Title: Life Line (2/3)

Rating: PG

Summary: You have called Cameron almost everyday since entering rehab. A semi-future fic about what would happen if House ends up in rehab.

Disclaimer: Don't own em.

Spoilers: Up to "Finding Judas"

You have called Cameron almost everyday since entering rehab. Sometimes your conversations are short and awkward and other times you talk to her like she's all you have left. Twenty-nine conversations have taken place between the two of you and you know more about her now than you'd ever thought you wanted to know. She knows a lot about you now as well and you hadn't really meant to tell her so much. She's easy to talk to and you know you are falling in love with her, even though you don't want to admit it.

Right now you are sitting alone in your room, the phone pressed to your ear, as she tells you about their current patient. She is going on and on about the patient's (you can't remember his name) symptoms but you aren't really listening. You've grown to enjoy the sound of her voice and lately, it hasn't really mattered what she was saying.

The worst stages of your detox have passed. You are personally glad that the physical pain has passed, you have plenty of that to go around. You have been clean and sober for five weeks now and you're sort of proud of yourself. You are also more than surprised at how seldom Cameron brings up where you are or why you're there. You know that she isn't denying the fact that you're in rehab but you're glad that she isn't throwing it in your face either. She listens when you talk about your doctors and their methods of healing and every now and then she'll comment on something she doesn't agree with. But other than that, the subject is never brought up. Instead you usually talk about your past or your future because she is curious and wants to know you better. You are surprised at how easy it is to tell her.

"House?" You almost forgot that the two of you were supposed to be having a conversation.

"Sorry," you say, "I was ignoring you."

You know that it is a lame excuse but you also know that Cameron won't mind. She likes lame. You can almost hear her roll her eyes and you and for the first time in your life you wish you were there to see it.

"What were you thinking about?" she asks.

It's your turn to roll your eyes because you forget that she knows you now and that she isn't afraid to ask the questions you are afraid to answer.

"The hot nurse that brings me my pills," You tell her, trying to be snarky. It comes across with much less enthusiasm that usual.

She scoffs, "Sure."

She doesn't say anything else for a long minute and you know that she's wondering if you were being serious. If you hadn't been in rehab, if you'd say that to her in the hospital, you probably would have been serious. Now, however, you were lying because right now lying is easier than telling the truth.

"How did you meet your husband?" you ask her before you have time to process the thought. You'd really just wanted to get her mind off of your comment.

"In college," she says softly and without hesitation. Her quick response surprises you again (she's been doing that a lot lately).

You don't respond because you honestly hadn't thought that far ahead and you definitely hadn't expected her to answer you so easily.

She surprises you again when she asks, "How did you meet Stacey?"

For a moment you hesitate (but only for a moment) because you aren't sure you want to bring that up. It's been a long time since you've let your mind go back to Stacey. You've spent most of your time in rehab focusing on getting your life back, on making your life better. The last thing you want to think about is Stacey and your fucking leg because Cameron is really good at making you forget.

"In a bar," you tell her, "She was on a date with Wilson."

At this she laughs (loud and hard) and you are struggling to hold back your own laughter. She has nothing to say for a long time because she is too busy laughing. Apparently she finds your answer incredibly funny and you just sit back and listen to her laugh (it's been a long time).

When she's finally gained some control, she asks, "Where they serious?"

"No," you tell her, because they really weren't, "They barely knew each other. It was a blind date or something. But I came in and completely ruined it for Wilson. I guess it didn't work out so well for me either, did it?"

"No," she says quietly, "I guess not."

She suddenly has nothing to say and you know that she's wishing that she hadn't brought it up. You aren't sure what to tell her to make her understand that Stacey isn't the one you're constantly thinking about. You certainly don't have the balls to tell her that you're falling in love with her, but you can't even tell her that she has nothing to worry about.

"Well," she says suddenly, "I should go. I'm working tomorrow and I've been late for work twice this week. We can't keep having these late night conversations."

You smile because you know damn well that she enjoys talking to you as much as you enjoy talking to her.

"Right," you say, "I'll try to call earlier. How's 6 work for you? I think I can pencil you in."

You can hear her smiling again, "Goodnight, House."

"Night, Cameron," you say, "Tomorrow?"

"Of course."

The dial tone rings in your ear.