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Chapter 2 - House wants Cameron back…

House stood outside Cuddy's door, waiting for her to hang up the phone. He admired the new assistant she had recently hired. He watched the young woman's slender form as she placed files in the filing cabinet.

Cuddy opened her door. "You can come in now House." She walked back over to her desk but didn't sit down.

"When did you hire her?" He motioned to the attractive girl in the foyer.

"Today is her first day. Please don't mentally molest her. She is only 22." Cuddy said with a mild pleading tone.

"Hmmm." He said as he licked his lips. "Young meat."

"House! That's someone's daughter. Stop it." She said rolling her eyes. "You are all someone's daughter." He stated the obvious.

"Why are you here so early?" She asked as she straightened some papers on her desk.

He sat down in the chair that was in front of her desk. "I want to hire Cameron back." He said bluntly.

She didn't look up. "I'm sorry. It sounded like you just said you wanted to hire Cameron back."

"I did." He picked up a piece of paper that was on her desk and pretended to read it.

She stopped what she was doing and looked at him. "You want to hire Cameron back? What is this about House? You can't be serious." She leaned over, giving him a perfect view down her blouse and grabbed the piece of paper out of his hand. She stared at him, not believing him.

"Au contraire, I'm very serious." He said expressionless as he began to twirl his cane through his fingers.

Cuddy sat down in her chair and leaned on her desk, placing her folded hands underneath her chin. "What are you up to?" She asked in a more serious tone.

"Why must I be up to something? Can't I just want Cameron back?" He couldn't help the smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"Why after all this time and after saying you would never ask her back, are you telling me you want to hire her back?"

"I need new blood." "You have new blood House. Three of them plus Foreman." Cuddy's voice elevated slightly.

"They are raw blood, inexperienced blood and Foreman is used blood."

"And Cameron isn't considered used blood?" She said with a raised eyebrow.

House sighed. "The new children are not inspiring me. I need inspiration. I need them to make me think, to make it fun. It isn't fun any more." He whined.

"And Cameron can do this for you?" Now crossing her arms in front of her to go along with the raised eyebrows.

"I know she can. She and Foreman are excellent at arguing and they make me think. Just for the record, I don't want Foreman to ever know I might want him around."

She leaned back in her large maroon leather chair and eyed him carefully. "You must be serious. You haven't made one sexual comment to me yet."

"Oh, I'm sorry. Nice boobies. Got a good look at them in your red bra when you purposely leaned over your desk. Red huh? Must have a hot lunch date."

She shook her head. "I didn't lean over on purpose."

"Whatever, I know you want my hot body. Now, can we get back to the issue at hand? I'm serious. So how 'bout it? Can I hire her?" He averted his eyes downward away from her intent stare.

"Have you talked to Cameron about this?"

"Not yet. I know this may surprise you, but I wanted to clear it with you first." "That is a surprise and it's also why I think you're up to something." She narrowed her eyes at him. "What if she doesn't want to work with you again?" "Never thought about that." He said showing fake shock that she would actually think that. "We'll just entice her with more money." He added.

"How much more?"

"Same as Foreman."

"Foreman is making exactly what he made when he left." Cuddy said not sure she understood.

"Exactly, which is more than what Cameron was making when she left."

"I can't just approve an amount like that. I have to get an approval not to mention approval to add another person to your team."

"Get rid of Foreman or Taub, he's boring."

Cuddy gave him a smirk. "I can't just get rid of them for no reason. Neither can you."

"I have faith in your… abilities." He gave her a mischievous grin.

She looked at him seriously. "I'm not sure more money is going to be the deciding factor for Cameron. She did resign and whether you want to believe this or not, she has… changed."

He eyed her knowing she knew his belief that no one changes. He ignored the comment. "That's right, she did resign but I'm banking on that she is bored. Cameron likes to be challenged. There is only so much challenge in the ER."

Cuddy thought about this for a moment. House could be right, she thought. "Supposing she accepts your offer, when would you want her to start?"

"Immediately. I need inspiration now." House stood. He was getting tired of the conversation and wanted her approval now.

"I need time to find a qualified person to take her place." Cuddy noticed his impatience with her was growing.

"Then find someone. I'm sure there are several people who would like to run the ER." He walked to the door.

"But there aren't many who have the abilities to run the ER. Cameron is amazing." She stared at him for a minute. "Are you sure you want to do this?" "Yes. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be here. So, is the answer yes?"

She stared at him, still trying to figure out what was behind his plan. "If she accepts, I will get approval for it."

He gave her a nod and walked out the door. He made sure he locked eyes with the young assistant and shot her a smile, knowing Cuddy was watching him. The young girl gave him a sexy smile back.

Cuddy watched the girl flirt with House and rolled her eyes.