CHAPTER 15

I loved writing this chapter!

Thanks to My beta!

Enjoy!

Foreman had been watching House like a hawk the last couple of weeks. He hadn't had any direct contact with House or his son ; apart from glances from outside of those glass walls whilst walking past his room. But what he saw felt like lies to him. He felt a pang of anger shoot through him.

How had House managed to hide this from them? He dug his nails tightly into his palm. He wanted to find something against this 'so called' perfect man that he wasn't allowed to see. Something to prove those voices right.

His head was at war with itself. The House he knew was misanthropic arsehole who liked to spread misery wherever ever he went. He wasn't supposed to be the loving father.

His chance to prove himself right presented itself just outside Wilson's office. He was about to knock when he heard voices from the other side.

"I need to go see her Wilson, I've got missed calls from Billy."

"I know but, how are you going to break it to her? It might be easier to not tell Jen."

"I don't know how I'm going to but I've got to. Will you stay with Dan tomorrow? I'll leave at 10."

"No problem." Foreman scampered, completely forgetting about the consult. This was his opportunity. He wasn't going to let this slip.

—

House awoke the next morning. Dan was still asleep so he went though his newly adapted routine. He pushed the sheet off and sat up, rubbing his leg. The pain never eased. He took two ibroprofen and then hobbled to the toilet. He needed to shave and shower and look respectable for Jen.

Ten minutes later, after placing his pre ironed shirt on, he stood outside the front doors of the hospital, cigarette in hand. He watched the dark sky turn to orange laced with red infant of him as he inhaled the smoke.

"I didn't know you partake in such a filthy habit." House spun around, following the feminine voice, to see Cameron to his side, arms crossed disapprovingly.

"Not my preferred choice of drug, but it does the trick."

"How's Dan doing?"

"Same as any other cancer patient. Constantly sleeping, in pain and throwing up." Cameron sighed in annoyance, knowing that she should of expected that answer. But she studied Houses appearance closer. He looked smart. Shirt was mostly ironed and his pants weren't jeans but black formal. His gaze was thoughtful, slightly unsure as he looked towards the sky.

"You going somewhere fancy then?" She indicated what she meant with a look up and down.

"Have to dress to impress. I'm one for fashion." He threw his cigarette to the ground and stubbed it out with his foot.

"Have you had a personality change over night or something?" In a way, he had to her. One day she knew a harsh bastard, the next a caring father. She wasn't far off the mark.

"Nope, just got to do something important. Anyway, don't you have needy people to save or something?"

"Yes but I'm early anyway and it's nice to talk to you."

"Well as much as you love my company, I'm not really appreciating the disturbance to my peace and quiet." The words were sarcastic but lacked their edge. Cameron noticed this and smiled.

"Good luck House in whatever you're doing." House watched Cameron leave before drawing another cigarette.

—

Foreman trekked into the conference room and grabbed himself a coffee.

"14 down, Mirror. Where's Chase?" Foreman commented to Taub over his shoulder.

"In the office, doing paperwork I think." Taub replied casually.

Foreman barged into the office and took a seat in-front of Chase.

"May I help you?" Chase asked, not looking up from his paperwork.

"Have we got a case?"

"Not at the moment."

"I'm going out, I'll be back later." Foreman stood to leave but Chase stopped him.

"Where are you going?"

"Just to do a reconnaissance patrol. I will report what I find when I get back." He didn't allow Chase anymore questions and left the room.

—

"Right Dan, I'm going to see your mum today so Uncle James will be here with you." House and Wilson was sat with Dan playing monopoly.

"But, what if I don't feel well?" Dan held the dice in his hands whilst questioning his dad. Secretly he didn't want his Dad to leave. He felt safe when he was around. Not that he didn't feel safe with Uncy. He was just happier. Plus Uncy could turn into a sap and start crying again. He'd noticed he'd done that a lot recently.

"That's why Wilson is here you numpty." House smiled

"I promise to beat you at any game you like." Wilson threw in.

"I always win! I'm winning now!" It was a challenge, and Dan was always up for a challenge.

"Okay, fair point." Wilson laughed. House stood and kissed Dan on the cheek.

"I'll be back in a bit kiddo, see you later."

"Not if I see you first." Dan shouted back. House was happy to see that Dan had gained back some of his energy. Dan was also starting to eat more as well. He knew though that that was going to change in the next few days.

He got to the parking lot and opened his car. He hated long journeys. It was especially hard on his leg. He stretched and kneaded it with his palm. He walked around to the drivers seat but stopped. He thought he saw a figure lurking behind but ignored it. It was probably nothing after all.

—

He had been driving for 50 minutes and he still hadn't arrived. He was getting frustrated and gripped the steering wheel harder. He was in the middle of nowhere surrounded by mountains and fields. Maybe House had tricked him and figured out what he was doing. But he was 4 cars behind and had made sure not to be caught.

He was about to give in, thinking that he had been caught, when House turned. He followed and drove up a path lined with trees. Foreman drove slowly, keeping a gap between himself and House.

'Mountain View Convalescence Home'

Why was House going to a convalescent home? Did the mysterious women work here maybe? A Doctor perhaps. Or a cleaner, desperate for money and attention.

He got out of the car and slammed the door. House spun around.

"Well done Dr House, you managed to hide away your little secret. A cleaner in the middle of nowhere. So no one would found out. That's a good one." Foreman clapped slowly.

"What the hell are you doing here?!" House growled, limping towards Foreman.

"I knew you weren't as perfect as everybody thought you are. So, is your dirty little secret in there? Did you force her here after she abandoned your child on your doorstep?"

"You know nothing about me or my family. So get back in that car and take your sorry fired ass back to Princeton." House threatened in a low voice.

"Why? You scared old man? Scared that everyone is going to find out?" House walked back to his car and grabbed the keyboard out of the back of his car.

"You're so determined to know my dirty little secret? Well, why don't I just show you." House thrust the key board into foreman's arms. "

"Take this and stay quiet. You might actually be some use to me."

They approached reception and Billy, as always, was there to greet the Doc. Foreman stayed behind, Keyboard still in his hands.

"Doc, I'm so sorry to hear about Dan. I know it won't really help but I am truly sorry." Billy consoled. House had rung him up the day before to fill him in on the situation.

"Thanks Billy, we're hoping to start him on the next dose of chemo in two days."

"Poor little man, I wish you both well. Especially with what you guys have already been through."

"Life never lets you have a break. Should have known that." It was as if House had done a 360 degree turn in a matter of seconds. Foreman had never known him speak so openly about his feelings. He couldn't grasp the idea of a House that wasn't so emotionally inept.

Billy directed his attention to Foreman and gave him a quizzical look. Luckily, House took over for him.

"Billy, this is Dr Eric Foreman, Neurologist. He's on my team." Billy smiled and put out his hand to shake. Foreman shuffled around with the Keyboard and reciprocated, shaking the mans hand tightly.

"I want him to complete a neurological exam for me. You know that I don't trust that Perkins."

"Go for it Doc. She's tired today. We had a good morning but the arthritis was playing up and causing discomfort during the night. Oh and I've got your ice cream." Billy handed the ice cream and walked away, leaving the men alone.

House led Foreman to Room 15 in silence. He stopped in front of the door.

"What the hell is going on House and why am I carrying a keyboard?" Foreman whispered with a tinge of desperation in his voice. He was stating to get freaked out.

House just ignored him.

"First and foremost, you do not make any abrupt movements and you keep your voice and actions low and calming. Secondly, you don't do anything without my permission. Understand?" Foreman nodded and House opened the door.

What was in the room made him dizzy. It wasn't a sleazy cleaner or minimum wage janitor, but a woman, in her early 40s. She was in a specially adapted wheelchair, head slopped to the left, gazing absently towards the mountains. A blanket was firmly tucked around her, ending around her torso. The room was bright and covered in children's drawings, photos and little personal Knick knacks.

House bent down next to the chair.

"Hey sweetheart, it's Greg." House placed his hand in hers and kissed the top of her forehead.

" 'egg." She mumbled. The side of her mouth twitched upwards. Foreman sensed that this was her version of a smile as her brown eyes landed on deep blue.

House wheeled Jen over to the table so he could sit down. Foreman just stood there, frozen; still clutching the keyboard firmly.

" 'eggggg no no." Jen cried out as she squeezed Houses hand tighter than usual.

"Foreman, put the keyboard on the bed and sit down with us." House said invitingly. He did what he was told and gently sat down, remembering what House had told him.

"No need to be scared Jen, he's my friend. It's okay." House stroked her forearm, hoping it would calm her down. He felt her shaking stop and the muscle relax slightly under his touch and smiled.

"Fr, fr-Iend, 'ilson?"

"No Jen, this is Eric. Eric is a Doctor like me." Eric? He'd never been called Eric by House before. The women must be brain damaged though, he thought. Eric is easier to say and remember than Foreman. His brain was finally starting to process the whole weird situation.

Jen lifted her arm weakly and pointed at Greg. Greg smiled.

"Youuuu, Doc"

"Yep, I'm a Doctor and so is Eric." It was said with loving and understanding. Foreman's instinct had expected a sarcastic reply but it just didn't come.

"Eric, this is my wife and Dans mum, Jen." Foremans face dropped completely

"Your wife?" Foreman gasped. This really was the opposite of what he had expected.

"Yes, my wife of 13 years." House turned towards Jen and leaned forward, making it obvious to Foreman that this conversation was over.

He placed Jens fragile hand in between his palms.

"Jenny I need to tell you something about Danny." Jen just gazed slightly absent into House eyes, not understanding Houses tone.

"Dans sick Jen"

"Icky?" Jen scrunched up her face, trying to portray what she meant.

"A bit more than a cold like you had. He has ... god this is hard" House looked towards the ceiling, internally praying that if there was a higher being out there, they would make this all go away. But nobody had answered his prayers before and he doubted anyone would now. " ... he has cancer and I really wish you where there because I don't know what to do Jen and you always just knew what was right." House rambled. It seemed that House had completely forgotten that Foreman was sat behind him, watching everything that happened.

"No cry, bad no" Jen mumbled, tearfully. Foreman didn't know if the tears Jen shared with House was pain for Dan or if it was because House was upset. Even as a neurologist, Foreman would never be able to answer that question.

"I'm sorry Jen. I'm just sad about Danny. But I'm with you now though, and I'm always happy to see you." House tan his long fingers through Jens silk hair.

"Anyway, do you want some ice cream? I got Billy to get it for us."

Foreman watched in awe of House. He sat with Jen, talking about what had happened recently, feeding her ice cream and then playing the keyboard, lulling her to sleep with the soft tunes he played.

"Foreman, can you help transfer Jen from her wheelchair into bed?" Foreman got up from his seat which he had been occupying for the last few hours and laid Jen in bed. House reconnected the IV.

They both sat back down at the table and House helped himself to the rest of the ice cream.

"So this is my dirty little secret as you called it. Are you pleased with yourself now?" House still kept his voice low but it was laced with anger.

"I'm sorry, I .. I didn't know." Foreman bowed down to the superiority of his mentor.

"I'm a private man Foreman. Just because I don't tell you something, doesn't mean that you need to follow me for an hour to find out."

"I just thought that It was wrong that you got to know everything about my life but we didn't know anything about yours. We didn't even know you had a son for crying out loud."

"Will you Keep your voice down." House looked over to check on Jen. She was still fast asleep, oblivious to the hushed argument happening before her. "Dont l you realise that it's my job to know who I'm employing? I do things for a reason. I shouldn't have to justify my actions to you of all people."

"Look, I shouldn't of done what I did and I am truly sorry."

"Sorry means nothing. Actions mean everything." House replied off handedly

" I won't tell anyone. I mean about what I saw today, in this room."

" I would say thank you, but you shouldn't of even been here. I'm still tempted to fire you."

"Is there anything I can do for you?

"Yes. And that's why I let you in."

—

Foreman walked into the conference room and practically threw himself into the empty chair.

"What's up with you? Investigation not go to plan?" Chase asked, entering the room for the office.

"I guess you could say that."

"Want to go for a beer?"

"I'm good thanks. I'm going home."

"Suit yourself." Chase grabbed his stuff and left the office, leaving Foreman alone. He needed time alone to think right now. He hoped that House has forgiven him for his actions. He still didn't understand the man. He wondered if anyone ever would. But what had grown in Foreman today was something more powerful than understanding in his eyes. It was respect. A respect for the man House truly was. Something he had never felt towards the man throughout his 9 years working with him.