HEY GUYS, SORRY IT TOOK ME SO LONG. MY CHEER COACH HAS US PRACTICING EVERY DAY, SO IT LOOKS LIKE PRIME UPDATE DAYS WILL BE OVER THE WEEKENDS. AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR THE INPUT, AND ANYONE WHO WANTS TO REQUEST AN ENTRY OR ANYTHING, FEEL FREE TO!

DON'T OWN IT.

He began to notice that she took the book everywhere she went, as if it was the one thing tying her to the Earth, as if gravity itself wasn't enough. This time, he caught her reading it in the differential room, well after everyone else had gone home. They were the only two crazy enough to stay at the hospital.

"Are you married to it or something?" He asked, limping into the glass-walled room.

"You know, you should consider knocking." She closed the book and looked up at him, brilliant eyes capturing his. House felt unable to look away.

"That's not really my style." He finally broke the contact, and took a seat next to her.

"So, is Wilson talking to you yet? I know he was pretty mad about bailing us out…" She decided to change the subject.

"He's just mad that I managed to get locked up twice in a day." House answered. "And no changing the subject. You're attached to the thing."

"It's the last connection to my family that I have, House. What do you expect?" She forced him to make eye contact again.

"For you to be Thirteen again." He replied gently. She opened her mouth to reply, but he cut her off. "You're different now. We all miss you." House was surprised at the emotion in his words, never mind the fact that he said them. He just couldn't help himself.

"Well, I'm back, so…" Thirteen shrugged.

"Physically you are, but mentally? Not at all."

"Please clarify." She folded her arms, challenging him.

"You asked Chase for help while dealing with your fugitive friend. You later talked to him about what was bothering you."

"You attempted self-surgery on your leg after being idiotic enough to take untested drugs." Thirteen shot back.

"I've always been a little messed up."

"Wait, how did you know about me and Chase?"

"He told me." House shrugged.

"What did he tell you?"

"He's worried. He just knows that I spent 3 days with you."

"I wish people would stop worrying." She leaned back in her seat, running a hand through her hair.

"It's just like how you guys worry about me when I'm acting funny. Yes, it's annoying, but it's human nature."

"That's what was in this entry." She opened to a page and pointed. "How Jake was always so worried about me, and how Mom would say stuff to me, about how I was a bad kid. Jake was 11, so he was in big-brother-mode." She smiled. "He didn't understand why I'd always get mad at him. One day, after having explaining it to him a hundred times in metaphoric ways, he just flat out said it. I remember it, too. I was sitting in the other room, doing homework, and he and Jake were sitting on the couch. 'Jake, I know this is hard to understand and you just want to help her, but Remy can take care of herself. She doesn't want, or need, to be protected.' I didn't realize it at the time, but there was admiration in his voice, pride. I guess that's why I am the way I am."

"You liked that someone liked who you were. Your mother never did." House said.

"She was sick, House."

"I know. But she still shouldn't have done it." He got up, and as he was opening the door, she called out,

"Hey, House? Wanna grab a drink or something?"

"Sure." He nodded.

HEY, SO, SORRY IT'S BEEN A WHILE. I'VE BEEN RELLY BUSY. I WAS GOING TO LENGTHEN THIS, BUT I FELT THAT IT LEFT OFF GOOD HERE. I WILL DO THEM AT THE BAR IN THE NEXT CHAPTER. PLEASE LEAVE YOUR THOUGHTS!