"Why?" spilled from Amber's lips. House couldn't be bothered to stay overnight, not when there was no thinking to be done. Did Eric expect a pretty gold star by staying up and guarding Casey? The hospital had a night staff that'd take care of any emergencies and if there was more diagnosing to be done, that's what pagers were for. "You won't be any good tomorrow if you don't sleep properly." Amber didn't want him anywhere near her home anymore, but this was one more example of his stupid, stupid work decisions. He'd be shooting himself-- and Casey-- in the foot if he tried to live up to his huge pride. Amber couldn't let him do that, not without getting an earful from her. Idiot boss or not they still needed him at the top of his game.

He turned back to her, forehead creased and frown furious. And yet his voice was icy as if there’d never been any warmth between them. "Oh, wah," Amber snapped at his accusations. She stalked towards him, her hair brushing against her cheeks with her hard, firm steps. "You undermined yourself. You thought you knew better than any of us and instead of doing a bit more harmless testing, you had to have it your way." She jerked her chin at him. "What would've you done, if you thought House was being reckless? Stand back and wring your hands? No-- what have you done?" No way he'd never fought against House's decisions.

Everything out of his mouth sounded like a whining child who'd been refused a ridiculous and expensive toy, but his last sentence stung. "I care! I care too much!" Amber’s voice rose, angrier than ever. "When will you understand that this isn't about you?" They'd been over this, for fuck's sake. Her fists curled up uselessly; even if physical action were the answer, they'd already established, thoroughly humiliating her in the process, that he had the upper hand. If only there were something she could strike here that didn't cost thousands of dollars.