Part Two
Still cradling House as best as she can, Cameron carefully and slowly moved towards the couch and eased herself and House down onto it. For what felt like hours, no words were spoken, only comforting touches were shared between the two.
She continually stroked her fingers through House's hair, the soothing repetitive action comforting and relaxing as his tears tapered off and his breathing calmed. Her other hand found his and as soon as he felt her fingers brush, he caught hold and laced them with his, drawing out as much strength and comfort that she was offering.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, breaking the silence. Yet despite this, neither one relinquished their hold.
"Nothing to be sorry for. Everyone needs a hug sometimes, House."
He lifted his face from the warm sweep of her neck and tentatively met her gaze, but he wasn't met with pity, instead, those soft green eyes were full of that Cameron care and consideration he would so playfully taunt and chastise her for.
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do, Cameron. This place isn't suitable to raise a kid in. She's a little girl, she needs… she needs more than I can give her."
"Let me help, House." She implored, brushing her fingertips over the worry lines in his brow. "Please let me help."
His eyes closed at her touch and after a heartbeat, he gently nodded, "okay."
A sharp rap of knuckles against the door startled them to attention.
"It'll be Wilson," he grumbled, squeezing her fingers one last time before he eased himself up and headed for the door.
Sure enough, there was Wilson. All big brown eyes full of concern and confusion, seemingly expecting House to have been stoned out of his mind.
"Cuddy said you were AWOL."
He knew his best friend meant well, but after such a stressful few hours, his already limited patience was wearing thin. He gripped the doorframe and leaned heavily against it, "now's not a good time, Wilson."
Wilson's frown deepened as he took in House's fragile state and the dark circles beneath his eyes, his hand flew up and pressed against his throat to feel his pulse, "how much Vicodin have you taken?"
House slapped away Wilson's hand and stood up a little straighter from the doorframe, his demeanour snapping from one of self-loathing to annoyance.
"I haven't taken anything stronger than ibuprofen in 12 hours."
"You're withdrawing?! Oh god, do you have a withdrawal plan in place? You'll need round-the-clock moni-"
"James!" House barked, bringing Wilson's rambling to an immediate halt, "I'm not on drugs, I'm not AWOL because I was having a drug fuelled orgy with hookers. Isabella is going to be living with me from now on, so you can tell Cuddy that until my daughter is settled, I'm otherwise engaged, okay?"
"Oh my god, House, living with you? Are you ready for that?"
"I don't have a choice, her mom's dead Wilson. I'm all she has left. Besides, Cameron's here, she's been helping out."
Wilson's eyebrows danced, "Cameron? She's helping out? And you're letting her?"
House looked over his shoulder to see Cameron still sitting on the couch wearing a soft smile and kind eyes. She wasn't going anywhere unless he told her.
"Yeah, I am."
"Good, that's great." Wilson's pager beeped signalling his first imminent appointment, "hey, how about after work I stop by and bring some dinner for you? It'd be nice to see Isabella."
"Thanks, see you later."
The door closed and House slumped back against it, hearing himself say out loud that Izzy would be living with him really struck a chord.
"I need to sort this place out. It's not as though I've got a spare bedroom for my own kid."
"Long term, that's something you'll have to really consider. But in the meantime, I have a friend who works in a furniture store. A fold-out couch would be ideal until you decide on something more permanent."
House looked around the room, realistically he knew Cameron was right. With his piano engulfing a quarter of the room already, there was little else they could do to the room. He nodded at Cameron who smiled in return.
"I'll give her a ring and see what she can do, in the meantime, how about I make us a coffee?"
.o0O0o.
After some much-needed caffeine and some sweet talking on Cameron's part, she had secured House a new fold-out couch bed to be delivered that afternoon.
"I guess that's one thing off the list."
She smiled and caught hold of his hand, "It's a start, House. Everyone has to start somewhere."
House looked from her soft green eyes to their joined hands and his brow began to furrow.
"Why are you here, Cameron?"
"Here?"
"Hm, here. Why? You don't have to be, I'm not employing you to be at my beck and call. You can leave at any time you want."
"That may be so, but I'm not going until you or Izzy tell me to. I told you earlier that we're a team. I'm here to support you, both of you. Besides, my dog is currently sleeping on your bed. Only a moron would be brave enough to disturb his beauty sleep."
He met her eyes again and knew she meant every word. She had seen him at his lowest, detoxing and barely able to function as a man let alone a doctor. And in all those times, those soft green eyes held nothing but empathy. Not once had she pitied or been disgusted by him. He half wondered what it would take to really drive her over the edge, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
He needed her.
His daughter needed her.
And he would do everything in his power to keep her by his side.