Wilson woke slowly, aware that it was still dark. He burrowed his face in the pillow and was rewarded by a sharp pain through his skull. He groaned softly. Too much to drink last night. He vaguely remembered the smoke-filled bar but realized with a frown that he could remember no more. The bed moved beside him; he smiled to himself. House was probably in worse shape than he was. Now he'd have to listen to him complain all day long.

He turned, made himself more comfortable and was just dozing off again when an arm came around his chest and he was nuzzled in the ear. Wilson yelped and grabbed the arm across his chest. In his ear, he heard a soft, very feminine giggle. He threw off the covers and jumped out of bed, too late realizing that he had nothing on.

"What's wrong, Jimmy?" The woman in the bed sat up and turned the light on.

Wilson stared at her. He didn't recognize her at all so why was she calling him "Jimmy?" He looked around for his clothes and found them thrown in a pile on the chair near the bed. Covering himself modestly he reached for his underwear.

She laughed at him. "Now, what's wrong, baby? I've seen it all. Come back to bed. I'll show you that Honey still has some tricks to make you feel good." She smiled and Wilson realized that she was a very pretty young woman. In fact now he recognized her, she was a ward clerk on the Oncology wing, named Honey Blake, who'd been flirting with him for months.

He pulled on his underwear, then grabbed his jeans and put them on. As he was zipping his jeans, Honey climbed out of bed and threw her arms around his neck nuzzling at his ear again.

"Jimmy?" She whispered.

Wilson gently disentangled himself from her and stepped back rubbing his hand over the back of his neck. "I'm sorry, Honey. I have to leave." He muttered, unable to look at her.

"Jimmy….." She started.

"Don't call me that." He choked. "It's James…. or Dr Wilson," he finished lamely. He realized how stupid that sounded. He'd slept with this woman and he wanted her to go back to calling him Dr Wilson. He just didn't want her to call him Jimmy, that was reserved for only House.

She laughed at him, then leaned up against him again, one hand around his neck and the other hand gently rubbing his crotch. "Ok, Dr Wilson….. come back to bed." She whispered pulling him back toward the bed while undoing the zipper of his jeans.

He resisted her until a vision of House's mocking face brought back the frustration and the anger. He closed his eyes and let the sensations overwhelmed him. He let himself be led back to the bed. She nuzzled his neck as she pushed the jeans over his hips. Then she pushed him back down on the bed. Wilson breathed in the fragrance of her hair as she sucked hard on his nipple. He groaned, grabbed her shoulders and turned her over on her back. He tugged his jeans and underwear the rest of the way off, and then positioned himself between her legs. He lowered his head and captured her mouth with his own. She moaned as she ran her hand through his hair. He kneaded her breasts and sucked on her neck. He felt his desire build, as well as a red hot anger that had nothing to do with her. He pulled back from her and she grabbed his upper arms and whispered, "Anything you want, baby…anything."

He shook his head but she sat up and pushed him back on the bed. He resisted for a moment, then laid back while she took the full length of his cock into her mouth. He grabbed handfuls of sheets with his hands as he tried to keep from groaning. She used the hand that wasn't holding him to insert a finger into his rectum. The white heat of desire overwhelmed him as he totally lost focus on the present. He heard her whispering, "It's ok, baby, what ever turns you on."

She released him after a moment to moved back up to nip and suck her way up his chest. When she got to his lips, he grabbed her shoulders and threw her on the bed beside him, then flipped her over onto her stomach. He grabbed her hips roughly and drew her to him. Suddenly he released her and moved to the edge of the bed where he sat with his head in his hands.

Wilson was furious with himself. He couldn't take his anger out on her. He got up, picked up his clothes again and started getting dressed. Honey sat on the bed watching him but didn't make any move toward him. He didn't look at her until he was ready to leave and then it was hard to meet her eyes.

"I'm sorry" was all he could think of to say.

She looked at him with impossibly bright blue eyes and said. "Don't be sorry. Come back if you need a friend."

"I don't think that would be a good idea." He turned and opened the door to the bedroom and walked out. As Wilson was opening the door of the apartment he heard her call out from the bedroom.

"He doesn't deserve you."

He stood frozen for a second over the threshold feeling the cold doorknob in his hand, then walked through the doorway, closing it softly behind him.

****

It had all started innocently enough. Sitting in the apartment watching a B movie on the TV as they bantered back and forth. Then the banter started having a very unpleasant edge to it. House had gotten up and limped to the kitchen. James watching him go, frowned with concern. His partner seemed in more pain than usual tonight. Wilson moved over to the couch, intending to help the pain with a gentle massage of the damaged leg.

But that thought was forgotten when House reappeared in the doorway, scowling at him.

"Which of your sluts got the bottle of expensive wine that I was saving," he growled.

Wilson stared at him for a few seconds before he said. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

House stopped in front of him, anger all over his face. "I should have known I couldn't trust you. You'll never change. You cheat on everyone." He sneered at a shocked Wilson. "Who is she? Karen from Accounting or the new nurse in Oncology? "

"House, I'm not cheating. I didn't take your wine. Why are you doing this?" Wilson said, confused by the attack. He got to his feet and faced his lover.

"Everyone lies. You lie and you're lying now." Angry blue eyes were fixed on him.

Wilson put a hand and touched House's arm, but House pulled away. Wilson sighed and said. "Greg, I'm not lying. There is no one else. Why are you saying that?"

House moved to the other side of the room and regarded Wilson. "I saw you and her, yesterday in the cafeteria."

Wilson frowned, trying to think back. "That was nothing….just the ward clerk from the Oncology floor."

House snorted. "And you had your hands all over each other."

Wilson was quiet for a moment thinking back. The Ward Clerk …….what was her name? Helen, Heather……..no……Honey. He knew she found him attractive and he couldn't help but be flattered. But he didn't remember even touching her. In fact, he knew he didn't.

Wilson took a step toward House but the look in his eyes stopped him. "I did NOT have my hands all over her. I have no interest in her at all."

"Your lips say no, your hands say yes." House snarled.

"Oh this is ridiculous, Greg. I've not cheated on you …not ever." He couldn't believe how this conversation was going.

"Not ever??" House mocked him. "We've only been together for 6 months. That's hardly an overwhelming endorsement."

Wilson felt himself getting angry. He clenched his fists and turned his back on House. After all the years he'd known House, Wilson figured he should know how to handle him but sadly the older man never reacted the same way in any situation. Wilson took a deep breath and turned to face his angry lover.

"You have to learn to trust me." Wilson pleaded.

"Ha!! I never should have trusted you. You'll never change. I was a fool for thinking you might be loyal for once." House spat, then seeing the look on Wilson's face, mocked. "Ohh…did I hurt your disloyal little feelings?"

That was the last straw. Wilson turned on his heel, grabbed his jacket and slammed the door behind him. He didn't even bother taking his car…he needed the walk to cool off.

He walked with no direction in mind. He just wanted to get away, from House, from his thoughts. He had a bad history with relationships. Sometimes it scared him that he couldn't seem to remain faithful to anyone. This relationship with House was the only one he'd ever had where he wasn't thinking about someone else after 3 or 4 months.

But having House accuse him opened the raw wound. He was angry with House for not trusting him. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? He walked faster, fists clenched in his coat pockets, breath coming in white spurts in the chill air.

When the red-hot anger died he found himself in front of a busy bar. He and House had been in here once. It was so noisy and crowded that they had never returned. But tonight noisy crowds were what Wilson needed. He made his way through the dancing couples and found a place at the bar.

Three drinks and a half hour later he started to relax a little bit. He ordered a fourth drink and watched the crowd. A good-looking young man had sat down beside him and offered to buy him a drink. Wilson gave him a small smile and refused the offer. After some small talk, the guy had left and then a young attractive woman took the seat. He glanced at her and then away before realizing this was the woman that he and House were just fighting about. His anger at House returned. Without any thought he leaned over and said hello to her and offered to buy her a drink. She smiled and leaned into him as she told him what she was drinking.

After the treatment that he had gotten from House, her attention was balm to his soul. He kept drinking, trying to push the image of House out of his head.

He remembered Honey leaning heavily on him, rubbing her hand on his thigh. He felt himself responding, kissing her deeply. She whispered in his ear that they should leave. He got up willingly and staggered after her like a lovesick puppy.

Her apartment was 2 blocks from the bar but Wilson barely noticed the distance. Thoughts of House pushed in the back of his mind, he noticed only Honey. He held her hand and breathed in her scent.

As soon as they got into her apartment, Wilson reached out to take her into his arms and muttered, "Fuck you, Greg House."
*****

He walked out onto the deserted streets, breathing in the chill air. His head hurt and his stomach protested any movement. He put his cold hands into his coat pockets; his right hand touched a small metal object. He drew it out, looked at the medallion and smiled. It was a Gold Medal that Greg had given him when he won the Poker tournament at the hospital. A silly joke but so typical of House. What had he done? Sickly, he realized in his anger that he'd proven House right. He was nothing but a slut who couldn't stay faithful to anyone. He knew he couldn't go home. Greg would know in seconds what he'd done.

He decided to go to the hospital. He glanced at his watch. It was 3:30. Cabs were going to be scarce and he was miles from the hospital. He'd just have to walk back to their apartment and get his car. He shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his coat as he started walking.

Finally he reached the apartment. He stood outside the building for a minute, looking at the lights that were still on in the living room. He felt another jolt of guilt and at the same time his stomach rejected the liquor that was in it. He stood holding onto his car for support, as his stomach refused to believe that there was nothing left and kept heaving. Each time his head felt like it would burst. He ended up on his knees with his face against the cool door of the car after he stopped vomiting. He groaned softly, wishing he was dead. Finally, he climbed into the car and put the key in the ignition. As he turned the ignition he realized just how bad an idea this was. He shut the car off, leaned his head against the headrest and slept.

Wilson came to consciousness again with a loud banging on the window. His eyes flew open to see the concerned face of House peering in at him. The younger man groaned and opened the window as he regarded the older man. House was wearing his leather jacket and carrying his helmet. It must be later than he thought if House was going to work.

"So you're still alive, I see." House growled and then looking at him closer, continued. "At least half alive. You look like shit and you smell worse. God, Jimmy, go and get a shower."

Wilson opened the car door and slowly and painfully stood up, refusing to look at House. He almost made it past his lover when Greg grabbed him by the shoulder and spun him around to face him. He tried to pull away, but House had a strong grip on him and he found himself looking into piercing blue eyes. House bent closer as if to kiss him but instead sniffed loudly, then pushed him away.

"You bastard. You come back here smelling like your latest conquest. Did you think I wouldn't notice?" He turned away from Wilson limped to the motorcycle, slammed his cane on the side mounting clamps, kicked started the cycle with more force than usual and roared off down the street without looking at the younger man.

Wilson watched him go then climbed the steps into the building and let himself into the apartment. His mind was numb. He stood in the bedroom drinking in the normalcy of the unmade bed, Greg's clothes on the floor and the bathroom door standing open. He felt empty inside. Had he given up the most important thing in his life for something that meant nothing?

He felt nauseated again. He sat on the bed with his head in his hands until the nausea subsided. Finally he stood up, got out clean clothes, took a shower and headed to the hospital. He didn't even take anything for the hangover, hoping a little suffering would make him feel less guilty.

The day didn't go well. The coffee maker in the Oncology lounge was broken and there were no other options for coffee. Normally he would have gone to the Diagnostic department but not today, so he settled for bad cafeteria coffee.

He had 2 committee meetings that he had forgotten so hadn't prepared for. So he spent the morning on his computer as his head pounded and the nausea returned. He had 2 patient emergencies that took up most of an afternoon, which should have been devoted to seeing chemotherapy patients in the Infusion Center. His secretary informed him when he got back to his office that the nurses and the patients were not happy with the Oncology Resident that he sent to cover for him. He just glared at her as he walked into his office and slammed the door.

Just as he was getting up to go to the Transplant committee meeting, there was a knock on the door. Foreman walked in with a patient chart in his hands. Wilson sighed, the last thing he needed was to be working on a case with Diagnostics but he smiled at the younger doctor and asked. "Is there something I can help you with? "

Foreman looked uncomfortable. "We've got a patient that has some symptoms that might indicate a cancer but we can't find it. Could you take a look at the chart and x-rays?"

Wilson took the offered chart and said. "Ok, I have a meeting to go to and then I'll see the patient. Will that work?"

Foreman refused to meet his eyes. "House said he wanted Oncology on the case immediately."

The Oncologist opened the chart and studied it silently for a few minutes. Finally he handed it back to Foreman and said. "There's nothing about this patient that can't wait for a couple of hours. But if Dr House needs an Oncologist immediately, Dr Ness is on call this evening."

Foreman took the file and started to leave the office, but turned back. "Is there something wrong between you and House? He's been impossible today, even worse than usual, and he wouldn't even page you for this consult."

Wilson turned his back on the Neurologist pretending to pick something up off his desk and said. "It's House. Who knows what's going on with him?"

The younger doctor studied him intently for a few seconds and then replied. "You usually do."

****

The meeting lasted longer than Wilson thought it would and the corridors were deserted when he made his way to his office. He felt more relaxed than he had all day knowing that House most likely had left for the day. Now he needed to decide if he was going to go home or not.

He walked into his office, turned on the light and stopped in surprise. House was sitting on his couch, cane between his knees and his head resting on the cane. He looked up at Wilson and stood.

"I needed a consult." House said. "You refused."

Wilson shook his head. "I didn't refuse. I told Foreman I would see the patient after the meeting. If you wanted it sooner, you should have called me yourself." He said, feeling his anger growing.

House didn't answer him, just regarded him with an icy stare.

"Go away, House." Wilson ordered. "I don't need the abuse."

"YOU don't need the abuse. You who can't stay in a relationship more than 6 months without cheating." House growled at him and took a step forward.

The younger doctor forced himself not to back away from the taller man. He lowered his eyes and whispered. "I'm sorry. I was angry and drunk."

"And it meant nothing." House mocked. He turned and limped to the door before he turned to look at Wilson again.

"Let's go home." He said and pointed his cane at Wilson. "We need to talk and I don't want to do it here. Cuddy or your little chickie might show up."

Wilson didn't move, just stood staring at House.

"Come on. I'm hungry and you're cooking." He pulled the door open and held it and a confused Wilson slowly walked out the door ahead of him.
***

Dinner was uncomfortable. House hardly spoke, watching TV with total concentration except an occasional stare and scowl at Wilson. Finally, Wilson put his plate down and turned to House.

"Greg.." He started but House shushed him saying. "Shh, I'm watching TV."

Wilson glanced at the TV.

"It's Sponge Bob." He informed House.

"Yes it is." House agreed pausing the TV. "It's cutting edge social commentary. So shhhh." He said as he started the program again, ignoring Wilson.

The younger man rolled his eyes and tried again. "House, we need……"

This time House never looked at him only turned the TV up louder. With a sigh Wilson got up, went into the kitchen and started the dishes. He could have put them in the dishwasher but keeping busy made him calmer. He wasn't sure what he was going to say when they finally did talk. All he could say was that he was sorry and that sounded lame even to him. He sighed. He still wasn't sure why House hadn't kicked him out.

One by one the pile of dirty dishes disappeared into the warm soapy water and were rinsed and stacked in the dish strainer. Lost in thought, he jumped when he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"A little jumpy tonight, Jimmy?" The older man said softly in his ear.

Wilson turned and tried to pull away but the hand became a clamp and kept him in his place. "Tell me, Jimmy, what are we going to do about this mess?" House growled as he released his lover and stepped back, regarding him with an icy blue stare.

Wilson thought for a minute trying to choose the right words. "Greg, it was a stupid thing to do. You made me angry and she was at the bar and …….well …it just happened. I feel …."

House interrupted him angrily, "Guilt? Regret? What? And for how long…until you get the urge again?"

"No. This will never…." Wilson began.

"What?? Never happen again? Don't promise something you can't keep. There are enough lies around here right now." House interrupted again.

"You know, it would be nice if I actually could have a part in this argument." Wilson commented dryly.

House turned his back on him, but not before Wilson saw a ghost of a smile. He walked back into the living room and Wilson followed and sat down beside him on the couch.

"I care about you. I know you won't believe me but the last 6 months have been the happiest that I can ever remember. Last night was the stupidest thing I've ever done. I hope you'll forgive me. I don't expect you to but I hope you will." Wilson nudged his knee up again House's and House didn't pull away, but he didn't look at him either.

They sat like that in silence except for the TV on low. It was now New Yankee Workshop and Wilson found himself watching with a little more interest. He'd always thought he'd do well with woodworking but House just laughed at him. He smiled slightly to himself.

He felt a movement beside him and turned to look into bright blue eyes. He held his breath.

"I don't think I can ever forget this. I'm not sure that I can even forgive you." House said slowly as he leaned forward until he was inches from Wilson's face. He put his hand on Wilson's knee and leaned in and whispered. "But I'm going to work on it."

Wilson didn't have a chance to say anything. Demanding lips pressed to his and a tongue forced his lips apart. He complied and the kiss deepened. He returned the kiss and felt himself responding to the assault on his mouth. After a minute the kiss was broken by the need to breath. House's mouth then explored and sucked on his neck, while his hands pulled Wilson's shirt up and ripped the buttons off to bare his chest. He pushed the ruined shirt back and used both hands to explore Wilson's chest, rubbing the nipples to hardness then sliding his hands down to unhooked his lover's pants, sliding one hand down the lower belly. Wilson leaned his head back against the couch and moaned softly. When Greg's hand reached his cock, he groaned in need. Without taking his hand off Wilson's penis, House growled in Wilson's ear. "I'm the only one that has the right to hear that sound coming from you. You understand?"

When Wilson only groaned again and didn't answer, House nipped at his neck. "You understand? " He said again softly.

Wilson could only nod as he took House's head in his hands and looked into blazing blue eyes. "Yes." He agreed as House kissed him again. He broke off the kiss long enough to stand up and reached down to grab Wilson's open shirt and pull him to his feet.

"Bedroom." Was all he said and they moved into the other room. As soon as they were in the bedroom, House pulled his t-shirt over his head and then unhooked his jeans. Wilson moved to him and ran his hand from the top of his chest down, ending with pushing the jeans and underwear over House's slim hips, freeing his erection and then gently pushing him down on the bed, pulling off his own clothing before pulling off Greg's pants.

He straddled House, carefully avoiding the damaged leg and leaned forward to kiss his jaw down along his neck. House arched his head back in pleasure and groaned as their erections rubbed together. Wilson rotated his hips to continue the pleasure, then he moved and kissed the pulse in the base of House's neck, tasted the salt of his sweat. He continued licking, sucking and kissing his way down the older man's chest, stopping to suck each nipple into hardness taking pleasure in the way House moaned and moved beneath him. He felt fingers on his head, pushing. He grinned. House was in a hurry but Wilson would not be hurried. He continued worshipping his lover's body an inch at a time until House whispered hoarsely. "Damn it, Jimmy."

Wilson gave in and wrapped his hand around House's erection and running his thumb over the top gently. House groaned and bucked. Then Wilson bent down and took him into his mouth. It wasn't long before House reached the summit and plunged over it and then lay there panting. Wilson moved up and laid beside him, pulling his head onto his shoulder and wrapping his arm around him.

"I love you, Greg." He whispered into his hair as he listened to the even breathing of his sleeping lover and then he slept also.

He dreamed erotic dreams. A soft mouth on his penis. He felt himself hardening. He moaned and awoke. House was between his legs. He curled his fingers in House's hair and croaked. "Oh god."

House didn't answer; his tongue swirled around the top of his penis and his lips moved up and down the shaft until Wilson was on the edge. He felt Greg's hand squeezing his balls and then slid around and ran a finger around his anus. And in a flare of white heat, he came. House moved up and kissed him deeply. Part of his brain registered the taste of himself in House's mouth. House reached up and ran his finger through Wilson's hair, smiled and whispered. "We're a great pair; you're as messed up as I am."

Wilson didn't respond just smiled sadly as House rolled off him and lay down beside him.

Wilson curled up around House's back, threw his arm over his lover. They both fell into a deep sleep.

****

For a while House was calmer, less angry and sarcastic. They spent much of their free time at the hospital together and had long pleasant evenings at home, talking, bantering, and arguing about meaningless things that amused them both.

But after a week or so Wilson noticed a change in the older man. House was quick to get angry, seemed tenser and was having trouble sleeping again. Wilson heard him up and moving around the apartment in the middle of the night. He would sit at the piano, playing sad tunes, or angry ones that Wilson didn't recognize.

They were never very affectionate but now the little things that Wilson always did were met with glares and pulling away. House would sit in a chair and let Wilson sit by himself on the couch. Conversations that the younger man tried to start were met with glares, sarcasm or silence.

House always seemed busy at the hospital and was often not home until late in the evening with flimsy excuses or no excuses at all. Wilson withdrew and the two sat in silence when they were home together.

Wilson knew it was only a matter of time before the whole relationship fell apart. He knew that he could just walk out, but it was something that he was reluctant to do at least at this point, but the stress was getting to him. He was more irritable with his staff and the nurses on the oncology floor were beginning to avoid him.

And House slept on the couch much of the time when he came home late. When Wilson would get up to talk with him, he pretended to be asleep.

Wilson finally made up his mind that he and House were going to have it out. He decided to corner House in his office and insist that they go someplace after work and talk this out once and for all. He couldn't live like this anymore. If they were going to separate then it was going to happen today.

Unfortunately the day started with patient emergencies and the demands on his day got worse. He was unable to take a break or find time to get over to House's office. Late afternoon he finally was free and he headed over to Diagnostics.

Chase and Cameron were the only ones there. The white board was blank so it didn't look like they had a case. They both looked up as he walked in.

Greeting them with a strained smile, he asked. "Seen House?"

Chase replied. "He left a couple of minutes ago and he seemed in a hurry."

Wilson ran his hand across the back of his neck. " Do you know where he went?" He knew they didn't. House never told them where he was going.

Cameron shook her head, but Chase said. "I think he left the hospital. He had his jacket on and the cycle keys in his hand."

"Thanks." Wilson said and headed slowly back to his office. He tried House's cell phone a couple of times with no answer. He didn't bother to leave a message. He finished up his paperwork and headed home.

As he expected House was not home when he got there. He paced the apartment for a while and then decided to wait up for him. He settled down on the couch and turned on a movie. He fell asleep before it was over and when he woke up he was covered with a blanket and there was a pillow under his head.

He threw off the blanket and got up and walked into the bedroom. Greg was in bed, sprawled out taking up the whole bed. He shoved at the tangle of arms and legs and House moved over. Wilson slid into bed and threw an arm around the other man's shoulder and fell asleep. When he woke again, the sun was streaming into the room and House was gone. He lay there for a few minutes feeling empty inside. He sighed deeply and got out of bed. He showered, dressed and walked toward his car, noting that House's motorcycle was gone.

The first place he stopped at the hospital was the diagnostic department but the only one there was Cameron sitting at House's desk, going through his mail. She looked up and smiled when she saw him.

"You just missed him." She said. "He, Chase and Foreman went to a lecture over at the University."

"What lecture? He hates lectures." Wilson commented.

Cameron picked up a piece of paper and handed it to Wilson. He looked at it and there was a lecture on a new form of the West Nile virus. It still seemed odd. House usually preferred journals; he didn't have much patience for lectures.

He handed the paper back to Cameron with his thanks and walked out the door and to his office.

He went about his day on autopilot, paging House a couple of times with no answer back.

He kept busy, avoiding where his thoughts wanted to go. He knew what he needed to do. It was time to face the inevitable.

The day finally ended. He gathered his briefcase and headed to the parking lot. Once outside, he saw House's motorcycle pulling out of the parking spot. He had a passenger pressed up against him on the back. . All Wilson could make out was a red helmet, jeans and boots. His heart came up into his throat and his mind went blank. He stared at the motorcycle as it disappeared around a curve. As he turned to walk to his car, he heard a voice behind him.

"Dr Wilson?" Said a female voice. "James?"

He groaned softly. He'd been avoiding Honey for the last couple of weeks. It was cowardly of him but he didn't know what to say or how to act. He turned to face her.

He smiled slightly and said awkwardly. "Hi."

"I haven't seen you lately." She stated.

"Uh…..no….I'm sorry." He stammered.

She laughed at him and put her hand on his arm. "It's ok, Jimm….James. You look upset. Want to go someplace and talk? "

He pulled gently out of her grasp and stepped back. "No. I can't do that, Honey. I'm in a relationship." He said lamely.

She stared down the street where House's motorcycle had disappeared. "Looks like someone should tell Dr House that. I think I saw someone with him." She said, then looked at him and continued. "Call me if you get lonely. I'll be home tonight." She winked at him and walked off toward the parking lot.

Wilson's anger increased as he drove home. He spent the evening alternating between pacing and sitting on the couch staring at the TV. At 2am he heard House's motorcycle pull up outside and a minute later the door opened and House walked in.

"Still awake, Jimmy?" He commented as he shrugged off the leather jacket and threw it on the chair by the door.

Wilson stood with his hands on his hips, trying hard to be calm. "Where have you been?"

"Where? Well let's see. I was at work, then a lecture, then…." House began.

"Shut up, House!" Wilson was losing his patience with this game.

"But you asked." He smirked.

"Who were you with tonight?" Wilson asked, ignoring the smirk and sarcastic expression.

House got up and limped into the kitchen. "No one." He answered

"Liar!" Wilson said. "I saw her on the back of your motorcycle?"

House moved out of the kitchen. "Liar? That an awful strong word coming from you, isn't it, Jimmy?"

The older man turned to go into the bedroom and then turned and said. "Her?"

Wilson stared for a minute. "Him?" He asked.

"Her?? Him??" House winked and went into the bedroom.

Wilson watched him go, then followed and stood in the doorway, as House got ready for bed.

"That's it?" He said angrily, clenching his fists. "You come home at 2am after leaving the hospital with someone on the back of your motorcycle and I'm not allowed to ask any questions. What's going on? Are you cheating on me?"

"Well if that isn't the pot calling the kettle a cheater?" House mocked.

Wilson pinched the top of his nose with his thumb and finger and sighed. "House, this is going nowhere. Things are falling apart so let's just end it or try to fix it. I think I have the right to know what's going on."

House regarded him with a solemn expression. "You do. You're right." He sat on the bed and looked at Wilson.

Wilson felt his heart rate increase as he waited.

"Let me ask you something first. How are you feeling about this?" House asked.

Wilson thought for a minute. "Angry, hurt….jealous. What…..Wait, is this a ploy to make me jealous? To teach me a lesson?"

House shook his head. "No, I was merely curious." And continued to regard Wilson.

"You're an ass!" Wilson spat at him. "I'm out of here tomorrow. I'll stay in my office or a hotel. But I'll be damned if I stay here and put up with your shit any longer."

The younger man stepped forward, yanked his pillow off the bed and headed back to the living room. He slammed the pillow on the couch and sat down with clenched fists until he calmed down a little. He should just get out of here tonight but his clothes were in the bedroom and he wasn't about to go back in there. Eventually he fell asleep.

He woke up to House banging around the kitchen. He threw off the blanket, got up and headed to the bedroom to pack. He started throwing clothes into the suitcase, not caring about folding, just wanting to get out of Greg House's sight. He zipped up the suitcase and turned around to find House standing in the doorway, blocking his path.

"Out of my way, House." He said, moving toward the doorway.

"Put the suitcase down, Jimmy. You're not going anywhere." House said softly.

"I'm not staying here. It's over. It was a good shot but this isn't going to work." Wilson spat at him.

"You can't forgive a cheater?" House asked softly.

Wilson put the suitcase down. "I …yes….no…." He ran his hand through his hair, turned around and sat on the bed. House moved closer and sat beside him.

"It doesn't feel good, does it?" He asked House. "I'm sorry, Greg. I didn't mean to make you feel like this. Assuming, of course, that you have feelings." He smiled sadly.

"I've been angry for weeks. I thought this would make me feel better. It hasn't." House admitted. "It was stupid and it was mostly your fault." He met Wilson's eyes with a slight smile.

Wilson started to reply, but House's cell phone rang. He looked at the caller ID, grimaced and then answered it.

"Yes." He said.

"No, it's fine." He said to the person on the other end of the phone.

"No, I'm sorry…this was a mistake."

"Listen. I'm in a relationship."

"I don't think that's any of your business."

"Lose this number." House ordered and snapped the phone shut and looked a little sheepishly at Wilson.

Wilson smiled a little. "You're in a relationship?"

"Well I might be…… and if I'm not, it was a good lie. " House said looking at him intensely.

"This is my fault?" Wilson asked, remembering what House had said before the phone rang.

"Pretty sure it is." House answered.

"How do you come to that conclusion?" Wilson asked, a little more relaxed. This was the Greg House he could deal with.

"It's a matter of cause and effect. Your cheating caused the effect which was my indiscretion." House said with assurance.

"I'm sure that's perfectly logical in your world, but I think it's a little more serious than that." Wilson countered, studying him intently.

House dropped his eyes and nodded slightly. "Yeah." He agreed.

Wilson waited and then asked. " So where do we go from here?"

"Try again? I'm not sure I want to try a relationship with anyone other than you." House said softly.

"What about my cheating and your…uh….indiscretion?" Wilson asked with a slight smile.

House leaned in and put his hand on Wilson's thigh.

"I think in this case, two wrongs might make a right."

End

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