Chapter 26

When House got to Cuddy's, he was surprised to see Emily in her play pen crying. House panicked and limped over and picked up the baby. He held her close until her crying had subsided and then limped over to the nursery and put her in her crib. He noticed the bathroom door was closed on the way but decided to put Emily to bed first. Once the baby had finished whimpering and closed her eyes, House limped to the bathroom. He knocked and when there was no answer he called.

"Cuddy? Cuddy are you alright?" When she didn't answer he opened the door. Cuddy was hunched over the toilet her face ashen. She had clearly fainted and House rushed over.

"I'm fine, I'm ok" Cuddy said. House was alarmed at how low her voice was.

"What happened?" House asked as he helped her get up. She swayed a bit and House grabbed her arm.

"I don't know, I was ok earlier, I went to get some Chinese and then I brought Emily home and fed her. After that I ate and then I started to feel sick and I had to put Emily in her playpen. I think i've been in here for almost an hour." Cuddy walked real slowly and House guided her to the nearest chair.

"It was probably some food poisoning" House said.

"That's what I was thinking. Pretty severe too." Cuddy replied. She winced and grabbed her stomach.

"I'm taking you to the hospital" House answered. He got up and grabbed his cane from where he had left it on the side of the chair.

"No, House its fine I can manage" Cuddy stammered. She had never left Emily alone for the night before. She wasn't sure she was ready.

"Cuddy don't be stubborn, I'm bringing you to the hospital. I'll bring Emily to my place for the night and we'll come see you in the morning. Come on." House sensed her discomfort and thought maybe she didn't want him alone in her house. That's why he had opted to take Emily to his place.

"House no I don't want to" Cuddy winced again and House made up his mind. He was bringing her and that was that. He grabbed the baby bag and limped to Emily's room. He grabbed some clothes, diapers, the monitors, and then swung the bag over his shoulder. He picked up the sleeping baby being as quiet as he could and then limped out with her resting in the crook of his arm. When he got out Cuddy was in the bathroom and House placed Emily in her play-pen while he packed bottles, and other toys. When Cuddy got out House was picking up Emily having brought all the necessary things out to the car. He placed Emily in the car seat and then returned to the house to help Cuddy. She pushed him away at first but then grabbed his arm and he walked her to the car. Once they arrived at the hospital (as if we don't spend enough time there) House thought, Cuddy was admitted and he and Emily took off to his place.

…

House had been feeding Emily for about ten minutes when the banging had started. Emily began to cry and he held her as he limped to the door. When he opened it and saw who it was, he took a step back a look of repulsion marring his features.

"What do you want?" he growled at Mark. Mark looked completely drunk and House was scared he would do something. House was in a bad position with on arm steadying himself on his cane and the other arm holding tightly onto Emily. But Marc froze (well, as much as you can when your piss drunk) and stared dumbfounded at the baby in House's arms.

"Whoo's kid?" Mark slurred completely put off guard.

"Mine" House replied. Emily began to whimper and House shook her gently.

"You.. what? You are a daad?" Mark asked. He blinked several times.

"Yeah, now what do you want?" House answered angrily. He didn't need this, especially not tonight.

"Stacey… I wan Stacey" He answered. House relaxed as he knew Mark wouldn't try anything. He was hopelessly drunk. House ushered him in. He pointed to the couch and Mark passed out instantly. "Puke on my couch, and I'll inject you with something lethal" House growled.

When House woke up the next morning, it was fairly early. He cursed when he looked at the alarm clock and read 6:03 am. "Great, up all night and no sleep" House mumbled. He walked over to the playpen which he had moved into his room after Mark had gotten there. Mark. House limped quickly into the living room and saw Mark still asleep snoring loudly on the couch. House made a face and went to the kitchen to get some coffee. He then grabbed the phone in his bedroom and dialed Stacey's number.

"Hello?"

"Stacey, it's Greg"

"Greg? What is it? Do you know what time it is?" Stacey asked.

"Your husband is here" House muttered.

"What? He's where Greg?" Stacey stammered.

"At my place" House answered quietly.

"Your place? What the hell is he doing there?" Stacey asked.

"He's passed out on my couch, come and get him. I have to get to the hospital"

"I'll be right there" She replied quickly. House went and got dressed. Emily woke up and he fed her as the doorbell began to ring. This seemed to rouse Mark.

"Get up you idiot your wife's here" House shouted before opening the door. Stacey stood there for a second then House ushered her in still holding Emily and the bottle. Stacey rushed in and kneeled down at Mark who was slowly getting off the couch holding his head.

"Oh Mark!" Stacey exclaimed as she put her arms around Mark's neck and held him. House rolled him eyes and sat down continuing to feed the baby. When Stacey got up she asked House if she could speak to him in the kitchen. House nodded and took the bottle out of Emily's mouth. When they got in the kitchen, Stacey looked at House totally freaked by this chain of events.

"So, why is he here?" Stacey was afraid of the answer.

"He showed up here, about 2 in the morning, drunk" House answered smirking.

"And, you let him in?" Stacey asked shocked.

"Yes, and if you don't take him out soon, there's going to be trouble, this isn't a hotel" House growled.

"Of course… well thanks Greg… for taking him in" Stacey kissed him on the cheek, held her gaze on Emily for a few seconds and then turned to leave.

"I'm still not used to seeing you with that baby on your arm 24/7" she laughed as she walked into the living room. She helped Mark up, thanked House again and then walked out with her husband. House rolled his eyes again and placed Emily in her playpen. "What a night" He thought. He popped some Vicodin, brushed his teeth, and then he and the baby headed for the hospital.

…

When House walked into Cuddy's room he wasn't surprised to see her sleeping. He sat there for a little while until the nurse came in and then he ushered her into the hallway.

"Well, how is she?" he growled at the young girl.

"Well, we're still doing tests doctor House, if she's pregnant it'll pass but if its food poisoning or a virus or an infection we'll…"

"She's not pregnant, but that wasn't my question was it? How is she?" House spat. He was tired, annoyed and extremely grumpy so seeing the tears in the young nurse's eyes didn't calm him.

"She's doing better doctor House, she's still suffering the nausea and she's very weak, she'll need to stay here for a while we have some tests to run" The nurse stammered.

"Now was that so hard?" House asked as he and the baby turned around leaving the nurse teary eyed behind them. House wasn't supposed to work today but he decided he would after he visited Wilson. So he walked to Wilson's office with a permanent scowl on his face. It was totally in contrast with Emily who was smiling and gargling at everyone who passed. House looked down at Emily and whispered;

"How can you be so cheerful? You've only had a couple of hours sleep just like me" Emily smiled at him and House shook his head and pushed open the door to Wilson's office. Wilson was reviewing a patient file and smiled when he noticed House had Emily on his arm.

"Hello cutie!" he smiled at Emily who smiled toothlessly back. House rolled his eyes and sat down.

"Cuddy back visiting the hospital?" Wilson asked House his eyes on the papers in front of him.

"Cuddy's in the hospital" House replied quietly. Wilson didn't quite understand.

"I figured she had left you to baby-sit because she was checking up on Sam" Wilson replied.

"No Wilson, Cuddy's admitted" House answered annoyed. Wilson immediately looked up with a shocked expression.

"What's wrong with her? What happened?" He asked.

"You'll never believe the night I've had" House answered and then proceeded to tell him everything that had happened.

"And then, I came to your office" he finished. Wilson stared at him his mouth slightly open.

"Oh my god" was all he managed to say. "So, let me get this straight. You found Cuddy, and rushed her to the hospital and they're not sure what's wrong. You actually had the baby overnight without any help at all, Marc spent the night at your house, drunk, after you and him almost fought in the cafeteria, and Stacey showed up at 6 in the morning to pick him up." Wilson shook his head in disbelief.

"Yep, that sounds about right. And I am perfectly capable of taking care of Emily without any help thank-you very much" House spat.

"But, you had never done it" Wilson argued.

"So, she's fine, if it hadn't been for bozo the clown coming over we would have had a nice night wouldn't we?" House answered looking at Emily. But the baby was getting sleepy and only looked at him with half-open eyes. Leaving Emily with Wilson, House went to the maternity ward, and snatched a baby carrier that was there for some reason unknown to him, and placed it in his office so Emily could have her afternoon nap.