The last chapter. sheds tear Thanks to everyone who made it all the way through, and especially everyone who reviewed. You were great. I will begin posting my next fic soon. :)

Chapter 23: When Worlds Collide

Thirteen had just gotten home when the doorbell rang. She hadn’t even heard it the first time it rang. She’d been to busy thinking about what to tell Kutner and Taub. She didn’t want to lie. She didn’t like lying. She usually got away with just not answering when she didn’t want to tell someone something.

Maybe it wouldn’t be a big deal if House told everyone she used to be a man. They probably wouldn’t believe him anyway, and if they did, it wouldn’t take much work to convince them otherwise. House lied all the time.

She could ask House to lie for her, but she didn’t know if he would do it, but it might be worth a shot.

They hardest part would be coming up with a story. Why else would she be so upset about treating a patient with Huntington’s. Actually, when it was put that way, what was wrong was pretty blatantly obvious. Thirteen almost couldn’t believe they hadn’t figured it out.

“Dean!” Remy cried, shocked, when she opened the door. “What are you doing here?”

“Hey Remy. I take it you’ve heard about the divorce?” Dean asked.

“Yeah, finally came to your senses after ten years?” she asked.

“I guess,” Dean answered.

“So why are you here?” Remy asked.

“Do you want to get some coffee or something,” Dean asked hopefully.

“No,” Remy said. “Dean, are you trying to ask me out?”

“Um…yeah,” Dean answered quietly.

“Sorry, Dean, I can’t,” Remy answered.

“Oh, do you have a boyfriend?” Dean asked.

“No, it’s not that,” Remy said, her voice trailing off.

She looked back at Dean.

“I’d be lying if I told you I didn’t love you anymore,” Remy told him. “But I really don’t like you right now.”

“Why not?” Dean asked.

“You went out with her. You did whatever she said, even when she told you to stop hanging out with me. You married her. You didn’t even like her,” Remy exploded.

“I didn’t know you’d be so upset,” Dean protested.

“My only friend ditched me so he could date the reason I had no other friends. Yeah, I can see where you wouldn’t understand the problem,” Remy said sarcastically.

“Remy, I’m sorry,” Dean said.

“Don’t you have a kid to go home to?” Remy asked. “She’s what, about five now?”

“Yeah,” Dean said. “She reminds me of you.”

There was an awkward pause.

“Can’t we at least get back on speaking terms?” Dean asked.

“No,” Remy sighed.

“Why not?” Dean asked.

“Because,” Remy took a deep breath. “I’m dying. Well, I’m not yet, but I will be. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be healthy for. I couldn’t ask you to watch me die. That’s not something you want to do. Trust me.”

“What do you have?” Dean asked.

“Huntington’s disease,” Remy sighed.

“Seriously?” Dean asked.

“No, I was joking,” Remy said.

Dean was silent.

“Please, just leave now, as a favor to me,” Remy begged.

Dean nodded.

“Goodbye, Remy,” he sighed.

“Goodbye, Dean.”

Thirteen closed the door. Part of her wanted to run after him, but she suppressed the urge. She walked to the living room window and watched him walk to his car, saw him for the last time, as a single tear ran down her cheek.

Suddenly, Thirteen knew what she would tell them, and it wouldn’t be a lie.