Chapter Ten

It had been three months, and the memories of Leia were still affecting the team.

They had forced themselves to focus, to go back to work, to find new cases and solve them. They saved lives, unravelled puzzles, and kept going. Except her influence remained.

Chase and Thirteen had gone out a few times, casually, just for drinks. And they both seemed less stressed, happier now.

House was… not nicer, exactly, but also not as abrupt. It wasn't enough to scare anyone, although Cuddy appeared mildly anxious.

Wilson spent more time seeking House out, rather than waiting for the man to come to him. They were spending more time together outside of work.

Taub had started trying only harder, putting his heart into it as well, to show his wife that he loved her. The guilt of his betrayal, of being caught, was no longer the motivation. And when an unfaithful thought slipped through his head on the figure of another woman, he shut it down with finality.

Foreman, on the other hand, was wondering what exactly he had missed regarding their former patient that apparently the rest of the team had noticed.

Then, on a day they had completed their last case, figured out what the woman had had and the best treatment to fix her hallucinations and internal bleeding, a young man they didn't know had walked in the door and introduced himself as Anakin Smith.

No one could move. There was sorrow in those familiarly knowing, bright blue eyes, and also a measure of peace.

"When-?" Thirteen aborted the question.

He answered anyway. "July 26th, 7:48 PM. We were in California. Had just finished a day splashing around in the surf. She'd never seen the ocean before.

"She, uh…" Trailing off, he lifted the large tote bag at his side. "She had some stuff she wanted me to drop off. I had to deal with all the funeral and legal stuff first, but I promised. So…"

There were no protests as he made his way to the table and set the bag on top, reaching inside.

First was an envelope with Foreman's name on the front. Warily, he opened it and read the note, accompanied by a certificate for a full day of pampering at a nearby spa.

I never understood you. You're kind of a condescending jerk, and not even in a fun way like House.

Still, maybe relaxing a little would help with that. Plus, I'm not a complete idiot. I noticed the manicured nails, nicely trimmed and well-kept.

Oh, one more thing: as part of your spa day, you get a free enema! If you're gonna be anal, deal with it.

For Taub, there were several gift cards, all for local, high end restaurants.

Give yourself and your wife a few nights of from her crazy cooking. And don't give up on her. Your sex drive is never going to be as important as the woman willing to stick by you, even when you are an utter asshat.

As for the story about the giraffe, you can call the Six Flags Wild Safari in Jackson. Just mention "that mentally deficient Star Wars girl" and they'll spill their guts. They were nice enough not to press charges, but I don't think the giraffes were ever the same. What can I say? Me and tequila, it's a bad mix.

Good luck.

Thirteen received a message that simply said, Thank you. You deserve the best. It came with what she could mostly tell were two passes to a full-day boat ride and dinner cruise, although each ticket was cut in half. Then she glanced up, and it was Chase who waved the other halves at her, smiling.

His letter was short and to the point, unflinching, as he remembered its author to be.

Share a good day with her, and don't forget that (despite the cliché) every ending really is nothing but a beginning in disguise.

The box handed to Wilson was puzzling, to say the least. Then he opened it and couldn't decide whether to be appalled or hysterically amused. It was so very irreverent, and perfectly fit the strange patient. Inside were a tiny pair of fuzzy pink handcuffs and a miniature ball gag, both of which he had no doubt would fit his Doctor Beary teddy. There was no accompanying note, but beneath the inappropriate gift were a pile of papers. He lifted them out and skimmed through them, and knew what she was trying to say. Each one was a sketch of House from Leia's time in the hospital. On the last drawing, which had been penned on a napkin the first time he met the girl, were two lines addressed to "Padmé".

Because everything of value that we will know in this life comes from our relationships with those around us. Because there is nothing material that measures against the intangibles of love and friendship.

There was no way she could have known that he would recognize the quote as one from Passage to Dawn, since the fantasy author was a personal and secret favorite. Still, he was forced to marvel, yet again, on the odd brilliance of the co-ed.

The final gift was for House, and receiving it both hurt and helped. There were two parts. First was a bobblehead, still in its case, of Darth Vader.

And then there was a small picture in a frame, which had been decorated (most likely just because she knew House would mock it and say it was the ugliest thing in existence) with stickers of red, anatomically correct hearts and stethoscopes. The picture was a drawing, which, unlike any of her others, didn't have a single person as the focus, but showed a pair. House and Wilson, leaning in to each other. Wilson looked annoyed and vaguely amused, while House was grinning widely, mouth open, clearly arguing with or teasing his friend. On the back of the frame was a taped note.

Hi, Dark Lord of the Sith. I can see it, even if you can't. So get your act together because he is the perfect foil and balance to you.

Bye, Darth.

-Leia Skywalker Smith

Her Royal Highness, the Princess, Ruler and Senatorial Representative of Alderaan

Diplomat and Chief of State to the New Republic

Friend of Gregory House

the end