So...it has been, I don't know, FOREVER since I've updated. My humble apologies, dear readers. Not much House in this one, but there are a few references to him. Enjoy, and as usual, I don't own House.

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Caroline was just dishing up a plate of eggs and pancakes for Kieran when she spotted Celia entering the kitchen, an oddly dreamy expression crossing her face.

"You hungry, sis?" She asked.

"I'll get it." Celia answered. "You sit. I'm supposed to be helpin' you, not the other way around."

"I'm fine." Caroline insisted. "Hardly hurtin' at all."

Celia gently guided Caroline into a chair. "Keep that up and I'll sic our new town doc on you." She gave Caroline a teasing look. "Although…I suspect both of you might like that."

Caroline could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. "It ain't what you think."

"You sure about that?" Celia's voice held a note of concern. "His bike was still here when I came in late last night. Heard him take off this mornin'."

"We slept together." Caroline blurted out. "Literally. That's all. Nothin' else."

"Good." Celia told her firmly. "Things are complicated enough right now without addin' anythin' to it."

"I know that." Caroline was slightly irritated. "You ain't gotta tell me."

Celia returned to the table with a full plate and a cup of coffee. "You're still gonna go talk to that lawyer on Monday, right?"

"Right." Caroline answered. "And I gotta go to the county courthouse to draw up a restrainin' order. You know, just in case Kevin manages to get out."

"Word on the street is he's stayin' put for a while." Celia told her. "Ain't no one to arraign him, so he's gotta stew for a couple of days until bail's set."

Caroline couldn't help but smile slightly. "Too bad for him."

"Yeah, but…you still need to be careful. He's got friends, you know."

"Well now, what am I supposed to do, hole up in this dang house?" Caroline snapped. "I'll go stir crazy."

"Calm down, sis." Celia told her. "I'm just sayin' be careful. I ain't sayin' you need to turn into a hermit."

"I've spent the last eight years of my life as a hermit." Caroline answered. "I don't wanna do that no more. I want a real life. I want to get out, do things, just, you know…live."

"And you will." Celia assured her. "Just got to go through a little bit of mess to get there, that's all."

"I know, I know." Caroline sighed. "I can't fix this overnight. Wish I could. Wish I'd never done it at all."

"Wishin' don't change nothin'." Celia replied.

"True enough." Caroline agreed. "Now then, what was Rob doin' here this mornin'?"

Celia blushed slightly. "Not sure I should go into that with the little guy here."

"Celia!" Caroline exclaimed. "You didn't."

"No, I didn't." Celia admitted. "Pretty darn close, though."

"Oh my." Caroline giggled a little. "So…now what?"

"Now…" Celia sighed. "We do the long distance thing for a while until I find a job closer to home."

"Is Rob okay with that?"

"Seems to be." Celia stared down into her coffee cup. "I ain't tryin' to lead him on. I really like him. Always have."

"He's a lot different than he was."

"He is…but he isn't." She blinked quickly, her eyes turning shiny with emotion. "He's so scared, sis. You know he ain't let no one near him since…everythin'."

"I know." Caroline spoke softly. "Just promise me somethin'."

"What?"

"Be kind to him. No matter what happens between you, be kind."

Celia looked genuinely surprised. "Of course I will. Why wouldn't I?"

"I just don't want you to get some crazy fantasy in your mind about how things are gonna be." Caroline told her. "It's gonna take a whole lot more than some good woman's love to fix that man."

Celia smiled warmly. "When did you get so darned smart, girlie?"

Caroline smiled in response. "Maybe Kevin knocked a little sense into me after all."

The smile immediately faded. "Don't even joke about stuff like that."

Caroline shrugged casually. "It is what it is. It happened. Can't help that. Might as well make the best of it."

Celia rose from the table and moved to give Caroline a quick hug. "You're stronger than anyone gives you credit for, you know that?"

Caroline let out a nervous laugh. "It comes and goes. Kinda depends on how the day is goin'."

"Sounds about right." Celia nodded as she picked up Caroline's coffee mug and moved to fill both of them. "Went through that when I got divorced."

"And now?"

Celia shrugged as she returned to the table. "It's better."

"Guess it was kinda lucky you and him didn't have no kids." Caroline told her. "Must have made things a little easier."

"Only a little." Celia laughed slightly. "He still fought the whole thing tooth and nail. Kept tellin' me right up until we signed the papers that we could work it out."

"Men are crazy." Caroline shook her head.

"Some of 'em are." Celia agreed.

"I don't think I'm gonna bother no more." Caroline asserted. "Kieran's the only man I need in my life."

Celia laughed in response. "Greg'll be disappointed to hear that."

Caroline could feel the heat rise to her cheeks again. "Now look, that ain't fair. Greg's…different."

"Sure he is."

"He is!" Caroline insisted. "I like him, but…I don't…need him. It's just…different with him."

Celia reached across the table and placed a hand over Caroline's. "You ain't gotta explain yourself, girlie. If you like him, you like him. Seems to me he kinda likes you, too."

Caroline couldn't help but let out a short laugh. "This ain't high school, Celia. We're all supposed to be grown-ups here."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I mean…" Caroline shook her head. "I don't know. Used to be things were so obvious. Me and Kevin were gonna be together, raise Kieran, maybe have another baby…you know, be a family." She could hear her own voice crack. "I don't know what happened."

Celia sighed. "What happened was that Kevin turned out to be nothin' but trouble."

"And now I've ruined my life."

"You ain't ruined nothin'." Celia told her firmly. "If anythin', you're improvin' your life. By getting that man out of your life, you're teachin' Kieran that real men don't act like that, and that real women shouldn't put up with it." She squeezed Caroline's hand. "You're doin' the right thing. I know it hurts right now, but in the long run, it'll be good for both of you."

"I wish I could believe that." Caroline let out a short huff. "Don't seem right, Kieran growin' up without a daddy."

"Look at us." Celia pointed out. "Mom put Dad out when we were little, and we turned out alright."

"Right." Caroline answered, an uncharacteristic note of sarcasm creeping into her voice. "You're divorced, and I got caught up with Kevin. We sure did turn out alright."

"So we ain't perfect." Celia responded with an eyeroll. "We made some bad choices. Point is, we're makin' some better ones now, and you know Mom has our backs no matter what."

"I suppose you're right." Caroline sighed heavily as she finished her coffee and took Kieran's now empty plate, rising to place the dishes in the sink.

Celia was suddenly beside her, starting dish water and squirting dish soap in the sink. "Tell you what. I'll clean this up while you and the short man go relax."

Caroline couldn't help the small flame of resentment that flared up in her. She was already tired of being treated like a delicate china doll, as if she couldn't take care of herself. "I ain't an invalid. I can manage a few dishes."

"I know you can." Celia responded with a quick squeeze. "But you need the rest time, too. So go rest."

When Celia's mind was made up, there was little chance of changing it. Therefore, there was no point in arguing with her. Caroline let out a little snort and held her hand out to Kieran. "Come on, baby. You wanna color?"

Kieran nodded and climbed down from his chair, following Caroline into their shared bedroom, where she found his crayons and a coloring book. "Now, I'm gonna go take a shower. I'll be right out, okay? Be good."

"'Kay, Mama." Kieran was already sprawled out on the floor, scribbling away.

Caroline found her bag and pulled out a t-shirt, jeans, and underclothes. As she did so, she ran across the t-shirt House had given her when she had shown up at Rob's.

Almost involuntarily, she pulled it out and held it to her nose, inhaling the scent that still lingered in the soft fabric. Even now, the scent was oddly calming and comforting, almost as good as having House right there.

She chided herself for the thought. Here she was, supposedly starting to make an independent life for herself and Kieran, and she was standing there smelling some guy's t-shirt like the idiot that she was. What was wrong with her?

Caroline shoved the shirt back into her bag and padded down the hall to the bathroom. If she was careful, she could take a nice hot shower without disturbing the tape that wrapped her ribcage.

She carefully undressed, catching her reflection in the mirror on the back of the bathroom door. Kevin had left his marks everywhere, from her neck to her breasts, including a couple of nicks on her legs where he had cut the jeans apart with his knife.

It took everything she had not to break down crying again. How could she have allowed this to happen? When had things gone so wrong between them? Why couldn't she just learn to behave?

The last thought caught her by surprise, and she angrily shook it off. That man had messed with her mind long enough. She was done with him.

She carefully climbed into the shower and started the water, letting it get as hot as she could stand it before bending over and letting it cascade over her head.

As she lathered her hair, Caroline found herself humming. She suppressed a little giggle at the song, realization dawning that she didn't need to hold back her amusement anymore.

She let out a full laugh before bursting out into song. "I'm gonna wash that man right out of my hair…gonna wash that man right outta my hair…"

A knock at the door made her pause. "Caroline?" Celia's voice called out. "You okay in there?"

"Just fine." Caroline called back. "Be out in a few."

"No rush." Celia answered back. "Just checking up on you."

Caroline allowed herself a small smile as she finished washing and climbed out of the shower to dry off. Her ribs still hurt, but the pain was ebbing away day by day, and even the marks were starting to change color, dulling to a yellowish green.

She dressed and brushed her teeth, finding her wide toothed comb afterward to deal with her long, tangled hair. Kevin, in his calmer moments, had claimed that her hair was one of her best features. Of course, in his more frequent angry moments, Kevin would twist his hand in that same hair, nearly pulling it out of her head.

She shuddered at the memory. Perhaps a trip to the beauty salon was in order. Caroline couldn't remember the last time she had a haircut. A new life practically demanded a new hairstyle.

Finally she emerged from the bathroom, padding into the bedroom to take care of her clothes and check on Kieran. The young boy was still coloring away, a look of intense concentration on his face. Caroline decided to let him be and returned to the kitchen.

"I need a haircut." Caroline announced to Celia, who was just wiping down the stove and counter.

Celia looked surprised, then puzzled. "Thought you wanted to keep your hair long."

"Kevin wanted me to keep it long." Caroline told her. "Better for him to hold on to, he said. I want it gone."

A wide smile spread across Celia's face. "Well then, let's give Suzie a call down at the beauty shop. Bet she'll squeeze you in, no problem."

Celia quickly pulled out her phone and made the call. Caroline wasn't the least bit surprised that her sister had the place on speed dial. Celia was always the higher maintained one of the two.

After a brief conversation, Celia closed her phone with a triumphant smile. "You're all set. You've got an appointment in about an hour."

Caroline's heart thumped in her chest from nerves and excitement. It was a small thing, but it was important to her. She couldn't think of a better way to celebrate her coming independence than with a new style. Suddenly, Caroline couldn't wait.

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Caroline, Celia, and Kieran walked into the small beauty salon not quite an hour later, and every head turned when the bell rang over the door.

"Hey, y'all!" Suzie's cheery voice rang out over the sounds of blow dryers and chatter between the patrons and stylists. "Have a seat. I'll be with you in a sec."

Suzie was a friendly, chatty woman in her mid-forties who kept herself up in what she considered high style. Truthfully, she had taken far too many of her style cues from Dolly Parton, and almost resembled a caricature of the country singer. Still, she was well known for listening to her patrons, and had a knack for encouraging the shyest client to take a chance on a new style. Suzie rarely went wrong in that department.

Soon she made her way to the front, fixing Caroline with a dazzling smile. "Hey, girl, what brings you in here?"

"I'm fixin' to get a new style." Caroline explained milliseconds before Celia could do it for her. "I'm kinda done with this one."

Suzie nodded sagely. "I heard about everythin' that man put you through. How you feelin'?"

"Better." Caroline answered.

"That's good to hear, darlin'." Suzie turned to Kieran. "What do you think, little buddy? We're gonna make your mama into a new woman."

Kieran smiled shyly and curled into Caroline's chest, and Suzie let out a loud laugh. "Still a shy one, I see. That's alright. We'll chat later, won't we?"

Kieran nodded, and Celia held out her arms. "Come on, short man. Let's go see Granny."

"Give Mama kisses." Caroline gave Kieran a little squeeze, and Kieran easily complied, giving Caroline a peck on the cheek before hopping down to take Celia's hand.

Soon they were gone, and Caroline suddenly found a style book shoved under her nose. She looked up to see Suzie regarding her with a hopeful expression.

"So what are you lookin' to do?" The stylist asked Caroline.

"I don't know…" Caroline started going through the pages, pointing at one picture of a pixie-style cut. "I kinda like that one."

"That's pretty drastic, honey." Suzie told her. "You sure about that?"

Caroline laughed. "I ain't too sure about any of it."

Suzie laughed in response and squeezed Caroline around her shoulders. "Tell you what, why don't we take some off the ends, then you can decide it you wanna go shorter. I can take off. I can't put back."

"Okay, sounds good." Caroline rose and followed Suzie to a chair, where the other woman wrapped her neck in tissue and draped a cape over her. If she noticed the bruising around Caroline's neck, she never let on as she started in on her casual chatter.

"You know, I was talkin' to your mama the other day." Suzie commented casually. "Said that doctor guy was gonna hang around after all."

Caroline could feel herself blush right to the roots of her hair. "I'd heard that, too. He's gonna take over Doc Phillips' place."

"About danged time we had a real doctor around here." Suzie responded. "And we got us a handsome one this time."

The comment sparked murmured debate around the beauty shop. Caroline couldn't help but laugh a little.

Suzie nudged her before taking the scissors to the ends of her hair. "What, you don't agree, girl?"

"I didn't say that…" Caroline suddenly trailed off. If word got around about her and House…she didn't want to think about the possible consequences.

"Margie says he's got some real pretty eyes." Another patron called out. "The bluest ones she's ever seen, she says."

"And he drives that motorcycle." A younger woman chimed in. "Wouldn't mind catchin' a ride with him."

"Hope he sets up shop real soon." An older woman who had been parked under a dryer responded. "I need him to check out a few things, if you know what I mean."

"Sally, ain't no man checked out anythin' on you since disco died." One of the stylists teased. "Besides, he's way too young for you."

"There's a first time for everythin'." Sally snapped back, retreating under the dryer and returning to her magazine. "And I like 'em young."

The shop exploded in high pitched laughter as everyone returned to chatting amongst themselves. House's appearance had certainly turned the town on its ear.

"There's stage one done, girl." Suzie's voice snapped Caroline out of her thoughts. "What do you think?"

Suzie had cut Caroline's hair to just above shoulder length, and the shorter cut released a few waves that Caroline had forgotten were there. It was cute, but not quite short enough. "How about just a hair shorter. Say, chin length? And put some bangs in it, too."

"Consider it done." Suzie smiled broadly and returned to her work. She was silent for a while until she came around to the front to start on Caroline's bangs. "So I guess this means you ain't takin' that man back."

"Nope." Caroline asserted. "I'm filin' for divorce as soon as I can. Fixin' to get a restrainin' order on him, too."

"That's a smart move." Suzie nodded. "I know it ain't easy to let him go, even when he's been bad to you. But you're gonna be a better woman for it, mark my words." She gave Caroline a teasing smile. "Might even reel in that new doctor. I hear he kinda likes you."

"Mom don't know what she's talkin' about."

"Oh, I think she does." Suzie countered. "But you know there ain't no rush. Get yourself right first, then go get him."

"I ain't tryin' to get nobody." Caroline argued. "I don't need no man. They ain't nothin' but trouble."

"Oh, you feel that way now, girl, but you won't feel that way forever." Suzie told her before leaning in with a slightly conspiratorial expression. "Besides, I think you're protestin' just a little too much."

Caroline sighed internally. There was no convincing some people.

"All done." Suzie told her cheerfully. "Take a look."

Caroline took a long, hard look at herself in the mirror, finally allowing a smile to spread over her face. It didn't look bad, not at all. She finally looked like a human being instead of a human punching bag.

"I love it." She told Suzie, feeling a little lump rising in her throat. "Thank you."

"You bet." Suzie answered with a broad smile. "You look beautiful. Kevin's gonna die of shock if he ever sees you again. Emphasis on die."

Caroline twisted her mouth thoughtfully. She didn't necessarily want Kevin dead. Having him gone would be good enough. "How much do I owe you?"

"Not a dime, honey." Suzie told her firmly. "This one's on me. You just make an appointment about six or eight weeks out to keep that up, alright?"

"I'll do that." Caroline couldn't help the wide smile that crossed her face as she slid carefully out of the chair, nodding to the others as she left the shop.

She slowly started down the street for the short walk down to the café, setting off the bell as she pushed open the door.

Marge let out a short gasp. "You cut off your hair! And what on earth are you doin' walkin' around? You oughta be home restin'."

"I've rested enough." Caroline told her as she eased herself onto a stool.

Marge let out a short 'hmph'. "You want somethin' to eat?"

"No, Mom." Caroline told her. "But a Coke would be good."

Marge filled a glass and set it in front of Caroline. "Your hair looks real cute. I can't recall when you've ever had it so short."

"Kevin liked my hair long." Caroline explained. "Now that he ain't around, I can do what I want with my hair."

Marge gave Caroline a warm smile, reaching out to squeeze Caroline's hand. "Now that he ain't around, you can do whatever you want, period. It's your life, baby girl."

Caroline nodded, sitting up a little straighter. Her mom was right. It was her life, and she was in charge of it from here on out. She could barely wait to get started.

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Back to you, dear readers. Don't take as long to review as I did to update.