Part 8
"House… daughter…House's daughter?!" Chase said.
"Yep."
"Wow." Foreman said, sipping his coffee.
"This is beyond weird."
"I agree. Think it was a hooker?"
"No, her mother was an art teacher, recently killed in a hostage situation." Cameron said, stirring her tea lazily.
"How do you know these things?"
"I talk."
"The "date" thing." Foreman realized.
"Uh-huh."
"Have you figured out what's wrong with our 17 year old preggy?" House asked limping into the conference room.
"No."
"She's getting worse."
"Brilliant observation!" he said sarcastically. "Any idea's that we haven't gone over?"
"Malaria?" Cameron offered.
"Can anyone tell the class why this is an incredibly stupid idea?"
"We already tested for it." Chase said.
"House can I talk to you?" Cameron said glaring.
"No I will not play Seven Minutes in Heaven right now."
She rolled her eyes and strode out into the hall, making sure he followed her.
"Can't stand the talk, love to watch the walk." He said to Chase and Foreman before following her out.
"Noel wants to see you. When she wakes up."
"How touching." He snarked, wiping an imaginary tear away.
"She's your daughter."
"Everyone keeps saying that."
"You should be there for her."
"She's awake." He said over his shoulder, heading towards his office.
"How-" she began, but let it trail off as she realized it. He had been there when she woke up.
Noel smiled to herself as she looked at the phone number on her cell phone.
"Hey you." She said.
"Noel, where are you?"
"Currently… I'm at Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital."
"What?! Why?!"
"I got in a fight with a couch and lost." She said, laughing softly.
"That's just like you." He said and Noel could hear the smile in his voice.
"I wish you could be here."
"Then it's probably a good thing I'm here." A voice from the door said. The red headed boy snapped his Razr shut and smiled.
"Daniel!" she said, sitting up.
"I missed you." He said sitting on the edge of the bed next to her.
"What are you doing here?"
"My sister, Jeannie, is a patient here."
"Is she ok?" Noel asked.
"If seizures, rashes, muscle spasms, and pregnancy makes you ok, then she's peachy."
"Who's her doctor?"
"Your dad." He replied, smiling.
"House's one of the best doctors here, if not the best. She'll be fine."
"But are you fine?" he asked.
"I am now." Noel leaned forward and caught him in a passionate lip lock.
That was when House walked in.
"Oy! Hands off the daughter!" he shouted, whacking him on the shoulder.
"House!" Noel snapped.
"What are you doing?!"
"Kissing my boyfriend!"
By this time Daniel had retreated to the other side of the bed, House had his hand white-knuckled around the handle of his cane, and Noel was sitting up in bed glaring at him in defiance.
"Boyfriend?"
"Yeah."
"You, go." He said pointing to Daniel.
"Bye Noel." Daniel said, before scooting out of the room.
"He's 17." House began.
"It's only a two and a half year difference."
"You just met him."
"Mom was friends with his mom. We've know each other since 4th grade, we've been dating since 7th."
"Almost three years?"
"Yeah." She replied. House plopped a bag on the bed.
"I had Cameron put this together for you." he said, not meeting her gaze.
"Thanks."
"Don't tear your stitches."
"Wow. Was that concern?"
"No." he said defensively.
She laughed a little and stood, heading towards the bathroom.
"Thanks House." She said. "By the way, your new patient went on vacation recently. You might want to ask her where."
"Have you been on vacation recently?" House asked coming into the patient's room.
"Why?" the girl asked startled.
"Because unless we figure out what's wrong with you, you will die." He said.
"Just tell him, Jeannie." He heard. Turning, House saw the patient's brother.
"I knew I recognized you." He muttered.
"South Africa. My uncle was shooting a documentary."
House turned on heel and made his way down to the conference room.
"What rhymes with scaria?" He questioned. His ducklings looked at him in confusion.
"Um…Malaria." Chase said.
"Patient was in South Africa."
"But we tested for it."
"And her pregnancy hormones screwed up the blood test."
"Didn't I say it could be malaria?"
"I'll go start treatment." Foreman said leaving.
"I've got clinic duty." Chase said.
"I'm getting real sick of your 'holier- than- thou' attitude." Cameron said, glaring at him.
"And I'm getting real sick of you claming up all the time. You really need to start challenging me more."
"Why bother when you always shoot me down?"
"Because usually a good doctor always pushes when they think they're right!" he snapped turning and leaving the room.
Around 11:00, Cameron sat in her car in aggravation. It wouldn't start and she didn't have any money with her for a cab. Sighing, she leaned her head back against the seat and mulled over the day. Earlier, she had seen Noel and House in his office, eating lunch and watching General Hospital. She had seen them getting along. This was a side of House he hadn't seen before. Maybe he would make a good father after all.
"Usually customary to actually drive the cars, not sit in them." She heard from the window. Turning, she saw House leaning against the car. She opened the door and swung her legs out, but didn't actually stand up.
"I'm stuck."
"Get a cab."
"I'm broke."
"Then you're in trouble."
"You're unbelievable."
"You wouldn't believe how many women tell me that."
Cameron tried not to smile.
"I'll give you a ride."
"Thanks."
"Don't mention it. Seriously, don't. I have a reputation to uphold."
Cameron laughed and shook her head, climbing into the 'Vette.
"Where's Noel?" she asked.
"She left around 9. She's going to dinner with her boyfriend." He said, sounding slightly annoyed.
"Uh-oh House, your paternity is showing." She teased.
"Uh-oh Cameron, your annoyingness is showing."
House pulled up in front of Cameron's building.
"Want some coffee?" she asked suddenly. House looked over at his colleague, a bit surprised at her question.
"Sure."
No snide remarks, no rude comments. Cameron was almost floored. Cameron led the way up to her apartment and unlocked the door. House looked around the somewhat cluttered apartment and half-smiled.
'So she's human after all.' He thought.
"Sorry. I haven't had much time to clean." She said picking up her workout clothes off the couch and throwing them into the hamper in her room. She walked into the kitchen and started to make the coffee.
"Why did you ask if I wanted coffee?"
Cameron didn't answer.
"Well?"
"When you said I was good doctor… did you mean it?"
"Why would I have a reason to lie?"
"I don't know, to mess with my mind?!" Cameron was starting to get irritated and she didn't know why.
"Oh yeah, cause I just love screwing with your mind!"
"I think you do!"
"I think you're paranoid!"
"You wanna know what I think?"
"More differentials from the Lobby Art." He snarked.
"More snarky remarks from the misanthropic-" she began.
Before being effectively silenced by House's lips slamming down on hers.
Defenses dropped, control lost. Stumbling backwards, Cameron gently led him down the hall. House pinned her up against her bedroom door, but broke away.
"Too fast?"
"Can't keep up?" she smiled coyly, opening the door.
