Chapter 12

Author's Note: I apologize for the lack of updates in the last few days! I'm starting college tomorrow (completely terrified LOL) and there is an unbelievable amount of stuff to do before getting there LOL! I will try and keep this story updated every two days but please forgive me if it is three or four. I'm not abandoning it though! Don't worry, it will be updated at least twice a week. Not sure how long its going to be, I write all the chapters with no idea where I'm going with it, they just come out and I post them. We shall see. Thank you for your patience and reviews! Enjoy!

"Its nice, really it is!" Cameron stepped around the huge piles of laundry in House's living room and sat on the couch, observing his apartment closely for the first time.

"Yeah, well. I haven't had a houseguest," House paused, "hehehe, houseguest, in a long time. No time for laundry or grocery shopping. Don't worry, I'm sure you will clean it up soon. You women-folk like to clean I hear."

"Shut up House."

He smiled and picked up the telephone, "Do you like Chinese food?"

After dinner, House and Cameron sat down and watched "Turner and Hooch" on the comedy channel, much to House's disdain. "Its a chick flick," he had complained, "with PUPPIES!" Cameron had argued with him, saying it "wasn't a chick flick because there were no girls in the movie until the end!" So they had settled down on the couch, Cameron on one end and House on the other until she fell asleep only twenty minutes into the film.

House could have changed the channel to some "manly sports" but he was too busy watching Cameron sleep. She seemed to be at peace, her bruised features soft and her breathing quiet. House turned back to the movie and watched the screen blankly, his mind miles away. He couldn't believe he was letting a girl stay with him and hoped that fact didn't spread around the hospital like wildfire. At the same time, he was chastising himself because he realized he was glad she was there. Allison Cameron was eliciting some feelings in him that he hadn't felt in ages.

A pained groan pulled him out of his trance and he looked at Cameron curled up at the end of the couch. Her tranquil face was now twisted in fear and her eyes were flicking back and forth frantically behind her closed eyelids. "Nightmare," House thought, waiting to see if she calmed down on her own.

"Nooo, no stop it! Don't! JAKE!" Cameron was becoming increasingly upset in her sleep and he saw tears begin to track down her pale face. "Oh god," she moaned. Cameron was beginning to cry in earnest and House realized he would have to wake her.

"Hey, Cameron." He leaned over and shook her shoulder. Her cries continued. "Hey come on Cameron, wake up." He shook her harder, "Allison! Wake up, its only a nightmare." He nearly fell off the couch when she flew up, smacking him in the face, "GET OFF ME!" Her eyes flew open and she searching the room frantically, terrified of the attacker who was now attacking her dreams.

"OW!" House rubbed his aching jaw, "CAMERON! Its me! House! You are fine. Its was only a dream, its just me." He rubbed her arms as she stood before him, shaking like a leaf, tears falling fast.

"House?" She asked weakly, only beginning to wake up from her nightmare. "What happened?"

"Oh nothing, you just dislocated my jaw." House gently pulled her to sit back down on the couch and rubbed her shoulders in small circles, "You were having a nightmare."

"Oh. Sorry I hit you." Cameron looked at him sheepishly, "I don't think I was quite awake yet."

"I'd say not. OR you were just waiting for the perfect opportunity or excuse to sock your boss." House smiled softly. "I wouldn't argue with you if you said I deserved it."

"But that's the thing," Cameron's eyes started to well again, "I don't want to hit you. I really appreciate what you have done for me and I want you to know that."

"I know that, don't worry." House was growing uncomfortable, he didn't like emotion filled talks, they made him agitated. So he did what every other man would do in this situation, he kissed her. Softly, he claimed her lips as his and wound his hands in her hair.

Momentarily surprised by his actions, Cameron quickly regained her composure and opened her mouth to him, kissing him back passionately. She felt his tongue brushing at her teeth, seeking entry to her warm mouth. Happily, she complied and felt desire rush through her entire body at the contact. Greedily, she sucked on his lower lip and tried to pull him even closer.

Reluctantly he pulled away and kissed her forehead. "We can't do this tonight Cameron," he smoothed her hair back behind her ears and played with a loose strand thoughtfully.

"Why the hell not!" Cameron was pissed, House had just kissed her so passionately her knees were weak, and now he was backing out!

"Because, if we don't stop now, I may not be able to turn back and in your condition that would be a very bad thing." He studied her crestfallen expression, "I don't want to hurt you."

"I'm fine House! We will just be careful." Cameron was desperate to have him back in her arms.

"No. You aren't. It has only been three days since you got beaten up, your ribs aren't healed and you have too many broken bones and bruises. I won't do it."

Cameron sighed, she knew he was right but it was so unfair! She had been waiting for so long to be in his arms that it ached. "Fine. But I had better go to bed before I jump you." She smiled slyly, "I wouldn't want to hurt you again," she paused, "yet."

"Ooh, is that a promise Dr. Cameron?" House got up and pulled on her hand, come on, I'll show you the bedroom. Where you will be sleeping alone." He frowned when she pulled her hand away. "What?"

"I'm sleeping on the couch, there is no way in hell I'm letting you sleep out here with your leg like that."

House rolled his eyes and sighed, "Yes, because your four broken ribs will do really well on this couch. Its as hard as a rock."

Cameron glared at him, "I'm not moving."

"Fine. I'll sleep in the bed, but you are going to join me and we are going to have a wall of pillows between us! I might get cooties."

Cameron laughed, "You just had your tongue down my throat and you are worried about getting cooties from sharing a bed? You are strange."

"Goodnight Dr. Cameron." House limped off to his bedroom, "And make sure your feet are warm before you get in bed, I don't like ice in bed. I'm going to have a shower."

Watching him disappear into his bedroom, Cameron laughed. House never ceased to amaze her.

T.B.C...