Chapter 7

"Well, if I haven't got it, we don't need it." Cameron kicked the door of her apartment shut as she struggled into the kitchen with her bags of groceries.

She hung her coat up in the closet and stopped, shocked at her reflection in the hall mirror. "I look like a drowned rat …" she muttered, looking at her wet, wind-blown hair, "what a night …"

Cameron grabbed a towel, coiled it around her damp locks, then returned to the kitchen. "Okay, now I'm going to have to be really organized about this, so that I get everything done. Let's see … I'm dying for a cup of tea; I'll start the kettle first. Now the turkey …where are the scissors … I'd better cut the tag off so I can calculate the cooking time … I'm glad it's fresh, I don't have to thaw it overnight. Veggies … yes, I remembered the mashing potatoes for House …"

Cameron smiled to herself when she thought about excited House was when he asked if she was serving mashed potatoes. House never ceased to amaze her; he was a brilliant, complex man, yet he was almost child-like in many ways with his collection of toys and his simple tastes in food.

I'm so glad Chase and Foreman aren't coming … it's like I've been given a second chance with House … I wonder what I should wear tomorrow …

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.

House …

"Coming …" She scurried into the bathroom, freshened up her lipstick and gave her hair a quick brush, "Coming …" and opened the door wearing a welcoming smile.

"Chase …" Cameron's smile quickly vanished. "What are you doing here?"

"Look Alli … Cameron, can I come in and warm up for a minute … it's pouring out there …" Chase was drenched; his perfect hair clung to his scalp like a sodden floor mop.

"I don't think it would be a good idea Chase …"

"Please … I won't stay long … I promise." As much as she didn't want him to stay, Cameron could not turn him away. It was the price she paid for being polite.

"Okay … sure … let me take your coat. I was just going to make a pot of tea, would you like a cup?" Cameron said reluctantly.

"That would be great. Here Cameron, these are for you." Chase said, handing Cameron a bouquet of red and pink peonies and pale pink roses.

"They're beautiful Chase, but I don't understand, why are you bringing me flowers?" Chase followed Cameron into the kitchen and watched while she made tea and arranged the flowers in a vase. "We've just ended our relationship … I haven't changed my mind about House."

"The flowers are a peace offering Cameron. I know that we're through, I know you want House … I think you're a fool, but it's your choice. I just want us to be friends … Cameron can you stop for a minute and talk to me … please… " Chase pleaded as he watched her putting away groceries. Cameron stopped, poured the tea and sat down at the kitchen table with him.

"I'm busy Chase … I have a lot to do to get ready for tomorrow."

"I can see that. You have enough food to feed an army. That's a lot of work for you …"

"Well when you're making a turkey dinner, it's the same amount of work whether you're cooking for two people or four … not that you care." Cameron said bitterly.

"Yea, yea, I get that you're mad at me, but that's the other reason why I'm here. I talked to Foreman and we've decided that it wasn't fair to you to skip out on your dinner party because we couldn't stand House."

"Wh .. what … what are saying Chase?'

"Foreman and I accept your invitation. We'd love to come to dinner tomorrow."

tbc …