Chapter 21

"Oh my god," whispered Brenda.

"What?" asked Katie. "What is it?"

"House and Cameron, two o'clock."

"My two o'clock, or your two o'clock?"

"Over there!" said Brenda almost above her whisper. She gestured to House and Cameron walking down the hall.

"Why are you getting so hung up?" asked Katie. "They WORK together. Besides... I thought that thing with Cuddy was JUST a consult..."

Brenda didn't answer. Instead, she headed up to Cuddy's office. She had to be informed.

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"Not that I don't appreciate the lunch," said Cameron suspiciously, "But I would really like to know why you won't let me near that kid."

"He's my son," said House, staring at his shoes.

Cameron's jaw dropped. "Wha--?"

House couldn't help but laugh. Cameron was so gullible.

"You a$$..." she mumbled.

"Okay," said House. "Didn't work... How about this one? He's too cute for you, and there'd be a custody battle?"

Cameron stared at House. "I think you already used that excuse on Andy."

"Who?"

Cameron shook her head. It hadn't even been a full year since they'd treated Andy the dying 8-year-old girl, and yet House had already forgotten her. "The one who kissed Chase."

"Oh that one," said House. "Cute kid."

"Yeah," said Cameron smiling. "You still haven't answered my question."

"Sorry," said House. "What question is that?"

Cameron giggled lightly. She loved his way of avoiding questions he didn't want to answer, things he didn't want to do. She decided to drop it... for now. But we all know for Cameron, it can't be dropped for long.

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Brenda knocked lightly on Cuddy's door. After being gestured to enter, Brenda walked in almost reluctantly. She wasn't exactly eager to have this talk with Cuddy, but she knew it was neccessary.

"Hey Brenda," said Cuddy. "Whatcha need?" Cuddy knew EXACTLY what this was going to be about. She just... had to play along. Don't laugh. Don't laugh. The words kept running through her mind over and over as Cuddy tried to hide her joke. She felt bad about playing such a prank on her friend, but she DID owe House, right?

"Hey... Lisa..." said Brenda trying to smile. "I was just curious... Are you... seeing Dr. House?"

"Why?" asked Cuddy. "Are you interested in him?"

Brenda's jaw dropped. "What? No..."

Cuddy smiled. "Yeah," she said. "Why?"

Brenda took a deep breath. "I... have reason to believe that he's seeing another woman."

Cuddy's jaw dropped. "Wha--" she said. "How could he? Who... Who is she?"

"Dr. Cameron..." said Brenda uneasily.

Cuddy nodded slightly.

"Are you going to break up with him, Lisa?" asked Brenda.

"No," quipped Cuddy, "I'm just going to let that lying b4stard keep cheating on me!"

"I'm... so sorry... Lisa..."

Cuddy nodded. "Thank you," she said, "Thank you for telling me."

Brenda nodded and left. It was only two seconds after she left that Cuddy placed her hand over her mouth in order to stifle her laughter. Well, at least Brenda had bought it. Now... the only question was... would Katie?

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House and Cameron sat down together in the cafeteria. House had his usual reuben with chips on the side and a soda. Cameron had chosen a healthier meal. She decided to eat a ceasar salad and orange juice. They were joking lightly about Chase's hair when Cameron suddenly stopped.

"What is it?" asked House.

"Nurse Katie. Twelve o'clock."

"My twelve o'clock, or your twelve o'clock?"

"If it was your twelve o'clock it would be behind me, moron!" said Cameron. She gestured towards a frustrated nurse approaching them from the direction right behind House.

House turned to look, but immediately turned back. He smiled quickly, but whipped the smile of his face even quicker. Let's all hope Cameron knew how to act just as good as him.

"You a$$!" shouted Nurse Katie approaching House and Cameron.

"You might need to be specific about what it is exactly that he did," said Cameron lightly. "He does have a reputation for--"

"DR. CAMERON!" shouted Katie. "House is cheating on you!"

"You're what?!" shouted Cameron, trying her best not to smile. "How could you?! Who is she?!"

"CUDDY!" shouted Katie. "I saw them flirting in the clinic."

Cameron's jaw dropped. "We're through!"

House bit his lip as Cameron stormed off with her food towards his office. He looked up at Katie and stared briefly. "Thanks a lot," he muttered.

"You deserve it, jerk."

House nodded as Katie stormed away, back to the clinic. "You too," he mumbled.

Once Katie was gone, House grabbed his lunch and went to join Cameron in his office.