Occam's Razor - House M.D.

Part 28- Collide

Early next week, Wilson had subconsciously allowed himself to stew. At first, he was too upset and insecure to bring up the idea of Madelyn and House to either one of them, but eventually he wanted to test how long they'd each lie about it. While Wilson still couldn't be positive that there was anything serious between them, he knew something was off considering the recent changes in House's behavior.

For last several days and counting, House was noticeably more cooperative not just with his patients and team, but with completing his clinic hours and logging them. Additionally, House didn't seem as grouchy, in fact, he seemed more lively as he wasn't avoiding conversation or human contact. Wilson, in particular, was one of the firsts to call House out on the change:

"I don't think I've seen you smile since you got out on probation, almost a year ago."

House scoffed, "I've smiled plenty, what's not to smile about when I'm here!"

"Ah, yes. I forgot how enriching it is for you to be here working." Wilson replied playing into House's sarcasm. House gave Wilson a ridiculously overzealous thumbs-up and grabbed his cane; he was on his way to meet Cuddy at her office–of his own volition. They had a meeting and for once, Cuddy didn't have to drag House in by his ears.

Wilson took notice, knowing where House was heading. However, he had just one more thing to say to his friend:

"I think I'm going to ask Madelyn out, for real."

House stopped in his tracks beside his door, "Better think it through."

"Oh yeah?" Wilson wondered, fascinated by where this would take the conversation.

"Definitely," House said nodding, "You might consider ending the idea of any future relationships, Willy. They all end in divorce."

Wilson was immune to comments like that, finding them juvenile and meaningless,

"Well she's not seeing anyone, I'm not seeing anyone. What could be the problem?"

House looks Wilson up and down with an exaggerated expression of judgement–his attempt at mocking Wilson's uptight fashion sense. Before responding, Wilson courteously opened the door for House, and stepped outside with him as if he were going to walk House to Cuddy's office.

"You joining?" House asked monotonically. Wilson shook his head, but House only saw the smug little grin on his lips.

"So? where?" House restated his question, beginning to sound nervous.

"Here and there."

"You're not serious?" House guffawed, finding the idea of Wilson asking Madelyn out amusing.

"Why shouldn't I be ?"

"I heard she has both parts" he whispered with the first thing he could think of. "If you know what I mean."

"I think I'd know..." Wilson replied, unamused.

House cleared his throat adding, "Recent development, of course."

"Of course." Wilson repeated, "you'll have to try harder, House."

Outside of Cuddy's office and the clinic, Wilson looked at the examiner sign-in sheet: he saw Madelyn was doing one of her clinic shifts.

"Perfect timing, she's right around the corner." Wilson commented happily.

House was all out of words. He didn't know if he should laugh, or try and convince Wilson he didn't care, so he walked away and into Cuddy's office hoping it was nothing more than a joke.

--

In a delightfully convenient opportunity for Wilson, Madelyn exited from one of the examination rooms, her head stuck in her clipboard as she wrote. Wilson took a deep breath and told himself it was his chance to find out what was really going on. He needed to do something that would stop the lying.