Kirei28: Bahaha. You may be the only person to ever say they're glad I'm back to my usual self. xD Anyway. You don't need a hint. You can meet him in this chapter.
Random: Ah. Mmkay. I'll try to do that. Thanks for reviewing.
Bigblusky: You're all so intent on Remy injuring people! Goodness!
Anyonymous: The x-box pwns. We have xbox, xbox360, ps1, ps3, wii, etc etc. Thanks for reviewing!
Enigmatic: Thanks for reviewing!
Ilessthree: Yeeaah. I dunno if you wanna go through Remy to get to him. Ha. I mean...-holds back laughter- -grin-
Angel's: I'm glad you're liking it. Thanks for reviewing!
Amazon: Tense from that chapt turns to intense for this one. Bahaha. Hey...I happen to like Chase! He's cute...and has an accent. Plus...Cam/Remy have to be together, so Chase is my only other option. Lol.
Eva: I keep looking to see if there's any other previews up yet! I'm so excited. Unfortunately, I have class, so I'll have to wait until someone posts it online. Gr.
Melissa: Glad you liked Alex. He practically had his own fanclub. Hehe. Ah. Sneakiness is fun!
Ilive: Glad you're loving it! Thanks for reviewing!
YDPP: My bad guys are always evil. So, yes, that was my goal. Hehe. Bahaha. Embarrassing House dreams? xD I had a House dream the other night. More hilarious than embarrassing. I was Thirteen...and insulted Cameron then Cuddy insulted me then I insulted myself. -fail-
Shan: Haha. The puppies and rainbows comment definitely made me think for a moment!
Nameless: The wait is finally over! Yay! They won't go overboard on making each other jealous. Considering Kutner is harmless and Cam/Wilson don't like each other like that. The police have looked for him bc well...he did rape her.
Twampy: Why the frown?! Spazzing Remy and psychopaths pwn! Haha. So...this is pretty pathetic, but for a moment I was like, "Huh...Signal? Fire?" Then I was like, "Oh! That's the name of my fic!!! -blush-"
Seventh: Haha. Noooo comment.
Lessthan13: I didn't give a clue. Cause well...I have this chapter.
Setyourself: You might need that universal health care for this chapt! According to my friends who've read it anyway!
Ina: Yup. Maybe soon there'll be some more shedding of clothes. -wink- No one saw me type that! Bc I wanted to include the police in this chapt and the next one. Ha.
Serious: Aw. Thank you!
Anyway. So...brief update!
I now have twitter incase anyone wants to follow me. My name is 'rabidnar'.
And...sorry it took so long for me to update! I'm big on missions and foreign countries and the disaster in Haiti has pretty much shattered my heart. I donated through Olivia Wilde. $200. So...I should be getting a 'thank you' video. If/When I get it, I'll let y'all know and anyone who wants to see it can hit me with an email.
Warning: I had fun with this chapter!!! It was killer to write, but I enjoyed it like no other! - Also. I got the name for the person off wiki...no clue if I'm correct. I'll honestly say, I'm just improvising. I have not seen many House episodes before this season.
Cameron's POV:
'Soon' is such an objective word. 'Soon' is the kind of word that exists only within the experiencer's mind. It could mean five seconds from now or it could mean five months from now, depending on what your unsub's version of the word actually means. But the definition of length doesn't matter; the thought of seeing him again scares you half to death. Clinging to Remy, you allow her presence to soothe you. You know you should work on comforting yourself, but you like the security she provides.
"I'm going to call the police, Allison," she says, leaning sideways and grabbing your phone again. "He's just trying to insert his control over you and I'm putting an end to it."
"What are the police going to do?" you mumble bitterly against her shoulder. "Every time he calls, it's from a different number. He's probably using payphones or tracphones so no one will be able to track him down." You sniffle and let go of her long enough to rub at your nose before gripping the back of her nightgown again. The silky fabric is hard to hold onto but you repeatedly tighten your grip on her.
"Well, I'm not going to risk him showing up here and hurting you again," she replies in an irritated tone, thankfully though she seems frustrated with him and not you. She gently pries you off of her and flips your phone open, examining the buttons for a moment. "Where the hell is the call button on this thing?"
You hesitate and wipe at your face to get rid of the tears. "It's the one with the green line on the side," you whisper finally. You bite back to urge to tell her not to call and settle back against the backboard of the bed. For some reason, you feel like you need to protect this man from the police and that terrifies you. You have a big heart, but not big enough to protect someone who needs to be locked up. Something about him is familiar though. Exhaling a long breath through your mouth, you grab Remy's pillow and hug it tightly.
"Thanks." She dials the three numbers then flips her hair back and holds the phone to her ear. "Hello, this is Remy Hadley. I'm calling to report a threat my friend just received." She runs her fingers through her hair and lets her hand rest on top of her head. After a pause, she clenches her jaw. "Yes, I realize that, but…No."
Her frustration with the operator is evident and you watch her carefully, keeping silent.
"No, you listen," she snaps at the operator, moving so she's kneeling on the bed. "I'm not going to wait and see if he calls back. This guy just raped my friend a few days ago."
The word 'rape' causes you to cringe and makes your chest tighten. You've been trying to just push it from your mind, not wanting to face it. Just hearing someone say the word is painful.
"Yes, I'm positive it's the same guy!" Remy answers the operator, narrowing her eyes. She lowers her hand from her head and switches the phone to her other ear. "I want someone over here and I want them over here now! I want a policeman at my house, making sure that we're safe! I know that, but…Fuck you!" Her voice trails off and she grinds her teeth before snapping the phone shut. "She hung up on me! Fuck them!" she exclaims, throwing the phone on the floor.
"Rem," you mumble quietly, startled by her outburst. "You said he just wants to get a rise out of me. Now he's getting what he wants from both of us."
"The police in New Jersey need to learn how to do their damn jobs," she snaps, glaring in the direction of where she tossed the phone as she gets to her feet. "I'm getting my phone and calling Kutner and Taub to come over."
Neither Kutner nor Taub seem like they'd do a very good job at protecting you, but they're better than calling someone like Foreman. Plus having two guys in the house would make you feel somewhat safer. "Alright," you murmur hesitantly and also stand up. "Maybe we could call someone who works for security at the hospital."
"Good idea," she agrees, nodding her head. "Someone on security will at least have a weapon." She walks out of the bedroom, muttering a few choice words under her breath about the policemen in New Jersey.
You put the pillow down and walk over to the other side of the bed. Peering down at your phone, you're relieved to see the fall didn't visibly break it except for a few chips in the plastic. You pick it up and place it on the bed then turn and hurry after Remy. "Rem, do you-" You're both in the middle of the living room when there's a knock on the door that causes the two of you to freeze.
Images of what-could-be begin flash through your mind and your entire body suddenly feels stiff. "Do you think they decided to send the police?" you whisper, your mouth feeling suddenly dry.
"I never gave them my address," she whispers back. Her eyes widen and she glances around. "I'm calling the police again."
"Allison!" The male behind the door yells. "Open the door before I break it down!"
The color drains from your face and the sound of your heart roars in your ears. "I recognize that voice," you whisper, wishing you weren't frozen in your spot so you could take a few steps toward Remy. The voice is familiar, but you can't manage to put your finger on it. "I know that person."
"Well, maybe you can introduce us," Remy whispers back in a sarcastic, strained voice. She seems to be just as paralyzed as you are and is suddenly breathing heavy.
The man slams something (or possibly himself) hard against the door. The frame shakes, making a cracking noise.
"Oh god," you murmur in a shrill voice, somehow managing to stumble back a few steps. Your knees lock up again and you look frantically for some sort of an escape. "Remy, call the police," you hiss.
Batman trots into the living room and stops to stare at the door. He growls for a moment at Remy then glances at the door again before making his way back toward the bedroom.
"Batman!" Remy calls after him in a quiet voice. "Get your ass out here and do what I bought you to do!" She turns and is about to make a dash for the kitchen when there's another crash against the door. This time it flies open, and a man stumbles inside.
Your hands quickly cover your mouth and your lips begin to tremble as you stare at the guy in front of you. "Joe?!" you cry, tears welling up in your eyes.
He straightens himself up and switches the gun he's holding from one hand to the other. "Didn't think you'd see me again, did you?" he asks, sounding triumphant. "All these years, I looked for you after you disappeared. I finally got a hold of your mother and she told me exactly where you were." He slams the door shut behind him.
Your breath starts hitching in your throat as you stare at the man you once fell for. "Joe," is all you can choke out. "Why-Why-"
"Why am I doing this?" Joe asks, arching a brow.
"Well that sure as hell would be nice to know!" Remy exclaims, glancing back and forth between the two of you. "Someone better fill me the hell in."
Joe turns to face her and tilts his head to the side. "You're Remy, right?" he asks, but doesn't wait for the confirmation. "She never told you about me? The man she had an affair with while her husband was dying?"
"It wasn't an affair!" you cry out, trying to keep the tears in your eyes from falling down your face. You can't tell whether Remy looks terrified or simply pissed off. "You and I, Joe, we didn't do anything!"
"No, you're right. You just toyed with my fucking emotions, like the slut you are!" Joe yells, pointing the gun at you.
"Leave her the fuck alone," Remy growls at him harshly, taking a step forward. She comes to a halt when he turns the gun toward her. "Look at who you're talking about. You really think Allison meant to hurt you?"
"Shut your damn mouth," Joe hisses through his teeth, narrowing his eyes and clenching his fingers around the gun. One wrong move and he risks slipping and pulling the trigger. "Let me guess," he says, his voice cracking slightly. "There's something wrong with you, isn't there? Maybe you know someone who just recently died, or maybe you're the one sick or dying. That's how Allison works. She finds someone who needs fixed and then when she can't do anymore for them, she throws them away and moves onto the next person. She feeds off of other people's pain and then when they aren't hurting anymore, she moves onto the next person who is. She doesn't even know how to love people. She just knows how to give them what they need."
You squeeze your eyes shut, furiously shaking your head. Your breaths become short bursts of air and you press your palms to your eyes as you attempt to keep yourself under control. Every part of your body is quivering beyond your control. "I didn't marry him because he was dying!" you manage. "I loved him!"
"Like hell you did!" Joe retorts. "You would have married me if he didn't have cancer! But instead of me, you chose him!" he spat unmercifully. "Then when he died, you took off for New Jersey without even a goodbye!" He directs his voice toward Remy. "So go ahead and tell me what's wrong with you. There has to be something for Cameron to be sticking around. And I guarantee you it isn't because she needs you, so there has to be some reason she feels you need her."
"Get the hell out of my house before I beat the shit out of you," Remy snaps. Her chest heaves with each breath and she clenches her fists, digging her nails deep into the palms of her hand. "Fuck the fact you have a gun."
"Really? And how are you going to do that?" Joe walks forward and grabs you by the arm, pulling you close. He presses the gun against your cheek.
"Remy," you choke out fearfully before you can stop yourself. Tears overflow down your cheeks. You try to gain comfort just from saying her name, but your stomach drops as the gun presses harder against your face. Pursing your lips together so they form a straight line, you attempt to hold back sobs.
"I always thought doctors were supposed to be composed," Joe comments dryly. You know he means, you because the only feeling Remy is radiating is anger. "You never did match up to anything you were supposed to be though, did you, Allison?"
"If you hurt her, I will kill you," Remy threatens him, somehow managing to keep herself calm. "You want to point the gun at someone? Point it at me!"
He's still holding your arm and his touch makes you feel like your skin is going to burn right off. "Don't do it, please," you whisper, feeling completely defeated. "She didn't do anything wrong. Joe, I'm so sorry!"
"It's too late for apologies!" Joe yells at you, shoving the gun even harder against the side of your face. "It's too late for anything from you! Don't you understand that? I own you now so keep your damn mouth shut unless I you're spoken to. I'm trying to prove my love to you!"
"This isn't love!" you screech, your voice going up several octaves. "You hurt me!"
"You hurt me first!" Joe yells, digging his nails into your arm. "You fucking hurt me first!" He spins you to face him and presses the gun to your forehead then spits in your face.
You've never felt more despicable and worthy of contempt in your entire life. Shaking with repressed sobs, you slowly lift your hand and wipe the saliva from just under your right eye.
"Get the fuck out of my house!" Remy yells, taking several steps forward. Her cheeks are a deep shade of red and her entire body is shaking in rage. "Get out!"
"You wanna play Russian Roulette, Allison?!" Joe yells, pushing the gun against your forehead so it indents in your skin.
"No!" you wail, trying desperately to pull away. "No! No!" It's the only word running through your mind. Your surroundings are suddenly a blur and your only focus is someone who was once your friend is about to play Russian Roulette with your face. "No!"
"Shut the fuck up!" Joe bellows, making his hold on you even tighter. "Shut up before I pull fucking the trigger!"
"Cameron, listen to him before he pulls the damn trigger," Remy warns you, her voice slow and void of emotion.
You clap your hands over your mouth and squeeze your eyes shut as tightly as possible. This couldn't be happening. You begin waiting for Remy to wake you up and tell you you were just having a bad dream. Realizing you're wearing her shirt, you grab neckline and clutch it in front of your mouth and nose.
"Here's what's going to happen," Joe states calmly. "I'm going to pull the trigger three times. If you live, we'll make love again then I'll let you go. But if you die, I'll shoot your girlfriend too. Then I'll dump your bodies in the nearest river and go home."
"Please," Remy whispers, her voice starting to crack. "It was an accident. She didn't mean to hurt you. Let her go."
Joe pulls the trigger once.
"Oh god," you choke, letting go of your shirt and quickly wrapping your arms around yourself. "Remy, I have to tell you something!"
"Allison, stop talking," Remy hisses. "Joe, listen to me. There're other girls out there besides Cameron. Pulling that trigger will ruin the rest of your life. Do you want that?"
"Girls other than Allison?" Joe asks, breathing a sarcastic laugh. "You don't get too much better than this one."
He pulls the trigger a second time.
You're going to die. Realization settles in. He's probably got it all planned out. He's going to pull the trigger one more time and blow your brains out. Then he's going to turn around and shoot Remy. You suddenly remember what you were trying to say. "Remy, listen to me!" you cry, your voice hoarse from yelling. "Remy, I lo-" You're suddenly yanked to the side. Joe lets go of you and you nearly fall, managing to stumble and catch yourself. Your eyes fly open to see Remy tackling Joe onto the couch.
"Go back to the bedroom!" Remy yells at you, fighting for control of the gun. She's half on top of Joe, one of her knees pressed hard into his stomach. The gun is pointing every which way and no one's finger is on the trigger, though they're both struggling for it.
"Remy!" you sob, your eyes widening. You're rooted to your spot, unable to just leave her there.
"Just go back to the fucking bedroom!" Remy hollers. "Call the police and lock the door!"
Your phone is in the bedroom. You turn and run, making it down the hall in three times faster than you normally would. You slam the bedroom door behind you and hit the lock then launch yourself onto the bed and snatch your phone. Dear God, if you're real, please let it work. You flip it open and dial nine-one-one then press the phone hard against your ear.
"Nine-One-One Operator. What is your emergency?"
Tears of relief mix in with the ones of horror. "There's a guy with a gun," you manage to get out. "He's fighting with my friend for it!"
"Alright, Ma'am, what is your location?"
Panicking, you spit out the address as quickly as possible. A gunshot catches your attention. "Oh god, someone shot."
"Someone is on their way, Ma'am. What's your name?"
"Allison Cameron." Your voice is reduced to a choked whisper. What if Remy was shot? You can't go out there without risking your own life. She could be injured or even dead and it'd be your fault. You try to get up but your knees give out and you crumple to the floor, ignoring Batman as he rushes to your side.
"Don't hang up, Ma'am. Help is on the way."
-----
It feels like hours have passed before you hear sirens. Quietly, thank the operator then hang up the phone and continue to stay where you are on the floor. Your tears have been replaced by shock and you're unable to move. The only thing you can think about is Remy. You want her to be okay. Batman has curled up beside you but it provides very little comfort. There's voices coming from the living room after a moment but you can't tell who they belong to. You're on your arms and knees with your hands covering your head and your face pressed against the floor. With a guttural moan, you wait for someone to come retrieve you.
As if your thought was a queue, there's a knock on the bedroom door. "Allison?" Remy's voice asks quietly.
Opening your eyes, you scramble to your feet and toward the door. The process of opening it nearly breaks the knob off, you're so anxious. You swing the door open so hard, it crashes into the wall. "Rem," you rasp, facing her.
"I shot him in the shoulder," she whispers, clenching her jaw and wrapping her arms around herself. "I think you should leave now." Her voice is distant but it still cracks and there are unshed tears in her eyes. "The police took him. You can go home now. They'll come question you at your house."
Your heart implodes then drops down into your stomach. "Don't do this," you plead quietly. "Everything is - Everything is spinning out of control. Please, don't do this," you beg, feeling a fresh wave of tears welling up. "Remy, pl-"
"I shot someone for you!" Breathing heavily, she drops her voice so it's barely above a whisper. "I pulled the trigger on someone for you, but he was right. I hear what people say about you. It only makes sense you're here because you think I need you. Well, I just fucking shot someone for you. I don't need any of this!"
You bring a hand to cover your mouth, muffling a sob. "I don't - No, it's not like that, Remy!" You shake your head, not bothering to push your hair away as it falls in front of your face. "Remy, I swear. I'll- I'll prove it to you!"
"Yeah?" she asks sarcastically. She rubs at her face, quickly wiping away a tear that manages to escape down her cheek. "And how are you going to do that?"
You take a step forward and pin her against the wall. "If you would have shut up while that guy was pointing a gun at my face, you'd already know!" you raise your voice at her, desperate to get your point across. It isn't like how Joe said it was. It's obvious Remy is just fine without being fixed. She doesn't need you to take care of her.
"I was trying to save your life!" she yells back at you, looking like she's going to start crying at any moment. Her chin trembles and she quickly clenches her jaw.
"And I was trying to tell you I love you incase you failed!" You grip her upper arms tightly and hold her against the wall, staring her in the eye. Her eyes widen and she gasps quietly, giving you an incredulous stare. "I was scared to tell you," you lower your voice before she can respond. "But since I've obviously just put you through hell and I don't blame you for kicking me out, I thought you should know how I feel. Telling you would only be half of how I feel! You want to know how I really feel?!"
She stares at you with her mouth agape, looking stunned. "Yes," she finally manages to choke out in a whisper, giving a nod that doesn't look as confident and you're sure she means it to be.
It's now or never. You swallow hard and glance to the side before deciding to choose the now. Taking a deep breath to calm your nerves, you look at her again and clench your jaw. Her tough exterior is quickly crumbling and she looks away from you as her face contorts into the fear that's finally catching up to her. You let go of her arms and cup her cheeks, turning her face toward you again. Now or never.
You stand up straighter and brush your lips gingerly against hers. It isn't really a kiss at first. You're just testing the waters. She gasps and you're surprised to hear her choke back a sob. Her face scrunches up and she closes her eyes. These last few days have been hell for both of you and she's been the source of strength, but now it was time to just let go. You caress her cheeks with your thumbs and press your lips to hers in a warm, gentle kiss.
Remy is frozen for a moment except for her quivering shoulders. She slowly slides her hand into your hair, twisting the brown locks around her fingers as she kisses back.
Your tongue slides across her lower lip before softly demanding entrance to her mouth. All of your senses are on hyper drive. The fear that came with liking her slowly falls away. She parts her lips and you deepen the kiss. You feel a mixture of salty tears blend together into both your mouths and you're not sure whether they're your own or hers, but the taste doesn't bother either of you. You pull away and stand taller so you can rest your forehead against hers. "I'll go," you whisper, watching her.
Keeping her eyes closed, she slowly shakes her head. "Don't go," she breathes. "I thought- I thought…he was going- I thought I'd lost you. Please, just don't go."