House woke up to the smell of breakfast. Even though he wasn't a breakfast person, the aroma of French toast made him mouth water. He reached over to the night stand and grabbed his bottle of Vicodin. He dispensed two white pills and dry swallowed them. As he waited for them to take affect, he thought back to what happened yesterday.
The thought of Cameron made him somewhat aroused. She was not at all what he imagined her to be like in bed. She was confident and unrestrained. He saw a side of her that nobody else at work saw.
When she said 'no strings attached' last night, he was relieved. He was glad that she knew what to expect going into the deal. Then why did he feel disappointed? Was it because he knew that it was unlikely that another person like Cameron would pursue him? Or was it because he probably won't have another chance to be close to her?
Shaking his head to get rid of his thoughts, he searched for his belongings among the clothes scattered on the bedroom floor. Once he was dressed and retrieved his cane, he made his way out of the bedroom and towards the kitchen.
Cameron was standing at the stove, making omelets. Her back was turned to the doorway so she didn't noticed that House was standing there.
He was leaning against the doorway, observing her. She seemed so peaceful and content making breakfast for two. She even had a hint of a smile on her lips.
He quietly walked up behind her, making sure his cane didn't warn her of his presence. He stood directly behind her and leaned forward, his mouth right beside her ear. Whispering softly he said, "I assume breakfast is your way of saying 'Thank you' for last night."
She jumped when she felt his hot breath blowing next to her ear. She pretended not to notice him and continued with what she was doing. She waited until the omelet was done before sliding it out of the pan and onto a plate, then turned around.
House was leaning on his cane with a smirk on his face. His crystal blue eyes connected with hers for several seconds before moving to the plate of food. Laughing at his hunger, she handed him the plate. He grinned his thanks and turned around, walking towards the living room. Cameron grabbed her own plate before following him.
When she reached the living room, she found House eating while watching television. She settled down right beside him. They ate their breakfast in silence, contemplating what had happened between them. They had no idea how it would effect their work. Cameron was afraid that it would be awkward while House was afraid that Cameron would ask him if he likes her again.
When they finished their breakfast, they sat watching the television in stony silence. Then Cameron had an idea.
"House, I want you to drive me somewhere. Is it okay?"
"Why do I have to drive you somewhere? Can't you just walk there?" House whined.
Cameron rolled her eyes. "It's thirty minutes away. I'm not walking all the way there. But that's okay. If you don't want to go, we could just here and talk."
House was up and at the door before she could even blink. Smiling to herself, she stood up and followed him out the door. Once they were in his car, he laid down some on ground rules. "First of all, no feet on the dashboard. Second, no changing stations on the radio. And third," he added turning his head toward her, "no touching the driver while driving." When he said that, Cameron rolled her eyes again.
He turned the igition on and fiddled with the radio stations for a while before landing on a rock station. They drove in silence except for the occasional directions from Cameron and the songs blaring from the stereos.
When they finally reached the destination, House discovered that it was a park. He looked at her, eyebrows raised.
"I come here a lot to think. The fresh air helps me clear my head. Now can we get out or should we sit here all day?" Cameron said, as she pushed her door open. House sighed and followed suit.
They got out and walked along the pathway. Nobody said anything for a while. House finally asked, "So why did you bring me? Is this one of your fantasies? To bring me here then seduce me in the park?"
Cameron turned to him then said,"You wish. I brought you here because I want you to tell me something about you. Your childhood, your school years, your first love, anything about you."
"Why?"
"Because I don't think you're truly a misanthropist bastard. You shields yourself from the outside world because you've been hurt before. I want to know what made you like this."
"I was always like this. This is my personality from the moment I left my mom's womb. Even if something did affect me, why would I tell you? Besides, you said we don't have to talk if I drive you here. Here we are, and yet we're talking."
Cameron decided not to say anything. An awkward silence surrounded them as they walked. Finally, House spoke up.
"If you must know, I lived with someone once. We lived together for a while then this," he pointed to his leg, "happened. I blamed her for it then we broke up."
"You blamed her for an infarction?"
"No, I blamed her for cutting me up." Silence settled in once more.
They walk the rest of the way in silence. Every once in a while they would comment on the people around them or just on anything that pops into their mind. Darkness soon came. They quickly walked back to the car. The ride home was much like the ride there. House didn't say anything and neither did Cameron.
House surprised them both when he offered to walk Cameron up to her apartment. When they reached her apartment, they stared at each other uncomfortably. They both knew that last night was a one time deal. Yet, they both didn't want it to end.
Then House leaned in for a kiss. Cameron was surprised but responded. Their tongues fought in a war that they didn't want to end. When they ran out of air, they reluctantly pulled away. House stared at his shoes while Cameron fumbled with her keys. They shared one last longing look at each other before House turned around and headed for the elevator.
She leaned her back to the door once it was closed. Hot tears welled up in her eyes. She willed them not to fall but it was no use. One after one, they rolled silently down her cheeks. She slowly slid down against the door until she sat on the floor. She placed her elbows on her bent knees and placed her head down on her arms. She let the tears run freely.
Meanwhile, House was in his apartment. He was sitting at his piano that was covered with papers and pill bottles. In his left hand, he held a bottle of whiskey that was less than half full. He placed the whiskey bottle on top of the piano then rubbed his face with his hands. He wanted to rub away what happened the night before. There was no way he could was going to sleep tonight.
Though miles apart, House and Cameron were thinking the same thing. 'No strings attached.'
Discalimer: Not mine.
Author's Note: This happens before Stacey came on and before the issue of Cameron sleeping with Chase. Just wanted to clear that up.