"It shouldn't," Amber conceded, "But it does for House." Should and shouldn't didn't matter as long as it came to results. Amber herself had never tried... much intentional cruelty towards patients, but that was because up until now she'd have been fired if she hadn't given them golden treatment. Were those standards also different under House? Might be interesting to try and find out. If it yielded good results, House would be pleased.

Quickly Amber went up the stairs, hand along the railing. Their footsteps and voices echoed. "Good," she replied. They were on the same page. Amber loved it when that happened, it meant they'd definitely follow her way. And if Eric was going to be the good guy, apologizing and admitting to faults, she could play the bad cop, if they needed her to.

Amber couldn't tell if her wanna-be colleagues looked at her more with contempt or relief. Whichever way didn't matter, of course. She didn't care what they thought. She loved her job and that's all she needed-- and now she had Eric, too.

Following him-- he had said "we"-- Amber tried to walk with confidence and poise. First impressions mattered. Sliding the glass door open, she saw that Casey was lying down in a small mound of pillows, covered in sweat and her hair wet at the roots. Face to Brennan, her expression was tired, a layer of wariness coming over her when she spotted Eric. Amber nodded at Casey and at her father. "Hello, I'm Dr. Volakis and this--"

"I remember him," Casey said coldly. “That’s Mr. Know It All.”