'Real Housewives of Orange County' -- Jeana Keough Returns, But On a Short Leash

Ain't nothin' like an original ... Jeana Keough is coming back to "The Real Housewives of Orange County" -- but she'll be a part-time cast member ... for now.

Jeana's been shouting from the rooftops about her return to the show she left in 2009 -- but production sources tell TMZ her camera time will be limited to start the season. We're told Bravo execs want to see if fans are still into Jeana ... before they go all in.

Of course, 'Housewives' fans remember Jeana for her epic fight with Tamra Barney -- one of the greatest in reality TV history -- and we're told things might get dicey again between them this season.

Just a hunch, but a rematch would probably cement a full-time role for Jeana. When it comes to the 'Housewives' ... if it bleeds it leads.