Chapter Text
"So what's the bet? That everyone will believe that is is your kid? Why wouldn't they? You're not exactly known for celibacy"
House rolled his eyes. "No, not that I have a kid. That I actually can be a father"
Wilson frowned. "I'm not sure I follow you..." he muttered, then his eyes widened. "Oh God, you're not planning to actually act all... tender and caring... are you?"
House didn't deny it though. "$50" he said simply.
Wilson shook his head. "No. No, there's no way"
"You think my team thinks so low of me they won't believe that I can treat a kid decently?"
He shrugged. "Well, there's that. There's also the fact that I don't believe that you can"
House gasped dramatcally. "You don't believe that I could be a good dad? Wow, I'm wounded" he sobbed mockingly, then spoke seriously. "A double bet then. $50 that I can treat that kid decently and another $50 that the team believes in my sudden change of heart"
The Oncologist smirked. "You're on". He glanced at House. "So, when are you starting?"
"I knew you'd say yes" House said, getting up. "Oh, the kid's already in the office" he added, before leaving.
Wilson blinked a few times. "Oh, this is going to be interesting" he mumbled under his breath as he watched his friend leave.
"So, the ANA was negative so I guess that leaves—" Cameron stopped talking as they entered the office.
All three doctors immediately looked at the unexpected guest.
There he was, a boy, probably 12, 13 years old at most, if not less. He was blond and had blue eyes. There was also this innocence and young naivety written all over his face. He was sitting in House's usual spot, doodling something on House's old case files.
"Hello, what's your name?" Chase asked softly, sitting down next to him.
"Reid"
He nodded. "Okay, Reid, are you okay? Did you get lost?"
"I'm waiting for my dad" the boy said simply, not looking up.
Chase nodded. "Alright, great, and is your dad a patient? Or was he visiting someone?"
"No, he's a doctor"
Chase sighed, slightly relieved. Okay, that was definitely making things way easier. "Great. This is Dr Foreman, he's going to find your dad and this is Dr Cameron, she's going to get you some food and snacks. We have really good stuff in the cafeteria" he said, getting his wallet and passing Cameron a few dollar bills."In the meantime, how about you tell me what are you drawing, him?" He added, watching the others leave. "Maybe I'll get you some empty paper sheets though, okay? My boss might be quite... unhappy if he notices someone doodles on his stuff"
Well, 'unhappy' was probably a bit of an understatement. Chase already dreaded House's reaction. Hopefully the kid would be already out by the time the diagnostician would be back.
When House walked into the office, he stopped in his tracks.
Foreman was gone, but that was the least weird part. Cameron was by the desk, doing the paperwork, which was also rather normal.
But then there was Chase. Sitting by the kid, chatting and doodling with him. The table was completely full with the various food, snacks and sweets, obviously bought with Chase's money.
"Wow, you must really have this whole ass-kissing rooted deep in your DNA somehow. You didn't even know he's mine and you're already spoiling him rotten" House commented with a smirk.
Reid looked up. "Dad!" He said happily, getting up.
That caught the whole room's attention.
"Yeah, meet Reid. Reid, this is my team. Team, this is my son"
Chase dropped the pen he was holding. "This is your what?!"