Title: Afterwards

Author: Mina Robins

Fandom: House, M.D.

Rating: G

Summary: Drabble. Masters centric.

A/N: Fixed up some details, grammar and vocabulary.

…..

Martha M. Masters fidgeted in the uncomfortable hospital chair. She had thought to bring a case-study with her to read but decided against it. She was here to show the patient she was focus and determined win him over.

She ran over her plan in her head. Perhaps she can offer to take him out for tea then show him her favourite anthropological museum… that's boring isn't it?

How about a night out in town? The red-head furrowed her brow. He's still not well enough for anything like that.

Maybe he can show her his ranch. Have a toss in the hay. She giggled quietly, it seemed like a reoccurring theme in romance novels. Not that she reads them; they are much too lewd for her liking.

She knew why she was attracted to the cowboy.

He was less than her.

When Taub had questioned her earlier, she meant what she said. He was physically superior and a fine specimen. However, their patient was still below her. He made less money than her; most importantly he was nowhere near her equal as an intellectual. The guy also seemed well adjusted enough to not ooze of the same social awkwardness she brings into any room.

He's waking up and Martha overexcitedly shuffles towards him.

It won't be that hard.

…

She had hopefully thought he's the kind of guy that wouldn't be too irate of her tendency to blurt out lengthy explanations. He probably wouldn't know what she was going on and on about anyways, maybe it was cute? Mom use to do that around Father and he had always called her adorable for it. Then again her Father would actually know enough information on the topics of interest to carry a conversation.

She thought she could have a companion that wouldn't seem that hard to please. He was a male and simple minded. She was a woman … and good company?

Nevertheless, one plus one apparently does not equal two.

Chase looks over at her amusedly, he had suggested the bar after her fail attempt at romance, and for once, Martha thought why the heck not.

"So you went after him cause you thought he'll say yes."

"Don't make it sound so manipulative and cheap." She pouted.

He has a good natured smile on his handsome face. "I just never thought you to be so," He swirls his drink. "Low in self-esteem."

Martha feels her cheeks burn up in embarrassment. "So Chase, what's your first name?" Anything to divert attention from herself.

Chase grins and tilts his head boyishly. "Robert." He pauses and waits for his teammate to offer her first name but Martha wasn't exactly polished in her social idiosyncrasies. "You know, it's your turn."

The girl runs a finger up the frosty sides of her drink. "Oh," Martha blinks and wonders if it is possible to faint from blushing, no it's not possible, not just from blushing maybe if she also had a case of… she's getting distracting wasn't she. "It's Martha, my mother always said it was too old for me."

Chase laughs and takes a swig of his beer. "A bit."

"You think I'm a fool don't you?" She sighs.

"You're a moron." The girl glares at the Australian. "In house's terms, but you're not a fool."

"Thank you?" She couldn't tell if it was an insult or compliment.

"You're just human and wanting what everyone else has."

Masters stares at the surprisingly accurate comment from her normally juvenile acquaintance said. "I suppose," A pause, then she tries to repossess some of her dignity. "It's just that he was physically-."

"Yes, I know, your cortex reacted." His eyes are twinkling. "Taub told me."

The red head frowns and looks away, great, its high school all over again. "It's just that he smiled when I was being friendly towards him." She had unintentionally stuttered on 'friendly' since she had almost blurted out flirting.

"I think he was amused by your flirting, yes." Chase draws another gulp of his beer. "It's funny to see your doctor stutter at you."

In a small voice she sheepishly argues. "I wasn't philandering with a patient."

Chase places a hand on his drinking partner's shoulder and squeezes. "Just relax and don't worry, House won't hear about it."

She twisted her head left and right at the mention of her abrasive boss' name. "Sorry, habit, he gets to me some times."

The blonde nods, "He gets to all of us." Chase takes his last sip and proceeds to stand. "How about we go for a celebratory dinner?"

"What, why?"

"I managed to patch up the guys literally bleeding heart in a race against time, so how about you accompany me for some dinner for doing such a swell job?" Chase sees his fellow doctor mull the thought over. "It'll be positive reinforcement."

She knows he means she has a bleeding heart over the patient but it was nothing of the sort, she just hit a tiny emotional speed bump, it's nothing, right? She takes a moment to glance over Chase; she understands why so many women willingly sleep with him after a couple of drinks. He has a light hearted feel and a ridiculously gorgeous face. She turns and gazes into her beer quickly when she realizes she has been caught looking. Chase was also astonishingly intelligent; he's out of her league.

"Sure, where'd you want to go for dinner?" It's nice and social to have a night out with a colleague, what's the harm?

He nods approvingly to her choice. "Just a casual diner, I hope you don't mind sloppy joes."

And… he's a child again. "Sure, do you have your car, Chase?"

"Yeah."

She holds our her arm with her palm up and after a moment he hands the keys over to her. "Well I hope its close or else we're calling a cab."

"What, we haven't even had two beers." He scrunches up his nose.

"It's never safe to drive after drinking," Seeing her co-worker gaze at her with utter disbelief. "Let's say someone your height drinks one beer per hour it will still-"

The blonde has held up his hand in compliance and has already pushed his chair in. "It's a good thing the place is only a couple blocks away then."

Masters pauses and rushes to pull her jacket on when she sees Chase waiting, she's surprised to see him so lenient. "Okay."

"And Martha." She looked up at the taller doctor's amused eyes. "Friends call me, Rob."