Hiding in plain sight

The three fellows stood outside the patient's room, watching the nurses through the glass as they bustled around adjusting equipment. House hadn't been lying when he'd said that the case would be a challenge. The man had presented with paranoia, difficulty passing water, and seizures. After several days of exhaustive testing of himself and family members, failed hypotheses, and environmental analysis of his workplace, Foreman and House had come up with a diagnosis of genetic variegate porphyria. Dangerous but treatable: the man had received a liver transplant and was now under close observation. One of the nurses gave a thumbs up from inside the room and the three visibly relaxed.

Chase patted the neurologist on the back. "Nice one, Foreman. Who'd've thought we'd get a case of porphyria?".

Foreman exhaled through his nose. "Yeah. We do seem to attract the once in a blue moon cases, don't we? Anyway, it wasn't all me. House played a pretty big role".

"That's a funny saying, isn't it", remarked Cameron, sticking her hands in the pockets of her white lab coat.

"What is?", asked Chase.

"'Once in a blue moon'. I wonder where it comes from".

"No idea. Maybe something to do with the eclipse?".

Cameron and Foreman shrugged. "House would know", the latter said. "Speaking of, we'd better go and tell him the treatment worked". The three doctors set off for Diagnostics. Just before they reached the office, though, Foreman stopped and turned to face his colleagues. "By the way, I received a free booking at that new German restaurant on Nassau street from a drug rep for Parker-Wright. Would you guys be up for it tonight? It's a one-time deal".

"Sure thing. I haven't got anything planned with Mathilde, so I should be free", Chase replied.

"Absolutely", agreed Cameron. "I've run past that place a few times and the smells are something else".

"I bet you're a fan of a nice sausage, aren't you, Cameron?", Chase joked.

"Oh, ha ha", she returned good-naturedly. "Anyway, if you really want to be talking about sausages, I'm sure Foreman would be interested to hear of the meat on offer at Casa di Chase, right?".

Chase hurriedly apologised in the face of Foreman's laughter.

"Well, as long as you two promise to behave yourself this time. I'm not playing mediator again". For Foreman, a repeat of the Café Spoleto fiasco would be less than ideal. Then again, Chase had seemingly moved on with the new nurse and Cameron…well, he wasn't sure about Cameron. As far as he knew, she and House were persevering with their harmless flirtation and nothing significant had happened. Still, she did seem happier, which made him automatically suspicious. As for House, Foreman had noticed no change. He suddenly had an idea, and he kept a close eye on his female colleague as he spoke: "maybe we should ask House, too. After all, this was a team triumph".

Cameron experienced a flash of adrenaline at House's name but remained impassive. "Sure. I've no problem with that. I bet you won't get him to come". Though she had thought about him constantly, they had not shared any time alone since he had brought her to work several days ago—the case had been all-consuming and their boss had often ensconced himself in his office or with coma guy, oblivious to those outside his bubble. She was used to this and knew it to be an aspect of his personality that she would never look to change. Cameron cared for House dearly, and although she hoped that he would someday feel as strongly for her as she did for him, she accepted that there would be times when he would shut himself away with just his thoughts for company.

Foreman was unconvinced but let it slide. With a bit of luck, he'd be able to observe the interaction between her and House in person. "Chase? Are you OK if I invite House, too?".

"Up to you, Foreman. It might be interesting". Chase had mellowed slightly since his outburst in Café Spoleto. He still harboured strong feelings for Cameron, and resented her interest in their boss, but Mathilde at least helped to take the edge off.

The three fellows walked into House's office to see him with his feet up on the desk watching Murder, She Wrote and spinning a cricket ball from hand to hand. He didn't acknowledge their presence. Foreman began speaking anyway: "Timothy has received a liver transplant and it seems to be taking. We'll keep him under observation for the next several days to be sure, but the signs are good".

House held up a finger, silencing his subordinate. Jessica Fletcher was lecturing a young man on the TV, presumably the main antagonist of the episode.

Foreman sighed. "House?".

A few moments passed, and the trio stood somewhat awkwardly as the police handcuffed the suspect and led him away. Only when the credits began rolling did their boss turn in his chair. "Timothy…?".

"Perkins? The porphyria guy?".

"Ah, yes, of course. Good work, team. I knew I could count on you to prove my hypothesis". House replaced the ball on the desk and scanned the faces of his employees, ensuring that he didn't linger on Cameron. He'd missed her these last few days and didn't trust himself to remain neutral. "I suppose you'll be wanting to bunk off early, eh? Paint the town red? Let your hair down?". House glanced at Foreman: "metaphorical hair in your case, Formster. Well, I'm feeling generous, so I release you from my service. But I am not going to be bailing you out of jail if you get in trouble. Keep it clean, people". House wagged a finger at them and turned to his computer. No one moved. "Err", said House, spinning round to face forwards again. "Class dismissed? No? OK. How about: leave, stat! Hmm. Simon saaaaays: leave my office. Well, I'm out of ideas".

Foreman cleared his throat, staring straight ahead as he spoke. "We'd like to invite you to eat with us tonight, Dr. House. We've not been out together as a team since our, ah, reunification, and I thought now might be a good chance to rectify that".

House leant back in his chair and drummed his fingers against the glass, amused. "You're asking if I want to have dinner with you?". Though they'd been out together before, a great deal of time had passed. Things had changed, personally and professionally.

"I just think we should celebrate as a team, and the others agree with me", stated Foreman. Chase muttered in the affirmative.

House's eyes darted to Cameron involuntarily, seeking her guidance. If she was OK with it, he'd go. She winked. "You know what, Iceman, that's a good idea. I'm in", he said.

Foreman nodded, gave him the time and place, and the three prepared to leave.

"Oh, Dr. Cameron? I had a skim of the paper draft you sent me. If you have a few minutes I can take you through my comments, if you'd like?", House asked conversationally.

Cameron turned quickly. She had been desperately trying to think of an excuse to stay behind but had come up blank. The paper was an excellent pretext—she had mentioned it to the others last week, so it wouldn't be at all suspicious that she had sought their boss' feedback. "Oh, great. That would be useful, thanks".

Foreman's eyes darted between House and Cameron, but he could detect nothing untoward. "You want me to wait for you, or are you going to make your own way home?".

"No, you go on ahead. I don't know how long I'll be. I'll run back when I'm done, take a shower, and make my own way to the restaurant". Cameron could feel House's eyes on her body.

Foreman nodded and left. Chase glanced at Cameron but also left with a little wave: "see you guys later, then".

The door clanged shut.

For a couple of seconds nothing happened. A phone rang down the corridor, which acted as a catalyst. Both ran around the desk and their bodies collided. House wrapped his arms around Cameron, holding her tightly as his mouth frantically sought hers. She whimpered and accepted his tongue with her own, running her hands under his shirt and digging her nails into skin. House growled and picked her up, depositing her unceremoniously on the desk with one hand while clearing papers away with the other. His hands dived under her blouse as he half kissed half nibbled along her jaw and neck, feeling the metal of her necklace under his tongue, as he roamed her smooth back with his hands. "I missed you", he whispered.

Cameron kissed him more fiercely in response.

After a couple of minutes his right hand slipped downwards, and his fingers edged slightly under the waistband of her pants. But no further.

"Just touch me", Cameron hissed, locking her legs around his waist.

House drew back slightly, eyes burning, a smile playing on his lips. "I could. But I won't". Cameron dug her nails into his back, attempting to force the issue, but House was unmoved: "I was taught not to go for dessert before dinner. Ruins the appetite".

"Whoever taught you that was a moron", Cameron retorted, desperately trying to pull House closer with her arms and legs. But she wasn't strong enough, and her position on the desk afforded no purchase. Again, he smiled infuriatingly. "You're a tease, House", she whispered softly, accepting defeat, though still gazing into his eyes.

"That's one way of looking at it", he conceded. "Another way is that I intend to enjoy you, to enjoy us", House leant forwards and whispered into her ear, "slowly and deliberately. Can you wait for me to do that? I need to know."

"Yes, I can wait". Cameron understood immediately what he was asking. These were the terms of engagement. He wasn't ready, and she would wait until he was. She kissed him gently, both hands caressing his cheeks. "I can wait", she reiterated.

"Good. What are you doing Friday?", he asked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Hmm. Let me check my diary". Cameron made a show of retrieving her phone from her pocket and scrolling through the menu. "Ah, that's a shame. I'm due to go out with Wilson on Friday. Another time, maybe?".

House grinned. "Now who's a tease? Anyway, you aren't Wilson's type. He prefers needy damsels in distress".

"That's too bad. Oh well. I guess I'll just have to settle for his best friend instead".

Cameron drew House once again into a deep kiss. "I'll take that as a yes, you're free Friday", he murmured.

"I'm always free for you, House. What have you got planned?".

"That's for me to know", he replied, brushing his lips against her forehead, "and for you to find out".

Cameron wrinkled her nose. "Is it monster trucks?".

"That's a great idea. We had fun last time. Would you fancy it?", House pulled back again.

"As long as you're there, I'd fancy it", she laughed. "But that's only because I fancy you".

"Yeah?". House pulled Cameron, who was still sitting on the desk, towards him, taking most of her weight on his hips. "Why do you like me?".

Though his tone was playful, Cameron recognised that it was a serious question. He still hadn't figured her out, still had no idea what made him irresistible to her. She would confess to him. But not yet. She wanted his curiosity to burn, to make him hungry, to make him want her as much as she wanted him. She cradled his face in her hands and looked into his eyes. "I'll tell you everything you want to know, House. But not now. Now I need to get ready for our dinner".

House accepted her words with a nod and held her hand as they walked to the office door. "D'you want a lift home?".

"Nah, I fancy a run. I'll see you tonight. By the way, I think Foreman is suspicious about us. He keeps looking at me", she said, draping her lab coat over the chair ready for tomorrow.

"That makes two of us, then". House shrugged into his jacket, gathered up the papers that he had swept to the floor in a passion, and turned off the lamp. Since his back was to the other, he couldn't see the flush that had spread across her cheeks at the unexpected and casual admission of his desire.

Cameron forced herself to remain cool, clearing her throat. "I just think we should be careful is all".

"You're right. We act normal tonight. Just colleagues. Nothing happening here", House agreed. They walked into the corridor and he locked the door behind them. "But you're gonna have to change your look or something, because if you wear that black dress again, I can't promise that I'll be on my best behaviour". House gave an apologetic shrug as Cameron smiled and took his arm.

In that moment she didn't care if anyone saw and, in that moment, neither did he.