Well, Steve is going to live. Even I didn't have the heart to off the little guy and further wound House. Kylie is sent home in "good" health. Cameron finds out a secret about House, while he torments Wilson---again.

Thursday morning.

Cameron walked into Kylie's room. "Good morning."

"Hi, Doctor Cameron. So what is the verdict?" Kylie lowered the volume on the TV.

Cameron sat in the chair beside the bed. "Honestly? We couldn't find anything wrong. We have run every test possible. It's all negative."

Kylie's eyebrows furrowed. "So that means what?"

"We are going to have to release you."

"But I'm ill. There is something wrong with my body. I know there is. I know you look at me and think 'Oh, she's fat; she doesn't take care of herself, so she doesn't know anything', Kylie replied. She rushed on before Cameron could respond. "But you're wrong. I haven't always looked like this. I swear. I eat one candy bar and I gain five pounds. The doctors said the migraine meds might make me gain a little weight, but they didn't say it would be ninety pounds! Please, you have to find out what is wrong."

"I understand," Cameron comforted.

"Do you? Do you know why my feet are the way they are? Could I lose them if whatever this is doesn't go away?"

"We think the salt is making you retain water. That water is putting pressure on your circulatory system. When we release you, a nutritionist will meet and discuss a diet to help eliminate excess sodium. This should all be cleared up in a week or so."

"You think." Kylie's sigh caught on a sob. "You don't believe me. Nobody believes me. I don't lie about things being wrong with my body. I don't like being ill. I hate hospitals. Maybe you think I'm lying, but if I was, why wouldn't I be out looking for a job so I don't lose my house instead of lying around faking it?"

"No one is calling you a liar---"

Kylie stared Cameron in the eye. "I am having serious health issues and no one believes me."

"If there were any other tests we could run, we would. I wish there was something I could say." Cameron's words trailed off into an uncomfortable silence.

"Will I still be able to come back if the need arises?"

"Of course."

"Could I get you?"

"If you come back, have them personally page me." Cameron made a couple notes in the file. "I should have your release ready by noon. Do you have anyone who can come and pick you up?"

"I drove myself," Kylie's voiced quavered.

"If you have any questions, have the main desk contact me, okay?"

"Thank you, Doctor Cameron." Kylie ducked her head to hide the tears.

"It's going to be alright," Cameron assured the scared woman. Placing her pen back in her breast pocket, Cameron stood up. "I'll stop by with your paper work."

"Okay." Kylie refused to look at her.

Feeling guilty, Cameron closed the folder and left the room.

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Thursday afternoon. Walking inside the apartment, Cameron handed a manila folder to House.

"What is this?"

"Steve's test results. Thought you might want to know that the medicine was effective and he is going to live. I've given him a clean bill of health."

"Are you saying that he can start running on his wheel again? That I might get a decent night's sleep?" House didn't open the folder. Instead he stared at the tab titled "Steve McQueen" in bold black lettering. Relief and disappointment coursed thru him.

Cameron gave him a soft smile. "Oh, I wouldn't toss out the Budweiser and Monica's private number just yet, but yes, as soon as he feels up to it, the wheel will be lulling you into dreamland in no time."

"I knew he had it in him to pull thru." Opening the file, House glanced at the chart.

"You don't sound happy."

"I was going out of my mind figuring a way to explain to Cuddy why I would need a couple days off to attend the funeral of a rat."

"I don't think she would have bought it for a minute. She still would have made you do your clinic hours regardless."

House looked down at the grey bundle of fur, who was munching on his Trail Mix. "Don't ever give me a scare like that again or you'll find yourself living with Wilson's mutt."

Steve paused, then went back to his treat while keeping his eyes on Cameron.

"I'm not sure he fully trusts me yet."

"Do you blame him? You tortured the poor thing."

"Ha! You think what I did was torture? You have no idea what those tapeworms were doing to him."

"Unfortunately he can't see them; all he sees is you."

"True." Reaching down, she cautiously stuck her finger between the bars. "Do you forgive me?"

Dropping his treat, Steve ran over to Cameron. Sniffing first, he gently began to nibble on her fingertip.

"I'll take that as a yes."

House gave an impatient snort. "Well of course you're forgiven; you're a woman."

"Wow a sexist remark disguised as a compliment."

"Actually it wasn't supposed to be disguised as anything."

Bending over, Cameron chucked Steve under the chin. "Steve, I think you're dad is jealous."

"Jealous hell. I'm just trying to figure out why he gets all the attention."

Cameron continued to fawn over Steve. "'cause you're all cute, and furry, and sweet as can be." She gave Steve a wink and blew a kiss.

That earned another snort.

Straightening, Cameron threw a look at House. "I need to wash my hands." Turning on the spigot, she began lathering. Catching House out of the corner of her eye, she laughed.

House glared at her. "What's so funny?"

"You. Jealous of a rat."

"I doubt it. But he did have it made having you as his personal physician."

"I don't recall having much of a choice."

House leaned on his cane and gestured with his free hand. "We all have choices. How we choose to act upon them is a different story. I simply presented the problem and--"

"Tempted me with Monster Truck tickets," Cameron interjected and turned off the spigot.

"Threw in a incentive," he corrected. "I admit that I gave you a little push--"

"Shove!"

"In the right direction."

"Knowing I wouldn't say no."

"Couldn't, but let's not play semantics."

"You?" Cameron blinked hard. "Okay." Cameron grabbed a paper towel and furiously dried her hands. The silence seemed to go on.

"So, are we still on tomorrow night?" Cameron asked and tossed the paper in the waste can.

"Why wouldn't we be?"

"Well with Steve getting better, I thought maybe you might want to take him instead."

House raised his eyebrow. "Tempting. But so soon after recovery might throw him into a relapse. I can't afford Monster Truck tickets every time he gets ill. Maybe next time." Walking over to the fridge, House opened it and pulled out a beer. "Get you something?"

"A Coke. Please."

"Here." House tossed the can at her, closed the door, and headed toward the living room. "You coming?"

Cameron popped the top and took a long sip. Swallowing, she followed. House was already sitting on the couch. Glancing at him, she walked over to the piano bench.

"Something wrong with the couch?"

"Not really. Thought I might give you some space."

"There you go thinking again." House grabbed the remote. "You can sit beside me; I won't bite. Well, unless you want me to." His eyes twinkled with mischief.

Cameron walked over and sat down. "I prefer my rats to have four legs instead of two, thank you."

"Ouch. What exactly does Steve have that I don't?"

"Well…"Cameron took a thoughtful sip, "he is friendly, and he listens to me."

"I listen." He began flipping channels.

"He isn't afraid of getting close to someone."

"Ah the innocence of youth." House took a drink of beer.

"You don't listen to anyone."

"I listen, I just tune them out."

"Because you're always right," she replied with thick sarcasm.

"I'm not always right; everybody else is usually wrong." Flicking the remote, House skimmed the channels. "A Benny Hill marathon. I haven't seen him in years."

"You like Benny Hill?" Cameron asked in surprise. It shouldn't have surprised her, but it did.

"Why wouldn't I? He's sarcastic, brilliant, witty, full of himself---"

"He's sort of like you only with a British accent," Cameron finished.

In response, House grabbed her can of Coke, took a long sip, and handed it back. She stared at him as he gave her a wink and then put a finger to his lips.

Silence fell over them as the show began.

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"So tonight is the big night." Wilson began stacking tomatoes, cheese and slices of turkey on a bread slice. "Date night."

"It's not a date." House grabbed a fry from the plate.

"Boy gives girl a ticket to Monster Trucks. Boy picks girl up after work. Sounds like a date to me." He spread the mayo on the slice of bread and turned it over on the sandwich waiting on his plate.

"You sound like a faithful husband to me."

"Did I hit a nerve? I wonder who is going to miss Cameron more now that Steve is better." Wilson laid the knife down and reached for a serviette.

Wordlessly, House reached over, grabbed the sandwich and took a huge bite.

"Hey!"

"Were you finished with this?" asked House as he tried to cover his mouth.

"I am now." Wilson wiped his hands. "You want my drink to go with that?"

"Thanks, but I'm good."

Wilson expelled an exasperated sigh. "I gotta get back to my office." Grabbing his drink, he pushed himself away from the table and stood up. Reaching over, he grabbed the plate of fries. "See you later."

"Thanks for lunch."

Wilson threw him a dirty look and walked off. Shrugging, House took another bite.

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Cameron locked the door behind her and skipped down the stairs. "Where are you parked?"

"Right here."

Blinking against the setting sun, Cameron thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. "We're taking that?"

House straddled the motorcycle. "Why not? It's safer than driving. Plus, with the weekend traffic, we can avoid the congestion. I don't think my leg can take all that inactivity." He started the engine.

Taking the helmet, Cameron placed it over her head. Jumping on the back, she wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.

Her fresh scent wrapped around him, and for a second he felt his knees go weak. Shaking his head, House raised the kickstand and they drove away.