I know I'm a terrible person. I know everyone who read this has died of old age by now. But here's the next chapter. I went through most of them and changed them a little.

And that's why I haven't updated this in weeks, I've been making the one half of it better. That's right. Better.

House made his way to the clinic of his own power. This actually seemed to soothe the ache in his skull for a while, and he was feeling almost chirpy as he headed into an empty exam room to spend some time playing games. The minute he flicked on his PlayStation Portable, however, placed his Nike shoes on the bench and pulled out his Apple iPod, it was back.

"Damnit," he muttered irritably, putting the things away and staring at the wall for a while. That seemed to help a little, but not much – after brief consideration, he stopped twirling his cane.

"Are you Doctor House?"

There was a girl at the door, looking hesitant but determined.

"I'm not going to like you," House informed her. He glanced around and met a pair of blue eyes that seemed vaguely familiar.

"Oh, God, get away from me," he said mournfully. The girl stepped timidly into the room, sitting on the edge of the exam table and continuing to watch him.

"You are Doctor House. Doctor Cuddy said you had a cane and blue eyes."

"Yes, okay," he muttered,trying not to look at her.

"Um. Do you remember a woman called Scarlet?"

"Sort of. Why?" he queried suspiciously, aware that he wasn't going to like her reply.

"She's my mother. And you're my father."

That time, sparks exploded in front of his eyes and it was a few minutes before he regained his vision. That had come quite close to matching the pain in his leg those few days before the operation, he mused, giving the girl a sharp look as she went to speak again.

"Go away. Don't – say – anything else," he ordered. Her eyes filled with tears. He cursed things, silently.

"But – but – I've come so far to find you," she sniffed. "I've fought so much to be with you. Are you just going to throw me away?"

"Since when do ten year olds speak like that?" House demanded irritably. "Shoo. You make my head hurt."

"But my mother's dead," she said beseechingly. "I don't have anywhere to go."

"What do you want me to do about it?" House demanded. She pulled out a sheaf of papers and a pen. House recognized the seal of an adoption agency at the top.

He moved quite fast for a man with a cane.