Disclaimed.

For those of you that were confused, House was going to call Cameron but he couldn't make a decision either way. Chase wasn't glad to do the surgery because he does care so deeply about House's opinion and therefore his life. In reality it was a conflict of interest. He's worried that complications could still arise.

For those of you who are reading my other fic, House M.D. Piano Man, it will be updated soon. I'm still just trying to find the perfect songs for Cameron and Foreman. Don't worry, it's coming though!

Now that all that's straightened out...

As House laid in bed that night, he couldn't stop thinking about the day that had just passed. He had admitted to two of his ducklings, that he did in fact, not hate them. What was happening to him? It must have been the drugs. Why else would I actually ENCOURAGE Cameron's visits? It's obviously not that I actually enjoy them. Nope. Not that at all. He rolled onto his side and reached into the drawer on the bedside table and pulled out a worn copy of Pride and Prejudice. And I haven't given Cameron her book back yet because...I...forgot...that...I had it! Oh, what the hell. It's my own head, I can think the truth. I haven't given her back her book because...I want her to not be happy? I do NOT like Cameron. She's...young. And...she's overly cheerful and naive. And beautiful and smart and...wait. I thought I was listing faults like her...well there's the way she...Oh who am I kidding? She's absolutely perfect. Stubborn enough to put up with me, and understanding enough to know when I don't want to talk. Too bad I'm a dumbass. There's no way she would ever like me. Ugh...stupid, good for nothing feelings. With a sigh, he replaced the book and tried to go to sleep.

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House was sitting in bed, staring at the ceiling and ignoring the hospital food in front of him, when Wilson strode into the room. The oncologist stared at his friend for a moment.

"Look much harder, Jimmy boy, and I'll have to charge you." House turned to the man. "And I'm no cheap thrill."

"You're no thrill at all old man." Wilson replied with a chuckle. He stopped when House wrinkled his nose. "What?"

"Old man...am I really THAT old? I'm 47, about to turn 48...I guess that is old...Just never thought of myself as and 'Old Man.'"

"House relax...it was just a joke...are...you ok?" House looked thoughtful.

"Yeah...Just realizing the magnitude of my idiocy." Wilson looked shocked.

"You're...admitting you've made a mistake, somewhere along the way? Willingly? Without anyone prompting you?" He rushed over to feel House's forehead. "How bad are you feeling?" House swatted the offending hands away from his personal bubble.

"Cameron's been visiting. She left her book in here and I think a nurse or somebody took it. Cameron, however, seems to feel I'm holding her book ransom for my scotch which, even now, no one has handed me. So to get me to give her back the book I don't have, she's been coming and talking to me every day. And I began to think. She is absolutely beautiful, just completely perfect...and I could have had that. I could have slept with her easily...she was enough in love with me according to you. But I never took advantage of that. Therefore, I, Gregory House, screwed up majorly."

Wilson stood there, with his hands on his hips and a look of concentration on his face. He nodded and then exploded into laughter. Not quite what House wanted to here, quite frankly. A look of pure offence graced House's features.

"What in the hell are you laughing at now?" Wilson tried to contain his laughter

"You're not upset because you didn't have sex with her! You're upset because you actually do love her, but you're too damn afraid to go after her. She obviously still loves you, otherwise she would buy a new book. But this is great! You now have a SECOND CHANCE! You better get it right this time House...you don't really deserve any chances with her...and look how many you've gotten. She would be good for you House." House stared, aghast.

"I am NOT in love with Allison Cameron. And she's not in love with me. I'm old and annoying. Not too mention all the emotional baggage, drinking, anger...the list goes on really. But I'm too tired to list all my lesser attributes."

"House...you didn't call her sexy or hot...you said she was 'beautiful' and 'perfect' which are not lustful terms coming from you. Besides, when Cameron's around, how many times do you think about that bottle of scotch?"

House just sat in silence, so Wilson took it as his cue to leave. Once more, House was alone. But not for long luckily.

"Hey House. How are you feeling?" A cheerful Cameron breezed in and took up residence in what was now, Her Chair. House looked at her.

"I am...fine. Look...I don't have your book. Maybe a nurse took it to lost-and-found or something. I'm tired. Why don't you go ask one of them." It was said as more of a statement than a question, not giving her an option. That didn't work for her.

"I already did. They said no one touched it." He could hear the hurt laced in her voice. Mentally, he kicked himself.

"Well I don't have it so there's no point in coming if you aren't going to get me my damn scotch."

"What happened? How did you go from not minding me coming to wanting me out in a day?"

"I...don't want to give you hope." House looked very tired.

"Hope? Hope for what? God House! I like you, there's no point in denying it, but I know you don't like me. I know nothing will happen. But I am coming here as a friend! Not with any ulterior motives, other than my book. Why is that so difficult for you to understand?" She was standing now, angry and hurt and House felt like shit.

"You don't like me...I'm an ass. Why can't you understand THAT?"

"Oh trust me House, I understand that crystal clear now. Thanks for opening my eyes to the truth." With that, she stormed out and down the hall. House dropped his head back and thought to himself...you may have just ruined your life forever. Way to go, genius.

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Wilson's office door flew open, and Cameron blew in like a hurricane. Surprised, Wilson turned to sarcasm.

"My House, you've changed."

Cameron began pacing back and forth.

"Ugh! Don't call me that! What is it about him? Why is he such an ass?"

Sighing, Wilson put down his pen and motioned to the seat in front of his desk. She sat with a huff and slouched.

"What did he do now?" Resigned to the fact that he was born to play the bandage to House's skinned knee of a life. What a fixer.

"He just...ugh! He doesn't want to give me hope! Like him telling me off was going to give me Hope! Ha!" She scoffed and shook her head with a bitter smile on her pretty face. House was the type of man to turn sugar, sour it seemed.

"That's not it. The truth is he thinks two things. One, that you'll hurt him and Two, that he'll hurt you. He doesn't want either to happen so he abstains from giving either a chance. Which of course leaves both you and him end up hurt, alone, and miserable. Basically, he's an idiot."

"But I wouldn't hurt him! I don't know why he thinks that."

"Because he's been hurt. By...pretty much everyone in his life at some point. And you will hurt him at some point. You two would fight, and fight hard. You would make a comment that would mean more to him than you could ever begin to understand. Or you would accidentally nudge his bad leg when you two were messing around. And he would be a pig. He would say mean things, and look at other women, and forget things. You would both be hurt. And rather than work through all that, House would just as soon avoid the whole deal."

"But it doesn't have to be like that! Why doesn't he get that?" She looked reproachfully into the mans face, hoping for a glimmer of hope.

"It's all he knows. He doesn't understand there are other ways. All the man has ever gotten has been the rough end of the deal. It's worse than either you or I will ever really understand. The best you can do is just...let him know that you are there for him."

Cameron nodded and stood to leave.

"I'm sorry Wilson...I just...no one knows him like you."

He just gave her a smile and a shrug. Wasn't necessarily something to be proud of, but hey, he'd take it.

"Cameron, why don't you head home and just think about what you really want to do. You have to be prepared for a lot of happiness and a lot of pain if you really want to pursue him. And quite frankly, if you don't think you're in it for the long haul, don't even bother. He can't get hurt anymore. But if it helps, I think if anyone could do it, you could. You're personality could be a great balance for his." He smiled again.

"Thanks Wilson, for everything."

Rawr! Whatever will she do? Review!!!