DISCLAIMER:

I own nothing from House. Sadly. REVIEWS please!

Note from author: Sorry for not updating. I was banned from the computer for awhile. I'll try to update whenever I get more than 2 hours on the internet.

CHAPTER THREE: The Thoughts

She was confused, surprised, probably even pleased. She didn't know how to react. Thirteen sat on a bench outside the hospital. It was noisier outside. That left her to her thoughts at least. The noise drowned out any distractions.

So he likes me, she thought to herself. She wondered whether she liked him back. Sure he was a jerk to patients and almost everyone around him. But he was human after all. Maybe he could love her. Maybe he could love her even when she is dying. He might understand her. Her pain and suffering.

She was trying to cram as much life into whatever life she had left. Perhaps, he could give her love. She needed love. She wanted to love someone. She didn't want to be alone. She got up from the bench and headed toward the elevator. She was going to House's office.

--

House sat in his office. He played with his cane absentmindedly. He had seen the doubt in Thirteen's eyes when he kissed her. She had thought he was treating her like another plaything. He needed to let her know that that wasn't true. He loved her. Really and truly. Perhaps he should take her out for dinner after work. That would make it a real date.

He wanted to be there for her. To comfort her and love her. She had kissed him back too, back there at the cafeteria. That meant that maybe, she liked him.

The door of his office opened. Thirteen walked in without her lab coat on and with her handbag. She was about to leave for the day but she had decided to go see him. There was his opportunity to clear things up and ask her out.

She opened her mouth to speak, "I need to talk to you."

"So do I." House admitted.

"Why did you kiss me at the cafeteria just now?" she looked shy and somewhat uncomfortable.

House moved closer to her. He put his hands around her gently and pulled her closer.

"Because I love you. I truly do." He whispered softly.

It was as if she had been waiting for that confirmation. She leant in and kissed him lightly on the cheek and smiled.

"Dinner?" House asked.

Thirteen nodded and said "I'll meet you downstairs." With that she walked out his office.

House had done it. He succeeded in asking her out. He smiled to himself and walked out. He met her downstairs. He took her hand and they walked out the hospital together. Ignoring looks from people walking past them.

House knew Thirteen loved him and she knew he loved her. They would face whatever people said about them together.