Ms.Orange21 again! How about these for challenges?

House cooks for Cameron
Cassie and House both pop pills during their talk
reference to one of Peters' former victims and/or feedback from interview w/chef
a duck
reference to House's music tastes

Let me know if my work is to your approval! ; - )

SVU's Temporary Office At Princeton Police Department

"Can we make this quick," House asked, popping a Vicodin. "Those jail bunks were hell on my leg." He looked at her, noticing a tell-tale flush on her face. Then he looked out of her office window to see Wilson chatting with Detective Tutuola. Back to Cassie. Wilson. Cassie. Wilson. He groaned and put his head in his hands. "That boy will never learn."

"Ahem." Cassie cleared her throat. "If you are done giving yourself whiplash, we need to talk."

"What's up, El Capitan?"

She sighed. This was going to be hard enough to do, and her leg was killing her. She shifted more weight onto her good leg and started to talk. "I wanted to apologize."

"Pardon?"

"Apologize," she repeated through her teeth. "I was unaware of Munch and Stabler's… interference."

"Ah. The smart ass and the meathead."

"But you're not making it any easier on them, too. Doctor House, you have to let us do our jobs. Stop egging on the detectives and flipping out over the littlest things."

"Flipping out? Moi?"

"About the extra security for Cameron? Yes, I'd say you flipped out."

"And I still say they're useless. She's staying with me."

"Oh?" That threw Cassie off. "Why's that?"

"Because I don't trust your 'extra protection.'" House sighed. "Look, I'll make you a deal. Until she comes back to work and she's alone in my apartment, you can have extra security there. When I'm there, they're not."

Cassie thought for a minute, unconsciously rubbing her thigh. "Will it get you to chill out and ease up on the detectives?"

"Yes—as long as they leave me alone too."

"Deal."

"Good. Can I go now?"

"Yes."

House got up to leave. "One more thing… I'm sorry, too. For calling you a coward. It was uncalled for."

Her jaw dropped open in shock. From what she knew of him, this had to be a once in a blue moon experience. She gathered her composure and said, "Apology accepted."

He nodded and opened the door. "Oh, and take a Vicodin. This isn't just a gunshot wound or broken bone. This is a life-long affliction. Yes, the pain may drive you, but sooner or later it's going to drive you crazy instead. Take my word." The door shut behind him.

Cassie may not like him too much, but for some reason she trusted his medical opinion. She opened her bottle and popped a pill.

Cameron was sitting with Olivia Benson patiently waiting for the guys to be released.

"Do you think they'll be charged?"

"I doubt it," Benson answered. "Cassie knows that Munch and Stabler are pushing Dr. House's buttons. I think she'll just drop it."

Cameron let out a sigh of relief. "Good. It'd be kind of awkward staying in his place without him there."

"What's going on with you and House?"

"Us? Nothing. Nothing at all."

"Really? He seems to be awfully protective of you."

She blushed. "Well, I… care about him. I just don't think he cares about me the same way."

Olivia smiled. "I wouldn't be so sure about that."

Cameron gave her a quizzical look. "What do you mean?"

"According to Dr. Wilson, I think your assumption is wrong."

"I didn't know you talked to him."

"I haven't. But word travels fast here at SVU."

"Okay, let's get the hell out of here," came a voice from behind them. "Foreman's getting flashbacks from the last time he was arrested."

They turned around to see House, Foreman and Chase behind them. "Ha, ha. Very funny," Foreman retorted.

"Hello, Detective Benson," Chase said.

"Dr. Chase."

"Cameron, are you ready? I need another shower just from being in this place," House said.

"Yes, I'm ready. Bye, Olivia," she said. Leaning down, she whispered in her ear, "Watch out for Chase. He's a real skirt-chaser."

"So I've noticed," she retorted with a wry grin.

Cassie sighed, putting her head in her hands. She was confused, tired and stressed. What the hell was Peters up to?

"Hey, Cass, you all right," Olivia asked, popping her head into her office.

"Yeah," she replied, looking up. "I just don't know where this case is going." She waved to a chair. "Come in, sit down."

"What's on your mind?"

"I just don't understand why he's after Dr. Cameron so badly. The other three that survived—he didn't bother with them after."

"What about the chef, Dana Morris?"

"We've had constant surveillance on her also, but nothing. No sightings of Peters, no harassing flowers or notes a la Dr. Cameron." Cassie slammed her hands down on her desk. "I just don't know what he wants! Where he's going, what he's doing. He's just playing with me."

"Do you really think that? This is all just a game to get to you?"

She sighed. "I don't know. I don't know anything anymore. What is so special about Dr. Cameron that he wants her so bad?"

Olivia gave her a little smile. "Why don't you ask Dr. House?"

Cassie laughed. "Come on, I'm being serious!"

"So am I!"

Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, the next day

"HOUSE," Dr. Cuddy yelled, slamming into his office . "What the HELL were you thinking, attacking an officer?"

"Wow. This is unusual," he said looking at his watch. "You usually yell at me first thing in the morning. It's almost lunchtime."

"I want an explanation and I want it now."

"Dr. Chase made me do it."

She snorted. "I'm sure he did."

House held up two fingers. "Scout's honor!"

Cuddy rubbed her eye wearily. "These officers are going to be around until this case gets solved. Could you at least try to be civil and not get arrested again?"

"You're asking an awful lot…"

"I could make you live in the clinic."

"Fine. Fine. I'll play nice."

"Thank you," she said getting ready to leave. "Oh one more thing," she said, pausing.

House waited. "And?"

"Go home."

"What?"

"You have the rest of the day off. I don't need you causing any more trouble today. It's Friday. Go home." She left.

Well at least I get those damn officers to leave my place sooner, he thought. Then he had an idea… He started writing out a list. Target and Shop-Rite were going to have the pleasure of his company this afternoon.

"Hello? Cameron, you here," House asked when he got home. He padded around his place, only to find her asleep in the guest room. Damn. He didn't want to ruin the surprise, but there was no way he could get all those bags in the house without help. It would take forever. He made his way back to the front door and looked out. Yep, the undercover patrol car was still parked across the street, with two plainclothes officers in the front. House smiled. He'll just get them to help before he boots them out for the day.

An hour later, he had her surprise all set up and dinner started.

"Mmmm… something smells good," Cameron said, shuffling into the kitchen, rubbing the sleep from out of her eyes. "Where did you order from?"

"Excuse me," House said, mildly hurt.

"Oh, you're cooking? You?"

"I can cook, you know. I just choose not to most of the time."

"What are you making?"

"Lobster with a side of risotto and snap peas."

"House, I'm allergic to shellfish."

He stopped dead in the stirring of the risotto. "What?"

"I'm allergic to shellfish."

He hung his head in defeat. "See, this is why I'm not nice to anyone. Every time I try to do something nice, shit happens…" He heard a choking sound coming from Cameron. House looked up to see her trying to suppress a grin. "Cameron…"

"I'm just kidding, House. No food allergies whatsoever."

"You little wench. I was actually upset there for a nanosecond."

"Yeah, well I learned from the best. Remember? 'Candy canes? Are you mocking me?'" She laughed and sauntered out.

"Oh yeah," he muttered. He took the towel that was draped over he shoulder and wound it up. Then he quickly snapped it at Cameron's retreating backside.

Thwack!

"Ouch! Hey," she screeched, rubbing the offended part with her good hand. "That was uncalled for!"

"Be good before I send you to your room without dinner!"

Dinner actually went quite nicely. House had turned his multiple cd-changer on random so they had constant music while they ate. He had also picked up a nice white wine to compliment the seafood. They had a great conversation. The night almost seemed like a … date.

"You know," Cameron said, tilting her head, "you have the most eclectic taste out of everyone I know."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, your music, for example. Over dinner I've heard The Beatles, The Who, OutKast, Beethoven, Staind, Godsmack, Elton John, Shakira and Kelly Clarkson."

"What? She can actually sing very well."

Cameron grinned. "I know. I like her too. What I'm trying to say is, you never cease to surprise me."

"A lot of things I do surprise people. Or shock. Or scare. I'm not sure which."

She laughed. "A little bit of all three, I think. Now," she said, getting up, "It's only fair for me to clean up since you did all the cooking."

"With one arm? I don't think so. I'll do it."

"I don't even need this sling. If you noticed, I had it off all during dinner. Now go relax."

"Cameron—"

"Go. Now."

House put his hands up in defeat. At least he could go sneak in her room and leave what he put together for her in there.

"And House?"

"Yes?"

"Thank you for dinner."

"You're welcome."

A short while later, Cameron said her goodnights to House and made her way to her room to get ready for a shower and bed. She flicked on the light and saw a huge basket on her bed. Slightly confused, she walked over and peered at it. Inside were all sorts of goodies: Dove soap, bubble bath, a loofah, Herbal Essences shampoo and conditioner, Oil of Olay body lotion, toothpaste and a toothbrush, pink and clear nail polishes with a little manicure set and all sorts of other goodies topped off with a big rubber duckie. Next to the basket there was a big, fluffy bathrobe, some towels and washcloths, and new pajamas. There was a note on top of that pile. It said:

Cameron—

I thought you could use a few things.

--H.

Her eyes teared up, but she began to smile. Maybe Detective Benson was right….