Reluctance
Chapter 5 – Change
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Somewhere I have never traveled, gladly beyond
Any experience, your eyes have their silence.
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He was nervous, damnit! Why the hell was he so nervous! It wasn't a date.
He paced, or rather hobbled, about his apartment, watching the minutes tick by. Cameron's apartment was only a few blocks from his and he wasn't supposed to pick her up until six. It took all of his self control not to be too early.
Quarter 'til six… House paced to his bedroom, shoving open the door with his cane. There, on his bed, was a tie and suit jacket. He scowled, looking into the mirror as he attempted to tie the tie. Cameron better appreciate it; he primped like a damn woman!
Ten 'til six… House shrugged into his jacket, fastening the top two buttons. With a last glance in the mirror that rested on his dresser, he left his apartment, the sound of the slammed door echoing in the emptiness of the now abandoned room.
Five 'til six… House struggled up the flight of stairs to Cameron's apartment. He was slightly out of breath and his leg was on fire. One hand on the door jam to keep his balance, House raised his cane to knock (no, pound) on the door. It was a good thing he still had his reflexes, because moments before his cane would have landed with a rap, Cameron turned the knob and opened the door wide. An amused look crossed her face as House lowered his arm, cane and all, and averted his gaze. Oh boy, you're in trouble!
"Good evening, Dr. House. If I had known violence was your creed I would have refused this date of yours," Cameron teased.
Date! Date! This is NOT a date! House cleared his throat; the tie around his neck seemed to grow tighter. He loosened it slightly, avoiding the topic of 'date' all together.
"If I had known you could see through doors, I wouldn't have resorted to violence," House replied.
"You were cussing so loudly that everybody in the building heard you!" Cameron admonished.
"Well, if it isn't 'Yell at the Cripple Day'. Stairs aren't the easiest thing, you know, especially in a suit," House said sarcastically.
Cameron ignored his comments, knowing that he was sick of people feeling sorry for him.
"You should dress up more often. It works for you," Cameron complimented quietly, blushing and looking down.
He was wearing his tennis shoes. She laughed lightly, confidence restored.
"I see some things never change," she said, gesturing at his feet.
"Things do not change; we change," House quoted.
Cameron met his eyes with a curious gaze.
"Henry David Thoreau," she said.
House smiled. However small, it still reached his brilliant blue eyes that remained locked with hers.
"I see our pretty lady doctor is well-read," House broke the silence, describing Cameron as Wilson had. The comment was meant to be less-than-sincere, but he had to struggle to even form a coherent sentence.
Cameron didn't say anything in reply. Instead, she grabbed her purse and pushed past House, who still stood in the doorway. With a look over her shoulder, Cameron raised an eyebrow.
"Coming?" she asked.
He gave her a curt nod, avoiding her gaze. House reached into his pocket for the bottle of pills that was a constant in his life. Popping off the cap, he downed two Vicodin and started down the stairs behind her.
Cameron, in all her glory, had taken to mind his advice when she had chosen an outfit. Her dress was red and clingy, hugging her body in all the right places. It tied behind her neck, beneath her hair (which was down, House noticed), leaving her back exposed. House kept his eyes on her during the journey down the stairs. Only when they reached his car did he get control of himself and stop staring. It wasn't exactly in his non-date policy to be fantasizing about his hot female coworker.
House climbed into the driver's side, resting his cane across his lap. Usually he put it in the passenger's seat, but tonight that particular spot was occupied by Cameron. She looked natural in his car; her bare legs stretched in front of her and her hands played with the seatbelt that was pulled tight over her hips. House started the engine, trying not to notice that the red of Cameron's dress matched the red Corvette perfectly.
"Hold on," he grumbled.
He gunned the car into reverse, zipping from the parking spot in record speed. Shifting into drive, he high-tailed it out of the lot and into traffic before Cameron could change her mind.
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In your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
Or which I cannot touch because they are too near.
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A/N: Okay, I'm stalling. I don't want to write the date scene! I like how this story is going and I don't want to mess it up! It's coming next chapter though, I promise. How did you like this one? Review my darlings.
