Title: Mentor

A/N- Yes, there will be some fast forwarding. Don't worry, you'll be cued into the amount of time passing. And also; no I had no intentions of the character Julia being Wilson's third wife. Again, I have managed to subconsciously make a character's name one that exists in the House M.D world. Sorry, but it happens.-Andi

Chapter Five: Responses

It was a long time before House heard from Allison Cameron again. However, months later, when he checked his e-mail and found a message from her, he was surprised at how excited he felt when he opened it.

Dear Doctor House:

I've just started my second semester. All seems to be going really well so far. I've read my textbooks already, and I'm very excited. Right now, it's mostly just stuff like bio, organic chem and calculus; I just hope I don't regret taking two science classes at the same time! Luckily, I did have my pre-reqs out of the way and I tested out of a lot of my other classes (I knew those AP classes I took in high school would be worth it!) so now I just have to get through a few of these other classes. But from what I've read already, it shouldn't be too bad. I hope I can still count on you for help if I get stuck though!

How have you been lately? Any interesting cases? What's it like being a diagnostician!?... Sorry, I must seem really silly to you...

Sincerely,

Allison Cameron

House found himself laughing as he read her e-mail. Hitting the reply button, he didn't feel the compulsion to go talk to Wilson before answering her questions.

Dear Allison:

I'm doing fine, thanks for asking. It seems that no one really asks me that anymore, so thanks for that. Actually, I had a pretty interesting case last week. Turned out to be lead poisoning, but the symptoms were difficult to read because the patient also had Chromes disease. It wasn't until they started showing neurological problems that the family brought them in. As for what it's like being a diagnostician. Fun as hell. There's nothing like getting paid the big bucks for playing games with process of elimination. And I don't find you silly for being excited about your future career. Too bad more people in the medical field aren't as enthusiastic as you, myself included.

So, you're doing all right then? How's that roommate of yours? Still detesting the very ground I walk on?

Sincerely,

House

Clicking send, House realized he'd done it again. He knew he didn't sound like his usual self when he e-mailed her, and wondered if that could be considered false advertising. But the last thing he wanted was to discourage her by sounding like the bastard he was. Although he genuinely did want her to succeed. However, he knew his personality was very abrasive, and didn't know if his sarcasm would come across in paper. The last thing he needed was his usual remarks to be misconstrued and make the girl run away screaming from her new career move.

"I must be going soft." House grumbled as he rose from the computer and off to Wilson's office.

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Returning to her dorm after class, Allison checked her e-mail, hoping that Dr. House had taken time to reply. Though she had tried not to get her hopes up, figuring he was probably too busy to reply to a silly college girl who hadn't written him until her second semester had started, she was overjoyed to find his reply waiting for her.

Reading it, Allison felt a giddy excitement well up in her. However, the little balloon of happiness got a puncture when she finished reading the letter.

After reading it through a couple of times, Allison realized why the letter felt so empty. She knew this wasn't how he talked, and she wondered if it was meant to be condescending. Why was he being so not Dr. House? Her chest ached for a moment. It had been his tactless honesty that had driven her into the field. Knowing that she had a flare for it, knowing that she could surprise him. And now he'd knocked her down by flowering up his e-mail!

Pouting slightly, Allison closed the letter and got up from her computer. Flopping onto her bed, she covered her face with a pillow to darken the sunlit room from view.

Julia had been right about her statement towards his first reply. He didn't sound like himself at all. Allison of course had not noticed the change in his mannerisms, having been too excited to actually get any reply at all!... He just saw her as a little girl. She knew that was what it was. Just a little girl he felt like he had to encourage.

Thinking about it, she realized her own letters had been rather scripted. If she wanted this to end these "Not Dr. House" letters , she had to make him realize he was doing it. And stop him!

Flying back to her computer, Allison typed the most abrupt and to the point letter she had ever written.

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The last thing House had expected when he went to surf the web, was to find another letter in his inbox from Allison. Clicking it excitedly, he was disappointed to find it so short.

There's nothing dumber than trying to make someone trust you when you're lying to them. Stop being nice! I respected you 'cause you were truthful, not for your non-existent good bedside manners.-Ally

Jaw clenching, House restrained himself from his first instinct to respond with a simple, "Fuck You, I was just trying not to scare you out of the field.". Instead, he contemplated, and then decided, with great difficulty, on a more gentle approach.

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Allison checked her inbox fifteen minutes later and smirked when she saw his reply was already in. Excited to get her "real" Dr. House back, Allison clicked his message, but was left sorely disappointed.

Dear Allison:

I know you're stressed with starting your new program. I'm just trying to keep you motivated so my letter of recommendation doesn't go to waste. I hate wasting my time.

Sincerely,

House

Allison growled low in her throat and nearly tore out her hair from frustration. Taking to the keys once again, she pounded each letter as she typed with a force that could shatter.

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House groaned when he found another short reply.

I can handle stress, but I refuse to tolerate you treating me like I'm five. So you can take your letter of recommendation and SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS! Unless you're going to talk to me like any other adult, then leave me alone!

House's eyes narrowed. Oh... Oh, it was on!

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Allison found another reply when she came back from her shower and clicked it eagerly.

You want me to talk to you like one of my colleagues? Fine. Just know that a vast majority of them think I'm an ass, so your little tantrum sounded like an annoying buzzing in my ear. And if you want me to not treat you like you're five, then don't expect me to encourage you, or hide what I know you can't handle. Personally, I know you have the brains for this job. I knew from the second I heard you speak that you could handle the science. But can you handle the reality? Can you handle death, Allison? Can you deal with the fact that you can't save everyone? If not, then get out now. 'Cause I'm not going to hold your hand at every funeral you can't prevent!-House.

Freezing cold is what Allison felt. An ice cube was melting in her stomach and spreading frozen water through her veins. How had he known? How had he known that she feared not being able to save everyone? How could he possibly know the dark little fear that had almost turned her off to her chosen career?

Swallowing hard, Allison took to the keys once more. Meek at last.

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"A reply?" House was shocked. He'd figured after his outburst that she'd never speak to him again. Clicking it, he was shocked.

I am afraid. I'm afraid of not being able to save every life. I'm sorry that I lost it. But I've been deceived so many times by flowery words. I just want the truth. That's why medicine is so important to me. That's why your words are so important to me. 'Cause I know you and medicine are the only real truths. I've been deceived by beauty, and I've been deceived by love. But truth has never tried to tell me it was right or wrong. It just is. And so are you.

Sinking into his chair, House stared at her message. The complete change in her mood showed him that he'd struck a nerve. She had went from a fiery pillar of rage to a withering, meek little girl. He'd brought her back into compliance by mentioning her fear. This told House two things. One: That she really could be a doctor, for she recognized her fear and was still adement about becoming a doctor and facing it. And two: That she needed to talk. Really talk.

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Allison hadn't expected another reply. After the bi-polar fluctuation in her last reply, she had expected him to think she was crazy and leave it at that. Opening the message she found a single sentence.

You need to talk about this (321)555-4321.-House

Picking up her phone, Allison called the number.

"Allison?" Dr. House's voice came through, and she relaxed onto her bed.

"Hi." Allison responded, curling against her pillow. It had been so long since she'd heard his voice, that it was odd how familiar it sounded to her ears. Then again, when she read his e-mails, she could almsot always imagine his voice.

"Better now?"

"Kind of."

"Well, apparently you're not very easy to complement." She could hear him sigh, and the creak of his chair as he leaned back.

"Sorry." Allison mumbled, "I know I totally pulled a Jekyl and Hyde via the internet." She tried to resist muffling her voice with the pillow she was clinging to.

"Don't worry about it. I have that effect on people. One minute I'm being called a heartless bastard, the next it's "Thank you Dr. House. You're a bastard, but you saved my life."."

Allison laughed.

"Knew that would cheer you up." She could hear the smile in his voice.

"I guess I am a child, huh?" Allison sighed.

"No, you're a college student. You're worse than a child. You think you're completely grown up." House replied. "But you're still in limbo, Allison. You're an adult, but you're not ready for the full brunt of my personality. I really am a sardonic bastard. Your roommate was right about that."

"Why?" Allison asked carefully.

"It's much easier to look at a puzzle when a person isn't in the way." House answered.

"But you're not mad at me?"

"Nah. If I got angry at everyone who told me to shove something up my ass, I'd always be mad. Of course, that letter of recommendation is considerably nicer in comparison to the bone saw ortho threatened to shove up there."

Allison laughed again, "I wish I could talk to you longer, but my phone bill's going to sky rocket if I talk much longer."

"No problem. But... If you actually need to talk, just e-mail me a time and I'll call you. I'm sure the hospital won't mind picking up a few emergency long distance calls."

With another laugh, Allison gave him her number and said her goodbyes then hung up. Apparently, Dr. House could blend kindness in with his blunt and rather mean spirited humor.

TBC

A/N- Ooh, phone number exchanges! This is getting really hot! Right?... Right!?... Oh hell, just review!... Oh! And by the way- just so you know- I am well aware that the phone number (and area code) are complete B.S. This is specifically for the loonies out there who would think that that's actually Hugh's phone number and try calling it. But to my sane, lovely readers, I'm sure you figured that out :D-Andi