I know Stephanie may seem a little bitchy in this chapter but just remember what she's just found out, so please pardon her.

House Addiction- I know it's pretty obivous who Stephanie's dad would be. And here is your update!

Kahlua13- How do you feel about this cliffhanger then?

Kristhefanficaholic- Stay tuned for more drama and HUDDY goodness then!

sinister scribe- I didn't actually think about doing a flashback to that night, but you knw what, I will now- so thank you for that little tip!!

Huddytheultimate- I actually feel a little bad for Cameron, I don't really like her so I always make her the bad person in my stories. Oh well!

samanthaon- It's about to get even messier!

TeresaB- Thank you so much, you're the first person to dance for me!! I bet you won't be dancing at this one though :(

gabiroba- No it's not a problem, I usually laugh at anything and everything, but this is pretty angsty!

And do I really have to say it, review, review, review !!!!

Chapter 3- Father-Daughter Talk

"Mom, is it true?" Stephanie demanded as she burst into the meeting room. Tears were streaming down her face and she was breathing heavily. She was oblivious to the various board members and donors currently conversing with her mother. But that didn't matter as all eyes were on her. "Tell me, Mom. Please."

Cuddy stood up. "Excuse me please, family emergency. Brown, take over." She directed as she led Stephanie out the room. She held on close to her daughter and took her to her office where they settled on the sofa.

"Just tell me the truth Mom." Stephanie said when she had calmed a little. "Is House my father?"

For years Cuddy had imagined her daughter finding out her secret. She always knew it would come out eventually, but not like this. She figured it would be calm and controlled, like everything else in Cuddy's life.

But now she had her beloved daughter reduced to tears in her own office, looking lost and alone.

"Yes, Stephanie, it's true." Cuddy said after taking a deep breath, knowing what would come next.

"But why did you-" Before Stephanie could ask though, the door was banged open and House stood in the doorway, apparently aware of the situation. Stephanie tried to read his expression but he gave no clue as to how he was feeling. Angry? Ashamed? Upset? Hurt?

"Bb-ut you said. It was an an-any- a donor." Stephanie struggled turning back to her mother and trying to ignore the man in the room.

"I know, and I'm sor-"

"So what did you actually ask him?" Stephanie asked angrily pointing at House. "Or was he a last resort after you failed to get knocked up by all the other men? You just go round them all like a filthy whore?"

"ENOUGH!" House bellowed. He slammed his cane down on the coffee table causing a coffee mug to fall off and shatter. Both Cuddy and Stephanie jumped at the forceful show of anger. "I don't care how angry or upset you are right now or what you the hell say to me, but don't ever speak to your mother like that again."

Stephanie thought it was slightly amusing how she was the one whose life had just been changed and House was more concerned with her mother, once again. But suddenly Stephanie was ashamed at being so cruel to her mother, who was still sitting there in shock. "Fine." Stephanie said angrily. "I'm sorry Mom." She looked at House with venom. "Please leave."

House sighed but turned to the door but Stephanie stopped him. "No, I mean Mom. Can you please leave? I want a private talk with my father." She said bitterly.

Cuddy looked at House and her daughter, unsure of what to do. But Stephanie looked at her and pleaded, speaking in a more pleasant but still forced tone. "Please Mom, I'm sorry for what I said, but I want to talk to…House. I'll talk to you later, but you have your meeting."

"OK, I'm sorry it had to be like this Steph, but just remember I love you, more than anything."

"I know."

With that Cuddy left the pair of them, giving a warning glance to House, begging him not to lose his temper. She knew he would never really hurt her, not physically at least. But House could say just a few words and leave a lifetime of verbal bruises on someone, if he tried hard enough.

House sat on the other sofa, opposite Stephanie. They had a staring match for a few moments till House looked away.

"That's why." Stephanie said.

"What?" House asked gruffly.

"That's why whenever you first see me, you look away. I noticed it, years ago but didn't think anything of it. It's because you knew this whole time, and you couldn't look at me."

House suddenly found himself unable to talk.

"So how did it happen? One night stand gone wrong? Did she ask you? Did you offer? Did you even want me?" Stephanie asked softly.

"Your mother loves-"

"I'm not asking about my mom. I'm asking you, do you love me, like a father?"

"Of course I do." That did actually surprise Stephanie but she didn't let it show.

"So why did you never tell me. I mean I can understand if you didn't want anyone else to know, it's private plus Mom doesn't want anyone finding out the rumours are true, but why couldn't you just tell me? It's my life, I matter. I had a right to know."

House was silent as Stephanie began crying again. "I know. But we thought it would be best. We knew it wouldn't work out. What Monday to Friday with your mother then weekends with me, the drug addled, grumpy cripple. I couldn't be a father to you, so it was just decided between me and Cuddy that it would be our secret."

"Dirty little secret." Stephanie muttered. "How do you know you would have been a crap father, you didn't even try. Or is this the part where you tell me how many brothers and sisters I have?"

"No you're my only child. And isn't it better like this. You don't have to deal with two separated parents, you were happy not knowing I was you father, weren't you?"

"Give me a chance. I've only known for five minutes. Not easy comparing that to 16 years of not knowing who you truly were."

"I know who you are. You're Stephanie Jane Cuddy. You are the perfect imitation of your mother. You're a great kid. You're the best. That's who you are." House said warmly.

"Oh stop, you're getting tears on the white flag." Stephanie mocked.

They were silent for a few more moments as Stephanie tried to absorb everything. "You still haven't told me what happened?"

"I'm not gonna tell you the private details of the best night of my life." House said carefully. "That really is only between your mother and I."

"Don't be perverted. I mean was Mom planning to get pregnant or not."

"No." House admitted. "We were just lonely and both there. But when you came into the picture, neither of us wanted to get rid of you. That wasn't even an option on either of our minds." Stephanie had to smile at that thought. "But after your mom had you, she was taken out the delivery room and she had asked me to be there, but I waited outside. They brought you to me though. You were wild and screaming, just like your mother. And I knew that you deserved the best life and you weren't gonna have that knowing I was your father. So we agreed to keep it between us till you were old enough to understand."

"I do understand but it was still wrong. Even if you didn't want to be involved, I deserved to know right from the start." Stephanie said slowly. She stood up and made her way to the door. "Can you tell Mom, I'm gonna stay the night at Wilson's?"

"What? No! You have to talk to her." House protested.

"Later, I just need time to think and deal with this. We all do." Stephanie said quietly. "Tell her I'll see her later."