Hey everyone, thanks for your reviews. I decided to continue the story, because I came up with some more ideas. Yeah, its very dramatic, but I love that… I breathe drama…. I need drama. I can't act or anything, but I lurves drama. And tragedy, you'll probably find that most or all of my stories have something tragic happen in them. Oh well, speaking of which, on with the show!

DISCLAIMER: nope, not mine. Never were, never will be…… sobs

SPOILERS: "Kids".

WARNINGS: none, it's a pretty clean chapter.

NOTE: I don't know anything about hospitals, clinic duty (besides the fact that it's obviously very frustrating and boring), or epidemics. So again, excuse my ignorance.

a cuddy/ house encounter thrown in for good measure.sorry its a short chapter, but i couldnt fit it anywhere else.

House had expected some kind of hostility towards him from Cameron, so it hadn't come as a huge surprise that she slammed the door in his face when he didn't come up with a good enough reason for wanting her back. What was he supposed to say? "I know I've been a jerk and everything, but in my own screwed up way I care about you and I don't just want you back, but I need you back, only you had to die for me to figure that out"? What a mouthful. He felt breathless just thinking about saying it. However, he wasn't put off in the least. Nope, he was going to convince her to come back, or his name wasn't Gregory House.

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The case had been a tough one. Well, they usually were, he liked it that way. But trying to diagnose the patient with 800 potentially infected people and a mad Cuddy running around was the toughest part. But then, telling a twelve-year-old girl that her pregnancy was the source of her illness wasn't easy either. He managed though, and the case was solved, restoring his peace of mind. Oh wait - he had none.

The last of the mishap that came attached to an epidemic was being cleaned and stored away when Dr House was making his way out the doors. A dishevelled Cuddy cut him off five feet from his destination, much to his disappointment.

"There you are. I need you to do some extra clinic duty."

House raised his eyebrows in his trademark 'so what?' expression. "yah, what else is new?"

Cuddy gave him an exasperated sigh and threw her hands onto her hips. "Come on, House. I'm tired, and with all the epidemic business going on, there hasn't been any time or room for the other sick people. You know – the ones you get paid to help? I hate to stoop to your level, but I'm at the end of my tether, and I'm afraid that if you don't give me at least an hour and a half of clinic duty, I'm gonna have to steal your cane."

House threw his head back and stared at the ceiling in mock concentration before letting out a heavily exaggerated sigh. "Fine. But no clinic duty tomorrow." He had planned on paying Cameron another visit, but that could wait until afterwards. Besides, Cuddy DID look like she was on the verge of a mental breakdown, so he didn't want to annoy her any more. He froze. Did I just think that? My, aren't I feeling generous this afternoon. Or maybe I don't want her crying all over me. Yeah, that must be it, he thought to himself.

Cuddy stared at him with her mouth slightly open. "W-what?"

House smirked. This was almost as amusing as arguing with her. He leaned forwards. "That means yes," he whispered, before triumphantly limping towards the clinic. Cuddy stopped him.

"That's IT? No arguing or complaining? And you're settling for one day off? You're not even going to yell 'fire' and make a run for it?" or try, at least, she thought to herself with an inward grin.

House's triumphant smirk spread. Oh yeah, that confused look is definitely worth it. Damn, where's my camera. "Nope." He answered. "Now, do you mind? I've got patients to see." And with that, he limped away. Cuddy stayed staring after him. "I'm dreaming," she said, shaking her head. She gave her arm a little pinch and waited to wake up. When she didn't, she gave a defeated sigh and headed out to her car.

hope you're enjoying it - stay tuned... ive written the next two chapters, i'm just typing them up...like, now.