IMPORTANT: Like the previous chapter, I want to warn that this one contains the same sort of material/content. It's the first section of the chapter so you can, if you desire, skip to the next bit starting out with Cameron sleeping in Ryan's room. This is the only other time I actually write a description of the events that are occurring. In future chapters it is mentioned but not shown, and I promise it does not continue indefinitely – Cameron does have to face it and admit to herself and House that it is/was wrong.

Chapter 22 - House Delivers God

Slumber parties had soon become a regular occurrence in their household. Jacob telecommuted to his job and therefore could make up his own hours. Nic and Stu had enough clout that they could schedule two days off in a row most weeks. Except on the occasion that they had a rapidly deteriorating patient, both House and Cameron could finagle getting out of work early at least once a week. Ryan had no boss, so didn't have to answer to anyone.

Most nights ended with the group watching a movie, all sprawled out on the carpet. House had grown used to finding Ryan in his lap but still refused to allow any of the other brothers near him. It took till the middle of December before House agreed to sleep in the den with them. After making it perfectly clear that his presence didn't make him a participant, he set himself up on the sofa and popped two Vicoden. Ryan had chosen the movie that night, so when the credits started rolling over the dancing animated penguins, House felt his anxiety level rise.

Cameron had been laying with her head on Jacob's stomach while Nicoles rested himself between her legs. Stuart was sprawled across Nic in a way that only he could possibly find comfortable. As usual, Ryan was fast asleep in his nest of blankets by the edge of the sofa. House closed his eyes and thought about monster trucks when he started to hear movement on the floor below. Nicoles had managed to roll himself over, despite his brother laying across him, and was now nuzzling his sisters stomach. Cameron had laid her head on the carpet when Jacob wriggled himself out from under her, the boy now slinking down towards Stu.

House hummed to himself as a few little moans began to emanate from the puppy pile. Minutes continued to tick by, and much to his surprise, the doctor began to find himself drifting off into sleep. That is until he heard a noise he couldn't mistake. He jerked his body upwards as his eyes flew open, connecting to the scene before him. Jacob and Stuart were lying motionless while Allison cradled a trembling Nicoles on top of her. The boys eyes soon stopped fluttering and she rolled him off and into a tight embrace as he started to cry softly. House stared at them in a mix of fury and disgust. The young man had just orgasmed on his sister.

"Allison." House spoke tersely, his eyes clenched to block out the scene. "You've got ten seconds to explain before I go Lorraina Bobbet on your brother." Cameron stiffened, knowing he was serious and quickly gave Nic to his brothers. She stood up and grabbed House by the hand, dragging him reluctantly to his feet and down the hall to their bedroom.

Once she'd closed the door behind them she turned on her boyfriend. "Shut up. Don't speak." Her voice was level and full of unspoken threats. "Nicoles was molested by the father in the foster home he'd been placed in." She started, her eyes focused intensely on the floor. "His body had been made to react against his will. To this day, the slightest contact can cause him arousal." She paused. "You have no idea how agonizing this is for him. He's never dated, never been in a relationship, never been sexual with anyone since he'd turned 18 and joined the army." She had begun to pace, her hands clasping and clenching in front of her chest. "You will not blame him for something he can not control. If this means you sleep in here from now on, fine, whatever. But I will not have you traumatize my brother any further by making him feel ashamed or dirty." She finished and before House could even begin processing what he'd heard, she exited the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

*****

The next few nights saw Cameron sleeping in Ryan's bottom bunk. Neither could figure out what to say to each other so kept their distance at home as well as at work. She had taken over all his clinic hours, barely ever stepping foot on the diagnostics floor, let alone his office. Ryan had stopped coming to work with them and was now spending his days with Jacob who could look after him while he worked. Christmas was fastly approaching but there had been no discussion as to how, or if, they would celebrate it. Unbeknownst to Cameron, House had mailed Nic a Kinex set, remembering that he'd once been told the brother had a penchant for 3D art. He'd received a plastic donkey in return, which was soon followed by a red butted baboon and a note thanking him for the set.

Jacob and Stuart had also been in contact with him, trying to work out how to still have a Christmas for Ryan without upsetting their sister. For it really was only Cameron that continued to hold any hostility towards House. Every time he'd try to approach her she'd turn around and walk away. He'd been tempted to trip her a few times but at the last moment stopped himself. He didn't need her angry and injured. Wilson was useless for advice, having no real luck with relationships himself. He'd even gone to Cuddy who only called him an ass and suggested he grovel.

Soon it was only three days before Christmas and he'd run out of all other options. He was going to have to break out the 'big guns' now or risk losing her completely. Jacob, who was in on his scheme, had kept Ryan out until both doctors had arrived home after work. He gave them a good half hour before pulling into the driveway and walking his brother into the apartment. House was sitting on the sofa in the den while Cameron was busy making a second pot of coffee. She turned to smile at her brothers but then went back to scowling at the grinding machine.

Ryan had been sent to his room to get out of his winter clothes and into his favorite pair of scrubs. When he returned he'd immediately taken a seat next to his brother, he too having felt the difference in House and started keeping away from him. Jacob was on his cell phone, occasionally giving House a brief nod. When he had finished the call he beckoned his sister into the den with them. After a few choice words at the slowly dripping coffee pot she pulled herself together and headed out of the kitchen.

Before she'd taken more than three steps on the carpet, House broke in, "Duck, I know you're angry at me, I know I had been a complete ass about it all, but please can we just let it go for Christmas?" The doorbell rang and he hurried to continue. "I have a present for Ryan; I would have saved it for Christmas morning but I thought it would be better introducing him now." Jacob had already gotten to his feet to answer the door. Before Cameron could even form a response, the sound of pounding feet and scratching claws erupted through the kitchen, and soon there was a giant brown and white puppy hurtling through the den directly at House. Cameron stood stock still as she watched this long haired, suddenly very obedient dog take a seat next to him, it's tongue hanging out of it's mouth as it panted. House took a deep breath and looked at Cameron. "I'd like you to meet God; Ryan's new certified service animal."