Well this chapter came as a bit of a surprise to me. Didn't really plan on this happening, but I'll write it in. Let me know what you think.
Drowning in Blue - Chapter Nine
"Another twenty?"
House's smile is just wide enough to unnerve Wilson.
"I fold."
The cards slide towards Wilson with careful precision.
"A pair of twos," he says, shaking his head. "You bluffed me with a pair of twos."
"You have an honest face, Jimmy," House replies, raking the chips into a precarious pile guaranteed to drive Wilson crazy for the next two hands.
The doorbell rings. Wilson raises his eyebrows.
"Pizza?"
House doesn't get up, only gestures for Wilson to shuffle the cards.
"Take out?"
House rolls his eyes.
"Gimme the cards and pull a chair over."
"I didn't know you were expecting company," he says as the door opens. Cameron walks in, her auburn hair pulled back into a low ponytail.
"Hey House, Wilson." She greets them awkwardly and sets a case of beer on the table. It creaks under the added weight.
House slides a stack of chips over to her. "Buy in is five, antes increase from there. Since you're starting low, feel free to wager clothes."
"Funny," she says, giving him a mock-glare.
The cards are dealt in silence.
"So Cameron...this is different," Wilson says. House gives him a look indicating he is to shut up.
In typical Wilson fashion, he barrels on towards his own destruction.
"Well, not different so much as...different. You two," he says, gesturing with his beer, "I didn't see this coming."
"Shut up and play, Wilson," House says, carefully avoiding Cameron's look.
"No, I think it's good we talk about it. Wilson's concerned about you with good reason," she says, patting him on the shoulder.
House's eyes widen and he chokes on a sip of beer.
"What exactly-" he begins.
"Shut up House. We're talking," she says sweetly, angling her cards away from his curious eyes.
"Wilson, I promise not to abuse him any more than is necessary to keep him in line," Cameron says, her voice silky.
"There are all kinds of abuse, Cameron. What exactly are we talking here?"
Her smile is knowing, sexual.
Predatory.
Wilson gulps.
"Ante up," House says, a bit offended at having been left out of the conversation.
They flip cards and place bets in silence.
"Cameron, can I ask you something?" Wilson says finally, rolling his shoulders until they pop.
"Of course."
"What changed? I mean, he's been such an ass to you for such a long time. Why now? You're not even working with him."
"Hey! I'm in the room, you know," House scowls.
Though he may as well not be, seeing how engrossed Wilson is in waiting for Cameron's answer.
She slides her own bet in thoughtfully before responding.
He doesn't show it, but House is just as eager to hear her reasoning.
"Well, it was all very spontaneous."
True enough.
"I hadn't seen him for, what, three months?" she says, looking at House for the first time.
He nods.
"Thought so. He just showed up and..." she trails off, biting her lip.
Wilson leans forward, grinning impishly. "What?"
Cameron's guarded expression melts into a vulnerable facade. "Oh, it was just the most romantic thing. He had flowers and a gondola and his guitar and we fed each other strawberries and sang songs until the sun rose."
A bark of laughter from House cuts the silence.
Wilson sighs and throws his cards on the table. "I'm not kidding. You are the two most self-destructive people I know."
"It's your bet," Cameron murmurs.
House snorts. "Says the man with three divorces under his belt."
Wilson raises his hands in self-defense. "I'm not denying I've made poor decisions, but I know why I made them. Something has changed between the two of you. I thought Cameron would at least be sane enough to recognize the danger that presents, but I guess you've warped her too."
Their eyes meet, House's filled with anger and Wilson's with self-righteous indignation.
"He hasn't warped me, Wilson," Cameron retorts. "I'm the same person I've always been. I'm just growing up."
"Right," Wilson says, his gaze frank. "Are you so sure?"
The tension grows unbearable and, after gathering his coat and beer, Wilson leaves, muttering to himself.
The door slams a second later.
Cameron coughs.
"Well that was awkward," House says finally.
"Just a bit."
With a groan, he reaches across the table to flip Wilson's cards over.
A straight flush smiles up at him.
"Damn."
Like I said, didn't see Wilson's extreme disapproval coming. However, I think I can tie this in...(grins evilly)