House and Andy spoke a while longer and agreed that either of them could contact the other if and when they wished. Even though Andy didn't have doubts about being Greg's father, House insisted that he take a sample for a paternity test, telling Andy that, as a scientist and a skeptic, he needed to know for sure and would send Andy proof of the results one way or the other. He'd come prepared with a simple mouth swab test, and Andy obliged. House asked him about the possibility of meeting Colleen at some point, but Andy wasn't willing to commit to telling his daughter about House. It was no doubt an awkward situation for Andy, House reasoned, and maybe he was afraid that a daughter who seemed to idolize him would be disappointed by this revelation. But she'd grown up without a sibling, just like House had, and maybe she'd always dreamed of having one. Ultimately, House knew it wasn't up to him, and he had to let Andy make the decision. He left Andy's place around 4:00, knowing that Wilson was waiting for him and they had a long drive ahead of them. He drove back to the diner to pick up Wilson, emotionally exhausted but relieved that things had gone as well as they had.

He didn't really feel like rehashing everything, but of course Wilson was curious about what had happened, and started in with questions before they'd even reached the highway. He gave Wilson a short recap of how it had gone, and Wilson's reaction was effusive.

"That's fantastic, House! He really didn't give you a hard time or have doubts about what you were saying?"

"No, shockingly. But that's because my Mom wasn't totally honest with me. It wasn't a one-night stand, and he knows they were certainly together long enough to make a baby. He's a smart guy – I could see him doing the math in his head the moment I told him when I was born."

"How did you two get along, generally?"

"We found plenty to talk about, and I think he liked me well enough. Of course, I was on my best behavior. Truth is, he hasn't yet met the House that everyone else knows to be a jerk and an asshole."

"You're not always a jerk and an asshole."

"What a compliment," House said sarcastically.

"Why are you being so negative, House? It sounds like this went way better than you could've expected."

"It did, and I genuinely like the guy, but there's so much he doesn't know about me yet. I didn't say a word about going to prison or to Mayfield, about being addicted to narcotics or marrying a green card wife. In fact, I told him I'd never been married. What's he gonna think when he finds out the truth about me?"

"Well, in practical terms you really never have been married. As for the rest, if you reveal the negative stuff in small doses, along with large doses of the positive stuff, maybe he'll understand. He sounds like an understanding guy, no?"

"Yeah, that's just it. He's a decent, understanding guy, who misses his wife, doesn't get to see his daughter as often as he'd like, and always wanted a son. I just don't think I'm the kind of son he dreamed about."

"Okay, let's just step back a minute here, and try to look at this objectively. Yes, you've had a few problems …"

House rolled his eyes, and said, "That's quite an understatement."

"Alright - lots of problems. But you're also a renowned doctor who saves people no one else can save, and you've made damn good money doing it. You're a published author and a talented musician. And most of the bad stuff that's happened is directly related to a medical condition that wasn't your fault. I mean - the drug use, and Mayfield, and even, to some degree, what happened with Cuddy."

"Somehow I'm not confident he'll see it that way."

"I thought you came here just wanting to get some answers, House. Now it sounds like you really want a relationship with this guy. I'm surprised you care so much about what he thinks of you."

"Are you kidding? Of course it would bother me if he winds up hating me! If I'm gonna know Andy at all, be a part of his life at all, I want it to be completely different than how things were with my dad."

"You really think your dad hated you? I mean, I know you didn't get along, but…"

"Wilson, trust me – he hated me. I think he figured out pretty early on that I wasn't his kid, and he was angry about it and took it out on me." House hesitated for a moment, and then finally admitted, "There's stuff he did that I've never told you about."

"You mean, more than just verbal fighting?"

"Yeah."

"Did he … I mean, did he physically abuse you?"

House didn't answer, and that reaction told Wilson all he needed to know.

"House, my God! Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"Isn't it obvious? It isn't something I've ever wanted to dwell on, and there was no point in talking about it."

"Have you ever told anyone about it? Did your Mom know?"

"She knew in general, even though she always worked hard to convince herself otherwise, but she never knew the specifics until I told her when she came for Christmas. I told Nolan a lot, though."

"I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. In fact, I'd prefer that we drop the subject permanently. Please, Wilson."

"Okay. I just can't believe we've known each other all this time, and you never …"

"We've both had our secrets. Why didn't you tell me about Danny for all those years?"

Wilson didn't answer.

"Right," House said. "There are things it's just hard to talk about, no matter how long we've been friends."

Wilson drove on, and it was quiet between them for a long time. House dozed for a while, and eventually Wilson pulled off the highway for a break. He gave House a nudge, and said, "Wake up, big guy. Time to stretch."

House looked around groggily, and asked, "Where are we?"

"Near New Haven. Know anyone at Yale we can crash with?"

"Are you tired of driving? I can take over if you are."

"Nah, it's okay. Take your walk. I'll gas up and get us some snacks, and then you can go back to sleep."

House narrowed his eyes and glared at Wilson. "You're being too nice to me, Wilson. Is this how it's gonna be from now on?"

Wilson smiled and shook his head. "Au contraire. You're still a jerk and an asshole, remember?"

"Damn right," House said. "And don't you ever forget it, pal."