Hi! Although this isn't my first foray into fanfiction as a whole, it is my first attempt at any type of House story. That being said, any type of comment is greatly appreciated. Constructive criticism is welcomed with open arms, especially in regards to characterization. (I now have a new respect for the people who write his snarkiness for a living.) Basically, review, and I will love you forever. Thanks for reading. Now, on with the story.

Disclaimer: Although I asked for Christmas, these characters (with the exception of Hannah) don't belong to me. Maybe next year… ;)

"Shh, Hannah. The doctor will be here in a second and we can get you some medicine," Cameron said, bouncing the small, crying child on her lap. The girl's crying had been almost non-stop that day, and although she was pretty sure she knew the cause, she had decided to give the Princeton- Plainsboro clinic a try.

Maybe Foreman or Chase will come, it'd be good to see them, it's been so long. Or maybe it'll be someone new; I must be replaced by now. Anybody would be fine, really, except for…

"Alright," called a voice, "whose baby won't shut up? I've got a headache, and oddly enough, the shrill, piercing cries aren't helping matters."

"Hi, House."

Of course. With all the doctors in this hospital, it would only be fitting for House to be Hannah's.

"Cameron?" For a moment, House appeared genuinely glad, and surprised, to see her, but the look faded so quickly that Cameron was sure she had imagined it. "Fancy meeting you here. Seeing as you quit almost a year ago… He paused briefly, gesturing at herself and the baby, before speaking again, "Let me guess, as soon as you left, you ran into the nearest bar and seduced the first guy you saw."

"House-" Cameron started, trying to cut him off. It was amazing how quickly he fell back into bantering her- he'd never change. He even looked the same. Those eyes… It was almost as if she'd never left.

"Unfortunately," he continued, undeterred, "this comes with consequences. And in this case, a pint-sized consequence."

"House!" Cameron said again, impatience flooding her voice. "She isn't mine. She's my niece."

She chanced a glance at House, who was watching Hannah closely. It wasn't surprising that he had thought Hannah was hers. Cameron and her older sister looked similar enough, and the child had their brown hair. Smiling faintly, she looked at House again. He didn't respond.

"My sister's daughter."

"That's what niece tends to mean," he retorted, his eyes still trained on the child, whose wailing had now subsided to soft sobs. "Although it does beg the question- where is the actual mother?"

"Molly couldn't make it. I've been staying with her since I left- she only lives about 15 minutes away. And since the father isn't around much, I volunteered to take Hannah."

"Isn't around much as in dead? She marry someone with terminal cancer too? I guess it runs in the family."

"No, she just fell for the wrong person."

"Lucky for her," House said, vaguely contemplating the fact that Cameron hadn't looked hurt for a moment. Had she really been gone a year?

"Anyway," Cameron said forcefully, carefully trying to cover up how much those words had stung, "Hannah's been crying non-stop, she won't lay down on her side, and she has right ear pain."

"Differential diagnosis?" House asked, his mouth curving upward slightly.

Cameron laughed softly. "I think it's only an ear infection. She just needs antibiotics."

"Wow, it's like you're a doctor!" House said in mock admiration. As he spoke, his hand dug into his pocket, attempting to locate the vicodin bottle. When he found it, he popped off the lid and swallowed two pills. "And even though you knew what was wrong, you still bothered to bring her to this wonderfully happy place?"

"Molly wanted a second opinion."

"Doesn't trust you, I see," House said. "Well, that's what it is. I'll write her a prescription."

"So, have a case?" Cameron questioned, not so much out of curiosity, but rather to fill the silence as House filled out a script.

"Yes, but the ducklings are taking care of blood work right now, so Cuddy made me come down here until the results are back." He scowled heavily at the mention of Cuddy's name.

"Awwy!"

Both House and Cameron immediately looked to Hannah, all discussion of medicine forgotten.

"Is she hurt?" House asked, eyeing Hannah with suspicion.

"No, no. She's just trying to say my name- Ally."

"I see."

"Look, Awwy. Stick!" Hannah cried, her pudgy hand outstretched.

What is she talking about? Did she get a hold of a thermometer or something?

Utterly confused, Cameron followed Hannah's pointing finger to something that made her burst into laughter.

"It's not nice to make fun of cripples, you know," House quipped, fingers drumming on his cane.

"Hannah," Cameron said, "that's not a stick, it's a cane."

"Stick, stick!" Hannah squealed, clapping her hands in delight.

"I see your sister takes great pride in her child's intelligence."

"Hannah's smart," Cameron said indignantly. "She's just never seen a cane before."

"All the same…"

Cameron almost laughed in spite of herself, but managed to check her watch to hide her smile. "Oh, I didn't mean to take this much time. I guess I should let you get going. Cuddy'll be after you soon enough."

"Oh goody! Another hour diagnosing idiots with things shoved up their-"

Cameron cleared her throat loudly. "Just give me the prescription, House."

"Fine, fine," he said with a wave of his hand. He leaned toward Cameron and handed her the paper. "Here you are, pretty lady."

"Thanks," she muttered. Cameron watched as he made to leave the room.

"Bye, stick!" Hannah cried, waving as House walked away.

"Bye, House," Cameron called, her chest feeling oddly tight.

Apparently, House isn't the only one who hasn't changed. I'm still not over him.