Disclaimer: Unfortunately, not mine. But can I have House for an early Christmas present?

I was listening to my ipod on shuffle and I kept hearing song after song that reminded me of House and Cameron, their current relationship and what I wanted it to be. So I came up with this. Also, I've created a playlist to go with this story, go to my profile for the links. :)

This chapter has no song references (a first for me!) since it's the prologue, but I need you guys to do me a favor. Review? I have no idea if this is any good of if this should be continued, so feedback would be great. Much appreciated. :)

And this starts at All In, but House took the patient at the beginning of the Poker Night fundraiser, and they diagnosed and started treatment before it was over.

Your Eyes Are Troubled: Prologue

Cameron stared at the off-white tablecloth, willing herself not to look up. Nothing could force her to watch him laugh with Cuddy and Wilson as they played poker. She wasn't jealous, of course not. She was intelligent, beautiful, charming, and independent. She didn't need constant reassurance of love, and could manage to spend a night by herself. Most men would love that.

Most men. Time and again she had to remind herself that House was not most men. Other than his satisfying, yet blush-inducing reaction in his office earlier, he had not said a word to her all night. He had, on the other hand, spent a good portion of the evening mocking Cuddy and her "fun bags." Lost in her thoughts, she barely heard one of the other ducklings asking her to dance. She nodded her acceptance and took Foreman's hand, grateful for the distraction, unaware that House had now commenced glaring at Foreman whenever he thought anyone wasn't looking.

"So what's going on? I could hear you thinking from all the way across the table." Foreman knew well what her answer would be, but thought he'd give her the courtesy of asking.

"Just concerned for the patient. I know he'll be okay but I'm still worried. This must have been hard for him."

"I'll pretend you were actually thinking about that and continue dancing." Foreman chuckled as he twirled her around the floor, glad he had picked a fast song.

"Foreman! I didn't know you could dance." Cameron said, smiling her first real smile since House's reaction to her earlier.

"Of course I can. What kind of man would I be? My mother made sure I could dance before I reached high school. I hated it then but I must admit, it's come in handy."

"You're not bad. and you picked a great song to ask me. I took swing lessons in high school." Foreman laughed and nodded appreciatively and the finished the song in silence. The band started up again, another fast one. the danced on, the other couples on the floor giving them a little room so they could move more easily.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

"You know that eventually, no matter how hard you try, she will notice you staring at her. Or at least, someone other than me will," Wilson muttered to House, trying to get him to be less obvious.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just shocked Foreman hasn't broken one or all of her toes yet. Can we just play the damn game? I know you have pocket aces, but nothing on the table will help you. Full house." House smirked as he laid down his cards, delighting in Jimmy's open mouth as he collected his chips. Deciding that he and his empty glass had had enough, he collected his winnings and headed to the back of the room to cash in, then to revisit his friend Chuck, the bartender.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Cameron was thoroughly enjoying herself for once, when she noticed Chase getting up with a determined look on his face. Thanking Foreman for the dance, she quickly excused herself and hurried out of the room into the deserted clinic.

"I still don't get why you willingly come to these things," his gruff voice sounding louder than normal in the empty space.

She looked up, seemingly not surprised to find him there.

"It gives me some semblance of a social life," she stated simply, sipping the glass of champagne she had grabbed during her hasty retreat.

"So why not go to a bar instead, try to pick up a young 20-something who you can use to fill that teddy bear heart of yours?"

Cameron laughed, shaking her head. He really didn't get it. "House, working for you isn't just a full time job. I love it, but it pretty much consumes me. But that's my choice, and I made it the day I started working for you. I love my job and if I can't go out to a meat market and let college kids buy me drinks, that's my loss."

House nodded his understanding and sipped his scotch.

"So should I call you Ginger or Baby?" House snarked after a few moments of silence.

"I think I prefer Uma. Ginger, while classic, is a little too classic and Baby was naive and annoying," Cameron smiled, clearly enjoying the banter.

"Would that make Foreman John Travolta? Sorry, I just don't see it. Maybe you're Julia Stiles and he's the gangster with the heart of gold who can dislodge the stick from your ass." Cameron opened her mouth to reply, but no words came out. House grinned triumphantly, he had gotten the last snark in and once again reassured himself that he had effectively pushed her away again, at least for one night. He turned to leave before he could catch the glimpse of defeat in her eyes.

"House, wait," She called out before she could stop herself. He stopped but didn't turn around. He waited for a few moments, the air becoming heavier as they waited for whatever it was she wanted to say.

"Never mind." She said, hanging her head as he nodded and continued walking. He needed some vicodin, and another drink. She angrily shook her head, berating herself for saying anything at all before heading to House's office. She needed some air.

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Grabbing her long black coat, grateful for her good sense in remembering it, she headed out onto the balcony. Wrapping it around her, she breathed deeply, enjoying the way her body relaxed in the comfort of her coat.

"You look beautiful tonight." The kind voice broke through the cold. She hadn't even heard the balcony door open.

"Thanks Wilson," she said with a chuckle.

"You can call me James you know, and I'm glad you find it funny." She could hear the warmth in his smile. It was no wonder he had no problem getting women to be with him.

"It's not that, I appreciate the compliment. It's just I never thought I'd be the type of woman who thrived on compliments."

"What do you mean?

She smiled ruefully. "You're the first person who has said anything tonight. I never even thought it mattered until I realized that."

"House didn't say anything to you?"

"I knew there was a reason why he calls you 'Jimmy the Boy Wonder'," she said with a laugh.

"Did you expect him to say anything to you?"

Heaving a sigh, she knew she was being too girly, too dramatic. She was even annoying herself.

"No, I guess I didn't. I'm sorry James, I'm just being a woman. I need to stop before it becomes a permanent thing." She leaned over the railing, staring at the cars driving by. Jimmy watched her closely, wanting to see if she meant what she said, or just dismissing an issue between her and House. Again.

He was about to say goodnight when he saw her face go ashen and her knees buckle. Moving quicker than he had in a few years, he rushed to catch her before she fell back onto the hard floor.

"You okay there?" He deftly straightened her up, arms around her waist, wanting to move her to a chair.

"Yeah, just got lightheaded for a second."

"Let's get you sitting down, just in case." Cameron nodded, secretly reveling in the fact that someone was showing some affection for her, was touching her, albeit in a "I care about you and don't want you to pass out" kind of way. All the time spent at the hospital didn't leave her much time to cultivate friendships, let alone romances.

Wilson made a move towards the door and stopped suddenly. Cameron, only looking at the floor, recognizing the cane next to the unfamiliar shiny dress shoes.

"Aren't you going to at least buy her dinner first?"