Title: The emptiness inside me

Author: Lunschen

Beta: hughville, thank you so much Twin!

Rating: M

Pairings: Hameron (mentions of House/Cuddy, Cameron/Chase)

Disclaimer: Not mine

Chapter 19

Only human

When House and Cameron arrived at the party, most of the people were already there. They made their way slowly through the crowd and House took hold of her waist again when he felt her shaking slightly. Of course people were staring but House´s grim look was enough to shut everybody up.

When they reached the open bar, he ordered their drinks and looked around while Cameron sipped her wine silently.

"House, here you are!"

Turning around he couldn´t help but grin. Although his best friend betrayed him, he did miss Wilson during the last few weeks.

Wilson started to speak when he spotted Cameron beside House and saw they were standing very close to each other. He snapped his mouth closed when he saw House's hand around Cameron's waist.

Neither of them knew what to say because so much happened that affected their relationship during the last week and it was House who saved them all for once.

"Look Wilson, this fundraiser shit is enough for us to deal with tonight. Don't make it even harder. I know we all have to talk but this isn'tt the right time or place."

Wilson was shocked when he saw the serious expression on his best friend´s face. Wilson had never seen himlike this. It was almost as if he was protecting Cameron, something the House he knew would never do. Wilson nodded. There was no time for small talk because just as House finished speaking, they saw Cuddy with some possible donors on their way towards them. Feeling Cameron stiffen, House pulled her closer and waited calmly until the shrill voice of his boss reached them.

"And this ladies and gentlemen is Doctor Gregory…" She didn´t get further when she noticed Cameron standing close, far too close, to House.

"What the devil with her twins wanted to say was that I am House, yes the House, world renowned diagnostician, yada yada yada. This here is Doc Wilson, the saver of all the bald people and this beautiful lady beside me is Doctor Allison Cameron, the new second in command of my diagnostician department. Any other questions? No? Finally! Now we have to go, the open bar is waiting!"

Cuddy was not only speechless but so angry that she seemed ready to explode like a firework though she had trouble hiding her anger.

"Well, I will introduce you our other doctors," she told the two donors. "House, we´ll see each other Monday morning. In my office."

Without looking back, she stormed away, the nervous donors trailing behind her.

Finally Cameron found her voice again.

"Please tell me that I am dreaming!"

"Would it be a good or bad dream?"

"House, stop it and be serious! We´re both dead on Monday!"

"Wait, don´t tell me Cuddy didn´t know about Cameron working for you till now?" Wilson interrupted.

House sighed. "Are you two really scared of this so called Dean? Sorry, she´s I never respected her. Besides, she wasn´t very respectful to us either or did you forge that already, Wilson? Stop worrying so much. I know what I do and I thought you trusted me."

Wilson just sighed since he knew that House was right and there was no way to stop him. All he could hope now was that these two people would accept his apology one day and that House was right.

Still, Cameron refused to give up so fast.

"House, it´s not like you respect anyone! Just leave this. I will find another job soon. Don´t worry about me."

"I respect you and that´s enough for me. Let´s go home. We´re both tired. You coming?" House asked.

Cameron, near tears, nodded and followed him out. It felt overwhelming to hear something like this from House but she just couldn´t believe him because she still felt like a stupid and weak little girl. She remained silent the whole drive home which made House nervous as hell. What did he do wrong now?

They were silent as they entered House´s apartment. They sat down on the couch and several minutes passed before House spoke softly.

"Okay, what have I done?"

"Nothing."

"This doesn't seem like nothing. Spill it, Cam."

Cameron sighed loudly. After all he did for her, he deserved to know everything but certain things were still hard for her to talk about, even with him.

"You did nothing wrong. It´s just that I don´t deserve to be respected after I all did. I tried to kill myself for heaven´s sake! I took drugs to fill the emptiness inside me! None of that is worthy of respect!"

If she'd looked at House, she would have seen the anger and pain in his eyes when he looked at her. It took all his willpower not shake some sense into her since he was not really the most patient man.

"I hate these kind of conversations, Allison, and that´s why we´ll be having it once and I won´t repeat myself, understood?"

Shocked at hearing him call her by her first name, Cameron looked up and stared silently at him. She was afraid of what House would say but she nodded and he continued.

"Listen, you had a weak moment, I get it. You made a mistake but luckily you were saved and given another chance to go on. The important thing is that you took the chance and fought. Forget what you did. What matters is here and now. Stop being Little Miss Perfect all the time because that´s not possible. You´re only human and everybody makes mistakes. You took drugs? You´re not alone here, you know. There are millions of people who take them but there are only a few that overcome them and start a new drug free life like you. You don´t have to look far to find a bad example. It´s just understandable after all you´ve been through and you were alone most of the time. Stop being so hard on yourself and give yourself a second chance because you deserve it. No matter what you say or do, I´ll still respect you because you´re a fighter and even the godlike Dr. House respects fighters. Now get your pretty little ass out of this sinful dress and get ready for bed. We both need some sleep before we face Satan´s wife and her two big melon-demons."

Not wanting to see the expressions on Cameron´s face, House got up. He went to change and take a quick shower without a single glance in her direction. He knew she was crying but he hated to see tears in her eyes. When he came back, he saw her puffy red eyes but at least the tears had already dried and there was even a small smile on her beautiful face.

That night they slept both in his bed on separate sides. House insisted that she shouldn´t be alone on an uncomfortable couch and after arguing for several minutes, Cameron gave in and went into his bedroom. She silently enjoyed being near him all night long. He always had a calming effect on her and she always felt safer with him at her side. Usually it took her hours to fall into a restless slumber filled with nightmares but tonight she fell asleep almost immediately. The only thing that disturbed her sleep was the feel of his strong arms sliding around her waist and the Housian scent that filled her nostrils. She went back to sleep with a soft smile on her lips. No matter what the next day would bring, they would face it – together.