As several weeks passed, so did House's concern over whether Cameron was leaving or not. His worries were short lived, however, as she marched into his office one slow afternoon at the hospital...
"House? There's something I need to discuss with you", she stated firmly, assertively sitting herself down on the chair opposite his desk.
House picked up his tennis ball and threw it up in the air, caught it and repeated the action several times, to Cameron's consternation.
'He could care less!' she thought to herself angrily. 'I may as well have shown up with two heads, and he wouldn't have batted one eyelash!'
Finally, after what seemed an eternity, House placed the ball gently on his desk, leaned back in his chair and looked at her, as though she had just walked in.
Cameron took that as her cue to continue.
"As I was saying, there's something you need to know. New Haven General may be contacting you about me". There! She said it! She sat up in her chair and waited anxiously for House's response.
"I take it they'll be calling me for a reference, as in, how great an employee you were at PPTH?" He avoided her gaze at this point, lest his concern show.
Cameron nodded. She waited a beat. What was she expecting? For House to tell her to forget it? To plead with her not to quit? She wasn't sure, but she half hoped he would. When he remained silent, she tried to hide her disappointment.
House picked up the tennis ball again and went back to flinging it in the air. Cameron rolled her eyes and sighed dramatically.
House raised an eyebrow and studied her.
"What are you waiting for? For me to tell you not to quit? Or aren't you supposed to be saying you'll stay only if we go out on another dinner date?" He sneered at her, which made Cameron flinch. She felt a lump rising in her throat. Damn him! Did this man not give a damn about anyone but himself? Maybe she had pushed him so far, there was no going back now. Maybe he was calling her bluff?
Cameron lifted her head up indignantly and narrowed her eyes at House. He stared back intently, not giving anything away.
"You don't have to worry, Cameron, when New Haven calls, I will highly recommend you and suggest that they welcome you with open arms!" House hoped that his facade was working. By the look on Cameron's face, he knew it was. She tried to hide her disappointment, but her eyes told a different story. She was obviously hurt and close to tears.
"Very well then, House. That's all I needed to know. It will be a pleasure to be in their employ, if they so decide", she spat out sarcastically, as she turned and walked away.
House leaned back in his chair and smiled. The plan he was hatching had worked perfectly. If only Cameron knew how he really felt, but of course, he couldn't tell her not to leave.
Cuddy decided to stroll by at that moment and caught the shyte eating grin on House's face. Cuddy looked behind her, watching Cameron walking down the hall, then looked back at House.
"What was that all about? And why are you smiling like the Cheshire Cat?"
"Cameron unofficially gave me her resignation", House said flatly.
"What?! I really didn't expect this! It's been weeks since you pissed her, and everyone else off, I thought she might have brushed it off". Cuddy shook her head disbelievingly. "Did you ask her to reconsider?" Cuddy asked hopefully.
"Nope", House said simply.
"You could be a real son of a b**ch when you wanna be, you know that, House?" Cuddy narrowed her eyes at him.
"I don't know what the hell you were smiling about, but you've got something up that sleeve of yours and I've a funny feeling I'll know about it sooner or later!" With that, Cuddy walked out, still shaking her head in disbelief.
House's smile turned into a frown. Could he go through with it?
********************************************************************
Several days later, House's office phone rang. He waited until the number showed up on the caller ID. He noticed the area code was different.....it wasn't anywhere in Jersey, wasn't New York, Pennsylvania......by the third ring, House decided he'd better pick up the damned phone.
He waited until the other person spoke first.
"Uh, hello? Is this Dr. Gregory House?" came the male voice from the other end of the line. Very official, important sounding. A light bulb went on in House's mind. Of course! It must be that hospital calling for a reference on Cameron!
House's mind raced, as he pondered several options.
"Hello?" the male voice persisted. "Dr. Gregory House? This is Dr. Charles Bartfield, Head of Diagnostics, at New Haven General".
"Oh, so sorry mate, yes, this is Gregory House". House decided to use his best British accent and laid it on rather thick.
"Yes, as I was saying, this is Dr. Bartfield, and I am calling concering a Dr. Allison Cameron, who recently applied for a position at our hospital".
"Indeed? Well, what would you like to know? Happy to oblige!" House gushed, snickering under his breath.
"Well, I would like to know what you can tell me about how Dr. Cameron conducted herself while in your employ. Do you consider her a reputable doctor? Is she knowledgeable in her field, would you recommend her?"
"I dare say", House babbled. "You may want to reconsider hiring her on, if I may be so bold", House replied dramatically.
"Excuse me, Dr. House? Do you have some reservations about Dr. Cameron? Is there something I should know?" Dr. Bartfield sounded troubled. This wasn't going as he expected it would. Cameron's credentials were excellent, and he couldn't imagine why this Dr. House would have anything bad to say about her.
"Bloody well squeamish, throws up in the loo after every surgery", House rambled on. "She really shouldn't be anywhere near blood and guts.....utterly rubbish". House suppressed a laugh.
"I-I don't understand", Bartfield was sounding more and more flustered and confused. "If she is that incompetent, why is she still employed at your hospital?"
House waited a beat. Holding in his laughter as best he could, he blurted out, "She's got the cutest little bum this side of the pond! Perfect eye candy. A pleasure to behold".
Silence on the other end of the line.
"Bartfield, old chap, are you still there?"
"Um, yes, thank you, Dr. House, nice talking to you". Click.
House hung up the phone and snorted. He hadn't had a good laugh in a long time and had Cameron to thank for that. Too bad she wouldn't see it that way. When she found out what he did, he realized his days may well be numbered. And yet, he was looking forward to the day she did find out.
Satisfied with his performance, House grabbed his cane and headed to Wilson's office. Maybe they could sneak out the hospital early and go to Snooky's Bar for happy hour. Maybe Wilson could forget about how horrible his friend had been to him, especially if House was paying this time!
to be contd.
