I would really like to thank those of you who have reviewed my story. As it is my first attempt at writing and when I get a review it just lets me know someone is reading this ! Thanks again.

Chapter Eighteen

House sat at his desk staring at his computer screen. He was seeing nothing. He couldn't workout how he could screw things up with Cuddy, without even trying. Rose was sleeping soundly, she looked much better, her fever was down and she was a better colour; he was always amazed how quickly the young recovered. 'Rose is a sweet kid' he thought to himself 'what the hell am I going to do with them'. House rested his head in his hands, he felt utter despair wash over him. He really wanted to go to some bar and get wasted.

'Hi' said a quiet shy voice. House looked up to see Peter standing there with a school bag slung over his shoulder. John said to come here after school, I hope that's OK'.

'Sure' said House, he looked at the boy who was about twelve or thirteen, his trousers were above his ankles, but his sweatshirt was about 2 sizes too big. 'He may as well have a sign round his neck with bully me on it' House thought to himself he said aloud 'Good day?'

'I'd say better than yours was' he replied with a shy grin.

'That wouldn't be hard unfortunately' House found himself grinning back.

'How's Rose'

'On the mend, couple of days she'll be good as new' House replied 'Do you have homework?'

'Yeah a little'

'Grab a seat' House gestured to the chair across from him 'We'll go home when Rose wakes'

Later that evening House and Peter were cooking up a storm, with Rose looking on from the couch when the older Reilly brother arrived at Houses apartment.

'Just in time' Peter said proudly 'House taught me his secret spaghetti sauce recipe'

'It's Dr House, to you' his brother said seriously.

House looked at him, thinking what a killjoy he was.

'I told them both to call me House, that goes for you too except at the hospital, come on let eat before it gets cold'

John hesitated for a moment them he shrugged and said 'I'll just go and wash my hands'

'Sorry, he's not usually this grumpy' said Peter as House put cutlery on the table.

'He's got a lot on his mind, I don't want you two to worry, everything will be OK, I promise'

But the older Reilly brother's mood did not improve as they sat eating spaghetti around the table; Rose was eating and chattering. House had bought her some cold dessert, so it would be easier to eat with her sore throat.

'That OK' He asked gently, she smiled and nodded. 'So you have had a bad day?' He addressed John.

'I have to go and see Dr Cuddy first thing, I'm pretty sure Dr Smeedly will be there. They are going to kick me out' he said with very little emotion, as he wound his spaghetti around his fork.

'What did you expect, you are on a full scholarship, and they can't tolerate tardiness. Just how bad do you want it?'

'I'm not even going to answer that' he replied glaring at House, his brother and sister looked on warily

'I'm going to have to insist that you do'

'This doesn't involve you, I'm not going to have this out with you, in front of them' he said gesturing toward his brother and sister.

'This involves me whether you like it or not. I can help you, but if you're going to be a stubborn fool, I might as well ring social services now'

'If you were going to do that you would have done it already'

'I don't want to ring them, but believe me I will do it. You need to convince me that becoming a doctor is important to you.'

'Why?'

'Because I'm not going to waste my time unless you are committed here, what point is there trying to help you unless you do want this. Are you are going to be too proud to accept help. Pride is not going to put food in their mouths or a roof over their heads.'

'You think I don't know that' John voice was becoming louder.

'Just making sure you do' House said quietly 'I have a plan, but you will need to swallow your pride, and trust me, Cuddy and Smeedly are going to give you a written warning and put you on a month's probation. You had better make sure nothing happens during that time, I won't be able to do anything if it does'

'I'll do my best, but things happen' he said looking at House sadly 'My family comes first, even if it means I loose the scholarship, if that makes me a fool then so be it'.

House looked at the younger two Reilly's 'We can do this but you are all going to have to trust me, and we will have to work together. I have a plan, it is going to take a little time to work out but the most important thing is to get through the next month'. He looked at John 'You are going to knock their socks off with your brilliance, are you up for that?' John nodded and House looked at Peter and Rose and said 'You two are going to have to rely on me, work for John comes first for the next month OK'

'You want us to stay here' John asked doubtfully 'I will have to find work and get us a place'

'Not now leave that to me, you guys can stay here, you need to study, sleep and eat some decent food. I'll make sure the brats are looked after, if you give this 100%'

'Why are you doing this?'

'I have no idea! It's very out of character, I assure you. Lets get cleaned up' House said clearing the table 'Do you have any clothes that are better than that, to wear tomorrow.'

'No this is about as good as it gets.'

'We are about the same height, we'll work something out, and you're going to have to do something with your hair. I have a trimmer somewhere, you up for me having a go at your hair?'

'Couldn't be much worse than it is now' John said with a grin

A few hours later House sat on his bike wondering if he should swing by Cuddy's or head to his office for the night, the Reilly family were all tucked up, with Rose on the couch and the boys in his bed. John was to meet him at 7.45 in the morning, with the kids and House would take Peter to school, and Rose would spend the day with House again.

House decided on heading to his office. Once there he poured himself a generous bourbon and sat back to think. What would he do? He knew it was better to avoid Cuddy while she cooled off and processed things. Maybe she wouldn't be as pissed at him since Raymond Malone had recovered, but it still didn't change the fact that nothing would be good enough for her, she still didn't even acknowledge his efforts with Rachael. Today Cuddy had made him feel just like his father used to, there was no grey areas just right and wrong. He took a long swallow of his drink and enjoyed the way it burnt its way down his throat. He took his phone out of his pocket and dialed.

He closed his eyes and let the sound of her voice wash over him. Shit he loved her!

'House is that you'

'Yeah just wanted to check that you were OK'

'I'm fine, House. I've just got Rachael to settle and I have a ton of work to get through'

'I won't keep you then.'

'House don't hang up, I do have a lot on my plate at the moment, just let me have some space, then we'll talk.'

'It seems you've made up your mind, Cuddy if you hadn't, you'd let me help, even if only with Rachael. You don't trust me.

'You don't always inspire trust'

'I was trying to do my job'

'You need to trust me too'

'If I had told you what I was going to do, Raymond Malone would be dead now'

'Rules are rules, House you are not God. What the hell give you the idea you can just do what ever you like!'

'Keep yelling, you'll wake the kid then, you'll have something else to blame me for!' House shut his phone and threw his empty glass at the wall.

House woke with a fright the next morning to find Robert Chase leaning over him.

'What the hell are you doing?'

'Just checking you, it smells like a brewery in here' he answered surveying the broken glass and the empty bottle on the ground by his chair.

'Shit. What's the time?'

'Nearly eight'

House jumped to his feet and said to Chase. 'Come with me'

They reached the foyer to see the Reilly family standing waiting for him. John Reilly looked good with his super short hair that House had shaved the night before. He wore a shirt and tie and Houses suit, it was a little too big but he looked good.

'Good luck, just agree to what ever they throw at you. I've got your back, you'd better go or you'll be late. Come on I need coffee' he said to the younger Reilly's

Chase hung back as he thought he would be sure to be landed with the check as House got coffee and orange juices for the kids. He was surprised when House handed him a coffee as he joined them at the table.

'Peter, Dr Chase here is going to drop you at school, did you get lunch organized'

'Yeah, House I've got sandwiches and some fruit, we packed Rose lunch too'

'That's good, how are you feeling, Rose'

'Good! I think I could have gone to school but John said its best to wait till Monday'

'I think he is right, Peter can you get yourself here after school again'

'Sure'

'You'd better go, Chase you OK with taking him'

'Sure it's better for you not to drive'

House and Rose went back to his office, Foreman and Taub had cleaned up the glass and thrown the bottle away. House settled Rose in front of the TV and went to see his team, Chase arrived back as they looked through some patient files.

'Just pick one; if we have a case at least it will keep Cuddy happy'

'Is that because you can't?' Taub said earning him a glare from House.

'I'm going to have a shower and get changed' he looked at Chase 'keep an eye on Rose for me' he picked up his backpack and left.

'You are sooo going to pay for that last remark' Foreman said to Taub then he looked at Chase 'What's the story with the kids?'

'House rang me the other night to meet him with meds, at his House, the girl had tonsillitis, I don't really know how he got involved, but the older brother is a first year med student, House tortured his class in the clinic while Cuddy was away'

'House slept here last night, so obviously they are at his apartment, Cuddy is still pissed at him for treating Raymond Malone with out her permission' Foreman mused.

'She would have never given it anyway' said Taub.

'I did warn him' Foreman added.

House came around the corner on the way to the shower and nearly walked straight into Sam, who had just come out of Wilson's office.

'Hi' she said 'You look awful!'

'Well that's not very nice'

'It's the truth, are you OK' she said in a concerned voice 'James is in his office'

'Nothing he can do to help' he put his hand through his hair and said suddenly 'Are you free tomorrow?'

'Yeah' she answered uncertainly 'what did you have in mind?'

'I need a female to take a nine year old girl shopping for clothes'

'James mentioned a little girl, OK, but are you sure; I mean why don't you get Lisa to do it?'

'I would if she were talking to me. Look its cool if you don't want to do it.'

'When and where?'

They arranged to meet at a maul at 10 o'clock the next morning.

House was returning to his office after his shower, when Joyce Malone called his name he turned to face her.

'What did you want to talk to me about? Do you want to get an early lunch?'

'Sure, I'll be right with you' he opened the door to his office and threw his backpack in, He gave Rose his phone and said to her 'You know the drill' she smiled and nodded back.

House and Joyce Malone were in the cafeteria eating, when she looked at him and said 'Are you going to tell me why you look so haggard this morning'

'No. How would you like to invest in something that didn't involve bricks and mortar?'

'That depends' she answered

House explained the Reilly's predicament.

'Its going to be a lot harder in the next few years than its been this year, he'll be on call and just far too busy to look after himself let alone his brother and sister'

'You rate him don't you?'

'He has something, but he is only a first year, it's too early to tell really. Then again you don't get full scholarships unless you're very bright'

'You're not as unfeeling as you pretend to be'

'No I really am as much of a bastard as people say I am'

'Bring the Reilly's to my place for Sunday lunch' she handed him a card with her address on it 'I'm not promising anything but I'll certainly give it some thought'

They got to their feet to leave when Joyce Malone put her hand on Houses arm. 'Look after yourself' she said gently then she turned and left.

The team had found a case that turned out to be quite interesting, and what with the extra duties that John had been assigned it was nearly six before House and the Reilly's were heading out the door. As they went through the foyer House saw Cuddy's office light on. He turned to John and handed him his keys and some notes. 'There is a diner just round the corner from here, go eat there, they have great roast meals' he then told them where to meet him in the morning, at the mall where he had arranged to meet Sam.

Cuddy was on the phone when House burst in without knocking, Rachael, who was playing on the floor ran to him running straight into his bad leg, Cuddy saw him grimace in pain. Cuddy felt guilty having Rachael at work this late, but she just didn't have a choice, she could feel the disapproval radiating off House but she'd be dammed if let him make her feel like a bad mother.

'OK Brian, I'll ring and arrange it for first thing Monday morning, Good night.' She hung up and lifted her chin defiantly toward House.

He surprised her when he said 'Give me your keys'

'Why'

'Because I only have my bike here, and I have no car seat. I'll take Rachael home for you. I can feed her, bath her and put her to bed. I've done it before if you recall?'

'I was going to pack all this up and finish it at home, I just need to make one more call'

'If you don't want me to, it's fine'

Cuddy was overwhelmed with the work she had to do, the guilt over not spending time with Rachael. She would be up till after midnight if she took it all home with her anyway, by the time she got Rachael to bed and got started again.

'If you didn't mind, it would be great, then I could spend the whole day with her tomorrow' she said looking and Rachael who was smiling up at House.

Cuddy started to pack Rachael's things and explain to her that House was going to take her home.

As they started to leave the office, House looked at the piles of papers Cuddy had lined up to take care of.

'Just a question Lisa, why is Brenda back in the ward?' He had recalled seeing her arrive for the afternoon shift 'She is one person who could actually help you with all this.'

'Don't think I haven't tried to keep her down here. She will do it occasionally for me as a favor'

'You realize why? Don't you?'

'Cuddy stopped 'No'

'They have four kids to feed and educate, every time she works down here she loses her shift allowance, she actually likes the job and the hours but she needs the shifts to make ends meet.'

'She told you this?'

'Not in so many words but, I'm pretty sure if you made her a good offer she'd jump at it. She'd be worth the money; she has the respect of all the staff, even I listen to her on occasions'

Cuddy finished doing up Rachael's harness.

'Night sweetheart, be a good girl for House won't you'

'I be good Mommy'

'I know you will. I love you'

'Rachael loves mommy too'

House stood back as Cuddy kissed the little girl. By the time Cuddy shut the car door House was opening the driver's door.

'House' their eyes met 'Thanks'

'Your welcome, now go ring Brenda, she's working on ward 5 at the moment'

It was just after midnight when the cab dropped Cuddy home. She let her self in the front door; she could hear the TV in the living room. She went in to see House sprawled in an uncomfortable position, because he was too tall to really stretch out on her couch. He was sound asleep.

'