Nameless: Well...I've already talked to you elsewhere, but your name definitely deserves to be here.
Less than 13: Well...you can at least forbid me until this fic is over. And well...it may end up being semi-long.
Wesley: It's not writing or pressure from any of my reviewers. I love this fic. I love updating as often as I can. I like being encouraged to update bc if no one pressured me to...I'd get lazy. It's actually outside forces pressuring me to stop writing and reading Cadley. And...-points-. I don't walk past the study room anymore...bc...I'll end up just stopping and staring inside. And how awkward is that? "Cammie...why are you just staring into the empty room?" -facepalm-
Katchel: Wow. Puerto Rico? I have a friend there currently!
WrongObsession: I'm glad you like it. Unfortunately...I doubt things will turn out very well, but I will be sticking around until the end of this fic.
Wonderous: Just like with Nameless...already talked to you elsewhere.
Kj: Thank you. I will be around until this fic is finished.
Jess: "...just know that you have lots of supporting and loving fans here if you ever need help or decide to return." That actually really struck me and made me realize my support system is currently you guys. Which is probably awful considering I've never actually met any of you.
Jungle: Thank you.
Angel's: Unfortunately, I feel like I could continue writing...forever. I could just sit here and type chapter after chapter. It's other who feel I can't continue writing.
Amazon: Thank you.
Ilessthreethan: Ah...Pooh. -hearts-
Ina: No, see...now you /have/ to ask about Cam. Or I'll be curious...which leads to wondering...which leads to me writing slower. And I almost typed which leads to me 'wandering'. Seriously. Do you want me 'wandering'? Baha.
Lil: Will do until this fic is over.
YDPP: ...The thought of putting it up for adoption is scary. I couldn't let anyone else touch this. I'd end up spending all my time harassing them through email.


SIGNAL FIRE


CHAPTER NINE
You're A Mean One, Mr. House

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.
You really are a heel.
You're as cuddly as a cactus.
You're as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch.


Thirteen's POV:

"So how is living with Cameron? " House shouts at you from across the hall, a grin spreading across his face.

Chase stops what he's doing and nearly throws his pen down on the desk at the nurses' station. He glares at you out of the corner of his eye, looking absolutely livid.

"It's fine," you answer. You smile at one of the nurses as you hand her a few papers and walk toward House to ask whether he has any new cases or if you're free to go home.

Stepping in front of you to cut you off, Chase opens his mouth to speak but you feel House grab your arm and pull you away.

"Sorry," House comments. "You two lovebirds can have your little spat when Thirteen is done working." He smirks as Chase walks away.

You stand there in silence before looking at him in shock. "That was nice of you," you say slowly.

"Maybe," he answers. "But this isn't." He hands you a clipboard to take to the clinic.

Huffing, you stare down at the clipboard. You promised Cameron in the car that neither of you would have to be at the hospital very long. "How many hours of clinic duty do you have?" you mutter under your breath, shaking your head.

"However many Cuddy deems necessary to straighten me out," he answers with a shrug. "You can always pass them off to someone else; say Foreman. Just know that I'd be extremely disappointed."

Pursing your lips together, you pretend to consider how much his 'disappointment' in you might hurt you. "I think I'll live." Tucking the clipboard under your arm, you walk down the hall in search of Foreman.

"What's a nine letter word for a Christmas plant?" Taub asks, walking up to you with a crossword puzzle book in his hand.

"Mistletoe," you reply, looking around. "Have you seen Foreman?"

"He's not here today," Taub replies. "A four letter word for-"

"Oh." Figures. "Well, House actually told me to give you this." You hold the clipboard facedown and hand it to him. He takes it and before he can look at it or ask what it is, you quickly walk to the ER where you last saw Cameron.

The ER is busier than you expected it to be. It's not mass panic busy, but it's close enough. You spot Cameron off to the side talking to a few other doctors and occasionally pointing at patients. One of them brushes past her and she doesn't even jump. She grasps their arm and directs them elsewhere, trying to do a thousand things at once.

You lean against the wall and watch her, glad you brought her to the hospital even though you didn't want to. She seems to be doing alright now that she's all caught up in her job. You feel almost guilty as you watch her, but you can't help but smile. One of the most beautiful girls you've ever seen is currently living in your house and now you get to watch over her at work and act like it's just to make sure she's doing okay.

Once she looks a bit less busy, you wander over to her. "Are you ready to go?" you ask. "I want to make sure you're okay before we leave though."

"Thirteen!" She seems to let out a breath of relief. "Here. Take, take this." She shoves a clipboard into your hands. "Severe head trauma. Possibly a broken arm."

Taking the clipboard, you look it over and no longer like that you brought her to work. "Fine," you grumble. "I should have just stuck with the clinic."

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

How Cameron manages to handle the ER, you'll never know. Three hours later, you're convinced you never want to step foot in the ER again. You'll do all of House's clinic duty if that's what it takes. Every time you finished with one patient, Cameron would hand you another one.

You're currently hiding from her in the lounge, drinking cocoa and helping Kutner and Taub try to figure out Taub's crossword puzzles.

"A circular decoration often hung on doors," Taub says, glancing at you and Kutner.

"Wreath!" you both announce. You grin and point at him. "Ha. I said it first."

"That's not fair. " He frowns and pushes a quarter toward your pile of change. "I'm running out of money."

"I'm going to be rich by the time this is over." You're up to over twenty dollars in change. "My turn." You snatch the book from Taub and go to the next one. "You're a mean one, Mr…"

"Scrooge?" Kutner answers.

You raise a brow at him then look at Taub.

"House?" Taub tries, causing the three of you to laugh.

"Grinch. " You roll your eyes and steal more of their change to add to your pile before tossing the book to Kutner.

"Thirteen, I've been looking all over for you!" Cameron scolds, walking into the lounge. She places a hand on her hip and stares you down as you sink against the couch cushions.

"Ooooh!" Kutner teases you, earning himself a look from Taub clearly stating he's being immature.

Cameron ignores them. "What are you doing anyway?"

"I don't know about them, but I'm making money," you answer, smirking. You scoot over and pat the spot beside you. "Come play. I'm kicking ass."

"That really encourages me to join," she says sarcastically and rolls her eyes. "What are the rules?" She walks over and snuggles beside you on the couch then digs through her pockets and tosses some change and a few dollar bills on the table.

"We don't have rules. We're playing with dollars now?" You grin and place two fives and three tens next to your pile of change. Taub and Kutner look hesitant and you roll your eyes at them. "Come on! Don't be babies."

"My wife is going to kill me." Taub pulls out several dollars and Kutner follows the suit.

"Okay," Kutner says and looks at the book. "A red and white-"

"Candy cane!" Cameron answers quickly, grinning from ear to ear.

"Oh, come on!" you complain. "That's not fair. He didn't even finish!"

"Who's kicking ass now?" Cameron smirks and takes one of your tens. "No rules," she reminds you when you gape at her. "My turn." She takes the book from Kutner and looks it over. "It's the most blank time of the year."

"Wonderful," Wilson answers, walking in. He reaches to take your change and you smack his hands so he steals from Taub instead. "Let's up the stakes," he suggests, taking a seat on the arm of the couch nearest you.

"To what?" Kutner asks. "We're already playing with all of our money."

"Forget the money," Wilson answers. "Losers have to get Cuddy and House Christmas presents from each other." All of you grin in agreement.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Damn." You lose at the last question in the book and glance at everyone's pile of change. Cameron and Wilson have a majority of the money now. "Somehow this was planned."

"Nope." Cameron shakes her head. "Wilson and I both have seventy-five dollars. How much do you have?"

"Twenty," you mutter, shaking your head. "You guys?" You look at Kutner and Taub.

"Five," Taub answers while Kutner holds up a nickel. "We're screwed."

Cameron laughs and rests her head against your shoulder. "Good luck."

"Looks like we're going to the mall tomorrow." You pretend to be bitter about it, but Cameron's smile is enough to make your heart flutter. You like when she smiles and decide you want to make her do it much more often.