Thanks soooo much for the lovely reviews. I loved them so much I decided to post another chapter. I hope you'll like it.

CHAPTER 7

The Dull Boy

When the person knocking on House's door didn't seem to be willing to give up, both House and Cameron sighed in desperation.

"Shhh... It's Wilson, he'll leave." He whispered into her ear before kissing her earlobe ever so lightly and pulling her half-naked body closer to him. Cameron shivered and pressed her chest against his while running her fingers along his jaw.

"We need to get to the hospital..." She panted trying to keep both her voice and moans as low as possible.

"House! Open the door! Cuddy sent me to get you to the hospital." It really was Wilson.

"He's not giving up." Cameron breathed and kissed House gently before pulling away from him, gathering her T-shirt and bra and disappearing in his bedroom. She didn't want Wilson to know she was there, let alone be seen all flushed and out of breath.

House waited a few more seconds and then got up and limped to the door with a frown.

"Jesus, aren't you a price-winning intruder!" House scowled as soon as he opened the door.

"What the hell, House?" Wilson grumbled and walked in, glancing around his friend's place. "You were supposed to be at work. What's going on?"

"I'm not going there today..." House replied indifferently with a shrug and walked over to his couch to see if there was no evidence of what was happening there just a few minutes ago. He noticed that the door to his bedroom was open but Wilson soon interrupted his thoughts.

"Of course you're going there! Cuddy sent Cameron here to pick you up. When neither of you showed up, I decided to come and drag you there myself." Wilson said angrily and followed House's glare. "Is your apartment a new Bermuda Triangle? Where is she? Has she been here?"

"Uh...um..." House mumbled before realizing the right thing to say. "She was. I yelled at her and she ran away screaming. Now it's your turn. Get out!"

"Knock it off... Get your stuff and let's go." Wilson said and pointed at House's clothes on the chair. House rolled his eyes but decided not to argue anymore.

"Whatever you say..." He grouched.

"Also, I never told you to yell at Cameron or give her a hard time." Wilson uttered and House froze. He knew she was within earshot and really didn't want her to hear any of that.

"Yeah, yeah..." House muttered and started changing his clothes hastily.

"As long as you keep away from her," Wilson continued. "...and you spend nights rather with hookers and not her, just like you did two days ago, and also as long as you don't take her home with you when she's high, I'd guess you can work together without any problems and I won't have to interfere."

When he finished the fatal sentence, he caught House staring at him in sheer horror. House gulped and blinked away his surprise, not able to utter a word.

"I... um..." House said after a few seconds that felt like eternity. "I'll follow you on my bike."

"No way... You're coming with me."

"O...okay, then get out and wait for me in your car." House insisted.

"Nope..." Wilson shook his head and pulled a face.

House took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He didn't want to leave Cameron in his apartment, plus he knew she heard everything and he knew he was screwed.

"Okay, I'll just get my Vicodin, it's in the bedroom. No need to follow me there, Wilson." He growled in the end and limped away. He looked back checking whether Wilson wasn't going after him but he just stood there waiting. House walked into his bedroom and swallowed hard when his eyes met hers. She was standing there with a ghastly rage in her eyes and he opened his mouth to whisper something to her but frankly, he was even afraid to approach her.

Her expression was even more intimidating than Stacy's when he once peed into her jewelry drawer by mistake... drunk... thinking it was a toilet.

This... was much worse. He opened his mouth again but she narrowed her eyes at him and mouthed 'I hate you so much.'

House's eyes widened but there was nothing he could say or do.

"House!" Wilson yelled. "Let's go!"

House tried to give her an 'I am sorry' look but as he sucked at apologizing as such, he might have even made things worse. She turned away and he left the room leaving her there with eyes filled with tears.


When Cameron managed to get to the hospital and opened the door into Cuddy's office, everybody looked at her. Cuddy, Wilson, Chase, Foreman, two handsome men she had never seen before, their former patient and ... House.

She took a deep breath but before she could apologize for being late, Cuddy jumped in.

"Allison, we've been waiting for you." She said in an unpleasant voice.

"I'm very sorry, Doctor Cuddy, I... I..." She mumbled and slowly moved over to take a seat. She could feel her face turn red and she felt awful. When she wanted to say something more, House interrupted her and shook his head.

"Actually not her fault." He said in a somewhat soft voice. "It was all me."

Everyone in the room flashed him a distrustful look but he didn't care. Cameron sat down and gritted her teeth. Then she looked up at him, her eyes filled with both disdain and sorrow.

"Okay." Cuddy said and started introducing the people. "Mr. Edwardson and his partners wanted me to ask you here today so that they could tell you something important. Mr. Edwardson?"

"Yes, thank you. I wanted to meet the whole team because I wanted to thank you for saving my life." He said simply and smiled.

"That's the reason I had to get up and come here?" House groaned and rubbed his forehead with a snort. He would look at his half-duckling from time to time feeling awfully puzzled about what he was feeling at the moment.

"Excuse him..." Wilson jumped in and smiled at the men. "It's a first for him. He's not used to be thanked."

All the people laughed except for two. Those two exchanged a fixed stare full of accusation and pity that lasted until Cameron yanked her head and looked out of the window to hide she was on the verge of tears again.

"Anyway..." Mr Edwardson spoke up again. "I decided to give your department some money so that you can go on and help people even more. I deeply appreciate what you do and also, we decided to have a charity event this Friday and I wanted to invite you. All the money we get is yours." He finished and looked at House hoping to get some kind of response, yet nothing happened. House was staring blankly through him and didn't utter a single word.

"We'll be very happy to come, thank you very much." Cuddy said after she realized House wasn't going to take part in the discussion. They talked some more before they all stood up, shook hands and started leaving the room one after another.

Cameron practically ran out from there and didn't stop until she reached the elevator door pushing the button furiously. That's when she heard uneven steps approaching her and looked down at her feet.

"Cameron, we need to talk." He said simply when he got behind her but she just shook her head without even turning to him.

"Go away." She said and that's when the elevator beeped and she stepped in. He followed her and before she could recover from her shock, the door closed behind them leaving them there all alone.

"Don't even talk to me." She said angrily. He reached out his arm and at first it seemed to her he wanted to hug her or something. She jerked lightly but then realized what he was doing. He pushed one of the buttons and the elevator stopped abruptly. She gave him a puzzled look and shoved him.

"What the hell are you doing?" She shrieked, her voice betraying her.

"I am... I'm sorry." He said softly looking straight into her eyes. She looked away and shook her head.

Then she turned back to him and hit his chest with the side of her fist. "What the fuck is wrong with you?!" She yelled. "I thought I could trust you. I know you're a self-absorbed ass but I never... I never thought you... you would do this." Her yelling turned into loud sobs.

He was staring at her but decided to let her yell at him as much as she wanted.

"You told James about the night I spent at your place?! You TOLD him?! You told him about me being high? And then you spent the night with a hooker right after you walked me home from the bar?!"

"He's not going to tell anyone." House replied after awhile not knowing what else to say.

"I don't give a shit! I trusted you!"

They were looking at each other and no more words needed to be said. Cameron gritted her teeth and shook her head in disbelief. Then she turned and pushed the button and the elevator started moving again. She avoided looking at him when he spoke up again.

"Are you going to quit?"

She took a deep breath and gulped.

"No." Was her response when the door opened and she darted towards the conference room.


They both somehow managed to work together even though it was very unpleasant and weird. So weird even Chase and Foreman noticed something was not quite right. They asked Cameron about it but she denied everything telling them House just didn't like her and they believed it... because that's what he was like. And so most of the week she tried to be helpful in the clinic and in the lab while House was hiding in his office.

It was Friday night and Cameron stepped out of a cab. She was wearing a beautiful strapless black dress reaching her knees and black high heeled shoes. She had curled her hair and wore her favorite red lipstick, which always made her feel good about herself. The fundraiser was held in one of the fancy restaurants downtown and even though at first she thought she wouldn't go there at all, she didn't want to sabotage herself knowing a lot of doctors would be there and she might get herself hired somewhere else. Working for House was becoming more and more unbearable for her.

"Let's go, Allie." David said and took her small hand in his. She smiled at him and they walked slowly towards the door. She decided to ask Dave to be her plus-one because they were good friends and she knew she could trust him no matter what. Dave was hitting on her but he wasn't annoying, he simply knew how to treat her right and how to make her feel good. She liked him a lot but not enough to start up with him for real. Oh, her issues. Chase also suggested they could go together but… well... Yes, he was cute and his accent was dreamy but besides that, he was kind of shallow and even boring at times.

They walked into the restaurant which was really spacious and totally luxurious… There were tables prepared for the event as well as a well-stocked bar and a dancefloor. She was looking around in awe when a waiter approached them with a smile and led them to their table as soon as he found out where they belonged. Of course they would sit with House, Wilson, Cuddy, Chase and Foreman. She sighed.

They sat down at the table and being the last to arrive, Cuddy proposed a toast.

"Here's to the team!" She exclaimed and raised her glass. "The team that treats the lowest number of patients, gets sued at least once a month and makes my ulcer grow bigger and bigger everyday…yet, the team that I am proud of." When she finished, they all clinked their glasses and smiled.

She couldn't help but look at her boss. He was sitting on the other side of the table but it wasn't far enough as she felt she would need to be on another continent to get him out of her mind. She was still angry with him but seeing him in a tux made her heart melt. He looked great.

He was staring at her too. He was lost and hated such events, yet both Cuddy and Wilson made sure he'd be there and now he was in hell since having a small talk with strangers and watching Cameron with another guy were the only two things he couldn't handle.

They were having dinner and talking, however House and Cameron did not say a word to each other.


It was around eleven when House sat down at the bar determined to drink for the rest of the night. When the bartender got him a glass of Scotch, he turned on the chair and stared helplessly at the dancefloor. Cameron was dancing slowly with one of Edwardson's partners, a handsome young man in his early thirties. It was a sight he really couldn't bear at that moment nevertheless he couldn't take his eyes off them. She looked so beautiful that night and he hated to admit he screwed things up so much, she'd never forgive him.

He downed his drink and asked for another one while his eyes wandered off to Cuddy and Wilson. They were sipping their drinks at the table, laughing and talking, and House knew they were leaving together that night. He snorted. Then he caught a glimpse of Chase hitting on two women at the same time and Foreman talking to some doctors from Princeton General. He shook his head lightly and downed another glass.

House lost track of the time or of how many drinks he'd had. When he stood up, his legs buckled a little and he felt a sharp pain in his right thigh. He grabbed his cane firmly and carefully limped to the hall to find the restroom. After spending an eternity there peeing, puking, washing his face and puking some more he stumbled a little and walked out of the restaurant to sit on one of the planters in front of the building. He felt like shit and looked like death. He was trying to take deep breaths in order to feel better and popped a couple of Vicodin pills in his mouth swallowing them.

He had no idea how long it took before he heard a familiar voice behind him.

"Are you okay?"

He turned and looked up to see Cameron.

"I don't know." He replied sincerely. "I need to get home."

"Yeah, you should… it's like two in the morning."

"Already?" He gasped.

"Yep, the party's over." She said still standing next to him.

"I'd say it is…" He added sadly, which made her sit down next to him and make him look at her.

"You look awful. Are you sick?" She asked with concern. She might have kept persuading herself she hated him but when it came to being in his presence, her determination to treat him indifferently was gone.

"All Scotch and Vicodin make Jack a dull boy." He said and turned away from her as if he was embarrassed.

"Oh my god…" She yelped. "I'll… I'll take you to the hospital."

"No… I'll go home." He said firmly and stood up doing his best not to fall down. His head was killing him and his leg hurt like hell too.

"House!" She tried to object but he turned to look at her and shook his head.

"I'll take care of myself. Where's your date, anyway?"

"He went home, he's got to go to work in the morning." She replied, her eyes glued to his.

"He left you here? What an asshole." House growled.

"I met some great new people and I was okay with him leaving. Don't call him an asshole."

"Whatever…" House mumbled and took a few steps forward trying to wake up his bum leg.

"I'll get you a cab…" She said a moment later and walked away.


The cab stopped in front of House's apartment and Cameron handed the driver a banknote.

"I am really sorry, sir." She said and gave the man an apologetic look.

The driver growled something she didn't understand and thanked him again before dragging House out of the car. He had puked all over the cab and now he wasn't even able to stand up. She did her best to help him to the front door, then took the keys from his hand and unlocked the door.

"Sit down. I'll get you some water." She said as he collapsed on his couch with a groan. She walked to his kitchen and while looking for a glass, she couldn't believe she was there with him again. Every time she ended up in his place it was way too bizarre and this time was no exception.

When she found it and filled it with tap water, she turned to go back but almost tossed the glass when she saw him struggling with a small orange bottle.

"Noo…" She exclaimed and ran over to the couch taking it away from his shaky hands.

"Cameron, give it back and feel free to get the fuck out." He snarled so angrily it actually caught her off guard but she miraculously managed to stand her ground and resist.

"Forget about it. You'll drink some water and then you'll get your beauty sleep. Also, you could brush your teeth before you do so."

House stood up and grabbed her arm so fiercely her eyes widened and she only let out a terrified shriek. He tried to take his pills from her hand but she fought him and as he was drunk and dopey, she was surprisingly stronger.

"If you break my arm, I swear to god I'll call the cops and have you arrested. Then you'll get to experience how going cold turkey really feels." She scolded.

He stepped back and let go off her. He didn't want to hurt her of course.

"Cameron, my leg hurts like hell and I am nauseated." He said in a softer voice but she shook her head resolutely.

"No. You've had enough. I'll give it back to you after you get some sleep. Now drink some water."

"You really think I don't have a hidden stash here?" He chuckled lightly and limped towards the bathroom where she followed him immediately.

"I'll call Wilson…or Cuddy…" She threatened. "Or both. They left together anyw…" She didn't finish the sentence and stopped at the bathroom door to see him vomit again. She sighed.

After he was done she took a few steps closer to him, flushed the toiled and handed him the water she was still holding. He took it from her, rinsed his mouth out and rubbed his aching thigh. She slowly sat down next to him and looked at him sadly.

"House, let me help you."

He looked at her with red-rimmed eyes and nodded. Then there was silence.

"You looked beautiful tonight." He said a while later in a low voice and she smiled at him sadly. Then she moved closer to him and ran her hand up his arm, which surprised him a little but it felt too good to have her there with him so he just leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

"I won't be able to sleep." He stated matter-of-factly a moment later and she took a deep breath.

"What can I do?" She asked.

"Nothing." He said and opened his eyes to look at her again.

"Well, first you should take off the tux." She suggested and stood up stretching out her hand to help him up too. He grabbed her small palm gently and struggled to get up.

He brushed his teeth and then she led him slowly into his bedroom holding his hand again… once they reached the room she turned on the lights and took off his tie and his white shirt. It was the first time she saw his muscular chest and she had to bite her lip to stop herself from telling him how great he looked both in tux and without it.

"What if I puke again?' He asked interrupting her slightly dirty thoughts.

"Um…" She mumbled. "My friend used to hang a plastic bag around his neck before he went drinking. Saves a lot of time when the bathroom is too far." She said and smiled at him warmly. He returned the smile, even though his was filled with pain.

They were looking into each other's eyes, standing dangerously close and neither of them knew what to do next. Then House decided to take a step towards her but his bum leg gave in and he nearly fell down grunting and cursing lightly.

She made him sit down on his bed and then asked where she could find his pajamas. He pointed at one of the drawers and she went there to get it.

When he changed, he crawled into the bed and she put the blanket over him.

"Are you gonna be okay?" She asked gently and unable to stop herself, she ran her fingers softly over his forehead to his pale cheek.

"I guess…" He said and closed his eyes enjoying her soft touch.

"You won't take more Vicodin, right?"

"I'm an addict, Cameron. I can't promise such thing." He said quietly and swallowed. There it was. No more denial. Cameron sighed again.

"Do you want me to stay?" She asked despite her best intentions. He looked up at her with a puzzled expression.

"I didn't think it was an option."

"I guess it is…" She smiled at him. "In case I can borrow a T-shirt and a pair of boxers. The dress is really uncomfortable."

He nodded and swallowed again. She knew he was sick and she couldn't just leave him there. After all, he was her boss and there was no use in working for a dead person anyway. She had to keep an eye on him.

She walked over to the drawer and put out a black pair of boxers and a Led Zeppelin T-shirt. She thought she'd change in the bathroom but then decided against it, she just turned her back to him and took off her dress swiftly. Still lying in the bed, House watched her intensely, as she stood there in her black lace panties only, her beautiful body just within arm's reach. He watched her delicate shoulders and her slender arms, her waist and… a huge scar on the right side of her back. He almost forgot about it.

His eyes narrowed but before he could examine the scar more, she put on the T-shirt and then the boxers and turned to him.

"Move over…" She said.

Okay guys… That was a long one. Some smut coming soon. I promise. But I'd like to get some reviews again, pretty please. Thank you.