Thank you again to irat- I'm glad you like the threat, I wasn't sure if Gracie would be too young but oh well

mikesh- yes I wanted to show that someone other than all of us loves House that much and would do anything for him

HuddytheUltimate- I know the threat seems a bit weird but because House is so agressive and gruff I thought some of that would rub off on Gracie no matter how sweet she is

SupportSeverusSnape- I know and there's more of Gracie biting and barking for House in this chapter!

I just had to include this because if I didn't it wouldn't the House we all know and love. Also tonight Season 3 starts in Britain, so celebrate British viewers, so I thought it would be ironic to post this chapter today.

I know in most of my stories and from what it seems in the House back story, House's infarction occurred 5 years before the show started, meaning it happened in 1999, but I wanted it to happen in 1996 to make it more effective as Grace would be much younger. Plus you see how evil I think Stacy really is.

Enough rambling, just read! And reviews or I won't post another chapter!! GGRR! Just kidding!

Chapter 11- A Black Day.

5th March 1996- Princeton, New Jersey, USA

His screams could be heard up and down the halls. They were deafening. Most of the Doctors and nurses avoided House's room like the plague, refusing to see him. Some because they didn't want to see that Doctor's could get sick too, or see House in pain but mostly because many of them thought he deserved it.

Dr. Ayersman, a fellow Doctor was most vocal about House's condidtion. He hated House with a passion mostly because he had been blackmailed by House on many occasions to 'help' patients and often put his own Medical Licence on the line for them.

A board meeting was happening with House's screams heard in the background. Most Doctors tried to block them out. But with all the noise they didn't hear the door open and Grace, who was looking for a stronger drug to help her brother, enter the room, until it was too late.

"You know all this pain and suffering, it's only happening to House because he deserves it. We all know he does. He's a bastard and he is finally getting his comeuppance." Ayersman said plainly.

"What did you just say?" All heads turned to the door to see a little girl of only 6 years and 9 months, tears streaming down her face, the emotional pain obvious in her eyes.

"Oh Gracie, I'm sorry-" Ayersman stuttered. Even if he meant it, House's sister didn't deserve to hear it.

"No I think you've said enough. You will be quiet now." Grace said, she began talking around the table. All the members flinched briefly at her yelling but thought it best not to incur the wrath of any member of the House family at this moment. "My brother is a bit of a jerk, he's cruel quite a lot, true but he doesn't deserve what happened to him. He travelled the world, he went to Medical school, he was a son, he had girlfriends, he was mean to people, he sacrificed everything he ever wanted for his little sister. Now tell me because I can't see, but where in his life did he do anything so bad that he deserves to have his leg destroyed?" She paused as the board members bowed heir heard in shame.

"Why are you not answering me, I'm actually asking you here." She shouted.

"See you can't answer. Because there is no answer. I don't say my brother is the greatest person in the world to make him feel better, or to annoy people. I say it because I really do think it's true, and how dare any of you say he got what was coming to him. He is a terrific person and without a doubt the best brother in the world. You should be ashamed of yourselves." With that she stomped out the room. The board members looked around at each other, shame flickering in their eyes.

Any thoughts they had about House, they kept to themselves after that day and Ayersman couldn't look Grace in the eye, ever again afterwards.

HHHHHHHHHH

16th March 1996

"Please help Lisa, I don't know what to do." Grace cried down the phone. Her brother had returned from the hospital two days previously in a wheelchair and had drunk himself into a state. He had always vowed never to drink alcohol after his parent's death, but he seemed to believe nearly losing his leg, unable to walk and becoming a cripple overrode that choice.

Grace had come home from school to find him passed out. Trying in vain to wake him she called the one person she and House could trust, other than Wilson who was still at a conference in San Francisco. Stacy had gone to see her parents for the week, just to get away, as House still couldn't look at her.

"OK, I'm on my way." Cuddy said. She desperately wanted to stay away from House for awhile still feeling guilty about her part in his illness, the misdiagnosis and how she hadn't been able to save his leg, but she knew that the little girl needed her help.

And so she went.

HHHHHHHHHH

"What are you doing here?" House grumbled, when he awoke in his bed to find Cuddy watching over him. "Get the fuck out of here." His voice was still venomous if groggy.

"Grace called me."

"Hey? I'm fine. You on the other hand won't be, if you don't leave this second right now."

"Greg-"

"You fucking betrayed me. So that's Dr. House from now on." If he was able to see the pain in her eyes, he chose to ignore it.

"House. You drank yourself into a passed out state. Gracie found you and was absolutely terrified. I know you hate me, I know you hate Stacy and I know you just want to die or disappear from the world. And I know this maybe the hardest thing for you to do, but you have to think about another person now. Gracie can help you, but you have to help her too. I know I'm partly to blame for this so I really shouldn't be the one to say this, but don't you ever do that again to your sister. That little girl worships you, she really does."

It still haunted Cuddy, that little speech Grace had made while House was 'recovering'.

House looked away out the window, Cuddy could swear he was holding back tears, so she left him alone and went to check on Grace.

The little girl was on the sofa sleeping. Cuddy woke up her gently.

"Grace. Wake up. Come on now. Need to get something to eat, maybe shower."

"What?" Grace awoke, kinda groggy, like her brother. "Oh it's morning."

"Yeah, your brother's awake."

"Really." Grace said vaguely, walking to the Kitchen.

Cuddy stared in surprise, when House had awoken in the hospital after the surgery, Grace had bounded into the room faster than an Olympic runner.

"Gracie, are you scared of your brother?"

"I just don't like to see him how I did last night."

"I know. He won't be like that again."

"I know it's hard for him and I'm gonna help him but there are some things I can't do."

"I know. Look I'm here to help and Wilson will be too. But you and Greg have to help each other. You can do that can't you?" Cuddy asked. The young girl nodded.

The events of the past month had really taken their toll on the poor child. Obviously because she was only 6, she couldn't have a say on what happened to her brother when he wasn't able to make Medical decisions for himself, but he told her he wanted only Grace to make sure his wishes were followed. And she tried the best she could. But Stacy had wanted to do the surgery to remove the dead muscle from his leg, House wanted to be put in a coma to sleep through the worst part of the pain. Grace had faith in her brother's Medical choices and made sure the Doctors did as he asked.

She refused to let Stacy sign the paper to let House have surgery. But Stacy was just as detemined to get it done, thinking it was the only way to save his life. Cuddy had got caught in the middle, truly not knowing whose side to take. She wanted to help Grace who was being fiercely protective of her big brother, but on the other hand she thought Stacy's choice was the best Medically. They didn't know if House would live through the coma.

Somehow though, in the midst of it all, Cuddy had been called away to a meeting, and Stacy saw her chance. She got Grace a drink of water, the little girl refusing to leave her brother's bedside or even sleep until he had woken up. What Grace didn't know was that in the drink was a sleeping tablet. Within minutes the girl was slipping away into the land of nod, to join her brother. Once Grace was fast asleep, Stacy signed the papers and got a nurse to notify a surgical team.

Grace could never forget how guilty and helpless she had been when she woke up and discovered what had happened. Cuddy had been there to witness the look of pure hate the little girl had given Stacy, and the female Doctor was sure if House hadn't woken up at that point as well, Grace would surely have killed Stacy.

Thinking back on what had happened, Cuddy was amazed at how strong Grace was. Yeah she was scared and worried but in the space of thirteen days, the young girl had probably aged thirteen years and she still had a way to go. She desperately wanted Wilson back. House was barely letting Cuddy near him and the only other people who would help him were Grace and Wilson, but no matter how much she loved him or what anyone said, they couldn't let a 6 year-old child take care of him.