Hi guys, thank you so much for your reviews, they overwhelm me sorry I couldn't update last night, I had an early meeting today, but as a thank you for your amazing reviews I have worked on this chapter so I can I post it early for you. Hope you enjoy,

Hameron forever, as always, Nic

7

"I have to leave at 4pm"

Wilson announced, passing the chart he was marking to the nurse waiting beside him.

"Why?"

House replied, trying to make his voice sound as nonchalant as possible.

"Because I'm picking up Cameron and Caleb from the airport.... because they are staying with me..... I told you yesterday; don't you listen to anything I tell you?"

He ignored the question. Of course he remembered, it was the only thought that had occupied him since the words had left Wilson's mouth.

"Why are they staying with you anyway?"

Wilson turned towards him, disbelief on his features.

"Because we are friends House and part of that is helping each other out. Although I can understand how this concept might confuse you"

House's retort was halted by the sound of a child's voice.

"Uncle James!"

They turned and Wilson's face filled with a smile full of pride as he opened his arms widely and lifted the running child into his arms.

"Hello buddy"

House watched as he hugged Caleb tightly, before leaning back, smiling broadly now and ruffling his hair. He felt his heart flutter erratically as he stared in wonder at the scene before him, feeling like he was in another reality altogether. The boy in Wilson's arms, 4 years old, floppy brown hair, hazel eyes lined with long lashes and deep red lips that he would recognise anywhere as being hers. Caleb turned towards him and House could not help but smile to himself in some kind of inherent pride. Alison Cameron's child is as perfect as she.

Then he heard her voice and the world seemed to stop.

He feels like he has come up for air after an eternity underwater, like he has just heard the symphony of angels after an eternity in silence, like he has just seen the sunrise after an eternity in darkness, like he has just awoken after 6 years lurid slumber, like he has just found his way home after an eternity being lost.

He watched her as she walked towards them, time slowing down, eternity passing before she reached them. Age has not touched her; it is as if the years have not passed just disappeared like a fold in the universe, ends now meeting perfectly. Her hair is longer and brown once more, lips redder than his memories lead him to believe. Her face seems brighter as she smiles at him, as if seeing him now is the most natural thing in the world. His mouth is dry; his words running from him, disappearing to a place he can't find them, her perfection robbing them from him.

Wilson went to her with the ease of a meaningful friendship and pulled her in to a warm hug. Then she turned to him, holding his gaze with the power she had always done, and he felt like the ground would open up beneath him and swallow him up.

"Hello House"

He prayed that his words would return then, but they do not and he knows that she can see right through him. She turned to Caleb, her voice filled with affection, a tone that suits her well.

"Caleb, this is mommy's friend Greg"

Caleb smiled shyly.

"Hello"

His English accent clear.

"Hello Caleb"

He replied, his voice softer than his imagined it could be.

"When did you land?"

Wilson asked, adjusting Caleb in his arms.

"An hour ago, we thought we'd surprise you didn't we Caleb?"

Caleb nodded and Wilson lifted him into the air, making him giggle and Cameron smile fondly.

"You must be hungry. Shall we get something to eat?"

He asked Caleb, still holding him high and laughing as he wriggled in his grasp.

"Pizza"

Caleb replied, giggling as Wilson lowered him once more and turned towards House.

"Do you want to come?"

"I've got a case"

Wilson nodded understandingly, not forcing him, perhaps recognising the demons he was wrestling with.

"Ok, we'll catch you later"

House nodded, stealing one more look at Cameron before turning and heading back towards his office, trying as hard as he could not to look back with each step he took.

XXX

He sat at his desk, trying to concentrate on the file before him but failing miserably. He leant back, replaying the last ten minutes through his head once more, savouring every detail. The soft knock on his office door drew his attention and there she stood before him, looking just like she had always done.

"Come in"

He replied, voice immediately falling intimately.

She smiled, walking towards him in a way that flooded his mind with the memories of her.

"Where's Wilson?"

"He took Caleb to say hi to Foreman before we left"

"You didn't go?"

"I wanted to see you"

"Why?"

His voice sounds braver than he feels.

"Does there have to be a reason?"

She smiled, stepping closer.

"There's always a reason"

"Ever the philosopher..."

She replied, smiling warmly as she began to study the books on his bookcase. His gaze fell to her hand, to the finger where a band of gold had mocked him an eternity ago. It is still bare, had remained that way ever since Wilson had often reminded him, but seeing it before him now, the undeniable confirmation of that fact makes him smile.

"How long are you staying?"

"Just the week"

He felt his stomach drop, her inevitable departure a dark storm cloud on his horizon.

When she spoke again her voice was soft, intimate; maybe she was as nervous as he.

"So how are you doing?"

"Fine"

He watched as her fingertips traced the spines of his books, enjoying the fact that she was in his office, invading the space that is so sacred to him.

"Just fine?"

"He looks like you"

She looked up, surprised by his comment but then he saw a smile filled with pride creep across her face and encouraged, continued further.

"He has your mouth, your eyes"

"I hope you're being sincere"

He can hear the shyness in her voice and it made him smile.

"I am. You know that I am"

She stepped closer, tracing her fingers over his desk, his file, his soul.

"I'd better go"

He nodded and she smiled, heading towards the door but stopping once she reached it, turning back towards him.

"It's good to see you House"

"I hope you're being sincere"

He replied, voice low, playful.

She smiled deeply, a smile filled with the moments they once shared and knowledge of the memories they had made together.

"I am. You know that I am"

And then she turned, disappearing in to the hallway, leaving him with a smile that reached the very core of him.

Just like that, she had him once more.