Title: Aftermath

Rating: PG-13

Spoilers: Up to "Babies and Bathwater"

Disclaimer: I don't own 'em. Nope, just don't.

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

House, M.D.

Cameron led House into the apartment and mentally cringed. Boxes were half packed, and the entire place was in a state of complete and utter chaos. "Uh, bedroom's this way. You can take the bed."

House raised an eyebrow, "Not necessary."

"Your leg. The bed will be a lot more comfortable than the couch."

"That's... true. Fine. Lead the way, Captain Cameron."

She raised an eyebrow back and laughed, "I'm not even going to ask."

"Better that you don't."

Cameron smiled, shook her head, and opened the bedroom door. It wasn't nearly as bad as the living room. Most of her things were packed away, a job she knew she would be undoing sometime soon.

House walked over to the bed, and she saw him steal a glance at the photograph on her nightstand. It was from about five years ago, and she was with him.

Cameron was still a student then, and they had taken the day off to spend time together. The picture had been taken by a friend, and she couldn't remember the last time she had smiled like that. Oh yeah... the monster trucks. With House.

She silently prayed that he wouldn't ask, though she knew the question was coming.

"That's him."

Well, at least it wasn't a question. "Yeah... About five years ago." This was the first time she had talked about him since his death. Her parents never brought it up, and she had pretty much lost contact with the one other friend she had in college. Strange, House probably thinks I have tons of friends. Bet he'd be surprised to find out that all of them work at the hospital.

House just nodded.

"I'll just get something to change into and be out of your way."

She walked quickly over to a box by her bed and pulled out the tank top and pants she had been wearing when House dropped by earlier. "Goodnight, House."

House didn't answer, but Cameron could feel his eyes watching her walk out of the room, and that was good enough.

"Cameron."

She turned around, "Yeah?"

House looked like he was ready to say something he absolutely, completely didn't want to, but needed to all the same, "What was his name?"

Cameron was caught off guard to say the least. That was the last question she had expected to hear, and he was the last person she expected to hear it from. This is what's called a loaded question. A very, very loaded question. She swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. At least I'm not about to burst into tears. "Greg. His name was Greg."

House raised his eyebrows, and Cameron knew she had surprised him. "Um... yeah. Goodnight again, sleep well. I'll... see you in the morning."

As Cameron shut the bedroom door, she knew she had done a stupid thing. A very, very stupid thing. Nice, Allison. I know exactly what he's thinking right now. He's thinking he's just a replacement for my husband, that I'm in love with Greg's memory and not him. That I really am just a starry-eyed widow looking for lovein all the wrong places. Shit.

Cameron grabbed a blanket and tossed it onto the couch, preparing for an uncomfortable, sleepless night.

It was only when she threw herself onto the sofa that Cameron realized how truly exhausted she was. Not really surprising, all things considered. I didn't get much sleep last night, either. And I was packing all morning and most of the afternoon. And House hasn't made my life any easier. She nodded to herself. Yeah, blame House for your exhaustion. He's the reason you couldn't sleep. He's the reason you were out goofing off at two in the damn morning. A nagging voice in the back of her mind wouldn't shut up, though. But he's also the reason you're happy. The reason you're staying. The reason you might finally be able to move on.

Then the rational part of Cameron's mind took over and told her to get to sleep. Sighing, she pulled a cushion to the arm of the sofa for a pillow and clutched another one tightly to her chest.

I just hope House doesn't find Woobie.

T.B.C.