A/N: This is for Essy's birthday, which was a month ago, and so I'm also counting it as her Xmas present. It's based on the observation that there are a disproportionate number of people with blue eyes on the show. All vignettes are set circa season 2/3.
Four Ways to Make a Blue-Eyed Child
1. House and Cameron
She was emotionally invested; he was drunk.
"Get out of my office."
"I'm not asking for anything." Her voice was quiet, pizzicato words plucking certain. She knew there would be no resolution to this climax of the story.
"You're asking me to live with this."
"No. I'm not."
He did not see her again; she saw him every day in her son's eyes.
2. House and Cuddy
She was afraid he'd say no; he was afraid he'd say yes.
"I told you to pick someone you like."
"I know." Her voice hushed in a subtle tremolo. "You also told me to pick someone I trusted."
"It's not an 'either or.'"
"I know. That's why I'm asking you."
He studied her and stilled in the face of truth; she studied him and stilled at the answer in his eyes.
3. Chase and Cuddy
She was out of options; he was tired of seeing pain everywhere he looked.
"I thought you should know that it worked."
"I'm glad." His voice held steady in a single note. Detached or perhaps simply done with it, now.
"Thank you. Again."
"Don't mention it."
He watched her from then on, wondering if he could truly stay detached; she watched him, wondering if she knew how truly grateful she was.
4. Chase and Cameron
She was unsure of where they stood; he was guilty of wanting her more than she did him.
"I don't know what this means for us."
"It means there are strings attached, now." His voice slurred smooth and sure. "And we'll figure out the rest as we go."
"You're sure you want to do this?"
"Yes."
His heart held a vision of where this would lead; her heart held a tangle of remorse and hope.