Disclaimer: I don't own House or any of its characters.
A/N: Another chapter, can't believe I'm still writing this. I think my grammar might be gettinga bitbetter. Maybe. Hopefully. Okay most likely not, but I can be forever hopeful right? I apologize now for any mistakes I've made. Now on with the story.
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"Mama, I'm bored."
I glanced at Sophia, "I know sweetie, but we have to wait for the tow truck."
We had been driving to the hotel when the truck had giving a large shudder and started smoking. I'd had immediately pulled over and popped the hood, as if I would know anything that was wrong with the truck. I know nothing about cars. I called AAA and they had told us that the tow truck would be here in half an hour. The half hour was up almost an hour ago. So we were now both sitting on the curb impatiently waiting.
"Mama?" Sophia asked her voice timid.
I looked at her and I asked, "What is it sweetie?"
"Why don't we live with Daddy?"
"We will be living with him soon."
"Really?"
"Really."
Sophia happily shrieked and hugged me, her tiny arms wrapped around my neck squeezing as tight as she could. I felt a lump form in my throat as I hugged her back. How much longer did I have with her? Not long. I could see the tow truck driver at the street light waiting for the red light to turn green.
Pulling away I swallowed the lump in my throat, "Look, that's the tow truck." I pointed and Sophia turned and looked.
"Finally!" she yelled jumping up and down in excitement.
As the tow truck driver pulled over in front of my truck and got out wearing pants that were almost falling of his thin frame all I could think of was my answer to Sophia's question. She would be living there soon. I wouldn't be there for her. I won't be able to watch my daughter grow up. I won't see her hit her awkward stage, her first boyfriend, watch her graduate from high school, and go to college.
I will miss all of that and much more.
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"Why are you guys late? I was getting worried." Was the first thing James said to us when he spotted us getting of the elevator. It was comforting to know that someone would have been upset if we had gone missing.
"The truck broke down." I said as I watched Sophia run up to James throwing her arms up in the air waiting for him to pick her up.
Picking up Sophia he gave me a sharp look, "Your truck broke down? How did you get here?"
"Tow truck." I answered brushing my bangs out of my face.
"You didn't have it taken to a shop?" He asked.
"Oh I did, something's wrong with transmission." I answered cheerfully.
"You seem pretty chipper all considering." He said cautiously. He squinted at me as I walked past him in the direction of his office. "Why are you so cheerful?"
I was anything but cheerful. I was running low on money because I was paying too much for the damn hotel room. There was no way I would go to a cheaper hotel when I have a young child with me. Then my stupid truck decided to go and break on me. If I didn't put up this cheerful attitude I would most likely break down crying. It wouldn't be pretty.
"So what do we have planned for lunch?" I asked looking into Dr. House's office as we passed by. He was sitting at his desk a yo-yo in one hand, a dazed look on his face. Did that man ever work?
"I want McDonald's!" Sophia piped. Of course she wanted McDonald's.
"I actually don't have the time, I have an appointment at one and it's already fifteen till." James said. Sophia deflated, her smile replaced with a pout.
"I wanna have lunch with you." Sophia whined.
"Sweetie, Daddy has to work." I told her rubbing a hand comfortingly on her back.
"We can go some where after work for dinner." James said and Sophia immediately perked up.
"I can I choose where?" She asked hopefully.
"Not this time, it's my turn." He replied. Thank god, I don't think I could stand McDonald's again.
"Why don't you guys go down to the cafeteria and eat there." He suggested passing Sophia over to me.
"Sounds good to me." I said giving James a smile.
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The blinds were closed in Dr. House's office so if anyone in the hall or in the adjourning conference room couldn't see me and my daughter snooping around for that stupid PSP. Shuffling the papers around on the desk I saw the familiar black of the PSP that my daughter loved so much.
"Here you go sweetie." Sophia snatched the PSP out of my hands with a thank you. She pushed open the doors that connected to the Diagnostic Conference room most likely interrupting Dr. House and his crew. At this moment I could care less. I plopped down in the plush computer chair and closed my eyes.
"Are you stealing now?" I opened my eyes to see Dr. House standing by his desk, leaning heavily on his cane.
"You're not using it." I replied.
"That's not the point. It's mine. Not hers. She could break it."
"Is it broken?"
"Still not the point."
"Is she still in the other room?"
"Cameron is most likely entertaining her."
"Good."
I heard him shuffle a bit, most likely sitting down in the chair in front of his desk.
"I guess now you know why I'm not doing chemo."
No response.
"God. I don't know what to do."
I heard an annoyed sigh and then an equally annoyed voice, "This is a confession time isn't it? Why does it always happen to me?"
I snapped open my eyes and shot him a glare, "Oh, don't worry. There's no way in hell would I talk to you about it."
"Good."
My god he was infuriating.
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It was after dinner and Sophia was asleep in the back seat when I decided to tell James about my money problems.
"I'm running out of money. I can't keep on living in a hotel, it costs way too much." It came out in a jumbled rush.
His hand hovered over the buckle of his seat belt and he just looked at me, eyes a little wide. His mouth opened then closed and then finally opened again, "I can pay for your hotel."
I shake my head no, "James I can't let you do that, you're doing more then enough. Besides what would you're wife say?"
"I don't know what else to offer you. I'm basically living out of the office and Greg's place." James said unbuckling.
"I'm sorry; I shouldn't have bothered you with this." I unbuckled and turned to open the car door but a hand on my arm stopped me.
"No. I'll figure something out, even if it means asking House."
"What?"
"He owes me. I've done a lot of things for him. He has a spare room, so you and Sophia could stay there."
Was he joking?
There was no way we were going to stay at that man's house.
But I guess beggars can't really be choosers can they?
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A/N: Sorry it took me a while to write this chapter. I know its short but I guess I got writers block. Please review and let me know what ya think. Oh, I'm planning on going back and fixing the last chapters a bit, cause I've been told the grammar and all that isn't pretty bad. I hope that it was a little better in this chapter.