There was a small noise beside them. It was the patient coughing. He slowly turned to smile at House and sat up.

House: Hey kiddo, how you feeling?

Matthew: Really good. I made it just like you said.

House: I told you to trust me.

Wilson: Dr House is an awesome doctor.

Matthew: Yeah he's cool. Are you on Dr House's team?

Wilson: No I'm his best friend Dr Wilson, I work in a complete different department.

House: Yeah he works in a department that's just as important as mine. He works in the Oncology department.

Matthew: That's cancer right?

Wilson: Yeah that's right.

House: See I told you he was bright.

Matthew: Doctor House am I cured, I mean can I walk again?

House: We have to test that. Wilson you wanna stay and help?

Matthew: Please stay, I haven't been around this many people as I have since I've come here.

Wilson looked at house with a curious look.

Wilson: Of course I will. Right first we have to test your reflexes.

House: For this we use this tool and we hit it against your knee cap and then lower down your leg at your ankle.

House carried out the test and he saw the movement he was hoping for.

Wilson: Excellent, now try to move your toes.

Matthew did this successfully.

Matthew: Yes I can do it.

House: That's great kid. Now do you think you want to try stand up?

Matthew: Erm okay I will try.

House: I'm just gonna get… okay no worries they are here.

Chase, Taub and Foreman walked in as if on cue.

Chase: Hey, your awake.

Taub: And looking good.

Foreman: How do you feel?

Matthew: Great, I can move my toes and everything.

Foreman: Awesome.

House: Me and Wilson have carried out the reflexes successfully. Now we need to see if he can stand.

Wilson: We're gonna see if you can stand up alone, if you can't there is enough of us to catch you. Okay?

Matthew: Okay I trust all of you.

House: Great, you boy's ready?

They all nodded. Matthew swung his legs around the side of the bed where they were all standing and he put his feet flat on the floor.

Matthew: Wow this floor is cold.

Chase: That's a good thing, it means you have feeling in your feet.

Taub: Now put pressure on your legs and try to stand.

He did this and he was standing on his own.

Foreman: That's great your standing on your own.

Matthew: Wow. Can I try walking now?

House: Hang on let me stand in front of you. he moved his position.

House: Okay try take a step towards me. Don't worry Chase and Wilson are stood either side of you.

The patient took his first successful step in to House's direction.

House: Try another.

Matthew: I'm walking.

House: You sure our, try one step without Wilson and Chase. I will still be here.

Chase and Wilson took a step away and the patient walked two steps and fell in to House's arms where he caught him.

House stood with his arms around the kid for a few seconds.

House: I'm proud of you kiddo, you've done great. Now let's get you back in to this bed.

Cuddy was stood in the doorway, she knocked and walked in.

Cuddy: Hi how you doing?

Matthew: Dr Cuddy, I can stand and I can walk.

Cuddy: That's amazing. See I told you Dr House would help you.

Matthew: I know, all you guy's are awesome, thank you for fixing me.

They all smiled at him.

Cuddy: I got you some sweets to enjoy. As soon as Dr House says your well enough to eat you can have them.

Wilson: When he's ready he's coming with me and house down to the canteen.

Cuddy: Your lucky, theres chocolate cake on the menu.

Matthew: My favourite.

House: You three can leave for the day, me and Wilson will stay and look after him.

They left leaving House, Wilson and Cuddy.

Wilson: We need to strengthen your legs so your gonna need something called…

Matthew: Physiotherapy.

Cuddy: Wow, that's good.

Wilson: He also knew what oncology was.

Cuddy: Have your parents taught you about medical stuff before?

Matthew: Erm they never liked or taught. Matthew stopped and had a sad look on his face.

House: It's okay, you can tell us.

Matthew: Okay. I'm not 19 im 17. I ran away from home a while ago.

House sat beside him on his bed and put an arm around him.

House: Continue.

Matthew: My mum was always drinking alcohol and well I don't know what she was taking, they were little round pills. I knew it was wrong because she would just pour the bottle out in to her hand not caring how many pills she was taking and took them with what ever drink was in the bottle. My dad would always come home drunk as well and loads of times he would erm …

Cuddy: It's okay honey. You can tell us three.

House tightened his arm around him and pulled him closer towards him. Cuddy and Wilson both sat in the two chairs which surrounded the bed.

Matthew: I would be in my room reading and playing with the few things my mum and dad bought me. My dad would come in to my room when he was drunk and hit me. Sometimes with his hand or his shoe but most of the time it was with his belt. I have the marks on my back still I think.

House: Can I see them?

Matthew: Okay but please don't touch it really hurts even when my clothes touch my back.

House: I promise I wont touch.

The patient leant forward slightly allowing House to get access to his back. When he saw the marks, he ran his hand over his face and then covered his mouth. Cuddy saw this.

Cuddy: Sweetie can I take a quick look please?

Matthew: You three are my doctors, so you can do what you need to. I trust you three.

Wilson: Thanks buddy, we wont touch anything.

Cuddy and Wilson saw what House did and done the exact same thing. Wilson couldn't look anymore.

Wilson: I know this is hard to talk about but when was the last time your dad hit you?

Patient: Two months ago, it was the day I ran away. Dr House, you see the long mark in the middle of my back?

House: Yeah kiddo I see it.

Matthew: That was from his belt, he hit me in the same place four times.

House closed his eyes,

House: Continue.

Matthew: The one on top of that is a cut right?

Cuddy: Yes sweetie what happened there?

Matthew: It was a really hot day so I took my t-shirt off. I came home and I asked my mum for some dinner, she got really angry and through the bottle at the wall behind me and a piece of glass got my back. I guess if I kept my t-shirt on it wouldn't have hurt as much. Or if I didn't ask for dinner it wouldn't have happened at all.

Wilson: Hey this wasn't your fault.

House: Look, when I was a kid, I hated my dad so much, I wasn't close to my mum much either. I spent most of my time in my room reading just like you did. My dad hit me a few times. It wasn't because he was drunk, he just thought I was a failure in life.

Matthew: But you were just a kid, how can you be a failure at that age.

House: That's exactly what I use to think. I need you to let me, Dr Wilson and Dr Cuddy do something. It will hurt just a little bit, but once we finish you will be a little better.

Matthew: What do you need to do?

House: You need to let us clean these cuts and cover up these bruises so you don't knock them and make them worse.

Matthew: No way that will hurt.

Cuddy: Dr House is right. We will try our hardest to not let it hurt.

Wilson: Yeah plus, Dr Cuddy has a big bowl of lollipops on the nurses desk, that im pretty sure you can have as many as you like.

Cuddy: You sure can.

Matthew: Okay.

House: Fantastic.

Matthew: Dr House, can we talk some more after?

House: Listen buddy we can talk as much as you like. How about this. You let Dr Wilson deal with all the cuts, bruises and scratches, and me and Dr Cuddy will get loads of sweets and chocolates and loads of other stuff and you and me will spend the rest of the day and night talking about anything you want?

Matthew: I would really love that.

Cuddy: That sounds really fun but remember you have to go with Dr Wilson and get sorted first.

Matthew: Okay I will go.

Cuddy: Well done.

Matthew: Thank you Dr House.

House: Your more than welcome.

Matthew rapped his arms tight around House and House done the same. He had his chin resting on the kids head as he held him against his chest. He softly kissed the top of Matthews head.

House: Time for you to go with Dr Wilson so I can go get us loads of sweets. What's your favourite?

Matthew: Jelly beans.

Wilson: Hey it's the same as you.

Cuddy: We will have to get plenty of them then.

Wilson: It's a bit far for you to walk so your gonna have to get in the wheel chair.

Matthew: Okay, let's go fix me again.

Wilson smiled and they headed out the room down to the clinic.

House swung his legs to the side of the bed and let his head drop into his hands. Cuddy sat next to him on the bed and placed an arm around him. He automatically fell in to her touch.

Cuddy: Babe are you okay?

House: Matthew is me. I just I feel so sorry for him I don't wanna leave him. Where will he go from here and where has he been. Cuddy he's a smart kid he needs to be in school or college and work towards a degree.

Cuddy: Your right. He reminds me of you so much. He obviously has an interest in medicine. He is a great kid who deserves attention far from what his parents have given him.

House: I don't know where he's come from, I don't even know how he got here, his folder was just on my desk when I came in to work. We have no idea where his parents are to even contact the police. I don't want to call child services for them to throw him in some home where he wont even get what he deserves.

Cuddy: House, he's 18 in a few months he'll be old enough to be where ever he wants.

House: That's true, but I don't think he has money. I think I want to get him into college. I'm gonna pay the tuition fees, that kid is gonna get what he deserves. I don't care if anyone says I shouldn't, I care a lot about that kid.

Cuddy: I think you should do it.

House: You do?

Cuddy: I really do. I love seeing you act the way you have around him.

House: Can I ask you a question?

Cuddy: Of course you can.

House: Can I spend some more time with Rachel yet?

Cuddy: I would love for the two of you to do that.

House: Thank you. Can I sort stuff out with Matthew first, then I can give all my attention to you and Rachel.

Cuddy: Sounds great to me.

House: Thank you.

House stood up and stood with his legs between Cuddy's as she stayed sat down.

Cuddy put an arm around his neck pulling him down on to her lips. She pressed hers to his softly. As he kissed her back she closed her eyes and melted into him. He ran his tongue along her bottom lip, within moments she granted him the access he was asking for. He moved in closer, he placed his left hand on her waist and his right hand was roaming her hair. Her tongue was fighting with his fiercely.

House: Mmmm

He battled his with hers just as strongly. He then moved his lips down the side of her neck and back up to her ear where he nibbled on it softly, causing a moan to escape from deep inside her throat. His tongue was then back to attacking hers. He moaned into her mouth.

House: You know we are meant to be doing something right.

Cuddy: You should stop kissing me so we can get it done then.

He pulled away from her, took her hand and they walked out of Matthew's room in search for the sweets.

Wilson had found an empty consultant room to use.

Wilson: Here we are, you think you can hop up on there by yourself?

Matthew: I sure can.

Wilson went over to the cupboards to get everything that he would need including a few lollipops, when he turned round Matthew was sat on the bench ready for Wilson to begin.

Wilson: Here have this, it might take your mind off of these marks so I can treat them.

Matthew: Thank you Dr Wilson.

Wilson: No worries. Right I'm gonna start to clean your whole back with this wipe.

Matthew: An antiseptic wipe?

Wilson: Yup, you know quite a lot of medical stuff.

Matthew: I loved doing biology in school, I got top grades. I wish I could be like you guys here. I think being a doctor will be awesome.

Wilson: You will make a great doctor. I'm gonna start to wipe these now.

Matthew: Man this is gonna hurt.

Wilson: Just take a deep breath, it will be over quick enough.

Wilson wiped Matthew's back going gently over the marks and scratches. Matthew hissed every so often as the wipe touched the sore parts.

Wilson: Well done, the antiseptic wipe part is over.

Matthew: Now it's time for plasters and dressings right?

Wilson: Correct, this part doesn't hurt at all. You can have the other sweets on there if you want.

Matthew: Thank you.

Wilson put a big dressing on the main mark that went across Matthew's back. He then put plasters on the cuts, a larger one on the cut from the glass.

Wilson: I'm done here. Matthew, do you have any cuts or anything anywhere else on your body?

Matthew: Can you do anything for burns?

Wilson: What kind of burn is it?

Matthew: It's on my stomach. My mum was boiling water on the stove when she was drunk one day, I walked past her and she lost her balance and some of the water went on to me.

Wilson took a breath. Let me see.

Matthew showed him, Wilson looked at it for a few moments. He then went over to the cupboard, took out a few other things and attended to the burn.

Wilson: Is that all?

Matthew: Yeah all done now. Thank you Dr Wilson. Can we go see Dr House again please?

Wilson: Of course we can.

Cuddy and House was already back in Matthew's room. House was sat on the bed and Cuddy was sat in the chair with her legs resting on the bed. Wilson and Matthew returned.

Cuddy: Hi again

Matthew: Hello.

House: How did it go Matthew? Was there much pain?

Matthew: Not much, Dr Wilson gave me some sweets so it wouldn't hurt as much.

Wilson: House can I talk to you outside quickly?

House: Yeah sure. Matthew get back in bed and Dr Cuddy will make you nice and comfy, I will be back in a few minutes.

Matthew: Okay.

House and Wilson stepped out into the hall.

House: What's wrong?

Wilson: House his back was ridiculous, it took me ages to cover everything. Then I asked him if there was anything else on his body which needed treating. I didn't wanna miss anything with this kid.

House: Yeah, don't tell me there was more over his body.

Wilson: There was a burn on his stomach.

House put his hands over his face. Did he say how he got it, or should I say who gave it to him?

Wilson: His mum. He said she was drunk boiling water, she lost her balance and the water got on to his skin as he walked past her.

House: What a bitch. I said to Cuddy, im gonna pay for the kid to go to college, I just gotta ask what he wants to study, maybe I can pull a few strings and get him in somewhere.

Wilson: I already know. He told me he got the highest grades in Biology, he said he wants to be what we all are. He wants to be a doctor. He will make a great doctor house. He's smart, he already knows more than most kids know before they get started.

House: Well then that's it. If he wants to do that I will sort it out for him.

Wilson: Can I help with the fee's?

House: You want to?

Wilson: Yeah, I like this kid. He's like a younger version of you House. He deserves the education he needs to become a doctor.

House: Thanks Wilson. Hey I asked Cuddy if I can spend time with Rachel.

Wilson: That's great, I hope it goes well for you.

House: Thanks let's get back in.

Matthew was talking to Cuddy about Wilson treating his back and burn.

House: So Matty, you ready for a night of sweets and conversation?

Matthew: Totally.

Cuddy: House, I gotta get home to Rachel.

House: Okay, I will call you later, I wont if it's too late though in case I wake up the little one.

Cuddy: My phone's not on loud, call as late as you want or need.

House: Okay.

House gave cuddy a hug and kissed her.

Cuddy: Good night Matthew.

Matthew stretched his arms out to Cuddy for a hug which she accepted.

Matthew: Good night Dr Cuddy, are you going to come and see me in the morning?

Cuddy: Of course I will. Have fun with Dr House tonight, look after him for me.

Matthew: Okay I will.

She kissed House again, gave Wilson a quick hug and left.

Wilson: I should head home. I got an early start tomorrow.

Matthew hugged Wilson as well and said goodnight, he also promised to go see Matthew the next day. Wilson said good night to House.

It was only Matthew and House left in the room. House sat on the opposite end of the bed from Matthew.

House: So buddy, what do you want to talk about?

Matthew: How did you get over the way your dad treated you?

House: That's a great question. Well I reached a point where I started hating him so much, that I didn't care about what he thought anymore. I was myself, I didn't want to be controlled so I started studying at a young age to get to where I wanted to be in life which was a doctor.

Matthew: That's like me, I started studying really young and I got the highest grades in biology, my favourite subject to do ever.

House: Yeah, Dr Wilson told me that. You want to be a doctor too right?

Matthew: Very much so, I guess it's just one of them things in life that will never come true.

House: You see kiddo, that's where your wrong.

Matthew: What do you mean?

House: Matthew, you remind me so much of myself. Dr Chase took out some dead muscle from your leg. I had that exact same problem. The doctors kept telling me they had to cut my leg off but I wouldn't let them. So I told the doctors to cut out the dead muscle. I left it too long and I'm now in pain for life but I can still walk and live a normal life. Before the surgery, I was in so much pain I had to be put in to a medical induced comma. I was then addicted to a pain killer called Vicodin, the drugs messed with my head so much I had to go in to a rehab facility. Now I have been off of the drugs for over a year now and I feel happy. I didn't want that to happen to you so I wanted to do that surgery as soon as I could.

Matthew: Wow, I was curious as to why you walk with a Cain I guess that's why.

House: Yeah. Anyway me and Dr Wilson are going to pay for your dream to come true. Between us we are gonna send you to college so you can work towards becoming a doctor.

Matthew: Oh my god, are you serious. Wow thank you so much.

House: It's okay, you deserve it. This is your change in life, you can forget about everything that has happened and move on.

Matthew: But, I'm not eighteen yet. Does that mean I have to go back to my parents until im 18?

House: No way, I wont let it happen. You may not want to do this but I have a plan.

Matthew: I like your plans so far, so I think I might like this one.

House: You wanna get away from your parents right?

Matthew: I will do anything to get away from them, I hate them.

House: Dr Cuddy is really great when it comes to paper work. If you will give me the address of your parents house, we can contact the police, your parents will be charged for what they have done to you. Me and Dr Cuddy will contact Child services and I will adopt you until you turn 18 and head off to college. I may be going out with Dr Cuddy but we don't live together yet, so you can stay with me in my apartment until its time to go to college. How do you feel about that?

Matthew: Would you really do that for me? I would like to talk to Dr Cuddy about getting the police involved. I wouldn't want my parents doing what they done to me to another child.

House: Well done Matthew, that's a mature thing to do. As soon as Dr Cuddy comes tomorrow we will go through everything okay?

Matthew: Okay. Dr House, I know we had plans to hang out and eat sweets but I'm really tired, can I go to sleep please.

House: Of course you can.

Matthew: Will you stay here with me tonight.

House: Sure, im just gonna be in the hall to call Dr Cuddy and then I will come back. I will be sat right there when you wake up in the morning.

Matthew: Thank you. Goodnight Dr House.

House tucked the blankets around Matthew a little tighter, whispered goodnight and stepped out into the hall.

He sat on the bench which looked in to Matthew's room and took out his phone to call Cuddy.

House: Hey babe, did I wake you?

Cuddy: No I just got out the shower.

House: Oh man, so your just sat in a towel right now?

Cuddy: Yup, too bad your not here.

House: Well that sucks.

Cuddy: Is everything okay back at the hospital?

House: Yeah I need to talk to you about something.

Cuddy: What's wrong?

House: I know your gonna disapprove of this but it's something I need and want to do.

Cuddy: Just tell me.

House: Matthew is gonna tell you the address of his parents house, I need you to call the police tomorrow and explain to them everything that has happened. Then I need you to call child services for me. I know Matthew is only 17 but me and Wilson are gonna go halves on getting the kid into college. I need you to call child services so that I can adopt Matthew until he is 18 and leaves for college.

Cuddy: House I think that is an amazing idea. Your such a great guy. But where is he gonna stay?

House: I told him that you and me have been together for only a few weeks and we aint living together yet, so I told him he will stay at my apartment until he's 18.

Cuddy: Sounds good but House, maybe on some nights you can stay at my place and give Matthew some time on his own, he deserves to have a nice place to stay where he can call it his own.

House: That way I can spend extra time with You and Rachel. I love that idea.

Cuddy: House, if you are taking responsibilities, why are you only going to adopt him for a few months?

House: What do you mean?

Cuddy: You should keep him as your adopted son. The kid loves you and you care so much for him. You go together so well. It makes sense once he goes to college he still needs someone to look out for him. Someone like you house. He needs you.

House: Your right, I do care for the kid. But I also care for you and Rachel a lot. I love you. If I keep him forever wouldn't it feel like im forgetting about you and Rachel?

Cuddy: House I love you too. It's taken us 20years to finally get together, we have both changed since we've been together. I don't ever want to let you go and I know you want this to work. I know it's fast but we've loved each other for so many years.

House: I know.

Cuddy: How do you feel about us being a family?

House: Wow a family with you sounds so right. Do you think Rachel will accept me?

Cuddy: House she's still really young, theres so many years for you both to get close and know each other. If your going to adopt Matthew, I want you to be Rachel's father and have Matthew as her older brother.

House: I would be honoured to be her father Cuddy. I think me and you need to sit with Matthew in the morning and have a good chat.

Cuddy: I agree. House why were you never this great years ago?

House: I dunno maybe I shouldn't have said goodnight after I kissed you that night you lost Joy. I should have stayed and kissed you more instead of freaking out. don't worry I will never freak out again. This is you and me forever. I love you cuddy but I gotta get back to Matty, I don't want him to wake up on his own.

Cuddy: Wake up? I thought you were having a night of eating sweets.

House: The kid got tired so I let him sleep.

Cuddy: Okay I will see you in the morning.

House: I will look forward to it. Sleep well babe. I love you.

Cuddy: I love you too.

House walked back into Matthew's room where he was fast asleep. House laid on the bed beside Matthew and eventually drifted off to sleep.