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: Sorry it took so long to get the next chapter up! Real life got in the way LOL
Koru-chan: Thanks for all the squeeing! Lilac Elf: Thank you m'dear! I was waiting to see if you were going to pop up for the next chapter! Yay! Enchanted April: The chapter is done! Stop harassing me! LOL Just kidding babe! Angeloneus: Thank you. I appreciate your honest opinion. And to all of my other loyal readers who I missed this time around, I love you all! Thanks for all the wonderful reviews!
Three Days Later"Why are you discharging her?"
Dr. Cuddy didn't even look up at House when he barged in. "Good morning to you too, Dr. House. I assume you're talking about Dr. Cameron."
"Correct, Captain Obvious."
"There is nothing physically wrong with her. She can go home."
"What about psych evaluations? Therapists? Did they say she could leave?"
"The first evaluation concluded that there was no significant mental or emotional damage. After that, she refused any other examinations."
"What," House boomed out. "Did you not hear how she decided to peel herself like an orange in the shower?"
"Yes," Cuddy replied with a sigh. "That's when she refused to talk to anyone else." She got up from her desk and walked around to where he was standing. "House, she's a grown woman. She has to make her own choices, right or wrong. You have to let her get through this in her own way. The only thing you can do for her right now is support her."
He looked like he was going to say something, then changed his mind and walked out.
"So, I hear you are leaving today."
"Yes. I feel fine and I am ready to go home," Cameron replied. She didn't bother to look in House's direction while she packed up what little belongings she had with her.
"Are you sure you
feel fine?"
"Yes," she said, gritting her teeth. "I'll
do a jig for you if you'd like."
"That's not what I meant."
"I know."
"Cameron," he said, coming toward her, "I'm just—"
"And I'm telling you to drop it," she said, whirling around to face him. "I'm sick of being in the hospital. I just want to go home."
House's face became unreadable. "Fine," he snapped, "but don't expect to be coming to work next week."
"What? You're firing me?"
"No. You are taking a leave of absence. I can't have someone who can't face their own pain heal others." He turned his head away. "And Foreman will accompany you out of the hospital, to your car and your apartment."
"Can't," a voice said from behind him. "Cuddy somehow got wind that you were sending me with her. She won't let me leave the hospital until my shift is over."
"Well, Chase will go then," he said, turning to see Foreman.
"Sorry. She nixed that too."
"I am FINE," Cameron exclaimed, throwing up her hands. "Foreman will walk me to my car and I'll go home. By myself. Alone. Okay?"
For the second time that day, House walked out without getting the last word in.
2:30 pm
"Ready to hightail it out of here?"
"Hightail," she questioned, raising her eyebrows at Foreman.
"'Blow this joint' is highly overused. Hop in."
Cameron stuck out her bottom lip and pouted. "Do I have to use the wheelchair?"
"Come on, you know it's hospital policy."
"Fine," she said plopping down in the chair. "Just make sure you go really fast."
Foreman laughed. "Anything for the pretty lady."
They stopped by the
nurse's station so Cameron could thank them for everything they did
for her. Then Foreman proceeded to zip her around the hallways like
she asked.
When they finally got out of the hospital, he walked
her to her car. "Listen," he said, "if you really want me to,
I'll come home with you. Make sure you get there safe. What's
Cuddy going to do, fire me?"
She smiled softly. "Thank you, Foreman, but no. I'll be okay, I promise."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. No." She blew out a sigh of exasperation. "I can't believe he's forcing me to stay home!"
"He's just worried about you, that's all."
"Funny way of showing it."
"Just take it easy for a week. Relax. And then come back."
"How can I relax? What I need to do is work and keep busy."
"He's right, though, Cam. How are you going to help others if you can't help yourself first?"
She shoved her hands in her pockets, defeated. "Okay. But only a week."
He gave her a quick hug. "Any longer and I'd come drag you back myself."
"Six o'clock. Dr. House checks out."
He was tired. Mentally and physically. And he was still worried about Cameron. He wondered if he was too hard on her earlier. She needed more help than she admitted. But how do you help someone who doesn't let you? He shook his head and made his way out to the garage.
House passed by the spot that Cameron's car was parked… Cameron's car was parked? He glanced at his watch. Yep. It still said 6:00pm. She was discharged over 2 hours ago. Maybe someone drove her home… he thought. He started to walk away, but saw a shadow move on the other side. House walked around to the front end to find Cameron sitting on the ground in front of her car. She had her arms wrapped around her knees and had a faraway look in here eyes.
"Run out of gas?"
"Nope."
"Battery die?"
"Nope."
"Pray tell, then, my dear, why you are sitting, alone and unprotected, on the damp, dank floor of the parking garage."
She finally looked up at him, tears in her eyes. "I couldn't go back in there. Where it happened."
House's chest constricted and he closed his eyes. That was it. The final straw. "Get up," he said to her.
"What?"
"I said get up. Grab your things. You're coming with me."
"Where are we going?"
"To your place to pick up a few things. You'll be staying with me the next week."
"House, I'm--"
"You say 'I'm fine' again, and so help me I will cane you," he said angrily. "How fine are you, sitting in front of your car like a zombie where anyone can get to you?"
Her shoulders shook with silent sobs.
"I'm sorry, Cameron, but it's true. You need some professional help, but you're not taking it. So until you can sort yourself out, you are staying with me. Okay?"
"Okay," she whispered.
"Okay."
They went to her apartment and she picked up only the necessary things. Clothes, makeup, the rest of her bath stuff, and some cds she just couldn't live without. Then they made their way to House's place. By time they got home, it was past 8:00pm.
He lived in a small, one story condo in a surprisingly nice area only about 2 miles from the hospital. It had 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen, living room and dining room, and was mostly decorated in tans and browns. Very male, Cameron thought.
"You'll be staying in there," House said, gesturing towards the second bedroom. "I made it into my study, but there's a futon that opens up into a bed. You can use that."
"Thanks."
"I don't have much food. Picky eater, you know. So if you want or need anything, there's a ShopRite up the road. And as long as you don't leave your girly things everywhere, things will be peachy."
"Okay."
He tilted his head to look at her. "You feeling okay? Not very talkative. Usually I can't get you to shut up."
"I'm just tired. I think I'm going to take a shower and go to sleep." House gave her a look.
"What," she asked. Then she remembered the last time he was around when she showered. "Oh. That. I have showered since then and nothing has happened, okay?"
"Just leave the door unlocked—just in case."
"Fine. Good night Dr. House."
He stayed up a while later just pondering the events of the past week. Finally, his brain couldn't take it anymore and he had to get some rest. He pulled on a pair of flannel night pants, doffed his shirt, took 2 Vicodin and settled in for a good nights' rest. He hoped Cameron was doing the same.
A/N: This is a revised version of the chapter. I tried posting it earlier, but is acting all crazy again, so it didn't go up right away. Makes me very grumpy, especially since I am not too happy with the way this part turned out. I've been struggling with it for the past few days. Hope it's still okay, and I have the next chappy outlined already. I think it's going to turn out better.