A/N: I'm sorry to say it, but this is the last chapter. I'm feeling incredibly unmotivated from no new episodes of House, and I just can't force myself. So I'm going to end the story before it gets dull and meaningless. I still love it with all my heart, but it's time has come. Good luck to all you Houteen shippers- don't back down! Keep the faith alive! Hah.

House's arm sprawled across the side of the bed beside him.

Empty.

Remy had been sleeping beside him when he fell asleep, but now she was gone.

He sat up abruptly, the blood rushing from his head, and scanned the room for Thirteen before getting out of bed to search. His pulse drummed against his temple: why would she just leave? House had assumed they were finished running away. After checking every room of his apartment, he spotted a shadow along the balcony outside his bedroom- of course.

House stepped into the frigid winter air. Flurries were descending upon Remy's still form that didn't turn with his presence.

"Great weather to hang out on the balcony," House chided, leaning against the rail beside her.

Remy's lips were tinged purple from the cold. Clothed only in one of House's T-shirts and a pair of boxers, she didn't seem to notice the biting cold. Her hair splayed out over her shoulders, tussled from sleep and knotted slightly from the night's activities. A few flurries landed on her bare forearms and melted away effortlessly.

She looked to House with tired eyes and smiled. To House's relief, it was genuine.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked.

"Just thinking." She deadpanned.

House narrowed his eyes and leaned closer to her. "Whatever happened to actual communication?"

Thirteen gazed up to the overcast skies overhead. "I wasn't hiding anything. I'm just thinking…about you. About me."

"Good to know you keep me in mind," House grinned.

Remy's face feel visibly. "House…what if, hypothetically," She whispered, turning so she could match his eyes, "What if I love you?"

House stared.

A draft swept Remy's hair off her shoulders. A chill quivered through House's bare chest.

"Well I would say you're out of your mind."

Thirteen's cheeks reddened from a mixture of cold and embarrassment. Was he being serious?

Seeing that Remy had taken it the wrong way, House embraced her. The cold of her body was a shock against the warmth of his. She wanted to cry, scream, attack- any sort of violent and emotional reaction, but she just sunk into his arms.

"You'd be crazy to love me," He uttered, "But somebody has to. And I guess you're that somebody."

"But that's not it." Remy said, resting her cheek on his heart. She listened to its pace before continuing: "I'm going to die."

"So will I" House countered.

"But with Huntington's disease…" She choked, "I'll just turn useless and withered and sick. And I'll never know when it'll get worse."

"You might not even have it!" House sighed. "And even if you do, I could care less if you are withered and sick."

Remy stayed silent as House's heart pounded with dedication. He smoothed the flurries from her hair, which was now damp and icy. He lowered his lips to her ear.

"Gavin didn't love you, you know. If he loved you, he wouldn't have left you to suffer alone." His voice was only slightly above a breath, but she could hear it clearly.

"You won't ever be alone again. Not as long as I love you."

Remy looked up into his eyes to see if he meant it. Their steeliness had melted into a river, one of which she had no doubts.

"Are your hands numb? He asked in shock, lifting them with his own to find they were freezing and stiff.

Remy nodded incoherently.

House rolled his eyes. "Why is it that an old man with a cane has to take care of you?"

Before she could respond, he had thrown her over his shoulder with ease.

"House!" She laughed, somewhat fearfully.

"I won't drop you. I'm not letting go." He grinned. As they returned inside, Remy shifted her position by hooking her legs around House's waist and intertwining her arms around his neck. She held his face in her icy hands and lit the fire in her eyes once more.

"Can you warm me up?" She asked huskily.

"Oh, I'll warm you up." He smirked, releasing her onto the bed, then leaving the room. Remy slid under the sheets and wrapped herself in them. She loved everything about House, including the lingering musty smell he left on his sheets and clothes. She rolled to the other side of the bed, but overdid it and tumbled to the ground in a mass of sheets.

"Ow…" She looked up, and House was raising an eyebrow above her. He held a mug in his hand.

"I'm not going to ask," He said, handing her the mug of hot cocoa as she stood and tumbled back onto his bed.

"Thank you." Remy smiled, raising the mug.

He sat beside her on the sheets and watched her sip the cocoa.

"Something wrong?" She inquired, grinning.

"Nothing. You just have a nice smile. I like it."

"Hot cocoa and compliments… the charade is over, Greg. What do you want."

He gasped playfully before sliding behind her and planting a kiss on her neck. "I'm shocked that you would even accuse me of bribing you. But since you brought it up…Wanna play hooky?"

"What?" She giggled, unable to control herself as House kissed her neck.

"We can call in sick and hang out for the day. Go bowling, smoke some pot outside the locker room…"

"Oh I'm sorry, I forgot we were in high school." She clarified. "Seriously, what are we going to do all day?" Remy almost lost her train of thought as stubble rubbed against smooth, sensitive skin.

"I dunno. We can just plan on a whim; as long as we're together."

A/N: The End! I had so much fun with this story- you have no idea how much time I spent on it. Please leave me with your reviews, and I'll write more Houteen, but I am encouraged by a lot of other ships too, so don't be discouraged. You'll definitely be hearing from me soon, and I hoped you enjoyed Novacaine For The Soul. Will you let me slide a cliché in here…. Ok… "its just what the doctor ordered".