Everyone was staring at him. An outsider who did not know Dr. Greg House would have assumed it was because of his pronounced limp and his ironic cane with painted flames snaking up the wood. No, the nurses were used to that. They stared at him partially confused and thoroughly amused at the mini- House with tiny fingers intertwined in the older man's bigger ones.
Like father like son, Johnny was dressed in jeans and a rumpled t- shirt. Both House and son grabbed cherry suckers from the nurse's station on the way to Cuddy's office. Cuddy heard the tell- tell thumping of House's cane and braced herself for his "grand" entrance. As expected, the doors to her office flew open a few seconds later.
"Had to bring the rug rat, daycare is closed," he said simply, then turned to exit the office.
"Johnny you're gonna leave without giving your favorite Aunt Lisa a hug?" she asked mock sadness lathering her voice. Johnny laughed and tugged free of his father's grasp to hug her. "Oh, you're getting so strong," she exclaimed, and this only made Johnny hug her tighter.
"Come on, let's go bug Uncle Wilson," said House.
"'Kay, can we steal his toys again?" he asked, excited.
"Yeah," he said, a smirk playing on his face. Johnny was definitely his kid. Johnny grabbed his hand and they stalked off to Wilson's office.
The door to Wilson's office slammed open, and Wilson only sighed. His best friend would never learn. He turned around to find Johnny already rummaging through the small toy box in the corner of the room. House was on the couch smiling and watching his son enjoy the toys. Wilson sat quietly for a moment, enjoying the scene before him. It was a rarity to see House smile, and he was enjoying every moment of it.
"Johnny wanted to say hi," House said, snapping Wilson out of his reverie.
"Hi, Uncle Wilson!" Johnny piped in.
Wilson chuckled. "Hey Johnny," he said, ruffling the little boy's hair. "You should really get this boy a haircut," Wilson said, turning to House.
"The crazy kid won't let me go within ten miles of a barber," House explained.
Just then, Cuddy walked in. "House, time for your clinic hours."
"But Mom," he complained, "do I have to? Johnny hates the clinic"
"No I don't," Johnny said, "I like making fun of all the idiots."
This was the last clinic patient of the day, and the House boys wanted to have some fun. House walked into exam room one. "What's wrong with you?" he asked. Before the grungy teen on the exam table could get a word in edge wise, Johnny entered the room.
"Gregory House," Johnny said, matching his father's voice perfectly, "What are you doing here? Go find your mother. Now!" Johnny exclaimed.
House said in particularly whiney voice, "But dad"
Then he was cut off by his son's, "I mean it. Go. Now" House limped out of the office, head hung low. He stopped just outside door to hear the rest of the skit they had planned. His son turned to the patient, "I'm Dr. Jonathan House, nice to meet you!" he said, thrusting his hand out. The confused teen shook his hand.
"Now, what's wrong with you?" the 6 year old asked, all business.
"Ummm… shouldn't that other guy be doing this?" the teen asked.
"What? Don't tell me you want that child to examine you! Boy, you must be dumb!" Johnny exploded with laughter, and his father reentered.
"You have a cold. It will get better on its own," House stated plainly, and they both left, laughing their heads off.