This is chapter 2 of Change entitled Sanctuary.

Note: This is a little short, but I'm just starting to get into it considering this story was only meant to be a one-shot. But I've got stuff planned so I hope you enjoy. Please leave your thoughts and comments and let me know how I'm doing. Thanks! -BW

Disclaimer: Still own nothing...

Chapter 2: Sanctuary

Greg House sat at his piano, a glass of scotch resting on top of the large wooden instrument positioned in his living room. He stared absentmindedly at it, his face impassive as he brushed his fingers along the keys.

He wasn't really paying attention to the tune that circulated the room, nor was he paying attention to the delicate notes he was playing. He was in analyzation mode.

House needed to digest.

What had happened previously that evening was something that House had never contemplated actually happening. He had been dismissive of his feelings for so long that he figured he couldn't maintain emotions of this calibre.

It made him extremely uncomfortable.

'I've already seen you at your worst and I'm still here. What does that tell you? I'm not going anywhere, no matter how hard you try to push me away.'

Cameron's statement shook him. House had been pushing her away in a vain attempt to stay alone and miserable. It was where he was most comfortable, in his little sanctuary of sarcasm and rudeness. The fact that Cameron understood him annoyed him deeply because he still couldn't understand her.

Getting annoyed at the fact that no matter how hard he tried to think out the situation, it was still confusing and complicated, House stood up grabbing his glass of scotch and leaning on his cane as he limped over to his couch. Slumping into it, he rested his head on the back pillows and sighed.

He would deal with it tomorrow.

………………………..

Cameron shut the door of her car and locked it, before shoving her keys in her bag and heading towards the entrance of PPTH early the next morning. It was way too early for Forman and Chase to be there, and House, well, he didn't usually show up till well after 9am.

Cameron walked into the lobby and straight towards the elevator, where she pressed the 'up' arrow and the doors automatically slid open.

Walking into her office 5 minutes later, Cameron put her bag down and hung up her coat, before walking into the Diagnostics office to start her daily ritual.

Make the coffee. Get the mail. Sort the mail. It was just another system Cameron was comfortable with in her organised life. Organisational skills were defiantly one of her high points, given that nobody else in their department was very good at it. House certainly wasn't good at it, yet Cameron didn't seem to mind.

So you can imagine her surprise when a mere 5 minutes later, House limped into the office, armed with a file.

Cameron looked up as he walked over to the table and put the file and bag on a chair.

'Coffee ready?' House asked, not really needing to ask as he walked straight over to the coffee machine and poured himself a cup.

'You're here early…' Cameron said, still looking up at him as he limped over to the table and sat down.

House looked up at her. 'Are you implying that I'm always late?'

Cameron glared at him. 'More or less…'

House scoffed and reached over to grab the file on the chair. 'Well now whose the one assuming…'

Cameron blushed. This was the first time either of them had mentioned last night, even if it only was in a simple statement. She didn't know how to reply, so compromised by taking a sip of coffee and continued flicking through the mail.

They both sat in silence for minutes. Cameron didn't know whether it was an awkward silence or a comfortable silence. She certainly wasn't comfortable, but maybe that as due to the over analysing of the situation that she was currently doing.

Finally, after nearly 20 minutes of silence, Cameron decided she had had enough.

Looking up from the mail, she looked at House. 'Ok, we need to talk.'

House smirked. 'How did I possibly think I could get away from this?'

'You can't.' Cameron replied, folding her arms.

House eyed her body language. 'Your clenching. You do that when you're nervous. Do I make you nervous, Dr Cameron?' He asked, mockingly.

Cameron glared at him. 'Don't patronise me. Can't we at least attempt to figure this out before the remainder of the day is spent in awkward silences?'

'Nearly all day's are spent in awkward silences. How does this make it any different?'

'We kissed.'

'Gee, thanks for that memo. I never would of known the true definition of what we did.' House replied sarcastically.

Cameron stared at him. 'Are you going to reply to everything I say today with a sarcastic comment?'

'Would that really make a difference from any other day?' House replied, sipping his coffee.

'Not really, but I'd know that there was a deeper meaning behind the comment.' Cameron replied, her features showing every sign of annoyance.

When House didn't reply, Cameron shook her head. 'Look, I just want to know how…'

'Leave it.' House interrupted softly, yet firmly.

Cameron looked taken aback. 'What?'

'Just…leave it. I need to think.' House replied, staring into his coffee cup.

Cameron's features hardened. 'Fine. When your done thinking let me know.'

She stood up, grabbed her files off the table and walked out of the room, leaving House to wallow once more.

………………