One Chance, by Figment
Disclaimer: Not mine, this is just a little un-beta'd rambling to tide me through House-less days.
"Goodbye House," Cameron turned and left.
House stared at the closed door for a full minute before his normally sharp mind processed what had just happened. His left hand went to hover over the doorknob of its own volition, but House could not decide whether to turn the handle and follow Cameron or to turn the lock and go back to the piano and his morose thoughts. The Senator's words came back to him, about believing in people… Maybe he needed to start believing in himself. House pursed his lips, made up his mind and opened the door. He stepped out into the night, closing his door behind him.
House walked as quickly as his unsteady gait would allow, arriving at the street and stopping. He looked both ways, hoping to spot Cameron walking. Parking was always at a premium this time of night. Bingo, he thought, as he spotted her slender figure about two blocks away, on the opposite side of the street.
"Cameron!" House called out as he started in her direction.
Cameron turned at the sound of her name, and was astonished to see House. She frowned and crossed her arms over her chest as she waited for him to catch up to her. Cameron could not discern the expression on his face and kept her own closely guarded.
"Everybody lies," He gestured back towards his house, "Would you like a drink?"
Cameron did not quite understand what House was inferring to with his comments but could only assume he meant to explain. "I'd like that," she accepted his offer and they walked silently back into his home.
Cameron followed House through his front room and into an equally warm and bright kitchen. House opened his refrigerator and took out an almost full bottle of chardonnay, he leaned his cane against the counter and took out two wine glasses and hobbled over to the kitchen table. He sat and Cameron followed suit as he poured two glasses. He handed one to her and took a long sip from his own. Cameron left her glass untouched and opted to stare at House.
"Everybody lies?"
House set his glass down, "You asked me if I liked you. I lied."
"You like me?"
"What are we, in high school?" House rolled his eyes, "Shall I write you a note, check yes or no?"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Cameron finally picked up her wine.
"I'm your boss, you're naïve, I'm a bitter misanthrope and you're a kind-hearted optimist… Would you like an alphabetized list?"
"What changed?"
"Well apparently, I'm no longer your boss."
"No."
House stood and limped to the counter for his cane, he grabbed his wine and went back to his piano, Cameron followed him uncertainly and stood behind him. House set his wine down on top of a book and rested his fingers on the piano keys for a few moments. Cameron smiled as House began playing, his fingers dancing skilfully over the keys. The tune was definitely jazzy, although she could not name the song until he had played a few bars. Cameron smiled and stepped around the piano so that she could see House. He quirked an eyebrow at her and a half-smile graced his lips. Cameron could hardly believe it, House did have a bit romance in his heart.
"They laughed at me wanting you, said I was reaching for the moon. But, oh, you came through, now they'll have to change their tune…"
House stopped paying abruptly and looked Cameron in the eye, "It won't be easy, and I can't promise you anything. I'm old and set in my ways, I am a misanthropic bastard who enjoys making other people miserable…"
Cameron interrupted House, "And I'm impossibly upbeat and sentimental, and optimistic to a fault. Neither of us is perfect, but I'm not a young kid, House. I can live with disappointment, if whatever this is doesn't work out."
House began playing again, a melodic tune Cameron did not recognize, "But can I?"
Cameron frowned, "Will you give it a chance?"
"I can try."
"Then so can I."
House seemed satisfied at her answer and stopped playing long enough to pat the piano bench next to him. "You have a beautiful singing voice, Cameron… Very Edith Piaf," House began playing La Vie En Rose.
"Is this your subtle request?"
"Not so subtle."
Cameron shook her head slightly; it was all a little surreal. An hour ago, she expected never to see this man again and now she was sitting rather close to him, enjoying every moment.
"Just one problem House… My French is horrible."
House laughed and Cameron continued, "But I grew up listening to jazz, thanks to me grandfather."
House nodded and started to play one of his favourites, 'I'll Be Seeing You,' he was sure Cameron would know it, she did not disappoint.
"I'll be seeing you, in all the old familiar places..." Cameron sang, the whole song through, holding her pitch beautifully and transporting House to a different time.
"Thank you," House articulated as he played the last note and drank some more wine.
Cameron took advantage of the moment, she also played piano and she surprised House by doing just that, "I really can't stay…"
House's eyes lit up, like a young boys, "But baby it's cold outside!"
Cameron laughed as she sang the next line, "I've got to go away."
House played along with her on the piano and continued to sing with her until they ended, in harmony, "It's cold, cold outside!"
"I didn't know you could sing either," Cameron cocked her head towards House.
"I confess, I can sing… I was in a jazz trio in college."
Cameron nodded as she assimilated this new side of House into her view of him as a whole. Cameron had sung with a few groups in college as well, even been paid once or twice. House reached around Cameron to get his cane and stood.
"How about we let someone else play for a while?"
Cameron looked around for a stereo system, but couldn't locate one. House observed this and correctly interpreted her thoughts, "I actually have more rooms in this home, Cameron."
He took back through the kitchen and into another bright, open room, richly appointed in overstuffed furniture and was a bibliophile's fantasy. Bookcases were built into every wall and one corner housed a very nice stereo system. House limped over to it and fiddled with a few Cds while Cameron made herself comfortable on one end of the couch, slipping off her shoes and tucking her feet up under her. House hooked his cane over the opposite end of the couch and joined her.
"Good choice," Cameron commented as Ella Fitzgerald's distinctive voice came on over the speakers.
They fell into a comfortable silence, just enjoying the music and each other's company. Though they had sat on opposites sides of the sofa to begin with, Cameron managed to end up with her back against House's chest, settled between his legs, his left leg stretched the length of the couch and his right leg bent with his foot resting on the floor. Cameron had one leg curled under her bottom and the other rested next to House's left leg. He had one arm resting on the back of the couch and the other hand rested gently on her stomach.
"I really should go," Cameron yawned, she was beyond exhausted, and a little inebriated from the two bottles of wine they had shared.
"You're welcome to stay," House stated, he trusted Cameron wouldn't misinterpret his offer as a come on.
"I wouldn't want to impose," Cameron's statement was punctuated with yet another yawn.
"Nonsense, as you said we're both adults. I'm sure we can share a bed without… Or if you prefer I have a guestroom." House was maybe a bit more intoxicated that he thought, to offer to share his bed with her. The combination of vicodin and wine had done a number on his tongue.
"Okay, I'll stay."
"The it's bed for us, the couch is getting uncomfortable."
Cameron stood and pretended not to notice House's wince as he put pressure on his bad leg.
"Come along, I'll get you something to sleep in, and I've got a few extra toothbrushes and the like."
House stopped at a linen closet on his way to his bedroom and handed her a toothbrush and towel, Cameron having expressed a desire to shower. House always showered in the mornings and had assured her she wouldn't be imposing on his own nightly schedule. House only hesitated for a moment as he opened the door to his bedroom. It was decorated in muted shades of blue, and was reminiscent of an old beachhouse retreat. The room was dominated by a massive king-sized bed on a low oak frame.
"The showers just through there," House indicated a door to the left of the double sink vanity, "My closet is here, top drawer of the dresser inside for something to sleep in…"
Cameron nodded and disappeared into the bathroom. House brushed his teeth and washed his face, quickly changing into sleepwear and getting into bed before Cameron finished her shower. He switched off the overhead lights and was reading by the light of a small bedside lamp when he heard the shower shut off. He had closed the door to his bathroom suite as he had come back into the bathroom so he heard, rather than saw her open the door to his closet. He heard he turn the faucet on the sink and eventually she appeared from around the door, face pink from the shower and hair wet. She was wearing a pair of long blue pajama pants and t-shirt. She looked beautiful.
"Hey," she whispered.
House smiled in response and sat his book down. He slid over to the other side of the bed and Cameron climbed in. She laid stiffly for a few moments until House reached over her to switch off the light, leaving the room bathed in moonlight. Cameron turned to face him and he wrapped his arm around her waist, Cameron sighed and tucked her chin into his chest. The were asleep within minutes. House slept better than he had in years, only waking once during the night, placed a quick kiss on the crown of Cameron's head, readjusted his leg and feel back asleep.
All reviews welcome, flames warm my coffee cup...