Saving Grace:
The Hearing
Unnecessary disclaimer: None of the characters appearing in the TV show "House, M. D." belong to me.
Abstract: When Cameron's marriage with Chase falls apart, she decides that she cannot wait for another man to come around to be a mom. What happens when a wrench gets thrown in her plans? HC
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Two weeks after receiving the letter, Cameron found herself getting ready for the hearing while House observed.
She had purchased a new dress for this, something professional, yet flattering. It was dark gray with a square neckline and cap sleeves, and an empire waist that flared out over her large stomach and flowed gracefully down to the knee.
"I look fat," was Cameron's comment.
"You look fine," House said with a roll of his eyes. She looked great, actually. She was fully back to her natural hair color, and the pregnancy had filled out her normally thin body with womanly curves. As a bonus, her rack now rivaled Cuddy's. "Better than fine," he added.
"Stupid House," he berated himself in his head. Why did those kinds of things always slip out around her? He should have said the thought about her rack instead.
She smiled. "I could say the same for you." Now that couldn't be said for the rack comment.
House had on a light gray suit, white shirt, and tie. He had every intention of going to this hearing, so he figured he had better look the part.
"Ready to go?" he asked. She nodded her response.
-
"Sir, you can't come in here, this is a closed hearing," the man at the door stated.
Cameron intervened. "He's here at my request."
He looked House up and down. "Family member?"
"No," she said, "My friend, my roommate, and my ride here."
The man relented under Cameron's pointed gaze. "If he makes a peep, I'm tossing him out," he warned.
"Not a peep," House quipped. He couldn't get Cameron's words out of his head.
My friend, my roommate, and my ride here.
He wanted more than that, as he had finally admitted to himself. Damn feelings. Did she want more? She had revealed she was nearly in love with him, but that didn't mean she wanted to be.
They entered the room to see Robert Chase and his lawyer sitting on one side, and Cameron's lawyer on the other, who got up to greet them.
House and Chase glared daggers at each other from across the room as Cameron and Alan Wyatt greeted each other in hushed tones.
"Who are you?" the judge directed to House.
"Spectator," he said quickly, seating himself on Cameron's side of the room.
"This is a closed hearing, and you didn't answer my question," the judge challenged.
"This is my friend, Dr. Gregory House," Cameron quickly said, stepping in before House could get himself into trouble. "He's here as moral support. He won't interrupt."
The judge took a long look at him before speaking. "Dr. House, a word out of you and I will have you kicked out, understand?" she warned.
"Understood, boss," he said with a mock salute.
The judge gave him a look, but she turned away to focus on the real task, deciding the fate of a child who was not yet born.
Each parent told their side with conviction. Cameron came across as precisely what she was: a parent trying to protect her child. Chase came across as a truly remorseful father who had made a mistake and was now regretting his decision. House wasn't completely convinced that this was the case, but he could see Cameron starting to feel guilty for her position.
They took a short recess after both sides had spoken their part.
"Don't back down, Allison," House whispered to her. He could see the guilt eating away at her.
"Who am I to keep him from his child?" she softly asked.
"You're Ellie's mother," he said with conviction, and even a hint of anger. "And it's your job to protect her," he continued firmly. Cameron was shocked by his passion. She gave him a questioning glance but he just shook his head.
At that moment, the judge reentered and everyone started to move back to their original places. House grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze before she returned to her seat. She responded with a grateful smile.
"I have come to a decision," the judge said, tension washing over the entire group.
"Robert Chase will be awarded no visitation rights until the child's fifth birthday, at which time a renegotiation of these terms may be considered. Allison Cameron will be awarded sole custody up until that point. Until then, Dr. Chase has the right to an update letter and photo every six months, starting with the sixth month after the child is born. Any questions?"
No one spoke up, so she continued. "This decision is final and binding."
When the judge exited the room, Cameron sighed with relief. She was smiling until she saw the anguish on Chase's face. She turned to House with tears in her eyes. "Look what I've done to him," she whispered.
House shrugged. "He's getting what he deserves."
"I don't know if anyone deserves this…" she said softly.
"Let's go," House said, grabbing her arm. "You can feel guilty later."
Cameron stole a last look at her ex-husband and father of her child. She didn't know it, but it was the last time she would see him for five years.
-
House and Cameron arrived at the hospital after lunch. House had tried to drag lunch out, as he was due in the clinic, but Cameron insisted they get back to work as soon as possible.
"You're no fun," House grumbled as they drove to work.
Cameron had no witty response; she just stared out the window. House frowned. This Chase business was really bothering her. He didn't really know what to say—he didn't have a kid, nor had he been through a divorce.
House attempted to hide away in his office when they arrived at the hospital, but Cuddy sought him out immediately.
"Clinic, now," she stated abruptly as she entered his office.
"Busy," he answered, playing his Gameboy.
Cuddy walked over to him and turned it off. "Not anymore. Get your ass down to the clinic."
Suddenly House had an idea. A great idea, in fact; the benefits were twofold. "I think you should go talk to Cameron," House told her.
"Changing the subject won't get you out of clinic duty, House," she responded. "Why?"
"She's being an idiot. She feels guilty for denying Chase visitation with her kid. You have a kid, go talk some sense into her."
"Fine, I'll go talk to her—after I walk you to the clinic," Cuddy answered with smug self-satisfaction.
House groaned as he stood in defeat.
-
"Dr. Cameron?" Cuddy poked her head in Cameron's office. "May I have a word?"
"Certainly, Dr. Cuddy," Cameron answered, pushing her paperwork to the side. She pulled her reading glasses off her nose. "What do you need?"
"This isn't really work related," Cuddy admitted. "House mentioned that you're having a bit of a hard time today after the custody hearing."
"I'm fine," Cameron said shortly, putting her glasses back on and picking up her papers again.
Cuddy was a bit taken aback by this; truthfully she had expected Cameron to pour her heart out. Allison Cameron had certainly changed from the woman she remembered, the soft-spoken unsure girl whom House had hired all those years ago.
"Well, if you need anyone to talk to, another mom, I'm here," Cuddy finally said, unable to think of much else.
"Thank you Dr. Cuddy," Cameron said with a small smile.
Cuddy stood up and moved towards the door.
"Dr. Cuddy…" Cameron said as Cuddy had her hand on the door.
She turned around with a questioning face.
"Have you ever hurt another person because you were trying to protect your daughter?" Cameron asked, looking conflicted.
"My daughter is the most important thing to me. I'll always do what's right for her, no matter the cost," she said with a small smile, and slipped out the door.
Cameron stared after her for a long time.
-
In bed that night, Cameron asked the question that had been in the back of her mind all day. "In the courtroom this morning, why were you so adamant about me protecting Eleanor?"
House was silent, so she felt the need to clarify. "I mean… I've rarely seen you so passionate about anything. Why this?"
House didn't look at her as he spoke. "My mom stood by my whole life as my dad treated me like crap. Even though I love her, I can never completely forgive her." He paused. "I want you to be a better mother than mine was."
Cameron nodded. "Thank you," she said, leaning over and giving House a quick peck on the cheek. House shrugged off the apology.
"Goodnight, Greg," she said, and turned out the light.
When Cameron's breathing had steadied, House did what had started to become routine to him.
He wrapped an arm around her gently, careful not to wake her, and whispered into the pillow.
"I love you, Allison Cameron. Goodnight."
-
