Reader, Warning, this next bit is horrific,
(But as a writer, it scares me to say I think it is also terrific.)
I am shocked, but I could not be stopped
The words flew of their own accord
Even though the scene I abhor.
I kid you not; this scene has placed my stomach in a knot.
I know not how it I contrived, as these actions I cannot abide.
I ask you to forgive me, for my latent violent tendencies.
If this is what occurs from the Hunting of the Snark
Be glad it was not The Poetics to which I embarked.
I am amazed and appalled, and for it I should be mauled.
Again I tell you, this is not for the faint of heart,
So quickly now, don't read it, just depart.
Though I apologized, the situation I hope I have not aggrandized.
The disclaimer is a must, for I fear this is a bust.
Please be kind, these characters are not mine.
I am dismayed; I have used them in this way.
"The method employed I would gladly explain,
While I have it so clear in my head,
If I had but the time and you but the brain—
But much yet remains to be said.
In one moment I've seen what had hitherto been
Enveloped in absolute mystery,
And without extra charge I will give you at large
A Lesson in Natural History."
Cameron was surprised when she entered the immunology department. It was deserted, or at least she thought it was deserted as Winslow's blinds were drawn. Cameron glanced at the old man's door; she really should speak with him, she thought.
She knew Cuddy had sent a message asking Barlow to cover for her and see her patients, which, according to Cuddy, he had begrudgingly agreed to do; but Winslow was still her immediate supervisor and Cameron felt it would only be right to speak with him herself. Raising her arm to rap on the door, Cameron glanced at the sound of the departmental door swishing opened and closed. To her surprise Wendum stood just inside of the entrance, staring at her. Without saying a word, he reached behind him and pressed the lock on the door in place. Quickly, before Cameron could process what was happening, he crossed the room and pinned her to the wall of Winslow's office, kissing her passionately.
Cameron tried to push him away as she attempted to turn her head breaking the kiss, but Wendum held her fast, his tongue pushing into her mouth and exploring its depth. Then just as suddenly as he had pinned her, Wendum broke the kiss and stepped back, releasing Cameron.
'We need to chat, don't you think?' His voice was quiet and a little husky from the kiss, but other than that, it was without emotion.
Cameron silently cursed herself as her eyes searched for a way around Wendum. She needed to unlock the door, she did not want to be isolated from the rest of the hospital, but Cameron also knew Wendum was right. She knew the rumors flying around the hospital were out of hand, and even if she were able to calm them, Wendum's career at Princeton Plain was over before it ever began. Her reaction to his kiss, combined with House's overreaction to the situation, and then the extensive conversation she had with Cuddy had in essence destroyed this man's career.
'I'm sorry,' was all Cameron found she could say as her eyes met Wendum's.
'I would say you are.' He studied her for a moment, his face unreadable. 'Have you heard the talk?'
Pulling her eyes away, Cameron looked at the floor and nodded.
'My career is over.' There was a note of hostility and remorse in Wendum's voice.
'I know,' whispered Cameron as tears came to her eyes. She found she could not look at him.
For several minutes both were silent as Cameron studied the floor lost in thought as Wendum began to pace in front of her, she could tell his anger was mounting. Finally, he stopped and tenderly lifted Cameron's chin with his outstretched hand. 'Why did you say I tried to rape you?'
'I didn't.' Cameron pulled away from his touch, 'the rumor mill made it into rape after I came in last night.'
'Go on.'
Cameron shrugged and had the good sense to look abashed. 'Everything got out of hand alright. I was upset and I was scared and frightened. You scared me. I said no and you kept going, so I went home to my husband and …' Cameron blushed as her words began to tumble from her, 'well, things happened there as well then I told Greg you attacked me and he wouldn't let me explain. Before I even had the chance to tell him the story, he got mad and left to come looking for you. He had an accident, I thought I had miscarried, and the hospital,' Cameron threw up her arms in frustration, 'took everything and created their own version of the events.'
Wendum considered her, attending to every word she spoke. When at last she had finished, he bit his lip and then calmly stepped towards her, 'You flirted with me throughout the day, did you not?' Cameron nodded as he took another step closing the space between them. 'You were interested in me as well, weren't you?'
'No,' lied Cameron, "no.'
'Liar,' shouted Wendum, his face contorting with rage as he grabbed Cameron by the upper arms, digging his fingernails into her flesh. 'You kissed me back, you know you did.'
'I didn't want to,' wailed Cameron trying to escape his grasp. 'I told you no and I meant no.' Cameron's body turned taunt as fury and adrenaline started to flood through her.
Wendum's grip was vice-like on her arms. Bringing up her leg, she tried to knee him in the groin, but he easily side stepped the move bringing both of them into the center of the room.
'You lying bitch. You know you wanted me then, and you still want me now!'
'No,' yelled Cameron loudly hoping it was enough to be heard in the corridor beyond the doors. 'Liar,' screamed Wendum just as loudly as his right hand released her shoulder and his fist came back. The blow sent Cameron sprawling. As the world swayed around her she was barely aware of the rough hands grabbing her and hauling her to her feet or the second blow which sent her crashing into the glass wall of Winslow's office, leaving a trail of blood down the glass as she slid to the floor.
The next events were a blur to Cameron. In some vague recess of her mind, she was aware of Wendum straddling her, pinning her legs and arms to the floor. Somewhere she thought she heard shouting and someone hammering on the doors to the immunology department, but it was drowned by Wendum's grunt of pleasure as he ripped open her blouse and began pulling at the jeans Wilson had brought her. Cameron tried to call out for help, but Wendum's fist again slammed into her, filling her mouth with blood as a shadowed passed over her. With every ounce of strength left in her body, Cameron began to try to fight as Wendum's hand pushed itself along to top of her panties. Somehow, for she did not know how, Cameron managed to pull her arms free and push Wendum from her. Rolling over she began to crawl away, trying to make it to the office door. Through the haze of blood in her eyes, she could see Foreman throwing himself against the door, trying to break it down as Quincy grabbed a fire extinguisher and attempted to break the glass.
'There's no escape this time Allison.' Wendum's voice was rough and husky as Cameron felt his knee slam into her back, felling her. A hand landed on the back of her pants, pulling them down as Wendum wrapped his arm around her throat from behind and pulled Cameron to her knees 'Think he'll make it in time?' Wendum laughed in her ear, 'or do you think he'll get to see me take you from behind?' Cameron choked in confusion, tears and blood flowing down her face. She was finding it very hard to breathe as she prayed someone would get to her in time. 'Your husband can see us,' whispered Wendum as his hand went to his own pants. 'He's one of the ones outside the door.'
'No,' screamed Cameron in a loud, blood curling cry as she pulled with all her might to break free from Wendum. Turning her head, she could see House. The look of anguish on his face for her was mixed with murderous rage for Wendum. The arm around Cameron's throat grew tighter, completely cutting off her air as she heard Wendum evilly whisper, 'ready?' Then suddenly, the pressure was gone. The arm dropped and Wendum's weight, which had been holding Cameron immobile, disappeared. To Cameron's surprise and relief Wendum fell to the side with a groan and instantly a pool of blood began to form next to his head. Without thinking, Cameron crawled to the door and with unsteady hands turned the lock. She was only vaguely aware of Winslow standing over Wendum with a blood spattered cricket bat in his hand, and then the room around her exploded.
House was on floor next to her cradling her in arms as Wilson carefully draped her with his lab coat. Cuddy was shouting as Foreman, ran to Wendum; tempted to hit him repeatedly himself, and checked his head injury. Someone, later no one could say for sure, had taken the cricket bat from Winslow as the old man had grabbed his chest and sunk to the floor with a major coronary. Through it all, Cameron clung to House weeping profusely.
While the beaver confessed, with affectionate looks
More eloquent even than tears,
It had learned in ten minutes far more than all books
Would have taught it in seventy years
They returned hand-in-hand, and the Bellman, unmanned
(For a moment) with noble emotion,
Said "This amply repays all the wearisome days
We have spent on the billowy ocean!"
Such friends, as the Beaver and Butcher became,
Have seldom if ever been known;
In winter or summer, twas always the same—
You could never meet either alone.
And when quarrels arose – as one frequently find
Quarrels will, spite every endeavor—
The song of the Jubjub recurred to their minds,
And cemented their friendship for ever!
The Hunting of the Snark, by Lewis Carroll
Author's note
I need to make a nod to Eugene Scribes' rules to "The Well Made Play," which I applied to the story. (See any Theatre History text for Eugene Scribes and the rules) and also to tell you, I am going to do a Doctor Who story (Fifth Doctor and Peri) after I have finish this one.