And so ends another dormant House fic. Thank you to everyone who has followed, favorited, and commented over the years, and thank you for sticking with it even when it looked like I was never going to finish it. It is done now, and I hope you will enjoy it over and over again.

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"Okay, Kieran, take a deep breath." House told the little boy sitting on his exam table.

Kieran had a serious expression on his face as he did exactly as he was told, inhaling deeply as House listened with his stethoscope.

"That's good. Now blow it out, like this." House demonstrated by blowing out, and Kieran followed suit.

They repeated the routine two more times before House nodded, taking the stethoscope out of his ears and hanging it around his neck before glancing at Caroline, who was sitting in the chair nearby. "He sounds a lot better. Did you finish that course of antibiotics?"

Caroline nodded. "Sure did. He sure sounded bad for a few days. Scared me half to death."

"Well, I think he's going to be okay." House helped Kieran down from the exam table, and he immediately ran to Caroline. "When was his last well child checkup?"

"Um…last winter, I think?" Caroline frowned. "It was before you showed up."

"You'll need to schedule that." House typed notes into the computer. "And we'll make sure he's up to date on his shots before he goes to kindergarten in the fall."

Caroline rose from the chair. "Thank you, Greg…Doctor House."

House couldn't help smiling a little at that. "It doesn't matter. I'll see you…well, I guess I'll see you Friday, right? I think there's a new movie out."

"There is." Caroline smiled in response. "Same time?"

"Same time." House leaned down and gave her a quick kiss. "And don't forget, I still owe you a ride on the bike."

"I ain't forgotten." Caroline told him. "Soon as school's out for the semester, I'll have more time. I was gonna take summer classes but…I need a break."

House very much looked forward to filling some of that free time. "You've earned it and then some. I'll see you Friday."

He turned his attention to Kieran. "And you be good, okay? Give your mom a break, too."

"Okay." Kieran surprised House by hugging him quickly before leaving the exam room with Caroline, and he followed them out. "Who's next?"

Louise, his office manager, pointed to Rob, who was sitting in the waiting area. "Doctor's ready for you, honey."

"Thanks." Rob rose from his chair and followed House into the exam room.

"You know, you could have this done at the VA." House pointed out as he washed his hands.

"It's a hell of a drive and I don't wanna be bothered." Rob answered as he pushed himself up on the exam table. "'Sides, it's just a checkup. You're tellin' me you can't handle that?"

"You're becoming a real pain in the ass." House told him.

Rob merely chuckled. "Appreciate your bedside manner, Doc."

House let out a huff of irritation as he started his exam, a routine so well practiced after seeing so many patients in the few months since he opened the office. At first it seemed that everyone in town was coming to see him, and maybe even a few from outside the town. But as Louise frequently reminded him, he was the only doctor around for thirty miles. No wonder he was seeing people he didn't recognize at first.

"Your blood pressure's a little high." House told him. "You aren't on any medication for it, right?"

"Not yet." Rob answered, shooting House a wary look.

"I'm not going to prescribe anything yet." House replied, typing the vitals into the computer. "You know the drill. Diet, exercise, et cetera, et cetera. Come back in six months and I'll check it again. Anything else bothering you today that you want to talk about? Please say no."

Rob laughed a little at that. "Naw, nothin' physical. And I've got that VA shrink for the mental stuff. I ain't gonna bother you with that."

House paused. "Did the shrink put you on anything?"

Rob shook his head. "We just talk a lot. It helps. I'm figurin' things out, I guess."

"Anything else?" House asked. "Speak now or forever hold your peace."

"Nothin' that can't wait." Rob answered casually. "We're still meetin' up later, right?"

"Right, because it's been a while since I've allowed you the privilege of kicking my ass around a pool table."

Rob flashed a grin at that as he slid down from the exam table. "Then I'll see ya down there later."

House walked with Rob out of the exam room, and from there it was a steady stream of patients all afternoon. Mike brought Tyler and Zach in for their checkups, and Tyler talked House's ear off the entire appointment. He was about to get his driver's license but was still going to ride the bike. And now he could have a passenger, so he and Zach were going to ride around all summer while working at the garage to earn money toward a car.

Zach was much quieter, but in a lot better shape than he'd been when House had done that initial exam on him. The scars were fading, the bruising long gone. He was still a little on the skinny side, but that could be chalked up just as easily to just being a teenage boy as anything else. He was in good physical condition and was still going to the counselor while having limited contact with his mother.

Being placed with Mike seemed to have done that kid a world of good. And with a friend like Tyler, he'd be just fine.

Finally, after seeing his last patient for the day and logging off, he put on his leather jacket and left the exam room. "See you tomorrow, Louise."

"Have a good night, Doctor House." Louise answered crisply.

The late afternoon air was cooler than usual, but the sun was still out. Perfect riding weather. He had some time before he was set to meet up with Rob. Might as well go out for a little ride.

He clipped in his cane and put on his helmet before firing up the bike and taking off down the street that took him out of town and through the winding country roads, the same roads he'd been traveling around this time last year when the bike croaked.

How different his life was now. He couldn't help wondering what might have been had the bike not died here, and if Rob hadn't happened along. Most likely, he wouldn't have known the difference. He would have landed somewhere else, or at some point, low on funds and energy, he would have returned to Princeton and hounded Cuddy into hiring him back.

He was suddenly glad that he didn't have to go that route. The idea of going back there was anathema to him. Oddly enough, he was…well, if not happy, then content. He had friends, a thriving medical practice, his side gig of teaching seminars at Vanderbilt, and of course, he had Caroline.

That damn husband had finally gotten what he deserved, more or less. He would do some time, though hardly enough given what he'd done to Caroline. House wasn't sure he had it in him to forgive Kevin for the damage he'd done to her. It was taking a lot of time and patience on both their parts to build this new relationship that was developing between them.

But it was worth it. They both had their own demons to fight, and somehow they were doing it together. If they were ever able to…well, House didn't want to try to think that far ahead. They had all the time in the world, there was no reason to rush.

If someone asked him when he had fallen for Caroline, he wouldn't be able to say. It had happened so slowly that House hadn't realized it was happening until, well, it just happened. Whatever it was, it was working, and for once House didn't have it in him to question it.

Something about this place had shifted his whole attitude. While he still had a healthy sense of cynicism toward most of humanity, there was something about the way the people in this town had simply embraced him and made him one of their own. It wasn't just Marge and her family that had taken him in, but nearly everyone he encountered here. It had softened him a little, as much as he hated to admit it.

Even Wilson had noticed, not just back when he had visited, but on nearly every phone call they had. "You have changed," he would insist, "but that's a good thing, House. It's a good thing."

Maybe it was, maybe it wasn't. Either way, House didn't have it in him to fight it.

He leaned into a turn and started back toward town. By his estimation, he should be heading back to meet up with Rob at the bar for some beer, burgers, and pool. It had become a nearly weekly ritual for them. They'd shoot the breeze, Rob would usually clean his clock, and House would pay for the beer and burgers.

The kinship he'd found with Rob was the most surprising part of this whole thing. Somehow, they'd drawn each other out, and while Rob still wasn't exactly what anyone would call a social butterfly, he was a lot more comfortable being out and around than he used to be, and watching him and Celia fall head over heels for each other had been something to see.

He pulled into the parking lot of the bar next to Rob's truck, shutting off the bike and pulling off his helmet before unclipping his cane from the side. The bar was a little more crowded than usual, and it took some time for his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He finally spotted Rob over at a pool table talking to a couple of people, Celia preparing her own pool cue and setting up a shot.

That was funny. Rob hadn't mentioned anything about Celia showing up. It wasn't a problem, just odd. Come to think of it, there were a lot of people that weren't normally here when he and Rob normally came here.

Something was definitely up.

Rob looked up as House was crossing over to the pool table, his face breaking into a wide smile as he took a drink of his beer. "'Bout damn time. Where you been?"

"Took the bike out for a ride." House told him. "What's going on? Why are all these people here?"

Celia took her shot and sank the ball, the concentration evident on her face as she studied the table to set up her next shot. "I'll tell ya in a minute." Rob told him. "Kinda busy right now."

House realized what was happening. "Yeah, getting your ass handed to you by your girlfriend."

Celia glanced up, a hint of a smile on her face, and Rob gave her the same smile as she took her shot, sending the ball into the pocket.

"I'm going to get a beer." House told Rob. "You want anything?"

Rob shook his head, and House started toward the bar. Dave spotted him and made his way down. "Evenin', Greg. Usual?"

"Usual."

Dave popped the top off a bottle and set it in front of him. "Start a tab for ya?"

"Yeah." House nodded. "Add Rob's and Celia's, too. Have a feeling it's going to go about the same as usual."

"You got it."

House headed back toward the pool table when he saw the door open. Caroline walked in, seeming to search the bar, her face lighting up when she spotted House.

She gave him a quick hug and pushed herself up on tiptoe to give him a kiss. "Hi."

"Hi." House responded. "What're you doing here?"

"Celia said to come on down." Caroline answered. "Not sure what she had in mind. You down here with Rob?"

"Yeah, just our usual thing." House told her. "You want a drink?"

"I'll take a little somethin'." Caroline replied.

They headed back to the bar, and Dave's face lit up when he spotted Caroline. "Hey, lady, long time no see. Heard 'bout that no-good—"

He caught himself before he said anything further. "It's good to see ya. What can I get ya?"

"Oh, just a club soda and lime." Caroline replied.

"Add that to my tab, too." House told him.

"You bet." Dave nodded and turned around to put it together, soon setting it in front of Caroline.

She picked it up and they started toward the pool table, where Rob was finally getting his shot. Either that, or they had started a new game in House's absence. Celia lit up when she spotted Caroline. "You made it!"

"I did." Caroline replied, hugging Celia. "Now, what is goin' on?"

"Yeah, I'd also like to know." House chimed in.

Rob scratched his shot, shaking his head. "Might as well finish me off, girl."

Celia set down her drink and picked up her pool cue, scanning the table and setting up to sink the eight ball. She seemed to almost deliberately take her time, evoking an exasperated sigh from Rob. "C'mon, girl, we ain't got all night."

Celia merely looked amused as she took her shot, the ball falling into the pocket with a thunk. "That's game, babe."

"You're killin' me." Rob told her, shaking his head as he rounded the end of the table and drew her in for a quick kiss. "Think I'd rather play Greg."

"I wonder why." Celia teased him.

"Hey, game's over." House called out. "So…?"

"Right, yeah." Rob put his finger and thumb in his mouth and let out a sharp, high-pitched whistle. "Y'all, come on over. Got somethin' to announce."

The bar went mostly quiet as more people gathered around, and House could see that Rob was starting to get nervous. Rob took a deep breath and exhaled, looking around.

"All right, y'all. You know me and Celia've been seein' each other for a while now. And I'm crazy 'bout her. I love her to pieces. Which is why…I've asked her to be my wife. And she accepted. So I guess we're gettin' hitched."

The bar exploded in cheers, and everyone seemed to gather around Rob and Celia. House hung back slightly, watching it all unfold. Finally, everyone backed off and Rob started speaking again.

"There's somethin' else, too. Round about a year ago, some idiot was driving through here on his motorcycle at night. That thing croaked on the side of the road. Lucky for him, I was out drivin' around and picked him up." There was a round of quiet laughter before Rob's tone turned more serious. "Greg, if that damn bike hadn't died, and if I hadn't picked you up, wouldn't none of this be happenin'. So…thanks for takin' that little road trip. Glad you decided to stick around."

House raised his beer bottle and took a long drink. Truthfully, he hadn't planned on sticking around. But life had other plans, apparently. Now, for better or for worse, this was home.

After a while, the crowd of people started to spread out again, leaving the four of them around the pool table. "What do ya say, Greg? Ready to pay for those beers?"

"Already planned on it." House told him.

Rob racked the balls, and House broke, sinking a striped ball, and they were off and running. They engaged in their usual smack talk, much to the amusement of Caroline and Celia.

Finally, after their third game, they decided to call it a night. House made his way to the bar to cash out. "Not a word." He told Dave.

"Wasn't gonna say anythin'." Dave answered with a laugh. "That's real nice 'bout Rob and Celia, huh?"

"Yeah, it is."

Dave gave him his card and the slip, and House signed it and left it on the counter to return to where the others were gathered. They all started out the door, gathering in the dimly lit parking lot. Caroline and Celia started talking excitedly, already making plans, no doubt. House and Rob walked a little further off, leaning against Rob's truck.

"You're really going to do this." House spoke first.

"Yeah, I'm doin' it." Rob shook his head. "We ain't been tryin' to rush into anything, but hell, when you know somethin's right, why waste time?"

"I guess."

"You know, I'm gonna need a best man." Rob told him. "How 'bout it?"

House thought about that for a moment. "I'm not going to have to do this multiple times, am I?"

"Hell naw." Rob scoffed. "If this one goes to hell, I ain't tryin' again."

"Well…then yes. I'll be your best man." House responded. "I throw one hell of a bachelor party."

"I'm lookin' forward to it." Rob replied with a grin. "Goddamn, I can't believe it. That woman said yes. To me."

"No accounting for taste." House commented casually.

Rob gave him a brief shove. "Ah, go to hell."

House couldn't help laughing. "Suppose I should get going. You just let me know what you need me to do."

"Don't you worry, I will." Rob extended his hand. "Really appreciate it. And you. You're a hell of a friend, Greg."

Something went through House at that, and he responded in kind. "So are you, Rob."

House released Rob's hand and ambled over to where Caroline and Celia were still talking. "Congratulations, Celia. You've got yourself a good one."

Celia beamed, turning around to catch House in a quick hug. "He is, ain't he? We kept sayin' we weren't gonna rush into nothin', but, well, why wait?"

The way her words echoed Rob's amused House to no end. "When it's right, it's right."

"Exactly." Celia nodded. "I've gotta fly. Early day tomorrow. See you Sunday, right?"

"Yes, I'll be there." House told her.

Celia acknowledged that with a nod and a wave, crossing over to Rob and leaving House and Caroline in the parking lot.

"Kinda excitin', huh?" Caroline asked, that slight smile gracing her face. "I didn't get to be part of her first one, 'cause they got hitched so quick. She wants me to be her maid of honor this time around."

"What a coincidence." House responded. "Because Rob asked me to be his best man."

"I'll bet you look real good in a tux." Caroline told him with a smile.

"You'll have to wait and see." House answered, stepping closer and pulling her in with an arm around her waist. "And I'm sure no matter how hideous a bridesmaid's dress Celia picks, you'll look amazing in it."

"Oh, she'd better not." Caroline sounded almost indignant as she looped her arms over House's shoulders. "She knows better."

"Relax." House leaned down and kissed her. "I'm sure she won't."

The kiss quickly deepened, and House nearly forgot he was in the dimly lit parking lot of a bar until he heard his cane hit the asphalt. He almost immediately broke it off. "Dammit."

"I've got it." Caroline replied, bending down to pick up the cane and hand it back to House. "S'pose I'd better get goin', too. Didn't wanna leave Kieran too long, and I've still got class tomorrow."

"As do I." House responded. "And a full schedule of patients."

Caroline took his hand, squeezing it lightly before giving him one last kiss. "Then I'll see you Friday. And Sunday."

"You're going to get sick of seeing me."

"I don't think so." Caroline laughed. "G'night. I love you."

That caught House completely off-guard. Caroline had never come out and said it. "I love you, too."

It came out so easily that House was surprised at himself. They both stood there for a long moment, staring at each other as if neither one could believe the other had said the words.

Caroline broke the silence first with a quiet laugh. "I mean it."

"Yeah, so do I." House answered. "Go on, get out of here. It's a school night."

Caroline climbed into her own vehicle, starting it up and leaving, and House made his way back to the bike. He paused for a long moment before putting on his helmet, listening to the sounds around him. Music and voices spilled out of the bar, vehicles drove by every so often on the road.

This was home, in every sense of the word. He had friends, his practice, and now, the love of a woman.

It was a good life, one he never could have imagined when he first took off for parts unknown. Now, he couldn't imagine it any other way.

He clipped in his cane, pulled on his helmet, and started the bike, getting back on the road that would take him home.

Where else would that road take him? House didn't know, but he was interested in sticking around to find out.