It was around six o-clock when Liz looked at her watch. "I need to be home by eight at the latest so I won't miss James' call." she said wistfully. Amy looked up at her friend and gave her an odd look. "What?" asked Liz.
"He check up on you?" she asked. One of her eyebrows raised so high it disappeared under her auburn bangs.
"No, I told him I'd be home and if he calls and I'm not there he'll start to think all kinds of things. I know him. He has this fear of abandonment, I think. Either that or he's untrusting. Either way, it's kind of sad."
"Oh, Lizzie." Amy said. She hopped off the stage and walked over to Liz. "You're doing it again, aren't you?"
Liz looked affronted. "No I most certainly am not." She put her hands on her hips and looked insulted. "I met him while I was in the hospital. We hit it off. Thats all, Aim. That's all."
"Are you sure? He comes off as the lost puppy, and we both know how you like to take in strays."
Amy, that isn't fair." Liz shot at her friend.
"Just stating an observation." Amy said with a shrug. "Lemme guess, he has big brown puppy dog eyes too."
Liz scoffed. "So he has brown eyes. Big deal." Amy shrugged and continued to set things up for tomorrow night. "Amy Jo." Liz said with authority. Amy hissed and shot her friend a dirty look. "You stop it. I really like this guy. I'm not about to let you, or anyone else for that matter come between that."
"Good. That's what I wanted to hear." Amy said without looking up at Liz. Liz threw a piece of donut at her. "Hey! Don't waste, the Goddess doesn't like it."
"Is that why you wear so much makeup?" Liz asked as she chewed on what was left of her ammo. Amy gave her the finger, but said nothing. "Thought so." Liz said with a laugh. "So, when are you ready to leave, or are you staying here for the night, I'm sure she won't mind."
"Oh, I know she won't mind but you and I need to catch up an a few things. It's been a while. I'd like to get caught up before I get tossed at your new boyfriend without knowing anything about him."
"Amy, he isn't my boyfriend." Liz said, her face twisted in a smile. Her friend finished her sentence for her.
"Yet." The two of them had to laugh. "Ok, lets get going. Wouldn't want to upset James, no would I?" Liz stuck her tongue out at her friend. Amy only laughed.
As the two girls walked out of the club they took in the sight of the Moon. It was almost to it's fullest. "Lovely isn't she?" asked Amy.
"She is." replied Liz wistfully as she stared up at the silvery orb. "Come on. I'll make popcorn and we can watch the Craft and Practical Magic and make fun of them."
Amy's eyes lit up. "Chocolate covered popcorn?" she asked, licking her lips.
"I suppose. What is your fascination with chocolate lately?" Liz gasped and covered her mouth. "You're either menstrual or pregnant, which is it?"
Amy placed her hands on her hips. "I am not pregnant." She smiled. "Besides, if I was, I'd be shacking up with Danny wouldn't I? I wouldn't be crashing on your couch, thats for sure."
Liz shrugged. "You could stay at the Brownstone, you know." Amy shrugged. "Ok, whatever."
When they finally reached the car, which was parked halfway down the block Amy drove. As she rode, Liz thought about the upcoming weekend. She was having dinner with James on Friday night and she was taking House to the concert Saturday. She grinned. "What?" asked Amy.
"I haven't told House yet." she replied coyly.
Amy laughed. "You haven't told him?! Oh, you are deviant aren't you?"
Liz smiled and shrugged. "One good turn deserves another. Don't you think?"
"So he really is how we've heard?" asked Amy as she stopped at a red light.
"Exactly. But she didn't tell us that he was the scruffy teddy bear type. You know. He's like the one that gets left out in the rain and no one wants to go near."
Amy laughed "He isn't that bad is he? I mean, he was described as being standoffish but scruffy?"
Liz laughed back. "Maybe scruffy isn't the word. He's... abrasive."
Amy howled with laughter. "Oh, that's rich!" She tossed her hair out of her eyes as they pulled into the parking lot of her apartment building.
&&&&&&&
The two girls walked up the stairs and Liz opened the door. After a much needed reprieve from their shoes, the girls settled down to watch movies and have a good time. Then, the phone rang. Elizabeth's face lit up like a Yule tree. "Hello?" she asked into the receiver. "Yeah, I'm ok to talk." she said as she winked at Amy and left the room. Amy gave her the thumbs up and Liz walked out of the room.
Once she was in her own room she sat down on the soft mattress of her bed and the wide grin appeared. "So," she asked. "How was your day today?"
On the other end, James Wilson was smiling the same goofy smile. "Not too bad. It was a normal day for the most part."
Liz was twirling her hair like a schoolgirl. "And House?" she asked.
"He's really taking this hard. He thinks I'm taking you from him, I think." He paused. "It's endearing.. in a creepy sort of way."
Liz laughed. "It is sweet. He thinks of me a the daughter he never had then? That's uh, yeah. Creepy." she said into the phone and she could hear James laughing on his end. "What?!" she asked defensively.
"Nothing." he said, trying to cover his tracks. He cleared his throat and shifted uneasily in his chair. "So.." he started. "Looking forward to the weekend?" His smile returned.
"Yes, I am. I have a few surprises in store."
Wilson shifted in his seat, leaning forward. "For whom?" he asked.
"Both of you." Liz replied cryptically.
"Uh oh, am I going to like this surprise?"
"More than likely." Liz continued to twirl her hair through her fingers. "I have company though sweety, so I'm gonna let you go for the night. You have good dreams ok."
"I will." he replied. "They'll be of you."
"Aww, that's sweet." Liz said into the phone. "Night honey."
"Night."
After hanging up the phone, James Wilson sat back in his seat and reveled in the simple fact that she had once again called him "honey".
Liz was grinning uncontrollably when she emerged from the bedroom. Amy, seeing her friend gave her a frown. "You weren't having phone sex were you?" she asked. Her face had taken on a greenish hue.
"No." said Liz. "But now that you mention it, I might try it next time he calls. You can play too, I have an extra phone... It can be a threesome!" Amy made retching sounds from the sofa. Liz laughed.
"Okay, now that you've succeeded in officially grossing me out, can we get back to movie night?" Amy threw a piece of popcorn at Liz.
Catching the popcorn in her hand and dropping it deftly into her mouth Liz smiled. "Yes, let's continue." The girls spent the remainder of the night watching "witchy" movies and making fun of the discrepancies. When the sun finally rose, they were both asleep on the sofa surrounded by empty popcorn bags and crushed soda cans.
&&&&&&&&
Friday
Wilson had a spring in his step as he walked down the hall. His date with Elizabeth was tonight and he was in an undeniably happy mood. Not even House could ruin it for him today. He thought about whistling but decided it would be overkill. So, instead, he simply walked toward his office with a stupid smile on his face.
"Why are you so pleased?" asked a female voice. Turning around Wilson saw Cuddy walking up the stairs that preceded his office.
"I have a date tonight." he said matter-of-factly.
Cuddy nodded. "Yeah, I heard. House has been telling everyone who'll listen that you're taking out a high school cheerleader." Wilson rolled his eyes. "So... it's not true... is it?"
Wilson sighed. "Of course not. I'm taking out Liz Sullivan." Cuddy shrugged at the name. "Her mother was the crazy woman that you had to call the cops on a few weeks ago when Liz was House's patient." he prodded her.
Recognition lit up in her eyes. "Oh, yeah. How could I forget about her. That woman was insane." She paused. "Wait. You're taking out one of House's former patients?" Wilson nodded. "And House knows?"
"Why do you think he's acting the way he is? Liz was the one who sent him that autographed guitar pick. He's..." Wilson paused, searching for the perfect word. Cuddy leaned in to hear what he was going to say. "Protective of her." Cuddy scoffed.
"Not House. He only cares about himself. Everyone knows this."
"Thats what I thought too. But he's confessed to me, in actual words, that he feels a certain connection to her. She's the daughter he never had."
Cuddy was floored. "What?!" She placed her hands firmly on her hips. "You're lying."
"I am not. He said he was paternal toward her. He's worried about her. It's endearing."
"It's not House. It's not normal." Lisa Cuddy's face went slack as if she'd been hit with a brick.
"I know. I checked to see if he was fevered. He wasn't. Maybe it's just her. Liz has a way about her thats magnetic."
"Magnetic?"
Wilson smiled and nodded. "She's such an out there personality that House feels that he can be himself around her. They're going to some cover band concert tomorrow night."
"So she's going out with you tonight and House tomorrow night?"
"Yes."
"And you're ok with this? If she's interested in you, do you really want her to hang out with House?"
"It doesn't bother me. Lizzie can hold her own with him. She's just as manipulating, if not more so than he is. She'll be fine."
"You realize what you just said, right?" Cuddy raised her eyebrows at him.
"No, what?" asked Wilson.
"You're going out with a girl who's just like House."
"So. I'm not allowed to do that?"
Cuddy waved her arms in the air. "Ok, whatever. You guys are going to do your own thing and if doesn't matter what I say. Have fun."
Wilson watched Cuddy walk away with confusion. "Thankyou?" he said warily as she went into House's office and began shouting at him for something Wilson couldn't hear.
&&&&&&&&
Elizabeth walked into the club. It was the middle of the morning and there were very few people there. A blond behind the bar was busy stocking the shelves with bottles of rum and various expensive liquors. "Mornin' Coral." she said as she walked past her.
"Morning." said the cheerful blond. She giggled.
"No, not a word. He can't know we know each other until tonight." Coral nodded and went back to work.
Liz went to work herself. She sorted playlists and tried to tune the sound board as best she could without someone to speak into the microphone. When that was done it was nearly noon. She'd been there for over three hours and was just starting to get hungry. She stood up and was about to call in some takeout when Amy meandered in out of the chilly New Jersey air. "About damn time!" she scolded her. "I've been here for hours. We weren't drinking last night so the only excuse you have is being a lazy ass."
Amy grinned. "Took an extra long shower this morning." she said as she plopped down on one of the barstools. "Is it too early to start drinking?"
Both Coral and Liz answered in unison. "YES!" Amy was almost startled off her stool. The girls laughed.
"So, looking forward to your date with the hot Dr Wilson?" asked Amy as she righted herself. Coral snickered. "What's so funny?" she asked
Liz cleared her throat. "A few years back, Coral and Amber had a few... meetings.. with James." Coral laughed outright.
Amy grimaced. "You guys really share everything don't you?" she asked with disgust.
"Liz shrugged. "If you didn't have such a tight leash on Danny, I'm sure the twins would have had him as well, right C?" Coral nodded.
Amy shivered. "You stay away from my man. We're officially handfasted now so back off." She stood up and smiled. "I don't want to have to dent in your pretty faces."
Liz laughed again. "You versus the twins? I'd pay to see that match. Will jello be involved, you know how Danny likes jello." Amy gave her the finger. "I'm just saying..." she began.
"Nuff." said Amy gruffly. Liz clapped a hand over her own mouth and snickered. "Whats there to do anyhow, or have you done everything?"
"No." said Liz. "There still lighting and costume. Someone needs to inform the rest of the band that we actually have something going on here tomorrow night. Rehearsal is after hours so please make sure they're all here. I don't want to have to dig Joey out of another prostitutes bed at three a.m. just to practice."
Amy nodded. "Gotcha. I'm on it boss." she giggled. "What time are you going out tonight?"
"Around seven thirty. I'l more than likely be getting home late. Don't wait up."
Coral made a peep from behind the bar. "You wont be disappointed." she chimed in with a smile.
"I'm sure I wont." Liz said with a grin of her own. "I have things to do before tonight. I need to go shopping!"
Amy whined. "I wanna go shopping!" She hopped on her heels like a child.
Liz pointed a finger at her friend. "No, this is my weekend. I'm going to get myself something nice for tonight and something ruinable for tomorrow night."
"Ruinable?" asked Amy.
"Yeah, you know how the guys get. I don't want to be wearing something really nice only get Goldschlager spilled on it."
Amy nodded her approval. "I guess."
"I'm glad you approve, mom." Liz grabbed her coat and headed for the door. "You think I should surprise him with lunch?" Coral nodded and Amy shrugged. "O-k. I'll see where the day takes me then." and she stepped out into the cloudy skies over the city.
&&&&&&&
Wilson was sitting in his office, doing paperwork as usual when the door opened and House strode in and plopped himself onto the couch. "What time you picking up Liz tonight?" he asked.
"Not sure. and it's none of your business anyway." Wilson shot at him.
"I just wanted to know. Geez. You don't have to get all mean about it." House jested.
Looking up from his work, James rolled his eyes. "I'm picking her up around eight-ish. You going to follow us?" He went back to his work.
House grinned. "Is that an invitation?"
"No."
House sighed. He wasn't getting a rise out of Wilson today like he thought he would. "I made a bet with Chase. Ten to one odds that you won't get laid tonight."
Without looking up Wilson asked "Which one says I will, which one says I wont?"
"Chase has more faith in you that I do. I don't think you've got the nerve."
"Its a first date, House. Go collect your money now and leave me alone."
"Damn!" House cursed as he stood up. "You're no fun. I'm gonna go mess with Cameron." House walked out of Wilson's office and closed the door behind him.
"Have fun." muttered James, almost as an afterthought.