Chappie Four! I really didn't know if a heart to heart between Cameron and Cuddy would be a good thing or not, but I enjoyed writing it. I think that Cuddy would be a nice person to talk to and Cameron, although she is a bit 'out of character' in this chapter, I think, really gets along with Cuddy. So, it's like an older sister type thing, in a way. I don't think I know how to describe it, so I'm just going to let you read! Enjoy and let me know what you think!

Worthiness

"So, why do I always find you in his office? Why is it that, whenever I look for you, you're in House's office? It's getting a little suspicious."

The two women were in the cafeteria, sipping the coffee Cuddy had bought. Cameron had brought her handbag, but Cuddy had pushed that away, saying it was her treat. Cameron was appreciative, but embarrassed. The head of the hospital shouldn't be treating her to lunch. Cuddy's shoes were too big for her and Cameron was pushing them around with her toes under the table.

"I don't- I don't even really know," she stuttered, staring into the chocolate brown of the coffee in her cup, avoiding Cuddy's eyes.

"Don't-" Cuddy cut herself off and took a deep breath before continuing. "You don't need to lie to me, Allison. Just talk to me."

"Even though House is basically the cause of the drama in this hospital-" Cuddy nodded in agreement "-I can't help but think that he is the ship that keeps us all afloat. He yells and can be so nasty sometimes and has nothing nice to say, but being around him is calming."

Cameron took a sip of her coffee as Cuddy wondered to herself why Cameron would consider House an 'emotional anchor' when the man was so unstable. Cameron continued as she put her coffee cup down.

"Just sitting in his office is a calming thing. I prefer doing my work there because I can concentrate. If he walks in, I leave, but-"

"I can't give you House's office. Unless he really messes up and-"

"I know, but it's not the office itself. I thinks it's because it belongs to House."

There was an uncomfortable silence as Cuddy stirred her coffee and Cameron pretended to be very interested in her hands.

"Why would you go to him, though, knowing he was in a crappy mood?"

"Because I don't want him to take it out on anyone else. I can deal with it if he needs to take his anger out on someone, but that someone should be me. Foreman and Chase would just get upset and make it worse, the patients would complain, Wilson is never around for these things, and you wouldn't allow him to vent on you. You would give him new problems, no offense meant."

"None taken. I understand, but I have to say I don't agree with your way of thinking. You shouldn't let him do that. If he needs to vent his anger, fine, but you need to just leave him alone when he's mad. Taking it out on you now doesn't guarantee he won't take it out on someone else later. If you want the truth, I have to say that what you're doing is pretty twisted. You can't let him punish you for his own mistakes. It won't do anything but hurt you both, okay? You're worth more than that. I know the shoe was an accident, but don't hesitate to tell me if anything happens that isn't an accident."

Cuddy patted Cameron's hand as Cameron's pager went off.

"I have a patient," she said, slipping on the borrowed shoes and taking one last sip of her coffee. "Thanks, Lisa."

"Anytime, Allison, anytime," Cuddy muttered with a smile, watching Cameron walk out of the cafeteria. She needed to have a talk with House.


There we are with the end of the fourth chapter. I don't want to imply that House would abuse Cameron or anyone else, but I like using every possibility available. Thanks for reading and please review!