It was exactly five pm and House was leaving after a day of hard work avoiding clinic duty. He got out of the elevator and limped through the lobby towards the exit and his freedom. He started towards his motorbike and saw something he certainly wasn't expecting.
Sitting on his motorbike was a young girl, fifteen of sixteen at most. She had a few bags sitting beside the bike and was busy listening to an ipod.
"I didn't order a kid," House said limped up to the kid on his bike.
"I didn't order a dad," she replied pulling the ipod out of her ears calmly. "Hi, meet your long lost daughter."
House gaped and stared at this kid. How the hell could he have a daughter? Although, it was quite possible one of those one night stands when he was drunk all those years ago…
"What makes you think I'm your father?" House asked.
"Well my mom told me my dad was a sarcastic jerk," the girl said, "And he's also a doctor at a hospital in Jersey. I did some research and well…" she gave him a significant look.
"Right…so why are you here?" House asked.
"My mom has a new man, who is totally loaded by the way," the girl said, "He wants to settle down, start a family and all that sap. I'm just an inconvenience in their plan for a perfect new life – a reminder of her mistakes."
"You're not bothered by that?" he asked perplexed. The girl shrugged.
"It was never a close relationship," the girl replied, "she did her stuff and I did mine. I'm just the result of a one night stand years ago. Doesn't bother me, I can't stand her new man anyway."
"I'm just supposed to -,"
"Ever been to Vegas, Dr House? Does a stripper named Crystal ring a bell?" the girl said, "Call her! Here's her number. I don't care, whatever."
House took the number of the card and dialled it on his phone. A smooth voice answered calling herself Crystal.
"Weren't you Tiffany all those years ago?" he said sarcastically.
"I assume Lena found you then," the woman replied.
"No just thought we'd like to re-live the memories," he said sarcastically, "Why are you dumping her on me?"
"Ok," Crystal said, "She's your daughter – your mistake – just as much as mine. She's a good kid. Just give her a place to live and she'll take care of herself."
"You just want me to take care of her and you ditch her?"
"I have a chance at a fresh start with a great man -,"
"Rich apparently too…"
"Look – we're happy and we wanna start a family," Crystal said, "Lena is a reminder of my old life…and what I did."
"That's all she is to you?"
"Look I'll talk to her if she wants. Just look after her, Greg."
The phone cut off.
House looked back at the girl who was sitting on his bike listening to her ipod once again. She smirked at him when he returned.
"She's the real maternal type ain't she?" Lena said sarcastically. This girl was definitely his daughter.
She was tall and skinny with long blonde hair with black streaks on the fringe and tips. She was dressed in black jeans and a black t-shirt with a band logo on its front. She was sarcastic and had quick wit. She seemed like a smart kid. So very like him. Plus, she had his amazing blue eyes too.
"Yeah," House replied, "Gonna grow with all the little news kids." Lena snorted.
"So…" she said expectantly.
"What…?" House feigned innocence.
"You gonna ditch me or what?"
"Hmm," House pretended to think when the answer was clear – he couldn't but help like this kid…his kid. "I guess I have to take care of you…" he said pretending it to be inconvenient. Lena rolled her eyes.
"I guess we'll need to find you a school too," he said, "How old are you…?"
"You don't remember how long ago…?" Lena raised an eyebrow, "I'm fifteen."
"Right…yeah…"
"Look," she said, "I don't expect you to be the dream-long-lost father. I don't really care. I mean anything's better than with her." She was referring to her mother.
"Good," House said, "Cos I'm not the fatherly type." He lied. He really did feel something for this kid.
"But you still need a school and DNA test…"