Disclaimer: Don't own.

Chapter 9

Note: Short part, yes, but we are heading on the homerun, so there are only 3 more chapters to go. I hope you like this part, and as always, please review! Thanks to everyone that has :)

… … …

House opened the door to his apartment roughly and shut the door behind him. Wilson looked up from the couch to see House's surly form toss his jacket on the chair.

'How'd it go?' Wilson asked wearily, aware that by his facial expression it obviously didn't go too well.

House limped past him and down the hall. 'Fine.' He said, limping into his bedroom and shutting the door behind him.

He walked over to his bed and shoved his cane on the chair before sitting on his bed and taking off his jeans. Reaching over his beside table, House grabbed his Vicodin and popped two, shoving it back on the table and lying down on his bed.

He was annoyed. At Cameron and at himself. He had contemplated all afternoon what to do and how to do it, before just giving up and going straight to Cameron's. He didn't know what he was doing there. He didn't know what it would achieve. But it made him feel slightly more content just being there.

House groaned angrily and closed his eyes. He wanted to stop thinking and feeling like this. He needed to stop thinking and feeling like this.

… … …

Cameron, Foreman and Chase were all sitting around the Diagnostics Department at 9am the following morning. They were drinking the brewed coffee Cameron made when clicking of heals echoed down the corridor and into the office.

Cuddy walked in and peered into House's office. She sighed and turned to the 3 doctors. 'Morning. House in yet?'

Cameron shook her head and Foreman raised his eyebrows. 'It's 9am. Did you expect him here yet?' He said, smirking.

'What do you need him for? New case?' Cameron asked, looking back up at Cuddy.

'No, Clinic Duty.' Cuddy replied, rolling her eyes.

The thump of a cane alerted them all to House's impending entrance. Cameron sighed as Cuddy straightened up, ready to fight him.

As soon as he walked into the office he looked at Cuddy. 'No.' He said, limping past her and over to the coffee machine.

'I need you down there. Dr Ross is Ill and we are already short.' Cuddy replied, putting her hands on her hips.

'Get one of them to do it.' House said, pointing his cane at Cameron, Chase and Foreman.

Cuddy glared at him. 'They have already done their clinic hours for the week. Plus 4 of yours. You don't have a choice. So I suggest you get down there now and get it over and done with before General Hospital comes on at midday.' She replied, walking swiftly out the door.

House sighed and grabbed his coffee cup, limping past the table. 'Jeez, she gets testy when she doesn't get laid, doesn't she?' He said sarcastically, walking into his office and putting his bag on the chair. 5 minutes later he disappeared out the door.

Foreman raised his eyebrows. 'That was easier than usual. Cuddy usually has to come back up here at least twice to get him down at the clinic. What's up with him?'

Cameron bit her lip and shrugged, getting up and walking into her office, away from all questions about House.

… … …

At 1:00pm, Cameron shut off her laptop and placed the mail in its slot. That was one job done for the day. She stood up and walked into the Diagnostics Office, ready to get more coffee. As she put the jug on, she turned around and saw House sitting in his office, his leg propped up on the table, a vacant expression on his face.

Despite herself, Cameron began walking over to his office and gently knocked on the door.

'Hi.' She said softly, walking in and standing in front of his desk. House looked up at her and didn't reply.

Cameron sighed. She knew he was going to make this difficult. 'Last night. You never told me why you came.' She said.

'You assumed it was because of the non-apology I gave?' House asked, placing his cane on his lap.

'Is that it?' Cameron asked, keeping his gaze.

House looked at her intently before looking away and clearing his throat. 'He seems nice. You'll be happy with him.' He replied, looking back up at her.

'House…' Cameron began taking a step forward.

A soft knock on the glass made Cameron turn around. Wilson stood there, his hand still on the glass.

'Sorry…Interrupting?' He asked, looking hesitant.

Cameron heard a shift behind her as House got up from his chair. 'Nope. It's lunchtime buddy, and you owe me.' He replied, limping past Cameron and out the door, not looking at her.

Cameron sighed and shook her head. Wilson looked at her. 'I'm sorry.' He said apologetically.

Cameron smirked. 'Not your fault.' She replied, walking out of House's office and into the Diagnostics office, where the coffee jug clicked.

… … …