Disclaimer: Not mine. Just playing. NAH!!

AN: Very short little chapter... I should update with another shortly. This just worked as it's own little scene. Don't hate Cameron - she's actually trying to think of everyone.

With sunlight streaming into her office, her CD player filling it with music even the piles of paperwork that had accumulated could do nothing to bring her down off the cloud she was floating on from the weekend with House – not to mention the fact that she'd definitely put out for every time that Greg had counted and enjoyed it thoroughly. She'd managed to pull some strings with the certification board and had House's recertification exam scheduled for that morning. More surprisingly, other than a little grumbling – he'd actually sounded excited and had promised to call when he was through.

All in all – it was shaping up to being a very good day.

She flipped open the folder in front of her and started to read over the most critical of reports that needed her attention, her fingers tapping along to the music playing. "… When all the parts of the puzzle start to look like they fit, well I must remember there'll be days like this …" She sang out loud not really caring if anyone heard.

"Wow…" Cameron couldn't help but smile as she came in with the ER reports that were due – it was nice to see things and people getting back to normal around the hospital – maybe even better than normal. "You've got a nice voice, Dr. Cuddy…"

"I'll give you an extra week of vacation if you can keep that to yourself when the Talent Night fundraiser comes up." Cuddy smiled at the former duckling. "For me?"

"I hate to add to the piles but it's the ER departmental reports." Cameron put the files into her outstretched hands. "I take it there's been progress with House."

Cuddy couldn't help but blush a little as her mind went off on a tangent. Before she could cover, Cameron's eyes widened. She took a deep breath and blew it out. "Wow…"

"It's really not any of your business…" Cuddy decided that cutting off the conversation was the best plan of action.

"No, it's not…" Cameron admitted. "I just…" She fell silent, studying the older woman's face. She shook her head. "There's no point in closing the barn door anyway."

"What?" Cuddy looked up at her questioningly.

Cameron smiled. "It's something my father used to say – it's like closing the barn door when the horses are already out. Pointless… Your horses are already out."

Reality was starting to come down on Cuddy. "You're a real buzz kill, Dr. Cameron."

A laugh rang out from the younger doctor. "Oh and that's not a dead giveaway. Look, I'm not making judgements – I'd be right where you are if I was the one taking care of House and he gave me half a chance. I would have been easy." She paused – even though that wasn't what she'd been telling everyone for months, they both knew it was true. "I figure he had to put at least twice the effort into getting you to give in than he put into getting Stacy back."

"Then what's your point?" Cuddy was frustrated that the former duckling could see through her and the situation – damn House to hell for teaching them too well.

Cameron fell silent once more, gathering her thoughts before she met Cuddy's gaze and spoke again. "Why do you think I decided to look out for Wilson?"

"Trying to endear yourself to House by taking care of his best friend." Cuddy said a little too sharply.

"No… Staying safe." Cameron admitted. "Wilson isn't a risk… He just needs a friend who isn't House right now. I can't get hurt." She paused. "The risk always seems worth it with House, but I don't know if it actually is."

"I can take care of myself, Dr. Cameron." Cuddy's voice and good mood had suddenly cooled and a unspoken dismissal was included with the words.

"I know…" Cameron said softly then turned and exited, feeling badly that she'd brought the Dean of Medicine down but knowing the other woman needed a reality check.

Cuddy watched her go and shook her head. As obvious as the risks that Cuddy was taking were to Cameron, the risks that apparently Cameron had blinded herself to were apparent to her as well. If the young immunologist thought she was immune to getting hurt in this situation - she was only kidding herself. With a shake of her head, no longer feeling like singing along to her radio - Lisa did what she always did. Pushing all the possible personal problems aside, she got down to work.