"Possibly Christmas" Secret Santa fic for mabe85
Author: naika7
Title: Possibly Christmas
Rating: PG-13 (with some sexual references)
Disclaimer: Don't own anything.
Notes: this is a present for mabe85. Happy Holidays, Bere! You are a wonderful friend, I am glad to have you! Part of Secret Santa 2008.
Huge thanks to my beta jlneveloff
Bere wanted 1. Season 5 Cameron (and House) 2. Christmas charity party at PPTH 3. A conversation involving Cameron's relationship with Chase and the Huddy kiss (this last one is sorta woven through the whole thing, I hope it works)
In the wee hours of morning, a middle-aged man in a tuxedo and a beautiful blonde woman in a long black dress and a beige winter coat were sitting in an old blue Buick on a side of the road. It is imperative to mention that the temperature outside was 25 degrees Fahrenheit and there was at least ten inches of snow on the ground of New Jersey. The vehicle appeared to be unresponsive to its driver’s commands. The car’s red-nosed occupants were both shivering and what looked like laughing at the same time.
The question arises. How did Doctors House and Cameron get there and what were they going to do next?
***
Christmas parties at Princeton Plainsboro were a bore every year. It took a lot of effort for hospital employees to attend them and a lot of negotiating on the part of administration to get them there.
This year, however, Doctor Cuddy decided to go all out and hire a band, an entertainer and provide a three-course sit-down dinner. The catch was for every guest to pay an entrance fee while the proceeds went to charity. The preparations for this bash started a week in advance and the whole hospital suddenly turned into Macy’s at Christmas. A stage was put in at the main desk on the first floor and space around it was filled with round tables two days prior to the event.
For once, the ER was actually less hectic than the rest of the hospital. Cameron put her little foot down and the Christmas spirit was subdued in her department. There were mistletoes, candy canes and a few sparkles around the place, but no caroling and trees on every corner. Cameron herself did wear a Santa hat for a few days looking delicious with a touch of red lipstick on.
A day before the party, which this year was on Sunday, December 20th, House showed up in the ER looking grumpier than usual.
“Shoot me. Now,” he said, reaching Cameron at the nurses’ station.
“You need to control your girlfriend. She came down today and told me she’ll cut my vacation hours next year if I don’t come to the party.”
“Oh, come on! You and your fiancé must be thrilled at the opportunity to show some of that tingling affection in public,” House added with exaggeration.
“Fine, point taken, but seriously! How is she making you go?”
“She won’t leave me alone until I do,” he sighed. “Vacation and clinic hours were just the start, when all that failed she said she’ll call my mother and tell her we are living together.”
“Props for creativity!” Cameron said with a smirk.
“I figure I can be more productive at the party,” House grinned mischievously.
“See this,” Cameron pointed at the man with the cane, “is why I don’t want to go. I don’t need to watch you destroy the party. Such drama should be reserved for TV.”
“Well, I don’t have a plan yet. Want to brainstorm?”
“No. And I don’t think this party needs your help turning into a disaster. Did you hear that band?” Cameron cringed, signing the last of her files.
“You going to wear that red dress again?” House winked at the gorgeous woman, while she rolled her eyes.
“I don’t need more vacation hours taken off,” she smiled. “Besides, I still don’t know if I am going.”
Cameron was ready to head back to work.
“You better be there, I don’t want to be brooding on my own!”
The white pom pom of her hat swayed back and forth playfully as she walked away.
***
To say that moving-forward for Doctors Chase and Cameron was rocky would be an understatement. When they lived together, they were constantly on the verge of cussing each other out. If Cameron knew Chase was going to be at home, she worked overtime. They gradually fell apart. In fact, it was quite slow and painful, the finish line drank all the life force out of Cameron and now she felt she could finally breathe. The young surgeon was still taking Cameron to the party as part of their plan to stay friends.
Standing in front of her mirror, Cameron picked a long black backless dress with the highest slit possible. She bought it for the New Years at her friend’s and until the last minute she considered staying at home. Something didn’t feel right, she dreaded possible clashes with Chase and would give anything to fast forward to the following morning
***.
Our heroine and her date arrived at the party quite late. To her surprise everyone, even House, was already there. They were very much noticed when they walked in and soon Cameron felt the eyes of about fifty men focused on her stunning physique. House’s jaw, in particular, dropped lower than the others; drink in hand, he stayed still for a while. Cameron could afford not to wear a bra under the dress; her silhouette was heavenly and the bit of bare skin visible up until the middle of her thigh was the ultimate temptation.
It should be noted that House looked rather well himself. He wore a black tuxedo with a snow-white shirt with a white bow tie. He trimmed his stubble and took his shiny metal cane. He looked altogether dashing.
As everybody proceeded to their assigned places for dinner, House and Cameron discovered they were seated back to back. The main lobby turned out to be rather small for a party of two hundred people and the tables were set close…very close. House shared a table with his new team, Doctors Cuddy and Wilson; while Cameron sat with Chase, their colleague Foreman and a few others.
By the time the first course was finished, House had already bumped Cameron’s chair with his twice and slid her purse to the floor three times. After the salads, Cameron repaid him by spilling some iced water on his jacket.
“Oops!” she exclaimed covering her mouth in a dramatic gesture.
She met House’s glare, which harbored a promise of more to come.
This misbehavior went remarkably unnoticed by the rest of the guests, as they were quite preoccupied. The band’s obnoxious new age Christmas music and the overall noise in the room produced a state of mutual confusion. Only Cameron’s latest splashing accident turned some heads, but was thought to be a genuine mistake.
Conversations were still at the small talk stage and House, as well as Cameron, participated reluctantly. With their backs only inches away they were able to hear each other’s chats very well.
“So…Cameron,” started Foreman “I heard you didn’t want to come to this party. What changed your mind?”
“Oh, you know, I thought I shouldn’t deprive everyone of my precious company.”
The last phrase was accompanied by a quick shove of her elbow, which successfully caused House’s hand to jerk into the metal table.
House grunted and bit his lip.
“Are you alright?” Dr. Cuddy asked him.
“Why yes, Lisa. You look very lovely tonight by the way,” he said putting on his most pleasant face.
“Thank you. You are very handsome yourself. I didn’t expect you to take this party so seriously.”
“Well, you know,” House turned his head sideways raising his voice “I’ve been a little flabbergasted lately, in need of some attention to gratify my existence. So I groomed myself with care in order to compensate for my insecurities.”
That said, he threw a handful of ice cubes on Cameron’s lap, which soaked the fabric of her dress causing her to suddenly stand up and sit back down.
Everyone stared at her for a minute, but then went back to their meals. Chase was busy entertaining Foreman’s date while Wilson was engaged in a stimulated conversation with Cuddy over the latest department changes.
Tilting his head towards Cameron, House stated.
“Dr. Cuddy, I’d like to confess to something. I’ve been emotionally abusing someone close to me in order to forget my pathetic crush on a former boss.”
Wilson’s eyes slowly widened, at the same time he mouth flew open. It was evident from the confused look on their faces that this comment effectively upset both women.
In the meantime, Cameron finished her third martini and addressed Foreman.
“You know what, Eric. I’ve also been so miserable and bored that I’ve been kissing and then rejecting my ex girlfrie…”
“What?” Chase almost choked on a piece of chicken filet.
“Girlfriends?” asked Foreman.
Cameron realized she didn’t really think this through.
“It’s a metaphor.”
At the other table House chuckled.
“Never mind,” she added with frustration, “Excuse me.”
The tipsy blonde stood up heading away from the crowd. Her beautiful parted lips indicated a state of pouty annoyance.
House followed our blonde and stopped her outside the pharmacy.
“Aren’t you staying for dessert?”
“I thought you were here to pull pranks on Cuddy, not me.”
“Oh, come on! Admit you are enjoying it, otherwise you’d be bored out of your mind.”
During the course of the evening both of our energetic doctors have often either found themselves openly smiling or suppressing a laugh. At this particular moment seductively eyeing him from underneath her long lashes, Cameron graced House with the most sincere, timid smile. House grinned in return and watched her nod a greeting to a group of passing nurses.
“Fine, but that’s no reason to ruin my new dress,” Cameron admitted playfully.
“It’s breathtaking,” House said facing away from her.
“What is?”
Cameron cautiously looked at the older man and scanned their immediate vicinity for witnesses.
“Oh,” she admitted gracefully.
***
While our leading characters were busy, first irritating each other and then making eyes, the entertainment part of the night’s program had already started. A chipper, short forty something man was cracking jokes on stage. His bold head reflected the illumination around him. The ceiling lights were dimmed after dinner; only the soft glow of hanging lanterns and decorations remained. People had moved about the room and, predictably, the bar was the busiest part of the arrangement.
“And now let’s kick this gig off with a contest!” The man declared in an effort to gain attention.
“Every crowd loves a romantic game,” poor gentleman, little did he know this crowd. “I will randomly select a few couples for the fun. So if the light shines on you, please join us on the dance floor.”
He began his farfetched mission by pointing at people and if not for the provocative beam of light that streamed from stage, no one would have joined this circus.
“Lovely duo at table eight!” The projector was directed at Wilson and Cuddy who cringed at the brightness. “Please come forward. Couple at the bar!” Nurse Brenda and her husband were brought to the front. The bold man picked two more couples from the various corners of the room.
“Last couple, lucky number five…Let’s see. Over there!” The projector focused on two people standing by the wall at stage left. A man with the cane and a fine young woman seemed to be absorbed in an intimate conversation and for about a minute they didn’t notice 500 watts of light around them. The room went close to silent.
“It’s not about that. Don’t presume you know my reasons. You had no clue four years ago, you still have no clue now,” the woman said.
“Right. If I didn’t…”
“Excuse me!” The entertainer repeated smiling to the audience “Lovers quarrel probably.”
“…and if you didn’t leave…” House continued.
“Attention please!” the chipper bold man shouted into the microphone.
House finally turned around with a displeased look on his face, squinting against the light. Cameron curiously peered from behind him.
“Could the two of you please join us on the dance floor?”
“Oh, no way,” House whispered to the woman.
“What is it?” Cameron asked confused.
“I think they want us to participate in some…thing…”
Wilson, Cuddy and three more couples stared at the questionable pair.
“You know we can hear you, right?” Wilson interrupted.
“Cripple here!” House lifted his cane.
“It’s not a physical exercise, Doctor. I assume you are a doctor. Please don’t keep everyone waiting.”
“Take Cameron and limp over here, House!” Wilson was red in his face and largely aggravated.
“Oh, shit!” House whispered, “This will teach me to always stay alert.”
Cameron saw Chase among the spectators. He had a shocked look on his face like a deer caught in the headlights. Cameron gave him a small smile and took House by his right arm.
“Come on. Let’s get this over with,” she said softly.
“Alright! Now that everyone is ready. We are going to choose the Best Couple of Christmas 2008!”
“ Jeez. Is this the Homecoming I never went to? Where did you find this guy?” The administrator shrugged looking around, rather annoyed herself.
"You will have to earn the title by winning our little game," the chipper bold man was becoming more and more enthusiastic which was making the participants nervous. "I am going to ask my assistant, Wendy, to bring out five balloons and each couple will get one. The balloons will be placed between you and your partner; you will have to keep them from falling or breaking while at the same time slow dancing to Ms. Dion's 'My heart will go on.'"
"That song is almost ten minutes long!" House protested.
"Eight to be exact," the man said sporting a sneaky smile.
"Are you a closet Celine Dion fan, House?" Cameron wondered.
"Wilson made me watch Titanic and I woke up just in time for the credits."
"I did no such thing. You rented it yourself."
"Hush, Jimmy. Or I will tell everyone about your preference for thong underwear."
Wilson rolled his eyes while a few women in the vicinity sized him up with curiosity.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's begin! The pair that dances through the whole song with their balloon safe and sound nestling between them will win!"
A tall busty blonde in a pink leotard brought out the props and gave a yellow balloon to Cameron. The sad, familiar melody started playing and everyone was prompted to get in position.
House took off his jacket, loosened the bow tie, exposing some skin. He leaned his cane on a speaker and limped charmingly towards his partner, who in turn looked concerned.
"Hey, we don't have to do this if you are hurting."
House's blue questioning eyes were fixed on her.
"Just get over here, woman."
Cameron took his hand smiling, while he snaked the other around her waist. With a balloon between them, even in her four-inch pumps Cameron was barely able to reach her partner's shoulder. They moved very slowly and every time House stepped on his right leg, the balloon jerked, threatening to fall. It was tricky to keep the slippery prop in place; in addition, Cameron's smooth silk dress didn't help.
"Let's just drop it. I am sure you don't want the title," Cameron suggested while bending her knees, trying not to loose balance.
"And let Wilson gloat over my disability? No, thanks."
The balloon reached House's chin and he directed it back towards Cameron, where she balanced it on her chest. The man marveled at the sight before the object was once again squeezed between them.
"I would like you to seriously consider loosing this game." The blonde tried to take a step back, but House gripped her waist tighter.
"We are going through with this, Cameron. You are not quitting me this time.”
Cameron smiled and continued to wobble from side to side in an effort to keep their dance going.
Beside them, Cuddy and Wilson were bickering.
"Just stay still, Jimmy. This shouldn't be so hard."
Dr. Wilson stiffened and appeared close to motionless while Dr. Cuddy wiggled around him.
Two couples left after three minutes. According to Wendy's competent judging, the troubling object lowered past their knees.
Our extravagant pair was still in the running. Be it their physical flexibility or mutual stubbornness, but the balloon floated comfortably somewhere between their knees and chins. In the middle of the third tear-jerking chorus, House deliberately pushed the ball lower and pressed it into Cameron's pelvis.
"Now, since I have you trapped here for a while, tell me why isn't the wombat making a scene by now?"
"Chase and I are no longer together. I thought you'd be a little more perceptive."
"Why aren’t you pushing me this time? Why aren't you demanding answers with your immature determination?"
Cameron swiftly moved her hips and the balloon was now between their chests.
"Answers to what? Why you suddenly want to get my attention? I don't need to ask, I know you are bored as usual. Well, I am bored too, so let's just enjoy."
"Are you?"
"Yes… Wait, am I what?"
"Bored?"
"Yes."
"And enjoying?"
"Maybe."
The prop was starting to irritate them both, but they instinctively moved in sync, not taking their eyes off each other.
"That's not why," House paused. "That's not why I am doing this."
"Fine. I don't want to know. I don't want to know any more about you. I know enough."
"And you don't like it?"
"Not really."
"You don't trust me?"
"Absolutely not."
"You are avoiding again."
"Stop repeating that. When it comes to you, I am not avoiding, I am protecting my dignity."
"But you don't have to do that with me. I can't take it that far with you."
The poor balloon was already squeaking between them.
"Take what far? The abuse? Gee, thanks, that's thoughtful."
"Oh don't be a snob. I can't take anything far with you for that matter."
"You had your chance; the rest is not my problem. Lay off the personal stuff anyway. You are out of your depth."
"But you like it! You want me to go there."
"No, I don't!"
"Yes, you do!"
"No!"
"Do too!"
BAM! The balloon burst between them! They had been pushing on it for a while and not noticing. The pair crushed into each other under inertia with great force. Cameron bumped her forehead on House's sturdy, scruffy chin. She covered it with her hand and burst out laughing. People around them also laughed and clapped their hands.
The two found themselves alone on the dance floor. The rest of the contestants had long joined the spectators.
While the others were battling the inanimate object, House and Cameron battled each other, effectively ignoring said object and winning the competition.
Thank God for Celine Dion's sensual, struggling voice which overpowered their lively banter.
"Congratulations to our amazing winners! After a brief intermission we will ask you to be the first to open up the floor. That's when you'll be given a prize and a chance to say a few words."
Our smitten and flushed characters looked at each other with amusement.
"We are getting out of here," Cameron stated and taking a small bow, walked off the floor.
"The show is over," House announced to the public. He smiled, took his cane and followed his partner. Cameron noticed him cringing again and stopped.
"Will you be okay? Need Vicodin?"
"I have some. Just keep walking."
Cameron picked up her coat and clicking her heels made way through the crowd. Anticipation brewed under the surface, making them both appear quite eager. Wilson blocked their convenient exit at the door.
“What a performance! No doubt you are in need of fresh air.”
“Actually, I am not feeling well,” Cameron put hand on her stomach. “It might have been the salmon.”
“Aha. And, House, are you just there for support?”
“You know me. I take the Hippocratic Oath very seriously.”
“That’s right,” Wilson nodded knowingly. “Drive safe.”
The pair fled the scene, leaving a smiling Wilson behind.
***
The skinny blonde shivered, standing in the snow in front of the Princeton hospital. Her beige coat was more pretty than warm and she looked around agitated. Cameron regretted letting Chase drive her to the party; now she had to endure a ride in House’s old heap of metal. Just like a couple of winters before she found herself in a compromising position, short a vehicle, which was really not a good idea.
A blue Buick pulled up in front of her. She hesitated for a moment, but the rasp cold wind rushed her inside the car.
They didn’t talk. Cameron attempted to make the heater work properly and when it did, the warm air relaxed her and she dozed off. A gorgeous blonde sleeping on his window, coat covering her mouth, made the man in the car mildly uncomfortable. He looked down at her bare leg,…her long, lean bare leg, smooth skin revealed by the high slit and he had to loosen his tie some more.
It might have been intentional or it was the intimate distraction of a woman beside him, but House soon found himself on the New Jersey turnpike heading east. He looked genuinely worried and peered up at the signs trying to make them out. It was after twelve, empty road ahead and the next exit at least fifty miles away. The snow was getting heavier and the Buick was getting slower. House contemplated waking his passenger, but decided against it.
Whether his reasons were honorable or he simply did not care to be reprimanded remained a mystery. The fact was that House kept driving in silence rubbing his eyes from time to time.
***
When Cameron woke up the first thing she felt was her freezing nose and lack of a comfortable bed. She saw House with his eyes closed beside her and immediately tried to grab the wheel, thinking they were still in motion. It was useless, however, since the vehicle appeared to be at a complete stop and not exactly on the road either. Cameron remembered the events of the night before and deduced what might have happened next.
Her weariness and back pain caught up with her as well as the absurdity of the whole situation. She started by chuckling a few times, then her glee intensified and soon she laughed loudly and uncontrollably. House awakened to this joyful sound and couldn’t stop himself from smiling. He had popped Vicodin all through the night, but now his leg was stiff and killing him. Opening the plastic bottle for more pills, he swallowed them dry.
Taking a deep breath from the hilarity, Cameron looked at House intently.
“Are we far from an exit?”
“No, it’s right up the hill.”
“And you stayed here?” she was surprised. “Lets go.”
The blonde grabbed her cripple tight around his chest and let him put his weight on her. He hesitated, but ultimately accepted her help.
They reached a motel and Cameron planned to go in to ask for help. It was a small one-storied motel with outside room entrances. She leaned House on a wall and started heading to the main desk, but he didn’t let go of her arm. It seemed that the events of the night and now morning washed over them with a familiar warm sensation.
He looked at her. Exhausted, cold and in pain he was still smiling with his expressive eyes.
“Come here.”
He pulled her to him, hugging her small frame. She stopped shivering and melted into his embrace. Her hands in front of her, she looked up as if questioning his intentions.
Alcohol had long worn off, but they were both still in the haze. Kissing each other now was the most natural thing in the world to them. Soft and tender their mouths warmed the bodies. His hand slipped underneath her dress and caressed the lace of her underwear; she jumped at the cold of his skin, but soon adjusted to grant more access. He stroked her heat and she soon was overcome by desire to straddle him. Her hard nipples pressed against his shirt, she worked hard to undo his buttons.
“Wait.”
House tried the two rooms closest to them and the second one was open. Aroused, Cameron couldn’t stand the separation and laying kisses all over, pushed her man inside.
They barricaded the door and made love in the deserted motel surrounded by the silent landscape of the mountains with only the occasional moan escaping the woman’s mouth.
In the morning when the hotel staff tried to get into the room, the knocks on the door did not produce an answer. In the window, a man could be seen pulling the sheets over their heads as the couple continued in slumber.
***
A lonely black cane with a metal handle rested against the wall in the dead of winter.
It was entirely possible that our middle-aged man and his beautiful blonde woman had fun this Christmas. They will possibly have even more fun during the rest of the holiday season.
However, we do not know what adventures happened next. Let us simply hope that their snow-covered car was not stolen.
Title: Possibly Christmas
Rating: PG-13 (with some sexual references)
Disclaimer: Don't own anything.
Notes: this is a present for mabe85. Happy Holidays, Bere! You are a wonderful friend, I am glad to have you! Part of Secret Santa 2008.
Huge thanks to my beta jlneveloff
Bere wanted 1. Season 5 Cameron (and House) 2. Christmas charity party at PPTH 3. A conversation involving Cameron's relationship with Chase and the Huddy kiss (this last one is sorta woven through the whole thing, I hope it works)
In the wee hours of morning, a middle-aged man in a tuxedo and a beautiful blonde woman in a long black dress and a beige winter coat were sitting in an old blue Buick on a side of the road. It is imperative to mention that the temperature outside was 25 degrees Fahrenheit and there was at least ten inches of snow on the ground of New Jersey. The vehicle appeared to be unresponsive to its driver’s commands. The car’s red-nosed occupants were both shivering and what looked like laughing at the same time.
The question arises. How did Doctors House and Cameron get there and what were they going to do next?
***
Christmas parties at Princeton Plainsboro were a bore every year. It took a lot of effort for hospital employees to attend them and a lot of negotiating on the part of administration to get them there.
This year, however, Doctor Cuddy decided to go all out and hire a band, an entertainer and provide a three-course sit-down dinner. The catch was for every guest to pay an entrance fee while the proceeds went to charity. The preparations for this bash started a week in advance and the whole hospital suddenly turned into Macy’s at Christmas. A stage was put in at the main desk on the first floor and space around it was filled with round tables two days prior to the event.
For once, the ER was actually less hectic than the rest of the hospital. Cameron put her little foot down and the Christmas spirit was subdued in her department. There were mistletoes, candy canes and a few sparkles around the place, but no caroling and trees on every corner. Cameron herself did wear a Santa hat for a few days looking delicious with a touch of red lipstick on.
A day before the party, which this year was on Sunday, December 20th, House showed up in the ER looking grumpier than usual.
“Shoot me. Now,” he said, reaching Cameron at the nurses’ station.
“You need to control your girlfriend. She came down today and told me she’ll cut my vacation hours next year if I don’t come to the party.”
“Oh, come on! You and your fiancé must be thrilled at the opportunity to show some of that tingling affection in public,” House added with exaggeration.
“Fine, point taken, but seriously! How is she making you go?”
“She won’t leave me alone until I do,” he sighed. “Vacation and clinic hours were just the start, when all that failed she said she’ll call my mother and tell her we are living together.”
“Props for creativity!” Cameron said with a smirk.
“I figure I can be more productive at the party,” House grinned mischievously.
“See this,” Cameron pointed at the man with the cane, “is why I don’t want to go. I don’t need to watch you destroy the party. Such drama should be reserved for TV.”
“Well, I don’t have a plan yet. Want to brainstorm?”
“No. And I don’t think this party needs your help turning into a disaster. Did you hear that band?” Cameron cringed, signing the last of her files.
“You going to wear that red dress again?” House winked at the gorgeous woman, while she rolled her eyes.
“I don’t need more vacation hours taken off,” she smiled. “Besides, I still don’t know if I am going.”
Cameron was ready to head back to work.
“You better be there, I don’t want to be brooding on my own!”
The white pom pom of her hat swayed back and forth playfully as she walked away.
***
To say that moving-forward for Doctors Chase and Cameron was rocky would be an understatement. When they lived together, they were constantly on the verge of cussing each other out. If Cameron knew Chase was going to be at home, she worked overtime. They gradually fell apart. In fact, it was quite slow and painful, the finish line drank all the life force out of Cameron and now she felt she could finally breathe. The young surgeon was still taking Cameron to the party as part of their plan to stay friends.
Standing in front of her mirror, Cameron picked a long black backless dress with the highest slit possible. She bought it for the New Years at her friend’s and until the last minute she considered staying at home. Something didn’t feel right, she dreaded possible clashes with Chase and would give anything to fast forward to the following morning
***.
Our heroine and her date arrived at the party quite late. To her surprise everyone, even House, was already there. They were very much noticed when they walked in and soon Cameron felt the eyes of about fifty men focused on her stunning physique. House’s jaw, in particular, dropped lower than the others; drink in hand, he stayed still for a while. Cameron could afford not to wear a bra under the dress; her silhouette was heavenly and the bit of bare skin visible up until the middle of her thigh was the ultimate temptation.
It should be noted that House looked rather well himself. He wore a black tuxedo with a snow-white shirt with a white bow tie. He trimmed his stubble and took his shiny metal cane. He looked altogether dashing.
As everybody proceeded to their assigned places for dinner, House and Cameron discovered they were seated back to back. The main lobby turned out to be rather small for a party of two hundred people and the tables were set close…very close. House shared a table with his new team, Doctors Cuddy and Wilson; while Cameron sat with Chase, their colleague Foreman and a few others.
By the time the first course was finished, House had already bumped Cameron’s chair with his twice and slid her purse to the floor three times. After the salads, Cameron repaid him by spilling some iced water on his jacket.
“Oops!” she exclaimed covering her mouth in a dramatic gesture.
She met House’s glare, which harbored a promise of more to come.
This misbehavior went remarkably unnoticed by the rest of the guests, as they were quite preoccupied. The band’s obnoxious new age Christmas music and the overall noise in the room produced a state of mutual confusion. Only Cameron’s latest splashing accident turned some heads, but was thought to be a genuine mistake.
Conversations were still at the small talk stage and House, as well as Cameron, participated reluctantly. With their backs only inches away they were able to hear each other’s chats very well.
“So…Cameron,” started Foreman “I heard you didn’t want to come to this party. What changed your mind?”
“Oh, you know, I thought I shouldn’t deprive everyone of my precious company.”
The last phrase was accompanied by a quick shove of her elbow, which successfully caused House’s hand to jerk into the metal table.
House grunted and bit his lip.
“Are you alright?” Dr. Cuddy asked him.
“Why yes, Lisa. You look very lovely tonight by the way,” he said putting on his most pleasant face.
“Thank you. You are very handsome yourself. I didn’t expect you to take this party so seriously.”
“Well, you know,” House turned his head sideways raising his voice “I’ve been a little flabbergasted lately, in need of some attention to gratify my existence. So I groomed myself with care in order to compensate for my insecurities.”
That said, he threw a handful of ice cubes on Cameron’s lap, which soaked the fabric of her dress causing her to suddenly stand up and sit back down.
Everyone stared at her for a minute, but then went back to their meals. Chase was busy entertaining Foreman’s date while Wilson was engaged in a stimulated conversation with Cuddy over the latest department changes.
Tilting his head towards Cameron, House stated.
“Dr. Cuddy, I’d like to confess to something. I’ve been emotionally abusing someone close to me in order to forget my pathetic crush on a former boss.”
Wilson’s eyes slowly widened, at the same time he mouth flew open. It was evident from the confused look on their faces that this comment effectively upset both women.
In the meantime, Cameron finished her third martini and addressed Foreman.
“You know what, Eric. I’ve also been so miserable and bored that I’ve been kissing and then rejecting my ex girlfrie…”
“What?” Chase almost choked on a piece of chicken filet.
“Girlfriends?” asked Foreman.
Cameron realized she didn’t really think this through.
“It’s a metaphor.”
At the other table House chuckled.
“Never mind,” she added with frustration, “Excuse me.”
The tipsy blonde stood up heading away from the crowd. Her beautiful parted lips indicated a state of pouty annoyance.
House followed our blonde and stopped her outside the pharmacy.
“Aren’t you staying for dessert?”
“I thought you were here to pull pranks on Cuddy, not me.”
“Oh, come on! Admit you are enjoying it, otherwise you’d be bored out of your mind.”
During the course of the evening both of our energetic doctors have often either found themselves openly smiling or suppressing a laugh. At this particular moment seductively eyeing him from underneath her long lashes, Cameron graced House with the most sincere, timid smile. House grinned in return and watched her nod a greeting to a group of passing nurses.
“Fine, but that’s no reason to ruin my new dress,” Cameron admitted playfully.
“It’s breathtaking,” House said facing away from her.
“What is?”
Cameron cautiously looked at the older man and scanned their immediate vicinity for witnesses.
“Oh,” she admitted gracefully.
***
While our leading characters were busy, first irritating each other and then making eyes, the entertainment part of the night’s program had already started. A chipper, short forty something man was cracking jokes on stage. His bold head reflected the illumination around him. The ceiling lights were dimmed after dinner; only the soft glow of hanging lanterns and decorations remained. People had moved about the room and, predictably, the bar was the busiest part of the arrangement.
“And now let’s kick this gig off with a contest!” The man declared in an effort to gain attention.
“Every crowd loves a romantic game,” poor gentleman, little did he know this crowd. “I will randomly select a few couples for the fun. So if the light shines on you, please join us on the dance floor.”
He began his farfetched mission by pointing at people and if not for the provocative beam of light that streamed from stage, no one would have joined this circus.
“Lovely duo at table eight!” The projector was directed at Wilson and Cuddy who cringed at the brightness. “Please come forward. Couple at the bar!” Nurse Brenda and her husband were brought to the front. The bold man picked two more couples from the various corners of the room.
“Last couple, lucky number five…Let’s see. Over there!” The projector focused on two people standing by the wall at stage left. A man with the cane and a fine young woman seemed to be absorbed in an intimate conversation and for about a minute they didn’t notice 500 watts of light around them. The room went close to silent.
“It’s not about that. Don’t presume you know my reasons. You had no clue four years ago, you still have no clue now,” the woman said.
“Right. If I didn’t…”
“Excuse me!” The entertainer repeated smiling to the audience “Lovers quarrel probably.”
“…and if you didn’t leave…” House continued.
“Attention please!” the chipper bold man shouted into the microphone.
House finally turned around with a displeased look on his face, squinting against the light. Cameron curiously peered from behind him.
“Could the two of you please join us on the dance floor?”
“Oh, no way,” House whispered to the woman.
“What is it?” Cameron asked confused.
“I think they want us to participate in some…thing…”
Wilson, Cuddy and three more couples stared at the questionable pair.
“You know we can hear you, right?” Wilson interrupted.
“Cripple here!” House lifted his cane.
“It’s not a physical exercise, Doctor. I assume you are a doctor. Please don’t keep everyone waiting.”
“Take Cameron and limp over here, House!” Wilson was red in his face and largely aggravated.
“Oh, shit!” House whispered, “This will teach me to always stay alert.”
Cameron saw Chase among the spectators. He had a shocked look on his face like a deer caught in the headlights. Cameron gave him a small smile and took House by his right arm.
“Come on. Let’s get this over with,” she said softly.
“Alright! Now that everyone is ready. We are going to choose the Best Couple of Christmas 2008!”
“ Jeez. Is this the Homecoming I never went to? Where did you find this guy?” The administrator shrugged looking around, rather annoyed herself.
"You will have to earn the title by winning our little game," the chipper bold man was becoming more and more enthusiastic which was making the participants nervous. "I am going to ask my assistant, Wendy, to bring out five balloons and each couple will get one. The balloons will be placed between you and your partner; you will have to keep them from falling or breaking while at the same time slow dancing to Ms. Dion's 'My heart will go on.'"
"That song is almost ten minutes long!" House protested.
"Eight to be exact," the man said sporting a sneaky smile.
"Are you a closet Celine Dion fan, House?" Cameron wondered.
"Wilson made me watch Titanic and I woke up just in time for the credits."
"I did no such thing. You rented it yourself."
"Hush, Jimmy. Or I will tell everyone about your preference for thong underwear."
Wilson rolled his eyes while a few women in the vicinity sized him up with curiosity.
"Ladies and gentlemen, let's begin! The pair that dances through the whole song with their balloon safe and sound nestling between them will win!"
A tall busty blonde in a pink leotard brought out the props and gave a yellow balloon to Cameron. The sad, familiar melody started playing and everyone was prompted to get in position.
House took off his jacket, loosened the bow tie, exposing some skin. He leaned his cane on a speaker and limped charmingly towards his partner, who in turn looked concerned.
"Hey, we don't have to do this if you are hurting."
House's blue questioning eyes were fixed on her.
"Just get over here, woman."
Cameron took his hand smiling, while he snaked the other around her waist. With a balloon between them, even in her four-inch pumps Cameron was barely able to reach her partner's shoulder. They moved very slowly and every time House stepped on his right leg, the balloon jerked, threatening to fall. It was tricky to keep the slippery prop in place; in addition, Cameron's smooth silk dress didn't help.
"Let's just drop it. I am sure you don't want the title," Cameron suggested while bending her knees, trying not to loose balance.
"And let Wilson gloat over my disability? No, thanks."
The balloon reached House's chin and he directed it back towards Cameron, where she balanced it on her chest. The man marveled at the sight before the object was once again squeezed between them.
"I would like you to seriously consider loosing this game." The blonde tried to take a step back, but House gripped her waist tighter.
"We are going through with this, Cameron. You are not quitting me this time.”
Cameron smiled and continued to wobble from side to side in an effort to keep their dance going.
Beside them, Cuddy and Wilson were bickering.
"Just stay still, Jimmy. This shouldn't be so hard."
Dr. Wilson stiffened and appeared close to motionless while Dr. Cuddy wiggled around him.
Two couples left after three minutes. According to Wendy's competent judging, the troubling object lowered past their knees.
Our extravagant pair was still in the running. Be it their physical flexibility or mutual stubbornness, but the balloon floated comfortably somewhere between their knees and chins. In the middle of the third tear-jerking chorus, House deliberately pushed the ball lower and pressed it into Cameron's pelvis.
"Now, since I have you trapped here for a while, tell me why isn't the wombat making a scene by now?"
"Chase and I are no longer together. I thought you'd be a little more perceptive."
"Why aren’t you pushing me this time? Why aren't you demanding answers with your immature determination?"
Cameron swiftly moved her hips and the balloon was now between their chests.
"Answers to what? Why you suddenly want to get my attention? I don't need to ask, I know you are bored as usual. Well, I am bored too, so let's just enjoy."
"Are you?"
"Yes… Wait, am I what?"
"Bored?"
"Yes."
"And enjoying?"
"Maybe."
The prop was starting to irritate them both, but they instinctively moved in sync, not taking their eyes off each other.
"That's not why," House paused. "That's not why I am doing this."
"Fine. I don't want to know. I don't want to know any more about you. I know enough."
"And you don't like it?"
"Not really."
"You don't trust me?"
"Absolutely not."
"You are avoiding again."
"Stop repeating that. When it comes to you, I am not avoiding, I am protecting my dignity."
"But you don't have to do that with me. I can't take it that far with you."
The poor balloon was already squeaking between them.
"Take what far? The abuse? Gee, thanks, that's thoughtful."
"Oh don't be a snob. I can't take anything far with you for that matter."
"You had your chance; the rest is not my problem. Lay off the personal stuff anyway. You are out of your depth."
"But you like it! You want me to go there."
"No, I don't!"
"Yes, you do!"
"No!"
"Do too!"
BAM! The balloon burst between them! They had been pushing on it for a while and not noticing. The pair crushed into each other under inertia with great force. Cameron bumped her forehead on House's sturdy, scruffy chin. She covered it with her hand and burst out laughing. People around them also laughed and clapped their hands.
The two found themselves alone on the dance floor. The rest of the contestants had long joined the spectators.
While the others were battling the inanimate object, House and Cameron battled each other, effectively ignoring said object and winning the competition.
Thank God for Celine Dion's sensual, struggling voice which overpowered their lively banter.
"Congratulations to our amazing winners! After a brief intermission we will ask you to be the first to open up the floor. That's when you'll be given a prize and a chance to say a few words."
Our smitten and flushed characters looked at each other with amusement.
"We are getting out of here," Cameron stated and taking a small bow, walked off the floor.
"The show is over," House announced to the public. He smiled, took his cane and followed his partner. Cameron noticed him cringing again and stopped.
"Will you be okay? Need Vicodin?"
"I have some. Just keep walking."
Cameron picked up her coat and clicking her heels made way through the crowd. Anticipation brewed under the surface, making them both appear quite eager. Wilson blocked their convenient exit at the door.
“What a performance! No doubt you are in need of fresh air.”
“Actually, I am not feeling well,” Cameron put hand on her stomach. “It might have been the salmon.”
“Aha. And, House, are you just there for support?”
“You know me. I take the Hippocratic Oath very seriously.”
“That’s right,” Wilson nodded knowingly. “Drive safe.”
The pair fled the scene, leaving a smiling Wilson behind.
***
The skinny blonde shivered, standing in the snow in front of the Princeton hospital. Her beige coat was more pretty than warm and she looked around agitated. Cameron regretted letting Chase drive her to the party; now she had to endure a ride in House’s old heap of metal. Just like a couple of winters before she found herself in a compromising position, short a vehicle, which was really not a good idea.
A blue Buick pulled up in front of her. She hesitated for a moment, but the rasp cold wind rushed her inside the car.
They didn’t talk. Cameron attempted to make the heater work properly and when it did, the warm air relaxed her and she dozed off. A gorgeous blonde sleeping on his window, coat covering her mouth, made the man in the car mildly uncomfortable. He looked down at her bare leg,…her long, lean bare leg, smooth skin revealed by the high slit and he had to loosen his tie some more.
It might have been intentional or it was the intimate distraction of a woman beside him, but House soon found himself on the New Jersey turnpike heading east. He looked genuinely worried and peered up at the signs trying to make them out. It was after twelve, empty road ahead and the next exit at least fifty miles away. The snow was getting heavier and the Buick was getting slower. House contemplated waking his passenger, but decided against it.
Whether his reasons were honorable or he simply did not care to be reprimanded remained a mystery. The fact was that House kept driving in silence rubbing his eyes from time to time.
***
When Cameron woke up the first thing she felt was her freezing nose and lack of a comfortable bed. She saw House with his eyes closed beside her and immediately tried to grab the wheel, thinking they were still in motion. It was useless, however, since the vehicle appeared to be at a complete stop and not exactly on the road either. Cameron remembered the events of the night before and deduced what might have happened next.
Her weariness and back pain caught up with her as well as the absurdity of the whole situation. She started by chuckling a few times, then her glee intensified and soon she laughed loudly and uncontrollably. House awakened to this joyful sound and couldn’t stop himself from smiling. He had popped Vicodin all through the night, but now his leg was stiff and killing him. Opening the plastic bottle for more pills, he swallowed them dry.
Taking a deep breath from the hilarity, Cameron looked at House intently.
“Are we far from an exit?”
“No, it’s right up the hill.”
“And you stayed here?” she was surprised. “Lets go.”
The blonde grabbed her cripple tight around his chest and let him put his weight on her. He hesitated, but ultimately accepted her help.
They reached a motel and Cameron planned to go in to ask for help. It was a small one-storied motel with outside room entrances. She leaned House on a wall and started heading to the main desk, but he didn’t let go of her arm. It seemed that the events of the night and now morning washed over them with a familiar warm sensation.
He looked at her. Exhausted, cold and in pain he was still smiling with his expressive eyes.
“Come here.”
He pulled her to him, hugging her small frame. She stopped shivering and melted into his embrace. Her hands in front of her, she looked up as if questioning his intentions.
Alcohol had long worn off, but they were both still in the haze. Kissing each other now was the most natural thing in the world to them. Soft and tender their mouths warmed the bodies. His hand slipped underneath her dress and caressed the lace of her underwear; she jumped at the cold of his skin, but soon adjusted to grant more access. He stroked her heat and she soon was overcome by desire to straddle him. Her hard nipples pressed against his shirt, she worked hard to undo his buttons.
“Wait.”
House tried the two rooms closest to them and the second one was open. Aroused, Cameron couldn’t stand the separation and laying kisses all over, pushed her man inside.
They barricaded the door and made love in the deserted motel surrounded by the silent landscape of the mountains with only the occasional moan escaping the woman’s mouth.
In the morning when the hotel staff tried to get into the room, the knocks on the door did not produce an answer. In the window, a man could be seen pulling the sheets over their heads as the couple continued in slumber.
***
A lonely black cane with a metal handle rested against the wall in the dead of winter.
It was entirely possible that our middle-aged man and his beautiful blonde woman had fun this Christmas. They will possibly have even more fun during the rest of the holiday season.
However, we do not know what adventures happened next. Let us simply hope that their snow-covered car was not stolen.