House sat in his office, tossing the tennis ball in the air and catching it. Cameron had called in sick that day, claiming that Wilson's cooking had gotten to her. But House knew that she didn't want to be around when Emily made her appearance that day. She had called while they were at dinner, leaving a teary message on the machine. She expected to stop by the office around noon to 'talk things out.' House was nervous as hell, consequently avoiding everyone who would know it. Although he and Wilson were still treading around each other like you might on thin ice, House was sure Wilson wouldn't give up the chance to poke into his private life.

A slight knock came from the glass door, the ball missing his hand on its way down.

"Hey," Emily said softly, stepping into the room. House stared at her, trying to find his voice. "I don't know if Wilson told you…"

"He told me."

"Oh. Well…" She sighed, but willed herself to continue. "Greg I don't like this. I don't like hating you. Don't you remember…Growing up I always thought you were the greatest guy I knew. I dreamed of growing up to be just like you. And then…well. Then I forgot you. I forgot all those times you took me away from their fighting to go fishing. Or when we'd lie in the back yard, you reading from that stupid book you always carried with you. I hate feeling like I'm not supposed to like you. Yes, what you did was wrong. Yes, I'm not OK with it. But I need you to help me get over it. I need my best friend." House watched her; her chest rising and falling with each shaky breath, her shoulders shuddering as she held back the tears. This was his little sister, his friend.

"Em…" House pushed himself to his feet and limped heavily over to her. "Em…I'm going to help you. I'm going to save you. You have me." She pressed her cheek against his chest, listening to the rapid beating of his heart. "I never meant to hurt you, Em."

"I know," she whispered. "But I'm healing."

Emily left him that afternoon with new hopes. They had agreed that they would keep in touch, and 'not just a few mumbled words over the phone,' as Emily had sternly put it. House was relieved, both because he had his sister back and because he had his friend back. She had always been the only one who could understand them as she was growing up, even through their age difference.

House swung his bag over his shoulder, exiting the hospital for the night. It had been a slow day without Cameron around. Of course, he'd never admit that he'd missed her. House passed Wilson and Cuddy, hand in hand, on the way to his bike. They waved and he ignored them. It would take some getting used to, seeing them together. Whenever he tried to accept it, his brain provided the images of…the procreation of their future child. But he was trying.

The first thing House noticed when he pulled up to the curb in front of his apartment, was that the lights were on, and he could see shadows dancing against the walls. Second, he saw the little white card taped to his door, flapping in the breeze. Smiling, he peeled it off, folding the tape over. Cameron's familiar curly writing flowed across the page.

You asked if I thought I was serious. If yesterday wasn't enough of an answer, I would like to say now, that yes, House. I am in love with you, and I can't help it. I don't know what to do, and I'm praying you do. Now, if you think you're as serious as me, you can come in. I've got a surprise for you.

House thought; he was serious about Cameron. He thought that he may even…no. He couldn't think it.

But it was true, wasn't it? He had never thought about Stacy the way he did Cameron. He could never get Cameron out of his head. She was the sweetest person he had ever met, and she made his heart swell. He had never loved anyone the way he loved Allison Cameron.

Almost expecting to walk in and see her naked, House swung the door open tentatively, glancing around. She wasn't there. He went into the bedroom, again opening the door carefully. Nothing. But on the bed, he spotted a small white box with a gaudy red bow. He stepped forward, taking it in his hands. It had another note taped under the bow:

Open this.

Not your surprise!

Plucking the bow off, he opened the box and found a silver square frame with a picture of Cameron. She was leaning forward, resting her elbows on her knees. Her mouth was open in a big, genuinely happy smile. He wondered vaguely what had made her so happy, when he heard a splash from the bathroom. The smile returned; he was quickly guessing what the surprise was. Propping the picture up on his bedside table, House limped as quietly as possible toward the bathroom door. He turned the knob slowly, then pushed it open. He had guessed right; Cameron was lounging in his tub, the bubbles were rapidly vanishing, leaving Cameron uncovered. House clicked the door shut, leaning his cane against it.

"This is my surprise?" he said, faking disappointment. "I wanted a pony!" He was already pulling the shirt over his head and unbuttoning his jeans.

"How did…How was Emily?" Cameron asked softly. House shrugged, and mumbled something about forgiveness; he was too busy working his pants down over his legs.

"Damn this leg," he muttered. Cameron watched him, almost regretting the idea. But the regret vanished when she saw the gleam in House's eyes as he eased himself on top of her. "I need to tell you something," he whispered against her neck. She nodded, letting him know that he had her attention. "You said that you were scared…of what this was doing to you…"

"But in a good way," she interjected.

"…But in a good way. I thought you should know…that I'm freaked out about what you do to me. You've…you've saved me Allison. I…No one has ever done that to me before. And I…" He let out a frustrated sigh against her skin. He knew what he wanted to say. But the words would not come to him.

"I love you, too, House."

The End

ok everyone-that's it. i'm so sorry that this is THE crappiest ending ever. anyway. i hope you liked the REST of the fic. let me know if you liked it enough that you'd be interested if i wrote more. i had so much fun writing this, and am now depressed that it's over. mostly just because i'm don't know if i'll be able to come up with a slightly-no-so-mind-numblingly-dull plot. but i'll try...if you want it. REVIEW! ha. please? well. thanks for reading. hope you enjoyed.

-Claire