CHAPTER TEN
House glared playfully at his daughter. "What are you doing back here?"
"I got kicked out of school," Lizzie said proudly.
House tried not to laugh. Cuddy was sitting at her desk and didn't look like this was a joke. "Why?"
"I punched a girl." Lizzie was beaming. She had slain the dragon, she had vanquished the demon, she had saved the damsel in distress, she was a hero.
House leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Good job."
"I heard that," Cuddy called from across the room.
"No you didn't," House protested. He looked over at the small, quiet girl sitting beside his daughter. "And who the hell is this?"
"House." Cuddy had warned him time and time again about his language.
"This is Kaleelah. She's my friend." Lizzie put her arm around Kaleelah's shoulder.
"Doesn't say much." House commented.
"She's shy," Lizzie informed him. Kaleelah managed to blush beneath her dark skin.
"Well, we're not keeping her." House looked at Cuddy.
"Like she'd want to live with you," Cuddy snapped back. "I'm going to contact her parents, they'll come pick her up when they can. Until then, be nice." She didn't trust her husband. He wasn't very good at being nice.
"Yes Mommy." House turned to the too girls and rolled his eyes. Lizzie giggled and Kaleelah joined in.
"Oh, this is going to be so much fun," House was clearly sarcastic.
"Why don't you girls go with Daddy? He can show you around the hospital." She knew he was going to hate that. She smiled sweetly. Once the idea was in Lizzie's head, she would hound him until he complied.
"Wait in the hall, I'll be right there." House sent the girls out of the room, then hobbled over to his wife. "I'll get you for this."
"I'm counting on it." She answered.