Title: Faded. (1/3)

Summary: She knew that she wasn't the person who she used to be. It scared the hell out of her. She still clung to her idealism, yet now, now she just felt like she was an on-looker, just watching herself from the outside and wondering where on earth she had gone. It's because of him.

Note: Spoilers for Euphoria. Takes place after PT 2.

Disclaimer: Don't own.

Rating: Hopefully, eventually R. I'm easing myself into this. But it will at least end up being an exceptionally strong PG-13, if not more if I can manage it ;)

A/N: This is my attempt to try and get back into long-storied fics. I really want to write one, but nothing seems to be working for me at the moment, so hopefully this will get me back in the hang of it and make my muse pop out something a little longer than a couple of chapters.

Faded

'I'm faded into someone else. Made me someone I don't want to be.'

1.

Her shoes pounded against the pavement as she ran. Her hair stuck to her face as she pulled it back in a rough pony tail before gaining speed and running faster through the park, her hair sweeping over her shoulder.

Running was a form of release for Allison Cameron. The simple feeling of the wind against her body and the pure adreniline that pumped through her as she ran, gave her a sudden boost and allowed her to get out all the pent up emotion that bottled up inside her on a daily basis.

Cameron ran past an old couple sitting on a bench in the park and for once in her life did not find herself gazing wistfully at them, imagining her life at that age. It was a subtle change, something that wasn't very significant to passers by. Yet to Cameron, it was a much bigger change. She knew that she wasn't the person who she used to be. It scared the hell out of her.

The recent events had taken it's toll on Cameron. She ran around her neighbourhood more regularly, just needing to get away from the burden of reality. She stood up for what she believed in, she stood up to House, and she made a decision that she knew could change Foreman's life forever. Yet she did it anyway. Another subtle change.

It's because of him,Cameron thought, wiping her forehead on her sleeve as she continued running out of the park and down the street. She knew that working with House for 2 and a half had brought out something in her that she didn't know she had possessed. Her willpower had become more strong and although she still got emotionally attatched, she was finally allowing herself to push it back and make a formal decision, no matter what her feelings were on the subject.

Cameron didn't feel like herself anymore. And it terrified her. She still clung to her idealism, yet now, now she just felt like she was an on-looker, just watching herself from the outside and wondering where on earth she had gone.

House realised this change, Cameron knew this much. The look on his face when they had argued on the staircase after Cuddy had left Cameron in charge told her everything she needed to know. She didn't want him to see her vulnerability, and although she knew that he could, she was using everything she had to put up a shield; to prevent him delving any further.

Cameron stopped out the front of her apartment and breathed heavily, her hands on her knees as she attempted to regulate her breathing. She was sick of over-analysing this. She was sick of wondering what had happened to her and why she was feeling like this. She shook her head, shaking all thoughts of House and herself out of her head as she walked up her steps and up to her apartment.

When she had reached upstairs, she opened her door and headed straight to the kitchen, opening up the refridgerator and grabbing a bottle of water. She tipped it back into her mouth and allowed the cool liquid to trickle down her throat and cool down her body. That's when she heard the knock at the door.

Cameron's eyebrows creased and she put the bottle on the sink, wiping her mouth and walking towards the door. She wasn't expecting anybody. And it was her day off. Yet when she opened the door she was faced with the only person who had the nerve to show up at her apartment on her days off.

House.

He raised his eyebrows at her dishevelled form and leaned against the doorframe. 'Little hot, Cameron?' He asked, smirking.

'I've been running,' She replied, rolling her eyes.

'Clearly,' House said, standing up straighter. 'You should go shower.'

Cameron shook her head. 'Yeah. Thanks,' She replied sarcastically.

'I'll wait,' House said, leaning against the wall and staring at her.

'What is it that you want?' Cameron asked, shaking her head and folding her arms.

House shrugged. 'If you go have a shower you'll find out,' He said, tapping his cane on the floor.

Cameron rolled her eyes and stared at him. 'Fine,' She said, closing the door and walking into her bathroom.

xxx xxx xxx

15 minutes later, Cameron had showered and towel-dried her hair, changing swiftly into a pair of jeans and a top. Grabbing her jacket and keys off the bench she opened her front door and saw House in the exact same position as he was before, tapping his cane in a swift rhythm on the carpet.

'Took you long enough,' He said when he saw her.

Cameron rolled her eyes. 'What do you want?'

House gestured his head down the stairs. 'Come on, we're leaving,' He said, before turning around and limping down the hall.

Cameron stared at his retreating form with aprehension. She had no idea where he intended to go or why he wanted her with him. Hesitation was overshadowed by curiosity, as Cameron gave a soft groan as she locked the door behind her and followed him down the hall.