Just a quick note before we begin, this is to the "guest" who's been flaming myself, Hughville, and this story: (and yes, we know who you are)

Instead of leaving a negative review as a "guest," why don't you create an account or sign in? That way we can respond to you in the way you deserve. Also, Pyewacket and I can read whatever you may have written and leave our own reviews (using our accounts). Oh, and the last "guest" who left a review? You use a question mark after the first crap since you are asking a question and then capitalize the i in it's since it is a new sentence. This shows YOU don't know even the basic mechanics of writing.

To the rest who have used real accounts or were good enough to leave your name, thank you for your reviews (both positive and negative). At least you all aren't cowards.

xoxo Hughville


Chapter Fifteen

At the end of May, House entered Wilson's office and sat down in front of his desk. He leaned his chin on his cane and sighed loudly. Wilson continued to write in a chart. House sighed again. Wilson continued to ignore him.

"She's changed," House said moodily.

"Of course she has," Wilson agreed as he closed the chart and opened another one. "She's no longer in danger, she's no longer sick and she's no longer homeless. A normal person would be happy for her. Of course, we both know you are definitely not normal."

"You've become very hurtful and bitchy since you started dating CB," House informed him.

"Amber hasn't changed me," Wilson replied. "Besides, aren't you in here to ask me what you should do about the fact you're in love with Cameron?"

"Am not," House said defensively as he got up and moved to the couch.

"Okay," Wilson said and turned his attention back to his paperwork.

House stretched out on the couch and began to twirl his cane over his head.

"She barely speaks to me," he commented.

"Because you're an ass," Wilson told him. He put his pen down. "Ask her out. Take her to a nice restaurant. Send her flowers. Woo her. Women loved to be wooed."

House was silent as he continued to twirl his cane. Wilson shook his head and went back to work.

"We were going to start seeing each other after the trial," House said finally. "We kissed and then..."

"Did you sleep with her?"

"Never got the chance," House told him never taking his eyes off his cane. "She likes damaged people."

"So, in that twisted rat maze brain of yours, you decided she only likes you because of your leg. You're an idiot."

"Hurtful," House pouted.

"Did you ever stop to think that by pulling away you hurt her?" Wilson asked as he leaned forward on his desk. "Ask. Her. Out."

"You are the least helpful person I know," House complained as he got up from the couch. He slammed the door behind him as he left.


"Do you only want to be with me because I'm damaged?" House asked Cameron when he found her in the locker room at the end of the day.

"This is the women's locker room, you know," she said as she rummaged through her bag.

"Answer the question."

"No."

"No you don't want to answer, or…."

She let out a deep sigh and turned to face him. She looked tired. "I don't think you're more damaged than me or anyone else. I wanted to be with you because you're the only one who ever gave a damn. If it had been any other doctor in the clinic that day, they would've just given me antibiotics and sent me back onto the street. You not only treated me like a real person, but you saw something that nobody else did. I thought maybe we had something going…when we were in Florida. But then you backed off so I thought maybe some aspect of my past turned you off and you didn't want me anymore. Not that I can blame you. I have a lot of baggage."

"Everyone has baggage. The only difference is how they deal with it. You can let it rule you, or you can move on."

"I chose to move on. I can't change it, so why dwell on it? What's done is done. For the first time in...well, years, I have financial independence and my life feels...good. It's just…" she faltered and focused on her bag.

"What?"

"I thought you...that you might have wanted a relationship with me…"

He looked down at the floor. "I do. And I was an idiot. Instead of embracing what we could have had, I got spooked and ran the other way. That's my M.O."

"I understand and who knows? Maybe it won't work out, but at least we can say we tried, right? And things can go right back to the way they are now."

He tapped his cane on the floor and cleared his throat. "I have two tickets to a monster truck rally on Saturday night. Do you want to go with me?" he asked.

Before she could reply, he continued quickly, "Or we could get dressed up and go to Cafe Spilletto. I'd have to make reservations."

"I've never been to a monster truck rally," she replied with a smile. "What do I wear?"

House looked up and smiled. "Low rider jeans are hot."


House was glad she agreed to the monster truck rally. Cafe Spiletto was nice but it was too stuffy and it wouldn't be nearly as much fun as seeing Gravedigger up close and personal.

They arrived at the outdoor arena and House parked in one of the handicapped parking spaces near the entrance. It was still light though the sun was beginning to set painting everything a rosy gold color. As Cameron walked around the car, the sun burnished her golden curls and gilded her as she approached him with a smile. She wore a snug red t-shirt, low-rider jeans, and flat-heeled black ankle boots. Though she was still slender, she'd filled out some since he first met her. Her t-shirt strained across her breasts and the sight made him smile.

"You like my jeans?" she teased as they walked side by side to the gate.

"Among other things," he told her as he rested his hand on the curve of her lower back.

Once inside, they found their seats and for the next two hours they shouted and laughed as Gravedigger destroyed all types of vehicles. When it ended, Cameron turned to him, her face flushed with excitement and her eyes sparkling like jewels. He leaned toward her and kissed her. Her hands slid across his back as she returned the kiss. He put one arm around her and cupped her breast with the other. Leaning into him, she moaned softly as her tongue stroked his. He sucked on her bottom lip as he pulled away. Reaching up, he ran his finger along the curve of her cheek. Her lips were swollen and her eyes were dark.

"How about some cotton candy?" he asked in a low voice. "And you need a Gravedigger hat."

She nodded and they stood. House held out his left hand and she took it. Holding hands they made their way out of the stadium to the vendor stalls near the exit. He got them cotton candy and matching hats. He put hers on her head and she laughed. The sound poured over him like warm sunshine. Slowly, they made their way to the exit. He devoured his cotton candy and began to pick bits off hers. She pulled a large chunk off and handed him the rest.

"Race you to the car," she teased.

"Har, har," he mumbled around a mouthful of the sweet, sticky fluff.

Once they got to the car, it took some time to get out of the parking lot. They followed a long line of cars out of the large parking area. Soon they were headed north to Princeton on US-1. Cameron chatted excitedly about the show all the way back. House smiled and offered an occasional comment.

Stopping at The Red Oak Diner for a late dinner, they slid into a booth and a young woman approached them with menus. Once she had their drink orders, she left them and House put his menu down. He watched Cameron as she looked over her menu. Finally, she looked up at him and smiled.

"What are you getting?" she asked.

"Reuben, dry, no pickle with the onion rings," he replied. "You?"

"Burger with everything and fries. Can I get dessert, too?"

"They won't let you leave if you don't," he said and winked at her.

Their server returned and took their orders. While they waited on their food, they talked about the truck show, Wilson and Amber, and the new nurse House was convinced was a transvestite.

Their food came and Cameron took a huge bite of her burger. House was glad to see she had an appetite and didn't order a salad. He knew she used the gym in her apartment complex and from their kiss earlier, he felt the muscles under her soft skin.

They both ordered apple pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream melting over the warm, spicy slice. House inhaled his and then snatched bites of Cameron's. She finally pulled the plate closer and put one arm protectively around it. As she finished it, she made sounds of pleasure that sent desire coursing through him like fire. As she scraped the last of the ice cream from her plate, he paid the bill.

All too soon, they were at the apartment she shared with Lucy. He leaned against the door frame as she pulled her keys from her purse. She stood on tiptoe and kissed him.

"How about dinner and a movie next Friday," he breathed as he nuzzled her neck. "Mean Girls is still playing."

She laughed and leaned into him. "How many times have you seen that movie?"

"Not nearly enough," he replied in a husky voice then nipped at the soft skin below her ear lobe.

Tilting her neck, she sighed with pleasure. Reluctantly, she pulled away.

"I had fun tonight," she said. "Thank you."

She kissed his cheek and then went into the apartment. House waited until he heard the lock slide into place before leaving.