Bro code
A.N. I quite enjoyed the politicking around Vogler in season 1, especially how he impacted House's team and the hospital as a whole, and I felt that the series never really explained properly how PPTH dealt with the financial implications of his leaving. To that end, I'm making up a new character to fill that void. Most likely he'll be lurking in the background and won't shape the story in any meaningful way. As previously stated, I have little interest in introducing a swathe of my own creations, and the few there are serve only for variety. On that note, Mathilde pops up again here, and she's in the same mould. The main focus will always be the original cast because they're my favourites (Taub gets an honourable mention. That guy was a riot).
Wilson wandered through the double doors of the hospital in a buoyant mood, and he couldn't quite put his finger on why. The previous evening had been enjoyable, yes, but he saw House every day, and that in and of itself was rarely enough to make him any happier than otherwise. In fact, it had a number of times in the past made him distinctly unhappy.
As he made his way over to the sign-in sheet, he surmised that his happiness stemmed more from the fact that House was, too. In all the years they'd known each other, his friend had been truly content for about four or five of these, with Stacy. But last night, the man had seemed genuinely satisfied. At peace with himself. Even though Wilson would admit to harbouring just a little bit of jealousy, it was a small price to pay for House's well-being. The only concern was the usual one—by tying his happiness to a woman, House was, as ever, putting all his eggs in one basket. Wilson had asked the question of Cameron last night but it was one to ask the other as well: things are great now, but what if it ends in the future? How will you be then? These were questions that may need answers at some point.
"Dr. Wilson? Sorry, I hope I didn't disturb you. You were a million miles away!", came a female voice to his left.
He looked up and smiled. Act cool. "Hello, Mathilde. I've told you: first names are absolutely fine".
"Yes, well, I didn't want to assume anything. How've you been?". The nurse leant against the counter and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
Say something normal, James. "Pretty good, thanks for asking. You know how it is: as soon as they change the law, House and I will marry immediately". That wasn't normal, moron.
"Huh. I thought same-sex marriage was already legal in New Jersey?". Mathilde tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Yeah, no, it was a…never mind. I'm not gay, though", said Wilson quickly, cringing internally. You are literally the worst. The receptionist who had been sorting papers at the computer terminal made herself scarce. Awkwardness didn't need company.
"Relax. I'm yanking your chain, James. You're not the only one around here who can crack jokes, y'know", she replied, folding her arms.
I wish you'd yank my chain.
"Phew. And there was me thinking it'd be awkward". Ugh, she really is completely gorgeous.
"Listen, I just wanted to say sorry for, sort of, leaving you high and dry a while back. I've since been told that Dr. House is…a rather strange man. And I understand that he was scoring points by trying to sabotage your efforts with me".
"No problem at all. Dr. House is a strange man", Wilson agreed, meeting her bright blue eyes and momentarily forgetting how to speak. He cleared his throat. "Just to confirm: you're stating for the record that I was making an effort with you?".
"Absolutely", she nodded. "I thought you did pretty well. Really put in the legwork. Women appreciate that. I'm sorry that I let Dr. House scare me off, but he seemed genuine and I just suddenly felt a bit overwhelmed. I hope you can forgive me". Mathilde smiled again.
I forgive you. I love you.
"Please, there's nothing to forgive. How are you, anyway?". Wilson moved towards the elevator and Mathilde fell into step beside him.
"I'm well. Really enjoyed my first few months here professionally speaking. Personally, it's been a bit more hit and miss…but, hey, that's not your problem".
She put on a brave face, but Wilson's inner compass was spinning. He really hated seeing a woman in pain; it just didn't sit right. Still, it wouldn't be wise to get involved with Mathilde, just a couple of weeks after she'd split with Chase. Some sort of bro code covered that, surely. But then again, he thought, a friendly coffee couldn't hurt. It didn't have to lead to anything, and it might help eradicate the kernel of jealousy he felt towards House and Cameron.
"Sorry to hear that. If you'd like, we can grab a coffee later? I've got a gap mid-morning which I normally spend on admin stuff but I don't mind making room for you".
"That sounds lovely. Cafeteria at half ten?".
"Great. See you then!". The two made their farewells and headed off, Mathilde to the clinic and Wilson to the elevators. As he turned away, though, he noticed the prospective donor leave Cuddy's office, cross the lobby, and make his way out of the hospital. Rather than head up to his own floor, the oncologist took a diversion and knocked on her door himself, entering at her call.
Cuddy looked up and smiled. "Morning. For a second I thought Oscar had forgotten something".
"Oscar, eh? First name terms already. Interesting…", mused Wilson, sinking into the chair opposite the desk.
"He insisted. A genuine guy. For the life of me, I was convinced someone that rich must have skeletons in the closet. But it seems like he is as good as he looks. In the business sense, of course". Wilson folded his arms and smirked, which prompted an eye roll from his boss: "oh, for God's sake; he must be approaching sixty. Not everything is about sex, you know".
"Trust me", he scoffed, "when you're going through a dry patch and your best friend is getting it on in the other room, everything really is about sex".
Cuddy laughed. "Point taken. Did it go well? Sorry I couldn't make it. I'd have liked to see Hameron in the flesh, as it were".
Wilson raised an eyebrow at the phrasing but neglected to mention how House had broadcast his preference for threesomes last night—it was a bit early in the morning for that stuff. "Well, I'll tell you all about it if you share with me how it went with Oscar".
The board meeting on Monday had been productive, but as far as he was aware the hospital hadn't yet committed to accepting the offer of sponsorship. Cuddy was right to be cautious but the guy really did appear above board. Unlike Vogler, Oscar Townsend hadn't cited a personal sob story (disguising corporate piracy) as motivation. Instead, the man had seen the work PPTH was doing, seen its powerful female boss and its genius Head of Diagnostics, read about the fallout from Vogler, and wanted to help.
"It's a done deal, though the lawyers still need to sign off on the paperwork. The arrangement he offered was just too good to pass up: a light touch, solid funding, no oversight beyond that we already have and, in return, he gets a non-voting seat on the board. I'll be taking him on a tour tomorrow morning". Cuddy took a sip of her coffee before glancing at her screen.
"Does House know?".
"Nope! It'll be a surprise for him".
Both friends sat back and smiled, aware that House wasn't a fan of change.
"Wish I could be there but, alas, I have those interviews booked for tomorrow. The ones I told you about last week?".
Cuddy nodded. "Excellent. Send me an email to let me know how it goes?".
"Will do. You wanna hear about last night, then? It was pretty fun".
"Absolutely. I've got ten minutes before my next meeting. Hit me with it".
Chase and Foreman were in Diagnostics working on their papers for the conference while they waited on their colleagues' arrival. Since they didn't have a case at the moment, House could be expected around mid-morning, probably later. Cameron was usually the first in, though she wasn't technically late even now.
Foreman returned from the coffee machine to sit at the conference table. "I'm thinking of writing up the genetic variegate porphyria case we had a while back. Only thing is, I dunno if I can manage it all on such short notice. How'd you want to be a co-author with me?".
Chase leant back in his chair and chewed the end of his pen. Although he had been tossing a few ideas around, none of them had stuck. "That's an option. How would you want to split it? Theoretical/practical?".
"Sounds fine to me. Have you been to the UK before, then?".
"Of course. We have the queen on our money so it's basically a requirement. Well, I guess it'll be the king soon enough", he added softly.
"Unless you guys become a republic now".
"Maybe", nodded Chase. "Got any British connections yourself?".
"Nope. The conference'll be my first time. Quite looking forward to it, actually. Reckon I'll be skipping a fair slice of the conference just to see the sights".
"Good call. Fair warning though, the weather is terrible. Like, really bad. I've been three times…non-stop rain". Chase drained his coffee and went for a refill—there was room for another cup before clinic duty.
"Noted". Foreman folded his arms and added conversationally: "we've not spoken about the, ah, romantic development that has occurred in the office this week. You wanna discuss it, or…?".
The sentence hung in the air as Chase returned once more to the table. "Why are you always so keen to discuss others' love lives, mate?", he returned testily. It was bad enough that House and Cameron were together; even worse that Foreman insisted on bringing it up at every opportunity. If he didn't know better, he'd think it a targeted provocation.
"I'm just looking out for the harmony of this office, that's all". And this was the complete truth. As he had told Cameron recently, Foreman considered himself a friend to both fellows. More than this, he had always tried to keep himself apart from the fray. When House had been forced by Vogler to fire one of them, the former attempted to play them off against each other, hoping to make his job easier. Cameron and Chase had got caught up in the rough and tumble, placing and avoiding blame. But he had tried to rise above it, favouring no side in particular. The same principle was in play here. Even if Chase didn't appreciate it.
"Yeah, well, it's not your responsibility. We get paid the same, y'know".
"Fine, forget I asked".
Chase sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "No, I'm sorry. I know you're just looking out for me. To answer your question, I'm good. I really do want Cameron to be happy. I wasn't lying about that. I wish it was with me, but if it's with House I'm not going to cry myself to sleep".
"Fair enough. Who knows, maybe they won't last long, anyway. Pretty sure House is not a long-term relationship kinda guy". Foreman was about to turn his attention to the laptop but a strange look had passed over his friend's face. "You OK?".
"If they do break up, and I decide to ask Cameron out, I'm invoking the bro code: I don't want you sticking your beak in; I don't want you saying it's too soon; I don't want you 'advising' me not to; I don't want you informing House. It'll be between me and her. Got it?". Chase's voice was stern.
Foreman held his hands up. "Alright. If that situation comes to pass, I won't get involved. Except to ask Cameron out myself".
"Bugger off", he retorted, to Foreman's laughter.