Thanks for the reviews, you guys! I haven't got hours of time like I usually do to reply to each and every one of you, but please please PLEASE don't let it keep you from reading! I'd like to thank everyone because I love what you have to say; it what makes my world go 'round. However, I also wanted to add a few things for certain people:
L'il-Miss-Blondie: Eeewwwwww...porn between House and Wilson? Not right! I've never been a fan of slash, and...haha, not gonna think about it.
Queen of Blank: LOL, parellel parking is impossible! I couldn't get it right for an hour, and he was getting all frustrated with me, and I started crying and I ended up backing the car over a curb. I threw it into park and I was like, "I'll never drive again!" I am so jealous! My parents are making me buy a car. I don't want anything specific, though; I just want something that runs, has A/C and a heater and a CD player.
Flatkatsi: Sorry, I don't mean to sound like I assume AIDS is always the patient's fault! I didn't mean to make it sound that way, I swear. I know that blood needed for transfusions needs to be tested, and I thought that started sometime during the early 80s...I could be wrong, though. (My information came from a Lurlene McDaniel novel - probably not the best source!) Julia, if she was a real person, would have born in 1986, too late if my info. is correct, to have had a blood transfusion. Sorry about that!
Reitashnehelena: I'd be honored if you were my biggest fan! Haha, this is so cool! You have no idea how happy you've made me; now I can die happy. Not that I plan on doing so anytime soon...haha, you'll have to forgive me, I'm just a sad, sorry little person. Just nod politely and I'll go away and write some more, mm-kay?
Badr: Don't review any more than you want to! I appreciate that you've been reading, though, and I'm glad to hear that you still enjoy it. Compliments will go to my head after a while; don't make my poor family's lives unbearable! They have to live with my already sky-high ego - poor people! Come on, surely you have a morsel of constructive criticism:)

So to make up for my last chapter, which was a little shorter, this one is insanely long and is mostly the product of a hungry imagination that has been over-fed in the dreadful driving classes. Two more days, friends, then I can actually get something profound done in this story! Until then, I'm just having fun with it. Enjoy, if you can!

Julia took a cautious step into House's apartment, breathing it in for the first time. It smelled sad, if scent can be described in emotions. The colors were dark and dreary, the furniture dull and lifeless. It wasn't as unclean as her own house, but it was still a far cry from what could be considered healthy living conditions. A piano was tucked in a corner and a television into one opposite. "We've got to fix this," she murmured as she looked around.

"I'll say," House said from behind her. "Since when do I have to carry around your luggage? My leg isn't up to this kind of hard labor. Move!"

Julia smiled and obediently stepped aside as House pushed past her. He made a great show of dropping her overnight back in front of her. "You know, I might have been moved to pity if there were more in that bag besides a toothbrush, a comb, and some pajamas," she said.

"It's pajamas, as in that fruity stuff you spread all over your toast in the morning," House informed her. "Say it with me. Pajamas."

"Pajamas."

"No, pajamas!"

Julia rolled her eyes. "House, it's just some sweatpants and t-shirt. It's not worthy of any special name. It's not like a negligee or anything."

"Good," House said. "No daughter of mine is going to go around wearing that stuff to bed. I might expect that from Cuddy, but not from you."

"Cuddy?" Julia said. "No way! You know what Dr. Cuddy sleeps in?"

House shook his head. "Of course not," he replied. "That's the kind of thing you can just tell."

"It seems to me she'd wear something flannel to bed," Julia mused. "Like, it's her subconscious way of assuring herself that she's safe, like a security blanket. She's so tough; she needs something like that."

"This is a new concept: psychology by sleepwear," House commented as he went to the refrigerator, then stopped. "Uh-oh."

"What?"

"I forgot. I have nothing in the way of food in this house. And all of my Coca-Cola is flat," House told her. "Looks like we're going hungry tonight."

Julia shook her head emphatically. "No sir. You don't have a lady over to your apartment and then starve her. No wonder you and Cameron aren't together yet. You've got a lot to learn."

"Excuse me?" House said, dumb-struck by her bluntness. "Cameron and I aren't together because we don't like each other."

"You just keep telling yourself that," Julia said. "Come on, think for a second. What kind of food are you in the mood for?"

"Breakfast," House replied. "I've pretty much eliminated the meal from my diet, and I'm kind of getting a craving."

"Care to elaborate?"

"Long story."

Julia opened his pantry and looked inside. "I can see that," she commented, studying each shelf. "This is disgraceful. You should be ashamed of yourself…" She snorted suddenly, and her hand flew to her nose. "Oh, crap!"

"What's wrong?"

"I think I just got a grain bug up my nose," she whined, picking up an open package of Saltines. More grain bugs flew out. "What do you have to say for yourself?"

"I'm going to have to fire Maria," he said. "The worst housekeeper I've ever hired."

Julia rolled her eyes and grinned. "No use blaming this on your imaginary friends. Let's go."

"Go where?" House wanted to know.

"IHOP," she replied, as if he was stupid for not knowing. "Breakfast at any time of the day, genius. Come on."

House grabbed his keys, but Julia snatched them out of his hand. "I'm driving," she explained. "That's one sweet ride you've got."

"Don't hurt her," House begged as they stepped into the elevator.

"So as long as we're on the subject of pajamas, what kind do you think Chase wears?" Julia asked a little too nonchalantly.

"For the last time, it's pajamas," House told her, then stopped and considered the question. "You want to know my opinion of what Dr. Chase sleeps in?"

"I find it fascinating that you make such logical guesses about what your co-workers wear to bed," Julia said coolly. "I'm merely encouraging you to pursue a topic of conversation that makes you happy."

"I think you're encouraging me to pursue a topic of conversation that makes you happy," House replied. "And in answer to your question, if you want to know so bad, find out yourself."

"You shouldn't go around telling me to do stuff like that," Julia gasped. "A real father wouldn't do that. Plus…" She trailed off as they reached the car. "I don't think Chase is interested in letting me find out what he wears to bed. You know, since I'm sick."

House looked down, embarrassed at his conversational gaffe. It had been obvious from the beginning that he would need to be more sensitive to Julia's situation, but it was going to be next to impossible if little remarks like that kept slipping out of his mouth. "Sorry," he mumbled.

"It's fine," Julia said. She put the key in the ignition and turned on the car. She listened to the engine rev, and squealed. "This is going to be so cool!"

"Be gentle," House pleaded. "Really, she's all I've got." He wondered for a fleeting moment what it was that had prompted him to start referring to his car, an inanimate object, as a she.

"Don't worry," Julia said, winking as she threw the car into reverse. "I promise I won't go over ninety."

Fifteen minutes later, they were seated in a booth at the local IHOP studying the menu.

"What can I get you?" asked a platinum-blonde, droning waitress with a pungent odor of bubble gum surrounding her. She didn't look a day under forty.

"A cup of coffee," House told her.

"Water, please," Julia requested.

"Water?" House scoffed. "You're no fun. Don't tell me you're going to order a salad with fat-free dressing too."

Julia glared at him, humor dancing in her eyes despite the expression on her face. "Never mind about the water," she told the waitress. "I'd like a Coke."

The waitress, whose name-tag read Peg, nodded and swaggered away.

"Alright, fine," Julia hissed. "You want me to turn into a tub of lard, that's what I'll do. I'm going to order all the food I can possibly shove into my mouth. You'll be sorry."

"I hardly think you're in danger of that," House replied. "You're a twig."

Julia rolled her eyes. "Whatever, dude," she said as she flipped through the menu.

Peg came back five minutes later with their drinks. House ordered a Belgian waffle with a side of sausage and an extra scrambled egg. Julia ordered a cheeseburger with onion rings and a side salad with all-fat-included Ranch dressing. House was pleased and nodded in approval.

House spotted something familiar yet out of place out of the corner of his eye. He twisted around in his seat and was met with Alison Cameron. "Oh, hi, House," she said, sounding surprised. "I didn't know you were coming here."

"I didn't either," he admitted.

"Cameron!" Julia cried, smiling. "Fancy meeting you here!" Something in her voice told House she knew Cameron was going to come by. In fact, that something told him she'd insisted on it.

"Come, sit down," Julia said. She did not move her purse from where it was seated on the booth next to her, silently suggesting that Cameron sit next to House.

The two older members of the party glanced at each other and smiled helplessly. They both knew the path of least resistance would work best. Cameron slid into the booth next to House. "Hi," she said again.

"Hi," House said. "How are you, Cameron?"

"You mean since you saw her approximately one hour ago?" Julia said, unsuccessfully attempting to surpress a smile. "She looks pretty good to me."

"Kind of tired, but yes, I'm feeling good," Cameron said, looking around the restaurant uneasily. It seemed like she was searching for something…

"I was supposed to meet someone here," an Australian voice said faintly. They barely heard it over the whir of the fans and the clanking of plates, but it was there, and they all noticed. "I don't know if she's seated yet, but…"

"Chase!" Cameron called. "Over here!"

Robert Chase glanced at her, grinned as he saw his boss peeking over the seat beside her, then truly smiled as he saw Julia's stunned expression. "Thanks," he said to the hostess. "That's my party. I'll just have a menu, please."

Julia glanced at Cameron and glared at her. "What's this all about?" she hissed.

Cameron shrugged innocently. "I thought I might bring a friend, since you didn't mention before that anyone else would be here," she cooed. House glanced sharply at Julia, who reddened and looked away.

"Very funny," he muttered, but he was smiling.

Chase sat down next to Julia, who had moved her purse once her heart had started beating again. "How's it going?" he said to Cameron. "Hello, Dr. House," he said to House. "Hi, Julia," he almost whispered as he greeted her.

She managed to nod. "Chase," she said.

The waitress came back with a coffee pot to refill House's already empty mug. "Looks like your party grew," she commented dryly, whipping out a pad of paper and a pen. "What can I get you?"

"A glass of water," Cameron said. House rolled his eyes. Julia just grinned.

"A Coke," Chase ordered. Peg walked away.

No one said anything.

"Who orchestrated this?" House wanted to know. "I somehow find it hard to believe this was coincidence."

"I came because Cameron said we were going to hang out," Chase said defensively. House and Julia both shot him angry looks, House for moving in on Cameron, Julia for feeling left out. "I mean," he continued, beginning to sweat, "just, you know, eat and all that. She said she asked Foreman but he couldn't make it."

"Okay," House said, turning to Cameron. "What about you? What's your story?"

"Julia said she might come by, and that maybe we could get a bite to eat and talk," she stammered.

"And what's with Chase? Why'd you drag him along?"

Cameron turned a deep shade of red. "I thought maybe…ummm…uhhh…I thought…" I thought I might try a little matchmaking, she finished in her mind.

"I've heard enough," House said. "Your turn, Julia. Anything you want to tell Daddy?" He heard Chase snicker.

Julia shrugged. "Nothing, Dad," she said innocently.

"Nothing?"

She shook her head. "Absolutely nothing."

Peg came back with Chase and Cameron's drinks, and everyone was secretly grateful for the intrusion. Cameron ordered a BLT and fries; Chase ordered a stack of buttermilk pancakes, a side of bacon, and a fruit bowl. Peg walked off to punch in their order.

"How's your mom?" Chase asked Julia.

"No change yet," she said, secretly disappointed that he had reminded her. It was easier to have fun when she didn't think about it. "Dad, you have your phone on, right? In case someone calls?"

He saluted. "You can count on me," he said.

Julia rolled her eyes and grinned. "As far as I know, she's alive. Barely. But that's better than nothing, right?"

Chase nodded. "Right."

House asked Cameron how she was again; she repeated that she was fine and asked him the same question. House said he was doing well. They both looked away, trying to come up with some means of conversation.

Chase and Julia watched this exchange, and looked at each other and grinned. "Pathetic," Julia mouthed, glancing sideways at House.

"I know," he mouthed back.

"So," Julia said brightly. "Let's liven things up a little bit. Who's up for a game of Truth or Dare?"

"Oh boy," House muttered, gulping down some coffee. "I'm not. What was I thinking? Teenage girls are a whole new creature to me. I forgot they like to do things like this."

"Come on," Cameron said. "It might be fun. I'm in."

"I'm in, too," Chase agreed. "I'm not sure if I'm up for a lot of dares, though."

"That's fine," Julia told him. "I'm much more interested in hearing you answer truths. Cameron: Truth or Dare?"

Cameron panicked inwardly. "Ummm…" she said.

"I'm not going to do anything mean…yet," she said, her eyes gleaming. "Truth or Dare?"

"Truth," she decided.

"Alright." Julia thought for a moment. "Let's start with something easy. Tell me one thing about yourself that we wouldn't expect to be true about you."

"I speak Spanish fluently," she said automatically. "I met the nicest guy in college, and he was from Mexico. Very attractive, very smart. He taught me."

"I'd like to hear a little," House said. "It's not true if you can't prove it."

Cameron looked him in the eyes and said, "El burro sabe más que tú."

Julia burst out laughing. Chase and House glanced at each other, confused. "What does that mean?" Chase asked.

"She said a donkey knows more than he does," Julia giggled. "I believe you, Cameron. Good job. Now it's your turn."

"House, truth or dare?" Cameron asked.

"Dare," he selected. "I'm feeling adventurous."

"You have to drink four more cups of coffee before we leave here tonight," she told him. "This is your punishment, Julia: a hyperactive House."

She rolled her eyes, but knew she was getting what she deserved.

House nodded. "I can do that easily," he boasted. "Chase, truth or dare?"

"Truth," he decided.

"What do you really think of my daughter, Julia Peterson House?"

No one spoke. A terrified expression formed on Chase's face.

"Since when did my name turn into that?" Julia wanted to know.

"Seems fair, don't you agree?" House replied. "We're all waiting breathlessly, Chase. Let's hear it."

Chase swallowed. "I think she's great."

"Care to elaborate?" House asked.

"Ummm…I think she's very kind, very fun-loving and spontaneous, a little mischievous, perhaps…" He ran through his mental list of adjectives that described Julia. "Insightful, intelligent, compassionate…" He peeked in Julia's direction and saw her blushing. "And she's pretty, especially when she's blushing. Just like she is now."

She gave him a light punch on the shoulder. "Chase!" she said. "That's not fair! You're embarrassing me!"

House looked pleased to hear this tribute to his daughter. "I'm glad to hear that. Chase, it's your turn. Give her hell."

Chase nodded somberly. "Julia, truth or dare?"

She gulped. Either way, she was going to lose. She knew it. "Truth," she mumbled.

He wanted to ask her why she wouldn't tell him why she had gotten AIDS, but he knew this was not the place for it. Besides, he wanted to see more of that cute expression she donned when she was flabbergasted. "What's the worst thing about having Dr. House as your dad?"

Cameron clapped her hands. "That's an excellent question," she exclaimed. "House, pay attention."

Julia looked trapped. "Wow…" she said slowly, considering the question. Then she grinned. "He won't let me do my crosswords anymore! He says they're a bad influence!"

"House," Cameron scolded. "I can't believe you."

"I'm not going to be able to do this coffee thing if she never comes back," House complained, staring mournfully into his empty mug.

Luckily, Peg came back at that precise moment with their food and refills. The game of Truth or Dare continued. They found out that House secretly held Dr. Cuddy in high esteem, Julia wanted to be a doctor if she grew up (she did use the word "if"), Chase was going to be forced to wear his hair in pigtails to work on Monday, and it was Cameron's turn when they finally paid the bill.

"Come on, Cam," Chase persisted. "Truth or Dare?" He held the door open as they all walked out. He noticed that House allowed Cameron to go before him.

"I'm feeling adventurous," she said. "Dare."

Julia gave Chase a look that said, "Make her do it now!" Somehow, he knew exactly what she meant, because he wanted to see it too.

He put on a devilish smile, striking fear into Cameron's heart. "You have to kiss House," he told her.

"Chase, you jerk, pick something else!" she told him, laughing. "That's so mean!"

"Might as well," House said to her, swinging his cane back and forth. "He's not going to come up with anything better."

Julia's mouth dropped open and she let out an, "Awwwww!"

Cameron regarded him in wonder. "Are you serious?"

He shrugged. "It's gotta be the caffeine. I'm willing to try anything at this point. You'd better hurry up, before I change my mind."

Julia and Chase were on one side of the car; House and Cameron were on the other. Chase and Julia looked each other in the eyes and grinned. This was going to go down in history as one of the most amazing things they had ever seen. "Should we give them some privacy?" Julia asked Chase softly.

"You mean turn around?" he asked. "No way! We can't miss this! I need to see it so I can use it to keep him from spreading around that picture of me in the dress."

"This feels wrong," she insisted.

"Turn around if you want to," Chase told her. "I'm not missing this for the world."

Julia groaned but remained facing House and Cameron's direction.

They moved in closer, his chest skimming hers. They were both looking downward to the right. "We have to do this sometime," House observed.

"Yeah, well, you're the man. You get to initiate."

"It's your fault we're in this situation in the first place."

"Just do it!" Chase called. "We're not leaving until it's finished."

Cameron rolled her eyes, leaned up, and kissed him.

Julia let out a cry of happiness and fell against Chase. "Look at that!" she gushed. "Isn't it incredible?"

"Amazing," he breathed. He watched as House and Cameron kissed…and kissed…and kissed… "You can let go now, if you want. Don't let us stop you, though."

House and Cameron pulled apart slowly, arms entwined, looking each other straight in the eyes. House had a satisfied grin on her face; Cameron was blushing hard. Neither knew what to say. How could they possibly put what had just happened, what had started out forced and ended up as a choice, what they had enjoyed and been left wanting so much more of, into words?

"That was so cool!" Julia cried. "I'll bet nobody else's dad does that!"

"I've seen enough," Chase told her. "Come on, let's go take a walk somewhere. Give them some private time."

"Hey, Chase!" Cameron called. "It's your turn."

He stopped dead in his tracks. "Truth," he said automatically.

"Oh, no, you don't," House said. "You get a dare. Under ordinary circumstances, I'd shoot you if you did this, but you have my full permission. Kiss Julia!"

Julia's eyes widened. "That's not fair," she said.

"It wasn't fair to us either," Cameron retorted. "Come on, chickens!"

Chase shook his head. "I can't, House," he said. Well, I could if you weren't watching, he added silently.

"Chase, I'm going to put the picture on the internet! Send it to your dad, maybe," House told him. "We're good friends now. We play internet golf together sometimes. I wonder what he'd think…"

Chase pulled Julia to him and kissed her. She almost died from the niceness of it. House and Cameron burst out laughing. "Take a picture with the cell phone!" she screamed. "Hurry up, quick!"

House ripped his cell phone out of his pocket and pressed the camera button. It started singing "Greensleeves."

"You idiot!" Cameron said, laughing. "You missed it! At least get the expression on Julia's face; that's classic!"

Indeed, it was; Julia looked stunned, like she might fall over any second from shock. Now I've done everything, she thought as she started laughing too.

"Hey," House said. "This phone's really ringing."

"Answer it," Chase suggested, hoping against hope that Julia wouldn't get him for this later. He felt bad about it, he really did, but the last thing he needed was House telling the whole world that Chase had once worn a dress. He was probably bluffing, but just to be safe…

"Hello?" House said into the phone as each couple came together to form a circle. "Oh, it's you."

Cameron leaned up against him, listening. "Wilson," she mouthed.

"Why are you calling me? I'm kind of busy right now, and I was under the impression that we weren't speaking. By the way, Chase just kissed Julia. I thought you might want to know."

Everyone heard Wilson scream, "He did what?"

"How does it feel?" House wanted to know.

Julia shut her eyes wearily and yanked the phone out of his hand. "Hi, James," she said. "Don't listen to him; he's just being irritating. Don't worry about it; what's up? Why are you calling?" She paused, listening. "She's awake? My mom's awake? Thank-you so much; we'll be right there." She flipped the phone shut. "He's calling because he was working late, and he found out that my mom woke up. Dad, can we go see her?"

"Of course, pumpkin," he said. Cameron giggled; try as he may, House could not manage to pull off the pet-name thing. She had a sneaking suspicion he was making a parody of the situation, so she didn't say anything. "Mind if I drive?"

She tossed him the keys and turned to say good-bye to Chase. "I'll see you later, okay?" she said, hoping the end the evening on a dignified note. She held out her hand for a shake.

"Nice try," he said. Chase gave her a hug and told her goodnight. She got into the car, feeling giddy from the event that had just taken place. It was nothing short of incredible.

"Good luck," Cameron said softly once Julia was in the car and Chase was pulling out of the parking lot. "With Alma, I mean. I know it'll probably be awkward."

"Understatement of the year," House said, biting his lip. "Thanks, though. I need all the luck I can get at this point."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked him.

House shrugged. "Cameron, just when you think you've seen it all, something new comes along. Today is no exception."

"Sorry," she said apologetically. "I guess I wasn't helping back there, with the whole…you know, kissing thing."

He shook his head. "I would have agreed with you a week ago, but in fact, I feel the exact opposite way. You're keeping everything bearable, Cameron. I don't know how, but you are, and I wouldn't have it any other way." He touched her cheek, and for a moment she braced herself for whatever might happen next, because almost anything could have. But House didn't move any further. He moved away slowly and said, "Goodnight, Alison. I'll see you tomorrow."

It wasn't until he'd pulled away and sped down the street that Cameron realized that neither of them were working tomorrow. "What did he mean by that?" she asked no one in particular, then she smiled and giggled as she skipped to her own car. Who knew her most unattainable dream would come true in the IHOP parking lot?

In my defense, I'd like to say that driving school is making my imagination do all kinds of crazy things. I attribute this chapter to temporary insanity. Two more days, then hopefully my writing will get a little bit better. Or at least a little more realistic. Reviews, anyone?