A/N: Hey, everyone! I'm really sorry for the delay on updating this... I'm a failure on updating frequently. *shakes head in defeat* I hope you're still with me, though! XD
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"Hey, Al", the blond doctor approached his fiancée, who was standing by the nurses' station finishing some charting. "I called you last night for us to hang out, but you never answered... I even stopped by your place, but you weren't there. What happened?"
"The ER was hectic yesterday. When things got calmer, it was already too late to go home, and I was exhausted, so I just slept here". Allison purposefully omitted the fact that she had actually felt sick and needed Thirteen's help; she knew Robert well enough to be sure he'd give her a hard time for not calling him.
That was, in fact, one of the things that had made them break up the first time around: he was always so controlling, almost to the point of invading every aspect of her life. Cameron knew this was his way of showing he cared for her, and in a way, it was extremely sweet, but she couldn't stand it. She was used to being her own woman; ever since the death of her first husband, she promised herself she wouldn't grow too dependent on anyone else. And, as the years went by, she realized she actually liked having her independence.
Starting a committed relationship with Chase had already been a big step to her, one she had only taken with one person before him. But having him pry on everything, from what she ate to what time she went to bed to how many times a week they slept together, was way more than she could handle, so she decided it'd be better if they ended everything.
That was about the time her interest in the new duckling reached its apex, with her finally deciding to disguise herself and go after her. At first, and up until just a few nights ago, she could swear her interest was motivated purely by curiosity, physical attraction, and the rebel part in her that wanted to behave the exact same way as Thirteen did: drink, get wasted, have one night stands (with women, nonetheless)...
She also thought that last factor was what led her to continue doing that, even after Robert had apologized and promised to try not to be so controlling. Allison had hesitated before accepting him back, with a marriage proposal following suit, but his plead had been heartbreaking, and, as much as she had spent months trying to deny it, she did like him. Love, however, was a very different story. And moments like those made her remember that.
"You should have called me, I could have picked you up here, or at least come to keep you some company."
"Robert, all I did here was work and sleep. Both of these kept me busy enough not to need company", the ER attendant answered, with an exasperated sigh.
"Ok, ok... there's no need to get all cranky, I was just trying to be kind!". There he went again, making her feel guilty for not wanting all the attention he gave her. The female doctor's mind immediately jumped to Thirteen, whose attention was never too much; in fact, it was never even close to enough. She wondered if that meant something about their relationship, and how she would be able to manage being married to someone who, sweet and caring as he might be, nearly suffocated her daily.
"I'm sorry, Robert. I'm tired, that's all. We'll do something tonight, okay?"
"Actually, there's something I've been meaning to talk to you. That's why I called you yesterday. I could wait for tonight, but the sooner we get this worked out, the better."
"Worked out? What are you talking about?"
"I want you to ask Cuddy for ten vacation days. You haven't had any for four years, I know you have way more than those accumulated, so taking ten days now won't even be a problem to our honeymoon."
"Why would I take vacations day now?"
"To go on vacation, of course! You still haven't met my parents, and we're getting married, after all! I don't want them to meet you the night before our wedding, so I planned a trip to Melbourne for you to get to know each other."
"Melbourne? When?" Cameron knew she should feel exited by the news; her fiancé could barely hide his enthusiasm. However, that was absolutely not the way she felt. Again, her mind wandered to a certain brunette: being away would mean not having the chance to see her for at least ten days, not even being able to glance her way, and she wasn't sure she could manage that anymore. Especially not now that she knew so much about her; now that they were actually starting to talk to each other at work; now that she had realized she did care for her, more than she had been priorly willing to admit.
"I have plane tickets for this weekend."
"This weekend, already?"
"Yes... why? Is there any problem with the date?"
"Uh, I think I might have something planned... I can't exactly remember what, but the date sort of rings a bell."
"Oh, Allie! Cancel it, whatever it is! Our trip is more important than anything else you might have planned, isn't it?"
"Sure... I'll just go and... try to reschedule it". Cameron hated being called 'Allie', with all her heart. She just hoped her disgust and hesitation hadn't showed too much on her voice. Judging by her fiancé's smile, they hadn't. They parted ways, Chase heading to the OR, Allison supposedly to Cuddy's office. She arrived at the diagnostic's office instead.
"House," Cameron greeted her former boss as she stepped into his office.
The older doctor looked up at her, a smirk on his face as he tossed his oversized tennis ball against the wall. "Dr. Cameron, to what do I owe this pleasure?"
The woman rolled her eyes, sighing. "Cut it, House. I need to ask you something." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, voicing the words she never thought she'd say: "I need a favor from you."
"If it's about that old guy in the ER, I don't know anything about it."
She frowned. "What old guy?"
The man grinned evilly, putting on a mask of innocence as he caught his ball and set it on his desk. "Never mind."
"House…", Cameron warned with a glare. "Don't. I'm serious." She swallowed before speaking again. "Chase is taking ten days off to go visit his family in Australia, and I need an excuse to stay behind."
House quirked an eyebrow. "Trouble in paradise?" he inquired, sitting back in his chair.
"That's none of your business," the former duckling retorted immediately, wincing when House smirked knowingly. "Okay, so, maybe we're not getting along so well right now. That's not relevant to this. Look, I already tried giving some excuse, but he's not taking it. So maybe if it's work-related… And I don't think Cuddy will help me with this."
"No." Her former boss knit his fingers behind his head and closed his eyes. "I won't get involved in your relationship."
Cameron gaped at him. "Why not? You suddenly decided to have morals? When have those stopped you from meddling in other people's business?"
"It's not morals, it's self-interest. When have I ever done something for a reason other than pleasing myself?"
The ER head sighed in defeat, knowing there was no way she'd get him to help her without offering something in return. "Ok, House, what do you want me to do for you? Your clinic duty? Paperwork? Just say and I'll do it."
"Wow, you are really desperate", he said calmly, then opening one eye and peering at her. "I need oral sex."
Cameron scowled at him. "Will you ever give up? That's completely out of question, House."
"Then my answer is still the same: no."
"I'll go to Cuddy and get her to eighty-six your cable TV." Cameron crossed her arms over her chest and stared at House defiantly.
House was silent for a moment, then he frowned and opened his other eye. "Fine. I'll handle it."
The woman nodded her thanks and turned to leave the office. A small part of her was a little worried about how exactly House would 'handle it', but the rest of her was relieved.
Walking back to the the ER, the blonde doctor spotted an elderly man standing at the nurses' station, noticing the look one of the nurses was shooting her. Cameron altered her course and headed in his direction.
"Ah, you must be Dr. Cameron!" the man proclaimed. "Just who I wanted to see!"
"Uhm, hello, I guess", Cameron said warily, remembering House's evil grin and suppressing a shudder.
The man pulled a large, gaudy bouquet from behind his back and presented it to Cameron. "For you," he said proudly, grinning toothily. "I was told you were looking for a boyfriend... and that you enjoyed older guys. I didn't think you were this pretty! So, when can we go on a date?"
"Uhm, thank you for the flowers, sir," Cameron replied uncertainly, "but whomever told you that was entirely mistaken. See, I'm engaged!". To prove her point, Allison lifted her right hand, showing him the ring around her finger. The man clearly deflated, his shoulders going down and his face crumbling. For a moment, the doctor thought he was going to cry, and felt sorry for him.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I mean, I'm happy for you, but you would've been a beautiful girlfriend..."
"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find someone. Now if you'll excuse me..."
Cameron walked away with a sigh. She just hoped it was all worth the trouble.
A few hours later, Robert Chase made his way into the ER again, after finishing a relatively simple procedure. "Hey, Allison," he began incredulously.
Cameron winced; it was never a good thing when Chase called her by her full name, although the nickname he used for her was equally dreadful. "What?" she asked, putting an innocent smile on her face.
"Why did House just call me and tell me that you've decided to be his personal sex slave next week?"
Cameron groaned, knowing she should have made a plan and had House adhere to that. "Robert, do you actually still believe House? Anyway, the thing is: I tried to ask Cuddy for my vacation days, but House is so late on his paperwork that she practically implored me to do it, especially with the mandatory inspection coming up. There's no way I'll be able to get away right now, I'm sorry. I'm sure House likes the idea of me being his sex slave much better, though."
"I can't believe it. House manages to screw with us even when we're not working for him anymore!" Frustration was evident is his voice, and once again, Allison felt sorry for causing that; he was a good person, a good boyfriend, and shouldn't be getting any of the trouble she caused him. She knew she'd love him if it were a rational decision. Unfortunately, it wasn't.
