A/N: Let me just say that I am shocked (and thrilled) with the amount of alerts I've been getting for this story! I never expected so much as a single review let alone any alerts! So thank you very much for showing some interest in this little piece of mine.

And PS... I still don't own anything featured in House, M.D. I'm only borrowing for some fun.

Cameron's Sunday passed without much excitement yet with a great deal of progress in unpacking her belongs. With her furniture positioned about the rooms and pictures hung on the walls, the apartment had a definite air of 'home' which she was quite satisfied with.

Yet even though she stayed busy throughout nearly the entire day, the hours seem to pass as slow as a ninety–year-old woman crossing the street during rush hour traffic.

No matter what task she was attending to, Cameron only had thoughts for the following, fateful day: Her first day back at Princeton Plainsborough Teaching Hospital in more than a year.

And finally, Monday arrived.

She woke up before her alarm of seven in the morning even went off. Jumping into the shower and choosing a smart outfit for her first day of work, Cameron reported to PPTH promptly at eight thirty.

Upon reaching the front, automatic doors, Cameron made sure to take a deep breath before going in.

This was it.

The lobby was relatively quiet and Cameron did not recognize any faces immediately. To the many nurses running about, she was just another anonymous face in a crowd of would-be patients. They cared even less about her when Cameron headed for the free clinic.

Yet instead of approaching the registration desk, Cameron headed straight for the double doors of Dean Cuddy's office and knocked. This action drew a few curious glances as she went quickly inside.

"Dr. Cameron! Good morning," Lisa Cuddy said enthusiastically from behind her desk.

"Good morning Dr. Cuddy." The older woman came around towards Cameron and the couches in the room. After shaking hands, both sat down opposite from each other.

"This is great. We're all so glad to have you back with us, Cameron."

Allison smiled smartly at the comment. "You weren't joking when you mentioned some changes around here. I didn't see a single familiar staff member in the lobby when I came in. Is Brenda still head of nursing?"

"Unfortunately, like many others, Brenda's moved on. Can't blame any of them really; most people get the urge for change after a while. Especially when House is involved," Cuddy said with exasperation.

Cameron looked away masking her thoughts. Cuddy certainly had a point with that statement. The man had succeeded in driving Cameron away, as temporary as that was. That being noted, Cameron could only nod in quiet agreement.

"So I assume that House has been his bright and sunny self while I was away then?" It was more of a statement than a question.

"I'll be blunt, Cameron: He's been brutal. Ever since you, Foreman and Chase made leave it's been war. Nurses feel like they're working in a mine field rather than a hospital... Hopefully things will change soon though."

A beat of silence filled the room before Cuddy stood and clasped her hands together.

"Well then! I think I'll show you around a bit before we head up to Diagnostics. You didn't happen to take a look around the new clinic, did you?"

"No I didn't."

"We've recently added two more exam rooms. That brings us to five rooms!" Cuddy grinned evilly. "I've never seen House so close to vomiting as when I told him all about the construction plans.

"Oh, and we have to go up to James' office at some point. He told me to bring you around so he could say hello."

Cameron squinted slightly in brief confusion, then nodded slowly.

Both stood and headed towards the doors.

With one hand on the handle, Cameron stopped and took a look at Cuddy.

"It's 'James' now, is it?" the young woman raised an eyebrow at the dean.

Coughing and looking away, Cuddy embarrassedly attempted to come up with a response.

Cameron shook her head with a smile as both women headed toward the newly renovated clinic.

Two more exam rooms. That just doubles the number of stuffy noses and sore throat cases to waste time with. The thought made even Cameron frown and shudder.

As Cuddy showed her around, Cameron could see nurses slowly realizing who she was. The new Assistant Head of Diagnostics that had been mentioned in the most recent string of hospital memos and bulletins.

She could see the looks of wariness and pity they gave her. 'Poor soul has no idea what she's getting herself into. She won't make it through the day.' the looks said.

Cameron simply smiled and nodded back at them. She wasn't going anywhere.

---------

More than an hour had passed since Cameron and Cuddy started their tour of the newly improved PPTH. Along with the clinic's new features, the labs and their machinery had been updated and, just as Cameron had jokingly mused to herself before, some of the glass window walls had been replaced with actual solid plaster walls.

They better have done something about the ones in Diagnostics. Who in their right mind thought having see-through walls was a good idea in a hospital in the first place? Cameron never could figure that out.

As the two women rounded a corner up on the sixth floor, Cameron's ears perked up when she heard her name being called from behind.

"Dr. Cameron!"

She smiled as she turned. "Wilson."

Walking towards each other and meeting in the middle, the two hugged briefly in hello. Between his perfectly parted brown hair, his pocket full of pens and his nice enough tie, Cameron was sure James 'Jimmy' Wilson had not changed a bit since she last saw him. And even though they were never overly close, she found she had missed him quite a bit.

"You look great, Cameron. How've you been? Out in Arizona, I've heard," he shook his head and glanced quickly at Cuddy. "And now back here at PPTH. How's Chase been?"

Cameron's smile faltered only a millimeter at the mention of the intensivist, yet she said it was all fine. Chase included.

"It is nice to be back here though."

Wilson cocked an eyebrow at her as if he picked up on something interesting in her demeanor, yet he nodded just the same. "Yeah I'm sure it is. We've all really missed you around here. Need a good immunologist like you."

They grinned for a second or two while Wilson looked like he had something more to say. Yet nothing passed. Saved and filed away for another more personal time, Cameron was sure.

"Well. I'll let you get on with your little tour," he said as he pointedly looked in Cuddy's direction. "Talk to you later Cameron. Welcome back."

She nodded as he walked away.

Some things never do change. James Wilson: always and forever the helpful gossip with an open ear.

---------

It was ten thirty by the time Cuddy had run out of things around the hospital to show off. A new viewing balcony here, a state of the art MRI unit, and on and on.

But finally, it was time to head over to Diagnostics.

Cameron hated to admit it but her stomach did lurch when Cuddy announced their final destination.

As they traveled down the stairwell to the proper floor, Cuddy suddenly stopped and took a hard look at Cameron.

"I know that you know all about House and how much of an ass the man can be. You probably know better than most actually."

She paused.

"However, I just need to warn you how ridiculous it's been. I mean… really. A whole new level of…" the Dean shook her head, not able to produce the proper words.

"Cuddy, I wouldn't expect anything less from House. I'm not exactly surprised."

"I figured you wouldn't be. And with any luck, maybe he'll cool it soon. Who knows now that you're back." Cuddy took another long look at Cameron as if she was trying to read into the young woman. Feeling more than slightly awkward, Cameron looked away and continued down the stairs.

With a push of the doors in front of her, Princeton Plainsborough's Diagnostics Department stood just down the hall.

Complete with glass walls.

Heh… the walls. Well, you can't have everything, Cameron lamented.

"Here we go," Cuddy sighed, knocking Cameron out of her revere.

"Come on. I'll show you to your new office."

So with slightly weak knees, Allison Cameron followed Cuddy down the hall until they reached the glass door marked with two names and two titles:

Gregory House, M.D.

Head of Diagnostics

Allison Cameron, M.D.

Asst. Head of Diagnostics

A/N: I didn't plan on this chapter being so long... or existing at all. But I think a little more background info here and there makes a story more believable...

But don't worry; Dr. House will be in the building come next chapter. As will his newest grouping of staff. This should be interesting...

Please leave me some feedback on what you have read! And wish me luck with this next chapter. It'll be my first true attempt at writing for House and I'm going to be honest... I'm nervous. blargh!