Chapter Three

While Cameron was busy finding a replacement to run the ER, House was released from that department to begin preparations for opening Diagnostics. He spent the day surfing the internet, creating job postings for three positions on his team and watching porn. He still had to do clinic hours, but it gave him a chance to get the word out to the other doctors that he was hiring. A week later, applications began trickling in and soon, there was a significant pile on his desk.

"What am I supposed to do with all these? I'll bet there's maybe only a few good ones. It'll be like finding a needle in a haystack," he whined.

"It can't be that bad," Cameron said as she entered the office and sat down at her desk. When she saw the stack of resumes, her eyes widened. "Holy shit."

House rested his chin on his cane and tapped his foot as he tried to come up with some way to get through the pile.

"Why don't we go through them together? Maybe we can choose a handful of people and weed out the riff raff," she said as she began picking through the pile.

"Yeah that's an idea. Come over Friday. You can bring the pizza," House said as he stood up. "I've got the beer. See you at six."

Before she could object, he was gone and she sighed. The man was impossible, but, she admitted, he'd done a lot of work on his own, getting the department set up the way he wanted, while still doing time in the clinic, and occasionally helping out in the ER when needed. Although she knew he was trolling for their first case.

XXX

Cameron arrived at Wilson and Amber's place but went to the basement entrance. It was almost seven but she texted House and let him know she'd be late. When he flung open the door, she jumped slightly and almost dropped the two pizza boxes she carried. House waved her in and she entered his apartment. It was cleaner than she expected.

"Just bring the pizza over to the couch," he told her.

Cameron shook her head and put the pizza boxes on the counter in the small kitchenette. Opening a cabinet, she found some chipped, mismatched plates. She took two, opened the top pizza box and placed two pieces on each plate.

"Where are the napkins?" she asked.

"That's what your sleeve is for," he answered. "Bring the food, woman! I'm starving."

Sighing, she carried the two plates over to him and sat down on the couch. She watched in astonishment as he devoured both pieces in under two minutes.

"I told you I was hungry," he grinned as he took her plate and ate her pizza.

Cameron got up and brought both boxes of pizza and put them on the coffee table.

"So," he said as he flipped the top box open and grabbed more pizza, "I've got them sorted by danglers and non-danglers."

Cameron got up and went out to her car. She got the box of wet wipes she kept in her glove box and returned. She set the box down firmly.

"Use them," she commanded as she pulled a piece of pizza loose and took a bite.

House ripped the box open, made a show of wiping his hands and face and then tossed the used wipe on the table.

"Now danglers-" he began.

"I know how you think. You've divided the pile into men and women. We are budgeted for four doctors, a nurse and an assistant. I'd like to cover as many bases specialty-wise as possible. Since we're going to be dealing with zebras instead of horses, we need people who think outside the box."

"And this is why you will not be my assistant," he grinned.

They spent the rest of the night eating pizza, drinking beer and sorting resumes. They got the piles down to eight men and eight women.

House stretched and made a little noise that sent fire shooting straight to Cameron's core. It was the most erotic thing she'd ever heard.

"I'll take these and we'll set up interviews," she said, bending forward so her hair covered her face. "You still want to open the department on January 2nd?"

"Yep," he yawned.

She grabbed her purse and walked up the ramp to the door. "See you tomorrow," she said but he was asleep already.

She locked the door and closed it quietly.

"Shit," she grumbled as she got into her car. "I am going to end up being his God damned assistant."

XXX

Cameron was in a foul mood the next day. She came in four hours before her shift started and couldn't find House. He wasn't in their office, the ER, the clinic, or the cafeteria. She went back to their office and began calling applicants to set up interviews. She was nearly finished when she heard whistling. House pushed open the office door and stopped short when he saw her. He looked at his watch and then back at her.

"You're not due for another two hours," he commented as he came in and sat down in the lounger.

"Where the hell have you been?" she asked through gritted teeth. "I told you I was coming in early to set up interviews."

"Yeah," he responded as he lifted his right leg onto the foot stool. "Tomorrow."

"It is tomorrow since I said that last night!"

"You said that about two this morning which is technically today."

"Oh, my GOD!" she exploded. "Is this what it's going to be like working for you?"

"Not for me. With me. And you've known me for three months now. You know how I am."

"Yes, you are literal when it suits you. If you didn't want to call the applicants, all you had to do was tell me."

"Well, I don't want to call the applicants but I would have if you told me to do it."

Cameron clenched her fists. "Get up and call these last three applicants. Here is the schedule." She shoved the folders and the calendar on his desk.

"Geez, no need to get your granny panties in a twist," he grumbled as he got up.

She watched him as he made the calls and marked the interview times on the calendar.

"Happy?" he asked as he shoved everything back onto her desk.

Cameron stood and grabbed her bag. She flung the door open and stomped down the hallway. She heard House behind her so she stopped at the top of the stairs, and turned on him. He stepped back and stared at her with wide eyes.

"I was going to work down in the dungeon with you tonight," he said softly. "Should I bother?"

Part of her wanted to tell him no and another wanted to tell him yes. A bigger part of her wanted to kiss him senseless. So she did. Grabbing him, she pulled his head down and kissed him. She was dimly aware of his cane hitting the floor as his arms went around her waist. His mouth slanted across hers and she thrust her tongue into his mouth. He moaned and she deepened the kiss as she strained up against him. A hum of pleasure escaped her as his hands slid down inside her jeans and gripped her ass, pressing her against him. She slid her hands beneath his t-shirt and dug her fingers into the muscles of his back. She could feel his erection against her stomach. Slowly, she pulled back breathing heavily. His fingers trailed up her back before he released her. Reaching out, he touched her swollen lips.

She stepped back.

"You should report me to HR," she whispered and then ran down the stairs.

He picked up his cane and made his way to the elevator. She expected him to report that kiss to HR and there was no way he would do that. After all, she just proved she thought of him as more than a friend or a colleague. He also planned to somehow get her to kiss him like that again and have it lead to more pleasurable conclusions.