Kiss Chase
Chapter 1 - Dani's Questions
Disclaimer: And I'd like to thank David Shore for giving them to me, and Hugh Laurie for letting me play with his character in general…does anybody actually read these?
"Thanks heaps, Allison." A thirty-something year old woman stood on Cameron's threshold, gratefully handing over a curly-haired three-year old.
"I didn't think I'd have to work today, and with Colin in New York for the week…"
"It's no problem," Cameron reassured her. She crouched down to level herself with the child, and held out her hand, which the girl placed her own upon.
Closing her fist around the small, slender fingers, Cameron smiled warmly at the toddler.
"We're going to have fun today, aren't we, beautiful?" The girl nodded enthusiastically.
"Be good for Auntie Allison," the girl's mother reminded her.
"Of course," Cameron replied, although the woman wasn't talking directly to her. Still gripping her niece's tiny hand, Cameron straightened up, and put her free arm around her sister.
"Thanks again," the woman said appreciatively. "I'll try and be here by 5:30."
"Don't be late," Cameron warned good-naturedly, "or I'll have to keep her."
As she left, Cameron's sister turned and waved to her daughter and Cameron. Cameron raised her own hand, before closing the door gently, and leading the girl inside.
"So, Dani, what do you want to do today?"
"The park!" Dani squealed immediately.
Cameron often baby-sat Dani, as her sister's husband, Colin, worked all over America, and had quickly learnt that Dani got over-excited when they visited the nearby playground, Nola Park.
"Alrighty," Cameron agreed, "but after lunch, ok?"
Over the years, Cameron had built up a small collection of games, toys and videos for her small niece. Dani's latest craze was Thomas the Tank Engine, and they spent the morning building a train track for Thomas and his friends, then pushing the wooden engines around in circles. Cameron often wondered how little kids had so much imagination.
Just after midday, Cameron sat Dani in front of the TV, watching one of the many Thomas the Tank Engine videos that Dani's mom had leant her for the day.
"Do you want cheese in your sandwich?" Cameron called from the kitchen, loudly, because she had the tap running over her hands. When she didn't hear an answer, she switched off the water, and dried her hands on a tea towel.
"Dani?" Cameron said, putting her head around the door frame. Dani wasn't sitting in front of the TV, as Cameron had expected, but on the sofa, looking at something in her hands.
"What've you got there?" said Cameron, walking over and sitting down next to Dani.
"Who's that?" Dani asked, holding out a photo in a brightly coloured frame, and pointing to the blond man. Cameron took the photo, and studied it for a moment. It was a photo taken at a lunch Cuddy had organised a few weeks back. They had each had a couple of drinks, and had relaxed. Wilson had taken the shot. Chase had his arms around Cameron, and they were both laughing.
"That's my friend, Robert," Cameron told Dani, deciding to keep it simple, rather than explaining the work relationship.
"Is he nice boy?" Cameron loved looking at Dani's eyes when she asked question; they were bright and curious. Dani was always asking questions. Her favourite word was "Why…?"
"Yes," Cameron said. "Very nice."
Cameron placed the photo back on the small bookshelf where it usually sat.
"Come and have some lunch," she said to Dani, switching off the TV. "Then we can go to the park for a play."
"Ok," said Dani compliantly, following Cameron into the kitchen.
"Do you-" Cameron began to repeat her earlier question.
"Yes," Dani answered, clambering onto a kitchen chair. "I'll have some cheese, please."
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About an hour later, the two of them got ready to leave.
"Do you want to wear your jacket?" Cameron asked. "It's a little chilly."
"No," Dani said simply, slowly tying her shoelaces. Her concentration was focused fully on the laces. Cameron watched her make a loop with one lace, then circle it with the other.
"Do you need some help?" Cameron asked kindly, reaching down to give her a hand.
"No!" Dani jerked her foot away from Cameron's outstretched hands, losing her nearly completed knot in the process.
She sighed loudly, pulling it apart to start again, making Cameron feel a bit guilty.
She stood up, and slipped on her own shoes.
As she tied her laces quickly, Cameron felt Dani's eyes watching her fingers.
"What's up?" she asked. With a mildly confused glance at the ceiling, Dani answered.
"You're good."
"Practice," Cameron smiled. "Years and years of practice."
She laughed at Dani's alarmed expression.
"You'll get it," she told her. "Try again."
With Cameron watching, Dani's laces were placed deliberately over each other.
When the last knot was pulled, Cameron gave a cheer.
"Well done!" she said, pulling Dani to her feet. "Come on, let's go."
As Cameron was locking the front door, Dani ran to the elevator and pushed the 'down' button.
Cameron joined her, and they had to wait only a moment before the doors opened. There was only one occupant in the elevator, a greying gentleman called Mr Harrow from two floors above.
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About a month after Cameron had moved in, she had been taking the elevator back to her apartment with a load of shopping. Again, the only person riding with her was elderly Mr Harrow.
As the elevator climbed, it jerked slightly, and Cameron lost her grip on a bag of fruit. Apples, oranges, and bananas cascaded out of her hands.
"Oh!" she cried, holding tightly to the other bags.
"Let me help," Mr Harrow offered, bending down to pick up the fallen fruit. Cameron had at first been wary of the man, because he carried a can, and she had just started PPTH, under the guidance of Dr House.
But she soon learnt that the cane was not used as a symbol of a horrid old man, but as a walking aid when Mr Harrow presented her with a tightly packed bag of fruit.
He and Cameron would always greet each other if they met in the elevator or parking lot.
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"Afternoon, Allison," Mr Harrow said, then raised his hat to Dani. "And who is this little one?"
Dani took Cameron's hand and stood behind her legs. Cameron gently coaxed her out.
"My sister's," Cameron told him. "I'm baby-sitting."
"You have a name, Miss?" he asked, looking kindly down at the girl.
"Dani," she whispered, her index finger finding her mouth.
"Well, Dani," Mr Harrow said and, producing a lollipop from his pocket, he handed it to her. "Here you go."
Dani took the candy and stood silently, her mouth firmly shut.
Cameron nudged Dani.
"Say thank you," she reminded her.
"Thank you," Dani said obediently. Mr Harrow chuckled.
"Where are you off to?" he asked Cameron, straightening up.
"Nola Park," Cameron replied. "Dani loves it."
"Does she?" Mr Harrow said in interest. He sighed. "So did my grandson."
"Did?"
"His family moved away. His father was a real businessman. They're in China, now."
"What's his name?"
"Robert. Bright young thing."
Seeing Cameron react to his statement, he asked,
"You ok?"
"Sorry?" Cameron said dazedly. "Uh, yeah. Just thinking."
Mr Harrow, either by his own reasoning, or because the elevator doors had opened, didn't press the subject.
"Well, have fun, Dani," he said, stepping out with them. He waved goodbye, and set off in the opposite direction.