************

Chapter 21

It was almost three when Wilson pulled into the hospital parking lot to drop off a sullen House, who was definitely not happy about being pushed to the sidelines by his best friend. However, he had a feeling there was more to House's brooding manner, especially when House warned him to not take advantage of Cameron's situation. The comment surprised Wilson and he wasn't exactly sure what House had meant but he didn't have time to focus on his cantankerous friend right now. There were other things that needed his attention first, like getting Cameron squared away before House decided to call her.

Cameron looked at her caller ID and saw it was Wilson. She quickly answered.

"Finally you call! I was beginning to worry. What is going on?" She asked as she leaned against the counter of her small kitchen, waiting for the coffee she started a few minutes ago, to finish brewing.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't call until I got rid of House." Wilson said as he pulled up to a red light.

"It's okay. Just tell me what's going on." Cameron said a little more demanding than before.

Wilson took a deep breath and began to explain about the day's events, why he needed her help and why he couldn't talk when she returned his call earlier.

Cameron sat quietly, absorbing all that Wilson was telling her. She waited until he stopped talking before she said anything.

"Wow. You've had quiet a day, haven't you? What did you do with House?" She asked as she added vanilla cream to her cup of coffee.

"I dropped him back at the hospital so he could get his bike and he wasn't happy. I was afraid he was going to call you before I had a chance to tell you what was going on."

"I wouldn't have answered."

Wilson suddenly felt guilty for putting Cameron in a position where she had to cover for him. "Allison I'm so sorry to involve you in this."

"You know when House finds out we are pulling a fast one on him he isn't going to let us forget it easily." She stated the obvious.

"I know. I will definitely let him know it was me who put you up to it."

Cameron laughed. "I can deal with House. It's you I'm worried about. House can be very revengeful." She warned.

"Yeah, I know that too. Are you sure you're going to be okay with this?" Wilson was trying to ease the stupidity he felt for acting like someone who was still in high school.

Cameron smiled. "I'll be okay." She took a sip of her coffee. "You never told me what excuse you gave him as to why I called you." She asked as she stared out the window, watching the small snowflakes melt as they hit the ground.

Wilson answered as he made a right turn onto the street that led to his modest town home. He quickly scanned the area, expecting to find House lurking nearby. "I had to think fast so I told him you and Chase had a fight and you wanted to talk." "Well, you didn't lie about me and Chase. Things are definitely not okay with us but I'm meeting him tonight to talk about everything. Did House buy it?"

"I think so. He knows you and I talk sometimes. He was just curious as to why you would call me and not a girlfriend."

"I really don't have a girlfriend I would talk to. Actually, I probably would call you."

"I think it bothers him that you and I have become closer."

"Really." She smiled. "That's because he doesn't like me taking you away from him."

"Ahhh. I think it's more than that." Wilson spoke without thinking.

Cameron furrowed her brow. "Why do you say that?"

"It's just a feeling I have." Wilson didn't want to elaborate more on the thought without knowing for sure. He sat outside his garage waiting for the door to rise.

"Okay." Cameron said not understanding completely what Wilson was talking about. She paused and decided to change the subject. "So, tell me about Lisa. I didn't know you thought about her that way."

Wilson could hear the amusing tone in Cameron's voice. "I've have been keeping that to myself."

Cameron let out a little laugh. "Obviously."

"You are the only one who knows and I have to tell you, it feels good to finally tell someone about it. I just didn't want House to ruin tonight and he would have found a way if he knew I had asked Lisa out. He would have done the same if he thought you and I were going on a date."

"James, you don't have to explain. I completely understand. I hope Lisa knows how lucky she is."

Wilson smiled. "Thanks Allison. I'm keeping my phone on silent tonight. I suggest you do the same. I know House and he will call and when he doesn't get me, he'll start calling you."

Cameron laughed. "I'll keep that in mind. Have a nice time tonight. I expect to hear details. Well, not all the details but you know."

Wilson laughed. "It's only dinner. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Okay. Bye."

"Bye Allison."

**********

House sat at his piano, playing with the ivory keys that usually soothed his soul when things were not properly aligned in his world but it wasn't working today. He sighed heavily and stopped to watch the snow that was still falling lightly to the ground. He didn't know why he was feeling so glum. It wasn't the first time Wilson had ditched him on a Saturday. Maybe it was why he was ditching him, he thought. He rubbed his scruffy chin and eyed the orange vial that was sitting on top of his piano, screaming at him to open it. It didn't take much enticing. He grabbed the vial, popped off the lid and tossed two vicodin into his mouth, washing it down with the scotch that was sitting next to it. He looked over his shoulder at the expensive clock sitting on his mantle and saw it was almost six thirty. Again, he wondered where Wilson was meeting Cameron. He knew the two of them had become closer but how close? Would she turn to Wilson because she is having problems with Chase? Wilson was great at consoling needy females, exactly what a distraught Cameron would need. And what is there not to like about Cameron? She is gorgeous, sexy, caring, funny. House stopped himself. What am I doing? Cameron's everything I despise, except for the sexy part and the last thing I need is to be thinking about her like that when she is going to be working next to me again. He shook the thoughts from his head.

His stomach rumbled reminding him it was empty and needed attention. He picked up his cell phone and scanned for the programmed number for his favorite pizza place and ordered a large all meat pizza. He continued t play with the ivory keys when a wicked smile crossed his lips. He decided he would wait until somewhere around seven thirty before he started torturing Wilson with phone calls. He figured he and Cameron would have their food in front of them around that time, knowing the interruptions would agitate Wilson more. The decision seemed to please him, lifting his spirits a little while he waited for his pizza.