Playing ball

While his computer booted, House hung his leather jacket on the stand and deposited his rucksack under the desk, before sinking into the chair. Before long, he had picked up the cricket ball resting by the monitor and started spinning it from hand to hand.

Wilson asking about Cameron wasn't necessarily an issue, but a part of him was unsure how he felt about divulging the information which he knew his friend wanted. Wilson would never dream of inquiring after the finer points of their date, of course, but even simply talking about himself and Cameron was, in a way, something of a development. Up to now, the discussions between he and the oncologist regarding her had been somewhat abstract. But now that things had progressed physically, it felt significant that Wilson wanted to be kept in the loop.

Again, he thought, not necessarily an issue: simply an observation.

The fact was that he was happy; probably as happy as he'd been since…he didn't even know when—the day after he'd kissed Stacy in Baltimore? Straightaway, though, it meant that he was on guard. Happiness was an emotion he distrusted, not least because it encouraged wishful thinking. He could still recall the giddiness from that prior situation, could still remember not caring one bit that he was willingly allowing her to ruin her marriage to Mark.

And that situation hadn't turned out well.

But Cameron wasn't Stacy, and the realisation that she made him happy caused a smile to form. Regardless, he needed to be careful. Above all else, he was a doctor, and their budding relationship couldn't jeopardise his work. Or her work, for that matter.

House flicked half-heartedly through his email before sitting back and yawning, arms stretched wide. Chase found him like this. "Hey…big weekend?", he asked, noticing his boss' lethargy.

"I'm bored", he replied, scratching his face.

"Me too. Which is why I came in to ask whether it's OK if I log a few clinic hours this afternoon".

House shrugged. "Only if you do a couple of mine as well. Cuddy tends to get on my case early in the week; maybe I can head her off at the pass for once".

Chase sighed but nodded nonetheless. "Have you checked your email? We've been invited to give a panel at a conference in London next month".

"Next month? What kind of notice period is that?".

"Yeah, it's not ideal, but I think it could be interesting. The others agree".

House snorted at this. The idea of sitting through several days of talks by crusty doctors half as smart as he was hardly screamed excitement, and he said as much to Chase.

"Well, sure", the other continued, "but from what I can tell it's a pretty relaxed schedule. And I haven't been to the UK for ages. Just think about it, at least? I know you aren't much of a conference goer-", again House scoffed: he hadn't attended a conference for about half a decade, "-but if you really don't fancy it, we three can carry the flag for PPTH without you".

If pressed, Chase would admit that the prospect of getting away to London for a few days sounded amazing, both professionally and personally. There would likely be a major crowd in attendance, and, according to the flier, medical practitioners from all over the world were making the trip. At the same time, though, he couldn't deny that the prospect of sharing the days with Cameron away from the office was appealing. Within the walls of Diagnostics, House was king, and rightly so. But England was a different matter entirely. If he was right, and the two had broken up by then, the conference presented an opportunity to throw his hat into the ring.

"Fine, I'll think about it. But you can do an extra clinic hour for me as payment", House replied, watching as Chase left his office. London could be interesting. Obviously, the conference itself sounded interminably dull, but the city held a great deal of appeal. He'd only visited once before and there were many things he wanted to see there, not least the British Museum. Add to that the possibility of bunking off PPTH work for a few days…the idea was becoming increasingly attractive. Maybe he could even take a tour of Lord's, the home of cricket. It would be the off-season, of course, but still worthwhile. He span the ball high into the air, catching it one-handed.

Cameron poked her head through the door from the conference room. "Afternoon", she smiled. "I'm making coffee if you want one".

"Hey", he smiled back. This was their first interaction since the weekend and both played it cool, aware that Foreman was in the other room working on his case notes. "I do, but I'd like to talk to you first".

"Sup?". She entered and closed the door but remained standing just inside the threshold as House threw her the cricket ball, which she caught and tossed from hand to hand.

But instead of answering directly, House tilted his head a little. "That's some good technique. You've played ball before?".

Cameron laughed and tossed it back. "All I did was catch it".

"Yeah, well, most females catch…like girls", he smirked, throwing it again.

"I told you already", said Cameron as she caught. "I don't mind sports in moderation. I just don't like sports metaphors".

"Right. Well, what do you think of this London conference proposition? Chase is all for it".

The ball continued its back and forth.

"Are you asking me as a doctor or…as your girlfriend?", Cameron winked at him.

"Would the answers differ?".

He threw the ball back a bit harder, but she was ready and caught it easily.

"Probably not".

"So you think it's a good idea?", he asked.

"I do. The prospect of attending a top-level conference, maybe where I can present the paper I want to publish, is too good to pass up…", she threw the ball back, "…then if you add in the fact that we could spend some time together away from here. It all sounds pretty romantic, don't you think?".

"I wouldn't know", replied House. "I'm not very well attuned to romance".

Cameron raised an eyebrow. "I reckon you're better attuned to it than you give yourself credit for".

House shrugged. Instead of tossing the ball back, he juggled it as he thought while the other leant against the glass partition. "Well", he said finally, "it wouldn't all be fun and games. Obviously, I'd have to sit on our panel, but other than that there's a couple of things I'd want to do around the city".

Cameron nodded. "Like what?".

He told her.

"I'd be more than happy to do that stuff with you. If you wanted company, that is". She was still being careful not to presume too much; careful not to insert herself too frequently into his plans.

House looked at her pointedly. "You'd want to traipse around the British Museum and Lord's cricket ground with me?".

"I'd like nothing more", she smiled.

"Why?", he asked, genuinely curious.

Though she was too far away, by the adjoining door, he imagined those green eyes twinkling. "House, we're together now. I'm not saying that I'll magically like everything you like, but I'll still enjoy sharing in the things you enjoy. And maybe, at some point, you could repay the favour".

"That sounds reasonable. But if you have boring hobbies…".

"Cross-stitching is not boring, OK?!". Arms folded, she glared at him across the room.

"Come on, you do not like cross-stitching", he remonstrated. So adorable did she look that it took an effort not to make his way over and give her a big hug. But Foreman could still see them, so he remained in the chair.

Cameron's stern expression melted as quickly as it arrived. "OK, I don't cross-stitch; but I could". The thought of watching as House tried manfully to summon up enthusiasm for a joint cross-stitching session caused a smile to break across her face.

House tossed her the ball again. "Well, how about we have our next date at yours? Maybe give me an insight into what you do like."

"Sounds good. We never got around to watching Airplane! on Friday". Cameron started catching one-handed.

"That's true. I'd suggest tonight but I'm down to see Wilson at the bar. I think he's hankering after a few details of our date".

"I hope you don't plan on revealing everything we did…", she murmured, feeling a blush spread over her cheeks.

House held up a placatory hand. "Don't worry—your sex secrets are safe with me, Allison".

Her blush deepened. House had never called her by her first name before. It was simultaneously annoying and a major turn on. Still, she rallied quickly. "Easy there, tiger. If you tell Wilson, then maybe I'll reveal all to Cuddy as well".

House's eyes narrowed as he threw. "Since when are you and Cuddy friends?".

"Since this morning. We're going out later. I thought it might be kinda fun".

"You've changed your tune. Only two days ago you were jealous of her. And now you're best buds".

Cameron nodded slowly. "It's true, I was jealous. But…", now her voice dropped to a husky murmur, "…you did a pretty good job putting me at ease, Dr. House".

House swallowed, nearly fumbling the ball for the first time since they had begun their conversation. But, like her only a minute earlier, he regathered himself in a moment. "Well, I don't believe it. So: pics or GTFO. Isn't that what the kids say nowadays?".

"I wouldn't know", she laughed. "But don't worry—your sex secrets are safe with me…Gregory".

House smirked, just in time to see Foreman approach through the glass. "What are you two mumbling about?", he asked as he entered.

"Your radiant glow. Cameron here thinks you moisturise. I'm not convinced". House tossed his neurologist the ball while she stifled a snort.

"Riiight. Have you made a decision about London?", inquired Foreman, catching it a little clumsily.

"Not yet. But I'm definitely warming to the idea".

"Good, because I thought we could have a preliminary discussion about what we plan on presenting. I think-".

But House raised a finger, got up from his chair, and moved to the door.

"What're you doing?", asked Foreman.

"Heading to lunch. All that talk about your facial care regimen has got me famished. Not sure why". He crossed the threshold and winked at his employees. "In a bit, my dude…and dudette".

House squeaked off down the corridor, allowing the door to clang shut behind him.