A/N: As a reward for hitting 10 reviews, I am posting a nice, long chapter! Thank you guys for the great advice and positive thoughts. Of course, the more you review, the longer the chapters will be because reviews are my muse! Thanks and enjoy!

After the park the three went to McDonald's for lunch. Danny, of course, got a Happy Meal with a toy car inside. Stacy watched as House sent the car back to Danny over and over and, once, even made car sounds. She knew it would take time for him to warm up to the child, but Danny already idolized him. She truly hoped he would want to be a part of Danny's life. They would be good for each other.

For House's part, he was still consumed with Stacy. But, he had to admit that the kid- Danny! - was cute. He could tell that he was smart for his age and couldn't help but feel a little pride.

"Greg, are you a doctor?" Danny asked as he chewed the last of his French fries.

"Yes."

"Do you give people shots?"

"No. I have people that do that for me." House replied.

"Like a secretary?"

"Like three secretaries."

"Wow! That's cool!" Danny said in awe.

"Very."

"Greg?"

"Yes?"

"Are you my daddy?" Danny asked and House and Stacy froze. He looked at Stacy wondering what her answer would be- because he sure didn't know what to say. Fortunately, Stacy was an expert in dealing with her child.

"Hey, Danny, why don't you go play in the ball pit?" she suggested and Danny happily ran off.

"That was close." House breathed. "Are you going to tell him?"

"That's up to you, Greg. If you're not going to be a part of his life, then I don't see any point in telling him. It would only break his hears in the long run." She replied and House sighed.

"I wouldn't be a good father, Stacy. I …I don't even know how to be a father. Mine certainly was a lousy example." House said quietly and Stacy took his hand.

"Greg, you are nothing like your father. No matter how much of a jerk you are to adults, when it comes to children you are a natural. You have always done well with kids, and Danny will be no exception." She said but House shook his head.

"That's different. This is 'my' kid, not one that I can play nice with for a few days while diagnosing them and then just let them go home with their idiot parents. This one will be around forever. I will screw the kid up." He said and Stacy just laughed.

"Of course you will! All parents crew their kids up. But you would be a good father if you decide to just try. All I am asking for today is to think about it. No more, no less."

"Okay." He replied, then, "And what about us?"

"What do you mean?"

"If I decide to do this with the ki- Danny, is there any chance of an 'us' maybe?" he asked and Stacy pulled her hand away from his.

"Don't do this if that's what you want." She snapped and House leaned away from her fury. "If you do this, it is for Danny."

"I know! That's not my reasoning." He lied. "It was just a question."

"Well, decide based on your son. Don't make me part of the bargain." She said firmly, but calmer.

"I won't." House said out loud. Mentally, though, he was cursing.

After lunch they decided to go back to House's apartment. Stacy had brought a movie for Danny to watch with the thought it would help if Greg saw Danny in a quiet, comfortable setting. Walking in, Danny went straight to the piano.

"Hey, don't touch that." House warned quickly and Danny frowned sadly.

"Greg, let him play. I think you'll be surprised." Stacy said and he sighed.

"Fine." He said and Danny climbed onto the bench. House expected to hear random banging on the keys, so was surprised when he heard a simple but perfect rendition of 'Mary Had a Little Lamb' followed by the theme to 'SpongeBob Squarepants'. "Not bad. How long have you been taking lessons?"

"I'm not. Mom won't let me. I just…poked it out." Danny replied, unsure of the correct terminology and House couldn't hide that he was impressed.

"He plays by ear?" he asked Stacy, who nodded proudly.

"Since he was three, actually. I was waiting until he is a little older to put him in lesson." She explained. House looked back at Danny and limped over to the piano.

"Close your eyes." He said and Danny giggled as he did as told. House played the first few notes of 'Fleur de Lise'. "Now, try and play that." Danny pressed a few keys, made a couple of mistakes, corrected himself, and within a few minutes had the song picked out.

Stacy sat down on the sofa and watched as House sat down beside Danny on the bench. Within an hour he had taught Danny four songs. It was obvious that House was deeply impressed with his son.

"Not exactly Beethoven, but he definitely has a gift." He said and Danny beamed.

"Greg, will you play something?" Danny asked and House nodded. Danny moved to sit by his mother as House began to play 'Moonlight Sonata'. Stacy had almost forgotten how beautifully Greg played and quickly lost herself in the music. As House brought the song to a quiet close, she found herself opening her eyes and noticed that Danny had fallen asleep. She laid him don't fully on the sofa and covered him with a blanket.

"I'll have to remember that at bedtime" she said quietly and they moved to the kitchen so they would wake Danny. House put on a pot of coffee and sat down while it brewed. Stacy couldn't help but watch as he unconsciously rubbed his right thigh.

"It got better for a while after you left last time." he said as if reading her mind. "A guy came into my office and shot me. Cuddy treated with ketamine and my leg didn't hurt for months after. But, it came back."

"I'm sorry, Greg." She said and he felt she meant more than his failed treatment. Stacy gazed out at Danny sleeping peacefully and House's eyes followed.

"I have to say you've done well with him." House said and she smiled.

"Thank you. He has really taken a liking to you. It's kind of strange, actually. He never bonded with Mark."

"I want to be a part of this, Stacy." He said suddenly and she looked back at him. "I…can't swear that I will be a good parent, or even a decent one, but I guess I can try."

"That's all anyone can do and I think you'll surprise yourself. I truly believe that you will be a good dad." Stacy said. Well, thought House, at least that makes one of us.