A/N: I think I'm the most surprised person that I'm updating this story as quickly as I am. And I thought I'd experience a rather nasty case of writer's block after submitting chapter one! And here's chapter two! heh... weird.
Things are starting to move with this story I think. I'm diggin' it. And I have a lot of ideas floating around inside my head. So stay tuned and enjoy! ...Even though I still do not own these characters. Blast!
It was nearly five o'clock Eastern Standard time when Cameron's flight arrived in New Jersey. And although she was slightly stiff from sitting in the same position for so long, she was happy to have finally arrived.
Wrapping the headphone wires around her iPod and placing the device into the safety of her carry-on, Cameron left the plane with the rest of its passengers. She allowed herself a small grin as she at last stepped on to the solid ground of Newark International Airport. Her spirits had immediately lifted ever since the plane took off from Arizona. And now that she had finally arrived at her destination, her joy had seemingly doubled.
Having all of her belongings shipped ahead to her new apartment proved to have been an excellent idea. No baggage claim woes! What an amazing concept.
She didn't even mind the fact that there wasn't anyone waiting to pick her up at the airport. The simple fact that she was here wondrous in and of itself.
Some might say that she was being a bit too optimistic about the entire situation. That is the move, the going back to PPTH, facing all the memories and people the hospital still carried. There was still a major chance that it all could explode in her face. But for now, Cameron was practically floating.
Keeping to herself as she waited for the local shuttle bus to pick her up, Cameron contemplated her mental to-do list for when she arrived at her newly acquired apartment. Hopefully everything had arrived okay and would be waiting for her in neatly packed boxes.
The list kept growing even as she boarded and rode the bus. Buying new kitchen plates and silverware was a must, trying to cram her treadmill somewhere into the relatively small living space would also have to happen somehow, along with countless other issues that needed addressing. It would all take more than a little time to figure out and adjust to.
However, after being dropped off and hailing a cab, Cameron's mind was wiped clean and she could only take in the many sights that she passed from the backseat.
It was the middle of September and the air was sharp. Leaves as red as those found in her dreams hung onto tree branches for dear life as even more were kicked up off the street from passing cars. Cameron took in the many people walking the long sidewalks past the countless shops and dinning spots on the main streets.
Drawing her eyebrows together in a thoughtful frown, Cameron made a note to investigate more of a social life this time around. A doctor's schedule was busy but not that busy.
As the cab slowed and came to a stop, Cameron paid the driver and stepped out.
Bag in hand, she gazed up at the brick building in front of her. A second floor apartment in a nice, quiet neighborhood for the price she'd paid was practically a miracle these days. She took it as another very good sign for the future.
Entering the building, she practically ran up the single flight of stairs to the next floor.
Shuffling down the hallway and toward her new home, Cameron unlocked the door and pushed it open.
Although the apartment was the definition of modest and 'single living', it was filled with both bright sunlight and a pile of her boxed belongings.
Closing the door with her foot and dropping her bag by the door, she wandered the open layout. Toeing off her shoes, Cameron opened a living room window and decided to start right in on the unpacking.
After a solid three hours of ripping plastic off the larger furniture items and getting sidetracked by the bubble wrap found in each of the cardboard boxes, Cameron collapsed on her couch.
As she watched the sky slowly growing darker, she suddenly remembered she had to call Cuddy. Taking out her cell phone, she highlighted the dean's and sent the request.
"Princeton Plainsborough, Dr. Lisa Cuddy, Dean of Medicine speaking," the familiar voice said after a couple rings.
"Do you have to answer your phone like that every time someone calls you, Lisa? If so I am very sorry," Cameron laughed lightly.
"Allison! Oh, yeah I guess it can be a pain sometimes but… how was your flight? How are you?"
"It was fine thanks. And so am I. Just getting settled into the new place I guess. I can't believe how much I've missed New Jersey!" She answered casually. "So you wanted to talk to me once I got in… is it debriefing time or something?"
"Hah hah," the older woman's sarcastic laugh filtered through the phone. "You know, as a matter of fact, it is precisely the time for that."
A slight pause.
"A lot has changed in the past year. Especially in Diagnostics. But don't worry, it's not like House is running around hugging people and adopting kittens or anything. He's still his annoying and infuriating self"
Even with the mention of his name Cameron felt her stomach inexplicably do flips. She pushed past the feeling and concentrated on phone conversation.
"You are still okay with working in the department though, right? I mean, if there's any issue, I could always pull some strings and get you set up in Immunology," Cuddy said quickly.
Three weeks before the move, Cuddy had called Cameron about her career options within PPTH. It was either a position in Immunology or a more demanding position in Diagnostics.
It would be demanding not only because she would be the Assistant Head, but more specifically Cameron would have to, once again, deal with House and his prickly personality. Not fazed by this subtle warning on how difficult such a position could prove to be, Cameron agreed to becoming Assistant Head to the Diagnostics Department with much gratitude.
"I'm more than okay, Lisa. It's a great opportunity for me and I could not be more excited really," Cameron reassured the dean.
Although working with House again made her nervous on a few different levels, Cameron was truly thrilled with her position. She was sure it would prove to be a strong test of mental capacity and morals, and more importantly her emotions. Yet she was confident in her decision to take the job.
"Good," Cuddy exhaled deeply. "Because to be quite honest with you that department is a serious period of desperation and could really use your help I think. Ever since you all left, House has been absolutely unable to keep a steady team working for him. One woman lasted only an hour before House fired her! All because she suggested lupus as an option during a differential. I just don't get him sometimes. Most times really," Cameron blushed although she could practically feel the woman's frustration oozing out of her cell.
Cuddy continued. "Anyways. I'd love for you to come in this Monday to get situated and meet the current staff of the department. Not that they'll be around for too much longer at the rate we've been going," she grunted another sigh. "So Monday morning then?"
"Of course. I'll see you Monday. And Lisa? Thank you."
"Thank you, Allison. But I suppose it's back to Dr. Cameron now," Cuddy quipped good humor.
"Fair enough, Dr. Cuddy. Goodnight."
Allison shut her phone with a snap, hanging up.
Although it was extremely early in the night, she was exhausted. Traveling had always worn her out. Getting up from the couch and heading into the bathroom, she turned on the water for a long, warm shower.
Stepping in and allowing the steady stream of water to relax her sore muscles, Cameron contemplated what Monday would bring her. It could either go well enough or horribly she decided.
Cuddy said a lot had changed since her departure. But what exactly did that mean? Did they finally replace those glass walls for actual solid ones that couldn't be seen through? Maybe applied some new paint to them? She shook her head.
The Dean of Medicine told her that House was the same as he ever was. And yet he couldn't hold down a staff. Something was strange there. Of course House was picky with who he hired but even still, it had been more than a year. It didn't sit right with Cameron.
Turning the water off and toweling dry, she grabbed an extra large shirt and a pair of flannel pajama pants out of one of many boxes in her bedroom. Just about to settle into bed, Cameron retrieved her cell phone from the living room and hastily called Chase. She scolded herself for not calling him earlier. He would want to know if she got in okay.
He would be working the late shift that night Cameron knew. Nevertheless, she left him a voicemail assuring him that everything was fine and that she was sorry for not calling him sooner to tell him so.
Crawling into her bed a drawing a blanket up around her slight frame, she simply listened to the silence that was surrounding her. Rolling onto her side and looking around the darkened room, she realized that living alone again would definitely take some getting used to. But that was okay.
Tomorrow was Sunday. A day for some extreme unpacking. She couldn't keep living out of boxes like this. And although there was much to think on for tomorrow, Cameron found her thoughts settling soundly on Monday, the many 'ifs' that accompanied it, and those piercing blue eyes.
"A lot has changed." And change was good. Wasn't it?
A/N: Please review! It keeps me writing and makes me happy.