Chapter 2 Are You Ready?

After lunch Cameron came into the differential office. She couldn't stop the small smile that formed on her lips. Chris had just asked her out on a date. He wanted to take her to the new dance club that opened up across the street. She was excited and Chris was so sweet to her. She hoped after this date they would be more than just friends. She sat down at the glass table, not even noticing Chase and Foreman's eyes on her. Before they can question her House limped in, throwing the three copies of the case file on the table.

"New case." He looked at Cameron as she scanned through the file. She looked happy and was smiling. "Woh," he said, pulling up a chair and sitting next to her. "You're glowing. Did you do it?"

"Do what? What are you talking about?" Cameron asked, her smile fading.

"You and that new surgeon finally did the nasty. What's his name again? Dr. Conceded?" Cameron glared at him as Foreman smirked. Chase didn't say anything. The subject bothered him but he kept his face expressionless as he read the file.

"Dr. Sullivan, and we didn't do anything. He just asked me out to the new dance club across the street." Chase looked up disappointedly.

Damn I should've just asked her when I had the chance, he thought as he realized it was too late. Chris had beaten him to it and now he had to sit back and watch Chris take Cameron out on a date. House rolled his eyes in boredom and no longer cared for this topic.

"Don't you guys have a case?" he asked sarcastically. He turned to Chase who hid his disappointment well. "Chase read me the symptoms."

The next night Cameron was getting ready for her date with Chris. She went through her closet and found a black dress. After showering she slipped on the dress and started doing her hair and makeup. An hour later Chris was at the door. She almost gasped when she saw him. He looked so handsome in his suit. His dark eyes looked soft and loving and he looked at her, breathless. He admired her figure in that dress which made her eyes look silver. Her hair was curled and her black suede heels matched her dress perfectly. He smiled warmly at her.

"You look beautiful."

The date was perfect. The club was awesome and Cameron couldn't believe how much he got her to dance. She leaned into him and breathed in his scent as they danced. She loved the way he made her feel at his touch. He looked into her eyes and gently pulled her into a sweet kiss. Her whole body shivered as she kissed back. She was falling for him and she knew he felt the same way about her. Once they pulled away she smiled at him.

"That was... wow," she said, breathless. Chris grinned that dorky grin she thought was so cute.

"That was amazing," he said, taking her hand in his as the dance ended. "I want to ask you something. Let's go sit down and have a drink."

"Alright," she answered as he led her off the dance floor and over to their table. She felt like she was in a daze. He made her feel giddy like a high school girl.

"I'll go get the drinks," he said. As soon as he disappeared into the crowd of people Cameron's phone started ringing.

"Dr. Cameron."

"Cameron where are you!" House exclaimed.

"Out why?" she asked, annoyed that House had the decency to call her in the middle of her date.

"I need you to get back in here."

"Why? Is the patient okay?" she asked in concern.

"Yeah he's fine. I'm just calling to gossip about Dr. Doofus," he said sarcastically.

"House what happened!" she exclaimed impatiently.

"The patient went into cardiac arrest. It's not cushions. Get in here for a deferential." Cameron sighed disappointedly, not noticing the older, dangerous looking man coming up to her. House caught her at a bad time. She knew Chris was about to have the talk about where they were at in their relationship. She wanted to stay but she knew the patient comes first.

"Fine," she said, hanging up. She stood up and smashed right into the dangerous looking man. "Sorry," she said, attempting to leave but he blocked her way, leering at her.

"Don't worry about it pretty lady." He grinned sickly at her. She looked at him and suddenly got a bad feeling from him. She tried to walk away again but he once again blocked her path.

"How about you ditch that loser over there and come home with me." He winked at her and she immediately knew what he wanted. She looked at him in disgust.

"No, now let me go." He ignored her as he roughly grabbed her and pulled her close. She jumped in fear as he grabbed her ass hard. She couldn't even scream as he hungrily kissed her. She struggled and gagged on his warm sour breath and disgusting tongue. But as soon as it started it was over. Chris quickly pulled her away and socked the man in the face, breaking his nose.

"Hey man, get away from my girlfriend!" The man fell to the floor cursing both Chris and Cameron. He took Cameron's hand before security can reach them. "Let's go," he said. He pulled her out of the club and into the parking lot.

"Are you okay Allison?" he asked as they approached his black pick up truck. She was trembling and he pulled her into a comforting hug.

"Thank you," she whispered. Tears threatened to fall but she didn't dare cry in front of him.

"It's ok Ally. I'll never let anyone hurt you again." Cameron nodded sadly. She trusted him and he made her feel safe. He pulled away and gently kissed her.

"Did you mean what you said?" she whispered when they broke apart.

"What do you mean?"

"When you called me your girlfriend. Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?" she asked, smiling. Chris grinned sheepishly.

"Yeah is that ok." She gave him a small laugh.

"Of course it is Chris. I love you." Chris gave her a big smile and pulled her into a passionate kiss.

"I love you too Ally."

"Don't you think it's a little too fast?" Chase asked as they worked in the lab on some blood tests that night. Cameron looked at him. She had just told him what happened tonight with the creepy guy, Chris, and how he now considered her his girlfriend. She didn't tell Chase how he asked her to come over to his place and she refused by saying she had to come back to the hospital. She felt bad but Chris understood especially since he's a doctor as well.

"Why do you ask?"

"You've only known him for a month and you only been on one date."

"And?" she asked, annoyed of his bluntness.

"And isn't it a little too soon to be boyfriend and girlfriend already?" Chase asked. Cameron sighed. He was right. It was too fast.

"Okay, I admit it's a little fast but we both love each other and are willing to have a serious relationship." Chase didn't look at her as he tried to hide his disappointment and hurt. The fact that they were now serious made him lose all hope of ever having a chance with her. When he finally met her eyes he was once again struck at her beauty. She still wore her dress under her lab coat and her makeup needed to be reapplied but to him she still looked beautiful. He sighed.

"Are you ready?"

"Of course we are," she replied.

"No," said Chase. "I'm asking if you're ready." Cameron hesitated to answer.

Am I ready, she thought. Besides from House she hasn't felt this way about anyone since her husband Nate passed away. Actually House was just a crush so it's been a while since she had these feelings. He made her feel happy and safe. Of course she loves him but then why was she hesitating.

"Yeah, I'm ready," she finally answered, convincing herself more than Chase.