A/N: You guys still with me? Good. Buckle your seatbelts..you're in for a bumpy ride. Muahaha!

Chapter 4

Cameron cleaned her apartment like a mad woman all morning, getting it ready for House's arrival. She had no idea what time he'd be arriving and she didn't want to be worrying about it at the last minute. She made sure the second bedroom had fresh linens and that there were lots of clean towels. She didn't know how long he planned to stay. She felt like a chicken with its head cut off.

To make matters worse, Crane was out there again, across the street. This time he was sitting on the sidewalk smoking. She had no intention of leaving that apartment until House showed up. Every little noise made her jump. So when the phone rang, she jumped ten feet.

"Hello?"

"It's me. I'm leaving the airport now."

Relief flooded her and she collapsed on a chair. He actually came through for her!

"Okay I'll see you soon then. I only live twenty minutes from the airport."

"Do I have to ring to be let in?"

"No. You just come through the front door and take the elevator to the second floor. I'm in suite 232."

"All right. See you then."

She hung up, jumped in the shower quickly and got changed. It would be lunch time soon and he would no doubt be hungry so she began to prepare some french onion soup for both of them.

The taxi pulled up in front of Cameron's building and House got out. The cab driver got his bag out of the trunk, House tipped him and looked around. He saw the car parked across the street and a man sitting in the driver's seat but pretended not to notice as he casually went into the building like he belonged there.

The sound of wood knocking against wood startled Cameron once again but she recognized it instantly and it brought a smile to her face as she unlocked the deadbolt and opened the door.

He looked almost like a knight in shining armor to her. Standing there, leaning against his cane wearing a button down shirt, T-shirt underneath and jeans, he looked amazing and suddenly her mouth went dry.

"He's down there, isn't he?" Were the first words out of his mouth as she stepped aside to let him in.

"Yep. Did you see him?"

"I didn't get a good look, didn't want to make it obvious."

"Good idea. Are you hungry? I made lunch."

He arched his eyebrow as he leaned his cane against the chair. "You cook?"

"Yes, I cook," she giggled as he followed her into the kitchen area.

"Smells good whatever it is."

"I hope you like french onion soup."

"I like anything."

Their eyes locked for a minute and her heart raced. Wow! Those blue eyes were so hypnotic. She knew when he looked at her that way, she was completely powerless to him. If he asked her to rob a bank with him, she'd do it in a heartbeat.

She put the bowl of soup in front of him along with some french bread.

"This is really good!" he exclaimed after the first couple of bites. "I won't want to leave here."

I hope not! "How long are you planning on staying?"

He chuckled. "Already trying to get rid of me?"

"Of course not. I need to know how much food to get when I go to the store later."

"Cuddy cleared me for a week. I figured that was enough time to get that psycho off your back."

"What are you planning?"

"Well," he said as he swallowed another spoonful, "clearly he can't take no for an answer so I'll make it clear that you're already taken."

Cameron's eyes widened. "He'll flip out!"

"I hope so. That will make the game even more fun."

"This isn't a game, House."

"It is to me," he grinned at her, but saw she wasn't smiling anymore. "Unclench. It'll be fine. I didn't come all the way over here without some kind of a master plan. Leave it to me."

He finished his soup and grinned at her across the table with that look that made her melt. "I need a nap."

"Of course. I have the guest room all made up for you."

"Perfect."

He followed her to the guest room and plopped himself on the comfortable double bed. It was a little short for him, but he didn't seem to care.

"I'm going to run up to the store while you sleep. Is there anything you want?"

"I'm easy. Whatever," he mumbled as he quickly drifted off.

Cameron stood in the doorway and watched him sleep for a few minutes. He looked adorable when he slept. The fine lines on his face, around his eyes were gone and he looked amazingly peaceful. His hair had grown out since she'd last seen him, and there was more grey and silver than brown hair, but she didn't care. He was still her amazing, sexy ex-boss.

Finally tearing herself away, she closed the door behind her, grabbed her car keys and left the building. Before getting into her car she took a look around her. She didn't see any signs of Mike Crane's car, or him and let out a sigh of relief. At least she could have some peace of mind for a little while at least.

Of course, Mike Crane had taken a different car that day, and parked around the corner where he could still see her building, but she would be unable to see him. He followed her to the store but he didn't approach her until she returned to her car with a full shopping cart.

"A lot of food for a little girl," he chuckled as he leaned against the trunk of her car.

She jumped at his voice and whirled around to face him. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Shopping. Same as you. What's with all the stuff?"

"Not that it's any of your business, but I like to shop for a week at a time. Why are you watching my apartment like some psychopath?"

He pretended to look shocked. "What? I haven't!" he stammered, and then blushed. "But..now that I have your attention, I wanted to ask you to be my date at the benefit on Monday night."

"Well you could have just come to my office and asked me instead of stalking me in a supermarket parking lot."

"I did! Or at least I tried. You kicked me out of your office. So will you?"

"No," she said simply as she put the last bag of groceries in the trunk and slammed it shut.

"Give me one good reason why not and I won't bother you anymore?"

"Why do I have the feeling that's a bold faced lie?"

"Come on, give a guy a break."

"I already have a date," she smiled at the shocked look on his face.

"Who? That freak in radiology? Or maybe your best girlfriend?"

"It's none of your business."

"But you haven't had any visitors and.."

"Ah-hah!" she shouted as she pushed him away from her car. "How would you know that unless you were watching my apartment?"

He was astounded at being found out and he stared at the ground as she jumped into her car, locked the doors and sped off.

The slam of the door woke House from his nap and he got up to investigate. Cameron was sitting on the floor, surrounded by grocery bags, and she was hugging her knees to her chest.

"What's going on?"

She looked up at him and shuddered. "He confronted me in the store parking lot."

"Shit," he hissed as he kicked a grocery bag out of the way and sat down next to her as she relayed the events.

"Well..that settles that. You don't leave my sight while I'm here."

"House, you're not going to work with me. No way," she said as she shook her head.

"Aww come on. It would be fun."

"No," she said as she got up and carried the groceries into the kitchen area. House grabbed a few bags and together they unpacked the food and put it away.

"Are you okay?" he asked her as he stood close, watching her every move. She was very jumpy and uptight.

"I'm going to be. I just..hate men that want what they can't have. So they keep chasing, thinking that I'm going to change my mind, or that I'm simply confused and don't know what I want. Do I come off that way, House?"

"No. You're a strong person. If you weren't, none of this would be happening. You would've been swept off your feet like all those women before you. Since you said no, you've become an even bigger conquest. He's showing his true colors, and they're not pretty, are they?"

"Not in the least." She turned around and smiled up at him. "Since when did you become so insightful?"

He gave her a quirky grin. "I have a great shrink."

She laughed as tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Well then I'll be sure to give my regards to Dr. Nolan. Although I know there was a bit of House philosophy in there too."

"Just a little." Then he took a step closer and reached for her hands.

"I'm glad you came over here. I just didn't know who else to call."

"Didn't want to call Chase?"

"I don't want to give him the wrong idea. He's part of my past now. Besides, something like this..he wouldn't handle it very well."

"Probably not. How am I doing so far?"

She smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling and her teeth amazingly white and perfect. He didn't know what came over him when he pulled her into his arms and hugged her. It wasn't a big hug, just a gentle squeeze, but he let it linger for a few seconds before breaking away. She felt the lost connection immediately and sighed as she slowly opened her eyes again.

"Why did you do that?" she whispered.

"Because you looked like you needed a hug. Was I wrong?"

She shook her head. "No. It was..nice. Thank you."

"You're welcome. Another one of Dr. Nolan's prophecies. Hugs are good things. Now, what's for dinner? I'm starving."

Although Cameron was grateful that he changed the subject quickly, the sexual tension still hung in the air and she didn't know what to make of it. However, House managed to get her mind off of it by offering to help make dinner. She'd heard that he had taken some cooking lessons with Wilson and that he surprised everyone by mastering culinary skills by applying them, somehow, to his vast knowledge of, well, everything. The dinner turned out amazing and after a bottle of wine between them, she was very relaxed and mellow. They watched a movie and then House decided to turn in early. Not quite ready to sleep yet, she got up and looked in on House. He was dead to the world. His fists were curled up under his chin and he looked completely relaxed. She smiled to herself and quietly went back to her room where she climbed into bed to read for awhile. It was still early, after all. However, when she went to use the bathroom an hour later, Crane was out there and she froze. He was sitting on the hood of his car having a smoke, and waved at her when he saw her looking out the window. It startled her so much she jumped back and knocked a lamp onto the floor.

House woke up with a start and heard her curse as she cleaned up the mess.

"What happened?" he yawned, wiping his eyes.

"I just..knocked over a lamp. Go back to bed. It's fine."

He watched her and came to the conclusion that she was anything but. Reaching out, he grabbed her wrist. Her pulse was racing, and she was shaking. "Cameron..what's wrong?"

"He's out there," she whispered. "He waved at me." Her voice was shivering, and it worried him. She was scared to death.

"Get back into bed. I'm going out there and give him a rectal exam with my cane."

"No!" She grabbed his arm to stop him. "You are NOT going out there. I don't need him coming after you."

"He can't keep this up..and the cops aren't doing anything!" he pointed out.

"I know but…please..I don't want you starting something. I need you to stay with me. Please, House?"

He looked like he was seriously considering her words and watched as she climbed back into bed. "I'll be right back," he said as he left the room. He returned a minute later with a glass of water and something in his hand. "Take this."

"What is it?"

"Ativan."

"Seriously, House?"

"Seriously. Come on. It's just a half. It'll get you to sleep but it won't make you dopey the next day."

"I'm well aware of the effects of Ativan, thankyouverymuch." But she took the pill with the water.

House turned out the light and climbed into bed with her. "What are you doing?" She demanded.

"You're shivering. I need to warm you up or you'll go into shock."

He wrapped his arms around her and pulled the covers up to her chin. "If you wanted to sleep with me, you could've just said so," she said with a slight grin.

"I'd rather do other things, but that's beside the point. Now go to sleep."

He pulled her closer and rested his chin on the top of her head as his hand gently stroked her hair.

"Mm..that's very soothing," she mumbled.

"G'night, Cameron."

"G'night, House.

Songs listened to: Kix-Don't Close Your Eyes

Guns N Roses-November Rain