Disclaimer: I don't own House, but you can't kill my love!

Thank you so much for all of your reviews! They mean so much to me!

I hope you find this amusing! These step by step reveals to each character have to be made so carefully. I'm not nearly as smart as House, Greg or any of the other characters in this story and so I need to fake it and at least pretend to be as smart as they are!

Like Father, Like Son

Chapter 23

After the argument where Greg yelled and House listened and then House had his chat with Cuddy, the doctor decided to put some space between himself and Greg. He ordered dinner for Greg and had it delivered every night as he waited on the sidewalk outside. He was glad that the familiar delivery boys were willing to tell him that Greg looked alright and that he received the food willingly. Not long after the food had been delivered and Greg had taken the time to eat, the strains of sad piano music or angry electric guitar would reach House's ears. The doctor would head home to Wilson who would carefully watch House for any signs of relapse or mental decay. House hated it.

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Greg knew that his father was around even though he wasn't coming in. House had his favorite foods delivered for supper and waited while the delivery men grilled him about his day so they could report back. After eating, Greg would choose an instrument and crank up the volume so that House was sure to hear that Greg was doing just fine without him – even if he wasn't. Some of the things that Greg had said to House weren't really true and at the time and Greg had regretted saying them as soon as they were out of his mouth, yet now it seemed like the words were true because his dad wasn't there. Greg had intended to apologize just as soon as his dad got home, but he never came. Instead, he stayed outside and waited…..for what?

Only three days had passed and it seemed like an eternity to both of the House men.

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Wilson knew that something was very wrong with House. After weeks of never being home, he'd been home in the evenings for three days straight. At PPTH, Wilson was pretty positive that Cuddy had never gotten so much work out of her most difficult employee. It was clear that whatever was eating at House was bigger than any demon he'd ever tackled. There was just no other way to explain the behavior of 3Wilson's closest friend and it frightened him. He was pretty sure that it had something to do with House's mystery son, but Wilson hadn't figured it out to his own satisfaction, yet. He knew he had to intervene, because that was 5Wilson's role in their relationship – it was what he did….at least according to 6Wilson's interpretation of things. House wouldn't necessarily have seen it the same way….as a matter of fact he didn't and he resented that Wilson did – especially at times like this.

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Wilson finally decided that the mystery mother of the mystery son had figured out that House wasn't father material. As a result she'd informed House that he wasn't welcome in his son's life. Although House had never been interested in having a kid, he'd bonded with this one and now Wilson was left to pick up the pieces of a shattered House. On the positive side, House hadn't become destructive to himself this time around. House was staying sober and sane and Wilson was bound and determined to keep him that way. He needed a plan and that plan involved 1Wilson's other problem.

About the same time that House had started coming home at night; Wilson had received a very unsettling call from Greg informing him that the young man wouldn't be continuing his internship. Thinking back, Wilson remembered that the last time he'd seen the boy he was leaving his office being led by House. It was clear to Wilson exactly what had happened. House had intimidated Greg in the same way that he tried to intimidate his team. The inexperienced "Intern Eddie" had buckled under the pressure and rather than facing House again, he had decided not to return to PPTH.

It was obvious to Wilson that House needed to make things right with Greg and through proving that he could be a kinder, gentler House possibly convince the mother of his son that he was better father material that she had originally thought. Wilson was sure his plan would work once all parties involved saw reason. The problem was getting Greg and House in the same room at the same time and then making sure House said all the right things to calm Greg's fears. Wilson didn't figure that House would mean any of the things he said to the boy, but then everybody lies. The thing was House seemed to be at his most honest with children. Maybe that was going to be a problem. Also, once things were cleared up between Greg and the intern, how was the mother of House's son going to even know that House had made these great strides and that he was, indeed, father material?

With a sigh, Wilson realized that he would need to intervene on House's behalf once again. Certainly, if Wilson was able to help House smooth things over with Greg, he would let his best friend know all the information necessary to communicate such growth to the mother of his child. In a way, this was a job that Wilson was going to relish! To see a child in House's arms that would love him unconditionally would bring Wilson untold joy. Everyone needed unconditional love, but House seemed to need it more that most and got less of it than anyone Wilson had ever known. If this worked, it might be the best thing that Wilson had ever done for House and House would be forever grateful to him. A deep sense of satisfaction filled Wilson as he developed his plan and then saw it come to fruition in his imagination.

"Come to dinner tonight, Greg, I miss seeing you and I want to talk to you about your decision to leave PPTH." 5Wilson's call to Greg was the first step in his Grand Plan.

"I don't think so, Dr. Wilson. Dr. House…."

"You don't need to worry about that, tonight. I invited you over because I know that House will be gone for the night. He has a standing appointment and he never misses it."

Greg assumed that it was House's appointment with Dr. Nolan and took Wilson at his word. "Alright," Greg sighed. He was lonely. He hadn't been out for going on four days and House's condo was closing in on him rapidly. If House was going to see Nolan, then there wouldn't be any food arriving at 5:30 anyway. "I'll be there."

Wilson confirmed his address and assured Greg that the loft was just off the bus line and would be easy to locate. He had no way of knowing that Greg had visited the loft before. "I'll see you at 6:00, Greg."

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That evening, House was surprised to find the delivery boy return to House still carrying the food. House started to go in, but the thought of finding Greg's things absent from the apartment stopped him in his tracks.

House shoved the door key at the delivery boy and ordered, "Go see if he's in there and then come right out. Don't touch the piano."

The delivery boy responded unquestioningly. When House spoke like that there was no option.

"He isn't there, but everything looks like it should. The kid didn't pack up and leave, either, if that's what you're worried about. He probably just got cabin fever and went to a movie or something."

"Thanks. You're probably right." House tipped the delivery boy hugely, dumped the food in a nearby trashcan and headed for Wilson's place. It would never be home.

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Greg entered the loft tentatively after being greeted by Wilson. The place felt really big without House's presence to fill it. The organ was in the corner and Greg vividly remembered the day he'd been there with his dad. He wanted to leave. Now!

"Make yourself at home. Can I get you a drink?"

"No, thanks, I don't think that this was such a good idea after all. I'm going to just head home."

"Wait, Greg! Look, dinner is about on table. I just need to serve it up." Where the hell was House! He hadn't been this late all week, so why now? "You don't want all of my efforts to go to waste, do you?"

It smelled like lasagna and Greg couldn't remember when he'd had any that tasted as good as that smelled.

"House and I were taking a cooking class together and he really had the knack. He understands the chemical reactions that make the flavors work together and uses that knowledge to make the most amazing creations! I'm stuck at 'Bake at 375º for an hour'!" Wilson laughed. "I guess he lost interest when he figured it all out, because he hasn't been back to the class in quite awhile."

Greg wondered why they always had take-out or delivery if House was such a great cook. Maybe he just hadn't been worth the effort. "House must be really busy with patients all the time. How did he find time to take a class?"

"House had been….ill and was just out of the hospital. Foreman was running the team, but House was there to consult until he got his medical license reinstated. He had a lot of time on his hands."

Greg knew about Mayfield and all of that. He appreciated that Wilson cared enough to keep House's confidence. "Is House's illness something that's going to recur?"

"I hope not, Greg. That was a very difficult time for House and everyone who cares about him. He isn't really what he seems and those that know him for who he really is are very devoted to him. He puts his team through hell on a daily basis, and they all complain, but I don't think that any of them could leave him if he really needed them." Wilson hoped that his words were getting through to Greg and that he would be willing to give House another chance.

Just then, the door slammed and House entered. Greg spun around in time to see House's look of shock as he found his son chatting with Wilson.

"House, what a surprise!" lied Wilson. "I was sure this was your night to meet with Nolan. I invited Greg over for some lasagna and to discuss with him why he decided to leave his internship before he had the opportunity to work with you. I think the experience is crucial if he wants to be a doctor someday." Wilson was afraid that if he stopped talking that one, or both, would leave before he got his goals met. That wasn't an option.

"Shut up and give me a beer, Wilson, I'm not going to leave just because Greg is here." Wilson noticed that House called the boy by his name and decided that the plan was already going better than expected. He smiled as he handed House his beer.

House made eye contact with Greg and decided that his son was as much a victim of 8Wilson's devious plot as he was. House shrugged and nodded, trying to let Greg know that, for his part anyway, things were at least okay for the time being.

Greg made his way to the kitchen and found a can of pop in the fridge. He popped the top and sat down at the table more relaxed than Wilson had ever seen him. House sat down next to Greg at the table and bumped his elbow for support. Wilson saw the drink slosh just as he was placing the last of the food on the table and worried.

After making sure everything was there – lasagna, salad, garlic bread, silverware and drinks – Wilson sat down and discovered two identical sets of bright blues eyes staring mischievously at him.