Breaking Point:

Epilogue

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A/N: Well, it seems pretty much everyone wanted an epilogue…so here it is! And it brings us to a nice, round 10 chapters. Enjoy! :)

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Unnecessary disclaimer: None of the characters appearing in the TV show "House, M. D." belong to me.

Abstract: When House returns from Mayfield, things have changed. What happens when he tries to bring things back into his control? House/Cameron.

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Both House and Cameron were quiet on the ride home from work.

They entered what had become 'their' apartment in silence. House went into the kitchen and grabbed a couple of beers, tossing one to Cameron on the couch before he sat down beside her.

"There's an I Love Lucy marathon on," Cameron said, inclining her head towards the television. They reclaimed their silence, neither really watching. Cameron knew something odd was going on with House; he never went this long without a single sarcastic comment. It was the third commercial break before he got up the courage to speak.

"Remember our talk on the swing back in Nebraska?" House asked.

Cameron smiled fondly. "We had lots of those," she reminded him gently.

"Right," House responded, not knowing where to go from there. To him there had really been only one. "The day you told me how you felt… Do you remember what else you said to me?"

Cameron shook her head. "I said lots of things."

House bit the bullet. "You told me you didn't need marriage and children."

"I don't," Cameron said, staring at him with reassuring eyes. "All I need is here."

House turned away slightly, uncomfortable with such open affection. "Do you still want them?"

She answered honestly. "Yes."

"You could still have them." He wouldn't look at her.

Cameron cupped a hand around his cheek, gently bringing him to see eye to eye with her. "I don't want them if it means leaving you," she said firmly.

House nodded nearly imperceptibly as she dropped her hand. "I just wanted to give you a chance to leave before…"

Cameron looked perplexed. "Before what?"

House changed his tone. "Look, I can't give you everything you want, but if you're sure you want to be with me, I can offer you something."

Cameron slid a hand onto his knee, a wondering look gracing her features. "And what's that?"

House reached a hand into his pocket and pulled out a small box that he opened to reveal a solitaire ring with a large oval diamond at its center. Cameron's breath caught in her throat.

She spoke. "You don't have—"

"I know," he cut her off. He took the ring from the box and slipped it on her shaking finger.

"No children then," she joked weakly, when she got her voice back.

"We could get a cat," House offered.

House was afraid she'd be upset, but a smile spread slowly across her face and a light laugh greeted his ears. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I love you, Greg," she said, a smile in her voice.

A smile crossed House's ever-impassive façade. "I love you too."

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A/N: I hope this ending was sufficiently fluffy and enjoyable for all the readers! Thank you all for reading and reviewing!