Chapter Four

House made a clear point to avoid this situation at all costs. First he handed her off on Cameron. Then, after lunch, she shadowed Chase. Finally Foreman. "Why?" Nicole asked, presenting a tray full of food in front of her boss.

"Why, what?" He snapped, sinking his teeth into a bologna sandwich. In his recent effort to avoid Jessica, House had sealed himself in an empty clinic exam room. He made himself at home (laying on the table), and pulled out his portable t.v. as he ate.

"Why such an elaborate game of hide and seek?" Nicole asked, sitting next to him and grabbing a sandwich himself. House gave her a side-ways glance. "What? Wilson's not here today."

"Wilson's not here?" He swung his feet over the side of the table, pushed the antenna of his t.v. back down, then grabbed his cane and continued towards the doorway.

"Whoa, I thought you were trying to avoid what's-her-face." House stopped, his hand grasping the handle, and slyly glanced through the blinds. "Now what are you doing?"

"Do I pay you to question me?" The look he got in response made loosen his shoulders as he sighed. "Think about it. If Wilson's not here, there's no need for anyone to go in his office."

But sure enough, as soon as House turned the handle and opened the door, Cuddy popped out from around the corner. She had a scary scowl wiped across her face, but that only added to the horrific body language she was giving off in her wake. Also in her wake, Jessica. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Um..." He stared at the ceiling sarcastically, thinking of some snappy comeback. He looked to his assistant. "What am I doing?"She shrugged, grabbing her sandwich and heading in the opposite direction of her furious aunt. "Coward!" He yelled after her. Turning back to Cuddy, he continued to comment, "I see you've found her. Man, I never was good at hide and seek. You win again."

"I found her with Chase." Cuddy was fuming. If it were possible, steam would be scorching from her ears. She took a deep breath, then closed her eyes and said calmly, "What did I tell you this morning?"

"Oh, Greg. Don't stop, don't stop." He retaliated. Jessica snickered into her fist.

"HOUSE... just take her. Let her shadow you. That's all you have to do." Cuddy put her hands in the air, clearly giving up.

"Dr. House?" Jessica stepped up, holding a notebook close to her chest.

"Shut up and follow me." He grumbled, popping a Vicodin into his mouth and limping down the hall.

- - - - - - - - - -

Nicole walked down the hall, laughing to herself about what just happened. House was going to be furious at her, what with her leaving him all alone with his intern, but it was still extremely funny.

She walked into his office, closed the blinds and sat down at her desk. Picking up where she left off earlier, she put her headphones back into her ears and turned her iPod on. Rocking back and forth, slightly, in her chair, she started singing to herself...

"hmm, hmm, hmm, sinking with each step. Scared of what might be next, for me in this game we've played for so long. My instincts disappear. The only voice I hear, is telling me to run away from here." ("Waiting" by Not Forgotten.)

Chase let himself into the room, watching Nicole with wide eyes. He slipped his hand into the pocket of his lab coat and turned the velvet box inside between his fingers. She heard him, and swivelled her chair in his direction. "Hey," She cooed, getting up from her seat and walking over to where he stood.

Chase quickly removed his hand from his pocket and placed it on her cheek, brushing the soft spot with the pad of this thumb. "Hi." He leaned in to kiss her, but Cameron came walking into the room.