"Hello, this is Dr. Cameron from Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, for Tamara Weiss. Uh, your résumé is very impressive and I'd like you to come in for an interview. I'm available on the 2nd, 8th, and 16th of January. Please call me back and we'll arrange a time; and thank you for applying."
Cameron hung up and sat motionless in her chair for awhile; thinking about her personal and professional life. Both of them seemed to be falling apart.
One doctor, two cases. She and Park had tried alternating patients, mostly to give them the illusion that their department was not suffering. But it was difficult; and until both patients were cured and discharged, and both doctors felt competent enough to do it again; it wasn't worth the fuss.
Of course...if she had been as good as House, the first patient probably would have been cured already. Suddenly understanding all too well the reluctance Park had expressed about taking the job, Cameron felt a waver in her own determination. She dropped her head in her hands and wished fervently that she actually did possess the power to turn back time.
Sitting there pitifully was how Taub found her. He walked tentatively towards her desk. "Dr. Cameron?" he asked, and she lifted her head to look at him. He pulled out the seat on his side of her desk. "Uh, I came to apologize. For the part I played against House. Well, more accurately, the part I was going to play. I feel terrible about it... Because the bottom line is that was Cuddy was right. You have a strong moral compass, and I'm sorry I forgot that."
Cameron was nodding in acknowledgment. "How many apologies do you think I can accept?"
"I'm not here to ask for my job back. I just wanted to express the remorse I feel. He was vulnerable and it's unlike me to take advantage."
She stared at him, quelling the instinct to remark about the women he cheated on, the time he stole credit for Kutner's idea and the time he stole credit for House's black eye. And seeing a silent opinion on the woman's face, Taub awaited her response.
"I can't accept your apology."
"I could understand if Cuddy couldn't accept my apology, but...why can't you?"
"On the off chance your new boss doesn't have a strong moral compass, I want you to hang onto this feeling."
Taub considered her words and then locked eyes with her. He nodded slowly, then pushed back his chair and stood. "All the reasons Cuddy had to promote you... Well, she was right. I think you're going to make her proud."
He turned and quietly left the office. Alone, Cameron smiled at the doorway.