Chapter 12. Cameron's New Love

House didn't argue with Cameron's offer to let him drive. As he got behind the wheel, Jean McClelland handed him the keys. The car started at the first turn. "Listen to that engine!" House exclaimed. He was a little surprised that the car had seat belts, but figured they'd been added to meet legal standards. He drove it out of the garage, around his car on the driveway ignoring the flowers planted along the edge and out into the street. "Wait 'til you get behind the wheel of this baby!" he told Cameron.

By that time she was laughing at his enthusiasm, but she also noticed something that gave her pause. "Uh, House. It's a stick shift."

"Yeah, so?"

"So, I haven't driven a stick shift since I learned to drive on my dad's old car," she concluded.

"But you know how," he said. He didn't think it was something you forgot. Of course, he was having so much fun driving, that he wasn't ready yet to relinquish the wheel.

"I...I guess so." Her eyes slid sidewards to study him. He seemed so...happy! She wondered if she dared to suggest something. "House, maybe you can use this car and I'll drive yours," she said, biting her lip as she waited for his response.

"Wait until you've driven this baby before you make that offer," he cautioned.

"Do you really think I can?" she asked.

"Dr. Cameron, I wouldn't put anything past you." And with that, he pulled over to the side of the road. "C'mon, give it a shot," he said.

She unbuckled her seat belt, got out, and walked around to the driver's side. House held the door open for her and she slid inside. As he got into the passenger's seat, she said, "Fasten you seat belt. This may be a bumpy ride."

She was amazed, though, that shifting came back to her. The pattern was a little different from that in the car she'd first learned in, but it seemed almost intuitive. And as she drove the car down the road, she knew what House had meant. Yes, this was the car she wanted to drive.

"So are you rethinking your offer?" House asked with a smirk.

"Could be," Cameron said, but she knew her face showed how much she was enjoying driving the car.

House chuckled. "But you will let me drive it sometimes."

"And what do I get in return if I let you?" she asked.

He had to think about that. "I'll come up with something."

"Well, it better be good."

"I think we created a monster by letting you get behind the wheel of this machine."

"I never thought I'd enjoy driving this much," she said. "Now I know what all you guys mean when you rave about Italian sports cars."

Cameron finally drove back to the house. She pulled the car back into the garage and turned off the engine. She sighed and smiled at House, but her hands still caressed the leather-covered steering wheel.

"It'll still be here in the morning, ya know," House told her, watching the way her hands moved on the wheel, and the look on her face.

"I know."

"And your bed is much more comfortable for sleeping...and other things," he said.

She grinned. "OK." She opened the door and got out.

House did too. They left the garage and she pulled down the heavy door before they walked together to the back of the house.

Mrs. McClelland must have been watching for them, because she opened the door before they got there. "Well? What do you think?" she asked.

"If you really don't mind..." Cameron said.

"It's just sitting there, Allison. If you use it, my son won't have to come out monthly to start it up." She thought about that. "I guess I'll have to come up with another excuse to get him to visit or I may never see him."

"It's a fantastic car!" Cameron said.

"I'm surprised you never sold it," House added.

Mrs. McClelland shook her head. "I couldn't do that. But I'd love to give it someone who appreciates it."

"I can't just take it!" Cameron insisted. "How 'bout I pay you a nominal amount for the use of it while I'm in Shelby."

"Well, I hope that'll be a long, long time."

House had been watching the two women, especially Cameron. Her eyes were shining in a way he hadn't seen since...maybe since she'd first come to work for him. Did she have a crush on that car? He'd give anything for her to look at him that way again. He cleared his throat in an effort to clear his brain and subdue his emotions.

"I think House likes the car, too," Cameron told Mrs. McClelland.

"Of course, he does, dear. He's a man."

"What's that supposed to mean?" House wondered aloud.

"That I've rarely met a man who's head couldn't be turned by a beautiful woman or a beautiful car," Jean McClelland explained. "What surprises me is that you're driving that old sedan of yours."

"The Buick? Nothing surprising about it," House replied with a shrug. "It's...comfortable. And amazingly fast."

"But you won't mind Allison driving the Alfa."

"As long as I get to go along for the ride."