[SIZE=7]Breather
Post ep: Heavy
By Lunagrrl74
Summary: Late night musings and conversations with friends.
House/Wilson, more friendship than anything else at this point.
Cameron sort of takes a beating in this, I really do like her character, sometimes, but this weird infatuation thing with House just bugs me.
And I'm not sure of the Wilson's state of marriage at this particular time.
Comments, constructive, are appreciated.

Disclaimer: Kudos to Fox for actually airing more than a couple episodes of good show. Reminds me of the early days of the X-Files thingy. Here’s to House and to the hope that Fox doesn’t make the same mistakes with it that it did with X-files. Oh yeah, I don’t own them nor do I make any money off this piece.

Rating: PG 13-ish, mostly for language.

Breather
by lunagrrl74
For the life of me, I cannot figure out why Cameron keeps insisting that I have feelings for her. I have to admit, I find her boldness refreshing. And yes, she is charming and attractive. Though, not exactly my type.
She’s still unfinished, somehow, still a girl, despite having finished a lengthy and unforgiving education and burying a husband.
Does she think if she says it often enough, it’ll come true?

A self-fulfilling prophecy and we’re back to first year psych again.

Wilson taps the door and sticks his head in. “Lurking in the dark?” He’s slightly rumpled from the day’s work but still looking years younger than his actual age. Lucky man.

“Why doesn’t Cameron like you?” I ask, irritability, waving him in.
Good man, he doesn’t even blink, just comes in and settles himself into the chair with a tired sigh.
“Wounded bird syndrome. You’ve seen it before.”

I grunt. One of the greatest irritants of having the cane are the hordes of women who want nothing more than to smother me with care and affection. I can wipe my own ass, thanks.

“Why not you? “ I lean back and study him. “You’re a handsome, charming and intelligent doctor who’s specialty creates a lot of long term angst.

He shudders for an instant as the image flashes in head. “No, thank you. Besides, you’re the one with the bad-boy rep, the obvious emotional baggage and the brilliant medical mind. He leans back, closes his eyes, and delivers the kill shot. “And you’re her boss. Male authority figure. Just like Dad--”
“Ew. Thank you very much for that image. Not!”
I pick up my ball and start throwing it against the wall. “It does make a certain kind of sick sense, given her history.”
“Speaking of history, how did Chase take it?” Wilson asks. He’s had to have heard already, but he’s polite enough to want my version.
thump.
Such a good man, Wilson.
“He didn’t take it. Vogler wouldn’t let me fire him.”
“Jackass.”
rattle thump. oops, that one hit the glass.
I roll the ball around in my hand, squint and fire off another one.
“He doesn’t really care about firing anyone. He just wants me to roll over and show him my belly.”

He breathes a laugh. “He obviously doesn’t know you very well.”

“I’d admire his strategy, if we weren’t playing against each other. He wants me gone, and preferably, the whole department. But I’ve got tenure and head of department perks, as well as a couple of donors who bring in a lot of money. So it’s hassle. He figures he keeps torturing me and I’ll quit, go lick my wounds in my cave.”
thump
“Like I said…”
thump
“Yeah, he’s a jackass.”
thump
“So, are you going to fire anyone?”

I shook my head, “What’s the point. It’s a power play. Anyway, Cameron offered to quit.”
“Cameron?” He raises his eyebrows. “I didn’t think she’d be the type to just roll over.”
“She’s frustrated because I won’t play her game.”
“Because…”
thump
“Because it’s a ridiculous game! Not only am I her boss, I’m technically her teacher.”
“And if you weren’t her boss…”
thump
“Still never going to happen. Wounded bird, remember?”
I catch the ball one last time.
Carefully placing it in it’s cradle, I grab the I-pod (one of the most brilliant inventions of the last few years) and stuff it in my satchel. Lever myself up slowly, trying not to catch Wilson’s half-lidded eyes.
“Mrs. Hernandez checked out this afternoon. Surgery went well, no complications.” he tells me, standing, when I’m finally standing.
He’s a good man.

“Well, at least something went to plan today.”
Wilson waits until I’ve passed him then turns and follows me out of the office. He grabs my satchel from couch.
“Small favors, right?”
In the dim lighting of the hallway, it’s easy to miss the shadows under his eyes, the slight crows feet at eyes, the way his tie is pulled down, and the smear of pink on his lapel. I eye it suspiciously for a moment. Could be blood, could be lipstick. His hair isn’t mussed, so I’m betting blood.
“Yeah, right. You want some dinner? I believe I recall that you owe me a meal.”

“I bought lunch!”

“From the hospital cafeteria. It barely counts as food.” I tell him, straight-faced. “How about the sushi place?”

He sighs. He knows I’ll pay for dinner. He just knows better than to skip any steps in the routine.
“I guess. Julie’s probably already eaten anyway.”

I shake my head. James and his endless rationalizations. I’m not sure he’s aware of it, but he really doesn’t like his wife. He may love her, but, as I am very aware, like and love are two very different things.

He follows me to the elevator and punches the button.

“Vogler’s toast, you know.” he tells you with a slight smile.

“Yeah, I know.”

James really is a good man.

End.

Very interesting.

It has a very nice easy flow to it and your dialogue is spot on. That's always a tough thing to get down (at least for me). It seems like there are a few spots where words are missing so a beta might be good but I like the flow and the story line.

Thanks for sharing with all the fic addicts here!! I eagerly look forward to more.

Of course you do know that since I am the 'Ruler of Ficdom' that it's my job to bug the heck out of you for more?! ;) :lol:

Well... I'm not totally sure what the point of it is, I guess I'll have to read it again later, but you've got the characters down pretty good. Entertaining read anyhow.

Thank you for your comments.

As a terminal lurker and a person with a hundred unfinished fics on her hard drive I am very happy that you read and liked my work enough to comment on it.

To RTlemurs: Yes, I'm sure I need a beta, that is why I posted in the WIP board,
second readings are the worst without a coach. Do you volunteer?

To TelegramSam:
No point really, I just felt the need to connect with House in what is a tulmultous time for him: he's had everything figured out and had it all turn to... bull-doody, shall we say, and then build it all up again. And then, again, having his nest, overrun again.

Again, thanks for the feedback. You found it entertaining. *blush*

lunagrrl74

Oh and a PS:
I have two fics on the House Fanfic archive.
Both posted within the last seven days and completely un-betated!

The shame.

lunagrrl74

WOW! Well finish them up and post 'em here! I'll read anything with letters in it!!! :lol:

I may not be the best judge of good writing but I've not met a fic here I didn't find something I liked. I may not like the type of fic< general not into erotica and all the outright sex scene's> or agree with a pairing< Cameron, not!>or the way a writer chose to portray a particular character but there is always something in each one that I find interesting or intriguing.

It's just so fun to see things from an angle I never thought to look at and for me that's what fanfic is.

Yep, that's why I said something. I've only posted one story to the WIP folder and it was because I wanted shall we say technical feedback which you don't normally get when it's a finished piece.

That's how I read things in the WIP folder, for a critique more than enjoyment because I presume that's why it's been posted here. I will certainly encourage and express what I liked about the story here but I'll also point out things that I have question about as well so the author can say 'Hmm didn't catch that." or "Sod off you nosy bint! It's my story and I'm keeping it that way." :lol: ;)

I know what you mean! I know what I'm saying and where I'm going so it all makes perfect sense to me, even if things are mispelled and words are missing! :lol:

Usually I will read it through first for continuity. Make sure everything flows and fits.

Then I'll read it again and just read each word as it appears on the page not how it is in my mind or how it fits in the sentence. Actually force myself to "READ" the words. That's really hard for me to do and it usually takes me an hour or two for a three page chapter because I have to keep going back and forcing myself to do that. That usually catches most spelling errors.

Then last of all I read each sentence and see if it makes sense on it's own, then within the paragraph. After taht I deem it finished and email it to Taru, and after all that I still have mistakes! :P

Sure, I'll beta this one but I don't want to make any future commitments. Maybe we should start a thread for beta volunteers, get a pool of them so if one's busy there's always another out there. Hmm guess what I'm going to do next?! :D

I'll give it a read again this evening and email you.

Once again, Thank you for sharing and please keep writing, even if the feedback isn't there, people are reading and enjoying.

As summer rolls around and people are spending more time outside and away from home the feedback will die down but I know there are several of us that will always check in at least once a week and once season 2 rolls around it'll pick up again!

Wow,
Thanks for volunteering to beta this one.
We can discuss others as they come up; :rolleyes:
I'm actually pretty happy with this one, but first person is not always my best voice - it's harder to do thought and dialogue and keep track of everyone else!

The beta thread sounds like a good idea, I must say.


[QUOTE]Once again, Thank you for sharing and please keep writing, even if the feedback isn't there, people are reading and enjoying.

I definitely will. Writing is the one thing I can't get away from!

lunagrrl74

I loved this fic, just because you do the characters so well. More, please!

Thank you very much.... I do aim to please.

B)