A.N.: House so did get off easy, but seriously doesn't he always? It seems like everyone always writes off anything he does as House being House.

Anyway, I don't own. On with the show.

Stacy woke up to find herself still only hugging a pillow. She listened in vain for sounds of movement in the apartment from House. Nothing. She sighed and rolled over onto her back. When she did she heard something crumple under her weight. She had rolled onto a piece of paper.

Stacy,

Had to go back to the hospital. There is no food in my place, so don't bother looking. If you want to grocery shop for me, be my guest. Lock up when you leave. I will call you when I can.

House

Typical House. Well, at least he had left her a note.

She stayed laying in bed letting her mind roll over the events of the previous night. There was nothing awkward about their reunion physically. He had obviously missed her in that regard just as much as she had missed him. She had wanted to talk, but every time she tried to he would push it off. She couldn't even count the number of times he had silenced her with yet another kiss. It was obvious to her that he was not quite ready to face it. In a way, she wasn't ready either. A part of her was convinced he wouldn't be able to find it in his heart to truly forgive her. House had always been a stubborn man. Once set in his ways it was hard to turn back. It was in his own beliefs that people can't change. If he decided not to try to move past her leaving they would never be able to have their second chance.

He had given her no other choice but to leave. He had pushed her away with every bit of strength he had, which was surprisingly quit a bit for someone recovering from surgery. She couldn't make herself live like that. She had been drowning in his misery. She worried about him every day. He wasn't taking care of himself, and she couldn't make him take care of himself. She loved him, but in the end she had chosen herself. She loved herself more. Was that so wrong? Would he have done any different? She hadn't wanted to leave. Even now she regretted it. She wished she had been stronger, but she just wasn't.

She needed to see him. She was almost positive that if she went to the hospital she would find him in his office. It was surprising that even after all this time she would still want to be with him after only a few hours of absence. She had slipped seamlessly back into her same place as far as he went. Now she needed to know where he stood. Maybe she shouldn't push, but she couldn't help it. She came back for her guy. Their relationship. She wasn't going to accept anything less.

Her trip to the hospital brought a lot more surprises than she had been figuring on. When she asked one of House's boys where he was they told her that he would probably be in his daughter's room. She stayed calm enough to find out where that was, but her mind was reeling on her way to the indicated room. Daughter? How old? Who was the mother? Was he with the mother? Had he cheated on that mother with her last night? Had he cheated on her with the mother while they were still together? So many possibilities, almost all of them with the capability of hurting her. If she was lucky it would all turn out to be a mistake. In general, Stacy was not very lucky.

Stacy raised her hand and knocked gently on the door of the hospital room before pushing it open. What she saw when she walked in was something she was in no way prepared for. House was sitting in the chair cradling a sleeping girl with Lisa Cuddy sitting next to him talking quietly and smiling. Smiling fondly. Only an idiot would miss the look in her eyes. Cuddy had feelings for House. This was going to be so damn complicated.

Cuddy's attention had finally been torn away from House apparently not having heard her knock, but she did notice House staring at her. Stacy walked the rest of the way into the room with her arms crossed over her chest, "Your team told me you might be in your DAUGHTER'S room. Care to explain?"

House looked from Stacy to Cuddy then back again, "This is Gwen. My daughter... Enough explanation for you?"

Stacy rolled her eyes, "Not even close. Where is her mother?" It never even for a moment passed through her mind that the mother could be in the room right that moment.

"Right here." Lisa seemed to sit up straighter. She was not afraid to admit she was Gwen's mother. She felt no shame, at least not when it came to Gwen.

"Are you... Where you two together?" Stacy couldn't wrap her mind around this idea. Cuddy had been her friend, or so she thought. Had she had feelings for House the entire time?

House sighed a little, "No. It was a one time thing. Well... Other than in college, but I don't think it counts if almost ten years had passed."

Stacy rubbed her forehead, "I don't even know what to think."

"You accept it and deal." House told her a bit coldly, "She is here to stay."

"You expect me to just take this all in right away and be alright with it? You have a kid!"

Cuddy glared at her, "Keep your voice down. She hasn't been sleeping well."

Stacy gave her a slightly apologetic look, "I'm just saying, this is a lot to take in."

House looked down at Gwen to make sure she hadn't been disturbed, "I get that, but if you can' handle it then there is no point here. You want me you have to accept them."

"Them?" She asked curiously.

House raised his gaze back up to her, "Mommy dearest comes as part of the package. I can't very well be around my kid and not include her mother."

Cuddy inwardly fought off the urge to smile smugly. Stacy fought off the urge not to glare at her, "Well forgive me for interrupting family time. Call me when you can find time for me." She stalked out not yet ashamed for letting her jealousy get the better of her.

Cuddy stared at the now closed door before turning back to House, "Well that went well."

House rolled his eyes, "Do a better job at hiding your pleasure in what just happened please."

She laughed a little, "I am not pleased, but I'm not surprised either. Finding out your ex got another woman pregnant is a big thing. When that woman happens to be someone you used to be friends with is an even bigger thing. Can you really blame her for freaking out?"

"I guess not, but frankly I don't think she has the right to be all upset. She left me. Was I supposed to stay celibate?"

"Don't you wish she had?

"Sure, but that doesn't make me right."

Cuddy sighed, "Look House, if you really want her then you need to give her time to process. She needs to figure out if she wants to be a part of this. Derrek tried to handle it but couldn't. She might not be able to handle it." She couldn't believe she was giving him dating advice, but she couldn't put herself in the way of something that could make him happy. He knew she wasn't happy about Stacy being back around. That was enough.

He listened solemnly and nodded, "I know." The big issue was not how Stacy felt about it though. To him it was more important to figure out how he felt about it. Did he really want Stacy in his life and involved in his family? Could he chance getting hurt again? What if he took that pain out on Gwen? She didn't deserve that, and frankly he didn't think he could handle getting hurt again. On the other hand, he obviously did still have feelings for her. She had the potential to either make him happy or rip his heart out again. He didn't know what he wanted, but what he did know was that he had a hell of a lot to think about.