Chapter 4: DEEKEN

Cameron's POV

I watch as Maya's breathing becomes deeper and her heart rate slows on the monitor. She had her knees pulled up to her chest and had the blanket wrapped around her. She was shivering but her temperature was still extremely high. Even if the shivering doesn't go away we'll have to ice pack her soon. I kiss her forehead gently before getting up. Memories were bombarding me and I needed to breathe.

I walk out of the hospital room and to the doctor's lounge. I'm half way through making coffee when I hear someone come in. I turn round and see its Cuddy. She has a tired look on her face. It was late. We were all tired.

"I was just getting some coffee," I say quietly. "I just needed to get out of there."

"You're trying to not link it with what happened two years ago, aren't you?" She says.

"Yeah," I say barely above a whisper. "Do you know what next week is?"

"No. Does it have significance?"

"Thursday is the anniversary of the car accident. Of the night Aaron and Lucia died. Maya's nightmares are back. She still hasn't completely come to terms with what happened. She saw her father die before passing out from the pain. When she woke up her mother was dead and she had a severe immune deficiency. She had to get sick now. She had to get sick when she's that vulnerable," I say. Tears were rolling down my cheeks and I desperately try and control them.

"Why didn't you say anything sooner?"

"Because I thought you'd remember due to you telling me but you were so busy that day I'm not really surprised. I also thought I could deal with but I can't. Not with her fever not coming down. If she gets severely ill she might die…"

"I'm sorry. I should have remembered. House wouldn't have. You need someone right now who isn't a seventeen year-old. No offence," Cuddy says sadly. "And I know illness is especially bad for her but we have three of the best diagnosticians in the state trying to figure out what's wrong."

I nod and then give her a slight smirk. "I think you mean four."

"Thank you but I haven't been the best in years," She chuckles. "Now the real reason I came in here was to tell you a Deeken Harper is here. He says he knows Maya."

"Yeah. That's her best friend. I'll go get him now," I say as I pour the coffee.

"He's her best friend? He's seems a bit too concerned to just be her friend," Cuddy smirks.

"They're close. They've been friends since they were ten. Deeken stuck with her through her physio therapy. Through her re-integration into school. He knows how to deal with her if she has a severe allergic reaction. If she faints due to low iron levels. I've suspected he has feelings for her but he's never asked her out. To be quite honest, Maya doesn't even have time for a boyfriend."

"And you're okay with that?"

"He's a good kid and if he hurts her I hurt him. I also have access to dangerous chemicals… He knows where he stands," I smirk heading towards the door.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that," She says holding the door open for me.

I exit the lounge and I automatically see Deeken. He looks concerned and is pacing back and forward. He looks scared and when he sees me he looks ready cry. He reminds me of the kid I saw two years ago. Desperate and scared.

"Doctor Cameron," He says. "Where's Maya?"

"She's in her room asleep," I say. "She's running a high fever, has a rash, stiff neck and headache. We don't know what's wrong but we have the best people we have trying to figure that out."

"Okay, okay."

"Now where are your parents? Are you here alone?" Cuddy asks coming up behind me.

"I'm here by myself. Both of them are still working. They have the night shift. My dad's a fire fighter and mom's a detective."

"Do they know you're here?"

"My mom does. I can't get a hold of my dad. The station says he's away on a call," Deeken says. "My mom says she'll come down when her shift is over at midnight."

"Okay. It's around eight thirty now so she'll be here in about four hours," I say nodding. "Now do you want some coffee? Tea?"

"No thank you," He says quietly. He then looks away from us and takes a deep breath before continuing. "I should've realised she was sick."

"What do you mean?" Cuddy pushes.

"She was complaining she had a headache this morning. She said she was fine but she looked pale. I should have made her get checked out at the school nurse," He says.

"Deeken you couldn't have known. Maya is constantly getting headaches due to the head injury she sustained during the accident. Do not blame yourself," I say.

"At least now we have a better timeline of symptoms," Cuddy says. "Rash first, then headache, then fever, then fainting and lastly stiff neck. I'm going to go back to the conference room now. Come and find me if you need anything."

I nod and watch as Cuddy leaves.

"Doctor Cameron, I know she's asleep but can I see her?" Deeken asks putting his hands in the pockets of his hoodie.

"Of course, her room is this way," I smile gesturing to Maya's room. "And please call me Allison."