A/N: I consider this chapter to be for tying up some loose ends before we get to the piece de resistance ;) I'm glad you're all enjoying this and thanks again to Iymgrace for helping me out and making me laugh my ass off while writing these last two chapters. On we go!
Chapter 7
"So how long are you going to drag out this charade of yours?" Wilson asked his friend at the end of the day as they kicked back to watch the rest of the hockey game.
"Not for much longer."
"Good. Because you realize you're that guy you're telling her about. The kind that hides behind his computer screen, telling her what you know she wants to hear."
"I know."
"What do you think she's going to feel when she finds out it's been you the whole time?"
"If my plan works, relieved."
"Relieved? You think she'll be happy that it's you?"
"You don't think she will be?"
"No, House, I don't. I think she'll be hurt and maybe even angry as well. You are essentially betraying her trust with every word you write to her. I saw you two yesterday. She's in love with you."
"Come on.."
"Why do you think she demanded that you take her out on a real date? She's genuinely interested in you. She wants to get to know you on a personal level. I know that's impossible for you to comprehend but think about it. You two seemed to be having a good time together. What were you laughing about anyway?"
House thought back to the day before and chuckled as he remembered their conversation. "We were coming up with things that the G in Dr. G would stand for. I suggested G. Homie, and then said maybe Dr. G is Foreman. Yeah..ridiculous but funny as hell."
The game ended, and Wilson went home. House signed into his email and found a quick reply from Cameron.
Dear Dr. G
This weekend might be difficult for me to get away. We have a difficult patient and I've been working 12 hour days. I'd love to meet you, but we might have to put our meeting on hold until we get things sorted out. Sorry.
A.
House scratched his chin and began his reply.
Dear A,
I understand. Work comes first. I hope I don't sound selfish in that I hope you wrap things up sooner than later. I've been dreaming about our first meeting on the beach as I mentioned before. It is Memorial Day weekend after all and so the beaches are open. It will be crowded of course, but that's where the flowers come in. I told you I'd bring some so you'll know it's me. What kind do you like? How about the daisies? Like the one you had in your lab coat? It was strikingly beautiful. Like you. Wow, I'm really looking forward to this meeting. You'll be in my dreams, hell, you're already in my heart.
Love,
Dr. G.
**
When the team came back with the lab results, House went with Wilson for lunch, purposely leaving Cameron alone so she could check her email, which he was sure she would do.
"Where is there a decent beach around here?" House asked him, knowing Wilson probably knew about all the good places in Jersey.
"Spring Lake," he replied without any hesitation.
"Where's that?"
"Down the shore."
"Is there any decent place to stay down there? It's not exactly close to Princeton."
"There's a Bed and Breakfast nearby. It's sort of hidden in the woods but it's amazing. What are you planning? Are you…going to meet her?"
"Yeah. So keep quiet. She seems to be stalling, but she says she wants to meet me. We're trying to finalize things."
"When are you planning this?"
"The weekend."
"You realize that it's Memorial Day and that it's going to be crowded as all hell," Wilson reminded him. "You hate crowds."
House shrugged. "I don't plan on staying that long," he said with an over-exaggerated wink. "Ya know, this whole thing is like that movie..You Got Nailed." Wilson's eyebrow shot up and made House rethink his words. "Oh wait, that was the porn version. But my point is still valid."
Wilson narrowed his eyes. "You're in love with her."
House looked away and Wilson laughed, pointing at him. "You would NOT go through all this trouble if you didn't have some serious feelings for her. I saw it on your face when the two of you were having lunch yesterday. I'm surprised she doesn't see it."
"Her eyes are too clouded with thoughts of Dr. G." He checked his watch and stood up. "Time to work some more magic. Thanks for lunch, Jimmy."
House returned to the conference room while Chase and Foreman argued over the latest developments in the case. Cuddy also walked in and poked her head inside the door.
"I realize it's only Tuesday but if you wrap this case up by Friday you can have the entire long weekend off."
Everyone's eyes widened in shock except House and he nodded to her before grabbing the markers once again. "You heard the lady. So..what's the latest development, kids?"
After he sent Cameron to do a better history and sent the other two to do his clinic hours, checked his email.
Dr. G.
Daisies are fine. My boss's boss tells me that if we wrap up this case by Friday then I'll have the whole weekend off. Now I have something else to look forward to, besides our meeting. I can't remember the last time I've had a long weekend. I'm actually excited. Anyway, I have to get back to my patient.
A.
House went online to check out that Bed and Breakfast that Wilson mentioned. It looked nice, like the type of place Cameron would go nuts over, so he booked a suite for the weekend. Then he emailed her back.
**
Cameron went home late that night and finally had time to read the email she knew was waiting for her. Every time she'd get a moment to herself, House would distract her with something. Now she had a glass of wine with her and was ready to sit back and read it in peace and quiet.
Dear A,
That's great news! If you're as brilliant as I believe you are, I have no doubt you'll wrap up this case in good time. I'll make it worth the wait. I have a suite booked for us at a cozy little B&B near Spring Lake.
Cameron nearly choked on her wine but she read on.
Ever been there? It's beautiful. It'll just be the two of us. I thought it would be a great place to be able to talk and get to know each other on a more personal level. There will be a crackling fire and champagne of course. Romance isn't complete without those things.
We can make more plans about how and exactly where we're going to meet later in the week. Good night my love, and pleasant dreams!
Love,
Dr. G.
Was this guy for real? How dare he! To assume that she'd be willing to sleep with him right after they met! She hated being a foregone conclusion. On the other hand, she supposed that if they were instantly attracted to each other upon meeting, spending time alone with him wouldn't be that much of a stretch. Spring Lake was a good hour from Princeton. It would probably take her at least two hours to get there on the Friday of a long weekend.
Her mind was whirling around so fast it was impossible to make sense of everything. She finished her wine and went to bed. She needed a back-up plan of some sort. No way was she going to be left alone with that guy if she didn't feel that they had any kind of a connection. She promised to meet him, and she would, but she needed an "out" just in case.
**
As she walked down the hall toward the conference room, she could hear what sounded like blues guitar being played. The closer she got, the louder it got until she was standing in House's office watching him play a very nice looking Flying V.
"Why the long face?" he asked her.
"He booked us a suite..for the weekend."
House played a classic blues riff, the expression on his face was thoughtful. "So?"
"He assumes I'm going to sleep with him."
"Are you?" He asked, before playing that same riff once more.
She sighed and leaned against his desk. "I don't know what I'm going to do."
"You're going to meet him though, right?"
"Yeah. I promised I would, but.."
"What?"
"What if there's no connection at all? Or what if I fall in love at first sight? Have you ever?"
"Have I ever what?"
"Fallen in love? What about that woman you used to live with. How did you meet her?"
"She shot me," he answered simply as he went on to play another blues riff.
Cameron looked more than a little shocked at this news. "What?"
"It was a paintball tournament. Doctors versus Lawyers. We went on one date. She moved in a week later and we were together for five years."
"Were you in love with her?"
"I thought I was. Until the infarction. She was my medical proxy and she went and approved some surgery while I was in a coma. That's why part of my thigh is missing. Instead of having my leg removed, they cut out the dead thigh muscle."
As if it was the most natural thing in the world, Cameron reached over and placed her hand on House's and he glanced at it, but he didn't make any effort to shy away from her touch. They looked at each other, and there was so much heat she felt her whole body feel like it was on fire. Her pager went off but she ignored it before House cleared his throat.
"You should probably check that."
Regretting the lost moment, she grabbed her pager and checked the display. "It's Chase in the lab. I'll be back."
House nodded and returned to his guitar playing.
Cameron met Chase and went over the lab results. "You go tell House and I'll run the other tests here. I'll meet you back up there in a bit."
Chase nodded. "Okay, sure."
Wilson entered the lab shortly after Chase left and saw Cameron checking a specimen under the microscope. "Hey, Cameron."
"Hi," she sighed.
"What's wrong?"
"I suppose House has told you about my Mystery Man?"
"Yeah he's mentioned it. Met him yet?"
"No. But I will be." Then it came to her. "Would you do me a huge favor, Wilson?"
"Sure. What's up?"
"Well, nothing's been finalized yet but I'm supposed to meet this guy at Spring Lake, but I don't want to go alone. I mean, I'll know pretty quick if he's the real deal or not but if he isn't, I need an out."
Wilson nodded like he understood. "Why not ask House?"
Cameron gave him a "duhh" look which he couldn't help but laugh at.
"Good point. I'm going to be going out that way this weekend so it won't be a problem. What day?"
"I'm not totally sure yet but probably Friday."
"Well, let me know. It'll be an honor to look out for House's number one."
Cameron cocked her head to one side in confusion. "Number one?"
"Come on. Everyone's seen you two together lately. He's always had a soft spot for you. Which is why I'm surprised you don't ask him to do this."
"I don't need more complications."
**
They managed to diagnose and treat the patient in the nick of time, and before she knew it, it was Thursday and Dr. G. hadn't emailed her. She wondered if maybe he'd lost interest or just got busy. It was a busy few days for her as well and she hardly had time to think about much else other than lab tests and diagnoses.
As she and House were heading back to the office to pick up their things and head home, she stopped in front of the gift shop window. House, realizing she was no longer beside him, walked over to see what she was looking at.
"What are those?" he asked, pointing at the flowers she was admiring.
"Peonies. They're my favorite. My Grandma always grew them and she loved them. So I've always liked them as well. They're beautiful."
They walked on and House broke the silence. "So how are you supposed to recognize this guy?"
"He said he's going to bring me some daisies."
"Pansy," House muttered under his breath as he pulled the door open for her.
**
Dear A,
How's your patient? Are you going to be able to meet? Is tomorrow too short notice? I hope I don't sound too forward. After all these emails back and forth I feel like I know you already. Anyway, how does 7pm sound? I'll be there with daisies. I hope I'll be able to recognize you after all this time. It's been a few weeks now, and I never did get a real good look at you in the pub that night. The beach area will be busy, hence the daisies. I'll be pretty easy to spot.
Email me back if that's a good time for you to meet. And if so, I'll see you (finally) tomorrow! Sweet dreams!
Love,
Dr. G.
Cameron sighed. She had to do this. That insane moral compass, as House called it, wouldn't hear of standing the poor guy up. Even though he'd stood her up first. As she showered and then made dinner, her thoughts again drifted back to House.
He'd again shared something very personal about himself. And what was it that Wilson said? That she was House's number one? Number one what? Sucker? Why was he telling her all that stuff? She wondered if even Wilson knew that much.
And then she touched him. Why she felt the need to, she didn't know. But he didn't shake her off. His skin, as she remembered, was warm and soft to the touch. His fingers long and beautiful. They made beautiful music when he played the guitar. She hadn't heard him play before and he was quite good. But then she guessed he was good at everything he ever did. He was probably an amazing lover, too. With those hands, and the extreme focus on everything he did…
Stop torturing yourself, Allison! It's not going to help matters any. Besides, she thought, Wilson would be there in case Dr. G. turns out to be some creepy "Chester Child Molester" type. Of course she'd never hear the end of it from House if it was a total disaster. So she tried to remain as optimistic as possible. But it was turning out to be a lost cause.
A/N: I hope this chapter made sense. I had a bit of trouble with it but I think it turned out okay. Next chapter is gonna be excitin' ;) So stay tuned! :)
