AN – Just a reminder – the italicized words are Serenity's thoughts.

CHAPTER 3 – DON'T GO BREAKING MY HEART

What's going on here? Why hasn't Robert come to see me? He used to see me every day. Now he barely comes. Has he stopped loving me? That stupid Cameron comes to visit me all the time. David comes a lot, too. Listening to him is heartbreaking. He loves her…really loves her. He thinks that she's "the one". I don't think she feels the same way. I think she's playing games with him. If she hurts him…well, all I can say is that she'd better watch out! I really wish I knew where Robert is! I don't think he's been here today. It's hard to tell… my days are all confused..

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Why is House playing that music again? He knows I hate heavy metal! I think he's trying to drive me insane! Oh my gosh! Is that Baba O'Reilly? I hate that song! He's definitely trying to drive me crazy! If he plays Stairway to Heaven, I may have to jump out of this bed and hurt him!

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David, sweetie, why are you doing this? She obviously doesn't love you! You're talking marriage and she's not talking about you at all! Isn't there something wrong with that picture? You had your whole life ahead of you! Don't waste it on her! Find someone who appreciates you…the way I never did. Someone who loves you the way you deserve to be loved…

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Why do you insist on coming to see me every single day? Irritating woman! Go away, leave me alone! Oh, great…now this...the crying starts. What are you blubbering about?... What do you mean you're in love with someone else? What about David? He loves you and you're still hung up on House? How could you do that to him, you $#&!!

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Robert, why aren't you talking to me anymore? You just come in and exercise my legs, but never talk to me anymore. Are you tired of taking care of me? I don't want to be a burden on you…but that's not the problem, is it? I don't know…I feel like there's something going on…I don't know what, though. I wish things could go back to the way they were…when you loved me.

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David knocked on the door and went in the room. He had absolutely no idea why he always knocked. He thought that, perhaps, in the back of his mind, he hoped that one day Serenity would actually answer. He smirked. She'd probably have some smart-alecky comment, but at least she'd be answering.

He sighed. He was not looking forward to what he was about to do, although if it worked, he would be ecstatic. If it didn't work, however, they might actually lose Serenity for good. He took a deep breath before walking over to the bed. "Remember the high school plays, the drama club in college, the acting classes…you can do it. Pretend that it's real…" David gave himself a mental pep talk as he sat down and took Serenity's hand, as was his habit.

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House walked over to the nurse's station where the EEG monitors were located. Robert was sitting at one, leaned back, watching one of the screens. "Is the show about to start?", House asked, pulling over a chair and plopping down. Robert glanced at him. "What…no popcorn?" House smiled and pulled out a pack of Twizzlers. Robert rolled his eyes and muttered, "You're hopeless." The intensivist paused for a second, then held out his hand. House placed two Twizzlers in his outstretched hand, but refrained from commenting.

"David just went in there. He's about to tell her. Look, House, if….if this works, I think you need to be the one to tell her the truth. Either you or David. She won't believe me. In fact, I don't think she needs to see me until she does know the truth."

House grinned. "What…are you scared she's going to beat the crap out of you?" Robert smiled slightly. "Well, I'm fairly certain I could handle a woman fresh out of a 4-month coma, even that particular woman." Robert ignored House's dubious look and continued. "But she might not realize how weak she is and she might hurt herself trying to get to me." House opened his mouth to speak, but Robert shushed him by pointing to the screen. "Something's happening."

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David, what's wrong? Why are you upset? I can hear it in your voice. What did Twiggy do now? Man, I can't believe you're dating her! I certainly hope she put you out of your misery and dumped you. I know it'll hurt now, but you're definitely better off in the long run. She doesn't really love you and…what was that? What did you just say?

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"Serenity, this has been the day from hell. I shouldn't even be here. Mitch told me to stay away from here…Robert told me not to tell you, too, although I don't know where he gets off telling me anything where you're concerned. Man, did he have me fooled! He seemed like such a great guy….I thought you had found your perfect match. Mitch thought so, too. But he's not good enough for you, little sis. I found out something today…it was devastating. Robert said that I shouldn't tell you, because it might make things worse. But Serenity, I couldn't stand by and let him feed you lies and false hopes while you lie there helpless…Dammit, I'm not doing this well at all." David got up for a minute to pace around. "Maybe Mitch was right. Maybe I should leave."

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WTF? Why is he calling me "little sis"? Last time he did that was at Jamal's funeral. What the hell is going on? What is he so upset about? David, you'd better spill right now!! Leave? If you leave, so help me…

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"Look at that! She's spiking all over the place!" In his excitement, Robert utterly forgot the name of the waveform that was currently being displayed. House snorted and replied, "Um, those would be sleep spindles, moron." "Whatever, House, look at that! They are coming more frequently! This is great…we've never seen them like this before!" House stood up and looked into the room. For once, he was grateful for the stupid glass walls. He waved until he caught the pacing Dave's attention. House made a "keep going" motion with his hand. The agent nodded and sat back down.

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"Alright, Serenity. I'm just gonna come right out and tell you. Well, you know how I told you lately that Allison has been acting kinda strange? She's not as…amorous as she used to be and she's been somewhat distant. I just thought it was stress or something. The diagnostic team had a tough case and lost a patient, so I thought her attitude was caused by that.

Well, last night, I told her I had to chase down a lead on the Carmela case that would require me to do an overnight to Pennsylvania and that I wouldn't be over to visit her. The lead was a dead end and I didn't have to drive down there, but it was still late when I was done, so I went to your place instead. I've been staying there most nights with Robert and Mitch when he's in town. Man, I can't believe I'm telling you this!

Anyway, I got to the house, went in, and headed on downstairs. I wanted to get in a workout and do some paperwork before turning in. Well, when I got down there, I went to the back bedroom to drop off my bag and change into my sweats. You aren't going to believe what I saw! Chase was there…but, sweetie, he wasn't alone. Allison…my Allison, was with him in the bed. They were asleep, but since they were both naked…well, you do the math. Serenity, I swear, I almost killed him. I had my weapon out and pointed at his head before he had even awakened completely.

He looked so scared. Allison woke up and she nearly fainted when she saw me. They both stammered out some cock-and-bull story about how Allison has loved him all this time and Robert was feeling really down one day and one thing led to another, blah, blah, blah. I still had the gun on them while they were talking. Fortunately, Mitch arrived, or else I don't know what would…Serenity? Ow, sweetie, you're squeezing my….hand?! Serenity?! House! House, get in here!!"

House was already nearly at the door. He and Robert had watched the EEG monitor go crazy before settling into somewhat erratic beta waves, indicating anxious thoughts. Anxious, but awake, or close to it. Robert had jumped out of his seat, but House pushed him back in it and said, "Stay". He burst into the room seconds after David called him.

House made his way over to the bed, where Serenity was moving her hand slightly. Her lips were moving and she seemed to be trying to speak. House went and leaned over her. "Serenity, open your eyes! Come on, you've been slacking off for way too long. Open your eyes!" Serenity's eyelids fluttered once, twice, then her eyes slowly opened. She blinked rapidly then squinted a bit, trying to focus. She saw House standing over her and tried to reach him to get him closer. He took her hand and leaned over so that his ear was just over her lips. He heard her say something, but couldn't make it out. He turned to her and said, "I'm multli-lingual, but I don't speak mumble. What'd you say?" Serenity tightened her grip on House's hand and glared at him furiously, causing him to flinch. He leaned closer again and heard her raspy voice for the first time in four months: "I…I…I'm….go….gonna…kill…kill him."