"Uncharted Waters"

Chapter Nine

When House entered the apartment his eyes immediately went to his parents who were sitting on the couch quietly talking amongst themselves completely unaware of their son who was standing in the doorway.

Smirking to himself the diagnostician deliberately tossed his cane so it hit the side of his piano perfectly, this act was of course met by two sets of angry glares.

"Well you certainly know how to announce yourself."

"it's a gift."

This moment of levity was short lived as House had a seat in a near by chair and looked up at both Henry and Blythe expectantly, with his parents looking at him with eyes filled with hurt and confusion House desperately hoped this conversation wouldn't turn into a battle of wills between young and old.

"So uh, about before…."

Before he could continue, Henry put up his hand immediately stopping House from going any further.

"There will be plenty of time for you to speak your mind my boy but I think I had better go first if you don't mind."

Nodding his head in accordance with this request House silenced himself and waited for Henry to continue. The younger House had to admit to himself that it was nice having a civil conversation with his "actual" father without fear of physical harm.

After all those years of dealing with the tyrant who was John House, Greg had to admit to himself that knowing that this man that sat before him was in fact his true blood line gave him a feeling of great relief.

"Go ahead dad."

The natural way in which House called Henry this brought a smile to the older man's face as he began to speak.

"Thank you. (sigh) Firstly let me just say that even though I do not condone your behavior during our last encounter I cannot deny that you had every right to act the way you did…I do not deny that my news came as a shock to you and for this I am truly sorry. I guess I was just trying to live by the old adage "people don't change" but that was before I came to the conclusion that change is not necessarily a bad thing. You taught me that Greg."

To say that House was shocked by this would be an understatement but it was the last thing he would admit especially to Henry.

"So, what are you saying?."

"Only that you and your mother have nothing to worry about."

"…."

"Instead of taking the position that the Marines had originally offered me I've decided to go in for early retirement. There's a nice compensation package that goes along with it and I'd still get all the benefits I would have received if I had retired a full Colonial."

Nodding his head in recognition of statement House breathed in a sigh before standing up and sending his father a curious glare.

"Are you sure this is what you want?."

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

There were so many things House could have said in response to this statement. After all, he had gained a reputation for being a hard ass who never respected anyone else's opinion but his own but Henry had presented his case rationally and in such a way that House could see that he knew what he was doing.

Blythe had been quite for some time and was now looking at both men with a look filled with so much emotion and love it was a wonder she hadn't burst out crying.

"Well, I'm game. What do you think mom?."

At this question Blythe simply smiled while replying "I think its nice to see both my boys back together again."