Disclaimer: don't own either ER or House, wishful thinking… but whatever.

A/N: I got flamed, but I'm going to keep writing anyways. Sorry bout the A/N on the last one…I forgot to change it. So, onwards.

Later that day

"Why are you doing this to yourself?" asked Ray. Chase had filled him in on the situation, and now they were taking lunch on the roof of the hospital, talking about House.

"For the first time, he sounded sincere. He's trying and…I don't know."

"You think he cares?"

"He wouldn't be trying this hard if he didn't. The only times I've seen him like this are on the cases, the rally hard cases. He doesn't try when it comes to people, at least not like this."

"Look, Chase, I don't know this guy, I don't really know you, and I don't claim to be an expert in any sense, but I'm going to tell you this, as a friend; if he's trying to hurt you, you don't need that. You have us now, and we'll take care of you. Abby, Neela, Sam, Luca, everyone. Don't let him push you around. And if you need anything, anything at all, don't hesitate to call."

"Thanks, Ray. I wouldn't do this if I thought it was wrong. I need to make a call, I'll see you downstairs?"

"Hey, no problem." Ray gave Chase a quick hug and headed off, but stopped in the doorway. "Is anything he says going to make a difference?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you going to go back just because he apologises, says he cares and it won't happen again?"

"I don't know, Ray. I rather like it here. I'd hate to loose all this."

"And we'd hate to loose you." And ray headed back in. Chase dialled his cell, two rings and a friendly nurse answered.

"Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital, how can I direct your call?"

"Oncology Department, Dr. James Wilson please?"

"Absolutely, I'll page him for you if you'll hold a second."

"Thank you." It took a minute and a half for Wilson to pick up the phone in hi office.

"Dr. Wilson here."

"Wilson, its-"

"Chase," said Wilson, recognising his voice instantly, "how are you?"

"Pretty good. Can I ask you a quick question?"

"Sure."

"Is House serious? He called today and before I put myself through the hell that House inflicts, I want to know if it's going to be worth it." Wilson sighed; he was tired of being the mediator.

"Chase, he's confused, he's unsure and he can't deal with that. Hear him out, okay?"

"Alright. Wilson, what should I do?"

"About?"

"He's going to want me to come back, I'm not sure I want to."

"Chase, I know this won't be much help, but do what you think is right, don't let him walk all over you, and don't say good-bye on a sour note."

"Alright…thank you."

"You're welcome." Chase hung up and took a couple deep breaths before he headed back inside. The day was stressful and seemed longer then usual.

When he got home, house was sitting on his step, sober. Houses smiled as Chase walked up the steps.

"Hey," said House, Chase nodded.

"We set the ground rules here," he said.

"Alright, can we avoid you pushing me again?" asked House, popping a vicaden. He regretted the words the second they left his mouth and Chase's look spoke volumes.

"Sorry," said House.

"No contact. Don't touch me, don't even think about it."

"Alright. No-"

"I set the rules. No yelling, no threats and I say when it's over. Alright?"

"Alright." Chase opened the door and let house in. House waited until Chase told him to sit to move from the doorway. Chase dropped his stuff on the counter and put on the coffee.

"Chase?" called House from the living room.

"Did you want a coffee?"

"Um…sure. Can you come here?" Chase came back with a coffee in each hand. He handed one to house and sat across from House.

"What do you want?" Chase asked. House took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts, trying to sort fact from emotion.

"I…I'm sorry. I need to say that first. I care, I do, it's just…" house looked at Chase, who was staring at his coffee. House had the urge to poke him with his cane and tall him to pay attention, but he didn't. "Wilson told me I'm scared, of commitment, of getting hurt, of hurting you." Chase looked up.

"He did?"

"Yeah. And, in a sense, he's right. Look, I'm not good at the whole feelings thing, never have been. What I do know is I was wrong."

"Apologizing and saying you're wrong doesn't change anything. You know that."

"Chase, I'm trying, I really am." House's voice got a little louder, he was getting frustrated.

"You don't even know what you did, do you?" Chase wanted it to end; nothing was going to change so why bother?

"Then tell me!" House broke the rule, he yelled. Chase stood up and house thought it was over. He stared at the floor, resting his forehead on the top of his cane and waiting for the inevitable, but Chase didn't tell him to leave, he just stood there.

"You have everything I ever wanted, and you take it for granted. Family, power, respect, and I don't know, I guess…" House looked up, trying to read the look on Chase's face, but he couldn't.

"You don't know why you left everything behind?"

"You. I left you behind. I can't believe that after everything we've been through I did leave, and after everything you've done, I stayed as long as I did."

"That hurts."

"House, you gave me every reason to love you, and you have me every reason to leave. You gave me the job because me father told you too, you snooped through my past and my personal life. You kept secrets from me and intentionally did whatever you could to hurt me."

"Not intentionally-"

"Yes, you pushed me away and I don't know why, but one day I looked at my life and said, 'he wants me gone'. House, we had something, but that was years ago now. Whatever it was, it's gone now."

"No, it's not."

"Yes it is. I guess I figured that you wanted me gone, because you kept pushing me. And now, I don't know what to do." Chase sunk back into his seat, resting his head in his hands.

"How can I-"

"You can't. Please, House, just go," Chase said without looking up.

"I only pushed you because I didn't want to get hurt, I didn't want to hurt you. I…I guess I failed at both. I'm sorry."

"So am I." Chase looked up again, tears filling his eyes.

"Are you coming home?"

"House, this is home."

A/N: Don't Panic! I'm not done yet! More to come.