A/N: This is the last chapter. Hughville and I want to thank you for all your comments and reviews. We're glad you enjoyed the story.

Chapter Seventeen

House was grateful he took Wilson's advice and had Laydee come back to clean his apartment. The place was spotless, and there was even a fire going when they entered.

"Wow," Cameron said as she unbuttoned her coat and slid it off her shoulders. House took it from her and hung it in the closet next to his.

"You were expecting a mess?" he smirked as he went over to the fire and stoked it a little.

"I lived with you, remember? I know the usual state of your apartment," she responded with a slight smile.

"Touche."

"At least it's nice and warm in here."

"It's warmer in the bedroom," he said as he extended his hand out to her. She took it and let him lead her down the hall. Once they were in his bedroom, he closed the door behind her. "Now, how do you get out of this thing?" His hands slid down her arms and he noticed that she had goosebumps. "Are you cold?" he asked as he began placing kisses along her neck and shoulder.

"Not at all," she whispered as she closed her eyes. His scruff was shorter than usual and not as scratchy. His lips felt soft as they moved down the back of her long neck. Finally he came to the clasp at the top of her dress so he unhooked it and then slowly pulled down the zipper as far as it would go. The dress began to slide down so Cameron carefully stepped out of it and draped it over a chair. She turned to face him wearing her strapless black lace bra and matching underwear with sheer black stockings held up by garters.

House thought he was going to lose his mind as he circled her, taking her in. Cameron felt a little vulnerable under his gaze, but it was also quite intoxicating at the same time. He was looking at her like she was the eighth wonder of the world. His eyes traveled down to her dark red heels and then back up again. She reached for him, shoved off his tuxedo jacket, pulled off the tie he'd already loosened, then worked at the buttons of his shirt until they were all undone and he shrugged it off so it fell on the floor.

House wrapped his arms around her, pulled her against his body as their lips found each other. Cameron's mouth opened as his tongue slid against hers and his hands slid down her back and squeezed her ass, pressing her core against him. His excitement was quite obvious and she moaned softly, rubbing herself against him, trying to get closer.

He gripped her leg and pulled it around his waist, gently thrusting his pelvis against her to create the friction she desired.

"House…" she sighed. "Feels so good. More."

He smiled against her lips and took a few steps toward the bed. She sat down on the edge and watched as he took off her shoes one at a time, then slid his hands along her calf. They traveled up her leg, to the inside of her thigh and quickly unhooked her stocking from the garter. He did the same to the other stocking and then unhooked the garter belt, peeling it away from her so all that remained were her bra and underwear.

"You're a little overdressed," she said softly as she placed her hands on his chest and let her nails rake over his warm skin. She quickly unbuttoned and unzipped his pants and they slid down his legs, revealing his scar. He stood there, frozen in place as he watched, waiting for her to look repulsed or pitying, but neither of those things happened.

She looked up and gave him a saucy grin. "House," she whispered as she reached for him and caressed his cheek. "I want you… all of you."

He leaned into her touch and closed his eyes.

"This doesn't seem real," he said softly as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

"But it is. Do you love me?"

House didn't know what to say to that. Was he in love with her? Or was it just an infatuation, something he wanted and once he had it, didn't need anymore? No, it was more than just that. She meant more to him than anyone ever had. He did love her. All he could do was nod. Damnit! He never was good at expressing his feelings.

Cameron could see that he was lost in thought over her question. Although it seemed simple enough, he seemed to be at a loss for words. Several emotions crossed over his face as he tried to come up with an answer.

"Then show me," she told him with a sweet smile.

That he could do. He kissed her, lowering her back against the pillows, his hands making quick work of discarding her bra and panties.

As she lay there, naked, open to him, he just wanted to touch her, look at her. But that wasn't enough. He wanted to have her, feel her, inside and out.

"Yessss," she hissed as his lips slid down her neck and fastened on one of her nipples, gently tugging on it with his teeth as he entered her.

Cameron gasped and gripped the pillow as House moved within her, slowly and deeply. When his lips returned to hers, she opened her mouth under his to accept his tongue, which explored and slid against her own.

She always knew that he'd be an exceptional lover and he didn't disappoint. His hands and his mouth were seemingly everywhere. Kissing, touching, kneading and caressing her pliant body, until she didn't think she could take anymore.

"House!" Cameron cried out, wrapping her legs tightly around his waist to pull him in as close as she could. His arms slid underneath her and they rolled across the bed so she was in full control. She placed her hands on his chest for leverage as she rode him harder and faster until she came to her own explosive finish.

It was an amazing sight. She arched her back and her head lowered, causing her hair to fall over her eyes before she collapsed on him, her head on his chest. He could feel her heartbeat as she lay on him and it lulled him to sleep.


The sunlight woke House up and the first thing he smelled was coffee. As he contemplated getting up, Cameron came into the room wearing his white tuxedo shirt from the night before, carrying two steaming mugs.

"Morning," she said as she handed him one.

"Morning," he smiled at her. She looked amazing in his shirt and nothing else.

She climbed into bed next to him and they sat, leaning against the headboard, sipping their coffee.

"Ready to tell me about music?" she asked.

"Ready to tell me what's in that bag?" he shot back with a wink.

She nodded.

"Music takes me away," he said softly not looking at her. "I can lose myself in a song. With music there is no pain." He looked up at the ceiling.

She knew he'd told her something intensely personal and she felt her heart swell with love for him.

"In my bag," she began, "are some family photos, a copy of my birth certificate, my mother's favorite earrings and a pearl necklace my parents got me when I graduated from high school." She looked over at him. "It's all I have left of my family. That's why I keep it so close. Now there's a picture of us in there. Wilson took it when we were down on the beach in Miami." Ducking her head, she wiped a tear away.

They sat silently for several minutes.

"So what did you have planned for today?" she asked him with a slight smile.

"Food, sex, bathroom breaks, and then even more sex."

The way he said it, like he had it all planned out, made her laugh. "I see."

He leered at her. "Got a problem with that, Dr. Cameron?"

She put her coffee on the side table and gently stroked his cheek. "Not at all."

He placed his hand on her leg and gently stroked her thigh. "You look hot in this."

"Yeah?" she grinned as his hand slid under the shirt.

"Yeah. Of course you look better out of it but...this works too."

"I'm sure you'll have me out of it in no time."

"You got that right. But first, coffee."

"Of course. Do you want breakfast?" she asked.

House leered at her again. "You are breakfast."

Just as she was about to ask him what he meant, he was kissing her again so she kissed back, willing to go along with whatever he had in mind.

"Lie back," he ordered as he shoved the shirt up and began kissing his way across her flat stomach.

She did as he asked, feeling somewhat apprehensive the lower he went. However once his head was down between her legs and his fingers were prying her apart, nothing else mattered. "Oh!" she gasped when his warm tongue flicked and lapped at her core. "Oh God!"

He smiled to himself as he continued with his slow, sweet torture. He had to hold her hips to keep her from writhing under his ministrations, which only made her cry out more when she hit a very strong and explosive climax.

As she lay there, her breathing still erratic, he slowly moved up her body, placing kisses along the way.

She smiled up at him with a dreamy expression, which quickly turned into one of surprise when their bodies joined once again. He smiled down at her as he held her hands down against the pillow, their fingers interlacing.

"So good," she sighed, her eyes fluttering closed as House proceeded to make love to her. It was much slower and tender than the first time and it brought about emotions within her that she hadn't expected. She felt absolutely loved and it overwhelmed her.

When a single tear slid down her cheek, House paused and cocked his head to one side.

"Allison..."

It was the first time he'd called her that, and her eyes flipped open. "I'm fine. Everything's fine. Please, don't stop."

He took her word for it and kissed her, tasting the salty tears. He wasn't sure what was going on, but she was responding to him so he continued, taking his time to kiss and caress her.

When she hooked one of her legs around his hips, that was his cue to go faster, and deeper. He took her other leg and wrapped it around his other hip. Their rhythm picked up speed until they both cried out and collapsed in a tangle of arms and legs.

"Just when I didn't think it could possibly get better than last night," she murmured as she rolled over onto her side.

"It will only get better."

"I don't know how it could get any better than that," she sighed.

He grinned at her. "Me neither, but I'm willing to find out."

Reaching out, he ran his hand down her back. She moved closer to him and he laid back against the pillows. When she rested her head on his shoulder, he put his arm around her.

"I'll have to go home at some point," she reminded him. "I just don't ever want to leave."

"So don't."

She looked up at him. Their eyes met and he trailed his fingers down her arm. He could feel her nipples harden against his ribs.

"You lived here before," he told her. "You liked it before all the shit with Joe and his goons happened. Didn't you?"

He looked at her with doubt in his eyes.

"Well, the couch wasn't nearly as comfortable as your bed," she teased lightly, "but I did love living with you. It was a lot easier than I thought it would be."

"So, move back in." He said it as if it was the most practical thing in the world.

Cameron smiled. She loved this about him. He wasn't sappy or overly romantic. She always knew where she stood with him even when he drove her crazy.

"What about Lucy?" she questioned as she traced a pattern on his chest.

"Lucy is not moving in," he responded drily.

She pinched his nipple eliciting a squawk from him. She ran her tongue over it and he moaned softly.

"I meant," she continued, "that I can't just up and move out. I need to give her time to find a new roommate."

"Oh, please," he scoffed. "Wasn't she living on her own before you moved in?"

"Yes."

House pulled her over so she lay on top of him. She could feel his erection slip between her legs.

"She'll be fine," he assured her as he pulled her down for a kiss.

Rolling them both onto their sides, he lifted her leg so it rested on his hip and then thrust into her. Slowly, he made love to her, kissing her and running his hands over her warm skin. She responded by doing the same. It all felt so normal and so natural. When her orgasm spun through her, she clung to him and cried out. A moment later, he jerked against her and moaned her name. They drifted off to sleep, their bodies entwined and her head tucked beneath his chin.


Cameron moved in that weekend. They never married and they had their share of fights but they always came back to each other.

When House retired, Cameron took over the Diagnostics department. She encouraged him to get his degree in physics. Once he did, he taught online classes in advanced string theory.

When Cameron retired, they moved to The Maldives. They spent their remaining days reading books, walking on the beach and just enjoying themselves.

When House died in his sleep, Cameron was heartbroken and died three days later.

THE END