Thirteen woke up before her eyes opened. She heard the TV in the background of her haze, light flickering through her eyelids before they were even open. Letting her eyelids flutter open, she became aware of the warm form at her side and the fact that her legs were cramped. She squinted at the clock on the wall, seeing that it was just after two in the morning; they must have fallen asleep while they were watching old sitcoms. Not yet having moved her head, she smiled into Camerons hair, inhaling the scent of her shampoo. Tucking a blonde lock behind a delicate ear, Thirteen rubbed the other womans back with the hand that was attached to the arm that had been around the small frame.
"Allison," she whispered, not wanting to startle her. "Hey, Allison." When Cameron only mumbled and snuggled further into Thirteens side, the brunette couldn't help but exhale a stifled laugh. "Allison, wake up."
"Mmmmmmno. Five more minutes," Cameron yawned, keeping her eyes close but smiling all the same. "There was so much wine." The girls had finished off two bottles by the time midnight had rolled around, clouding their heads and making them feel warm and sleepy, hence the sleeping.
"Tell me about it," Thirteen rubbed her forehead, feeling the beginnings of a minor hangover.
"You're right, though. Do you work tomorrow?" Cameron sat up to stretch, much to Thirteens disappointment.
The vacancy of the form on her side made her shiver with a sudden cold, but she was thankful to be able to stretch her legs out. "No, we're slow. I actually get a day off on my day off!"
"Must be nice," Cameron smiled, standing up. "I need some sleep. I have to be at work in five hours."
Thirteen stood up, running on instinct, and wrapped her arms around Camerons waste. Kissing her eyebrow and then the tip of her nose, Thirteen smiled. "You could stay here?" She asked hopefully, looking into big blue eyes.
"I'm sure I could," Camerons eyes twinkled when she spoke. "I don't know if that's such a good idea, though. I think maybe we should take it slow."
Thirteens eyes widened and she dropped her hands to her sides. "No, I didn't...I just meant that you could stay here not stayhere. Not that you couldn't stay here if you wanted too." She wiggled her eyebrows on the last 'stay', regaining her composure.
"I do," Cameron put her arms around the taller girls neck, looking at her earnestly, brow furrowed in signature Cameron expression. "I just think maybe-"
"Cameron, it's cool." Thirteen cut her off, smiling knowingly. Replacing her hands around the petite waist, she smiled into a kiss. "I'll call you, yeah?"Cameron nodded and deepened the kiss in response. They stood there kissing for several minutes before Thirteen pulled back, smirking. "I thought you were leaving?"
Cameron recaptured soft lips instead of using words, quickly becoming embarrassed at how hormonal she was acting. "Sorry," she blushed, clearing her throat and stepping back. Taking her coat from the back of the couch, Cameron threw it over her arm and draped a scarf over her neck. "You're right. And please do. Call me, I mean."
Thirteen nodded, walking her to the door. She wanted more than anything for Cameron to stay, but not wanting to make her feel pressure, opted to not open her mouth. Cameron zipped up her boots in silence, checking her pockets for her keys. She offered a quick kiss that sent electricity through both of the girls bodies. "Bye." Thirteen was throaty when she spoke, eyes shut and the smallest of smiles on her face.
"Bye," Cameron squeezed the hand that had unknowingly clasped around hers and stepped out the door, leaving Thirteen standing there and smiling.
When the door clicked shut, Thirteen locked it, leaning into the frame for a moment to recompose herself. Collecting up the wine glasses from the coffee table and putting them in the dishwasher she poured a glass of water and popped an Advil. When she heard the knock on the door, she put the glass down, becoming alert. Slowly moving to the frame, Thirteen carefully put an eye up to the peek hole. Grinning from ear to ear, she wrenched the door open.
"Hi. I think I've had too much wine to drive and I guess a sleep over would be okay if I slept on the top of the blankets. And-"
For the second time that night, Thirteen cut the blonde off. Instead of interrupted her with laughter or words, she grabbed the collar of the black pea coat and pulled her in for a kiss. "I'll keep my hands to myself, I promise." With the expert skill of someone who had undressed a woman a thousand times, Camerons coat and scarf were removed and hung in the closet swiftly. Grabbing a hand that was slightly clammy from what could only be nerves, Thirteen led Cameron into the bedroom. "It's way past your bed time, Doctor Cameron."
Cameron smiled bashfully, crossing her arms over her chest, watching the brunette flop onto the bed. Drawing an imaginary line down the middle and putting her hands up in surrender, Thirteen shuffled over as far as she could to what would be her side of the bed. Shaking her head and rolling her eyes, Cameron climbed in to join her after flicking off the light.
When Cameron woke up, it took her a moment to realize where she was. She felt fabric in her hand, which was gripping the shirt of the brunette who's back her head was resting on. Reaching back to what was supposed to be her side of the bed to turn off the cell phone alarm, kissing Thirteens shoulder before she rolled over. When the brunette made no movement, not entirely to Camerons surprise, she just laughed and shook her head.
Hopping out of bed and checking herself in the full length mirror, Cameron straightened out her clothes and cast one smitten glance back to the bed before letting herself out of the apartment.
Back at the hospital, House was waiting for Cameron when she arrived. He was at the front desk with Chase, both of them apparently also having just arrived. "Cameron! Hi. That blonde hair doesn't look any less whorish combined with the same clothes you wore yesterday. Please tell me they hit Thirteens floor before they found their way back onto your body." House didn't wait for a response before he limped off to the elevator, leaving Chase and Cameron standing there facing each other. Chase looked confused and Cameron looked stunned and scared.
"What's he on about?" Chase asked cautiously, not even noticing that he had taken a step back.
"It's nothing," Cameron shook her head and raised her eyebrows, her smile tight lipped.
"You were with Thirteen last night? What were you doing?" Chase, his voice raising pitch slightly, raised an eyebrow of his own. "That's gotta be third time House mentioned you two in a sentence together in two days. He wouldn't unless he knew something."
"House is an idiot." Cameron was growing exasperated.
"A smart idiot," Chase squared his body off, becoming defensive. "You're not, like, dating her are you?" He asked her, his smile accusatory, not happy.
Cameron didn't respond, she only looked down, brow furrowed.
"Unbelievable," Chase muttered, turning on his heel. He marched off towards the elevators, his strides rigid and angry.
"Chase," Cameron pleaded for him to turn around.
He did so, anger in his eyes when he turned. "Let's just hope for Thirteens sake," he spoke through gritted teeth, "that we don't get a case today. If I see her, I'm likely to get fired." He cleared his throat when he was done and stared at Cameron, daring her to defend the other woman. When she didn't, he nodded, getting into the elevator and staring at her as the doors closed.
AU NOTES: This chapter is a little bit shorter, but I am not a fan of pushing a chapter beyond where it feels right to create length! Will House get a case? Will Chase lose it if they do? WHO KNOWS?
Shout out to my faithful reviewers. I'd mention you all by name, but you all pretty much chose the same topic to speculate. Massive thanks for the all the kind words. Wanted to make sure I threw that out there! Full blown reactions from both of the boys to come in the next chapter, when they've had time to process.