Title: The Experiment
Rating: PG-13 (naughty language, girl on girl, House being House)
Characters/Pairings: 13/Cameron, House/Cameron, implied Chase/Cameron
Genre: General/Angst/Romance/Humour
Word Count: 2,400
Summary: Cameron's perfectly happy dating Chase until House asks her to "test a theory". She thinks House is simply solving his curiosity, until she realises that there is so much more behind what she thought was just an immature game.
Disclaimer: I don't own House MD, I am merely a fangirl with too much time on her hands.
A/N: I've been requested on multiple occasions to write a 13/Cam fic, and I finally got round to it! I'm not happy with this piece, probably because I tried to write it through writer's block which is never a good idea. The style is patchy, as is the dialogue and I don't think my characterisation (especially Cameron) isn't as good as it could be. However, for a fic that I don't like, I have written a lot of it, so my subconscious must like the idea even if the writing side of my brain isn't cooperating! It's also mainly dialogue, and therefore pretty fast-moving, and therefore lacks that all important character building. ANYWAY, I really hope I haven't put you off the fic entirely! It's not that bad, honest! Enjoy it. :-)
House was a genius. Why? Because somehow he had managed made you agree to "testing a theory" of his before revealing the details.
You now know why.
Your excuse is that he blackmailed you into it, but you knew that was a lie. You agreed to do it because he's House and you're Cameron and that's the way it had always been.
Of course, you should have learnt by now that he doesn't ask things out of the blue, or out of courtesy, or even because he's not bothered to do them himself. He asks because he's curious. And you fitted the criteria to help solve the curiosity. Plus, he did blackmail you…a little.
"Fine." You said after what could easily have been an hour of arguing, "But…"
"Oh God, what do you want now? Flowers? A puppy? Some cute stuffed animal that declares its love for you every time you press its fat furry stomach?" He mocked.
"Coffee." You smirked.
"Coffee?"
"You. Me. And a coffee shop." You dared to clarify. You knew there was a good chance he would turn you down, but you missed this - you missed him – and surely he could manage one cup of coffee in your presence without completely ruining it.
"Like a date?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly…except for the 'date' part." You joked, mirroring the conversation that took place in the exact same room three years previously. You watched his mouth twitch upwards in response.
"Fine." He said, and you were nearly out the door when he continued, "But it better be one hell of a hot kiss; I want to see tongue!"
"Whoa! Wait a minute." You backtracked, "You said nothing about watching."
"I implied it."
"There's no way." You challenged, hands on hips.
"Come on Cameron, you want your coffee don't you?"
"Come on House, you want your evidence don't you?" You threw back.
"Damn you woman." He muttered, "Just give me regular updates - with detail." He added for extra measure.
You rolled your eyes, "…Chase is going to kill me."
"For what? Making a coffee date with your ex-boss or for making out with Thirteen?"
You sent a glare his way before striding out of his office; you couldn't believe what you had just agreed to do.
--
Okay, so it was just a kiss. And maybe a bit of flirting. Oh god, you were never going to live this down, if anyone else in the hospital found out…no, you didn't even want to think about that. Especially if Chase found out. Dammit, it was going to be fine. Just one kiss.
"Hey." You smiled, putting your cafeteria tray down opposite to where Thirteen was sitting. "This seat taken?"
She looked a little bewildered but gestured to the seat nonetheless, "No, it's all yours."
"You're Thirteen, right?" You asked casually, sitting down at the table.
"Apparently so." She smirked, a little affronted at the use of her nickname, "You're Dr.Cameron?"
"Yeah. So, having fun working for the jerk of the century?"
That time she did laugh, "He's not that bad."
"Tell that to the intern he bumped into this morning." You countered, remembering the story that was making the rounds in the ER earlier that day.
"Oh yeah? What'd he do?" She asked curiously.
"Rode in the elevator with House." You watched her cringe.
"Ouch. Poor kid."
You hummed in agreement, "I doubt he'll be making that mistake again." You laughed. She smiled in return, her eyes curiously searching yours for a moment before returning to her coffee. You decided now was the time to build the bridge between friendly conversation and romantic interest.
"So, you married?" You dared to ask. She looked at you curiously, confused by the sudden change of conversation.
"Umm…I'm not really the type." She said after a moment's pause, "I hear you and Dr.Chase are engaged. Congratulations."
You smirked at her attempt to avoid talking about herself, House said she would try and do that. "Thanks."
You didn't realise how sad your thanks must have sounded until an awkward silence settled over the table and you looked up to see the look of pity etched on her face. You decided to play along, "We're…umm…going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment. I…I'd appreciate it if you could…keep this quiet." You said, feigning hurt and anxiety.
"Of course." She said, placing a reassuring hand over yours. "Hey, if you need anyone to talk to…"
"Thank you." You whispered, squeezing her hand in thanks. You suppressed to urge to smile; you had her.
--
You had talked for a while longer, mainly hospital gossip and idle chitchat, but there was no doubt she was interested in you if the lingering looks were anything to go by.
"So? She got the hots for you yet?" House interrupted your thoughts as you finished bandaging a patient that afternoon. You were selfishly thankful that the injured girl was fast asleep.
"I've got a question for you." You said distractedly, pulling off your medical gloves as you turned to face him.
"Don't you always." He muttered under his breath.
"Surely, if I get her flirt with me, then that's enough proof of her bisexuality. So why are you insisting on…this?"
"Oh, poor little naïve Cameron. I just want to see two incredibly hot women make out with each other." He jokingly patronised.
"You're not going to answer me?"
"That was an answer."
"Not a real one."
"It could be. I can be very shallow at times."
"Yeah, right." You sighed, "Look, I just don't feel comfortable…"
"Then why did you agree to do it?" He cut in.
"You practically blackmailed me into it."
"Did not."
"I'm not going to give you the satisfaction of an argument." You said, knowing that would annoy him more than arguing back. You unclenched, and studied him, "You know, at first I thought you were doing this to solve your curiosity; but there's more to it than that, isn't there? You already knew she was bisexual. You just wanted to see if I would agree to helping you."
"Nice theory."
"…Which means it's wrong."
"Partly." He replied nonchalantly, "So, she's interested?"
You sighed, "Yeah."
"Good. I'm sending her to the supply cupboard on the third floor at 4:20 this afternoon. It's time for action." He winked, and left the ER without another word.
You stood seething as you watched the doors close behind him. He couldn't expect you to just drop everything and follow his orders without question. There was no way you were going to that supply cupboard. No way.
The clock read 4'o'clock as you re-stitched the young man's arm. You sighed before turning back to the kid in his late teens.
"Got something on your mind, Doc?"
You had met the kid a couple of times, always came in battered and bleeding with no explanation for his injuries. This time he had ripped the stitches that you had only put in only a day or two ago. You were hardly surprised.
"Yeah, I guess."
"What's up?" He questioned.
"Hmm…how 'bout I tell you, if you can tell me how you ripped your stitches?"
"Fell over. What's up?"
"Why is everyone lying to me today?" You said exasperated. "You did not fall over."
"Who lied to you?"
"No one important." You dismissed, "Now, what happened? I've told you a thousand times…"
"Domestic abuse. Blah, blah. I know. But it's not like that, and I don't need help."
"Really." You deadpanned, "because I think those stitches you pulled out might think differently."
"Stitches don't have thoughts."
You smiled, sometimes this kid reminded you of a younger House. House. You looked up at the clock…seven minutes to get to the third floor.
"Okay, I think you're done. But, please, if you are in trouble…"
"I'm not."
You sighed, and threw your hands up in defeat, knowing you were likely never to get past the stubbornness of this particular patient. "Fine. Just be careful okay?"
"Sure thing, Doc. Thanks…again."
You watched him leave, wishing there was more you could do to help him. But the thing the kid didn't realise was how much he had helped you. There were a lot worse things in life than being manipulated into making out with a 'good-looking' woman by your rather handsome ex-boss. If this made House happy, then to hell with it. You were positive he had a secret agenda to this, but for some reason you trusted him and knew he wouldn't manipulate you simply because he could. He liked you, didn't he? Either way, you found yourself standing outside the supply cupboard at 4:21. Time to act like the confused and distressed fiancée.
You saw Thirteen raking through the back shelves, as soon as you entered, and she turned at the sound of the door closing.
"Hey." You said, giving her what you hoped was a sad but seductive smile.
"Hey, you okay?" She asked empathically, putting down the medical equipment as she stepped closer and gave you her full attention.
"Yeah, I'm just…" You shook your head and raised a hand to rub at your temples, feigning stress.
"It's okay." She reassured, taking the bait and stepping closer towards you, her hand coming to rest on your arm. You dropped your hand and nervously looked into her concerned eyes - it was now or never.
In one swift movement, you pulled her face down to yours and crashed your lips against hers. She stumbled back slightly in surprise and for one frightening moment you thought House had got it wrong. But then she started kissing you back with such unexpected passion that it made your knees go weak and your mind feel delightfully fuzzy, and the only thought you had was getting more, getting closer. Her arms tugged at your hips until they were grazing hers and soon you could feel the cool wall of the cupboard against your back as she cornered you against it. Your breath caught in your throat as she came impossibly closer and your kiss became impossibly more intense…
"Oh."
Thirteen jumped back immediately and you turned almost as quickly to face the unknown intruder. Oh.
Chase.
He looked at you; the pure shock and betrayal on your fiancé's features was like a stab to the heart. You were speechless as you watched him choke back his tears. You watched mesmerised as he watched you in anger and heartbreak until you couldn't look any longer. Your gaze shifted to the grey tiled floor at your feet, the guilt was overwhelming and you just wished all this could be over.
Your wish was granted when a moment later you heard the door slam behind him.
"Shit." Thirteen whispered, "I'm so sorry, I shouldn't…I knew…Shit."
She looked so awkward, so ashamed, and you imagined you looked much the same.
"It's not your fault." You whispered. And then suddenly you remembered – why you were there, what House had said, what…
"Oh my god, House." You gasped, "He knew…he planned this." You spat with resentment.
"What? What does House have to do with this?" Thirteen asked with confusion.
"He…" You stopped short. You couldn't bear to tell her that she had been used. Somewhere between all the madness, you had started to care for her and you couldn't break her heart, no matter how mad you were at House and how anxious you were about Chase.
"Nothing." You smiled, squeezing her hand reassuringly before leaving the confined cupboard.
--
"You are the most sadistic, manipulative, son of a bitch I've ever had the misfortune to meet." You spat with fury, meaning every word of it as you strode into his office and towered over his desk.
"Love you too hunny." He joked in response.
"I'm not kidding, House. What perverse, sadistic pleasure do you get from breaking his heart?! Tell me!"
He remained silent, staring at the pile of papers in front of him.
"Look at me." You ordered, and watched as he grudgingly obeyed.
"You used me. You used Thirteen. And the love of my life is…"
You were interrupted by his laughter.
"How can you possibly find this funny?"
"He's not the love of your life." He stated, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.
You decided to ignore his outburst, "You are going to go down there right now and explain everything to both Thirteen and Chase."
"You don't get it, do you?" He asked indifferently, throwing his oversized tennis ball from hand to hand.
"What is there to get? You're a bastard. End of."
"You don't honestly believe that. I know that, you know that. You're angry; I get it. I probably could have taught you this valuable life lesson in a much softer way but that wouldn't be as much fun, would it?"
"Fun?" You repeated with disbelief.
"You're not happy. You're pretty miserable, in fact." He stated, "Tell me, when Chase walked in on you, what did you do? Did you run to him, tell him - how sorry you are, how you can explain, how still want those two blonde kids and a white picket fence? Or did you just stand there and feel miserable about yourself? Because I'm betting you did the latter." He smiled when he saw the look on your face that must have confirmed his suspicions, "I want you happy. I know you find that hard to believe after what I just did, but it's better to do this now than in five years time when you've got kids in the way…so, I'm giving you a choice." He paused for dramatic effect.
You raised an eyebrow.
"I know you felt something for Thirteen - don't try to deny it - so that's option number one; see where it goes with her. Option number two is the easy route; I'll go and explain everything to Chase and you two can go back to living in your fake happy relationship. Option number three…we go for that coffee, and I try to be a little less of a jerk. I don't know what will happen, but I do know it won't be easy and you've got to be up for the challenge."
You were completely and utterly speechless, "I think that's the most I've ever heard you speak without using a metaphor."
He smirked, "So, what's it going to be?"
Yes, I am leaving it there. And, yes, I am evil.
Tell you what, I'll think about writing a sequel if you tell me which option you'd take: Thirteen, Chase or House?
Oh, and comments of all kinds are welcome, thanks for reading folks!
