A/N: This is probably gonna be the longest chapter. Dunno why I can elaborate on this song so much…

Disclaimer: I still don't own House or Phantom, but I still wish I did.

"House!" Wilson called down the hallway.

It was 5 o'clock on Halloween night. House was going home to see how many children he could frighten. If anyone else had called his name, he would have kept right on walking. His best friend was different. He stopped for him.

"What do you want?" House asked.

"Just wanted to see if you were coming to the staff Halloween party tonight," Wilson told him.

"Since when do we have a Halloween party?" House wanted to know.

"Since…" Wilson thought for a moment. "Since every year."

"We have never had a Halloween party," House stated.

"Fine, they're trying something new and throwing a party for the staff on a more secular holiday this year. How would you know? You'd never show up for anything anyway."

"I have to know when to avoid the things I don't show up for. And I think that answers your question. You know I don't show up for anything, why would you ask about this?"

"Because it'd be good for you. You need to get out, have a good time. Take your mind off…some people."

Wilson, naturally, was the only one House had told about what he had heard while he was hiding out under the stairwell. He had interrupted yet another meeting with a patient in doing this. Thus, Wilson was forced to hastily reassure House that Cameron would learn to let whatever rude things he said go right over her head and send him on his way. Now, he knew there was still a bit of work to be done before House's mind was off Cameron, even though his fellows would never know that.

"It's at 7:30 if you decide to come. And yes, it's a costume party."

With that, Wilson walked away. House stood there for a minute, thinking about the options. Going to the party would mean not having to deal with telling snotty-nosed brats to go away, thereby taking away the fun of seeing them run, screaming from the man who eats brains. Not going to the party would still provide this joy, but this year the time he'd have an extra heartache to sulk over. Weighing the options, he was glad he still have a couple of hours to think about it.

Masquerade!
Paper faces on parade
Masquerade!
Hide your face,
so the world will
never find you!
Masquerade!
Every face a different shade
Masquerade!
Look around -
there's another
mask behind you!
Flash of mauve
Splash of puce
Fool and king
Ghoul and goose
Green and black
Queen and priest
Trace of rouge
Face of beast . . .
Eye of gold
Thigh of blue
True is false
Who is who?
Curl of lip
Swirl of gown
Ace of hearts
Face of clown…

It was time for the party. Wilson, dressed as a vampire for all the blood he'd drawn to test for cancer, looked for House. He was not surprised to see that there was no sign of him. Meanwhile, Cameron and Chase were having a good time dressed as a cop and a prisoner.

"We shouldn't have worn these costumes," Cameron said.

"Why not?" asked Chase.

"It'll make people think that we actually have a relationship," Cameron told him. "I told you, I don't want that."

"But, why not? What are you afraid of? It's a relationship, not a crime," Chase told her.

"Let's not talk about this now," Cameron said. "You'll understand in time, like when people start talking about us."

"Right," Chase said.

-Think of it, a secret relationship…

Why is it secret, what have we to hide?

-No, Chase, please don't they'll see

Then let them see. It's a relationship, not a crime

Cameron, what are you afraid of?

-Let's not argue…

You will understand in time

At 9 o'clock, with one hour left of the party, an all-too-familiar face showed up. Gregory House walked through the doors with a skeleton costume on. He had, in his left hand, his motorcycle helmet, which had a bag of candy in it. That was his contribution to the party. Everyone looked up upon his arrival. For some, it was just to see who had come so late. For others, it was just to see who it was.

"What are you all looking at?" House demanded of the crowd. "You weren't expecting me, were you? Well, I'm here. And to save you some time, I'll tell you know that a hoofed animal of your choice will not fly by the hospital later on. And I might have to check the clinic again, but I'm pretty sure Hell has not frozen over. Who missed me?"

Why so silent, good doctors?

Did you think that I would not show up

Have you missed me, good doctors?

Everyone immediately resumed their dancing or other form of mingling. House would have expected nothing more. They would have done anything to avoid that question. House looked up and around the room. If Wilson cared whether or not he was there, he had better been there himself.

"You actually came," Wilson said as he approached House.

"Stranger things have happened," House said.

"Yes…though at the moment I'm at a loss for an example of that," said Wilson.

The party continued pretty much uneventfully. That is, until House caught Chase and Cameron making out. He wished he could go over to them and yell "She's mine!" at Chase. The only thing that stopped him from doing so was his desire to keep things rational, and that was one thing he couldn't rationalize. He could just sit there and stew.

Your ass is still mine

You work for me