Author: Milady Dragon
Disclaimer: I do not own either the Tomorrow People or House...which might be a really good thing...
Author's note: Thanks to everyone who has read this. I really debated about posting it.
Chapter Two
Cameron had only meant to put her head down for a minute; talking telepathically after so many years had given her a headache.
But the next thing she remembered was someone calling her name.
She jerked upright, suddenly remembering she was in Cuddy's office and had, most likely, fallen asleep. Cameron blinked to clear her vision, apologizing to whomever had awakened her.
"Not necessary." House stood in the doorway, leaning tiredly against the jamb. "You've just had a very stressful day."
"I didn't realize I was so tired…"
"It always sneaks up on you. Don't worry about it. I'm just glad it was me, and not She Who Must be Obeyed…"
Cameron snorted. She knew damned well that Cuddy wouldn't have minded finding her asleep on the bosses' desk.
She also realized that House was being uncharacteristically nice to her. Cameron let is slide for now.
"Wanted to let you know that we've moved your friend into the ICU," House went on.
"I'd like to see him." She got up, her back complaining about the unnatural position she'd been sleeping in.
He didn't say anything, just held the door open for her. Together they headed toward the elevator. Cameron was glad of the company.
Once they were inside the car, House asked, "Did you reach any next of kin?"
"Yes. His…cousin, Elena." She hoped he didn't notice the hesitation. Cameron hadn't talked to Tim about a cover story, and she hoped this one would be appropriate. "She should be here in the morning."
"Good." They continued the trip in silence.
ICU was quiet; only the beeping of machinery marking time on the ward. They passed a couple of empty rooms, before House ushered her into the one where they'd moved John.
Cameron was truly going to cry this time, she knew it. Seeing him lying there, with all sorts of tubes and wires running from his lifeless body, was almost too much to bear. John was intubated, only breathing with the aid of a machine. His head was swathed in bandages, both legs and left arm in casts…she'd never wanted to ever see anyone like this, let alone a man who had once had an important place in her life.
"When I was thirteen," she began, not really aware that she was even speaking aloud, "I was going through a really hard time. My parents honestly didn't know what to do with me; it was so bad they were considering committing me to a hospital somewhere. That's when a man showed up on our doorstep."
She paused, blinking away the tears. "Somehow, he managed to talk my parents into giving him a chance to help me. And he did. It seemed like a miracle at the time." Cameron smiled at the memory. "My parents were so grateful they practically adopted him. Mom was always inviting him over for dinner…looking back on it now, it was really kind of funny.
"But, when I hit high school I fell into a…well, not a bad crowd, but more like a sad crowd. We were known as the Freak Squad, I'm sure you know the type…outcasts, kids too smart for their own good, acne and shyness and the whole nine yards. All we wanted was to be normal.
"The problem was, I knew I wasn't normal, and never would be. My friend was responsible for that. Ironically, the one thing that had brought him into my life was the thing that I most wanted to be rid of.
"I was sixteen when I'd finally had it. We had a terrible argument about it; he kept insisting that I couldn't go back to being "just" Allison Cameron, that I'd come too far to turn away now. I just wanted to be normal. I wanted to be left alone.
"I never saw him again."
"Until today."
House's voice brought her out of her reverie; she'd almostforgotten he was there. She looked at him. Gone was his usual swagger, his snide manner. He was truly listening to her, truly hearing what she was saying.
Her heart warmed a little.
"Yes,' she answered. She swiped a tear away. "For three years, we were like family, John and I. God, I think there was a time when I was half in love with him, but when you're that young you really don't have any concept of what love really is. Of course, there were times I wanted to slap him, when he was being condescending and oh, so superior…but he was a good friend. He saved my life. And I treated him like shit."
"I'm sure he forgave you."
"Oh, I know he did. I found out…he knew where I was. He was going to come and see me after he finished…his assignment." Cameron was really crying now. It was just so unfair, to be so close to forgiveness and redemption, only to have it snatched away.
"Let me take you home."
She scrubbed her eyes clear. "It's okay, I can drive myself –"
"Like hell you can. You're an emotional wreck."
"Look, I appreciate that you're being all nice to me, but it's not necessary."
"It doesn't have a damn thing to do with being nice, Cameron. If you go and get yourself killed on the way home, I'll have to deal with this…cousin, tomorrow. I'd rather leave that to you, thanks much."
Cameron laughed. It was the first time she had since that morning.
The evening news was on, the top story being the explosion at the Intellex facility. Cameron watched avidly, hoping for some sort – and sort – of information to explain what had happened. Her herbal tea and yogurt quite forgotten, she listened as the newsreader stated with authority that the disaster was still under investigation, and that the official casualty total now stood at fourteen dead, fifty-two injured.Perhaps Tim would know more…
She curled up on the couch, clutching a pillow to her chest, as she concentrated on contacting him. "Tim?"
"Allison!" the computer replied promptly. "Do you have any news on John's condition?"
"I'm afraid not. He's been moved into ICU, but it's going to be days before we know anything."
"Elena is here with me now."
"Oh! Hello, Elena."
"Hello," came a friendly, female voice into her mind, "it's nice to finally meet you, although I wish it could have been under different circumstances."
"What do you mean by, 'finally meet me'?"
"I've seen Tim's records on you, plus John's mentioned you a couple of times."
"Oh. I see."
"Are you ready for my arrival?"
"I am. I told them you were John's cousin, if that's all right."
"That's fine."
"Tim, do you have any other information on the explosion besides what they're showing on the news?"
"Not much more, Allison. I know they are still investigating, although the destruction was quite complete. I am, however, following other avenues of inquiry, and hope to have more news soon. May I ask what room John is in?"
"In ICU, bed 3. Why?"
There was a pause, then, "I am now able to monitor the medical computers in John's room. I shall know the moment anything occurs."
Cameron laughed. "That's brilliant! You can get me any news even before I'm paged!"
"That is the general idea." Tim sounded decidedly smug.
"Tim's told me the extent of John's…injuries," Elena replied, a hitch in her mental voice. "What else can I expect?"
"Maybe…maybe I shouldn't say anything, let you see him for the first time instead of preparing you…"
"I don't think you could prepare me, Allison."
She had a point. Even though Cameron had worked hard on her professional detachment – some would say with little success – she'd been stunned by the sight of John lying there…"He's on life support, but that's to be expected with such life-threatening injuries. You're going to be shocked by his appearance. I'm sorry."
"That's okay. Please go on."
Then she had an idea. "Do you think you could see an image if I broadcast it hard enough?"
"It's worth a try."
Cameron brought up her last sight of John: all the machines, the tubes and wires and bandages and casts, then flung it away from her mind as best she could. She was so much out of practice at this, though…
A mental gasp was all she needed, to know the image had been received. "I'm sorry."
"Why should you be sorry, Allison? It's what I asked you to do. It's just so difficult to see him like that…"
"I know the feeling, believe me. Even though I hadn't seen John since I was a teenager, the moment I recognized him…well, I don't think I have to tell you what it was like."
"I would imagine your shock was even greater than mine, just because it's been so long."
"I'd almost completely forgotten him, you know? I'd pushed that part of my life so far down in my memory that it was like something I'd once dreamed. To suddenly realize that dream was real…I'm glad you're coming, Elena. Even though I've never met you, it's going to be nice to have someone here who…well, you know."
"I do. I'll be there in the morning, your time."
"Allison," Tim cut in, "have you considered confiding in Dr. House about John's special powers?"
"NO!" she fairly shouted down the link. "Absolutely not!"
"A doctor must know everything about his patient in order to treat him properly. As a doctor yourself, you must certainly know that."
Cameron chewed the inside of her mouth, considering what Tim was proposing. She remembered every single time House had claimed that "everyone lies," and here she was keeping this from him. Would telling him really make a difference in John's care, or would it open up a whole can of worms Cameron just didn't want to deal with? "I'll…think about it, Tim. Right now, I just don't see that House knowing about the Tomorrow People as being particularly helpful."
"I understand, and I'll support whatever decision you make. However, please remember that not all Saps are going to want to exploit the Tomorrow People. Some have become quite good friends."
"I'll keep that in mind, Tim. I promise. Right now, though, all this telepathic communication is giving me a headache. I'm not used to it at all."
"Just one more thing, Allison. I am going to send you a jaunting belt, just in case you have a need to get to John's side immediately."
"I…hadn't thought of that. Of course, I'll need one. Thanks, Tim."
"You're quite welcome, Allison."
"And I'll see you in the morning," Elena added. "Get some rest, okay?"
"I'll try." With that, Cameron cut her mental tie to them.
Within seconds, a jaunting belt appeared on her coffee table.
She chuckled; it was just as ugly as she remembered.