It had been a few weeks since Cameron had "bumped her head" as House had taken to calling it before disaster struck. Everything had so far been going well, the House family had moved into the beautiful gray house. Cameron had been forced into early maternity leave. Nicole had adjusted to having her own room. And Rachel had happily redecorated her basement room. But all good things must come to an end, and this seemed to be too true for Rachel.
It was Tuesday afternoon when Rachel came home from school, slamming doors shut, throwing her things around and just making general noise. She felt as if her world was crashing down around her. Hearing the commotion Cameron rushed into the living room to see what was going on.
"Rachel! What in the world is going on?" Cameron exclaimed.
Turning to face her mother, Rachel let out a single sob before rushing into her mother's arms. It was then that Cameron noticed her daughter's tear stained cheeks.
"Oh baby. What's wrong love?" Cameron asked cradling Rachel against her.
"Mama…he broke up with me." Was all Rachel managed to get out before dissolving into tears once more.
"Oh. Rachel. Baby, I'm so sorry." Cameron cooed, holding Rachel close. After a while Cameron looked down at Rachel.
"Want to tell me what happened?" Cameron asked softly.
"He said that he didn't want to be attached when school started." Rachel spat out. "He said that high school was for having fun. For meeting new people to hang out with, but you could tell he meant girls." Rachel added slowly starting to cry into Cameron's shoulder again.
"Oh baby, I'm so sorry. I wish I could have kept this pain from you, but sadly it's part of growing up." Cameron said gently kissing Rachel's forehead.
After a few moments of silence Cameron nudged Rachel.
"Come on. It's time to introduce you to the age old tradition of wallowing. I'll get rid of your dad and Nicole for the night, and we'll wallow. It doesn't get rid of the pain but you feel a bit better after it. So while I set everything up I want you to go take a shower and change into something comfortable. Even if it's PJ's, Ok?"
Nodding Rachel got up off the couch, but quickly turned back.
"You aren't going to tell dad what happened are you?" she asked starting to panic. Her dad would positively murder Sam if he knew what had happened.
"Not if you don't want me to, but you know he'll find out eventually. He always does." Cameron responded.
"But he'll kill Sam. I mean as tempting as it is, I don't want dad to go to prison or something." Rachel said.
Cameron chuckled. "Well, first your dad wouldn't get caught and two he'd probably send Chase and Foreman maybe even Jimmy to do his dirty work. But I'll just tell him we need a girl's night, for now."
"Ok. Thanks mom." Rachel responded.
Shaking her head sadly, Cameron reached for the phone, dialing Greg's cell. Explaining to him that her and Rachel needed a girl's night, and ask if he could take Nicole to Cuddy or Wilson's for the night and make himself scarce. It was only explaining that "girly" issues were involved did he agree. His only condition was that he be allowed in to collect an overnight bag. After hanging up with House did Cameron go searching for Rachel.
"Rach?" Cameron called from the head of the stairs to the basement room.
"Here mom." Rachel answered reluctantly.
"Come on babe. Let's get going huh? We got a long night a head of us." Cameron beckoned with small smile.
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked.
"You'll see." Cameron answered with a House-ian smirk.
It was only after a quick run to the grocery store did Rachel start to understand just what wallowing was all about. Cameron had dressed up the coffee table with copious amounts of chocolate and other junk food, while having Rachel pick out movies of her choice.
It was half way through the third movie and Rachel's fourth box of cookie dough bites when House came home. Looking up from her spot on the couch, expecting to see her mom return from her bedroom with old photos, she instead met House's concerned look with her own melancholy one.
"Rach?" House asked softly, instantly noticing the girl's red and puffy eyes, tear stained face, as well as the fresh tears that seemed ready to fall at any given moment. Slowly he moved closer to his oldest daughter. She may not have been his by blood, but in his eyes she may as well have been, and truth be told he didn't like what he saw in her eyes.
"Daddy…"Rachel sobbed before launching herself into House's arms.
"Whoa…hey there monkey. What's wrong sweetie?" House asked wrapping his arms around the girl, using his private nickname for her, picked up after a story the girl had shared with him one evening.
"He broke up with me. He wants to be single for high school so he can have fun with other people." Rachel cried in anger and sadness.
"What?" House raged. "That cretin. Did I not promise him hell if he broke your heart?" House got up making for the door but Rachel pulled him back.
"No, dad, please. Just leave him alone, I'll get him back somehow." Rachel said distractedly, wondering just how she was going to get back at Sam for being such a prick.
"Well I actually had an idea on that. And if your father dearest here doesn't mind it too much we can put it into effect soon." Cameron said coming back into the living room with a few album books under her arm. Greeting House with a light kiss, she took up a spot on the couch, pulling Rachel down with her.
"Now, Greg no freaking out until I've finished presenting my idea." Cameron said with a warning look to her husband.
Nodding his head in agreement but with a skeptical glare on his face House gave his consent.
"Ok. Now there's a med student who's been hanging around the Immunology department, doing some work for me with Cuddy's blessing. A few weeks ago he got into a spot of trouble with some labs for one of my other doctors, but came to me for help, and we managed to salvage the labs. So, like any thankful boy, he said he'd do anything for me to show his gratitude." At this Cameron chuckled at the boy's naivety and continued on with her story.
"So I was thinking I'd call on my favor with young Richard, and have him masquerade as your new boyfriend for a couple of weeks after school starts."
"But, mom a pre med student would never go for that. And if he's anywhere near good looking he'll already have a girlfriend who'll never agree to this!" Rachel cried in protest.
"Forget girlfriend. I don't want some smarmy college boy trying to feel up my daughter." House added.
Rolling her eyes Cameron sighed in exasperation.
"Perhaps, but you should know that while Simon is a nice looking boy, and in definite need of something closer to recreational fun. Poor boy's just transferred in from California and has few friends. Besides think of how it would look to Sam. An older cuter guy coming to pick up the girl he let slip through his fingers. Boy wouldn't know what to do with himself." Cameron smirked.
Rachel paused and thought this over. It sounded like an interesting idea to say the least.
"But would Richard, that his name right, go for it?" Rachel asked. "I mean why would he want to spend time with a lowly high school sophomore. Sure he owes you, but still isn't this a bit extreme?"
Cameron merely shrugged. "Perhaps, but if he agrees to this, maybe he can also get a tour guide so to speak out of it?" Cameron asked Rachel.
"I…could do that I guess. But only if he agrees to it, not forced into it, mom." Rachel said.
"I still don't like it." House finally spoke up; he didn't like the idea of some strange boy running with his daughter around town, especially if he drove, and even worse he was new, he didn't know about him.
"And what do you suggest then, dear husband?" Cameron asked dangerously.
Looking at Cameron carefully and then at Rachel who seemed to be cheering up a bit by the idea.
"Beating the boy to a bloody pulp?" House asked hopefully.
"Illegal and we wouldn't allow it." Cameron responded coolly.
Growling in frustration House glared at Cameron. "Fine, but I want to meet this boy first. Under no uncertain terms is he gonna get ideas about his time with Rachel."
"Sounds fair enough." Cameron agreed.
"So now that it's all settled do I really have to spend the night with Jimmy? He's such a girl." House whined.
"Yeah dad you can stay. But you have to stay clear of the living room. That's girl territory." Rachel answered.
"Fine." House sighed out.
Laughing Rachel turned back to the movie, snuggling up to Cameron.
Later that week…
It had been a few days since the Sam fiasco had happened, and while Rachel was doing better House could still see the lingering sadness, and it was killing him. He was totally helpless in fixing her, or at least making her feel better, which rubbed his diagnostic pride to no end. It was only after successfully stealing another lunch from Wilson and an overdo rant did an idea come to him. Cameron was in desperate need a stress free day, with all that was going on with Rachel and finishing settling the house, the stress was really getting to her. The last thing House wanted was something to happen to the babies, one scare was more than enough. And Rachel could just use a getaway.
Friday morning, House cornered Cameron in the kitchen while she was making breakfast.
"Here." He said handing Cameron an envelope.
"What this?" Cameron asked opening the envelope.
"Spa reservations for tomorrow. Rachel's depression is getting me depressed and your hormones trying to kill me. I don't want to see the two of you for at least 18 hours." House said gruffly.
Looking up at House Cameron smiled and wiped away a few stray tears before hugging House.
"Oh, Greg this is great. I love it. Thank You." Cameron said peppering House with kisses.
"Yeah, yeah I know, I know. Just remember 18 hours!" House said before limping away for work.
Saturday morning found Cameron and Rachel leaving the house bright and early for the spa across town. It was later in the day when the House woman were relaxing in a hot tub did the serious talk begin. They had been talking throughout the day, all subjects were fair game. Even the impending plan with Richard had been discussed at length. It was now though that Rachel worked up the courage to ask about the serious subjects.
"Mom, what about dad?" Rachel asked.
"What about your dad. You know that story we met at work-" Cameron started.
"No, mom, I mean my biological dad, Sam." Rachel said.
"Oh. Well what about him?" Cameron asked hesitantly.
"Well I know most of the back story between the two of you and pieces of the recent stuff. And where he is now and stuff. But what happens next?" Rachel asked.
"Well actually I've been meaning to talk to you about that. I just didn't want to upset you with it all. Your dad, Sam, is actually due out of jail about a month or so. I got a letter the other day about it. And he wants to see you once he's out, I'd really rather you didn't but it is your choice he is your dad." Cameron said uneasily.
"No, actually he's not. Sam is my sperm donor, Greg House is my dad. I've got his last name, and he treats me the same as he does Nicole, who is his biological daughter. I couldn't ask for a better one. Sure the sarcasm stings sometimes, but I mean he is human. And he's good to you, nothing like Sam was." Rachel responded.
"I agree entirely. Sam is the symbol for that time in my life where I was a rebellious and stupid teenage, who made some bad choices. But you learn to live with them." Cameron said seriously.
"So what happens when Sam does get out?" Rachel asked after a few minuets of silence.
"Well…we'll probably end up in a custody battle, to be honest. But since Greg has legally adopted you he won't have a case. His being in prison won't help either, nor will his violent past. But chances are he'll try and drag it out as long as possible." Cameron said slowly thinking it over as she spoke.
Rachel nodded her understanding.
"You and dad won't let him get near me though will you?" Rachel asked "Like during the trials or whatever."
"No, no, no. Not a chance. The only way you'll even be at those hearings is if it's mandatory otherwise I'll arrange for you to be at home or with Lisa or Jimmy." Cameron reassured her daughter.
Rachel just breathed a sigh of relief.
Looking at Rachel closely Cameron just shook her head; this was too much for such a young girl.
"Come on. Its time to visit the salon. We need a pick me up. Don't you agree?" Cameron asked searching for a smile.
"Absolutely." Rachel replied instantly.
"You know I was thinking of showing you just where your blonde hair comes from." Cameron said teasingly. "That and Greg has never actually seen my natural hair color."
"Wait. What?" Rachel asked surprised. "You mean you're actually a blonde?"
"Born and raised." Cameron laughed. "Where do you think your blonde hair comes from anyways? Sam has light brown, but not blonde. But maybe we can even get you some daring red highlights, huh baby?"
A/n: Yes there is Sam drama on the horizon, both Sam's too. How's that for creepy? And just to let you all know our dear Richard will be making his appearance next chapter… and he's also based on the character Simon Tam from Firefly & Serenity. Just thought you'd like to know.