CHAPTER 4

"Oh, holy god," Cameron said as she watched him approach her. He was rummaging around in his jacket pocket, and when his hand finally emerged, he was holding her planner. Suddenly, it all clicked.

"You've got some interesting tuff in here." He said, referring to her planner. "But I really wanna know what the little red dot means. The one you draw in the corner of the day boxes? It's only one week every month."

House looked up, the wheels in his head turning. "Oh." He threw the planner in Cameron's lap.

"That's how I knew where to find you." He said, motioning to her planner.

"No way!" She said, as if she hadn't figured that out.

House avoided her eyes, and turned his back, resisting the urge to look at her.

"Vogler got fired."

"I know."

He turned around, but turned back again. "How? Oh…the news…"

"Yep. It said you were 'unavailable for interview.' What was that?"

"The news crew was there earlier today. I was out looking for you."

"Oh." Cameron said softly, looking down. But she suddenly looked up. "Hello? House? You there?"

"Yeah… but…"

"What?"

"You're wearing a b…bra."

"Hate to break it to you, but I wear a bra a lot."

"Cameron, you're just wearing a bra."

"Oh, my god." She realized House was right. She grabbed a shirt and quickly pulled it on. "You can look now."

He turned to see her fully clothed. "That was awkward" He paused. "But, here's the thing. We aren't coping so well with only two doctors. Our last case, we lost Naomi. Plus, you know where the sugar is."

"Was that derogatory?" She questioned, mildly ticked off.

"No. Ewww! Hell no, I meant for the coffee. And like I said, Chase and Foreman fight like little kids without you to break them up."

"So that's why you want me back? To act as the teacher?"

"Wow, we went from friendly conversation to inferno real fast there, doctor."

"Well it's hard to work for someone who doesn't respect you. Gee, that sounds familiar."

"Huh? Oh…"

"God, House. When will you learn?" She said it as a statement, not a question.

"I meant to say…you're very smart, and…"

Cameron cut him off. "Pretty? Just a good piece of art? Holy shit, that sounded familiar, too!" She was pulsing for fury at House, in every vein of her body, her blood was boiling.

"You are pretty."

Cameron was speechless. He just didn't get it, did he? There was nothing she could ever do to change that.

She looked him right in the eyes, completely fearless, and said to him, "Damn you, House." She left without a second glance.

For a second time, Cameron had left House, and for the second time, he stood there, contemplating the last words she had said to him.

"I do respect you," He said to himself. He needed to learn when to say something, and how to say it. House cursed silently, telling himself how stupid he was for not saying anything. For not knowing what to say.

"I respect you more than you will ever know." He limped out.