A/N: Thank you so much for reading it always amazes me that people still read this. JLCH, Abby, Gemilh, Guesty Guest, OldSFfan, houseshead13 and Guest thank you for your kind reviews.

It's even more surprising that people still read House fanfiction, it's been some years now since the last episode, so I'd like to thank all the writers whose ideas have kept this going for so long.

Anyway here is the new chapter and aren't you just a little surprised it hasn't been a year yet for me to update my next chapter?!

"Thank you Mr. Mitchell for your short speech, even though it was a bit on the rude side, so consider this to be your first strike." Judge Saunders said in a strict tone that reminded House a little bit of his High School principal Mrs. O'Brian. She had been a no nonsense woman too.

"I apologize, your Honor."

"This meeting is not meant to be a pissing contest between you counsellors, we are here today to determine whether this case will be decided in court or not." The judge continued and with each passing word House liked her more and more and trusted her enough to make the right decision.

"Now, before we continue I think we need to take a 30 minute break so that I can take a proper look at the case-file and the materials that have been gathered." And with that said Judge Saunders left the room.

Cuddy leaned towards Hotchins and asked "Is this good or bad?"

"It's good, shows that the Judge thinks this is a serious matter and not a waste of her time."

5 minutes later House was driving Cuddy and everyone around him crazy. The first minute he spend using his fingers and the leather couch as an imaginary drum kit. He stopped after Cuddy told him to quit it.

Then House played with a pen he found on the table beside him. He started to click it in an annoying rhythm. This time it was Hotchins who put an end to it by snatching the pen out of his hands.

By then Cuddy was getting very embarrassed, how old was House again? But then he had never been good at sitting quietly. Luckily she always kept an emergency stash of toys in her purse. Yes, some of them were Rachel's her actual child, but never mind that. So with a little rummaging in her purse she produced the emergency Nintendo DS. "Will you please be quiet now!" She whispered and handed him the toy. Cuddy heard a chuckle coming from Hotchins.

When Judge Saunders returned Cuddy snatched the Nintendo DS out of his hands again. Normally he would've been outraged he didn't save his game, but today it didn't matter.

Judge Saunders took a seat and with a deep breath she began "I agree with you Ms Hotchins this child needs to find a family and preferably not one that the State provides." She looked through the case-file and continued "However, I need to make sure Drs. House and Cuddy are the right family for Jack. I am prepared to look past your drug abuse Dr. House since you have been clean for a while and according to your psychiatrist Dr. Nolan you are doing everything you can to stay clean. Now, in order for me to decide I have to do one more thing. I want to talk to Jack alone, he is old and smart enough to know what he wants."

"Your Honor, Jack is NOT old enough to know what he wants!" Mr. Mitchell said.

"According to this child's IQ test scores his mind is like a 12 year old and he had a very high score in problem solving so I think we'll be alright. And anyway don't you think it's about time he should have a say in what he wants and not what other people think is best for him? Do you honestly think this boy has any trust left in you?" Judge Saunders fired back and for the first time House could hear some emotion in her words.

"Now Jack," Jack sat up straight and waited for her to continue "this is really important. Have you had any lunch?"

"No." He whispered but loud enough for the Judge to hear him.

"Good. Daniel?" She addressed the security guard at the exit of the office House had almost forgotten about. "Can you bring us some sandwiches, chips and drinks to my rooms please?" With a nod Daniel left the office. "I just want to ask you some questions about what you want to happen. I hope that is ok?" She asked Jack gently.

Then something remarkable happened, instead of checking with his social worker who has known Jack for 4 years he looked at House and Cuddy for some advice.

"It's ok nothing bad will happen, just tell the truth." House said in a soft and gentle word.

With a nod Jack stood up and followed the judge.

Judge Saunders took a seat at the large table, while Jack followed more slowly and stopped at the other end.

"Ham or Cheese?" Saunders asked while holding up the sandwiches.

"Cheese please." He answered a little louder than before.

"I was hoping you would say that, ham is my favorite." She said with a smile. "What's your favorite food?" She asked as she watched Jack walk closer to her and the cheese sandwich.

"I don't know. What is going to happen?" He asked getting straight to the point.

"I like your directness." She laughed "As I said I need to make sure you get placed with the right people. So I need you tell me if you want to stay with Drs. House and Cuddy?" She opened the cheese sandwich and waited for Jack to take a seat at the table.

"Yes." Jack said before taking a bite of the sandwich.

"Yes, you want to stay with the doctors?" She had to make sure.

"Yes." He said again.

"Not much of a talker, are you? That's ok, but in order for me to help you I need to know why you want to stay with them?"

They both sat quietly for while eating their lunch. Jack had finished his sandwich and was moving on to the potato chips. The whole while he kept his head down. Saunders did not pressure him to answer her, she knew from experience that kids with a history like Jack could close up very quickly. She could also see Jack was getting his thoughts together.