.
She stood in the semi-darkness and watched her boss for a few minutes to work out which. As soon as she did, she sighed and grimaced. It was the former. He had that certain stiffness about the way he was half-sitting, half-lying that spoke of a losing battle with the pain. She took half a step forward then stopped. She wished she dared to go in, that House would accept comfort, any sort of comfort, from her. But she knew from bitter experience that if she were to step inside that office right now, she'd leave it near tears and carrying her own head.
A movement from the other side of the office caught her eye and she looked over to see Dr Wilson open the door and walk in. She couldn't help the flare of jealousy that shot through her. Why was James Wilson allowed to take liberties that no one else was? Guilt shot through her as the thought 'What does he have that I don't?' rolled around her mind.
As she watched Wilson crouched down beside the chair and gently placed one hand on the armrest, barely brushing House's arm, his face neutral but his eyes full of concern. House's head lolled over to face Wilson and his eyes opened slowly. She saw Wilson ask a short question and House nodded once in reply. Wilson picked up the cane that was lying next to the chair, standing and stepping back a pace or two.
Cameron frowned at that. He was standing close enough that she thought he was going to help House get up but he never moved, never offered a hand. But he was standing too close to allow House to get up easily. As she watched House struggled to his feet, swaying into Wilson and staying there. Her eyes widened as Wilson raised his free hand and caught House around the waist while House lowered his forehead onto Wilson's shoulder.
Wilson turned his head slightly and Cameron saw him murmur something into House's ear that drew a small laugh. House raised his head and even thought she wasn't in the best position to see his expression, she could have sworn it was one of affection. Her jaw dropped the next moment when House leaned forward and brushed his lips against Wilson's. She swallowed hard as Wilson smiled back, a sweet, even loving smile, before he returned the favour.
They broke apart almost immediately after that and Wilson handed House his cane before walking over to grab his backpack. House waited until Wilson returned to his side then the two men headed out of the office, house limping a little more heavily than usual.
Cameron stood where she was for a long time after they'd left. She felt dazed and somewhat bruised and absolutely certain she wasn't meant to have seen that. She felt the jealousy rise again but this time it was tempered with wistful understanding. Now she knew what Wilson had that she didn't. She wouldn't say anything. House seemed if not happy, certainly content from what she'd seen and she liked and respected the man enough to let him have that. She turned around and put the file she'd been carrying onto the nearest desk and grabbed her coat and bag. As she left, she felt a certain regret and a small amount of contentment.