Was anyone else extremely disappointed about that season finale, or is it just me?

Disclaimer - I do not own House M.D. or any of its characters.

Chapter 8.

Wilson watched Cameron stomp to her car alone from his office window. He was curious why House wasn't with her. He watched her throw the car into reverse and drive out of the parking lot. At that exact moment, House came barging into Wilson's office.

"Have you ever heard of knocking on doors?"

"I've heard of knocking up women. I mean, they kind of sound the same…," House trailed off.

Wilson chuckled.

"You mind giving me a lift?," House asked.

Wilson's brow furrowed. "What happened to Cameron?"

House shrugged, "She left."

"Okay. What did you do that made her leave?"

"Why is it that every time a situation looks bad you immediately blame me?," House acted hurt.

"Well, did you do something that made her leave?"

"Well, I might have been avoiding her just a tad bit lately," House gestured a small space between his thumb and index finger.

Wilson rolled his eyes. "And why is this?"

"I have quite the reputation to keep. Who would not want to be a cruel, cynical cripple?"

Wilson shook his head, "This is why I blame you!"

"Because I'm a cruel, cynical cripple?"

"No! Because you care more about yourself than you care about Cameron. For Christ's sake, House! You have a woman that any other guy on this planet would die for, and all you care about is yourself!," Wilson was yelling at the top of his lungs.

House had his tail between his legs, looking down at the ground in guilt. He couldn't face Wilson. He couldn't face the truth. Was he really as selfish as everyone always took his to be? He was thinking about her all the time, and yet he was still thinking of himself before her. He liked her so much. Maybe he didn't just like her. Maybe he… He couldn't even say that word in his head. It's not it wasn't true. He just didn't feel like he deserved such a thing like that. But he did indeed like her. Wouldn't that be enough? Maybe he needed to change. Okay, he definitely needed to change. He was always afraid of change, but he would. Only a little. Only for her.

"Are you okay?," Wilson asked after he noticed House had zoned out.

"Uh, yeah," House answered lightly.

"You still need that ride?

"I guess. Not to my house though," House half-whispered, half of his mind still thinking about Cameron.

"Aw, did I scare the big, mean House?," Wilson joked.

House chuckled, "Hah. No. I did."

Cameron sat on her cream colored couch with green complimentary pillows. Her glasses were perfectly perched on the tip of her nose. There, she was clenching a book, a carton of ice cream, and a familiar giant teddy bear. Reading and eating were her usual escapes from her head.

Was Cameron really such an annoyance that House had to avoid her? House was House. He was a self-centered bastard. He probably just wanted to keep that badass ego of his. And she completely understood that. There was nothing she could do. She didn't want to change him, but of course she wouldn't mind change.

She did not bother to go to House's apartment that night. She did not bother to call. …Call? Why would she even call? She was thinking about him as if they were in some kind of relationship or something. Would extremely great sex account as the start of a relationship? If it does, then they've only unofficially been together not even a week. But he was so good. Cameron wouldn't have expected him to be so… athletic… considering he has a bad leg.

She absolutely loved the stubble on his chin, aggressively scratching her cheek. And his lips. Good lord. Those warm lips of his softly brushing against hers. His usual aggressive behavior was just a mask covering up some gentle soul that desperately wanted human contact. She was able to feel that. She was grateful at the fact that he made himself vulnerable to her. Bare. He yearned for contact. He just needed to find a suitable person willing enough to let him in.

She let him in. Definitely.

Cameron loudly slammed the book shut, for it wasn't doing its job. She took off her glasses and stared at the melted ice cream in its carton. She put the book and the carton on the coffee table and sighed. The only thing she had left was that giant, cuddly teddy bear. It was so cute. He had given that to her. Sure, it was somewhat cliché, but she should probably be flattered by the fact that he had actually gotten her something at all. It was a sweet thing for him to do.

House had finally arrived outside Cameron's apartment door. Flights of stairs had him panting foolishly in the dark hallway, also feeling quite ridiculous for holding a small assortment of flowers. What the hell possessed him to purchase a lovely thing like flowers? He had never done such a thing like this before. Not even with Stacy. If he had bought Stacy flowers, he wasn't even sure if Stacy would appreciate it or laugh in his face and take it as some sort of joke. Flowers were a bit out of character. His relationship with Stacy was mostly wild nights out accompanied by sex. Sure, he enjoyed it, but he always felt as if something was missing. Sex with Stacy was great, but just that one night with Cameron felt so much better. It felt alive.

House had the feeling that Cameron wouldn't go to his place after he had asked her to. He was right, of course. He saw the warm glow of light that appeared on his feet from just below the door. She's mad at him. And he has to fix it. He has to fix himself. He was in fact avoiding her. He was avoiding any damage to his ego and his reputation.

This isn't just another puzzle for House. Yes, he wants to resolve this, but he wants to take the time to do it right. He would change for her. He knew that she really didn't like him just to nurse him back to health. She didn't want to change him, but change was just an effect she had on people. Who knew a person was capable of changing someone in such a short period of time?

House knew Cameron was different. He knew she was special. He knocked on the door.

Cameron was in a deep reverie, staring blindly at the French-patterned carpet. She was sitting on her sofa, Indian style, with the teddy bear on her lap, and tucked protectively between her crossed arms and under her chin.

There was a sudden vigorous knocking on the door. Cameron did not jump, nor did she break her gaze with the neat designs on her floor. She knew it was him at her door. She knew he wanted to see her. But part of her wanted to avoid him, like he had done to her.

"Cameron! I know you're in there! I can hear your yearning for me!," House yelled. He thought maybe a joke would lighten her mood a bit.

Cameron rolled her eyes. The corner of her lips twitched upwards. She didn't want to smile. She didn't want to give in to House like she always had.

"Allison..." House had said her first name softly as if he had said it everyday for the past three years. "Open up… Please?"

That 'please' at the end of House's request had Cameron make an 'aww' expression on her face. She couldn't take it. She was a fool to give in to House, but who wouldn't? That absolutely adorable man outside her apartment was technically begging for her to let him in. And only a fool would not open that door.

She went to the door and opened it only to the point where the chain lock would allow. House immediately stuck his face in the ajar door. His eyes were so big and blue. Were they watery?

"So," House began, "are you going to let me in, or are we going to stay here until I have the edge of the door imprinted on my face?"

Cameron suddenly shut the door. House was lucky enough to still have his nose attached to his head. His mouth was open in shock. His blue eyes were even bigger than before. Cameron wouldn't ever slam a door on anyone. Was she that mad? House felt his eyes start tear up. He rubbed at his eyes vigorously. He stopped when he heard rattling on the other side of the door.

Cameron reopened the door. This time it was fully opened. She looked at House's expression and smiled.

"Are you crying?," Cameron asked.

"Um, no, just…dirt. Dirt. It got into my eye somehow…"

"Yuh huh… Sure."

House leaned against the hallway wall, trying to regain his cool, collected attitude. "What, you don't believe me?"

"Well, there was this one guy who always told me that everybody lies..."

"Would this guy happen to be extremely good looking?"

"Pshh. Yeah right. Ugliest bastard I know," Cameron joked.

House smiled, eyes still a bit watery. Cameron reached up and caressed his cheek. She ran her thumb lightly just below House's eye and felt a liquid touch her thumb's tip. Cameron retreated her hand and rubbed the liquid that found it's way to her skin.

"I'm telling you. It's, it's the dirt," House tried.

Cameron smiled. "It's okay. Your secret's safe with me."

Cameron stepped aside and House slowly limped into the apartment. They both were wondering how either of them felt happy after that little fight they had earlier. Maybe it was just the other's presence that was enough to sooth any negative tensions in the atmosphere. If that is the case, fights would be a breeze for them.