Chapter 11

Cameron just finished with her patient in Exam Room 2 and reached for the next patient file as she read a phone message Nurse Katie had just handed her. She was startled when her hand met flesh, not paper, and looked up to see a handsome young doctor smiling at her.

"Oh, I'm sorry I wasn't looking at what I was doing."
"Hey, not a problem…" said the man, chuckling, "I guess we're going to have to duke it out to see who gets this patient."

"Andrew Johnson.", he said holding out his hand.
"Allison Cameron, nice to meet you, you're new here, aren't you?" Cam said, shaking his hand.

"This is just my second day actually. I'm a pediatrician."
Cameron became uncomfortable when she realized that Andrew was still holding her hand. "Well, I should go. We have a lot of patients waiting."

"Yea, me too. I'll take care of this one. Bye for now." Andrew smiled, as he headed off to Exam Room 1.

Cameron watched him go. He's certainly easy on the eyes…that's funny, he dresses like House, blue jeans, t-shirt, shirt and jacket, Cameron smiled to herself, but no one can carry off the look the way House does.

"Hey, Dr. Cameron, did you see your boss this morning?" said Nurse Brenda
"No, why?"

"He was H…O…T… hot!"
"What do you mean?"

"Don't spoil it for her Brenda," said Katie, "she'll see soon enough."
"Guys, that's mean. You know I'm down here for another hour at least. Tell me!"

The nurses shook their heads and went back to their work.

oOoOo

Meanwhile, House had gone back to tearing apart his desk as Wilson watched. "House, what exactly are you looking for?"
"My invitation to the Valentine's Day Fundraiser. I know it's in here somewhere. I want to take Cameron."

"House, you were supposed to RSVP to that a month ago."
"Yea, I know…I forgot."

"I think you're out of luck my friend."
"Why? Cuddy reserved a ticket for all of the Department Heads."

"You're right. She was holding a ticket for you and you could buy one for a date, but you had to RSVP or your ticket would be sold. You know how hard it is to get tickets for these things."
"Do you have your tickets?"

"I have the one Cuddy gave me."
"Damn." House said, slamming his desk drawer shut. "I've got to get tickets. Should I try a scalper?"

"House, this isn't a monster truck rally, people don't scalp fundraiser tickets."
"I'll go see Cuddy then. She's got to have some more."

"Good luck, House, I hope you're not disappointed." said Wilson as he left for his office.

oOoOo

Lisa Cuddy was working on the final preparations for the fundraiser when House walked in. Recognizing the sound of his footsteps she said, "I'm busy House, what do you … w…a…n…'t…" Cuddy looked up and stood up from behind her desk.

"Look at you…I'm impressed." she said looking him over from head to toe, "House you look good enough to eat!" and then gave House her best wolf whistle.

"Cuddy, are you ovulating? Cut out the sexist remarks." said an embarrassed House.

"Oh, so it's OK for you to comment on my assets whenever you want but I can't say a thing to you about how hot you look. Well, turnabout is fair play, big boy."

Cuddy was really enjoying herself and gently grabbed House by his lapels.
They were standing no more than an inch apart and Cuddy stroked House's face gently with her hand.

House took advantage of his height to take a not-too subtle look down her blouse, while Cuddy smiled and moved her hand slowly down his chest, licking her lips seductively. He doesn't even know how good he looks…

House was beginning to enjoy his new look….a lot!

"Cuddy?" House said, looking deep into her eyes, "I need a favour…"
"Now would probably be a good time to ask." she purred.

"I need two tickets to the Valentine's Day Fundraiser."
"HOUSE!" Cuddy shouted, pushing him away. "NO!" she said as she want back to her desk.

"Cuddy, please."
"No, House, you could have had them if you had given me your RSVP. I even reminded you, do you remember?"

"You must still have them."
"No, I told you, any unclaimed staff tickets were sold a couple of weeks ago… sorry."

House leaned on her desk so that his face was inches away from Cuddy. "I need those tickets." he growled.
"No."

"Cuddy, I know they're not all gone."
"Why do you want them so badly?"

"I need them for Cameron."
"Oh no, not this again."

"Cuddy please, I don't ask you for much."
"House, you ask me for things all the time!"

"Don't make me beg…."
"Look House. I only have six tickets left at my personal table. I'm saving them for people who make large donations at the last minute. I need those tickets too!"

"I'm only asking for two."
"No House. You know I'd like to see you and Cameron together, but we're short of our target…I need the cash."

House reached into his pants pocket and pulled out his wallet. He took out one cheque that he carried with him in case of an emergency and filled it out. "Here," he said, handing the cheque to Cuddy, "will this cover it?"

Cuddy took the cheque and then looked up at House slowly, "You're serious about her, aren't you?"
"I've never been more serious in my life." said House.

Cuddy reached into her desk drawer and handed House a pair of tickets.

"Thanks Cuddy."
"You're welcome, House."

House started towards the door. "Oh, and House?" Cuddy said, calling after him with a gentle smile, "It was fun messin' with your head."

"Likewise." said House, as he smiled back at her.