Livid like a cornered snake, Eric seemed ready to strike back. She'd never seen him this furious, not even when they'd been arguing and she'd purposefully struck at weak points. Would keeping secret their intimate details be enough to stop him from being pissed at her? Not that his opinion mattered, it wasn't as if she meant to court his favor. And she hadn’t done anything wrong!

Still. What would he be like, angry and unleashed? And what was wrong with her, that she still longed to see him as he really was, genuine, without the social falsities he’d carefully constructed for himself?

Whatever chances Amber might've had of finding out more about Eric-- Foreman-- in this state was nullified by the chorus of pagers. She had to go. Not just because she had to prove her worth to House, but because the patient might need her. The others hadn't met him, they didn't know what he was like, and, in a pinch, they might not realize what he needed. If there was any chance only she could save him, then she had to go.

As she flocked out with everyone else, Amber cast a glance behind her. Eric had already left.