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The page from Cuddy hadn't really taken Allison by surprise. She'd been expecting it from the moment she saw the look on the boys' faces. Now, as she settled herself on the couch across from her boss she wondered which of the two had gone running to Cuddy; if it had been both of them, and if not, which one of them had snitched.
Cuddy's opening gambit put an end to her musings; "Chase came to see me."
A placid nod was her only response.
"He told me that you've taken on three patients at once."
What did she expect her to say? 'No, he's lying', or something equally ridiculous?
She settled on a truthful answer: "That's right."
"And you don't feel that it will compromise patient care if you take on too many cases at once?"
Cameron bristled: "No, I don't. If I did, there is no way I would even have considered it for a moment."
"I'm just wondering if it's going to be too much for you," the older woman watched her carefully.
"Dr. Cuddy, you told me that I could run the department the way I want. If you're going to start telling me what I can and cannot do- on my first day- I don't really see how I can do my job," her tone was polite, but firm, "I promise you that I would never do anything that would compromise the health of my patients."
Cuddy nodded: "That's all I needed to know," she said as she got to her feet.
"That's it?" Cameron asked with something approaching disbelief.
The other doctor smiled down at her: "Cameron, I didn't ask you here to tell you what to do. I just wanted to check your motives," she paused for a moment, "You don't have anything to prove, you know."
That's a bit fat lie, Cameron thought, but said nothing. It must have shown on her face, though, because Cuddy went on:
"House is a brilliant doctor. He's the best. But he'll never be a good boss, because he just doesn't care about his employees. You could be a terrific boss- if you just stop worrying about what everyone thinks of you. You care, and you're smart," she smiled, "I'm guessing that the reason you're dividing up the cases is to motivate the other two by creating a little healthy competition."
Allison stared: "How did you know that?"
Cuddy laughed out loud: "It's one of the oldest tricks in the book! Anyway, good luck. And if you need anything, my door is always open."
"There was something that I wanted to talk to you about," Cuddy inclined her head, an indication to her to go on, "it's about the carpet in the conference room- I'd like it changed. Until it is, we won't be able to use that room."
"What are you going to do for the moment?" Her boss looked at her searchingly.
"We're going to be in office space." Her tone gave nothing away.
After a pause, the older doctor said: "If the police ok it, I'll get it changed as soon as possible."
The younger doctor thanked her and made her way to the door.
"Oh," Cuddy's voice halted her progress, "I just wanted to let you know that House is doing well. He's stable and his SATS-"
"Are normal," Cameron finished, giving a tired smile, "Wilson's been keeping me up-to-date."
"I hope your interview with the police wasn't too difficult," there was sympathy in her boss' voice.
Had she spoken to the police? She couldn't remember. Everything about that day was a blur.
But she managed to keep her smile intact and to reply in an even tone: "It went ok. I don't think it was very helpful, though. They still haven't caught him."
"They will."
Allison wasn't so sure, but she didn't say so. Instead, she thanked her boss again, and made a hasty retreat.
"Chase, we need to talk."
He looked up guiltily from the lasagne he was pushing around his plate.
Do you want to join us, Cameron?" Foreman tried to keep from laughing at the look on his colleagues face.
She spotted an empty chair at another cafeteria table and pulled it over.
"I've just come from Cuddy's office," Chase's gulp was almost audible, "look, I know that you're not pleased that she asked me to fill in for House, and that you're worried about us taking on so many cases at once. But, if you have concerns, I'd prefer you to tell me instead of running to Cuddy. I'm not House, ok? You can talk to me."
There was a silence.
"And that goes for you too, Foreman. I know that you guys aren't happy with her decision, but I think that you should respect me enough to think that I might actually do a good job."
It was so weird, she didn't seem mad at all.
"Look, Cameron, I'm still not sure about all of this…" Chase's voice was hesitant, "…it's going to take a bit of getting used to."
She smiled: "I know, for me too."
She stood up.
"Are you not going to have anything to eat, Cameron?" Foreman was surprised.
"I'm not really hungry. I'll probably eat a bit later," she shrugged it off with a little smile, "And, guys, my name is Allison. I'd prefer you to use it."
They stared after her for a moment.
"She's going mad," Chase joked.
"Who's going mad?" Dr. James Wilson appeared out of nowhere.
Foreman greeted him: "Hey, Wilson, do you want to eat with us?"
"No thanks, I was going to take my lunch up to House's room to see if the smell of a ruben will revive him," he smiled as he spoke, but his eyes were tired.
"Maybe that's where Cameron's gone," Chase mused aloud.
"I doubt it," Wilson shook his head, "I don't think she'd been to see him at all."
"See?" Chase shot a triumphant look at Eric, "she hasn't been to see House even though he's in a coma! I'd have expected her to be getting all weepy by his bedside, but instead she's taking on too many patients and telling us to call her 'Allison'."
Foreman snorted into his sandwich: "You're just hoping that it means she's over House, so you can sleep with her again."
Chase looked offended, but didn't deny it.
The older doctor rolled his eyes and ignored the interruption: "She said that she wants you to call her Allison?" Wilson queried, "That's odd."
"Why is it odd? And why do we call her that anyway?" Chase wondered aloud.
James Wilson answered without hesitation: "Because that's what House calls her," he paused for a moment, "I wonder…"
AN: How was that? Please let me know!
