AN. I'm considering turning this into a really long thing and continuing through House's uni years and maybe even further in this universe, including his developing relationship with the Chase's. Please let me know if you like the idea, and if you have any yourself that you would like to see happening. Thanks, Rosemarie
House, Cuddy and Wilson sat in a line on Wilson's bed, all three deep in thought. They thought about the cop downstairs, talking to Peter. If all went to plan, there would be a court case. House rubbed his face as he realised how hard it would be, to stand in front of a jury and tell them about his father. He would have to tell them everything. It would be humiliating. His friends would be disgusted when they heard it all. He buried his head in his hands, drawing his knees closer to his chest.
"It'll be okay" Cuddy said softly, reassuring herself as much as House. He shook his head, and she patted his shoulder. "I promise, it will be okay"
"Don't worry, House, we got your back" Wilson smiled as his friend raised his head.
"Can you lot come down now, please?" Peter shouted up the stairs. Cuddy and Wilson got up, and Wilson turned to help House off the bed. He winced as his back twisted slightly and a shooting pain went up his spine. The three went slowly down the stairs, and House lowered himself onto the couch. The cop introduced himself
"Hey, I'm Detective Mark Adams, you can call me Mark. I'm here to discuss the allegations you want to make against John House. You must be Greg"
"Yes"
"Hi. I need to ask you a few questions, okay?"
"Yes" House said stiffly, his eyes fixed on Rowan, standing behind Mark's shoulder. The kind brown eyes gave him strength
"Alrighty then" Mark said with an awkward attempt at cheerfulness. "First of all, I've heard from Mr Wilson what he thinks would be good charges. I want to hear from you what happened last month, which resulted in you going to hospital"
"Okay. I came home from my internship in Australia. I spent a week here with the Wilson's, and then I decided I had to go home"
"Why did you decide this?"
"I wanted to... to see if he would forgive me for being a lousy kid. I also wanted to see if he was sorry"
"For what?"
"For the way he treated me"
"What happened?"
"We talked for a little while. We were having an actual conversation. And then I screwed it up. He wanted the money Mom gave me to go to Australia with back. He wanted me to hand it over, and I didn't have it. He started yelling at me, and I... I punched him. And he pushed me up against the wall by my neck, I kicked him, so he dropped me, and he started kicking me in the chest and stomach. Then I blacked out. I remember waking up on the front steps with blood all around me. I remember calling Wilson, and then waking up in the hospital" House recited it almost mechanically, as though he'd written it in his head and just read it out.
"Okay. And you'd like to press charges against him for assault"
"Y-Yes" House stammered
"Okay. I've got what I need. You lot need a lawyer, and there'll be a hearing at some point before the trail, if it happens. Good luck, Greg" having finished the business side of his visit, Mark shook House's hand "I hope you win, kid. Sick bastard"
"Thanks" House nodded. Mark left the room, and Mary went to see him out the front door.
"Well done, Greg" Rowan said quietly "I know that wasn't easy"
"Good job" Wilson echoed. House nodded and went quietly out of the back door. The group of people left in the sitting room looked at each other.
"Do we follow him?" Mary asked tentatively
"I don't think he should be alone with this" Wilson said
"I'll go" Rowan volunteered, standing up. Wilson looked a little put out, but he let the older man follow his best friend out the back door.
"Hey Greg" Rowan said gently, sitting down on the bench next to House.
"Hey"
"You did good"
"I just told him what happened. I didn't do anything"
"That's not true. You exposed your father. You let someone else in. That took a huge amount of courage"
"He always said it was a cowards way out, to tell"
"Since when did you think it was a good idea to listen to him?" Rowan smiled
"I-I'm scared, Rowan" House admitted, very quietly "Whenever he hurt me, he'd always say that if I told, he'd hurt someone I loved. Before we moved here, it was always Mom. Then it was Wilson, then him and Cuddy. When Wilson guessed, I was so worried, for months, but he never found out he knew. I told Cuddy. I told you. He still doesn't really know that anyone knows. But if this goes to court, everyone will know, and he'll know that I told. He might... oh God..." House put his head in his hands and tried to block out the images of his father hurting Cuddy or Wilson. Then a horrific thought occurred to him. He stood up sharply, ignoring the flashes of pain in his spine and ribs. "Robbie. If you testify, he'll know about Robbie. He'll know... And he'll hurt him"
"Robbie is perfectly safe, Greg. Everyone is safe, I promise. And if anyone does get hurt, your father will just add to his sentence. Don't worry. It will be okay" Rowan stood up too, facing House.
"You don't know that" House whispered, not looking at the older man. Rowan reached out and placed a hand on his shoulder. House shuddered.
"I know that you are strong. I know that you are brave. I know that you will always do your best to protect the people you love. And I know that this trial, this investigation, is the best way of doing that. So I know that you will win, so that you can protect us. I know a lot, Greg. Don't you ever doubt any of it." Rowan turned his student around and drew him into a soft hug, being careful not to hurt him. House rested his head on his mentor's shoulder and let the wonderful feeling of love wash over him. He was protected, just as he was protecting others. Everything could be okay.