037. Sound - House/Cameron
Title: Proximal Catalyst
Characters/Pairing: House/Cameron
Challenge: hc_challenge: Prompt #6, housefic50: 037. Sound
Words: 427
Spoilers: None
Rating: PG-13
A/N: Beta by drwilltx
Prompt #6:
"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed" -Carl Jung.
Proximal Catalyst
Cameron was working quietly in the lab, running some tests for a current patient. Her glasses were perched on her nose as she peered into the microscope, studying the slide intently. Periodically, she changed the magnification and jotted down her notes into a file.
The glass door to the lab was pushed open noisily and the distinctive step-thump gait of House echoed in the room. “Busy?” He asked in an obnoxious tone.
Her solitude and concentration interrupted, Cameron looked up from the microscope. “No, I have my eyeballs glued to this microscope and yet I am not at all busy.” She replied, taking off her glasses and pinching her nose wearily.
House smirked. Had he asked her that question two years ago, she would have given him the real answer, down to a very detailed explanation of what test she was running and why. Now she was able to rebuff his childish nosiness with sarcasm and comments that sometimes stopped him in his tracks. Not that what she said was in any way surprising, but her delivery was what usually got his attention.
“I stand corrected.” He said.
“What do you want?” Cameron asked, turning her attention back to the patient file and finishing the notes she was writing.
“Can’t I check on my employees without having an ulterior motive?” He asked with a mock look of offense on his face.
“No, you can’t.” She replied
“Ehhhh, okay, so I can’t.” House shrugged his shoulders. Damn, she knew his habits too well.
“So? What do you want?” She asked again, a note of frustration in her voice.
“Lunch. We figured we could con you into picking up some food.”
Cameron rolled her eyes, “I’ll think about it.”
He leaned toward her, “Good.” His voice rumbled in her ear.
Two years ago she would have become flustered and probably dropped her pen. His presence behind her often caused an involuntary shiver. Not any more. Now his close proximity didn’t get under her skin like it used to. She refused to give him the satisfaction.
A sarcastic comment was on the tip of his tongue, but the fresh scent of her shampoo filled his nose as he took a breath to speak. It was a distinctive scent that he would always associate with her. He took another breath and the caustic comment had vanished. Cameron was beginning to get under his skin.
House turned and left the lab, the glass door swinging shut behind him.
Maybe it was time to change. Time to add something else into the mix.
Characters/Pairing: House/Cameron
Challenge: hc_challenge: Prompt #6, housefic50: 037. Sound
Words: 427
Spoilers: None
Rating: PG-13
A/N: Beta by drwilltx
Prompt #6:
"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed" -Carl Jung.
Proximal Catalyst
Cameron was working quietly in the lab, running some tests for a current patient. Her glasses were perched on her nose as she peered into the microscope, studying the slide intently. Periodically, she changed the magnification and jotted down her notes into a file.
The glass door to the lab was pushed open noisily and the distinctive step-thump gait of House echoed in the room. “Busy?” He asked in an obnoxious tone.
Her solitude and concentration interrupted, Cameron looked up from the microscope. “No, I have my eyeballs glued to this microscope and yet I am not at all busy.” She replied, taking off her glasses and pinching her nose wearily.
House smirked. Had he asked her that question two years ago, she would have given him the real answer, down to a very detailed explanation of what test she was running and why. Now she was able to rebuff his childish nosiness with sarcasm and comments that sometimes stopped him in his tracks. Not that what she said was in any way surprising, but her delivery was what usually got his attention.
“I stand corrected.” He said.
“What do you want?” Cameron asked, turning her attention back to the patient file and finishing the notes she was writing.
“Can’t I check on my employees without having an ulterior motive?” He asked with a mock look of offense on his face.
“No, you can’t.” She replied
“Ehhhh, okay, so I can’t.” House shrugged his shoulders. Damn, she knew his habits too well.
“So? What do you want?” She asked again, a note of frustration in her voice.
“Lunch. We figured we could con you into picking up some food.”
Cameron rolled her eyes, “I’ll think about it.”
He leaned toward her, “Good.” His voice rumbled in her ear.
Two years ago she would have become flustered and probably dropped her pen. His presence behind her often caused an involuntary shiver. Not any more. Now his close proximity didn’t get under her skin like it used to. She refused to give him the satisfaction.
A sarcastic comment was on the tip of his tongue, but the fresh scent of her shampoo filled his nose as he took a breath to speak. It was a distinctive scent that he would always associate with her. He took another breath and the caustic comment had vanished. Cameron was beginning to get under his skin.
House turned and left the lab, the glass door swinging shut behind him.
Maybe it was time to change. Time to add something else into the mix.