Cameron wasn't having a good day. It was doomed from the start. When the alarm went off at its usual time, instead of getting up she laid there for a while thinking about calling in sick. She never once thought about calling in sick, even when she was ill. Work didn't sound appealing today.

Somehow, she found the motivation to swing herself out of bed and get ready. She put on a little less make up than usual; just enough to get by. Anything more would be wasted on what looked like a crappy day.

First she had a couple hours of clinic duty, then back to diagnostics for no doubt more work on Chase's patient. She arrived a little late, not too late for her shift, but right on time which was strange for her. She thought about showing up when she wanted just like House, but she wasn't ready to go that far even in her somber mood.

While going through mundane run of ailments in the clinic that morning, she tried to think about what was bothering her. She concluded by pure reason that the recent changes must be affecting her way more than she initially thought. There was nothing wrong with House being in charge and the rest of them following his lead. Why did that need to change? She knew the answer, so it was crazy for her to even ask herself that. Life goes on, people move ahead. Why can't she?

After the clinic shift Cameron slowly worked her way back to diagnostics. Oh what utter joy to be a doctor today, she acerbically thought. She wasn't prepared to find House standing there with white board marker in hand ready to start. She glanced across the table to share a look with Foreman who already absorbed his own surprise.

"What happened to your…?"

"Enough, I already had to explain it to Chase earlier. I'm back, get over it." House replied. "We need to talk about the future of our department."

"Shouldn't Chase be here?" asked Foreman.

"I'll have a different talk with him during our next secret meeting of the attendings only club. Anyway, it seems that our case load is going to be increased now. More will be expected from both of you. Chase and I will be running our own cases simultaneously and your time will be divided."

"How did this happen?" asked Cameron. "Did Cuddy approve this?"

"This was Cuddy's idea. If I had my way all of the cases would be going to Chase so I could sit there and watch all of you have at it. Blame Chase; I know I am. He had to go and do a great job on his case and now Cuddy thinks we can build this mega diagnostics department for all."

"Cuddy thinks he did a great job?" asked a surprised Cameron.

"Cuddy thinks he can walk on water now. Boy is she up for a major let down." House said sarcastically.

House then paused seriously to get back to the point of this conversation. "No, now is the time to officially step up. Cuddy's idea could likely go nowhere since her entire plan rests on both myself and Chase. That has disaster written all over it. However, opportunities could happen, and for two career-oriented doctors with huge ambitions it might be a chance to make something happen here. In other words, if you want to use diagnostics as a career move, now is the time to do it."

Foreman smiled at House over the prospect. Cameron looked down frowning and unsure.

"You two have to remember though that no matter what, you both still report to me and only to me. You have a problem with any case, mine or Chase's, you bring it to me. I'm still responsible for everything that happens in this department."

Cameron and Foreman both nodded in agreement.

"Of course I won't guarantee cooperation, but try anyway," said House. "Okay, it seems I don't have a case yet. How nice of Cuddy to take it easy on me on my first day back from vacation. Both of you need to do consults on Chase's patient, so now would be a good time."

Cameron glumly got up and left without saying a word. Foreman stuck behind to talk to House.

"What's up with her?" House asked Foreman.

"She isn't taking the transition very well," replied Foreman.

"She doesn't take anything well," countered House. "I just don't understand people that are miserable all the time."

Foreman flashed House a look of disapproval over the mocking comment. "You really think that Cuddy sees growth potential in this department?" he asked. "It has been just you for so long, why now?"

"Chase did so well and Cuddy actually believed he was the weakest of you three. If he could do it, then she thinks all of you can. That makes for a nice department to build a reputation with, especially since there are so few hospitals out there with diagnostic specialists. Hospital administrators and their hidden agendas. It sickens me."

"He's not the weakest," said Foreman.

"No, he isn't. I think you and I both know where the main problem with Cuddy's plan is." House pointed his head in direction of the hallway, where Cameron was standing examining a file.

"You still don't respect Chase," House continued. "How much of that will be a problem going forward?"

"I'm okay with it. Business is business and I won't let it interfere. I also have the luxury of time to see how this all plays out." Foreman candidly replied.

"I wish I could assure you it would be worth your while, because I don't know at this point if it will even be worth my while. There's certainly potential for administrative responsibilities since neither Chase nor I give a damn about managing a department. Cuddy did mention the term 'other doctors'."

That notion interested Foreman further. "I'll keep an open mind."

------------------------------

"Mrs. Anderson?"

"Yes," she replied.

"I'm Dr. Foreman. I work with Dr. Chase and will be performing a neurological consult."

"I have seen my fair share of neurologists," replied Estelle. "The last one told me..no I don't remember what the last one told me. It all becomes a blur after a while."

"How did you end up seeing so many doctors? I have to admit, I'm curious." Foreman asked.

"Usually people I work with would recommend one. There are so many bad doctors out there. I remember when my knee was hurting, it took me a couple of doctors to prescribe something for the pain, and that was usually after I had to pester them. One actually said my knees would only get better if I lost weight and gave up my job. He wouldn't prescribe any diet or pain pills though, so I had to find another doctor that would."

"All those drugs together aren't good for you. There are always alternate options to medication, especially for arthritis."

"That's what that young British doctor told me."

"He's Australian," replied Foreman with a little laugh. "He gets that all the time."

"He seems to be a nice, pretty young guy. What was his name again?" Estelle said in total confusion.

Foreman was slightly alarmed by her inability to remember her doctor's name. It confirmed what he suspected might be happening based on the MRI scan. "That's Dr. Chase. He's the one in charge of your care."

"Oh yes, that's right. You did say that earlier, didn't you?"

"Did any of the neurologists you spoke to look into memory problems?" asked Foreman.

"I'm not sure. I haven't seen one in a few years."

"We can't find any history that you have seen one at all. Did any of your doctors try to address it?"

"Sure, my psychiatrist," she replied. "He figured it was due to my depression and thyroid issues and gave me medication for it."

"Tell me about your head injury when you were a teenager," Foreman asked, trying to untangle more of the mysterious background that so occupied Chase for the last several days.

"I have always been bad with physical coordination. I was the only kid on the block that couldn't jump rope. I wanted to get real dressed up for the dance one night and put on those stiletto high heels. I was determined to look extra special since all the girls were wearing them. I started walking down the stairs, snagged the heel on the carpet and tumbled down the stairs. Next thing I remember I woke up in my bed with my mother sitting next to me."

"They didn't take you to a hospital?" a surprised Foreman asked.

"Heavens no. We lived in a very poor part of rural Pennsylvania. We couldn't afford food and clothing, let alone a doctor."

"No one noticed changes in your behavior, ability to make decisions, or anything different? Head injuries often require some type of rehabilitation therapy."

"No, because back then no one knew what a bumped head meant," replied Estelle. "I didn't die and I could walk and talk. That is all that mattered."

"I'm surprised that no one ordered an MRI or CAT scan of your brain before now. Are you sure you never been had one done?" Foreman asked.

"I had some sort of scan once, like an xray. A doctor suggested an MRI, but I'm very claustrophobic and wouldn't do it."

"There are open MRI machines. No one suggested that?"

"The doctor said it wasn't as effective so the scan would be just as good," Estelle commented. Foreman was rather impressed how well prepared she was with excuses. Too bad she was light on various information.

"That must have been a few years ago because they have gotten much better," observed Foreman. "A CAT scan wouldn't have shown in detail the abnormalities we got from the MRI from a couple of days ago. We now have a pretty good idea of what is happening. I just have nothing prior to compare it to. Another thing we noticed on the MRI was small blood clot in your brain. We will have to fix that soon. I'm hoping it will be a simple and quick procedure that Dr. Chase can perform."

"One of my doctors told me I was at risk for a stroke and put me on blood thinners. They didn't work?"

"They don't shrink the clot. They just make the flow of blood easier."

"I didn't know that. I never asked what the pills actually did. I couldn't keep it all straight. I figured it was all good."

"Thank you Mrs. Anderson," Foreman said as he got up to leave. "You have given me what I need to know."

"Pleasure meeting you Dr. Foreman," Estelle replied.

Foreman knew it wasn't a good sign that she could remember his name and not Chase's, as well as remember some details about doctor visits and not others. It confirmed his diagnosis. It was time to have a serious talk with Chase.

-------------

Cameron came back to the conference room to check some email. She needed something to do to help her with her blue funk. She was just nasty to a patient that so deserved it, but she knew to bite her tongue in those situations. She just wasn't in the mood for self-control today.

"I blame myself," House said as he walked into the room after noticing her alone. "I haven't pushed you hard enough."

Cameron was a little surprised by the candid delivery, but not phased. "You challenge me all the time, plus you always manage to deliver one nasty and degrading comment after another. How could you push harder?"

"I have humored you for too long, waiting for you to take yourself seriously. Instead all I get is this emotional crap. I spent all my good abuse on Chase. I should have saved some for you too. I let you think you were extraordinary."

Cameron was unimpressed by his admission of fault. She wasn't in the mood for patronizing right now. "I'm assuming this is regarding Cuddy's plan for the department. I thought we covered your concerns in my review."

"We are going through it again. I want to be sure we are exactly clear on where you stand." House replied.

"If I recall correctly, you hired me because I was pretty," said Cameron, who by this time was feeling very edgy. "You even told me I didn't have to work hard because of my looks and chastised me for doing so anyway. So, being pretty was enough to get me a job, but not a promotion? What happened, did you grow tired of me?"

"Don't give me that," House fired back. "You have never wanted to be judged on your looks. The idea offends you to no end. You want to be judged on your merits. Here I am, giving you what you want. You aren't measuring up."

"You promoted Chase even though he was a total screw up. I'm willing to bet he was judged on his looks." Cameron was in full attack mode now.

"There you go, doing exactly what is holding you back. You respond to adversity with immaturity instead of acting like an adult. Just grow up." House scolded. "This isn't about Chase or Foreman, and the fact that you still don't realize that each member of the team doesn't get judged the same tells me you still have learned nothing from me. I can't pull your head out of your ass for you."

Cameron scoffed at House, thus indicating to him that she was taking his criticism with full belief that he was just being an ass.

"The fact is it has been over a year and a half and you have not learned what you should," continued House. "You are tougher, but not tough enough. You still have those high moral double standards that get in the way of doing your job. You still are too emotionally attached to where you are a prime candidate for burnout by the time you are forty. If you haven't learned by now from watching me, Foreman, and yes even Chase, then you never will."

"So this is you pushing harder?" Cameron asked angrily.

"No, this is me giving up. Time to make other plans."

House left the office abruptly leaving Cameron alone in shock. She had pushed House's buttons before, but she never pushed him this far. He was trying to show somewhat skewed humility and she responded by being a bitch. Maybe it was time to make other plans.