Author: Milady Dragon
Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with either House or the Tomorrow People.
Author's note: Another thanks to those reading and reviewing. I'm really having fun writing this!
Chapter Eight
"I have further information for you," Tim's voice interrupted their preparations.
"What is it?" Elena prompted.
I have found yet another eyewitness report, from one of the four security guards. He claims that the intruders at the Intellex facility last night wore lizard masks."
"Lizards?" Cameron asked in surprise.
"That is what the report says," the computer confirmed.
"You'd have expected something more…original," Paul quipped.
"There are approximately 125 lizard-like races recorded in the Galactic Federation database," Tim continued.
"Doesn't narrow it down much." Cameron went back to getting ready for their foray into the Intellex complex, slipping her stun gun into its holster at her waist. The slight weight of the weapon was familiar, even after so many years.
"Let's hope we can find out something more," Elena replied.
"I shall keep you informed of any other progress I might make in our investigations." With that, Tim's communication ceased.
The three of them were in Cameron's apartment. If she'd seen them on the street, she would have guessed they were on their way to a funeral: black was the color of choice among them. Paul was even wearing this ridiculous stocking cap over his dark hair; it had been hard not to laugh when he'd first jaunted into the apartment. Evidently Elena had thought the same, because Cameron could have sworn the other woman's mouth was unnaturally tight, like she was holding in a grin. Elena's emotions themselves were tightly contained, and Cameron had to fight to do the same, so Paul wouldn't pick up on it.
The two British Tomorrow People had brought the equipment they'd need: stun guns, and a couple of palm-sized detectors that could perhaps help them locate any technology that didn't belong on Earth. It would be hit-and-miss, since they didn't know the actual alien race they were dealing with, but it was a chance.
Also, they'd brought along a matter-transporter belt for House. It resembled the jaunting belts they wore, but with a disc-like attachment hanging from the black material. With it, they could transport the doctor with them, into the facility. Cameron knew he'd get a real kick out of it, and she made a mental note to reclaim the belt from him once they were done. Not that he could've used it by himself; she just knew he'd most likely want it as a souvenir…
Cameron slipped a leather jacket over her black t-shirt, the better to hide the silver stun gun from sight. The others also had on coats, not wanting to draw too much attention to themselves, more than for comfort.
It was just like old times. Cameron's adrenaline levels were high, and she was seriously in danger of feeling like a kid again. Going back into action, into unknown danger…the only difference being was in her companions. In that moment she missed John terribly. He'd been the steadying influence on her; as a teenager, she'd been all gung-ho and ready to jump in with both feet. She recognized that in Paul now. Elena was calm, checking and double-checking everything. She wondered if this was natural caution on the other woman's part, or if this was John's teaching. Maybe it was a little of both.
"Are we ready?" she asked her friends.
"As ready as we'll ever be," Elena answered. "Tim, can you jaunt us to House's…erm, house?"
"Stand by." The computer was silent for a moment, then said, "Dr. House is not alone. I shall jaunt you to a secluded place 100 meters away."
"Okay."
"Jaunting now."
Cameron's living room slowly vanished, to be replaced by a doorway across the street from House's apartment. The lights were on within.
"I'll go and find out who's with him," Cameron said. "It'll look a little less strange if it's me, especially if it's who I suspect it is."
"Call us when the coast is clear."
"I will, Elena." Cameron strode across the street, making sure her gun was well hidden. There could only be one person visiting House…
She knocked on the door. It was only a moment before it was opened, revealing House in a black t-shirt with an eighties rock band logo on it, and black jeans. Yes, black was definitely one of his colors…
And, yes, it was Wilson with him…and he was completely shocked to see that it was Cameron at the door.
"I told you I had a guest coming over, Jimmy." House was sounding very pleased with himself.
"Yes, you did say that," the other doctor replied, his voice rising in surprise. "But I had no idea it was Cameron…"
"She finally couldn't resist my charms any longer."
Cameron rolled her eyes. She liked Wilson, but this was bound to get around the hospital gossip vine in no time flat. "Sorry, House, but you don't have any charms," she snipped back.
He put his hand over his heart in mock pain. "And here I thought we were finally going to get in on."
"In your dreams."
"My dreams are pretty amazing."
"Makes me glad I'm not a mind reader."
House opened his mouth to reply, but he must have realized there was nothing he could say in front of Wilson on the subject of her telepathy, and his mouth closed with an audible snap.
Wilson glanced from one to the other, apparently not sure what to think of House's sudden silence. "I…see," he finally said weakly. "I think I'll just be going now…"
"Have a good one, Jimmy," House said, ushering his friend out the door. Wilson turned to say something else, but the older doctor practically shoved him out onto the stoop. "I'll see you in the morning."
"Umm…sure." He looked over House's shoulder to Cameron. She put a finger to her temple, making a circle with it. Wilson didn't seem at all surprised by the gesture. "Good night, both of you."
"Good night, Dr Wilson," she returned.
House closed the door. "Sorry about that, I hadn't expected him to show up. It was hard, you know, turning down beer and pizza for illegal activity…"
Cameron snorted. "I noticed he didn't leave with the beer."
"Hey, it's in my fridge now; makes it mine. Possession is nine tenths of the law, you know."
Gotta love him…
Cameron summoned her fellow Tomorrow People. They arrived, looking around House's place with curiosity. "Good evening, Dr. House," Elena greeted.
"Same to you." Then he got a look at the hat Paul was wearing. "Did your mommy make that for you?"
Okay, maybe she should have warned the younger TP… "That's not necessary," she snapped, defending her now embarrassed friend. "Ignore him, he's just an ass," she soothed mentally.
House just raised an eyebrow at her.
"He's one nasty piece of work," Paul commented, in an attempt to recovery his dignity.
"Work with him as long as I have, and you get used to it."
"God, I hope that doesn't happen!"
Cameron sighed. This entire night was starting off wrong… "Put this on." She held out the matter transporter belt.
The older man practically grabbed the belt out of her hand. "Ooh, I get to join the club?" He wrapped it around his waist. "Does this mean I get the secret handshake, too?"
"Here it is." Cameron gave him the finger.
"Could you repeat that? I don't think I got it the first time."
She gladly did as he asked.
"Why don't you two just get a room or something?" Paul groused.
Cameron went bright red. House noticed, of course; he smirked. "Who said it, what was said, and can you repeat it so I can use it later?"
"Paul!" Elena cried, both mentally and aloud.
House zeroed in on the youngest TP present. "Should have known it would come from you. Care to share?"
"What?" he answered Elena's mental shout. "It's bloody obvious, isn't it?"
"Let's just forget it," Cameron put in. "We've got work to do. But, Paul, if you tell House what you said, you will regret it. I'm a doctor, remember? I can make your life a living hell."
Paul was affronted by the threat. "Okay, Allie, okay!" He held out both hands to ward her off.
"Damn, she got to you, didn't she?" House put his arm around the young man. "I'll even apologize for the hat remark if you let me in on it."
"More than my life is worth, mate." Paul shivered, staring at Cameron like he'd never seen her before.
"I won't tell…"
"You won't have to. She'll just know."
"Look," Elena tried to bring things back under control. "We have a job to do. Let's just do it, shall we?"
"You're the boss." House snapped to sarcastic attention. "How do I use this thing?" He patted the belt he now wore.
"It's a matter transporter," Cameron explained. "It means we can jaunt you in with us."
"You mean I can't do it myself?" He actually pouted.
"Sorry. Where we go, you go."
"Do you know how hard it is not to say, 'Beam me up, Scotty'?"
"I can guess." Why did boys mature so much slower than girls?
"The plan," Elena said, "is to jaunt in; take a look around; and at the first sign of trouble, jaunt out. We only have two scanners, so we'll break up into teams: Paul and I; and Allison, you and Dr. House."
"Of course you stick me with House," Cameron said on in a tight transmission to the other woman, so Paul wouldn't catch what she was thinking.
"Would you rather he be with Paul?" Elena said, just as tightly.
"God, no!"
"I didn't think so." She went back to speaking out loud. "We look for anything out of the ordinary." She looked at House closely. "I hope you're not insulted by the question, doctor, but there will be a lot of debris scattered around. Will you be all right to handle the rough terrain we're going to run into?"
Surprisingly – to Cameron, at least – House didn't seem at all bothered by the question. "I'll be fine," he answered seriously.
"Will you let Allison know if you run into any difficulty?"
"I will." He actually sounded sincere.
Cameron still promised herself that she'd keep at least part of one eye out for him. It would take just one thought in Tim's direction and House would be transported out. She'd deal with the consequences of that decision later…if she needed to make it.
"All right. Let's do this."
Cameron heard her call to Tim, asking for jaunt-out. House's apartment went transparent around her, to be replaced but near-complete darkness. She dug her penlight out of one pocket, and the detector from the other.
In her mind, she could sense Paul and Elena nearby. Even separated by several broken walls, Cameron could tell they were working well together, keeping up a mental commentary between themselves and Tim. She herself checked in with the artificial intelligence, as she snapped on her light.
"Wow."
It was the only word House uttered. Cameron grinned. Yes, jaunting for the first time was always an experience.
She turned her attention to the instrument in her hand. There was a tiny button on the side; the thumbed it on, and it began to hum softly.
House's own flashlight came on. He was panning it around, and Cameron looked up to take in the destruction all around them.
The Intellex complex had – according to Tim – taken up about three square miles of buildings and office blocks. The structure they were in now had been a testing facility, and it had taken the brunt of the explosion. Walls had been toppled, and the roof had been blown off. Cameron thought back on the victims that had been brought into the E.R.; most of the injuries had been various forms of blunt-force trauma, from the blast's concussion and the collapsing of parts of the building. She'd heard that the actual burn survivors had been very few, and had been taken to other hospitals in the area. Most of those closest enough to the source of the explosion had died.
It was quiet, except for a slight breeze that whistled faintly through the remains. Cameron shivered slightly, but it wasn't from cold. This place was filled with ghosts; she'd told House that she couldn't speak to the dead, and that was true. But she could sense the last, lingering thoughts of those who had lost their lives here, and it was an unpleasant, sad feeling.
The pair of them began to walk deeper into the building, Cameron panning her detector around hoping to get it to make some indication that it was picking up something useful. Those aliens had to have been looking for something…and the authorities still had no idea what had caused the explosion.
Why was she even here?
She hadn't really thought about it. It had seemed so natural, to get back involved with the life she'd thrown away. And she'd dragged House in with her.
But was that really accurate? House could make his own decisions, and he'd practically forced himself into the situation. Cameron knew him well enough to realize that the moment she'd opened her mouth and told him about herself and her friends, it had been a foregone conclusion that her boss would become somehow more involved. It was his curiosity, his need to solve mysteries that had prompted his volunteering.
The floor was covered in rubble, forcing her full attention back to the task at hand. She glanced over at her companion; House seemed to be keeping up fairly well, using his cane and his good foot to push most of the debris out of the way. If she was being truthful with herself, having House with her felt almost natural, like he was meant to be there.
"Anything yet, Allison?" Elena asked.
"Nothing. Not even a blip." She was frustrated.
"We know there has to be something here." The other woman sounded too calm. "We just need to keep looking."
"I am scanning a pair of security guards not far from your current location, Elena," Tim reported.
"We see them, Tim. Thanks."
"You are most welcome."
Cameron vaguely wished she could speak to House mind to mind, then dismissed the idea. She really didn't want to know what he was thinking…
A sudden noise in front of them brought both of them to a halt. "Tim, are you reading anything in my area?" Cameron asked urgently.
There was a pause, then the computer answered, "No, Allison, there is nothing. What is wrong?"
"We heard something."
Tim was silent again. "I have rescanned, and there is still nothing."
"I think I'd feel better if we checked it out."
"Very well. Keep in constant contact."
Cameron kept her mind open to him, even as she touched House on the sleeve. She jerked her head forward; he nodded his agreement. Together they headed down the ruined corridor.
They got only a few feet farther in, before Elena cried out in Cameron's mind, "They're here! The aliens!"
Cameron grabbed House's arm, pulling him to an abrupt halt. He looked at her expectantly, and she took the chance to report to him what Elena had said. Then she called to Tim, "Can you jaunt us back to them?"
"Immediately, Allison."
The sense of disassociation overtook her…
And Cameron found herself in the middle of a firefight.
She barely had time to react, before House was pulling her down behind a section of broken wall. Cameron's heart was hammering in her chest, as she pulled out her stun gun.
"How come I didn't get one of those?" House complained.
Cameron didn't answer, although she was wishing they had given him one of the weapons. "Paul? Elena?"
"I'm okay," the young man replied, sounding out of breath even in his thoughts.
"We were practically ambushed," Elena added. She was obviously annoyed at the whole situation.
Cameron knelt behind the wall, then she spun, steadying her gun arm against the top of her cover. She'd always been a really rotten shot…
She got her first glimpse of the aliens.
They were about six and a half feet tall, dressed in what looked like plastic armor. The witness had claimed they looked like lizards; Cameron agreed, at least in part. Their heads were indeed lizard-like, but their large, liquid eyes gave them more of an amphibian appearance.
Each of them was armed. Their guns had long, thin barrels that spat out beams of purple lightning. They had Cameron's fellow Tomorrow People pinned down; she could make out Paul from her angle, crouched behind a pile of rubble that was being slowly pounded away under the fire from four weapons. She couldn't see Elena, but two of the other aliens were shooting at another section of wall not that far off, and she assumed that was where the other woman was hiding.
"We need to get out of here, now!" Paul shouted.
"Don't you think we should be getting the hell out of Dodge?" House unconsciously echoed.
Cameron agreed. She touched the trigger; the flash of white light as it splashed against alien armor almost blinded her after being in the near-dark for so long.
The alien didn't go down. In fact, the one she shot just seemed more pissed off than falling to the ground, unconscious.
"Damn!" she shouted out loud, as its weapon found her hiding place and started firing back. She dropped behind the wall, cursing a blue streak.
"Maybe I mean the O-K Corral," House corrected, ducking his head instinctively.
"Tim!" Cameron shouted. "Jaunt us the hell out of here!"
The computer didn't even answer. He just triggered the jaunt; the war zone vanished, replaced by surroundings that Cameron hadn't seen in years.
The Lab…