Chapter 2

AN: Dear readers, I do apologize for how long it has taken me to update this story I've just been very busy is all. School is out now though so the updates should come faster. Also, thanks for all of the reviews! They really boosted my confidence and made it much easier to find the courage to post all of this story. Have fun reading! Ta for now.

The next morning Cameron woke up to her head splitting in two. She dared not to open her eyes until her head decided to calm down a bit. As she assessed her hangover she noticed a cool cloth that was placed upon her forehead. Now, how is that possible?

Her eyes shot open to show her a dark room that was most definitely not hers. She whipped her head around with a wince and didn't see anyone else in the bed. She knew someone joined her at the bar and drove her home; she remembered that much so far. She closely examined the sheets she was between and realized that she had seen them before. But he brain refused to work in retaliation to the onslaught of abuse from last night.

She laid back down in the bed gently as she came to the conclusion that she was going nowhere both mentally and physically. It hurt too much to move. Thankfully, whoever he was, for the room was most definitely male, had the decency to close the blinds and put blankets over them so no light could get in. The smell and sound of someone cooking breakfast wafted through the crack in the door. Cameron promptly threw up in a conveniently placed trashcan by the bed. She wiped her mouth with a different cloth and lay back again breathing a bit heavy. He has thought of everything. She tried to remember what had happened last night with every fiber of her being just as she heard footsteps coming down the hall towards the room she was residing.

She closed her eyes and pretended to be asleep right before the door slowly opened. Before the person even stepped in the room he said, "I know you're faking. Acting like a child is my thing."

Cameron cracked open an eye without a word as House stepped into the room, his room. Cameron scrambled up as he came towards her.

"What are you doing," she asked with a slight tone of panic in her voice.

"Changing the cool cloth and handing you coffee. Sheesh Cameron, I'm not going to kill you." He handed her a couple of ibuprofen and coffee just the way she liked it. How did he know? Who was she kidding? He knew everything it seemed.

"Sorry and thanks," she replied sheepishly. She swallowed the pills and chased them down with the coffee. She grimaced at the strong smell but managed to hold it down. "How long did I sleep for?"

House checked his wristwatch, "About ten hours or so."

Cameron's eyebrow quirked before it dropped back down since even that proved to be painful. "I haven't slept that long in a while."

House sat on the edge of the bed. "I've noticed the bags under your eyes. What's been keeping you up?"

You. That is what she wanted to say but instead what came out was, "I've been having nightmares."

That sounded lame even to her ears. She took another sip of her coffee to cover her face so he couldn't see the lie. Even though she was positive he could see it without her help. He let it drop for the moment and awkward silence filled the air.

"So how did I get here," Cameron asked after the silence hurt her head as much as the noise but for different reasons.

"Well, you were basically an invalid once you got on the bike and I don't remember where you live so I just drove you here. You then proceeded to fall off of my bike into a puddle. Very graceful I might add."

Cameron looked down in embarrassment and noticed for the first time that she was in a button up of his and a pair of his boxers. House then continued on, "I basically dragged you into the bathroom, let you change, and you collapsed as soon as you neared the bed. So no, we did not have sex if that's what you were worried about."

Cameron blushed at the thought and hid behind the coffee cup again. After her drink she said, "I hope it wasn't uncomfortable on the couch for your leg."

"I wouldn't know. I slept in here."

"House!"

"Like hell I was going to sleep on my own couch just because you can't hold your liquor!"

Cameron sighed in exasperation and let it go, "Whatever."

"Are you aware that you cling to things like a magnet in your sleep?"

Cameron blushed again. It had been so long since she was in a truly deep sleep that she forgot she did that. It used to piss Chase off to no end. "I'm sorry."

"Actually, it kept my leg warm. You're like an electric blanket without the high bill."

Cameron sipped some more coffee out of a red rug mug to avoid answering.

"So, do you think you are feeling good enough to get a bite or two? You need some food in your stomach."

Cameron started to nod and quickly stopped that remembering her pounding head just in time, "Yeah I'll try something."

House limped out of the room as Cameron pondered her situation. She woke up in House's apartment, in his bed, in his clothes even and he didn't make a single move on her and no teasing. Well, there was teasing just not of the stinging variety. He gave her a ride home, stayed out of the bathroom while she changed, and took care of her this morning. Apparently, he made her breakfast as well. What the hell was he up to? She laid back against the headboard and squinted her eyes, thankful that that didn't hurt too much. Did he lose a bet or, better yet, was there some sort of bet that involved seducing her or something of that sort? She wouldn't put it past him. She wouldn't put anything past him anymore. It just wasn't wise to assume with House in the equation.

"Another fun fact: Dr. Allison Cameron sings, talks, and walks in her sleep." Cameron jumped. How can a man over six feet tall with a limp sneak up on people that easily?

Then she processed what he said and sighed heavily, "What did I do?"

House set down the tray on the nightstand as he chuckled, "Well, you would get up and wander around for a bit while talking about how you wanted the cheese from Forrest Gump for your dog. Then when you came back to bed, you were singing about how your sister would say you're the cat's meow and how you can't do it alone. Either you wanted a threesome or you were singing a song from Chicago."

Cameron flopped over on her stomach and buried her face in her, House's, pillow. "That's I Can't Do it Alone. It likes to pop up at inopportune moments for some reason," she is barely heard by House.

"And the cheese?" He just couldn't resist.

"I think I better be going," she attempted to roll over and stand up but she became very nauseous and closed her eyes.

"Are you sure? You still don't look very well."

She peeked at him with one eye slightly open before snapping it closed again, "You don't look too hot yourself."

House smirked and let out a quick nose laugh. He didn't know which Cameron he liked better; the Angry Cameron, Drunken Cameron, or the Hung Over/Tired Cameron. Each had their shining qualities and downfalls. The Angry Cameron was beautiful to watch but difficult to handle, Drunken Cameron was funny to watch but she wouldn't remember anything for him to make fun of, and Hung Over/Tired Cameron was fun to banter with but could be irritable. He was distracted by Cameron who moaned as she got up out of his bed, in his boxers and shirt, and moved to collect her clothes from the bathroom.

He was oddly disappointed that she was leaving already. He could have sworn that she would be all over him and his apartment trying to inspect and analyze every little thing as usual. Instead she almost ran away from him. Why?

Well, she had been distant for a while. Ever since she was with the Wombat. She no longer seemed to care about anything she still cared for the patient but beyond that she answered in simple phrases and never seemed to laugh anymore. I miss that cute laugh. WOAH! Where the hell did that come from? He hastily tried to rid himself of those thoughts.

"So where are you going?"

Cameron, who had shut the door to the bathroom, said with a muffled voice, "Uh, home. It is the weekend." Then she added to herself, "Even though as you so sweetly pointed out last night that there is nothing to return to."

"Well, what are you going to do?"

Cameron was pulling on her jeans from last night when she paused at this, "What's it to you, House?"

He smirked. She certainly has developed a nice bite. "Just an employer worried about his employee."

Cameron pulled open the door ready to deliver a probably witty remark when the words died on her lips. He had been leaning against the door frame to the bathroom and now blocked her path. She finally took stock of what he was wearing. Which was a band t-shirt, jeans, and those dumb looking socks that she secretly liked. His disheveled hair did nothing to stave off thoughts of them sharing a bed.

She shook her head, now that it hurt less, to clear it, "Uh House, could you please move?"

House just stood their piercing her with his gaze. She rolled her eyes and pushed past him heading towards the bedroom door.

"And how do you suppose you are getting home?" She couldn't see his face but was definitely aware of the smirk in his voice. That damn smirk. It made her want to strangle him. It made her insides squirm. She hated that smirk.

Cameron sighed, "House could you please drive me to my car?"

"Alright let's go then." He limped into his living room with Cameron following behind shrugging on her favorite leather jacket. House paused by the door to put on his leather jacket and tossed her the helmet.

"Why don't you have one too," Cameron asked as she tucked the helmet under her arm.

"I only have one. Besides my cool sunglasses will protect me." He put on said sunglasses and smirked at her before heading out the door.

Cameron found is slightly disturbing that it was only her third ride and she was so comfortable on the back of her boss's motorcycle and clinging to said boss. Each turn was exciting and when he sped up for no reason she could feel the adrenaline racing through her veins.

The ride was short and soon she found herself climbing off the bike and returning his helmet. She ran her fingers through her hair to help get rid of her helmet hair. She really didn't know how to proceed so she dug around in her purse to find her keys. Then she looked up to see him piercing her, as usual, with his gaze.

"Well, thanks for taking care of me today, House. It really means a lot."

He shrugged, "See you Monday then?"

She nodded and headed for her car as he sped off. She smiled to herself a little bit and drove home. When she arrived home, she collapsed on the couch and a black feline mewed at her from the floor.

"Sorry, I left you alone last night, Bastet. You wouldn't believe the night I had."

"Meow."

"I know you're hungry but I have a slight headache."

The cat jumped on her back and kneaded there until she was comfortable. Cameron rested her head on her crossed forearms thinking about House. He must have drugged her or something. She hadn't slept even four consecutive hours in over three months let alone over ten hours. Maybe everything was beginning to turn around for her. She scoffed at that thought. Just when things seemed to be looking up they all went to shit in the worst way possible. So she decided to not get her hopes up.

"All right, baby girl. Let's get something to eat."