This fic includes talk about eating disorders so for folks who might get uncomfortable or triggered by that- please step away (it's not graphic but it's enough)

much love! Stay safe :) 3

Grace walked into the cafeteria on her lunch break. As she walked over to the line, grabbing her tray, she spotted House and Wilson. They were bickering as always, she couldn't believe they were surprised when she asked if they were together. She rolled her eyes and walked up to them, waving at Wilson as he looked like he was about to explode.

"What's today's fight about?" She inquired.

"Wilson, why don't you tell the young doctor here, why you're mad at me." House snarked.

"I'm not mad, per se. He's just always stealing my food and making me buy his," he turned to House, pointing a finger at him, "I know you have more money than you pretend you do."

House threw his hands up in mock surrender, "So do you."

"Touché." Wilson replied, handing money to the cashier.

Grace laughed softly at their argument agreement and paid for her own food; a plain salad and a water. She wasn't much for big meals and never had much of an appetite. The three of them walked over to an empty booth and sat down. Grace sat first, letting House sit on the isle.

"No brownie today, Grace?" Wilson asked.

She didn't like sweets much, but she always had a brownie with her meal.

"Uhm, nope. Not very hungry today." She brushed him off.

Wilson shrugs and digs in to his pasta but House isn't too sure about her answer.

He's long suspected about her issues, ever since they first met. She's thin, low appetite but always has a little treat with her meals. Well, always up until now apparently. She doesn't go to drinks after work with the other doctors, he's noticed her counting her steps and writing down the numbers from her meals. He knows she's tried to be discreet but, nobody can be "discreet" around him. House had never mentioned anything to her about it, although she is restricting, she seems to maintain her weight. He peers at her when she says she said this but he decided to drop it for now. If he ever had to confront her, he wouldn't say it in front of Wilson.

Grace gives him a look as he peers at her, a look of confusion, but quickly goes back to eating her salad. They chatted about their respective cases. Grace is an OB/GYN, she's relatively young for her job as she is only 27, but her age never stopped her from getting her dream job.

Quickly, their lunch breaks were over and they put their trays away. Grace walked back to diagnostics with House because she needed to talk to Cameron. She didn't have a patient at the moment so she took her time.

Walking into the elevator with House, he turned to her.

"Why didn't you have a brownie today?"

"Uh, I wasn't all that hungry." She shrugged.

"What'd you have for breakfast?" He asked.

"Why are you suddenly interested in my diet?" She chuckled uncomfortably.

"Not interested, just curious." He answered.

"I had a bagel." She lied.

Does he know my secret?, She thought.

"Okay." House dropped the subject. He knew she was lying but he decided it was another topic for another time.

Her and House were close friends. She was probably the only other friend he had besides Wilson, and maybe Cuddy. They had met when she first got her job at PPTH. Cuddy introduced her to Wilson, who had introduced her to House. They became a little group, eating lunch together, sometimes going out for drinks, poker night. Grace enjoyed it. Finally having a group of friends that wasn't just girls talking about their relationships. Grace was too busy for a relationship, she had pushed all her friends away because she was so focused on getting her life on track. It was interesting to be friends with the two men, they protected her and brought her in as their own. She especially formed a strong bond with House, after finally breaking down his walls a little. They were similar in a lot of ways; sarcastic, loved the puzzle of the job, but most of all, they were damaged. They flirted with each other but nothing serious. Nothing that she thought to be anything significant, just House being House. Sure, she thought he was attractive and had a good sense of humor. But, no. She couldn't go there with him. She liked having an uncomplicated relationship with a guy friend for once.

They exited the elevator and walked into the conference room. Cameron was sitting at the large glass table, glasses on, focused on some sort of document.

"Hey, Cam girl! " House announced, jolting her as she was so focused.

"What'd I tell you about calling me that?" She replied, looking up from the paper.

"To not do it?"

"Exactly." She stated.

"You know I'm not good with instructions." House said as he walked through the glass door to his office.

Cameron rolled her eyes and focused her attention on Grace. The two women hugged awkwardly and talked about their plans for later in the week; a girls night. They were friends but not close. As much as Grace liked hanging around the guys, she needed some girl time. After all, Cameron was nice enough and seemed like a good person. House always complained that she was in love with him still and was a "stuffed animal made by grandma". Which in turn, made Grace a little jealous. It shouldn't though. Right?

They concluded their conversation and Grace headed into House's office. He was on his computer, looking at something, engulfed in whatever he was reading. She sat in the leather chair across from him, picking up the red and grey oversized tennis ball and throwing it from hand to hand.

"Come take a look at this." He said, waving her over.

Grace walked behind the desk, leaning over his shoulder, he face next to his as she looked at the computer screen.

"What am I looking at?" She asked.

"I can order food, from my computer." He said, sounding shocked and amazed.

She chuckled softly, "You didn't know this?"

House turned his head and suddenly they were face to face, "No, I didn't." He said softly.

They stared at each other for a moment before Grace stood up straight and sat back down in the chair across from him. One again, picking up the ball and twirling it in her hand.

Well that was new.