Amazing Grace- A House/NCIS story

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything House related except DVDs. Ryan is mine, though.

Chapter fifteen:

House didn't tell Wilson about his date with Cameron. All the next day at work, Chase and Foreman wondered why their boss seemed in a slightly better mood than usual, yet kept to himself in the office all day.

House spent the day texting Cameron, which was not as convenient for her as it was for him, as she was attempting to deal with her nerves by cleaning her apartment thoroughly. Finally, as the sun set, she turned to her closet and began to find something to wear. In one of the many text messages he had sent her throughout the day, he had instructed her to dress 'semi-formal', and Cameron had consequently spent the next half hour wondering what that meant and where he was taking her. Finally, she assumed the 'semi' part of the dress code was an excuse for him not to wear a tie, which, she found when she opened her front door just before seven, proved her right.

House had simply worn jeans and a Rolling Stones T-shirt with a suit jacket over the top, and his eyes widened slightly with admiration as he took in Cameron's outfit. She had finally chosen a red dress with thin straps on her shoulders, and her long hair was loose.

"Is it okay for wherever we're going?" she asked anxiously.

"Perfect," he assured her, still watching her in awe.

He led her downstairs where he stopped beside his bike. Cameron paused suddenly.

"Uh, Greg? I'm wearing a dress," she said slowly.

He handed her a helmet and climbed on. "So? No-one will be looking."

Feeling slightly self-conscious , Cameron fitted the helmet over her hair, and climbed on behind him, placing her hands around his waist. House grinned to himself as she made herself comfortable before starting the bike and pulling away from the curb.

"Where are we going?" she asked loudly when they stopped at the traffic lights.

"That's for me to know, and you to find out," he replied teasingly.

He drove through the streets until he pulled to a stop and cut the engine. Cameron looked around to see where they were, and smiled slightly.

"I'm so glad I dressed up for Chinese food," she said dryly.

House climbed off the bike, lifting the helmet off her head. "Hey, this is the best Chinese food in the state," he promised.

"And you've sampled every Chinese restaurant in New Jersey to confirm this?" she teased.

"Of course," he grinned in reply, steering her inside.

They were seated quickly and ordered silently. Once the waiter had left, Cameron immediately leaned forward.

"I need to know something," she began, and House sighed.

"What did I say?"

She scowled and swatted his arm. "Nothing! I'm serious."

He rolled his eyes, but let her continue, noticing she seemed very nervous.

"I need to know if we're going to have a problem."

"Probably, but if you're referring to a specific issue, please explain," he quipped. "What are you worried we're going to have a problem with?"

Cameron bit her lip. "With the fact that I have more male friends than female. And the fact that my best friend is my ex-boyfriend."

House was surprised. In truth, he hadn't considered the matter at all, which he told her now. "I know I can be... protective-"

"Possessive," she corrected, smiling.

"Yes," he admitted. "But it was for a good cause, wasn't it? And I don't have to worry, do I?"

"No," she smiled softly.

"Then, we won't have a problem. You have a history... I'll learn to deal with the fact your history is still a part of your present."

"It's weird," she shook her head. "I know I said... a long time ago that I was done waiting for you, but I feel like that's all I've ever done."

House reached over and took her hand. "Sorry I made you wait so long," he said awkwardly.

She blushed. "I think it'll be worth the wait," she replied sincerely.

After dinner, House took her back to her apartment where he kissed her gently and bid her goodnight. When he called her the next day, they both agreed it had gone much better than their first date, and they went to a movie on Sunday afternoon, both enjoying one another's company.

"What happens tomorrow?" she asked him as they left the cinema.

"Well, it's Monday, so most people go to work," he replied sarcastically.

"That's not what I mean," she glowered. "I mean..."

"I know what you mean," he assured her.

"And?" she pressed hesitantly.

"And... I really wanna be the one to tell Chase and Foreman. You can just stand there, look pretty and take a picture of their expressions."

Cameron laughed and agreed. "So... we're telling people?"

"You don't want to?"

"I do," she said hastily. "I just hope you're prepared for what that means. Big brother talks, gossip, staring..."

House sighed. "I know."

Cameron smiled up at him. "I just want to make sure you're aware of it all. If we stuff this up, there's gonna be a lot of people ready to hurt you."

House turned to her. "You mean if I stuff this up. And I won't. We'll be fine, as long as we talk things through before the men start repairing the walls you just knocked down."

Cameron beamed. "I can do that."

"Good," he murmured and bent to kiss her.

The next morning, she was as usual, the first one into the office, and collected the mail, opened the blinds, and started the coffee. Then, she paused, thinking. While she was thrilled House was so readily open and eager to bring their new relationship into the open; she felt strangely like she owed it to the primary men in her life to tell them herself. Checking her watch, she had to pause to figure out the time difference between Ireland and Princeton. As it was already one in the afternoon in Dublin, she called Ryan, who answered quickly.

"Hello?"

As always, she smiled to hear his voice. "Hey, it's me."

"Hey, angel!" His voice lit up as he recognised her voice. "It's early for you to call, isn't it?"

"Yeah," she admitted. "But I had to talk to you. I thought it'd be best if it came over the phone."

Ryan sounded worried. "What is it?"

Cameron took a breath and let it out slowly. "I'm... kind of dating House."

There was a moment of silence, and Cameron froze. "Ryan? Hello?"

"What do you mean kind of dating?"

"I mean, we've been out twice... in one weekend."

"And it went better than the last time?"

She smiled. "Much."

"Good," Ryan still sounded strange.

"Are you okay? You're not jealous, are you?" she teased and Ryan finally laughed.

"No, I'm not. Sorry, babe. I just want to know... is this serious? Or is he going to back out and leave us to pick up the pieces?"

Cameron was amused. "Who's us?"

"Well, me... everyone. I'm sure we can get a list of people willing to hurt him if he hurts you," he offered.

"Hon, I appreciate the offer, but... I can't explain it. I think it'll be okay. He promised not to hurt me."

"He better keep it," her ex muttered darkly.

"I'll pass that on," she giggled.

"Good. Listen, Lissy I gotta go. I'll call you later?"

"Yeah, ok. Just e-mail me to tell me when, my time."

"Will do, angel."

"Will you still love me tomorrow?"

"Always and Forever babe," he assured her softly and they hung up a moment later.

Cameron sighed as she hung up the phone, and jumped as a pair of warm arms encircled her from behind.

"See?" House murmured in her ear. "I eavesdropped on almost that whole conversation and I'm fine with it."

Cameron giggled and turned to face him. "It's seven thirty! You're insanely early! If that's not a dead giveaway I don't know what is," she teased.

He shrugged and kissed the top of her head. "I wanted to see you before Dumb and Dumber arrived. Plus, it threw Cuddy for a loop again. That gal don't know what's going on!"

She laughed again, and he gestured to the phone. "I'm guessing that was Ryan. You don't usually make international calls from the office do you? If so, bravo."

Cameron snorted. "No. I felt like I wanted to tell some people myself. Personally."

"Like?"

"Ryan. And Tony."

House considered it thoughtfully. "You're ex boyfriend, and your ex potential boyfriend. Understandable. And I'm also guessing I got my first warning."

Cameron nodded in confirmation. "Yeah. Are you going to eavesdrop on my conversation with Tony too? I'll give you permission," she teased.

House sat down in her chair and looked up at her expectantly. Rolling her eyes, Cameron picked up the receiver again, this time dialling the NCIS office in Washington.

"DiNozzo," Tony greeted her, not quite as cheerful as usual, and Cameron grinned.

"Big night out?" she guessed.

Tony moaned in agreement. "Oh, yeah. It wasn't my fault though."
"Of course not," Cameron replied. "Someone obviously must have tricked you into drinking massive consumptions of alcohol."

"Yeah," he agreed. "See, Ziva- Ally agrees with me! It was a trick!"

Cameron laughed as she heard Ziva in the background, snorting in disbelief.

"So, Dr. Cameron what can I do for you this fine Monday morning?" he asked her.

Cameron sighed slightly and smiled at House, who was still watching her intently. "I have news, and I thought I'd let you guys be among the first to know."

"Ooh, did you win Lotto? Are you gonna buy me a pony?"

Cameron giggled. "Already did. Her name is Sparkles and she's just your type."

"Excellent!" Tony beamed and they both laughed.

"So, seriously?"

"No, not seriously, you moron!" she rolled her eyes. "I thought some of you may be interested in knowing that House and I are together."

"Woo-hoo!" Tony cried, so loudly Cameron winced and held the receiver away from her ear.

"Yes, I can buy my pony a friend now!"

Cameron frowned. "Okay, what the hell are you talking about and remember there is no pony!"

Chuckling, Tony lowered the phone and turned to Ziva, McGee and Gibbs who had all turned to him in confusion.

"Allison and House are dating," he explained to the team, and Ziva's eyes widened and she picked up the phone to call Abby in the lab. McGee looked disappointed and Gibbs was smiling slightly.

"DiNozzo! What's going on?" Cameron demanded.

Tony grinned sheepishly. "Well, since we went to Wisconsin... Chase, Foreman and McGee and I have had a bet going as to when you two would get together. And I won. Please tell the boys that I do accept cheques and money orders, and I expect the full amount."

Cameron couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Wait, you had a bet with Chase and Foreman as to when Greg and I would date?"

Upon hearing this, House grinned and Cameron glared at him. Just as she began to yell at him, the phone was suddenly snatched out of Tony's hand, and an excited Abby and Ziva came on the line.

"Ally?" Abby demanded, sounding breathless.

"Hi," Cameron said brightly. "Abby, are you okay?"

"Oh yeah, I just kind of... ran up from... the lab. I'll be fine." She assured her.

"Congratulations, Allison!" Ziva said happily.

"Thanks, Ziva. Can you believe the boys?"

"Don't worry," Abby assured her. "They're being taken care of,"

Cameron grinned as she heard Tony yelp as his head was smacked lightly by Gibbs. "Good," she said with satisfaction.

"Ally, Gibbs wants a word. We'll talk to you soon, okay?" Ziva said hurriedly, and Cameron agreed hastily as the phone was passed on and Gibbs' voice came over the line.

"Hi, Allison," he greeted her.

"Hey, Gibbs. Thank you for hitting Tony," she thanked him.
"No worries. And congratulations, this is good news," he told her, and she smiled.

"Thanks, Gibbs."

"Is he there, by any chance?"

Cameron was surprised. "Sure. I'll put him on and then talk to you all later."

She passed the phone, shrugging to a curious House, and stepped aside. She couldn't hear what Gibbs was saying, but House's face took on an expression so serious she was startled. He nodded many times, agreed to whatever was being said, then bid him goodbye and hung up.

"What was that?" she asked in bewilderment.

"My second warning," House answered.

Cameron smiled slightly and began to sort the mail. Chase and Foreman entered the office together half an hour later, and after setting down their briefcases, headed straight for the coffee pot.

"Don't drink it all," House warned, entering the conference room, and the boys jumped in surprise.

"You're here early. Is there a case?" Chase asked his boss.

"Nope. Just got to keep an eye on you young hooligans. In case you're throwing wild parties, or smoking. Or stealing cars, right Foreman?"

Foreman rolled his eyes, and Cameron looked up from the mail. "By the way, Tony said you owe him money and he accepts cheques."

They looked half-sheepish, half-confused.

"The only way we owe DiNozzo money is if-" Foreman trailed off as he realised and gaped at House and Cameron.

"You two are together?"

"As of Friday," House confirmed. He glared at Cameron. "No fair. You said I could tell them!"

"Sorry," she said sweetly. "But there's still Wilson and Cuddy."

House thought about that for a moment. "Cool. I'm gonna do that then."

He leaned over the desk and kissed a surprised Cameron briefly to the boys' shock and limped out of the room.

"How the hell did that happen?" Chase asked her, stunned.

Cameron blushed. "I'm not quite sure, actually. It just did."

Foreman embraced her. "Congratulations, Allison. I'm really happy for you."

"Thanks," she smiled.

He raised an eyebrow. "Do I have to keep an eye on him?"

Cameron giggled. "I think Gibbs has it covered. But the offer means a lot."

"Yeah, Gibbs can be scary," Chase agreed.

"He's a marine. That's kind of their job," Foreman laughed.

Chase hesitated, then grinned slyly at Cameron. "So, this is serious?"

Cameron beamed. "I think it will be, yeah." Suddenly she turned to them sternly. "So this bet Tony won... what exactly was it?"

Chase shrugged sheepishly. "Well, we figured you two would end up together sooner or later. Tony just guessed it would be sooner rather than later. Damn... if this had happened a bit later, I would have won!"

"And I'm sure you were planning on using those winnings to buy me a present," Cameron joked.

"Of course," he replied innocently and Cameron snorted and went back to work.

House returned gleefully to the office fifteen minutes later, announcing almost happily that Cuddy had almost had a stroke over the news and that Wilson was "so happy he looks like he's trying to dance the Riverdance."

"Is he any good?" Cameron grinned,

"Yeah right. He can dance as well as Chase raps," was the sarcastic reply, and Chase turned red with embarrassment,