From Chapter Four

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.

Oh My God!

Cameron looked down again just to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her or that her she didn't need a new eye glass prescription. She knew the chances were next to nil but she looked anyways, still positive.

After seeing the results for a second time Cameron started sobbing. House chose that moment to limp by and heard her heart wrenching tears. It wasn't hard for the brilliant diagnostician to figure out the reason immediately. He came in and put his hand on her shoulder, it was an awkward but comforting gesture.

"I'm going to," sob, "die." Sniffle. "I can't practice medicine anymore." Sob. "Everyone will find out and gossip. How did she get it? Does she use drugs?"

"Allison, everyone here knows what happened, because you're right, people gossip. No one is going to think you do drugs. And you can still be a doctor, we'll figure out a way, but only if a second test comes turns out positive as well. Got it?"

"Got it."

"Good. Now go clean up and join us in the conference room. Just because you may be dying doesn't mean you don't have a job to do!"

Cameron sighed. House is so…I don't even know the right word! Housish!

She was considerably calmer as she washed her face and reapplied her mascara and lipstick.

House is right. There is a measurable false positive rate for HIV tests. I shouldn't worry too much yet. I need to focus.

It was four thirty that same afternoon and a lab technician showed up in the diagnostics department. Cameron knew right away who they were there for. House had put a rush on the test so she would get the results back that afternoon. When the technician handed her the envelope and she started shaking because this time she knew there was a high probability the results would not be in her favor.

After steeling herself for whatever the results said she opened the envelope and breathed a sigh of relief audible across the hospital. Then she jumped up and hugged House who was momentarily stunned but then returned the hug without feeling shame at the possibility of being seen.

Cameron whispered, feeling bold, "My place, eight o'clock."

House just nodded not giving anything away to their coworkers but was secretly thrilled at the chance to spend more time with her outside of work. He may give her hell at the hospital, but he felt a great deal of affection for her, and for now that is all he is willing to admit to.

Seven thirty found Cameron getting dressed for an evening in with House. It turned out that, that required more thought than an evening out with any other man.

Damn! What do I wear? I can't look like I am trying to hard. No do-me-now red lipstick or fishnets! But all he ever sees me in are suits, pencil skits, and blouses and of course my always fashionable lab coat. Its time for a change of pace.

Cameron dug through her closet until she found just what she was looking for, her favorite hip-hugging dark wash jeans and a burgundy off the shoulder sweater. Then she went through her underwear drawer until she found the set she saved for when she wanted to feel sexy and desirable.

House showed up about five minutes late saying, "I wanted to make an entrance." Then he asked what was on her mind.

"I needed to unwind, with you, so I picked up some wine and was hoping you'd join me in drinking it."

"Have you ever known me to pass up free booze? Seriously though, yes."

"Great I'll get the glasses, you get the wine, it's in the fridge in the kitchen."

"Alright."

When they were back in the living room a few minutes later Cameron poured them each a glass and then did something House didn't expect, leaned back against him and let out a contented sigh. He quickly recovered though and snuck his arm behind her and around her shoulder pulling her to him. He was surprised at how right this felt.

They didn't talk much, they more or less just enjoyed each others nearness, something House hadn't allowed himself to do in a long time.

After a while the occasional touch turned into loving caresses which then turned into heated kisses. Cameron's hands felt the hard planes of House's chest and House slipped his hands deftly under the back of her shirt rubbing small circles on her back and then on her front.

Both of them knew there would be consequences for this but neither cared. All they cared about was feeling. They weren't thinking about Cameron's botched HIV test, or House's harsh words. All they were aware of was each other.