Hey and Howdy from the Lilac Elf!

Firstly, special thanks to lovewildfire, Ara, Lily Smith, and jeevesandwooster for your wonderful reviews. Keep it coming folks.

Also, a few tiny little things about this chapter. One: Yes, House does like chocolate-covered marshmallow bunnies. He says so to the end of 'Love Hurts'.

Second, the names of Cassie's hockey teammates were mutated forms of the 'House' actors' names. Special treat for who can match them up.

And one last thing. I don't own 'House' or 'L&O:SVU', but I do own Bob the Butterfly. (He was my pet when I was 8.)

Challenges for this chapter were:

Cameron and House's relationship deepens.

Cassie and Wilson go out on a date.

Olivia Benson actually gives Chase the time of day.

Peters goes after Cameron again, but House prevents it

Give a hypothesis on why Peters wants to go after Cameron so badly.

Meanwhile, Wilson was in his office at the hospital, looking over some files, but not really reading. He was actually thinking about Cassie and if she was okay after talking with House. The two were surprisingly alike. Both were job-oriented and tenacious; Both didn't like to be second-guessed… Wilson sighed. And both were damaged people who were loved by someone who wanted to fix them.

House liked Cameron; it was so obvious to everyone. And Cameron wanted to make House a happier person. But she just didn't seem to understand that House was never really happy. Unless he was with her.

Cassie, on the other hand… She was the type that wasn't happy very often. You could see it in her eyes. Those incredible blue-gray eyes that always seemed sad (or angry, if she'd just been yelling at House) and stormy. Wilson put his CD player on, and threw in a Bryan Adams CD (Birthday gift from House), smirking. House didn't seem like the type to be a fan of pop ballads, but Wilson supposed that there were things about his friend that maybe he just would never know. Wilson put the CD on random and leaned back, as the music started.

'Was it some man that didn't treat you right?

Left you reaching out for him in the middle of the night

Is there some heartache that you can't out run

That makes you so afraid to get close to anyone'

Wilson wondered what made Cassie so closed off. He could feel that she wanted to be loved, but there was pain there. A pain that he knew had nothing to do with her leg. Did she have a boyfriend who left her after her leg, like Stacy had left House? Or was it something else?

'You're so - easy to look at

You're so easy to hold

It's so easy to touch you - but so hard to let go

It's so easy to want you - that I can't get enough

Tell me why do ya have to be

Why do ya have to be so hard to love?'

Wilson closed his eyes. His previous wives—Julie soon to be included in that list—were stunning women with high-powered jobs. Cassie had a high-stress, non-glamorous job. She also wasn't the belle of the ball—her hair was shaggy, and usually disheveled. Her clothes looked like they'd been picked for comfort more than making an impression like those of her colleagues. But to Wilson, the look gave her a casual beauty.

Wilson sat up and opened his eyes, deciding to actually do some work before he left. Julie wasn't home—staying with friends while the divorce was in motion. So he'd be heading to an empty home when he finally left. Taking a quick look at the stuff in his mail tray, he saw an envelope with the name of one of his former patients on the return address label. Opening it up, he saw that it was a 'keeping in touch' letter from a man who had come to him for his daughter's treatment. The daughter was in excellent shape, and the girl's father would be in New Jersey for a municipal league hockey game on Saturday. Attached to the letter were two tickets. Wilson smiled and logged on to his computer, drafting a response saying that he would be there.

He wondered, as he sent the email, if Cassie would want to go with him…

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When he looked into the window, he saw her. Beautiful long, brown hair framing her pretty face. The window wasn't latched and he lifted it up and climbed into the room easily. Once he was in, he pulled out his knife. He wanted to rape this one. She was beautiful and she knew it. But he wouldn't. Rape or slash. Not both. Not anymore. He thought maybe the leg this time. That way she'd match her boyfriend. Then maybe one good slice across the face for good measure. She was so close now. He could smell her shampoo…

Thwack!

Adam Peters stumbled back as something long and hard hit him across the front of the head. Then he saw the limping doctor hit him again, this time in the stomach. Peters made for the window and tumbled out, running off. Only a few seconds later, House and Cameron heard a police siren and a car pulling up to the apartment.

There was a rap on the door, and Detective Benson's voice was heard out in the hallway. "Dr. House, open up, please."

House limped out, followed by Cameron, who was pulling on the bathrobe House had given her.

Opening the door, House found that Benson was alone. "Where's your partner? Stabler?"

"At the hotel. I was just driving by, making sure you and Dr. Cameron were okay. One of your neighbors called that someone suspicious was lurking around."

"Who?" House asked. He didn't even really know who his neighbors were.

"Me," said Dr. Chase, stepping into the apartment. "I live just down the street."

"Why didn't you ever say anything?" House asked, curiously.

Chase shrugged. "You never asked."

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Cassie was jolted out of the best night's sleep since her infarction by someone pounding on the hotel door. "Arrg! Go away or suffer my wrath!" she shouted as she buried her head under the blankets.

The door opened and Detective Munch came in. "Peters went after Dr. Cameron again," he said without preamble.

Cassie groaned. "You know… not once has someone ever bothered me to say something like 'I can fix your leg and fill your apartment with puppies and kittens and happy little butterflies named Bob'."

"Cassie, are you okay?"

"You woke me up, you moron! What do you think?"

Munch sat down on the other bed. "House is upset-"

"No surprise there."

"-but not with you."

Cassie lifted her head up. "House actually isn't pissed off at me about something? Huh. That's… strange and off-putting. Okay, let's go."

Munch looked confused. "So now you want to go see House?"

Cassie got up slowly and pulled on jeans and a sweatshirt. She pulled on her sneaker-boots as she said, "I avoid that man because he's always hacked off at me about… something or other. If he's not upset with me, then-"

"This doesn't have anything to do with Dr. Wilson, does it?"

Cassie's face was stony as she grabbed her cane and wallet, but there was a glimmer in her eyes that hadn't been there in 5 years—not since Matt had died. "Let's go, okay?"

--------------

Cassie limped into Dr. House's office where Benson was chatting with Wilson, Chase, and Stabler. "So how's Dr. Cameron?" she said, sitting down in one of the chairs.

Benson said, "She's safe. House is watching her, and I managed to talk him into a 48-hour police watch."

"That's good news. No sign of Peters?"

"Nothing. Wherever he's hiding, he's being careful."

Cassie sighed. "That guy is really pissing me off. I want him found—like…now."

Stabler nodded. "We know, Cassie. But he's one step ahead of us."

Cassie stood up. "Well, we need to do something. I'm out of here. Call me if something happens." She left the room and headed out, noticing that Wilson had gotten up to follow her. "Can I help you with something, Dr?"

Wilson watched her turn and fix him with a straightforward look. "I… do you like hockey?"

Cassie's eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas. "I love hockey. Why?" She studied him and she grinned. "You got hockey tickets? Really?"

"Yeah. Two tickets to a game tomorrow night. Well… technically tonight but… I want you to come with me."

"I… Sure! Yes, absolutely."

Wilson smiled. "Okay. I'll see you at 4."

Cassie nodded. "Sounds good."

Wilson gave her one last smile before turning to leave. 'Okay. This is good. This is very good,' he thought, as he went to his car. 'Now if I can just talk House into loaning me the 'vette.'

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Once Benson and Chase were gone, House locked up the door, and went to latch all the windows. When he got to the guest room, he found Cameron sitting on the bed, looking timid. "It's over, Cameron. He's gone."

"It'll never be over, House," she whispered. "Not until they catch him."

House leaned on his cane. Much as he hated admitting it, he hated seeing Cameron like this. He hated to see her vulnerable. He preferred feisty and sassy with a generous touch of compassion.

"Come on," House said, taking her right arm. "You can sleep in my room tonight."

"What about you?"

"I'll be sleeping there, too."

"House, maybe that's not-"

"Just don't argue."

Cameron went quietly into House's room and shrugged off the bathrobe before climbing under the sheets. House got in beside her and she curled against him as she fell asleep instantly. House hesitated only for a moment before putting his arm around her and closing his eyes.

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The next morning dawned bright and sunny. Cassie got up and dressed in her best jeans and sleeveless top and threw on a denim jacket. After getting her sneaker-boots on, she scribbled a note to Benson that she would be taking a short trip back to New York, but would be back by 2 in the afternoon.

She drove up to Brooklyn and the small cemetery near the precinct. The guard at the gate gave her a thin smile and a brief nod as she drove in and parked in the lot. She took a pair of carnations from the passenger seat and got out.

Walking to a headstone, Cassie felt a sense of respite. She'd always hated doing this every year… but only because she was afraid of her own feelings. The emotional pain was why she'd stopped being regular with the painkillers. Physical pain was easier to deal with than emotional pain. She looked down at the headstone.

'Matthew Walters

1968-2000

Loved by family, friends, and most of the women in NY

"It is not our abilities that decide who we are—it is our choices"'

Cassie bent down and laid the carnations at the base of the stone. "I miss you, Matt," she said, quietly. "Every day. But I, uh… I met someone. A doctor. Oncologist, actually. He reminds me of you. He's caring and sweet… You'd like him. I'm doing well, Matt. I really am. I just… wanted to stop by. I love you, Matt. I always will."

Cassie touched the stone and headed back to her car. She paused only for a minute before heading back to New Jersey where a doctor who looked like Neil Perry from 'Dead Poets Society' was waiting for her.

-------------------

When Benson found Cassie's note, she knew instantly where she was going. Getting dressed, Olivia decided to head to the hospital. She needed information, and had a hunch that maybe Chase would be willing to give it. She just hoped he hadn't had breakfast yet.

-------

Even though Chase was Australian, he had certain American weaknesses. And a Dunkin'Donuts sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast sandwich on a sourdough bagel with a mocha caramel latte was certainly a list topper.

So when he saw Detective Benson come into the hospital lounge and set just that on the table in front of him, Chase was willing to give her anything.

"To what do I owe this wonderful and unexpected pleasure?" Chase asked, unwrapping the sandwich.

Benson gave a smile. "Dr. Wilson."

"Ahhh. His date with Captain Ross. I wouldn't worry. There's no better gentleman than Wilson. She's in good hands."

"He's in the middle of a divorce, isn't he?"

Chase took a sip of the latte—glorious. "His, third, actually. It's his wives that start it. Wilson's a good guy. Knows how to treat a lady."

Benson nodded. "Good to know. So what about you?"

Chase swallowed a bite of sandwich and asked, "What about me?"

Benson smiled again. "Do you know how to treat a lady?"

--------------

Cassie arrived at the hospital and was greeted by Dr. Lisa Cuddy. "Captain Ross. Do you have a minute?"

Cassie shrugged. "I've got until 4."

Cuddy looked slightly confused and Cassie elaborated. "I'm going to a hockey game with Dr. Wilson."

"Ahh. Well, let's go to my office. I need to talk to you about House."

"Ahh, of course. He still pissed I put him in jail?"

Cuddy laughed. "Thankfully, no." She opened the door to her office and Cassie entered first where she saw Stacy already seated.

"You know, it's never a good sign when you have to bring the lawyer out," Cassie said as she sat down, pulling out her vicodin and popping a pill in a purposely House-like fashion. Both Stacy and Cuddy grinned. It was amusing to see House's challenger imitating him.

Stacy pulled out a few legal forms. "I just wanted to ask you to sign this saying you're not pressing charges against House."

"Oh, come on!" Cassie said with a touch of whining in her voice. "Can't I arrest him for being a jerk?"

Stacy smirked. "If being a jerk were an arrestable offense, he'd be on death row by now."

Cassie laughed. "True enough. Okay, I won't arrest him as long as he behaves himself." She scribbled her name on the forms and handed them over.

-------------------

Wilson stood in front of House's apartment with a shopping bag in one hand, and a bottle of House's favorite scotch in the other. He transferred the bag to the scotch hand and knocked. House opened the door a moment later and looked at Wilson. "What do you want?"

"Nice to see you, too. Can I come in?"

House limped out of the way and allowed his best friend entrance. "What'd you bring?"

Wilson handed over the bottle, and then started pulling stuff out of the bag. "Chocolate-covered marshmallow bunnies, those citrus mints you like, and a bag of thick-cut salt and pepper potato chips."

House's narrowed his eyes at Wilson. "What do you want? What are you bribing me for?"

Wilson sighed. "I need to borrow the corvette. I have a date tonight. Hockey game."

"A hockey game."

"I'm… taking one of the pediatric nurses."

House smirked. Good lie, but nowhere near good enough to fool him. "No, you're going with our beloved captain, aren't you?"

"Yes! Yes, I am. So may I please borrow the car?"

House smiled and grabbed the keys, tossing them to Wilson. "Be good to her. Or I'll have to cane you."

Wilson beamed. "Thanks. I owe you one."

Yes, you do. And I'll be sure to collect.

---------------

When Cassie left Cuddy's office, she decided to pop into House's office and see if he made an appearance. Not that she was going to annoy him or anything… well, she probably wouldn't… maybe.

"Captain Ross." Cassie turned to see Dr. Foreman coming towards her. She smiled politely, despite the brief muscle ache starting up, not in her leg, but her right shoulder. Foreman noticed her pained smile and asked, "Does your leg hurt?"

"For once, no, not really. Actually, it's my shoulder."

"Why does your shoulder hurt?"

Cassie rolled her eyes as she said, "Because I got shot there, too. Any other questions?"

"Yeah," Foreman said, slightly annoyed. "Is it possible for you to NOT act like House? You know, be more pleasant?"

"Dr. Foreman, I am pleasant. You should see what I'm like when I'm miserable." She gave a wink and a smirk, and headed down to the clinic to wait for Wilson to show up.

--------------

Wilson parked House's car in the temporary parking and got out. He couldn't believe House actually let him borrow the corvette. There would be a catch. There had to be. Wilson entered the hospital and found Cassie in the clinic waiting room, tapping her cane on the floor in a very House-like fashion.

"I think House is starting to rub off on you," Wilson said, smiling. Cassie stood up and pulled out her vicodin, giving Wilson a smirk. She shook out a pill and tossed it into the air, catching it in her mouth and swallowing. Wilson laughed. "I rest my case."

"Are we going to a hockey game or what?"

Wilson gave her a smile and offered his arm to her which she took after a slight hesitation. Wilson noticed this and filed the information away for later.

When Cassie saw the corvette, she gave Wilson a look. "Does House know you have this?"

"Yes, he does. And no, I didn't just steal it and leave him a note."

"Okay. No illegal acts of any kind involved?"

Wilson opened the passenger door. "Just get in already."

Cassie did so, giving Wilson a warm smile.

---------

As the drove to the arena, Wilson tried to formulate his question. After a while, Cassie noticed his nervousness. "Would you stop twitching already and ask whatever the hell it is you want to ask me?"

"Okay," Wilson said, slowly. "Why are you closed off—emotionally, I mean."

Cassie leaned back in her seat and started fiddling with her cane. "The last guy I was involved with died. He was a lot like you—sweet, charming…. He was a paramedic. We actually officially met after my leg gave out in the precinct parking lot."

"I'm sorry."

Cassie shrugged and looked out the window. "It was about 5 years ago. It was also when I stopped taking the vicodin regularly."

"Why did you do that?"

"Physical pain is easier to deal with than emotional pain. The pain in my leg helps block out the pain in my heart."

"See, House is the opposite. With him, the vicodin dulls the physical and emotional pain."

"Just one more difference between us," Cassie said as Wilson pulled into the parking lot at the skating arena and turned the car off. He got out and went to Cassie's side of the car, opening the door and offering his hand. Cassie accepted the help as she got out, her leg protesting the movement. She leaned on her cane as she stood, waiting for Wilson to lock up before they headed into the arena.

"So, you never said where you got the tickets," Cassie said as they walked around.

"From the parent of a patient. The girl's name is Suz Spence. Her father- What?"

Cassie had stopped, looking at Wilson in surprise. "Suz Spence? 15-year-old daughter of Jesse Spence?"

"You know him?" Wilson asked, curiously.

"We were on the same hockey team together-the Brooklyn Badgers—that was before my leg. Wow, I-"

"Ross?"

Cassie turned to see Jesse hurrying over, followed by a small group of the team. "Oh, my god!" She said excitedly as Jesse pulled her into a quick hug.

One of the other team members clapped her on the back as Jesse let go. "It's good to see you again, Ross."

"You too, Laurie. Hey, Jenna." Cassie turned to Wilson. "James, this is Laurence Hughes, better known as Laurie. Jenna Morris, Leo Roberts, and Omar Epson. Guys, you've probably heard about Dr. Wilson here from Jesse."

Jesse smiled. "Dr. Wilson, I can't even begin to thank you for what you did for Suz."

"Just doing my job," Wilson said shrugging.

Laurie grinned. "Well, much as we'd love to chat, we do have a hockey game to win. Ross, stick around after. We'll all go grab a drink."

"Sounds good," Cassie said, letting Wilson lead her off.

"They seem like good people," Wilson said.

"They're great people. Constantly checking up on me after my surgery."

"He mentioned you," Wilson said, quietly, making Cassie look at him.

"What?"

"When I was treating Suz. He said he had a friend who was a cop. I didn't put it together until now."

Cassie followed Wilson down to their seats. Once they were seated, Cassie said, "After Jesse found out about Matt—even though he was dealing with his daughter's cancer, he called or visited all the time; had the whole team checking on me, actually." Cassie stopped talking as she looked out on the ice. She missed it so badly. The chill of the ice cutting through the heat of the uniform and pads. The speed of the puck… she missed all of it. When the teams came out, the Brooklyn Badgers all turned to look at Cassie and saluted with their hockey sticks. Cassie gave them a return salute with her cane.

After a few minutes, the referee dropped the puck and the game began. Wilson watched Cassie as well as the game. She was leaning forward, her eyes following the path of the puck as it was zipping back and forth. Then one of the Badgers, Leo Roberts, scored and Cassie cheered loudly, pounding her cane on the ground.

Roberts gave her a wave then rejoined the frenzy. Wilson could see the joy in Cassie's eyes. He was so glad he'd asked her to come—he didn't think House would have had nearly as much fun.

The Badgers goalie stopped a great shot and Cassie cheered again. Even if she couldn't play anymore, she still loved watching. The thrill of the game was one of the things she clung to after Matt… Cassie purposely pushed that thought out of her mind. Thinking about Matt again made her heart clench and the muscles in her right leg tighten. Better to just focus on the game and- "What the hell!" she screamed as Jenna was slammed into the wall by one of the guys from the other team, the Trenton Hawks.

Jenna recovered quickly, though, and rushed the guy who hit her, sliding his skate with her hockey stick so he fell on his face.

Cassie laughed and stamped her cane, shouting, "You go, girl!" Jenna gave a quick wave before shooting a goal. "Yes!"

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During the break, Wilson popped out for drinks and hot dogs. Cassie opened her Styrofoam container to find two dogs, both with cheese on one side, and barbeque sauce on the other. "Okay, how did you know that?" Cassie asked, taking a bite.

"Lucky guess," Wilson said, starting on his own dog.

Cassie rolled her eyes. "House seems the type to have lucky guesses. You don't."

"I… Okay, Detective Tutuola told me about it."

"Figures," Cassie said, taking another bite.

The second half was as cool as the first. And as the game neared the end, both teams were tied. As they headed into a final face off, Cassie went to the edge of her seat. Laurie took the shot and as the puck made the goal, Cassie surged up, pushing with her cane. She cheered and whooped as the Badgers did a victory lap around the rink.

After a few more minutes of cheering, Cassie and Wilson headed to the locker room.

Jesse saw Cassie and grinned. "Hey, Ross! Not bad, huh? We will never replace you, but we still win."

"Modest and humble as always. Now I thought you said you were buying Dr. Wilson and I drinks?"

"The suggestion may have been made, but I never said anything about buying."

Cassie shook her head, turning to Wilson. "That's not what I heard. How about you?"

"Hey, double teaming is NOT allowed!"

"We're not on the ice, so it is absolutely allowed."

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While Wilson and Cassie were enjoying the hockey game, Munch and Tutuola were at the hospital, keeping an eye on things. Of course, Munch didn't exactly agree with the arrangement. "We should be over at House's apartment."

"What are you, a glutton for punishment? You want him to clobber you again?"

"Peters is—for whatever reason—centered on Dr. Cameron. Which doesn't make sense. Why focus on one victim?"

"Benson said that Cassie thought maybe it was about her."

Munch considered this. "Peters harasses Cameron which makes House harass Cassie. Maybe. If that's the case, then, Cassie needs to watch herself. Peters could come after her."

"You want to put a tail on her?"

"What, and get beaten? Cassie's not going to let us put a tail on her."

Tutuola smirked. "Who says we have to tell her?"

Munch laughed. "Put a secret tail on her? Forget beat, she'd kill you."

"What if it's not a police tail, say?"

Munch's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"

"Have Dr. Wilson keep tabs on her. He likes her, she likes him… He plays the concerned card and she doesn't know we're trying to track her."

"Good plan. Okay. Soon as Cassie and Dr. Wilson get back, we'll ask him."

-------------------

"-so Cassie says 'Puck you, you bastard!'"

The entire team, plus Wilson and Cassie burst out laughing. Leo wiped tears from his eyes as he said, "God, there is no one like Cassie. Girl, some of the things you got up to…"

"Yeah, like when she stole my bra and planted it in Laurie's bed?" Jenna said, taking a sip of her beer.

"To name one instance."

"Hey, hold on," Cassie said, looking at Jenna. "Omar dared me to do that."

"You, my friend," said Jesse, clapping Wilson on the shoulder. "-will never be bored with this one. And remember, when she pulls out the cuffs, do not call her Cassandra. It just gets her going."

"Guys," Cassie said, blushing. "I'm sure James doesn't need any advice on dealing with me."

"Sorry, Ross," Laurie said, shrugging. "But you do need to come with a manual."

He was cut off by Cassie's phone ringing. She answered it and heard Benson's terse voice. "We got Peters. Unfortunately, he got Stacy Delaney first."

"Yeah. I… We'll be there." She hung up and looked at Wilson. "Peters made one last attack. They've got him, though."

"Cameron?" Wilson said, sliding off his bar stool. Cassie got up as well and shook her head. "It's Stacy. We got to go."

Jesse shared a look with the others before they all got up as well. "We're coming, too. Who knows? You might need us."

Cassie shook her head. "No, I don't want you guys involved."

"Save it, Cass. We're going," said Jenna, handing Cassie her cane.

"Okay. We'll meet you at Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital," Wilson replied, as he took Cassie's arm and led her out.

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When House opened the door to his apartment 30 minutes later, and saw Wilson's somber expression, he knew what it had to be. "Wilson, what the hell did you do to my car?"