Disclaimer: Nope. Nothing's mine 'cept Cameron's siblings. Yay! I own something!
A/N: Please forgive the lateness. It was difficult. I've been swamped with work and such. Please forgive me, all. I didn't mean to annoy anyone! hides So...review. They keep me going. And without them, I don't really feel like continuing... Incentivate me! And excuse the short chapters. I know, I know. They'll get longer.
"Lucy," Cameron said gently. "Alex." She gazed at the two older people who stood in the doorway. There was a moment of silence in the room, all eyes on either Cameron or her two siblings. Then, without warning, Lucy dashed over to Cameron's bedside, and enveloped her little sister in a powerful hug. Together, both sisters began to cry.
"Oh Aly!" Lucy said, her sky blue eyes wet as she caressed her little sister's hair.
Cameron didn't speak, but merely cried. How long had it been since she had this? The chance to be with someone from her family who she knew she could trust? She couldn't recall.
The other doctors (not including House) shared uncomfortable looks, and slipped out the door past Cameron's brother, who remained motionless. He appeared much like his father at a younger age. Shaggy brown hair which fell into his eyes, wiry build, and swirling gray eyes that held a depth and age.
At last, Lucy pulled back, gazing at Cameron tenderly. Alex approached his tiny sister carefully.
"Hey Allison," he said gently, bending down so he was on one knee. House stepped back slightly, not speaking.
Alex gently chucked Cameron's chin, smiling at her lovingly. "Glad to see you're alright."
"Me too," she responded, smiling softly, the tears swelling as she saw her siblings again.
House shifted uncomfortably, not wanting to intrude on family time. "Allison, I'll be outside if you need me." And he shuffled off, leaving them in his wake.
Cameron rolled her eyes, but blushed as both Alex and Lucy turned to watch House's retreating back. Alex quirked an eyebrow in mild confusion, while a knowing smile crossed Lucy's face.
"Aly, who was that?" she asked, pulling up a chair so she sat beside Cameron.
"Him? Oh… he's Dr. House. He's my boss."
"Oh really?" Lucy's face displayed that she didn't believe her. "Is that all he is? Because he was looking at you as though you were the center of the universe."
Cameron felt her cheeks burn in embarrassment. "Yeah, that's all he is. Just… just my boss."
"You were never good at lying, Allison," Alex said with a smirk. "Oh well, you'll talk when your ready. But I'm not sure I approve. He's twice your age, crippled, and, well, a bit too smart for our little sister."
"He is not twice my age, Alex!" Cameron snapped, causing Alex's smirk to grow and Lucy to double over with laugher.
"Good trick, Alex! You are together. Admit it, sis!" Cameron muttered something that sounded like, "I'm living with him."
"What?" Alex said, his voice sharp. Lucy punched her brother in the arm playfully.
"She's old enough. You can interrogate him later. Now…"
"What happened to Dad?" Cameron's voice was timid.
Lucy's eyes were gentle as she replied. "He's gone, Aly." Cameron's eyes widened and she felt the tears fall.
There was silence from the other two as they allowed her tears to fall. Cameron's sobs seemed to echo in the small room. At last when the flow of tears became a trickle, Cameron spoke.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, and a look of shock crossed the faces of both siblings.
Lucy rested a hand upon Cameron's shoulder. "Sweetie, what do you have to be sorry for?"
Cameron lifted her head, face tearstained. "It's… It's my fault Mom's gone."
Alex caressed Cameron's cheek. "No it's not, Aly. How could you think that? Do you have any idea of what you did? You saved Mom. You saved us all. You were the only one who gained the courage to do something about him."
Lucy took over, pulling Cameron into a tight embrace. "We ran, Allison. And we felt awful. We were idiots."
And with that, they all cried, the remains of broken family. When at last it was over, Cameron took one finale deep breath. "When's the funeral?" she said, her voice quaking slightly.
"Mom's is in a week. Dad won't be having one. Not unless you say so. It's your call, Aly."
Cameron paused, considering this heavy notion. Her father, the man that had rapped her sister, abused her mother, scared her in more ways than one, shot her, destroyed her family…
"I want to see him."
"What?"
"Let me see his body." Without waiting for a response, Cameron rose, wincing as the shooting pain tore through her body. Alex rapidly came to her aid, and she wrapped an arm around his neck.
"Allison, this is a really bad idea," Lucy said, scolding them as they hobbled towards the door.
"Actually, your sister's right." Cameron released a slight yelp as a voice sounded from just beyond the door. And out appeared House, a wheelchair by his side. "Go on," he said, pointing at the chair with one hand. With Alex and Lucy's assistance, she was eased into the chair.
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The body was motionless, dead. But even in his sleep an air of menace hung around him.
Cameron's eyes were dark as she gazed at her father. His spirit was gone, but she wasn't sure where. She was an atheist, not beliving in either Heaven or Hell, but where did spirits go once they left here? She shook her head, now not being the proper moment to become philosophical.
"Why?" she said at last, speaking to her father. She was alone in the room, Alex, House, and Lucy all waiting outside. "Why were you always so bitter? So heartless? How could Mom have loved you?" She took a rapid breath. "You killed her, Dad. Killed her. She's gone. Forever. You're hate shredded our family. At least you hoped it would." A wry smile appeared on her lips. "But you're wrong."
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House shifted uncomfortably as felt the gaze of Cameron's brother upon him. But Lucy seemed quite content with the situation.
"So, Dr. House, I hear my sister's living with you!" she chirped, causing Alex to cough.
"Yeah, I suppose she is."
"Do you love her?" The question seemed to hold a bite as Alex asked, causing House to lock his eyes upon Cameron's brother.
"What?"
"It's a simple question, Dr. House." Alex's eyes were dark.
"Alex…" warned Lucy, but was ignored.
"I care about Allison, Dr. House." Alex approached House so that they were eye to eye. "She's my baby sister and she's been through Hell and back. If she's hurt again… she won't be able to take it."
House held Alex's glare. "I don't plan on hurting her. I care about her as much as you do." Alex then whipped around to face Lucy.
"I'm going to the cafeteria. If Aly needs me, just call me." And he walked off. Lucy sighed, gazing at House sadly.
"Don't mind him. He's just upset that someone else is taking up the male spot in Allison's life." She quirked an eyebrow as she gazed at House. "Do you care about her Dr. House? I mean really love her with your whole heart?" When House did not respond, Lucy continued. "Because she cares about you. Moving in with you… Aly isn't one to make rash decisions like that without really thinking. After Dean died, she was devastated. She never got close to another man. If you love her, Dr. House, I say you tell her. Show her in some unnatural way. Life isn't everlasting, Dr. House." And with that, Lucy turned, following her brother.