Epilogue

A/N: Well, my friends, we've finally come to the end of a very long road. It's been two years and three months since this little story began! I feel strangely sad, yet accomplished, that this, my longest and largest fic effort ever has come to a close!

Many thanks to reviewers, Mrs.Scott323, MiaFr, FoxyWombat, scheggia, TopBanana, yoemanprince, Velimira, Metaphoric.Love, Hinata001, WeHaveACase, Buba, Girl4ever, xpshhhhuwishx, TammySMS, Shikabane-Mai, NickyK, JJZD, tricks-meuler, darkjewelledassassin, confusedsarcasm, alexkingston, PaulaAbdulChica2007, jassy2009, Chuck Loy, babyryzze, krazegirl, Mim and Ronweasleyismiking. That's the largest response I've ever had for a chapter! You are lovely!

I cannot thank you all enough for sticking with this fic (especially those who have made the whole two year journey with me), your support has meant a great deal! I would never have been able to finish without your encouraging reviews and tolerance for original characters :)

Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou, you have made a fanfic geek very happy!

And now, for the last time:

On with the story…

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"How have you been sleeping?"

"Fine."

Silence.

"How many hours per night?"

"Enough."

Anna Cuddy sat upright in her chair, somewhat sweaty hand brushing on the leather arm.

"I'm not gonna lie down."

"I know, that's fine," Dr. Schwartz replied, her slightly protruding upper lip skimming over the bottom one as she held her pen up to write. She seemed to consider something for a moment, hazel eyes fixed on Anna. Taking a small breath she flipped through her notebook.

"Anna, remember when we first met, I asked you to describe yourself as though you were a character in a book or movie about your life?"

Anna nodded.

"And you told me," Dr. Schwartz looked down at her notes, "that you would be 'the best friend who makes the wrong choice, but is forgiven or redeemed at the end'. And do you remember what I asked you then?"

Anna didn't respond.

"I asked you why you weren't the protagonist in your own story."

"How long is this session?" Anna evaded, moving about in her chair a little.

Dr. Schwartz, seeing she wouldn't get anywhere with this line of questioning, changed the subject. "Have you spoken to Dr. House since you came back?"

"No."

"But you've been back for three days."

"I didn't feel like walking all the way to diagnostics."

"So you've been at your mother's hospital, but have specifically avoided talking to Dr. House?"

"I didn't say I specifically avoided him, I just said I hadn't spoken to him," Anna defended, avoiding Dr. Schwartz's gaze.

"What is it that you fear in talking to him? Is it -"

"I don't fear anything!" Anna began to fume. "He isn't interested in me, so why should I be interested in him?"

Dr. Schwartz took a moment to let Anna cool.

"Is it the impending wedding that is bringing up you concern for Dr. House's interest in you?"

"I don't know why he's doing it. He's not the type to ever get married. The idea of him actually wanting to marry my mother is so absurd that I laughed when she told me."

"So doesn't the fact that he is marrying her, tell you how much he does, in fact, love her?"

"He may love her and marry her, but that doesn't mean he wants to be my father."

"Did you ever fantasize about your parents getting back together when you were a child?"

"Of course I did," Anna replied, rolling her eyes, "what child of a single parent doesn't? Emily's so disgustingly happy about this you'd think she was ten years old."

Anna looked down, her body still for a moment. When she finally spoke, it was in a quiet voice.

"Emily's been working and living in New York, and for the first time since I can remember, hasn't had a boyfriend in a year. She's been single for a year, and she's actually been happy. She's happy about the wedding. Mom's happy about the wedding. Uncle James is happy."

"Doesn't your family's happiness bring you any?"

Anna didn't answer, she just stared at her hands in her lap.

"Have you spoken to your Aunt Linda?"

"No."

Dr. Schwartz watched Anna closely as the girl sat silently in her chair, eyes still cast downward.

"If you're not the protagonist in your own life, Anna, then who is?"

"I haven't had a cigarette in eight months," Anna dodged, eyes flicking up and body readjusting.

"Good. Asthma medication under control?"

"Yes."

They sat in silence.

"Anna," Dr. Schwartz began tentatively, "I would like you to do something for me. I would like you to think about what exactly it is that stands in the way of you being happy, like your mother and sister are. What is holding you back?"

"Nothing."

"Are you happy, then?"

Anna looked her straight in the eyes. "No. But… I'll think about it."

00

A/N: Thanks for reading, I hope you've had as much fun reading this fic as I have had writing it. I will miss Anna and Emily!

Please take the time to leave one last review. Thank you again!