A/N: I want to thank J.Daisy for betaing once again. Please don't hate me for taking so long in between updates. I'm going to be posting this on my yahoo list, because I've had this chapter done for several days now and wasn't able to post it. So the fastest way to get new chapters now will be on my list. This doesn't mean that I won't continue to update, it juts means that if there are issues with posting, the new chapters are going to be on the list. :-) 

Chapter 12

Monday Morning

Cameron and House had been running behind this morning, which resulted in Cameron strapping in Charlie to her car seat while House ran--or limped--back to retrieve her lab coat. She didn't notice which one that he had grabbed until she turned back from the coffee pot and heard Chase's startled intake of breath and looked down at her coat.

"You married him?" he said after finally finding his voice.

"No, we're engaged." Cameron said with a smile. She still couldn't believe that House had asked her to marry him.

"You still don't have a ring." Foreman stated.

"Ring bad. She could get some sort of killer bacteria and pass it on the patients." House grunted as he entered from his office

"That's why doctors wear gloves, House; so they don't pass on bacteria to their patients." Foreman told him.

"You knew they got engaged?" Chase asked looking at Foreman.

"Yeah, I saw the lab coat when we moved them on Saturday. I told House then that he should get her a ring.

"Ahh, Dr. Cuddy, right on time," House greeted her. "Now all we have to do it wait for Wilson."

"House, why did you want me to be here? You didn't go something stupid did you?" Cuddy asked after a moment of noticing that no one was working on a case.

"Unless you count him giving Cameron an engagement lab coat, then no," Chase responded snidely.

"You got engaged?" Cuddy said, forgetting about the lab coat part. "Congratulations! Maybe she'll be able to get to you work on time and your attitude will improve."

"Doubtful," Cameron muttered.

"House, what was so important?" Wilson asked, scanning the room as he entered.

"It's come to my attention via several unnamed people," House said even though he was looking at Wilson and Foreman, "that even though it may have appeared I wasn't paying attention, that Cameron needs a ring. And even though she said yes with the lab coat, I have decided that she does in fact need an outward sign to ward off those who don't work within the hospital."

"Just because the guy at the grocery store-" Cameron started.

"The fool at the grocery store thought I was your father. So," he said, "here's a ring." He finished by tossing her a small black box and walked back to his office before Cuddy could impose clinic duty.

The group waited for Cameron to open the box, but all she did was pocket it and follow House into his office.

"Well, that was totally predictable, after the 'engagement lab coat'." Wilson said before leaving for an appointment.

---------------------------------------------------------------- "House,I don't need a ring. I thought I told you that on Saturday." Cameron said as the door closed behind her in House's office.

"Yes you do. For two different reasons: 1) So people know to keep way and 2) because you seemed disappointed that I hadn't gotten you one. If you choose not to wear the ring, I'm getting you a t-shirt that says 'Taken, if you hit on me my fiancé will beat the crap out of you.' What do you think about that?"

"Will you help me put it on?"

"Did your hand stop working? Have you even looked at it yet?"

"No, I didn't want an audience when I saw it."

"Well, look at it."

Cameron retrieved the box from her pocket and slowly opened the box while looking at House. House huffed and got up from his chair, setting his gameboy down on his desk.

"This was my grandmother's. My mom sent it to me for Stacy, but the ring was too small for her. My mom said that I could pull the setting and reset it. Only I had this voice in the back of my mind saying that the one that was meant for me will fit the ring." He said pulling the ring from it's nestled spot, "I have never measured your finger, but I know that this will fit you. Also, I never proposed to Stacy."

Cameron gave him a small smile as he slid the ring on to her finger. It fit perfectly. Once it was resting on her finger she finally gave the ring a good look. The ring was an antique setting, probably the original, with a round cut diamond. The band seemed to swirl around the diamond. Along the band were tiny inset rubies.

"Greg," she gasped, "it's beautiful. Are you sure you want me to have your grandmother's ring?"

"Yes. Also, if you repeat any of what I told you, I'll deny it. I'm having an off day. I'll be in the clinic for a few patients until I get back in my groove." House said as he tried to push past her to leave. She caught his arm, lightly kissed his cheek and whispered that she loved him too.

Fat-Fingered Stacey says leave a review. In the next installment…we may or may not meet Cameron's parents, something may or may not happen to Cameron's ring and House may or may not be watching Ranch House on pbs…yes I am slightly obsessed w/ those kinds of TV show….I LOVED the pioneer ones.