Wishes

Rachel covered her small ears with her hands while everyone sang Happy Birthday. Even House had joined in the chorus, though he wasn't really singing: he just clapped his hands monotonously to the tune of that revolting song he had always hated. But being under the threatening gaze of a certain Dean of Medicine who was evidently pissed at him was working miracles with his willpower.

Rachel was about to blow out the candles when her grandmother reminded her she had to make a wish. Rachel stared at the sparkling candle and chocolate cake covered with white and purple frosting, frowning, trying to think of the best wish. Her gaze travelled from her mom (who was smiling down at her from her position next to her) to House, standing in an isolated spot, away from the singing crowd. He was looking down, and Rachel noticed just how… unhappy he seemed. So, she made up her mind and decided her wish would not be for her, but for someone else. After all, she figured, there'd be more birthdays and cakes and candles for her. So, Rachel smiled happily and made up her mind: her wish would be for House.

"Gregory," Julie Cuddy greeted House coldly. The diagnostician was holding a small plate with a piece of cake that looked particularly yummy and was about to began the pleasant task of eating it when Cuddy's sister walked over to him. He wanted to run away, but the fact that Joseph Cuddy was in the room and sending death glares in his direction was intimidating enough.

"Hi," he replied, equally cold and uninterested. He played with the frosting using his fork.

"How are you?" Julie asked.

"Fine," he glanced at the piece of cake and then looked up to her. "You?" He added dryly, his tone suggesting he really didn't give a damn about how she was or had been lately.

"Great," was Julie's response, along with an annoying haughty smirk. House managed to keep his composure, though he had to really fight his instincts and not punch her in the face. "Still an ass?" She snapped at him.

"Still an idiot?" House quickly retorted, not in the least browbeaten by her words.

"You never change, do you?"

"Why would I?" House shrugged. "I get by."

Julie merely huffed and turned around, leaving House alone. She really couldn't figure out what the hell Lisa liked about the guy. Granted, she had always had weird taste in men, but House was just the worse specimen Lisa had ever been interested in. And she had liked him for years, so either her sister was a masochist or House had something especial she had never seen. The first option was way more likely. She had hired him, knowing the man was an utter liability and an asshole. She had put her job in the line for him several times and helped him when things weren't going too well. She had been a friend, and perhaps something more. God, she really was a masochist, was Julie's last thought before turning back to her allegedly perfect husband.

House was beginning to grow restless. He had spent too much time at Cuddy's, and the homely cosy atmosphere of the kid's birthday was too damn warm for him. He didn't belong there, in that feisty celebration, with it frosted chocolate cake, colourful balloons and happy little children playing board games merrily. Suddenly, he felt utterly out of place, and he thought he had found out the real reason why he had declined Cuddy's invitation in the first place.

But he didn't regret having showed up. He smirked when he recalled the kitchen incident. Surely Cuddy would name it along those lines and blame it all on him, and he would say it was all her fault because she had actually kissed him back, and they would entangle in a back and forth argument that would end up really badly. For her, in all likelihood.

House had hoped Cuddy's friend had not gossiped about what she had witnessed, because in that case, he was in for a most annoying lecture, that would encompass Wilson telling him he needed to allow himself to be happy and accept his feelings for Cuddy and live happily ever after with her and the kid. He had heard that crap several times over the years. Sometimes, maybe all the time, Wilson did manage to sound like a broken record.

But judging for the way Wilson was glancing at him, it wasn't his lucky day. He could feel his patronising thoughts floating in the air and he could also see the amusement dancing in his companion's eyes.

Cuddy was chatting with Cameron and a bunch of women he assumed were school mums. Rachel whispered something in Chase's ear. The young doctor chuckled in response and Rachel ran away from the room, back to the living room, where House guessed her friends were waiting for her.

"So, what now?" He asked to himself. He wanted to leave, but he couldn't find the strength to do it. Plus, he didn't have his car or bike and Wilson would most surely murder him if he were to interrupt his precious time with an exponent of the opposite sex. He could always force him to leave… but he didn't feel like it. Watch it House, you're getting soft, an inner voice suggested.

He made his way to the living room. At least the children would not ask him stupid questions, or stare at him all the time.

House took a seat on the couch, and watched the kids play Candyland until he succumbed to boredom and closed his eyes firmly in an attempt to take a small nap. But Rachel could tell the difference between real sleep and fake sleep. She'd occasionally glance at him, a "You're pathetic" expression plastered on her face, shaking her head before carrying on with the game.

Eventually, the bell began to ring and, one by one, all of Rachel's friends and even her cousins started to leave, except for a little girl that bore a striking resemblance to the woman Wilson had been flirting with the entire afternoon. The two kids sat on the couch next to him, whilst he pretended he was sound asleep. Rachel shook his shoulder quite roughly for a six year old girl.

"Hey," House complained, eyelids firmly shut. "I was sleeping, kid."

"No, you weren't," she replied happily. "And don't call me kid. I'm six now, I'm almost an adult," she added solemnly.

"Almost being the key word. I'm older than you, I will call you whatever I like," he informed her in a childish voice.

"Bully," Rachel hissed, crossing her arms and sitting back on the couch conceitedly. Her friend imitated her.

"Kid," House smirked.

"You two," Wilson entered the room along with Kate, the two of them wearing their coats and scarfs. "Stop."

"He started it," Rachel pointed at House accusingly. He huffed and rolled his eyes.

"I know," Wilson smiled.

"Come on Em, we're leaving," Kate said through a chuckle, offering the little girl her own small jacket.

"But mooom, I don't want to leave," she complained.

"We have to. Your dad is picking you up tomorrow morning."

"Fine," Emma stood up and grabbed the jacket swiftly.

Wilson did his best to ignore the sad look in Rachel's face when Kate spoke about Emma's father, but he couldn't help it. Something inside him cracked every time he saw that desolated expression clouding her usually bright and smiling face.

"Mmm, House, I'm gonna drive Kate home. Her car broke down two days ago," he mumbled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck with an open palm.

"Oh, you want me to be your chaperone? That's so sweet. I've always known you were a good old fashioned lover-boy," he commented sarcastically.

"Kate lives in Mayfair, House, in the opposite direction from your house." Wilson replied, clearly nervous. "Stay here and then I'll come pick you up."

Fantastic. Quality time with Cuddy and the little runt. Wilson and Kate had probably planned the entire thing. In all likelihood, her car wasn't even broke. Or maybe she didn't even live in Mayfair. He knew they were not going to give in, so he just went along with their stupid plan. After all, he could annoy Cuddy for another hour. It wasn't that terrible, except for that dreaded talk they would be having if Cuddy decided to discuss the events of the afternoon…

Maybe staying was a terrible idea. Indeed.

"I see you are okay with it," Wilson said smugly. "See you later, then."

Emma and Kate said their goodbyes and headed for the front door. Wilson stared at House severely.

"Behave," he spoke in a serious tone. "And you too, kiddo." He added, before walking away from the room in order to catch up with Kate and Emma. He turned back one last time.

"Bye Uncle James," Rachel waved at him from her position on the couch.

"Make sure you're not too loud," House yelled, and he saw Wilson shaking his head in disbelief. Cuddy's voice reached his ears. She was saying goodbye and was now pacing in the direction of her bedroom.

"Wanna watch TV?" Rachel looked up at House, smiling widely.

"Sure," House shrugged, scanning the room for the remote. He realised Rachel was doing exactly the same thing, and when they both spotted it, laying on the coffee table, the two of them ended up engaged in a fight for the device. House won.

"Give it to me," Rachel spat out angrily. "It was my idea."

"Not a very original one," he replied sarcastically, turning on the TV. He flicked through the channels until he found something he knew she'd like. Maybe he did have a soft spot for her…

"Stop whining, smurf."

A/N: I wasn't planning on ending the chappie there, but I want to upload something because today, June 11th, our dear Hugh Laurie turns 50! Happy birthday, Hugh! And happy birthday House! Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think they share birthdays :)

Leave your lovely, lovely, reviews and make me smile on this cloudy day.