Authors Note:- Sorry for not replying to any comments I received. This is no excuse but I'm being harassed myself by an ex, and what with filing police reports, seeing lawyers, having my car repaired, working and sleeping more than usual thanks to the sedatives my doc gave me... Well. So, I am sorry I haven't replied to you all, your comments have cheered me at a particularly crappy time and I thank you.
III
Chapter 3
Nurse Brenda looked ready to commit murder when Cameron arrived in the clinic.
"He's been here three hours, refuses to see anyone but you. Won't even tell us his symptoms."
Cameron smiled. "You should have called me earlier. I'll have him out of your hair in no time."
Brenda handed her the file. Cameron frowned when she saw the name but reassured Brenda, "He's just scared and he trusts me. He had a cancer scare."
As Cameron walked away Brenda called out, "If he pulls this stunt again, he'll know what a scare is!"
Cameron turned and laughed before entering the patient's room.
"Dr, Cameron!"
"Hi Hank. How are you?"
"Oh, I'm fine. Great, in fact."
"Then what can we do for you?"
"Oh, uh. I have this thing, this pain. In my…" His shoulders slumped. "There's nothing wrong with me. I just wanted to see you again. I'm sorry."
"It's okay, Hank, but next time, try the telephone first."
"I did. I've been calling all morning but this man kept saying you weren't there."
Cameron felt sorry for the man in front of her. He obviously didn't have much experience with women and was trying, the best way he knew how, to woo her.
"Did you get the flowers?"
"They were lovely, thank you."
"But you didn't keep them."
"No, we aren't allowed to accept gifts from patients." A frown line creased her forehead. "How did you-"
"I thought it was something like that. I'm really pleased you liked them."
"Look, Hank, it's not that I'm not pleased to see you, but you can't do this again. The nurses need to keep rooms clear for patients with actual problems and-"
"I know, I'm sorry. I just…" He looked a little like a rabbit caught in the headlights for a moment before he blurted, "Would you like to go out with me?"
Cameron's heart sank at the thought of turning him down and hurting him. "I'm sorry, Hank, but I'm already seeing someone."
"That guy who answered the phone this morning? He seemed kind of possessive and hostile."
"He's always hostile." Cameron paused a moment to put things in the gentlest way she could. "Look, Hank. I'm very flattered that you like me, but nothing can happen between us. I'm sorry."
Hank's face fell. Cameron felt like she had just kicked a puppy.
"Because of him?" he asked.
"And because I'm your doctor."
Hank took a deep breath. "It's okay. I get it." He gathered up his coat and stood up. He hesitated before leaving. "I… I hope he knows how lucky he is."
Cameron closed her eyes and rubbed her face with her hands. Nurse Brenda popped her head in. "All sorted?"
"Oh God." Cameron lowered her hands. "I feel like the world's biggest bitch."
Brenda smiled. "Well, he's the world's biggest geek. Your boyfriend is the world's biggest jerk. You should get together, have a threesome. "
Cameron smiled. "I don't think he'll be coming back and bothering you again."
III
"Your place or mine?" asked House.
He and Cameron headed through the reception, his arm draped casually around her shoulders. Cameron was a little surprised he was being so open about their relationship, but then he'd had longer to get used to the idea of people knowing. Cameron had only had two days.
"Your's."
"You got a change of clothes in the car?"
"Thought I'd take you up on your offer of wearing yours."
House looked oddly at her.
"I'm kidding. Yes, I have a change of clothes in the car."
"Might as well just take the bike then."
Cameron didn't object; she loved the bike. She collected her bag from her car and jumped on behind him.
III
House was unusually quiet that evening but Cameron didn't have a clue what was wrong. They had no patient to worry about, Cuddy hadn't been on his back, Wilson was fine. She could only imagine it was her, or their relationship, which is why she was hesitant about bringing up her plans.
House was playing the piano while Cameron cooked dinner. He played wonderfully, and recently she'd talked him into taking requests. Unfortunately, he flat out refused to play "Copa Cabana," but Cameron was working on it. He was currently playing "Moonlight Sonata," one of Cameron's favourite pieces of music.
She decided now was as good a time to ask him as any. She'd rather not look him in the eye.
"Greg." she called through.
"Yeah."
"How do you feel about log cabins?"
"It's not a subject I'd given a lot of thought to."
"Well start. Because I've booked us a long weekend in Hidden Valley, near Vernon."
House stopped playing. "A ski resort?"
"Yeah."
He stood up and grabbed his cane, making his way to the kitchen doorway. Leaning heavily on his cane he asked again. "A ski resort?"
Cameron smiled. "I wasn't planning on skiing. I was thinking more of lying in front of a log fire and only venturing out for supplies."
He just stared at her.
"Look, if you don't want to I'll cancel. I just thought it would be something nice to do with my half of the winnings."
"You're still getting those phone calls." He didn't ask.
Cameron looked uncomfortable. "Yeah."
"Is that why you didn't want to go to your place?"
"Partly."
"And the weekend away?"
"Has nothing to do with it. I just thought it might be nice to have a break together. Ask Cuddy. I spoke to her about us having Friday and Monday off on the same day she won the bet."
Cameron stirred the pasta sauce as House continued to stare at her. It was odd how one man's gaze could make her feel so completely exposed and vulnerable.
"Have you reported the phone calls?"
"Yes, there's not much they can do unless he makes a threat. I got caller ID for the time being."
Cameron poured the pasta into the colander, added pepper and a knob of butter and turned it over. Finally she turned to face him. "OK, if it doesn't stop soon I'll change my number. Now, do you want to eat or just stare at me all evening?"
House dropped his gaze. "Smells good."
Cameron served two plates and took the garlic bread from the oven as House ferried the plates to the table.
Taking a mouthful, House remarked, "You might not be able to cook much, but what you do cook, you cook well."
"Thanks, I think."
"The weekend sounds good."
"Really? You looked like I'd asked you to eat Steve."
House looked over at his pet rat. "Just make sure you pack that little black nightdress thing."
III
Cameron had won the argument over whose transport to take to the cabin, saying she needed more things they she could reasonably be expected to carry on his bike. But as they got out of the car, she noticed sitting still for the long drive had taken its toll on his leg.
He never admitted when he was in pain and tried to hide it from her, but she knew. She watched him tread carefully as he headed towards the cabin. His leg gave way slightly and he stumbled. As he turned to check if she'd noticed, Cameron ducked her head back into the car, emerging with the bags and a smile as thought nothing had happened. He didn't like her nagging.
They stopped at the doorway and looked around for a few moments.
"It's beautiful." Cameron said.
"It's cold."
"Don't be a grouch. You light a fire and I'll unpack the bags."
While House loaded logs and kindling onto the fire, Cameron headed back out to the car for the supplies they'd stopped to purchase on the way. Fifteen minutes later they were unpacked and the fire was blazing.
"Put some music on," Cameron ordered as she began pulling cushions off the couch and making a semicircle of them on the rug in front of the fire.
"Yes ma'am!" House mock saluted her as he made his way to the CD player. "You're bossy when I'm not your boss."
Cameron smiled. As he came back she narrowed her eyes at him. "Now strip!"
House couldn't help but grin. "You first."
"You aren't the boss here."
Muttering about "wanton nymphomaniacs" and how he always ended up with them, he began undressing, wondering exactly what she had planned. Cameron headed to the kitchen and returned with an opened bottle of red wine and two glasses.
Now down to his boxers, she ordered him to sit, pointing to the cushions in front of the fire. She filled a glass and handed it to him, telling him to lie back.
Cameron kneeled down beside him and began to massage his bad leg. She started with his calf, kneading the muscles firmly but not too hard. She worked her way up to his damaged thigh, taking care but still being firm, just like Ingrid had taught her.
She switched to rubbing the area with her palms. House didn't say anything but his eyes closed and his expression relaxed.
When she was sure she'd helped, she moved over to the other leg.
"If you keep this up, I'll fall asleep on you," he murmured.
"You wouldn't dare."
Cameron observed him, something she didn't get a chance to do very often. This was probably the most relaxed she'd ever seen him, he even had a slight smile pulling at the edge of his lips.
She swatted his good thigh lightly. "Time to turn over."
"No it isn't." He sat up and took a sip of his wine. She knew the look in his eyes. "You're still dressed," he told her.
"You're still undressed," she informed him.
His eyes narrowed slightly and he darted forward, overbalancing her so she fell backwards and he landed on top on her.
"Now who's being bossy," she teased.
He began unbuttoning her blouse. "Admit it, you love it when I take charge." He began kissing her neck.
"I just love you."
House paused what he was doing and Cameron mentally kicked herself. That was a stupid thing to blurt out.
House resumed kissing her neck almost immediately but to Cameron it had felt like an aeon.
She tried to put her brainless comment from her mind and just enjoy the moment as best she could.
