Title: Opposites

Author: Nicky aka nickyroony

Disclaimer: Nope, I do not own House M.D – the story, the characters etc, and also sadly I don't own Hugh Laurie either cry

Dedicated to: Katie G., my fellow House fanatic. Charmaine, whose enthusiasm for her own fanfic inspires me to write my own.

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CHAPTER 2

So it was roughly 3 months since the interview, and Cameron's life had never been more hectic. Though cases that required attention from House's special department were infrequent, her other patients kept her busy.

However, when there were patients that need the expertise of the department, her life suddenly became more interesting than the usual routine of diagnosing and prescribing medicine and treatment.

House was a more cynical man than she originally thought and his ways of doing things weren't exactly orthodox either. Sometimes she got the impression that House didn't regard the patient's feelings and emotions at all. To him, they were just dying people he needed to cure – only because it was his job, not because he sincerely wanted to save them. She wondered how such a person became a doctor in the first place, and more so how he became so good at what he does. House could diagnose a disease so rare or dismissed as impossible by others. She was impressed with his knowledge… but that's about all there is to it.

The other doctors hired at the same time as her, Dr. Chase and Foreman, became her trusted colleagues. When they first started, Chase expressed a romantic interest in Cameron. Though having been asked to go for dinner numerous times and various playful glances he gave her during work, she was not interested. She did not want to go into a relationship with a colleague, especially in a new workplace. She thought highly of Chase as a doctor, but as a person, she has her doubts.

The department were looking up textbooks and conducting their own research for their cases in the briefing room, with House watching Y&R on his mini-TV, when a voice boomed from the PA system and startled everyone. "All available medical personnel please report to the foyer immediately. All available medical personnel to the foyer please". It was recognizably Cuddy's, and she sounded very urgent. Cuddy was sure in one of her agitated moods today.

Foreman, Cameron and Chase stood up immediately, responding to the call for personnel, a signal that disaster was up ahead.

"Aren't you coming?" Foreman asked House, as he remained firmly seated.

"When will you stop bothering to ask him, Foreman? You know what he's like", Chase said exasperatedly.

"Well, as you've heard, they're requiring 'available' medical personnel. As you can see, I'm quite busy. Shoo, now run along. We don't want to keep Cuddy waiting do we?" House said without ever taking his eyes off the screen. Everyone looked at him with disapproval. Here was the person, their senior supervising doctor who was supposed to set a good example. But then again, 3 months with him proved a long enough time for them to know House would never be a proper mentor they were looking for.

Cuddy's voice boomed out of the PA again. "ALL medical personnel to the foyer NOW please! We have an urgent situation. NOW!"

Cameron quickly snatched the portable TV from House's land and promptly turned it off. House looked up quickly in protest, but seeing her determined and serious face, said nothing and followed the others out the door, limping on his cane.

As they arrived at the foyer, they saw the mess that was there. There was obviously a major accident that happened, and now all the injured were assembled in the waiting area. There must've been nearly a hundred people, mostly students in their school uniforms, and hysterical parents rushing through the hospital's automatic doors, searching for their children. It was 3o'clock, and school had just finished. Most of the people were with just a few scratches, but some in great need of emergency medical attention and possibly even an operation.

Grabbing the nearest nurse who was hurrying from one patient to another, Cameron asked "What happened?"

"Major traffic accident just around the corner. Two full school buses collided and other cars were involved as well", the nurse replied then rushing off frantically to another patient to treat the minor wounds.

"I'm not surprised. It's been so cold the road is probably so slippery from the snow and ice." Chase commented.

A constant stream of more seriously injured people were coming into the hospital as people are freed from beneath the wreckage of the buses.

"What are you four still standing around? Get a move on! We have a shortage of doctors today, and dying people certainly aren't going to wait for them!" Cuddy shouted from the other side of the room.

A quick flash of guilt and worry could be seen on House's face, but went as quickly as it came. Though at that moment, Cameron caught a glimpse of this other House, and she panicked.

She didn't know why she had the reaction that she did, but she was so surprised at being able to glance at the inner House she was slightly horrified. After months of seeing him treat people like objects and only ever seen him miserable, the thought of a more humane House was beyond her imagination.

As they went around the room patching up people's wounds, Cameron couldn't help but steal constant glances at House. She was hoping to see the other House again. She was having doubts about whether that flash of guilt on House's face even appeared at all. But she knew. She knew in a deeper place, House was just another human. Someone who is capable of loving and caring. Someone who may actually longed to be loved and cared for.

Perhaps the real House is hiding his deepest desire and vulnerability behind a mask. And Cameron was now determined to prove that it's possible.