Chapter 19
"Dr. Cuddy, I was…uh…" Cameron stuttered as she wiped her eyes.
Cuddy sat down next to her. Giving her a warm, knowing smile, she said, "You were hiding from two very difficult and annoying hospital hunks."
Cameron's eyes went wide as she laughed a little, stunned by her boss's choice of words. "No, I just wanted to get away from the party," she lied.
Cuddy blinked at her. "Dr. Cameron, I may be a little drunk, but I'm not stupid," she slurred slightly. She put her hand on the other woman's shoulder. "James and I saw Stacy."
Cameron put her head down. She pleated a corner of her dress as she whispered, "Oh."
Cameron was surprised that Cuddy had even tried to find her. The two women were never close, and she assumed that they never would be. There was an unspoken jealousy between them, or so she thought, because of House. Cameron had been happily surprised when she had heard that Cuddy was with Wilson. If Cuddy was taken, then she was out of the picture, but she hadn't counted on Stacy being the one to throw the wrench in her and House's relationship.
Cuddy brought her out of her daydream, saying, "I also saw Stacy leave. Alone. House went to find you."
Cameron's face brightened. Then her eyes clouded with confusion. "But why was she here? Had she heard about me and House?"
Cuddy shook her head, her lips turning into a sad frown. "No," she said. "Stacy told us that Chase had called her and told her House had been shot today and was asking for her. She came right away."
Cuddy witnessed the younger doctor's eyes haze over into anger. The tears were gone. She stood up, then helped Cuddy stand as well. Still holding on to her hand, Cameron said, "Thank you for this." Cuddy nodded and watched her stride down the stairs towards the ball.
Cameron glided into the hall with a newfound confidence. She felt guilty about not giving House the benefit of the doubt, but now she knew that she had been wrong. House still wanted her.
She found Chase sitting at their table. Wilson was there, waiting for Cuddy who was right behind her. Cuddy took her seat and waited anxiously to see what was bound to be a better show than New Year's Eve at Times Square. Foreman was invested in his date while she cooed in his ear. Chase looked up at Cameron, concern in his face.
"Cameron, are you all right?" he asked, standing up.
Cameron took a deep breath. "I am all right, Robert. Thank you for asking." Everyone looked flabbergasted by the response, because truthfully, she looked like a wreck. Her mascara smudged her face. Her hair was in her eyes. And she had torn her dress a little from ripping the corsage off. She looked him square in the eye. "I also want to thank you for something else."
Chase smiled nervously, but expectantly. "For what?"
Her green eyes started to glow. "Because of what you did tonight, I know more than I ever have what I want."
Chase became anxious now, his eyes glancing around the table. "And what have you learned?"
Cameron smiled so sweetly that it looked bitter. "I have learned that you need to grow up. I also know without question, that I made the right decision by dumping you," she said. Inhaling deeply, she added, "And I know, as I will know for the rest of my life, that I am in love Gregory House."
Chase winced at her declaration in embarrassment. "Was that necessary, Cameron?" he asked in a hushed voice.
She shook her head proudly. "No, but neither are you." Cuddy grinned at her with feminine pride. She had been waiting quite some time to see if she would grow a backbone. Addressing a stunned table of friends, Cameron said, "Good night. I have to go now."
TBC