Cameron came over her eyes fixed on the child in Cuddy's arms, her eyes turned to House however as if for the first time she took in his appearance. "Why aren't you de-toxing?"

"Really, I have a battered child here and that's your first question", upon House's reference to the poor child Cameron swivelled around staring at the child who was cowering into Cuddy's shoulder.

"What happened to him?" She said looking at the odd shape of the child's ankle. Foreman had arrived over at this point, after finishing with another patient. Without even looking at the child he turned to House with amusement covering his features.

"I heard you decked Chase for talking to Tritter", the glee on his face irritated House profusely. Foreman only now seemed to notice the young boy in Cuddy's arms.

"No that isn't what happened", Cuddy replied as Robert turned to look at Foreman in a scared, interested way. Foreman looked at her strangely, and Cameron too, looked up from her inspection of the child's shoulder.

"Chase never talked to Tritter, it was a misunderstanding", Cuddy said quietly as the young boy's eyes started to droop again. The glee returned to Foreman's face, "But you did punch him?"

"Yes", House snapped causing Robert's eyes to snap open, and stare at House with fearful eyes. The anxiety on the child's face cut through House as though he were afraid he had angered House in some way, which was probably accurate House reasoned with himself, "Can we focus on the patient".

Foreman and Cameron nodded, "What age are you Robert?" House asked the child.

"Seven" the little Aussie replied barely above a whisper. He had remembered what his father had told him that he should always be quiet in a hospital, and to ensure he would remember it, had reinforced it with a beating.

After a moment of shock at the child's incredibly short stature for a seven year old turn to his employees and began, "Seven year old male, suffered what appears to be recurring trauma and possible malnutrition. Now go treat, he'll need x-rays and an abdominal ct to rule out any internal bleeding".

Foreman and Cameron exchanged a look and Cameron called for a wheelchair. "What's the mystery?" House turned from the beaten child to look at Foreman, "You know it's an abused kid. Case closed, so why are we taking this case".

Foreman flinched slightly realising how nonchalantly he had said that, but it appeared as though Cameron had been thinking it as well as she also turned to House. "This is ... Chase's nephew".

Cuddy turned to look at House, the urge to commend him on his quick thinking just being suppressed. "Chase's nephew? I didn't even know he had a sibling", Cameron spoke quietly the edge of irritation clear on her voice. "What happened to him?"

"Chase thinks his sister has been abusing him", Cuddy said, House winced as she didn't sound as certain as she should. Foreman and Cameron picked up on it too, and glanced at each other.

Cuddy placed the child onto the wheelchair, the child looked as though he were about to protest before looking at Foreman who had grabbed the wheelchair and thought better of it. "Should we call Chase in?"

"No, but also", House paused for a second as though considering how to put it; "Do a DNA test on Robert and compare it to Chase's hair brush".

Cameron looked at him with a confused look on her face, "Why? I mean look at him he is the double of Chase. Oh my God, do you think he is Chase's son, do you think Chase has been hitting him?" Cameron babbled on getting more and more worked up.

"No! Just run the DNA test. And do not under any circumstances, call social services until I get the DNA results" House's tone had dropped to a deadly whisper as he warned Cameron. House heard a whimper and turned to the child who was now staring at him with wide eyes.

"Call us when you have the results", Cuddy said pulling House away from the terrified child, who despite his foot looked ready to bolt, "We'll be in my office".

Xx – Cuddy's –xX

"Do you think Cameron will stay quiet?" Cuddy asked as she loaded up her computer to retrieve Chase's medical file. She looked up when all she was met with was silence. House was staring at the wall and distant look on his face.

"Did you see the way he looked at me?" House asked, unsure if to himself or to Cuddy.

Cuddy moved over to sit beside House and rubbed his arm affectionately. House turned to face her and gazed into her eyes. Slowly Cuddy started to lean in but jumped as a beep came from the computer.

Clearing her throat she stood up and looked back at House, "Chase's medical files are in.

I'm sorry its short but I just wanted to post something to you know convince people I hadn't like died or anything. Next one will be longer. Promise!