It's a bit of a filler... more soon.

Jess

Chapter 9: Family and Vacations

Two days after cornering House, Cameron rolled up her sleeves and offered herself to Alice. Alice understood that Allison wanted to stay busy, and granted her a day of work.

Sundays at Alice's were always busy, there being a handful of churches in the general area. The morning rush was the joggers, the park walkers and the people who just woke up at ridiculous hours on the weekend. Then there was the brunch rush of families with older children, a few older couples, and other groups of people. Lunch brought the college students who had stumbled out of bed minutes before, along with parents with newborns. During the odd hour between lunch and dinner – considered supper (but known to the workers as 'four o'clock food') – Alice's was once again packed by the older crowd, and people just stopping in for a quick coffee or snack. Another hour brought the dinner rush, and a few more hours passed before the late eaters and the drinkers entered.

By the time Sunday ended, everyone was exhausted. But by then, Monday had rolled around. Exhaustion was good. Exhaustion made thinking harder.

For some reason, House felt drawn back to Alice's. He had stopped in a few times, and today he was warming up with a coffee to go, on his way back from a patient's apartment. His new ducklings – or, ducklings 2.0 as he sometimes called them – couldn't do anything right, especially not search an apartment.

"Missing AJ's coffee?"

"What?"

Alice smirked. "AJ told me that she used to make all of your coffee. Who do you think she learned how to make coffee from? This isn't that instant crap, Dr. House."

House took a sip and grinned. "I didn't think of it the first time I was here." He admitted. Alice was a calming source to be around. She was always smiling, always joking, and seemed to know exactly how to deal with most people. The various people here seemed to be regulars and the workers were nice.

"Busy being a green-eyed monster, hmmm?"

House stared at her, at loss for words for a minute. So she had noticed that too?

"I may be old House, but I'm not an idiot."

"True."

"She also told me about your fight."

"Our fight? She cornered me and demanded that I leave her alone. No fight about it."

"You cornered her first."

"What?"

"You were looking for answers that she wasn't willing to give."

"And you are?"

"I'm pretty sure that this is one puzzle you can figure out on your own House." Alice replied. "But no, I'm not going to give you answers."

"Someone hit her."

He had known that Cameron was damaged, that someone had hurt her, broken her, but he hadn't thought about it.

Alice merely looked up and waited for him to continue. "She has scars on her back like someone beat her."

Alice didn't respond. "This is the part where you tell me what happened."

"This is the part where you ask AJ." She corrected gently.

"Except she won't tell me, and she already left for Christmas."

"Hanukkah. Then you'll have to wait until she gets back."

"You making latkes?"

Wilson didn't look up from his paperwork. It still surprised him sometimes that after eight months of silence, they had immediately fallen back into their old routine of banter and traditions for the most part.

When the holidays were over though, Wilson knew that House might have a few problems hanging out with Cameron; the two were like fire and ice at the moment. They really just needed to have sex already. The tension was killing him, and it had been less then a week.

"Tomorrow. I promised Alice I'd stop in for some coffee tonight. Do you want to come with?"

House thought for a moment. "Nah I'm good. Come buy me lunch."

Wilson sighed and stood up.

"C'mon. After all of those months you should have a decent stash of cash saved up."

"Maybe I was saving it for something."

"Like what?"

"My retirement fund." Wilson threw out.

"The hospital takes money out of your paycheck for that kind of crap."

"I had enough money to have actually paid every wife Alimony."

House rolled his eyes. Wilson had never been late with a payment that much he knew.

"I want a Reuben. Let's go." Wilson followed him out of the room.

"One of these days you're going to buy me lunch."

"Morning mom." Heather Cameron smiled at her oldest daughter, wrapping an arm around her. They were almost eye level, Heather Cameron's 5'8 frame just barely towering over her daughter's. Dark brown hair with gray wisps framed even darker brown eyes and a gentle smile.

"Morning, Allie-Luv. Sleep well?"

"Bear was snoring." She hugged her mother and allowed herself to relish in her embrace. The siblings all chose to stay with their parents this year. Teddy and Allie crashed together as well as Brandon and Nikki so that Ian's brood didn't have to all share a room, but had instead been able to spread out in two rooms and a guest room.

"I wasn't!" Her brother, a lanky, dark haired, dark eyed twenty three year old protested, lifting Allison in the air.

"Bear put me down!"

"Say I don't snore. And don't call me bear, Alligator."

"Mom!"

"Put your sister down Teddy-Dear. Allie-Luv, don't tease your brother."

"But it's fun."

"Allie, come help me make breakfast. It's Sunday and everyone will be here soon." And with that Heather led her daughter into the kitchen, effectively ending the argument.

Sunday mornings with the Cameron's meant lazy days and loud music.

Allison could still remember waking up to the thrum of music, the kind that bounced its way into your skin and matched your heart, beat for beat. Alison when Ross was trying to get her to smile and Heather in the kitchen making pancakes, Nicole helping with flour all over her face.

Eggs, oatmeal, hash browns, and various pastries cooking and the radio playing. No bacon, because although they didn't keep kosher, the Cameron's refused to eat pigs. Sunday meant grocery shopping, homework and games; swimming in the summer in their pool, ice skating at the local rink in the winter.

Allison rolled up the sleeves of her sweatshirt and went about getting the ingredients she would need to make pancakes.

"How are you really, Allie-Luv?"

"I'm fine mom."

"I talk to Alice and Tina as well as you, so that's a lie." The egg that she was holding broke a little to hard against the side of the bowl and the shell ended up with the rest of the pancake mix.

"Shit!"

"Allie-Luv, language." Heather reprimanded mildly. She took the bowl from her daughter. "Do you want to tell me what's going on now? With you and Dr. House? Alice said she thinks that one day you're just going to lose it and have sex on one of her tables."

"Mom! And how would Alice know? She's seen us together the grand total of zero times."

"So you don't want to talk about it?"

"Nope."

"Okay." Heather finished picking the eggshell out of the bowl and handed it back to her. "I'm here though, when you're ready."

Allison just nodded, not knowing what to say.

"AJ!" Her brother, a tall, coffee-colored skin man with curly brown hair called out, jogging to catch up with her.

"Jesus, slow down." She was taking one her long walks through the neighborhood, something she always did when she wanted to think. Some days the walks had turned into hour long expeditions, logging in four or five miles.

"Sorry."

"No you're not."

"No I'm not." She agreed, reaching out to hug Ian. "I missed you."

"Well, we're busy, busy people AJ, it's not like we can take lots and lots of breaks."

"We live an hour and a half from each other."

Ian shrugged. "Busy AJ."

"Busy Fabio." She mocked back.

Ian Fabio Cameron winced. "Don't I threaten you with bodily harm when you all me Fabio?"

"Don't I ignore you every time?"

"So why are you out walking? You've only been here for two days. No one can piss you off the quickly."

"Wrong."

"Okay," Ian amended "no one can piss you off easily enough here to make you start walking. And don't even try to deny it."

"I know. You know about House, right?"

"Sweetheart, of course I do."

"Don't call me sweetheart." She responded immediately. The elementary school was within eyesight now and Allison headed towards the swings. "I need to sit down for this one."

"Wow." Ian pumped his legs higher and watched his sister. "You're lucky you made me promise not to kill him before you told me any of that."

"The date was almost four years ago, Fabio."

"And the fact that you're telling me now shows how much it stills stings AJ."

"He called me broken Ian. Damaged. And after all those years of everyone loving me even when I thought I was broken and telling me I wasn't, I didn't have a proper response. I just sat there. And I knew if I called you that you would've been down there as fast as possible and would've beaten the crap out of him." She let go of the swing and went flying, landing perfectly on her feet. A few seconds later Ian mirrored her move and took a mocking bow.

"I thought we learned not to use our fists."

"Did we?" Her face was serious. "Because I don't think that anyone besides mom and dad taught us that lesson, and by then I think, hit first ask questions later had been ingrained in our brains."

"That's why we do our jobs AJ." Ian was a social worker out in the Bronx, helping children like he had been when there was no one to help him. And Allison was saving peoples lives, something that the doctors hadn't been able to do for Jacob. Ian covered her hand, and then drew back in surprise. "You're like ice!"

"It is December. In Chicago."

"Well, let's go home. I'm sure that the family is looking for us."

"And your wife is probably frantic."

Ian chuckled. Ellen had learned years ago that the two adopted siblings were prone to disappear for hours to talk. They understood each other in a way that the other three couldn't. Sometimes they would bring along some of Ian's brood – three out of the five were adopted, and there were seven children with them in all, two being fostered temporarily.

Ian hauled his sister to her feet, and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. It was true Allison was a little cold with just a heavy sweatshirt on, but she had fared worse with Ron. Besides, she was a Chicago girl; the twenty degree weather was nothing.

"Feel better now?"

"Maybe." Ian sighed and hugged her closer. He really had to meet this House of hers. And after he smacked him for hurting his sister's feelings, then maybe he would haul him to his feet and buy him a beer.

The services began and Allison settled down next to Ian and her father. It continued on, and Allison drifted, as she always did. She couldn't help it.

The countless hours she had spent in various places of worship had made her bit hard to the idea of God. Jacobs' death and the abuse she had suffered had just made it harder to believe.

The time came to stand and say someone's name that you wished to recite the Mourners Kaddish for, and Allison stood, as always. She recited the name Jacob Drew and at the last minute added Gregory House and James Wilson.

Ian tensed next to her slightly, but other then that gave no reaction. They had learned that the Mourners Kaddish was not just to be recited for the dead but for those who were sick or just needed another prayer. And if there was a God, maybe he could help the two of them.

Services went on for a little longer and then it was time for the small Hanukkah party back at the Cameron's. Their family was large, but not huge.

The Hanukkah dinner, complete with a latke-eating contest, had happened the night before, and tonight was just a night of relaxation and fun.

The three children who were having a Bar or Bat Mitzvah that year took turns lighting the menorah and reciting the appropriate prayers.

They scampered to fill the circle that had been made, gripping hands tightly.

"Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah, come light the menorah
Let's have a party, we'll all dance the hora
Gather round the table, we'll give you a treat
Sivivon to play with, and latkes to eat -"

The group danced, hands held tightly, whirling in a circle spinning in and out and laughing every time someone missed a step or hit someone else shoulder.

Presents had been next, wrapping paper flying everywhere.

Finally, after presents, a few games with the dreidal and various other activities it was time for the family to part ways.

A few hours later Allison climbed up to her room, and changed into her pajamas. She was startled slightly by a knock on the door, and opened it expecting to see Teddy standing impatiently on the threshold of 'their' (but really her) bedroom.

"Hi daddy!" Ross Cameron smiled at his daughter. His hair was a perpetual grey and he wore wire rimmed glasses, covered a blue-grey eye that almost matched Allison's.

"Hey AJ. Are you about ready for bed?" A full fledged smile crossed her face and Allison settled into her bed, as Ross heaved himself down next to her.

Her father had usually been the one to rush into the room when her screams woke the household. If she wanted to talk, they did. But when she didn't, Ross would sing her to sleep. Usually songs from synagogue. Songs that weren't even in English half the time.

He started now, his low baritone voice soothing and gentle.

L'chi lach, to a land that I will show you.
Leich l'cha to a place you do not know.
L'chi lach, on your journey I will bless you.
And you shall be a blessing, you shall be a blessing you shall be a blessing, l'chi lach.

This had always been one of her favorites. Just the words, and you shall be a blessing. The fact that Ross thought her to be wonderful, that she was there because they wanted her there. Not because the Camerons were doing some civic duty by taking in foster children, but because they loved her.

"Get some sleep baby girl."

"Love you daddy."

"Love you too."

Ross Cameron watched her sleep for moment, before sneaking out of the room. She always looked so peaceful when she slept. He could for long periods forget about the scars on her back, the way that she had came into their life, Alice and Jacob and Ron and Linda. But it was only watching her sleep, her face serene, that he realized how safe she felt. How much love she had been given here. At least until she went back out into the real world. Ian had pulled him aside the other day and asked if he knew about Dr. House.

Ross hadn't, and while he wasn't upset with Allison for not telling him, he didn't like the man that his daughter had seemed to once almost love. Just as long as he never met the man he would be okay. Dr. House would have a lot to answer for.

Hanukkah had been a delightful affair, as always, but Allison was glad that it was over.

Tina had managed to get on the same flight as her on the way home and had convinced the woman next to Cameron to switch seats with her. The woman had thought it sweet, cooing something about family and spending time together while they had smiled and nodded.

"Okay, so spill." Allison's smirk was bright.

"On what?"

"Aunt Karen said you were seeing someone."

"I'm not." Tina blushed. "We're not seeing each other, we're just friends. We went out for lunch once and dinner and drinks twice. Really, its nothing."

"Do I get to know his name?"

"No."

"Do I know him?"

Tina didn't answer and Allison's eyes widened. "Christina Rose Schwartz, you tell me right now who it is."

Tina's shoulders slumped and she sighed. "The day I went back to the hospital to get my stitches taken out, I ran into Dr. Wilson."

Allison's eyes widened but she said nothing.

"He asked me what I was doing there, I told him about my brilliant knife catching skills and that I had to get the stitches taken out. We went out for a quick lunch since neither of us had eaten. We would have gotten you but the ER was completely packed. We couldn't even find you. And then I ran into him again while I was grocery shopping. And he called me once and we met for drinks."

"Say something." Tina pleaded, starting to look worried.

"Sorry. Just you and James – just -" she paused to think. "It'll be interesting that's for sure." House had always reminded her of Tina, in a way, with the same blunt attitude and sarcasm.

"We're not even dating!"

"Chill pill Xtina," Cameron sang out, reverting back to her cousins' childhood nickname. "I just said that it would be interesting nothing else." She rested her head against the seat and closed her eyes. "I'm taking a nap. If I'm not awake before we land, wake me up."

The girls rode the escalator down to the baggage claim, leaning against one another sleepily. Alice had driven Allison to the airport, but they had told her they would get a cab home, due to the hour being so late it was now three in the morning.

It was Tina who first noticed them, and she blinked rapidly and then pinched her cousin.

"Tina!" Allison flailed slightly.

"We don't need to call a cab."

Wilson was grinning cheerfully, a grumpy House standing beside him.

"At least it will be interesting," was all Cameron had to offer her cousin.

Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah – I don't know, but it's not mine.

L'Chi Lach – Debbie Friedman