Disclaimer: Not mine- sadly!

I hope you like the last chapter- please review!

The sound of Chase's voice tugged her out of a dreamless sleep.

"First day on the job, and she's not even on time," his Australian twang that had never bother her before seemed grating.

Foreman let out a brief laugh. "Give it a rest, Chase. I mean, I know neither of us are happy with Cuddy's decision, but the day hasn't even begun."

Cameron sat up and looked around her. According to her watch, it was 9.15am, and judging by her two colleagues voices, they were next-door in the conference room.

"Please," the other doctor sounded more irritated, "It's not a case of being 'not happy'. It's ridiculous. How can anyone expect Cameron to run a department competently? I mean, she's a good doctor, but she's hardly a leader."

She stayed in her seat, frozen, while she listened to them criticise Cuddy's choice.

A chair scraped across the floor. Someone was sitting down.

"I know," Foreman's voice floated into House's office, "I mean, she's too nice. She might be a good immunologist, but she's never solved a case. And she doesn't know how to say no to anyone," he paused for a moment before going on, "And she spends far too much time with the patients. It's good that she wants to get to know them, but that's not why we're here. We cure diseases. We're not here to make friends."

Cameron shook her head in disbelief. She'd really thought that after his brush with death he'd changed. But it looked like he was still the same arrogant jerk he'd always been . He was a House-in-training.

She got to her feet.

"She's just too caring. Give her a week and she'll probably have the office covered with flowers and teddy bears," Chase moaned, "There's no way she should have been chosen. If Cuddy wanted to pick someone from the department, she should have picked me. I'd make a way better boss than Cameron," he added as a sort of after thought, "If this turns out to be…permanent…I'm going to have to start looking for a new job."

She couldn't believe it.

She had one big chance to finally prove herself as a doctor, and her colleagues were so small-minded that, instead of being happy for her, they were ripping her apart.

They're like vultures, she thought furiously. House could be dying, and all they were worried about was who would get his job.

"Too right," Foreman's voice was tinged with humour, "I still don't get why she didn't pick me though."

"Because you're still recovering from brain surgery," Cameron stood at the door between the conference room and the office, fixing the boys with a steely gaze, "and apparently someone up there thinks that Chase is incompetent."

Chase flinched slightly at her biting tone.

Her eyes flashed with a kind of icy anger that made them as hard as diamonds: "I was stupid enough to think that you guys might actually be happy for me- instead of picking me apart."

The two men exchanged glances.

It was Foreman who spoke up: "You have to admit, Cameron, it is a bit weird that Cuddy picked you. I mean, I've already been acting Head of Diagnostics, and I did a pretty good job," he went on in what he evidently thought was a conciliatory tone, "It's just that you're not really boss-material."

"Right," she spoke in a clipped tone, "Well, apparently Cuddy didn't share your view. Anyway, it doesn't matter what either of you think- I am your boss, until House gets back, and the least that either of you could do is treat me with a little bit of respect," she paused to take a short, calming breath, "Now, we don't have a case yet. So, until we do, you can do something useful. Go to the clinic- they're short-staffed."

"They're always short-staffed," Chase whined, "And I'm up-to-date on my clinic hours."

"Well then you can just take some of House's, can't you?" Her smile was saccharine-sweet.

"You want me to cover House's clinic hours?" He looked at her like she was crazy.

"I think that's what I just said," She was quickly losing patience, "I'll page you guys as soon as something comes up."

Cameron turned on her heel and headed back into House's office.

Foreman called after her: "What are you going to do?"

She paused: "Look for a case. But, in the meantime, there's mail to be opened."

The two doctors exited the conference room.

"What's got into her?"

Foreman didn't respond; he didn't have an answer.

When they'd gone, Cameron returned to the door and stared at the carpet.

It was there alright- a huge blood-stain. His blood.

She'd been so furious with Foreman and Chase that she'd barely been aware of it. But now, alone, it conjured up images that she was trying to forget.

She dragged her gaze away and picked up the phone.

There was no way that she was working in the conference room while it was still like that…

AN: well, how was that? I know I'm a bit down on Chase, but I really don't like him...House and Cameron forever!!