A Kiss to Build a Dream On

Sequel to House Call (H/OC & Ham)

Part One-Harrington

Chapter One

It was another day at the "salt mines". For the past 25 minutes or so they have sat around the conference table arguing about the diagnosis and treatment of their current patient. Cameron thought that it was a bit ironic that the sun should shine so brightly on them when each of them was in such dark moods that day. She saw movement out of the corner of her eye near the door and knew someone was there but didn't acknowledge whoever it was because she was so caught up in the argument with the others.

A few minutes passed and then she noticed that everyone was looking toward the door. She turned to the door as the others had and saw Cuddy standing there with another woman. The other woman was dressed smartly, though her clothes were bit loose. Her hair was pulled back, giving her a severe look. She seemed that she could be quite attractive if she didn't have that severe and no nonsense air about her. That distracted one from noticing her potentially good looks. House and Cuddy had started to exchange snide remark and House made a remark about the woman being Cuddy's "special friend". The woman looked House up and down and retorted,

"Not even if you paid top dollar."

Oh my God! Cameron thought to herself. That was great! It took all of Cameron's will not to burst out laughed.

Chase and Foreman seemed to be having the same reaction. Cuddy then went on and shocked her by saying that the woman, Dr. Samantha Harrington, was going to be part of their team. Cameron couldn't grasp the information for a moment. She then got worried and asked Cuddy when she had decided to hire someone else for the team. Cuddy reassured her that no one was being replaced and Cameron sighed in relief. House did not take this news well. But his reaction to that news was nowhere near the one that he had when Cuddy dropped the bomb that Dr. Harrington was actually going to be co-director of the department with House.

Oh this is definitely not a good thing! House argued with Cuddy for a bit and then Cuddy stopped him and said that it was all final. She and Dr. Harrington headed for the door. Dr. Harrington then turned back to them and leaned into the door frame and stated that with the symptoms that they were discussing earlier, the patient may have a simple staph infection. House and she then exchanged some more snide remarks and she turned to them.

"I'm looking forward to sitting down with you and getting to know you."

"Oh, Show and tell. I'll show you mine if you show me yours" House quipped. Dr. Harrington briefly looked at him and said, "I may have to work with you, but that doesn't mean I have to like you or put up with your crap. So watch it."

With that she turned and walked confidently toward the waiting Cuddy. Cameron exchanged looks with Chase and Foreman and House just looked at the door. For what seemed to be lack of anything better to say, Chase said, "So staph infection."

"Why didn't we think of that before? It seems so simple now" Cameron responded.

"Yeah, she only figured it out after we loosened the top of the jar for her." House stated with a sniff. The others just looked at him and each other and then quickly gathered up their files and walked out the door, leaving House standing in the middle of the room.

As they walked down the hall, Cameron asked,

"So what do you two think of all this?"

"I think that it's going to be interesting to see how House deals with Dr. Harrington. She seems to be able to hold her own so far with him. I'm also think that she may be a lot like him, so that may not be to or advantage." Foreman told her.

"She definitely knew how to respond to his remarks. I think I'm going to start a pool to see which one of them breaks first." Chase said.

"What is it with you and these pools? You're acting like House." Cameron said, looking in aggravation at Chase.

"Hey it makes things more interesting and passes the time."

They then arrived at the patient's room and checked her over and got the samples that they needed. They went to run the tests and soon found out that Dr. Harrington had been right.

"House isn't going to like this." Cameron said.

"I have to see the look on his face when he hears the news. This is going to be great!" Chase responded in glee. Cameron rolled her eyes and Foreman said,

"Well, I'm into self preservation, so I'm not going to be there. I'll start the treatment."

"Fine. Chase let's go and get this over with."

They all walked out and Foreman headed back to the patient while Cameron and Chase headed back to the conference room to tell House the diagnosis. Along the way they met Cuddy and Dr. Harrington.

"Dr. Chase, I have to attend to something that just came up. Would you please show Dr. Harrington to the labs and show her all the equipment? Thank you."

Cuddy then turned and went the way she came as did Chase, after giving Cameron a look that she knew said, now I'm going to miss all the fun. Cameron just smiled slightly at him and watched and he and Dr. Harrington went to the labs. She continued on her way back to House. When she arrived back at the conference room, she took a deep breathe and said to herself, he can't kill the messenger.

"The test came back. Dr. Harrington was correct. We found localized skin infection that formed into boils. Forman is draining the access fluid and starting her on 500mg of dicloxacillin." Cameron said as she walked into House's office. She saw him sitting at his desk, throwing his ball up and down, deep in thought.

"House?"

"Where is Chase?"

"Cuddy asked him to show Dr. Harrington around the labs and where all the equipment is."

"What do you think about Cuddys new minion?" Uh oh.

"She seems to be quite competent so far and knows it. She definitely doesn't seem to care for you."

"Well the feeling is very much mutual. I want to know as much about her as I possibly can. I want you find where she lives and search her apartment. See if the she-devil will give you any of her background info. I am not going to let this just go."

Cameron started to protest when a voice cut her off.

"All you have to do is ask. What would you like to know?" Dr. Harrington was standing in the doorway looking at House intently.

"Well where's the fun in that?" House countered.

"Stop being a snooping house wife and ask your questions."

They glared at each other for a moment. Cameron watched. Maybe I should get out of the line of fire. She thought to herself.

Just then Cuddy and Wilson walked into to the room.

"Dr. House, Wilson and I am going to have to steal Dr. Harrington away for you for a little bit."

House smirked and replied, "You can take her for as long as you want. As a matter of fact, take her away for good."

"House, don't even start." Cuddy replied starting to turn toward the door.

"Wait, what does Wilson have to do with this?"

"As I mentioned earlier, Dr. Harrington is an exceptional pediatric oncologist. She will also be assisting Dr. Wilson on some of his cases besides being co-director in your department." Cameron saw the flash of surprise that crossed House's face before he responded.

"I wouldn't want Wilson to not have the best at his disposal; he can have her all to himself."

"That is not an option. Now, we'll be back soon so that you and your team can initiate Dr. Harrington into the department."

Cameron watched as Cuddy, Wilson and Dr. Harrington turned and walked out the door with Wilson asking Dr. Harrington about some of her past cases. House mumbled to himself that he would initiate her alright. Cameron heard him and said

"You better not be planning anything House. Cuddy doesn't seem like she'll put up with any antics over this."

House's only response was to snap at her to do as he asked and start researching the new doctor. Exasperated, Cameron sighed heavily and walked out, not to research her new boss but to find Chase and Foreman to see what their take of this situation was.

Yeah he thinks I'm going to do his bidding just like that. I can face his wrath later; I'm used to it by now. I have to go and discuss this with Chase and Foreman now.

She then headed to where she figured the boys would be hiding out.