Reluctance
Chapter 7 – Apology Accepted
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You smiled, you spoke and I believed,
By every word and smile – deceived.
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House parked the car five minutes later. They were sitting in a large parking lot, empty of cars. It belonged to a big business, most likely bustling during the day. For now though, it suited their purpose perfectly.
House left the engine running and slowly got out of the car, Cameron following suit. They switched places quickly. House, settled in the passenger's side, buckled his seatbelt with a sigh. This earned him a look from Cameron.
"What's with the seatbelt?" she asked.
"Just a precautionary measure," he stated with a raised eyebrow.
"It can't be that hard…" Cameron trailed off as he glared at her.
He chuckled lightly; it would be hell on his car and on him. Running a hand through his hair, House managed to start with the instructions.
"Okay, let's get started. First things first – if you break my car, I'll break you. Comprende?"
Cameron nodded slowly. Something about his tone told her that he would keep to his word.
"Good," he said. "Now, for the hard part. If you look down and to the left, you can see a pedal. That's the clutch, the most important part."
He let his gaze travel down Cameron's outstretched leg to land on the clutch. Her foot was bare; only then did he realize that her heels were resting on the floor next to him (smart girl). He swallowed slowly and returned his attention to her face. Cameron was looking at him, awaiting the next instructions.
"What you're going to need to do is this; when you push on the gas, let up on the clutch and vice versa. Shift when you push on the clutch. You'll be able to hear the engine," he rattled off.
Cameron nodded. All of this made sense to her; she wasn't that ignorant. The problem was doing all of that at the same time. Determined to learn however, she didn't voice her concerns to House. Instead, she set her jaw and readied herself. Left hand on the steering wheel, right hand prepared to shift, left foot by the clutch, right foot near the gas.
"Okay, now slowly shift from neutral into first as you let up on the clutch. Don't press the gas yet," House instructed.
Cameron did as she was told. The car moved forward very slowly. House was relaxed so far, but they couldn't stay in first gear forever. He took a deep breath.
"Let up on the clutch and push the gas. Shift from first to second as you accelerate," he said.
Easier said than done. Cameron tried though. She managed to make the car speed up, but didn't manage to shift at the proper time. The most unpleasant noise she had heard started coming from the engine of the red Corvette. It was in too low of a gear and she didn't know what to do. The car was speeding up and House was leaning forward in his seat, nearly screaming at her.
"Damn it Cameron! Shift!" he yelled. "Shit! My car!"
Cameron dissolved into a fit of giggles. By now, all of her concentration was lost. She was amused by House, flailing in the passenger's seat, trying to get her and the car managed.
"Clutch! Brake! Damn it!" House shouted.
Cameron's left foot pressed the clutch, her right one pushing the brakes lightly. House's hand covered her own as he shifted them down into neutral again. His precious car lurched forward one more time before coming to a stop.
"You're out of control, woman!" he scolded. "Get out!"
They were both breathing hard. Cameron's face was red from laughing; House's was red with anger. He yanked off his seatbelt and stomped (as much as possible) from the car. He threw open the driver's side door and grabbed Cameron's arm with more than a little force. She stumbled from the car and House climbed in. Cameron smoothed down her dress and wiped the smirk from her face before taking her place next to him in the passenger's seat. So much for learning to drive his car.
An uncomfortable silence enveloped them. Cameron didn't dare look at him. House sat, hands on the wheel at 10 and 2, fingers drumming a rhythm on the leather. Cameron buckled her seatbelt and strapped on her shoes before sneaking a glance at him. He could feel her gaze and he turned to look at her.
"I think an apology is in order," he said quietly.
Cameron sighed with relief, opening her mouth to say something. He cut her off.
"My car is feeling a bit stressed. Perhaps you have something to say to it?" House wasn't joking.
He wanted her to apologize to his car? What in the world was wrong with him? Cameron was about to get angry, but the sparkle in his eye gave him away. She weighed her options and decided that complying with him would be the quickest way to get over this.
"I'm sorry," she said with as much sincerity as she could muster.
"Apology accepted. No hard feelings, eh?" House cocked an eyebrow at her.
Cameron knew that he wasn't talking about the car anymore.
"No hard feelings," she nodded, eyes meeting his.
House, a bit disgruntled, tore his gaze from her and cleared his throat. How he'd make it through the rest of the night was anyone's guess. He started the car and flipped on the radio, choosing a loud and obnoxious song to kill whatever mood they had going just then.
"Jazz Fest here we come!" House muttered.
He squealed the tires as he sped from the parking lot.
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Ten minutes later, the car was parked and they were in their seats in the front row. The usher, seeing that House was 'handicapped', had nearly forced them to the front. Of course, House had protested, but Cameron's hand on his arm, pushing him along, had won. So, gifted with the best seats in the house (no pun intended), the two of them sat in companionable silence.
The auditorium was filled with people, most dressed to the nines. Apparently this was a fancy show – good thing House had forced himself to wear a suit. He let his gaze wander, from Cameron to the stage to the people, then back to Cameron. She was folding and unfolding a program in her hands, looking rather enthralled. He watched her for a moment and was about to speak, but fell silent as the first piano notes rang out.
The lights were dimmed and the pianist played on.
House closed his eyes and leaned back in the plush chair, tapping out the rhythm on his thigh.
Now it was Cameron's turn to watch him. She was mystified by his seemingly complete relaxation. It dawned on her that he was comfortable, maybe even happy. House, feeling her stare, cracked open an eye and gave her a questioning look.
Cameron just smiled and fixed her attention back on the music.
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Three and a half hours and many songs later, House and Cameron walked from the auditorium into the cool night air, side by side. House was unusually quiet and Cameron noticed this. It wouldn't be a good idea to ask him why, so she settled on a simple question to break the silence instead.
"Did you enjoy it?" she asked.
House, torn from his trance, looked at her for a moment before replying.
"Yes. It was…" he paused, "I had a good time."
There was no way in hell he would ever use the word 'fun' to Cameron. He meant it though, and she knew it. Damn, this woman was getting to him.
They walked in silence to House's car. Cameron had insisted that he purchase a CD of the concert on the way out, so he played the calming music to avoid conversation. At 11:15, House zoomed into a parking spot at Cameron's building and cut the engine. The music died and they were left in stillness. It seemed like forever before Cameron finally spoke.
"Do you want to come up for coffee or something?" she asked hopefully.
House didn't look at her right away. He stared at his hands that rested in his lap. Blue eyes met green in a look that told her everything she needed to know.
"It's late…" House said softly.
"Oh… okay," Cameron replied.
House felt the need to break the tension with a joke.
"I don't want to miss my late night shows. That David Letterman is a hoot."
"Have fun," Cameron nodded, unbuckling her seatbelt.
"Don't look so upset. Monday is closer than you know it," House said. "Unless you can't stand to be away from me for that long?"
Cameron sighed and opened the car door.
"Goodnight House," she said.
He could sense that things were different. Impulsively, House reached out a hand to grab Cameron's arm before she could shut the door.
"I'm sorry," he said.
Sorry that he yelled at her for his car. Sorry that he was such a misanthropic bastard. Sorry that he couldn't give her what she wanted. She could interpret it however she wished.
Cameron's eyes softened slightly as she studied his face in the dim light of the car.
"I'll see you on Monday," she replied.
Apology accepted.
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But let not this last wish be vain,
Deceive, deceive me once again!
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A/N: Wow, sorry it took so long to update. Costa Rica was awesome! How did you like this chapter? It was longer for your enjoyment (hehe). Coming up next… drum roll… I have no idea! Review my darlings, or I'll whack you with House's cane!
