Chapter 20. What Do You Want From Me?

House looked at his watch when he finally limped out of the bathroom. "I have to go back and give Pete his second shot," he said.

"I told you I'd do that!" Cameron insisted. If he was going to be leaving town soon, it was about time she took full charge of the care of her patients.

"We can both go!" House said, as if it was the best idea in the world. He knew it wouldn't convince her he wasn't abandoning her, especially since he still fully intended to leave once the storm was over.

"And leave Harry and Vivian alone, together?" she asked in some astonishment. All she could think about was his earlier comment about Harry having the hots for her.

He shrugged. "Why not?"

"We'll be fine," Vivian rushed to say. "Go ahead. I've met Harry before and he's harmless."

"There are decks of cards in the nightstand," House suggested. "Knock yourselves out!" His coat was still on, so he took the bag of supplies and walked to the door.

Cameron quickly pulled on Chrissy's slicker and followed him out. "What about Pam?" she asked, looking towards the girls' room as she pulled the door closed behind her.

"I gave her a reduced dose, since she's a kid and all, and she won't need another for at least half an hour."

So, they walked right past Room 11 and into 12. Pete grinned when he saw them. "You finished takin' care of the others?"

"For now," House replied. "Time for a second shot for you, I think, but first we'll want to do a few quick checks on how the first one worked."

He took off the raincoat and tossed it over a chair, then located the blood pressure cuff among the jumble of other items on the table. "Roll up your sleeve," he told Pete. He took the man's blood pressure. It had increased a little, which was a good sign. "Is your mouth still dry?" he asked.

"Not as much as before," Pete said.

House looked at Cameron. She was removing the slicker, and stopped to nod her approval. The changes in Pete were two positive signs. If he and the others continued to improve, they could go home soon. As soon as the storm was over, that is. House repeated the IV shot to Pete's arm, then looked at the supply of atropine they had left. "This is more than enough for our five patients, but you'll need more once the rest of the sickies start showing up at the clinic," he told Cameron. The implication was that he wouldn't be there by then.

"I'll worry about that when the time comes," she said with a frown. "At least it looks like it's working. I'd hate to have to come up with another diagnosis and treatment."

Pete had been studying her and turned to House, "Now that's what I call an outfit! You'd be a fool to let her go."

House frowned at him but didn't comment. Cameron wondered what he was thinking now.

"We have to give everyone else another injection," House told Pete. "But then I'll be back to really show you how to play five-card stud."

"Now that I'm feelin' even better, you're not gonna be able to beat me," Pete predicted with a wink.

"That's what you think." House picked up the bag of supplies and turned to Cameron. "Ready? Or would you rather stay here and let Pete ogle you?"

She smirked at him. "Let's go."

House put back on his coat, opened the door and was immediately hit by a blast of rain, wind and debris. He quickly shut the door and backed into the room. "Looks like the wind's shifted again."

"We still have to go out," Cameron stated.

"We don't both have to go," House argued. He may have been the one to suggest that she come with him, but she'd be safer where she was. Still, he hoped she'd decide to come.

"I'm going with you," she insisted.

He nodded once, hiding the smile that threatened to spread across his face. He opened the door again, and they forced their way out, walking as close to the building as they could. They were pelted by bits of debris carried by the wind and rain and were glad to walk into the safety of Room 11.

"It's still bad out there, isn't it?" Chrissy asked, but she knew the answer. Just one look at the two doctors confirmed it.

"How are you feeling?" Cameron asked Pam.

The girl smiled at her. "I'm feeling much better. That injection Dr. House gave me really helped,"

Cameron examined her as House prepared another syringe with a child's dose of atropine. She nodded at him. "I think she's better."

Pam scrunched up her eyes and looked away, but she didn't flinch as the needle went in.

"That should do it," House told her. "We'll examine you and take another blood sample in about an hour, but I think two shots will be all you need."

"Thanks," Pam said. "You two are the best doctors I've ever had!"

Cameron smiled at her. "You can't get any better than Dr. House."

He seemed surprised by her words, but let it go. "We'll be back in an hour or too for a blood sample to confirm that the atropine is working," he told Pam as he turned toward the door.

Cameron smiled at both girls, then followed him out. House walked right past Room 10.

"Why aren't we stopping to take care of Vivian and Harry?" Cameron asked.

"We'll come back later," House said, moving on to Ralph and Kelly's room.

"Kelly seems much better," Ralph reported as soon as he saw them. "I guess that shot did the trick, huh?"

"Yes," House agreed, "but she needs another to be sure."

House and Cameron worked together as they had on the other patients, checking Pam's blood pressure and giving her a second shot.

"You should be fine, now," Cameron told Pam as she and House prepared to leave again,

They walked out into the storm and House turned toward Room 8

Cameron stood still staring at him. "Where are you going? Harry's back in 10 with Vivian!"

House nodded. "Leaving an empty room for us." A puzzled frown on Cameron's face prompted him to add, "You said you wouldn't object to my getting into your pants."

"I...wait, was THAT why you brought Harry to our room?"

"One of the reasons," House admitted with a grin.

Cameron's hands found her hips as she pursed her lips. She shook her head. "I'm not doing this, not if you'll be leaving soon."

He couldn't tell whether it was a tear or a raindrop on her cheek. He walked back and put his hands on her slicker-covered shoulders, then wiped away the droplet with his hand. "Cameron, why can't we have an hour or so of mutual pleasure?"

She was torn. She'd wanted this man for years, but could she settle for a very brief time with him to add to her other memories? Or should she just walk away and protect herself from the hurt she knew she'd feel when he was gone? She looked into his eyes and saw desire there that matched her own. That was enough to help her decide. She nodded slightly and put her hand in his as they walked together to Room 8.