Disclaimer: I DON'T own them, okay? Why must you people force me to remember that!
A/N: Okies, thanks to everyone who reviewed. I feel so special! hugglez reviewers and gives you all candy See? There are perks to reviewing. So be sure you do. Or else I won't continue... Bwa ha ha! Now, go read this chapter. I might change the rating to M for smut in later chapters... if y'all want. Tell me if you do. Now... read!
When House finally arrived at Cameron's apartment it was 9:00, and he was slightly unsure of what to do. 'Come on House! This is Cameron. She loves you!' He relaxed, and raised his cane to rap on the door.
Allison Cameron was startled by the sudden knocking at the door. She had been curled up comfortably on her couch, a box of tissues and a rather large book on her lap. She winced, a hunch forming of who was at her door. She closed the book, placing in on the coffee table. She did the same with the tissue box.
Rising, she decided to make sure. "Who is it?" she asked wearily.
"Who do you think?" a voice responded gruffly, and she opened the door just slightly. She placed her face in the crack to peer at who it was.
"Dr. House?" she mumbled. "I'd prefer if you'd leave…" She tried to shut the door, but his cane appeared rapidly, preventing any form of closing the door.
"No, Cameron," he growled, shoving the door open and smirking as she backed away, intimidated. He eyed her with mild interest. She had not changed since returning. She still wore her jeans, cream-colored blouse, and sensible shoes. Her honey brown hair was even still up, yet now messy. But there were other changes.
She seemed to emanate pain and her eyes were red and puffy. From crying, perhaps? They held fear now, probably caused by his entrance. Yet she also seemed hopeless. House was interested now. He adored puzzles. And that was just what Cameron was. A giant puzzle waiting to be…explored.
"Who…who do you think you are?" she snapped, yet her voice shook mildly. "You can't just barge into my home uninvited!"
House ignored her remarks. He removed his snow covered jacket, hanging it on the coat rack. "I'd like a drink," he said bluntly, falling onto her couch and stretching. "Some scotch or beer will do. Something with alcohol." He smiled at her, a mix of a smirk with pompousness.
Cameron mouthed angrily at him, but no words came out. She then hung her head, and turned to leave, yet he stopped her once more.
"Wait!" He eyed her back, gazing at her fine backside first. 'As I've said. Stunning little ass.' He then realized she was waiting for him, but her back was still turned towards him. "Go change." Her body became rigid, amusing him. But for her sake, he explained further. "You're soaking wet from the snow. I'll get the drinks."
Had she been facing him, she would have seen the look of utter shock on her face. She merely nodded, heading towards her bedroom.
House rose, realizing that he had offered to do something. "Better do it," he grumbled, finding the kitchen quite easily in the apartment.
He opened the fridge, grabbing two beer cans. Yet, his curiosity was overpowering. He needed to see if there was anything that would help solve the "Cameron Puzzle." He opened the freezer and found something rather incriminating. He pulled out a tiny tub.
"Ben & Jerry's," he read. "Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough." He opened it. Some had been eaten, and it was not hard. "She was eating it recently. Ben & Jerry's is a clear sign of depression."
He then heard someone move behind him, and he whirled around, wincing at the pain that shot through his leg.
Yet he was distracted by Cameron's new appearance. She had undressed, slipping into pajamas. She wore a two-piece of a lilac shade. The long bottoms fell ever so slightly below the ankle. The tank top revealed some of her cleavage, her lovely hourglass figure, and slender arms. She wore white slippers to warm her feet. Her hair floated around her, combed now, yet not tenderly.
"What were you doing?" she asked, her voice heavy with sadness.
"Exploring to see if you put your panties in the freezer. Some people do that, you know."
She turned away, refusing to look at him. He hobbled after her. "Didn't I tell you that you couldn't escape me?" he said, watching her sit on the couch. Settling beside her, House handed her the beer. She held it in her small hands, gazing at it as though it were Pandora's Box.
House was silent, shifting uncomfortably where he sat. He saw the tissues, and sighed inwardly. Something was wrong, but he wouldn't begin to prod. Not yet. His eyes lingered over the large book, and he lifted it up. "What's this?" he asked, admiring the cover. It was like a photo album, yet prettier. Decorated in a much lovelier form. He began to open it before having Cameron snatch it away.
"Don't!" she snarled, and placed it back on the coffee table. She looked away, and House shrugged.
"Cameron… I can here with a purpose. To say… I'm sorry if I said anything to hurt your feelings," he muttered. He then smiled. There. It was over with. But when he looked back at Cameron, she was turned away. And he saw her shoulders heaving and her eyes were wet. She was crying, well, trying not to, anyways.
"Cameron?" he asked, unsure of what to do.
"House… I… I'm sorry," she whispered gently, her face in her hands.
"I said I was sorry…" he mumbled.
"It…it's Chase," she said softly. House's sharp blue eyes widened in disgust.
"You two aren't an…item are you?" he asked.
Cameron continued to restrain the tears. "No, but what you said today… about us when we had…."
"Sex?" House finished, yet his voice was soft, as though knowing this was a touchy subject. "I didn't really mean to offend you. It was just to taunt."
Cameron laughed hollowly, yet the droplets threatened to fall. "That wasn't how it began," she whispered. She held in her tears for a bit. She couldn't tell him. Yet as she spoke it came back to her in a wave.
"It happened yesterday evening. When our patient came in. I went to the coed bathroom. Showering, you know. And I heard the guys. Foreman, Chase, the surgeons, the other doctors, even Wilson. They were asking Chase about…" She shuddered. "He was describing to them what it was like, House. I found out things that he'd done…that I'd done that I couldn't remember. I don't know if they were true." She whimpered, the tears now trickling down slowly. I didn't remember what occurred that night. It was a blur. I feel… dirty, even now. I can't stand to be with him. He took advantage of me when I was weak, scared, and helpless. He knew that something was wrong with me, but he went along with it. He was bragging about me, comparing me to the women the other guys have done. I'm an object. My reputation is ruined because of what I've done. I'm looked at like a loose girl. Like a sex toy." The tears had begun to flow freely, and her shoulders were shaking.
House was speechless. "Cameron, I…he's a bastard. It wasn't your fault. Something horrible had happened to you. He should have known better." Cameron whimpered, and then she did the unthinkable. She sobbed into Greg House's chest.
He was stunned. His brain told him to push her off, yet he couldn't. Her shoulder shook and he found the urge to rub her back. "It's okay," he told her gently, allowing her to empty all her pain on him. "It'll be fine," he told her gently. He could smell the thick scent of lavender and cinnamon. Her scent.
Eventually, Cameron's sobs ended, and her head lulled on his chest. House was unsure of what to do. He couldn't just leave. She'd be devastated. "I'll stay," he mumbled.
He worked his body around so that she lay comfortably on top of him, and he lay below. "Good night…Cameron," he mumbled, resting his head on a pillow and falling asleep.
MDMDMDMDMD
"So…." House twirled his cane between his fingers, eyeing his ducklings with interest. "So, Cameron, Foreman, get to the lab and take some tests. Chase, stick around." House's eyes flashed darkly. "There's something we need to discuss."
Chase rolled his eyes as the others left. House rose, and shoved Chase against the wall with his cane. "You've been a bad boy," he said darkly. "Discussing Cameron's affairs with the others. If I catch you doing that again, you will regret it."
Chase's blue eyes were bright. "I never…" he stuttered, but was cut off by a sudden poke in the ribs by the cane.
"Just do as you're told," House snarled, leaving Chase in his wake. Chase stood there, stunned beyond belief.
Back in the lab, Cameron and Foreman were at work, yet Foreman eyed his colleague with mingled curiosity.
"So, what did you think about House's comment yesterday," Foreman asked her slyly, watching her eyes shut before responding.
"It was….inappropriate," she said slowly, refusing to look at him.
"Oh really? I thought I saw something in your eyes when he was talking about you." Foreman smirked as he saw her wince. He approached Cameron from behind, hovering over her shoulder quite closely.
"Remember when this happened?" he questioned. "Was your tummy really flat and taut?"
"Of course it was!" Cameron snapped, and Foreman moved away.
"Whatever you say, Cameron. But here comes your lover!" And there he came. House stalked into the lab, his eyes dark. He turned to Foreman rapidly.
"So, anything new?" he snarled, then turned away without a response. "Cameron!" he barked, and she winced slightly. "My office. Now!" She nodded, following him out with her head down.
Foreman watched their retreating backs.
Once safely in the office, House settled behind his desk, tossing his ball up and down. "I spoke with Chase," he said, not taking his eyes off the ball. Yet he knew exactly what Cameron was doing. Shifting from one foot to the other, unnerved by this. "He won't be… discussing anymore."
Cameron's eyes widened like saucers. "House, it wasn't your place to get involved," she said rapidly, the words tripping over each other.
"Oh please! After you spilled your heart to me?" he snickered. "How could I not get involved?"
Cameron's eyes were narrowed now. "I would think that at least a bastard like you would understand…" she said, her voice dripping with venom and disgust. She turned her hand on the doorknob. But she turned. "Maybe I should just leave Plainsboro," she said quietly. And then she opened the door, leaving.
House could only gape, unsure of what to say now. "Damn Cameron," he said at last, shaking his head. He had a few words for her. And she would listen, even if he had to make her.