Chapter Six (Bit of an epilouge really)

OK. How to start. Wow. Just wow. Everyone is just so nice to me... I think I'm going to cry. I read somewhere about someone printing out all their good reviews and just frolicking in the pile. Understand that this is my first reaction to all you lovely people. I then go through mad gigging, hand rubbing, mad hatter grinning, snickering, bliss, glee, joy, later settling to a warm sense of extreme happiness that lasts all day. So thankyou. Have I said that yet? Also to everyone who's go this in their favourites and on alerts. You've really brightened up my stats page- I mean, my day...

-takes deep breath-

SimpleNClean92- Yeah, sorry about that. I fixed it for you. Thanks for the speedy review. tranquil-eyes-Yeah, that was the point of the story a little bit. House always assumes he can have his way... heehee. Thanks for the rating warning as well. iceicekatie- well... here you go I guess. I hope it wasn't just you wanting to get rid of me. Or am I being overly sensitive? Randa05-Sorry! I'll miss it too. N. Beresford- Heh, you see, the thing is... I've kinda already written just a short sequel, because a plot bunny bit me, and I needed a House/Cam established relationship. Wasn't going to post it, but you have asked in a rather flattering manner, so, against my better judgement... yes. Red Ribbon Lioness- I don't mind a lack of eloquence, if you tell me it was caused by me. Oh, my ego. -big grin- Buzzkill Bunny-my eyes are wide. Did I just spot constructive criticism? Criticism that makes me squirm in my seat with pleasure too.Wow. Thankyou so very much. CRae- Oh yes. Wouldn't we all? Squee! A stalker- just what I've always wanted for my fics. Thanks. The Golden Stringbean- Hee! Captial letters. Me like. Wookie Devil- Ack. Don't remind me of that premiere.It marks a hell of a lot of new spoilers for me to avoid until it airs in Australia. And by that time, there'll be the spoilers of season three to worry about... arg, it just goes on and on. -sigh- That's the price we pay for revelling in fanfiction I suppose.

Monday brought another case, which was good, because it had been getting slow, and there was nothing House hated more than boredom… apart from possibly clinic duty, although the hefty helping of boredom that came with clinic duty contributed to that very special hatred. Had he known what was coming, he thought in hindsight, he probably would have stuck with the boredom.

He had dropped Cameron off at her house on Sunday afternoon, deciding that driving in to work in the same car might just arouse some suspicion. Almost two days of having her all to himself hadn't dulled his appetite, but the difference was he entered the hospital with a spring in his hobbling stride, caused by the sure knowledge that Cameron would be following him home that night, and eating breakfast with him in the morning, wearing one of his shirts.

He really wasn't sure why he had protested so hard against her idea of what their relationship should be- looking back; it seemed like nothing more than a stupid waste of energy. The sex was indeed mind-blowingly good, but there was also something special about counting her breathing in the warm darkness afterwards, and seeing her the next morning, sleepy and beautiful. He realised, of course, that he was starting to sound dangerously similar to some sort of b-grade romance novelist, but it was part of the package was that he no longer cared.

The thing that they had agreed very firmly on, however, was that no one, right down to the janitors, and all the way up to Wilson and beyond, would not garner so much as an inkling about their affair. Especially not Wilson in fact.

Despite that, he'd briefed Cameron thoroughly on what could be expected from people should the worst happen, as well as a few other little things, like the fact that Chase was hoping to get lucky soon with one of the cafeteria ladies, and that there was a bet running on when Cuddy would go terminal with a shot-gun off the clock tower.

House entered the conference room to find all five of his favourite people there. It looked like Cuddy had been waiting for him to arrive. He raised his eyebrows at the assembly, opting not to head for the coffee right away. 'Somebody dying?' He asked astutely.

'You work in a hospital,' Cuddy pointed out flatly.

House made a show of looking around, his perusal taking in the walls and ceiling, before he frowned and nodded thoughtfully. 'You know,' he started, turning back to Cuddy, 'I do believe you're right.'

Foreman rolled his eyes, vaguely irritated by House's unerring ability to pick a fight with Cuddy. House caught the motion out the corner of his eye, but chose not to acknowledge it. Wilson, who was leaning on the counter a little way behind Cuddy simply watched with mild amusement, long since having learnt that it was pointless to interfere with House and Cuddy's bickering sessions without becoming a target.

'If only you'd realise that more often then perhaps the hospital would be a better place.' She informed him sweetly. House let out a loud bark of laughter, before allowing all amusement to drop from his face when she just glared at him.

'Oh, sorry,' he apologised meekly, 'you were being serious.'

He heard Chase give a small sound that was possibly amusement, but could have been plausibly denied if Cuddy had turned on him. She hardened her features, realising that she was losing the battle, and decided just to give him the news, which had been his intention all along, although to have it happen without having to actually ask for it was just an added bonus.

'I've got a case for you, and it's non-negotiable so don't argue, you're taking it.'

House leaned on his cane, tilting his head on one side to look at her, picking up the subtle signs that were always so telling. Her hair was just that tiny bit tighter in her bun, in an attempt to add to her air of professionalism.

'Let me see now… it would be someone important to the hospital, else this would have come to me from Wilson… a sponsor maybe? No, wait. For this level of directness, someone would have had to have collapsed dramatically or the like, leaving them incapacitated, meaning it's got to be a loved one of someone beloved to the hospital, or someone simply very high profile.'

'Very good, well done. It's the son of a very nice man who gives us lots of money so you can eat.'

'And from that little speech, I take it you want me to be polite to him?'

'Preferably, yes,' Cuddy agreed warmly, something cutting dangerously close to the surface of her insincere niceness like a fin cuts smoothly through the water towards a drowning swimmer.

'But…' House feigned confusion; 'you also want me to heal him right?'

'You know, some doctors can actually do both.'

'Really? 'cause that's why I hired Cameron. She can be nice for me, so I can stick to the actual diagnosing.'

Cuddy's eyes narrowed and there was a close cousin of malicious glee in there, although it was very heavily concealed. 'Yes, you two do make quite a couple.'

Suspicion began to flicker in House's mind, but he never could back down from a challenge, and besides, if he didn't, he would be wondering at least until lunch time if she actually knew or not. After lunch time he would have found out for himself by a less confrontational method, but he couldn't wait that long. Chase and Foreman were looking back and forwards like spectators at a tennis match, and Cameron was also innocently watching the verbal sparring, which House took to mean she was prepared to let him handle this. She would have been sending him subtle signals to pull out if not, so he took a mental breath and dived straight in.

'Now that wouldn't be jealousy would it Cuddy?' His tone was mocking, and none of the other men in the room had any clue yet. House hoped to keep it that way. Cuddy smiled nastily, a smile that told him she knew all his secrets, and stepped closer to him, ostensibly heading for the door. He moved to one side to give her room, but their gazes were firmly locked, challenge crackling between them. It was still possible, however, that she was bluffing completely.

'Not at all; I hope you two have fun. Just keep it out of the office, OK?' Delivering her final blow, she sauntered out of the room, leaving a few seconds of stunned silence before her. Then Chase let out a spray of coffee across the desk, and began choking, loudly. No one else made a move, but House and Cameron looked at each other for a moment, silent messages passing between them. That confirmed it for Wilson, who had previously been ready to consider it simply a bad joke by Cuddy. His mouth dropped open, a very stunned expression on his face. Foreman was now looking backwards and forwards between Cameron and House, an appalled expression on his face.

House was taking in the scene with amusement, and Cameron looked part resigned, part amused herself. Chase really did look very funny with that expression on his face, like a fish out of water as he gulped for air, red faced. They waited patiently for everyone to recover so the accusations could start. Foreman managed to get himself together first.

'You… and… her…' full sentences were seeming unlikely at that moment.

'Yes Eric. It's something boy-people and girl-people do. I thought you got that sort of education, growing up in the hood.'

Foreman glared as Cameron shook her head at him, supposedly in disapproval, but he could tell she was enjoying it, now that there was no hope of people simply not finding out.

'He's like, twice your age!' Protested Foreman, appealing to a slightly smiling Cameron. She allowed an expression of considered thought to cross over her features, as though contemplating this concept deeply.

'He doesn't feel like it.' She replied sweetly, absolutely no innuendo in her tone, which only laid it on all the thicker. Chase, who had nearly recovered, started choking again. House regarded him bemusedly. 'Are we going to have to Heimlich you?' He asked. Chase gasped for a bit and managed to shake his head, taking a gulp of the ill fated coffee to stop the coughing.

'Foreman…' he wheezed, a strange and stunned expression on his face. The other doctor spared him a glance from his appalled perusal of an impassive House and Cameron.

'Unusual irritability,' pointed out Chase, making Foreman groan, burying his face in his hands.

House raised an eyebrow, waiting for this particular gem of information to surface. Foreman looked disinclined to communicate, and Chase was looking at him with a sort of horrified fascination, as though new and hideous thoughts were starting to force themselves to the surface after the initial shock.

'Was that him or me?' Asked Cameron, playing along when she saw House's curiosity and the lack of forthcoming answers.

'Both actually,' replied Chase dazedly. Foreman groaned again. They were both having a hard time trying to mentally connect the idea of House sleeping with Cameron. That she seemed as calmly amused as him wasn't helping.

'They're a couple.' Muttered Foreman through his hands, putting all his feelings on that subject into that one mumbled sentence. 'I mean, how could they…' It wasn't really a question, but glancing once at a House with a wicked look on her face, Cameron decided to answer him. He watched her amusedly.

'I could give you details if you want,' she told him innocently. For a third time, Chase began to cough, although no coffee had been near his mouth, so his lungs were simply feeling non-cooperative.

Foreman raised his head out of his hands, glaring at Cameron in bleary accusation. 'Can you not? This is bad enough as it is.'

'Oh, I dunno. Didn't feel too bad...' She paused, appearing to think about it, ''cept, of course, when we got the handcuffs out.' House snorted in laughter as Chase just about fell off his chair.

Cuddy chose that moment to renter; taking in the scene with an expression eerily similar to the one House wore.

'As much as you four sound like you're having fun, it really would be rather good if you could get to work.' She was holding a file in her hand, but that was the only thing to show she hadn't simply been listening on some sort of secret microphone system from her office.

'That a present for us?' Asked House, nodding to the file, pointedly ignoring the other stunned men in the room. Cameron watched the exchange mildly, in stark contrast to the reactions of the other three.

'The kid's file. It's a bit of a case history, since he's unconscious and, as of now, I expressly forbid you to talk directly with the father.'

'Why? Afraid I've corrupted Cameron to my nasty ways?'

'Yes, very much so.'

'Probably fair enough,' grinned House, thoroughly enjoying the continued reactions he was managing to elicit. 'Just one question though…'

'Ask away.'

'How did you know?' It was almost poor form to ask, but after their little squabble from before, he knew he would get the answer no other way.

'Gee I wonder. You've been practically growling at everything in sight for the past three weeks, and suddenly walk in here this morning with a swagger like a gorilla on testosterone.'

'That was it?' Asked House, realising he'd potentially blown their cover on some very circumstantial evidence.

'Not quite all. Your office walls are made of glass you idiot.' With that she gave him a friendly smile and left, leaving the file on the corner of the table. House watched her go; slightly nervous as he wondered whether she'd seen both make out sessions, or just the second one. Cameron was looking as worried as he felt as they exchanged glances, and Foreman began to show his first traces of collection since he'd been told, the couple's discomfiture helping him gather himself.

A small shred of rationality kicked House though, and he relaxed, giving Cameron a half smile. 'It's all right. I'd probably be facing sexual harassment charges right about now if she'd seen…' He let the sentence trail off tactfully, and Cameron nodded, also relaxing slightly, but not loosing her traces of worry completely.

'I notice you've yet to comment,' House turned to his best friend, who'd barely moved since Cuddy had dropped the bombshell.

'I'm just trying to remember,' replied Wilson weakly. 'I think you owe me money.'

House glanced at Cameron who was suddenly giving him a very dirty look, and took one careful step away from her. 'Do you mind? I really quite enjoy having two testicles whole and intact.' House chastised Wilson, who gave him a 'you deserved it' look. Chase, who was still feeling somewhat shell-shocked, considered making a really bad joke about Cameron enjoying it too, but decided against it.

'It's not as bad as it sounds,' Wilson told Cameron, deciding that despite this little titbit of news, he owed it too his friend not to stick that kind of thorn in his budding relationship. She arched a questioning eyebrow, looking, for someone that had always seemed almost pathologically nice, to be extremely dangerous all of a sudden.

'He bet me I wasn't a heartless bastard,' House clarified for her, and a sudden smile spread over her features.

'How do you know?' She asked Wilson. 'He could just be using me.'

Wilson thought about it, biting his lip as though considering whether or not to say something. House lowered his chin slightly, giving him a look. 'Hmm, it's possible, but I don't think so. Not with eyes like that.'

'Eyes?'

'Yeah. Big gooey puppy-dog eyes of a man in love.' Wilson grinned, suddenly the one receiving the dirty look, with House as the origin. Cameron simply looked thoughtful, considering this bit of information.

House switched his gaze from an unrepentant Wilson to Cameron, who met his eyes, the thoughtful expression still on her features. She kept her gaze locked on his as she sauntered slowly forwards, in a way that made Foreman groan and look away, although Wilson was watching avidly. Chase still looked a bit stunned, so he was looking whichever way his eyes happened to be pointing. House let her come, realising it was probably a bad idea, but the only other option was running, which wasn't an option at all.

She put her hand on his chest when she reached him, moving in closer so she was standing almost pressed up against him, and had to crane her neck up to look at him, with their difference in height. She simply stood wordlessly for long moments, eyes searching his as she felt his heartbeat under his creased shirt. They stayed in that tableau for so long that Foreman looked back, watching curiously in spite of himself. House seemed frozen to the spot, simply letting Cameron read his innermost thoughts.

Finally, a small smile quirked the corner of her mouth, and she tilted her head on one side cryptically. House got the message, and was incredibly grateful she hadn't said it out loud. Breaking her gaze at last, he glanced around at the other three, all of whom were watching him. 'We'll be right back,' he told them, grabbing the small hand spread on his chest and leading her quickly out of the room. Chase blinked after them, and Foreman and Wilson shared a look. Everyone kept very wisely silent.

The End. (And I'll take this moment for a bit more of an emotional outpouring towards the nicest people in the universe- yes, my reviewers. So thankyou SimpleNClean92, RattusLabRat, Randa05, angel of music guide me (I loved the stories of yours that I read), Baba O'Rielly, iceicekatie, Nikelodean, morrie, dadsgirl4ever, CRae, dormouse (chapter 3 was for you), The Golden Stringbean, wynntay, tranquil-eyes, CHoppy567, sgr11, Muskie, Missy Jade, N. Beresford, Red Ribbon Lioness, Buzzkill Bunny and Wookie Devil. Um. Yeah. This chapter marks my most author's notes, ever. And that's just listing you guys, so I won't go on to say half the stuff I want to about how you all kept me from the depths of despair and nearly popped my ego from it's over-inflation. But it's there, never forget. Thankyou.)