Archive of Our Own

"I've got fifty bucks I'm willing to double on a bet," Kutner is drunk and his eyes are half-closed but Thirteen is interested.

"Okay, what's the bet?" she asks, taking a sip of a beer with a fancy name.

"Whoever," he swallows and makes pained noise as he leans into the table a little too hard, "catches House and Wilson," he waves a hand around, "canoodling, wins."

Cole chews on some ice next to him, "I don't understand what the bet is."

Thirteen waves her fancy beer, "whoever catches House and Wilson being… intimate, gets fifty from Kutner."

“That’s not what I meant,” Kutner protests softly but no one hears him.

"How do we prove we caught them?" Taub chimes in and honestly, they all kind of forgot he was there.

"Camera," Kutner says and at that moment, before he can correct the bet, Amber comes back. No one really wanted her there but she invited herself.

"Camera for what?" she asks, sitting down next to Taub and placing a margarita on the table, making sure there are a few inches of space.

"Nothing," Thirteen tries but Cole is already speaking.

"Whoever gets photographic evidence that House and Wilson are a couple gets money from Kutner."

"No," Kutner speaks up, "we are betting on if they're a couple or not, and to prove they are there needs to be proof, and if there isn't any proof by the end of the week then they aren't involved."

“What would count as proof?” Amber asks, sipping her drink and trying not to cough at the taste of dirty rags.

Kutner covers his eyes for a moment, the lights above them creating little UFOs between his fingers, “doesn’t have to be solid,” his hand drops but he continues to stare at the lights, “it just has to look incriminating.”

Amber hums, Taub can feel the seat vibrate slightly, “fair, fair.”

"So, who's betting on them being a couple?" Taub asks, moving over as much as he can.

Kutner raises his hand and the others eye each other. Defeated, Thirteen raises her hand too, "where's the fun if only Kutner is betting relationship?" she says as an excuse.

Amber raises her hand as well, "blackmail," that's her excuse.

"You guys really think House is gay?" Taub asks as he retrieves a pen and his bar receipt from his pocket, "where did this come from?" Thirteen looks over at his writing and he's writing down who’s betting for what with a fifty under everyone's names.

"You do notice him disappearing into Wilson's office for long periods of time, don't you?" Kutner reaches for his beer but Thirteen pulls it away from him.

"You do realize they're friends, right?" Thirteen says.

"Hey! You put a bet on relationship too!" Kutner says.

"Again, where's the fun if you're the only one betting."

"But! But, it would make sense, wouldn't it? He's the only one that can deal with House, plus there are rumors among the ER staff," Kutner makes a few movements with his eyebrows but they all just stare at him.

"And why does that matter?" Cole asks, putting another ice chip in his mouth.

"Because, wait for it," there's a long pause and Amber rolls her eyes, "among the ER staff is Dr. Allison Cameron, also known as, House's former employee. And, the rumors started a month and a half ago, when she started working for the ER."

"Kutner!" Taub exclaims, "you should have led with that."

"Wait, how do you know they started a month and a half ago?" Amber asks and all eyes are back on Kutner.

"I heard a few of the nurses talking, I just asked when the rumors started because I already had my hunches," he says clearly proud of himself.

"You're an idiot," Taub says and Kutner immediately looks like a kicked puppy.

"You better not let House hear your theories," Thirteen says, taking a sip of her drink.

Kutner reaches forward and steals his beer back, "you know, that's not a bad idea," Amber says.

They all pause a moment before Thirteen caves, "what's not a bad idea?"

Amber smiles, something cunning, "what if we just ask him."

"Why would you do that?" Cole questions, now genuinely intrigued.

"You'd look for his reaction," Taub finishes for her.

"If he's defensive and avoids, it’s a very high possibility, which would mean him and Wilson are involved," Amber continues now it's her turn to be proud.

"Or, he'd be defensive and evasive to your accusation because you would have told him you think he's fucking his best friend," Taub says, "photographic proof, right?"

Kutner nods.

"I'd hate to agree with Amber but she's right, in a way," Thirteen says.

"Wait," everyone looks to Kutner again, "speaking of House fucking his best friend," Thirteen makes a face, "whichever team finds out whose fucking who gets double."

"Gross," Amber says, "but I like it."

"Can people work together?" Taub asks, they all know he's not asking for his sake, he just wants to know the competition.

"Let's say, yes," Kutner says, raising his glass up, everyone follows.

"One week, everyone on the relationship side gets their own day, work together and that's your waste of a day, everyone agree?" Taub asks, he's standing a little so his glass can reach.

"Twenty-four hours each huh?" Thirteen smiles, "game on."

And with the clink of their glasses, the week begins.

———

𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥

ᴍᴏɴᴅᴀʏ

Walking into the building at precisely two in the afternoon with two coffees - that aren’t actually coffees - in hand after walking past House in the parking lot was timing out perfectly.

She walks quickly to the mini auditorium, passing Cuddy.

"Would you be willing to take a few extra clinic hours today?" Cuddy asks, a folder in hand.

"I'm sorry, I can't," Amber says, walking away quickly before her bosses boss can say anything else.

She opens the door with her hip and isn't quiet about it.

"Where were you?" Kutner asks, obviously in pain from the door screech.

"Not hungover," Amber answers, walking down the steps past her competition.

"Seeing as today is my day, I've got it all planned out," Amber smiles at her own words, placing one of the coffee cups on House's desk.

"You're not going to prove anything by buying him coffee," Taub says, moving his legs to support a newspaper.

"It's not entirely coffee," Amber says, hurrying back to her seat.

"Did you spike it?" Thirteen suddenly sounds interested.

"Yup," Amber says, popping the 'p' and moving her hair out of her face.

"You think you can win him over with spiked coffee?" Cole asks, rubbing Kutner's back as the man groans in agony.

"I'm not trying to win him over," she says, and before she can explain the door slams open and Kutner flinches.

"Rough night?!" House practically yells as he limps down the steps, "you don't look so good!"

"Too loud," Kutner whimpers, using his hands to paw at his ears.

Amber rolls her eyes.

"I tried to take your beer away," Thirteen says, and by her tone, it's not the first time she's reminded him of that.

Kutner makes some guttural noises in response.

When House gets to his desk he uses his cane to poke at the coffee, "who did this?"

Amber holds up her matching coffee cup, "thought you could use a little pick me up."

House eyes her and with his free hand he takes the cup and smells it, "it's hot meaning you didn't get it too long ago, but you're always here when I get here," he pauses and eyes her again, "you timed it out didn't you?"

Amber rolls her eyes, "I got an extra cup, so what?"

House just hums and takes a sip before his eyes go wide and he holds the cup far from him to examine, "wow! That coffee tastes just like rum!"

Everyone's eyes shoot towards Amber but she feels no shame, "cheers Dr. House."

House smiles, "cheers," before he downs half the cup.

"Are you and Dr. Wilson dating?" Amber asks watching House suddenly choke on his drink and everyone is looking at her again with wide eyes.

"Amber!" Thirteen hisses.

"Jesus," House groans, rubbing at his throat, "might have to add attempted murder to your resume."

"Well?" Amber encourages.

"Why? Are you interested?" House asks with a smug smile.

"In you? No," Amber says, shutting it down very quickly.

"So, in Wilson?" House questions, leaning against the table.

"I'm not a homewrecker," Amber says and there's a moment when the uncomfortable stares look back to House for a reaction.

"Go for it," he simply says.

They all look back to Amber but she simply smiles, "so you and Wilson are not involved romantically.”

"Nah, too much baggage," House says, downing the rest of his ‘coffee’ and throwing it in the small trash next to the desk.

Kutner's groan echo throughout the room.

"Get him a banana bag," House says, pointing to Cole with his cane.

———

"Was that all you had?" Taub asks.

They stand around in an empty room where Kutner lays with the IV hooked up.

"No that's not all I had," Amber says defensively.

"Did you get your answer?" Kutner asks, he looks a little better.

"I did."

Thirteen scoffs, "how?"

"Because he didn't answer the question," Amber leans against the wall, she knows she looks smug and she owns it.

"How did he not answer the question?" Taub asks, "he said no."

Amber clicks her tongue in disagreement, "no no, he made a joke."

They all take a moment to try and remember what he said, Cole is the first one to speak up, "he did."

"Come on man, we're on the same team," Taub complains but Cole just shrugs.

"You still need proof," Kutner reminds, sitting up, "how do you plan on getting that."

"I've got a camera in my locker, in less than an hour, House should be having lunch with Wilson," Amber explains.

"So... You plan on stalking him and his might-be-boyfriend?" Kutner asks.

"Well, how else am I supposed to get proof?"

They all nod in agreement.

"Want help?" Thirteen asks.

"Yeah, why not."

"What about me?" Kutner asks, he looks a little left out.

"Your day is Wednesday," Amber says, "plus, you obviously need the rest."

"Then why does Thirteen need to go?" he whines.

"Because I knew it would bother you," Amber says, watching his face warp into offense, "come on, let's go find a good stalking table."

———

Just as Amber had suspected, House and Wilson came into the cafeteria half an hour later.

"Did you memorize House's patterns?" Thirteen asks as they try not to look suspicious behind a half wall.

"I thought maybe if I did I'd have a better chance at sleeping with him," Amber says with an empty expression.

Thirteen makes a disgusted face, "that's gross!"

"I'm kidding! I memorized them because they're always the same, thought it might help me understand him more for the job.”

Thirteen gives a slightly disapproving sound as they watch their victims get in line.

"Blackmail for what?" Thirteen asks.

"What do you mean?"

"When we made the bet, you said you'd use the proof as blackmail," Thirteen turns to look at her.

"If it's just rumors, I heard them when I first got here, that means they're not public, meaning if I want something I can threaten House."

"Holy shit," Thirteen says, genuinely surprised.

“He calls me a bitch, might as well give him a reason to."

"Damn," Thirteen lets out in an exhale, "wait but what exactly do you plan on catching in a public setting? If they aren't out what makes you think they're gonna out themselves here."

Amber waves her camera, "if I get a picture of them playing, I don't know, footsie, maybe a hand squeeze, even if it looks platonic, Kutner is bound to get a picture then so are you, we combine them and there's no way we can lose."

"Oh right, must look incriminating," Thirteen says, her eyes flickering to House and Wilson who are a few people away from check out.

"Exactly," Amber shrugs, "plus, I don't plan on losing to Taub and Cole."

Thirteen nods, taking in the information, "what if one of us doesn't get the picture?"

House and Wilson are at the checkout and House steals an apple off Wilson’s tray.

"Oh, we will," Amber says, there's a fire in her eyes Thirteen has never seen before, "I don't doubt it for a second."

“Your determination is almost admirable,” Thirteen says, not entirely sure she means it.

They duck behind the half wall when House and Wilson pass, peeking up when the talk of which Baywatch actress aged the best passes.

Thirteen shoots Amber a look.

"What?" Amber asks in an offended voice.

"You really think they're gay?" Thirteen asks, she likes to think her gaydar is on point but she can't figure out House. Wilson though? She would not be surprised if he experimented in college.

"Don't know and don't care," Amber says, looking back over the wall and watching House and Wilson take a seat where they always do.

Amber sets the camera up on the ledge and stares at the small screen, "thank god for the digital age," Thirteen says, peeking over Amber's shoulder.

Amber radiates excitement when House reaches over but deflates when it's to steal a bite of Wilson's salad.

"This is boring," Amber complains.

"You're the one who wanted to do this!" Thirteen groans. 

A voice chimes in, "what are you doing?"

Both Amber and Thirteen jump, staring up at Foreman who holds a cup of coffee in one hand and a bagel in the other.

"Sh!" Amber hisses and all Foreman does is sit in a chair behind them.

"What are you doing?" he repeats.

“Winning a bet," Amber responds.

"Spying on House," Thirteen says.

"Why?" 

"You've known House for a while, are he and Wilson a couple?" Thirteen asks glancing back at the camera to make sure they didn't miss anything.

"There were rumors but there's no way," Foreman says as he takes a bite of his bagel.

"No way as in you don't know or no way as in you know?" Amber asks and he gives her a look.

"No way as in I don't know."

"Damn!" Thirteen groans.

"What's in it for you two anyway?"

"Blackmail," Amber answers.

"Bored," Thirteen follows.

Foreman hums then takes a sip of his coffee, "better not let him catch you."

They all look towards House and Wilson who both look happy and talkative.

"Wait, are you waiting for someone to make a move?" Foreman asks.

"Yeah," Thirteen says, both her and Amber readjusting the camera.

"There's no way House will make a move," he says with a mouth full of shitty cafeteria bagel.

"You think Wilson will?" Amber asks, zooming in a little so her boss and boss's best friend are visible in the small square.

"Well, Wilson has more relationship experience, even if they all failed," Foreman mumbles the last part.

"How does that translate to Wilson making a move?" Thirteen looks up at Foreman.

"I forget you are new," he says taking a quick sip of his drink, "he and House have known each other for over a decade, it's the only relationship that hasn't failed, Wilson always reaches out first, metaphorically and physically."

They take in the information but Thirteen seems to think of it differently, "wait I thought you said you didn't know."

Foreman opens his mouth to say something, "well, I don't, but it makes sense right."

Amber gasps, it’s a little exaggerated, "you know something don't you?"

Foreman offers a small smile, "well-"

"Oh my god, you do!" Thirteen mimics Amber's gasp.

"The rumors aren't new, last year Cameron, Chase, and I all took a similar bet but we couldn't find anything," Foreman says, "Chase was here longer than Cameron and I, even then he says the rumors were still circulating."

"So that means, if they're a couple, they're been a secret for three-plus years?" Thirteen asks.

"Good luck, you're going to need it."

Amber looks back to the camera and reaches blindly for Thirteen when Wilson puts his hand on House’s exposed forearm, "look! Look!"

"Take the picture!" Thirteen whisper-shouts.

Amber presses down the capture button and watches as the image flashes on the screen, "yes!"

"How are you two going to prove they're a couple?" Foreman asks.

"Kutner is hungover but he's the one who proposed it," Thirteen responds.

Amber keeps her eyes on House and Wilson as he talks, "if we get three images that even look a little incriminating then we each get fifty bucks."

"You're doing this for fifty dollars?"

"Taub and Cole each give us fifty so if we win we walk away with a hundred each," Thirteen says.

Amber looks over her shoulder at Foreman, "double if we figure out who tops."

Foreman makes a face, "I'm going to take that as an excuse to leave, have fun."

He gets up collecting his food and drink before disappearing. The disgusted look never left.

"What are you doing on your day?" Amber asks, looking over at Thirteen.

"I'm going to talk to Wilson."

"Why?"

"Doesn't matter why, I'll get the picture."

———

They find the others sitting outside eating on benches and Kutner sitting on the ground.

“Did you get it?” Cole asks.

“We got something, but come Friday, you both will be a hundred fifty short," Amber says, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"You feeling better?" Thirteen puts her attention on Kutner.

"Yeah, a lot better," he says with a smile.

Thirteen sits next to Kutner and Amber chooses to stay standing, crossing her arms and shifting her weight to one side.

"Foreman told us the rumors have been around for at least three years," Thirteen says and Kutner looks at her with a smile.

"Really?!" he is instantly giddy.

"You talked to Foreman?" Taub asks.

"Don't worry, we didn't cut him in," Thirteen reassures.

"Was that all you had planned?" Cole leans forward as he asks.

"Bigger picture," Amber says.

"I wish I could have helped," Kutner says a little defeated.

"We could work together Wednesday," Thirteen offers, "you couldn't help today but maybe I could help you."

Kutner immediately lights up, "okay cool! I'm gonna need someone to help break into Wilson's office."

There's a pause before both Taub and Thirteen speak in unison, "What?"

———

𝗞𝗨𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗥

ᴡᴇɴsᴅᴀʏ

Kutner looks suspicious when he tiptoes past the front desk and hides behind a pillar like James Bond.

"You look stupid," Thirteen informs, tired and wearing a thick hoodie.

"We don't want to get caught," he whispers.

The entrance lobby already has people in it, people who are staring at them.

Thirteen walks past him to the elevators, too tired to play along, "let's just get this over with.

Kutner follows after her, beating her to the elevator request button, "patience."

"The only thing suspicious, besides for you acting as if we're the 007, is the fact it's four am and the rotating nurses know who works at this hour,” Thirteen complains, staring at the doors.

"Do you want a hundred bucks or not?" Kutner retorts.

"How are you so... chipper?"

"Two cups of coffee and a lot of candy," Kutner says, "plus I have to pee."

"Of course you do."

The elevator doors ding open and Kutner pushes Thirteen inside, quickly pressing the number four and the close door button.

Kutner pulls out his camera and makes sure there's full battery, "how do you plan on getting it back?" Thirteen asks.

"Either when he's not in his office or after he goes home," Kutner explains, "my friend videoed himself sleeping a few days ago, it may look like crap but it can run for a few hours," the camera did look like crap, scratches, and peeling stickers.

"Why'd he use your camera to video himself sleeping," Thirteen asks, something almost accusatory in her tone.

"He thought he was sleepwalking."

There's a pause, "it was Cole wasn't it?"

"Yeah, it was."

The small room stops and the doors open revealing a different setting, "let's hurry this up."

Kutner leads as they quickly move towards Wilson's office, "be the lookout?"

Thirteen nods, "hurry up."

Kutner tries the handle but it's locked, "damn," he sets the camera down and takes out a screwdriver and a few bobby pins.

"You could have bought a kit at a corner store," Thirteen hisses.

"Hey, whose day is it?" Kutner shoots her a glare.

"Do you even know how to do that?"

Kutner gives a half nod, "places," he takes the flathead and places it into the lock, and pushes a bobby pin inside.

"Places? What places?" Thirteen is now looming over him.

"Video games," Kutner responds softly, moving the bobby pin around as he does so.

"Jesus Christ," Thirteen says.

"I've got it, I've got it." 

No, he doesn't.

Kutner tries turning the screwdriver along with the pin but Thirteen groans and takes them from him, "let me do it," she squats next to him, bending the bobby pin and within a few seconds, the door unlocks.

"How'd you do that?!" Kutner opens and closes the door a few times, staring up at Thirteen in amazement.

"Places," she says simply, "go plant the camera and hurry up."

Kutner salutes her and enters the office. He realizes then that the camera might not fit well with the other objects.

He goes behind Wilson's desk and considers putting it behind or next to one of the teddy bears but then realizes that might not be the best because of how visible it would be.

Then his eyes find the bookshelf. All of the room is visible and it's dark enough not to see. Kutner puts the camera on record and sets it in the darkness.

Before Kutner leaves he steals a lollipop from a small candy jar at the corner of Wilson's desk.

———

Kutner and Thirteen had fallen asleep in the auditorium and didn't wake up until the others turned on the lights.

"Jesus, when did you two get here?" Taub asks, the others following behind him down the steps.

"Too early," Thirteen groans, putting her head back down on the small lap table.

"What did you even do?" Amber asks, taking her seat a row down from Thirteen.

"Planted a camera in Wilson's office," Kutner responds, sounding just as drowsy as his accomplice.

"You both will be fired if one of them finds the camera," Cole informs, sitting next to Kutner and Taub the row behind them.

"Thank you, we didn't think of that," Thirteen says sarcastically, she's no longer wearing the hoodie.

"Did you guys not go home?" Taub asks. 

Kutner shakes his head, "we were already here, didn't see the point."

———

At lunch, when House was nowhere to be seen, Kutner sneaks to surgery to find Chase.

"Dr. Chase!" Kutner calls to stop the man in the hall.

Chase turns and looks at him, his brows furrow and he looks a little confused, "I'm sorry but I don't remember your name."

"Kutner," he puts out his hand for Chase to shake, which he does.

"Nice to meet you, again," Chase says, "was there anything I could help you with?"

"Uhm,  yes actually," Kutner rubs his hands together, "Dr. Foreman said there were rumors about Dr. House and Dr. Wilson being a couple."

Chase shrugs, "there have always been rumors, just like ones of House and Cuddy."

"The thing is though, we have bet going and I was wondering if you knew if the rumors were or are true.”

Chase smiles and it's a little smug, but that might just be his face, "well, I'm not sure if it's true or not, how many people are participating?"

"Five, three for relationship, and two are for friends," Kutner says.

"And how much is at stake?"

"Fifty, each."

"I want in."

"You... want in?"

Chase nods, "that's what I said."

"We've been splitting it up into days, you can be in on the betting but not the action," Kutner says.

"That's fine."

"So you're not sure whether or not they're in a relationship or not? Really?"

"I've known House and Wilson for a few years, it wouldn't surprise me."

"So you're voting for relationship?"

"Nah, no way, I'm voting against."

"But you just said- you just said it wouldn't surprise you."

Chase shrugs and runs fingers through his hair before the hand lands on his hip, "I've known him for a few years and I have no idea if they're a couple, if they are, they're pretty damn good at hiding it, if not," he shrugs again, "no harm in playing."

Kutner nods because he understands, "I’ll let you know who wins."

Chase smiles and nods, "good luck."

———

At the end of the day, they all sit in the office next to House's.

"Do you think they're fighting?" Thirteen asks in a low voice despite knowing House and Wilson cannot hear her.

Wilson smiles from his spot across from House.

"No, I don't think so," Taub says.

House and Wilson have been talking for thirty minutes without any direction as to what the others should do.

"I wish we could hear them," Kutner says, leaning back some more so he can get more of House in view.

Foreman sits at the end of the table with a coffee in hand and the newest medical journal on the table, "heard you let chase in on the bet."

"Apparently he was insistent,” Amber says, a tone of disbelief.

"What is he betting on?" Foreman asks.

"No relationship," Kutner answers, "says it wouldn't surprise him but they might be good at hiding."

"Smart."

"The camera!" Thirteen suddenly says jumping up.

"I forgot!" Kutner gets up too, pushing his coffee to the center of the table to avoid it falling or spilling.

"Go get it before House decides to be our boss again," Amber says, using her hand in a shooing motion.

Kutner and Thirteen quickly exit the office and walk down the hall, making sure not to bump into any of the other doctors or Nurses simply trying to go about their day.

"Do you think he saw it?" Kutner asks, a little worried as he opens the door to Wilson's office.

"Doubt it, House would have confronted us," Thirteen says.

Kutner rushes in and grabs the camera, knocking over the candy tray as he does so, "shit."

"I got it," Thirteen bends down and quickly pushes them all back into the clear container before rushing them both out.

They stand off to the side as Kutner goes through the video, "camera is about to die."

"Well hurry up."

The first fifth is just darkness, the early hours of the day, the second is Wilson doing paperwork, the third is patients, the fourth House shows up so he slows it down.

"Microphone broke so we can't hear them," Kutner informs.

He goes through by ten seconds, watching the frames, "there!" Thirteen points at the screen, "go back."

Kutner does and the image on the screen is another arm touch, this time a little closer than what Amber got, "it's something."

"Oh, it's definitely something," Thirteen says.

Kutner puts the camera down and feels a little guilty, "if they've really been together that long maybe we should accept that."

"If they are, we just don't tell anyone," Thirteen says, making a cross over her heart.

"I don't know, maybe."

"There's no way I'm losing to Cole and Taub."

And then Wilson comes out of House's office without either of them noticing.

"Hey guys," he greets as he passes.

Thirteen jumps and Kutner makes a small sound earning them a strange look as Wilson enters his office.

"Let's go," Thirteen says, grabbing Kutner's arm and pulling him along.

They push into the large office where House stands drinking one of the creamer cups, "Where were you two?"

"Peeing," Kutner says though at the same time Thirteen says, "smoke break."

House stares at them momentarily before his eyes go to Kutner's hands, "huh, so you brought a camera to your peeing smoke break?"

"Uh, I always have a camera," Kutner says, he's always been a terrible liar when put on the spot.

"Mhm," House hums, he limps over to them, his cane discarded against the empty whiteboard, "anything you want to share with the class?"

"Nope," Thirteen says.

House takes the camera from Kutner, he presses the power button but nothing happens, "it's dead," Kutner says.

"Thank you for that," House says, dropping the camera back into Kutner's hands.

———

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗡 

ғʀɪᴅᴀʏ

During lunch, and on one of the few days House skips lunch, Thirteen goes to Wilson's office with her phone recording in her pocket.

When she opens the door he looks up, a little confused, “uh, come in.”

Thirteen closes the door behind her and takes a seat in front of him, and very simply she says, “I know about you and House."

She doesn't know anything but he doesn't know that.

"Me and House what?" Wilson puts down his pen and closes the folder he was writing in.

"Your relationship."

Wilson's eyes furrow and momentarily Thirteen has a flash of panic, "our... relationship?"

"That you two are dating."

Wilson looks even more confused, "uh."

Thirteen feels frozen so she quickly continues, “it's okay, I just thought you might want to talk about it, it can stay between us."

Wilson seems conflicted and Thirteen can't tell why but then Wilson talks, "no one knows."

And holy shit, she didn't think that would actually work.

"Was it his choice?" she asks, trying to contain her excitement at the idea she knows.

"No, mine," Wilson says, keeping his eyes averted from Thirteen.

"Can I ask why?"

"House doesn't... He doesn't care who knows but I wanted something for myself, knowing that we have this special thing, that is mine," Wilson covers his face, "God that's so stupid."

Thirteen bites the inside of her cheek and reaches down into her pocket to turn off her phone, feeling bad.

"It's not stupid," Thirteen says and Wilson looks at her with a little hope, "how long have you two been together?"

"A few months."

Thirteen almost laughs. If rumors were going around for at least three years one of them must have been pining for a long time.

"I'm happy for you both, really," Thirteen says, offering a smile.

“I'm glad I could talk to someone about it, hard to hold in happiness, you know."

The door opens and there stands House, he didn't seem to expect anyone in there, "should I come back some other time?"

Thirteen gives Wilson a polite smile, "I'm glad we could talk Dr. Wilson," she says, pushing past House as she does so.

"Yeah, you too," Wilson says but House shuts the door, cutting him off.

———

"Is it just me or has House been staring at you," Kutner asks, spinning his small stick in his coffee.

"No, he definitely is."

"What'd you do?" Taub asks.

"Why did I have to do something?" Thirteen sounds offended though she really isn't.

"What'd you say to Wilson?" Amber asks, leaning forward.

"I asked him about him and House," she says.

"And?" Kutner encourages.

"And nothing, he didn't budge," Thirteen lies, falling back in her seat to show being defeated when she isn't.

House opens the door connecting his office to the main one, "Thirteen, I summon thee," he says leaving the door ajar as he limps back to his seat.

The others look at her as she stands and makes her way. As she closes the door behind her Kutner salutes her.

"Sit down," House says, and the seriousness in his voice is eerie.

Thirteen sits and stares as the man in front of her spins in his chair, "is there something-"

"You talked to Wilson," House cuts her off, he stops his chair and meets her eyes, "how'd you find out?"

"I didn't find it out."

"Then how'd you figure it out?"

"I don't see why this matters, I'm happy for you two, really."

"It matters because I want to know."

Thirteen sighs, "there were some rumors, figured if I pretended like I knew he would confess," it's technically not a lie if she never mentions the bet.

"He's such a girl," House says but there's no malice in his tone.

"Was that it?"

"No," House starts and it's his turn to sigh, "are you planning on telling anyone?"

"No, I'm not."

"I mean I wouldn't care, but Wilson would, and I just am making sure."

"House," Thirteen says with a smile, meeting his eyes, "I'm not going to tell anyone."

House offers a partial smile and nods, "good."

———

When everyone is busy with clinic duty, Thirteen sneaks up to the fourth floor with Amber's camera. She just needs one picture and that hundred dollars are hers.

She asked some of the nurses where House and Wilson were and after checking the cafeteria she was directed to Wilson's office.

The door unlocks when she tries in and she peeks her head inside to find it empty. She steps inside and closes the door behind her.

She goes to use the glass door but immediately steps back when she sees two figures: House and Wilson.

She peeks her head from behind the wall and they're talking. Thirteen holds the camera up and waits.

It comes to her attention that if they win the bet, someone hears, assumes, their fingers will be pointed at her. They both trusted her with something.

She watches Wilson lean over, pressing his lips to Houses cheek for a few seconds before putting an arm around his middle.

And she couldn't take the picture.

Thirteen smiles to herself and lets House and Wilson fall out of view, allowing them to enjoy their private moment.

———

ғʀɪᴅᴀʏ ᴇᴠᴇɴɪɴɢ

"Pay up."

"Why can't you just take the pictures we have?" Kutner complains, already taking out his wallet, Amber and Thirteen doing the same. They stand in the parking lot and Cole is certain they look like they're dealing drugs.

"A hand on the arm isn't good enough," Taub says, Chase and Cole standing on either side of him.

"This is stupid, it was incriminating!" Amber complains shoving the money into Taub's hand.

"Good luck next time," Chase says.

"Good luck to the next fellows who play this stupid game," Kutner groans, shoving his money into Taub's hand as well before Thirteen does the same thing.

"It's your fault you know," Amber says to Thirteen.

"Yeah, you keep reminding me."

House and Wilson walk past them, there's idle arguing about which Battlestar is better.

Wilson looks over at Thirteen and gives her a smile before disappearing out of view.

"Did he," Amber points and so does Kutner, "did he just smile at you?! What did he tell you?!"

"We talked about the weather," Thirteen says.

Amber gasps then points at Thirteen, "goddammit! You know something! Ugh!"

Chase laughs, “wasn’t there a chance to get double?"

"Whoever proves who tops but there's no use now, they're not a couple," Taub says counting the bills.

"Give me a day," Chase says.

Taub looks up for a moment, then to Kutner, "you never specified which team had to figure it out."

Kutner lets out a frustrated sound before holding up his index finger to Chase, "one day!"

Taub shakes his head and lets out a short laugh, "so, who wants to get a drink?" Taub asks, giving Cole and Chase each their cut, "I'll pay."

———

𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗦𝗘

ᴍᴏɴᴅᴀʏ

ᴇxᴛʀᴀ ᴅᴀʏ

Chase is not subtle.

He doesn't care that he's not subtle since House isn't his boss anymore so he can't get fired again.

When everyone is in the office, Wilson consulting on a case, he walks in.

“Gonna need you two to do me a favor,” Chase says, not even stopping to explain himself, he just guides House and Wilson to stand shoulder to shoulder in front of the crowded table.

"Chase, what is this?" Wilson asks, watching the blond man step off to the side.

The others stare at him.

"Who do you think is the dominant in your relationship," Chase asks.

Kutner chokes on his coffee, Amber's mouth is slightly open with a smile on her face, thirteen covers her mouth, Taub shakes his head, and Cole covers his eyes.

“Excuse me?" Wilson looks flabbergasted at the question.

"Me, obviously," House says, they will look at him.

"No, no, that's not true," Wilson says.

"I'm taller, you do what I say."

"And I'm younger, remember the patient who mirrored the dominant person?" Wilson points to himself before fully turning to House, "obviously I'm the dominant one."

"You buy me whatever I want," House says dismissively.

Wilson throws up his hands, "yeah like, shitty cafeteria food or Chinese."

"I control every situation," House says with a smug face.

"Says last night's bottom," Wilson says, he doesn’t even realize he said it but everyone else heard it and had their own individual reactions to imagining it. At this point, Chase sits down.

"What do you guys think?" House picks up his cane and points at everyone, "remember, I'm your boss and can fire you, he's just a tag along."

"And remember," Wilson starts, "Cuddy likes me more and I can help you keep your jobs."

They all stare at them with wide eyes and Kutner is taking out his wallet, throwing his cash onto the table followed shortly by Amber and Thirteen.

"Jesus Christ," Foreman says, shaking his head.

"What- what was that?" Wilson asks, his demeanor changing.

Chase reaches over and grabs his share, "I just made them poor."

"A bet?" House asks, "and you couldn't cut me in?" He gives fake betrayal but really he looks annoyed.

"I really didn't need that visual," Thirteen says, rubbing her eyes as if it will help.

Wilson then goes red, "you... you guys," he makes a hand movement they assume translates to the word bet, "on us?"

"Yeah, and now I'm broke," Kutner says, "and scarred."

"Mommy and daddy are sorry," House sneers.

"Who's who?" Chase asks and it's obvious he's trying to get another rise out of them.

House and Wilson point at them before in unison saying, "shut it."

Later, Kutner and Taub will argue whether or not Chase’s extra day was fair, but with the winning team collecting their earnings, they go back to the consult, but Thirteen doesn't miss the smile gracing Wilson's face.