4. Lupus and Neckties
Chase hated Dr. Allison Cameron sometimes. Like the way Foreman hates how he's turning into House, how Cuddy hates House's antics, or how House hates a boring patient. The little things he could overlook, moral ramblings and patient meddling, they happened enough to be bland to him. But while most would find those flaws important, he focused on matters that hit closer to the heart.
Her affections were far more than fickle, they were downright erratic. Flip-flopping between a juvenile crush on House and an idea that she could easily get into Chase's pants. It would never happen though, no matter how attractive everyone thought she was, Chase knew that her heart was too scarred and hard for there to be any chance of real happiness. Her flirtation was obnoxious to the point of infuriating, giving Chase the urge to trip her in the lobby. Childish, yes, but it would feel oh so good.
"Chase! Are you listening to me?" Cameron yelled, snapping her fingers in front of his face. Chase blinked and looked to her, quickly quelling his usual annoyance with her way of getting his attention. He had, in fact, been trying to ignore her, but it never seemed to work. She was rambling about her new boy toy or something else irrelevant to him.
"Yes. You're excited that Aaron is coming back from Washington, where he was regaling everyone on his mastery in cardiology." he drawled, inspecting his nails like those girls do in the annoying teenager shows on Oxygen. Cameron glared at him for a moment and was about to go off into another tangent until House burst into the room.
"Morning my slaves!" he announced, but stopped short twisting his head about to survey the room. "Where's Blackula today? Sleeping in in his coffin of misery?"
Chase chuckled and Cameron rolled her eyes, sighing in annoyance. Chase gave her a subtle look as she turned to House. That was another thing that irritated him. Her genuine vexation with House's antics and humor, which seemed to only fuel her mission to change him. Chase didn't want him to change, apart from his addiction. He liked House for his mischief and dry humor. You take away those and you're left with a boring doctor.
"He's out with the flu." Chase cut in, interrupting Cameron's complaining and catching House's attention. "A bad case, apparently doctors can't remember to get their shots."
House and Cameron stared at him for a moment, minutely shocked from his stark sarcasm and subtle bitterness. And why shouldn't he get to be bitter? Stuck with Cameron all day while she gabs and gabs about her boyfriend? Tripping her on a flight of stairs was getting more and more appealing. House stared at Chase for a moment and a smirk soon graced his face.
"Well, since duckling number two is out, number three will have to step up for him!" he exclaims jovially, turning to a surprised Dr. Cameron. "Number three," House dropped a case file in her arms, causing her to flinch in shock. "Go chat up our new guinea pig, then after they lie to you, run a blood panel and hook 'em up to some steroids."
"Why can't-" Cameron started, glancing over at Chase.
"He's busy." House cut her off with a tone of finality, earning a glare of defiance, but no protest. She stormed off, heels clicking loudly down the hall. When the door shut be hind her, House turned to the younger doctor with a blank stare.
"What's eating at you today?" he asked, without a smirk or a raised eyebrow. This was a sarcastically worded question wrapped in an air of concern and seriousness. Chase blushed but didn't look away, captivated by those piercing blue eyes. The subtle worry melted the cold facade house normally wore and icy eyes washed away to become endless oceans. And Chase just wanted to get lost at sea. He snapped out of his ogling and sighed in irritation.
"Cameron." House's mask refroze and he smirked.
"Figured, what'd she do this time?"
"She couldn't shut up about her new boy toy. I got irritated." Chase answered, trying to seem aloof as he reigned in his annoyance. He didn't fool House though, earning a smirk and a twinkle of blue.
"Well, try to avoid her gabby claws for the night, Cuddy is making me go to some fundraiser." House said, walking towards his office. Chase smiled and rolled is eyes.
"So obviously I'll have to go too?" he asked, turning to the older man. House stopped with a hand on the door and turned to look over his shoulder.
"Of course, how else could I survive the boredom?" he smirked saucily, pushing the door open before Chase could react.
He blushed and colorful images flashed across his vision. Blood red carpeting laid beneath a mahogany bar, tables, gold upholstered chairs and stools, and a spotlighted mini stage. Red and gold wallpaper circled the room, the gold giving a dull sheen in the low lighting reflected in the mirror behind the bar. Clean cut men in form fitting suits chatted up women in classy, yet eye-catching dresses of deep colors holding thin glasses filled with champagne. Classic jazz from the band on the stage flowed through the air seamlessly, mingling smoothly with the low murmur from the patrons. A picture perfect club right out of the 50's.
Chase's eyes widened in awe, taking in the room and how out of place he felt. He looked down at himself and found he was wearing a cream suit, light blue button-up shirt, and a dark gray tie. A single red rose was pinned to his lapel, mingling with the scent of sweet liquors and cigarette smoke. His golden hair was slicked back with a single lock dangling down between his eyebrows and he could see there wasn't any gel in it. As he was occupied with his new apparel, a slow ballad streamed from the band and a strong hand grasped his arm.
He turned to find House, breathtaking in his new clothes. A dark gray pin-stripe suit, black shirt, blood red tie, and a dark gray fedora with a black ribbon all gave him a striking appearance. Others around them whispered as Chase smiled and House's hand slid down to interlock their fingers, but Chase couldn't care less. The rough palm rubbing in his hand was the only thing keeping him from floating up on a cloud of delight. House took a step back and bowed slightly.
"May I have this dance?" he asked staring up at Chase as he kissed the back of the young doctor's hand. Electricity surged through the contact and set Chase's cheeks alight, burning bright pink. He stuttered slightly before nodding.
House swept him over to the dance floor, a strong arm around his waist and a hand gripping his own. Chase burrowed his face into House's in embarrassment, he couldn't believe he stuttered like a teenage girl! What was wrong with him? A deep rumble shook House and brought Chase out of his personal pity party to find the older man smirking.
"What?" he asked, indignantly. House's smirk just widened and he leaned down closer to Chase's face, warm are tickling his cheeks.
"You know, you're just too cute when you blush." he whispered, pecking both of the blonde's cheeks. Chase gaped and flushed, only making House trail lingering kisses down his neck. A soft moan escaped Chase's lips and House moved back up to lock his lips in a hot, passionate kiss. Lips molded together and danced intimately. When they broke for air, House pulled his tie up to brush it against Chase's cheek.
"Oh look, you're a chameleon." he chuckled. "Think I could get you any redder?" House's eyes trailed south and Chase squeaked. He grabbed the red tie and forced House to look up.
"No, I don't!" he squeaked in embarrassment, pulling on House's tie to press their lips together again. He lost himself in the slightly chapped lips before a puff of smoke clouded his vision and everything went white.
Chase fell out of his chair and face first onto the floor. He shook his head, trying to collect himself, when someone walked up in front of him. As his face whipped up, he found a faceful of crotch five inches from his nose. Chase froze and slowly looked up to see House smirking lusciously down at him, a red tie in his hand. Suddenly House lassoed Chase's head with the tie and pulled him to his feet by his neck, their bodies so close clothing rustled against each other.
"By the way," he breathed, minty breath filling Chase's nose. "Its a black tie event."
Chase mentally hyperventilated as his boss watched his blush rise. Did he read my mind? How did he get the red tie? Why hasn't he kissed me yet?! As House's hand slackened and his eyes slipped to Chase's dry lips, Cameron burst into the room. Chase whipped his head around to face her and House calmly took the tie off of him. Cameron gave them a confused look, but didn't bother asking what was going on.
"He has Lupus." she said, handing House a folder with test results. He read them over quickly and nodded.
"Yup, seems that way." When Cameron didn't move he gave her a look. "You know what to do, or do you need me to spell it out?"
She blushed and skittered out of the room, looking as confused leaving as she did entering. House chuckled and Chase released a deep breath. That was way too awkward. House turned with a smoldering stare and a smirk.
"See you tonight." he said and walked into his office.
Chase just stood there wondering what the hell was going on that day.
Whew! This one took me forever! It's a bit longer than usual so I tried harder to wrap this chap up, but if it seems to abrupt tell me and I'll work on it. There should be only one or two more chapters, but if you want to suggest a new day dream I will consider them. Reviews give me energy!