Allison spent most of her flight clenching and unclenching her fist. She hadn't been back to Princeton since the day she'd been there to get Chase to sign the divorce papers. To be honest, she'd never thought she'd come back to it. Yet, here she sat, flying there to see James Wilson. She shook her head at herself, not believing this. They'd talked on and off all week. She'd heard from him after he had told House about them and it was part of the reason she was nervous about returning. She knew House, knew he'd be plotting something, anything to mess with them. She hoped Wilson and her could stay strong enough to survive the onslaught.
As well as being worried, she also felt anxious. She'd been away from James for six days now. Maybe now that some time had passed, things would have cooled down between them. Maybe six days of House working on Wilson would have soured things between her and him. She was a bundle of nerves and just needed to see him, to be reassured. Yes, they'd talked on the phone and things seemed fine between them. She'd looked forward to the nightly phone calls. She'd packed last night while she was on the phone with him, giving him her flight number and expected arrival time. As anxious as she was, she couldn't wait to see him.
Allison sighed, thinking of the road ahead of her. Now that House knew, it was only a matter of time till Robert found out. She didn't think she had to phone him and tell him she was in a new relationship. She'd gathered enough from Wilson that Chase hadn't exactly been biding his time, doing nothing since the divorce. Not that she'd expected him too, but it was obvious that he'd started to move on long before she had. Did he deserve a courtesy phone call, to announce that she was involved with his co-worker, his friend? Was it her responsibility or Wilson's? She hadn't talked to Chase since she'd left the hospital that day. It had been easier on her that way. Having admitted to him that she wasn't ever really sure she'd loved him like he'd wanted to be loved had devastated her as much as him. She'd hated admitting it.
She turned her thoughts to Wilson. Was she falling for him? Was this just a last grab at a part of her past, to quit running? Was it going to go anywhere or was it going to flame out? She hoped it was going to last. Wilson had told her that he hadn't gone out much since he'd broken up with Sam, and she believed him. He'd told her of House's efforts to throw him back into the dating scene, but he hadn't been able to. Even the ten day deadline he'd been given, he couldn't. House had finally given up pushing him back into the dating scene, instead letting him go for a change.
The seatbelt light came on and they were told to buckle up. This pulled Allison from her thoughts and she shook it off. It wouldn't be long until she seen James now and her heart quickened a little. The man really was preoccupying too many of her thoughts this week. She couldn't help it though. She hadn't felt this in a long time. It wasn't long til they landed and she found her bag. Walking through the terminal, she caught sight of him waiting. She broke out into a smile. He noticed her almost as soon as she noticed him and returned the smile, a wide grin breaking out on his face. Only then did a certain shyness suddenly come over her, making her reluctant to move forward. She stopped moving forward, looking down at her feet.
Confusion crossed James face as he seen Allison just stop and quit moving toward him. He wondered at her reluctance. Relief crossed over him when she seemed to pull herself together and continue her journey towards him. Soon, she stood in front of him.
"Did you have a good flight?" James asked.
"It was fine. Don't remember most of it. Spent a lot of time thinking." Allison admitted.
"Have you changed your mind about us, about being here?" James asked, worry lacing his voice.
"I haven't changed my mind. I'm just worried that you might." she answered truthfully.
"I haven't changed my mind. I've missed you this week." James put his arms around her, pulling her into a hug.
Initially resistant, Allison softened as she felt his arms around her. She felt safe there, like she belonged. She soon returned the hug, not caring they were in the middle of a busy airport. They stood there for a few minutes before breaking apart.
"Shall we go?" James asked, picking up the handle of her suitcase and draping his arm around her shoulders.
Allison relaxed a little more, reveling in the feel of his arm enclosing her. She brought her hand up to clutch his, entwining her fingers with his. Anyone looking at them would think they'd been together for a long time, not a matter of days.
They left the airport, getting to Wilson's car in no time. He put her bag in the trunk and then opened the door of the car for her. Allison smiled at him, loving the feeling of being taken care of. Usually she was the one taking care of people. She'd been on her own for awhile now and appreciated things like the effort Wilson was taking with her. Of course, he probably treated every woman he was with this way. She couldn't start to think that she was anything more than that, not at this stage.
They left the parking lot, Allison having no idea where she was going. She actually didn't know where Wilson lived, not now. She knew that he'd moved out of Amber's apartment, buying a condo not long after she'd left here. She wondered what the place looked like, whether Sam had left her imprint on the place when she'd lived there. She felt slightly jealous of the fact, that another woman had been with him, one he'd declared his love for and asked to marry him again. The fact that she was jealous surprised her. She had no right to be.
Sensing her downturn in mood, James looked at her, wondering what was bothering her.
"Are you okay? I thought we'd go to my place, give you a chance to settle in and then we'd go out to dinner. I made reservations at my favourite place. I hope you enjoy the food there." James went on, nervousness making him talk on.
"I'm fine, really, James, I am. It's just odd being back here. I also realize I don't even know where you live anymore. I feel bad we didn't keep in touch as much as we should have. You were my friend when I was here. We should have kept in touch more." Allison answered him.
"It's a nice place. I like it. Lisa wasn't too happy that I bought it out from under her. She was going to buy it." James revealed to her.
"Really? That was a sneaky move on your part." Allison laughed.
"What can I say? I seen the place and just thought it was time to move on. I like it. I can't wait to show it to you."
"I can't wait to see it."
Silence descended on them again, albeit a comfortable one. She laid her head back against the headrest, watching him drive. Her eyes travelled over him, from his floppy hair, down to his brown eyes then over to his hands on the wheel. He caught her looking him over and she blushed, breaking away from looking at him. He smiled, taking one hand off the wheel and catching hers in it. He gave it a gentle squeeze, and she relaxed.
In no time they arrived at his place. He parked the car before getting out and opening the door for her. He got her bags out of the trunk and they headed into the building. Allison was impressed just with how the public areas looked. It was gorgeous. They stopped in front of his door while he fished around for the key. He entered first, before turning and holding the door open for her. Allison slowly entered, not knowing what to expect. She was again impressed.
"It's great in here. Did you decorate it yourself?" Allison hoped he had. She didn't think she could stand if Sam had.
"Mostly. A decorator helped me, I did pick a few pieces myself, but I kind of am hopeless at times with decor. House made me choose something on my own this time, says I've always depended too much on the taste of the women in my life."
"Well, it's a nice place. I can see why you'd want it." Allison stepped further into the room, running a hand along the back of one couch.
"Come on, I'll show you your room." James picked up her bag, going down the small hallway, Allison following. She was mildly surprised that he was doing that, not assuming that she would sleep with him. Entering the room after him, she watched as he put her suitcase on the bed. He turned to her, smiling.
"I'll leave you to get ready. I made reservations for seven."
He hadn't tried to kiss her yet and Allison had had enough. She'd waited all week to see him. She moved towards him, stopping him from leaving the room. Standing in front of him, she put her hand up to his face, gently touching it. He put his arms on her waist, pulling her closer. She tilted her head upwards, brushing his lips with hers.
Moments later, they pulled apart, Allison resting her head on his chest.
"I've missed you." she whispered.
In response, he kissed her again. She happily returned the kiss, throwing herself into it enthusiastically. Again, minutes passed before they finally broke apart and he left her to get ready to go out. She opened her suitcase, pulling out a change of clothes and getting ready. She decided to wear her hair long, preferring it that way. She did her makeup, slipped on a pair of heels and opened the door to head to the living room. James was getting a drink out of the fridge when she entered the room.
"You look terrific." he said.
"Thank you. James, may I ask you something?" Allison had been wondering this since he'd told her of House knowing.
"Sure, go ahead." He helped adjust her shawl on her shoulders.
"Why did you tell House so easily about us? I mean, you could have kept our relationship secret for a long time. I don't even live here. Why tell him so quickly?"
James thought about this, considering what to tell her. Finally, haltingly, he answered her. "With other women, I've been somewhat afraid of his reaction to them. I knew he'd hate whoever I was with. It was especially true with Sam this last time. But you, I don't think he can hate you. I don't want to hide you. I really don't care who knows that we're together. I'm an idiot, I know, but Allison, I feel very strongly towards you."
Allison swallowed, stunned. She thought James was wrong on one count. She did think House could hate her. Hate her for leaving Princeton, leaving Chase, running. And worse, coming back to be with Wilson, his best friend. Whom, if anyone was poisoned by House, one would think that he would be. Yet, Wilson seemed to remain above that. And if she interfered in the friendship in anyway, yes, she did think House could hate her.
Then she thought of what else Wilson had just admitted, feeling very strongly towards her. And he didn't want to hide her. Not to House, not anyone. That was a difference in him that surprised her.
"Well, if you don't care who knows, neither do I." She clutched his hand as he lead her to the door. "And James? I feel very strongly towards you as well."
They stopped in front of the door and he gave her a light kiss on the mouth. Holding the door open for her, they exited the apartment and headed out to dinner.