Thanks to my reviewers. SexyMuppet be patient, they will get together. A nonny mouse I'm really starting to wish Rachel were on the show, too. I going crazy waiting for the new season. If you guys are preview junkies like I am, check out MsHousefan on Youtube.

That following night, Thirteen was on her way to meet Foreman for dinner. He had let her choose the time and the restaurant–he was really trying. Despite his efforts, however, Thirteen wondered if she was making the right decision. She kept thinking of Rachel and their brief encounter the day before. That one smile was enough to make Thirteen question everything.

She arrived at the restaurant and quickly parked. Glancing out her window, Thirteen watched as the warm lights of the restaurant embraced its patrons. They looked happy. Somewhere in there Foreman was waiting for her; at one point they had been happy together. But now, if she were being honest with herself, the person she saw herself being happy with was nowhere in sight. As much as she wanted to be closer to Rachel, Thirteen knew if she tried, she would only be pushed away again. What she had with Foreman was complicated and strained, but it was there. She did care for him, and she owed it to herself to give it one last shot.

After giving herself plenty of time to turn back, Thirteen entered the restaurant. The maître d' showed her to a table on the restaurant's terrace where Foreman waited. He stood to greet her, kissed her on the cheek, and even pulled out her chair. They ordered a bottle of wine and made small talk while they waited for their meals.

"Cameron and Chase?" Thirteen asked.

"They both really like diagnostics and I think they both really like watching House torture me," Foreman said. "Anyway, thank you for understanding about the job. I had two really crappy alternatives."

Thirteen hated what she was about to say. It would bring the conversation to such a negative place, but it bothered her that he still couldn't see it. "There was a third."

"What's that?"

"You could have stepped aside."

"We both would have lost our jobs," Foreman scoffed.

"You could have asked Cameron or Chase to take your place."

"They wouldn't have wanted to."

"You just said they both really like diagnostics," Thirteen insisted.

"You want to go back in time?"

"I want to make this work. I want to understand you. I mean, you know how you make me feel. If you could do it again?"

"I made the right decision."

Thirteen looked at Foreman sadly, and seeing nothing but stubbornness and rigidity, she got up and left.

It was long after midnight when Thirteen stumbled from a cab. She paid the driver before making her way inside the building. It had been a while since she'd been there and she hoped she remembered the right apartment. She approached the door and knocked heavily a few times. It took a few moments, but soon enough Rachel answered.

"Remy? What are you doing here? It's almost two."

Thirteen shrugged, "I wanted to see you."

Rachel looked Thirteen over. Her makeup was smudged, her hair rumpled, and a heady musk of sweat, stale beer and hard liquor streamed from her.

"Please tell me you didn't drive here."

Thirteen shook her head, "Took a cab."

"So you just decided to pub crawl your way across town?" Rachel grabbed Thirteen by the arm and pulled her inside.

"I figured you wouldn't push me away if I was stone drunk," Thirteen said.

"All you did was drink? You didn't take anything else?" Rachel asked. She sat her down on the couch and ran to the kitchen, quickly returning with a tall glass of water.

"Just because I'm drunk doesn't mean you get to judge me."

"I'm not," Rachel insisted. "But as long as you're in my apartment I have a right to know if you've taken anything."

"I'm just drunk," Thirteen replied, crisscrossing a finger over her heart. "I swear."

"Drink this," Rachel said as she pushed the glass towards Thirteen. To her relief, she didn't argue. "What are you doing here, Remy?"

"I wanted to see you."

"You said that. What happened?"

"I missed you," Thirteen started. "I had dinner with Foreman tonight, but before I went in, I was sitting in my car watching all these couples go into the restaurant and I kept wishing you were there. I tried to fix things with him, I tried to want something else, but I just want you."

Thirteen leaned forward and buried her face in her hands. Rachel reached over and tucked a stray lock of hair behind Thirteen's ear before resting a hand on her cheek. "Remy…" she sighed.

"Don't," Thirteen said. She pushed Rachel's hand away and straightened up. "I know what you're going to say. We won't work out, I'll get hurt. You keep saying the same shit."

"I'm sorry," Rachel replied. She rose from the couch, tugging lightly on Thirteen's arm and pulling her up. "Come on."

Thirteen allowed herself to be led to the bedroom. Rachel gently removed her jacket, eased her onto the bed, and pulled the comforter over her. She turned to leave, but Thirteen quickly grabbed her by the wrist. "Where are you going?"

"I'll just be on the couch."

"Stay with me."

With Thirteen still tightly gripping her wrist, Rachel simply nodded. She crawled into bed and lay down across from Thirteen, making sure to keep as much space between them as possible. Before Rachel could stop her, Thirteen grabbed her hand and laced their fingers together. Knowing she had caught Rachel off guard, Thirteen took advantage of the moment and closed the gap between them. She tucked her head under Rachel's chin and, feeling content for the first time all night, drifted off quickly.

As soon as she heard the sound of Thirteen's rhythmic breathing, Rachel slid to the opposite side of the bed and began to make her way to the couch. She tried briefly to untangle their hands, but the movement only caused Thirteen to lock both hands around Rachel's. Giving up on her escape, Rachel settled back into her spot and looked over at Thirteen. She gazed at her for a long time before moving back to the center of the bed. She placed her head back where it had been and wrapped her free arm around Thirteen's body.

It was late when Thirteen finally began to rouse from her deep sleep. The sun streaming from the open blinds had finally started to get to her. She stretched stiffly and pulled herself from under the covers. The bed was empty and, as far as she could tell, the apartment was as well.

Thirteen made her way to Rachel's bathroom and looked herself over. She was still in the same clothes from the night before, though now they were fully wrinkled, her hair and makeup were a mess, there were dark circles forming under her eyes, and her smell was unmistakable. "Fuck all," she murmured to herself. "I look like a bar skank."

"You look fine. Just tired." Rachel said from behind her. She smiled apologetically as her voice startled Thirteen so much she nearly jumped into the sink. "I'm sorry."

"I thought you had left," Thirteen exclaimed.

"I just got back. I ran out for a few things. Sorry I startled you," Rachel apologized again.

"It's okay. I just would've figured you'd be at work by now."

Rachel shook her head, "I moved some things around. I wanted to make sure you were okay." She smiled again as Thirteen smiled back at her. "You're probably hungry, so I'm going to go make breakfast. There are extra toothbrushes under the sink and towels in the closet. If you feel like taking a shower you can borrow some clothes, whatever you like."

After receiving a nod from Thirteen, Rachel rushed off quickly. She headed to the kitchen and busied herself. It was unbearably awkward having Thirteen so close, especially after she had worked so hard to keep her distance. She tried to veer her mind away from the fact that Thirteen was using her shower and back to the task of making breakfast. Rachel had nearly finished when Thirteen made her way into the kitchen pulling a sweater around herself. Rachel had to force herself not to think about how good Thirteen looked in her clothes.

"I, um, didn't know what worked for you," Rachel stammered. "I made a smoothie and some coffee. There's also toast, eggs, hash browns. I could whip up some pancakes if you'd like."

"No, this all looks great," Thirteen said. "I'm starving, actually. I could probably eat all of this."

"Everything it is," Rachel said. She quickly made a plate for Thirteen and ushered her to the table. "Do you have a headache or anything? I could get you some ibuprofen, or–"

"I'm fine, Rachel," Thirteen smirked. "Get some breakfast, sit down, relax." Nervously, Rachel grabbed some food and sat down. They ate quietly until Thirteen worked up the nerve to speak again. "I'm sorry for showing up here like this. It wasn't fair. I know it must've been weird."

"It's okay. It was –is weird, but I said I'd be here for you if you needed me and I meant it."

Thirteen nodded and quickly grasped at a change in subject, "How are things with Alex."

"Over," Rachel said bluntly. "Weeks ago."

"I'm sorry."

"You should be, it was your fault," Rachel said sternly before cracking the smallest smile. "I'm kidding–mostly. I did end things because of what you said, but only because you were right."

"So, I don't have to worry about him hunting me down for sleeping in your bed last night?"

Rachel scoffed, "A librarian tussle with a bisexual barfly? He wouldn't dare."

Thirteen laughed, "What did he do at the university, anyway?"

"I don't want to say."

Thirteen nudged Rachel with her foot, "Tell me. It can't be that bad."

Rachel sighed, conceding, "He's an assistant researcher of books and manuscripts."

"Like I said, librarian."

"Hey, I met him while he was running shirtless on the track. I didn't know how bored I'd be until after we went out."

Thirteen shrugged, "How much talking did you really do, anyway?" She grinned as Rachel shot her an annoyed glare. "I just meant that you weren't dating that long."

"Sure you did."

"I've started planning my trip. I picked up a ton of books."

"When are you going?" Rachel asked.

"Soon. I've even got a bit of an itinerary together."

"What do you want to see?"

"I don't know."

"How can you have an itinerary all worked out without knowing what you want to see? Sounds like you need help," Rachel teased. She stood and cleared their empty plates before heading to her living room. Thirteen quickly followed and found Rachel pulling things from her bookshelf. "Okay, we have Lonely Planet, customs book, phrasebook, and my travel journal."

"Travel journal?" Thirteen asked.

"It's where I keep all of my insider traveler details. Places I saw, tips I got from locals, good restaurants," Rachel said before pausing. "Random thoughts."

"So you're giving me your diary?"

"It's only for trips. It's like my travelogue. Take it, copy the Thailand stuff," Rachel handed the books over to Thirteen. "So, things with you and Foreman–"

"Are over," Thirteen said surely. "For good."

"Why were you with him? You two didn't really seem to be on the same page."

"He was there for me when I got my diagnosis. At the time he made me feel…" Thirteen hesitated, searching for the right word.

"Safe?" Rachel offered.

Thirteen shook her head, "He made me feel stable, but it's not him I feel safe around." She watched for a reaction before she continued. "With Foreman I finally felt like the walls weren't going to come crashing in on me, but it's different with you."

"Different how?"

"With you I feel like even if the walls do close in, I'll be okay. But I know you want to keep your distance, so I'll–" Thirteen trailed off as she noticed Rachel staring at her shoulders. "Are you listening?"

"I am. I just, um–Have you been working out?"

"You choose now to come on to me?"

"No, your shoulders are out of alignment. It looks like you haven't been maintaining posture while you exercise; your muscles are developing asymmetrically," Rachel frowned as she received an odd glare. "What?"

"That was just a very Houseian moment."

Rachel smirked and guided Thirteen to the couch, where she gently flexed and massaged her shoulder. Thirteen sighed breathily as Rachel manipulated it back into its proper position. "How's that feel?" Rachel asked.

"Really good. I didn't realize how tense I was," Thirteen said. She felt a familiar blush crossing her cheeks as Rachel's hands moved over her.

"You're putting too much stress on your right side."

"How do I fix it?"

"It's hard to say since I can't monitor you anymore," Rachel said. "Maybe we can work something out when you get back from your trip."

"I get a free physiotherapist?" Thirteen smirked.

"We'll see. Do me a favor? When you go to Thailand, visit the temples at the Grand Palace. They're amazing. You can meditate at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, and then get a massage at the Temple of the Reclining Buddha."

"Sounds nice," Thirteen mumbled as Rachel finished with her shoulder.

"Very," Rachel replied. She glanced at the clock regretfully. "I hate to rush you out, but I have to head to work. Can I take you home?"

Thirteen nodded and grabbed her things as she quickly followed Rachel out. They slipped into Rachel's car and headed towards Thirteen's apartment. There was silence for a while as Rachel focused on the road and Thirteen gazed out the window.

"Thank you," Thirteen mumbled.

"You're welcome?"

"For not pushing me away last night, thank you."

"Just holding up my end of the deal, Remy," Rachel said smiling.

Thirteen found the car approaching her neighborhood much too soon for her liking. When they reached her building, she hopped out of the car with Rachel following behind her. Rachel walked her in, staring nervously at her feet until they stood together outside Thirteen's door.

"If you need any more help with your trip, give me a call," Rachel said.

"I will. Thanks again."

Thirteen started to unlock her door, but before she could slip inside Rachel pulled her close and brought their lips crashing together. Rachel quickly brought their bodies closer as Thirteen deepened the kiss. She ran her hands up to Thirteen's neck, delicately tracing her jaw with her thumbs. She pulled back slightly and looked into Thirteen's eyes as they fluttered open. "I just needed to know what that would be like," Rachel said softly.

Thirteen smiled and moved to capture Rachel's lips again, but she pulled away. "Rachel… don't," Thirteen said, holding onto her hand before she could slip away completely.

"I'm not," Rachel said. She tried to assure Thirteen, but her uneasy smile belied her feelings. "I just really have to go."

Knowing Rachel would pull away at any moment, Thirteen dropped her hand. "Can I see you again before I leave?"

Rachel nodded before heading off. She paused when she reached the building's main door. "I'll see you," she called back to Thirteen.