Chapter 2

Cameron led her way down the hall to the elevators. Her tears were drying on her cheeks now and she used the sleeve of her lab coat to wipe them away. She's couldn't believe House would say something like that. Okay, so maybe could believe it, but what she didn't understand was why she was acting the way she was. Crying when the schoolyard bully pulls on your pigtails and laughs. Maybe she still had feelings after all. Oh hell, she was definitely in love with the doctor.

The down button lit up when she pressed it. Cameron waited a whole three seconds before the soft ding sounded and the doors opened.

Mali stood inside, leaning against the silver walls as she chewed her gum.

Cameron caught herself from entering and stared at Mali.

"There's room. You coming?" The young blonde raised an eyebrow and cracked her gum.

Cameron thought to be the better person and not let House's new, young thing get to her. "Yes." She nodded her head slightly and joined Mali.

Mali glanced at her before pushing the close buttons before the doors could willingly do it themselves. Then she leaned back into her original position, staring at Cameron and chewing her gum, noisily.

"So, why the red eyes? Upset about something?"

Cameron had to stop herself from looking around to see if other people were in the elevator with them. She wanted to look to see if maybe Mali wasn't talking to her. Yes, she had the red eyes and was upset, but why was this girl talking to her?

"Allergies. Really bad this time of season."

"Huh."

The elevator was taking forever. Still five floors away from Cameron's destination. Where was Mali going?

"So, how long have you been working for Doctor House?"

Cameron sighed and closed her eyes. Why did Mali have to be in this same elevator at the same time Cameron was in it? And why the hell couldn't there be anyone else tagging along for the ride?

"Four years."

"Wow. That's pretty long. Have you had a crush on him the whole time?"

That was probably the last straw for Cameron. Either that, or Mali hit a nerve.

"I don't think that's any of your business?"

"It could be. I mean, I am dating the guy, and you work with him on a daily basis, so I just wanna know if there are going to be problems."

"Like what kind of problems? Because the only problem I see right now is you and your pesky twenty questions."

Mali smirked, almost the same way House would, and cracked her gum away. "So, you still have feelings for him. Huh. I don't blame ya, though, just keep your hands off of him." Mali turned away now, totally bored with the girl.

Cameron figured there was one more straw to be pulled. She turned to fully face Mali, arms crossed over her chest and full-glare in motion.

"Can I ask you one thing?"

"Sure." Mali shrugged her shoulders. Maybe if it's long and full of medical terms she could ignore it till her stop arrived.

"Why is House dating you and not me?"

That was completely unexpected and threw Mali off. She did have an answer, however.

"Maybe because I'm prettier."

"Or you're a slut."

"Hey now, calm down." Mali looked at Cameron, a pout forming. "I didn't say you weren't pretty, just that I was prettier. You see?"

"But you're younger than me?"

"I'm twenty-one."

"Yes, exactly! He's old enough to be your older!"

"Yours too, but I don't see that bothering you."

"It's different with me."

"Why? Because you're a doctor?" Mali rolled her eyes.

"It's complicated."

"Which is code for 'you don't have answer'. Heh. I catch on quick."

Cameron sighed. This blonde was smarter than she thought. "Listen, I'll make a deal with you. You stop flaunting yourself with House in front of people, and I'll stay out of your way."

Mali gave Cameron a quick glance and shrugged her shoulders. "We both like PBA. I'll have to talk to House about that. In the meantime, you destination awaits you."

Cameron turned to see the elevators doors have opened to her floor. She wanted to stay on the elevator, though, maybe get her answer or throw a few punches. But instead, she just sighed and walked off. It was tempting to look back at Mali, watching her smug face disappear behind the closing doors, but all Cameron did was walk away quickly and listen to the doors close.

Mali watched her until the doors closed, fully prepared to give the middle finger if she turned around. But she didn't, she instead she was left to pout and wait until another opportunity presented itself.

Her stomach rumbled and when the doors opened she was happy to be heading to the cafeteria. It wasn't the best food, but it would hold her over until Wilson's cooked meal tonight.

The oncologist himself, speaking of the handsome man, was in line already choosing between a salad or turkey sandwich.

"Dr. Wilson? I need a consult."

Wilson turned sharply. "Yes, about what?" He didn't recognize the voice.

"On whether the turkey looks to dry or the roast beef is too moist?" Mali held up both sandwiches and gave Wilson her most thoughtful expression.

Wilson just rolled he eyes. "Well, I was actually thinking about getting the turkey myself…"

"Roast beef it is." Mali placed the sandwich on Wilson's tray and headed for the sodas. Wilson grabbed a turkey sandwich and did the same.

"House doesn't want anything."

"That's cause he stole your pasta from the fridge this morning. He's secretly eating it in his office right now."

"Oh my god, I was wondering where that went!"

"Yep." Mali placed a coke on Wilson's tray and grabbed a bag of chips. She opened the bag and stuffed a couple into her mouth.

Wilson chose a diet coke for himself and led the way to the checkout. Mali kept on going, however. "I'll go get us a table!" And off she went, leaving Wilson to pay for her food.

If House wasn't bad enough, Mali was worse. At least House took Wilson's chips and he didn't have to pay for two bags. Wilson handed the lady a twenty, received his change, and made his way to the table Mali had gotten pretty comfortable at. The chips were already eaten and as soon as the tray made contact with the table she grabbed her sandwich.

"So, tell me Dr. Wilson, why does Cameron hate me so much?"

"She's doesn't hate you." Wilson opened his sandwich and began adding mustard.

"She's not around. It's okay now to say she does."

Wilson finished with the mustard and started fussing with arranging the sandwich so when he took a bite he wouldn't have anything to worry about being left on his mouth.

"Why do you think she hates you?"

"Because I'm dating House and she's not. Jeez, Jimmy, do I have to spell it out for you!"

"Okay, so, Cameron may be a little jealous, but that doesn't mean she hates you."

"She called me a slut." Mali took a big bite out of her sandwich.

"Really?"

"Yep."

"Today?"

"No, four months ago when I didn't know her."

Wilson rolled his eyes and opened his soda. "Well, what did you call her?"

"Nothing."

Wilson gave her a look.

"I swear!"

"So, just out of the blue she called you a slut?"

"Pretty much." Mali pushed the sandwich to the side. She suddenly wasn't as hungry as she thought she was. Her stomach changed its mind.

"Are you going to tell House?"

"What are you, in kindergarten?"

"With House? Yeah, it's pretty much like dealing with a five-year-old."

"I'm not going to go running to Greg every time I have a run in with Cameron and things aren't all yellow daises and butterflies. I can handle things myself, Jimmy. Have some confidence in me; I slept with House every night, for cryin' out loud."

"Okay. Just don't leave any marks."

"Ohh, you saw the hickey? And he told me it wasn't noticeable!"

"I mean on Cameron!" Wilson rolled his eyes. "Don't punch her or get into a cat fight, whatever."

Mali laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"Cat fight! She's nothing but a mouse!"

"Who's a mouse?" Jayden Paluso made her entrance into the conversation and took a seat next to her boyfriend.

"Cameron."

"Hey." Wilson gave her a peck on the cheek and offer her some of his sandwich.

"No thanks. I just had a protein shake."

Wilson shrugged his shoulders and decided that was a good time to get a bite in.

"Uh, James? Could we talk about something?" Jayden gave Mali a quick glance, who took that as a sign asking her to leave them alone for a second. Mali respected the request and gathered her stuff.

"I'm gonna go see what the grumpy doctor is up to. See you two later."

Wilson and Jayden said goodbye as they watched her leave.

"Okay, so what's up?" Wilson pushed his food to the side and turned to look directly at Jayden.

"I talked to my parents earlier."

"Really? How are they?"

"They're doing great. They just finished the new addition like I was telling you about."

"That's good. You said they had been working on that for awhile."

"Yeah, so, my mom was talking about it and she thought that maybe I could come visit for a while. Like four, five days."

"Oh? Well, if you want to go you should. I mean, you haven't seen your parents and sisters since you moved out here."

"Yes, well, you know how I've been telling them about you?"

Wilson nodded his head.

"My mom suggested that I bring you along."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah! What do you think?"

Wilson rubbed his neck and sighed. Five days? Five days out of town with his girlfriend, away from the hospital and House, under the roof of parents he probably has more in common with then his girlfriend?

"How many days do you wanna stay for?"

"At least four, if that's okay."

"When?"

"I was thinking about leaving Wednesday."

"Okay, okay." Wilson went through his mental schedule. "I'll have to cancel a couple of appointments and get a doctor to cover me, and I'm sure Cuddy will give me the time off."

"Really! You'll go with me!"

Wilson nodded his head, smiling. "Yeah, it'll be fun." Or as fun as it actually can be.

"Oooh! Thank you so much!" Jayden threw her arms around Wilson and kissed him. Wilson returned the kiss, blushing a little from the looks he knew he was getting.

When they separated, Jayden couldn't stop smiling. "My parents are going to love you."

Wilson could only nod his head and keep on smiling.

This was going to be interesting.