Another chapter done! It took me a while to figure out how to write the scene between Chase and one of his employers. I'll try to get another chapter up tomorrow before the week starts. Read and review (Just a reminder, this is House answering Wilson's phone)
"Who else were you expecting? Shaniqua?"
"Is Wilson there? I need to talk to him."
House put his other hand on Wilson's mouth, suppressing Wilson's exclamations.
"Actually, he just went to the bathroom. Why are you calling my best friend anyways?"
Chase cleared his throat. He wasn't ready; he couldn't say it. The more times he said it, the realer the cancer became.
"It's nothing, just tell him to call me back."
Quickly, Chase hung up.
"Geez Wilson, since when have you and Chase been buddy buddy?"
Wilson grabbed his phone back from House and proceeded to get up off of the couch.
"I just remembered something I need to do. I'll see you tomorrow."
The oncologist said, trying his best to not give away Chase's secret.
Chase woke up with his usual alarm, throwing the heavy blanket off. He felt better this morning, not as sluggish as yesterday. The droplets of rain pounded against his window. He would have to tell House today, and for that matter, Cuddy too. His doctor suggested taking a medical leave over a week ago. Pulling up his jeans, he looked into the mirror hanging on the wall.
The face that greeted him wasn't his. It wasn't the face of a rich boy or that of the fearsome diagnostic department doctor. Premature aging lines covered his face. Crinkles around his eyes and mouth that never used to be there, appeared. The closer he looked the less he liked himself.
He felt torn between anger and sadness. Half of him wanted to just scream at the world. He clenched the soft fabric of his shirt, wringing the cotton between both hands before putting it on. He placed his hat on too, covering the ugliness of his bald scalp. Slamming the dresser drawer, he shoved a book into the bag, zipping it with a single gesture. The rain thrummed against the rooftop, creating a soundtrack to his furious morning. Grabbing a granola bar, he headed out the door to catch the bus.
His hands shook as he stepped on the bus. Everything seemed to shift into perspective. He noticed miniscule things; the lady's expensive leather loafers, the girl applying red lipstick to his left, the bus driver glancing at the picture of his grandchildren in his wallet. He would give anything to be one of them.
House woke up at ten o'clock, deciding he would go into work late today. He limped over to the bathroom, splashing cold water on his face. He massaged his thigh, rubbing his hands over the damaged muscle in small circles. The rain played against his rooftop. House enjoyed listening to the rain. The wet droplets reminded him of brighter days when he played sports, or was with Stacey. He thought about the soccer games in thunderstorms, and his first kiss in the rain. His thoughts wandered to Cuddy afterward and then the hospital. Chase would probably tell him today; he massaged his thigh harder.
Chase stepped down off of the bus, feeling his granola bar rolling in his stomach. The entrance was less than a mile ahead, no running away now. He stood in the rain, wondering whom to tell first, Cuddy or House? His steps slowed as the automatic doors came into view. Did he have to take a break from work? Surely he could still work sometimes-he leaned over to puke. He needed a medical leave.
Pulling himself together, he heaved his shoulder bag higher and walked into the hospital. Deciding to talk to Cuddy first, he walked over only to find her office empty. He waited by the room until she returned a few minutes later.
", what can I do for you?"
He looked into her grayish green eyes, inhaling her lavender perfume.
"I need to take a medical leave."
Cuddy gave him a questioning stare.
"If this is about your hair-"
"I have cancer"
She stopped walking around her office, carefully examining the young Aussie. Her right hand moved to his right forearm.
"I'm so sorry."
He would remember her touch, smooth as milk and honey, almost like the mom he never had. He didn't say anything else; he couldn't. No one was supposed to know. The doctor had assured him that the cancer should've gone away within the first three chemo sessions, but clearly it hadn't. He opened his mouth but no words came out.
"You can take as much time as you need."
He nodded, still not trusting his voice.
"I'm here for you Chase, all of us are."
She meant it too. Her hospital staff was special, hand picked by Cuddy or one of her colleagues. But Chase had been picked by both herself and House. She took in the sight before her, trying to make an imprint of this Chase right now, before he changed anymore. He held back tears not yet visible. The last thing he wanted was for his boss and the dean of medicine to see him crying. She started jotting down a list of food on a piece of paper next to her computer.
"What are you doing?"
"I read that these foods help decrease your risk for cancer. You should try them."
She said handing Chase the paper.
"I already have cancer though."
She put a hand to her mouth, fighting her own tears.
"Just take this and get better, okay?"
He nodded again, feeling the parchment slide between his fingers and then safely tucked away in his denim pocket. He walked out of her office, wishing that House would be easier to deal with. He could wish right?
Standing in the elevator, he brushed his fingers against the plastic buttons. Ran his hands over the metal railing, wondering if the elevator would still look the same when or if he came back.
His stride quickened to the diagnostic department once the elevator pinged. He just wanted this day to be over with. Cameron and Foreman greeted him the same as everyday. Nothing had changed, why did he have to? He sat down at his normal spot and glided the crossword paperback out of his bag. An hour later House walked in. He tossed two files of the same patient onto the glass counter. When Chase went to grab for one House's cane hit Chase's hand.
"Oww!"
Cameron and Foreman gazed at the two for a second before reading the file. House pointed his cane to his office, following after Chase. Chase swallowed, he had to do this.