I Can Never Say No to You - Chapter 7
Title: I Can Never Say No to You
Chapter: 7 of 8
Author: daisyb10
Genre: Romance/Angst
Rating: Teen. 13 years +
Warning: Spoilers for 5:13 “Big Baby”
Pairings: House/Cameron
Summary: When Valentine’s Day plans go terribly wrong …
Disclaimer: I do not own House M.D. or its characters, nor do I profit from this story.
Chapter 7
A light drizzle had begun to fall as House pulled away from the curb.
He accelerated slowly, merging smoothly into the flow of traffic, being careful to keep a good distance between himself and the cars around him. You’re turning into a wuss …
The mega-buck Merc had a sobering effect on his lead-footed approach to driving.
The traffic lights switched from green to amber.
He braked the CLK gently, coming to a smooth stop before the intersection.
House looked up, to his right, into the rear-view mirror.
At Cameron.
Huddled in the back seat, as far away from him as possible, she sat with her cheek pressed against the window staring out into the bleak rainy night.
They drove on in silence, each trying to fathom how something so promising had gone so terribly wrong.
House needed to buy time.
In five more minutes he would be at Cameron’s apartment and it would all be over.
He sat at the lights drumming nervously on the leather-wrapped steering wheel.
On a whim, he turned left.
“Where are you going?”
“You’ll see.”
This will do. Princeton Botanical Gardens.
He pulled into a deserted parking area. Low voltage lighting illuminated the paths that twisted throughout the gardens. House shut off the ignition and got out of the car. He folded the back of the driver’s seat forward and struggled into the rear seat beside Cameron.
“We have to talk,” he said, pulling the door closed.
Cameron eyed him suspiciously. “What’s the point?” she said flatly. “We can’t resolve this, remember?”
“Maybe we can.”
House pressed a paper into Cameron’s hand. She unfolded it and read aloud.
~ Those who risk the most, reap the greatest rewards ~
“A fortune cookie?”
House nodded.
“I don’t understand what this has to do with us.” Cameron waited for an explanation.
House snatched the fortune from her hand. “This … is the reason we’re here. It gave me the courage to ask you out.”
Cameron considered her words carefully.
"So, the risk you took was asking me out …”
“That’s right.”
“And I'm your reward?”
“Exactly!” House said with enthusiasm. I knew she’d understand!
“I’m not sure I like the sound of this, House.” Cameron’s disapproval was evident in the tone of her voice.
“So all you wanted was to have sex with me?”
“No! I mean, yes …I mean …” House took a deep breath and reached for her hand.
“This wasn't - and isn’t - just about sex. Not that I wouldn’t love to make love with you.”
House thought he saw a hint of a smile on her lovely face. “I’m not that shallow.”
Cameron raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, I am that shallow. I admit it. But not this time, I promise.”
“What do you see happening between us?” she asked, her eyes locked on his.
“You know … the usual. I thought we could hang out together, have a good time,” he said, becoming increasingly uncomfortable. “The stuff normal people do.”
“Normal people also do stuff like fall in love, get married, have children and grow old together.”
House swallowed hard. That’s exactly what Cuddy wanted from me.
“You know I don’t think about things like that.”
Cameron stroked the back of his hand with her thumb. “I know. The problem is, I do.
I’m going to be thirty soon. I’m all grown up and I want a grown-up relationship.”
“Like you had with Chase?”
“If I wanted a relationship like that, we’d still be together.”
“What went wrong?”
“Chase got tired of being the odd man out. He knew you were never far from my heart.”
House thought for a moment.
“So I have to commit to the whole ‘‘til-death-do-us-part’ thing?”
“I don’t expect that from you. If it’s in the cards, so be it. I’d just be happy if you’d tell me why you want this so badly.”
“You know I can’t do that.” House laced his fingers through hers.
”So we’re back at square one.” Cameron dreaded his answer.
”I’m afraid so.”
“Come here.” House wrapped his arms around her. “You’re shivering. You should have told me you were cold,” he said, rubbing her arms with his hands. “Does that help?”
“I think so.”
“Tell you what … if I warm this car up, will you ride shotgun with me so I don’t feel like a cabby?”
Cameron gave House a wistful nod, yes.
~~~~~
”This is a beautiful car, House,” Cameron stroked the fine leather upholstery. “I like these heated seats.”
“Is your stunning ass happier now?” he grinned.
“Much happier. Thank you." She smiled back at him. "I didn’t know you bought for a new car.”
“I’m didn’t. I rented it for you.” House pulled out of the parking lot.
“For me?”
“Yeah. I didn’t want you to ruin your dress riding in my old jalopy,” he said quietly.
“Oh, House …”
His thoughtfulness took her by surprise.
“Sky’s clearing,” Cameron muttered.
“Is it?” His mind was reeling from their last conversation.
“House?” Cameron turned sideways in her seat. “Tell me about the card.”
“Your Valentine’s card? I already told you what I wrote in it,” he said, keeping his eyes glued to the road.
“That’s not what I mean. I’d like to know what it looked like.”
“Why?” House glanced over at her.
”You chose it for me. I’d like to know,” she smiled expectantly at him.
“Okay.” House pursed his lips as he thought. “Well, the envelope was red, I remember that.”
“And the card?”
“It was a white heart and the paper was kind of bumpy. And it had one of those chubby little guys on the front.”
“A cupid?”
“Yeah, a cupid.”
Cameron suddenly felt ill. “House, stop the car!”
He pulled into a nearby gas station.
“What’s wrong?”
She lowered her window, taking long deep breaths of the cooling night air, then reclined her seat and closed her eyes.
House cupped her face in his hand. “Cameron, tell me what’s wrong. Please.”
“I felt like I was going to be sick to my stomach,” she said weakly.
“Do you need to throw up? I can help you to the washroom,” he offered.
Please don’t throw up in this car …
“I’m better now. Can we just park here for a few minutes?” Cameron gripped his hand tightly.
“Sure, no problem."
“Do you remember anything else about the card?” she asked, her eyes still closed.
“Cameron, you don’t feel well, just forget …” he protested.
“Please. I want to know.”
“Okay. Okay.”
House had no idea why this was so important to her, but if it made her happy he was glad to play along. “I’ve told you everything, I think. No, wait. It said ‘Be My Valentine’ on it and the cupid had some shiny pink stuff around him.”
A single tear ran down her cheek.
Cameron thought back to yesterday when she picked up the card Dr. Hadley had dropped.
She remembered everything about it. The white embossed heart, its sentimental inscription and the rosy-cheeked Cupid, with his gold bow and arrow, nested on a pillow of pale pink satin.
“The card sounds beautiful, House. I would have treasured it forever.”
My first Valentine from House. You stole that moment from me, when you stole my card …
~~~~~
“Why are all these cars parked on your street?” House grumbled, as he circled the block once more.
“It’s not usually this bad, is it?”
“Someone must be having a party.” Cameron searched for an empty spot. “Why don’t you just drop me at the door and then you don’t have to park.”
“No way!” House said emphatically. “You’re not feeling well. I’m not dropping you off."
He pulled to a stop. "There’s one!”
He expertly parallel parked the CLK, then hobbled around the front of the car to open the passenger door.
“Here, let me get that for you.” Cameron took his hand and stepped out of the car.
He offered her his arm.
“You’re such a gentleman,” she said, slipping her arm through his, as they slowly walked to her apartment.
“Not really,” he smirked. “I’m taking you with me if I hit a patch of ice.”
“Hey look, all the stars are out,” House paused, pointing up. “There’s the North Star.”
“Go on, I know you’re dying to say it,” Cameron sighed.
“And look! There’s Uranus!”
“Really?”
“Nah. But thanks for letting me say it.” House grinned, as they continued on.
“I’m so weak from hunger, I can barely walk. Did I tell you I’d reserved some big lobsters for us?
What did Superman buy you for dinner?”
“Just a seafood dish.”
Cameron had a sickening feeling they’d eaten House’s lobsters.
”Maybe that’s what upset your stomach.” House glanced down at her. ”Can I ask you something?”
”Sure.”
”Would you have said yes to dinner? Assuming, you’d got my card.”
“I would have happily said yes.”
“So you would have dumped Kent?”
“I would have found a way, House.”
He seemed satisfied by her answer. “That’s good to know.”
“Anyway,” she said sadly, “we’re here.”
House escorted her up the steps.
“Well, I guess this is it.” He fidgeted nervously, stalling for time.
“I’ll be sure to barge into your office on Monday, like I always do.”
Cameron couldn’t help but smile. “I’ll look forward to that.”
“Goodnight.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek, then turned away.
“House?”
“Yes?”
Was this the reprieve he hoped for?
“Wilson was wrong, you know.” She reached for his hand.
“About me?” he asked, giving it gladly.
"Yes, about you." Cameron searched her soul for just the right words.
“You are a romantic. Everything you did to make this night special for me - my card, the roses, the limo, the Mercedes, the restaurant, the lobster and even the chocolates - despite everything that went wrong, I just wanted to you to know, it was the most romantic night of my life."
And when we started to …” Cameron opened her downcast eyes to look up at him.
“Make love …” he murmurred, stepping closer.
“You were wonderful,” she blushed.
“So were you," he said, with a wisp of a smile. "You looked so happy, until I messed things up.”
He gazed at her longingly. "I should go."
Cameron searched for her keys as he limped down the stairs.
“Cameron?” he paused, looking up at her.
Just tell her how you feel. You’ve got nothing to lose …
“I’d like to try to explain why I want this so badly.”
She held her breath.
“I miss you.”
Cameron's heart skipped a beat.
“Do you know how much time I spend thinking of excuses to harass you at work?” House asked with disarming charm.
“No,” Cameron giggled.
”It’s a lot, trust me,” he smirked.
He looked earnestly into her eyes. “When you first said you loved me, it scared the shit out of me. You're so sure of your feelings. I've always envied you for that. How you can be so certain I’m worthy of your love, is beyond me.”
“The greatest reward I could hope for in life is a relationship with you, wherever that leads. I’m serious about us, Cameron. I’d like to try and make this work. What do you say?”
Cameron kissed him tenderly, her eyes welling with tears. “I can never say no to you, House.”
“Those are good tears, right?”
"The best kind." Cameron wiped her eyes. “Would you like to come up? I don't have any lobster, but I could make you some pasta ..."
She’s inviting me up …
House breathed a sigh of relief. “That would be great.”
Cameron unlocked the door. “I have something I need to tell you, too.”
“Aww ….” House whined. “Mommy, do we have to talk? I’d much rather play doctor with you …”
Cameron couldn’t help but grin at her petulant boy. “It’s important, House.”
“Fine. But let’s leave it ‘til later.” House looked at his watch. “I have a half an hour left to impress you before Valentine’s Day is over. And I excel in non-verbal communication.”
House swept Cameron into his arms and kissed her with a passion that left them both breathless.
They broke their kiss, gasping for air, as they rested, forehead to forehead.
“I’ve got a better idea,” she whispered suggestively, her eyes sparking with happiness.
“How about we postpone our talk until after breakfast?”
“Are you inviting me for a sleepover, Dr. Cameron?” His hooded eyes were darkened with lust.
“Would you accept if I did?”
“As you so eloquently said …I can never say no to you."
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