Disclaimer: Please see Chp. I :)
A/N: There is an 'alternate ending' to this one. Personally, I like this one, but some enjoy the alternate. You will find it in the next chapter should you be interested.
Cameron shook her head once again, "I… don't think that would be such a good idea" she sighed.
House took a step towards what now appeared to be the shell of the brilliant woman he knew and gazed at her seriously.
"I thought you'd say that, and it's not true."
Cameron rubbed her aching eyes and looked at him. "It's not?" she queried.
"How can it not be? We've just categorized both the trouble and discomfort I've caused over the past few weeks" she sighed, embarrassment coursing through her like an illness. "Besides, you still need to get rid of someone other than Chase. This way, everyone wins". She looked at him, blankly.
House shook his head. "I'll take care of Vogler, don't worry. As for everything else—a little office drama never hurt anyone."
Cameron shot him a brief look, thus questioning the truth of this statement for she was indeed hurt.
"Well" House continued, "not irrevocably."
He smiled vaguely at her—as full a smile as Cameron had ever seen him bestow upon another human being.
"You're a damn good doctor, Cameron. And you were right" she raised her eyes to look into his. What was she right about?
"You are the one who always supports me when I 'screw up'. What would I do without you?" His eyes, his face, his mood, was soft, and it surprised her.
Cameron laughed quietly. "I suppose that's true. But…I'm still concerned…"
"Don't be" he cut her off. "I've dealt with tougher than Vogler—no problem" he joked.
Cameron nodded slowly, and then stopped.
"My resignation. I've already handed it in…"
The edges of Houses' lips tugged into the characteristically cunning smirk as he withdrew a folded piece of paper from his left inside jacket pocket.
"You mean this 'Letter of Resignation'?"
Balancing his cane on his right leg he rent the sheet in two and dropped the halves on a nearby table-top.
"What resignation? I never received any such document" House toyed.
"But, Doctor Cameron, do take care of yourself. I realize it's expected that some viruses cause a person to miss a day or two of work, but I do hope you'll be healthy by Monday?"
Cameron smiled and feigned a cough. "Well…" she began, "Some viruses are known to last a week or so at a time. I'll have to play it by ear… and consult my physician, of course".
House smiled, and turned towards the door. "Lots of liquids, ooh.. and ice cream". He turned the door knob and walked out, turning briefly to look at Cameron once.
Again, their eyes met across the room as he pulled the door closed behind him.
The following Monday:
Cameron, Chase and Foreman were seated around the conference table sipping coffee as House explained a recent referral coming in later that day.
"And, let us welcome back Dr. Cameron" House added, raising his coffee cup in her direction, "who was sadly ill last week, but rejoins us, healthy?"
"Yes. Healthy" Cameron smiled.
"Good. Alright you three—Go, be doctors and all that".
The three doctors rose from the table and exited the room. As Cameron passed House, her eyes were forward, her heart calm. He never spoke of anything else to her, nor she to him. Things would continue as usual.
Upon entrance into his office, House stopped, gazing at his desk where a single red rose and box of chocolates was placed, waiting for him.
