Title: Damaged

Summery: Just read…
Spoilers: Up until midway through "Heavy" and takes a twist.
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: You know I don't own it! I play.

Author's Note: I guess this is kind of depressing so far for my dear readers…The first few chappys may be, but like I said, bear with me! Feed me Seymour, feed me! (reviews, duh! LOL)

To Val'istar En' Alu: My dear stalker, my first reviewer!

To Landoverwater: Ahhh… but that's the point. He ran. Now I don't mean he actually miraculously "ran", I meant he ran as best he could. It's House. I figured everyone would assume he gimped/ran/limped as best as possible.

Aftershocks

Cameron didn't really regain consciousness the rest of the night. Unfortunately, that wasn't good; she had a concussion. The nurses went in every few hours to wake her up to make sure she didn't fall into a coma. Physically, however, she would be fine. She just had some bruises and cuts. Emotionally and mentally… that was another story. House paced outside of her room a good portion of the time.

When the police came, they questioned him and Wilson. Neither of them got a good look at the suspect, but Wilson was able to at least give a bodily description. They were also able to get some fingerprints off of the car. Hopefully, the scumbag would be in the database at the station. Now they were just waiting on Cameron.

House never made it home that night.

Dr. Cuddy entered the hospital at 9am on the nose. She stopped to pick up some files at the clinic and started looking them over as she proceeded to her office. She entered and went to go open the blinds to let some light in.

"Hello, Dr. Cuddy."

She gasped and dropped her files. "House? What are you doing in here?"

He was seated on her leather couch. "See? This is what happens when there is no security around here. Anyone can go anywhere."

Cuddy sighed. "I heard what happened to Dr. Cameron. I'm sorry."

"Yes. I'm sure you are," House replied, getting up. "Why was there no security around last night?"

"House, there is never security in the garage. We have cameras, but who has guards running around parking decks?"

"Apparently not us. And all the ones manning the cameras, where were they?"

"I don't know."

"Well, fire them and hire more competent ones."

"So every time something goes wrong, you want me to fire someone?"

"No. Next time we'll wait until someone gets killed instead." He was beginning to get angry.

"I am extremely sorry about what happened to Cameron. Really. But if this happened to someone in, let's say, pediatrics, you wouldn't care nearly as much!"

"Yes, because when innocent women get attacked, I stand on the sidelines and cheer with pompoms!" He limped to the door and stalked out. "And they say I'm the heartless one."

"What's the case?"

Foreman and Chase were waiting for information on file House was mulling over.

"33 year old female. Trauma to the head." He stopped.

"Is that all," asked Chase. "What's so special about that?"

"It's Cameron," House snapped.

"What are you talking about," Foreman asked.

"There is no new case. Cameron was assaulted in the garage last night."

"You're joking right? Please say you're joking."

"No," he replied softly. "The bastard tried to rape her, but Wilson and I got there just in time."

Chase and Foreman took in House's appearance for the first time. He had dark circles under his eyes and was wearing the same clothes as yesterday.

"Have you gotten any rest," Foreman asked.

"No. I've been keeping tabs on her all night."

"How is she," asked Chase.

"Physically, she'll be fine in a day or two."

"And?"

"And the rest we can only hope for the best." He ran a hand through his hair. "Go. Go see her. Room 307."

House went to see her after the other two. She slept through their visit. He looked at her. Her eye was swollen almost shut and her lip needed 2 stitches to close. There were 4 finger marks on her cheek. He clenched his fist on the head of his cane. The asshole must have slapped her in the face. Even with the bruises, she looked so peaceful

He shuffled over to the bedside. He knew he shouldn't, but he pulled down the front of her hospital gown just slightly. On the swell of her breasts were also finger marks. Trying to be as modest as possible, he raised the hem of her gown. Finger marks all along her thighs. He must have grabbed her everywhere. House closed his eyes. If he ever found out who did this… there were no words to express what he was feeling.

That's when he heard the whimper.

His eyes flew open. Cameron's head was turned to the side, eyes squeezed shut. A tear trickled down the side of her face.

House quickly covered her back up. "Cameron. Cameron. It's just me. Open your eyes."

"House?"

"Yeah," he said gently. "How are you?"

A keening wail came out from the depths of her chest. She threw her arms around his neck and sobbed.

"That's what I thought," he whispered.

"Have you gotten any sleep?"

Wilson stopped in House's office to check up on his friend.

"Nope."

"Anything to eat?"

"Not hungry."

"She's asleep again."

"I know. I told the nurses to page me if she wakes up."

Wilson sighed. "Me too."

They sat together in silence.

"Hey, how are you feeling," Chase asked the next day.

"Much better, thank you."

"We come bearing gifts!" Foreman dropped an overnight bag on her bed. "Real clothes!"

"You are the best," Cameron exclaimed. "This hospital gown is a bit drafty." She looked in the bag. "I'm only going to be here another day or so, guys. I'm not moving in!"

"Yeah, well, we grabbed a few things, but don't ask about any undergarments. Chase was afraid of that drawer."

"Whatever," Chase replied. "Foreman's the one who closed his eyes and just took out handfuls of what was in there."

"Hmm. So that explains the 12 pairs of panties and 4 bras." She laughed at them. "Thanks, I really do appreciate it."

"Wait, you didn't get to the best part."

Cameron dug around to the bottom of the bag. "YES! Real shampoo, soap, loofah, and… deodorant! Now I won't smell like a trucker anymore."

"Well, why smell like one when you don't talk like one," came a voice from the doorway.

"Hi, Dr. Wilson," Cameron said.

They guys said their good-byes and left the two alone.

"How are you doing?"

She sighed. "Better.

He sat down next to her. "Allison… I'm sorry. I chased him, but he got away."

Cameron looked at him. The guilt hovered over him like a blanket. She took his hand. "Don't worry. I'm safe now. If it weren't for you and Dr. House… All that matters is that you both came at the right time. Thank you."

"If you need anything…"

"I'll come running. I promise."