A/N: It's been forever since I updated, so I apologize for that. Hope you all like this one!

Chapter 7: talks and lunch plans

Cameron awoke early the next morning to her cell phone's alarm. She hopped off the couch, folded up her blanket, grabbed some clothes, and went quietly down the hallway.

She opened the door to the bedroom as quietly as possible and actually found herself tip-toeing to the bathroom, wincing at every noise.

She made it safely and shut the door behind her. Then she turned on the water, stripped, and climbed in to take a shower, well before the time House would be getting up. She finished and got dressed as quickly as possible, wrapping her wet hair up in a towel. Then she opened the door and crept out, only to find him awake and sitting on the end of the bed.

"Sleep ok?" He asked, putting her off due to the apparent sincerity in his voice.

"A bit better than the night before, thank you," she replied, averting her eyes so they wouldn't meet his.

"Will you make coffee?"

"Sure, shower's all yours."

"I figured that."

He got up and kissed her good morning, soft and sweet.

"Wow," she said when they broke apart.

"What?"

"I didn't even have to ask for it that time."

"It's part of the routine. I've simply adjusted to the change."

"Uh…huh. I'll get the coffee on. You want eggs or something, too?"

"Whatever you can find in the fridge that's not past its expiration date is fine." And with that, he grabbed his clothes and went past her into the bathroom.

Cameron went into the kitchen, started the coffee, and opened the fridge.

"Yikes," she said out loud.

She pulled the trashcan over to her and began pitching stuff in, making a grocery list as she did. In the end, there wasn't much to choose from, but she did find some leftover pizza that would do for breakfast.

"What are you doing?" He came into the kitchen, dressed, his hair still dripping water.

"I'm cleaning out your fridge. I actually found some stuff in the back that I swear was moving."

"And breakfast?" He pulled two mugs out of the cabinet and poured them coffee.

"On the table."

"Leftover pizza. I forgot about that."

They sat down and ate in silence, and upon finishing, Cameron cleaned up the dishes, and they went to brush their teeth.

"Do you mind if I use your toothpaste? I knew I forgot to pack something."

"If it's between you using my toothpaste or not brushing, then go ahead."

Cameron finished and then pulled on her heels.

"You're actually wearing those? You've gotta be joking."

"Yes, I am wearing them. No pain, no gain."

"What's the gain?"

"I get to be a bit taller."

"Wear some flatter shoes. You don't want to have hurt feet for tonight, trust me."

"Why not?"

"Wilson and Mary Ann are forcing us to have some dance lessons. Even me, though I can't imagine why, but the groom insists."

"And you're still doing it, because Wilson wants you too?"

"Yea, I know, it's a mystery to me too, but there it is. Anyway, flatter shoes, or else you'll be in agony. I've seen it before."

"Stacey?" Cameron almost couldn't say the name.

"Yes, at another of Wilson's weddings. She could barely walk. Stupid thing to do really. If you're going to be on your feet a lot, wear comfortable shoes. It's common sense. We still don't have the technology to perform foot transplants, so take care of what you got."

Cameron removed the heels and put on a pair of ballet flats. "Better?"

"Yes, now if you're ready to go?"

"We're going to work together?"

"Sure, why not?"

"Whatever you say. You're the one with the master plan."

"And don't you forget it. We're taking your car though."

"And I suppose you're driving?"

"You can. I woke up too early. I can nap during the drive." Cameron grabbed her purse and House grabbed his backpack and they left, locking the door behind them.

"So, what time are these lessons?" Cameron asked as they walked into the conference room together. Chase and Foreman looked up at their arrival.

"8:30," Chase and Foreman replied at the same time.

"You guys knew about this too?"

"Yea, House was supposed to tell you…sounds like he didn't though."

"Hey, I told her…this morning. We got any action?"

"Nope," Foreman said, not bothering to mask the boredom in his voice.

"Cool." And he headed for his office, closed all the blinds, and locked the doors.

"Do I even want to know what he's doing in there?" Chase asked.

"He'll be sleeping. He was up early…well, early for him," Cameron answered.

"Great, a House free day. I don't even know what to do with myself." Chase looked amazed.

"Well, there's always the clinic," Cameron reminded him. "I'm heading there myself, after I talk to someone."

"Sounds good. Foreman, you up for clinic duty?"

"Sure, but I'm working my own hours, not House's."

The two men took off for the clinic, and Cameron went to Wilson's office.

She knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"Cameron."

"Come in."

She opened the door and found Wilson and Mary Ann looking through sheets of paper.

"Oh, Allie! We found a cake!" Mary Ann showed her the winning piece of paper from the small stack.

"That's the one I liked too. What about flowers?"

"White roses and daisies. I know the daisies aren't traditional or anything, but I love them."

"Whatever you want. Don't worry about what's traditional." Cameron smiled, remembering her own wedding. It had been anything but traditional.

"Did you need something, Cameron?" Wilson asked.

"Well, I was hoping for a bit of advice. Do you know Todd Porter, in cardiology?"

Wilson nodded. "Nice guy. I was going to invite him, but he's got a prior engagement, he said."

"Well, he asked me to dinner, asked me out actually. I told him no, cause of Greg, but I wanted to talk shop with him. So, do you think it would be all right to do lunch instead?"

"As long as House doesn't find out. Believe me, he'll overreact. Whenever I have lunch with a female colleague it automatically means that I must be sleeping with her. You know how he gets. Just go to lunch, and have that be that. Nothing more."

"Well of course, nothing more. I'd never want to hurt him, ever."

Wilson looked at her a moment, thinking. Then he said, "Do you love him?"

Cameron thought about that quickly, then opted for the truth, ruse aside.

"I care about him deeply, but, no, I don't think I love him." Then she added, "At least…not yet." The last part had been intended to add strength to the ruse, as she had cared about him deeply long before the bachelor party. But, she realized, somewhat shocked, she had meant that last part as well. And her face showed it.

Wilson nodded again. "Just, well, you remember our talk way back when, right? Before the first date?"

It was Cameron's turn to nod.

"How could I forget?"

"Same thing applies. Don't break his heart."

"Thanks for the advice," Cameron said. She gave Mary Ann a little hug, and took her leave.

She headed for the cardiology wing.

"It's just until the wedding. I'm not invested, and neither is he. We're both just pretending. This isn't about real feelings…or is it? Am I really going fall in love with him? Is he going to fall for me? No, he won't. This is House. He told me himself. He doesn't even like me. The kisses sure feel real though…"

Her thoughts were interrupted when she bumped into Sheila.

"Oh, Dr. Cameron, hello." The young nurse appeared a little flustered.

"Hey, Sheila. Do you know if Dr. Porter's in his office?"

"He is, I just saw him. How are you doing?"

"I'm great. How are you?"

"The same. Just working. How's Dr. House?"

"He's fine too. If you'll excuse me Sheila, I have to go. It was nice seeing you again."

"You too, Dr. Cameron, you too."

She watched as Cameron went to Todd's office and knocked. Once she was inside, Sheila walked next to the office door and leaned up against it, listening.

"Alison, I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. Something up?"

"Well, I wanted to know if you wanted to go to lunch with me. I actually wanted to talk shop with you a bit, hear about the new innovations the department is implementing."

Todd smiled a megawatt smile. "Of course. I'd love to. When and where were you thinking?"

"In a few days…let's say Thursday at that place on the corner….Louie's.

"Sounds good. I'll meet you at the front entrance at noon on Thursday then."

Cameron said good-bye and left. Sheila saw the knob turn and walked quickly away in the opposite direction.

Cameron went to the clinic and worked with Chase and Foreman until late afternoon.

"I guess I'll see you guys at 8:30. Who all is doing this?"

"Well, there's us, you, House, Wilson, Mary Ann, and Doris…oh, and Mary Ann's brother and cousin," Chase answered.

"Doris, huh?" Cameron said with a grin.

"Tonight's going to be interesting."

"And don't tell House that Doris will be there, or he won't come," Foreman added.

"Not a problem." Cameron replied. "I'll see you guys later."

Then she went up to House's office to get him up so they could go to the supermarket.

She pulled out her trusty bobby pin and worked on the lock. It took awhile, but she unlocked the door and went into the darkened room. Once her eyes adjusted, she smiled.

He was sitting in his chair, leaning back with his legs on his desk. His Ipod was on, and there was an issue of Penthouse lying open across his face, shielding it from the little bit of light that squeezed its way through the blinds.

She picked up the magazine with two fingers and tossed it into the trash. Then she pulled his earbuds out and put them in her own ears. A classical piano she didn't recognize. She shut the Ipod off and wondered how to wake him.

The classic method of shaking him came to mind, but that was too rough. She didn't want to make him mad or anything, not if she wanted him to go to the supermarket with her. That was going to be difficult anyway.

She finally settled for kissing him awake.

"It worked for Snow White," she thought.

She leaned over him and put her lips against his. He stirred and then opened his eyes. Seeing what she was doing, he kissed her back. Cameron straightened herself up.

"Sorry, I didn't want to shake you awake or anything."

He got up and stretched. "Is it time to go already?"

"You've been out for hours. And yes, it's time to go. I need to go to the supermarket to restock your fridge with edible things before the dance lessons."

"Ok, just give me a minute."

"He's being awfully compliant," she thought.

"Ok, just like that? I was expecting more of a fight."

"Expect the unexpected with me."

"That's not much of an explanation."

"But it's all the explanation I'm willing to give. Now, let's get out of here." He left the office, leaving Cameron in the dark, wondering whether or not the real House was tied up in a broom closet somewhere.

A/N: Ok, that's a wrap! Please R&R! I didn't like this chapter too much, but hopefully you all did!