Note: I know this is a shorter chapter; the next one will be longer. Thanks for all the reviews and please enjoy!

Part 4

Allison Chase stepped into Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital as if she owned it. Today she wore a skirt, a turquoise blouse, which fitted her nicely and black pumps. Her blonde hair framed her face, slightly curling over her shoulders. The vibe she exuded was confidence mingled with a slight irritation as she headed for the Dean of Medicine's office.

Amusing how at one time, she had played the role of Lisa Cuddy, but she unlike Cuddy, said yes to House because unlike Cuddy, she didn't care for propriety and looking big. She trusted House explicitly, which could be her downfall. Anger burned in her towards Dr. Cuddy and Foreman. The least they could have done was inquired how House was doing in person.

No, they hid behind their jobs and their need to look like they placed their jobs first. Both were selfish, Cameron thought and she would tell Dr. Cuddy this. Pausing in front of her door, another person currently exited, a man who gave her a seeping glance. Cameron didn't smile and ignored the man. Cuddy strolled into view and gave her a grin.

"Dr. Cam-Chase, please come in."

Entering her office, Cameron observed much hadn't changed. The room belonged to the same woman and the décor still remained the same. Lisa Cuddy proved to be a very imposing and attractive woman despite being in her mid-forties. Accomplished, attractive and poised. Cameron did envy her for this and the way she captivated and handled House, something Cameron had never done well.

But when it came down to it, jealously didn't play a part in this visit. It was her desire for House's own good and the fact that House had feelings for Cuddy, just what they were Cameron didn't want to know, but they were there. What right did this woman have to reject House and play with his emotions?

"How is House?" Cuddy asked.

"Why don't you go see him for yourself, Dr. Cuddy?" Cameron bluntly voiced. "I'm not a messenger or House's babysitter."

Cuddy's brow arched in surprise. "I haven't the time, Dr. Cameron. I was hoping you would tell me. Of course… I care for him and want to know he is doing well."

"Then see him yourself. You can't mess with people's emotions. House cares for you. I have no idea why. Forgive me for being frank, but you are selfish, Dr. Cuddy. You act generous by giving people their jobs and having your own child, but when House needed you, you left him and never even went to see how he was."

"I care for House," she defended coldly. "I saved him from Tritter and Vogler, didn't I? You have no idea what you're saying."

"Sometimes people don't need to be saved from others, they need to be saved from themselves. Good-bye, Dr. Cuddy."

XXX

"House, you need to eat," Wilson admonished. "What happened to all the times you stole my food?" He laughed lightly. "I never thought I'd be begging for you to steal it."

House smirked from his bed. "You're always begging me for something. Don't you have some cancer kiddies to save or some women to hit on? You know, you don't have to keep coming… though I'm glad to see you."

The boyish face lit up at his friend's admission. Though House still possessed his own demons, pain and hallucinations, it's as if the cold, cynical edge had left him, at least some of it. Where he was admitting that he enjoyed people and that he needed help. Could it be House was growing up? Odd, for he was a middle-aged man now even though he didn't look it. Lately of course the age was showing on him, the lines under his eyes, the gaunt face. Yet with time, Wilson was hoping House would reach a semblance of his old self.

"So," Wilson conversationally began. "I heard someone has been coming to visit you other than me."

"Yeah," House muttered. "They love the cane."

"Male?" Wilson insistently asked.

"Female."

Wilson's eyes widened. "Oh ho! So Cuddy has been coming to see you? I knew it."

House made a face. "No… not Cuddy."

Silence fell between them. A painful, obvious silence. The unspoken words were about House's hallucinations of sleeping with Cuddy. How he had wanted to be in a relationship with her, the first time since Stacey. Wilson opened his mouth to speak.

"I'm sorry House, I know how you feel for Cuddy…"

Shrugging, House didn't say anything. "It's Cameron."

His friend's brows rose in surprise. "Cameron. You mean now Allison Chase? The woman who loved you from afar, pined after you for years and was the only one who could put up with you?"

"Yeah her. You know the one who looks like a hooker now with blonde hair."

"But this is great! I'm surprised you'd let her in and not Cuddy."

It was obvious why Cuddy had been by to see him. Out of duty, not because she cared. Oh, she cared, but not to the depth of unselfishness Cameron possessed. Cameron cared although he didn't know why. He had treated her like shit, rejected her and only hired her because she had a pretty face and great body. Every time she showed she cared, he blew her off or ridiculed her for her naiveté.

"Of course I'd let Cameron in. At least she gives a damn. Lisa and I have been at each others throats for so long it's a love and hate relationship, but with Cameron…"

Realization dawned in Wilson's eyes. "Do you… love her?"

"Love her? I rejected her and shoved her away as far as I could get her. She was too damaged, needy and good."

"Just what you need," Wilson murmured. "She was always what you needed, wasn't she?"

House didn't answer; he merely stared out the window deep in thought.

TBC