She was so glad to get out into her apartment after the long day she had spent at the hospital. The worst thing was that she knew it had been a regular day like every other- she had not been sent to break into a patients home or been told to question them about their relationships, but she had been getting strange looks from people and swore that they were gossiping about her for some strange reason. In the end Cameron had gone to the bathroom, certain that there must be something wrong with her hair or her clothes or something, but had looked in the mirror and seen nothing other than herself looking back, with immaculate hair as ever. Confident that she was overreacting she went back to work, subconsciously pulling her trousers up a little as she left.

Now, in the solitude of her own apartment she still could not understand what the problem was. Probably surprised that I came back after my break. I bet everyone thought I had caved in under the pressure. She laughed grimly to herself, knowing that this was entirely possible. She started rummaging through her fridge trying to find something to prepare for dinner, aware of the fact she wasn't at all hungry but knowing that her body needed nourishment. Nothing. She came up empty handed, and instead popped a few vitamin pills to compensate for what she didn't eat, and grabbed a Red Bull and a bottle of vodka out of the cupboard.

Just as she had settled down at her computer there was a knock at the door, followed a few second later by a series of loud raps which signalled one thing. House. Perfect. She opened the door, just as he was raising his cane for another barrage of knocks

"House, what are you doing?"

"I left my credit card and skeleton keys in the car, so I thought I'd knock this time" His voice held its normal sarcastic humour but she was sure she could sense something behind it, as if he was testing the waters.

Without waiting for an invitation he limped past her and into the apartment. Dipping her head with an angry resignation she closed the door, but stood facing it for few seconds, gathering her thoughts and deciding on a plan of action. She turned, and placed a suitably cheerful smile on her face before she spoke

"What can I do for you Doctor House, has there been any change in the patient?"

He narrowed his eyes at her, seemingly surprised at her change in attitude from this morning. The smile was still on her face as he scrutinised her and her surroundings, taking in the vodka on the kitchen side, as well he vitamin pills and the bin next to her desk containing a number of empty energy drink cans. He took in her appearance and raised his eyebrows slightly; the protrusion of her collar bone had grown even more pronounced than from the picture in the journal, as had the dark circles under her eyes and the pallor of her skin

"Would you like a coffee?" Her light and airy voice was grating on her own nerves as he gave a simple nod, and she turned to the kitchen. House noticed that subconscious hitching of the trousers again as she turned away from him, and he followed her into the kitchen.

He made a show of reading the label of the vodka bottle that was nearly empty,

"Vlanivird, how very Russian of you…. Bit early in the day though isn't it?" Cameron noticed the light sarcasm in his voice, but also the note of seriousness that it held

"Firstly, it's six pm and I've had a long day. Secondly, a little hypocritical wouldn't you say? From the man who keeps a bottle of whiskey in his office..."

"Ouch, touché."

"So anyway, the ANA came back positive, but the sedimentation rate wasn't high enough for a definitive solution, so id like to do a nerve biopsy….I still think its lupus though, Chase told me that she had freckles, but her skin tone isn't the type for them, so maybe it's a lighter version of malar- it is in the right place. Also from her medical history she was diagnosed with asthma years ago so I'd like to check into that…. Can you pass me the milk from the fridge please?"

He complied, turning to the fridge and opening it, aware that she was still talking. He was a little shocked to discover that her fridge was practically empty, save a couple of Budweiser's and the universal stash of jarred goods that everyone had but no one ate, instead leaving them for all eternity. He picked up the milk, noting its curdled appearance on the side of the plastic bottle

"Uh Cameron, your milk is like four days out of date"#

"Oh…I haven't done the shopping yet…Black coffee it is then." She handed him the mug nonchalantly and walked out to the lounge area sitting down o the couch facing him. He joined her, propping his cane up against the arm. He didn't speak; instead he chose to stare her down

"So, does Foreman still think it's a tumour?"

"MRI was clean" He hadn't come here to talk about the tests, but it was giving him chance to observe her and discover what she might be hiding. The two of them had settled into a peaceful silence when both beepers went of simultaneously, shocking them from their thoughts.

"Patients seizing, we gotta go. New symptom" His voice was back to business as she grabbed her coat.

"Seizures are the eight diagnostic criteria. Its lupus" He ignored her as they headed for their separate cars.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Cameron arrived a few minutes after House to be greeted by a smile from Chase, and a curt nod from Foreman causing her to smirk internally. He's sore about the article. Serves him right.

House emerged from his office with the patients file. Okay we know this much, patient started seizing and was given Carbamazepine. This controlled the seizures but patient has now been observed hallucinating, and her red cell count has dropped. One or both new symptoms may be a result of the Carbamazepine or the underlying condition.

Cameron's voice was the first to break in

"It has to be lupus; I still think we should consider the nerve biopsy befor pumping her full of useless drugs"

"It isn't lupus. It's never lupus- you only say that because you're an immunologist and it's all you know" Foreman's voice was harsher than necessary, but if Cameron was hurt or upset by it she sure as hell wasn't showing it.

"Whatever, I'm going to go and talk to the patient and find out about this asthma she has" With that she got up and left the room, with Chase and House watching her as she left. Foreman still had his eyes on the board

"That was a bit harsh don't you think?" Chase looked a little surprised at what Foreman had just said "First you go on about you not being her friend, and now insulting her medical ability? What is it with you two?"

"Oh, I think our Foreman is a little jealous, because Cameron's article got published in a better journal than his, not to mention the calls Cuddy has been receiving about her conferences" Houses voice was amused.

"She went behind your back too. You didn't authorise it! How many people do you think she slept with to get it authorised and published?"

Houses eyes narrowed dangerously, and Foreman wasn't stupid enough to admit he had stepped over the line with that comment and he was quick to speak before House did.

"Look, all I'm saying is that there are rules for a reason, and what she did was wrong. That's all." He turned and left the room, brushing past a curious Wilson who had been listening at the door. Chase followed silently to go and run some tests, knowing that this wasn't the best time to talk.