Chapter 17

House arrived at the charity function before the rest of his party. It was held in a large room inside the hospital. He found their table and sat down. Popping two Vicodin, his eyes darted around the hall, trying to spot Cameron. Wilson and Cuddy walked in together. Wilson's arm was around her shoulders. They came up and sat down next to House. "Did she stand you up?" Cuddy snickered as Wilson pulled out her chair for her.

"You're awfully smug now that your baby's not coming from a plastic cup," House jeered, taking a swig of the bourbon in his glass.

"Just don't be yourself. And try not to panic," Cuddy advised House. She hoped that it worked out for him. Cuddy had seem him suffer for quite some time, and she wanted him to be happy—as happy as she was right now. She turned to peck Wilson on the lips when Foreman, his date, and Chase strolled up.

"Panic about what?" Foreman asked innocently, but his dark eyes sparkled, waiting for a response.

"I heard I got nominated Homecoming King. I'm just so nervous!" House responded with an exaggerated face as he bit his fingernails.

They were all seated now and chatting amiably. "So when are you moving in together?" Chase asked.

Cuddy grinned brightly. No one had ever seen her blue eyes burn as brightly as they did tonight. She wore a bright pink gown that accentuated her curves. Her brown hair curled around her neck and seductively down her back. Wilson was proud to have walked in with her. "We move James things tomorrow morning," she gushed. "We've rented a larger apartment, so my things will be moved…"

Her words trailed off as she saw House's face. He looked as if someone had hit him in the head with a shovel. She noticed that his lips were slightly open as he gasped lightly. His eyes glossed over in a fixed stare. Then she saw him smile, just a little. No one else noticed his upturned lips. Cuddy's eyes followed his gaze, as did the rest of the table. There stood Cameron, looking around for her table. House had never seen anything so beautiful. Her long, slinky gown was a deep green silk that matched the color of her eyes. Her reddish, brown hair was in a loose knot, and strands of equally silky hair lightly brushed her forehead. The dress was low-cut but tactful, enough to let every man in the room fantasize endlessly about what lay underneath.

House stood up. Cameron's face brightened when she saw him. He looked amazing in his tuxedo, but she had known he would after 'Casino Night.' The black made him look even taller and lankier. His messy, sandy-brown hair made him look 'devil-may-care' and sexy. The stubble on his chin seemed rebellious since he was wearing the beautiful tux. Plainly put, he took her breath away. He hobbled to her, handing her a corsage. She looked surprised. "How did you know what kind of flower to get me?" she asked. "I didn't tell you the color of my dress."

He looked down at the floor. "I made Cuddy find out what you were going to wear. She must have bribed a nurse."

Cameron smiled softly. "Thank you." She then looked at his tuxedo. In the pocket, he was wearing a flower that matched her corsage. Cameron realized for the first time that House really was a romantic

She lifted her fingertips to the flower on his chest. House sucked in a gulp of air at her touch. "I know this isn't a date, but I thought that I should," he said of the flower.

"It was a nice gesture." Her green eyes looked at his with a promise of what was to come.

He leaned close to her. Cameron could feel the stubble from his cheek rub her ear as he whispered, "You're wearing your mother's earrings again. Beautiful."

Her eyes shut uncontrollably. Cameron's cheeks warmed as she smiled.

They headed for the table. Dinner was soon served. Discussion stayed lively, but nervous looks passed around like a ping pong ball as the civilians of the table watched Chase, House, and Cameron, waiting for war to break out.

Then it happened. "Would you like to dance with me?" Chase asked Cameron. Cameron eyed House, who was sitting next to her. He rubbed his hand on her knee and nodded his consent. Cameron got up and went to the dance floor with the other doctor.

House looked over at Cuddy, nearly sticking his tongue out at her. Pettily, he said, "I told you I wouldn't panic."

Wilson took in a deep breath. He was still staring at Cameron. "You might now."

House's head snapped toward her direction. Chase was dancing too close to Cameron. His hands were resting far down her back. House's blood began to boil. He could feel heat rising on his neck.

"How's it going with House?" Chase asked, moving even closer.

Feeling uncomfortable, she tried moving away. Treating him as her friend, she replied, "Good. But I'm sorry I ever got you involved."

Chase shook his head. His long hair touched her at the movement. "I'm not sorry. We had a great time together. Even if it was short."

Cameron didn't have time to respond. "May I cut in?" House said, inches away from them now.

Chase gave him a sour look, unable to remain the nice guy much longer. "Haven't you cut in enough lately?" he asked.

House glared at him. "You're a bad priest."

Chase exclaimed, "I was never a priest."

House raised his eyebrows to make his point. "Because you suck at it."

Cameron's eyes pleaded with his. "House, let's just get out of here."

House had to tear his eyes from Chase's. The older doctor looked menacing as he gripped his cane tightly. "I'm not averse to knocking you out again," he growled. Then he and Cameron exited the hall and went upstairs to his office.

He sat down behind his desk while Cameron sat in the chair in front of him. The entire floor was dark and abandoned, save for some nurses. House picked up his grey and red ball. Grinning, he tossed it at Cameron. She caught it, smiling back at him. They began a game of catch. Eventually, House threw it too hard, and she wasn't able to catch it. House got up to retrieve it, but he stopped in front of her. His eyes drifted over her body. Cameron flushed at the look on his face. He bent over her and kissed her. Her hands came up to touch his shoulders underneath his jacket. He was warm. House's hands slipped behind her back and lifted her from the chair. Their lips still connected, he sat her down on his desk. He came up between her legs, his hand touching her velvety thigh from between the slit in her dress. Cameron's fingers played with his hair.

"I thought we weren't skipping straight to the sex part," she murmured, sighing.

"You know I'm not good with rules," he groaned and kissed her neck.

Eventually, she pulled away from him. Blinking apologetically, she said, "I need to go to check on Callie." When she saw that he had no clue what she was talking about, she said, "Our patient. She's nine, and I promised her I would show her my dress and tell her goodnight. I'm sorry, but I'll be right back."

House collapsed into the chair she had been sitting in. "Hurry back," he said, panting.

She scurried out the door. House closed his eyes, content with how the night had proceeded. He couldn't imagine how he had become this happy. The bottom had to be somewhere close. And it had to be about ready to cave in.

House heard the door open. Without opening his eyes, he half expected her to run up to him and start the game over. When she didn't, he frowned and opened his eyes. Cameron hadn't opened the door.

Stacy had.

"Greg! Are you all right? I got a call about five hours ago that said you had been shot and was calling out for me. I got here as soon as I could," she heaved, coming closer.

"You're late. The shooting happened two weeks ago," House said flatly. "Let me guess. A certain Australian we all know and are irritated by gave you a call."

Stacy nodded her head. Tears stung her eyes. "I was so worried," she cried. "I didn't know what to do."

House hugged her tightly. "I'm okay," he whispered.

Still squeezing him, she said, "Mark and I are separated. He left a couple of months ago."

"I'm sorry," House told her.

Stacy harrumphed at the apology, tears still rolling down her face. "Greg," she said, "I still love you."

House put his head on her shoulder. "I love you, too," he said quietly.

House heard a gasp. He looked up to see Cameron. She had heard the announcement.

TBC