Chapter 2: The Un-Honeymoon

The car stopped at the Newark Airport. The newlyweds Allison Cameron and Robert Chase stepped out of the car. Cameron hesitated and turned towards Chase.

"Robert…"

"Oh no…Allison!"

"Robert, I can't do this. I can't."

"Allison, we're married. We're about to go to Hawaii for our honeymoon. For our HONEYMOON, Allison!"

"I'm so sorry but I just can't do this. I've tried for so long but I can't."

"What do you mean?"

"I tried to love you. I did. I tried because I wanted to make you happy but I couldn't. I am not happy, Robert. I'm not. I haven't been for a while."

"It's him, isn't it?"

"What are you talking about? My husband died."

"I wasn't talking about Christopher but he's part of the reason too. I'll always come second or third in your eyes. Now it's House. It's always been House. When are you going to let him go…both of them go?"

"You know I can't let go of Christopher. He was my savior and my love. I had a short time with him but I loved him nonetheless."

"You never told me what you meant by that and I guess I will never know. What about House?"

"I have always loved him. From the first time I met him I felt an ultimate connection with him and gravitated towards him somehow. I can't explain it."

"Are you sure it wasn't lust and infatuation?"

"That's what I thought at first. I thought it was some kind of hero-worship between mentor and student. I knew my feelings must have been some kind of breach of ethics. I just don't know how to explain it. When he touches me it's some kind of spark and passion that never seemed to quench. It's insatiable."

"Ew…more than I ever wanted to know. Wait…you slept with him?"

"No. Never. But my body always gravitated to him. When our lips finally met it was like meeting my other half. I just can't explain it. I wish I could be the person you want me to be but I can't. I'm sorry, Robert."

"I'm sorry too. I guess we are going to have to call the lawyers and ask for an annulment."

"I can do that. What do we do about now?"

"Well, do you want to go?"

"No, I want to go to House."

"Okay, then go. GO! I hope you find your happiness."

"I'm sorry. I hope one day you can forgive me."

"In time I will. Goodbye Allison."

"Goodbye Robert."

As Cameron watched Chase take out his luggage and walk towards the plane, Cameron turned on her phone and dialed a number. She called her lawyer, Jennifer Cox.

"Jen, this is Allison. I couldn't do it. I need you to file an annulment ASAP."

Cameron went back inside the cab and left the airport.

Cameron sat on top of her couch as she pondered what her choice would be. She picked up her mobile and dialed her sister, Rachel Stevens. As she waited for Rachel to pick up she wondered what she would do or say once her sister found out she didn't go on her honeymoon. She would probably guess it.

"Hey, shouldn't you be in a plane to Hawaii?"

"Rach, I couldn't do it. I just couldn't. I love him. I can't be married to anyone but him."

"Oh Ally. I kind of figured but I wanted you to figure it out yourself. I didn't want to make your decisions for you but I knew your heart wasn't really into this whole marriage. I'm assuming you called Jen already?"

"Yes, Robert is on his way to Hawaii."

"Ally, what do you want?"

"I love House. It's always been him. I just tried to move on but I couldn't."

"Ally, he's an ass. He treats you like crap!"

"Rach, it's only what he tries to hide and protect. He's in so much pain."

"What do you mean?"

"Both of his exes were involved with his leg. They both went against his wishes. Stacey, his girlfriend was his medical proxy and Lisa Cuddy, our administrative head of the hospital was the one who did the surgery"

"What happened to his leg?"

"He had an infarction in his leg and basically they didn't catch it in time. For three days it was undiagnosed and then on the third he asked to be placed on medically induced coma. Then while he was in a coma, they went behind his back."

"Oh wow! So infarction…isn't that like a heart attack?"

"Yes, but more like in his leg. Basically it's muscle death and right now he takes vicodin in order to help with the pain because there are barely any nerves in his leg."

"Aw! That sounds painful. Does he get any reprieves?"

"Three years ago, when we put him in the medically induced coma he asked to be put on ketamine and it worked for months then he started to feel pain again."

"Oh Damn! Poor man!"

"Yes, I know. That's why I love him so much because despite all of it he tries to go on but seems to keep getting a bad break," Cameron cried.

"Oh wow! Now I see why. Oh wow! You really do love him. Oh Ally, don't cry."

"Yes I do. That's the worst part."

"Wait, there's more?"

"Yes, his childhood."

"Oh no…Ally please tell me it's not like yours."

"Rach, we have so many similarities."

"Oh Ally, I regretted leaving you for college. You were only nine when all of this started."

"Rach, it wasn't your fault."

"It may not have been entirely my fault but I should have stopped it when I found out. It should have stopped it earlier and not when you and Christopher got married."

"Yes, Christopher was my savior and I loved him for that but I love House more."

"I can see that. But I hope you didn't marry him because of Harold."

"In a way I did but I also married him because he needed me as much as I needed him."

"What do you mean?"

"Rach, our parents verbally, physically, and emotionally abused me. I don't know how you were excluded but when you left I was abused…even if it's because I accidentally threw Dad's fake teeth down the toilet. He used the belt to beat me. I get that it was how his parents treated him but it's one of the reasons why I don't trust so easily. While Dad beat me our mother treated me as if I was her punching bag. She used words to constantly attack and I never felt I was ever good enough for them. They didn't even believe me with Harold. I was their daughter and they never felt like I was. You were treated like the golden child while I was treated like trash." Cameron cried harder.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I never wanted you to feel this way but no matter how I try to convince you otherwise I know I can't. I can only be there for you. Do you still write?"

"Yes I do. It's not as much as I used to but I do. I wrote more about Harold."

"I noticed you don't call him uncle."

"Well, why should I? He abused me along with our parents."

"I know but…" Cameron interrupted Rachel before she could finish her sentence.

"No buts, Rachel! The man used to come to my room and molest me and feel me up and grind up against me to the point where I could feel his hard penis! I was nine years old! When I was older he would drug my food and I would wake up naked while he was above me. Do you know I don't even know what happened during it all? I have no memory. I don't even know if it was before nine. Damn it, Rachel! This family scarred me for life!"

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry." Rachel cried.

"I know you are. You know what made it worse? Aunt Catherine didn't even believe me. She thought I was trying to steal her man! How disgusting is that! He was my uncle for God sakes! My uncle! I could never do that to family!"

"I know you didn't. I know you never chose this. I believed you. I'm sorry I never told them."

"I know I told you not to say anything. It was partially my fault for not saying anything."

"You were a child! You were confused and didn't understand. When we were younger the psychologist told our family to protect you because you were so naïve and Harold took advantage of it all. That was not right! Have you gotten therapy yet?"

"With what? I can barely afford my apartment and then there're my student loans."

"I told you I would help you pay your student loans. I know Christopher left you money but he also left you medical bills."

"Yes he did. He got inheritance from his grandmother but it was not enough since his grandfather spent it all."

"So why don't you let me help you?"

"I want to do it myself. You know I've always been independent ever since I married Christopher."

"Yes, but please think it over."

"Okay, I will. Thank you."

"I am not married and don't have kids so I can easily help you. You're my baby sister so I want to help."

"We have more siblings you know."

"Yes but it's not like they are reaching out to us and you're my only family! Do you think after what our family did to you I would reach out to them?"

"No, but I didn't want you to lose them just because of me."

"You never asked but I also didn't want to abandon you and I know you need me."

"Do you think about them?"

"Yes I do but then when I do I get frustrated and angry so not often."

"I know what you mean. I sometimes wonder but then I remember all that happened."

"Do you still get nightmares or night terrors?"

"Sometimes…I wake up and cry. I have become so OCD that I feel the need to lock to double check the door and lock my room before going to sleep and even then I feel I am never safe. The worst part about it was the fact that he used to give me money and gifts like I was his whore! I felt so dirty. I guess that's why I have this OCD."

"I get it now. You need to talk to someone about this."

"Didn't we just talk about this?"

"No, I mean a professional."

"I feel like they will judge me or not believe me."

"Sweetheart, you have a bad case of depression and PTSD. I highly doubt the professional will think you are lying or making this up."

"Well, how am I going to pay for it?"

"Don't you have a therapist at work?"

"I do but I don't want my co-workers to know this. It's private."

"I get it. Why don't I see if one of my co-workers knows someone in New Jersey and we'll see how it goes okay?"

"Okay, Rach."

"I just worry about you."

"And I worry about House."

"I know you do. It's what you do for those you love."

"I know. Sometimes I wonder why this happened to me but then I realized that this has to have happened to me for a reason."

"I agree. I know you no longer believe in God but I know despite all of this, God protected you too. I believe that he doesn't give us challenges we can't face."

"I don't but thanks! I just hope I'll finally have someone to love all of me, to accept all of me without doubt or fear. Robert asked me today why I never told him about why we don't talk to our family. He caught me screaming one time but I couldn't tell him because I know once I do it will change the way he views me."

"Oh honey!"

"I'm afraid to be touched, Rach. I start shaking when people touch me and if I'm shoved in weird situations."

"I know. You told me that you don't do that with House."

"No. He makes me feel loved, protected, and safe."

"I guess I get why Robert was so frustrated. He felt he never truly had you."

"I know and I feel bad for that but the heart wants what it wants. I feel like I played with him and it wasn't fair."

"Sweetheart, you didn't do it on purpose. You just acted on your heart and I think he understands that."

"I know. I loved him but I just couldn't love him the way he wanted."

"You mean…not like you love House?"

"Yes, I mean despite all his hardships he is determined to live his life the way he wants to."

"What do you mean? You mentioned his leg and the similarities of your childhood." Cameron hesitated and took a breath before speaking again.

"His father…"

"What about his father?"

"His father verbally and physically abused him all his life."

"What? Slow down."

"Okay, I overheard this story while he was talking to patient a while ago. I know it was wrong but I was passing by from the park to the hospital and I heard him tell her. I left soon after. I felt like I was intruding."

"Okay, what story."

"He said there were times where his father would beat him and that sometimes he would force House to lay on a bathtub full of ice for a long time. Then I heard he said that there was one time where his father would lock him out of the house to sleep in a tent in winter! IN WINTER, Rach! What man would do that to his son?" Cameron began crying again.

"Wow! You two are really similar and really meant to be."

"What do you mean?"

"From what you told me you two are very similar. Your experiences and the way you two gravitate to each other. Then there's the fact that the both of you distrust people but seem to lean into each other in a way."

"In what way? We barely tell each other things."

"You don't but in a way a simple touch can mean more than words."

"I guess you have a point. But what do I do now?"

"Why don't you just go with the flow?"

"What do you mean?"

"See how things go from now on. How long 'til Robert comes back?"

"He comes back in a month. What do I do with House, Rach?"

"What I mean is talk to him and then let fate decide from there. From what I can tell he has feelings for you too."

"What do you mean?"

"A man does not look at you like that unless he feels something. The fact that he touches you the way he does is not professional either. It's borderline harassment but then again it's also hot the way you two move."

"You just said I should file a harassment suit on my ex-boss…not that he doesn't get sued. He gets lawsuits daily. I should know; I used to check his mail but…"

"That's another thing. He's aggressive towards you and borderline territorial."

"What do you mean?"

"Okay, let's try this. What did he say when you told him about Robert's proposal?"

"He didn't really say but his face was so sad and heartbroken…then it became really hard and indifferent."

"Ooh…definitely territorial and jealous."

"You think so?"

"Yes so."

"So what do I do?"

"Like I said, talk to him tomorrow. If you want you can call him after you hang up with me and ask if you two can meet up."

"He's not really the type to meet up. He's more likely to avoid those situations."

"Hm! You two are way too similar and different at the same time. It's scary."

"O…k. So, I should call him but what if he doesn't pick up?"

"Then leave a message."

"Okay, I'll try that now."

"Are you going to be okay?"

"Yes, thanks Rach. I'll call you afterward okay?"

"Sure thing sweetie." Cameron ended the conversation with Rachel and dialed another number. She waited for the phone to ring. Within the third ring, it picked up.

"Hey, House. I need to talk to you."

"Cameron, hey, I thought you were on your honeymoon," replied James Wilson.

"I couldn't go, Wilson. I just couldn't." Wilson sighed.

"Cameron, what are you trying to say?"

"I love House. I have always loved him. I spoke to my attorney and asked her to file an annulment ASAP."

"Oh Damn!"

"Wait a second…I called House's phone. Where is he? Is he okay?" Cameron's voice began to quiver with every word until finally it was barely audible.

"Cameron, listen…"

"Tell me what happened to him, Wilson. TELL ME WILSON!" Cameron began to get frustrated and fearful for the man she loved.

"Cameron, calm down."

"Don't call me to calm down!"

"I sometimes wonder about you but then again House loves you and you two seem to fit each other rather well."

"You are the second person who said that."

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"My sister, Rachel. She told me the same thing."

"Hm! The sister…she seems smart."

"I'll set you two up later but seriously what is going on?"

"Okay, Cameron I need you to calm down."

"That is the second time you told me to calm down. WILSON! What is going on?"

"You two really are a match made in heaven."

"Stop stalling, Wilson. What is going on?"

"Okay, promise me you won't freak out."

"Why would I freak out?!"

"Cameron, promise me!"

"I can't make the promise so just tell me." Wilson sighed

"Okay…"

"I'm waiting."

"Jeez…you are so pushy. Reminds me of your counterpart."

"Alright, I get it. He's my soul mate. Just tell me already."

"Okay, Cameron…earlier today I drove House to the Princeton Psychiatric Hospital."

"You did what?! What possessed you to do that?"

"Cameron, he was having schizophrenic symptoms. He was having hallucinations and delusions."

"What?"

"Yes, I think it was all the vicodin consumption. He was having hallucinations about things and so today we went to Cuddy and told her. Following that conversation he admitted himself to the facility."

"Wilson, is he okay?"

"He is physically but mentally…"

"Well, I'm going to visit him tomorrow. I love him."

"You can't for forty-eight hours."

"Why?"

"For detox and acclimation to the facility."

"I don't care. I'm going to go. Whether you go with me tomorrow or not I'm going."

"Cameron, listen to reason."

"Fuck reason! I'm going to see him tomorrow."

"Cameron, how are you even going to do that? You're not a relative."

"I'll call Rachel. She has connections. She was going to check to see if one of her colleagues can treat me anyway."

"What?"

"Never mind that. In or out, Wilson."

"Why am I always looking after people?"

"Because you are the Boy-Wonder oncologist and you care!"

"I swear you are too much like him."

"Yeah yeah. In or out."

"Yes, but I want you to call your sister first. I don't want to drive all the way over and not be let in."

"Fine. I'll call her now."

"Cameron, wait…"

"What?"

"You are stronger than you give yourself credit for."

"You do what you can for those you love."

"You really do love him don't you?"

"Yes I do."

"It's about time he found someone who loves all of him."

"I do and I won't let him stay there unless need be and if he needs help I'll make sure he gets the best."

"Damn! I would hate to see who will piss you off when it comes to House because there will be no stopping you."

"Nothing will!"

"Good."

"I'll see what Rachel says and I'll get back to you."

"Okay, Cameron. Take care and talk to you soon. Bye."

"Okay, Wilson. Thanks! Bye." Cameron ended the call.

House was on top of his bed looking up at the ceiling. He looked at the wall on the clock and saw that it was after seven. He sighed.

"I guess she should be in Hawaii by now having plenty of sex with the wombat. I mean it's not like she will wait forever for a man like me." A loud voice echoed in the background.

"Why would she want a drug addicted old cripple like you when she can have a young virile man who can give her more than you could!" echoed the voice

"Stop it! Leave me alone!"

"You know it's true."

"Just leave me alone." A loud banging from outside his room echoed.

"You in there! Quiet!"

The loud voice spoke again as the loud banging ceased.

"See! Even they know you are worthless!"

"LEAVE ME ALONE! STOP!" The door suddenly opened and two heavily built men tried to restrain House. They injected a sedative and the medicine took effect. House closed his eyes.

13