A/N by Pyewacket75: Yeah, it's me. Angel wasn't kidding. I actually am helping out with this fic. We were chatting one night and wanted to explore how House would help Cameron break free from an abusive relationship. We didn't want to use some random guy, so we chose Chase, since nobody at PPTH would suspect him of mistreating her. Not even House. Well, maybe. Anyway, as she said in the last chapter, this is AU and just something we felt like exploring. Don't shoot us. If you don't like it, nobody's making you read it. Simple as that. It is FICTION after all. For those of you who are reading, we hope you'll continue, and if you feel like leaving a review, by all means, please do so. We like to know you're out there

Chapter 2

House continued to observe Cameron over the next few weeks, searching for any signs of distress or extreme changes in her behaviour. Either she was a very good actress, or there was nothing going on. He truly hoped it was the latter, but the nagging feeling deep inside wasn't going away. She was getting thinner, almost to the point where she looked anorexic.

House waltzed into the conference room where Cameron was standing at the coffee maker, preparing the morning brew. He tossed a box of bagels on the table and gestured for everyone to help themselves. "Hey Cameron, you'd better grab one before they eat them all."

Cameron glanced at the large box and her eyes lit up for just a second. They shone like a beacon in front of her. But just as quickly, her eyes clouded over again when Chase glared at her, and House saw everything.

"She already ate breakfast this morning," Chase said, looking smug as could be. House wanted to smack that look off his face.

"Is your name Cameron?" House snapped and then reached in the box to grab a blueberry bagel that he knew she liked. "Here, I got it just for you because they didn't have that many left and I didn't want you to go without."

She smiled weakly at him, knowing that Chase was watching her. Maybe if she just took the bagel and had a few small bites, that would appease House. She really was hungry. She'd deal with the aftermath which was Chase later.

"Thanks, House." Then she handed him the coffee in his red mug as a trade. Aware that he was waiting for her to eat it, she took a large bite and smiled at him. "Wow, so fresh!" she mumbled as she chewed. It tasted heavenly!

House seemed to accept that for the time being and sat down, reaching for a bagel for himself, yet continuing to watch Cameron out of the corner of his eye. He also saw the way Chase was scowling at her as she finished off the bagel and was about to reach for another. Her hand stopped in mid-air and she looked frozen. "I'll just...save it for lunch time."

His gaze flicked over to Chase, who was still frowning but he didn't object so she grabbed it, wrapped it in a piece of paper towel and put it aside.

The day carried on without incident. House had almost forgotten about the whole bagel issue until he was heading to his motorcycle and heard the yelling on the other side of the lot.

"You can't be serious!" he heard Cameron shout, causing him to pause.

"Jesus, Allison, you practically inhaled it!"
"I don't care. House was nice enough to bring some for everyone. How often does that happen?"

"I don't want you accepting anything from that jerk!"

"He's our boss, Robert! And whether you like it or not, I respect him."

"Well I don't like the way he looks and talks to you! And vice versa."

"That's too bad. Because I like the way he looks and talks to me."

"Stop daydreaming, Allison! You think he's going to just take you into his arms and the two of you will live happily ever after?"

"No, of course not! But I also think you're making something out of nothing."

"No, I don't think I am."

"Then fine! Believe what you want."
"Fine! You can find your own ride home."

Before Cameron could object, Chase was in the car, speeding out of the lot.

"Need a ride?" House called to her.

Cameron turned around and he could see she was hesitant. "You could walk, but in those heels you'll never make it."

Sighing, she walked over to House's motorcycle. He handed her his helmet, and when she was situated, the engine roared to life and he took her back to his place.

"Why are we here? I thought you were taking me home."

"I thought perhaps you'd want a bit of a breather before the next round of fighting began."

Cameron had to admit he had a point. She was definitely in no hurry to get home to Chase. And I'm starving. Pizza okay?"
"Yeah, that would be great."

"Good."

He brought Cameron a beer, ordered the pizza and channel surfed while they waited for it to arrive. When it did, he was thrilled to see Cameron eat at least three pieces.
"One would think you hadn't eaten in days," he chuckled.

"Nothing this good," she mumbled with her mouth full. "Chase never orders out anymore. If he does, it's when I'm not home."

"Why?"

"He doesn't want me gaining any more weight," she shrugged.

"Any more? Please, if you lose any more I'll commit you to Psych myself for an eating disorder. And no, I'm not kidding. You need to put on at least ten pounds. Fifteen would be even better."

Cameron just laughed. "Oh yeah right, House."

But he frowned. "You don't believe me?"

"No. I've seen the type of women you're attracted to. They're beautiful and petite, and…"

"So are you."

"No, I'm not."

"Cameron," he said seriously, moving a little closer to her. "You can't afford to lose any more weight."

"Well I didn't ask your opinion," she snapped as she cracked open another beer.

"I'm giving it anyway. Listen, I have a bad feeling about all this."

"About what?"

"You, Chase. You're not yourself anymore. I don't even know who you are."

"I'm still the same."
"No, you're not. What's going on? You're pale, listless, you're having trouble concentrating, you're jumpy, fidgety. I could go on."

"Don't bother. You know, I didn't come over here by choice, and I sure as hell didn't ask to be lectured."

"That's not how I see it. I think you came with me because you want to talk. You could have just told me to back off and caught a cab home. And when I brought you here, you didn't put up much of a fight."

"I was pissed off at Chase."

"Was...meaning you're not now?"

Cameron just shrugged and took another sip of her beer. At that moment, there was a pounding on the door and she literally froze.

"House...open up! I know she's there!" Chase's aussie accent was unmistakable, but so was Cameron's fear.

He rose to answer the door and she grabbed him. "No, don't...please..."

"Shh..it'll be okay. Just stay here," he whispered.

House opened the door enough to talk to Chase, but not enough for him to enter. "You don't need to pound on the door and shout," he said in a low, threatening voice.

"I want to talk to Allison."

House cocked his head to one side. "That's funny, she doesn't want to talk to you. She..uhh..has her mouth full right now."

Chase's face clouded over and he lunged forward, but House kept the door in position. "You son of a bitch..."
"Oh relax. Do you honestly think I'd be stupid enough to make a move on her? She's your girlfriend. I simply offered her a ride."

"And you should have taken her home!"
"I was hungry, and so was she so we decided to order a pizza. That's no crime."
"She's watching her weight."

"She's plenty thin enough. If you want my opinion, which I'm sure you don't but I'm giving it anyway, she's on her way to Anorexia-ville."

"Oh come off it, House. She's not that bad."

"Maybe not now but she will be if she loses anymore weight. I happen to care what happens to her well-being. If you're not going to step up and treat her like she deserves then you don't deserve her. Now go home, and I'll bring her back when she's finished eating. So far she's eaten three LARGE pieces and is well on her way to finishing a fourth. I'm not letting you get in the way of that. She's hungry, and you're starving her. For what purpose I can't possibly imagine."

"House, you may as well let him in. He's not going away," she called out to them.

Chase smiled smugly at House, who opened the door wider to let the young man inside. "Come on, Allison. We're going. We have work tomorrow."

She guzzled the last bit of beer from the bottle and got up without a word. She then smiled at House as she put her jacket on. "Thanks for the pizza, and the ride over here. See you tomorrow."

He nodded, surprised and even a little let down that she was leaving so easily. Once they had gone, he limped into the kitchen for another beer, hoping it would kill the bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.