James went to his room reluctantly. If Allison had wanted to continue the kiss in her room, he would have been very willing. Whatever was happening between them, it wasn't something he'd ever expected. After Amber's death, they'd grown close as friends, she'd been such a support to him. However, once she'd left the hospital, they hadn't kept in touch as well as they should have. He missed having her around, someone he could vent to about House and have understand. He missed her kindness. He missed her.

He let himself into his room, setting the keycard down on the table inside the door. He continued on through to his balcony, sliding the door open and going outside, hoping the cool air would help him get a grip on his thoughts. He didn't know what he wanted with Allison. He felt something, and he wanted to pursue it. Not just sex, although that would be a nice benefit. No, he wanted something more. The timing had never been right between the two of them, but here, it all seemed to have come around. Both of them were free, consenting adults, with no one to hold them back, even though he knew it would be an issue with some people if they did begin a relationship. He evaluated things in his mind. If he chose to go forward, to make something between them, things could be strained. Allison had left Princeton-Plainsboro for her own reasons, and he had no idea if she'd ever come back. Chase and House might get on their cases for being together as well. Would any relationship between them be able to withstand that? He hoped so. Chase was the wild card, unpredictable in what his response would be. Wilson had seen his reaction to the termination of their marriage and he'd seemed to move on just fine with other women. But what would his reaction be to Allison being with him?

James finally had enough of thinking. He was putting the cart before the horse, planning out this future for the two of them, when he didn't even know if she wanted to think that far ahead. And if she wouldn't return to Princeton, where would that leave them? He didn't think he could ever leave there, he was bound too tightly to House, to ever seriously consider leaving. Although he was enjoying the break from him at the moment, he knew he could never abandon him, not with all that had happened to him over the years. Wilson did feel like he was House's only friend, especially since the implosion of his relationship with Cuddy. He felt honor-bound to be there for him. Even if a relationship with Allison lead to the inevitable jokes and teasing about the relationship. If House went too far, he could only hope he could get him to back off.

He finally went back into his room, only feeling the cold when he entered the warmth of the suite. Closing the doors and curtains, he went about getting settled in for the evening, going over his planned speech. Even then, his mind wandered, thinking to the kiss the two had shared on the bench. Thinking of it warmed him, how right the kiss was, how well she'd fitted into the crook of his arm. He knew House would laugh at that, that Wilson was always on the hunt for the next woman, but this time, James felt differently. This was Allison, not just some random woman. He couldn't screw this up, he had no wish to hurt her. He tried to concentrate on the notes he'd made, but he couldn't. He finally gave up. He stared over at the phone, wanting to call her. Finally, he made the decision to do so.

He regretted his decision a little when he heard her say "hello" in a sleepy voice, indicating that she'd tried to fall asleep anyway.

"Did I bore you to tears? In bed already?" James asked her.

When she heard his voice, Allison immediately woke up. She didn't feel so tired anymore, it was like her nerves were on end when she heard him. "I've had a lot to think about, a lot of fresh air today. It all caught up with me and I decided to get some sleep. It's been a very long day."

"Sorry to disturb you then. I should let you go." James felt horrible about waking her up.

"No, no, don't go. I don't mind." Allison found she didn't mind. She found she liked the fact he'd phoned her very much.

"Well, I was just thinking about us. And Allison, I really hope there is an "us". And I think we need to have a talk." He felt like a fool, pushing things so soon.

"About what?" Allison heard the nervousness in his voice, he apparently was having the same thoughts she'd had earlier.

"I know we just have had a couple of kisses and we haven't seen each other in awhile. But I have to know, did you feel something? Anything? As in "I would like to see where this goes?" anything?"

Allison remained quiet. He was having the same thoughts as her. She wanted to find out where it might go. "I would love to see where this might go, James. I've been thinking the same thing. And I'd like it if there was an "us" too."

He breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't crazy in his thoughts, she did want to see where this would go. He felt happy. "Are we still on for breakfast in the morning? Because I really can't wait to see you again."

"Yes, we're still on for breakfast. I wish it were time for breakfast now." She really did want to see him again.

Now he remained silent, wondering if this was an invitation to come over, but decided it wasn't. "Well, I can't wait either. Breakfast with a beautiful woman and charming companion, it's an excellent way to start the day."

Allison blushed, not used to compliments anymore. It had been a long time since someone had cared enough to say anything. "Well, you aren't so bad yourself in the charming category. You could give Prince Charming a run for his money."

James laughed, enjoying this light bantering. "Well, I'm no prince and I couldn't possibly compete with him, but thank you all the same. I better let you go, I just had to hear your voice once more this evening. I've missed hearing it daily. I've missed you."

Allison was reluctant to hang up the phone, especially when he said things like that. "I've missed you too, James. I'm really glad I ran into you here."

"See you in the morning, then. I can't wait."

"Goodnight, James."

"Goodnight, Allison." He loved the sound of his name coming from her lips. He wanted to hear it more often.

They both reluctantly hung up. Allison for her part, wished she'd let him come into her room, even considering phoning back and asking if he wanted to come over, but she held steady in her resolve not to plunge into bed with him. At least he wanted to pursue something with her and she wasn't ready to complicate it with sex. She sighed as she settled back under the covers. With thoughts of Wilson floating through her mind, she drifted back to sleep, looking forward to morning.

In his room, however, as he readied for bed, Wilson found he couldn't stop thinking of her, couldn't just switch off. House would call him a fool for pursuing this, but James really did want to see where this relationship would take them. Even if he didn't have the best reputation with women, he liked to think any relationship with Allison was based on friendship first. She already knew him, knew his flaws and still wanted him.

Climbing under the covers finally, he breathed a deep sigh. Never in a million years would he have thought that coming to this one conference things would change him so much. He only could hope they'd both come out of this happy and together. Finally settling down, he drifted off to sleep, thinking of her, and glad he'd decided to come here.