Cameron is clacking away at House's computer, and he flops down next to her.
"Hey."
She studies him from over her eyeglasses. "Hello."
He looks briefly around the room, fidgets with his cane, and then locks his silver eyes on her. "How are you?"
She arches her thin, clipped brows. "Fine, thanks." She returns to the computer. "How are you doing, House?" Her voice is sincere, and she watches him gently.
"Fine." He mumbles, looking indecisive, then stands and limps out of the room.
----------------
Ruby is fumbling with his plates, leaning his Hoover delicately against the table. House is sitting on his counter, swinging his legs back and forth.
"Greg, you know I got back together with Adam, right?" Ruby doesn't look up at him, but he can see something in the tension in her shoulders.
"Yeah."
"Dr. House." Ruby looks up suddenly, her strange maroon eyes sparking red in the artificial glare of the kitchen lights. "I'm moving."
House says nothing.
"We're going to Minnesota in about three weeks." She drags her teeth over her lower lip. "I've already packed up my stuff, and I've quit from every other house." She's playing with her shirt now. "I wanted to get a chance to say good-bye."
She stares at him for a long time, and then continues. "I'll miss you."
House takes a long time to respond. "Me too."
Suddenly, he hops off the counter and limps out of the room, vanishing into his bedroom.
"Greg, I'm sorry." Ruby calls after him, and can hear movement in the room, before a head pokes out again. The man is staring at the floor, and she buries her nails in her palm as she sees the shroud of darkness eclipse him.
"Don't be." He answers, he voice quiet and high, and she pinches her eyes shut to block out tears.
When she looks up at House again, she can see the similar wetness in his eyes.
-----------
"You seem rather glum." Wilson greets, sitting down on House's guest chair. House simply stares at him, saying nothing. "Did something happen?"
House glares even harder, and Wilson eventually stands and leaves.
Shortly afterward, Cameron strolls in.
"Dr. House," She begins, and he doesn't acknowledge her. "We have a new case."
No response. "Dr. House? Are you okay?" She walks over to him and touches his shoulder. He turns his head as if to look at her but his gaze never made it all the way.
"Ruby's moving." He states, and she nods sympathetically.
"I'm sorry. You'll miss her, huh?"
House shrugs. "She was cool."
"She was. She really cared about you." Cameron sighs and sits in the chair Wilson had occupied not long before. "Why is she leaving?"
"Her boyfriend wants her to." No one could miss the snarl in his voice. "They're going to Minnesota in a few weeks."
His silver eyes mist grey.
Cameron reaches forward bravely and covers his hand in her own, squeezing it briefly, then standing and leaving.
------------
Ruby came over to House's place on a Wednesday, with her bags in hand. House is sleeping on his couch, his cane lying across his stomach. She walks over quietly and rubs his chest until he stirs.
"Hmm?" He blinks his bleary eyes, and she smiles.
"I just came by to say goodbye." She whispers, and he nods. She leans down and hugs him, kissing his cheek lightly.
"Oh." He breathes, and she laughs.
"I've had a good time with you the last few months, Greg. I'll miss you." She is crying quietly, and he turns away.
"Bye."
He looks up at her for the last time, trying to mesmerize her strange maroon eyes.
TBC.
Should Cameron and House get together, or be "just friends"?
Erp, and Wilson will be very sad to find Ruby's leaving.
