Title: Aftermath
Rating: PG-13
Spoilers: Up to Babies and Bathwater
Disclaimer: Reluctantly Yeah, yeah, I don't own it.
Summary: Cuddy saved the team and vanquished Vogler, but that doesn't mean all is well...
Author's note: I don't know where I'm going with this. I might leave it as a one-shot, I might continue it. Feedback is always apprecaited, but if you're going to flame me, please do so in proper English. (Yeah, it makes me sound snobbish, I know, but it's a pet peeve. Compliment me however you want though )
House, M.D.
House watched as Dr. Cuddy finished her glass of wine in one gulp, almost smirking. But all the while, he was putting his wonderful mind to work on how to get Cameron to come back. He had to get her back.
House, M.D.
After drinks, Chase and Foreman left, supposedly to go get even more drinks - an outing they actually invited House on, but he had declined.
It was just House and Cuddy in the room, and Cuddy was walking towards him, not even vaguely tipsy, surprising considering the ammount of alcohol she had consumed. "You're going to try and get her back." It wasn't a question.
"Well, her having quit is pointless now, so yeah." House tried to shrug it off as if he really didn't care, even though he knew Cuddy knew he was lying. It still made him feel a bit better.
"Good luck. I hope you can do it." Dr. Cuddy smiled and walked out the door of House's office, leaving him alone to figure out how to get Cameron back.
He knocked on the door to Cameron's appartment, only half expecting an answer. However, around a minute later, she opened the door.
House had to bite back a smirk. Cameron was dressed in light blue pajama bottoms and a white tank top and her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. She was either going to bed early or hadn't changed all day. House was betting he knew which. But even with the noticeable lack of makeup, she looked beautiful. "You look lovely as always." It wasn't a lie.
Cameron rolled her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"Long story. Actually, it isn't. Vogler's gone." House walked in slowly as Cameron opened the door to let him in, taking in his surroundings.
"Congratulations," Cameron said flatly. "Want something to drink?"
House shook his head, "Nice place you've got here."
"Yeah, it is," Cameron agreed. "Shame I'm going to have to leave it when I move."
"You're... moving?"
She nodded, "Yeah. I got a job in Chicago."
"Don't go."
"What?"
"You don't have to move. The evil stepmother's gone, Cinderella. You can come back to the palace now."
Cameron blinked. "First, that's now how the fairy tale goes." Her statement recieved nothing more than a shrug from House, so she continued. "And second, you didn't fire me, remember? I quit."
"And now I'm telling you that you didn't have to."
"House, my quitting wasn't because of Vogler," Cameron sighed and sat down, a cup of coffee in her hands.
There weren't many chairs in the living room, which meant not many places to sit. House opted for the other side of the couch Cameron was sitting on.
As soon as those words had come out of Cameron's mouth, he knew what she wanted him to do. What he had to do if he wanted her back. Shit.
"Cameron, I can't..." He struggled to find the words to explain just why this couldn't happen.
"I know. I've accepted that, House."
"I'm sorry." True enough, House decided, though he wasn't sure whether he was apologizing to Cameron or to himself for being too stubborn, too proud, too broken, to let this happen.
"I should get to sleep soon. My plane leaves early tomorrow," Cameron said, standing up.
House nodded, taking the hint he grabbed his cane and limped to the door.
Cameron followed, and as he was about to close the door, she spoke softly. "I'm sorry too."
House nodded, unable to really do anything else.
"Say goodbye to everyone for me?"
It was a request, a simple one. He looked up into Cameron's eyes for what would probably be the last time and muttered, "Okay."
"Goodbye, House," Cameron whispered and closed the door.
House listened until he heard Cameron's footsteps fade before he started walking away. Nice, House. You had a chance, and you screwed it up. Again.
T.B.C.?
