This is the last chapter.

They drank their coffee together on the couch in silence. It wasn't the comfortable type of silence exchanged between couples that had known each other for so long. It was the excruciatingly painful type of silence that left both parties feeling uncomfortable and awkward.

In the awkward silence Cameron was able to steal glances at House out of the corner of her eye. He often made faces like he was thinking about saying something, but then decided against it, once again starring at the ceiling for guidance. Finally, after five minutes of complete silence, Cameron couldn't take it anymore.

"Can I ask you something?" Cameron said.

House rolled his eyes at the question. For some reason every time she asked a question he was left searching for some other answer to cover up the truth. He was beginning to be exhausted with the entire process.

"Ask away," he finally answered, reaching in his pocket and fiddling with his vicodin.

"Why did you come here tonight?"

"You left your keys in my lap," House answered.

"Is that the only reason?"

"No."

Since she looked like she was ready to press further House jumped in and attempted to change the direction of the conversation. He really wasn't look forward to having the 'do you like me' discussion tonight. Hastily he spit out the first thing that came to his mind.

"Did you enjoy yourself this morning? Playing in the snow?" He asked.

For a minute Cameron looked confused, like she couldn't quite remember anything before the moment he walked into her apartment.

"This morning?" she questioned. "Like before I came into work? You were watching me?"

"Well you were kinda hard to miss," House amended. "You were outside laughing at children and throwing bundles of snow in the air. You looked like a god damned Hallmark card. Is that something you like to do?"

"On occasion, yes. That's the thing about you House. You see me for 10 hours a day, in the hospital, and you think you have me all figured out. The truth is there's more to me than you'll ever know."

"I feel like I'm being taught some sort of lesson. Do continue Dr. Cameron, I rarely receive failing grades. What do I need to know to figure you out?"

"I love snow. I didn't have much of it growing up so I have a renewed appreciation of it now. I read. Anything and all the time. I love movies. Sad ones, happy ones, gory ones, and especially musicals. I've seen Chicago on Broadway 8 times. I used to paint. I go out every Saturday night and dance. Even though I'm a doctor I've been known to smoke a cigarette when I'm drunk. I have a shoe problem. I own over 100 pairs of shoes but continue to wear only one. I've been in love. I didn't get married to be a martyr; I got married because I was in love. I miss having someone to love. I miss having someone to touch..."

Before she could continue he grasped onto her arms and seemed to be searching for something in the vast array of her blue eyes. She was surprised by his touch. The kiss that followed surprised her even more. Of all the times she had imagined the kiss it had never been like this. It wasn't rushed or frantic like she'd thought. His lips were gentle as they parted against hers and she found the stubble on his face to be lulling her into some sort of trance.

When she'd started the rant it was to prove a point. He thought he knew her. But he didn't know her like she wanted him to. He didn't know her hobbies or any of her imperfections. The only person he knew was the Allison Cameron that sometimes cried over patients and had lost a husband when she was young. She wanted to show him there was more. She had never wanted to bring up her husband or the emptiness he had left behind.

When he shifted on the couch to bring her closer, Cameron pulled away from the kiss. This wasn't how it was supposed to be. She didn't want to be kissed because he felt sorry for her. She wanted to be kissed because he wanted her.

"Dr. House, wait."

"You'd think after your tongue's been down my throat you could call me Greg." He replied, taking control of his breathing and dropping the locks of hair he held firmly in his grip.

"My objective wasn't to make you feel sorry for me."

"And what exactly makes you think I feel sorry for you?" House inquired. "I have a bum leg and have to take a shower sitting down. As a rule of thumb I don't feel sorry for anyone."

"Then why did you kiss me?" Cameron questioned.

"You graduated from med school. Do I really have to explain the birds and the bees?"

She replied by giving him that famous glare that implied 'that's not good enough.'

"Do you think I would have done that if I didn't want to? You know me well enough to be cognizant to the fact that I don't do anything I don't want to. And what I really want to do now is kiss you again. Is that okay with you?"

Although she did look rather confused she nodded her head and let him take her in his arms once more. The kiss was slow and deliberate. His hands were placed firmly at her sides, almost as if he were afraid of offending her by placing them someplace else. After what seemed like hours Cameron pulled away once again.

"You know I'm not delicate House, you can touch me if you want."

He replied by way of a rather odd look. At first he looked deep into her eyes and then shifted his examination to his hands tightly fisted at her sides. He couldn't help half smirking to himself. He could give speeches to hundreds of people without batting an eyelash. He could probably perform thousands of surgeries blindfolded but the thought of being intimate with Allison Cameron scared the shit out of him.

"I guess I'm a little out of practice," He sighed. "Contrary to what Foreman believes I haven't had the pleasure of a really great hooker in years."

"We can go slow," she smiled.

"For god's sake, Cameron, I'm not a virgin or anything. You just gotta let me warm up a bit."

"Okay," she smiled shyly. "Should we kiss again?"

"Sounds good," he nodded.

This time when they kissed his hands immediately became a little more adventurous. Instead of being firmly placed at her sides she could feel them creeping around her stomach and toying with the lower hem of her shirt. As his hands migrated further upward she shifted her own into his hair, giving him better access to her breasts.

When his hands finally reached their destination it seemed like they both let out a simultaneous groan of pleasure. Without giving any warning, Cameron abruptly pulled away, dislodging his hands, and once again leaving him with a puzzled expression on his face.

His confusion was replaced with fast growing appreciation when she pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it on the couch beside them. This time when his hands grasped her body their destination was not her breasts. Agilely he reached behind her back, liberating her from the confines of her modest pink bra in less than 5 seconds.

When she looked at him with a cocked eyebrow and a devious smirk House couldn't deny her a smirk of his own.

"I guess it's like riding a bike," he admitted.

Before Cameron could supply him with her own clever quip his eyes took in the wondrous spill of her breasts before him. Suddenly becoming a little shy and a tad bit vulnerable she used her right hand in an attempt to cover herself up. Realizing her sudden discomfort House pulled her closer and once again placed his lips against hers.

Throughout the kiss he could feel her loosening up and gradually her hand fell away from her chest. Acknowledging the invitation his lips receded from hers and took their rightful position teasing the nipple of her right breast.

"Oh god," she sighed, lacing her fingers in his hair as his tongue assaulted her chest.

"I said you can call me Greg," he quipped, relinquishing his lips from her nipple and slowly making his way back to her mouth.

Feeling more comfortable with her own body she was now anxious to reveal more of his. Never breaking the kiss, she began nimbly working her fingers at the buttons on his shirt. After she had finagled the final ivory button he helped her shrug the blue shirt from his shoulders.

She let out a sigh of disappointment when she realized there was still a t-shirt separating her hands from his warm chest. Never one to miss a cue, House pulled the old t-shirt over his head and placed it on the couch beside hers.

Focusing on his face, she used her hands to map out the upper half of his body. His forearms were solid and chiseled while his chest and stomach were covered with just the right amount of hair for her to twist in her fingers.

When she was thoroughly satisfied in exploring his upper torso she moved her hands down lower and began to undo the button and zipper of his pants. When he immediately tensed up she could have sworn he was holding his breath. As she tenderly wrapped her hand around his straining erection his eyes seemed to roll someplace in the back of his head.

When she gradually began to pump he looked as if he were fighting a war with himself. While his body begged her to continue his brain recognized that if she didn't stop soon this little altercation would be over before it got a chance to start.

Finally his brain won the battle of wills and he broke the kiss.

"Cameron, this can't happen here," he breathed.

"You don't want to do this?" She questioned, trying to hide the hurt look that flickered into her eyes.

"Oh we're going to do this, just not on the couch. You know, cripple, bum leg, and all that jazz. Do you have a bed in this place?"

"Oh, of course," she replied, obviously relieved that this wasn't going to end.

Impetuously she hopped to her feet and headed in the direction of her bedroom. Before House could even pry himself off the couch she turned around and supplied him with an anxious smile.

"You think you could give me a minute or two then come in?" She asked.

"I can do that," he nodded at her retreating form.

Sitting alone on the couch he let out an audible sigh. What was he doing? He hadn't had sex in almost five years and here he was about to hit the sack with an employee half his age. It had been so long since his dick was touched by a woman he was surprised he didn't blow it when she unbuttoned his pants.

In the two minutes he sat waiting on the couch he contemplated running out the door about ten times. Each time he remembered Cameron's gentle touch and her pert little breasts and knew he wasn't going anywhere.

Finally she called out from the bedroom and he eased himself off the couch and onto his feet. God he felt foolish. Here he was half naked and using his cane to enter her bedroom. Deep down he felt about eighty years old. On his slow descent down the hallway he admonished if there were any candles or rose petals he was out the door.

Entering the room he was pleased to notice the only light came from a dim bedside lamp. There were zero candles in sight and the only thing remotely resembling rose petals was the red poinsettia placed on the nightstand for decoration.

Cameron sat on the edge of the bed awaiting his arrival. She had removed her pants and now wore only a pair of pink cotton underwear and a smile. Although she felt a bit silly his approving grin made her feel right at home. He noticed she had done something different with her hair and there was now a silver packaged condom on the nightstand waiting to be used.

Momentarily he felt like a hesitant teenager. Here she was, waiting for him on the bed, and he had absolutely no idea what to do. Should he remove his clothes as well? Should he kiss her? Should he wait for her to come to him?

While he was fighting the silent battle in his mind Cameron broke the silence…and the tension.

"Do you need to take a vicodin before we start?" She questioned, feeling rather foolish for her choice in words.

"I'd like a vicodin," he laughed. "In fact, I'd love a vicodin, but unless you'd rather have sex with yourself I should probably save it for later."

"Oh," Cameron apologetically smiled. So the vicodin did have an effect on his libido.

Finally ready to make a move he ambled over to the bed and had a seat beside her. He threw his cane over the side and for several moments he just sat there and stared. Cameron was becoming increasingly more uncomfortable at his gaze. When she brought her hand up to shyly cover herself he quickly held it in his grasp.

"How can I look at you with your hand in the way?" He questioned.

"How could I forget," she sighed. "I'm art for the lobby, look all you want."

He couldn't help but laugh at the memory of their first flirtatious conversation. A flirtation that was ending tonight and morphing into something new. Would it last? Probably not. Would he enjoy it while it lasted? Hell yes.

"If you were art in the lobby right now I seriously doubt there'd be any empty beds in the entire hospital."

She could have continued the conversation but she realized it for what it really was. She was stalling. She wanted to share this night with him more than anything but she wasn't entirely sure what the result would bring. Would this be it? One night and then back to their separate corners, or would this be the start to something more? Temporarily unconcerned with the answer she was ready for action. Now.

He was a little taken aback when she softly pushed him back on the mattress. His erection caught on before his brain had a chance to. It was go time.

She straddled him as mercifully as she could. She knew he hadn't taken any vicodin in quite some time and the last thing she wanted was for sex with her to be synonymous with pain. Once she found herself in a comfortable position she bent down and connected her lips with his. The position turned out to be rather advantageous for House who was easily able to take hold of her firm breasts as they landed gently on his chest.

Soon she was grinding her hips against an erection that was begging to be released from the confines of restricting black pants. As she bent down to nibble on his neck House let out a sigh that was begging for mercy.

"God Cameron, you're killin me here," He replied through strained gasps.

When she sufficiently worked them both into a frenzy she agilely slid down his body so that she was face to face with the zipper of his pants. Coming to the conclusion that he was wearing far too many clothes she deftly unzipped his pants and proceeded to remove the offending garments.

During her mission she paused to steal a glimpse of the scar tissue the infarction had left behind. Curiosity almost over took her but she thought twice about giving into her urge to touch it. They had come this far and she wasn't willing to let her meddling throw it all away now.

When she saw his size she almost choked. How on earth was her tiny little body going to accommodate that?

When she took him into her mouth House thought he would surely pass out. The warm enclosure of her mouth was a stark contrast to the cool air of the bedroom. Before she got the chance to please him any more he was pulling at her arms and bringing her back towards him.

"I'm really trying not to embarrass myself, if at all possible," he breathed. "And as I can see it you're currently wearing more clothes than me."

Gently he lifted her off of him and rolled her to the side. Looking at his arms she was not at all surprised by his strength. When she was comfortably seated beside him he very slowly rolled on his side to face her. By the grimace of his features she could tell his leg was hurting with every movement.

As he lay beside her his left hand snaked out to touch the elastic at the top of her modest pink panties. When he began to pull them down she shifted her butt into the air making the task a great deal easier. Seconds later the remnants of her underwear joined the pile of his clothes already on the floor.

This time when he kissed her his hands quickly roamed to uncharted territory. While his fingertips graced the primly trimmed entrance to her body she casually opened her legs wider, providing him with more access to her feminine wiles.

At first he was hesitant. He hadn't done this in a long time. Her gentle moans gave him the courage to press further. He was a doctor for god's sake. He knew where everything was and if her moans were any indication then he was right on target.

As he inserted an index finger he could feel her walls clench around him. After awhile he used his thumb to trace little circles on her clit causing her to bite down on his neck to avoid further screams.

Her hips began to grind against his hands. She couldn't hold back the gasps any longer. She could feel herself beginning to slip over but wouldn't allow her body the satisfaction without having him buried deep inside.

"I need you inside me," she panted. "Don't send me over without you inside," she half pleaded.

Because he was worked into a frenzy himself he easily complied. Relinquishing his grasp on her body she rolled over to the nightstand and grabbed the condom that lay there.

The game of cat and mouse they were playing for close to a year was finally coming to a head. When she rolled the condom on him his body involuntarily twitched in response. She was all set to straddle him once again when his firm arm pushed her toward the bed.

Ignoring the pain radiating from his leg he rose above and placed his body over hers. She instinctively brought her knees up and spread her legs wide to accommodate him. As she spread her legs apart she could feel the head of his cock slip down between them and find a resting place at her wet entrance. Finding her wet and ready he entered her in one swift motion. Instantly she cried out, the orgasm leaving her helpless and weak. It took all of his concentration not to follow her over the edge. Cameron's body bucked in response as he slammed into her over and over again.

She could feel herself vastly approaching orgasm again and dug her nails deftly into his back. This time when she called out it was far too much for him to take. Losing control his body became rigid and he emptied himself into her, following her call of carnal bliss.

0000000000

If he felt like he was 80 before he now felt closer to 95. As his spent body lay on top of hers there was one thought circling his mind: vicodin. As if reading his thoughts Cameron swung her arm over the side of the bed and rifled through his jeans. When she agilely shook the pill bottle to gain his attention he could have cried.

"Was it that obvious?" He asked, gratefully accepting the two pills she shook into his hand.

"No," she replied. "I just thought that after all that you deserved a little extra gratification."

He was about to offer another clever response when his cell phone rang out from somewhere on the floor. Thinking it may be some sort of an emergency from the hospital, Cameron was quick to scoop up the blaring phone from its resting place.

Looking at the caller ID House let out and audible snicker. While opening the phone with one hand he used the other to shush Cameron so she wouldn't be heard.

"Whhhaaatt?" House answered, using his best five-year-old voice.

"So how'd it go at Cameron's?" Wilson asked

"Cameron's?"

"House, tell me you dropped off her keys! There's three feet of snow out there!"

"Oh, right, keys. Yup, mission accomplished," House dryly answered.

"Did you two make nice?"

"Well I didn't throw her down in the snow again if that's what you're asking."

"So what happened?" Wilson questioned.

"God Jimmy, I was sleeping. I'll tell you tomorrow." House sighed.

"Fine, you can fill me in over lunch, and you're buying."

"Fine. Bye."

Clicking his cell phone shut he supplied Cameron with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, I guess my pillow talk is lacking."

"On the contrary, I find your conversations with Dr. Wilson to be extremely intriguing," she smiled.

On the verge of retorting he was interrupted by a ringing phone once again. Annoyed by the interruption he picked up the phone on the nightstand and yelled into it.

"Whhaaattt?"

"Just checking," Wilson answered.

Momentarily confused by his friend's words House was only able to catch on when he found Cameron grinning below him. While focusing all his attention on Cameron he was unable to recognize the cell phone he answered was hers. Realizing his mistake he grimaced and rolled his eyes.

"For god's sake. Can't anyone have a personal life around here?" He yelled.

"Not likely," Wilson answered. "And if you want to keep things private maybe you should get a little better at covering things up. You're an insomniac that's in bed at 9:00? And you'll buy me lunch tomorrow? Good cover secret agent man."

"Fine, fine. You can lecture me tomorrow when you buy me lunch." House replied.

"Lecture? Hell, I'm happy for you. In fact I'm thinking of giving Cameron some sort of humanitarian award. She really took one for the team," he joked.

"Night Jimmy," House answered, swiftly clicking the phone shut.

Looking down at Cameron's smile he couldn't help but smirk.

"Glad you find this amusing Dr. Cameron."

Her only response was another seductive smile.

"Vicodin's kicking in, I should probably roll off of you now." House stated, feeling a bit awkward for still being lodged inside her.

"Uh, okay," she replied, unsure of the appropriate response.

He rolled off her in a disciplined manner. He was careful not to jar his leg and he didn't want to cause her any discomfort either. Lying on his back facing the ceiling he still couldn't believe what he had just done. His brain had helped him to push her away for so long but tonight his body had betrayed him

For a long while there was silence. House stared up at the ceiling while Cameron wracked her brain for something poignant to say. Finally House broke his glare with the white tiles and the silence that had taken over the room.

"I guess I should be going," he sighed, looking in her direction but not meeting her eyes. "We do have to work in the morning."

"You could always stay here," Cameron shyly answered. "The roads are bad and I don't know what Wilson would do if I let anything happen to you."

"Okay, sounds good."

She was surprised and thrilled at his quick compliance.

"And besides, I'm not quite done with you for the night."

"I knew this insomnia would come in handy sometime," he smirked. "Give me a few minutes to recover and I'll be right back in the game."

"Sure," she smiled, still remaining firmly on her side of the bed.

"But I wouldn't be opposed to you coming over here to join me," he said, this time locking eyes with hers.

"You want me to lay over there with you?" She questioned, confused by his uncharacteristic behavior.

"Good. Yeah, okay." He spouted the words while shaking his head the entire time. She knew this was uncharted territory for him and she appreciated the effort he was making on her behalf.

When she ambled over to his side of the bed he lifted up his arm to let her in. At first his arm was stiff and uncomfortable but soon his fingers were tracing lazy circles on her shoulder.

She knew it wouldn't last forever. Hell, she'd be surprised if it lasted throughout the week. But as the snow drifts piled up outside the door she was able to nod off to sleep a fully satisfied woman.

END