Hi all
Well, I'm more updating this than Stolen Cinderella lately, but I promise I'm getting right back onto Stolen Cinderella when my muse agrees to do so.
This chapter has been so much fun to write, and it's dedicated to my friend mutemime over on LJ. It's also for sinelli's birthday, also over on the HouseCameron comm on LJ, my second home.
Enjoy this chapter, there's some sex, some fun and playfulness...and Strong!Snarky!Seductive!Cameron and Jealous!House. Enjoy! Rated R for language and...such. Haha.
Peace & Cheers
Amylia
xxxxxx
LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD
Chapter Three – Wake-Up Call
As the morning sunshine found its way through the cracks in the blinds, consciousness slowly returned to Cameron. Her body felt comfortably numb with exhaustion with the previous night's activities, even muscle protesting to even the slightest movement. She didn't have the ability or inclination to move for a good few moments after she'd woken up, but she knew she had to get up so, with considerable effort, she lifted her head to check the time – 6:45am – before forcing herself to turn over, rubbing her eyes as she did so. She expected to find Booth still asleep beside her…
She didn't want to analyse the feelings that coursed through her when she found herself alone in the bed. To say the least it was a blow. She felt like crying. She felt cheap. She felt used. Confusion fogged her mind, which was still clouded with sleep and as a single tear fell from her eye, she wiped it away angrily. She'd fallen for it. The sweet talk, the handholding, the gentle kisses. She'd actually let herself believe he wanted more than just sex. Who had she been kidding? He was here for two weeks and she'd thought he really wanted to get to know her. She'd let herself be taken in by those eyes, and now she was waking up feeling like a cheap hooker, to find he'd left without another word, without a 'thanks, that was fun' or any other kind of recognition that it hadn't been easy for her to just open up so easily after all the times she'd been burned.
Fighting more tears, she refused to cry over him. Pulling the covers tighter around herself she sat up and attempted to force the knot of rejection and nausea in her stomach to dissipate. If she'd thought House could be cold with his blunt rejection of her time and time again, she didn't know what this classed as. At least House hadn't led her on. Booth had let her believe she was more than just an easy lay, that he was actually interested in getting to know her. She couldn't help but feel their 'date' had just been an expensive way to get her into bed. And she'd fallen for it.
The night kept replaying in her head and she was unable to fight the tears anymore, letting them flow freely down her cheeks and allowing herself a few minutes to wallow in self-pity. Wrapping the covers around her, she dragged herself to the drawers and pulled an oversized grey Northwestern t-shirt out and tugged it on, wiping the tears away before she soaked the t-shirt too much.
At this point in time all she wanted was a cup of coffee and a hot shower. Switching on the latter, she dragged herself the few feet down the hallway to the kitchen. Giving a start, she felt her stomach do somersaults and almost knocked a lamp over. Booth suddenly appeared from crouching behind the counter-top and she was sure she'd been too close to a heart attack for comfort, especially after what last night had done to her. He was wearing just his boxer shorts and holding a pan in his hand.
Noticing Cameron's startled expression, he offered a smile and stood up fully.
"Good morning, I was just making you some breakfast…where do you keep your frying pan?"
A flash of guilt struck her and she tore her eyes from his, trying to let the situation sink in. Her fears had been totally wrong. He hadn't left…he was, in fact, making her breakfast. And she'd woken up and thought the worst when he wasn't next to her.
"What's wrong?"
Raising her eyes again, she met his and he looked as confused as she'd felt when she'd first awoken.
"Y-you're…still here…I thought…"
He put down a pan he was holding and tried to quell the hurt that travelled through him as he misinterpreted what she was saying.
"I can…go, if you want? I just thought you'd like some-"
Shaking her head, she moved further into the room and tried to find her voice.
"I didn't mean it like that, I just…I woke up and thought…when you weren't next to me…I thought you'd left."
Dropping her gaze again, she slid into a seat at the breakfast bar, leaning her elbows on it and dropping her head into her hands, a sigh passing her lips. She was cursing herself for immediately assuming the worst from him. Recognition alighted on his face and he rounded the countertop to stand next to her. She was feeling truly guilty for thinking the way she did and it took her a moment to lift her head and meet his gaze. When she did, he gently cupped her cheeks and smiled down at her.
"Why would I have left? I don't regret what we did last night, Allison. It might have been…quick, for us to sleep together, but I'm only here for two weeks. And I really like you. I haven't lost any kind of respect for you just because we slept together…and for what it's worth, I hope we'll do it again."
He gave her a genuinely warm smile and she couldn't help but return it. His thumbs wiped at the tears tracks left on her cheeks and he shook his head.
"You were crying? I didn't mean for all this to upset you…in fact, come on."
With that, he gently tugged her to stand up and led her back to her bedroom. Confusion settling as a frown on her face, she followed, intrigued by what he was doing. He climbed onto the bed and ushered her on next to him.
"Seeley, we don't have time to do this again now, I'm gonna be late for work-"
He shook his head and shushed her, motioning again for her to climb into the bed beside him. Still intrigued, she did as he asked and once she was next to him, he pulled her back against him, holding her like he had the night before as they'd fallen asleep, his fingers finding their way up her t-shirt and tracing soft patterns on the bare skin of her stomach, making her shiver a little at the contact this early in the morning.
"You want to wake up with me here, then that's what you'll do."
She couldn't help but smile, wondering if House could ever be this thoughtful. Immediately, she felt guilty again, for even letting House cross her mind when Booth was here being so caring, yet again. Feeling the warmth of his body and the continual dull ache of her exhausted muscles, sleep claimed her faster than she realised and the next thing she knew, he was gently rousing her back to consciousness.
--
"Come on Sleeping Beauty, or you really will be late for work."
He was whispering close to her ear and she groaned in reluctance as perception seeped back to her. But when she realised his arms were still around her, her head using his right bicep as a pillow – which made her wonder if she'd given him a dead arm – and his left arm nestled under her t-shirt, she smiled sleepily, her eyes remaining closed. Feeling awareness slowly returning to her, he began to kiss her shoulder, where the loose-fitting t-shirt had slipped off, trailing his kisses up to her neck before kissing her earlobe and gently nipping at it. Squirming and laughing as sensation overcame her body from his kisses, she finally opened her eyes and looked back over her shoulder at him. He immediately claimed her lips, stealing her breath with a tender kiss as he lifted his hand to run his fingers through her hair.
Breaking the kiss she stifled a yawn and smiled, a contented sigh passing her lips as she snuggled back into him.
"That was the best wake-up call I've ever had."
She said as she slowly let herself come back to the world of the living. The phone on her bedside table broke the calmness and she jolted in his arms. Glancing at the bedside clock, her eyes widened as she reached for the phone, lying on her side as she answered it. She really was going to be late. It was almost a quarter past eight and she had less than an hour to get showered, dressed and ready for work. She was normally in work by now as it was.
"Hello?"
"Cameron, where are you? You're usually in by now."
Chase's voice filtered down the line and she sighed as his question mirrored her own internal acknowledgement just moments before. She was usually in by seven-thirty, and generally no later than eight am, even though he shift technically started an hour later. Chase got in at eight am and if she wasn't already there, he felt justified in thinking it odd. Hence, his call.
"Yeah, I'm…running late. I'll be in for nine-"
A sharp gasp passed her lips before she could stop it as she felt Booth's hand slide further up her t-shirt to cup one of her breasts, sending a bolt of pleasure right through her. Glancing back at Booth with wide eyes, she saw the wicked smile on his face and bit her lip, shaking her head whilst trying to stifle a laugh.
There was an noticeable pause over the line and Cameron knew Chase was suspecting something.
"Cameron…are you with someone?"
"I've gotta go, Chase. I'll be in at nine."
And with that she quickly hung up, rolling back over to face him and trying her best to scowl, but failing miserably.
"He knows you're here now, thanks. I'm going to be the gossip of the hospital for the next two weeks at least, because Chase can never keep his mouth shut."
That wicked smile was still on his lips and he leaned forward for a kiss, laughing when she tried to resist, but once again failed.
"May as well give them something to talk about then."
He raised a suggestive eyebrow and once again pushed his hand up her t-shirt. She protested but he only ended up tickling her. Once her laughter had subsided, she glanced at the clock again and seriousness returned. Realising she'd left the shower on, she reluctantly disentangled herself from Booth's arms and sighed apologetically.
"I wish we could just stay like that all day, but I've gotta get a shower and be in work in less than an hour."
He nodded and smiled, watching her as she frantically pulled clothes out of her closet and hurried around trying to get herself sorted. Once she'd disappeared into the bathroom, returning once to briefly drop a kiss onto his lips and thank him genuinely for the date and everything else, he got dressed and left, leaving a note on the kitchen counter, and headed to hail a cab and seek out where he'd parked his car back at the hotel the previous evening before their date. He couldn't wipe the smile off his face the whole journey.
--
Getting out of the shower and getting ready faster than she ever had before, she couldn't quite believe she was going to be in work on time. She was still rushing, however, and forgoed breakfast, completely bypassing the note he'd left in the kitchen.
'I really enjoyed last night and I like being your wake-up call. I want to see where this can go. I hope we can have a repeat of last night sometime soon.
S
x'
Pulling on her jacket, she headed out and down the front steps of the apartment building, locating her car and pushing the speed limit as she drove to the hospital to see if the rumour mills had already started working.
--
When she entered the Diagnostics Office, Foreman had joined Chase and she could tell immediately that the Australian doctor had shared his suspicions with his colleague, because both were eying her as she walked in, talking together in hushed voices. She rolled her eyes and took off her jacket, taking her time in hanging it up with her back to them. When she finally turned, they were silent, watching her carefully.
"It's none of your business."
She told them both before they could ask any of the questions that were obviously burning the tips of their tongues. Taking a seat at the table and grabbing the latest notes on their patient, she didn't miss the way Chase smirked, as if she'd proved him right just with that statement, and Foreman gawked at her incredulously.
"You did get laid last night!"
He spluttered, as if the news was the biggest he'd been hit with in a long time. She glared at him for his unwitting insult and chose not to comment.
"So who was it? Do we know him? I'm assuming it's a him, but if not then…hell, we want details!"
Once again Cameron rolled her eyes, and she had a feeling she'd be doing it an awful lot today. Remaining silent an ignoring the prying and persistent questions, her heart skipped a beat when she heard the uneven gait of their boss step-thumping down the corridor toward the office. She quickly warned Chase and Foreman, in no uncertain terms, to 'shut the hell up', with a look that threatened parts of them they had inclination to preserve, as the glass door swung open and in limped House, who didn't bother with a greeting and instead demanded to know where his coffee was.
Cameron immediately rose from her seat and made her way to the coffee machine, busying herself with it, thankful for the opportunity to avoid House's scrutiny for a few moments whilst she composed herself. The sudden rush of nervousness in her stomach at the prospect of House being privy to his male fellows' discussion about her sexual exploits the previous night had made her cheeks redden and she was glad she could fumble with the coffee dispenser to hide it.
But she could feel his intense gaze on her back and it just made her blush deeper. Who was she kidding? He figured people out with a single glance, of course he was going to suss out what had happened, especially if Foreman and Chase's barely-contained smirks were adding fuel to the fire.
"Cameron has that freshly-fucked look. Chase, are you responsible?"
Chase almost choked on the apple he was eating, his own face reddening as he vehemently denied any involvement in how she looked. Spinning around in sheer embarrassment, she stared at House; shocked that even he would come out with something so…abrasively rude and direct.
"Well, she certainly got laid," he commented and Foreman smirked again, whilst Chase was still recovering from the apple incident, before House turned back to address Cameron, "who was the lucky guy then?"
He was taunting her, his eyes sparkling with amusement…or it could have been… jealousy. Brushing that notion away and berating herself from interpreting it as such, she quickly turned back to the coffee machine, pouring the drink and handing it to him before excusing herself.
--
She needed to regain some composure before he interrogated her any more, and that meant she needed some space. Hurrying to the restroom, she leaned her hands on the basin and stared into the mirror, not really seeing herself as her mind drifted. If House found out she'd slept with Booth…she was quite sure it wouldn't be very pretty. Especially considering he'd forbid any contact with Booth at all as soon as the federal agent and his partner had arrived.
The door swung open with a considerable amount of force and banged relatively hard against the wall, making Cameron jump. House, leaning heavily on his cane and his eyes never leaving her, made his way into the restroom until he was only a few feet away from her; those impossibly blue eyes once again burning into her.
"Kinda rude to rush off without answering my question, Dr. Cameron."
She bristled at this and turned to face him, levelling a cold glare to meet his gaze.
"Kinda rude to interrogate me about my personal life in front of my co-workers, Dr. House."
She paused, running a hand through her hair, sighing and shaking her head before turning to him, her voice and her resolve stronger than either of them were ready for.
"It's none of your business. If I want to 'get laid' as you so nicely put it, then I will. I'm single, there's no law against it."
She shot at him in a challenging tone, folding her arms and not faltering in her resolve one bit. He had no right to demand details of her personal life. He was her boss, not her boyfriend…hell he wasn't even a friend. Yet here he was, accusing her of something she had every right to do if she so wished, and it grated.
He stayed silent for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he studied her. Realisation didn't take long to dawn on him and he gripped his cane until his knuckles whitened.
"You slept with the FBI guy, didn't you?"
Moving closer to him, she saw the fire in his eyes, the anger he was containing beneath his cool sarcasm. She didn't let him see that the anger she could recognise shocked her a little. Instead, she moved until she was so close she could feel his breath on her lips and see his eyes darken at her proximity – which in itself made her heart race – and leaned to speak close to his ear, her tone low and seductive.
"If I want to go home and fuck someone all night because you're too screwed up to do it to me yourself, I will do. And don't think you can tell me who I can and can't talk to, or who I can and can't fuck."
And with that, she left him standing alone in the women's restroom, awkwardly aroused by her coarse words that left him uncomfortably tight in his jeans. She hadn't directly answered his question, but he got the message. He certainly hadn't expected that from her though. He'd expected grovelling, perhaps some stuttered and flustered attempt at an explanation…but not that. It was definitely a wake-up call to the fact that she was a grown woman, and he couldn't control her like he'd attempted to. Now he had to win her back, stop her from falling into the arms of Mr. Federal Agent again…but he'd have to employ different tactics this time.
