Chapter thirteen- the frenzy.
Sunday came and went like it was passing through Princeton on the breeze. Monday arrived and so, it appeared, had the Christmas frenzy. It always surprised House how people somehow only realised the date a week before Christmas, and why this made everyone panic. This generalisation stretched out to his best friend, Dr James Wilson.
"Who's Lucy? Some chick I don't know about?" House questioned
"Well, I showed you her photograph when she was born."
"That wrinkly thing?"
"My niece."
"Same difference"
"Well, she's not wrinkly now she's four. And I need to get her something more. I got her that doll she wanted, what do little girls like?" Wilson sighed
"Uh, ask Cameron."
"I will, you know."
"Anything to shut you up"
They were sitting in an exam room watching General Hospital on Houses portable TV.
"And Clara." Wilson continued, undeterred
"Who the hell is Clara?"
"My sister in law."
"Oh. She hot?"
"House! No!"
"Get her something practical then. Oven gloves."
"You're not helping."
"Ask Cameron."
"I will, I could take her out for something to eat. Heck, I could take her with me when I go to my brothers for Hanukah-Christmas dinner."
"Don't you dare"
"What? Clara's Christian, Seth is Jewish. I get to celebrate both holidays, and I won't convert Cameron."
"I'm not worried about you converting her."
"Worried I'm going to steal her away before you get the chance to make your declaration of undying-"
"Shut up" House interrupted.
Wilson maintained a straight face, but on the inside, he was beaming.
Up in the conference room, Cameron had begun another batch of coffee. It was warm in the differential diagnosis room, but it seemed that the outside weather had not yet quite left her or her fellow doctors. She had arrived earlier than usual to put out the bowl of candy canes on the glass table, and stockings around the kitchenette. She had amused Chase greatly when she pointed out the fact that she had been out and bought some red letter stickers, and on each stocking was a different duckling's name. There was even one for House. She didn't mention that she had only done this to take her mind off the realisation that just maybe House liked her back. Cameron had made herself laugh when she sneaked into her boss's office and decorated his TV and computer with tinsel and holly sprigs. She reckoned it would take no less than ten seconds for him to start whining indignantly. If, of course, he didn't notice first that she had hidden two of the board pens so he could only write with red or green, then it would take less than five seconds.
She was now standing with a mug of coffee in her hand, leaning against the counter. She had zoned out of the others discussion and was watching the snow falling. She was looking forward to the Christmas party Wednesday night, but she was having mixed emotions about the break she would have afterwards. She liked the fact that she came to work and had people to talk to, and in a way she would have liked to be working this Christmas, not just on call. She was in on Christmas Eve. Cameron considered that she would be back on Boxing Day, but it didn't feel the same. She sadly thought that everyone else would have someone to spend time with this Christmas. Except her. She wondered who would be working on Christmas day and thought that ironically these people probably had families they would be leaving at home.
"Cameron the Christmas fairy!" Exclaimed House as he walked through the door which adjoined his office to the room next to it.
It jolted her from her thoughts, but she couldn't help but laugh:
"I thought you'd appreciate it."
"No new patients" Foreman cut in, ever the sensible one.
"Then I'll be in my office, the one twinkling with happiness and light." He turned, and threw words over his shoulder: "C'mon Cameron"
All three ducklings raised their eyebrows, each as surprised as the last. But Cameron followed him into his office, closing the aforementioned adjoining door behind her, much to Chase's irritation.
"Wednesday night. I'll pick you up at six. Be ready."
"Ok."
"I'm pretty surprised you haven't told Foreman and Chase already."
"I didn't feel it necessary. The opportunity didn't come up"
"Don't let it"
"Why?" She said it in that tone of certainty and determination that always took him aback.
"Because…" He trailed off, turning his chair around to look out the window.
"I know Foreman talked to you." She kept her tone light, but saw that her boss's hands tighten around his cane. Perfectly expressing the annoyance she had felt when Chase had told her what Foreman was so proud of achieving. "Before our date."
"Oh. That wasn't why I-"
"Said what you said?"
"Exactly."
"Ok." She took a deep breath "Do you still believe it?"
"Yes."
"Right. Well, I'll see you later. I'm just headed down to Cuddy's office" The non aggressive, non accusatory tone with which she spoke relieved him. Had this been Stacey, he would be grovelling for days, with no one to go to the party with. Cameron seemed to accept him as he was, even when he apparently couldn't do the same for her.
----
"I really don't have anything!" Sighed Cuddy, looking through medical files.
"There must be. Something to keep us entertained for half an hour?"
Cameron was in her new friend's office, trying to find a new patient for her team, to no avail.
It so came about that the rest of the day was spent trying to find a diagnosis for Mariah Jacobs. It was found relatively quickly and easily. It helped that quite some time ago they had dealt with an almost identical case, and so luckily for Ms Jacobs, she would be just fine.