A/N: Just to preface the last few chapters, I am not in any way shape or form an expert at law. I took a class on Criminal and Civil Law, and researched. That's the extent of my knowledge. So if there are any errors—procedural, technical, concept—I do hope you will not hold it against me, as also find it in your heart to forgive me. HAH.

TAPE 0001 T/OF J. HOUSE, GREGORY

18 F. WED – 800

TRANS. 0001

[HOUSE] You think I did it.

[MAN] My opinion is irrelevant.

[HOUSE] My confession would also be irrelevant. (BEAT) Attorney-client privilege. Right?

[MAN] That would be correct.

[HOUSE] You don't know why.

[MAN] Not yet. (BEAT) But I do know you.

[HOUSE] Do you?

[MAN] You don't have to play these games with me, House.

[HOUSE] I don't.

[MAN] No.

[HOUSE] And why would that be?

[MAN] (BEAT) I know you didn't do this.

[HOUSE] Well. Except for the fact that (BRIEF PAUSE) I did.

[MAN] Not for why they may think. (BEAT) Tell me what happened.

[HOUSE] It may not be relevant. Actually it is I just can't confirm it.

[MAN] It's still important (PAUSE) may be or may not be. You don't know how relevant it is unless you tell me. I'm the lawyer, remember?

[HOUSE] I had suspicion.

[MAN] Reasonable?

[HOUSE] Rational.

[MAN] There's a difference?

[HOUSE] Rational is a better word. Holds more weight to persuade than reasonable. (PAUSE) I thought you were the lawyer?

[MAN] Reasonable is more relatable.

[HOUSE] Using Rational creates ignorance. There's doubt. They may think they know what it means, so they're more likely to agree out of that ignorance.

[MAN] Do you want me to save your ass or not?

[HOUSE] I didn't ask for you.

[MAN] This is a favor. Which I could've easily denied. You're getting me for nothing.

[HOUSE] Which means this is an easy win case for you.

[MAN] No actually.

[HOUSE] So you're an idiot then.

[MAN] They've got at least nine eyewitnesses who saw you and Tates roughing it outside the diner. They've also got your DNA from under his fingernails, indicating the struggle. They've got plenty to convict.

[HOUSE] So why are you doing this?

[MAN] She asked me to.

[HOUSE] You obliged to her cry. How kind of you.

[MAN] She's my niece, alright? She's the closest thing I've ever had to a daughter.

[HOUSE] (BEAT) I see. Just helping your little girl out, right?

[MAN] With all due respect, (BRIEF PAUSE) I think they will put you in.

[HOUSE] So why run the risk of this case?

[MAN] What we have is the control of what you're doing and for how long. All we need are your answers, and the story.

[HOUSE] You want me to cop a plea.

[MAN] Something, yeah.

[HOUSE] I didn't plan this, Kopitz.

[KOPITZ] I don't think you did. But unless you cough up any mitigating factors that would allow the judge to believe it too, you'll be doing real time, buddy.

[HOUSE] I don't want her involved. Even if it is to help me.

[KOPITZ] Lisa was the one who called me. You don't think she would—

[HOUSE] No, not her. Her kid. Rachel Cuddy.

[KOPITZ] Well, (PAUSE) she's obviously a reason. She's a motive. She's involved whether you like it or not—

[HOUSE] She's too young. No.

[KOPITZ] Do you care about her?

[HOUSE] Define care, we could—

[KOPITZ] Don't. Don't start with those. Especially don't start with those in court.

[HOUSE] (SILENCE)

[KOPITZ] Do you.

[HOUSE] (BEAT) yes.

[KOPITZ] Do you love her?

[HOUSE] (SILENCE)

[KOPITZ] House—

[HOUSE] (BEAT) I carry substantial amounts of fatherly feelings for her, yes.

[KOPITZ] So you're saying you are a father figure to her?

[HOUSE] That would be a fair conclusion.

[KOPITZ] (BEAT) Do you care about your son?

[HOUSE] We share a mutual bond through biological—

[KOPITZ] House.

[HOUSE] (BEAT) Yes.

[KOPITZ] Do you love him?

[HOUSE] (BEAT) again, I carry substantial amounts of fatherly feelings for him, yes.

[KOPITZ] You agree you're his father figure?

[HOUSE] I am his father.

[KOPITZ] His only father figure?

[HOUSE] Yes—

[KOPITZ] And Cuddy?

[HOUSE] Is this a trick question?

[KOPITZ] Do you care about her?

[HOUSE] (SILENCE)

[KOPITZ] Do you love her?

[HOUSE] (SILENCE)

[KOPITZ] Of course you do.

[HOUSE] Of course I do. It just seemed too obvious to answer either of those questions.

[KOPITZ] Are you capable of saying it out loud?

[HOUSE] Is this 20 questions? Am I losing?

[KOPITZ] (SILENCE)

[HOUSE] (BEAT) Yes.

[KOPITZ] (SILENCE)

[HOUSE] Yes, I do (PAUSE) love her and care about her.

[KOPITZ] That's very convincing.

[HOUSE] Pardon my tone if I don't feel the need to corroborate to you.

[KOPITZ] You would go to jail—for them?

[HOUSE] Why is this relevant?

[KOPITZ] Bad answer.

[HOUSE] Yes.

[KOPITZ] Worse answer.

[HOUSE] Oh for godssakes , what the hell do you want me to say?

[KOPITZ] I want you to say "no, I will not leave my family behind because I love them more than I am capable of ever proving."

[HOUSE] (PAUSE) you want me to say exactly those words?

[KOPITZ] You're not helping yourself.

[HOUSE] I don't care.

[KOPITZ] You want to go?

[HOUSE] I didn't say that now.

[KOPITZ] If you keep this up, that's where you'll be headed.

[HOUSE] Then turn off this damn testimony and let me talk freely first.

- End Of Trans. -