Chapter 29

Cameron could see House walk into Cuddy's office, but she couldn't hear them talking. Still, she was curious. The last six months had made her miserable. How could House do that?! How could he... why did he...? How could Cuddy..? Why were they...? She wasn't thinking straight. All she knew was that she WASN'T over him like she'd tried to tell him, like she'd tried to get herself to say so many times. She still wanted to be with him. And now... he was with... Cuddy?!

Cameron slid behind a corner, trying to peer through to see, catch a glimpse, of what was going on in Cuddy's office. House was standing there, not sitting. He was talking to Cuddy, who sat at her desk. Then... to Cameron's surprise, Cuddy started crying. She wasn't bawling, she wasn't having fits, she just ducked her head as House sat down. He ducked his head too. Now Cameron was even MORE curious. Cuddy lifted her tear-stained face and nodded. She agreed with House about something, but what? Wait... she agreed with House?! Uh oh. House was standing up, walking towards the door. Cameron froze. She started to walk the other way, but she was caught red-handed.

"What are you doing up here?" asked House.

"Um... tests?" Cameron blew it. House would see right through her.

"That's funny," said House, "Considering pathology isn't even ON this floor..."

Cameron froze and gave him a folder. "Test results." She tried to smile. House took the folder without letting his eyes leave her.

"Negative... of course..."

Cameron looked up again, "House... what were you guys talking about?"

"I thought you weren't looking."

Cameron's head shot down. She was caught, duh.

"If you MUST know, I told Cuddy I was happy to raise our kid, but I couldn't date her."

Cameron hid a smile. This was the best news she'd heard... in a LONG time. She looked up at him. "Why's that?"

"I just couldn't. I'm not going to waste my time dating someone I know I'm not going to love."

"Did you love Stacey? You obviously dated her for a while..." Cameron couldn't believe what she'd just asked.

House didn't answer. He just walked into the diagnostics chamber and started crossing off diseases on the white board. Did Cameron seriously just ask him if he loved Stacey? Did he love Stacey? Maybe...

Alysa looked down at her socks once more. So that's why her parents would never be together. She didn't have anything against her step-mom. She actually loved her step-mom very much, but... doesn't every child want their parents to be together? Alysa couldn't help it, she tried to hold it in, but a single tear dripped down her face. Her feelings of distress were stifled, however as the phone rang.