Chapter 20

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

Cameron tried not to look disappointed at the Australian accent. "Hey Chase," she said, voice still breaking a little. "I'm okay," she reassured him.

He made his way to her bedside. "I just wanna take a look at the incision," he told her before he lifted her gown and removed the thick padding that was covering the area where the catheter had entered. "Not bad," he commented. "Hopefully there'll be minimal scarring. I made sure to do my best."

Cameron attempted a smile. "Thank you again, for the valvotomy… you're a good surgeon."

"My pleasure," he reassured her as he replaced the dressings. "Have you been down to the NICU to see the babies yet?"

"Not yet," Cameron confessed.

"They're gorgeous," Chase offered in manner of comfort. "Just caught a quick glimpse at the two of them, but I think they look like you."

Cameron resisted the urge to vocalize her skepticism, choosing instead to just say, "Thank you."

Chase offered her one of his charming smiles. "Newborn twins—you're gonna have your hands full. If you ever need anything…" he offered, "… I'm really good with kids."

She couldn't muster the energy to fake a smile—she knew Chase was just being supportive, but her usual supply of patience was running at an all-time low, so she just nodded, hoping he was done with the examination.

"I'll be back tomorrow to check on it again," Chase informed her. "Make sure to have a nurse page me if you notice any bleeding from the area, or an increase in swelling."

"I will," she promised. Before he could leave, he stopped him. "Hey, Chase?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you seen House?"

"You haven't heard?" Chase asked, looking surprised. "Five hours ago, he put Foreman in charge of the department. House took a leave of absence."

Something inside her broke at the news, and Cameron tried not to let it show as she waved goodbye to Chase.

House had gone on leave—and hadn't even bothered to say goodbye to her. The irony of it all hit her with so much force that she couldn't keep her emotions under control.

If anyone saw Cameron crying, she'd just blame it on post-partum depression.