A/N: This is it. The last chapter. Sort of. This is the sad ending. As promised I will post both endings that I wrote. I don't know if which one I like better. I have lost people to the fight against cancer, and have had friends and family beat it. That is the reason for both endings. Thanks again to all who read. I don't know if I'm going to do more writing or more posting. If you have followed me, I will let you know that I am working (struggling) with two more Measured Steps pieces and a sequel to The Truth About Oz. If anyone is interested in helping me, please let me know.
One Year Later
James Wilson stood looking out over the horizon. He never thought he'd be here. Ask him a year ago and this would never have crossed his mind. He had Robert Chase to thank for that.
One year today, Robert Chase had passed away. At age 31, he had lost his fight with cancer.
Wilson could still remember the day as if it was yesterday.
He had gone home that night after talking to Chase. When he got in the next morning Chase was on a respirator and his heart had stopped twice during the night. House had the power of attorney and made the medical decision to let Chase go. At this point Chase was technically a vegetable. He had gone too long that night with out oxygen. The nurse in charge that night had already been let go, and the other nurses on duty were suspended for three days as punishment for not responding fast enough.
They had gathered in Chase's room before pulling the plug on the machines keeping him alive. It didn't take long for the flat line to appear. The five of them stood in silence for close to ten minutes before Cuddy spoke. "I expect you to take the rest of the week off." And then she left.
Cameron opened her mouth to say something and ran out instead.
"I have clinic hours." House finally said and he too left.
"I'll help you." Foreman said going to unhook Chase from all the monitors.
"Thanks."
Chase had been thoughtful and spelled out exactly what was to be done with his remains. He had asked to be cremated and to have his ashes spread out in the sea near his house in Australia. He left certain items to different people in his life. Everything else was left to Wilson to do with as he wished. What ever no one wanted he asked for it to be sold or donated. He had left his money to the hospital in the form of a grant for Cuddy to do with as she wished.
Cuddy had eagerly used the money to create a new ICU wing and named it the Robert Chase wing.
They had held a ceremony once Wilson contacted the friends that Chase had listed in his will. After the ceremony Wilson, Cameron, House, Foreman and Chase's friends all went back to Chase's apartment to share stories of Chase. His friends, especially his friend Tim, had some great storied of Chase from his youth. They had stayed awake all night to share stories. Chase's friends seemed happy that 'Rob' had made a life for himself in New Jersey and had people who took care of him. They spent the following week together honoring Chase's memory by sharing stories.
Cameron had done exactly as Wilson expected. When she came back to work after a week away it was only to hand in a resignation letter and to empty her locker. Last Wilson heard she was back home working as a receptionist in a pediatrician's office.
Foreman finished his fellowship with House and immediately left to go back home to be with his sick mother. Last anyone heard he had opened a private practice of neurology and was doing well for himself.
House had started going through fellows again like tissues. None lasted longer than 3 months. It wasn't all their fault. House had lost his student and couldn't find any that could measure up.
As for Wilson, he kept the apartment that he shared with Chase. It seemed that Chase had spoken to his landlord before he passed and transferred the lease to Wilson's name, so there was no problem with Wilson staying there. At work Wilson carried on like usual. He had no choice. He lost patients all the time. But in the quiet of the apartment he would miss the sound of Chase's accent or the clanging of dishes when Chase was well enough to eat. Luckily, Chase's friends took most of the pictures with them. Some they left behind for Chase's family in New Jersey.
Wilson had done exactly what Chase wanted and slowly started selling his possessions. House took the guitar and music. Cameron and Foreman took some pictures and books. The furniture he kept. The sports equipment was sold. The clothing was donated.
The only thing left was the scattering of ashes. It took about a year before Wilson was ready to say goodbye to his friend. He really regretted not getting to know Chase before he got sick. House had accompanied him to this final task. They stood together watching the sunset over the water. It was a scene from a postcard with the oranges, pinks, and blues all melding together.
Grasping the urn to his chest one more time Wilson closed his eyes. He didn't care if House saw tears running down his cheeks. Luckily House remained quiet. Opening the urn he over turned it. "Goodbye my friend. Travel well." A gust of wind came by at that moment and blew the ashes out over the water before they touched the sand.
"Bye Robert." Wilson and House both said together.
