"So, where did we leave off?"

Chase had never been so relieved to see House walk through the door of his office, it had been days since he'd seen him and it was nice to see him in such a good mood, and looking so healthy. The diagnostician had been sent home to finish his recovery a few days after the incident and Chase had suggested that he go with him, but House denied him the opportunity, saying he needed some time alone. It had honestly frightened the Australian, making him feel like he had pushed the older man away with his forwardness, making him wonder if he shouldn't have been so honest; but he couldn't help saying that he needed him, because he really did. He told himself it could have been that House was just embarrassed, that his pride was shot, which was certainly an ironic situation where figurative speech lined up with literal circumstances. It sort of made him chuckle now that he thought about it, which caused him to receive an eyebrow raise from House, which in turn made him grin and blush. Chase had missed him so much, he had hated not working with the older doctor, he hated going about his day and not seeing him at all; work was dull and boring without the stubborn and obnoxious man. But even though this was a happy moment he couldn't help worrying things were different between them, once again he was confused about their relationship.

"Do you mean before the crazed psycho came in?" Foreman asked, unable to keep from snickering.

House gave him a sarcastic oh-you're-clever look before letting his gaze flicker over to Chase; he briefly thought about how precious that man's bashful smile was, but he also wondered what was going through his head, why he wasn't talking at all. He narrowed his eyes at the blond, smirking playfully, silently telling him he was watching him. "Come on people, it's time to get down to business, we've had enough time to slack off," he said as he spun around to get some coffee.

"You don't have your cane," Cameron's surprised voice rang out.

It was true, he didn't have his cane, and everyone had been too preoccupied with seeing him back to even notice, until now. House looked down at his leg with a mock gasp, "Oh no, I thought I was holding it this whole time!" He went back to making his coffee without another word. Chase just stared, he didn't have a cane... Did that mean he wasn't in pain anymore? His face lit up, that was great! But then his face fell. What if he didn't need him anymore? What if now that he felt better he would go out and find someone else? He brought his fingers up to his mouth and chewed on them nervously, never taking his eyes off House's waist area, making it look like he was totally checking out his ass.

Suddenly House turned around with a sharp, "Chase!" causing the Australian to jump and lift his gaze up to his boss's intense stare, looking almost scared, "Why don't you fill me in? What did I miss?" he stared at the blond expectantly, stirring his coffee leisurely with a stir stick.

Chase gaped at him with round eyes, stuttering, of course he had to be the one to tell him. Cameron gave him a funny look, not surprisingly, and Foreman raised a brow at his stammering and hesitation, all while House simply watched him with narrowed eyes, being more patient than usual. Finally he got his composure together, straightening his posture and clearing his throat, "Forty-five year old man has brain cancer; he drove his electric wheelchair into the family pool. His wife thinks he was trying to kill himself."

Without taking his eyes off of the younger doctor House carefully took a sip of his coffee; then, letting his hand fall back down, he licked his lips, "Interesting."

...

It had been a long day and it was finally coming to a close which both relieved and disappointed Chase, disappointed him because he hadn't been able to speak one word to House. It wasn't like House had been avoiding or ignoring him, at least he didn't want to think that, the older man was just far too eager to move around that it was hard to catch him at a down time. And Chase couldn't be too upset, it was so nice seeing the other man so happy and active; if he couldn't take his eyes off him before he definitely couldn't now, the man was fucking sexy, sexier than before now that he had this boost in confidence. Chase told himself he'd try talking to him again tomorrow as he waited for the elevator doors to open. When they did he stepped in and, just as he turned around to press the button for the first floor, he came face to face with the man that was just on his mind. He quickly pushed the button before drawing back nervously as House stepped beside him and turned to face the doors as well. It was silent as the doors closed, the tension, undetectable as sexual or awkward, but most likely both, almost suffocating. It was a second before Chase could speak, and when he did his voice came out in a meek whisper, his gaze downcast, "Did you not get my calls or were you just ignoring them?" As Chase waited for an answer House just stared ahead, chewing on his bottom lip, not bothering to even glance at him, it was wasn't something he wanted to talk about just yet. When the answer didn't come Chase grew impatient, his frustration evident in his tone, "Would you bloody talk to me?" the man was driving him crazy.

House ignored the outburst, trying his best to keep his expression passive until they reached their floor. As soon as the elevator came to a stop he leapt in front of Chase and quickly pressed a button to keep the doors from opening, causing the elevator to halt completely, trapping them inside. Before the blond could even wonder what was going on, his expression already one of confusion due to the sudden movement, House had spun around, grabbing hold of him, and slammed him against the side of the elevator, pinning him against it hard; then his lips were on his, kissing him roughly. A muffled sound escaped from Chase's mouth into the older man's, not only from surprise but because it was so goddamn arousing. House's grip on his arms was barely bearable and the deepness of the kiss made the Australian's legs weak, an erection already sprouting within his trousers as he kissed back the best he could. He'd been needing this for days now, it was so incredibly hot. But before he could really get into it House was pulling away, breathing heavily, looking just as aroused as he was; then he spoke three husky words, "Race you home." He didn't give Chase a chance to respond before he moved backwards and pressed the button again, making the doors open; and then, with his stunned Intensivist watching him, he turned and walked swiftly through the lobby.

Chase was breathless, he couldn't move as he followed House out of the building with his eyes, he had actually hoped the older doctor would get him off right there in the elevator, but he supposed it wouldn't have been the best place for them to share such an intimate moment, not for their first time anyway. Finally he took a deep breath and pushed himself from the wall, smoothing himself out and hoping no one would notice how frazzled he was as he walked through the lobby. Well, he thought, he knew where he was going tonight.