A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I had a move and I'm right in the middle of buying a place. Things are crazy! This chapter is short, but it sets up a few things. Hope you enjoy! Please review if you like!


He's been in Dr. Wilson's office before. Many times, in fact. But he's usually on the couch in the corner or standing by the desk while House or Foreman or Cameron argues their case. He's never been in the chair directly across from the desk.

Wilson is sighing on the other side of the desk and shuffling papers into a pile. He hasn't said anything since they both sat down but Chase isn't going to break the silence.

Two years ago, his father sat in this very chair and listened to Dr. Wilson confirm his terminal diagnosis. Chase wonders if Dr. Wilson feels a sense of deja vu towards the circumstances. There's a certain poetry to it. Chase had fought so hard to understand his father in life, never quite succeeding. All it took was a potentially life-threatening illness.

Dr. Wilson clears his throat. "Dr. Chase?"

"Robert is fine."

"Okay. Robert." Dr. Wilson nods and gives what seems to be a well-designed, reassuring smile. "I wish this meeting were under better circumstances."

Chase snorts. "So do I," he says under his breath and immediately feels contrite. This isn't Dr. Wilson's fault. "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it. You're under an unbelievable amount of stress right now and being a little short with people stating obvious things is completely forgivable." Wilson pauses but Chase has nothing else to say. "Dr. Norcini sent over your records and I've reviewed them. It's a pretty clear case of Hodgkin's, Robert. Now, I'm happy to be your doctor if you'd like, but if you'd feel more comfortable with one of the other attendings, I'd understand. My relationship with House makes things a little... tricky."

Chase nods. "No, I want you." There's the fact that Wilson is board certified in both radiation and medical oncology. But more important is the fact that his father had trusted Dr. Wilson. "If you'll have me. I know you're very busy."

Wilson sighs. "I'm never too busy to help a colleague. Have you told anyone? Your family?"

It's Chase's turn to sigh. "No. I've got a great-aunt in Prague, but seeing as I met her once when I was 8, I don't think it would be quite relevant. It's just me. I--I haven't told anyone from work yet."

"I'm not sure how long I could keep this from House. You may want to think about telling him. And start arranging some time off." Chase nods and Dr. Wilson continues. "Your biopsy showed at least two nodes affected, but we'll need to do additional testing to see what other areas might be involved."

"Pet scan?"

"For a beginning, yes. You're symptomatic, so I'd like to be thorough and aggressive. We'll probably want to do a bone marrow biopsy, depending on the results of the pet scan and Dr. Norcini noted your spleen is slightly enlarged, so a laparatomy or splenectomy is a possibility. But I'd like to avoid that if possible and I'm sure you would too."

It's strange to hear familiar tests and procedures laid out for him. Frightening, really. Chase had known what the likely course of testing would be, but this makes it real. "Right." Wilson seems to be waiting for more of a response. "I--what's the time frame for these tests?"

Chase knows of course, what the answer will be, but he plays his part anyway. "Well, the sooner the better. I'd like to get you in for a thorough history and physical next week. Monday, I think. I'd like to schedule the PET scan for next week as well, but we'll have to check on the availability of the scanner."

Chase nods again. "And after that?"

"We'll see. I can't make any definitive statements about treatment options until we have more information, but since you're already symptomatic, chemo and radiation are both indicated. Your blood counts are not great, but not horrible." Dr. Wilson flips through the file once more before he closes it and turns all his attention to Chase. "I know you're probably overwhelmed right now, Robert. But Hodgkin's is probably one of the most curable cancers. It's going to be really bad for a while, but it will get better."

"Thanks." Chase stares at his hands and swallows hard. There's a headache forming at his temples and a curl of nausea in his stomach. He feels Dr. Wilson staring at him, but can't look up, not now. The knot in his throat is getting harder to swallow by the second.

"Are you okay, Robert?" When Chase doesn't answer, Dr. Wilson slowly moves to the chair next to Chase and puts a hand on his shoulder. "I know we're not really friends but I'd like to be there for you. If you'd let me."

Chase takes a deep breath and finally looks up. "I can't ask you to do that. I appreciate the offer, but I'll be fine."

Wilson seems to hesitate, like he knows Chase is lying but wants to take the out anyway. "I don't doubt that. But even the strongest person needs a support system at a time like this, okay? You might want to consider telling some friends."

"I will," Chase readily replies with no real intention of telling anyone.

"And you need to tell House. He's going to find out anyway and it's probably better if he hears it from you. He's not above breaking into my office for files." Wilson takes his hand off Chase's shoulder and smiles. "You're going to get through this, Robert."