Author's note: A long one. Feel free to skip it, if not interested.

I had a great time writing chapter 4 (and even better reading your reviews). I was gone for some time and now I'm leaving in a few days again to backpack around South America. No computer, no WiFi, no nothing. Therefore I decided to post yet another chapter, as I won't be home for 5 whole weeks. I wrote a long one, I hope you'll like it and I most certainly hope to read some reviews when I come back. Thanks, my dear loyal readers, I'm happy you enjoy reading the story and if I make it out alive, you can expect another post from me in the beginnings of August. Now I have to push English aside and learn some Spanish instead to survive the trip. Have a nice summer!

CHAPTER 5

Enjoying the afterglow?

House opened his eyes slowly, looked at the alarm clock on the bedside table and shuddered. It was 6:15 in the morning and he wondered how come he was awake at this god-awful time. Then he turned to look at the petite frame next to him that was moaning lightly and tossing. Cameron. Her face was covered in sweat, her eyes were shut. He watched her carefully as she mumbled something incomprehensible, turned away from him and then turned to face him again. He sighed and moved closer to her taking her in his arms and holding her tightly against his chest. She seemed to relax a little and for a mere moment she stopped shaking.

He pressed his lips unintentionally against her sweaty forehead as his arms held her close to him. It was kind of a spur thing, he had no feelings for her whatsoever and all the things that happened the previous night meant nothing to him... Of course. Perhaps. Or not?

He had no time to question his actions or hers because at that moment he felt Cameron jerk violently and he let go of her looking at her face. She looked up at him with puffed eyes and stared and stared until the corners of his mouth turned into an uncertain smile.

"Enjoying the afterglow, Cammy?" He joked, his eyes still glued to hers.

"Oh my go-od..." She gasped and buried her face in the pillow muttering something he had no chance to understand.

"How are you feeling?" House asked while he lifted his hand to caress her back but stopped just a few inches away from her spine. He knew that everything she had done the night before was only because she was high and he was well aware of the fact she still disliked him utterly.

Before she nearly suffocated herself with her face buried in the pillow she raised her head and took a deep breath.

"I'm sick..." She stated matter-of-factly without looking at him. She remembered a lot of things from last night, the poker, the chips, the kisses. She closed her eyes again feeling both sick and embarrassed. House was a self-important jackass but he was still her boss. He found her high in the parking lot, he took her to his home, took care of her, and then she decided to start kissing him. Stupid. Dumb.

"Cameron, are you gonna puke or something?" House interrupted her thoughts and she turned to lie on her back staring at the ceiling.

She shook her head. "Nope." She replied still avoiding to look at him.

"You sure?" He asked again watching her swallow hard.

She took a deep breath and shrugged. "I guess..."

"Look, if there's anything..." House said but Cameron widened her eyes and jerked nodding fiercely.

"Okay, I am..." She let out desperately and put her palm in front of her mouth sitting up and crawling out of the bed. Unfortunately, once she stood on the floor and made a few steps towards the bathroom, her legs betrayed her and she fell down on her knees.

"Sweet Jesus..." She shrieked.

House watched her with an amused half smile. He knew she must have felt like shit but still, it was fun to watch. She got up and trudged away, once she reached the bathroom, he heard her slam the door shut and ... well. Whatever.

He closed his eyes again resolved to go back to sleep as he was tired and it was still too early to get up. Truth be told, he didn't even know what the town looked like at 6:30 in the morning or what kind of people were hanging out on the streets and he definitely didn't want to find out.

He must have fallen asleep for awhile because he was woken up by a noise coming from outside of his bedroom. Sure it was Cameron, he just didn't know what she was doing.

"Cameron!" He called out. "You okay?"

"Yee-aah..." She replied but it sounded anything but plausible.

"What are you doing?"

"I...I'm leaving. I... thank you..." She stuttered out.

"C'mere." He ordered and after a couple of seconds he saw her walk in hesitantly.

He raised his eyebrows as she stood there looking like a lost puppy. Her hair was damp and she obviously took a shower.

"It's late, I should get going. I...I'm really sorry for what I did and thank you for letting me stay here." She said in one breath but House sat up leaning against the bed frame and shook his head.

"Late? Camomile, my dear Camomile." He said in a low voice obviously mocking her. "You went to sleep just two or three hours ago, you look like shit and you definitely need to get some more beauty sleep."

"Please, don't call me that." She nearly whispered.

"You didn't mind it last night..." He said and gave her a wink. "Come back here and lie down."

"I can't..." She objected.

"It's an order." He said firmly and her eyes widened. Then she nodded and made her way to him again. She knew it was the most stupid thing she could do...well, right after getting high and spending the night at her boss' place... but she was feeling really weak and she was so tired she could barely stand on her feet.

She crawled back into the bed keeping a safe distance from him.

"Thanks.." She whispered and fell asleep right away.


It was almost nine when Cameron woke up to find out she was alone in the bed. She felt a little better but the sickness didn't go away.

She got up from the bed carefully and made her way to the door when she heard House from the kitchen.

"Morning... Come here. I made breakfast." He said and she shook her head in disbelief. Was she ever going to leave this godforsaken apartment?

She walked over to the kitchen reluctantly to see House limping around and preparing fine-looking food.

"I'm not hungry, House." She said. "Thanks."

"Really?! You don't say..." He snapped at her and motioned for her to sit on the couch. "You must eat something and I'm going to make sure you do so."

In a while he brought a plate with various sandwiches and put it on the table before he turned and hobbled back to the kitchen to bring coffee. Then he sat down next to her and smiled ever so lightly when he saw her face. She looked better but she was still quite worn-out and he knew there was no way he could let her go to the hospital. If Cuddy saw her, she'd know it wasn't just a drunken night. Cameron looked up at him and gave him a quizzical look.

House looked away immediately and then pointed at the plate. "BLT, cheese and onion, Denver sandwich and peanut butter." He stated matter-of-factly. "No idea what girls your age might like."

She smiled and looked at the table. "I'm not picky... And thank you again."

"No problem..."

Then there was silence. She was eating so slowly it was literally killing him and they avoided looking at each other as much as possible.

'What the hell is wrong with this girl?' House thought while taking a bite from a peanut butter sandwich. 'She drinks, parties, claims to be really free and wild, and now she's sitting here feeling guilty and unhappy for what she did and probably regrets the whole thing.'

Cameron struggled to swallow successfully every single bite she took while looking out the window absorbed in her thoughts. 'Was that a squirrel over there? I could swear there was a squirrel.' She thought.

They were both lost in their thoughts when House couldn't take it anymore and spoke up.

"Look, I believe it's not a good idea for you to go to the hospital today. Your face still shows a lot and I don't want my lackeys to get in trouble. I practically live in both Cuddy's office and the HR department and I don't feel like saving your ass today, you know..." He said. He wanted ... he didn't know what he wanted. He wanted her to leave, he wanted her to stay... He wanted to eat the only Denver sandwich left but she took it right before he made up his mind. He was lost and angry so he took two Vicodin instead and frowned.

"Don't worry, I've got lectures in the afternoon..." She gave him a fake smile. Then her eyes widened. "It's Thursday, right?" She asked.

"It's Wednesday..." He grunted right after he swallowed his pills.

"Oh my god!" She let out a yelp and threw the rest of the Denver sandwich back on the plate. "I've got a lecture!" She got up quickly and House watched her in disbelief.

"What's the big deal?" He asked.

"I've already skipped it way too many times. I have to be there today!" She let out and ran around the apartment.

"Aaaand… what happens if you don't show up?" House asked again still not getting it. She wasn't freestyle at all. He watched her run to the kitchen and back.

"I'll have to take an extra test..." She replied and then disappeared in the bedroom.

"I remember you telling me the studies were a piece of cake..." He snorted and fought the urge to eat the rest of the Denver sandwich she put back. Then he decided against it.

"It's genetics..." She grumbled as she came back to the room still looking around.

"And?" He asked raising his eyebrows.

She stood across from him and widened her eyes at him comically. "And?!" She growled. "It's difficult! I don't understand it."

"Phfft... Cammy is an idiot after all." He chuckled.

"Shut up!" She yelled. "Not funny. With all the 'breed a black and white bunny, what do you get' kind of bullshit it's not so simple."

"What kind of school do you attend again?" He asked giving her a mocking look. "And why the hell are you still looking around? The lecture isn't here... Not that there weren't things I could teach you, you know..." He said with a wink.

"I'm looking for my bag..." She replied running her hand through her hair desperately.

"You didn't have any, Cameron." House said. For a second he fought the idea of not telling her and letting her run around like a penguin with early-onset Alzheimer's but he wasn't such a bastard after all. She looked at him and like in a trance she nodded, quickly mouthed 'thank you' and without thinking she leaned over to him and pressed her lips against his. Then she immediately opened her eyes realizing what she just did. She pulled back and gulped.

"Sorry... Thanks..." She said in a low voice and ran out from his apartment.

House just sat there dumbfounded wondering what the hell that was supposed to mean. Before he could think some more he could hear a soft 'dammit, dammit' from the hall. He got up from the couch when another 'dammit' got louder... He limped over to his piano when the door opened again and he saw Cameron with a hopeless expression in her face.

"Dammit!" She almost yelled now. "I forgot my shoes here."

House looked at her feet grinning and pointed with his cane to the corner of the room.

"Thanks..." She gasped and put them on.

"You okay?" He asked watching her closely.

"What do you think?! I stepped on a pigeon shit without my shoes on." She almost sobbed but he could see she was actually holding back laughter. He smiled back at her and she disappeared for good.

He chuckled again and sat down on the couch.

Cameron... was... fun.


Cameron opened the door of the lecture hall to see that the teacher was facing the blackboard writing something and she sighed with relief. Then she tried to sneak silently into one of the chairs hoping he wouldn't notice her but at that point Mr. Clark turned and cleared his throat.

"Miss Cameron, welcome. You decided to join us after all." He noted sarcastically and scowled.

"I'm sorry. My dog had an epileptic seizure this morning." She said without thinking and he gave her an annoyed look.

"Really? A-gain?"

Daaaamnnnn… Suddenly she remembered she had already used this excuse and closed her eyes. What the hell was wrong with her? She used to be good at making stuff up.

"It won't happen again." She promised looking at him and smiling nicely hoping to soften him up a little.

"We've had this conversation. And I told you, you'd take an extra test if you were late again. So, tomorrow at 7 am, my office… I'll prepare a special progress test so make sure you study everything we've done here so far." He said winningly and smiled with satisfaction.

"But that is…" She protested.

"Impossible?" He raised his eyebrow finishing her sentence. "Could be so…"

"Should I stay or should I go now?" She asked angrily, slightly copying the tune of the song.

"That is up to you." He replied and turned his back to the class again. Cameron shook her head and rubbed her temples gently. Then she looked at this SOB whose head from the back looked like an eagle nest with a giant egg in it. She snorted, got up and left immediately.


House's cane pushed the door to Wilson's office open and he walked in holding a cup of coffee.

"Morning, Jimmy!" He said in a loud voice and made his way to Wilson's couch.

"It's not morning." Wilson objected without looking up. "How's your patient?"

"So far so good. Told the two useless guys to run some tests and now I'm here to tell you a greeeaaat story." House replied and sat down.

"I'm busy, House." Wilson growled.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah… So was I last night." House chuckled. "If you know what I mean."

"I assume a hooker and a Scotch or an imaginary hooker, your hand and a Scotch." Wilson shrugged and gave him a mocking look.

"Oh, snap." House smiled and put his feet on the coffee table.

"So what happened? Let's just get it over with." Wilson asked and put his pen aside looking at House.

"The tales I could tell…" House took a deep breath and leaned back looking at the ceiling.

"Huh?"

"Well… Um, let's see. How many ducklings do I have, Jimmy?"

"Two and a half, I'd say." Wilson replied. "Why?"

"Correct." House said and took a sip of his coffee. "The half duckling, you know…"

"Cameron?"

"Uh huh…"

"You… You were with …with her?" Wilson asked and his eyes widened. He pictured the beautiful young med student and … House. "Whaaat?" He shrieked.

"Oh yeah. Last night I took her to my place and …."

"And?!" Wilson was shocked. He didn't know Cameron well besides talking to her once or twice but he thought she was funny and easygoing. He couldn't imagine she'd be interested in House.

"She spent the night at my place, Jimmy boy." House grinned and finished his coffee before throwing the paper cup away and missing the trash can of course.

"You're kidding." Wilson shook his head and got up pacing his office.

"No, I'm not."

"Did you… Um, did you sleep with her?" Wilson asked again looking at his friend.

"Depends on the point of view."

"What?!"

House smiled lightly again and looked at Wilson. "No, I didn't."

Wilson sighed in relief and put his hands on his hips. "Thank God. You're stupid enough to…"

"Found her in the parking lot, completely stoned, giggling, so I took her to my place to make sure she'd be okay." He explained with a shrug.

"Oooh… How very noble of you." Wilson frowned. "Wait a minute, she takes drugs?!"

"Yes!" House said and widened his eyes to express his fake shock. "Actually, that's why I'm here! Because what's more she also sells them to your yet unborn children in front of their school! Would you believe it?"

"Stop it, House. This isn't funny."

"I guess it was a one-time thing." House shook his head, his voice more serious this time.

"And so what did you do?" Wilson asked again still feeling suspicious about the whole story.

"We played cards and then we kissed." House stated matter-of-factly waiting for Wilson's reaction. He, however, stared at him in disbelief.

"Come again?"

"We kissed. It was fun. No biggie." House said and closed his eyes as he remembered her soft lips on his before Wilson spoke again.

"No biggie? NO BIGGIE?!" Wilson nearly yelled. "She's your subordinate, she's still a student, she's …she's young!"

"Oh, stop it, Wilson." House snarled and got up from the couch. He caught Wilson off his guard and that was pretty much all he wanted so he didn't feel like going on with the chit chat. "Kisses are good things. And ever since they released that 'Pretty Woman' piece of crap in 1990, no hooker agrees to kiss me on the mouth unless I show up in a limo and ask her to marry me."

With that House walked over to the door and opened it.

"What are you going to do?" Wilson growled again.

"I'll go get myself some lunch. You're not invited."


In the afternoon House actually worked but at about seven he decided to leave and get drunk in a nearby bar. He avoided Wilson the entire day knowing he would keep bugging him about leaving Cameron alone. Of course he would leave her alone. There was no way she'd be interested in him and he didn't care about her either. It was just nice to score such cute young chick.

He walked into a bar and sat down. Then he ordered a Scotch and looked around. The place was half empty and when he downed his drink, he caught a glimpse of someone very familiar sitting in a corner booth, reading a thick book and sipping a stale beer. Cameron. Again.

He was surprised to see her there and then after careful consideration, he ordered another drink and then made his way to her. Once he stood behind her, he bent over her shoulder and cleared his throat lightly.

"I take it you didn't make it to your class." He whispered in her ear.

She jerked and looked up at him.

"You…you startled me." She muttered and gave him an uncertain smile.

"A short-haired rabbit A crossbreeds with a long-haired rabbit B…" House read aloud over her shoulder. "… creating a short-haired litter. Yet another short-haired rabbit C…"

"Stop it…" She frowned and he walked over to sit down across from her. He looked at her and sipped his Scotch. She had no make-up on and she wore a simple black and white baseball T-shirt and dark blue jeans. Her long hair were tied in a fish-tail braid (not that he knew what it was) and she looked…stunning.

"When's the test?" He asked unable to stop staring into her eyes.

"Tomorrow morning." She said in a sad voice and took a sip of her beer. "I really pissed him off today."

"What happened?" He asked in a soft voice. What was this girl doing to him?

"You know… epileptic dog and stuff."

He chuckled even though he had no idea what she meant by that. He was getting used to things she was saying which he didn't understand. As long as he found them funny, it was just fine.

"House…" She said and looked at him. "I'm sorry about last night, I didn't mean to…."

"Don't worry about it." He interrupted her and shook his head. "I had a good time. Next time anyone tries to sell you drugs, just say yes."

She smiled sadly and nodded. Then she rubbed her forehead and banged her head against the book in front of her. With her head on the table she just moaned and House couldn't help but smile again. Then he reached out and patted the top of her head gently. "There, there… don't despair. Need helping with that?"

House and Cameron spent several hours drinking and discussing the long and short-haired rabbits, black and brown rats, hornless cattle and many other things until he noticed she wasn't paying attention anymore.

"Let's call it a day. You must get some sleep to kick Clark's ass tomorrow." He said with a cheerful voice, got up and limped over to the bar to pay the bill.

When he got back, she already packed all the textbooks and got up slowly as well. "Come on…" He said. "I'll walk you."

She nodded and they left.

They walked through a park silently. It was dark already and House was glad she was so tired and didn't walk too fast.

"Do you get the rabbit bullshit now?" He asked after a long silence.

"Yes…thank you." She forced a smile.

Then there was silence all over again. So they walked and walked not knowing what to say. When they reached her dorm, Cameron stopped and looked up at him.

"This is me. Thank you, House… And I know I'm being kinda tiresome but I need you to know that I don't usually do things that I did last night." She let out as quickly as possible in order for him not to stop her again.

"I know, Cameron. Calm down. It was the drugs, not you." He said in a low voice and forced a smile. He felt awkward about her apologizing all the time but mainly because of what the apologies represented. She regretted the whole thing.

She took a deep breath and looked at her feet. She struggled with herself a little but then shook her head and grabbed his left hand in hers. She looked up at him, stood on her tiptoes and licked her lips before kissing him ever so lightly. He froze. She moved closer to him and let go of his hand as she slipped both her hands inside his suit jacket running her fingers along his ribcage.

House shivered a little but what he was feeling was way too overwhelming to stop her. He put his arm around her pulling her closer to him as she smiled against his lips and opened her mouth lightly. Her tongue slid over his lips to taste him, taste the Scotch he was drinking the whole night. He pressed her even tighter to him, her chest against his and they both moaned loudly. He could barely think straight, he knew what would Wilson say, he knew it was wrong on every level but he couldn't stop anyway.

They were still kissing when they heard voices approaching them and he let go of her slowly and reluctantly with a sigh.

"You should go…" He said, his voice hoarse and sexy.

"I should go…" She smiled.

Then they stood there for a few more seconds, looking at each other and smiling subtly. Cameron then closed her eyes and grabbed his hand again, intertwining her fingers with his. Then she opened her eyes and looked at him.

"It wasn't all the drugs." She said and letting go of his hand, she turned to leave.

TBC

I promise to continue when I come back.