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Chapter 30

Since his little confrontation with Wilson and Cameron earlier today, House had been sitting at his desk, playing with his multi colored ball trying to focus on his patient. He didn't like the idea of not being able to solve his newest puzzle and it was souring his mood even more than it already was. However, no matter how hard he tried to focus only on his patient, his mind kept wondering back to Wilson and Cameron. Damn it! He thought and threw the ball hard against the wall.

Wilson stood outside House's office and watched him toss the ball back and forth. He could tell by the perplexed look on his best friend's face that things weren't going very well. He was debating whether or not to interrupt him and ask him to lunch again. He wanted to tell him the truth about what was really going on but wasn't sure if this was the right time or not. He quietly poked his head in.

"Hey. Interested in grabbing a late lunch? I'll buy."

House caught the ball in his hand and looked out the window. "You always buy."

Wilson stepped all the way in. "I know but I'm actually offering this time."

House placed the ball on his desk, grabbed his cane, stood and walked towards the door where Wilson was standing. "Nope. Not hungry. I need to check on the children. It's been a while since I've heard from them." He opened the door and stepped into the hallway.

Wilson was disappointed that House had turned down lunch again. He didn't know when he would get his courage up again to tell him the truth.

They started walking towards the elevators. "Seeing your girlfriend later?" House snarked.

Wilson rolled his eyes. "If you're referring to Cameron, she's not my girlfriend. We are only friends."

House looked down at Wilson. "Who else would I be talking about?"

Wilson looked down at the floor, not saying anything.

House continued to poke. "Sounds like friends with benefits to me. Hang in there. Chase lasted what, almost nine months?" He said in a sarcastic tone.

Wilson abruptly turned and placed his hand on House's chest so he would quit walking. "House, stop it. If you like Cameron, ask her out."

"I don't want to ask her out. I'm just hurt that you didn't tell me about you two doing the mattress mambo." House said trying to show he was hurt by placing his hand over his heart.

"Whatever. You're acting jealous."

"I'm not jealous." House insisted.

"Really. First, it drove you crazy that she and I went out to dinner."

"I was curious…"

Wilson held up his hand to stop him from talking. "And now it's killing you to know we are sleeping together."

"You said sleeping."

"What?"

"You didn't say slept, you said sleeping. That sounds more than just a one time thing."

Wilson smiled. "You just proved my point. I'm going to get something to eat." Wilson said and headed to the stairs, leaving House standing in the middle of the hallway.

House watched Wilson walk away. He let out a grunt as he punched the elevator button with the end of his cane.

**********

House stood outside the glass sliding doors and watched as Taub and Thirteen checked the patient's vitals.

Thirteen looked up to see House eyeing them and stepped into the hall to give him an update.

"How's he doing?" House asked in a serious voice.

Thirteen looked over her shoulder at the patient. "His breathing is more labored than what it was three hours ago and the rash has now spread to his lower extremities."

"And his fever?"

"The same. It has stayed at 103."

"Did you talk to his family?" House asked, watching Taub move around the room.

"I spoke with his sister but they haven't really talked in the last two years. She's flying in tonight."

"Hope she's not too late. What about friends and people he works with?" "I'm still working on that?"

"Get it done. We need answers now. Where are the others?" "Kutner and Cameron should be in the lab and I don't know where Foreman is. I haven't seen him since this morning."

"Keep me posted." He said and headed to the lab.

**********

Cameron and Kutner were both frustrated that they hadn't found anything that would help them with their patient. Cameron was looking through the microscope at a slide with Kutner at her side.

Without thinking, Kutner leaned in slightly towards Cameron and the sweet smell of her perfume distracted him for a minute. He bent his head down closer so he could smell her hair, unaware there was a pair of steel blue eyes watching his every move.

House pushed open the door to the lab, startling Kutner, who quickly stood up straight and backed away from Cameron slightly. He didn't miss the hard glare that House was directing his way.

House limped to the counter, where Cameron and Kutner were working. He pulled out the familiar orange vile and popped a white pill into his mouth and tilt his head back to let it slide down his throat. "Tell me you've found something." House said in a low tone.

Cameron looked over the scope and was surprised to see House looking so intensely at her. "We have run every test possible and still nothing. Have his symptoms changed?" She asked.

"You're asking me? That's your job or don't you remember how to play the game?"

Cameron is surprised at House's tone towards her. "I simply asked…"

"You asked me a question that you should already know the answer too. Maybe if you weren't trying to entice the men around here into your bed, then you might know the answer. You can start by not letting lover boy here smell your hair while you're trying to work."

House's comment surprised Cameron and she turned to look at Kutner who was blushing.

House knew he was being more of an ass than he should be but the news of Cameron sleeping with Wilson just wasn't sitting well with him.

"Go help Taub and Thirteen while I talk to sweet pants here." He said to Kutner.

Cameron snapped her head back around and gave House a stern glare.

Kutner didn't bother to ask any questions and left the room.

Cameron waited until Kutner had left the room. "Enticing men into my bed? Where did that come from?"

"It seems fitting at the moment. You break up with Chase and you have men swarming all over you."

Cameron felt the heat rise up in her face and looked away. "That's a bit of exaggeration, don't you think?" She asked in a snappy tone.

"Oh, I don't know. Wilson over the weekend and by the goofy look on Kutner's face, you wouldn't have to do too much to real him in." House said as he moved around the counter and was now standing beside Cameron. Cameron looked at him again. "House." She warned.

"Why did prince charming break up with you anyway?" The minute House asked the questions, he was sorry he did. He wasn't expecting such a hurt look on Cameron's face.

"Apparently, there were several reasons but I'm not going to talk about it now."

"Is he seeing someone else?"

"He says he isn't. Can we talk about the patient now?" She desperately wanted to change the subject.

House watched her closely and suddenly stepped in closer and smelled her hair.

His sudden move surprised her and caused a chill to travel down her back the minute she felt his breath on her neck.

"No wonder Kutner was enjoying himself. You smell nice."

Cameron slowly turned her head to find his face only inches from hers. "Can we get back to work?" She whispered.

"Of course. Call the rest of the team and let's regroup and go over everything again." He pulled himself away, stared at her for a moment then left the lab, not sure of the feeling he felt. He knew he needed a distraction and headed for Cuddy's office.