Their current situation was a wildfire, and they needed to get it under control. So while Logan was detaining Chase and Cameron on the cliff, Kayla did damage control. As she had done once already, she started by saying, "I'm sorry, House, but you know too much."

Realizing she wasn't in an affectionate mood, House's subtle grin of not-so-subtle anticipation fell. "Huh?"

She approached House, looked deep into his eyes, and said, "Some secrets are better off untold. Ours are incredibly dangerous, and I don't want you to be in danger."

She touched his cheek then, gently. "So forget that we're mutants. Block it out. Just block it out."

He closed his eyes, opening them just as quickly as she withdrew her touch. He remembered Chase, Cameron, and Logan stepping outside. He remembered conversing with Kayla since then, but he couldn't recall everything she said. In fact, he could now find that there were many missing moments.

He could still feel her fingers on his cheek.

Kayla looked into the man's puzzled eyes for as long as she was able, then turned away; wishing that she could persuade her heart to unbreak.

Two down, one to go. She caught Logan's eye, gave a nod of permission, and watched him and Chase walk back to the house. Cameron stood out there alone, her long blonde hair blowing in the moonlight. Kayla stepped outside, sliding the door shut behind her.

It would always make her feel kind of yucky. But it had to be done.

Cameron looked at her, pulling hair out of her eyes as she smiled. "It's so peaceful out here. I can't believe we live an hour apart," she continued, gazing out at the sleeping civilization far below. "Well, I definitely want to hang out more. Like the old days."

Kayla's smile faded as she thought about what she was, who she was with, and the danger they were always in. So even though it made her feel the pain of manipulating House a million fold, she shook her head. "I'm sorry...we can't."

Cameron turned around, quickly; eyes wide. "Why not?"

Kayla crossed her arms, looking out at the view and imagining mutants far below. "Because it's risky... There are people out there who want to hurt Logan and me. That's why we're so secluded. And for a long time, nobody knew we were here. Now that they do, you're in danger right now. I'm telling you, as your friend...we can't be friends."

"I can take care of myself."

"You don't know what you're up against."

"You can tell me."

"No, I can't," Kayla snapped. She saw the hurt in Cameron's eyes and sighed, returning her eyes to the non-judgmental view. "And even if I could, there's no way it would prepare you. I think the sooner you leave, the better."

"We haven't seen each other in seventeen years."

"And if you want to live, we should never hang out again."

Cameron was trying not to cry as Kayla took her hand. "Block it out. Forget that we're mutants. Just...forget."

Cameron nodded and squinted into the dark. "Okay."

Kayla released her and went to the door, letting herself in. Looking slightly perplexed, Cameron followed her, closing the door upon entrance. With the truth hidden once again, Chase and House's lives had reverted to normal, and the guys were sitting in the living room, talking about videogames.

"You just said SavageScape was boring. How can you also find it interesting?" House was demanding.

"It was designed by one of our patients."

"Hang on, you actually met Vince Pearson?"

"No. Taub, Thirteen and Foreman did."

Now it was Logan's turn to interject. "Thirteen?"

"It's a nickname," House said.

"It's a stupid nickname."

"I had forty applicants. If you think that's a stupid nickname, think of being called #2 your whole career."

Logan tilted his head in acknowmedgment as he took a gulp of his beer. Chase uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, preparing to stand. "Can you recommend a hotel?"

As Logan started giving directions, House stood up and limped over to where Cameron stood. "Great," he grumbled, "I'm going to a hotel with a guy."

"You can sleep with me." She raised her eyebrows at him.

"Nah. I'll just bunk in the car."

"House, you know how I feel about you."

"Yeah. But my feelings haven't changed, either."

"Fine," she said, as Kayla came up to her. As they hugged, House went to the door, remaining as far away from the affection as he could. Pulling away, Cameron smiled at Kayla. "I honestly never thought I'd see you again. Now that I know how close you are, I'd love to meet up again sometime."

"No...no."

Cameron frowned, tilting her head in concern. "How come?"

Kayla's eyes flicked to Logan as she prepared to tell the biggest, most painful lie of her life. "Because I don't want to."

Cameron's face twisted in grief as she stepped further back. "I don't understand, I...I thought we were friends."

"We were. But I moved on."

Cameron turned quickly away as the tears began to fall. She hurried past Chase and House, and the latter nodded curtly and offered a wave before stepping out into the storm.

It felt nice to be in the backseat, instead of the bed of a truck. And yet, there was no conversation. Cameron drove, looking stonily ahead; and Chase looked at his phone, attempting to appear invested in what he was doing, occasionally shaking his head in disbelief. And sitting in the backseat, House leaned forward as he studied their behavior. And felt he had to say something. "Are we going to talk about what happened?"

"I'm fine," she bit hastily.

"I know that's a lie, because I know you. You want to talk about it. So do I."

"Nothing to talk about." She tilted her head slightly as she cryptically added, "These things happen."

"Only when you form emotional attachments. My advice is, don't."

"My advice is, don't make me kick you out of my car. And wear your seatbelt," she added. "I'd hate to put you through the windshield to teach you a lesson."

House scooted back and threw on his seatbelt. "How much further?"

"Stop bothering me."

House smiled grimly to himself, but turned his focus to the window. It was pitch-black outside, and still raining quite heavily; but in the vehicle beside them, House could easily distinguish Wilson looking back at him.

Then the light turned green. Cameron pulled ahead and left him behind. House strained to look over his shoulder, until the vehicle caught up to and passed them.

It was almost a relief to see an entirely different man behind the wheel.