Boundary issues
A.N. House mentions his disappointment with the Star Wars prequels in one of my favourite season three episodes, 'Son of Coma Guy'. I'm extrapolating from that his approval of the original trilogy. I hope people are still enjoying this story and that it's not too slow and boring. I've got a fair bit planned long-term.
Foreman entered Diagnostics Monday to the sight of Cameron at the shared desktop. "Morning", he said, moving over to the coffee pot and noting with satisfaction that his colleague had already prepared enough for himself and Chase. She had been designated chief brewer early on. Chase's efforts were lacklustre at best, and his own varied between too strong or too weak. "What're you doing?".
She looked up and smiled. "Hey. Oh, you know, the usual: answering fanmail, organising groupies, sending off autographed photos of the team. You'll be pleased to know that the ladies seem to prefer you with a shaven head, after all".
Foreman sank into a chair at the conference table. "You joke about fanmail, but I heard from Wilson last week that the new sponsor has signed on chiefly because of House. And these London guys asked for us by name. It seems we're building up some street cred".
"Well, isn't it why we applied for this fellowship in the first place? The guy is one of the best doctors in America. I know I've learnt a hell of a lot under him".
"I bet you've spent quite a bit of time under House recently, eh?". He sat back and gazed at the other, trying to get a rise.
Cameron only grinned, willing to play along. "You're sharp today. I suppose you'll be wanting all the details, hmm? Well, I can tell you that House has a very big-".
But the other quickly held up a hand. "-OK, OK. That's enough. I had my breakfast barely an hour ago".
"Huh? I was only going to say that he had a very big television set. What were you thinking?", she replied, tapping a finger to her lips innocently.
Foreman took a sip of coffee. "Yeah, yeah. Did you have a good weekend then?".
She folded her arms, pleased to have beaten him at his own game. Small victories. "I did. Spent most of it with House; went shopping on Sunday. Oh, I saw Star Wars for the first time, too".
"Yeah? I can't believe you've not watched it before".
"House said the exact same thing—what is it with guys and lasers? And I didn't really understand the Force, to be honest. Like, is it innate in everyone or just certain people?". This was a question she had asked of House immediately after they'd finished the movie marathon. He'd replied that it was, in fact, innate and theoretically open to all. But when as a corollary question she'd asked why, if the Force was so widespread, there were only a handful of users in the galaxy, he'd replied that the only thing such inquiries were doing was revealing to him the necessity for her to undergo a comprehensive Star Wars education, including 'the crappy prequels and sequels'. She had shut up after that, pretending that the entire franchise was not riven with plot holes, logical inconsistencies, and downright ridiculousness. House loved it, and that was enough for her.
"Err, I think it's certain people. Don't quote me on that, though. I only watched it for Leia's golden bikini". Even if he had a hundred guesses, Foreman would not have landed on Star Wars being a conversation topic in the office with Cameron.
She nodded sagely, looking her colleague squarely in the face. "I don't blame you. I'd turn gay for her myself".
Foreman spluttered into his coffee to the sound of Cameron's laughter.
"You guys are so easy, honestly".
"It's going well with House, at least?", he asked, though her playfulness was all the answer he needed.
"It is. How was your weekend?".
"Went to the bar with Chase on Friday and just chilled in the apartment most of the time". Foreman didn't bother revealing that he'd seen their colleague leaving with the redhead later in the evening. "Speaking of Chase", he added conversationally, "I can't help but notice that you haven't told him about you and House yet. I know it's not my business, but I really do think now is the time".
Cameron was usually decidedly grumpy when she felt that others were meddling in her affairs, but to his surprise she only nodded. "Well, now is the time. House and I are going to come clean this morning and we'll see what happens".
"Huh". Foreman got up and took his mug to the sink, rinsing it under the tap.
"What?", she asked, looking up from the computer screen.
He leant against the sink. "I just…you guys are actually serious, then? I mean, I knew you were but…I'm just surprised, kinda. And also not surprised".
Cameron sat back in her chair. "I suppose we're becoming serious, yeah. I dunno, I just don't want to look too far ahead, y'know? I'm very aware that House is an unusual man, and things probably won't be this straightforward in the long-term. But in the short-term, I'm very happy". As she thought about it, her cautious nature came in handy when dealing with House. It went without saying that her feelings were daily growing stronger the more she learnt about his peculiarities. But though she'd happily spend every waking moment in his company, she was still careful not to smother him, nor to let slip unguarded pillow talk. All the same, Cameron was finding it hard to deny the warmth that spread through her body when he was close, and the sense of emptiness when they parted.
"You're already thinking long-term?". Although he'd known that she had liked their boss for a while, it was still a surprise to hear that the couple were exactly that—a couple. Great for Cameron and House. Not ideal for Chase.
"It's just a thought", she shrugged. "I don't want to jinx it".
At this, Chase himself wandered into the department and went straight to the coffee. "Morning. What are we talking about?". Since he had his back to the others, he missed the quick look that Foreman shot Cameron, who shrugged and got up, bracing herself against the desk.
"Well", she began slowly, "we were talking about my relationship…with House".
Chase, who had been sipping his coffee, tilted his head. "So, you're together, then?".
"We are", nodded Cameron. "It's still early days, though, so…".
"I'm glad it's finally out in the open. Foreman and I suspected for a while, you know".
"Yeah, he mentioned that. I guess you guys have known my feelings for a long time, huh?".
"Mmm. Well, congratulations. I hope it works out for you both. As long as you're happy, we're happy". Chase sat at the conference table and began his crossword, seemingly finished with the conversation. This wasn't the time either to confess his attraction or to put forward his arguments for House's unsuitability. Though he had been expecting this news eventually, the truth hurt, nevertheless. Still, he did want Cameron to be happy. That part was completely genuine.
Before Cameron could inquire further, though, House walked into his office, turning on the computer and slinging his rucksack under the desk. Soon, he'd ambled in to join the others. "Morning, minions. I hope you had a wonderfully restful and provocative weekend." Without waiting for an answer, he trooped over to the coffee pot and poured himself a cup before turning back to face his employees. "You'll be delighted to know that I do have a case lined up—it's a college cheerleader, by the way. You're welcome, er, Choreman". House glanced at the two men pointedly, before continuing: "does that work? I think it works. What do you think, Camster?".
"Catchy", she smirked, folding her arms.
House cleared his throat and suddenly looked sheepish, glancing in her direction. "But, ah, before we get into that, there's a big old elephant in the room we have to, er, confront".
Cameron went over to stand next to her boss, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I already told them. Stand easy, soldier".
He breathed a huge sigh of relief. "Thank God. I was afraid that if I informed them I was banging you it'd be awkward around the office. Probably best that it came from you, nice one".
Foreman stroked his chin. "Really? Nope, it's not awkward at all…".
"Excellent", House replied lightly. "In the meantime, if you guys could try and convince your female colleague of the merits of threesomes, I'd obviously be extremely grateful-oww!".
Cameron's elbow in his ribs pre-empted further chat. She smiled sweetly in his direction, poised to mete out further punishment.
When House continued, he sidestepped to the other side of the shared bookcase, talking at them through the shelves. "Nah, but in all seriousness now, the fact that I'm…", he picked up a giant reference book and wielded it like a shield, "…tapping dat ass…", Cameron stuck her tongue out but made no move of aggression, "…will not change anything round here, dudes. We're all on the same side, and there won't be any special treatment. As far as you're concerned, it's business as usual in Diagnostics, OK?".
Chase nodded, and he was quickly followed by Foreman. For all his ironic putdowns and annoying quirks, House had always been an equal opportunities boss—he treated everyone as poorly as everyone else. There were no favourites. Weirdly enough, for Foreman, he had no apprehension regarding House and Cameron while they were in a relationship; he only feared what might happen if they ever fell out of their relationship. House was not forgiving of enemies, and though he thrived on conflict himself, he would never condone its existence in his department. This was partly why the neurologist was wary of Chase's own reaction. He'd seemed fine with the news, but appearances could, as ever, be deceptive. The situation would need careful observation.
"Fantastic", exclaimed House, moving back to re-join his subordinates now that the threat of Cameron-shaped retaliation had receded. "The final item on our agenda is the London conference. I've already got the green light from the Mistress of Evil, so it remains for us to think about a panel theme and for you to get going with your papers. We can leave that for now, though. The sexy cheerleader isn't gonna cure herself-ow!".
Cameron had once again elbowed him in the ribs.
"I can't even appreciate another female?!", he muttered, rubbing the area.
"Oh, I don't care about that".
"Then why'd you elbow me, woman?".
"I enjoy inflicting pain", she returned, meeting his gaze.
Suddenly House grinned. "OK, we're taking that attitude to bed tonight, little lady".
"Whoa, hey", interjected Foreman quickly, "our one and only rule is you keep that kind of shit to yourselves, or at least out of earshot. Deal?". He folded his arms and glared at the two culprits, who looked at each other and shrugged.
"Deal", they replied in unison.
With that, House handed over the files and the three doctors got to work, just as they had hundreds of times before.
