Author's Note: I know it's short, but it's rather intense. The next part's already in progress, so you won't have to wait long to see what happens afterwards.


Cameron found House in his office sitting by himself. She had waited until after work to approach him about what had happened in the lab earlier that day. Both Chase and Foreman had already left the hospital, and there weren't that many people around. She cautiously opened the glass door and entered the room, her palm slightly sweaty from her being so nervous. She discreetly wiped her palm against her lab coat as she walked to the front of his desk. House glanced up from his Gameboy, waiting for her to make the first move.

"You're still here," Cameron said, gathering up the courage to bring up the topic she actually wanted to discuss with him: where the two of them stood.

"I am," House said slowly, setting down the Gameboy. He crossed his arms around his chest and leaned back in his chair. After having taken the initiative to see her in the lab, it was only fair that she should take the next step. He refused to be the only one to let down his guard, even if it was just temporarily.

Cameron crossed her arms as well and hesitantly drew closer to his side. House swiveled his chair to face her until his knees were just a scant inch away from her legs. She bit her lip and stared at his knees, unable to look at him directly. They stayed like this for a moment—both afraid but both hopeful—as Cameron tried to find the words to say.

"What you said…back in the lab. What did you mean? Literally." She raised her eyes to meet his, imploring him to tell her the truth because she didn't know if she could handle it if he brushed her away again.

House was at a loss for words—he didn't know if he should just admit his feelings for her or if he should make her admit her feelings to him first. He wasn't used to opening up, especially after Stacy; even before her, talking about his emotions had never been easy for him.

Cameron, taking his silence as a rejection, rapidly blinked to keep back the tears and turned to leave, not wanting him to see her cry. Suddenly, she felt a hand wrap around her wrist, holding her back. When she turned back around, she found House leaning forward in his seat with his hand gripping hers. He loosened his hold, not wanting to hurt her, but left their palms touching and his fingers wrapped around hers. Lifting his other hand, he placed it on top of their joined hands, encompassing her hand with both of his, and tugged her closer to him until she was standing between his legs. A tear trickled down her chin and landed on the back of his hand. House looked up and saw that she was crying. Pulling her down until she was resting on his uninjured leg, he let go of her hands. He wrapped an arm around her waist to keep her secure. With his free hand, he cupped one side of her face with his hand, tenderly using his thumb to wipe away the tears.

"I'm sorry, Allison. Don't cry. You know I'm not good with weeping women," he murmured softly, trying to calm her down.

Cameron cracked a weak smile. "Usually, you just ignore them."

"Well, I can't ignore you. Not anymore."

"Good," she replied with a sniffle and brought up her arms to wrap around his neck, "because I won't let you ignore me anymore."

Then, she closed the space between their faces and kissed him. House could taste the saltiness as she pressed her lips against his. He then pulled away to gently trace the path of her tears on her cheek with his soft lips. The stubble on his chin was slightly rough on her skin, but she didn't care. How could she? She was finally in House's arms. Cameron buried her face into his neck, close to his ear. "You still owe me a better first date. Just because I kissed you doesn't mean that you're off the hook," she whispered.

House, being the kind of person who has to have the last word, whispered back, "Only if you wear something sexier than what you wore for the selfish jerk last night."