Delay again, I'm sorry. It just takes me a really long time to write it since I still struggle with English. Also, there's some minor medical stuff in this chapter and I know nothing about medicine so please, ignore it, if it doesn't make much sense.
IV.
On her way home Cameron thought about House and the song. She wanted to ask about his grandfather but his expression told her to get the hell out of there as soon as possible, he merely handed her the paper and turned his back to her and that was her cue.
But why would he offer that song to her? It was indeed beautiful but she doubted she would master playing it soon enough and mainly House was a misanthrope, why would he open to her like this? She shook her head and turned on the wipers to clean the windshield as it started raining heavily. The weather had been awful lately, cold rain was now turning to sleet and Cameron tried to keep her hands warm by blowing on them since her very old car refused to provide any benefits besides moving slowly from one place to another.
It was too late to try to figure House out and all she wanted was a good sleep. Yes, it was Friday night but her life was terribly boring and she really wanted to stay in that night anyway...
... which turned out to be a very good idea because at about 7 AM her pager went off. Twenty minutes later she walked into the conference room together with Foreman and was surprised to see House waiting for them standing at the white board.
"You're early." Foreman commented with raised eyebrows and sat down at the table opening the file. House turned to look at his ducklings and his gaze lingered between him and Cameron a little longer than intended. She gave him an uncertain smile and sat down next to Foreman before she started reading as well, finishing it ten minutes later when Chase appeared at the door.
The case looked tricky. Just like House liked it. A woman in her mid fourties presented with fever, fatigue and rash. They were running tests but all were negative or inconclusive and at the end of the day she got severe headache.
On Sunday the seizures started.
On Monday and Tuesday she started improving a bit but on Wednesday she went blind. The team was spending the whole days and nights at the hospital, sleeping in shifts, racking their brains.
It was Sunday evening when House caught a glimpse of Cameron at the vending machine about to buy something to take the edge off her PMS. Or at least that's what he thought. He contemplated leaving knowing he had already let her too close but it was stronger than him. He slowly made his way to her and cleared his throat to get her attention.
"House... Hi." She jumped but gave him a little smile.
"Any news?" He asked trying to sound as indifferent as he could.
"Not really, she's been seizing and the fever's gone up."
"Hmmm. Looks like you're not leaving the hospital tonight either." He said and leaned against the wall still watching her.
She took out a Twix bar and pursed her lips. "I don't mind." She said softly and tore the wrapper offering him one piece. He took it from her while his eyes were still glued to hers. Those looks had been more and more frequent and neither of them knew what made both of them stare at each other like that.
"Well, actually I was thinking Chase and the dark one could stay here tonight. You sure look like you need your beauty sleep." He uttered and she took a bite of the chocolate with a frown.
"I'm fine." She let out and looked away. He was making her uncomfortable again. "I'll stay."
"Um, you need to practice." He told her changing the subject when he noticed she was clearly thinking of leaving. She turned again and looked at him shaking her head.
"The patient is more important now, House." She said and finished her Twix throwing the foil in the trashcan.
"Yeah, well, it's not like you're the only one who's able to save her." He grumbled. Why did he care so much about her playing? He loved playing piano, he loved listening to the best pianists but he never thought he would enjoy teaching someone.
"I'm sorry?" She said and raised her eyebrows. "What's that supposed to mean?" Her face turned a little red and he already knew it always happened when she got angry and insecure. A week ago he would have tried to piss her off even more but something had changed. Something.
"What I mean is..." He muttered. "Oh, for the love of God... Come on." At the point he grabbed her hand and dragged her through the darkened corridor. His strong hand encircled her soft wrist but his grip was somehow gentle and it took her a couple of seconds before she managed to ask him where they were going. House didn't reply but he slowed down a little and let go of her.
A few minutes later they walked into an old doctor's lounge which nobody used anymore. Ever since they started building more places for doctors to relax this one was forgotten since it was too far from the departments and the room was dark and cold even in summer. House turned on the lights and took a few steps away from Cameron. She looked around and took a deep breath. There was only one old couch and a scratched pool table with no balls, on the other side of the room there was a piano. House limped to the instrument and lifted the lid. Without sitting down he played a part of Old McDonald Had a Farm and even Cameron noticed the piano was out of tune.
He stopped playing and glanced at her with a shrug. "This baby is a little rundown but then again, you're no Horowitz either so I'd be guessing it'll do."
Cameron gave him a quizzical look but House shrugged again. "Look, go home, get some sleep... And come in tomorrow, do your job and take the sheet I gave you so that you can practice."
With that he limped back to the door his arm lightly brushing hers as he passed her and he left.
On Friday afternoon the whole team already looked like the cast members of Walking Dead. They thought they had ruled out absolutely everything while House took his time mocking their ideas, especially when Cameron suggested TIA or Lyme disease. But something was telling her she was right.
"Lyme disease." Cameron said again breaking the silence in the room. "We should run the tests again."
"Jesus, Cameron, we ruled that out several days ago. Did you have a stroke or something?" Foreman growled and then looked at House.
"It's MS. Has to be..." He added and House nodded somewhat desperately.
"We need to give her Corticosteroids." Chase said and got up.
House nodded again and watched Cameron shake her head. He knew she was wrong and what was worse she insisted on her mistake but when both Chase and Foreman left the room and Cameron was about to leave as well House stopped her with his cane.
"Lyme disease is a lame diagnosis, Cameron. Hence the name." He said as she stopped right in front of him looking up at him.
"Whatever." She hissed and tried to sneak past him but he took a step to his left and blocked her way.
"Have you been playing?" He asked and she sighed nodding. "And?"
"I suck." She nearly whispered and pouted sadly. The truth was she was practicing every day, in fact she had become rather fond of the abandoned doctor's lounge, she finally understood House's hiding and this place was hers now, a place where she could think and play without being disturbed by anyone. She already knew the song by heart, actually she could hear it in her head whenever she looked at the notes. However, when it came to playing the sounds were nothing like what House had played for her. Also, she was too worried she would damage the sheet as it could have been the only thing House had from his Grandfather so she made a copy and kept the original on her nightstand at home.
"When the patient kicks off I'll come and listen." He added and her eyes widened.
"Why would she, um, what makes you think she'll die? You just said it was MS."
"I don't think so." He shook his head but still stayed close to her.
"So why did you..." Cameron objected but didn't get to finish her thought.
"Because I'm clearly out of ideas and the Corticosteroids won't hurt." They stood there for a few more seconds that in fact felt like hours. She was looking into his eyes and saw a certain sadness and despair in them. A complicated man. Ever since falling for the biggest jerk in high school she was avoiding them as much as possible. Complicated people complicate your life, she heard in her head.
"I should go." She said when the staring contest was becoming unbearable for both of them and House willingly stepped back letting her leave to room.
It was already 6PM when Cameron stormed into House's office and woke him up from a much needed slumber.
"What?" He jerked and almost fell off his chair.
"I redid the tests!" She exclaimed and he noticed a strangely smug smile playing on her lips. Cameron was never smug.
"What?" He repeated still half asleep. "What tests?"
"It is Lyme disease!"
"Here we go again." House rolled his eyes. "Cameron, boys won't like you if you keep bugging them with one thing over and over again. It's like asking a guy if he loves you ten times a day." House growled and dry-swallowed two Vicodin frowning.
"Here." She added matter-of-factly and threw a paper at his desk. He took it and glanced at it before glancing back at her.
"That's impossible."
"I beg to differ." She said and smiled.
"Doesn't explain the seizures." He argued but Cameron just tilted her head.
"She's got lead poisoning too. And we never tested for that."
He was staring at the paper somewhat blankly before looking up at her again and leaning back with an almost imperceptible smile.
"Not bad, Doctor Cameron, not bad."
"Thank you." She said and smiled broadly and he thought she had the most beautiful smile he had ever seen.
"Go tell..." He started saying but she nodded.
"Already did. I'll go see the patient, see you on Monday, House." She said and left.
Cameron got home at about 9 and changed into her black yoga pants and a XL blue hoody. She was tired but happy... after all it was okay to feel a little proud, wasn't it? She sat on her couch and turned on the TV before taking her cell and ordering a pizza. She hadn't spent much time at home that week and when Cuddy promised they wouldn't be needed at work the whole weekend she was relieved.
"Hi, I'd like to order a pizza... yes, I'd like a large pepperoni pizza with mushrooms, olives and extra cheese...Okay... Forty minutes? Um, well, that's okay." She sighed, gave them the address and hung up. She was sure forty minutes would kill her, she was starving but after the busy week her fridge was empty and she didn't feel like going shopping and cooking. She also could have tried a different pizza place but that would be too rude, wouldn't it?
She curled up on the couch and put a blanket over her knees while changing the channels looking for a decent show to watch. Game of Thrones - too brutal, she thought. American Horror Story - too scary. South Park - too stupid. Grey's Anatomy - too familiar. Sherlock - perfect.
She took a sip of the tea she had made earlier and smiled again. All in all a great night.
Ten minutes of watching and listening to Benedict Cumberbatch made her smile even more before her cell started to ring. Without glancing at it she answered it, her eyes still glued to the TV screen.
"Hello?" She said.
"Cameron, it's me... Um, I... I need a ride." House muttered and judging from the sounds she heard he was in some kind of a seedy bar.
"What?" She took a deep breath muting the sound on the television.
"Um, you know... I... I wanted to celebrate your sharp diagnostic su... su...success today..." He mumbled and she could hear how drunk he was. "So... so... basically it's all your fault and... um, the moron took my car keys." He said and Cameron closed her eyes sighing in despair. It was official. Thanks to the piano lessons she was now tied to him forever and she'll never be able to get rid of him.
"Where are you?" She asked with an annoyed tone in her voice and got up.
Thirty minutes later she hesitantly walked into a smelly and dingy bar, it was dark and unpleasant and Cameron looked around before catching a glimpse of House sitting at the bar. The place was quite large but nearly empty. Just a couple of drunk men similar to House scattered at the tables and one was sitting on the floor leaning against the wall. She took a deep breath, pulled a disgusted face and made her way to House as quickly as she could. Being the only woman there, she drew the unwanted attention of those who were still able to see and move their heads to look at her. She shuddered in disgust and increased her pace even more.
"I'm here, let's go." She said resolutely and House turned on the bar stool with a soft smile. "Come on..." She added firmly.
"Not yet." He said and watched her carefully.
"House, please!" She let out and rubbed her face. "It took me half an hour to get here, this place is disgusting, I'm starving, I actually had to cancel my pizza order, you ruined my night with Sherlock Holmes and it already started snowing outside. Can we please leave?" She whined and his smile was growing bigger and bigger with every single word she said.
"Not yet." He repeated while his eyes searched for hers.
When she finally looked into his eyes she narrowed hers and a few tiny wrinkles appeared on her nose. "You're not drunk." She said and House shook his head.
"Damn it, why did you call me?" She yelled and ran her hand through her hair. "I'm leaving."
"No, you're not." He said and grabbed her hand to stop her. "It's time for you to get out of your comfort zone, little Miss Uptight."
"I'm not..." She objected and turned to him again and he pulled her even closer.
"Yes, you are. But that's okay. You'll take teeny weeny baby steps and next thing you know you'll be in a crowded bar... riding a mechanic bull... topless." With the last word he got up letting go of her hand and grabbing his cane but knowing she could outrun him, he grabbed her hand again, this time with his left hand and intertwined his fingers with hers.
Cameron was too shocked to react. What the hell was going on? And more importantly, where was he dragging her this time? They got to the other side of the room and when they got closer she made out an outline of a very familiar thing.
House slowly climbed the four small steps onto the stage taking her with him.
"You've got to be kidding me!" She shrieked and put her palm to her mouth. "No...no way!" She mumbled while shaking her head frantically.
"Oh, don't be such a wuss." He said and she even though she could barely see him she could hear an amused tone in his voice.
"House, forget it. I'm not playing here. Absolutely not. No... No... Not a chance. No. Noo." She stammered.
"Sit. Play." He ordered and let go of her hand.
"No!"
"Cameron, you told me you wanted to learn to play one song in a couple of weeks. Learning to play the piano doesn't work like this, it takes time and practicing. But since it looks like you don't have the time, we'll need to skip a few steps. You need to play in front of an audience and tell me if I'm wrong but playing for a bunch of men who range from hammered to shitfaced is a harmless solution actually. Also, it's dark and even if they can see you, well, you are pretty so I believe you don't need to be worried you'll get booed off the stage." He said quickly while putting his hands on her shoulders making her sit at the piano stool.
"House, please. Don't make me do this." Her tone changed from angry to pleading.
"We're not leaving until you play."
"I didn't bring the notes." She objected changing her tactics.
"I've known you for some time, you are diligent and smart, I'm sure you know it by heart." He leaned closer to her and whispered the last part of the sentence into her ear, which made her gulp. She knew it was better to get it over with.
She put her hands on the keyboard and started playing. It was still very clumsy but it did sound like a song and not just some kind of incoherent noise. Every now and then she would hit a wrong note but House who stood behind her leaned again and watched her hands.
"Slow down. It's good. Real good." He said softly and she felt a strange chill go up her spine.
Once she was done, a soft and uneven applause came from the tables and she put down the piano lid getting up quickly. "Can I go now?" She asked and turned to him seeing he was standing right behind her again.
"You see? Two great achievements in one day." He said and gave her an appreciative nod.
"Hmmm." She mumbled not knowing what to say. This might have easily been the most adventurous thing she had ever done... playing piano for a couple of drunks. How sad was that? "Can I go home now?" She repeated the question and House nodded.
"I still need the ride, you know." He said as soon as they got off the stage and he limped after her.
"What? You're good to drive."
"I left my car at the hospital." He shrugged catching up with her.
Cameron rolled her eyes but said nothing as they walked past the tables. Suddenly a guy stood up and blocked their way wolf-whistling.
"Aren't you a... a sight for s... so... sore eyes." He said and grabbed her arm. He probably wasn't trying to hurt her or touch her in an inappropriate way, more likely he was about to fall unless he held onto something or someone. But for Cameron it was yet another awful moment of the night. Before she could tell him off House took a step forward and grabbed his shirt.
"Get your hands off her!" He said firmly and pushed him away. Then he instinctively wrapped his left arm around her waist pulling her closer to him and leading her to the door. Cameron closed her eyes for a second and leaned against him more feeling his warm body and shivering.
When they walked out it was snowing heavily and she smiled. It was beautiful. House's arm was still wrapped around her and he was close enough to hear her stomach growl. He withdrew his arm and looked at her with a smirk.
"How 'bout we have dinner? Nothing fancy but there's a nice diner just around the corner." He said and Cameron nodded with a content smile.
I really hope you liked it, guys :) I have to admit that writing this fic is fun and I know I rated it M but I guess I like the slow progress and I also hope you'll stay with me till these two realize they should be together. In case you read it and liked it, leave me a review and let me know, please. Thanks sooo much.