* Sorry about the mix up with chap.12 :) and thanks again all for reading! *

Chapter 13

The weekend went by and the beginning of the week. It was Tuesday afternoon and House was sitting at his desk taking a break. He was thinking about Titania. Monday morning he had come into his conference room to find her with bagels and juice. He allowed her to talk to him about her childhood some and he even gave her a tidbit into his own. He didn't want to admit it but she had piqued his interest. He was surprised that she wasn't around that much though. He knew that she spent a lot of time with Wilson and Cameron and even some with Cuddy and the team but it didn't add up to a lot of time and he was starting to get curious as to what she did with the bulk of her days. There was only so much to see in the area and she said a few times that she had business to attend to but he remembered that the conference she had been in town for had ended the middle of the week before. He wanted to investigate but with two current cases and Cuddy on his butt about clinic duty, he wasn't able to snoop like he wanted to. He did try to catch Titania up when they talked but she was able to avoid like a pro. He knew that she was hiding something. Whenever he saw her something tingled at the edge of his mind but he couldn't pinpoint what it was. If he was honest with himself, he'd admit that he was starting to doubt his doubt that she was his kid. But he wouldn't allow himself to linger on the thought for too long.

House sighed and leaned up in his chair. He needed to check on the patients get some clinic hours in so he could leave on time for the day. He decided he'd drop by Wilson's that evening and question him about the Titania situation. He knew that they've spent a lot of time together and he was starting to wonder about that.

Later that evening House was glad to be finally done with the day. He started to gather his things together when he glanced up and saw Wilson hurrying past the office.

"Hmmm he's sure in a rush to get out of here." He said to himself. Grabbing his bag he started to limp after Wilson. He wasn't able to catch up and saw the elevator doors close on his friend. He huffed and pushed the button and leaned against the wall to wait for another one. After finally getting one, he rode down and as the doors opened he saw Cuddy. House tried to dodge her but it was futile. She set her gaze on him.

"House. Do not move." She stalked toward him and he huffed.

"We need to talk about your patients."

"We already discussed this."

"No, you told me what you wanted to do and I said find another way."

"Ah, but you know that I don't listen."

House had her and he smirked.

"If that's all, I need to get going."

"You know what, fine. Be in my office at nine tomorrow morning. The board wants to speak with you."

House didn't answer verbally. He just turned and walked out the door.

House wasn't surprised when he got to the parking lot and saw that Wilson's car wasn't there. He made his way to his car and on to Wilson's apartment.

House knocked on Wilson's door. He heard approaching feet and the door opened. Wilson looked at him in surprise.

"House, what are you doing here?"

House pushed past him into the room. He was about to speak when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Looking over he saw Titania walking from the bathroom wrapped in a towel. House blinked in surprise and turned to Wilson.

"You banging my 'hey you never know' daughter?"

"House…." Wilson was cut off by Titania.

"Yes, Dad, "she cut in sarcastically, "we're in love. You wouldn't understand. There's nothing you can say about it. We're going to be together."

Wilson looked uncomfortable and opened his mouth to say something when House decked him hard enough to knock him to the floor. Titania rushed over to him saying his name as she knelt next to him. She looked at his bleeding face then up at House, anger evident in her eyes.

"I can't believe you! I was being sarcastic you imbecile. You can't just go around hitting people because they did something you don't like. James is your friend. When are you going to start acting your age and not your shoe size?"

House and Titania glared at each other for several minutes before he turned to leave. Not waiting for the door to close after House, Titania turned back to Wilson.

"I am so sorry James. If I had known that he'd react like that, I wouldn't have said that."

"It's okay."

"No it's not."

House walked back into the apartment, "Wait, you were just joking?"

Titania looked up at him, "Yes, jackass."

"Then what's with the lack of cover?" He waved his hand at her towel wrapped body.

"James invited me to stay here the rest of the time that I'm in town. That way I could learn more about you through a friend. Some friend you are. Now I can see why you only have one."

House didn't respond as he watched her help Wilson stand and guide him to the couch. She walked to the kitchen and back with Wilson's med kit. Sitting next to him she took out stitching supplies.

"You need to be stitched up and the least I can do is that. Don't worry; I know what I'm doing."

She proceeded in stitching Wilson's eyebrow up with the delicate deft fingers of a surgeon. Both House and Wilson showed surprise.

"How'd you learn to do this?" Wilson asked.

"My ex-husband is a hockey player with an angry streak; got into fights a lot."

"Ex husband? Wow, you started young like Wilson. Sure he's not your bio daddy? Can obsessive marriage compulsion be passed down genetically?" House mocked. Keeping her attention on what she was doing, Titania told House to shut up.

"So testy!"

"Guess it runs in the family."

"As if" House snorted.

"Whatever Alicia. You're just in denial old man."

"I am so not the one in denial."

Wilson took in their exchange, eyes rolling moving back and forth between the two before saying, "My god, you two really are related."

"She is so not flesh of my flesh." House responded in a mock valley girl voice.

"I so am. You don't have to accept it but I am." She leaned back, finished with bandaging up Wilson and turned to House continuing,

"Listen, I really didn't mean to shake up your world by coming here. I just wanted to know my bio dad first hand. I am sorry if it has bothered you. From what mom had said about your tough attitude, I didn't think you'd really care one way or other. You don't want to acknowledge me then fine. I wanted to get to know you a little more but if you really want me to leave and never look back, I'll respect that and do it. I had a wonderful dad in William. He was great and I will always love him. He was great for me and mom. I don't want you to think that I was trying for a relationship with you that was like that. I just wanted to know you beyond mom's impression. I'll leave first thing in the morning."

She turned and walked to the bedroom. Before closing the door, she said goodnight to the two men watching. The soft click of the door echoed in the apartment. Wilson and House remained silent for a few minutes before Wilson said, "She really means that."

"She's got you fooled. No surprise there."

"She's genuine. If you'd get past your insecurities, you'd see that."

House's only response was to turn and walk out the door. Wilson sighed deeply and went to close and lock the door. He then proceeded to make up the couch. Wilson lay down, knowing that though he needed the sleep, it would take some time to. He worried about his friend and the young woman a room away, the young woman who House needed in his life even if he didn't want to admit it.

Wilson woke in a haze trying to figure out what had woken him. Blinking repeatedly, he leaned up and looked around the room. A piece of paper on the coffee table caught his eye. Picking it up, he read,

"James,

Thank you so much for not only your kindness and generosity, but also for being a friend to Greg. I can tell that deep down, he does care about your friendship. I am sorry for not saying a proper good bye, which I know is the least I could have given but I thought that it would be best to leave as I said I would. I don't want Greg mad at you for talking me into staying, something I have a feeling you would have done.

Take care and please tell everyone good bye for me. Please let Allison know I'll call her when I get in. It was a pleasure to meet all of you, even Dad . If I'm ever back in the area again, I'll look you up and buy you 'a cuppa.'

~Titania"

Wilson leaned back onto the couch pillows letting out a low whistle. He rubbed a hand through his hair, thinking about House's reaction. He had a feeling that it wasn't going to be good.