A/N: I'd just like to take a moment to say thanks to everyone who reviews, especially Mongoose 187, chicagochicklett, GabbyAbby & KB22 (I hope I spelled those all correctly). You guys rock, and your comments are why I keep writing even when I don't really feel like it:)

Chapter 15

Cameron arrived at work the next morning bright and early as usual to find Dr. Lindsay from immunology waiting for her. Cameron smiled politely at her as she laid down her bag and sat behind the desk. She'd never really cared for Dr. Lindsay, although she wasn't sure she had a rational reason for it. Lindsay was a good doctor, but was far too eager, in Cameron's opinion, to pass off interesting cases. Maybe it was just her years of working for House, but she could never understand Dr. Lindsay's reluctance to work on the really tough cases.

"So, Dr. Lindsay, what can I do for you?" Cameron asked as she leaned forward in her chair, certain she was about to get handed a case.

"Well, I have a file that I'd like for Dr. House to review and I was hoping you might take it to him," Dr. Lindsay said. Cameron nodded and hid her smirk.

"I'm happy to look it over if you'd like, but if it's a case for House you really should bring it to him yourself," Cameron said. She was hesitant to agree to bring House the case because she thought it would be setting a bad precedent. She didn't want all the doctors in the hospital bringing her all their tough cases just to avoid talking to House.

"Oh, well, you know," Dr. Lindsay stammered, "Dr. House is just so difficult to talk to and I'm sure it's a case he'd be interested in."

Cameron reached out and took the file that Dr. Lindsay offered. She would probably regret this, but she couldn't say she didn't understand where the other woman was coming from. Easily approachable were not words that would ever be used to describe House. She glanced at the file briefly and wondered if Dr. Lindsay was pulling her leg.

"It's bacterial meningitis. It's diagnosed. What exactly is it you'd like Dr. House to review?" Cameron asked, confused and slightly annoyed. She really didn't want to do this at all, and certainly not for something so simple.

"It's the history that's the problem," Dr. Lindsay said quickly.

Cameron frowned and looked back over the patient's history. Her eyebrows shot up in surprise when she realized was Dr. Lindsay was talking about. She nodded and Dr. Lindsay sighed in relief and hastily exited the office, lest Cameron should change her mind.

"Tie one on last night?" Jasper asked as Price slumped over the conference room table uncharacteristically.

"Pardon?" Price asked, the breath escaping his lips fogging the table.

"Tie one on, it means getting drunk," Jasper explained.

"Lovely expression, that," Price replied, and Jasper shook her head that even in sarcasm he was still so British. "I didn't intend to, but one of the nurses told me there was an Irish pub nearby that serves Boddingtons. I stopped in for a pint."

"Or a gallon," House quipped as he limped into the conference room from his office, red mug in hand. Jasper snorted in a very unladylike way, and Price attempted to roll his eyes. It was futile, as his head hurt far too much to complete the action. "I'd offer you some drugs, but I'm fresh out. Damn rehab."

"Yeah, such a shame you got clean. You were so much more pleasant when you were high," Foreman shot at House on his way in.

"You're late," House said in return.

"You're late. I was in the clinic," Foreman replied, forgoing his usual chair to sit beside Jasper. House noticed this, naturally, and filed it away for later pondering. Before he could comment, Cameron entered.

"Morning sweet cheeks," House said loudly. Cameron didn't respond. She knew by now that would only fuel the fire. Price knitted his eyebrows and let out half a groan. He abandoned it mid-way through; it also hurt his head too much.

"Hangover?" Cameron asked. Jasper nodded. "Got a case for you."

"Don't want it," House said immediately.

"Yes you do," Cameron replied. This was exactly the sort of case House loved. "May I?" Cameron motioned to the whiteboard. "They're going to be half mine anyway, right?"

"There's a line in the pre-nup about touching the markers," House warned. Cameron ignored him and wrote on the board. Female, 11 years old, bacterial meningitis. House looked at her expecting something more.

"Bacterial meningitis? I realize you've been out of my employ for a few weeks, but …"

House paused in his snark when Cameron wrote 'X 3'. "Give me that," House said, sticking his hand out for the file. Cameron handed it to him, but didn't let go.

"Told you so," she said. House made a face at her and she laughed.

"This is impossible," Jasper said. "The recurrence of bacterial meningitis twice in the same patient is less than 2. Three times is unheard of. It has to be a mistake."

"No mistake. Her pediatrician had the first test run twice to make sure. The second time she ran it four times, from two different samples. Same thing this time. She thinks there's an autoimmune deficiency," Cameron said.

"She's probably right," House muttered. "Foreman and Price, start with the basics, blood work and another LP. Jasper, you get the history. I want you on the phone talking to everyone who worked on this kid before she got here, including lab techs."

The team broke, but not so quickly that House didn't notice Foreman's rush to clear the room before Price could speak to him. What was going on there?