Author's note: A few days late - I'm sorry! On the bright side, this means that you've got less time to wait till the next one comes out, 'cause I promise I'll be punctual for the next chapter (which couldn't possibly be harder to write than this one was).

House threw the box onto the table, taking relish in the resounding slam that echoed through the room.

With a start, Cameron looked up from the blood cells she was examining under the microscope. She glanced down at the object that had just been unceremoniously dumped onto her workspace, before flicking her eyes back to the doctor before her, clearly confused.

"I knew you wouldn't be able to let Valentine's Day pass without some sort of pathetic gesture. You can own up now."

The expression on Cameron's face remained one of perplexity.

"Own up to... what?"

"To spiking my breakfast with GHB in an attempt to get me to sleep with you."

"I-"

"To these." House rolled his eyes, waving towards the chocolates beside them.

Cameron blinked in surprise at the sudden change in focus.

"Well? Are you suffering from short term memory loss or did you put these in my office this morning?"

There was another pause as Cameron glanced back at the large pink box, before tilting her chin defiantly to meet House's piercing gaze with one of her own. "And what if I did?"

"I'd fire you."

She flinched, taken aback by the suddenly harsh response.

"Really?"

House sighed at the naivety in her countenance. "No. It just sounded impressive."

"Well, in any case, it wasn't me."

Turning away, Cameron resumed her original scrutiny of the blood cells. Unphased, House raised his cane and began twirling it over his fingers.

"You can own up, you know. I really won't fire you. Maybe just laugh a little."

Unable to ignore the man before her, Cameron spun around, crossing her arms.

"What makes you so sure that it was me?"

"No one else I know would be so disgustingly sentimental."

She resisted cringing once again, but House seemed to sense that he was making headway. And so he ploughed on.

"Come on. Everyone knows that you like me."

Cameron pursed her lips, keeping resolutely silent.

"What if I asked really nicely... would you admit to it then?"

Once again, there was no response. The room was still as Cameron remained immobile in her glare.

Bringing his cane back to earth, House limped towards her. Stopping mere inches away from her, he gazed into her eyes beseechingly, arranging his features into an appropriately imploring expression.

"Please?"

She kept her eyes fixed on his, holding his gaze with admirable resolve, given the sudden increase in her pulse rate.

"It wasn't me."

House leaned closer, until his lips were almost brushing against her ear.

"How about now?"

His voice was but a breath against her face. She could feel it tickling the few strands of loose hair that were tucked behind her ear, and she swallowed slightly.

"I... I didn't do it."

House pulled away abruptly.

"Fine. Have it your way." He swept the box off the table and turned to leave. "Come and find me once you've finished the blood tests."

With that, he limped out the door, leaving a slightly dazed Cameron in the room behind him.