Disclaimer : I own nothing they belong to Shore & Co, I just borrowed them for a while, I'll give them back when I'm done.

Apologies this chapter is a little shorter than usual.

13

House stayed at home for a couple of days after the surgery - just to please his wife. He had another phone call from Tilly

"Yeah, I know, I just needed some time to think. Where is she living now?"

"Oh OK, that's ok then, I'll come and see her on Friday" said House and put his phone down. Still looking very thoughtful.

"So, who was that?" Asked Andrea a tadge concerned about what she was hearing.

"It was Tilly again 13's girlfriend, remember I told you the other day that she had called"

"She wanted you to go see 13 didn't she?"

"Yep"

"you going?"

"Yep"

"Want me to come?"

"why would you do that" said House with curiosity

"Well, there is obviously something that is making you anxious about going to see her and it's not because she fancys you or wants to get in your pants so it's deeper than that. I also know that you had a special bond with Remy even if you wont admit it"

"WHO?"

"13"

"mmmm No its ok I'll go on my own, I know what she wants, she wants to call in my promise" He said mischievously

"What promise?"

"I promised to kill her when the time was right - if she wanted me to"

Andreas face dropped, she actually didn't know what to say.

"And on that note, I'm gonna go play some music, I'll be in the basement if you want me" House left Andrea to her thoughts and went to try and sort his own out.

He was strumming away on his electric guitar to Buba O'Riely when Daniel came to join him. He could always tell when his Dad had things on his mind, so they jammed in more or less a coded silence for a few hours.

"Guess what Pop!"

"What?"

"I have been offered 2 jobs after graduation and I don't really know which one to take"

"Well hold out a bit longer and you might get another one!" He said sarcastically

"POP!" "In 2 weeks time I graduate with a Masters degree in music. I have been offered the job of Junior writer that I went for in New York and the band that I have recently been doing sessions with offered me a permanent spot in their band and want me to go on tour with them!"

"I know which one I would have chosen in your position"

Daniel looked at him

"Sex, Drugs and Rock n' Roll baby - the band would have won outright!" He said laughing

"So you think I should take the drumming gig and go on tour?" He said seriously

"No - I said I would- doesn't mean you should!"

"So what should I do?" He said solemnly

"work out which one will give you the most enjoyment, the one you'll like best. Do a list of the fors and against for each and see what stands out"

"Abit like what you do with the whiteboard "

"yeah- I guess "

They jammed for a little longer... "Hey I think I need to go talk to your mom, thanks for the jam"

House went off in search of Andrea, she was on their bed lying down. He got on the bed with her and pulled her to him, but she wouldn't budge. So he manoeuvred himself behind her spoon fashion. It was obvious that she had been crying.

"Are you going to do it?" she said without looking at him

"I promised I would - it's not something I'd do lightly"

"Would you kill me?"

"What? Don't be stupid! this is different, you don't have a terminal disease that debilitates you and eats away at you. I'd like someone to kill me if I ever got like that. In all honesty I don't know what to do. I have alot more at stake now than I did when I made the promise. I have you and the kids to think about and if I got caught, it wouldn't just be a year in prison either" He said sadly

"Greg, please don't do it - I couldn't stand it if something happened to you"

"I know, I know" He said softly kissing the back of her neck, "But I did promise" he said quietly.

Friday came around and things in the House household had been very tense all week

"So Son, have you made up your mind yet - you only got a week left to figure it out" Said House to Daniel at the breakfast table.

"Yeah I think so. I'm going to take the writing job. I'm not ready to leave home yet... I've only just got here I don't want to leave yet" he said quietly

"Well that's good. Just don't think you're staying here for the next 20 years cos your not!" Said House somewhat relieved that Daniel wasn't going to be going off anywhere. Not that he would tell him that.

"You never know I might ... I kinda like having a family!" He said sarcastically

"Well go get one of your own " said House with a smirk on his face.

He was going to work for a while before he went to see 13. Nobody else knew that he had made that promise to her - although technically it wasn't a promise - just an offer - but still he had offered. But what was he going to do now. Go see Wilson that's what he would do.

He barged into Wilsons office as was usual but found Jen sitting in there with him. "what are you 2 upto?" Said House

"Just talking" Said Wilson looking at Jen, then Jen got up to leave "See you later Big Boy" she said with a hand on his shoulder as she left.

House looked between Wilson and the open door "you sneaky devil - your dating her aren't you ?"

"Not yet - but I hope to " Laughed Wilson

"There's no way you 2 can hook up ... she's not needy enough for you"

"So what can I do for you today" Said Wilson ignoring House's last comment.

"Have you seen or heard anything from 13?"

"No not for some time now, the last time I saw her... I think would have been at your wedding, and if I remember correctly she was in decline then... actually I'm not even sure they came in...I saw them outside before I came to you. Why have you ?"

"No not for a long time... I have spoken to her a couple of times but I haven't seen her"

"Knowing her she wouldn't want anyone to see her, not when she's in full blown Huntingdons - which she would be by now"

"yeah I guess" Said House and left as quickly as he had entered.

House left the hospital at about 1.30 to go to visit 13 and Tilly. "mmm. I wonder if they'll let me watch while they save sex" he said to himself as he entered their building. He stopped for a minute in front of their door to compose himself. Then he knocked on the door and waited for it to be answered. The door cracked open slightly

"Hi, I'm..."

"Yeah I know who you are. Come in"

"You must be Tilly"

"Yeah I guess I must be"

"Did I come at a bad time, you said today was ok, but if not I can go and come back another day" He said hopefully.

"look I'm sorry, I'm just not comfortable with this whole situation" she acquiesced

"Where's 13?"

"REMY's in the bedroom, she'll be out in a minute" she said glaring at him for not using her real name.

"House...you...came"

"Wow! it really has got to you now hasn't it"

"Y-yes...that's...why...I...asked...you...to...com e"

She had an envelope in her hand which she gave to House

"What's this - your Wil ? Cos you're not dead yet you know!"

"Just...read...it"

House read the letter like she had requested. When he had finished he leant his head on his hand and rubbed his forehead, keeping his eyes away from hers.

"Are you sure this is what you want" He said not looking at her

"Y-Yes"

"She does - I don't" Said Tilly

"Yeah well this disease isn't eating you up" Said House abruptly

He transferred himself onto the couch next to 13 "If this is truly what you want, then the answer is yes, you just tell me when"

"I...don't...want...to...live...like...this" Then 13 looked at Tilly

"We have booked tickets for the 29th August" Tilly said sternly

House nodded his head. They sat and chatted for a while then House made ready to leave

"The prodigal father will return on August 29th - I promise" This time he did promise that he would be back.

He sat in his car reading the letter over and over again - he felt very emotional - like he was actually losing a daughter. God he really was going soft in his old age. When did he start caring so much, first Daniel now 13.

He called into work to see if they had a new patient, but they didn't and Foreman rarely made him do clinic hours these days unless he really pissed him off, so he made his way home.

He went straight home with the letter still in his hand. Andrea was doing some chores in the bedroom so he went directly to see her. She heard him coming and just stood there looking at him with a questioning look.

"So how did it go?"

"You mean did I kill her - no she put up too much of a fight" He said dryly

"GREGORY HOUSE" She said sternly

"Oh Shit! I really am in trouble" he said with half a grin on his face and handed her the letter.

She sat on the bed to read the letter and was immediately brought to tears.. "So are you going to go ?"

"Yes I am - I promised to go back on August 29th"

She sat on his lap and enveloped him in a big hug, he sat her back up a little and wiped the tears away from her eyes with his thumb. "OK" she said nodding her head and giving him a soft and gentle kiss. Giving her blessing for him to go.

Thank you to those that have read and reviewed this story, as usual they are much appreciated and thought provoking. Please be sure to keep them coming as they are like chocolate :) :)