I escaped my chair, but do not despair.

The story is far from over.

The Ban is sharpening knives, with strange glints in their eyes.

Perhaps I should seek cover?

My blood they may spray, if I continue this game I play

I glance at them and shutter.

But I tell you reader, there's no need for the preacher

My prayers I need not to utter.

I shall survive this day, and tomorrow I'll play,

As long as I have words to stutter.

My Ban is amused, for they assume

Work, I have not other.

There are papers to grade, and so without delay

I give you the disclaimer.

These characters are not mine, in any shape, form, or kind

I am not their claimer.

"'You may seek it with thimbles—and seek it with care;

You may hunt it with forks and hope;

You may threaten its life with a railway-share;

You may charm it with smiles and soap—'"

The restaurant was carefully chosen by Cameron. It was a place where, if she were seen with Wendum, no one would raise any questions as to why. Its location between the medical school and the hospital, combined with its reputation for a quick and substantial meal, made it idea. On any given day, any member of the hospital staff could enter the restaurants' door and find at least three people with whom they worked.

Sliding into her place in a booth, Cameron cringed as she heard her stomach rumble loudly. She realized she had not eaten since early that morning. Grabbing a menu from its rest in the center of the table, Cameron told herself she would pursue over the items available even though she had long ago memorized the its contents. Using the menu as a shield, Cameron allowed herself to examine the man sitting across the table from her.

With an expert eye, almost as keen as her husband's, Cameron took in information about Wendum.

Vain, she thought, his clothing was perfectly pressed and expensive. Nice looking, too. She could tell from the drape of his jacket and the pull of his shirt there was an excellent body hidden beneath his clothing. Not much older than I am; five, six years at the most, she told herself, educated and well-mannered.

'Do you see anything you like?' asked Wendum knowingly and without looking up from the menu; there was amusement in his voice.

Startled, Cameron looked at the menu. 'Chicken salad on lettuce is nice. Greg likes their burgers, Wilson usually eats the pasta, Foreman likes their Reuben, and Chase usually orders whatever is the special of the day.' Cameron knew she was rambling to hide her embarrassment of being caught checking out Wendum.

Wendum grinned wider as he looked up, his eyes taking in Cameron's embarrassment. 'Aren't you married?' he asked in innocent mischievous.

Cameron could feel her face glow brighter. 'Caught me, and yes, I am very married,'

Closing his menu, Wendum glanced around, assuring himself no one was near enough to over hear as he leaned his arm on the table, drawing closer to Cameron. 'Do you repeatedly say that to warn me off, or is it a means of reminding yourself of your nuptials?'

Again, Cameron could feel her face burning, but this time it wasn't with embarrassment.

'Wouldn't you like to know,' she replied giving Wendum her best look of innocence. Unconsciously, she too had leant forward.

A chuckle of amusement rumbled deep within Wendum's chest as their eyes connected.

'Yes, actually, I would very much like to know.'

They sat that way for two entire minutes; their eyes locked, with amused smirks on each of their faces. The moment was palpable.

Relief washed over Cameron in waves as both she and Wendum became aware of a third party who was discreetly clearing their throat at the side of the table. 'Are you ready to order Dr. Cameron?'

'Damn,' thought Cameron, 'why does it have to be someone who knows me?' then, speaking aloud, 'Richard. You're working late this evening.' Cameron motioned to Wendum in way of introduction. 'Richard, Dr. Wendum'

The man and the boy nodded to each other in acknowledgement.

'Dr. Wendum,' said Richard in cold politeness. Wendum could not help, but to notice the look of distaste on the boy's face.

Retrieving his menu, Wendum glanced again at its contents, then at Cameron. 'Allison, would like a bottle of wine?'

'No thank you. Just a cup of soup and BLT with water will be fine.'

Undeterred, Wendum persisted, 'Maybe just a glass then, or perhaps a drink?'

'Sorry,' answered Cameron, glancing at Richard. 'I can't.'

Wendum looked at her skeptically. 'Don't trust yourself?' he asked. The question was laced with innuendo.

Cameron smiled. 'I am a paragon of self-control, when I want to be. So, yes, I trust myself implicitly.' Very much aware Richard was taking in every word and action transpiring between them, Cameron pulled the menu from Wendum's hand and handed it to the waiter. 'Richard, Dr. Wendum will have my husband's usual.'

Grinning, Richard scribbled their order and left to collect their meal. Once he was away, and Cameron was sure no more attention was being given to them, she leaned towards Wendum. 'What would it take to get you to stop this?'

'I can think of several things,' replied Wendum seriously as Richard reappeared with two glasses of water.

Thanking him, Cameron again waited till the waiter had disappeared into the kitchens, before speaking, 'Wendum,' she began.

'Culum,' Wendum interrupted.

'Dr. Wendum,' Cameron began again, 'Nothing is going to come of this. I agreed to have dinner with you as a hungry colleague, and that is it. This was not, and is not a date.' She waited for him to reply. When no acknowledgment came, Cameron continued. 'I don't know what you've been told, or have assumed, but believe me when I say, this must stop. House was almost behaving himself today.'

'You call your husband by his last name?' asked Wendum. He had been watching her intently.

'Yes, sometimes, but usually only at work or when I am referring to him when speaking with a colleague.'

Wendum smiled nonchalantly as Richard appeared carrying two plates of food. Wendum waited until Richard had been assured neither required a thing and disappeared, before he spoke. 'From what I have seen and heard today, even though you have told me repeatedly you are happily married; I must wonder if you actually are.'

'How many times do I have to say I am?' asked Cameron a little too loudly.

'Fine,' said Wendum at last. 'Let us drop the subject as I partake of your husband's usual.'

For the remainder of the dinner, little was said.

"'But oh, beamish nephew, beware of the day,

If your snark be a Boojum! For then

You will softly and suddenly vanish away,

And never be met with again!"

Cameron pulled into her spot in the parking garage, grateful to finally be back at the hospital. She was exhausted and was coming down with a case of indigestion, but she also knew she needed to review the progress of three patients before she went home. It could feasibly wait, but Cameron planned on doing it quickly and leaving. Letting her mind drift to the memory of the previous night, it played heavily on her mind. Cameron knew she had made a mistake telling House she was pregnant; she should have waited until she had sorted out her own feelings before telling him. She also knew she should have waited for a more auspicious moment. Cameron had no doubt House's terseness had to do with her reaction to the pregnancy.

Getting out of the car, Cameron waited patiently for Wendum, who was being usually quiet and demure.

'Thank you for dinner,' Cameron said politely as Wendum came around the car to stand next to her.

'It is I who should thank you actually,' smiled Wendum. 'You have been a very charitable hostess and, may I add, a very tolerant one. I have learned a great deal today.'

Cameron nodded. 'It must have definitely been an interesting first day.'

Wendum took a step forward, closing the space between himself and Cameron. His breath was freezing in the night air. 'It most definitely was' he mutter throatily. Without warning, Wendum lurched forward pushing Cameron against the car, trapping her body with his own. Grabbing her wrists, he firmly held out her arms as his mouth descended on hers. Struggling to break free from his grasp, Cameron found she was pinned tightly in place. As Cameron opened her mouth to scream, Wendum slipped his tongue into her mouth, kissing her deeply. The weight of his body and force of the kiss robbing Cameron of air, making her struggles more difficult. Just as she thought she was going to pass out from the crushing weight of Wendum's body, he pulled back with a self-satisfied look on his face. He made certain to maintain the hold he had on Cameron's wrist and body.

'Get off me!' cried Cameron trying desperately to break his hold.

'I thought you wanted this?' Wendum whispered before his mouth connected again with hers, his tongue pleading for entrance as Cameron cried out in anger and pain. Pulling back after a few seconds, Wendum dropped his head into Cameron's throat, exploring it with little kisses. She could feel him becoming extremely aroused.

'Don't do this,' pleaded Cameron, still fighting to break free. 'Please, stop please, I'm pregnant.' She was beginning to sob uncontrollably as Wendum's hold tightened and he began grinding himself against her. 'Do you hear me, I'm pregnant. Please stop, please!'

Shutting her eyes tightly, Cameron forced herself to remain calm. She knew if she became hysterical, Wendum would be able to overpower her and all would be lost. Thinking he had reduced her into submission, Wendum loosened his hold, giving Cameron a chance to act. Using every ounce of her strength, Cameron pushed hard against him, knocking him off balance.

'Get off me!' she screamed, tears rolling down her face. Desperately Cameron sought a means of escape.

Wendum, who had fallen on his ass, looked at her in amazement. 'What do you mean get off you, I thought you wanted this?'

'What part of NO do you not understand?' yelled Cameron loudly, her fear quickly being replaced by anger. 'Pinning someone against a car as they scream is just…is just,' her brain was firing so quickly she couldn't find the right words. 'Damn it, no means no!'

Wendum slowly rose to his feet, his hands outstretched in front of him so Cameron could see them. He made a point of keeping a spacious distance between them. Confusion was evident in his face, 'Just calm down Allison, this is obviously a very large misunderstanding.'

'A misunderstanding? How was it a misunderstanding?' cried Cameron, cursing herself for not getting into the car when she had the chance and trying to remember moves from the kickboxing class she had taken before she became pregnant with Emma. 'I asked you to stop repeatedly. I said no!'

'All I heard was please,' yelled back Wendum.

'Yeah, PLEASE STOP!'

Horror swept across Wendum face. 'But….but,' he stuttered, pointing lamely towards the hospital. 'I heard….' Bringing his arms up to his head, he turned in circles. 'Jesus, Joseph, and Mary what have I done?' Pausing in his rotations, Wendum looked at Cameron, his eyes pleading. 'Allison, please forgive me. I am an idiot.' Without thinking, Wendum took a step towards her. Cameron instantly backed away; making certain this time, there was nothing he could pin her to.

Wendum halted his face flustered, his eyes wild. 'No, no, no, no….it's alright. I just want to say I am sorry. Incredibly, unbelievably sorry. Lord, am I sorry.'

Cameron, uncertain what to say or do, backed slowly to the car and opened the door, slipping in side. Just as she was about to close the door, Wendum called out to her.

'Allison,' His voice was high and emotional.

Cameron as she slammed shut the door, making certain to lock it, and quickly starting the car. As she pulled away, Wendum sat down in the middle of the parking garage placing his head in his hands.

"It is this, it is this that oppresses my soul,

When I think of my uncle's last words:

And my heart is like nothing so much as a bowl

Brimming over with quivering curds!"

The Hunting of the Snark, by Lewis Carroll