Thirteen sat at her desk in the diagnostics department, staring blankly at her laptop screen. The patient file she was supposed to be reviewing blurred before her eyes, the words swimming together as her mind drifted to other thoughts. Another failed round. Another crushing blow. Her stomach churned as she thought of her girlfriend, imagining the tears in her eyes, the broken look on her face when they'd gotten the news. Thirteen had done her best to be the strong one, to hold them both together through the endless doctor's visits, injections, and negative tests, but the cracks were beginning to show. The weight of their shared disappointment was pulling her under.

Wilson was the first to notice something was off. He had stopped Thirteen in the hallway earlier that day, his brow furrowed in concern as he gestured for her to step into his office. She hesitated, her instinct to brush him off warring with the gnawing need to confide in someone, anyone. Finally, she relented, stepping inside and shutting the door behind her.

"You've been distracted lately," Wilson said gently, his voice calm and nonjudgmental. "And it's not just me noticing. House mentioned it too, though he didn't say it quite as kindly."

He offered a small, reassuring smile. "Is everything okay?"

Thirteen hesitated, her hands fidgeting as she stared down at the floor. The words felt heavy on her tongue, but eventually, they tumbled out.

"We've been trying IVF," she admitted quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "She's the one carrying, and...it's not working. It's been months of this, Wilson. Months of hoping and failing. It's...it's exhausting."

Her voice cracked slightly, and she cleared her throat, trying to steady herself. "I can't stop thinking about how much this is hurting her. And I don't know how to fix it."

Wilson's expression softened, and he leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his desk. "I'm so sorry, Thirteen," he said, his tone sincere. "That sounds incredibly difficult for both of you. Have you thought about taking some time off? Just to regroup and take care of yourselves?"

Before Thirteen could respond, the door to Wilson's office creaked open, and in strolled House, his cane tapping rhythmically against the floor.

"Time off?" House scoffed, his eyes darting between Wilson and Thirteen. "What's this, a therapy session? Did someone forget to invite the sarcastic peanut gallery?"

He plopped down uninvited into the chair next to Thirteen, fixing her with a pointed look. "So, IVF, huh? Let me guess: you're at the stage where you're considering selling your soul for better odds." His words were sharp, but there was a glint of curiosity in his eyes.

Thirteen stiffened, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I wasn't talking to you, House," she snapped, her tone defensive. But House, of course, ignored her protest.

"Relax," House said, waving a dismissive hand. "I'm just saying, if you're looking for a donor, I've got top-notch genes." He smirked, leaning back in his chair as if the offer was perfectly reasonable. "I mean, let's face it, your kid would be ridiculously good-looking, not to mention brilliant. Who wouldn't want a little House running around?" His tone was teasing, but his words hung in the air, daring a reaction.

At that moment, the door to Wilson's office opened again, and Thirteen's girlfriend stepped inside, her eyes landing on the trio. House's smirk widened as he turned to her.

"Perfect timing," he said with mock enthusiasm. "We were just discussing how I could help you two make a baby. You're welcome, by the way."

Thirteen's heart sank, her stomach flipping with a mix of mortification and frustration as she glanced at her girlfriend. "House," she hissed, her tone a warning, but he only grinned wider, clearly enjoying the chaos.