Comparing notes
A.N. As always, the stuff on House and Cuddy's history is strictly canon. I try and avoid making up things whenever possible because I personally find it more fun to work within the template of the series rather than striking off on my own as regards characters and relationships. (Though I will accept that I'm probably stretching House's love of cricket to unbelievable lengths, it is in the show, honest!).
Cameron knocked on Cuddy's door and entered. The Dean was talking on the phone, but she smiled and gestured towards the easy chair by the file cabinet, which Cameron sank into, taking the opportunity to close her eyes for a moment.
The day had been a relatively easy one, but House had received a number of requests, and it looked like the rest of the week was going to be full-on. Diagnostics was a strange business. She knew of no other hospital which had a department devoted to it and yet, now that she had spent a couple of years working in its name, she had come to appreciate how vital the field was. How many people had they saved in that time? Hundreds, probably. If these patients hadn't come to PPTH for treatment, they would almost certainly have died. A sobering thought.
Cuddy undoubtedly shared a good deal of the credit. Not only did she think to create the department in the first place, but she tolerated House's idiosyncrasy and unorthodox methods where many bosses would have lost patience long ago. Both she and House were, it seemed, unique. Call finished, she glanced over. "If you want, we can just fall asleep in here for the evening. I wouldn't be against that one bit".
Cameron made an amused noise. "Tough day?".
The other woman shrugged as she switched off her machine and walked over to the coat stand. "Not especially. You know how it is—sleep is at a premium most of the time".
"True". Cameron rose from the chair and watched as Cuddy locked her door. They walked out to the parking lot. "Where'd you wanna go?".
"White Lion?". The bistro was just around the corner from the hospital and generally had a relaxed feel along with a mixed clientele.
The pair walked the short distance in companionable silence. Autumn was building and the wind was strong, whipping the hair of both women around their faces. The branches of the trees which lined the shaded boulevards of this part of Princeton creaked as they swayed back and forth, and orange leaves fell steadily to the sidewalk. Despite her heavy coat, Cameron shivered. Though she was used to chilly Chicago winters, it always felt like the air was harsher on the coast.
The two went to the bar, gathered their drinks, and found a booth by the window. Since it was Monday evening, the place was pretty quiet. Only a few of the tables were occupied, and the drinkers were dispersed throughout the room. "Hey, can I ask you something, Dr. Cuddy?".
"No need for 'doctor' outside the hospital, but fire away", she said, sipping her wine. Both had gone for the house white.
"Something you said this morning about how much you pay us relative to the rest of the staff. Is that true? Like, is Diagnostics really that expensive?". Cameron leant forwards, curious for the answer.
"Yeah. I mean, I can't divulge exact figures for obvious reasons, but you three command high salaries compared to the doctors of a similar level in other departments. Then there's House. He earns more than the vast majority already, but if you add in the fact that he always seems to get first use of the equipment, the rush tests that you guys order, and the reality that I have a portion of the budget devoted to paying his legal fees-".
Cameron spluttered into her glass. "-wow, really?".
"Yep. That man is a real pain in the ass".
"So why do you put up with it? No one else has Diagnostics departments".
Cuddy's eyes twinkled. "Do I really need to answer that? You work on the front lines; you see first-hand how valuable your work is. Sure, you don't have the caseload of most others, but you have a disproportionate impact on the visibility of PPTH, and that's priceless. In fact…", Cuddy took a sip before continuing, "…one of the new sponsors we're looking at is interested precisely because of House".
"Huh. No kidding".
"Mmm. Funny, isn't it? Vogler leaves due to House; now we may have someone else for the same reason. But here's a question for you: what's it actually like to work under him?".
Cameron laced her hands on the table. It was something she had often thought about, even before she developed feelings for her boss. "It's…interesting. As you said, the work is challenging, for sure, and immensely rewarding. But, it's the man himself I'm drawn to. It's hard to put into words…". She paused, rotating the wine glass between her fingers but not bringing it up. "House is infuriating, annoying, dramatic. He's often dismissive, usually rude, always right. But none of that matters because he's so provocative. House makes you think, insists that you question everything. It's exhilarating. He makes coming into work exciting, and that's all you can ask for, really".
Cuddy had been watching the younger woman closely while she was speaking, noting how her face lit up as she discussed her boss. Whether or not Wilson had been correct regarding their compatibility, it was clear that she herself was confident in the reasons for why she liked House. In fact, as Cuddy sat there listening, 'liked' was probably too weak a verb.
"I agree with you that he is provocative. Most people would think that quality annoying. But you, it seems, do not", observed Cuddy over the rim of her glass.
Cameron tilted her head. "No. And neither do you".
"No, I don't", she conceded. "Like I say, he can be a pain, and there are times he gets on my nerves. But in general I regard House as a breath of fresh air". Cuddy took a drink before continuing: "I'm probably in the minority there. As far as the leadership group goes, that is".
"The Board don't like him?".
"No, and I can't say I blame them. But the man is unique, and he'll always have an ally in me. Unless he does something really unforgivable like…like…", Cuddy waved a hand in the air, "…driving a car through my living room or something".
Cameron grinned. "That would be beyond the pale, even for him". After a couple of sips, she looked into her wine and then back up, opening her mouth to speak then closing it.
Cuddy noticed. "You can ask".
"You and House…were together, then?". She disliked broaching the subject, but it was something that she had long wanted to know, and now was as good a time as any to seek an answer.
"Only very briefly. I met him at the University of Michigan". Cuddy looked over her companion's shoulder, eyes unfocused as she recalled the memory. "House was a few years ahead of me, of course, but even then he was making a name for himself. We met in the bookshop and things progressed from there".
"So you broke up?".
"We weren't in a relationship. We slept together. I wanted more, he didn't. And that's that".
Cameron nodded. Having just experienced House's attentions herself, it didn't surprise her one bit that Cuddy would have wished to prolong the intimacy. On the one hand, it was reassuring to learn that the two were never serious; on the other, however, she couldn't deny harbouring a fear that House would leave her just as he'd left Cuddy.
The older woman sensed the wheels turning. "What are you thinking?".
Cameron told her.
"Well", she replied, "you never can tell with House. I think he has commitment issues. But then again, he does seem to really like you".
"I really like him, too".
"Then I suggest you take it as it comes and enjoy it for as long as you can because you never know what he's gonna do. Want another drink?".
"I'll go. Same again?".
As she waited for her order, she thought through their conversation. Cuddy knew a great deal about House but in truth none of what she'd said had been unexpected. Cameron understood already that House was unpredictable, just as she understood already that there was a chance he'd up and leave if things got too hard. The best policy would be to try and maintain at least a semblance of distance, in case things ended prematurely. But as soon as this flitted through her mind, she acknowledged its futility. The fact was she was falling for him. She was falling hard. But a confession to the man himself was impossible. It was far too soon. Just enjoy it, Allison. Stop fretting.
"You OK there, babe?", asked a suited man sitting on a barstool to her left, grinning lecherously. Although it wasn't yet late, he already looked a little worse for wear.
Cameron glanced across, annoyed that she had been disturbed, meeting his watery eyes. "I'm fine, thanks, man from bar I've no interest in".
He mumbled an apology into his drink as Cameron moved back to her table, sliding a glass to Cuddy.
"So", said Cuddy, "I've answered your questions. Now I have one of my own".
Cameron inclined her head as she took a sip of wine. "Fire away".
"I want all the details of your date. OK, that sounded sinister, and it wasn't actually a question. I'll try again: I want as many details as you're willing to give me".
Cameron grinned at this, and the doubts which had arisen at the bar dissolved as quickly as they had appeared.
Cuddy raised an eyebrow. "Wow, that good, huh?".
"It went better than I could have imagined, to be honest".
"Yeah? Spill".
Cameron spent the next thirty minutes explaining how House had cooked a delicious three-course meal; how they had spent much of the evening in relaxed conversation getting to know each other; and how they had retired to the bedroom.
This is when Cuddy held up her hand. "There's no need to divulge any more, except…how was it?".
"It was pretty great. I don't know…". Cameron took another sip and looked directly into her companion's eyes. "I guess I was expecting House to be selfish, y'know? Turns out, he ain't".
Cuddy nodded. "Yeah, it's a funny one. He's pretty self-absorbed a lot of the time, but in the bedroom he…", she paused, trying to find the right word.
"He rocks", supplied Cameron with a chuckle.
"He does", she laughed.
The two lapsed into silence for a few moments.
"I suppose it's not a massive surprise if you actually think about it", continued Cuddy. "He's incredibly observant, possesses an encyclopaedic knowledge of the human body, and has a big enough ego to see it through".
"That's true. He would love to know we're talking about him like this".
"Mmm. Well, I'll never tell if you won't".
"Deal". Both women clinked their glasses together and took a glug. "That reminds me, I have to take a picture of us together. House didn't believe that we were going out". Cameron got up and slid into the bench next to Cuddy. Both doctors made a face as the immunologist clicked the camera, before sending the image off to her boss whom she knew would be drinking with Wilson. "This has been fun. Thanks for suggesting we hang out".
Cuddy smiled. "It has been fun. Truth be told, I don't have many friends apart from House and Wilson".
"Same". Cameron returned to her side of the table.
"Well…want another? I think it's my round".
"Sure thing. I've made it a habit never to refuse a drink unless absolutely necessary".
"A smart policy", snorted Cuddy.
"Watch out for that guy on the stool. He'll look down your top the first chance he gets".
"Noted!".
Cameron watched as Cuddy moved off to the bar and relaxed into the bench. The phone vibrated on the table and she picked it up. House had replied to her picture message. OK, you win. Congratulations. It won't happen again.
Cameron smiled as she typed back. We'll see about that.
She didn't have to wait long. You're pretty confident for a little girl.
This had her shaking her head. Whatever you say, old man.
We need to work on your comebacks…speaking of, Wilson has returned from the bathroom. In a bit, Camster.
Cameron's heart fluttered a little. Cya, have fun.
As she replaced her phone, it struck her that this was the first time she had shared messages with House that had absolutely nothing to do with medicine. This brought another smile to her face. Slowly, day by day, she and House were breaking new ground. They had come a long way, but there was still a lot further to go.
