ok i know i don't usually do author's notes before...or at all...but i'd just really like to apologize for how short this chapter is. but i had to get it out tonight before bed. so sorry, and i promise length in the future!
"Where's Cameron?"
"She's…sick," House answered distractedly. Foreman lifted an eyebrow, but did not question further. He wasn't exactly sure what was going on between House and Cameron, but ever since House's sister showed up, he had seen the changes. The way House and Cameron would stare at each other, a tiny smile form on each of their lips, or the way House hardly put as much energy into belittling everyone. Foreman was pretty sure he was the only suspicious one.
"Sorry I'm late," Cameron breathed as she came into the room. House glared at her, Foreman glared at him.
"I thought you were staying home sick," House said edgily. He wouldn't say it, but he had been worried about Cameron that morning. And if he got too protective over her, Forman would get ideas.
"Changed my mind." She shrugged it off, as if it was nothing, and unpacked her computer. "Where's Chase?" Foreman and House exchanged a glance.
"He's…got a patient," Foreman said. Cameron looked like she didn't believe him, but decided to let it go. "Actually, I should go help him." Foreman smiled slightly, and left the conference room for the elevators.
"You were an inch from death this morning," House said quietly. "I told you to stay home."
"I'm fine," she replied, glaring at him. "Honestly, it was just your lasagna. Really." She sounded slightly defensive, She moved across the room to get herself a cup of coffee. "So where is Chase?"
"He has a patient. Like Foreman said." House took the full cup from her hands. Cameron rolled her eyes and reached for another mug.
"House," she warned, suggesting that he stop screwing with her. House sighed, looking down at his coffee.
"It's Lisa." Cameron froze.
"You were worried that I'd freak out," she said levelly.
"She'll be fine. Just some problems with her blood pressure." He was mumbling now, which was doing nothing to comfort Cameron. House noticed her hands trembling slightly, and he wrapped his arms around her. "I swear to you, they'll both be fine." She nodded, fighting back tears. She felt so safe in his arms, breathing in his scent. He rubbed a hand over her back, resisting the urge to rip her cloths off. It was neither the time nor the place for that.
"House?" The two started, immediately stepping away from each other. "Sorry…I didn't mean to interrupt…" Wilson's face was sunken, with dark circles imprinted under his eyes. "Lisa wants to talk to you." Cameron's fingers enclosed around his wrist tightly.
"Oh. Sure." He turned to Cameron who had become pale. "Come on." He placed his arm possessively around her shoulder and led her from the room, close behind Wilson. He quickly realized what a sight this might have been for any passersby, but he felt that if there was ever a time to take their relationship public, this would be it. Cameron's well-being was more important to him than his sanity. Though it still was an immense relief to him to find the hallway to Cuddy's room was deserted.
Cuddy looked so fragile, lying back in her bed. Her dark hair fell limp around her face. Chase and Foreman stared only a moment too long at the arm draped around Cameron's shoulder.
"What?" House snarled.
"Nothing," they both answered.
"Greg," Cuddy intervened weakly. House turned his attention on his boss. The two male ducklings squeezed past Wilson and left the two couples alone in the room. "I want to have a C-section." The silence buzzed around the room. Wilson was fidgeting by the door. "I'm worried about preeclampsia. The baby is due in less than two weeks anyway. I'd rather…I'd rather…" Her voice cracked, and Wilson took over.
"She'd rather have the surgery than risk getting sick." Cuddy nodded.
"Have you asked your obstetrician?" House asked. He could not figure out why she wanted his advice.
"Not yet. I want your OK first."
"Lisa I really think-"
"Please, Greg," she begged. "Tell me it's OK. Tell me I'm gonna be OK." House shifted, aware of all three pairs off eyes on him.
"Do what you think you need to do," he sighed.
Cameron sat on the toilet, lid closed, clutching the flat bit of plastic in her hands. She couldn't believe that this was what it had come to. If House knew…. No. House did not need to know. It was a fluke. A fluke. That was all. Never mind the fact that she hadn't had her period yet. She refused to let her mind run away from her.
Her hands shook as the little strips of color boldened against the pasty white.
Oh, shit.
Cameron viciously wrapped the test in layers of toilet paper and dropped it in the trashcan beside House's toilet. She had no idea what she was going to do, but she had to do something.
She just had no idea what.
