This is a sequel to 'She's a Dying Breed'. I suggested you read that first.

This is a short first chapter, it's more of an introduction. Neither House or Emily or in it.

By the way, the title to this story has nothing to do with her illness. It was inspired by a Regina Spektor song. As per usual.

Rummaging for answers in the pages
We're living in a den of thieves
And it's contagious

-

Jeff Andersen was tired. He walked slowly to his daughter's room, his eyes almost closing as he came to a stop in the doorway, leaning against the frame. He hadn't slept for the past few weeks, as the sofa in the downstairs living room was lumpy and awkward on his back. He sighed as he watched the small form in the bed in front of him, he covers moving up and down as her chest rose and fell, breathing quietly.

"You're up late." He turned round slowly to see Carolin standing behind him, her lips forming a thin line, her arms folded across her chest.

"I couldn't sleep." He admitted with a gruff voice, "We need to buy a new sofa."

"Or maybe you should buy a new place." Carolin suggested, her words spiked with venom. Jeff sighed deeply, shutting his eyes briefly and trying not to get angry.

"Don't do this." He murmured. It was the wrong thing to say, she stepped forward, closer to him, her eyes sparkling with venom.
"What do you mean 'Don't do this'?!" She hissed, keeping her voice low, "You brought this on yourself, the only reason you're not out on the street is because of Lily."

"How many times do I have to say I'm sorry?" He whispered.

"You're just sorry I found out!" Jeff could tell she was having a hard time remaining calm, her eyes continuously darting to Lily, who continued to sleep soundlessly. Carolin's blonde hair was in a mess round her face, she wasn't getting a lot of sleep either, "Were you ever going to tell me?"

"I-" Jeff hesitated, deciding it was better to stop lying once and for all, "I don't know. I didn't want to upset you."

"Upset me?" Carolin's voice was getting shrill and her eyes were growing wide, "You have another fucking daughter, how was that not going to upset me?"

"It's not like I was having an affair!" Jeff retorted, raising his voice a little higher, "It happened before I met you."

"You didn't tell me!" Carolin was almost shouting, her cheeks going red, her teeth bared in anger. Out of the corner of his eyes Jeff noticed Lily stirring and motioned for her to keep it down, "You disappeared for weeks, I thought you were having an affair, you barely called, I got so worried-"

"Emily was sick." Jeff said, his voice quiet but his tone was grave.

"I don't CARE!" Carolin yelled at the top of her lungs. A tense silence followed, Carolin looking shocked at herself, her face filled with apprehension, and soon the silence was broken by a separate voice.

"Mommy?" Lily murmured, timid and frightened, pushing the covers away from her and rubbing her eyes. Carolin shot Jeff a glare and stepped into her daughter's room, quick to comfort her.

Jeff groaned and turned round, deciding maybe it would be smart to go downstairs and maybe try to get some sleep on the uncomfortable sofa.

After half an hour or so later Carolin strode down the stairs, making her way purposefully towards the living room where she found her husband still awake, sitting up straight and staring into space. She stood in front of him and placed her hands on her hips, pursing her lips together.

"I'm going to sleep in Lily's bed tonight," She sighed, "You can sleep in ours if you want, looks like you need a nights rest." Jeff nodded slowly and glanced up at her.

"Thanks." He murmured. Carolin narrowed her eyes, studying him.

"Are you alright? You don't look too good." She mumbled. She wasn't lying, he looked pale and his face seemed to be shining with a thin layer of sweat. He shrugged.

"I'm fine." He told her. Carolin decided not to press it any further and began to leave the room, stopping before she stepped through the door and turned round again, taking a deep breath.

"Jeff." She whispered, he glanced over at her, a slightly pained expression on his face, his arm round his waist as if his stomach was hurting, "I want a divorce." She said simply. He cleared his throat and opened his mouth as if to answer her, but his breath caught in his throat and he just nodded. Carolin smiled sadly and turned round, walking away from the room.

It wasn't until she was a few feet away from the door that she heard a dull thud from the living room. She furrowed her brow and ran back in, finding Jeff was no longer sitting on the sofa, but was on the floor next to it, struggling for breath, his hand placed on his left shoulder.

"Oh my god!" She cried, running towards him and bending over him, not sure what to do. Jeff continued to take in short, ragged breaths and opened his mouth, attempting to speak.

"Call an ambulance"