A/N: Hey guys! Ms.Orange21 here... Sorry for the lack of updates. Real life got in the way again. Damn real life! Damn needing a job. Damn job hunting! Sorry... I'm okay now... Okay, here's a quick question... Who wants to see Chase and Benson get together? I think they're kind of cute and fun to write together. Let me know what the consensus is! Now, on with the challenges!

Repeat of the 'damaged' conversation with Cassie/Wilson

House talks with Stacy, and Cameron overhears(House chooses between them)

Someone says "There's nothing worse than being alone. Unless it's being alone with someone else."

Cameron refers to House's taste in Bryan Adams

Reference to a Disney movie and/or Harry Potter

"Hey, how are you feeling?"

"Like I've had a nice refreshing massage at the spa," Stacy said dryly.

"Did anyone tell you that sarcasm is unattractive on women," House replied.

"So says the king of sarcastic responses."

"Touché." He looked at her with concern. "Did he do any serious damage? He didn't--"

"No, no. He just hit me a few times. I luckily carry mace and pepper spray with me at all times. He got a double dose in the eyes."

House put his hand over hers. "Good girl."

During their conversation, neither of the ex-lovers noticed Cameron outside of the doorway. It wasn't that she was eavesdropping. She had just come to see if Stacy was okay, since she had recently been through the same harrowing experience. But when she saw House already there, she didn't want to interrupt. So she waited. And when she was House take Stacy's hand, her heart constricted.

"So what did the detectives say," he asked.

"Same old same old. He really left no evidence this time, except to keep an eye out for a guy with his description with really red, swollen eyes."

They fell quite for a few minutes, neither knowing what to say to the other. Finally House said, "Well, I'd better get back to work—"

"You know," Stacy said, cutting him off, "a wise person once said 'There's nothing worse than being alone. Unless it's being alone with someone else.'"

House just gave her a look. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Unless it's being alone with someone who you are no longer in love with."

"Oh."

"I know you are worried about me. I'm going to be okay. And I understand that you have moved on. So have I."

"It's not that I don't love you…"

"You're just not in love with me."

"Yes."

"Good. I'm no longer in love with you. So all of these uncomfortable silences can stop now. We can be comfortable with each other."

House breathed a sigh of relief. "I just didn't want to hurt you or Cam—" He snapped his mouth shut.

"Aaahhh. So that's who it is."

"No, it's just…" For once, he was at a loss for words.

"That's not what Wilson says."

"That boy is going to get beat."

"Is he wrong?"

The only answer Stacy got was silence.

Outside of the door, Cameron crept away slowing, hope giving her step a lightness that wasn't there the past few weeks.

"Just the person I was looking for."

Olivia turned around to see Dr. House behind her. She looked left and right. There was no one else around. "Are you talking to me?"

"Well, I certainly am not looking for the meathead and the zombie."

"Be careful, Dr. House. I don't take kindly to people badmouthing my colleagues."

"But I mean it in the most caring way possible."

She smiled at him. Even though he was a bitter, sarcastic, misanthropic bastard, she couldn't help but like him. "Was there something you needed?"

"Ah. The million-dollar question. I need a—uh—favor."

"Excuse me?"

"Yes, yes. I know. My reputation precedes me. But I have a ton of things I need to get done today. We got a new case in our department, and then with Stacy…" he trailed off.

"I know. I'm sorry to hear about that."

"Anyway," House continued, clearing his throat, "I was wondering if you could stay with Cameron tonight. I don't know when I'm going to get in and I would like more than an officer around."

"Well, this is a change. You actually want police protection now," Olivia commented with a smile. Then she sobered when she noticed the haggard look on his face. "Are you sure you wouldn't rather have Finn or Stalber instead?"

"Most definitely not. Plus," he said with a shrug of his shoulders, "she likes you."

"This is really getting to you, isn't it? This case."

"I take it personally when two women I care deeply about get attacked."

"You really care about Cameron." It was a statement, not a question.

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Well, with Stacy around, things must be complicated."

"She's my ex. A friend," he said testing the word out on his tongue. "She's my friend."

"What about Cameron?"

"Cameron? Cameron is…" he trailed off and wagged his finger at her. "You've been spending way too much time in this hospital. Wilson again, no doubt."

"What can I say? Everybody in this hospital is intriguing."

"Even Chase?"

"Ahem—So I will be at your place around 5 at the shift change for extra protection for Cameron." She turned to walk away.

"Don't forget Chase lives down the block," House called to her retreating form. He smiled to himself. I always win.

"Hey," came a soft voice from behind Cassie. She turned around to see Dr. Wilson behind her.

"Hey yourself."

"How are you feeling?"

She sighed. "Tired. Irritated. Annoyed. Aggravated. Confused. Pissed off."

"That good of a day, huh?"

"This case… it's just driving me nuts."

"How about I try to take your mind off of things later? Say, dinner?"

"Listen, James, you are a really great guy, and I like you," More than I should, she added to herself. "But maybe we should slow down and wait until this case is closed. I am kind of emotionally unavailable right now."

"You didn't seem unavailable last night."

"That was until Stacy got attacked."

"And what if Peters is never caught?"

"He will be."

"But what if? Are you going to remain closed off forever?"

Cassie remained silent.

Wilson sighed. "Listen last night was great. I had an amazing time with you and your friends, and I know you did too. And I don't care what you say; I don't think you are as unavailable as you like to think. It's all a façade."

Cassie turned her face to the side and still kept silent.

"Fine," Wilson said. "But if you change your mind, I'll be at Luchento's at 8pm. By myself." He walked away.

She looked as his retreating back. Why was she making excuses to keep her distance from him?

"Where have you been? It's almost 2 am!"

"What? Detective Benson boring you?" House grinned at Olivia over Cameron's head.

"You said you were going to be late, but I thought that meant 8 or 9pm. Not 2am! What if Peters wants to go after you for beating him with your cane?"

"I highly doubt that. I'm not his type. I don't have breasts."

"I think I'll be on my way now," Benson cut in. "If you guys need anything…"

"Thank you for staying with me, Olivia. I appreciate it."

"No problem. I'll talk to you tomorrow." The door closed behind her.

"Well, it's been a long day. I think I'm gonna hit the sack." House started to head towards his room.

"You. Stop. Turn. Explain." She stared him down, arms crossed.

"Cameron, what I do with my spare time is none of your business."

"But what I do is yours."

"I wasn't the one who was attacked by a psycho rapist!"

"You are not the boss of me!"

"Actually—"

"Only when we're at the hospital, smart ass." She uncrossed her arms and went to her room. "Since you don't care enough to let me know where you are so I don't worry myself sick all night, I'll be going back to my apartment tomorrow."

"You were really that worried about me?"

"Yes," she exclaimed, her voice thick with tears. "Be it a rapist or not, there's a psycho out there and he's targeting our hospital. He could change his mind at any second and decide to attack anyone!"

He walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I didn't realize you felt that way." Cameron just sniffled into his shirt. He steered her towards the couch. "Sit down. I'll be right back."

House walked out to the car and was back sitting next to Cameron a minute later. "Here," he said handing her a package. "I would have told you what I was going to be doing, but it would have ruined the surprise."
She took the plain brown paper off and looked at the item. "The Harry Potter boxed set?"

"You were right to be worried about me," House quipped. "You know what it's like trying to get this during the special extended release party hours? Those kids almost trampled me!"

Cameron just gaped at him. "How did you know…"

"Let's just say you can stop 'borrowing' them from Pediatrics now."

She blushed. "Thank you, House," she said softly. She looked up at him. "Have you read them?"

"No, I don't read kiddie books."

She snorted. "This from the man who wants to be '18 'til I die'."

House narrowed his eyes at her. "How many people have you told?"

"What? That you are, like, Bryan Adam's number one fan?" She laughed. "Just Wilson."

"Let's keep it that way shall we? I have a reputation to uphold."

Wilson walked into House's office the next day, needing to talk to someone. House was sitting in his chair, but it was turned around facing the window.

"House, I need your expertise on something…"

"Oh really? What kind of expertise?"

"Okay, not expertise, since you are pretty much lacking in that department…"

"Hey!"

"In the love department, in the love department!"

"Again, I say 'Hey!' I could be the love doctor for all you know."

Wilson just snorted. "Tell me that again when you finally get the balls to tell Cameron how you feel."

House just raised his arm and flipped him the bird.

"Nice. Anyway, I need your help, advice, opinion on my situation with Cassie."

"I told you she was trouble."

"She is not trouble! She's just…. conflicted…" He paused for a second. "Would you please turn around and pay attention to me when I'm in a crisis?"

House spun his chair around to look at Wilson, eyes peeking out over a book. "This better?"

"Yes. Now, as I was saying…." Wilson squinted at the book House held in front of his face. "House, are you reading 'Harry Potter'?"

"What? Ah, no, no…" He hurriedly shoved the book in a drawer.

Wilson just gave him a smile.

"Speak of this to no one, or you get no help from me."