It was time for Allison Cameron to come home. She had called Cuddy from the airport before her flight left asking for a ride.
"We'll miss you Ali!" Sam called as Cameron boarded the plane. "Please write!"
"I will! I promise!"
She got on the plane and took her seat. Almost instantly, Cameron was asleep.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have finished our flight. Please wait for the captain to turn off the seatbelt sign before exiting the plane." The voice over the intercom woke Cameron. She rubbed her eyes and grabbed her carry-on bag. The woman across the aisle smiled at her and motioned for her to go ahead.
As she stepped of the plane, her face turned bright red. There, waiting for her, were Cuddy, Foreman, Chase, Wilson, House, and a giant banner that read 'WELCOME HOME CAMERON!'
She ran up to them and gave each one a hug… except House. She glared at him and he shrunk back.
On the drive home, when they were alone, Cuddy asked her,
"Cameron, why are you being so cold to House? He was the first to jump at the chance to get you at the airport, you know."
"He's an ass."
"Uh, yeah. But he's an ass that really missed his favorite duckling." Cameron tried to hold it in, but two tears escaped her.
"He- He sent me a letter."
"Oh, Allison, what did he do to you? I can make him do your clinic hours if you want"
Cameron laughed slightly "He makes me do his though, so I'd end up doing them anyways. It's just that… it was really a sweet letter." She pulled it out of her pocket. The writing was barely legible. Partially because of his handwriting, but mostly because there were tear stains blurring the words.
Cuddy parked outside Cameron's apartment and read the letter.
"Oh my God" was all she could say. "He really does love you."
"No, he doesn't. He doesn't even like me. He probably just got bored and decided to screw with me…" she looked at the amused look on Cuddy's face. "You know what I mean." Cuddy shook her head.
"Uh, uh. He isn't making fun of you Cameron. Remember that date you had?" she rolled her eyes. Saying that hadn't gone well would be a major understatement. Her reply was shy and quiet
"Yeah"
"He wore the sky blue shirt. The date meant something to him, otherwise he wouldn't have taken my suggestion. And he wouldn't have gotten the corsage; Wilson told a nurse in the clinic… word gets around."
"Look- I'd better go inside… unpack, you know."
"Right- Well, if you need anything, just ask." Cuddy smiled, and added, "You may not get it, but it's worth a try." The two laughed shortly, Cameron waved goodbye, and entered her building.
"Didn't you get my letter? Cameron, call me. Please." Her message machine spoke in House's voice and she sighed. She'd have to face him sometime. Just as she picked up the phone, there was a knock on her door. She figured she had forgotten something in Cuddy's car, and opened the door smiling. When she saw who it was, however, her smile quickly faded.
"Oh my God. What are you doing here House?"
"Didn't you get my messages?"
"Yes." She glanced away from him, at the floor, and back to him again. "I was just about to call."
"So… did you get my letter?"
Cameron's voice was icy when she responded "yes."
"Well, then, why… don't you feel the same way?"
"Jesus, House! You just don't stop do you? First you send me a letter mocking me, and then you come over and make me feel even worse! And how did you get Cuddy to agree to co-operate in your little scheme? You can only push a person so far! And even if hell froze over and you actually did mean what you said, why couldn't you have told me when I was actually in a position where I could do something?"
"I didn't mean to send the stupid letter okay! Stupid Wilson did it! And I wasn't mocking you! Damn it, Allison, I thought maybe… I guess I'm too late." He sounded hopeful as he added "Am I?"
Cameron let her hands fall from her hips. She glanced at the floor then up at him. Cautiously she lifted her hands to his shoulders and gently pulled herself up to his level, or at least as close as she could get without leaving the ground. He knew what was coming, but was somehow surprised when it did. With his free arm he pulled her close to him, and she apparently had no problem with it. After what seemed to him as forever, but at the same time not quite long enough, he released his hold on her and she did the same.
The two were silent for about a minute before Cameron let out a quiet "No"
House's slight smile faded dramatically as he asked "Cuddy knows about the letter?"
A/N: This is the last real chapter, but I think I will write an epilogue. What do you think?
