House x Wilson

9

Wilson collapsed into his seat in the office. He had just come back from having lunch with House in the cafeteria and he had no idea what to make of what he had been told. House had told Foreman he wanted his monitor off and it didn't even seem like Foreman considered his request, which didn't seem like him. He picked up the telephone from the holder and pressed 7 to dial up the administrative secretary. After a few minutes, he got a hold of Foreman and they exchanged polite greetings.

"We need to talk," Wilson tentatively started off with.

Foreman spun a bit in his chair. He was in the Dean of Medicine's Office in the Clinic. He had just been checking up on Ophthalmology's resource report when Dr. Wilson had called, and he had a feeling it wasn't going to have anything to do with the Oncology Department. "Why? House's conversation with me wasn't enough?"

"Not quite." Wilson thought back to how House had described the conversation with Foreman. He said it was clear and succinct. But if Foreman had been so noncommittal about the whole thing, strongly implies he was neither of those things. "I'm not sure if he conveyed adequately that he wants to come with me to the consult at Massachusetts General."

He most certainly hadn't. Had House expected Foreman to realize he was talking about a work vacation with Wilson? Though he supposed he was given all the clues... He pushed the traumatizing memories out of his mind and returned to good, administrative thoughts. "Look, I want to help you, Wilson, but he simply hasn't gone long enough without incident to warrant leaving Princeton. Let alone New Jersey."

"I'll be with him," Wilson said. "He'll be in good hands."

"Yes, you're known to be quite the expert at managing House, that's why he's able to get away with drugging you and writing himself prescriptions in your name." Okay, Foreman can admit that that's not completely fair, but Wilson was only able to make House into an asset for the hospital when there was a Cuddy hanging over his shoulder. It didn't necessarily have to be Cuddy herself, just someone like her who knew how to manage both of them. This gives Foreman an idea. Before Wilson has to resort to begging, Foreman concedes. "I'll talk to the Parole Division. I might be able to help you."

"Thank you." Wilson waited a few beats politely, to let Foreman bring up the elephant in the room. Foreman may not have been the gossipy type but he did have a duty to the hospital.

Foreman takes a deep breath. "Also, I'm not going to pretend to understand what's going on with you and House, but if your... romance is still happening, you would be much better off informing HR yourselves than waiting to be outed. It would not look good with the Parole Division if it looks as if you're going out of your way to conceal the nature of your relationship, since you are part of the reason he was released in the first place. It shows a conflict of interest, which you undoubtedly had, but you don't want it to look like you're covering something up."

**********

House squeezed his eyes together tightly, trying to get into the mood to fall asleep. Usually sleeping in the clinic was the easiest part of his day. Something about the combination of being paid to sleep and two Vicodin made it the perfect before-sleep procedure. Honestly, he didn't understand why it wasn't yet an FDA-approved treatment for lack of sleep due to a constantly restless brain. As he was finally adjusting, someone chose that exact moment to barge into the room. House opened one eye and saw Wilson standing in the doorway with a kind little smile.

"House, are you awake?" he whispered. Wilson had had a feeling that House would be in there. He always took naps in the clinic. Exam Room 1 was his favorite room in the hospital, it often seemed. The rise and fall of House's stomach sped up a bit and he rose his head. If he hadn't been awake when Wilson entered, he was now. "Foreman is considering my request."

"Got it." House rested his head back on the exam table. He waited expectantly for the click of the door and the fading sound of footsteps, but it never came. He inwardly sighed. Maybe he wants a serious conversation. Wilson was the only one who could actually force him to endure those. "I'm assuming there's something else you would like to say."

"Foreman said we have to go to HR." It's only a half-lie, Wilson rationalized. A suggestion is nearly the same thing as an order. He went still and maintained eye-contact for just a little too long and and a little too intensely. If House wasn't so groggy from being jerked out of a near-sleep state he might have recognized the key signs of a liar. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?" House asked. "It's not your fault. Foreman's just trying to cover his ass. Much better reason than your stupid one a few days ago."

Wilson let out a derisive chuckle. "Yeah. I'll schedule the appointment."

*********

It was the same guy House had met with to inform HR of his and Cuddy's relationship. House smirked and Wilson titled his head at this odd response. They sat across from him in the rough chairs they had been gruffly provided. The man put two files in front of himself on the desk and then nodded at the them to speak.

    Wilson cleared his throat. "We're together."

    The man's face scrunched up. "Hmm," was all he said.

    House chuckled. "Hm? That's not very professional." He obviously hadn't heard about the breakup with Cuddy. He opened up his mouth to give the update.

    "Hmm. You two are just getting together?"

"What do you mean? You have our files. You know of our previous relationships," Wilson said.

"How long have you been together?"

"About a week," House said at the same time Wilson said, "Since Tuesday." They exchange an awkward glance. Wilson wanted to say "nearly 20 years," but that was too sappy.

"And the nature of your relationship?"

House rolled his eyes and threw his hands in a small, upward motion. "Platonic. We scheduled an appointment to update you that we're now best pals instead of regular pals."

Wilson scoffed. "He's kidding. It's a romantic relationship."

    "And sexual. Very sexual." House added. The old man gave them an unimpressed look and Wilson stared at his lap in order to hide his smile.

********

They walked out of the room together into a carpeted hallway, arms brushing affectionately. In the meeting, they had went on to talk about how they wouldn't let their relationship affect their work any more than it already had. It was an easy promise. Unlike with Cuddy, they were each other's professional equals which made everything simpler.

    Foreman spotted them. "You just informed HR?" At both of their nods, he sighed in relief. "Good job. Anyways, I have good news. The parole division is allowing the trip."

    Wilson smiled. "That's great!"

    "However," Foreman continued. "It's on the condition that I accompany you."