Disclaimer: I do not own House.
Chase let his pencil fall in exhaustion on top of the form he had been filling out. He closed his eyes and expelled a sigh as he ran his hands over his face. It was probably about time that he go and check on Samuel. He moved to get up when his door burst open with a fiery, little woman headed straight for him.
"You have a son?" Park questioned angrily.
"What?"
"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about, Adams told me everything." Park pointed toward Adams who had rushed in behind her.
"She asked me about the baby," Adams defended, "I had to tell her."
"Yes, she told me. Now the question is why didn't you tell me. You told Adams and asked for her help, but did you even consider asking me?"
Now Chase was angry, "Look, I wasn't going to tell anybody but Adams happened to be there and I figured that I needed help."
"So why was I left in the dark?"
"I just found out myself so I didn't really consider making it public information. I don't even know if he's mine yet."
That seemed to calm Parks down a little bit. "Oh. Sorry."
"I was going to go check in him now. Would you like to come and meet him?"
Park nodded, "Sure."
Chase walked toward the door and held it for the two women. He gestured for them to go through first. As Adams passed through behind Park he gave her a somewhat frustrated look while she sent him an apologetic smile. He rolled his eyes but couldn't help the smile that tugged at his lips.
They walked in the hallways and rode the elevator in silence. When they finally made it to the nursery Chase turned to his team. "I am going to be taking a DNA sample from him while we're here so this is going to be a quick visit."
The two doctors nodded at him. Chase led them into the nursery and greeted the nurse on duty. "Hello Gladys. I just came to see how Samuel is doing."
Gladys smiled, "Oh he's doing just fine Dr. Chase. He's been such a good boy, so quiet and friendly."
"That's good to hear."
The nurse led them over to a play pen where Samuel was crawling around with one other baby. She lifted him out and into Chase's arms. "Here you go. I'm going to go check on the kids that are coloring and I'll be right back."
When the nurse walked away Chase turned toward Park. "Park this is Samuel James Lamb."
Park look confused, "Lamb? Why not Chase?"
"Well if Adams told you the whole story then she would have told you that Samuel's mom was planning on raising him alone. I only found out about him after her death."
"So she gave him her last name."
"Exactly."
"Well, will you change it…you know…if he's yours?"
"I haven't really thought about it." He looked over at Adams. "We didn't even talk about that did we."
Adams shook her head, "It hadn't crossed my mind, but it is something you might want to consider."
Park looked between the two doctors. "So…can I hold him?"
"Oh, yeah." Chase placed Samuel in Park's outstretched arms. He made sure he was secure enough before pulling away. "It'll actually be easier to get the sample with both my hands free."
Park began to coo at the baby in her arms in an attempt to make him laugh. When he finally did laugh Chase used the chance to swab the inside of his cheeks gently. Samuel gave him a curious look before returning his attention to Park and her silly faces. Chase put the swab in a small plastic baggie.
When the nurse approached them Chase said, "Thank you Gladys, for everything. We should be getting back to work now but I'll be back later to pick him up."
With Samuel now in her arms, Gladys said her goodbye's to the three doctors and turned to put Samuel back in the playpen.
"He's adorable Chase," Park said once they were out of the nursery.
"Thank you…or…well thank you." Chase felt a tug at his chest. He had to hesitate because he still wasn't sure if Samuel was his. Why then, did he feel this odd sensation in his chest at the thought that he might not be. He had only known Samuel for two days but he could already feel his attachment growing. Life would be much easier if it turned out he was the father, but if he wasn't….
"Let's get back to our case."
"We should drop off the DNA sample first," Adams suggested.
"Right."
"We should swab for your sample as well."
"I do have another swab with me. Let's just do it in this room." Chase led them into one of the empty rooms in the clinic to give them some privacy. He didn't need the whole hospital knowing that he was taking a paternity test with a baby he didn't even know existed a few days ago.
Park stopped at the door, "Actually I think I should check on the patient now. We told him we would check on him and I think it's been long enough."
Adams nodded, "Okay, we'll see you up there after we drop off the samples."
Park nodded and closed the door before she walked away. Adams turned back toward Chase and held out her hand. He looked at her hand in confusion.
"Swab?"
"Oh. Here." He passed her the swab and a plastic baggie.
Adams put on a pair of latex gloves and Chase raised an eyebrow at her. "You can never be too careful." She smiled, "Besides, it's procedure."
He let out a snort. "Whatever you say Dr. Adams."
"Hey don't mock me, I'm doing you a favor."
"You're right. I'm sorry."
She looked at him, suspicious of his apology before tilting his chin up toward the light. "Open wide." He complied and she swabbed at the inside of his cheek. Feeling the stubble from his jaw against her soft hands caused a buzz to surge through her body. Even in such an awkward position, being this close to him caused desire seep through her.
Adams watched the swab rub against the inside of his cheek and imagined how it would feel to have her tongue explore the depths of his mouth. Realizing she was lost in her thoughts, she pulled back with a jolt.
Chase reached out and caught her elbow to steady her. "What's the matter?"
Adams took a breath, "Nothing." She thought quickly in an attempt to save her self. "I…your beard stubble pricked my finger and it startled me."
"Oh. Sorry."
She had to think of something to change the subject. "Chase, if it turns out he's not yours…?"
"Custody will go to his grandparents down in Florida."
"And how do you feel about that?"
Chase thought for a moment before answering, "It's what's best for him."
"Yes but-"
"There's no 'buts' about it. I've known this from the moment that that social worker told me about him. I knew there was a possibility he wasn't mine."
Adams decided to accept his answer. She placed the swab in the plastic baggie. "We should go get these to the lab."
Chase nodded and followed her out of the room. They made their way to the elevator in silence. They got onto the elevator with a few other people. After a few quick stops, they were alone again. They rode in silence for a little while longer before Adams broke the silence.
"I really do hope you're his father."
The elevator pinged and the doors opened on their floor. Adams walked off and Chase watched her walk away before following. One thought wiggled its way into his mind before he got off the elevator. I hope so too.
A/N: Yay! I actually posted this in a timely manner! Go me! Okay that's enough self praise. What did you think of the chapter?
I figured that while this story is a romance it is also about the possibility that Chase is a father. We needed to see how he really felt about this possibility. In my experience, DNA tests usually take a day or two, but if you know something I don't please let me know. As I said before I have limited knowledge about medical science…well science in general.
Thanks again for all of the alerts, favorites, and reviews. Most of all thanks for reading! I really appreciate it.
Until next time...
Peace, love, and all of the above.
~Renthead015
