Chapter 3: And so it begins…

Despite wanting to call back Rachel after ending an exhausting call with Wilson, Cameron passed out right on top of her couch. After departing from the airport, she came to her apartment but did not make it to her bedroom. She awoke unsure of what had happened and suddenly it all came rushing back to her. She quickly picked up the phone and dialed her sister. She waited impatiently for Rachel to pick up and when she did she spoke so fast that it was almost impossible for her sister to pick up.

"Oh thank God you are awake, Rach! You have to help me! House is in a psychiatric hospital! You have to help me!" Cameron's words were all jumbled and she didn't pause to take a breath.

"Okay, you need to breathe and calm down!"

"What is it with people trying to tell me to calm down?!"

"Because you tend to freak out at the drop of a hat?"

"Don't start with me, Rach! Are you going to help me or not?"

"Of course, I'll help you but first you have to tell me what happened because I barely got what you were saying. All I got out of it was House, which explains the outburst. You do tend to be protective when it comes to him."

"Alright, I get it. I'm head over heels."

"Yes but we love you anyway. So now explain to me what is going on. It's barely eight."

"I called House like you advised me to but…" Cameron cried harder.

"Sweetie, you are scaring me. Take a breath and go slower. Okay?"

"Okay. I called House like you said and when the phone picked up it was his best friend, Wilson, who answered the phone."

"Why did he have House's phone?"

"Because House won't be needing it for a while."

"Now you are being cryptic. Explain, please."

"Because House checked himself into the Princeton Psychiatric Hospital."

"What? Why?"

"According to Wilson, House was having delusions and hallucinations because of his extensive use of Vicodin."

"Whoa! So he's having Schizophrenic symptoms?"

"Yes, he told Wilson and Cuddy that he was seeing things and it's the reason why he had to be sent to the facility."

"Whoa!"

"Is that all you are going to say?!" Cameron began to pace back and forth in her tiny living room. She was worried over House and Rachel was not making it easier on her by acting so evasive. It only frustrated her and scared her even more.

"I'm sorry, I'm just a bit shocked that's all. I don't know what to say. I'm so flabbergasted."

"I know but I want to see him."

"But you just said he was admitted yesterday?"

"Yes, but can't you pull strings so I can see him today?"

"Ally, I'm sorry I can't do that. They have these policies for a reason."

"I don't give a fuck if he's de-toxing or whatever reason they may be for having a forty-eight to seventy-two hour lock up. I want to see him!"

"Ally, please be reasonable. I know you love him but you have to let him de-tox. He wouldn't want you to see him that way."

"I don't care. I want to see him."

"Ally, stop acting like a child who had her candy taken away!"

"Rach, if you were me what would you have done?" Rachel sighed realizing her younger sister had a point.

"Exactly what you are now. I'll tell you what. I'll make some calls. You are lucky I went to school with the Director of that facility. He owes me favors. I can't ask any specifics because of professional ethics but I'll see what I can do."

"I want whoever works with him to be the best. I want him to recover faster."

"Sweetheart, you know faster is not always better. You know that right? In therapy they go by how much the individual progresses."

"I know but I just want to see him and have him in my arms. Is that wrong?"

"No, Sweetie it's not but you can't rush these things. He needs help…actually so do you. That reminds me I spoke to a colleague of mine. He has a colleague that will be sympathetic and kind to your plight. Her name is Josephine Landon. Her number is…" Rachel gave Cameron the number.

"Oh Rach, I knew I could count on you. Thank you so very much."

"You are welcome. Listen, I want you to get some rest and eat something. I know how you are when you're worried and depressed; you won't eat so I'm asking you to eat something and to try to sleep."

"I'll do my best."

"Maybe Dr. Landon can suggest sleeping pills for you. God knows you need them. You barely sleep without waking up to nightmares and night terrors."

"That might be a good idea, Rach. You know how much I don't sleep and now that House is in that facility, I doubt I will sleep at all."

"Why don't you call Josephine Landon and get an appointment ASAP then get some rest. I worry so much about you and your body is so ragged. I can tell from your voice. You are not working right?"

"Yes. Robert and I took off for the honeymoon…the honeymoon that I didn't go on."

"Well, what are you going to do until you go back to work?"

"I honestly don't know."

"Well, sleep on it and then tomorrow we'll see if we can see your man."

"He's not mine."

"Oh yes he is."

"Are you going to beat up people who will try to take him away from me?"

"You bet your ass I will! You're my baby sister and if I have to kick people's asses to make you happy then so be it. He makes you happy and I'll do what I can to make sure you get that happiness!"

"Wow. Thank you, Rach."

"You know I love you right?"

"Yes, I do. I love you too, Rach."

"Ally, I need to call up the director and you need to call Dr. Landon. Please promise me you will call?"

"I'll call as soon as I end this call and then I'll call Jen afterwards."

"Okay, I'll call you later to check up on you. Please rest and eat."

"Okay, I promise. Bye."

"Bye, Ally." Rachel ended the call. Cameron entered a new number into her cell phone and waited for the other person to pick up. Unfortunately, the voicemail picked up.

"Hello. You have reached Dr. Josephine Landon. I am unavailable right now. If this is an emergency please hang up and dial 911 otherwise please wait for the end of this voicemail to leave your message. If you seek immediate answers to your questions please dial "1" and it will direct you to the on-call professional. At the end of this message, please leave your name and number. Have a wonderful day! Thank you."

"Hello Dr. Landon, My name is Dr. Allison Cameron. I was referred to you recently by my sister's colleague. Could you please call me back at your earliest convenience? I would like to set up an appointment as soon as possible. Thank you and have a wonderful day." Cameron gave Dr. Landon her number and hung up.

After calling Dr. Landon, Cameron decided to call her lawyer, Jen Cox. She wanted to expedite the process ASAP. She waited again for the other person to pick up. After the third ring, a voice came on.

"This is Jen Cox. How can I help you?" Jen Cox answered the phone without looking at the caller ID.

"Jen, this is Allison Cameron."

"Oh hi Allison. I received your call and as for your request I just finished up the forms for the annulment. I was just about to FED-EX them to you. I'm assuming you are at home not at the hospital?"

"Yes, thank you! I will be home all day. The other reason I'm calling is to give you the address of the hotel in California where Robert is staying." Cameron gave the address.

"Oh wow! You really want this expedited then?"

"Oh yes. Very much so."

"Is there a particular reason why?"

"It's just that I realized I made a mistake saying yes from the beginning."

"Oh yes. I remember now. Ally, you and I have been friends for a long time now and I know you like the back of my hand. It's because of a certain abrasive doctor isn't it?"

"Am I that transparent?" Jen laughed.

"Yes, Sweetheart. When it comes to him you are and he is similar with you. He tries to hide it well but when you are a lawyer and have a knack at pin-pointing liars I know for a fact that he is in love with you."

"How?"

"Remember when I came to visit you in the ER that one time and he came strolling over to you supposedly because he was just bored. I knew something was up."

"What do you mean?"

"You know for doctors you two can be so dense."

"Huh?"

"Ally, the man stared at you and refused to take his eyes of you. Then when I asked him how he felt about you he tried to deny it like it was nothing. He and I both knew he was lying then."

"Why didn't you say anything before?"

"Because you needed to figure it out yourself. I can't influence your decisions for you."

"And so it seems I'm stuck."

"What do you mean?"

"What do I do now?"

"What do you mean? Why don't you talk to him now?"

"Because he admitted himself to Princeton Psychiatric Hospital yesterday."

"Whoa! I'm so shocked! What happened?"

"From what I heard he was hallucinating and seeing delusions so he asked Wilson to drive him. Both Cuddy and Wilson think it's because of his intake of Vicodin. He takes too much."

"You told me he is not a drug addict!"

"He's not. He's just in constant pain."

"Girl, you are really in love with this man!"

"What do you mean?"

"You love him for all his faults and flaws and accept him for who he is."

"Because he doesn't need to be changed. A person cannot be changed. They either become worse versions or better versions of themselves as time goes by and they evolve."

"That's deep but it's actually logical. So which do you think he is?"

"I think House overall is a good man who has been dealt a bad hand in his life."

"Oh Girl, you are way over the deep end."

"Is that so wrong?"

"Oh no! I'm just a romantic; you know that. I'm envious that you feel that way over a man and I have a feeling he feels the same for you. It won't be long before you two get together."

"Even though he's in the facility right now?"

"Yes, even though he's in the facility right now."

"You have so much hope for me but none for yourself. One day you'll find someone who will sweep you off your feet."

"Thanks! I just hope it's soon. My biological clock is ticking." Cameron laughed.

"I can't believe you just said that."

"Ally, you know it's true. We are not getting younger."

"Don't I know it Jen."

"So how are you right now?"

"Well, I'm not sure what to do right now and I have to figure out if I want to sign a new lease or leave this apartment. I just remembered that I decided against signing a new lease because Robert bought a house and well…you know how that story ended."

"Yes, I do. Why don't you think about it or talk to your landlord? If those don't work out you can stay with me. You know I have extra rooms. It will be like college again before you married Christopher."

"Oh, okay. Thanks Jen!"

"No problem, Sweetheart. Listen I have to go and send this off to you and Robert. I'm going to have pay more for the shipping to Robert though."

"I'm sorry Jen. I forgot about that."

"It's okay. What are best friends for…besides when you and your man have kids you can name the kid after me." Cameron laughed.

"We'll see about that. I'm sure House would say a few words about that."

"I highly doubt that. My cousin tends to be a little weird over things he doesn't have a say on."

"Don't I know it."

"Listen Aunt Blythe always did say even when he was a kid he was hard-headed. He always had to go his own pace and his own way. You'll be good with him. You'll put his feet on the ground."

"You think so?"

"Yes, I know so. When I was a kid, I knew something was up because of the way he was. It was like he was always running because of his fears."

"I never truly saw it that way."

"It's just the way Uncle John treated him. He was hard on him."

"Yes, I know. The first time I met your aunt and uncle I figured automatically that House and his father did not have a good relationship. He resents him very much."

"Yes he does and rightly so."

"What do you mean?"

"Don't play coy with me, Allison Cameron. I know you know."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Ally, don't lie to me. I know you know."

"Okay, I know he suffered emotional and physical abuse by his father, alright? I'm sorry but I feel like it wasn't my place to say something."

"Ally, like it or not you are already family. Aunt Blythe even told me so."

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Ally, my aunt knows very well how you two feel about each other. We just had to wait to see how long until you both realized it."

"Oh damn! Are we that transparent?"

"Yes. I mean every time I am on the phone with Aunt Blythe her questions always go to you two."

"What questions?"

"Oh…um…"

"Jen…spill it!"

"Alright alright. She always asked, 'Did my son finally sweep Ally off her feet yet? I'm not getting any younger and I need to spoil my grandkids before I die. Do I need to hit him over the head for his stupidity? I mean it's been six years! How long does he need before he realizes he can't live without her?'" Cameron and Jen laughed together soon after the last word was said.

"She did not! That is hilarious!"

"Hun, like it or not that is your future mother-in-law."

"We are not even engaged yet and you two are planning grandkids. Please tell me you two are not going to plan my wedding and honeymoon?"

"I plead the fifth."

"Oh no! You didn't?"

"Well, you know I'm a romantic and well, you two are the only ones interesting enough in my dull dreary life."

"Oh, my goodness! Good Grief! What am I going to do with you?"

"Well, I've always had a thing for Robert."

"Oh…my…God! Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I saw how he felt about you and I didn't want to cause a rift."

"Jen, don't be silly! If you have said something earlier on you would have been at the altar and you would have been on that honeymoon with him by now."

"Huh?"

"Jen, he thought you were hot even though House told him to leave you alone."

"Oh…"

"Yes. I can't believe you didn't know that."

"Well…"

"You are a bit obtuse when it comes to your own love life."

"Don't I know it."

"What do I do?"

"That is up to you. I just want you to be happy. How long have you in love with him?"

"What?"

"You heard me? How long?"

"Since the day I first met him."

"Jen, that was 6 years ago."

"I know but I was afraid."

"Well fear is a great motivator and a great hindrance."

"Very true."

"I just don't want to rush him."

"Well just let him take the lead then."

"When does he ever let anyone take the lead?"

"Good point."

"Okay, then what do you want to do?"

"Would it be too early to call him?"

"Time-wise, well…it's only ten o'clock in the morning. It's a six hour difference from EST."

"Oh okay. But I mean to call him up for a date?" Cameron was shocked.

"Wow."

"Ally, are you okay?"

"Yes, I am. I mean I love him but I am not in love with him. I mean I think I just never really felt that spark, you know?"

"Yes, I know. Ally, you know it's okay to feel hurt if he starts dating. It doesn't make you less human."

"I know. It's just that I am the one ending a marriage that did not even last twenty-four hours."

"Even so, you said it yourself you loved him."

"Yes, I do but I love House more."

"I know you do."

"You know what...go ahead. You two deserve to be happy."

"Really?"

"Yes. I may not be who he needs but you might be."

"Wow!"

"What?"

"You just really love my cousin."

"Yes, I do."

"He's lucky to have you."

"I'm the lucky one."

"You two were lucky to find each other."

"Thank you."

"Listen, Ally, I really have to go."

"Okay. Thanks Jen. Go get him."

"Thanks! Take care of my cousin."

"I will. Bye Jen. See you soon."

"Bye Ally." Jen ended the call. Cameron suddenly felt so tired. She just spent two and half hours on the phone. Looking down at her phone she realized her battery needed to be charged. She plugged her charger into her phone and picked up her landline. She ordered a mushroom ravioli from the Italian restaurant. It might not be Café Spoleto, where she and House had their disastrous date six years ago but it would have to do. Hopefully she could get him to take her there once again. Even with the date ending badly it still held great memories for her and the dinner was delicious. She waited thirty minutes for the food to be delivered and quickly ate it. She didn't realize she was so hungry…then she realized she hadn't eaten since before the wedding. After finishing her lunch she went to her bedroom to lie down. Her eyes drooped low and her dreams slowly turned to House like they always had ever since she had met him.

Wilson was in office and was just finishing up a file when the sound of a phone began to ring shrilly. Looking up from the file he realized it was neither his office phone nor his cell phone. It came from House's phone. Wilson checked the number and realized it was Blythe House. He pondered what he should do and decided to pick up after the third ring.

"Hello."

"Oh Greg, thank God you answered your phone. I've been trying to call your office phone, house phone, and now your cell phone for days now."

"Blythe. It's not Greg. It's James."

"What is going on? Where is Greg? Where is my son?"

"Blythe, I'm sorry to tell you this but Greg admitted himself to the Princeton Psychiatric Hospital yesterday."

"What? Why?"

"He wasn't feeling well and he came to me and Lisa a few days ago."

"What do you mean?"

"He told us that he was hallucinating and seeing delusions. We think it was because of his overuse of his pain medication."

"Oh, my God. Is he okay?! Is my son okay?!"

"I'm not sure. You know that leg of his has been bothering him for years now and his intake has been skyrocketing for years now. It finally caught up with him."

"Well how long will he be there?"

"I'm not sure. I'm actually looking up about CIPA's nerve cells."

"What do you mean, James?"

"Well, a few years ago there was a patient of his from whom Greg wanted to grab some of the spinal nerve cells to see if he could attach them to his leg. Apparently, there was some research pertaining to spinal nerve biopsy where he might be able to walk pain free. But due to ethical reasons he didn't want to approach the patient. I'm actually researching to see if there are some CIPA patients who would be willing to donate some to Greg."

"What is CIPA?"

"It means 'Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis' basically there are some people who do not feel pain what so ever because of this disease."

"So if you are successful of obtaining someone then all we need to do is convince Greg to do the surgery?"

"Yes. That's correct…but you know how stubborn your son is."

"Oh yeah, I do. I mean he's been in love with Ally for six years and Jen and I have a bet of how long it will be before he caves. So far I think Jen is winning. She said around six years."

"You mean Allison Cameron?"

"Oh, yes. She and my niece, Jen Cox, have been best friends since they were in their teens so when I saw Allison as one of his fellows I was shocked. I just didn't want to say anything without shocking Greg. You and I know how well he handles shock let alone those who know his family. Greg never knew how tied Ally is to our family. It's like she was born to be a part of this family from the get-go. Ally never met Greg back then because Greg always avoided family gatherings and from what I gathered Ally did too. Something troublesome, I think, happened to that girl. Those two are too similar but so different. It's very scary."

"Whoa…I told her that last night when she decided not to go on her honeymoon. She decided she couldn't live without him and told me she contacted her lawyer. She freaked out when she found out about him too so if anyone could convince him it would be her. He's very much in love with her…then again so is she."

"And so it would seem. I saw the way they looked into each other's eyes."

"Oh, yes and very protective too."

"You notice that too?"

"Yes. I get the feeling Chase only wanted to marry her because it was out of convenience more than love."

"Well, that would be good news for Jen then."

"Huh. Why is that?"

"Because my niece Jen has been in love with him for six years ever since she met him years ago and was heartbroken when she heard Robert proposed."

"Whoa! Your family doesn't do anything easy, eh?" Blythe laughed.

"Yes. It would seem so…" Blythe suddenly cried.

"Blythe? What's wrong?"

"It's John. He passed away a few days ago. He had a heart attack. That's why I've been trying to get a hold of Greg. I didn't even know he was sick."

"What? I'm so sorry, Blythe."

"Thank you, James, but now what do I do? I need my son and he won't be able to attend the funeral."

"I'm not sure. I don't know what to do about that either considering House never had a good relationship with his father."

"Well, I think he knew."

"Knew what?"

"That John House wasn't his father but James Davidson was."

"What?"

"Yes, I had an affair with Greg's biological father who is actually his considered his Godfather."

"Whoa. I'm sorry. I'm not judging but I'm just in shock."

"It's okay, James."

"When is the funeral?"

"Tomorrow. I was hoping he would be available to fly out today to Virginia."

"I'm sorry Blythe but I don't think that will be possible."

"I guess so."

"Listen Blythe, I know I'm not Greg but would it be okay if I came?"

"That's not necessary James. I mean it's only a small service filled mostly with his military friends."

"Are you sure? It's not any trouble."

"No, it's okay. Listen, James I have to call Jen too. I've been trying to call her for days too. She doesn't know."

"Let me know if I can do anything to help."

"Well, actually can you help me find an apartment?"

"Why?"

"Well, I was thinking of moving closer to Greg."

"Why not live with Greg for now?"

"I highly doubt Greg would want his mother living with him…especially once he gets together with Ally."

"I would assume that's true."

"Yes, so I need to go and call Jen and see if she can come to the funeral tomorrow."

"Okay, Blythe. My condolences and prayers are with you and your family. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with. I'll go check with Bonnie, my ex-wife. She and I are on friendly terms and she's a great realtor. I'm sure she knows of some apartments or something that's available."

"Thank you James and goodbye." Blythe ended the call.

Jen had just FED-EXed both copies of the annulment papers to both Cameron and Chase when her cell phone rang. She looked at it and realized it was her Aunt Blythe.

"Hey, Aunt Blythe."

"Oh, thank God I have finally reached you. I've been trying to call you for days."

"What's wrong, Auntie?"

"It's your uncle."

"What the hell did the asshole do now?"

Blythe cried.

"Aunt Blythe what's wrong?"

"It's John. He died of a heart attack."

15