Cameron pulled up to Remy's school to get her. She felt so weird waiting in a line of cars with all the other mothers. She felt like she had gone from zero to mom in twenty-five seconds.
Cameron looked around for Remy. She spotted her sitting with a boy on the steps outside the school. Cameron smiled. For the past few days, Remy had always been alone. And, she was pretty sure the first time she had picked her up that she was being teased. Remy hadn't said anything about it though.
Cameron watched her just stare at the boy while he was talking. Remy didn't look amused by his words, and he looked panicked. Then she giggle at what the boy was saying before spotting her and heading for the car.
"Who was that?" Cameron asked.
"Just a friend, I guess," Remy smiled. Cameron was happy to see Remy so cheered up; this might have actually been the happiest she'd ever seen her. But, something was nagging at Cameron.
"A Timothy Corrigan doesn't go to your school does he?" Cameron couldn't help but ask.
"Yeah, Timmy and I are close." Remy smirked.
"How close?" Cameron asked immediately. Remy laughed.
"I have no idea who he is, but you scowled over every syllable of his name," she giggled.
"Oh, thank god." Cameron mumbled.
"Who is he?" Remy asked.
"I, uh, met his mom. Nice lady." Cameron lied. Remy seemed to believe it.
"Okay," Remy shrugged, her tone implying she knew Cameron was skipping over something and that she was slightly hurt by it.
"Just Doctor stuff." Cameron tried to explain without actually explaining, "You know, you're welcome to invite your friends over."
"Thanks," Remy shrugged.
"Is that a yes?" Cameron asked.
"That's a maybe sometime," Remy shrugged.
"It's your house too now." Cameron said.
"That boy isn't really my friend." Remy turned to face Cameron.
"What do you mean?" Cameron asked. She thought she might die of both shock and fear if Remy said that he was her boyfriend.
"We never really talked until today. His name is Matt and we were paired together for a science project." Remy shrugged.
"Do you like Mat?" Cameron asked.
"I don't know. I guess we could be friends." Remy shrugged, the true meaning of Cameron's question going right over her head.
Cameron was relieved by the answer. It not only meant that Remy had no current interest in boys, but it also meant that she was starting to make friends. Cameron reveled in the bliss for a few moments before wondering about the boys part. She was sure that over the past few years Remy's mother had probably stamped one hundred things in her head about the evils of the opposite sex.
"If you were to want to be more than friends with Matt, it would be okay." Cameron mentioned. Remy's head snapped towards her.
"No," she said simply.
"All I just mean is that it wouldn't change who you are." Cameron said, hoping she wasn't being too pushy and knowing she was being really awkward. Cameron also realized Remy was only eleven and it was perfectly normal not to like boys yet. Remy so far had expressed no interest in choosing her own clothes or in make up or any of the things Cameron had loved at her age.
"I know that one day I'll have to be married and have kids, but boys only take girls down the wrong path while they're still in school." Remy seemed to recite.
"Remy, I'm an adult and I'm not married and I didn't have kids before you." Cameron stated. She wondered if Remy thought she was a bad person.
"You have a wedding photo on the mantle." Remy stated.
"I was married once, but he passed away. But, I mean you don't have to get married and have kids. You're more than welcome too, but it's not the only path in life to take." Cameron tried to explain.
Remy seemed to mull this over for a minute, "Do you think I could be a doctor?" she asked.
"You can be anything you want to be," Cameron smiled, "and you can do it married or single," she laughed.
"But, now? I can't have a boyfriend. I'll get pregnant and have to drop out then-"
"Do you know how two people have a baby?" Cameron cut her off. Remy shot her a look.
"Yes, but that's what you do with a boyfriend." Remy said.
"No, its not." Cameron shot out. Remy looked confused.
"Boyfriends are like male friends who you like to spend time with alone. You go see movies, you have dinner, and you dance at parties. Sex is for," Cameron considered saying marriage, but she knew that could blow up, "when you're ready for it."
"Why would a boy date me if I wouldn't do that with him?" Remy asked. Cameron liked that she was too embarrassed to say the word 'sex'.
"Because you are smart and beautiful and fun to be around," Cameron answered.
"I still don't want a boyfriend," Remy said slowly.
"That's okay." Cameron said, somewhat relieved.
"Do you have one?" Remy asked. Cameron shook her head
"What about Dr. Chase?" Remy asked.
"We're just good friends." Cameron answered.
"I think he likes you." Remy shrugged.
"He's just nice," Cameron mumbled, not wanting to get into their crash and burn and smoking meth history.
She was grateful they had arrived at her place. This tie the car deadline worked in her favor. Although they were going to the same place, but Remy seemed to be focused on something from her backpack. So, awkward conversation over. Cameron breathed a sigh of relief.
"Need help with that?" Cameron asked, as she unlocked her door fro Remy.
"No, but thanks," Remy said reading the paper. It looked like a homework project.
Remy proceeded into her room to work on school stuff, and Cameron opened a book for what felt like the first time in weeks.
About an hour into book, Cameron heard a familiar buzzing noise. She got up went looking for her pager. She found it in a jacket pocket. It was a 911 from House. That either meant he was bored or their formerly stable patient had crashed.
"Remy, I might have to run into work." Cameron yelled, as she grabbed for her phone.
"He's septic," was the terse reply got after two and a half rings.
"I'm coming," Cameron said.
"Bring the brat." House laughed before hanging up.
"Can I come?" Remy asked appearing with her backpack and a jacket.
"Yeah, but we have to go now." Cameron said, grabbing her keys and her lab coat off the counter. Remy smiled and hoisted her backpack around her good arm.
She followed Cameron out into her car, and they sped off towards the hospital.
"Do I get to meet your boss?" Remy asked.
"No," Cameron shook her head. Remy cracked a smile.
"How bad could he be?" she asked.
"Just avoid him. You can hang out in the Doctor's lounge. We've got a great TV and a lot of snacks." Cameron said avoiding the question.
"I brought homework." Remy said.
"Good," Cameron replied as she pulled into her parking spot and rushed Remy into the hospital. She sped towards the doctor's lounge and opened the door for Remy. Remy walked in nervously, knowing that Cameron wouldn't be following.
"You must be the brat."
Cameron stopped in her tracks. Fuck.
"He's not septic is he?" Cameron asked, seeing House holding a giant lollipop with a huge smile.
"I'm your pseudo-mom's boss." House said holding out the giant lollipop.
"I'm Remy," Remy replied slowly as she took the lollipop from him.
"House," Cameron groaned.
"Your kid just accepted candy from a stranger." He whispered annoyingly to Cameron.
"Thank you for pointing out the flaws in my parenting." Cameron glared.
"Come on, Rem. We can go home." Cameron said, motioning Remy to follow her.
"Leaving so soon?" House asked, "We could play video games or a round of monopoly."
"I don't know how to play videogames." Remy shrugged.
"You don't know how to play video games!" House nearly yelled, "Cameron, what is wrong with you! Come with me kid."
Cameron just watched in awe as House led Remy towards his office. She picked up Remy's bag and followed. She collapsed in a chair and watched as House taught her to play.
She was kind of in awe at how well he seemed to be playing with her. She supposed that House needed someone at his maturity level to get along with; it made sense. But still, this was a sight she had never expected.
