Chapter 3
House sat at his desk, coffee in hand, absentmindedly popping jelly beans from his Easter basket into his mouth. He picked up Cameron's dinner invitation and read it again.
What an ass I am … after everything that's happened, she still wants to invite me to dinner … and I had to make fun of her Easter decorations.
Why? Am I that big of a jerk that I get my jollies by making Cameron unhappy every chance that I get? … Could Wilson be right? … Do I really try to drive away everyone that cares about me?
House could hear Cameron talking with Chase and Foreman; he couldn't bother getting up and yelled, "Chase, Foreman, clinic, now ... Cameron …in my office." The room grew quiet; the only sound was that of Cameron knocking hesitantly on House's door.
"Yes House …" House knew that the time had come. If he truly wanted Cameron he would have to do something about it and fast.
"Cameron we need to talk … sit down. I want to apologize for my wisecrack about the Easter decorations. It was a mean thing to say to you. I hope you'll forgive me." House got up from behind his desk and sat in the chair beside Cameron.
"House, I'm sorry too. I over-reacted … again." Cameron smiled faintly. "You were just joking. I know that now."
"While you were out, I thought about why I act the way I do …"
"House please, you don't have to explain yourself to me."
"I know that Cameron, but I want to … it's important for me to say this … "
"All right." Cameron said quietly.
"I'm just not used to people doing "nice" things for me, like giving me this basket of candy or inviting me to dinner … it makes me uncomfortable and then instead of saying "thank you" like any other normal human being, I make some smartass remark and piss people off so they'll never try to be nice to me again … pretty sick, huh?" House looked into Cameron's eyes.
"Thank you for my gift and this …" House said holding up his invitation. "I'll understand if you want to take it back, but I would love to come to dinner tomorrow, if I'm still invited?"
"Is five o'clock all right with you?"
"I'll be there … thank you Allison." Cameron smiled.
He's called me Allison.
"You're welcome …Greg …" House smiled. She called me Greg.
tbc ...