Chapter 8 Something's wrong

The diagnostics team didn't have a case today so Cuddy had them working in the clinic. Cameron was at the nurse's station filling out her patients chart when Chris suddenly came up from behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her neck. "Hey Ally Cat," he greeted. She turned in his arms and kissed him.

"Hi," she murmured, fear and uncertainty shining in her eyes. He realized with satisfaction that she was scared of him. Feeling cocky, he roughly grabbed her wrist. She winced at the tightness but didn't dare pull away. She recognized that dangerous gleam in his eyes.

"Chris," she whispered in a pleading voice.

"I'm in need for a consult in exam room 1," he said, wagging his eyebrows.

"Chris no! Not here! This is where we work!" she whispered so no one will hear. Ever since he started abusing her she wouldn't dare have sex with him and for some reason he respected that even though it would put him in a rage each time she denied him. His grip tightened and her hand was started to feel numb. Her heart started to hammer in her chest and his eyes were angry and full of hate. She knew she was going to get a beating as soon as they got home. But before Chris can do anything Foreman came up to them. Chris immediately dropped her wrist and the danger disappeared from his eyes and was replaced by an expression Cameron couldn't recognize. She gently rubbed her wrist and tried to control her uneven breathing. She just hoped Foreman didn't see or notice anything.

"Hey Cameron, Sullivan I hope I'm not interrupting anything. I just wanted to invite you two to lunch. Alicia and I have some news to tell you." Chris gave Foreman a fake polite smile.

"Sure, when do we leave?"

They were all at a restaurant not far from the hospital. Cameron sat next to Chris at the booth. On the other side sat Foreman and Alicia. Chase had pulled up a chair and sat at the end of the table. After ordering their food Alicia started to speak. "Foreman and I just moved in together and are throwing a party. We'd love it if all of you would come."

"Sweet," Chase said before taking a sip of his soda.

"Yeah we'll come," Chris said. "When is it?"

"Friday night at 8:00," said Alicia. "And that's not all. I was going to wait till the party but I want to ask you something Allison. I was singing at a club last weekend and this record producer offered me a record deal!" Everyone happily congratulated her before she looked at Cameron and continued talking.

"And I wanted to ask you Ally if you would like to record a duet with me." Cameron smiled excitedly. She would love to record a song with Alicia but before she can say yes Chris kicked her hard under the table. She looked at him, confused.

"Of course not. I don't want her in the spotlight. The paparazzi can be brutal." Cameron rolled her eyes at this.

"It's not like I'm going to become famous or anything. Chris it's just one song." Everyone stayed silent, watching the exchange between Cameron and Chris. Chase glared at him angrily. He thought Cameron is perfectly capable of making her own decisions. She didn't need a controlling boyfriend telling her what to do. Chris suddenly stood.

"Can I talk to you in private?" His voice was full of anger and Cameron knew she was in trouble. She slowly got up, trying to hide her emotions.

"Excuse me," she said before following Chris to the small hall that led to the restrooms.

As soon as they were alone Chris pushed her into the empty men's room. Unfortunately it was a single bathroom so there was no way that anyone can walk in on them. He locked the door and quickly turned to her, slapping her across the face. She cried out in pain but didn't dare cry. It would only make him angrier. "Who the fuck do you think you are talking back to me in front of them like that!" he yelled as he violently shook her.

"I'm sorry but what I said is true. It's just a song and I want to sing." Hearing this he slammed her against the wall, pinning her against it. Pain radiated from her back all the way to the back of her head. This time tears started to fall.

"It doesn't matter what you want! I said you're not doing it! Am I clear or do I have to keep kicking your fat ass?" Those words stung and all she could do was nod. "Good, besides you can't even sing."

By the time Chris and Cameron joined their colleagues their food had already arrived. "Is everything ok?" Alicia asked as they took their seats.

"Yeah, we just talked about your offer and we both think it's not a good idea," Chris explained. Cameron didn't even look at anyone as she pushed her salad around her plate with her fork. Alicia looked hurt as she looked at Cameron.

"Is this how you feel Allison?" she asked. Cameron felt so hurt and guilty that she couldn't even bring herself to look at her. She nodded.

"Sorry," she said quietly.

Chase watched all this in confusion. First Cameron was excited about the duet and after a quick talk Chris managed to change her mind in a flash. Something was wrong. For the past months that they've been working together he knew she never changes her mind unless she really has to. He looked at her, noticing the sudden change in her behavior. She was quiet and distant all of a sudden and her eyes were red, just like the night at the bar. He realized they were full of fear and her left cheek was red. If he looked closely he can almost make out some finger marks. And then it hit him. He felt like all the wind had been knocked out of him and he suddenly had to get out. He stood up fast and can feel everyone's eyes on him.

"Sorry uh thanks for inviting me to lunch but I got to go," he said, trying to keep his hands from shaking as he took out his wallet and left some money on the table. "Congratulations on your record deal Alicia," he said before rushing out. He had to get back to the hospital to find the one person who probably already figured it out long ago. He had to talk to House.

"Allison still wants to record the duet with me," Alicia told Foreman as she drove back to the hospital to drop him off.

"How do you know?" he asked, looking at her. She had that look on her face whenever something was bothering her.

"She was excited until Chris made up that lame excuse. Haven't you notice how controlling he is over her." Foreman nodded.

"Yeah and I thought it was a little strange that she changed her mind so quickly. She never changes her mind unless it's important."

"He probably made her agree with him," Alicia muttered bitterly as Foreman said, "One more thing honey. When I was in the clinic I saw them and the way he looked at her..." He trailed off, shaking his head with disgust. "Alicia I can never look at you the way he looked at Cameron. It was full of hate." Alicia looked shocked.

"Eric Something's wrong." Her voice shook and he knew she was right.

House was sitting at his desk, listening to his iPod and throwing his ball in the air when Chase suddenly barged in. "What!" he snapped in annoyance. He was flushed and shaking with anger. House hasn't seen his employee like this since his deadbeat father showed up at the hospital.

"How long has Sullivan been abusing Cameron!" House definitely wasn't expecting this but then again it was only a matter of time before Chase found out. House took off his ear phones and stopped throwing his ball, giving the younger man his attention.

"I'm guessing it started when she was out that whole week. That lame story of passing out in the shower is fake." Chase looked at him, mixed emotions going through his face. He was shocked and angry. He was angry at House for not saying anything but more at himself for not noticing right away.

"He's been beating the crap out of her for two months and you didn't say anything! We need to help her!" Annoyed, House threw his ball hard against the glass wall. The loud boom was enough to shut Chase up.

"Don't you think I've tried!" he yelled. Chase looked at him and for the first time noticed how tired and worn out he looked. Genuine worry was etched onto his face. Defeated, Chase sat on the chair in front of the desk.

"So this is why you always made her and not Foreman and I work the nightshifts and why you don't let her go anywhere alone. You've been secretly watching out for her."

"Yeah well someone has to considering the police won't do anything."

Chase sighed, "What did they say?"

"They can't do anything without proof or if she admits it but if we do turn him in all they can do is put a restraining order against him. That won't protect her from him. It'll only make things worse."

"We still have to try. We can't just let Sullivan treat her like this," Chase argued.

"I know that!" House snapped. "But whatever we do Cameron gets punished. We need to figure out how to do this without killing her. She needs to admit it."