PART 1 - "When so many are lonely as seem to be lonely, it would be inexcusably selfish to be lonely alone." -
« She'll need you on this one » that's what he says. He didn't explained himself and he had no intention to, but for once, he was pretty serious. I anyway tried to have more information. Why.. Me ? Just why ? I'm not Thirteen's friend. Not that I dislike her… but we've never talked I mean… I doubt she'll open up, and I have no idea what you want me to do for her.. We are so different..
House : Past is past, now, go and become Thirteen's friend, come on !
Cameron : House, we don't become friends just on demand… It's not the way it works and you know it
House : Make that happen, then !
Cameron : Not that I have the intention to obey you, but you could at least try to give me a good reason, couldn't you ?
House : Well… It's not fun if I tell you.
Cameron : Wait a minute, why are you humiliating all of us us all day long.. and suddenly care about Dr Hadley's privacy ?
House : She needs to trust somebody. It has to be you. And, as you don't have friends anymore since everyone seems to be on Chase's side, I suppose it'll keep you busy or at least save you from loneliness. I mean, how pathetic was your birthday party ? Let me guess… You, some ice-cream and your cat ?!
Cameron : I don't have a cat !
House : Worse that I imagined then. Anyway, you're going to help all the broken people except Thirteen ? You won't resist, will you ?
Cameron : It appears to me that the only one she kinds of trust is actually you, weirdly. She's just like you House, and if it is true that you care and that she has some big stuff to deal with, than I suggest you to help her, instead of asking me.
House, ironically : I've got to do my clinic hours, if you don't mind ! Now if I'd be you, I'd begin with observing and find out what is wrong with her…
Cameron : What does that even mean ? Hey… where are you going ? and how am I suppose to do ? House !
At the end of the day, Cameron was outside, in front of the hospital, waiting for Thirteen to leave work…. She's been thinking about her conversation with House all day long, and to be honest with herself she doesn't even know why she was there, standing in the cold.. but she was. A few minutes later, Thirteen finally push the door.
Cameron : Hey, Dr Hadley !
Thirteen : Hi.. hmm.. Hi !
Cameron : Had a good day ?
Thirteen : Sure… why are you asking ?
Cameron : I know it will sound weird.. but I was kind of… waiting for you.. No.. not what you think… I just.. wanted to talk to you..
Thirteen : What about ?
Cameron : Maybe you'd like to share a coffee or something ?
Thirteen : Well it would have been awesome but I am really tired... at the end of the day I just wanna go home and.. you know have some rest ?
Cameron : Oh I know what you mean.. Really ! Sorry for bothering you anyway ! Well, have a nice evening dr..
Thirteen : Wait ! Are you worried about me working with Chase perhaps ? Lately we've become closer... not close but we use to hate each other and now I suppose things are getting better but you don't have to worry.. I'm not interested in..
Carmeron, interrupting : Stop it please.. No… It's not about Chase.. It's not about.. Nothing, you can forget it.. doesn't matter…
Cameron smiles but Thirteen feels something sad about Cameron's eyes… Not that she really cares, but she doesn't feel like leaving anymore… Now that she's sure Cameron's not trying to dig into her personal life, she decides Allison's not a threat. Why not hanging out with her..
Thirteen : As you want ! But I guess I'm not that tired and I actually don't mind having a drink or something.. if you still want to… Cameron… are you ok ?
Cameron was trying to focus about what House wants her to do but it doesn't appear to her that Thirteen is weirder than usual.. Actually, she seems nicer than ever…
Cameron : Yes ! I am.. Just… a stupid discussion with House this morning and..
Thirteen : Tell me about it, he has the power to get everyone mad.. but the worse is.. he usually is not far from being right.. Damn I hate that ! What did he say to you ?
Cameron : Not a big deal.. just.. some joke about my lonely birthday.. it's nothing.. but It makes me feel sad, I have to admit it…
Thirteen : You have a birthday ?
Cameron : Once a year, yes ! Why, don't you ?
Thirteen and Cameron laughed while walking towards Thirteen's car .. They sat inside, but didn't move from the parking. Thirteen was not only listening Cameron but she couldn't stop herself from looking at her… Her sad eyes... Even her voice sounded broken… They weren't talking about anything important so nothing explained why Cameron seemed so vulnerable.. But Thirteen knows better than anyone else that when you have something broken inside of you, you can do your best to hide it, and most people won't notice it.. only a few person are able to feel the sadness even in a laugh… Thirteen didn't try to find out what was wrong though, she knew that when Allison would be ready she would open herself.. The discussion ended a few minutes after and Thirteen drove Cameron home, giving her her phone number…
Cameron : I'll surely call you to go for a drink one of these nights then ! Cameron smiled
Thirteen : Sure ! It's been a while I haven't gone in some pub
Cameron : Well, thank you for driving be back..
Thirteen : It was nothing, really. Thirteen smiled too.
Cameron : Have a good night Thirteen !
Thirteen : You have my number.. use it when you feel like to talk..
Cameron : I will.
10 minutes after, there was a knock at Cameron's door.
Cameron was already on pyjama, ready for bed… She opened the door anyway with a blushing face she couldn't hide.
Cameron: Hey.. Uhm.. Hi.. What are you.. I mean.. wanna come in?
Thirteen: Let me take care of you
Cameron was definitely not understanding anything: I'm not sick, I don't know what you mean but
Thirteen is not the very talkative king of girl. She just gave her friend a look that explained everything she couldn't tell with words.
Cameron doesn't seem to undersand, but she lets Thirteen come in and they sit on the couch. Thirteen, slowly, began..
Thirteen: I'm sure you're the kind of girl that can't stand loneliness.. I'm sure.. you're the kind of girl that takes her left hand in her right hand and pretends someone's here for you.. I'm sure you stroke your hair, alone .. and wipe away your tears.. telling yourself.. that it is going to be fine.. Most of the time.. you don't think about yourself… too busy to think about the others… but… your birthday was just a reminder.. that you are alone. Was it?... Let me take care of you, tonight… don't ask me why… don't think I've got bad intentions just because I'm bi... Don't think about whether I care or not, whether we are friends or not… just let it go… let me… help you, tonight. I just feel like like doing it.
Cameron dried a few tears on her cheeks, not hiding herself… She just got up and went to the kitchen.. When she was back on the couch she had a candle in her hand..
Cameron: It's my birthday candle… I've made a chocolate cupcake.. I love chocolate.. and.. I just closed my eyes and made a wish.. I wasn't that sad.. I mean… Last year I was with Chase, so I didn't feel alone.. but.. I wasn't happier than now.. I just wasn't thinking about it.. I guess it's better being alone than with somebody you don't love.. It's nothing important.. How many people do feel alone?
Thirteen: I suppose more then we think
Cameron: It's not a big deal, really.
Thirteen: I haven't said it was one.. I just said tonight I wanna stay hear and fill a little of your emptiness.
Cameron didn't answer. There was nothing to add. Thirteen doesn't seem to wait any answer anyway. She already decided she would stay there. For once, tonight, she didn't want to think about her own emptiness, her own pain… she just wanna forget she exists.. she just wanna help Cameron. Why? Because Cameron worth it… Allison, would feel better. One day. Just not today, but one day, she will. Thirteen would not feel better.. neither today nor tomorrow not next year. But tonight, she didn't want to crowl, again. Tonight, she just wants Allison to let go… She will catch her…
Thirteen: Let's get you to bed.. I bet you haven't slept properly for so long that you can't even remember last time you did.
Cameron thought that Thirteen was more talking to herself than really caring for her but she didn't protest. Thirteen is just like House. She says something and you can't tell her to stop… The only thing you can do is let her lead you and just appreciate the moment. You feel sad, but somebody is here, stroking your hair, listening to your breath, and taking your hand. Cameron, forgetting why House just asked her to take care of Thirteen, slowly closed her eyes and let her friend protect her.