Chapter 4

"… and I just need your signature on these letters I wrote for you …" Cameron placed the papers in front of House.

"Okay, but I don't mind if you fake my signature … "grinned House, "not that I care, but just out of curiosity, what am I signing?"

"You're turning down lecture requests."

"Good call … I wouldn't want to actually have to speak to people, would I? I'm sure that I wrote a very gracious refusal." House said, handing back the letters to Cameron.

"You did."

"Is that all you need me for?" Cameron nodded.

"I was thinking of leaving a bit early today, I have a few errands to run. Can I bring anything tomorrow? A bag of chips, some beer and my collection of video games?" Cameron laughed and folded the letters into their envelopes.

"Ummm … maybe a bottle of wine might be nice … I'm making turkey …"

"With mashed potatoes? They're my favourite!"

"Definitely." Cameron made a mental note to buy mashing potatoes on the way home instead of roasting potatoes.

"And I'm assuming that I'm not your only guest, not that I would complain if I was, mind you …" House said hopefully.

"Oh sorry … no, I should have said something …" Cameron blushed thinking about how much she would have liked House to be her only dinner guest, "I've invited Foreman and Chase. I was going to ask Wilson and Cuddy too, but they're going out of town."

"That's cool … not a problem." House was just about to zip up his bag when he reached for his Easter basket, "I can't forget this …" Cameron smiled as she watched House grab his cane and head for the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow at five … goodnight Cameron."

"Goodnight House … I'm looking forward to it."

o0o0o

Where can they be …c'mon, it's almost five and I have a lot of groceries to buy tonight … Cameron thought, tapping her foot impatiently. Just as she was about to call down to the clinic, Foreman and Chase walked through the door.

"Finally … I was about to send out a search party for you two …"

"Where's House?" Foreman asked, packing up his computer.

"He's gone already … he said something about having a few errands to run …" said Cameron, "So I'll expect you both tomorrow at five?"

"Yep … I'll be there … unless you want to be alone with Chase …" laughed Foreman.

"You know better than that Foreman …" Cameron said, as Chase glared at her, "but actually there will be four of us. I've invited House."

"What? … No … Cameron you didn't …" Chase said, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I did and he's accepted."

"Well sweetheart … count me out then. There's no way I'm having dinner with House; it's bad enough that I have to work for him. You choose Cameron; it's either him or me." Chase said defiantly.

"I'm sorry you feel that way Chase. We'll miss you." Chase's jaw dropped. "Foreman, you'll come, won't you?"

"Sorry Cameron … dinner with House? … I just can't do it. I hate the jerk. Have a Happy Easter … both of you." Foreman picked up his laptop, grabbed his coat and walked out the door.

o0o0o

Cameron and Chase stared at each other, not saying a word. Finally Chase followed Foreman's lead and put on his coat. "I guess this is it then … for us."

"I guess it is … "Cameron said quietly. "I can't believe how mean you are … both of you. House didn't mind having dinner with you."

"Whoa Cameron … I refuse to be the bad guy. I'm not a drug addict … I didn't trick my co-workers into believing that I was dying … House is the villain here Cameron … not me." Chase pulled up a chair and sat beside Cameron. "I always knew you weren't over House. This whole arrangement between us, it wasn't just about sex. You used me to make House jealous."

"Like you really suffered Chase …" Cameron said angrily, "You knew the deal … sex with no strings attached …"

"Yea, but I always hoped for more …" Chase answered, his sadness turning bitter. "You've made your choice. Just don't plan on running back to me when House breaks your heart. You know, I don't get it ... what's the attraction? Do you get off on cranky old men that treat you like dirt? We were great together!"

Cameron stood and walked to the door. "You couldn't possibly understand how I feel about Greg …"

"Greg … you're calling him Greg now?" asked an astonished Chase.

"Yes, I am." Cameron started out the door and then paused to look back at Chase.

"Oh ... and by the way Chase … the sex … it wasn't great … so don't worry … I won't be back …"

tbc ...