Author: Milady Dragon
Disclaimer: same as before – I don't own anything!
Author's notes: First, an apology to those who aren't familiar with the Tomorrow People: I originally posted this in another category before realizing it fit here much better!
The Tomorrow People was a British SF series back in the 1970's, about young people with special powers, most specifically telepathy, teleportation (called jaunting), and telekinesis. Tim was their trusty biotronic computer, and they lived in an underground base called the Lab. It lasted 8 seasons (or series, as the British say) eventually making it to America via Nickelodeon. Nick tried to remake it in the early 90's, but it didn't last nearly as long. Recently, Big Finish Productions have continued the old series in audio adventures available on CD (and they are excellent, I recommend them heartily) bringing back one of the leads from the original (that would be John, whom in this story I've managed to just about kill off, but then you only hurt the ones you love…heehee). I loved the series growing up (and they're actually out on DVD now) and this story just suddenly came to me.
I really appreciate those who are reading, and I hope I don't disappoint. This is my first fanfic in either House or Tomorrow People, and only the second story I've ever posted. I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter Three
"Dr. Cameron?"
She turned from the patient she'd been trying to convince that his symptoms were only the flu to look at Dr. Cuddy. "Yes?"
"Mr. Valentine's cousin is here. Let me take over for you; she's in my office."
Cameron smiled inwardly. She'd actually known the moment Elena had jaunted in; the other woman had kindly warned her telepathicallyto expect her arrival.
"Thanks." She handed the file to Cuddy, snapping off her sterile gloves as she left the exam room.
The trip to Cuddy's office took no time at all, but even then Cameron had halfway been tempted to jaunt there the moment she was in the elevator. Once she'd put on the belt that Tim had sent her, Cameron had felt a sudden sense of belonging; a feeling she hadn't known she'd missed.
But she restrained herself; content to send Elena a quick thought saying she was on her way.
"I'm not alone," came the response. "Your Dr. House is here."
Cameron was surprised, after House had commented about not wanting to have anything to do with John's so-called cousin. It was just another in a long line of confusing examples of House's contrary behavior…good thing she hadn't jaunted, then!
She felt a sudden sharp stab of anxiety and fear, and Cameron assumed that House had just explained to Elena about John's condition. She'd known there would have been no way to prepare the other Tomorrow Person for the truth, and it was with a shameful relief that she'd been proven right.
When she entered the office, House was actually handing Elena a tissue. Even though she'd never met the other woman before, she knew she would have recognized her anywhere. She was about Cameron's own height, with dark curly hair and caring eyes. Those eyes were currently crying, as the impact of what had happened hit home hard. It was one thing for Cameron to have told her, and then showed her what she'd seen; it was another for someone else to confirm the information.
Elena looked in her direction as she opened the door. In seconds, she was hugging Cameron, and both women were crying in each other's shoulder. Cameron could feel Elena's pain and uncertainty up close and personal.
Eventually they broke apart. Elena tried to smile, but it wasn't a very good effort. "It's good to see you," she said.
"You, too," Cameron replied. She looked between her and House. "I take it Dr. House has told you everything he knows about John's condition?"
Elena nodded. "Can I see him now?"
"You'll take her up, won't you Cameron?" House said.
"Sure I will." She cast a glance over her shoulder at her boss, still somewhat surprised that he'd done what he'd claimed he'd wanted her to do. He just raised an eyebrow, his eyes looking far too innocent for her liking.
She ushered Elena out of the office.
"I just can't believe this is happening," the British woman replied, taking Cameron's arm as they headed toward the elevator.
"I know what you mean," Cameron admitted.
"Was it bad, seeing him in the emergency room like that?"
The doctor pressed the button to call the elevator. "You have no idea. I don't think seeing one of my parents lying on that table would have been more of a shock." The doors slid open; she ushered her fellow Tomorrow Person into the car. Once the doors were closed, she asked, "Did you know what he was up to?"
Elena shook her head. "But you know John; he's so secretive sometimes, it just drives me mad!"
Cameron snorted. "I was hoping he might've learned his lesson since I last saw him. He was always trying to do everything himself, back then. I remember the time there was this alien trying to get elected as President…"
The two women exited the elevator on the ICU floor. Even during the day, the ward was so quiet, Cameron sometimes thought of the place as a tomb…now that comparison made her feel guilty.
She stopped just outside John's room. "Elena, I'm not going to lie to you…it's really bad. I know I sent you that image – "
"Let's just get this over with, okay?"
"Okay." Cameron slid the door open, letting the other woman enter first.
She had to brace Elena to keep her from falling. Cameron could feel the shock radiating from her, and 'pathed back to her calm and reassurance.
It helped; Elena walked farther into the room, taking on all the machines, tubes, and bandages that nearly hid John from sight. While Cameron would honestly say the shock wasn't any easier for her, she could actually bring up some of her medical detachment this time. She moved Elena over the room's only chair, sitting her down in it. "It's going to be okay," she spoke silently. "We'll get through this…John will get through this."
"Seeing him like this…" her mental voice sobbed in time with her breathing.
"I know. But he's being taken care of, by the best doctor I know. Even if he is a bit of an asshole…"
"You feel that way, and you still work for him?"
"It's because he's the best. When you want to be the best, you work for the best."
"I can't imagine you not being the best someday…"
"Thanks". Cameron actually blushed. "But that's a long way off yet."
"Do you think…I know you told Tim that taking John to the Trig was a bad idea, and bringing a healer here would be equally bad, but maybe I can feed him a little of my own energy? Would that be all right?"
"I wish I'd thought of that! Of course it should be. I was just afraid that, if John healed to quickly, it might bring unwanted attention down on us. The last thing we want is someone taking an interest in him, since he can't take care of himself right now…"
"True. I'll be careful."
"I know you will. But, Elena, I have to ask you not to try to speak to him telepathically. We don't know if there's any brain damage, and if there is…" Cameron trailed off, squeezing the other woman's shoulder in sympathy.
"I could make it worse. I understand."
"I have to get back to work now," Cameron said, out loud. "I'll be back later. Maybe we can have lunch together."
"That would be lovely," the other woman answered.
Cameron squeezed her shoulder once more then left, heading back to the clinic. Work was the only thing distracting her from the wreck of her friend…
She did have lunch with Elena. Cameron had wanted to have a Tomorrow Person-specific conversation, but they were joined by House and Wilson not long after sitting down. To his credit, House was on his best behavior – or what passed for good behavior with the irascible doctor, and for that Cameron was grateful. Her boss could be a real shit, and that was at the best of times.
He seemed genuinely interested in Elena, and Cameron didn't know if that was a good thing. For her part, Elena answered his questions politely; she found out the other woman was a travel agent, and she used that as her reason for being able to get a flight out so quickly. Elena held up quite well under the onslaught, but it was with a real sense of relief that Wilson finally dragged him off. Cameron apologized, but Elena simply shrugged, saying that House "hadn't seemed as bad as all that."
"He sure has you fooled," was Cameron's response.
After telling Elena that she'd be back up to John's room after her shift, Cameron headed toward the conference room, hoping that some interesting case had come in that would help take her mind off John's condition. Chase and Foreman were there; the Australian was working a crossword, while the neurologist had his chair tilted back against the glass wall, his eyes closed.
"How's your friend?" Chase asked as she entered.
"Still the same." She headed over to the coffee pot, pouring herself a cup. Then she joined the two at their table. "It'll be a while before anything changes."
"I hear the cousin is nice looking."
Oh, Chase…Cameron bit the inside of her cheek to keep from laughing. "She's not my type," she quipped.
"She's not yours either, Chase," came the sarcastic voice of their boss as he limped into the room. "She's way too smart. Plus, I somehow doubt that any friend of Cameron's is into domination."
"How would you know what me or my friends might be into?" Cameron asked sweetly.
"Are we talking a little girl-on-girl action here?" House snarked back. "Can I watch?"
"In your dreams, House. Besides, I thought we already established that she wasn't my type."
"That's what you say." There was quite the lascivious accent on "say."
"Yes, I do."
"Well, that's beside the point. Wake up Foreman before he falls flat on his ass. We have a new case."
"Like I could sleep through all that," Foreman chuckled. He tilted his chair back up on all four legs.
House went on to explain about their new patient. Cameron promptly lost herself in the puzzle he was outlining.