Chapter 5: Las Vegas
...I promised a long chapter, and a long chapter you shall have! Actually, that just sounds queer. Read. Just read.
"-We'll be landing in Las Vegas in fifteen minutes. We hope you had a pleasant flight." An air hostess with a breezy voice fills the passengers in on the details.
"Pleasant is one word for it," mutters House under his breath. Cameron shoots him a poisonous glare.
"Why do you have to see everything from a negative view point," she hisses at him.
"Just who I am," he shrugs innocently at her. She sighs irritably, and turns as far as possible in an aeroplane chair as she can.
"Hey." His voice is suddenly soft, gentle. "Don't get mad at me."
"I'm not. That's what annoys me. Look, we can't be together." Cameron expects tears, upset. Instead, she faces a grinning House. "Why are you grinning?" She snaps at him.
"I just know, sooner or later... You won't be able to resist me." He leans in close, and she can smell lemon and mint. Despite what her mind is screaming at her, her eyelids flutter shut, as her head tilts to kiss him...
"Anything on the cart dearie?"
She springs away from him at the sound of a voice. Cameron looks up to see an elderly woman, with streaked silver hair blinking at her from behind red- rimmed glasses.
"Er- I'll have a glass of coke, thanks."
House chuckles. The air hostess waddles off in her brown flats, muttering to herself.
"What is your problem?! Are you... incapable of being decent to another human being?!"
He's shocked by her angry outburst.
"Fine. I'll be quiet," he mutters.
They stay in stony silence for the rest of the flight. Chase watches them through untrusting eyes, relieved when he sees House does nothing.
It was 10:00 pm by the time Foreman, Chase, Cameron and House were in a beat-up Las Vegas taxi, on their way to the 'Lotus' Hotel & Casino. The taxi driver, chewing on a wad of tobacco, smelling faintly of cigarette smoke, gruffly announces, "We're here. That'll be 20$"
Foreman tosses him a scrunched up twenty note. He gives a civil nod to him, before speeding off in the other direction as soon as they're out of the car.
"Wow," breathes Cameron, her eyes shining. Chase smiles at her innocence, slipping his hand into hers. The Lotus Casino is full of fluorescent neon flashing signs. A large lotus flower, with curled pink flowers, precariously hangs next to the LOTUS CASINO sign.
House pretends to be eager, and excited. "Come on, gang! It's time to solve mysteries!" He skips off into the hotel. They sigh, shaking their heads, but follow him in.
At first sight, the hotel seems a decent, clean place, with red velvet sofas, and spotless glass tables. But there are cracks. Look past the smoke screen, and you'll see people slipping one another bags of pills, and ashtrays overflowing with stunted out cigarettes. They cautiously approach the receptionist, snapping at a fellow employee.
"Ahem."
She turns, and then Cameron gets a good look at her. Her eyelashes are coated in mascara, and her lips so heavy with clear lip gloss she barely moves them as she speaks. Her hair is stiff with hairspray, and her skin thick with powder foundation. She ushers away the startled employee, and plasters a pearly white smile on her face. "How may I help you, sir?" There's a husky tone to her voice.
"I- We would like to book two rooms. One with a double bed, the other with two singles."
Cameron was surprised. She'd never known him to be so straight forward, or finish a sentence without insulting the person. She felt turned on by him, by his power, authority. She immediately banished this thought as quickly as it had come. The receptionist tapped a few keys of her computer with her glossy red talons.
"Uh-huh, uh-huh. OK, I've got you those two rooms- except they'll be three rooms away from each other. Will that be OK?"
Cameron steps in, before he can protest. "It'll be fine," she assures her. "Thanks."
It takes another full three minutes, with the receptionist, (named Delilah) explaining rules and guidelines, before she hands them their room keys. "I hope you have a good time here," Her mouth is stretched, smiling- but Cameron sees lost hope in her eyes.
"Come on, honey. I want to go see our room!" Chase tugs at her. Reluctantly, she follows him.
The rooms were better than she could ever have hoped. Her and Chase were rewarded with a luxurious suite; furry white rugs, a balcony overlooking twinkling Vegas. The double bed was huge, decorated with plush cushions, and a soft, downy duvet. She sunk into the bed with a satisfied sigh, as a sparkling chandelier, hung overhead.
"This is amazing!" She squeals. Chase laughs, slipping his arm around her waist. This doesn't feel right, so she pulls away.
"Cameron what's wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm fine," Cameron says, ignoring the stabbing pains of guilt. "I'm going to check on Foreman."
"And House," he supplies her. "Don't forget House!"
"I won't," she grins.
To her hidden delight, House's room wasn't quite as glamorous as hers, but she pretended it was equally good.
"I keep telling you, they're the same!"
"And I know you're lying!" Protests House.
"I'm not."
"Prove it," he demands, with a pretence pout. She giggles, hand over her mouth. She loved the way he made her feel; dizzy with happiness. Sick with excitement in her stomach. Her eyes locked onto his, and they remained silent.
"Hey, guys- do you think this is mine?" Foreman's brow furrowed, as he held up a lipstick stained coffee mug.
Cameron's mouth dropped open. "That is disgusting."
"C'mon," House says, hooking his arm into hers. "Let's check out the casino!" He drags her out with him.
"House!" She says, giggling. "I think- we should- wait for Foreman and Chase!"
"Oh, forget Foreman and Chase." He says in the deep voice she adores. "I want to gamble!"
He led her through the smoky casino. Cameron had a flashback the night she got drunk, and kissed him. Luckily, he wasn't thinking the same. They found a poker table, and seated themselves at it, Cameron's eyes glitter greedily at the piles of black and red chips. As the dealer with the mono brow and the twisted jaw dealt cards, Cameron whispered to House, "I've gotta go to the bathroom. Look after my cards." She silently slips out of her chair, following the neon sign flashing for the toilets. She clutches the carrier bag she brought with her, hurrying through crowds of women and men.
A man with a wild beard and dark eyes yells at her, "Hey broad! Come dance with me!"
She shakes her head, hoping he'll leave her alone. He does, thankfully. Once she was in the safety of the women's toilets, she sighed a breath of relief. The toilets were empty- good. That gave her time. Carefully, Cameron lifted the silk crimson dress out of the carrier bag. She fingered the lace around the neck area. Stumbling into a stall, she blindly changed, with the little light she had. When the task of getting into the delicate dress was over, she brought out her make-up bag. With a steady hand, Cameron swept subtle strokes of soft eyeliner to her eyes, giving her a smouldering, sexy look. She added touches of mascara to her eyelashes, before standing in front of the mirror, satisfied. As she was about to leave, a bunch of giggling girls burst in. None were sober. Cameron ducked her head, hoping to walk out unnoticed. Unfortunately, her luck had run out.
"Oi, you!" The eldest woman stood, a hand on her hip, struggling to stand upright, called to her. "That man you're with? Is he single?"
These women have no shame, Cameron realised. They're so drunk, they'll say anything.
"No. He's not."
They glanced around at each other, smiling. "Looks like we've got a challenge on our hands, girls! Let's go!"
Sick to her stomach with fear, she ran out, fearing for House.
Looks like my luck hasn't run out yet, she thought as she ran to her seat.
"There you are, I saved your se-" He stops, as he turned to see her. His lips slightly part, giving the impression of surprise. "You look... stunning."
"Thanks," she smiles at him. The dealer gave a low wolf-whistle.
"You in or out?" He asks her.
"In," she says, sliding back into her seat.
"You sure?" He teases her. "It's been a tough game so far- you might not be able to handle it."
"I'll be fine. The only thing you need to worry about is losing," she shoots back at him. "Which you will."
This aggressiveness stimulates him. He raises an eyebrow, but says nothing.
God was looking favourably down at Cameron. At least, that's the excuse House used, unable to accept that he lost.
"Accept it, House!" Cameron grins, gathering her large pile of chips. She picks up one and bites it, making sure.
"It wasn't fair," he whines. He takes a look at her cards, spread out in an arch. "You had a royal flush!"
"Not so cocky now, are we, Gregory House?"
"I guess not, Allison Cameron."
I think I'm finally having fun, Cameron realises. She looks around, a beam on her face when she spots the gaggle of girls that she 'met' in the toilets. Her mind raced, desperately trying to think of a way she could distract House. Only one idea came to mind. Grabbing him by the collar, she pulls him towards her and kisses him. He was surprised, but he soon sunk into the kiss with ease. Her knees were shaking by time she pulls out of it. She glances around- they were gone. That was a close one, she thought. House looks surprised, but pleased. The night continued on in that order. Cameron, paranoid the girls would find her, but still playing well enough to bag herself 500$. By the end of the night, the casino was still packed, but a sweet, romantic tune was playing on the jukebox.
"I love this song!" She exclaims, and turns to House. "Will you dance with me?"
"Normally-" He hops down from the stool. "I would say no, but-" He put his arms around her waist. "I'll make an exception."
To her surprise, House was a good dancer. He led well, careful not to tread on her toes, and held her gently. The song, 'You, the night, and the music' was playing as Cameron stood on her tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek. He turns his head, deliberately, so their lips met. She doesn't pull away. Instead, she pulls him closer, not wanting to push him away. Their two souls meet, and become one. She pants for breath as their pull apart. He rests his forehead on hers.
"Chase will be waiting," he heard her murmur.
"He can wait," he says, working his way down her neck, gently kissing it.
"No- he can't." She pushes him firmly away from her. "I'll see you tomorrow. Have a good night."
It wasn't until she was out of sight, before he whispered, "Goodnight, Allison."