This chapter… I liked writing it. I'm not really sure how good it is though. A House/Cameron squee moment, not dissimilar to the kind on the show, is involved. And Desperate Housewives is used a little. Not a crossover, you'll see what I mean. This is mainly a thought and opinion chapter. And I included more light Stacey bashing. Just for good measure.

Chapter five- Trust

Cameron stood, slightly uneasily at Houses office door when they were inside. For some ridiculous reason, she felt somehow embarrassed, or shy. Despite the fact that she had already spent an afternoon here, just with House. He was currently wheeling his little old TV towards the two plush chairs which were usually occupied by him and Wilson. He looked up, and wondered why Cameron looked so worried.

"Close the blinds" he instructed, before hastily adding "we don't want Dr Cuddy seeing that we have nothing to do".

He watched as Cameron carefully made her way to the cord and started to pull the blinds closed. He couldn't help but wonder if she still liked him. If this wasn't just how she would behave around Foreman and Chase, because he was still the man she wanted. Before he thought twice, he hobbled over to the door leading out to the corridor. When he reached her he stood right in front of her, in her personal space, and looked her in the eyes. She had finished closing the blinds now, and they were so close he could practically hear her heart beating. After she had clearly got very tense, with the tip of his cane, he silently pushed down the lock on his door, maintaining his eye contact and proximity to Cameron. He couldn't quite read her expression, and the silence in the room was starting to make him uncomfortable, so after a brief, lingering moment which felt like hours, he turned and went to sit down in his chair. As he turned his back, he couldn't help but notice that Cameron let out the breath she must have been holding. He smirked to himself.

Yes, he thought, I've still got her.

The episode was a season one Desperate Housewives repeat. Cameron was about to comment that she could pretty much recite the whole script to him if he asked her to. Then she realised what a geek that would make her sound. She was truly pleased to notice that House seemed to enjoy the show. At a few of Bree's lines, he actually laughed out loud.

The conclusion of the episode was, naturally, Mary Alice's voice:

"Trust is a fragile thing".

Cameron loved these lines. So philosophical and thought provoking.

"Once earned, it affords us tremendous freedom."

I wonder if he trusts me? Cameron wondered, glancing at House. He asked me to ensure he got ketamine, I earned his trust.

"But once trust is lost, it can be impossible to recover."

Both Cameron and House instantly thought about Stacey. In his mind, House bitterly agreed with Mary-Alice's soothing voice.

"Of course the truth is, we never know who we can trust."

House wondered then if he trusted Cameron. Not as much as he had trusted Stacey, although perhaps that was a good thing?

"Those we're closest to can betray us"

House swallowed. It really was quite unnerving how much a 'philosophical' end to an episode of Desperate Housewives could bring up such raw emotion.

"And total strangers can come to our rescue."

At this, House had a flashback to when he first met Cameron. Young and pretty, quietly and clearly spoken. Had she come to his rescue? He almost scoffed at this very 'Hallmark' thing to think.

"In the end, most people decide to trust only themselves. It really is the simplest way to keep from getting burned."

With this, both doctors' minds went immediately to the other. How true. Like he'd ever trust me. Cameron thought sadly. She's ridiculously trusting... she should take the damn TVs advice. Thought House sadly. He hated the thought of her getting hurt. He'd kill any man who hurt her. Had he hurt her? The sheer thought made him feel sick, and guilty, two things he hated to feel.

A few moments passed before House clicked off the TV, and Cameron spoke.

"So, you like it?"

"Yeah… I've been watching it, don't ask, for a while"

She smiled "Well, don't worry, I won't tell anyone… and you've always got the excuse that you just like watching for Gabrielle"

"How true."

It was then that Houses cell started ringing. He rolled his head beck, exasperated, and didn't answer.

"Shall I get that?" she asked jokingly, smiling suspiciously.

"Yeah" he said tossing her the phone. She hadn't expected that. "If it's my mom she'll think I'm finally settling down again and leave me alone for a while, and if it's one of the boys, you can give me the message."

She started to giggle at the fact that she was answering Houses cell, but she did it anyway.

"Hello?" she smiled down the phone, half laughing at the bizarre situation.

"Cameron!" Oh God, it was Wilson. "Why are you answering Houses cell? Wait, oh no, is this a bad time? I'll call back! Don't stop! Carry on whatever you were doing!" panic was setting in his voice.

"No, no! Don't worry." She handed the phone over to House.

The fact that Wilson misunderstood the situation completely certainly lightened the mood in the office. Much like the day before the two sat on their computers, but mostly they talked. Somehow, some psychological barrier seemed to have been broken down, and nothing was standing in their way. House was in a far better mood because Wilson had offered to go out for drinks tonight and tomorrow night, to 'catch up'. Cameron told House how she and the boys would be going out on Friday night, and she promised to send him any incriminating pictures of either duckling.

Another companionable afternoon in which he snarked, and she took it with grace even laughing sometimes, went quicker than either would have liked it to. By the time House got into Wilson's car, he was almost happy, and was not about to comment on Minky… or whatever her name was.