-waves- Here's chapter two, finally! It's a bit short, but I hope you like it. And don't forget to review; I love getting feedback from readers. Oh, I'll try to have chapter three up soon:D

Disclaimer: I don't own House. Shocking, right? ;) I do own Hannah, though.


Cameron didn't move at the sound of the knock. She merely remained seated on the floor, wishing that she could call her sister back right now so she wouldn't have to watch Hannah. Or at the very least, that House would just leave, letting her avoid an explanation.

What am I going to do? House doesn't like kids – last time he saw Hannah, he made her say vicodin. What am I going to do?

Thump, thump. Thump, thump.

House's cane hit the apartment door again, reminding Cameron that she needed to do something quickly. He obviously wasn't just going to leave. Steeling herself for what was undoubtedly going to be an awkward situation, Cameron stood up and turned to face the door. Sighing heavily, she turned the lock and opened the door wide.

"Hello, House," Cameron said as soon as he came into view.

He nodded to her by way of greeting. "Not quite the attire I had in mind," House said, his blue eyes staring at Cameron's rumpled shirt and jeans.

"No, I guess not." She looked at him; in sharp contrast to her quickly thrown on clothes, he was wearing a sports coat and nice pants. Although, true to form, a band t-shirt was clearly visible underneath his jacket.

He quirked an eyebrow at her, waiting for her to explain what was going on. Well, it's now or never, she thought, the age-old adage springing to mind.

"There's been a slight change of plans," she said.

"Is that so?"

"Well, you remember me talking about Molly, my older sister, right?"

"The one with the midget you brought to work?"

"Hannah, yes. Anyway, she was asked on a date tonight, and it's been so long since she's sounded so happy on the phone that I-" Cameron stopped abruptly.

It was at that moment the sound of the soft patter of feet on carpet reached her ears. She looked toward the source of the noise, and found herself staring at her niece, whose face was the epitome of three-year-old petulance.

"Awwy!" Hannah pouted, looking at her aunt through narrowed eyes. "You didn't coming seeking. When I'm the hider, you have to come find me! That's the rules."

"Honestly, Cameron," House said from the doorway, a look of exasperation to rival Hannah's on his face. "What were you thinking? Don't you know how to play Hide and Seek?"

Cameron fought the urge to roll her eyes at him, instead looking at her niece. "I'm sorry, Hannah. I guess I've forgotten how to play. Do you want to try again?"

Hannah nodded at first, all annoyance forgotten, but then stopped when she spotted House, still leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed.

"Hi, Mr. Stick," she called brightly, no longer thinking of Hide and Seek.

"It's a cane." He turned to Cameron. "Haven't you taught her anything since the last time I saw her?"

Cameron shot House a look, but Hannah didn't notice or understand the comment and merely walked closer to the two.

"This is…" Cameron began, searching for a name for Hannah to call House by. She couldn't remember whether Hannah had called him anything when they were at Princeton Plainsboro. Greg? Dr. House? Mr. House? No, those sound unnatural. I guess I'll go with the familiar. "This is my - my friend, House"

"I live in a house," Hannah said, smiling at him.

"Good for you," he quipped.

"Hannah," Cameron cut in. "Why don't you go hide again. House and I will come looking in a minute."

"Okay!" She promptly turned and hurried off to another room in the apartment. Now to explain...

"I take it your sister dumped the kid on you?" House asked before she could start talking.

"She didn't dump her on me," Cameron said indignantly. "Molly's going on a date, and I offered to watch Hannah for her."

"Without bothering to tell me that you're cancelling our plans?"

"It was really last minute, House. I'm so sorry. It's only for two hours, or so."

"Two hours too long," he said. "I'm headed back to my place. As much as I love whining brats and Barney, a stripper sounds like more fun."

He can't be serious… "Hannah's not that bad, House. We can order a pizza, or something, and Hannah will be asleep pretty soon, so we won't be babysitting for too long.

He didn't say anything at first, and simply stared at Cameron.

"Please?" Cameron offered finally.

House smirked. "Well, since you asked so nicely, I'll stay. But I want Chinese food, not pizza. And next Friday, I get to choose where we go, and no sniveling three year olds allowed."

Cameron sighed. "Sure." I know I'm going to regret this; he'll probably take me to a strip club, or something.

"Alright, then. Now, we need to go to your bedroom."

"What?"

"That's where the kid is, obviously," House said with a tone of feigned exasperation. He brushed past Cameron and led the way to the room. "And I'm beginning to think she's right, Cameron," he called back to her. "You're a horrible seeker. Better stick to making coffee and answering letters."

Cameron scoffed, and then rather reluctantly, followed House to where Hannah was hiding.

Maybe I shouldn't have asked him to stay, she thought with a slight smile. Well, at the very least, it'll be an interesting night.