Note: The reviews are much appreciated! Here is the next part and the next chapter will definitely pick up.

Part 3

"So how long are you going to go see him for?" Chase asked Cameron as she walked across the living room to grab her purse off the table. Shrugging, she headed to the mirror and began to fix her hair, pulling it up in a bun with a clip at the base of her head.

"As long as he needs me." She walked over to Chase and gave him a kiss, heading towards the door.

"He doesn't need anyone," Chase interjected, causing her to pause at the door and slowly turn to face him. "Except for his vicodin and his own misery."

Her brow slowly arched and she frowned. "How do you know what he needs? House is a person too, Robert and needs someone to be there for him."

"Allsion," Chase thoughtfully said, moving closer to her and placing his hand on her shoulders. "You're my wife and you know that I love you. But… things have been different since we've got back. Since you found out about House. I need you, Ally. I want my wife back."

Cameron resisted the urge to roll her eyes, forcing a calming breath through her lips, she stepped back, away from Chase's touch. "You do have me. I never went anywhere and I'm only going to be gone for an hour tops. When I get back… maybe we could catch a movie together and just relax, okay?"

"You won't be late?"

"No." She walked over to him and gave him a lingering kiss. "I won't. I'll be back before you know it."

She exited the door before he could say anything and headed for her car. Once inside, she checked her appearance in the rearview mirror and smoothed her hair down. Knowing it was insane to set such a store in what House thought of her appearance. But she had always tried to look good, even when she worked for him because House had a good eye and noticed everything.

Today was the second time she would see him and for some unknown reason, excitement welled in her. He had asked her to come back and needed her. Not that she always needed to be needed, but it was a nice change for once. If only she could help House and see the old man she had loved. Loved? It seemed like years ago now. She started her ignition and slowly backed out, heading for the freeway.

XXX

"I'm here to see, Dr. House," Cameron informed the woman at the front desk. "He's expecting me."

The woman eyed her sadly and shook her head with a sigh. "Are you his wife or girlfriend?"

"I-no, no I'm not. I am a friend, his former employee. Has something happened?"

"I'm afraid to tell you this, but Dr. House nearly overdosed on drugs and is currently in our ICU. Under watch for his own good."

Her mouth dried out. It took her a moment to reach composure as she grimly stared at the woman and clenched her shaking hands together. "I must see him."

"Under the circumstances…"

"I'm a doctor," Cameron interrupted. "The only one who can help him. Either you let me see him or I will get an order to see him, ma'am. I'm sorry to insist, but I have to see Dr. House."

The woman weighed her options then sighed and rounded the desk. "Very well, follow me."

Cameron slowly headed down the hall. How could House do this? Just yesterday she had told him she would return. Told him there remained hope for happiness. Hope glimmered in his eyes. What had changed? Shivering, she entered his room and saw him lying on the bed, staring blankly out towards the window. Nothing was there and the sight broke her heart, more than his rejection ever had.

He didn't know she was there. Didn't even move his head in her direction to acknowledge her. Stepping forward, she sat on the chair beside his bed and reached for his hand hesitantly. Surprisingly, he laced their hands together, but never looked at her.

"I knew you would come," he murmured in a hoarse voice.

"Why did you do it?" she fiercely asked. "Why, House? After yesterday, you knew I would return. Surely you know things will get better. It's no excurse to try to kill yourself!"

His eyes finally flickered to hers and the emptiness in the blue depths astounded her. Then his eyes flickered away, becoming expressionless as he shrugged.

"I'm not sure if there's hope. I have tried to kill myself many times, but it never works. For some reason Mother Nature deems it fit to keep a crippled, addict alive. Shit, Cameron, don't look at me like that. You have no idea what it's like to want to end this misery."

"I don't? Of course I know, House. I lost my husband to cancer, slowly watched him die and there wasn't a damn thing I could do about it… and then my baby. Of course I know. But it is no excuse to take the easy way out. Suicide is never the answer; House and you should know that. You're no coward."

"If you had to fucking live with seeing two people you killed, you'd understand!" House shot out hotly, the first glimpse of fire in his eyes.

Cameron's eyes widened and she opened her mouth to reply, but shut it. Then she tried again, "You didn't kill anyone, House. You weren't responsible for Amber or Kutner's death…"

"I don't want to talk about it. I had enough hell after you left me. Tell me what it's like being married to the wombat or tell me anything else."

Cameron tried a different approach, "Robert is a good husband and I had fun in Australia. Have you ever thought about marrying?"

He snorted. "Who? Me? Marriage and I aren't compatible. Now hookers and being a bachelor are great. You don't know what you're missing, Cameron."

She smirked and arched her brow. "What? The hookers?"

"Now that would be hot. Especially if you were with a female hooker…"

The old House slowly began to emerge, even if it was a shell. Cameron spoke about her job with him and chattered about Chase's obsession with his hair to make him snicker. Both fell into a light and easy banter. The time flew by and Cameron was startled when the nurse came back in and told her she had to leave, visiting hours were long over.

For two hours they had been visiting. Her watch showed the exact time and she remembered her promise to Chase. Too late now, for an hour ago she should have been home.

"I-have to go," she quickly stated while gathering her stuff.

Through lidded eyes, House watched her and sighed, laying his head back against the pillow. "You should stay," he murmured. "You can keep me warm at night."

That stopped Cameron in her tracks. Had House actually said he wanted her to stay? He had been flirting with her though weakly. Although she should tell him it was wrong now because she was married to Robert, the words wouldn't leave her lips. Eyes searching his face, she shook her head.

"You're a big boy, you can warm yourself up. Please tell me you won't do anything stupid again. Promise me."

"Everybody lies though," he pointed out. "I could promise you, but it doesn't mean I'll keep it. But if it eases your mind, no I won't try to kill myself again. Wilson will just become needier and I-wouldn't hear the end of it."

To House's embarrassment, he was falling asleep right before her eyes. Her presence calmed him and he actually felt like he could sleep. Though his eyes were closed, he felt Cameron draw closer to him and she reached out to tuck the blankets around his chin, instinctively, House opened his eyes and stared up at her. Their eyes locked and neither could look away.

"I'll see you tomorrow?" House quietly asked.

"You know the answer." She reached out and lightly grazed his cheek with her thumb, then quickly dropped her hand, turned on her heel and left. She could feel House's eyes burning into her back.

XXX

The look Chase shot her made guilt gnaw at Cameron as soon as she entered the door. Ever a ready victim for whoever tried to make her feel guilty. She should be a better wife. Did the only thing of to appease her guilt, whispered she was sorry, explained what had had happened to House. Quickly brought her lips to his, kissing him in frenzy, hands grasping his shoulders.

They made it to the room and she pushed him on the bed, moving over him, their chests pressed against one another as they kissed. A nagging voice in her head said this type of manipulation wasn't right. House's blue eyes flashed tauntingly in her mind where she stilled, but Chase pulled her head down for a kiss and Cameron blocked out the blue eyes from her mind.

There was no way she had Euphoria. Laughing hysterically, it could kill. The cop had it and Foreman was showing signs. It frightened her. Cameron walked over to House and gave him a stare, demanding his attention.

"Do I seem happy to you?" she asked House. Definitely she did not have the symptoms.

"Never," he answered.

In the background Chase laughed, thinking it was funny. Cameron hadn't found it amusing. Of course she was happy, but not where it showed. Surely she was content with her job and working for House, wasn't she?

Little did House know he had hit close to the truth. Cameron couldn't remember a time she was truly happy. Even now, she wasn't. But certainly it was a matter of perspective and she would be happy with Robert and her new life she fiercely thought as she shut off her mind. Yet House wouldn't be completely erased from her thoughts and that night she thought about him again. Tomorrow she would pay a visit to Cuddy and see why she or the whole team hadn't come to see House.

TBC