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Chapter 11

Cameron had finally caught up on her paperwork, which was a miracle considering how busy the ER had been. It was almost three now and a cup of coffee sounded really good so she decided to take a break, since she missed lunch and venture up to the coffee bar for a latte.

A short time later, she took her vanilla latte and strolled out onto the balcony and enjoyed the cool air as it rushed through her hair and cooled her warm skin. She closed her eyes and breathed in several deep breaths. Her answer to House was weighing heavy on her mind. She was torn between Chase and House. She took a sip of her coffee and as simple as turning on a light, she suddenly knew who she needed to talk to about her dilemma. She walked back into the hospital and headed towards the one person who would listen and not judge her. Cameron carefully stepped out onto the fourth floor and looked around to make sure there were not any of the usual suspects in the immediate area. She quietly passed House's office and knocked on Wilson's door and waited. She was just about to leave when a surprised Wilson opened his door.

"Allison. Come in. Sorry, I was on the phone."

Before Wilson closed the door, he stuck his head in the hallway to make sure House wasn't lurking in the shadows.

Cameron sat on the leather sofa, deciding the chairs in front of his desk were too formal.

Wilson closed the door and turned his attention to Cameron. He could tell by the look on her face that something was bothering her. "You look like a lady that has something on her mind." He said as he sat down next to her.

She gave him a warm smile. "I hope I'm not bothering you. I really need someone to talk to."

"You know you can always come to me." He said and waited patiently for her to explain why she was there, although, he had a pretty good idea why.

Cameron looked down and stared at her hands for a minute before she began to talk. "Did you know that House offered me a job?"

"I know something about it. We are having a little tiff right now and he hasn't told me everything yet."

Cameron looked up at him. "A tiff?" She couldn't help but laugh a little.

"You know how House can be." Wilson said mildly embarrassed.

"Yes I do."

"Have you given him an answer?" He asked. "Not yet."

Wilson watched as she struggled with her words. He took her hand into his. "Talk to me. What's wrong?"

She let out a heavy sigh. "Chase. He doesn't want me to accept House's offer. He's very upset over it."

"How upset?"

"Enough that I'm afraid it might cause us to break up."

Wilson is somewhat surprised. "Really? That doesn't sound like Chase."

"It doesn't sound like the Chase he wants you to see and know. Behind closed doors, he remains to be very jealous of House and he still hasn't recovered from being fired."

"Okay, but surely he wouldn't break up with you if you accepted House's offer. Maybe he just needs to let the idea sink in awhile before he comes around." Wilson tried to ease her mind.

"I don't think so. He was pretty adamant about not wanting me to take the job when I told him this morning."

"So, what are you going to do?"

"That's my problem. I don't know what to do."

"And you want me to tell you what to do?"

"Something like that." Cameron gave him a half smile.

"You know I can't do that." Wilson said softly. "You need to decide if accepting House's offer is worth the possibility of losing Chase."

"I know." She said barely above a whisper.

Wilson could hear the emotion in her voice.

"I don't want to lose Chase but you know I believe everything happens for a reason. I don't want to pass up this chance to work in diagnostics again. Chase thinks the only reason I would be going back is because I still have feelings for House." She blushed slightly.

"And would that be the reason?"

"No. I really want this James and as far as having feelings for House, I don't. Not any more."

"You do understand why Chase is having a problem?" Wilson asked cautiously.

"Yes and I'm not trying to be insensitive about that."

Wilson watched her for a minute. "However, on the flip side, he should trust you and try to understand why you would want this. He should support your decision even if it's not what he wants."

"And if he doesn't support me?" She asked.

"Then you have to accept the consequences."

"That's some pretty sucky advice."

They both laughed.

Cameron pulled her hand free of his and brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Do you remember when you and I had dinner a couple of weeks ago and I told you that I thought something was going on with him?" "I remember."

"I still can't shake the feeling that he's hiding something from me." Cameron looked away for a second.

"And what would he be hiding?"

Cameron shook her head. "I don't know. I'm probably just imagining things."

"I don't know about that. A woman's intuition is usually right on. I speak from personal experience."

Cameron started biting her bottom lip. "Maybe you're right. Maybe he just needs to let this whole thing sink in for a while." She said trying to convince herself.

Wilson could tell she was really struggling with her decision. "Allison, you are an excellent doctor and have worked very hard to get where you are. To have been accepted into House's department the first time wasn't easy and for House to personally ask you back for a second time, means he really believes you have something to offer. House may be House, but we both know he's a brilliant doctor and he wouldn't just ask anyone to work with him. I know for a fact, that you have always impressed him as a doctor and as a person. You deserve to have good things in your life."

Cameron smiled at Wilson's kind words. "Thank you James." She leaned over and gave him a little kiss on the cheek. "I really needed to hear that."

"I'm afraid I haven't helped you much." He said, feeling a little guilty for not saying more.

"Yes you have. You listened." She gave him a reassuring smile.

"You know I'm always here if you need me."

"I know." She stood up to leave. "Thanks again James."

"Bye Allison."

"Bye."

Cameron headed back to the ER and was glad she made the decision to talk to Wilson. For the first time since House offered her the job, she felt relieved and at peace and knew what her decision should be. She glanced at her watch and was suddenly excited about meeting House.