Disclaimer: Still not mine. Sad, really.
A/N: Wow! I'm a hit! Well, I feel like a hit :) I can't believe two reviews already; I'm glad you enjoyed :) I know the first chapter was a little slow, and in fact, this piece won't "pick up" until... oh, the next chapter (chp.3) but, it will be worth it (at least, I hope you all think it's worth it). I'll give you a tiny hint (and remind you that this is, indeed, House/Cam angst) but: What man would make House most jealous? tee hee.
Thank you to those who have reviewed. Because of your kindness, I was compelled to post this second part now rather than later.
ACMD- thank you, you're comments were oh so kind:) And I absolutely agree with you-- once that barrier is crossed, it's over for me too. Not over over, for I eternally hope that if and when that threshold is crossed on the show, it will be done properly. But I have no intention of ever crossing that line in my work and remain an ardent House/Cam angst writer. Besides, the wanting is more delicious than the getting ;)
Everyone-- please enjoy.
Cameron strode through the bustling hallway, eyes focused on the open file in her hands. She flipped a page as she turned the corner and stopped suddenly as she came face to face with Stacy Warner. Cameron jumped slightly, closing the file and laughing nervously.
"I'm... I'm sorry" she stammered, "I wasn't..." she paused briefly, looking into the deep brown eyes of the woman before her-- the woman House loved-- "watching" she finished, forcing a pleasant smile.
Stacy's charming features brightened as she smiled genuinely at the young doctor.
"No harm-- no foul" she laughed.
"Just be sure to avoid solid objects like walls and doors" she joked, sensing Cameron's discomfort.
Cameron swallowed and pursed her lips into a tighter smile, nodding briefly as she stepped around Stacy.
"I will. Sorry, again" she smiled over her shoulder.
Stacy nodded and turned round quickly to watch Cameron retreat.
"Um, doctor Cameron!" she called.
Cameron paused mid-step and turned slowly to face Stacy, a pleasant smile decorating her gentle features. The attorney stepped forward and folded her arms loosely across her slender waist.
"Are you busy?" she questioned tenatively.
Cameron blinked, "Well, I was just..."
"Because I was just on my way to the cafeteria-- my need for caffeine became to great to ignore" Stacy laughed.
Cameron smiled softly-- that genuine quirk of her lips that made her cheeks glow and her eyes soften.
"I was actually heading to the lab" she said hesitantly, "but... some other time?" she offered.
Stacy smiled again and nodded.
"Of course-- knowing Greg, you'll be seeing a lot of me anyway" she chuckled.
Cameron arched a brow slightly. Stacy drew in a breath, realizing the implication, and gestured with a graceful hand.
"Law suits" she offered by way of explanation.
Cameron's lips quirked up once again as she attempted to stifle her reaction; she nodded with raised brows.
"Ah. Well, so far his record has been fairly clear" she laughed lightly.
Stacy scoffed and rolled her dark eyes.
"So I hear. Frankly, I'm stunned. You must be keeping him in line".
Cameron's brow rose at this.
"Oh, well..." she began, uncertain of exactly how to reply.
Stacy laughed --a rich, mellifluous sound-- and set her hands on the curve of her hips.
"Oh, you know you deserve most of the credit-- I've never seen Greg treat someone the way he treats you."
Her dancing eyes had grown soft and intense-- almost wistful.
It was Cameron's turn to be incredulous; she chuckled softly.
"How's that?" she questioned wryly.
Stacy's voice was soft but sincere-- honest, straight-forward, and perhaps a bit forlorn.
"Like a human being".
Cameron knit her brow slightly. Stacy shook herself out of her semi-reverie and smiled softly.
"It may not look like it --God knows you can't apply common moral or personal standards to Greg-- but what looks to the untrained eye to be disinterest or..." she paused, searching for the correct word "or even dislike..."
Cameron continued to watch her thoughtfully. Stacy pursed her lips and closed her eyes briefly, opening them again to look Cameron in the eye.
"He treats you with more compassion and care than I've seen him bestow on another in a long time" she said at last.
Cameron's breath hitched as she blinked her emerald eyes.
"Well..." she said softly, then cleared her throat, giving her voice the sarcastic strength required, "I'm just... too nice to really hate-- he'd only waste his time trying to get a rise out of me" she forced a convincing smile.
Stacy laughed softly and nodded. She dipped her head slightly to the right and observed Cameron through full lashes before opening her mouth to speak.
"I should get going" Cameron said suddenly, smiling and moving backward down the hall slowly.
"Right" Stacy smiled lightly.
"Coffee though, sometime" she added.
Cameron smiled, "Yes, definitely", before turning and making her way down the hall at a clipped pace.
Stacy watched her go and knit her brow slightly before turning the opposite direction and continuing on her original path. She stopped a few steps away at the nurses' station to her right. She released a worn breath as she rested her arms on the counter top across from James Wilson.
Wilson raised a brow slightly and offered his old friend a soft, reassuring smile. Stacy smiled in return and rubbed her right temple in gentle circles.
"She's a sweet one, isn't she?" she spoke at last.
Wilson nodded slowly.
"Yes, she is".