Title: Aftermath

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Up to Babies and Bathwater.

Disclaimer: Yeah, yeah, I don't own them. Shame, too.

Summary: Cuddy saved the team and vanquished Vogler, but all is far from well.

Author's note: Yeah, these chapters are just getting shorter and shorter. But better short chapters and frequent updates than long chapters and less updates, right?

House, M.D.

House sat in his car, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel and staring out at the parking lot of his apartment building. He had actually been sitting there for the last half hour, ever since he had phoned Cameron and requested a meeting. He hadn't actually expected her to say yes, though he had kept his fingers crossed. After another minute of tapping his fingers aimlessly, thinking about just what the hell he was going to say, House drove away from his apartment and started the drive to the hospital, hoping for the best and that Cameron had changed her clothes.

The drive to the hospital from House's apartment was only about fifteen minutes, and he knew he was going to be early. He was never early. Especially when he was going to the hospital.

House, M.D.

As it turned out, House hadn't really needed to worry about what he was going to say. The second he stepped out of his car, he saw a supremely pissed off Cameron marching towards him.

Well, at least she changed her clothes. Cameron was wearing blue jeans and a green t-shirt, with her hair in a braid.

She stopped when she was about two feet away.

Without giving him a chance to say anything, she started, "What the hell is wrong with you? What part of "I have a seven AM flight tomorrow" didn't register in your brain? If I miss my flight, House, so help me God I'll - "

"Castrate me. Make me wish I was never born. Force me to sit through an endless marathon of romantic comedies?" House offered, just hoping to shut her up for a minute.

"Actually, I was going to say kill you, but those aren't bad." She paused for a moment, then, "Why? Why are you doing this to me?" So many questions could be seen in Cameron's eyes and House turned his head so he didn't have to see them. But instead of seeing them, he now heard them as Cameron continued, her voice growing louder with each question. "Why come after me and then do absolutely nothing? Why torture me with your presence? Does it give you pleasure mocking me? Why do you even care?"

A slap in the face couldn't have been more painful than those questions, and House reached out and put a hand over her mouth and prayed she didn't bite him. "Don't yell."

Her anger subsided and Cameron pulled House's hand away, and backed up, out of his reach. "Give me a reason to stay," she demanded, looking lost.

"Fine. We need you."

"No you don't. You said it yourself, I wasn't the best appilicant for the job. There are plenty of other doctors out there who are better than I am."

"Damn it, Cameron," House practically yelled, "just what is it you want to hear? That I actually do like you? That I need you? That I love you?" Oh shit. That was notwhat I intended to say. House looked at Cameron, watched her eyes widen just a little. And when she spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Do you?"

No. Yes. House couldn't answer. He knew what he wanted to say, what he should say, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.

After a minute, Cameron broke the silence, "Right," and turned to walk away.

No, she can't leave. Not yet. And so House did the only thing he could think of to get her to stay.

He kissed her.

The kiss wasn't soft or sweet, but then again, neither was Gregory House.

It was Cameron who broke the kiss, and it was she who spoke first. "That shouldn't have happened."

"I'm going home now. If I hurry, I might get in an hour or two before I have to leave," Cameron mumbled.

Just say it, House. Tell her you love her. Tell her you need her. Tell her anything, just don't let her walk away! House grabbed Cameron's arm, "Come with me."

Cameron looked down and tried to pull her arm free, but House's grip was firm, "Where?"

Good question.

T.B.C.