A/n: Thanks again for Reading and reviewing!

Disclaimer: Nothing has changed – I don't own House or any characters from the show. Lately I'm not even sure if I wanted to. I guess I'm better of sticking with the fanfiction ;-)

Chapter 6

You are in a hurry. Your shift magically lasted an hour longer than scheduled because one of your colleagues called in sick and you had to wait for a different doctor to cover for him. You hate the ER, but you console yourself with the thought it's only two more week s and you are done with this craziness. It's past seven so you have only enough time for a quick shower. You change in a hurry – you decide to wear jeans, dark tank top and leather jacket. It should do – after all it's only a casual dinner in a pizza joint with the guy you have been in love for four years. No biggie – right. You smile to yourself and head toward your door.

House is waiting for you outside his apartment building. You can see from the beginning that he is mildly pissed.

"You are late and I'm hungry. You shouldn't make a cripple waiting, it's rude" – he informs you conversationally.

"Yeah, I know. Sorry about that, but I had a hot date with a patient before leaving the hospital. You know he had broken his arm – and I couldn't help myself. You know how I get when I find a needy puppy" you try very hard to keep your face straight but after one look at his wiggled brows you burst laughing. This is going to be an interesting evening. That one is for sure.

"Have I mentioned that I have a limp – you should show me some loving"

"Let me get my massage oil. Aroma therapy works wonders…"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm sure. So is good pizza. Let's go. So where are you taking me?" he asked tossing a motorbike helmet generally in my direction. Fortunately you expect as much, so it isn't that difficult for you to actually catch it.

"There is this small pizza joint on Whiterspoon. I've been there twice with Foreman and Chase and it was good. So what do you think"

"Sure, whatever" with that he mounts his bike and waits for you to sit behind him and wrap your arms around his waist. This is going to be fun.

You wait for your pizza drinking… soda. Yeah major fuckup with picking up the place for the evening. The owner lost his alcohol license last month so right now you are stuck with pissed House and you can't even get drunk – cause this place doesn't sell alcohol anymore! Freaking great!

"So, Cameron you always eat at the places for the kiddos or this is a special treat just for me?" he asks with a smirk and you can tell that he finds the whole situation amusing. You're surprised by the way he reacts but you know that this is just a beginning – you won't hear the end of it, that's for sure. But right now you want to keep it light so you go with fake sincerity:

"Yup! I need my milk every night – you know it helps me to grow. That's what my mommy say and I want to be a big girl soon. I thought that maybe you want it too?"

"To be a big girl? Nah, I think I'll pass. But seriously, you still owe me a bottle. And for hunting you this kind of job, it better be a good one. Personally, I don't believe in this crap they say about overpriced goods – the price does matter - I'm a bit old-fashioned that way".

"Sure, you got it. Now stop complaining or else I'll rant about my day and believe me – you don't want to hear me doing that!"

"That bad?" – you only nod, so he continues – "in that case, let's drink soda until we pass out" he winks at you and you start giggling like some crazy teenage girl.

By the time your food arrives you are both starving, so there is not much talking at this point. Fortunately the pizza is good and you think that it actually compensate for the evening without buzz. Afterwards you talk some about work and his latest patient. He rants about Cuddy's new devious scheme to drag him to do his clinic hours. You advise him to actually do some from time to time – just to get "she devil" from his back. In other words the usual. Every time since you left the Diagnostics, your conversations has become a friendly banter. No serious topics, and definitely nothing about emotions. This is some kind of a cursed land – every time you float in its direction, he gives you clear "off" sign. So you accept. You actually like talking to him like that. Although it is strange a bit, because while you were still his fellow, Wilson was the only one entitled to this kind of talks. You still don't know where you do you stand in this. But you don't mind, as long as it means you can spend some time with him, it's ok.

"So what have you done with Wilson tonight? Should I expect an angry phone call for stealing you away?"

"Don't know, but if I were you I wouldn't hold my breath. He's got a hot date" he smiles mischievously.

"Oh… so this evening… House why are we here?"

"What do you mean – I got you a job and you're thankful, cause you are, right?"

"Yeah, sure I am, but still it's something more, isn't it?"

"Oh, stop analyzing me or you will have to catch a cab back home. This was supposed to be a nice evening you know. And you were doing great, by the way. I mean right up until now" you can see that he is uncomfortable and angry– it amazes you how fast he can go from relaxed to irritated within only a couple of minutes. This guy is a volcano and it scares you and excites you at this same time. Damn, you can think so many ways to use this kind of passion! Unfortunately, neither is appropriate among friends.

"Ok House. I know that something is bothering you. And it's got to be something that you can't talk about with Wilson. And stop looking at me like that. If all you wanted was a mind numbing small talk you would ask Chase to come with you…" he interrupts you with a quip about your breasts and that in his eyes they are much cooler than Chase's hair. But you are on the right track right now, and no matter how much uncomfortable it is making him – you just can't stop yourself.

"Listen, I know that something is up, and if you were serious about us… I mean us - being friends, you will have to trust me. Otherwise it is just pointless"

"Pointless, huh? I thought I would never live a day when Allison Cameron tell me that a diner with me is pointless. Few years back you would gave up a lot for this kind of opportunity" he is being jovial again.

"Yeah, well – people change and I am trying to be serious here"

"Words can hurt you know." He smirks and this is a signal for you to act as fast as possible. If you don't dig it, whatever it might be right now, you will stay on a meaningless banter level until the end of the evening. And you have a feeling that there won't be any other opportunity. Sarcasm and deflection are his coping mechanisms so this must be pretty important. On the other hand you know that pressing him for the answers won't give you anything except for some spiteful remarks. You don't want to be on a receiving end of his well trained barbs tonight. But still… Grrr! Now you are officially frustrated so you almost miss when he mutters under his breath:

"It's Wilson… He's got this new girl and I… He just doesn't have as much time for me as he used to and I thought that I could use a back up friend. You know, to amuse me while he is busy."

"Well, it wasn't that hard, was it?" you say smiling.

"So, you're not mad that I want to use you this way?" his says and he looks at you with a total amazement in his beautiful blue eyes. "I basically told you that I want to be friends with you because my buddy is shagging his new girlfriend and you are ok with that?" you can tell that he is dumbfolded, like he expects you to yell.

"House I've known you for four years now and believe me so I actually expected as much. So, I'm not pissed. I'm even kind of flattered that you came to me. And I like spending time with you, so for as long as you need this 'friendship' going on I'm in. You're ok with that? "

"Yeah, I guess"

"Good, so I'm thinking – let's get out of here. We can stop by liquor store so I could buy you some big boy drink and we can get smashed at my place" you offer with a slightly shy smile, still not sure how at ease he really is around you. Apparently he is back to his normal charming self.

"Since you insist, but it better be a top shelf and we're going to my place – I can't sleep on your couch… crippled – remember?"

"Even if I wanted to forget, you wouldn't let me, would you?"

"Nah"

And with that he heads toward exit not even waiting for you to pay the bill.