Mystic Elf – Thanks for your thoughts! I'm actually planning on going a different way with this story than you might think – I hope you continue to enjoy my writing. If not, well thanks for reviewing anyways!
SilverMoonShining – Glad you like it. Again, I apologize for the small chapters – I tried my best to make this one longer, but it didn't turn out as long as I'd thought.
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As Cameron's car pulled into PPTH's staff parking lot, her eyes glanced at the gray dashboard of her Honda. Neon green lights shone 7:52 back at her, and she winced. Technically she was a bit less than an hour late, but House knew her standard routine of coming in early and answering his mail. There was no way he'd just let this fly past him. Grabbing her things, Cameron rushed to get to the stairs. It was freezing outside and snow was rapidly falling to the ground, coating everything in sight with a slippery ice blanket. It would've been pleasant – she loved the snow. Not watching her step, Cameron stepped on a chunk of ice and went falling to the pavement, landing in a murky puddle.
"Damnit" Cameron muttered under her breath. Pain seared through her ankle as she picked up her scattered papers which were now soaked. Her work attire was drenched as well. She had an extra set of clothes, but they were inside the locker rooms which were en route to House's office. But if she took a more secretive route, chances were that she'd never meet up with House. Slowly pushing herself up, Cameron inspected her leg. Nothing felt broken, but her ankle was probably be sprained. Gradually she began limping towards the clinic doors, trying to keep pressure off her swollen ankle.
After squeezing out her dripping hair, Cameron stepped into the clinic, savoring the rush of heat that flooded around her. A small sigh escaped her lips as she walked towards the receptionists' desk.
"Cameron!" a voice called out, causing her to whip around. Surprise showed clearly on her features. As her heart rate slowed back to normal, she noticed Wilson striding towards her. "What happened to you?" he questioned, taking in her drenched apparel.
"Oh, nothing," she answered, hoping he would just leave it at that. At the moment she only wanted to go and change into something dry. But of course he wouldn't – he actually cared about why she was wet. A shame he hacn't been House. For a moment Cameron forgot about her injured ankle, but it quickly got her attention when she tried to walk to the elevator. She grimaced as the pain hit her.
"That doesn't look like nothing" Wilson smiled, helping her limp towards an exam room. Sitting her down on a cot, he started taking off her shoe and slightly soggy sock, examining her foot. "So what did you really do?"
"I slipped." Cameron winced as Wilson palpated her ankle.
"I don't think it's broken, probably just sprained at the most." Grabbing an elastic bandage, he wrapped her ankle tightly. "Just to make sure you don't put too much pressure on it."
"Thanks. I should get going." After slipping on her shoe, she started towards the lockers once again. Wilson watched her hurriedly limp towards the elevator's silver doors.
Once she was safely enclosed by the wooden walls Cameron felt the chill of ice water set in. By the time she reached the fourth floor she was shivering lightly. A chime sounded and the elevator doors opened, revealing House, Chase and Foreman.
"So, our barista has finally arrived," he said with a smirk. Chase looked utterly confused, and Foreman gave her yet another concerned look to add to her collection. God, did she look that bad?
"I'm just going...", Cameron tried to explain, but quickly got cut off.
"You know, you should get changed into dry clothes. Patients normally like not having muddy water dripped on them." House cynically commented.
As exasperated as he was making her, Cameron left without infuriating herself. She had been trying so hard to not let him get to her, but it was difficult when the day had started out so badly.
