From Chapter Three

House knew then and there he would never understand women, especially this one, but he was willing to spend the rest of his life, or at least as long as she would let him, trying.

In a few minutes the crying stopped and a gloomy expression crossed Cameron's face. This is a face House knew was unhappiness, even he couldn't mistake this one.

"What's wrong?"

"I get my HIV test back tomorrow."

Cameron drove back to her apartment late so six am came too soon after a night of tossing and turning followed by restless dreams.

Cameron, the results are back, they are positive. What? I have AIDS? Well, HIV, but yes, you have it. In her dream she then began to sob and was inconsolable. I'm going to die and I'm not even 30. I've never had kids. I'm going to die, just like my husband. What should I do? Do I have to quit my job? Maybe I should, then I can go off and bungee jump or something. Haha. I don't really want to bungee jump, but the sentiment is the same. I could travel the world.

Did you hear? She has AIDS. Really? Didn't she do your stitches once at the hospital? Yeah, you're right. What if she gave you AIDS? What if she gave everyone AIDS? We should tell someone!

Cameron shivered at the memory of the previous night's dreams as she got ready for work. Then she headed out for the hospital despite feeling slightly nauseous, not sure whether it was from the previous night's dreams or the impending day.

Ugh. I feel like someone is turning flip-turns in my stomach.

Once she arrived she saw that Chase and Foreman were already there and that one of them had made the coffee. She almost dropped dead in shock. Then she realized, they were babying her because she was getting her test back again.

"Guys it will be fine. I mean what are the chances of me actually getting the disease? It's not like we shared a needle!"

I don't believe a word of what I just said. I wish I did though. It would make it easier to cope until I get the results. What time is it? Nine o'clock? I have to wait four hours!?! I have wait four hours to see if I will live or die? How am I supposed to work with that hanging over my head?

Cameron was so deep in thought that she didn't realize that House had shown up until he coughed to get her attention.

"Oh, sorry."

"Its fine, no wait, its not. You can't treat patients if you don't listen to them. Only I can do that."

How does he do it? Last night he was enchanting and even romantic! Today he is back to being bitter and sardonic. It is like he just flips a switch on and off. If it is on, then he is the House I was deliriously happy with last night, and then if it is off, then you get the jackass version I just dealt with.

"House, I am taking the morning. I'll be back after lunch."

I can't concentrate. And I know that if I can't concentrate all that will happen is House will belittle me. I need to just get away.

Cameron retreated to her office and turned on iTunes. That occasion called for soothing music and some hot tea. Enya and peppermint tea did the trick. Then she locked the door because the last thing she wanted was to do another round with her cantankerous boss.

One o'clock finally came and Cameron went down to the lab. She had never been nervous going to lab before, but then again she had never gone to the lab to find out if she was going to live or die.

I've been waiting all day for this but now that it is actually here…I wish it wasn't. Come on Allison, get it together.

Cameron pulled her self together and calmly entered the lab. When she approached the technician she asked for the test results and headed back to her desk in the diagnostics department.

Open it. Open it Allison. That's the only way you'll ever know. Besides, like you said earlier, what is the chance you actually have it?

Having filled herself with false bravado she opened the envelope and took a deep breath. Then she turned it over. It was positive.