Christmas Shoes- Fairy Tales Don't Exist

chapter 9

"........................here it is! rejoice! please r&r! its appreciated!"

Chase stared at April as she slept through the tests. Normally, the hospital wouldn't allow the parents to watch, but since Chase was a doctor, they allowed it. He wasn't allowed in the lab, but Chase understood and accepted that.................

In the Lab.............

Cameron and Foreman concentrated on the tests the best they could, but it became difficult after a while.

"So............what do you think of what Chase did? I mean, adopting a child who's going to die?" Foreman asked.

"I think it was for the best. The agency wouldn't allow the treatment, but Chase would.................and did. Now she can live at least until the end of this month." Cameron answered, sounding distracted.

"Well, I don't think that he should've done it. Chase is only becoming attached to her, and its not healthy." he said.

"It doesn't matter what Chase does, you're gong to think it was wrong. You don't like Chase, I know. But cut him some slack! You've screwed up way worse, so does that give me permission to hate you?" Cameron snapped.

"Aren't you in a great mood." Foreman mumbled.

Cameron put down the slide that was in her hand and walked over to Foreman.

"Um.......yeah. I'm pissed off! But I have a right to be! Chase is trying to be responsible; trying to give a kid a little bit more time to laive! And you're over here acting like he's a monster! He's not doing this for himself! He is doing for April!" Cameron shouted.

Foreman glared at Cameron, then turned back to the tests.

"I still don't see why we're doing this. We know what April has. How can this help? We're just wasting time now." Foreman mumbled.

Cameron ignored him as she continued with the testing............................

The hallway outside April's room

Chase was where he was when House had last checked on him. He was beginning to worry. Chase was always watching over April, and House worried that Chase was becoming too attached to the dying girl. House understood that Chase was already attached to her, but he thought that Chase needed to get out of the hospital for once.

House decided that Chase would get out of the hospital today. And since April was still sleeping, Chase had no reason to turn down his offer.

"Hey, Chase. Let's go take a walk." House offered as he put a hand on Chase's shoulder.

Chase glanced at April one last time, and then looked at House.

"Sure." he whispered.

House started walking toward the front doors of the hospital, and Chase quickly followed behind him.

They walked silently in the direction of the park at a slow pace. House started to think about the events that had happened the last few days..........

(flashback)

Chase stayed by April's bedside at this point. Her condition has worsened; her eyesight gone, she couldn't walk, she was hard hearing, and was always tired.

It was killing Chase, and House knew it. This was very hard for Chase, and you could see that in his eyes. He tried his best not to cry around April, but sometimes, he couldn't stop teardrops from streaking down his eyes. April started crying with him most of the time, but you could tell it wasn't because she was dying. Chase was weakening, too. And she didn't think that was fair. April didn't want Chase to feel this way, and she was beginning to feel guilty. Chase tried to reassure her, but his efforts were wasted. The guilt still overwhelmed her.

Ever since she became in her recent state, Chase never left her. He waited and hoped one day she would start talking, walking, and hearing again, but he knew his hope was blunt and unrealistic. April was dying and it was too late to save her. Chase stroked April's hair, and started crying once again.

House watched the sad scene through the glass walls, and felt a tear escape his own eye. He couldn't enter the room, because he knew this was the only good bye Chase would be able to give her, and even this wasn't enough.

House didn't think that it was fair. Why did this have to happen to Chase? Why did it have to end so badly? Why didn't she deserve a happy ending? He didn't know the answers, but then again, what would the answers accomplish? It wouldn't change anything, and House knew that.

House looked once more at the scene, and then headed to the hospital's piano...................

(flashback over)

Chase looked at the grass that was covered in white snow;trying not to collapse on the snow right then and there and break into tears. He couldn't do that,though, not here, not now. He only wished he could, but he sill couldn't help but stumble every now and then.

House sat down on a bench close to a leaf-less tree that was covered in snow, and Chase sat down,too.

There was a few minutes of silence as they avoided all eye contact and prepared themselves for a sensitive talk.

"So, how is Isabelle?" House asked.

"I wouldn't know, she's still in Australia." Chase answered emotionless.

House reached in his coat pocket and handed a letter to Chase.

Chase took the letter, but didn't look at it.

"What's this?'' he asked.

"If you opened it, you would know." House answered.

Chase looked at the letter and noticed that it was already opened. He didn't waste time telling House about his theory that he opened it, bevause he knew it would accomplish nothing. Instead, he just opened it.

Dear Robert,

It's been too long, and I miss you too much. I can no longer stay away. I must come and see you. Don't worry, I know here you live. Your step mother told me. I only wish that you would've told me, but that doesn't matter now. Robert, I'm on my way to America right now. Expect me in New Jersey by the New Year. Feel free to give me a call. I know you still have my number memorized.

Yours Truly,

Isabelle

Chase folded the letter up, and put it away. He couldn't help but smile.

"Ah, how long has it been? I haven't heard from Isabella for ages!" he laughed.

House smiled, glad that his decision to give Chase the letter was a good choice.

"So, you do love her." House said with a smile.

"House, I don't really care if you taunt me for the rest of my life by saying this. I'm in love!" he exclaimed with a smile.

Chase laughed as if everything bad that had recently happened, hadn't happened at all.

House took in the scene of Chase's happiness with a smile. It was a sad truth, but he knew the happiness wouldn't last very long...................

"....................ta-da! see, i am capable of giving chase happiness! though im going to crush his spirits very soon................i still made him........and house!...........happy! i really hope you liked it! please r&r!''