A/N: Thanks for R&Ring everyone! I'm sorry I didn't reply, but I've been feeling awful lately, so I'm using this spurt of energy to post yet again. This story has become a lot more than I thought it would be, and I'm so so happy about that!
Chapter 5: A+BC
Cameron drove like a bat out of hell to work and raced to the conference room, where Foreman and Chase sat. Both glanced up as she came in, looking her up and down.
"You're late," Foreman pointed out.
"Your point being?" She asked, not welcoming the questions she knew were coming.
"You're never late," Chase said. "Plus, you're wearing what you had on last night. A + B C."
"And what's C?" She knew he'd tell her anyway, might as well act like it wasn't a big deal.
"C is a very good time had by you, Alison Cameron, last night."
"I slept last night. That's about the extent of my fun."
"Uh huh, but you slept at House's, didn't you?" Foreman asked.
Cameron thought fast. She couldn't deny it. They'd see right through her. Besides, after House's public declaration at the party last night, they wouldn't believe it anyway.
"Yes, as a matter of fact I did."
"Told you she wouldn't try to deny it," Chase said, holding out his hand. Foreman placed several bills into it.
"Where is loverboy, anyway?"
"Chase, don't start with me. I barely got any sleep last night and-…" She turned away, hand over her mouth.
"Haha. I knew it!" Foreman said. The money exchanged hands again.
Cameron was saved from further grilling by a knock on the conference room door. Mary Ann stood on the other side, waving.
Cameron smiled and motioned for her to come in.
"I picked your dress!" Mary Ann squealed, and showed the picture to Cameron. Her eyes grew wide, and her face grew slightly pale.
"It's…umm…well, it's…"
"Big." Chase finished.
"Do you think it's too elaborate? Cause I know it's not supposed to take away from the wedding gown, but I saw it and I just fell in love with it."
"If it's what you want honey, I'll wear it."
"Thank you so much! I know this whole thing is asking a lot from you. I mean, I know you're busy what with work and Greg and everything."
"Mary Ann knows, now? Oh…of course, Wilson would tell her. All right, that's fine, it's House's problem, not mine."
"It's no trouble at all. I'm having a blast planning. Speaking of which, I have some cakes I want you and Wilson to take a look at. They're online. I'll give you the site."
She scribbled the site on a piece of paper, and handed it to Mary Ann.
"Thank you my dear. I have to meet James for lunch downstairs….which reminds me, James was looking for Greg for lunch too. Is he in yet?"
"Not yet, but I expect him in anytime now."
As if on cue, they heard the office door open and close. House entered the conference room seconds later and Foreman and Chase started at him, then at Cameron.
"Did you two…" Foreman began.
"…shower together?" Chase finished.
"Yep, sure did," House said. Foreman and Chase shared a look. "What are you doing here what'syourname? I only allow a certain amount of estrogen in this room at a time. Either you or C-Allie is going to have to leave."
"I just came to say James wants you for lunch."
"He invited me? Usually I have to bully him out of his lunch money. You three, find something productive to do while I'm gone." And he and Mary Ann left, leaving Foreman, Chase, and Cameron with the picture of Cameron's dress.
"Are you actually going to wear that thing?" Foreman asked.
"I'm maid of honor. It's my job." Cameron took a deep breath and turned the picture over, out of sight.
Mary Ann and House turned the corner to the cafeteria, and House turned around abruptly and plastered himself to the wall. Mary Ann looked behind her and said, "What?"
"Nothing. Go without me and get Wilson over here." She obeyed and a moment later, Wilson appeared around the corner.
"What is your problem, now"
"What is your mother doing here?!" He demanded through clenched teeth.
"She wanted to see where I worked. I've been giving her the grand tour."
"She's been given the grand tour before. You did this on purpose, inviting me to lunch, didn't you?"
"I might have mentioned you, and Mom said it would be nice if you'd join us."
"I bet she didn't say 'nice' though. I bet she said 'delightful', didn't she?"
"What does it matter? What does matter, is what the hell is up with you and Cameron?"
"Were you not listening to me last night?"
"It just surprises me is all. I mean, I knew you liked her, but I figured I would have noticed something."
House was about to reply when Mrs. Wilson came around the corner.
"Oh, Gregory, there you are! Were you hiding from me?" She winked at him.
"I would never hide from you Mrs. Wilson…Doris." She trapped him in another hug, which he used as an opportunity to glare daggers at Wilson.
"Shall we?" Wilson asked, offering Mary Ann his arm. She smiled at him and took it and they led the way into the cafeteria. Mrs. Wilson looked expectantly at House.
"Yes, Mrs. Wilson…Doris?"
"Well, I'm a lady, Gregory."
"That's blatantly obvious Mrs. Wilson."
"It's Doris, Gregory. And when you're in the presence of a lady you offer her your arm. You are a gentleman aren't you? Because, if I remember correctly, at James' last wedding, you certainly were. Always leaving to get me more champagne, to ask the musicians to play my favorites. As a matter of fact, you were so busy taking care of me, I hardly saw you at all. You were simply delightful!"
House groaned inwardly, but offered his caneless arm to Wilson's mother. She took it, leaning on him more than he was comfortable with and they followed Wilson and Mary Ann.
"So, tell me Gregory, how long have you been an item with that delightful young Alison Cameron?"
"A few months," House replied without thinking, scooting as far away as he could get from Mrs. Wilson, whose hand had found its usual spot on his knee.
"That's just delightful. She's so lucky to have you, as lucky as Mary Ann here is to have my James."
"And I, might I add, am very lucky to have her," Wilson said. The two faced each other and Eskimo-kissed. House made a gagging sound deep in his throat that he unsuccessfully tried to disguise as a cough.
"Feeling left out Gregory?" Mrs. Wilson asked. House paled. She leaned over and rubbed her nose against his. "There you go. Where is Alison anyway? I thought she'd arrive with you. Trouble in paradise?"
"Not at all. She's just busy…doing…doctor stuff." House wrinkled his nose. Wilson just smiled.
"A shame. I was hoping to see her again today."
"Well, I'm going to lunch," Cameron announced. "I haven't eaten since last night."
"Oh, I bet you haven't," Chase said, raising his eyebrows. Foreman snickered.
"Are you guys ever going to let this go, and accept it?"
"Well…" Foreman started.
"Well, what? You want more money?"
"No, we want answers," Chase finished.
"About what? You guys already know that I stayed there last night and we showered together, what else do you need to know?"
"How long this has been going on, for one. We never noticed anything before." Foreman asked.
"That's because House didn't want you to. It's been going on for a few months now." She was surprised how easily the words came to her mouth.
"So you have slept with him?" Chase's turn.
"Haven't you already assumed that?"
"We want… confirmation."
"Well, the truth is that no, I haven't."
"I don't believe that," Foreman said. "This is House we're talking about here."
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it's the truth. Now, if you're done, I'm going to eat. I feel like I ran a marathon last night...and don't say anything or else."
They were silent and she left, hearing laughter break out in the conference room at her last comment after she'd shut the door. She sighed and headed for the elevator. She was greeted inside by Todd Porter, a cardiologist.
"Dr. Cameron, it's been a while since I've seen you. Are you still in Diagnostics, working for House?"
"Yes, Dr. Porter, I am."
"How's that treating you?"
"I like it. Dr. House makes things…interesting."
"Speaking of things that interest you, I was just on my way to lunch. Care to join me?"
"It's just lunch with a colleague. A handsome colleague…that I used to have a crush on. Nothing wrong with that, and it won't blow House's cover."
"Sure, I'll join you."
"Great. I wanted to discuss something with you actually." They headed into the cafeteria, found a table and sat down. Cameron noticed House with Mary Ann and the Wilsons, and tried to shrink in order to make herself less noticeable.
She didn't know what they'd think of seeing her with Dr. Porter, particularly Mrs. Wilson. She didn't want to make things more difficult for House.
"Maybe this was a mistake."
"Alison…may I call you Alison? Are you all right?"
"Yes, I'm fine. What did you want to discuss?" She kept her eyes on House, and averted them immediately when he noticed her.
"Well I just wanted to say that I've been noticing you a lot, and I think I may-…" House appeared then at their table.
"Dr. Cameron, I need you…now."
"Excuse me, Dr. Porter."
"No problem, and please, call me Todd."
"Todd?!" House said out loud as he pulled Cameron into the hallway. "The man's name is Todd? What do you think you're doing?"
"I was having lunch."
"Yea, I saw you having lunch. Mrs. Wilson…Doris saw it too."
"I was hoping she wouldn't notice."
"She notices everything. And now, she's convinced we're broken up, or at least on a break. We, by which I mean you, need to fix this."
"What about Dr. Porter? It's rude to just abandon him like that."
"Take a raincheck. I'll give you 3 minutes."
"Fine."
She went back to Todd. "Something came up. Dr. House and I have a case to discuss with Dr. Wilson." She gestured to the other table. "Could I take a raincheck?"
"Sure, actually that was what I wanted to discuss. I'm attracted to you Alison, and I wanted to know if you wanted to go out with me sometime, to dinner maybe?"
"I…Todd, I really can't right now. I'm sorta involved with someone."
"Oh, of course you are. Why wouldn't you be? I'm sorry then."
"It's ok. Look, if anything ever happens, I'll take you up on that offer, ok?"
Todd brightened considerably. "Ok." Cameron patted his hand and went over to the other table.
"Alison, my dear, it's so delightful to see you again." House rolled his eyes behind her back.
"Hello, Doris, how are you?"
"Well, I'll be a lot better as soon as you clear this up for me. Are you and my Gregory ok?" House flinched.
"Yes, we're just fine. In fact, we're better than fine, aren't we babe?"
House made a face at her and mouthed the word at her behind Mrs. Wilson's shoulder. Cameron inclined her head slightly in response.
"That we are," He agreed. "Come here, you," And without warning, he grabbed her hand and pulled her down on his lap, in front of the whole cafeteria. Cameron felt a blush creeping on her cheeks, as numerous eyes were drawn to them.
She whispered in his ear, "What are you doing?"
"Hey, you wanted realism."
She couldn't think of a reply. But she could one-up him.
She turned to face him, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Then, not letting herself think anymore, she kissed him.
It wasn't a passionate kiss or anything, just a little bit more than the cheek-pecks he gave her. Or that was how she'd intended it to be.
He must've had other plans, though, because he deepened it, effectively taking her breath away. She pulled away slowly, catching her breath and looking into his eyes. As she looked, the outside world faded away. It was just them, nothing else. The kiss was all part of the ruse, but she could have sworn she saw the tiniest bit of truth in those blue depths.
"What is going on here, what am I getting myself into?" She thought, suddenly unsure of their whole arrangement.
"Simply delightful," Mrs. Wilson gushed, breaking Cameron out of her trance. She whipped her head around, suddenly aware that there were other people in the room. Embarrassment set in.
"Sorry."
"Don't be my dear. God knows I would never be able to contain myself were I in your position." Doris smiled at her.
"Well, this has been…fun, but I have to get back to work," Wilson said. He kissed his mother on the cheek. "Is it all right if Mary Ann shows you out Mom?"
"Of course darling. We have so much to talk about what with the wedding only a few weeks away. The time will fly, trust me! Gregory, it's been delightful, as always."
She turned her cheek to him. House made a face, and quickly pecked her on the cheek, his lips barely touching her.
Doris beamed at him, and took her leave, talking loudly to Mary Ann as they went down the hallway. Wilson said his good byes and left for his office.
"It's the nightmare lunch that wouldn't end," House muttered. He turned to Cameron. "Thank you for that. You saved my ass."
"I have a feeling it won't be the last time, either." She looked in his eyes again. Whatever she'd seen there, it was gone.
"Maybe I imagined it."
"By the way, sorry about that, the kiss I mean. It was spur of the moment."
He didn't reply. He looked deep in thought. Then he shrugged.
"Well, back to work." He turned and offered her his arm.
She took it and looked at him quizzically.
"Well, you're a lady, aren't you?"
"I… guess so. Where did that come from?"
"Never mind." They headed back to the conference room.
A/N: Wow, sorry that was so long. It wasn't intended to go on that long, and I really couldn't find a good stopping place. Please R&R!!!
