The Little Things

Chapter 13

I was depressed some after House's reaction but the next morning I got up and started my day the way I always do. I went into work as usual, made the coffee and went through House's mail. Eventually, I was joined by the boys and House but as we still hadn't had a case we all set off to do anything helpful around the hospital.

Before I left, I went into House's office to talk. "Hey, House!" I said; not calling him Greg since we were at work. "How's everything going?"

"Hey, Cameron! Everything's going okay. I'm board of out my mind here though. Why can't we get any interesting cases at this dmn hospital?"

"I know what you mean. Hey, so what are you up to after work? Would you like to come over, have dinner and hang out with me? I'll make whatever you want," I said in hopes to persuade him.

"I actually have plans. I'll be pretty busy up until the Fundraiser. I talked to Cuddy this morning and I convinced her to give me two weeks off clinic duty to help her out," he replied.

"Ahhh," I said trying to hide my disappointment. "Well maybe we could do lunch?" At that he tilted his head and grimaced.

"Busy then too. I'm meeting up with some old friends. They're going to be helping me out with the fundraiser."

"Oh, no worries! We can always hang out another day," and with that I turned to leave his office heading towards the hallway. When I reached his door I turned around and said, "Oh and thanks again for this last weekend. You're a great friend and I hope we can do things like that more often. I'll see you later. Page me if you need me." Then I turned and left.

House went to Wilson's office later that morning. He opened the door and sat down in front of Wilson. Wilson was on his computer and didn't even look over at House.

"So, what's up now Stalin?" Wilson said while still staring at his computer screen.

"Just thought I'd come in here to bug you."

"You know I'm immune to that now. Once you've been exposed for so long you build up a resistance." Wilson then looked over at House who was staring at the floor with his head resting on his cane. "Okay, what's actually the matter? What'd you do this time?" House remained quiet. "Is it Cuddy? Is she making you work?" Wilson said with a smile.

"No, nothing like that. It's… personal!" House said regretting it as soon as the words left his mouth.

"Oh, come on now! Now you have to tell me. Maybe I can help. That's what best friends are for anyways."

"It's…," House started kind of worried to say anything; even to Wilson, "it's Cameron."

"Oh, back to calling her Cameron now are we?"

"Well, we're at work!"

"Yeah but you still call her Ally when you're talking about her and it's not work related. Since you said it's personal then I'd have to gather that work isn't in the equation. Therefore you calling her Cameron is kind of… well, weird."

"Man, I need dumber friends," he said Wilson smiled at the comment knowing House used the word as a double entendre.

"So what about her House?"

"I care… for her!" he said while rolling his eyes at himself.

"Well, yeah! I'd expect that being she's your friend and all.

"I can't care for her the way that I do though."

"And why is that?"

"Someone once told me that some relationship just weren't meant to be. After you left yesterday her and I hung out and watched a movie; Titanic. I had my arm around her and we were just being… comfortable. I mean, we've been really comfortable around each other lately; hugging, holding each other, sleeping while holding each other. I never really thought about it until that night but we've been too close. She got all emotional from the movie and I reached out to wipe away her tears, she hugged me and when I pulled away we had… a moment. We were so close, we were almost nose to nose and we were looking deep in each others eyes. I can't allow that to happen. I really enjoy being close friends with her but it'll only end in hurt for both of us. I'd rather just stay friends but I don't know if I can even do that."

"House, you're incorrigible. I thought that maybe, just maybe this once you'd let something good happen to yourself. You know, you said you both were holding each other and hugging a lot; I mean you even cuddled while you slept; you had intimacy. Out of what I saw and heard, the only thing you and Cameron were missing from being able to call yourself boyfriend and girlfriend was sex," Wilson said in pure frustration. "House, I have one question for you. Did it feel good?"

"What are you talking about? Did what feel good?"

"Being with her; holding her while you slept, 'caring' for her! Did it feel good?" House lowered his head in anguish. "House, she's obviously smitten with you and you with her. Why would you fight that feeling?" House stood in response and started to make his way to Wilson's door. "House, you can't run away forever. Quit fighting your feelings. You've already left the door open for Cameron; don't slam it in her face. Just think about it before you do anything drastic. Give your feelings time and see where you want to take them." By this time House had reached Wilson's door and he turned his head towards Wilson and nodded in reply. He then opened the door and left a thoroughly bewildered Wilson behind.