I was struggling with this chapter for a while, until I saw this week's House and was inspired! Cameron is back, and the divorce papers have been signed! Hamerons, rejoice!! She may have slept with him one last time, but it's over. Yay!! And I can't wait to see House's reaction when he sees her again!! Enjoy, and please review!

Disclaimer: Not mine!

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Cameron scrubbed her hand roughly over her face, then looked at her unconscious lover again. A week had passed since the accident that almost took his life, and he still showed no signs of regaining consciousness. As a doctor, she knew that the more time that passed, the chances of him ever waking up became slimmer.

But as his lover, she stubbornly remained by his side, hoping that at any minute, he would open those beautiful eyes and tell her to go home. She couldn't give up on him, not while there was still a chance, any chance at all of him regaining consciousness.

She closed the book that she had been reading and set it aside. Then she leaned forward in her uncomfortable chair and brushed her fingers against his cheek.

This scene was all too familiar to her. Two years ago, she had sat in a room like this with him, waiting for him to wake up after being shot by a maniac with a gun and a grudge he couldn't let go of. She had watched helplessly as the man raised his gun and aimed it at House, and without blinking an eye, pulled the trigger.

He might as well have shot her.

The air was sucked of her lungs as she watched him fall to the carpeted floor, and she tried to take a step toward him. He could have died in that moment.

She suddenly shook her head as her fingers gently stroked his cheek. But he hadn't. And as scared as she was right now, at least he was breathing and alive beside her. He was a fighter, and right now he was fighting to live. A battle that she had to believe he would win.

The door opened quietly, and Cameron recognized the clicking of heels against the floor. But she didn't say anything. She knew what was going to be said.

You need to go home.

You need to get some rest.

You need to take care of yourself.

He wouldn't want you to do this.

How the hell did they know that? He needed someone with him, someone in his corner to encourage him to keep fighting. And she was that person. Her palm tenderly cupped his stubbled cheek. He needed another shave, she noted with an affectionate smile. He always seemed to need a shave.

"Cameron…"

She blew out a heavy breath and ran her thumb over House's skin.

Cuddy stopped at Cameron's chair. "Cameron, why don't you take a break for a bit?" the older woman coaxed. "Go get some coffee, some dinner…something."

Cameron shook her head. "I'm fine."

"But you need a break." She approached the bed, and in a move that surprised Cameron, she brushed her fingers gently over House's arm. "I'll stay with him until you get back."

"But-"

Cuddy held up a hand, effectively cutting off the younger woman's protest. "You can't keep doing this to yourself, Allison. Go get something to eat and some fresh air. He'll still be right here when you get back, and you'll feel better."

No, I won't, Cameron thought begrudgingly.

"Really, Cameron. Go. I'll call you if there are any changes at all in his condition." She was completely certain that there wouldn't be any, but if it would get Cameron to take a much needed break…

Cameron looked at House's passive features again. At any moment he could regain consciousness, but as a doctor she knew that it was unlikely to happen in the next half hour. She reluctantly stood up, one hand resting lightly over her abdomen. "Fine." She grabbed her cell phone and tucked it into her pocket.

Cuddy looked relieved. "Thank you, Cameron." She sat down in the chair opposite from Cameron's.

"If anything changes…"

"I'll call you." To reassure the younger woman, Cuddy took out her cell phone and placed it within reach.

Cameron nodded, her legs suddenly weak as she leaned over and softly kissed House's forehead. She hated leaving his side, and if she were truly honest, it was because she trusted his care to no one but herself. Maybe she couldn't be completely objective, but she had his best interest above all else. Her hand slipped into his and squeezed gently.

Cuddy looked curious as Cameron whispered into House's ear, but she didn't pry.

Finally Cameron withdrew her hand and walked away from the bed, away from the man who had stolen her heart the moment they met. She stopped at the door and turned around, then finally slipped out of the room.

Cuddy was satisfied that she had managed to convince Cameron to take care of herself, and she picked up a magazine and settled in the chair.

Cameron wandered aimlessly down the hall, until she reached the cafeteria. But she hesitated at the entrance. She knew that she had to take care of herself physically, but the thought of food made her stomach churn. Finally she went inside and bought a salad and juice, then continued down the hall.

As she walked, she lost track of the time, stopping only when she found herself in front of House's dark office. She looked down at the floor, then took the knob in her hand and quietly twisted it. The door creaked open, and she hesitated before going in.

Everywhere she looked, the office reminded her of him. He really had made this his home away from home, and if she closed her eyes, she caught fleeting hints of his subtle cologne. Her knees trembled as she caught sight of that red and white ball he loved to toss when he was thinking.

She set the salad and juice aside, then made her way to his desk, dragging her fingertips lightly across it's smooth, wooden surface.

At one time, this desk had been a source of uncomfortable but sometimes funny memories. Now she was reminded of the times they had snuck in during lunch and he had made love to her on it. A tear rolled down her cheek, but she quickly wiped it away and smiled. She could almost hear him telling her to get over it and get back to work. He didn't want tears shed over him.

She sat down in his chair and leaned back, taking the red and white ball into her slender hands. Everywhere in this office, and in this hospital for that matter, she saw him. And even though he was still alive, still breathing, she missed him.

She finally set the ball down, and in the comfort and seclusion of Greg's office, she let herself fall apart entirely.

Foreman was making his rounds for the day, but when he passed his boss's office, something seemed off. He cracked the door open and glanced inside. At his desk, Cameron was crying softly and apparently hadn't noticed the intrusion. He watched her for a brief moment before withdrawing and closing the door behind himself, leaving her to weep in solitude.

TBC...

A/N: Angst, angst, angst. LOL. And who else thought Cuddy looked totally maternal with that baby, and thinks she wants another?? Oh, I'd love to see her with a little blond baby... Tee hee. Oh, Wilson!! Thanks for reading, and please review! Hameron forever!