"You should date Wilson." House said as he joined Thirteen at the conference table. She looked up from the file.
"Why?"
"Because he needs to date again, and you could use some caring father figure for the growing parasite." He said as he gestured to her slightly protruding belly.
"I'm not attracted to Wilson...Anyway, he already lost one girlfriend, and he doesn't need to go down that road again..."
"Then go out with Chase. He and Cameron are sort of over."
"They are separated and will probably get back together any day now. Besides, I wouldn't hurt Eric like that...Regardless of how they try to act, they consider each other friends."
House leaned back in his chair.
"Are you happy?" He suddenly asked.
Thirteen met his gaze and pondered the question for a moment.
"Hopeful. Peaceful...Happiness is allusive." She answered.
"I don't think I've ever been happy."
She was startled by the admission and put her file down.
"Not even as a child?"
He chuckled bitterly to himself.
"Childhood was the beginning of the end."
Thirteen stood up and walked to stand in front of House.
"Are you okay?"
He placed his cane against his desk and propped his feet up on top.
"Just taking stock of things...Aren't you? I mean, especially now." He said as he gazed at her stomach.
"Well, I think about how different this year could have turned out if I had continued going down my self-destructive path..."
"You wouldn't be a mom... Everyone wants a kid to look up to them...to remember them..." He said trailing off. Thirteen sat down across from him.
"People will remember you too...for more than just being a great doctor..."
He leaned his chin against the palm of his hand.
"You've become nicer to me since the breakup and subsequent pregnancy."
She smiled and rolled her eyes.
"Hormones are a bitch." She said with a smirk.
House smiled in return.