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unseenthewriter · 4 years ago

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CHAPTER 6: CHRISTMAS PRESENT

Chapter 6: 6784 Words

Fic Total: 21340 Words

Series Total: 21340 Words

The next day was the start of the weekend and I had decided that because I'd been so stressed lately it's time for me to get an Xbox 360 again. Even though I'm no longer doing any new freelance programming jobs I still have quite a bit of money I saved up.

I was in the middle of setting up the TV in my room when Dunc called. "Blue Jay." I said.

"Busy today?" He asked.

I thought for a moment about the breakfast at lunchtime conversation I had with Wilson.

___

"I've got to say the fact you're not lactose intolerant but just don't like milk is slightly concerning." Wilson commented.

I glanced up from my bowl of lucky charms (without milk of course). "I don't know what to tell you man it's just gross. I just don't like most dairy." I said with a shrug.

"What dairy do you like?" Wilson asked, looking more concerned.

"Oh easy cheese and ice cream." I said.

Wilson stared at me blankly for a few seconds. "That reminds me you need a physical." He said.

I set the spoon down. "Like a check-up?" I asked.

"Yes." He said.

"Can we just not do that? I mean like you guys are Doctors I'm sure I'm fine like-" I started to say.

"You're joining the Cheerleaders. They're going to need a physical." Wilson said simply.

Ah no, he's got me there. I groaned.

Wilson looked confused. "You volunteer at PPTH, you met House as a patient in the free clinic, you don't seem to be afraid of Doctors." He said.

"Yeah I know but that was for my wrist. Physicals you have to you know… and like I'm trans so it's just awkward because I'll have to explain that to whatever Doctor it is and like God forbid if they're low key transphobic or not you know?" I ranted but then remembered that Wilson is also trans. So he just kinda stared at me like “yeah I know”.

"Well, you already know all of House's Team isn't transphobic." Wilson said.

He's right there. "But do I have to?" I pleaded.

"Yes. Schedule it with one of them today." He said.

I groaned again before getting back to my cereal.

___

"Uhh I have one thing to do at PPTH." I said.

"Oh? Care to elaborate?" Dunc asked over the phone.

I huffed and put him on speaker while I started to set up the Xbox 360. "I have to schedule a physical with one of House's Team."

"In person?" He asked.

"Well I don't exactly have any of their numbers. I've never asked and they haven't offered I'm a teenager. What adult is going to offer a teenager they barely know their phone number? Makes them look like a pedophile or something I don't know." I rambled. I have Kutner's but he's out of town right now anyway.

"Can't you just call the hospital?" He asked.

"I'm like 95% House would pick up the phone so no thanks. Hi yes Dad what I've never called you Dad before oops. Well I'm NOT calling you. I'm here to talk to your Team because I hate you. That would go great." I joked.

"You haven't called him Dad before?" Dunc asked.

"Okay look I didn't know him for the first 16 years of my life and I've been calling him House since I've met him like at what point do I call him Dad? Is there like a guideline because I'd really like to know this shit is so confusing, Dunc you have no idea." I complained.

"Hmm yeah I guess that kinda sucks." He said.

"Okay but like if I did call House Dad like I had no idea how he'd react. The man might just die for all I know." I joked.

Dunc laughed. "Yeah let me know so I can record it."

"Sure thing." I said.

"Want back up?" He asked.

"You asking because you're really that bored or because you want to watch the shit show?" I asked.

"Can't it be both?" He said.

I sighed. "Yeah sure meet you there in an hour?"

"Sounds good." He said and hung up.

Well maybe it will be a little easier with Dunc there.

~~~

I was idling in the lobby of PPTH waiting for Dunc to show up. The reason that House and his team were even here today on a weekend was because of a case. I wasn't too sure of the details of this one but apparently something happened late last night.

"Take the bus?" I asked Dunc as he walked into the lobby taking off his scarf.

"Unlike you I don't have a parking spot." He grumbled.

Yeah apparently with the amount of volunteer hours I was logging I got a parking spot. It was far away but a free parking spot nonetheless. "You could've asked me to pick you up." I said.

"Your car is a piece of shit dude." Dunc replied as we made our way to the elevator.

I rolled my eyes as I pressed the button. I mean the car works just fine, that's all I could really ask for. "Not all of us are rich like you Lestrade." I said.

"Really? Because Wilson told me who your Uncle was and from what I heard when he died his money went to your Mother which I assume has gone to you now." He said as we got into the empty elevator.

I watched the doors close. I figured this would catch up to me at some point. Going to a school full of rich kids. I figured Ivy was the one who was going to figure it out though. I mean she was the one that found out about Dr. King. "I'm not exactly sure what's happening with the money." I said.

Dunc looked confused. "Why?"

"Uh I bailed from Minnesota the day after my Mom died. I've been a little preoccupied." I said.

The elevator doors open to the floor we were going to. "Why did you even bother looking for your Father if you had that much money?" Dunc asked.

"Because I don't know if I do!" I exclaimed.

A few people turned to look at us which made me freeze up of course.

"What do you mean you don't know if you do?" Dunc said quietly.

I glanced around and the few people who were watching us looked the other way. "Money was a very sensitive topic in my family. I'm not talking about this now." I said and made my way to the DDX Room.

Thankfully House wasn't there. Thirteen and Taub were the only ones in the room at the moment. Thirteen was on the computer and Taub was reading some files. "Looking for House?" Thirteen said without moving her eyes from the computer.

"Who's that?" Taub asked about Dunc.

"Uh no and this-" I started but Dunc cut me off.

"A friend Duncan Lestrade. I'm also one of Dr. Wilson patients." He introduced me.

"We both go to Princeton Prep." I said.

"You go to Princeton Prep?" Taub asked.

I looked at him blankly. Does House never talk about me? I mean that's fine I don't really care but I feel like the fact that I wear the uniform around the hospital a lot would shed some light on the subject. "Yes?"

"He pays for that?" Thirteen asked, surprised.

"I'm there on scholarship." I said with a sigh.

The looks on both of their faces went from confused to oh that makes a lot more sense.

"What do you need?" Taub asked.

I looked back and forth between the two of them. Jeez I hate this.

"He needs to schedule a physical to join the Cheerleaders." Dunc said for me.

I glared at him. I did NOT want the hospital to know I was joining the Cheerleaders just yet. I guess it's not too surprising I mean after the whole Spider-Man thing but still.

"Cheerleaders?" Taub asked.

Great job Dunc. Great job. "I used to be a gymnast." I said softly.

Taub just looked shocked but Thirteen wasn't. "When are you available?" She asked.

I blinked. "I'm here every Wednesday and Friday and most Tuesdays and Thursdays." I said.

"Next Wednesday at 3 work?" Thirteen asked.

I pulled out my phone to double-check my calendar. "Yes." I said and put it in the calendar.

I muttered thanks on my way out of the DDX Room with Dunc.

"See, was that hard?" Dunc said.

"Did you have to tell them I was joining the Cheerleaders?" I huffed.

"I mean they'll find out soon enough." He shrugged.

"I'm not so sure anymore. Like they didn't even know I went to Princeton Prep." I said.

"Yeah, that was a little weird." Dunc said. "Oh and next year you won't be able to volunteer on Fridays."

"Why?" I asked.

"Football games duh." He said.

Oh right yeah. This is going to be interesting.

~~~

I rested my head in my hands after I sat down at the lunch table. I was a bit of an idiot last night and stayed up all night gaming on my Xbox 360. Because it's December I was trying to figure out a Christmas present for House and I thought some gaming would help… It didn't. I just got no sleep and zero ideas. Wilson is easy enough. I have some props from some musicals that my Uncle gave to me a while back. Sure it's regifting but like he's more into that stuff than me. I even have some ideas for House's Team, Dunc and Ivy but House? No clue.

"What's bothering you?" Ivy asked.

I guess you could say Ivy has become my friend now? Despite her being the Cheerleading Captain she actually doesn't have many friends because she tends to piss people off. You could literally stab Dunc and he wouldn't care and I have House for a Father so it's gonna take a lot for her to piss us off.

"Trying to think of a Christmas present for House. I was up all night thinking about it." I mumbled.

"Really? I thought you were up all night playing Dragon Age Origins." Dunc said.

I glared at him. I bought the game recently. "I can multitask."

"Clearly not very well." He said.

"Yeah well, you try having House as a Father for a day and come back to me." I said.

"Can I have Wilson instead?" Dunc joked.

"No. He's actually nice." I mumbled.

Ivy looked back and forth between us. "Isn't Wilson your Doctor?" She asked Dunc.

"Yeah." He said with a shrug.

Ivy thought for a moment. "How did you two meet?" She asked.

I laughed. "Oh man, that was hilarious. You remember that Dunc."

"Pfft, how could I? I almost died from second-hand embarrassment." He said.

"Yeah, I'm so glad Wilson didn't judge me too hard on that first impression."

"Dude that's how you met Wilson?!" Dunc exclaimed.

"Unfortunately." I sighed.

"What happened?" Ivy asked, clearly annoyed that we were leaving her in the dark.

"Right so what happened was this-"

___

Part of me really wished I didn't mention that I was good with computers to Dr. Cuddy when I asked her about volunteering. Once she heard that she totally glanced over everything I said about wanting to become a Doctor someday so it would be nice to see something medical related… Yeah she immediately stuck me with Bill The IT Guy because he's like the only IT person for the whole hospital so he's a BIT overwhelmed. But you know it's fine.

The main issue I'm having now is that Bill is having me running around the hospital a lot and well I really don't know the place that well yet. Yeah I don't know it at all. I mean sure I can find my way to the lobby like 60% of the time but that's about it. I'm currently lost again. I was just grabbing myself a Mountain Dew and a Coffee for Bill at the cafeteria but got lost on my way to IT. Man I've been on so many floors today I'm not even sure what floor it's on anymore.

I turned around a few times trying to look for one of the floor signs that are usually all over the place but apparently are never there when you need them to be. If I was going to guess I was in Oncology. Because you know…

I finally found a floor sign and went over to it but unfortunately IT wasn't on there. I forgot it never freaking is. No one ever goes to IT. I did notice a cute guy my age staring at me from one of the couches. Must be taking a break from his room. I wasn't paying attention when I turned back around so that I bumped into a Doctor spilling the Coffee that I had got for Bill on him. "Oh God I'm so sorry." I said, my face turning bright red. I scrambled to get something to help clean up the mess.

"Hey it's no problem. New volunteer?" He asked, pointing at my badge.

"Y-Yeah Jay Flynn. Helping out Bill in IT because I told Dr. Cuddy I was good with computers but I do kinda wish I could be doing something else." I said without thinking. Wow Jay why the fuck did you just tell him that. He's probably going to tell Dr. Cuddy you just messed everything up.

"Ah well Bill can use all the help he can get. I'm Dr. Wilson by the way. You lost?" He asked.

My face got even redder. "Yeah I forgot where IT is." I mumbled.

"Oh that would be an issue. I guess the coffee was for Bill?" He said.

I just nodded.

"Right well-" Wilson started to say but was interrupted by the cute guy I saw earlier.

"I can show him where IT is Wilson." He said.

Wilson looked at the guy. "Have you had a walk yet?"

"No." He said.

Wilson squinted. "Alright fine."

The cute guy waited for Dr. Wilson to turn the corner before speaking up again. "Okay here's the deal. I can help you out but I need you to help me out."

I blinked. "What?"

"Right so I noticed your Princeton Prep uniform you wear around here and like dude really get some other clothes. But you might've heard of me, I'm Duncan Lestrade." He started.

Right okay wow he's just gonna do this right here right now. "Uh yeah, the dude with cancer." I said.

"Obviously. Anyway. I overheard some of your conversation with Wilson and I assume you're volunteering here because our school's medical club sucks ass." He went on.

I nodded.

"Right so I can put a word in for you with Wilson and Cuddy about volunteering over in Oncology if you tutor me in Science." He finished.

I thought for a moment. "So you're assuming that because I'm volunteering at a hospital I want to be a Doctor so I must be good at Science?" I asked.

"Am I wrong?" He asked.

"Well no but like…"

"What's the problem then?" He said.

I huffed. "Okay fine deal but I'm not calling you Lestrade like everyone else does at school."

"Why?" He asked.

"I don't know it sounds kind of classy, I don't really like it." I said.

"You go to a school full of rich people and you don't like classy?" He asked.

"I'm there on scholarship." I said.

"Hm all the more reason for you to tutor me… Jay Flynn." He said while pulling on my badge.

I pulled my badge back. "Okay, Dunc." I said.

"Really you're going to call me Dunc? I haven't been called that since I was like 6." He said.

"Yeah? Well, get used to it Dunc." I said with a smirk.

___

"You didn't even know where IT was." I said throwing a fry at Dunc.

"I obviously needed an excuse to talk to you." He said.

"He acted like such a rich prick at first." I said to Ivy.

"Yeah, I was kinda surprised when I heard the Football Kicker was hanging out with the new scholarship nerd and that you two weren't like together or anything." She said.

"I mean he was tutoring me." Dunc said.

"Oh come on everyone knows what tutoring means half of the time." She scoffed.

"What?" I asked.

Both of them looked at me. "God for how smart you're supposed to be you are so oblivious sometimes." Ivy said.

"People thought we were hooking up?" I squeeked.

"Yeah, I had to set the record straight." Dunc explained.

I looked at the two of them blankly. God, I have no idea about the drama that goes on in this school, do I? I get a bit of The PPTH drama from eavesdropping and House and Wilson but I don't really care too much. I'm more focused on my own life that has more than enough of its own drama. "You didn't think to mention it to me?" I said.

"You were uh dealing with stuff at the time." Dunc said.

I just stared at him.

"You know, coming out to House." He said.

Oh right. "Oh Ivy knows Dunc. She found out about my gymnastic past so there's stuff about me being trans. Man, that sucks that I'm constantly being outed." I complained.

"Couldn't you like change your last name?" Ivy asked.

I froze. I mean yes obviously but like the most reasonable one to change it to would be House and… "Hi for Christmas I'd like your last name House." I joked.

Dunc snorted.

"Just become a fae and steal it. You're Irish right?" Ivy joked.

"Ah yeah, simple let me just become a fae real quick." I shot back.

"We've somehow circled back to Christmas presents." Dunc pointed out.

"Ugh right, what the hell am I going to get him." I grumbled.

"A name change obviously." Ivy said.

"Ha very funny." I said.

"What's he like?" Dunc asked, trying to be helpful.

I sighed. "Yeah I thought about that but like… All I really know about is Motorcycles, Monster Trucks and Music."

Ivy stared at me for a moment. "Monster Trucks?"

"Yeah, apparently he likes to watch those I don't know." I said with a shrug.

"And you hate Motorcycles." Dunc said.

I nodded.

"Music is vague." Ivy said.

"He plays Guitar and Piano. Listens to a bunch of stuff but uh hates musicals so that's something that he and Wilson don't agree on." I explained.

"Oh, so Wilson is a musical gay shocking." Dunc joked.

"I'm pretty positive he's Bi first of all." I said.

"I'm just saying." He said.

I rolled my eyes. The bell rang signaling that lunch was over. "Well, that was no help thanks though." I said standing up.

"Sorry I can't always save your ass." Dunc said.

I scoffed. "Right gotcha."

He winked at me.

Ivy rolled her eyes. "Oh get a room."

~~~

"Bill?" I said after I walked into IT and didn't notice him right away. I set down my backpack and Mountain Dew but kept holding the coffee that I grabbed on my way up for Bill.

"Servers." A muffled Scottish accent said.

"I'll leave the coffee out here then." I said before making my way to the server closet. I leaned against the door. "What's up?"

"Just checking a few things." Bill said looking at me. "Slow day."

"Because of all of my help clearly." I joked.

"Ah well, the coffee is nice." He said with a smirk.

"Ouch, I'm hurt." I said and fakingly clutched my chest.

"Get out of my server closet." He said shooing me out of the doorway.

"Don't have to tell me twice to leave a closet." I joked.

"Ack you and your gay jokes. I guess it makes sense living with House and Wilson." He commented after locking the closet.

"Mmm, I had two Moms at one point. If I turned out to be straight that would have been surprising." I said.

Bill just sighed. "Well, I don't have anything for you to do. Does Wilson?"

"Nah he's sick of me too." I said and sat down and the desk that I have slowly taken over. I mean the dude's got a pretty big workspace just to himself so there are multiple desks.

Bill took a sip of the coffee I got for him. "Need help with school work?" He offered.

I just stared at him. Now Bill and I are, you know, friendly with each other. I'm like some of the only social interaction the man gets on some days but like normally we just shoot a few sarcastic comments at each other and he tells me to go off and fix something somewhere. But like I'm a teenager and he's like older than House. Sure I'm a bit curious how a Scottish IT Guy ended up at PPTH but I've been too busy to ask around. "How slow has it been?" I asked.

"Slow enough I've been debating calling my Ex." He complained.

I blinked. Ex? Bill is just telling me about himself? What? I sat up a little. "I mean I know I'm only 16 but like that's probably not a great idea?" I said.

"Eh it wouldn't go anywhere anyway she's in London last I heard." Bill said.

Okay, now I'm curious. "So like-" I started but was cut off by my phone. "Uh, one sec."

Warning on the way to PPTH w Ivy. Found out about ur Uncle. Can hold off 4 bit.

My face fell. Ah great. I don't really want to deal with this right now. House and Wilson still haven't caught on to the fact that I should probably have a bunch of money. Or if they have they haven't mentioned it.

"Who found out about what?" Bill asked.

I looked up. "What?"

"You're not that hard to read Blue Jay." He said.

"My friends found out something about my family and are on their way here." I said.

"House?" He asked.

"No something on my Mom's side it's complicated." I said.

"Try me." Bill said.

I texted back that I was at IT but to take their time. "Right so you know how I go to Princeton Prep?" I said.

Bill nodded.

"Right so I'm there on an academic scholarship. The reason I applied was because you know stuff with House being my Father." I said.

Bill was going to ask a question about that but I stopped him. "Look I don't have time to go into that." I huffed. "Anyway my Uncle was a pretty famous musical actor that died in a helicopter crash a while back. When he died his money went to my Mom. And when my Mom died the logical conclusion would be that I would inherit that money. So I assume my friend Ivy is about to tear me a new one for acting all weird about rich people when I'm probably rich." I explained.

Bill just stared at me for a moment. "Jay what your friends think about you having money or not is not that big of a problem."

Oh, he's right actually. This is like the least of my problems. "That's uh pretty helpful." I mumbled.

"I can be sometimes." Bill said. He stood up and threw away the empty coffee cup. "How long until they get here?"

"Well assuming Ivy's driving not long." I sighed.

Bill raised an eyebrow. "Fast driver?"

"From what I've heard." I said.

"Well good luck." Bill said while making his way to the door.

"Wait hold up you leaving me?" I asked.

"As much as I'd love to stay and hear about your high school drama I'm needed in one of the lecture halls. Don't forget to lock up when you leave" Bill said and left me alone.

This is going to be great.

10 minutes later Ivy smashed through the door with Dunc mouthing a Sorry shortly behind. "You failed to mention who your Uncle was." She said.

I looked up from my history textbook. "You never asked."

"Lestrade knew!" Ivy exclaimed.

"Wilson mentioned it to him. Not that I wanted him to." I said.

"Here you are this whole time with this 'Oh I'm not Rich Superiority Complex' when in reality you're probably richer than the both of our families combined." Ivy ranted.

I slammed the history textbook on the desk and stood up. "Look Ivy. There's a lot of reasons why I don't like talking about this but if you really want me to go into it I will." I said.

"Explain yourself." Ivy said now in my face.

"Now obviously even if I do have a bunch of money which I mentioned to Dunc I'm not even entirely sure I do. I'd much rather have my Uncle or Mother instead. Connor's money was always a sore subject for my Mom because her being a Single Mom with lots of student loans she had to come to him for help. She never wanted to. Mom was going to pay him back even though Connor said it was unnecessary but then he died and she got all of his money. Mom never touched it. I know she thought about donating it but she was so busy and never had the time to figure out what to do with it. I grew up middle class. The idea of having a lot of money is foreign to me." I explained.

The two of them stood there for a while. No one wanting to break the silence. "Look I'm sorry for misleading you two I just don't know how to handle these things very well." I said.

"Right well how about we all get something to eat." Dunc said.

"I guess that sounds like a plan." Ivy said.

I was about to say I'm still volunteering but Bill walked in. "Ah are these your two friends?" He asked.

"Uh yeah. Duncan Lestrade and Ivy Adler." I said.

"Bill Baxter. I really don't have anything for you to do Jay. You should go have fun with your friends. You won't be a teenager for much longer." He said.

"I uh but-" I started.

"No buts get out." He said.

"Right okay I guess we will get something to eat then." I said.

~~~

I was having trouble making eye contact with Thirteen. We've already done the more invasive parts of the physical but I'm just uncomfortable anyway. We're just in the middle of the questions now.

"Smoke?" She asked.

"No." I said.

"Drink." She asked.

"No." I said.

"Sexually Active?" She asked.

"No." I said.

"Thoughts of harming yourself or others?" She asked.

I paused. Technically no I haven't gotten that far yet but… "No."

Thirteen looked at me clearly noticing my hesitation. "Jay you can be honest with me. You've lost a parent it's not unusual to be experiencing-" She started.

"I'm fine." I said looking at her.

"Wilson told me he's worried." She said.

Of course, he did. I crossed my arms. "He worries about everything. Dude's not even my Dad." I said.

"If you need to talk to someone Jay you can. Doesn't matter who but I'd recommend maybe avoiding House." She said.

Yeah, House probably wouldn't be the best person to talk to.

"Can we move on?" I sighed.

She looked at me for a moment before continuing. "Do you feel unsafe at home?" She asked.

"No." I said.

~~~

After Cheerleading practice Ivy decided to drag me to the mall for Christmas shopping. Seeing as I'm still trying to figure out a present for House , I reluctantly agreed. "This is it?" I asked once we were in the Mall.

Ivy gave me a weird look as we went down the escalator. "Yes?"

"Kinda small." I said with a shrug.

"Aren't you from the Midwest? Malls must be tiny there?" She said.

"Ah well, fun fact about Minnesota is that we were the first State to have a fully enclosed indoor Mall. On top of that, I was a short drive away from The Mall of America so I was a little spoiled." I explained.

"Why do you know such random shit?" Ivy asked as we wandered into some clothing store.

"Dunno. I have a pretty good memory but like I don't really get to choose what I remember." I said.

"So your brain thinks random facts about Malls in Minnesota is important?" She questioned.

"I guess. On the bright side, I'm pretty good at trivia." I said.

Ivy just rolled her eyes. "Anyway. You have feelings for Lestrade?" She asked suddenly.

I froze just holding a random shoe in my hand. "What kind of feelings?" I played dumb.

Ivy was unamused with my attempt at playing dumb. "It's fairly obvious you have a crush on him."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I lied while setting the shoe down.

"I'm pretty positive he feels the same way." Ivy continued.

"Ha someone having a crush on me? Funny." I joked.

Ivy just rolled her eyes. "Not like you'd ever be the one to make the first move anyway."

"I know that's a sound analysis but it still hurts a little." I huffed.

"Right well you figure out a gift for House yet?" She asked.

"No. We should probably pop in the music store." I said.

"Sounds like a plan." Ivy said.

Thankfully I finally found the perfect thing at the music store.

~~~

I never really mentioned it to House or Wilson but I do enjoy Christmas quite a bit. It's not my favorite holiday. Halloween is that but I don't know there's something about it. It is a bit more somber for me personally this year because it's the first Christmas without my Mom but I'm trying to ignore that fact. So on Christmas Eve, I made my way to PPTH to drop off my presents I got for Kutner, Thirteen, Taub, Foreman, Cuddy, Chase, and of course Bill. I was humming to the Christmas songs on my iPod as I made my way to my first stop, Dr. Cuddy.

Now I know that Cuddy, Taub, and Wilson are Jewish but they all seem to be mostly non practicing for the most part. And I don't think anyone can really argue with receiving a gift right?

I took out my earbuds and knocked on the door. "Come in." Cuddy said.

"Hey." I said while walking up to her desk.

"Oh, Jay I wasn't expecting you. Nice hat." She said.

Yeah, I decided to wear my Santa hat today seeing as I'm dropping off a bunch of gifts. "Thanks! I'm just dropping off a quick gift." I said and pulled the present out of my backpack. Normally I wear my messenger bag to PPTH but I needed a bigger bag… I set the present on her desk.

"Oh wow! I didn't know you were getting anything." She said.

"Uh, no need to get me anything. I just like to give people gifts on Christmas you know. Besides you've been really nice to me and you definitely didn't have to." I said while rubbing the back of my neck.

"You know it really is a wonder how you're related to House sometimes." She joked.

"I'm a prime example of nature vs nurture." I joked back. "I need to get going though I got more people to get to." I said.

"How many people did you get gifts for?" She asked.

"Uhhh… besides House, Wilson, and my friends. Seven people?" I said while counting on my fingers.

"That's a lot." She said looking surprised.

"I guess it is. Isn't it." I said before leaving.

Next on my list is Chase. Hopefully, he's not in the middle of surgery right now.

I found him on his way out of an OR on his way to get some food. "Chase!" I called.

"Oh hey there Blue Jay." He said.

"Not gonna take up too much of your time but I got you a small thing for Christmas." I said and handed Chase the present.

"Never thought I'd see the day I'd get a Christmas present from a House." He joked.

"I mean my last name is technically Flynn but sure." I said.

"Well, thanks Jay." He said.

"Yeah, no problem dude." I said with a thumbs up before running off down the hallway.

I went into IT with You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch blaring from my iPod. Or a least as much as an iPod could. "You're A Mean One Mr. Baxter" I sang along as a joke.

Bill looked at me with an eyebrow raised. "Didn't realize you thought of me that way Mr. Flynn." He said.

"Sorry, it's my favorite Christmas song." I said with a shrug.

"That's your favorite Christmas song?" He asked.

"What can I say? It's a bop." I said.

Bill rolled his eyes. "Why are you here anyway? It's your Christmas break and I would love to not be working." He asked.

"Ah well, you see." I said and pulled out the present. "I have this for you."

"Oh." Bill said.

"Yeah think fast." I said and threw it at him.

Bill caught the present with no hesitation. "I never really took you as the gifting type." He said.

"Well, I always love to subvert expectations." I said and did a curtsy. "Anyway, I have one more stop so bye." I said and waved Bill off.

~~~

Thankfully House's Team was all there. They were doing a differential diagnosis so it makes sense that they would be. I walked in quietly trying to not interrupt. Also because seeing a real differential diagnosis live would be pretty cool.

All of them did take note of me walking in but kept shooting off ideas anyway. House shot most of them down for various reasons. "Do you four really have nothing better than that? I bet Jay could come up with something better and he's only sitting in on medical classes." House ranted at them before turning to me.

All of them were now staring at me.

I looked blankly at House. "You actually want a suggestion?" I asked.

He waved his hand in front of the whiteboard.

I set down my backpack and walked up to the whiteboard to take a better look. "Legionnaires' Disease." I said with a shrug not really sure what to suggest.

The five of them stayed quiet for a moment. "Look I'm in High School I don't really know what I'm talking about." I said softly.

"Kutner and Foreman check the workplace. Thirteen and Taub start him on antibiotics." House said.

The four of them started to get up to leave. "Oh wait! Before you leave. I have Christmas presents for you guys." I said awkwardly.

"You didn't come to show us up?" Taub said.

"N-no?" I said while scrambling to my backpack to get the presents. "Right uh here's Taub's." I said and handed it to him.

He nodded and took it.

"Foreman." I said.

"We've barely talked." He said while taking the present.

"I mean it would be rude to show up here with gifts for everyone but you." I said.

"Thirteen. Thanks for the physical." I said whispering the last part.

"No problem Jay." She said.

Taub and Thirteen left to tend to the patient and Foreman went to wait for Kutner outside. "Last but not least." I said handing Kutner his present.

"You're still on for Star Trek the day after Christmas right?" He asked and walked over to another part of the room.

"I mean yeah." I said.

"Great! Here." He said and handed me a gift back.

"Oh!" I said.

"What not expecting one?" He said.

"I mean you're the first person to give me one in return so yes?" I said.

"Oh… Well, you're a pretty cool kid. Besides you need that." He said while tapping the present he got me.

"Well you don't need what I got you but I hope you like it." I said with a smile.

"I sure I will. I better get going before House notices I'm still here." Kutner said and left.

I tucked Kutner's present in my backpack and glanced at House's office. I can only hope that he'll like what I got him.

~~~

"You know I swear we had more eggnog." Wilson said.

"Yeah weird." I said like I totally didn't drink quite a bit. House found out but he didn't care. Only Wilson is in the dark.

"Maybe you drank more than you thought." House said.

Nice cover House…

Wilson glared at him.

I bounced up to a standing position on the couch. "Right we're doing presents now. I've been waiting far too long with you two being at work all day." I said pointing at House and Wilson.

"You could've just opened them." House said making his way to the couch.

"Actually no. It's my first Christmas with you two so we're doing this at least once." I said.

And the first Christmas without Mom.

Wilson chuckled and grabbed his gift for me and threw it in my lap. "Go wild."

"For Blue Jay, you've been needing a new one of these. Love Wilson." I read the tag before opening.

My eyes lit up at the new binder. "How do you know my size?" I asked.

"He checked your laundry." House said.

"Oh. That's pretty obvious I guess." I said. "Thank you so much Wilson." I said and hugged him.

Wilson was a little surprised by the hug. Then again he doesn't know I'm buzzed so you know. "Okay, so you have to open mine for you now." I said and handed him the present.

Wilson read the tag with a small smile. "Is this?" He asked after opening the present.

"Yes! Uncle Connor gave me a lot of props from the musicals he was in. You're more into that stuff so." I said.

"That's probably worth some money." House said.

"Yeah." Wilson said wide-eyed.

I laughed. "I'm glad you like it. Here House." I said and threw him his gift.

He caught it. "Very light."

I shrugged.

House opened the present. It's a flaming guitar strap. "To match your cane." I said with a smirk.

Wilson chuckled which made me lose my composure and start laughing too.

He got up and put the strap on one of his guitars. "Bitchin." He said.

Wilson and I laughed harder.

House sat back down on the couch this time strumming some Christmas songs. He slid me a large envelope. "Here Kid."

"You got me a massive card?" I joked.

House kept playing the guitar.

I opened it. Looks like some sort of legal documents. "Is this?" I asked.

House stopped playing. "Wilson asked your friends what you wanted. Told them you said you hated how you were constantly getting outed by your last name. Even joked that you'd like a name change for Christmas." He said.

"And you're fine with it?" I asked.

He shrugged. "You're my son. Jay House makes sense."

I bit my lip. Wow okay, Jay don't cry. That eggnog definitely didn't seem like a great idea now.

House got up and put the guitar back. Once it was back I ran up and hugged him."Thanks… Dad." I said."

"Oh okay. You're definitely not getting eggnog next year." House said.

"You gave him WHAT!" Wilson exclaimed.

"Wilson we're having a moment." I whined.

"I didn't give it to him. I walked in on Jay drinking the rest of the Eggnog." House said and pulled me off of him.

Wilson pinched the bridge of his nose. "So you just covered for him?"

"He's 16." House said with a shrug.

"House not only is the drinking age 21 but he's a minor." Wilson said.

I listened to the two of them argue while I opened Kutner's present. "Oh, dope." I said.

They turned to me. "Who's that from?" Wilson asked.

"Kutner." I said and balanced the Star Trek The Next Generation DVD Box Set on my head.

Wilson just sighed.

"Oh! I should text him thanks!" I said and ran off to grab my phone in my room.

Thank 4 Sar Trek I"v ben wantin it

JF… ER WAITTT JH!!!

A few minutes later a text was sent back.

I assume u are drunk. Thx 4 matching Communicator Pin not sure what it sig means I guess I'll find out later.

I tried to explain it in another text.

Nam different nowww!

Kutner decided rightly to not respond.

AN: Wow I forgot how long this chapter was... Sorry for the long delay. This chapter has been written for a while too I have no excuse. Will I ever get to an update schedule of one fanfic update per week? Not at this rate...

#Blue Jay Series #writing

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