Greetings Dearest Readers!

**NOTICE** This is the first fic I've written, however, I've done lots of editing. I honestly didn't like the layout and certain aspects of it, so I just did a bit of editing.

House is OOC at times.

*DISCLAIMER: I do not own House or Stephanie Koszalka's letter. More information about the later will be given in later chapters.

**MAJOR NOTE** I edited this ENTIRE story in ONE DAY. How many brownie points do I get?

Read on, Cherubs.

Over and out.

Chapter 1

It had always been an issue for Chase…always. People around the hospital assumed that just because they thought he was attractive, that that meant that he thought he was too. Oh no, not in the slightest. He found himself to be unattractive and unworthy of any form of attention and affection. He never understood why people found him to be attractive. Maybe they were lying just to boost his ego. If he didn't find himself remotely attractive in any way, then why the hell should other people?

He stood in front of the mirror, shirtless, as he stared at what he had been cursed with. He ran a finger lightly over his slightly protruding ribs and then placed his hands on his shrinking waist line, hip bones sticking out in front of his fingers. His collarbone and sternum protruded vividly and his elbows lightly resembled door hinges. He always had to wear ankle braces because his ankles were becoming too weak to even support himself. He was so big that even his ankles couldn't support him anymore…

His green-blue eyes looked dully at his reflection, looking at his upper body as blonde hair fell into his eyes. Over time, he had been falling apart and sinking further and further into the pit that he had begun digging years ago. He eyes had begun losing their spark and clarity, and his golden blonde hair was now the shade of dirty blonde, no longer as bright as it once was.

They've had plenty of people with eating disorders come to the hospital for malnutrition and to receive psychological help. Every time a patient of that sort comes in, he saw his colleagues' and boss's reaction to them whenever they got wind of a new admission. Their reactions ranged from disgust to frustrated and everything in between. Chase, however, kept his reactions to himself; not wanting them to discover that he has the same problem.

"People with that sort of problem take up valuable space in the hospital."

Chase had to fight the powerful urge to leap from his seat and pound Foreman into the ground when he had said that.

Chase had always told himself when his "eating problem" first started, that it was completely innocent and harmless. He wouldn't eat dinner, claiming that he wasn't feeling too well. That went on for a little while, then lunch was reduced to half a sandwich (if that) and then lunch ceased to exist. Breakfast…well, breakfast never existed in Chase's life. He never ate in public because of the fear of what other would think about it…why he would be eating if he was already as big as he was.

Gradually, he lost weight; his body began to become skinner and weaker. Now, after 6 years or so, he had full-blown Anorexia and had no intentions of getting help and he continued to spiral out of control.

HouseXChase

Physicals: love them, hate them, either way…you have to do them.

It was Chase's first physical at PPTH and he was a bit nervous; he even considered skipping it, but he knew Cuddy would hunt him down and make him do it. He stood outside the examination room door, took a deep breath, and walked inside.

HouseXChase

Dr. Matthews knocked gingerly on House's office door before entering. House didn't look up from his PSP when Matthews stood in front of him. Matthews knew House's reputation very well; however, this was not the time for House to be an ass.

"Dr. House, we need to talk about something of…a bit of importance." Dr. Matthews said as he calmly looked at House, who continued to play his video game.

"If it doesn't involve alcohol, topless women, or—"

"It's about Dr. Robert Chase." Matthews cut in, causing House to look up. House saved his game and turned it off, placing it on his desk. Matthews now had House's attention…a rare event to happen. Matthews continued, "Dr. Chase had his physical today." House quirked an eyebrow at him.

"So?"

"I noticed that something wasn't right. It's pretty severe, Dr. House; however, due to patient confidentiality, that's all I'm allowed to say. All I ask is that you talk to him and see if you can get him to talk to you about whatever's going on." He paused, letting it sink in before continuing, "Normally I wouldn't do this, however, I'm worried. Dr. Chase is a good man and I would hate to see such a man to become worse in health if it's preventable. You will talk to him, yes?" House sat back and thought for a minute.

So something was wrong with his duckling, he always had the feeling that something wasn't quite right; now he knew it for a definite fact. He looked up at Dr. Matthews; he had a high tolerance of the man because he wasn't an idiot and he was actually a very good doctor.

"Fine, I'll talk to him. Can't make any promises that I'll get something from him. He's not exactly open about any aspect of his personal life." Dr. Matthews smiled and nodded.

"Understandable. I appreciate you trying." With that, he left; leaving House with his thoughts.

Something was wrong with Chase…and by the sounds of it, it's something severe if Dr. Matthews willingly came to speak with him about it to the point of the verge of breaking patient confidentiality. He felt his heart clench at the thought of his Aussie being in pain…or trouble.

Wait…his…Aussie? Since when was he possessive of his blonde duckling?

House sighed and gave up. He's always had strong feelings for the young doctor. He's only admitted that to Wilson though and he was surprised when Wilson gave him a knowing smile. House rolled his eyes at him for being so girly.

It was unfamiliar to him because he's never actually allowed himself feel affection for someone else since Stacey and even then, the affection was very limited and well controlled.

House turned to look at the conference room as all three of his ducklings walked in, coming from their various tasks. Chase looked…well, awful for lack of better words. House stood, grabbed his cane, and limped into the conference room. He didn't care that their patient was dying.

He cared more about his duckling that, he felt, was dying as well.

HouseXChase

Alright Gang,

Reviews would be wonderful!

When-Rabbit-Howls