Mind games
The following Wednesday Cameron was in the cafeteria eating lunch and snatching a few minutes' reading time before heading back to the lab. Their patient, an elderly former marine, had not responded to treatment and they were none the wiser as to his condition. House had even been forced to inspect the man in the flesh and he wasn't happy. In such situations, Cameron knew from long experience that it was best to follow what she had termed the Three Ks as regards her boss: Keep your head down; Keep your distance; Keep calm.
Friday's outing had gone very well, and in any other 'relationship', she'd be annoyed that her date had not followed up with a text over the weekend or perhaps even a conversation over their morning coffee come Monday. As it was, she freely accepted House's characteristic blend of disarming affection one day and distracted aloofness the next. He had given her no special treatment in the differential, and she had expected nothing less. It didn't stop her thinking about him all the same.
"Dr. Cameron? D'you mind if I join you?".
She looked up and smiled, closing her book and gesturing to the empty seat opposite. "Hi, Dr. Cuddy. Please".
The other woman sank into it, placing her own tray on the table and taking a swig of water from the bottle. "That looks like an interesting sandwich".
"Turkey and stuffing with cranberry jelly. I was feeling festive over the weekend and decided to treat myself. There's nothing better than cold turkey sandwiches".
Cuddy gazed forlornly at her own food—a garden salad with low sodium rye bread and a single slice of cheese.
Cameron felt a burst of sympathy. "I'll share my second sandwich with you, if you want?".
"Oh, no. It's OK. I'm trying a new diet". Still, she picked at the green leaves without enthusiasm.
"No offence, but I don't think you need a diet". Although the younger woman got on well with the big boss, they rarely spent time together alone, and she was careful not to stray too far into personal territory, in case the intrusion was not welcome.
Cuddy raised an eyebrow. "That's weird. House said the same thing to me last month. Well, not the exact same thing...".
"Let me guess: did it involve the size of your, ah, womanly assets in some way?".
"More or less", she laughed through a mouthful of watercress. They ate in comfortable silence for a few moments. "How's your patient faring? I saw House briefly this morning and he looked a little perplexed".
Cameron finished her sandwiches and peeled a banana. "Yeah, it's a tricky one. We've had a few theories but as yet nothing's stuck, and the guy's liver's taking a pounding".
Cuddy nodded slowly. "Someone that age, a transplant's highly unlikely. Hopefully you figure it out sooner rather than later".
"We will. And if we don't, House will". Cameron smiled faintly before catching herself, mindful of company and an inquisitive gaze. Cameron knew that Wilson was aware of her and House's burgeoning relationship, but she had no idea about Cuddy. Best to play it safe.
"I don't doubt it", Cuddy commented, with what could only be described as an enigmatic grin. "House sure is something".
Cameron chewed her banana thoughtfully, unsure how to respond to that. Rather than say anything potentially incriminating, she decided to remain silent, until the conversation moved to firmer ground. She vaguely recalled that House and Cuddy had once been in a relationship, and she had long looked on their easy back and forth with just a little jealousy, wishing that House was as comfortable in her company as he was in his boss'. Those two had known each other since before Cameron had arrived at PPTH, though, and she was probably being unfair to expect the same level of relaxed familiarity from him so soon after feelings had risen to the surface.
In any case, things were gradually changing and, as with most things House-related, it paid to be patient. Cameron had always been in it for the long haul, and she was more than happy to build the foundations for a lasting connection.
Cuddy, meanwhile, was impressed at her employee's poker face, and was beginning to fully appreciate Wilson's suggestion last month that House and Cameron were more alike than first believed. Like the former, the latter seemed to have a calculating self hidden beneath a calm exterior. Unfortunately for Cameron, however, Cuddy had a certain expertise when it came to interpreting Housian inscrutability. Not only this, but she of course knew all about their relationship and the circumstances of their Friday date; the go-kart idea bore the seal of her approval. Indeed, she had approached the other doctor precisely because she was interested in gathering intelligence. "I've always found House to be an interesting guy", she said conversationally, slicing a little cheese onto her rye bread.
Cameron had a sudden flashback to her conversation with him on Friday: It sounds like you have a pretty interesting relationship with your boss.
Interesting is one way of putting it, yes.
She replied similarly here, unwilling to be drawn, unsure of the other's agenda.
Cuddy felt a smile breaking across her face and hid it with a cough. Cameron is good. But I'm better. "Yeah, he is very interesting", she continued. "Truth be told, and I'm only saying this because I just have to get it off my chest, I think he's pretty sexy". Now she took a sip of water, watching the other closely over the bottle rim.
This did cause a flash of emotion to cross Cameron's features, and she momentarily stopped blowing into her black coffee. Could it be that what she had believed to be merely harmless flirtation between House and his boss was in actual fact indicative of some deeper feeling? House, she was almost positive, harboured no such feelings towards Cuddy—the time Cameron and he had spent together had convinced her that he genuinely liked her. Still, if Cuddy also liked him, and he got to know of it, how would that change things? The immunologist couldn't help comparing herself to the other woman instinctively: a larger bust, olive skin, a better job. Wouldn't you be better off with someone your own age? House's words from Friday came back to her.
And yet, something was off. Cuddy had never before engaged Cameron in personal conversation let alone asked to join her at lunch. There had been a casual seeking after the current patient, but she had quickly turned the conversation to House. It was almost as if he was the reason for this impromptu visit which, upon closer inspection, wasn't so impromptu after all.
Cameron looked suspiciously at the other doctor, though not without a glimmer of amusement. "Do you know something?".
Cuddy swallowed a mouthful of bread and cheese and replied levelly: "I may know something",
A fold of the arms. "What do you know?".
"Well, as the Dean of this hospital, I know many things. But, for the sake of argument, let me say that, the thing that you think I may know, I do actually know. And, obviously, House knows that I know what I know. Wilson knows, too".
"I know that Wilson knows. I didn't know that you knew, nor that House knew that you knew".
"Well, we're all in the know". Cuddy finished her bread and brushed crumbs from her hands. "Though I assume the same can't be said for Chase and Foreman?".
"They both suspect but, as far as I...". Cameron was about to say 'know' again, but changed her word at the last moment, "...'m aware, they're still none the wiser. And we'd like to keep it that way for a while longer".
"Understandable", she replied, piling her debris onto the tray. "I always got the impression that Chase had something for you".
Cameron nodded imperceptibly but remained silent.
"Obviously", the other continued, "it's up to you how you want to play it, though I suspect that you may have to deal with Chase at some point, especially if this thing with House takes off".
Cameron finished the banana and placed the skin on the tray. "Yes, you're probably right. I just hope Mathilde keeps him occupied for the foreseeable future, at least until House and I have had a chance to get our feet under the table".
Cuddy gave a soft noise of approval. "Well, I hope it works out. I've been in your corner for a while now and I think you could be great together. Very few people really get House, but it seems you may be one of the few who do".
"Thanks", she smiled. "I'm just taking it one day at a time. He's a unique individual".
"Do you like him?".
"I do".
The older woman looked thoughtful for a moment, but the response satisfied her and she rose from the seat, tray in hand. "I may check in with you every now and then. It's my professional responsibility to consider my employees' welfare, you understand".
"Of course, mistress", Cameron laughed, intentionally assuming House's term of affection for his boss.
Cuddy smirked and moved away with a tilt of the head.
"Dr. Cuddy", she called out, "do you really think House is sexy?".
"Yep! The eyes, the brain, the body—even administrators have imagination, y'know. But don't worry. That ship sailed a long time ago. He's all yours".
Cameron chuckled, watching as Cuddy placed her tray on the rack and left the cafeteria with a wave and a grin.
As always, big thanks to readers for sticking with this story. As always, feedback good or bad is welcome but in no way mandatory!