CHAPTER 12: ENDS AND NEW BEGINNINGS
They were in the conference room, House having called earlier and explained he would be late in coming to the hospital today, meaning that Chase had to begin working on the new case Cooper had given them. Already he had sent Martha to perform some tests and Cheng to search the patient's home, as he busied himself with the file.
He had started writing down the symptoms on the whiteboard, when the door opened and Allison Cameron walked in. "Good morning", she said, surprising the surgeon. "Good morning. I'm pleased to announce that your fiancé has recovered and will be able to leave the hospital in the matter of some hours", he replied, still writing on the board.
"I've missed this process", she declared, taking a seat and then asked, "where is the rest of the team?". "Cheng is searching our patient's home, Masters is performing some tests. House, on the other hand, is taking it easy for today, he called informing us he's gonna be late", he answered, turning towards her and offering, "want to take a look at the file, as well? Since you have missed the process".
"Look, Robert, maybe we should clarify some things first. Last time we saw each other was... very awkward", she acknowledged. "I think we shouldn't talk about that anymore. We were both very tense on that night, but at least we parted with no more tears, no drama", he replied.
"Let me finish, Robert. It was awkward. I know how hard it was for you to sign those papers. And, believe it or not, I'm feeling guilty over everything that happened", she said with a sigh, adding, "I blamed you, I blamed House, I blamed everybody but myself, while it was me who couldn't handle it. I didn't want it, but my refusal to see things for how they are and your desire to prove yourself to me, that's what resulted in Dibala's death".
"Don't blame yourself, I am the only one responsible for his death and I don't regret it. The man was going to kill millions, had he recovered. So, don't ever hold yourself responsible for what happened back then", he responded. "I covertly blamed myself all along... I lashed out at House, at you, while it was me who had the problem", she confessed, adding, "I told House virtually the same thing", which caught Chase off guard. The surgeon cocked an eyebrow at her inquisitively, enquiring, "When?".
"After your team member told me about Adam's- my fiancé's- diagnosis. I went to see House, because I wanted to apologize for the harsh words I'd said at that time", Cameron clarified. She shifted position and further stated, "House was looking from the window at the moment you and your colleague were leaving together. I saw you, as well. I hope you will be really happy with her. You deserve to be happy, Robert".
"And you, Allison", he said. "I don't know what kind of a person Mr. Ridgeway is, but I really hope that he's the one you were looking for", he added, looking at her straight in the eyes. "This means you have... forgiven me?", she enquired. "There's nothing to forgive. Neither about Dibala, nor about what happened afterwards. House was right, after all, it just wouldn't work. And he was right in what he told me about how one shouldn't live in the past", the surgeon answered in all sincerity.
"You always look up to House, seek for his perspective, his approval. Back then, I hated seeing that, I was thinking he'd totally ruined you. But, now I can see how wrong I have been", she mused again. "Working with him is still a challenge. As is having to listen to what quips he makes every now and then. But, if there's one thing I have learned from him, it is to think for myself. And I think you, too, have come to realize how valuable all his lessons have been", Chase remarked.
"I honestly didn't fully appreciate what he's taught us before getting the post in the ER in Chicago. Instinctively, his words rang in my ears every time I had to face a tough case", Cameron admitted. "For me, his lessons have had an enormous impact. Not only as a doctor, but as a person", Chase stated matter-of-factly. "I guess sometimes hard lessons are the most important ones", she mused, adding, "like the life lessons both of us have learned from House".
"It's odd, isn't it? I mean, we were first colleagues, then lovers, then husband and wife, then we got divorced and now we are reminiscing of old times like friends", the Australian doctor observed. "Maybe that's what we should be, friends. Not friends-with-benefits, simply friends", she expressed her thought aloud. "Possibly", he concurred, and then stated the obvious, "You didn't really come to ask me about when your fiancé will be able to leave the hospital, isn't it?".
"In fact, I came to see you. To see how you are doing. For all that happened between us, I still have a soft spot in my heart for you. Not in an amorous way, but, well, you understand", she clarified. "I see. It's exactly how I feel about you. Although, I have to confess, when you dropped by to see Ridgeway, I avoided you. I avoided you because I felt uncomfortable. Uncomfortable because I still hadn't accepted that you had embarked on a new relationship. And that was selfish", Chase blurted out.
Cameron took hold on his hand and said softly, "I don't mind. I was feeling hesitant, too, upon the thought of confronting you again. But, it seems, House was again right when insisting that I should come and eventually seek you. Look, we finally have started to understand each other for real". She glanced at her watch and saw the time. "I have to be going now. I have some things to do and then I have to go to Adam. I'm sure we will keep in touch. Good luck, Robert", she said and rose from her chair. "Good luck, Allison", Chase responded and escorted her to the door.
Meanwhile, in another place of the hospital, Martha Masters had finished performing the tests on their new patient and was about to analyze the results when she heard the familiar sound of House's cane behind her. "What's going on here, baby doll?", House quipped, almost startling her. "Just performing some tests. Cooper has given us a new case", the young prodigy responded, then noticed the way in which her superior was walking. "You're not... Limping so noticeably", she couldn't help herself from uttering.
"Not only I'm not limping that much, but I'm also in minimal pain", House informed her. "But I'm not here to talk about me, nor to visit our new patient, in case you thought that was the reason for my presence. I came here because I was sure Chase would send you to perform the tests. And I wanna ask you up front: how is it going with you and him?". "Ummm, I guess...", she started saying, feeling a bit awkward, but the diagnostician interrupted her, saying, "I don't want guesswork, I want an answer".
Martha sighed and replied, "I think I'm in love with him". "You don't just think. You've done something more than just thinking. You are in love with him and that's something your mind can't explain, prompting you to get cold feet and doubt yourself. But, that's nonsense. You know, for years I didn't believe in love, when my girlfriend of five years made that horrible decision that resulted in my leg issue. Then, I got obsessed over Cuddy, with the well-known results. It was only after I pushed everything to the utmost limit that I discovered that love may, after all, exist. Don't repeat my mistake. I gave Chase the same advice, after I directly asked him if he liked you. He answered yes, after trying to dodge the subject. Anyway, I'd like to say that you should try to be happy with Chase. After all, your effectiveness in the job will increase", he said, in a fairly long monologue.
"Thank you for the advice", was all that Martha could say in response. "Stop blushing", he chided, humorously adding, "I can't tell whether your cheeks are redder than your hair". Martha almost laughed, but composed herself and instead said, "I'm afraid that our initial hypotheses were wrong as for the disease afflicting our patient". "Right, we're supposed to be doctors, after all. Well, lead the way to the conference room. And if you think that I'm gonna give you any respite because I'm in much less pain, think again", House responded and both of them left the room.
Chase had just resumed the examination of the file when the door opened again, this time being House and Masters the ones entering. "Alright, let's get into some real diagnosis now", House remarked. "Good morning to you too, House", Chase answered. At that moment, Cheng called in order to share her new theory, based on what she had found in the patient's home. The team got into their job, repeating the familiar process.
The sun had already set by the moment Chase and Masters left the hospital. The day had been much productive and the patient was responding to the treatment rather positively. House had left a bit earlier, because he had to attend a dinner, he had informed his team.
As the two doctors were stepping outside the building, Chase asked, "What do you fancy doing tonight?". "Revising infectious diseases, watching a documentary about wildlife in the Amazon, playing with toy airplanes, or just going out with you", the redhead prodigy responded. "You play with toy airplanes?", the surgeon enquired. "It surely looks immature, but I do", Martha confessed.
"I don't find it immature, I find it just interesting. And human", he said. "I have many toy airplanes in my apartment. I could show you, but I don't think my roommate would like it if I brought a man there", she answered in all honesty. "No problem", Chase reassured her, asking again, "So, what are you doing tonight?". "Maybe I'd skip my nerdy stuff and try to enjoy it. I guess I still need some... help with this, relaxing and enjoying companionship, I mean", she mused, prompting him to interject, "Always my pleasure to be of aid", which elicited a smile from her.
Some minutes later, they were in a bar, with decent music and a nice atmosphere overall. "I can't believe you dragged me into this place", she said with an exhalation, adding, "People are looking at us". "No, it's just your imagination. Enjoy the moment", Chase instructed her. "I've never been in a bar before. Or, in fact, I've been, but only once or twice. And very briefly, I can't stand crowds and loud music", she explained.
"I had guessed, that's why I brought you here. Not too many people are around, music is decent", the surgeon responded with a smile. "The best part, however, is that I am with you", she remarked, shifting position. After a moment of silence, Martha said, "Hmmm, Robert?". "Yes?", Chase shot back, focusing on her again.
"You still interested in seeing my toy airplanes?", she asked, a mischievous glint on her eyes. "Yes, why not", he answered, obviously expecting to hear something different. His expression of slight disappointment almost made Martha laugh. "As you know, my roommate wouldn't like it if I brought a man in the apartment", she kept going in the same direction. Looking at him in a wicked manner, she declared, "I think I've found a solution. Maybe I could move in with you, and bring my stuff, toy airplanes included. This way, you can see them, plus everything else of mine you'd like to see, without having to worry over anything. What would you say?"
Chase was rendered speechless. "You are getting bolder and bolder", he remarked. "As for your question, I have to say my answer is yes", he added. "I was sure", Martha whispered and had a sip of her wine. "I still don't like the taste much, though", she commented and they both burst into laughter.