Author's Note: Oh, the drama. This plot bunny came to be due to Shipper's review (thank you for it, dear) and it's a prime opportunity to get rid of Chase so I took it. No one's going to die or anything really bad like that but it will be a little intense. As always, Hameron sweetness will make it better.

Disclaimer: "Honestly, it's not mine!"

"Allison! Allison, open the door!"

Chase. A drunk and very angry sounding Chase. Fortunately, she had locked the deadbolt too so it would be a couple of minutes before he could kick the door in like he was obviously trying to. Picking up Noah and putting his carrier safely in her bedroom, she sent a mass text to her family and Greg as she hunkered down next to him, tucking a blanket around him as he napped…

Crazed kangaroo at my apt. Scared for Noah's safety. Call 911 and get over here ASAP.

The abused door finally gave way and she got her bat out from under the bed, holding it protectively as she crept into the hallway. Dimly, she wished that she was wearing something a little sturdier than Greg's Pink Floyd shirt and yoga pants but she pushed that thought away. If Chase hurt her then that was fine but he would not lay a hand on Noah or she'd end him like she should've let Greg all those months ago.

He came into the hallway and she winced. He reeked of Cuervo and his hair looked worse than Einstein's. What scared her was the dead look in his eyes. This disheveled man was four sheets to the wind and consumed by jealous rage, all logic gone.

"That's far enough, Chase. What do you want?"

"What do I want? What do I want? After everything we've been through together, that's all you have to say to me?" he roared while shattering a small vase in the hall.

Noah fussed at the noise and she glared at him icily, even as she slowly backed away. She didn't want to hurt him but she would. Drunk people were unpredictable and babies were never safe with them around.

"Chase, we had one night of drug laced and awful sex. We didn't exactly celebrate our golden anniversary. Hell, we didn't even celebrate our paper one. Back up!", she warned as he advanced forward.

"Or what? You'll call your precious cripple to protect you?" he sneered as he made to grab her.

The bat connected with his right shoulder and he went to his knees, giving her an opening to press the bat into his windpipe.

"I don't need House or anyone else to protect me. I don't know what you came over here for tonight but I do know this: You're not hurting me and you are certainly not hurting my nephew. Back. Up.", she emphasized with two jabs into his Adam's apple.

She could hear sirens approaching as he stood up shakily and she felt ill at the devastating heartbreak in his gaze. One thing that she would always regret was their night together. Not only because it was bad (well, not bad but certainly not as earth shattering as he found it) but because it was cruel. Her stupid actions had given Chase hope for more and that more just didn't belong to him.

It belonged to the man yelling for her (and at the "incompetent asses" or cops) in the hallway.

"I'm okay, Greg!"

"Why?" Chase asked plaintively as two cops picked him up. "Why pick him, of all people? I don't understand…"

"I don't, either." she replied honestly. "It just happened that way. I'm sorry. Gentlemen, put him in the drunk tank and let him sober up. I'll make my decision on whether to press charges afterwards."

Greg came in quickly and scooped her up in a tighter than a vice hug, ignoring everything and everyone but her. Allison dropped the bat and leaned her head on his chest, taking comfort in his steady heartbeat and musky manly smell.

"Are you and Noah okay?"

She nodded and watched as Noah was given to his very relieved parents and uncles and auntie. Reluctantly pulling away from Greg, she approached them sheepishly, looking down at her toes like back in the day when she thought she disappointed her siblings. Some babysitter, she was! What with crazy, door kicking, vase throwing marsupials all over the place…

"Andi, I'm sorry. If I had known Chase would come after me…"

"Rubbish. It's not your fault that he's unhinged and you protected him quite well. Your Auntie Allie's a brave one, sweetie…yes, she is…" Andi cooed to her gurgling and giggling son.

Phil and the other lads nearly broke her in two with their own hugs and Miri pressed a fond kiss to her brow like when they were girls. It really was okay. She looked up from her feet and Greg thrust an overfilled duffel in her hands.

"You are coming home with me." he ordered in his no nonsense tone from work.

Even though his tone was harsh, his eyes were not. He had obviously been very worried about her and wanted her close to him.

"Yes, Dr. House." she replied meekly, looking up through her lashes at him like before.

A quick smile tugged at his lips and he ushered her out quickly, a protective hand on her back.

That protective hand remained there until morning.