Disclaimer: Still don't own.

Chapter 6

… … …

Cameron stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom swiftly attempting to make her hair not look like a complete and utter mess. She had been storming around ever since she had gotten home, emitting large groans and fuming about House's complete lack of tact.

Cameron smirked as she thought. Really, was tact a thing to expect from House ever? He had never done it before, so what had made this situation so different?

Cameron shook her head as she put the curler through her hair. She should of known that House would of reacted the way he did. And deep down, she had known, but she hadn't been able to control telling him.

Sighing as she came to the conclusion that her hair would have to do as it was, Cameron reached for her mother's pair of earrings, taking out her studs as she did so.

It was quarter to seven and Cameron was rushing. Normally, she would be ready for such occasions at least half an hour before she was expected to leave, but the majority of the afternoon and evening was spent not on her appearance, but attempting to control her emotions.

Hearing a swift knock on her door at exactly seven, Cameron sighed into the mirror and got up, grabbing her shoes on the chair as she left her bedroom.

'Always efficient.' Cameron muttered under her voice as she walked down the hallway, putting her shoes on as she went. 'I'll be a sec!' She called out.

Cameron walked into the kitchen and switched off the light, grabbed her bag and coat off the couch and walked to the door, pulling it open. There stood Joe, looking ready to knock again. He lowered his hand and smiled as she greeted him. He was wearing a simple suit, and a tie. Cameron smiled as he complemented her attire and ushered her out towards his car. Yet the uneasy feeling rose again as they drove down the street, and towards their destination.

… … …

'I can't believe you didn't tell me.' House said sarcastically to Wilson, who was sitting on his couch looking bored.

'It wasn't my place.' Wilson replied, taking a drink out of his glass.

House stood behind the couch, flailing his cane around for good measure. 'Neither is this,' his cane went around again, 'but you're here, aren't you?'

Wilson smirked. 'Judging by your extreme obsessiveness about this, I'm guessing your discussion didn't go too well.'

House rolled his eyes. 'What would you classify as 'not too well?'' He asked, looking annoyed.

'Oh, I don't know. Arguing, profanity…'

House smirked and took a swig out of his scotch glass. 'I'll have you know that not all discussions I have with people end like that.'

Wilson raised his eyebrows. House noted this and waved his cane around again. 'Ok, some of my discussions end like that. What makes you think this one did?'

'When has any discussion you have had with Cameron about her personal life ever ended well?' Wilson replied.

House didn't reply, but sat down on the couch beside Wilson. Wilson smirked and looked at him. 'You screwed up, didn't you?'

House didn't reply to that statement either, but stared at the fireplace, before taking another long swig of alcohol. Drowning his mistakes in scotch was better than dealing with them.

… … …

Joe parked the car in the car park and stared at Cameron. 'You ready?'

Cameron smiled. 'Yeah.' She replied, grabbing her bag and stepping out of the car. She looked directly at the restaurant Joe's had driven them to. She smirked and began walking up the stairs with Joe.

'What's the matter?' Joe asked, smiling at her.

'Nothing.' Cameron replied, staring up at the cursive sign of 'Café Spilletto'.

They were seated near the corner of the restaurant and the waiter placed two menus in their hands.

'Thank you.' Cameron said, smiling at the waiter as she opened up the menu.

'This is a nice place,' Joe said, looking around, 'you been here before?'

Cameron nodded uncomfortably. 'Yeah. A couple of times. The wine made my eyes puffy.'

Joe laughed. 'We'll stay away from the red wine then, shall we?'

'Might be wise.' Cameron replied, smiling softly.

Joe put down his menu and looked at her. 'Are you ok? You seem a little…quiet.'

Cameron smirked and nodded. 'Yeah, I'm ok. Rough day at work.'

'Difficult patient?' Joe asked sympathetically.

'Yeah,' Cameron smiled, 'difficult patient.'

They ordered their meal, Cameron getting the ravioli and Joe getting the fettuccini. They ate the dinner as Joe attempted to make some form of conversation; Cameron wasn't very responsive.

'Can I ask you something?' Cameron asked suddenly.

'Sure.' Joe replied.

'Why are you here? Really? And why now?' She asked, placing her hands on the table in front of her.

Joe looked taken-aback, but leant back on his chair. 'I really did miss you. And I really did want to see you. I want to start again, Allison. Before everything happened, before you left.'

'Before I left I was married.' Cameron replied softly.

'And now? Allison, I just want to get to know you again. Please. At least think about it?' Joe asked, leaning forward and taking her hand.

Cameron stared down at their intertwined hands. Her mind was telling her to say no, to let him down now, but all she did was nod softly.

… … …

Parking outside Cameron's apartment, Joe turned off the engine and stepped out of the car and walked over to Cameron's car door. He opened it for her and took her hand to help her out. She took it and closed the door behind her. Walking up to her doorstep, Cameron began to feel very tired all of a sudden.

'Thanks for tonight.' Cameron said, turning around to face him at the door.

'My pleasure.' Joe replied, smiling. 'I'll call you.'

Cameron nodded and Joe leant forward and kissed her softly on the cheek. She closed her eyes and sighed when he broke away.

'Bye.' Joe said, waving softly as he walked over to his car.

Cameron turned around and turned the key into the lock. Stepping inside her empty and dark apartment, she locked the door behind her and walked straight into her bedroom without turning on the living room light.

She sat on her bed and took off her shoes, placing them at the foot of her bed and putting her bag on the chair. Cameron walked into the bathroom where she changed into tracksuit pants and a Singlet top, before tying up her long hair and brushing her teeth.

Switching off her bedside light, Cameron sunk down into the covers and faced her window, looking out at the tree's that blew against her windowpane.

She sighed. Confusion had now successfully taken over her emotions. She didn't know what she was going to say to Joe, let alone what she was going to do. He was a nice guy. There was no doubt about it, but there was still the lingering guilt that took over Cameron every time she saw him. Nothing could ever take away the guilt of what happened between them. Even if their relationship hadn't been physical, there was still the element of emotion that was involved.

Cameron hugged her pillow and closed her eyes, attempting to go to sleep. She was emotionally and physically exhausted. And not just because of Joe.

… … …