House wasn't quite sure how much time had passed, but he had somehow ended up leaning back against the exam table, having adjusted the back of it at some point, with Ali curled up in his lap, clinging to him like a scared child. He supposed she was a scared child. What the fuck had he been thinking? Oh no - not going down that road.

"I don't get it," she murmured softly, her voice raw from crying. "I was on the pill..." House knew she was on the pill. He had seen her take it religiously for weeks before her 19th birthday, just to be sure. The brand she took was the best on the market; 99% secure, in contrast to the usual 97%.

"They're only 99% secure," House said, echoing the thoughts in his head. "I should have known better," he sighed.

Now it was Ali's turn, "It's not your fault, it takes two."

"I'm a doctor, I'm an adult, q. e. d. I should have known better."

"I'm a romantic and I was horny as hell - that was your fault by the way -" House couldn't keep back a snort of amusement. Trust Ali to joke when even he was out of jokes, "but I'm not a child. I knew what I was asking for, I knew the risks, so did you. We both should have known better than to rely on luck - even if the luck was 99% secure."

House sighed and buried his nose in her hair, "I suppose...you want to keep it?"

Ali stiffened, "I...what do you want?" she asked, insecure.

"I'll support you no matter what Ali. I'm not gonna run away," he said. Like hell he was gonna let his kid grow up without a father - or some random replacement.

"I didn't think you were. I'm asking you what you want." Ali specified, not looking up at him, afraid of when he might decide. What if he didn't want it? Ali had been getting used to the thought of maybe being pregnant for weeks, but Dr. Cameron had really thrown her in a loop.

House bit his lip, grateful that she couldn't see his face. What was he going to do? She was nineteen for fucks sake! Nineteen and pregnant with his kid. He might as well have fucked up her life! She was a straight A student with honours. She could reach so far...but he really did want the baby. Hell, it was only a few months old, barely a foetus, and he already thought of it as a baby, a child. Was it because it was his child? He knew it was selfish. He wasn't cut to be a parent, but he wanted to leave something behind of himself, other than a reputation and a pot-load of (excellent) papers. He wanted someone else to be proud of that too. He really did want a mini-House running around, maybe two, in time, teaching them snappy comebacks. But was that what Ali wanted? She was so young, with her entire life ahead of her. "Yeah, I do want it," he said quietly.

Ali felt a rush of relief flow through her, "thank God," she murmured. House felt his heart jump at her murmured words. That was relief he had heard. "I was scared you didn't want us." as soon as the sentence slipped from her lips, Ali snapped her mouth shut. Us. Why had she said us? He had made it clear that they could not be together like that; as a couple. Friends; yes. Lovers; occasionally. Exclusive couple; no. No.

House breathed out carefully, also having noted Ali's slip of her tongue. He'd thought that her crush on him was just that; a crush that she would grow out of, but it didn't seem that way now. "Yes, I want you both."

Ali wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. House just twiddled her hair between his fingers, not really sure about what to do next. Her hair was so smooth. It was pretty wild and thick when it wasn't straightened, but it was very smooth and strong as well. Not bushy. Very healthy hair. He quirked a small smile; he liked her hair. The last time he had thought that he liked a girl hair, he had ended up losing half of his leg. Cuddy had beautiful hair, it was a given, considering how much time she spent on it, but he had never really liked it. Cameron had nice hair. Keyword; had. The shade of blond she had now just looked bland. Why the hell did shy dye it? Did she think she could look as good as Chase did as a blond? Her natural colour was nice though.

He patted her back, "get up." he said. Ali pushed herself up from his lap and looked at him in confusion. "What? don't you wanna see your kid?"

"I can get an ultrasound already?"

"Of course." House scoffed, "people usually want some sort of test or visual proof of that the little creature is actually there."

"Of course." Ali laughed, not the least intimidated by the mocking scowl on his face.

House shook his head and rolled his eyes in amusement. What was it about this girl that got him in such a good mood. He grabbed the edge of a machine that was in the corner and pulled it over the exam table. "Lie down and flash me that tummy!" he ordered and pulled the plug on the water in the sink. Ali laid down flat and pulled up the Hopkin's hoodie and the t-shirt underneath. "You really are a cute little thing, dressed up in your man's clothes."

"Like i have a choice. Now get on with it! I wanna see my baby!" she whined, he stomach buzzing pleasantly when he refered to himself as "her man", her earlier tears momentarily forgotten.

"Slave driver!" House shot back.

"Lazy boy!"

"I'm not a boy!" House shot back, affronted.

"Girl then!"

"Man, thank you very much - and I think this -" he patted her stomach, "-proves it."

"Whatever." She grinned and rolled her eyes.

House just snorted and pressed out a liberal amount of lubricant on the still flat stomach. "What do you think baby?"

"Isn't that supposed to be cold - and it can't hear you yet."

"I warmed it up -and no, it can't hear me." he said and turned on the machine, placing the white stick on her stomach. The screen immediately lit up. House moved it around a bit until he got a clear picture, "Well I'll be damned..." he muttered. For once in his life he was stunned.

Ali sat up in alarm , "What?!" House just blinked and studied the screen, ignoring her outburst. "Rory! Dammit tell me is something wrong?"

"No...nothings wrong...it's just that you're not having a baby..."

Ali stiffened. She wasn't pregnant? Then what was it?

"You're having two." He turned to her. "We're...having twins," he said, "Look, just there," he pulled the screen closer and pointed at two white dots that were about half an inch apart.

"Oh my god..." Ali muttered.

House huffed, "Now there you go again. What is it with you patients and thanking God for my hard work, hm?"

"We're having twins!" Ali whispered.

"Twice the diapers, twice the -mnh" House was shut up as Ali kissed him, tongue and all. He hummed, but didn't move his hand from her stomach. Damn she tasted good!

"Can we get a picture?" she asked as she broke away for a breath. House nodded and pushed her to lie back down and moved the stick again to get a perfect angle before he pressed a button on the stick, which made a series of clicking noises. Nine pictures showed up on the screen, showing that the dots moved slightly inside her. House punched a button on the screen, and then a code, sending it to the desk outside, where they would print it out and put it in an envelope for her.

He handed her a few paper tissues, "Clean up," Ali took them obediently and wiped her belly clean. "Have you eaten anything?"

Ali shook her head, "No. I was busy throwing up, part in nausea, part in nervousness."

House huffed, "Better fill that belly up then."

"You already did," Ali cocked her head, "Aren't you supposed to work?" she asked curiously.

"Nope, it's lunch time!"

House figured he could guilt himself over everything later, when Ali wasn't around to be depressed by said guiltiness.

AN: yes, House is capable of feeling guilt. next chapter; cameron feels guilty and works through it the only way she know how.