Disclaimer: Own nothing.

Chapter 2

'Allison.'

Cameron turned around and was taken aback by the man standing in front of her.

'Joe…' She said softly, her expression unreadable.

Joe took another step into the Diagnostics Department and smiled at her. 'Its good to see you.' He said, giving her a swift hug.

Cameron tensed and still looked confused when he broke away. The entire room had gone silent; Foreman was staring at the man while House twirled his cane in his fingers, Wilson staring at him with mingled amusement and exasperation.

Joe continued to stare at Cameron before he directed his gaze to the door. 'You free for lunch?' He asked Cameron, gesturing towards the open glass door.

Cameron bit her lip. Her mind was racing. Was this really a good idea? 'Um…' She looked back at the group of men standing behind her. House was still twirling his cane, looking quite bored. 'Sure.' She replied. 'Just let me grab my things.'

Cameron walked into her office and grabbed her bag and coat, before walking back into the diagnostics room and following Joe out the door.

House looked at Wilson's face before turning around and walking into his office, emitting a 'Hm,' as he went.

Wilson rolled his eyes and followed him. 'What?'

House sat in his chair and propped his bad leg up on the table as Wilson sat down opposite him. 'You know something.'

Wilson sighed. 'I know nothing.'

House smirked. 'Now that's a lie. You have a lie twitch.'

Wilson stared at him, his eyebrows raised in an exasperated way. 'I have a lie twitch?' He asked.

'Your nostrils flare.' House replied. 'Dead giveaway.'

Wilson smirked. 'I doubt I have a nose flaring lie twitch. If I did, I'd never get away with lying to Julie.'

'Who was that guy?' House asked, as if it was a development of their conversation.

Wilson leaned back in his chair. 'Ah. Now are you asking out of curiosity or jealousy?'

'What do I usually ask out of?'

Wilson smiled. 'Well, that depends on the person. Foreman- definitely out of nosiness, Cameron on the other hand – '

House smirked. 'Oh yeah. Because it's Cameron I get all jealous and weird. But don't I do the same with Chase?' He said sarcastically and gaining a smirk from Wilson.

'Typical your avoiding the question. Yes, I know who that guy was. And, no, I am not going to tell you who he is because I'd rather watch you squirm all day with the niggling feeling in your head.' Wilson replied standing up and walking out the door, smiling at him on his way out.

House sighed and leant back on his chair, staring up at the ceiling. And so the niggling sensation began.

……….

Cameron walked into the diner opposite the hospital and was lead into a booth by Joe. She had suggested the diner purely because it was close to the hospital and she's rather be near the place where she felt slightly secure; secure was not an emotion she particularly felt as she slid into the booth opposite Joe.

Placing her bag on the padded, cheap imitation leather, seat beside her, Cameron interlocked her fingers in front of her, staring down at them.

'You ok?' Joe asked, staring at her as he took off his coat.

Cameron tensed up again and looked up at him. 'Yeah. I'm just a little…confused.' She said, pausing at the end hesitantly.

Joe mimicked her action and placed his hands in front of him. 'Confused?'

'Why are you here?' Cameron asked softly, looking up and giving him a soft smile.

A waitress chose that moment to come over and bring their ordered drinks. Placing them down on the table, Cameron thanked her as she walked away.

Joe looked down and shifted, leaning his back against the booth. 'I wanted to see you. Al, we never spoke after Ben died. We both went our separate ways. Maybe out of guilt. But I really missed you.' Joe said softly, leaning forwards.

Cameron looked down at her hands. 'It was complicated. I thought it better if we left it.'

'And we did. But it's been over 10 years Allison. I have missed you. Doesn't that count for something?' Joe asked.

Cameron looked back up at him. 'I hadn't really thought about it.' She lied.

Joe stared her straight in the eye. 'You always were a lousy liar.'

'I have to get back to work.' Cameron said, looking around the diner, waiting for the cheque.

'Wait…can't I at least take you to dinner? Tomorrow night?' Joe asked as Cameron gathered up her coat and bag.

Looking back up at him, Cameron stared him straight in the eye. He was doing the same. Cameron sighed. 'Sure.' She replied, standing up and sliding out of the booth.

'I'll pick you up at 7.' Joe said a soft smiled forming on his face.

Cameron nodded and put on her coat. 'I'll see you then.' She replied, turning around and heading out the door.

Stepping out of the diner, the cool breeze blew her hair off her face. Cameron sighed and began walking across the park towards PPTH. She still felt uneasy. It was strange seeing Joe again, especially given the current circumstances. Cameron shook her head and smirked. What current circumstance, she thought, her shoes crunching into the golden leaves on the grass. Cameron hugged herself tighter. She'd just have to see how tomorrow night went…