A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I love you guys! You keep me updating!
Okay jeevesandwooster, I'm updating! Don't hurt me:D
Chapter 4: Reflection"I think you should just go home and get some sleep."
James Wilson and Allison Cameron were eating lunch in the hospital cafeteria. Wilson had sat talking with House for about an hour before getting called away on a case. Now he and Cameron were taking an opportunity to regroup and discuss the situation.
"He really doesn't want me anywhere near him does he?" Cameron's voice was meek and sad. It was hard being in love with someone who would rather you didn't exist.
"He doesn't know what he wants right now. He's even more miserable than usual. I'll talk to him about it later but I don't think you'd get anywhere with him at this point."
"Do you think he likes me at all? Be honest."
"Yes."
"Really?"
"I know he does. I caught him in the act of giving a damn once. Boy was his face red." Wilson grinned widely remembering how his supposed advance on Cameron had caught House so off guard over a year ago. "Oh. Oh boy! You're in trouble!"
Cameron smiled to herself. She was relieved to know that she hadn't been imagining things. It made her want to go back to him. He shouldn't be alone right now.
Wilson saw the look on her face and read it immediately. "You should listen to me Allison. You can't reach him now and it will only upset you both. Give him time. Try again tomorrow. Trust me on this."
Cameron sighed. "I just don't like to think of him sitting all alone; hurting and miserable."
"He wont be. I'm going back in a little while. I'll take some paperwork up there with me. Anyway, he probably doesn't want you to see him right now. See, as much as he pops his pills in people's faces, he's no more open with the actual reality of his pain than he is with emotions. He hates to seem weak or vulnerable to anybody. He was the same way with me last time but I sort of forced myself on him." He smiled. "Now I'm old news. By the end of this, you will be too but you need to pick your battles."
"You're right. I know you are. I just wish this were easier."
"Don't we all."
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Cameron found that she couldn't make herself leave the hospital without one last check on Dr. House. He seemed to be sleeping soundly when she looked through the glass so she ventured in closer. House was lying on his side and his eyes were closed when she came to stand by the bed. For the longest time she just stood there watching him sleep and thinking. She didn't bother to sit down. After another moment had passed, Cameron leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his forehead and squeezed his hand gently in hers. Then she turned and left the room.
As she walked away, House opened his eyes. He didn't say a word; just touched the spot where he had felt her lips and watched her go with mournful wonder.
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Allison staggered through her apartment door an hour later. She hadn't realized how tired she was until she had stopped working. Now, over an hour past her shift, she could barely stand up. She wandered into the kitchen, threw her keys onto the counter, and stuck her head in the refrigerator. Nothing. Ugh…I'll have to go shopping this weekend.
She closed the refrigerator door, opened a cabinet, and grabbed the first thing she saw, which happened to be a box of crackers. Still eating the crackers, she gravitated toward the bedroom and a much-needed shower. She grabbed a towel out of the linen closet on the way.
Cameron's bathroom was attached to her bedroom. She left the box of crackers on the bedside table and headed in the direction of the shower. She turned the water on first to let it heat up and got herself undressed, kicking the clothes into a heap in the corner by the door. As Allison stepped into the spray, she felt her tired muscles relax automatically. She had really needed this. For a while she just stood there basking in the warm water before washing herself and turning off the faucet.
As she dried herself off, Cameron let her mind wander. She thought mostly about Greg House in his bed at the hospital. She wondered if Wilson was there with him now and if House would ever trust her enough for it to be her at his bedside at night.
She let this thought carry her to her bed and she bypassed her most recent novel in favor of her covers. Turning out the light, she allowed herself to slip into a restful sleep.
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Across town, at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, a light remained on in Room 228. Greg House was unable to sleep and unwilling to share his strange encounter a few hours earlier with Wilson. His best friend sat quietly by the bed, engrossed in his charting. Neither man spoke but both appreciated the company.
A/N: Okay, so there was a small bit of fluff in this chapter, which makes me happy. Hope it makes you happy too. I live for small bits of fluff. :D Keep the reviews comin people! I live for those too!
