Chapter ten- The guilt trip.

At six thirty, Cameron looked at herself in the mirror. She was wearing straight leg jeans, with a plumb coloured vest top, which had a subtle line of gold sequins around the neckline and sleeves, her hair was down and she was wearing the same shoes she wore to work, her usual black pointed toe stiletto heels. She ran a hand through her hair before making her way out her front door.

At five to seven, she arrived at Hansen's Bar. She scanned the room, to see Foreman coming towards her.

"Hey Cameron!" He handed her a drink "Chase isn't here yet, you enjoy your time off?"

The two of them made their way across the room, passing the dance floor and seating themselves at a high stool table, and she informed her colleague that she hadn't done much, just took a rest, and watched a movie. He told Cameron about a little boy in the clinic who had taken a particular disliking to Chase, because of his accent. It was a pretty funny story, particularly because it ended with Chase sulking about some kids comment about his 'weird tie'.

Cameron laughed for a while before the pair fell silent. She didn't know quite how to bring up the topic, but she was desperate to know if House was ok that afternoon. So, still not removing her eyes from her glass, she spoke:

"Foreman?"

"Yeah?"

"Didn't talk to House this afternoon, did you?"

"No" It was then that he noticed the flash of disappointment behind her eyes.

"Look, Cameron" He leaned forward a little in his chair lacing his hands together "He was fine. I saw him when I went to get some coffee. Reading some magazine, listening to music."

Cameron was shocked at how quickly Foreman had realised the true question that lay behind her words.

"Oh, it was just I was wondering if he needed me for a consult on anything! I didn't want to know if he was alright! Why wouldn't he be?"

Her words were laced with an over the top lilt which the young doctor didn't usually possess. It was in that moment that Eric Foreman realised that Allison Cameron was most definitely not a natural or successful liar. So he just said a disbelieving 'right' before continuing the conversation.

A further ten minutes later, Cameron checked her cell phone for missed calls, Chase was late.

"Cameron!" Foreman chuckled nodding towards the bar "That's where Chase got to!"

Cameron looked to where Foremans eyes were fixated. What she saw didn't surprise her, but it was good for light early evening entertainment. Chase was at the bar, drink in hand. He had obviously had every intention of joining his co workers before he was distracted by three overdressed young women, who were currently fawning all over him. If it weren't for the loud music blasting out of the DJs speakers, the pair would have been able to hear that the three young women were also cooing over the Australian, and he was simply lapping it up.

Cameron screwed her face up a little.

"Oh, God."

A further five minutes later and Chase had noticed his friends' observation of his scatter gun approach to getting girls. He had approached them then, and sat down next to Cameron. He had a rather pompous strut as he wandered towards them, Cameron noticed.

House and Wilson wandered into Hansen's at precisely seven fifty. They had, as always, run late because House had persuaded some extra cash out of his friend. Wilson was in a ridiculously good mood, and House had decided that agreeing to come out with Wilson tonight was a regrettable decision when Wilson had made the suggestion of separate cars to take them to the bar. That meant he was planning to bring someone home with him that night or he was planning on talking, meaning neither party would get drunk. Both were somewhat disappointing options for House. If the reason was the first, House was guaranteed to feel like a spare part. If the reason was the second, House would end up sitting listening to Wilson whine about his latest love affair, with no alcohol because he wont 'be able to concentrate on the issue.' But, House decided, due to Wilson's jolly mood, he was confident that he would be having some kind of one night stand this evening. The mere thought made House feel pathetic and 'side-kick' like before the evening had even begun.

As they strolled into the bar together, Houses mood sunk lower. This bar was what he would refer to as a 'Chase Bar' i.e. many young, dressed up girls and posing guys, and a DJ with no taste in music to boot.

About an hour and a half later House was just about to fling another ten dollar note down onto the bar next to Wilson when he froze. Across the bar, he could clearly see his little ducklings. Foreman was on his cell, looking like he was texting, and seemingly ready to leave. Chase was opposite him, scooted quite close to Cameron, and he was clearly quite dunk. Cameron was also not really looking much like she did at work; she was far more animated, occasionally throwing her hands up in the air or her head back with laughter. House couldn't decide whether she looked drunk or just relaxed.

House was distracted looking over at her, until Wilson said rather loudly:

"Enjoying the view?"

"My fellows are here."

"I see that. Wanna go say hi?"

"No."

"Let me rephrase that, we're going to say hi."

House couldn't be bothered to argue, so he just followed Wilson in a rather resigned manner.

They reached the ducklings' booth much faster than House would have liked. Foreman was the first of the three to realise that the two older men were in their presence.

"Hey Wilson, House. What are you doing here? Want a drink? I'm going in a minute but-"

"No, we're set, thanks." Wilson smiled at the neurologist.

"He-y! It's Wilson!" Cameron slurred a little as she spoke "How are ya, House?"

"Just dandy" he said through gritted teeth, why were the others letting her get drunk?

"MOVE, Chase!" She giggled "House will be better company. He's not going to talk about Tiffy and Hannah, and Hailey, or whatever their names are."

Chase slid down off the booth, and despite Houses protestations, he ended up sandwiched between Cameron and Wilson, who was distracted by a conversation with Foreman. He decided he might as well be his sarcastic self, and took up a conversation with Cameron.

"So. You're drunk."

"No-oo! I'm not drunk House, I'm just tipsy. You see I can hold up a conversation with you."

"Yeah, right, so you can tell me this, how are you getting home, Einstein?"

"Shoot" She wrinkled her brow for a moment before her eyes widened as she got an idea "I'll call a cab, silly. And it's only ten o'clock!"

"And yet, here we are."

"Yep." She went silent for a minute, and Wilson headed in Chases vague direction whilst Foreman scurried outside to make a call It was then that she spoke again: "I'm a lightweight"

Just then an attractive young man sidled up to the table where House and Cameron were drinking. Arms outstretched, he said in a voice which sounded like he'd just found gold. He had, House thought bitterly.

"ALLISON CAMEON!"

"SIMON COOPER!" She squealed, scrambling in an unladylike fashion from the stool until she was in the mans' embrace. She kissed him on the cheek, which made House shift uncomfortably in his seat.

For a good ten minutes, House had to put up with this apparent high school reunion. It wasn't. It turned out the guy was a friend from college. House still didn't like it when soon after all his friends crowded round Cameron, offering her drinks and dancing. Despite her somewhat drunken state, she managed to deny all the men, except for one who offered her a gin and tonic, but thankfully not a dance. Cameron got around to introducing House as her friend, which surprised him enough that he behaved himself until the crowd disappeared in various directions. House noted that she had finished her rather large g & t in less than twenty minutes.

"So, this is how you spend your Friday nights?"

"Pretty much. Not like I have anything to go home to"

Cameron may have been the one feeling it earlier that day, but now it seemed it was Houses turn to feel guilty.

Soon, Foreman announced his departure, earning him a hug from Cameron. Now House really was annoyed. Foreman just left her here? With tons of odd looking guys and she was already drunk? Wasn't he going to call her a cab? Drive her home himself? How many times had she just said 'I'll be fine', and Foreman had believed her? Next it was Wilson's turn. He announced that Chase had practically fallen into a cab with three young girls earlier, and he wanted to get home. This meant another hug from Cameron, an uncomfortable looking Wilson and House staring daggers at him.

Now House was left with Cameron, and she was getting bored.

"Ten forty" he muttered to himself. He decided it would be best to take her home soon; else he would get drunk, too. And he could never trust himself when he was drunk. He tended to be honest, and worse, outwardly confident with no regard for how he would feel about it in the morning.

"Dance with me."

This took House completely by surprise.

"Uh, Cameron, I walk with a cane."

She had been sitting with her elbow on the table, head rested on fist, but she now moved so it was resting completely on his shoulder. She was definitely drunk.

"I know but" she sighed "I'm lonely. No one dances with me."

"Do you have a coat?"

"No" she answered sadly.

"Right, let's go then."

As they slowly passed the dance floor, and out into the cold still air of the parking lot she linked her arm through his. He thought she was going to do something stupid, but she surprised him once again. She seemed to be having a sober moment, because she said quite clearly.

"Thank you for taking me home."

"You're welcome"

"And for being nice to me when I get all sluttish"

"I wasn't being nice, I was taking advantage."

"Oh!" She laughed "Well, you missed your chance, mister! I only get like that when I'm drunk and the cold airs clearing my head"

"Darn it!" He said in mock annoyance.

She laughed as he led her to the car, carrying on their banter.

He couldn't help but think how cute she was, a little disorientated, but it at least showed she was human. He wasn't sure sometimes.

She couldn't help but realise through her slightly blurry thoughts how cute he was. He was looking after her, but still being House. At least it showed he was human. She wasn't sure sometimes.