Disclaimer: I don't own House. It's lucky for Stacy that I don't. I have several ideas for her, all of which involve her dying an excruciatingly painful death. (Yep, I hate her that much.)

Rating: M

Pairings: House/Cameron

Spoilers: Umm not sure but I'll say Seasons 1 and 2 just to be sure.

Addiction: Chapter Seven

Opening his eyes slowly, House squinted slightly, getting used to the sunlight which was shining in through the window. He turned his head and saw none other than Alison Cameron lying beside him, sleeping serenely. Her soft hair fell over her bare shoulder, her hand clutching the sheets to her chin. He thought she looked lovelier like this than he had ever seen her. She shifted slightly under the covers, her hand loosening its grip on the sheets a little.

He took one last look at her before slipping carefully out of the bed, careful not to wake her from her slumber. He limped heavily over to his various articles of clothing, which were strewn around the room along with his cane, which was lying next to the door. Grabbing his pants, he pulled the small bottle that held his pills out, and took two. He dressed, and then walked over to pull the curtains closed, before he left the room quietly. When he reached the kitchen he headed straight for the coffee machine to wake himself up properly. As he waited for it to make his coffee, he thought about Cameron and what he had gotten himself into. He had done it. He had finally done what he had vowed he wouldn't do. He had succumbed to her and he knew that there was no turning back now. That didn't mean that he wasn't freaked out at all. Stacy had ruined him for having relationships since she had left, and now he was slightly terrified at the concept of starting something with Alison Cameron. At the same time, he wasn't so sure he wanted to keep pushing her away. It obviously hadn't worked, and he was a little tired of holding back, and for reasons that she apparently didn't seem to care about anyway. He wondered what his next course of action would be. He poured himself a mug of coffee and sat down on the couch. Although he greatly feared hurting her in any way, he couldn't help but wonder if he himself would survive being hurt this time.

xxxxxxxxx

Dr Alison Cameron awoke to find that she wasn't in her own bed. Frowning slightly, she looked around the darkened room, taking in her surroundings as she remembered her night with him. She closed her eyes, her lips turned up ever so slightly at the corners. The small smile was gone a few seconds later. She wondered what would happen now. Would he treat her like crap or push her away completely? She couldn't bear that thought and would not let him do any such thing. After all, he had initiated it last night. Stretching she got out of bed, pulling the sheets with her to cover herself with. She padded out into the lounge room to find House sitting on the couch staring absently at the television screen, nursing a steaming mug of coffee. He turned around as soon as she had entered the room (the sound of sheets dragging along the floor had tipped him off) and gazed at her, waiting for her to say something.

"Morning," she said simply.

He nodded and said, "I made coffee."

She smiled a small smile and said, "Thanks. What's for breakfast?"

He eyed her cautiously before saying, "What do feel like?"

She shrugged, "Anything will be fine."

Cameron proceeded to the kitchen and upon finding where he kept his mugs, poured herself a cup of coffee. She sipped it and closed her eyes slowly as the warm liquid slid down her throat. She decided to give House some space and drink her coffee in the kitchen. As much as she wouldn't let him push her away, she did recognise that he would probably appreciate some space to comprehend this new turn of events between them. When she had drained her mug, she washed it in the sink and placed it on the drainer along with several other dishes and cutlery. She returned to the living room to find that he was still on the couch, now watching the antics of Spongebob Squarepants and Patrick Star.

Suppressing a smirk, she managed to ask, "Would it be alright if I took a shower?"

Shifting his eyes towards her, he nodded and turned back to the TV. She continued her path back to his bedroom where all her clothes were spread around in various locations. After gathering them all together, she took a quick shower, before putting on her work clothes from yesterday on again. Tying her hair up, she ventured back to the living room, this time to find House gone, but Spongebob still lighting up the television screen. Puzzled, she went into the kitchen, thinking that he may have gotten up for a refill of coffee. She found him by the stove frying scrambled eggs, bacon rashers already sitting on a plate beside the stove. This time he didn't turn when she entered the kitchen, instead concentrating on the eggs. He couldn't screw this up. He wanted to do this as a sign of his intentions regarding their relationship, but now he wasn't so sure she would get the message. He sure as hell couldn't tell her. Nervously, he tipped the eggs onto two plates and turned the stove off. Dividing the bacon rashers between the two plates, he carried them both to the lounge room, setting them on the coffee table, before returning to the kitchen for cutlery and salt and pepper. He avoided looking directly at Cameron, who seemed to be in shock at his actions, standing still and watching him by the sink. He was sitting on the couch and about to pick up his plate when Cameron finally decided to come and eat. She sat down next to him and picked up her plate as well.

After a few bites, Cameron turned to House and said, "This is really good."

Without looking up he said, "I wouldn't have taken you to be a Spongebob fan, but stranger things have happened I guess."

She rolled her eye and smiled, "I was talking about breakfast."

His eyes locked with hers for a moment, then he looked back at the television and said, "Does that mean you don't like Spongebob?"

She raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a slight smirk, "You want to know if I enjoy watching the jaunts of a personified cleaning implement wearing pants? Yeah, I suppose it is quite entertaining."

He grinned at her, "If you don't like it, change the channel then. Good luck finding something remotely bearable at this time of the morning," he said, handing her the remote control.

"It's 7:30, there's a little something I like to call 'the news' on right about now," she said, flicking through the channels.

They sat back against the couch, having finished their food, both inwardly smiling at the playful banter that they had just engaged in. All in all, it wasn't the excruciatingly awkward morning-after that House had been expecting. Cameron hadn't asked him what their relationship was going to be like now, or what his feelings were. He contemplated asking her to come over to the condo again tonight, but decided that he wasn't so sure about rushing into anything with her. It hadn't worked so well the last time with Stacy.

Cameron turned to glance at him, "Shouldn't you start getting ready for work now?"

"Nope. Don't forget, I'm not due in until ten."

"Actually you're due in at eight; everyone just expects you to be in at ten."

Cameron rose from the couch as she said this, picking up his plate and hers before going into the kitchen to wash them.

Walking back into the living room, she rolled her eyes when she saw that Spongebob Squarepants was back on again (there must a goddamn marathon on or something), "I'd better go now. I have to stop by at my apartment for a change of clothes."

When House simply turned and nodded at her, saying a short "bye", she walked over to where he sat on the couch, standing in front of him, blocking his view of the television. He glared at her, but stopped when she leant down and kissed him soundly, one hand resting on his cheek. He kissed her back thoroughly, until they separated, breathing heavily.

She straightened up again and smiled down at him. With a flirty, "See you at work," she turned and walked out of the townhouse.

House remained leaning forward for a few minutes, before flopping back, a grin on his face.

Maybe being addicted to her wasn't so bad after all.

TBC

Author Note: Please review! I hope it wasn't too OOC, but I enjoy writing a bit of fluffiness.