A/N: Hi everyone *gets ready to duck flying objects* So sorry that this took me SO long to update, but I had my reasons (which are outlined in the A/N for "Somewhere Only We Know"). Better late than never though right? *ducks*
I also just want to point out now that this story will be NOTHING like "Somewhere Only We Know". It isn't going to be angsty with emotional or deep writing...It's just going to be simple, I need a break from the angst. I just thought I'd let you know now, so you aren't disillusioned or anything later on.
This chapter isn't going to be a good one, I warn you...but I really need just a really simple, non-eventful chapter in order to get back into this story. I hope you enjoy it anyway though :)
The Bet
Chapter Three
The following morning Cameron entered the lobby cautiously. A flock of female staff members were gathered excitedly around the front reception desk, obstructing her view.
"There she is!" A young nurse suddenly yelled when she saw Cameron enter. "Doctor Cameron! Quickly, over here!"
The immunologist quirked a brow in confusion as she approached the group.
Thirteen, who had obviously also noticed the commotion, joined them. "What's going on?"
"Someone sent these to Doctor Cameron." The nurse told them, gesturing to a huge bunch of gorgeous red roses.
Thirteen rolled her eyes. The staff at the hospital cared way too much about each other's love lives. "Well who sent them?"
"We don't know." The nurse practically squealed in excitement. "They left a note though." She added, pointing out the small white card that was lodged amongst the red and green foliage.
Cameron looked down to the roses hesitantly. They really were beautiful. A few on the edges were damaged (from delivery she assumed), but overall, they were incredible.
The familiar click of Lisa Cuddy's heals approached. "What's going on here?" She asked the swarm of staff. "Don't any of you have work to do?"
"Someone sent Doctor Cameron roses." Another nurse smiled, as she and everyone else retreated back to work, leaving Cameron alone with Cuddy and Thirteen.
"Oh, they're beautiful Cameron." Cuddy gleamed as she viewed the roses. "Quickly, read the card and see who they're from."
Cameron nodded slowly and took the card from the roses. Cuddy and Thirteen both watched on curiously as they watched a look of complete and utter shock engulf Cameron's features.
"What?" Thirteen asked quickly. "Who are they from?"
The immunologist slowly handed Thirteen the card, confusion still clearly evident on her face.
Thirteen looked down, reading the handwriting on the card;
Cameron,
These made me think of you,
House.
P.S. I know some of them are damaged, but I thought you'd be into that.
Thirteen blinked a few times in uncertainty, skimming over the writing once again to make sure she'd read it correctly. "House sent them?"
"Yeah right." Cuddy scoffed taking the note from Thirteen. "He wouldn't send her flowers. It's House we're talking about here."
As Cuddy read the writing on the card, her face fell. However it went unnoticed by the two younger doctors. "I've got to get back to work." She said quickly, before handing Cameron the card and retreating back in the direction of her office.
Cameron crumpled up the card and threw it into the trashcan next to her.
"What are you doing?" Thirteen asked her in alarm. "Cameron they're three hundred dollar roses. You can't just throw them out."
Cameron watched her earnestly in the eyes. "Thirteen, we both know House. Cuddy's right, he wouldn't send me roses unless he was up to something."
Thirteen nodded. "You're right." She paused, taking in the appearance of the beautiful roses. "Still though, it would be a shame just to get rid of them."
"Here." The immunologist smiled, picking them up and handing them to Thirteen. "You enjoy them. Just be careful though, he might have planted a bomb in them or something."
A small grin appeared on Thirteen's face. "Thank you. They really are lovely."
Cameron offered her a quick smile, before turning and continuing on her way towards the elevator.
...
Foreman, Taub and Thirteen were already sitting around the large, glass table when House limped into the conference room. The familiar bunch of red roses that were sitting in a vase in the middle of the table quickly caught his attention.
"Where did those come from?" He asked quickly.
Foreman and Taub both shrugged, continuing to read the charts in front of them.
Thirteen turned to face her boss, a small smirk dancing across her lips. "Cameron gave them to me."
House's eyes suddenly widened momentarily, somehow resisting the incredibility overwhelming urge to make a sexual joke. Blinking, he regained his composure. "She did?"
"Look familiar do they?" Thirteen teased. "Oh you mean Cameron just gave me roses that she didn't want? That bitch, I thought she liked me."
Curious, Foreman brought his head up from the chart. "Who gave them to her?"
Thirteen grinned as she gestured towards House, and Foreman quirked a brow at the older man. "Why would you do that?"
House let out a huge groan of frustration as he rolled his crystal blues. "I don't know. I really don't know." He said shaking his head, before grabbing his cane and pacing out of the conference room.
...
Wilson was sitting at his desk when House burst into his office.
"I need your help."
The oncologist watched on as his friend took the seat across from him. "For what?"
House sighed ruefully as he looked down to the desk for a moment. "You know what."
Wilson smirked. He was enjoying this. "No really, I don't think I do. You need to tell me."
"Shut up Wilson." House hissed in annoyance. "It isn't working. I spent fucking three hundred dollars on roses and she still isn't interested."
"Roses?" The oncologist laughed, shaking his head. "Amateur."
House rolled his crystal blues. "That's why I need your help. Despite the fact that my skills are far superior to yours in basically every aspect of life, when it comes to tricking women into falling for you, you have a talent."
"So let me get this straight…" Wilson trailed off, sitting back in his chair in thought. "You want me to help you win a bet against…me?"
"That would be correct."
Wilson laughed. "Okay then. You're going to lose the bet anyway; I'd might as well help you. Try and make it a little fair."
House grumbled in annoyance as he got to his feet. "Don't be so sure. A few of your manipulative plays and I'll have her eating out of the palm of my hand."
"Very well Grasshopper." A smirk danced across the oncologist's lips. "Drop by my place tonight and we shall commence training."
House rolled his eyes as he pushed the door open. "Order the Chinese."
A/N: So yeah, not the best I know...but please still let me know what you thought :)
Also, I'm really sorry if this had any spelling/grammar mistakes. My beta reader seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth, and I'm not entirely sure how to apply for a new one. Seriously, 5 years on this site and I still have no idea how to get a beta. I guess that's what happens when you had the same one for all those years. *sigh* she was amazing.