Hello here is a flashback, an idea courtesy of sinister scribe. Also I just had to make the meeting in London, a little nod to Hugh Laurie's home country (and mine!)

TeresaB- I thought it woudl be too angsty to warrant a dance, but thank you anyway for that one. And yes I agree, whatever happens House always feels guilty even though he says he doesn't.

ang catalon- Thanks for your support, I know the House has a kid story has been done to death but I still get hooked on the idea as well ;) hopefully your questions will be answered soon...

gabiroba- OK, maybe it's just me who only sees angst and drama. But I know this chapter is a bit on the sad side :(

Huddytheultimate- I know that feeling, getting emotional, that's the great thing about fanfics! I was worried about how Stephanie would be perserved and wasn't sure how pissed off to make her, but she does calm down.

Hope to get some feedback for this chapter as well (hint hint) ;p

Chapter 4- Memories

CUDDY

5th January 1990- London, England, UK

It was just a coincidence.

We had been friends at Michigan, but after he graduated we went our separate ways. I think it was probably for the best because by Spring, I realised I was starting to fall for him. We tried to stay in touch but of course being a Doctor is busy work, so it came to just calling each other on our birthdays and Christmas. And even that impressed me, seeing as how it was House.

But just after New Year 1990, I was taken to a conference in London, sent by my hospital to deliver a paper. And who should I see there? In all the bars, in all the hotels, in all the cities of the world.

Gregory House.

His hair was for once tame, he hadn't shaved but it wasn't the first time I'd seen him like that. He had on a brown suede jacket, a blue button down shirt and a pair of black trousers. And he looked entirely delectable.

He spotted me immediately and as always I got so lost in his blue eyes. Bright and inviting, so unlike the rest of him. I walked over to him and got a drink. That was at 6 in the evening. By Midnight we were still talking.

"Guess I'd better get back to my room? I've got an early flight tomorrow." I said, clambering off the bar stool.

House nodded, though I could tell he was sorry I had to go. "What floor you on?"

"7."

"Me too. I'll walk you up."

As we made our way down the corridor on the 7th floor, House had his hand on the small of my back. I could feel it. Warm, tender and in that instant I wanted more. But I knew that couldn't be possible, after all this was House.

We reached my door and I turned away, making sure not to look at him.

"You know," House started with a nervous chuckle. "This isn't actually my floor." He looked at me and I saw a flash of hope in his eyes.

I gave him a coy smile as I pushed my door open. "Maybe it could be tonight." I couldn't believe I'd actually said those words. But I wasn't allowed to give it anymore thought, as I realised I was finally kissing him.

I gave as good as I got. A blazing inferno, rushed through my body as I felt his tongue invade my mouth. Never before had I been so turned on by simply kissing. But it made sense, he was so talented with this mouth, able to rattle off medical analogies and insults, so why not kissing.

I broke away as I remembered to close the door. When I turned around, House was already sitting on the bed as if he belonged there. Before long our clothes were discarded, and House was rolling on a condom. I smiled at his audaciousness, he had actually planned to have sex on this trip, the arrogant albeit sexy beast!

I lowered myself on top of him and gasped. It should have been so wrong, we were two doctors with a complicated and twisted friendship, we were both too old for a one night stand, we were-. But NO, it just felt too good for there to be another reason to regret this.

We spent the rest of the night on that bed. Until we were practically unconscious from pleasure. I fell asleep in his arms, feeling safe, loved and like I belonged. But I knew deep in my heart that he would be gone in the morning.

And indeed he was. And an hour later, I also left the room where I'd had the best night of my life.

HHHHHHHHHH

24th March 1990

I called him. It wasn't anything special, or that he knew of yet. But he didn't sound surprised to hear from me. I was still working in Michigan while he was out in San Francisco.

We made small talk, until I couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Greg, I'm pregnant." I blurted out while he was midway through telling me a story.

The line was silent for ten seconds, and I thought he had actually hung up on me, wanting nothing more to do with me.

"Greg?"

"Y-y-yeah." He croaked.

"Did you hear me?"

"Yeah, you're having a ba-ba- Yeah."

"I know it's a shock. But I've had all the signs and I've had a check up. Everything's fine. The foetus is almost three months old." I said cautiously.

"But we us-used a condom." He managed to say.

"Well we're both doctors, we know they aren't always reliable."

"Yeah." He said absently. "So how is this gonna work? Do you need me to come out there or what? I mean, pregnant? Are you-"

"Yes I am absolutely sure. And Greg, you can be as involved as you want or not at all if you wish. But I am definitely keeping this baby."

"Oh of course. You can't get rid of it." I was actually quite surprised by this. "But I just need- I need time Lisa. Can you let me sleep on it?"

"Of course. I just thought you should know."

"I do want to know. But I just- pregnant?"

"Bye Greg."

"Bye Lisa."

We hung up and I heard nothing for two months. I was sure he had forgotten about me. Until he turned up on my doorstep. By that time I was just beginning to show. He looked at me, his eyes heading straight for my belly.

"Hi." He said slowly.

"Hi."

We spent the night talking. House had come to the conclusion that it would be best if I raised the baby myself. House was often getting fired and travelling all over America looking for new jobs. He was unstable and he truly believed he wouldn't be a good father. Absent a lot, and by passing the kid between me and him it would be too much. I had to agree with that logic even if it did break my heart a little.

So with a pained smile, I accepted his decision to raise my kid.

Without him.

HHHHHHHHHH

HOUSE

5th January 1990

She was the last person I expected to see at this conference. I could remember the firs time I met her. I was so intrigued by her, she was the first person at Michigan University who wasn't afraid to stand up to me and call me out on my crap. That was the start of our weird but wonderful friendship.

I had cursed my Boss for making me go to this conference until I saw her.

Lisa Cuddy.

Wearing a red dress which hugged her curves deliciously, her hair in long curls down her back. Her eyes sparkling with excitement (it was her first time outside the US). I asked her for a drink and we spent the night talking.

Until I walked her back to her room. I lied and told her my room was there too, a small part of me deeply regretted not telling how I really felt back at Michigan. But I'm Greg House, I'm not meant for love or relationships, at least I didn't think so back then.

But I was the happiest man alive when she let me in her room. I began kissing with all the passion and lust I possessed. And goodness me, did she return that fervour. I can remember every detail of that night. How smooth her skin was when I lifted her dress off her body, how curly her hair truly was when I ran my hands through it, how bossy she really was when she got on top without even asking, the cheeky mare!

We spent the rest of the night in that bed, passion fuelling us till the early hours of the morning. She fell asleep in my arms, I felt loved, happy and committed. But I knew in my heart it couldn't be, so I left early, knowing it would be better like this. Rather than a sappy, forced, pathetic goodbye.

HHHHHHHHHH

24th March 1990

I hung up the phone in my apartment and sat shell shocked. I was gonna be a father. Me? A Dad?

I had a million thoughts running through my head. So many different ways to handle this. I really wanted to marry Cuddy and raise our kid together, but she was so independent, that was who she was. She could face anything by herself, she didn't need me. I would only hinder her and hold her back from reaching her dream, even our child wouldn't do that.

It would be better if I wasn't involved. I would be out of place cheering from the sidelines, meeting teachers on Parents night, front row of the play. It wasn't me, I couldn't be a proper father. The kid would have a much better life without me as a father, they shouldn't even be told I was their Dad. That would just ruin their illusions of the perfect if mysterious father.

I would be a huge disappointment.

That was what I told Cuddy when I went to see her. When she opened the door, my eyes first went to her stomach, she was just beginning to show. But she had an ecstatic grin. It took of all my control not to get on one knee. But I managed and told her what I knew she would want to hear. That she could raise this kid by herself and have the most fantastic life. And I would continue to work as a legendary if irascible doctor.

Without her.