They ate breakfast slowly; enjoying the quiet chatter they were able to produce, "House, about last…" House cut her off
"The hardest thing in life I feel is to hear how badly you're screwing up, especially when the person telling you is a gorgeous young doctor" House muttered
"It's not half as bad as hearing someone's dieing or dead" Cameron sighed, flashes of last nights fight still fresh in her mind
"No, probably not, doesn't mean you should become like me though" House smirked, "I only ever have enough scotch for two people, me and Wilson, last night was a one off"
Cameron smiled, absently scanning the rooms, her eyes landed on the black box sitting perfectly on the coffee table, "What's that? It wasn't there last night" Cameron asked
"Something that should be burnt and buried, never to grace the light again" House murmured
"Then why is it in the lounge now?" Cameron asked getting up, House watched as she walked towards it, her delicate fingers gently picking it up. "Heavy, what's in it?"
"Always the curious, nothing of importance" House rose taking the box out of her hands
"You're the curious one; if it's nothing of importance can I open it?" Cameron took the box back
"One night in my bed doesn't qualify you for the information that may be spilled from this box, think of Pandora…only House" House made to snatch the box back
"No, but putting up with you for two years, one unofficial date and an official date, also including your insults and the fight I witnessed yesterday…I say I'm qualified" Cameron kept the box from House
"I say you're not! Now give me!" House went to snatch the box again, almost falling over, "You know tormenting the disabled in some states is illegal!"
"So is harassment, don't see me crying to Cuddy" House sighed, limping to the couch and waving her over.
"Alright, tell anyone of this and you will be banned from my box, my house and my car!" House threatened, smiling slightly when Cameron crossed her heart.
Cameron held her breath as House slid the key into the box, slowly clicking open the box. She could see on top a small stack of letters, House pulled them out and closed the box again, "You once asked me, or it could have been Wilson, why I was such a miserable twerp…no must have been Wilson, you're too nice to use twerp. Anyhow, read this letter" House handed her the letter from the top of the stack.
Gregory,
You have to come home, I know what I'm asking is a hard thing for you to do, considering you're now a famous doctor, but I'm begging you! Your sister has been in a car crash, she died instantly, and everything is a mess here! Your mother hasn't left her bed in days, the doctor is saying she may never be able to leave the house again, now please come home!
Dad
He watched her face for any expression; he could clearly see pain, worry and something else he couldn't define. "What happened?" It was a simple question, one that he would pay dearly for later.
"She was hit by a truck driver, he was having troubles staying awake because of his new medication" House explained
"Oh, were you two close, you and your sister I mean?" she asked softly
"Very" House whispered, "That's not the worse part, I prescribed the truck driver the new medication, expecting him to take a break and see how they affected him. He claimed his boss threatened to fire him unless he drove that run" Cameron watched in awe at the first truly unguarded moment House had with her. "That's why I don't trust patients"
Cameron just sat and let House talk, she didn't realize that the fight last night had effected him in such a dramatic way, in truth it was freaking her out; House being an open and honest person for a few moments.
'RING! RING! RING! RING!'
"Are you going to answer that?" Cameron asked
"What? Oh no the answering machine will get it" House replied staring off into space, and as he said moments later the answering machine picked up.
'You've reached me; I'm not home, not surprising though; I'm a doctor! Please do me a favor don't leave your name and number because if you aren't Wilson how the hell did you get this line?'
"Still a charming recording House, get up I'm coming around and I don't want to be greeted with a hung over cripple!" Wilson's voice shattered their silence, "By the way, I heard from Stacey about your fight last night, don't make that face or scowl, she said you were overly harsh to her. I'll be there in three…two…one"
'KNOCK! KNOCK!'
"House I know you're in there!" Wilson called through the door
"Coming, give the cripple a chance!" House called leaning on the doorframe and opening the door, "Any particular reason why you're here? Well, besides her"
"Actually yes and no; have you seen Cameron?" Wilson asked, sighing when House made a vacant face, "You know, about this high, long brown hair, green eyes…object of your affection?" House slammed the door shut on Wilson's smiling face, "Alright I'm sorry, come on House! Chase was after her for some odd reason, and he called me…like I would know!"
House reopened the door, "Did he give a reason for wanting her?" House asked keeping the door mostly shut, blocking the lounge room.
"Something about her supposed to have gone out with Foreman and himself last night and she didn't turn up" Wilson explained, he watched as House turned away from the door.
"You actually socialize with them outside work? I thought the lunch was cute, but you drink with them? With Chase!" Wilson was bemused, pushing the door open further, finally seeing Cameron perched on the arm of House's favorite chair.
"Ah…the case of the missing doctor is solved! Always knew you had a soft spot for her House" Wilson joked
"Thank you Jimmy" House smiled painfully behind him causing Cameron to laugh
'BRING BRING'
"Doctor Wilson. No I haven't found Cameron yet" Wilson motioned for Cameron to shush, "Actually I'm at his place now, no I wouldn't recommend asking yourself he's hung over. Yes Chase if I see her I'll call you, bye" Wilson hung up the phone, "Are you sure you're not dating him? He's worse than Julie!"
"No! I said no when he first asked, no again when he asked a second time! The guys worse than my mother, and trust me you don't want to meet her!" Cameron exploded
House couldn't help but laughing at Cameron's red face, Wilson looked at him weird, "What have you done? Where is the real Gregory House?" This time Cameron burst out laughing, "Trust me, that's him, only last night we were fighting"
'KNOCK KNOCK'
"Whatever you're selling I don't want any!" House called
"House it's Chase, open up!" Chase called through the door
House and Wilson glanced at Cameron, "You take the girl and stash her in the first room, and I'll distract the Brit!" House whispered ushering them out of the room, "Coming!" House opened the door, "What do you want?"
"Cameron, where is she? She's not at her place, Wilson hasn't seen her, so you've got her" Chase surmised
"Well sorry to burst your little bubble you had going there, but I haven't seen Cameron since work yesterday" House replied
"Can I come in and see for myself?" Chase asked skeptical
"This is my place, but if it would get rid of you faster, by all means" House opened the door ushering him in as Wilson came out of the hallway
"Chase, I told you she wasn't here" Wilson replied, "Since when have I become the lying doctor? That's his specialty"
"So neither of you has seen her?"
"For the millionth time Doctor Chase, no we haven't seen her!" Wilson got abnormally annoyed
"Ok, ok sorry but it's not like her to miss a drink night" Chase backed up
"Since when did you become her keeper?" House asked narrowing in, "Oh…it looks like the British Doctor has a thing for our young female" House mocked; "Now if you're satisfied, I'm still tired and would like you to leave"
"Alright, see you Monday" Chase let himself out.
House and Wilson let out a collective sigh as Cameron opened the door, "Is he gone?" she whispered
"Barely" House replied