About twenty minutes later House and Cameron pulled into his parking space at the hospital. House took the keys out of the ignition and was about to get out of the car when Cameron grabbed his arm.
"Unfortunately with the leg car sex isn't the best option," House answered in his usual fashion.
Cameron shot him a look that said this is serious, "Before we go in I think we need to discuss things."
House sighed, "Fine."
"It is nothing bad but I think at the hospital we should call each other by our last names," Cameron tried to explain.
House studied her for a moment with an intense stare, "Interesting you were the one who pointed out that we should be calling each other by our first names."
"I know," Cameron replied, "but I think that until we get things settled we need to go on like nothing has changed between us."
"If your doing this to not piss off Cuddles and that you get the job don't worry I can handle her," House said trying to put her at ease.
"I know but I kind of want people to think I came back for a job and not because for you," Cameron said knowing she was steering into dangerous territory.
"Part of the reason you came back was because of me," House said teasingly.
"Well not everyone needs to know that," Cameron said.
Seeing her struggle with her words kept House from being offended and part of him could see her point, "We'll keep it between us for awhile but Wilson will have to know and he has a problem of gossiping with the nurses."
"I think Wilson owes me after this morning so he'll keep his quiet."
House looked at her in shock, "Blackmail! The more time I spend with you the easier it is to say I love you."
Cameron gave a grin, "I guess in this relationship that is a compliment."
"Yep," House relied smugly, "Come on its show time."
Cameron laughed at House's amusement and started walking towards the hospital. It was a weird feeling to her, she was nervous about being back but another part of her felt like this was completely natural… kind of like coming home. Cameron stayed right next to House's side as they proceeded through the front door and into the busy lobby.
"Cameron unclench," House said softly so only she could hear.
She nodded and gave him a quick glance and followed him past the desk and the middle of the lobby. Cameron thought she was being paranoid but she thought she could hear the nurses start to whisper as she and House passed them going to Cuddy's office.
"By lunch there is going to be a dozen theories as to what you're doing here," House said ending her paranoia.
"Does personnel ever change here?" asked Cameron in exasperation.
"Either that or people aren't used to seeing me enter with hot sexy brunette."
"You and Wilson never come in to work together," Cameron said back jokingly appreciating House trying to lighten the mood.
House looked over at her momentarily stunned but in awe as they continued to walk, "Nice."
Cameron momentarily stopped right outside Cuddy's door to wait but House just walked in, and she followed along trying to hold back a laugh that some things never change.
Without looking up Cuddy responded to the intrusion, "House I do not have the patience to deal with and you have to go pick new fellows to harass."
"What's the matter Cuddy? Lucas not give the fun bags any exercise last night?" House replied sarcastically. "Wait please don't answer that. Look at the souvenir I brought back from Hawaii."
"House I don't care if you went…" Cuddy finally looked up from her papers to look at House and was taken aback from what she saw, "Doctor Cameron?"
"Hello Doctor Cuddy," Cameron said a little uncomfortable and shooting House a glare at the way he announced her presence.
Cuddy recovered somewhat, "It is nice to see you Doctor Cameron." Then Cuddy looked over at House, "So what you went to Hawaii on the hospital's money to bring Cameron back for a visit?"
Cameron was a little offended that Cuddy was seemingly talking like she wasn't there but decided to let House battle it out with her.
"Nope I brought Cameron back because I need a new Foremen… you said so yourself," House stated unfazed by Cuddy's fury.
"No I said it would be more of a headache for me without Foremen here to watch you," Cuddy said correcting House.
"So I went out, solved the problem. There is a word people use to describe that," House began in usual snark, "Oh yeah proactive."
"You should have cleared it with me first," Cuddy continued in a hostile tone.
House paused to consider why Cuddy was being this upset. She should be thrilled he is getting somebody to watch him for her. So House had reason that she didn't want Cameron back. "Is there a reason you don't want Cameron back because I do things without your approval all the time."
"I…" Cuddy began but was startled by forward question.
"Cameron has worked with me before. She is a strong doctor who confronts me about the controversial things you get pissed at me for. When Cameron was on my team my department ran smoother, the charting even got done… I believe those are a few you like. So do you have a valid reason to be upset about me hiring Cameron?" House firmly stated the facts to Cuddy.
Cameron looked at House in appreciation for the compliments. She was also a little perplexed herself why Cuddy was fighting about this.
"Dr. Cuddy I missed working in diagnostics. In my opinion I was probably best at my job with House than any other I had. When I worked with House I always put what is best for the patient above all else.
Cuddy sighed in defeat, "Fine you win. So she is your new Foremen, you know you didn't exactly listen to the your first one." Cuddy said in a much more civil manner.
"That is because Foremen had the same power as any other one of my own underlings. Here I am willing to share my power, Cameron is going to be a co-department head. Same rights, obligations, powers, pay, and benefits," House said like he had it all worked out.
At the words Cuddy once again found fight, "House you can't just decide to give your department another head."
"True but I figured since I convinced you that Cameron basically ran part of my department this shouldn't matter," House asked getting agitated with his employer.
"Your department is big enough for two heads," Cuddy states firmly, "I can't do it."
Cameron looked over at House but he gave her a look to say don't worry about it.
"Can't or won't," House asked.
"Both," Cuddy stated defiantly.
"Fine Cuddles if that is how you want to play it. Call a board meeting," House said looking her straight in the eyes.
"What?" Cuddy asked caught off guard at House's switch in tactics.
"If I remember correctly as a department head I have the power to call a board meeting," House said giving Cuddy daggers with his eyes.
"Yes but you have never called one before nor did I think you knew you could do that," Cuddy asked still off kilter that House was playing office politics with her.
"Never had a reason to before and seeing how this is the first time I am using my power I want your fellow idiots gathered in the boardroom in an hour," House said still completely serious."
Without waiting for a reply House started to walk out of Cuddy's office, a shocked Cameron in tow not sure what just happened.
"Oh!," House turned back after allowing Cameron passed him at the door, "Until I have my board meeting I won't be hiring any applicants and they will be here at eleven so better get moving."
Without a word House and Cameron passed through the clinic and lobby to the elevators.
A/N: Not really happy with this chapter but it is the best I can get it to come out. So I figured I would throw this out there and move on.