A/N: This was written for the Unattainable Dreams' Prompt exchange challenge. The prompt: Everything that is, or was, began with a dream.
This story just got in my head and I had to write it down immediately. It takes place after season 3 and will be M later on. English is my third language, so please forgive me the errors. This chapter is from Cam´s POV. Have fun :-)
Everything that is, or was, began with a dream
I still can´t believe that I am sitting here again. The one place I tried to avoid as much as possible. When I quitted and started my new life with Chase, I had only one big goal: Getting away from here and HIM, House. Somehow my plans suck as hell and that´s the perfect example. Again I am working at PPTH, near House and the life I tried so hard to escape.
Starting new with Chase was fun at the beginning. We got great jobs at a hospital far away from here and I was content with my life. Chase was nice and maybe that´s what I needed until he got this not so wonderful idea of moving back to Australia. Yes I wanted to get away from House but not that far away. Yes, I am pathetic and lying to myself when it comes to him. After some discussions which turned into fights later, he said the true words I tried so hard to avoid: "It´s about House, isn´t it? It´s been always about him." He never got an answer but we both knew it´s true.
When he packed his things, I unpacked mine and stayed where I am. Licking my wounds for two weeks, I finally found the strength to call Cuddy and I got this not very interesting job but working at the ER is better than nothing. Well, here I am now: Starting the first day of my old life. There is already so much gossip around me but being the head of this department has great sides, too. One glare and the nurses shut up whenever I am around. I bet they all think I am a stupid and pathetic woman and maybe that´s true but it´s my life and I can be pathetic as much as I want.
I am relieved that my first day is finally over and I haven´t seen House yet. Somehow I am not ready for this and so I avoided the cafeteria. Eating in my office gave me at least some time to do some paper work while having lunch. I am already packing my things, ready to go into my lonely apartment when I hear a knock at my door. Knowing that House is never knocking, I tell the person on the other side to enter.
The first thing that comes through the door is a huge bouquet of beautiful flowers, followed by my favorite oncologist ever.
"Wilson! What a great surprise!" I really mean it since he became a dear friend to me over the last years.
He smiles that cute smile which is probably the reason for his marriages while he enters, gives me the flowers and hugs me tight.
"The surprise is on my side today. I saw your contract on Cuddy´s table this morning and heard some rumors in the cafeteria later on. I just had to see by myself whether you´re really here. What brings you back and how is Chase? Is he working here, too?"
He must have seen the frown on my face immediately because he slowly opens his mouth to say something but I silent him with a wave of my hand and we sit down together on the big couch.
"Well, as you see I am the new head of the ER and I am alone here. Chase is on his way back to Australia and … well, I am not."
He nods understandingly and his voice is calm and sincere.
"Ah, I understand. I am sorry to hear that but I am glad you´re back again. How about dinner with an old friend tonight? We could catch up the lost time. What do you think?"
Dinner with Wilson sounds so much better than dinner alone in an empty apartment and so I find myself dressing up for wherever we go two hours later. I decide to wear my black skirt and my red blouse. Ever since the night I saw House speechless while looking at my red dress, red became my favorite color. Wilson is on time as always and soon we sit in a quiet little restaurant, laughing about old times.
After listening about his last failed marriage, I can´t stop myself to ask what I wanted to ask him all evening long.
"So, how is House?" I try to sound casually but I know I suck at this. Instead I worry when I see the worried face of the man across the table.
"Well, House is even housier than ever if you know what I mean. It´s almost dangerous to talk to him and even Cuddy seems getting more and more desperate each day. He doesn´t have a team yet because nobody is good enough. Foreman works for him again but he´s the only one who survived being near him till now. House is harsher than ever, esp. to women. He made three cry and quit in one week. A new record. He´s been like this since… well… since you left with Chase to be honest. Of course that´s not your fault, don´t get me wrong. Cuddy couldn´t take it anymore and forced him to take a month vacation. It´s his first week now and I am already near my breaking point. He´s sitting around in his apartment, watching TV and getting frustrated more and more each day. His vicodin intake worries me as well but that´s nothing new. Sorry, I shouldn´t depress you since we´re celebrating your new beginning. Tell me about your plans for the future."
I smile at him but my inside is killing me. I can´t stop worrying about House and it breaks my heart to hear what he´s going through. For one second I ask myself if I am the reason for all this but I stop myself immediately by telling myself that he doesn´t even like me and it´s not like he cares about me.
"To be honest, I don´t have any plans left. Every time I plan something, it goes wrong. I guess I plan on surviving. The last weeks have been hard – I quit the job that I loved so much and I lost Chase. Well, there´s not much left to plan."
"Oh please Allison, you´re too young to talk like this. You know what they say: Everything that is, or was, began with a dream. What was your dream?"
I think for a moment before I answer: "To become a doctor. Dream fulfilled."
He just shakes his head. "I can´t believe that this is the only dream you ever had. Come on, think!"
My mind drifts back to my childhood, my short time with Danny and Chase. It´s almost scary how long I need to remember the one wish I had a very long time ago.
"Well, there´s one thing. I always wanted to visit Tenerife. I´ve heard my aunt talking about this island when I was a child and I promised myself to visit it once I am a doctor."
Finally Wilson is grinning since he has the answer he wanted but there´s something in his eyes that worries me – an idea or secret or something like that.
"Well, why don´t you just fulfill this dream and make a nice vacation? You´ve been through so much over the last years and I bet you never even thought about a vacation. Now is the best time. Why don´t we visit a travel agency together? I can help you finding a nice hotel where you can relax and enjoy your life again. How does it sound?"
I have to laugh when I hear him.
"It sounds really great but I just started my new job. I´ve been at the hospital for one day and now you want me to take a vacation time? Yep, Cuddy will be thrilled!"
"You worked there for three years without taking any vacation. Of course she gives you the time. How about asking her and then we´ll talk about it once more tomorrow after work?"
I just shrug and start talking about something else for the rest of the nice evening.
The next day I come into work, I run into Doctor Cuddy who tells me to come into her office. I feel worry spreading through my body but I have no choice but follow her. We sit down together and my heart is beating like mad. What have I done wrong yesterday? When I see a smile on her face, I calm down a bit and listen closely when she finally speaks.
"Well Doctor Cameron, I have to keep it short since I have a meeting in five minutes. Doctor Wilson visited me today and reminded me that you haven´t had a holiday since you started working for House. I don´t need any burned out doctors around and so you have to take a two weeks' vacation from next Monday on. Please, enjoy this time and relax before the hospital stress has you back again. Have fun and excuse me, I have to go. Meeting and all!"
Before I can answer or thank her, she leaves the room and leaves me speechless. My day passes by rather quickly thanks to the amount of work around me and I almost forgot the whole vacation thing until I see a wide grinning Wilson at my office door. I want to open my mouth and ask him many questions but she stops me immediately.
"No discussions or questions, Ally! You deserve this and now he go to the travel agency. Tenerife is waiting!"
"You´re spending too much time with House", I murmur but he just laughs and leads me outside.
Two hours later, my wish is becoming really true. I walk out of the agency with Wilson and I still can´t believe what I just did – I booked a two weeks stay in Tenerife in a nice little hotel near the sea! I can´t believe it and for the first time in a long time I finally laugh freely along with Jimmy.
"Okay, now I invite you to eat something with me as a thank you. I would have never done it without you!"
He grins but shakes his head. "I am sorry, Ally but this will have to wait. I have to go and look after House but we have plenty of time for this."
I nod.
"Jimmy, thank you so much for all this! But can you promise me one thing? Please, take care of House! I am really worried about him."
"Don´t worry Ally, I am taking good care of him. Sorry but now I have to go. My cat is waiting."
"But you said that you wanted to see House."
"Right, my cat and House."
He blushes and I can feel that something is wrong but he´s already gone, leaving me wondering but I am too happy right now and so it´s forgotten soon.
So what do you think? Is it worth to be continued?
