"Robert, do you love me?" Cameron wasn't wasting any time. A direct approach had always been her style, so she wasn't letting him off the hook this time.

Chase had expected her to fire off the tough questions right off the bat. He had an answer prepared, but knew she wasn't going to like it. "Does the answer matter?"

"It matters to me. It should matter to both of us." Cameron was thrown back by such a response.

"What if I tell you I do? You are going to take that to mean that we should be together no matter what for the rest of our lives."

"Isn't that what happens when two people are in love?"

Chase sighed, knowing full well his rationale would be hard for her to understand. "Love is great, but most of the time it isn't enough. People you love will fail you, and vice versa. It doesn't come with guarantees or lifelong promises. It's just an emotion."

Cameron's mouth hung open as she was stunned over hearing such a jaded view on love. She believed it to be such a simple concept. "To me, either you love someone or you don't. Nothing else matters."

"I wish I could believe that."

"Okay, since it really doesn't matter, answer the question. Do you love me?"

Chase lowered his head and fumbled with his fingers searching for the honest answer. "Yes, I think so."

"You think so? How do you not know for sure?" Cameron's tone quickly turned to one of agitation.

"I have never been in love before. I don't know what it is like."

"Haven't you ever loved anything? A parent, a dog, a pet goldfish, anything?"

He carefully considered her question. "I have had nothing but screwed up relationships my entire life. I know I loved my mum and dad. They just didn't love back."

"Is that your way of saying you are incapable of loving anyone?"

"No, now you are putting words into my mouth. I really don't know what I'm saying." He knew trying to explain this would be hard and so far it seemed to only be proving how worlds apart he and Cameron were on the subject. "I just don't get it, that's all."

Cameron didn't know what to say. She couldn't teach him to love someone. She certainly couldn't force him to be honest with himself. Of course he was probably thinking he was being honest. "I have a hard time understanding it myself, but I know when it is real. There is a big difference between love and need."

"Is there much of a difference? You loved and needed your husband, and he loved and needed you."

Cameron lowered her head in shame. It was time to be honest. "I didn't love him," she confessed meekly.

"Oh." Chase said rather surprised by that admission. The whole House crush thing made far more sense now. She did need. He wasn't about to bring that up though. "It seems we both have some pretty fucked up notions when it comes to relationships."

Cameron got up out of frustration and paced around the room. They weren't getting very far with this conversation. She needed to change the line of questioning.

"What did you want to get out of this relationship?"

Chase buried his head in his right hand. He had no way of answering it. "To be honest, I wasn't thinking that far ahead."

"No, apparently not."

"It's an interview. That's all!"

"If you interviewed at another hospital here and got a job offer, would you have consulted me first?"

"I would have told you about it."

"Would you have come home and asked to discuss this with me because you don't want to make any such moves without my input?"

Chase hung his head low. "Probably not."

"You want to be with me, but you don't want to commit your life to me. You want just enough to get by. Why can't you commit? Are you afraid of losing control? Are you holding out for someone else? Are you afraid of just growing up?"

Chase felt the hairs stand up on the back of his neck as Cameron ripped into him. He didn't have answers, nor did he want to give any. "Maybe I'm just not ready."

"You're afraid of being rejected." Cameron said.

"Yes, but so are you."

Cameron just sighed. "We are going nowhere with this."

Chase was now feeling the deep sense of frustration. "Okay, let me ask you a question. This gives me perspective regarding your ability to commit. What if your husband had lived? Would you have stuck by him out of loyalty and commitment, or would you have gone seeking companionship from other places?"

Great, she thought. He just opened another Pandora's box. "I already found someone else. I fell in love with my husband's best friend while my husband was sick in the hospital. That is the only other time I have ever been in love."

"I don't get it. Why didn't you continue the relationship after your husband died?"

"I couldn't live with myself if I let it continue. It was wrong."

"You gave up someone you loved because of guilt?" Chase actually smiled at that idea. "No, I actually don't blame you for that. I would have done the same thing."

"So why can't we answer our own question?"

"We need to face facts. We weren't ready for this."

Cameron nodded and decided for now it was time to admit defeat. "Okay, talking at least was a start. We'll take some more time to think." She hated the fact that this loose end would be lingering. While she was learning patience, she was also remembering why she always hated it so much.

---------------------------

"I don't have time right now. Come back again at 6:00. I'll find us a nice little room for a consultation."

"Good afternoon to you too Dr. House. I already told you I won't be needing your services again anytime soon."

"So, you finally found someone to knock you up?"

"No, I finally came to my senses. Anyway, I have a matter to discuss with you. I just had an interesting request from Dr. Chase."

"So he's the one offering his services. You have to admit, the hair and dreamy hazel colored eyes is a great genetic trait."

"I told you that issue is dead. Anyway, he mentioned he had to go to England on a personal matter in a few weeks and wanted to take Cameron with him."

"Funny, that sounds like an issue he should ask his boss."

"Yes, except I think I know why he came to me. He probably is aware that I know the real readon for the trip. I got a call from a Dr. Malcolm Davis at a private hospital in Reading England. He was asking for a reference for Chase. Funny how that happens within the time frame that he asks for the trip."

"Wait a minute, Chase came to you hoping you wouldn't tell me. Why are you telling me?"

Cuddy sat down realizing that she was going to have to push House into seeing her purpose. "I've always been impressed with Chase's abilities with diagnosis. He's the real deal. I thought you might want an opportunity to offer him something should his visit amount to a position."

"I've already indefinitely extended his fellowship. I'm not sure what more he wants." House was more annoyed that fascinated with this piece of news right now.

"Apparently he doesn't want to do grunt work or put up with your abuse forever."

"But I'm such a great guy."

Cuddy sighed realizing she was getting nowhere. "So you aren't biting here. You really don't want to keep him?"

"I'm more worried Cameron will go with him. Then I have two positions to fill. I hope you told him no about the vacation, especially both of them."

"Actually, I granted it as long as it was the first week in June. You and I are scheduled for case reviews that week, so all your cases were going to be referred out anyway."

"That's in a few weeks? I better get my sick time scheduled then."

"If you are sick I'll admit you and you can work on it from your hospital bed. No getting out of it. Also, if you can inform Dr. Foreman that if he has any vacation time that would be a great time to take it."

"You approved the other two, you tell him."

"House…"

"Fine, I'll tell him. With all of them away it will finally be nice and quiet around here. Hmm, the kids will be gone. You sure you want to give up the consults?"

Cuddy ignored him and tried one more time to make a serious plea. "Please try to think about whether or not you at least think Chase would be a service to this hospital. I might be able to find a place for him if you won't."

"What and deny him the opportunity to return to his homeland?"

"Wrong side of the world House."

"Once a Brit, always a Brit."

"I'm glad you are up on your history of the world. You know, I think you're right, he is better off without you." Cuddy briskly walked out of there. She had better things to do, and hoped she hadn't setup poor Chase for an onslaught of torture.

--------------------------

"Something's up with House. He's been impossible all week, and I think he's hiding something." Cameron had good reason to be suspicious.

"House? Nooo." Pamela replied rather sarcastically. Since she and Cameron had big trips planned, they thought they should get together and talk about it over lunch. "I'm glad I don't have to put up with it. He seems to be busting Eric's ass though."

"Yeah, well House is being far easier on him than Robert and me, especially Robert. He is usually bad with him anyway, but now he is worse than usual. That's why I think he knows something. Like the real reason we are going to England."

"You have to admit, it is hard to keep anything from that man."

"Yeah, but usually once he gets a piece of info he uses it to taunt and tease us with it. He doesn't hold back on something he knows. It's not in his nature."

"It is if the person who told him swore him the secrecy."

That is when the light bulb went off in Cameron's head. "Man you are clever. Cuddy had to of told him. She better have a good reason."

"She's the head honcho. She can do whatever she wants. I'm sure it wasn't for gossip or torture though."

"Yeah, you're probably right. I'd like to think it was so they could find Robert a job, but I'm not holding my breath. Anyway enough about that. Where did you and Foreman decide to go?"

"Oh, the destination was easy. Las Vegas. We always have been dying to go there."

Cameron wasn't very impressed. "Wow, for whatever reason, that is so not on my list of places to go."

"To each his own. What are you going to do in England?"

"No idea. Robert told me not to worry about anything, that he would have it all planned out."

Pamela found her resignation to be rather out of character. "You accepted that? You like to plan and control every aspect of your life. I can't believe you would actually go anywhere without knowing every detail."

"There is a lot of blind faith on my part. I wouldn't know what to do anyway. It helps I'm going with an experienced tour guide."

"I've been on those blind trips before. Prepare yourself. You are in for a wild ride."

Cameron responded with a smile mixed with both anticipation and apprehension. The entire scenario was out of her comfort zone, but she wouldn't miss this opportunity for the world.

--------------------------------

The overnight trip was long but Cameron couldn't sleep on the plane at all. She was too excited. Chase had no problem, but he understood the ramifications of jet lag. They arrived at London Heathrow around 9 am after leaving JFK at 7 pm, so now was technically 4 am to their bodies. Chase was a bit groggy during the customs check, while Cameron was wide-eyed and jumpy. They breezed through without any issue. "Wow, I expected more trouble than that," Cameron said.

"An Australian and US passport doesn't usually cause suspicion. They are pretty easy going about letting people from those countries through. We spend lots of foreign money here."

Later as they found the rental car Cameron was so tickled to see the steering wheel on the right side. "This is going to take some getting used to." Chase told her as they got in. "I haven't driven at home in a few years. It will be like when I first tried to drive in the US."

"Why does Australia follow England with the steering wheels on the right side and driving on the left? It's not like the countries are next to each other."

"Most of the old British colonies drive on the left side, which includes most of the Pacific Rim," he answered while starting the car.

"The US and Canada were founded by British settlers."

Chase started driving and grinned in excitement that she asked such a question. She just opened a large door of useless knowledge waiting to bust. "Okay, just remember you asked. In the old days, everybody traveled on the left side of the road because most people are right handed. Swordsmen preferred to keep to the left in order to have their right arm nearer to an opponent. It was also easier to mount the horse and get off on the left. However, in some countries, like France and the US, they started hauling farm products with big wagons using teams of horses. There were no driver seats and the driver usually sat on the left rear of the horse in order to lash the team with his right hand. Since the driver was sitting on the left, he wanted to see oncoming traffic from the left so he could look down to make sure he kept clear from oncoming wagons. When Napoleon began conquering nations, he forced them to drive on the right side. Those that resisted Napoleon, like England, stayed on the left in defiance."

"Where the hell did you learn all that?"

"Someone in school presented it as a research project in history. The person was from the US and wondered why he had to drive on the left in Australia. You would also be interested to know that most parts of Canada drove on the left until the 1920s. Quebec, which is obviously French influenced, drove on the right, where the rest drove on the left. Newfoundland was the last to change in 1947."

Cameron was more freaked out than fascinated by this lesson. "You're such a geek. I'm sure you spend hours pouring over useless facts."

"You should also know that all the early US cars had the steering wheel on the right side. It wasn't until the 1908 Ford was built that it got changed to the left."

"You're right. I'm sorry I asked."

----------------------

They arrived at the hotel which was located in an old historic building in the downtown area of Reading. Cameron had noticed one glaring thing in her entire drive there. Everything was so old. It was charming, but such a change from what she was accustomed to seeing. The hotel room was rather small but very cozy. "Hmm," Chase said, "This is nice. We have our own bathroom."

Cameron looked at him rather bewildered that he would say such a thing.

"Many older European hotels have community bathrooms for a floor. The nicer rooms usually offer a private one. I'm impressed."

Cameron pictured having a conversation with people down in the lobby over how she got a bathroom room. She figured such a thing garnered bragging rights around here and suddenly felt privileged.

Chase put down the belongings, stripped down and climbed into bed. "What are you doing?" Cameron asked still loaded with energy and excitement. "We have a new place to explore."

"If you don't get rest now, the jet lag is going to hit you like a brick later."

"Sorry, I can't sleep."

"Suit yourself." He rolled over and fell asleep in no time.

Cameron stood and watched him for maybe an entire two minutes and then decided she needed to burn some energy. She walked outside and within no time found herself in the heart of the downtown shopping district. Downtown shopping areas like this one were a lost concept in the US anymore. These were all normal everyday stores, not craft and antique malls. None of them were vacant either.

She also found a new and vibrant shopping district along the river. It was aesthetically well done, but not much different than similar revivals at home. In her further exploration of the city though, she stumbled upon two discoveries that she would never find at home. First were a couple of spectacular cathedrals. Both were very old and one had a stone with '1040 AD' on it. She couldn't believe she was looking at a place so old and still being used. The other unique find was the plethora of roses. They were large, in full bloom, had a full spectrum of colors and impeccably cared for. She heard the British were obsessed with gardening and judging by everywhere she looked it showed.

Her afternoon filled her with pure joy and excitement, until about 3 pm. She became suddenly fatigued. It wasn't gradual either and like Chase predicted, it hit her like a brick. She worked her way quickly back to the hotel, yawning and getting more disoriented the closer she got. It was almost like she was drunk. Finally, she got back to the room and fell straight into bed.

Chase was newly awake and laughing. "It was hard and swift, right?"

"Know it all."

He leaned over and kissed her. "You rest. "There's a pub around the corner where I can watch some cricket and football while blending with the locals."

She barely heard him as sleep overtook her fast.

-----------------

Cameron's eyes fluttered to the sound of water running in the bathroom. Her clothes were off and she was tucked snugly into bed. She smiled at the thought of Chase doing that for her since she was way too exhausted to do it herself. She rolled over to look at the time. 7:00 am? She had slept for over 15 hours? Jet lag must be a type of drug. A few minutes later Chase came out wet and wrapped in a towel. "Good morning sleepyhead."

"How was your evening?"

"I spent all of it in the pub defending my home country's honor in cricket and football. At least cricket anyway. We suck at football."

"That would be soccer, right?"

"Yep."

"Well, nobody sucks at it worse than the US, so it looks like I have something to top you guys."

Chase laughed and started getting dressed, preparing for his day long interview at the hospital. "You have time for breakfast?" she asked.

"I should. By the way, I should warn you as you are out today, don't eat British food. It sucks, worse than Australian food. Unless it is Fish and Chips, go hit the McDonalds. Even that will taste different though."

"There isn't a pizza place or Chinese anywhere?"

"Not very good ones. There are a lot of Indian places here. They are very spicy and authentic though, so you probably won't like it. The Indian restaurants in America hold back substantially."

Cameron had no idea eating was such an ordeal. She knew he had to be speaking truth. "So what's for breakfast?"

"I'm hoping to find some kippers and eggs."

"Kippers? Never mind, I won't ask. I'll have some of yours. I haven't eaten since early yesterday." She got up and threw on the first thing nearby which was a sweat suit. "I'm hungry enough to try anything."

He smiled at her frumpy look at gave her a big kiss. "Okay, but remember, I warned you."

------------------

Cameron's day was rather uneventful. She wasn't in too much of a mood to explore and spent most of her time in the hotel room reading after she figured out that British TV was too strange for her tastes. She did go out to shop for a bit and but as she feared the excursion allowed her mind to wander.

She let herself think about Chase's job interview, even though they both chose not to discuss it while on vacation. He would tell her the details about it this evening and that was it. She was aware that he certainly fit in with the culture here more so than New Jersey. Still, the thought of him leaving her was unbearable. More and more everyday she was finding out she couldn't be without him. How could she live here though? Just walking around she felt like a fish out of water. She held out hope that today would be disastrous for him, but she knew better. She resigned herself to the fact that she might learn to love this culture over time. Who was she kidding? It's been one day and she was already homesick. Plus, he may not want her to come with him.

Back at the hotel room she found herself again flipping through the channels waiting for Chase to come back. It was past 5pm so no doubt things were going well. A strange show caught her eye that stopped her channel surfing. After a few minutes, she heard the lock of the door rustle.

"Neighbours?" Chase hadn't seen that awful show in years.

Cameron smiled. "It's supposed to take place in Melbourne. I thought maybe it would teach me something about your hometown."

"It's an education alright, in bad TV. I still don't get how such a poorly written and acted show from Australia could be so popular here. It always has been though. The Brits are strange."

"This show certainly isn't making Aussies look normal. It is really cute though how they all talk like you." She turned the TV off and got up to greet her man. "How was your day?" She asked as she gave him a kiss.

"It was very long and rough. I'm beat and my head is swimming. Yours good?"

"Not bad but rough is right. I missed you. Even the burger and fries from McDonalds isn't sitting right."

"Then let's go have some pub food and beer. That will set us straight."

She saw an opportunity that she couldn't pass up. "I can help you get changed." At a snails pace she dropped his jacket from his shoulders to the floor and then seductively worked on the tie next. She had his attention. As she went to work on his dress shirt next, he told her in between deep breaths, "I have to confess, I have never been laid in England before."

She whispered back alluringly in his ear, "That makes two of us." She stripped off her sweat suit in a flash and then went back to the slow pace of removing his clothing. As soon as the last piece was off he pulled them down on the bed and she rolled on top. "Your rough day is about to get rougher," she said and then went to work in removing all their stress from the day.

a/n: Personal note here, the trip is based on my own personal experiences the last two times I have traveled to England, especially the jet lag. I know if affects people differently, but it always killed me. I had relatives in the Reading area so I know it well. It also should be noted that my aunt made us watch Neighbours every day at 5:00 while visiting so we always came back home to the US poking fun of that show. I had to use it here since Jesse Spencer used to be on it. I could see Chase thinking it was dreck too. As usual, thanks for reading.