Chapter 7 Feels Like I'm Falling
During the next few days Cameron kept to herself. She tried to avoid any conversation that wasn't medical. She knew her colleagues noticed the changes in her personality but she didn't care. All that mattered was getting through the day without anyone finding out about Chris's abuse.
She was in the differential office with Foreman and House waiting for Chase and Chris to finish up with their patients surgery. She was tired and her bruised ribs were throbbing with pain from the beating last night. She couldn't believe how much he freaked out over a broken plate that wasn't even his. She was in her apartment washing the dinner dishes when she accidentally dropped a plate. He went nuts, grabbing the drying frying pan from the dish rack and swinging it at her ribs. It was like he was just looking for an excuse to beat her. She took a deep breath but winced as shooting pains attacked her ribs. Foreman must have noticed because he was looking at her with concern but before he can ask Chase and Chris walked in, saving her from having to lie.
"How'd it go? Get rid of the tumor?" House asked.
"We got a problem," Chase said but Cameron was barely even hearing what he was saying. She kept her eyes on the patient's medical file, feeling Chris's eyes boring into her.
"Guys I'm just a surgeon but from the color of the tissue I'd say it's an infection," she heard Chris say. Forgetting his burning stare, Cameron looked up at him, challenging his suggestion.
"We've tested for an infection. All the symptoms point to auto immune." If looks could kill the glare he gave her would. She shrank back into her seat, instantly becoming quiet.
"Were you in that OR?" he asked sternly. "No you weren't so don't tell me what it is and what it's not!" Everyone including House just stared at them, not saying a word as Chris angrily stalked out of the room. She can feel her cheeks getting hot and blushing with embarrassment. Tears welled up in her eyes but she didn't dare cry in front of Chase, Foreman, and especially House. She can feel their eyes on her but she kept her gaze on the file in front of her, desperately trying to pretend Chris's rude outburst didn't affect her.
"Douche," she heard Chase grumble under his breath. Foreman didn't say anything as he sat down in front of Cameron, watching her closely.
Shit, she wants to cry, he thought. What kind of man would treat his girlfriend like this. I could never yell at Alicia like that. Foreman's thoughts were interrupted by House's abrupt question.
"What's wrong with you Cameron?" She looked up, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Excuse me?"
"You usually fight for your opinions but when your big shot surgeon boyfriend yells at you, you shut up." Cameron stood up, all the fight gone out of her. They watched her worriedly. They've never seen her like this before. This person wasn't even her anymore.
"Well maybe he's right," she murmured before getting up and leaving the room.
She walked to clinic, desperate for a distraction. She didn't know why she was shocked. Chris was always snapping at her at work but then again he never snapped at her in front of her colleagues or patients. She struggled to hold back her tears. God Allison! Get a hold of yourself, she thought as she grabbed a file from the nurse's station and called out the patients name.
"Take this to the nurse at the desk and she'll schedule your next appointment," she said, handing the note to her patient. He thanked her and left the room. She sighed, busying herself with her patients chart. Her back was to the door but she can hear it opening, followed by footsteps. She instantly tensed thinking it was Chris as she felt his hand gently touching her shoulder. She jumped in terror, her eyes full of fear as she turned to meet Chase's concerned face. He pulled his hand back quickly.
"Sorry for startling you. I just wanted to see if you were ok." She took a breath of relief, grateful that he was here instead of Chris. She stood up and without realizing it she embraced him in a tight hug. Chase stiffened at first but hugged her back, noticing she was shaking. "Hey, hey it's ok," he said in a soothing voice, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. He pulled away, holding her arms and taking in her teary appearance. He shook his head in disgust. Sullivan had no right belittling her medical opinions and snapping at her in front of everyone. Plus House's remark only made it worse.
"Sullivan acted like a jerk and you didn't deserve to be humiliated like that." Cameron looked away, avoiding his gaze. He frowned, in confusion. Why is she so different all of a sudden, he wondered. "Anyways," he went on. "I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to go out for a drink tonight and talk. We haven't hanged out in a while." She looked at him gratefully. A night away from Chris was exactly what she needed.
Cameron was nervous. She had lied to Chris that she was working the nightshift. All she seemed to be doing these days was lying and she hated it. She knew she'd definitely be lying to Chase about something tonight but at least she got to hang out with him. He was right, it's been a while and lying to Chris was worth it. Hopefully Chris wouldn't find out. She shuddered at the thought of what he'll do to her if he did find out. She kept her gaze focused on her drink in front of her, absentmindedly tracing the rim with her index finger. She didn't even notice Chase coming up to the bar where she was currently sitting.
"A lot on your mind?" he asked, sitting on a bar stool next to her. She looked up and shrugged.
"He was having a bad day and took it out on me that's all. I don't want to talk about it," she replied, her gaze focused once again on her drink. Chase nodded, respecting her wishes even though it was what he wanted to talk to her about. He figured he wouldn't push her and let her bring it up when she was ready.
They spent a couple of hours just catching up and talking about random things. But throughout the conversation he can tell that whatever was going on in her personal life was on her mind. She was distant tonight, depressed even. Finally he just couldn't take it anymore. "Cameron I know you don't want to talk about this but what's going on?" She looked at him and he could've sworn he saw a flash of panic in her eyes.
"Nothing, why?" she asked, her tone and body language tensed.
"These past few months you've been quiet and distant. You're just not you anymore." She sighed, her eyes focused on her hands.
"Something's going on but I can't tell you. Please Chase just no more questions." Her voice was low and shaky. She looked so vulnerable and he wanted more than anything to help her but he couldn't. She wouldn't let him and all he can do was just be there for her. Feeling defeated, he asked, "Fine but just let me ask you this." She looked at him, her eyes full of annoyance.
"Chase," she warned but he ignored her.
"If you were in trouble in any way, you'd tell me. Right?" Her gaze softened and once again she looked like the small vulnerable girl she was just moments ago. She thought about her answer. Everything inside of her was screaming to tell him the truth, to tell him about the abuse. She wanted to cry into his arms and for him to tell her everything was going to be ok. But Chris's threatening words echoed in her head and she instantly snapped back into reality. She gave Chase a forced smile, ignoring the nauseating feeling of guilt in the pit of her stomach.
"Of course I would," she lied.
