Alone time

The three men were all gathered around the conference table sipping coffee when Cameron walked into Diagnostics waving a piece of paper. "Biopsy and blood results are back. Lucy has chronic sarcoidosis. Who'd have thought – the immunologist was right about the autoimmune disease".

House looked up immediately and sighed, Foreman and Chase shooting him a shocked glance. "Are you…are you actually upset for a patient?", asked the Australian incredulously.

"Huh? No. Why on earth would you think that?".

"What was that sigh about then?". Cameron had joined in now.

The nephrologist got to his feet and took his cup to the sink, filling it with water and taking a swig. "My annoyance that Cuddy has just been proved correct. She suggested sarcoidosis yesterday when I mocked her doctoring credentials. God, I'll never hear the end of this". He shook his fist at the ceiling. "Why do you do this to me, man? Is it because I refused to join the church choir in eighth grade?".

Foreman snorted. "You went to church?".

House winked at his employee. "Of course. Where else was a boy to meet eligible chicks?".

"I dunno…the mall?", offered Chase.

"No malls in Japan, my man. Or Egypt, for that matter. Nope, it was the church or nothing. Worked out fine until they actually required you to read the Bible – can you believe it? I stopped going soon after. Nothing was worth having to wade through that thing. Fortunately, it was around the time I discovered my dad's magazines". House paused, looking wistfully at the others. "What a summer that was, let me tell you".

"As fascinating as this is, House, someone should go and inform Lucy", remarked Cameron drily.

"You think she'd be interested in when I discovered masturbation, too? Is she hot?", he asked, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

"She's 58. And I was referring to her diagnosis, not your sexual awakening".

House walked towards the door. "Fine".

"Where are you going?".

The other rolled his eyes. "To inform our patient about her rare and interesting long-term condition with no cure. Is that OK?".

Now it was Chase's turn to fold his arms at the table. "You're actually going to break the news to a patient yourself?".

House opened the door. "I sure am. I read that's what doctors do, so I figured I'd give it a try. Plus, Dr. Cameron never actually answered my question regarding this woman's hotness, so my interest is piqued".

"That's…good of you", observed the intensivist.

"Thanks. As you know, I live for your approval, Chase". With this, he left the room.

"Someone should go after him, to ensure he acts like a human being", remarked Foreman. But he needn't have worried; Cameron was already on the way out.

House heard the tapping of feet behind him. He knew without looking back that it was Cameron, so used had he become to the sound of her gait. An image of her walking slowly around his bedroom, barefoot, in her blue dress, flashed through his mind. He shook his head. This was not the time. "You didn't trust me?", he asked as she caught up.

"I trusted you to deliver the diagnosis; I didn't trust you to do it with understanding and tact". Cameron fell into step beside him.

"Understanding and…what was the second word?".

"Tact", she finished.

"Hmm. Well, we'll have to see how it pans out, won't we?". House pressed the button for the elevator and the two stepped inside, its only occupants. "Of course", he continued conversationally, "the second possibility for why you came with me could be because you wanted to mark out your territory in case this woman turned out to be an absolute babe. I can practically smell the pheromones".

Cameron scoffed. "I told you. She's 58".

House glanced sidelong at his companion. "Age isn't a factor in attraction. Isn't that what you said at go-karting?".

The woman shrugged, though she was secretly delighted he had taken her words to heart. "That's true. Well, if you really like her, I won't stand in your way. How's that?".

"That's fair. I wouldn't worry, though. I'm not looking to trade you in just yet". He pulled her close, kissing her hair affectionately. She slipped an arm around his waist and leant into his side. It was nice to show their feelings at work for a change, though she still needed to inform him that Foreman was aware of their relationship. The two remained like this until the doors opened and they walked out. Cameron took two steps, stopped, and turned back to the elevator wordlessly. "What're you doing?", asked House from the corridor.

"Wrong floor, genius".

The diagnostician looked up and down the hallway before sighing and following his subordinate. She pressed the button to the correct level. "Y'know, this wouldn't have happened if you'd actually told me where the hell our patient is".

Cameron smirked and folded her arms. "Forgive me for assuming that you, who have been treating this person for nearly two days, already had that information to hand".

"Don't you know me at all?", House retorted. It was his policy to avoid patients at all costs. This was partly why he refused to wear a white coat at work; easier to blend into the scenery that way.

"Yeah, yeah". The pair left the elevator, this time at the correct place, and walked down the corridor.

"So, what're we thinking? Good cop bad cop?", asked the diagnostician.

"Sure thing, Serpico", she replied.

House raised an eyebrow, but placed a hand lightly on her back, whispering in her ear. "You've got some impressive vintage film references in the memory bank. It's a massive turn on". He allowed his stubble to brush her cheek.

"We're at work", Cameron exhaled softly. Nonetheless, her heart fluttered.

"Right you are", he winked, back to business. "This door?". At Cameron's nod, he entered. "Good afternoon, er…Mrs, um…".

"Reverend Cathcart, or Lucy", his colleague whispered behind a hand.

"Reverend? Oh, come on". Once more House gazed at the ceiling before pulling up a chair and fixing his eyes on the surprised woman lying in the bed. For the next fifteen minutes House and Cameron took turns in explaining Lucy's condition and prognosis. Sarcoidosis was serious and had no cure. Still, the symptoms could be managed with careful treatment and judicious use of steroidal medicines. House was just about to explain their application before his phone rang. He left the room abruptly. Cameron finished the conversation and asked, finally, if there was anything else to be said. "No, I think you've…been very thorough, thank you", the woman replied, still recovering her normal breathing.

Cameron smiled. "No need to thank us. I must say, you're taking this very well".

Lucy shrugged. "I was resigned to it…being cancer, to be honest. It runs in my family".

"Well, it's not cancer, but chronic sarcoidosis is no joke, and the treatment is long and gruelling. But although there's no cure, there's a fair chance it'll go away on its own once your immune system works itself out". Cameron double-checked the woman's vitals on the screens by the bed.

"Like I say, as long as it's not cancer I can take anything that comes my way. Would you pass me that glass of water…please?". The immunologist did as she was asked, watching her patient carefully, just in case her laboured breathing worsened as she drank.

"Shall I call a nurse to find your son? He's been with you through all of this, hasn't he?", inquired the brunette.

"Yes, but there's no need. I ordered him to grab some food and get some air. He'll be back soon, no doubt". Lucy took a few sips and handed the cup back to Cameron, who replaced it on the bedside table. "You're very…beautiful for a doctor", remarked the older woman.

Cameron laughed. "Thanks, I guess".

"Forgive me for being so blunt – it must be the lack of oxygen. Don't let my son see you; he'll ask you out…in a heartbeat". Lucy didn't know this, but Cameron had already politely declined his advances. "It won't do him any good, I can see", she continued. "How long have you and that grumpy doctor been an item?", she asked, eyes twinkling.

The immunologist looked up in surprise. "How did you…?".

"Please, dear. I've officiated enough…weddings to detect loving glances when I see them. You're besotted".

Cameron blushed. "Er, well, I wouldn't say-".

Now it was Lucy's turn to laugh. She held up her hands, taking a deep breath. "OK, I won't mention it again. It's none of my business anyway". She glanced at House, who was standing just outside the room, still talking into the phone. "I can see the appeal. He's rugged in an unorthodox kind of way. Terrible manners. Obviously likes you, though, and I suppose that's all you need".

"Well", said Cameron, keen to change the subject. First Foreman; now this random patient. It seemed their secret relationship was not quite so secret after all. "Looks like you're all good for now. I'll have a chat with the nurses, and they'll take you through the next steps and your treatment".

"OK, thanks, Dr. Cameron".

The brunette left the room and stood next to House as he finished his call. "Yeah, just make sure you keep it clean. Yes…", he rolled his eyes, "yes, any cream will do. Just steer clear of anything with cheese paste in it. OK, yes. No, it was a joke. No, I'm pretty sure cheese paste isn't a real thing. Yes. Yep. Will do. Bye".

Cameron raised an eyebrow. "Problem?".

"Angelina Jolie. She's looking to fill the void left by Brad. I told her I'd think about it". House slipped the phone back into his pocket and glanced at the patient through the glass. "Everything go OK in there?".

"Yep. She was convinced it was cancer".

"Join the club. I'll tell Wilson his idea was shared by our patient, a woman with zero medical training. He'll be so proud".

"Either way, she took it pretty well".

The nephrologist nodded. "When you believe in God, everything becomes part of a plan and bad news doesn't seem so bad anymore".

Cameron tilted her head. "I think religion is a little more than that".

House snorted. "Religion only exists because we fear death. It assures us that this is not the end. When man no longer fears death, he no longer believes in the supernatural". The two began walking back to Diagnostics.

"What about the argument that religion gives meaning to the lives of those who believe?", she suggested, glancing at the other.

"You don't need the divine to give you purpose", replied the man.

"I agree, but I'd imagine it's a comfort to think you're not alone; that someone has you in mind".

House stopped suddenly and looked directly into her eyes. "You already have that, Cameron".

The immunologist swallowed as she met his gaze, forcing herself not to pull him into a kiss. Doctors making out in the corridors was probably not a good look for the hospital. House seemed to think similarly, and he cleared his throat, willing the signs of his attraction away. "Are you, er, fully recovered from your hangover?", he asked, changing the subject.

Cameron smiled. It was enough that his feelings were becoming clearer with every passing day. "Yeah. Yesterday was not pleasant". They reached the elevators.

"Speak for yourself. I thought it was hilarious. Cuddy was in some serious strife".

"Oh, yeah?". Cameron pressed the button, but House took her by the hand and led her towards the stairs. "Where are we going?", she asked.

"Elevators are boring", House replied shortly. But rather than head back up to Diagnostics he took her downstairs, to an area of the hospital she'd never seen. The light was dimmer and there was a faint smell of damp in the air. The beige paint was cracked on the wall and the carpet soon gave way to bare concrete.

"Why are we walking to the basement?", she asked, shivering slightly. She had on only a blouse underneath her white coat.

"You'll see". The diagnostician hadn't let go of her hand as they descended, keeping her close.

"I really don't-". Before she could finish her statement, he pulled her roughly into a shadowy alcove and forced her against the wall. At the same time he brought both hands up to her cheeks and crushed his lips to hers. Cameron quickly overcame her surprise and accepted his roving tongue with her own, her hands slipping to his hips, then to his butt. The two kissed passionately for what seemed like several minutes but could only have been thirty or forty seconds.

House bit her lip. "I've always wanted to make out in a stairwell".

"Really?". The brunette nuzzled against his hand.

"Yeah. Plus I've been wanting to kiss you all day. Offering to see the patient was the only way I knew to get you alone". He brushed his lips against her nose, then her forehead. Cameron loved it when he did this; it made her feel wonderfully safe, and it also felt like a gesture of affection reserved only for her. This reflection caused a tremble. House noticed. "Are you cold? We can go back".

"I'm not cold; not with you". Cameron drew him into another kiss. House allowed a hand to slip under her blouse, edging up from the warm skin at her waist, loving the contrast against the roughness of his fingertips and palm; the other he left entwined in her hair, running its strands between his fingers, every now and then scraping his nails gently against her scalp. Cameron purred like a cat. "That feels nice".

"I think your hair is your best physical feature", House replied into her mouth. "The way it catches the light; how it feels. It's always got to me". As he was talking, his hand continued its journey up her back.

"Always?", whispered the other, tilting her head to the side and bringing his mouth to her neck.

"Always", he repeated.

"Give me an example", she murmured, running her own hands through his hair.

"When I turned up at your place, asking you to come back after Vogler…". House began kissing along her jaw, to her ear. "…it was long, dark and straight as you stood there with folded arms. Remember? I told you to unclench".

Cameron smiled. "I remember. You came by in the morning first, though. I could tell you were checking me out in my running gear". House didn't know this, but his surreptitious glances when she'd opened the door had been one of the reasons why she had felt confident enough to demand a date from him as a condition for resuming at PPTH.

"Do you still have those tight shorts and that light blue top?", he asked, returning once more to her mouth.

"Yes. I always wear those when I run. In the summer, anyway. I have jogging bottoms on this time of year". The immunologist reached around and took his hand, which had been resting on her back, and placed it on her butt.

"We should go running together. I can't get Wilson to do anything with me".

"Hmm…". Cameron bit his chin playfully. "We can try, but I think I'll be too fast for you". She snagged his shirt and ran both hands underneath, tracing the bullet scar on his abdomen.

House drew back slightly, eyes flashing despite the dimness, his own hands now at the waistband of her work pants. "Care to place a wager, Dr. Cameron?".

"Sure. I don't mind taking your money", she replied, trying to remain cool, willing her breathing to slow. The woman both loved and hated how he could turn her on so quickly.

"Let's see…". His fingers edged just under the waist. "Friday evening. We've already decided the date is at yours. How about we run from the hospital to your apartment? How far is that?".

"About four miles, I'd say. I've never actually measured…it". The woman could feel his hands move lower. Her heart began to beat faster.

"Fifty bucks says that I can beat you". House had reached the elastic of her panties.

"Double or nothing", she returned, scraping her nails up his back.

"As you wish", he growled. With that, he pushed down completely, gripping her ass with both hands, and engulfing her mouth with his own. The pair kissed fiercely for a time, completely lost in mutual passion, Cameron releasing soft murmurs of delight at her lover's rough caresses. Only the sound of a door opening and muffled voices on the stairs above caused them to break apart slowly. "We should go", whispered House. "Foreman and Chase will be wondering where we've got to".

"Yes", Cameron replied, nibbling his lip regardless.

"Come on", he grinned, removing his hands from her pants to brush a few stray strands of hair behind her ear.

"Hmm". Cameron glanced up the flights of stairs. "It must be five storeys to Diagnostics".

"Probably". House was rebuttoning his shirt which had somehow loosened.

"Wanna race, champ?", she asked, mouth curving into a smile.

House considered it. "Don't you think we're a bit old for that kind of thing? I mean, I know you've only just finished puberty, but still".

Cameron stood with hands on hips. "This coming from the guy who proposed a foot race like three seconds ago. But, hey, if you're scared of getting your butt handed to you by a girl, it's fine".

The nephrologist smirked, but nevertheless inclined his head in agreement. "Fine, but we're locked into that bet. No backing out when I wipe the floor with you. Ready?". Cameron nodded. "OK. Three, two…". The woman tore off before the countdown had finished, leaving House on his heels. That's the second time she's done that. With a wry smile he set off in pursuit, taking the steps two at a time.

Thanks to readers and, especially, reviewers. I really enjoy reading all the feedback I receive, good and bad. Stay safe out there!