I neither own nor have any right to any of this.

I do thank you for the reviews. They are appreciated. I only hope this pleases you as well, but I warn you, I am adding a twist and a bit of angst.

The Patient

Leaning against the reception desk, making final notes in her patience's file, Dr. Cameron smiled to herself as she heard House's loud protest to Cuddy as he followed her into her reception area and into her office.

'Cuuudddyyyyy, I want to go back and play,' he whined loudly. 'Let me go back and play, pplllleeaaassseee? Pretty please? Please, please, please?' Glancing over his shoulder at Cameron, House gave her a mischievous grin and a knowing wink, 'I promise I will be a very good boy, really I do.'

Further protest ended with the closing of Cuddy's door.

'How do you deal with him?' It took Cameron a moment to realize the question was directed at her.

'What do you mean Libby?

'The man is a lunatic. Didn't you actually go out with him or like him or something?'

'Or something,' replied Cameron nonchalantly, before picking up the file for her next patient.

'No really,' persisted Libby, 'how do you put up with him?'

'Libby.' Cameron looked at the nurse squarely in the face. 'let's just say House is an acquired taste. Now, can we get back to work? What do I have?'

'Fine then. Exam four, kid looks like he has the flu.'

'Thank you.' Picking up the file, Cameron entered the room to find a young man sitting on the corner of the examining table. 'What seems to be the problem?' smiled Cameron closing the door behind her.

Cameron knew the moment she saw the boy he was in withdrawal. She had been around House far to long not to know drug addiction when she saw it. His eyes were glazed, sweat was pouring from his body, and there was a slight twitch in his movement. She could tell he was agitated.

This kid is coming down hard, thought Cameron as she approached him.

'What seems to be the problem,' she glanced at her chart 'Michael?'

'Migraine' the boy looked at her calculating her reaction. Did she believe him?

'Migraine, right.' Cameron made a note in her file. 'What are you on?' she asked without looking up.

'I have a migraine.' There was belligerence in the boy's voice. 'I just want something for the pain.'

Laying the file on the counter top, Cameron stooped to sit on the rolling stool they kept in the exam rooms. 'Listen, I can tell by looking at you, you are in withdrawal. I can't help you if you don't tell me what you are on. Meth? X? Oxycodone? What?'

Without warning the boy was off the table, fury emanating from him. Before she could stop him, the boy kicked the stool sending Cameron flying into the counter. There was a resounding crack as her head connected with edge of the counter top. Dazed, Cameron became away of two strong hands hoisting her to her feet and slamming her into the wall. Placing his forearm into her throat, the boy pinned Cameron against the wall, choking her in the process. Cameron blinked as a thin line of blood dripped on the lense of her glasses. It all happened so quickly, Cameron was not really registering the position she was suddenly in.

'Listen bitch,' hissed the boy in her face. Even though he was choking her, his breath was nauseating. 'I don't want you to help me. I want you to give me something for the pain. Got it.'

Cameron tried to nod, but couldn't.

Forcing his arm deeper into her throat, the boy screamed into her face, spraying Cameron with spittle. 'Do you understand bitch?'

'What is going on?' The nurse Libby stood in the doorway, her mouth open in shock at the sight before her. Backing away quickly, she began yelling loudly for security.

'Damn!' Releasing his hold on Cameron, the boy attempted to grab the nurse. Realizing she was out of his reach, he turned to Cameron who was kneeling on the floor, gasping for air. Pulling a switchblade from his pocket, the boy grabbed Cameron's ponytail and hauled her to her feet. Wrapping one arm around her body, he again wrapped an arm around her throat. Only this time, the arm at her throat was slightly jabbing a knife into her larynx.

Using Cameron as a shield, the boy stood in the doorway of the exam room surveying the situation.