'Hey…' Cameron poked her head into House's office, smiling lightly at the sight of him absorbed in his gameboy. 'You busy?'

'Yes.' He responded keeping his eyes squarely on the screen, 'You?'

'I'm on my way home.'

He showed no interest in the statement causing her to move further into the room, 'I brought you a frappucino, more whip less lip…'

Glancing up, House eye'd the beverage suspiciously. It was indeed covered with whipped cream causing him to tilt his head in confusion, 'Aren't you supposed to be mad at me? You're not trying to poisin me are you? Cause that would be rather unoriginal considering all the intricate diseases we come into contact with.'

'It's called apologizing, you should try it sometime…' She raised an eyebrow before take a sip to prove her point and clearly satisfied, he switched of his gameboy throwing it down on the desk.

'I should piss you off more often.'

'No, you really shouldn't.' She handed him the drink and moved to lean against the edge of desk beside his chair, 'Look... I know you're worried but while I appreciate the concern you have to believe me when I say I'm fine. If I wasn't I would tell you, okay?'

He sucked on his straw reluctantly accepting the fact. Though a tiny voice in the back of his head still maintained she was lying, a bigger part of him was willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. 'So you're actually leaving?'

She nodded, an amused smile tugging at her lips. 'You know it was the strangest thing... Wilson came in insisting that I go to lunch with him, practically forced me to eat everything on my plate and then told me in no uncertain terms that I was going home.'

House inwardly winced but even though he knew it was futile still tried to feign ignorance, 'Yep he's as strange as they come. Crazy how his has like, a sixth sense about some things. Do you think he can see dead people? Maybe I should go ask.'

He reached for his cane but she placed a hand on his arm preventing the movement, 'Thank you.'

For once his confusion out weighed his need to avoid a serious conversation and the words fell from his mouth before he could stop them. 'I start a fight between us, go behind your back, don't apologize and you're thanking me? Either Wilson is the best mediator ever or I'm missing something.'

'I'm thanking you because you cared enough to do those things.' She ran her hand along his arm, pausing as she considered his last point. 'Although you could say sorry.'

The phone rang and she rolled her eyes as he pounced on it, clearly jumping at the change to avoid an apology.

'House...' He answered picking up the receiver.

There was a brief pause and he resisted the urge to sigh as he recognized Cuddy's voice on the other end of he line. 'Yes, yes I know I've got… he what?… no I didn't know she…well then, say bye to the puppies for me.'

There was an audible click as she hung up and he placed the receiver back down shaking his head, 'Shame on you, working triple shifts…'

'What? How did you…'

'Cuddy would like me to drive you home. Apparently Wilson's offered to cover my clinic duty.' He raised an eyebrow trying to work out if she'd played any part in the obvious set up but the confusion lacing her features suggested otherwise. 'Looks like we're both taking the afternoon off.'

Realization dawned on her and she made a mental note to thank Wilson the next time she saw him. 'So…' She pushed off the edge of the desk and moved, settling herself in his lap. 'What should we do with our newly acquired time off?'

'You are going to sleep…' He smirked, letting his fingers graze against her hips. 'At some point.'

'Some point?' She smiled brushing her lips against his, 'I like some point...'

The repetitive hum of the microwave cut out and House removed it's contents with a distasteful sigh. Though Macaroni cheese wasn't exactly the most nutritious meal it was at least something edible in the stark kitchen and with that in mind he grabbed the two bowls, hobbling awkwardly back into the lounge.

'Midday snack is serve…' He stopped at the sight of Cameron curled up on the couch.

Her eyes were closed and the gently rhythm of her breathing told him she was asleep. Despite himself, he couldn't help but smile at how relaxed she looked and though he was hesitant to wake her, he placed their food on the coffee table.

She may seem at ease but even the thick blanket sprawled across her body failed to hide her thin frame.

'Hey, Cameron…' He knelt beside her ignoring the pain in his leg as he regretfully nudged her shoulder, 'Come on, before it gets cold.'

'I'm asleep.' She tried to shrug him off but he didn't relent.

'Pretty please, with sugar on top…'

Realizing she wasn't going to comply he rolled his eyes before leaning over to capture her lips. It was only once he felt her respond that he pulled away grinning smugly, 'I knew you couldn't resist my charm.'

She threw her head back unable to keep the frustration from her groggy voice, 'Why do you hate me?'

'I don't.' He stood up to retrieve the bowls from the table, 'I actually like you, which is why I so selflessly gave up clinic duty to slave over a hot oven for hours.'

She laughed, accepting the rather undesirable meal and fork as he handed them to her. 'Don't you mean microwave?'

'Tomato, patatoe…'

He switched on the t.v. before moving to sit beside her and they continued to eat in silence, faintly absorbed in the programme on the screen. It was only as the credits rolled and Cameron yawned beside him that he realized the noise was probably keeping her awake.

'You should go to bed.'

She rolled her head to the side gazing at him through half closed eyelids, 'Is that an invitation?'

He snorted, pushing himself up off the couch and offering her his hand, 'Come on then.' His fingers were warm as she accepted the help and once standing a smile settled on her face as his arms slipped around her waist guiding them to the bedroom.

Her weight felt heavy against his body as they shuffled towards the door and he brushed his lips against her ear softly, 'Sleepy yet?'

She shook her head indicating a no but as they entered the room and crawled into the bed he wasn't surprised to find her eyes closing almost immediately.

'Promises, promises…' He mumbled to himself, draping an arm loosely over her stomach. Though he wasn't tired he was willing to remain still, watching her sleep. It was an unfamiliar action but one he found himself indulging in more and more lately.

She looked so peaceful, content... and despite his reservations it wasn't long before he too started to drift off.