Breaking Point:

Ch Ch Changes

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Unnecessary disclaimer: None of the characters appearing in the TV show "House, M. D." belong to me.

Abstract: When House returns from Mayfield, things have changed. What happens when he tries to bring things back into his control? House/Cameron.

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House came into work the next day a little more prepared for all the changes he had to face. The first order of business was to investigate Leah Jakovich.

He entered the conference room that morning without saying a word to anyone, heading straight for the coffee pot. He pulled out his favorite red mug and filled it with the dark brown liquid. He looked up in surprise after taking his first sip.

"Who made this?" he asked bluntly. Thirteen waved a hand in the direction of a nervous Leah.

"It's good," he said with a nod before heading to his office. He noted the smile that graced LJ's face at his compliment. It was the best coffee he'd had since Cameron left. One point for the new girl.

Once inside the office he took into hand the young woman's resume. He scanned it quickly. Foreman was right about one thing… she was a very impressive applicant. Exactly the type of impressive applicant that he usually passed over in order to hire a more interesting one.

There had to be some kind of dirt on her… She was too perfect. But House wasn't going to dig it up himself. He had a guy for that.

House picked up the phone at his desk and dialed a number. "Lucas?"

"Hey, Dr. House, what's going on?"

"What's your hourly rate again? I need some help…"

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House stepped out of his office, but was caught by the sight in front of him.

"See you after work," Cuddy said to Wilson as she gave him a quick kiss and headed down the hallway.

Wilson's eyes followed her, admiring her feminine form. When she disappeared into an elevator, he turned back, his eyes widening at the sight of his best friend.

He headed over. "I'm sorry…" Wilson said lamely. "I've been waiting for the right time to tell you."

House stood silently without response. His expression was unreadable.

"I know, I should have told you before, but I didn't know how you'd react. It just happened," Wilson continued with a shrug. This was more for his own benefit than for House; he was trying to exonerate himself from the guilt he felt over the matter. He had known that House had been attracted to Cuddy.

Finally House spoke up. "I'm happy for you," he said, and disappeared into his office.

Wilson sighed and moved back towards his own office. House wasn't okay, of course, but he would never admit as much. Wilson wasn't sure what part of it really bothered House. Was it his feelings for Cuddy? Being replaced by his best friend? Or was it that the world had moved on without Gregory House?

Wilson thought back to that night when things had changed.

He and Lisa Cuddy had spent some time together after House had left, bonding over their struggles and worries. House was central to their conversation at first, but soon it moved on to other topics as well. Eventually they spent time together with little, or no, mention of House at all.

This all built up to one fateful night that Cuddy had invited him over for drinks at her house. The two of them sat in the living room laughing over glasses of wine while Cuddy's daughter slept soundly in the next room.

Wilson wasn't sure what possessed him; maybe it was the wine. Or maybe he was intoxicated by Lisa's smile. He leaned over suddenly and kissed her.

Both were silent for a moment afterwards, not knowing what to make of it. Finally Cuddy spoke.

She cleared her throat. "Dr. Wilson, House isn't here to be jealous," she told him. This reminded her all too well of the time he had asked her on a date for that very reason.

Wilson spoke slowly. "This… has nothing to do with House." His meaning could not be mistaken. He feared that she hadn't appreciated the gesture, and was about to make his exit when she leaned over, joining their lips a second time.

Wilson shook himself out of his reverie. That was not a story that he was likely to ever tell House.

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Back in his office, House had been thinking as well.

He should have expected it. It seemed against Wilson's nature, but betrayal was human. It had only been a matter of time.

This was precisely why he didn't trust anyone.

He wasn't sure that he actually wanted Cuddy. He wasn't sure that he had ever really wanted her. But he couldn't stand that she was with Wilson.

House had always been able to get Cuddy if he wanted to. Until now. He always liked knowing he had options if he ever decided he wanted a relationship. He wasn't sure if he wanted a relationship… but he wanted something.

What option did he have left?

Stacy was gone for good. Cameron was married and pregnant. She had always been his trump card. Maybe he could still get her… maybe.

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House slowly became obsessed with the idea. Could he seduce Cameron?

He knew it was wrong, but he wasn't sure he cared. What was really wrong was that everyone had moved on without him. Didn't they care about him?

And it sure didn't help that his new fellow reminded him so much of her.

Every time he saw her from behind he thought it was her, but when she turned around the fantasy was destroyed. Cameron never spent time in his department anymore.

LJ reminded House of her in more than just looks from behind. She was just like Cameron had been at first: too caring, too timid. Cameron had become a great doctor—in some ways, his protégé. There was hope for Leah yet.

Lucas hadn't gotten back to him thus far, but there was still time for that. Right now it was time to set his other plan into action.

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House paged Cameron into his office at the end of the day. He had the blinds closed and the lights dimmed. The floor was emptying out and the sun was dropping out of the sky, bathing the city in a golden twilight.

Cameron entered the office without knocking. "You don't have a case. Why did you call me up here?"

"To seduce you," he said bluntly, staring at her with challenging eyes.

Cameron folded her arms across her pink scrubs. "Stop playing games, House. You can't do this anymore."

House ignored her protests. He stood and took a step towards her. "You were never able to resist me. I want you."

Cameron looked at him incredulously, despite the small shiver that raced down her spine. "House, I'm married." She paused. "Pregnant even!"

"You aren't happy with Chase," House argued.

"He treats me well. I'm getting everything I wanted," Cameron protested.

House took a few more steps, closing the space that divided them. She breathed in sharply, his masculine scent assaulting her nostrils. She stared up at House defiantly. He was not going to get to her.

"But do you love him?" he asked. A long pause followed, the defiance dropping from her face, replaced by something House couldn't quite discern.

"Yes," she said softly, looking him in the eye. She turned on her heel and left the room.

House dropped back into his chair in defeat. He couldn't even tell if she was lying anymore.

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