Chapter 2. Our Little Corner of the World

House followed Cameron down to her apartment. They'd refused Mrs. McClelland's offer of an evening snack, since they were both stuffed full of Mo's meatballs and spaghetti. Not to mention the apple pie a la mode that Mo insisted on bringing them herself.

"It's not much," Cameron apologized when she saw the way House was looking around. And it wasn't. It was an efficiency apartment, one room with an alcove containing a small refrigerator, stove and sink, and a bathroom with a stall shower. "Then again, I don't spend that much time here."

"I guess it'll do," House said, sitting on the couch and bouncing to see how comfortable it was. The place wasn't that much bigger than the motel room they'd spent the previous night in. She motioned for him to stand and opened the couch into a queen-sized bed. There was a small table with two kitchen chairs, a comfortable looking armchair, a stand holding a TV and DVD player, and some shelves along two walls holding books, CDs, and DVDs. A wooden dresser with six drawers stood along the wall next to the bathroom door. "Cozy."

Cameron bit her lip. "I don't cook much. Mrs. McClelland is always inviting me for breakfast and dinner, and I tend to eat lunch at the clinic or Mo's," she started to explain. "And this place is convenient."

It was only about eight or nine blocks from the clinic. But Cameron suddenly remembered her car. "I guess I'll have to call my insurance company tomorrow. They'll want to send an adjuster to look at the car." She glanced at House and saw his frown. "It's pretty bad, isn't it?" she asked. "I didn't really look at it in the daylight."

"Yeah. It's pretty bad." He wasn't going to sugar coat the news. "I think you'll need a new car."

Cameron took a deep breath and let it out. "Yeah, well, I was thinking of getting a hybrid, or maybe even an all electric car."

"Most of those aren't available yet," House said.

"I didn't think I'd need something this soon. I really loved that old Honda!"

"Maybe I'll take you to look at cars tomorrow evening," House offered.

Cameron forced a smile. "You know, Jake Brenner has a car dealership." The name didn't mean anything to House, so she explained. "He was one of our patients. Tall, heavyset guy with a goatee?"

House scrunched up his face trying to remember who she was talking about. "If you say so."

"House, you talked to him about the future of electric cars and whether Japanese or Korean cars were better," she added.

"Oh, that Jake Brenner!"

She chuckled. "I think I'll give him a call tomorrow and find out what he has available."

"Now you're talking. Cash in on his good will. He's bound to cut you a deal."

"Actually, I was thinking he could use the business," she said with a smirk.

"Yeah, that too."

She shook her head but now she was grinning. "Thank you. For coming back. For staying. I don't know what will happen between us, but..." She took a breath and let it out. "...just the fact that it might last a bit longer makes me feel good."

"Neither one of us has a good track record," he said, just in case she forgot.

"Was it an illusion that we've grown closer the past few days?"

He didn't answer at first, but finally he shook his head. "No. I don't know what's different, but whatever it is here, we've been able to connect more than we ever did before." He put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in her blue-green eyes. "The fact that these people welcomed you with open arms isn't surprising. You're not only the only doctor they have, but you're compassionate, and never try to hide it."

"You once called me a 'teddy bear from Grandma'."

"And I was right, as usual." He shook his head, and turned away. "No, what's amazing is that they've welcomed me, too. And it wasn't because I was helping them out in a difficult time. They actually seem to like me!"

Cameron laughed. "And you thought I was the only one who could!"

He turned back to her. "You do?" He pretended surprise and she chuckled. "Cameron, do you really think I can fit in here? Belong?" he asked, almost wistfully.

"You're already on your way," she said. "You have your own booth at Mo's."

It was his turn to chuckle.

She put her hand on his arm, lightly since she knew he didn't like to be touched. "House, lets just take this one day at a time, OK?"

He nodded, his smile still there. "And one night." With that, he pulled her to him, kissing her soft lips and sliding his hands down her arms to take each hand and bring it to his lips. He wanted to kiss every inch of her, and now he had the luxury that would allow him to take his time doing that, savoring it.

Slowly he helped her off with her top, his eyes alternating between her face and her chest. "I don't think I'll ever tire of looking at your body."

"You're not the only one," she said. "I mean me looking at you," she felt the need to explain as she slipped her hands under his t-shirt and lifted it up.

He helped her take it off and soon felt her fingers playing across his chest. They continued to undress each other until they were down to his boxers and her lacy bra and panties. She led him to the bed and they sat side by side on the edge as he unhooked the bra and slipped it over her smooth shoulders.

The warmth of his hand resting on her stomach spread through her and she practically purred.

His body began to respond to the strokes of the hand that puled down those briefs and then moved between his legs. His hand, in turn, abandoned her stomach for the area several inches lower, pushing her panties down as he went. Soon he moved her onto her back and lowered himself over her to finish what they'd started. They kissed as they joined, then rocked together.

He wondered if he'd be able to give this up if he ever decided it was a mistake. Of course, at the moment he couldn't imagine that happening. It helped that Cameron was obviously taking all the pleasure she could and he decided he should too. He smiled as he let himself enjoy the moment.