037. Argue

Spectator Sport

Chase looked up from his crossword and winced. "Damn! They're at it again."

Foreman and Cameron looked up from their respective diversions and turned to look into House's office.

"That's the fifth time in three days," Foreman said sourly. "All House and Wilson seem to do these days is argue."

"I wonder what's wrong," Cameron mused.

"You would," Foreman said bluntly.

"I'm with Cameron," Chase said. "Because House's mood has been getting worse and worse with every argument. Maybe you don't mind him snarling at you but I'm getting a bit sick of it."

"What, you think that if we know what's wrong we can fix it?" Foreman said incredulously. "You're insane. House doesn't like people poking around in his private life at the best of times, what makes you think he'd appreciate it right now?"

They winced as House slammed his cane down on his desk and shouted something at Wilson. In return Wilson's expression became almost mulish and he crossed his arms across his chest, saying something extremely blunt from the scowl that grew on House's face. Their eyes widened when House yanked his bottle of Vicodin out of his pocket and pegged it at Wilson's head. Wilson jerked his head out of the line of fire and caught the bottle awkwardly. He stared down at it, showing the first signs of indecision, and a quick glance at House showed that he was sitting in his chair with the most forbidding expression any of them had ever seen on his face.

Chase drew in a hissing breath and winced. "Oh, man, Wilson. Don't open it. Don't count 'em."

"Why shouldn't he?" Foreman asked almost reluctantly. He seemed fascinated by the scene being played out silently in front of them in spite of himself.

"Because I've seen that look on House's face before," Chase replied. "That's his deal breaker face. If Wilson opens that bottle, I can't see House letting him back in again."

It seemed that Wilson knew this as well because his shoulders slumped and he bowed his head. One hand came up to rub the back of his neck and he tossed the bottle back with the other. He said something, his expression weary and defeated and turned towards the door. Before he could open it, House sat up and said something, his expression a mix of exasperation, defensiveness and a hint of desperation.

Wilson turned, his body language and expression still that of a man defeated. House said something, his expression oddly pleading and then he scowled and looked away. Wilson ran a hand down his face and said a single word with a somewhat rueful smile. As the trio of doctors watched, House turned around and returned the smile then he got to his feet and limped around the desk without using his cane. Wilson walked back to the desk, a look of fond exasperation on his face and then he gently caressed House's face.

"What?" Chase choked out. "Did I actually see…?"

"Oh yeah, you saw," Foreman said, his eyes wide.

As they watched House's smile became broader and more genuinely affectionate and both Chase and Foreman were kind enough to not look over at Cameron who had just made a tiny sound something akin to a whimper. Instead they watched House wrap a hand around Wilson's tie and pull him into a brief kiss. Wilson pulled away, flushed and laughing self-consciously, and he shot a glance into the conference room, his eyes widening and his blush deepening when he saw that they had an avid audience. House followed his gaze and smirked smugly before turning back to laugh at Wilson.

Wilson shook his head, still smiling and blushing furiously then he walked over to the door. He paused with one hand on the doorknob and asked something that was clearly a question. House responded with a smile, a comment and a lazy wave of one hand. Wilson rolled his eyes and headed out to his office. House watched him go then looked over at the conference room and gave his team a bland look before returning to his own chair and picking up his Gameboy.

"You know…that could have an elaborate charade put on for our benefit," Chase offered expectantly.

Foreman didn't disappoint; he snorted and said derisively. "Yeah, sure. Why would they do that?"

"Because House loves screwing with our minds," Chase replied.

Foreman considered that then snorted, this time with amusement. "You have a point."

"It looked pretty genuine to me," Cameron said in a brittle voice.