So when your hope's on fire
But you know your desire
Don't hold a glass over the flame
Don't let your heart grow cold
I will call you by name
I will share your road
- Hopeless Wanderer, Mumford and Sons
Two days later
Chase put his laptop in his bag so he was ready to go home for a few days until the next treatment and slowly he walked to the bathroom and got dressed. Slowly he put the jeans on, tired already and he sat down for a second. He was feeling a little better then two days ago, but he felt weak. He had lost a lot of weight during the treatment and he knew he looked terrible, but he wanted to carry on now so he would feel better soon, because if his mind was negative it would work just as bad on his body.
''Chase?'' He heard House in his room and quick he put his sweater on and walked back.
''Yeah?'' He asked as he put his glasses on and get ready to go to the diagnostics office, where he would stay a little longer because he liked to be there, it remembered him of old times, when he was not sick.
''How well are you feeling today?'' House asked as Chase lifted his bag up and Chase shrugged.
''Feeling okay, I guess.'' Chase said as he wanted to spend his day at the office. He knew he wasn't allowed to complain after the good news two days ago.
Maybe he could help them out a little bit a little bit in the office and work on his book.
''Well, if you feel good enough, let's get working on that bucket lists of yours.'' House said as he pointed at the notebook, the bucketlist upfront as he had added some things yesterday. Chase tucked it in his bag, his face red as he was afraid House would think the list was stupid. Instead house held up some keys.
''Guess who got his motorcycle all gassed up for a ride.''
Chase started to laugh, thinking House was joking but House looked very serious.
''I don't know if I can...my body hurts...''
''It's your decision.''
Suddenly he thought about the fact that Jeremy was dying not even a hallway away from him and realized he was lucky he still had the chance. He had even gotten another change with maybe twelve more months and slowly he reached out to the jacket laying on top of his back. His leather jacket and he put it on.
''Let's do this.''
They made their way outside and House handed him a helmet and Chase put on the sunglasses and the helmet and House sat down on the large, retro bike.
Chase carefully climbed on the bike and put his arms around House, tightly, afraid he would fall backwards and House also put his helmet on his head. He looked around.
''Are you ready?'' House yelled over the loud roaring of the motorbike and Chase nodded. Holding House tightly he braced himself as they drove from the parking lot and the motorbike suddenly drove away fast. Chase looked over House's shoulder as they drove onto the road and drove farther away.
The wind was brushing over his face as they drove over the road and the sun shone on his face. It felt so great to be outside of the hospital and they raced over the street out of Princeton. Chase raised one arm and cheered loud as he felt free, alive, as the bike rushed over the street and House honked the horn as they left Princeton and the sun finally got out it's hiding place behind the clouds. Chase kept his fist up and yelled again. He was alive and he had even gotten more time! He let go with his other hand and spread his arms against the wind but House stopped the bike.,
''You want to fall off and die?!'' House said mad but when he saw the euphoria on Chase's face he stopped talking and gave him a smile. Chase slowly got his hands back on House's jacket and they drove away again.
About two hours later they arrived at the coast and Chase was laughing as they got of the bike and cheered loud as he got the helmet off. He had always wanted to ride a bike but he never did after he had gotten a car and didn't have time anymore to ride a bike.
''Let's get something to drink, shall we?'' House proposed as they were close to a bar and Chase nodded, walked after him.
''A...coke and a water.'' House ordered. Usually he would have gone for a scotch, or at least a beer but not now Chase couldn't keep anything down but water and he didn't want to drink especially because he had to drive back with Chase on the back. For the first time ever, he felt some responsibility as he had to take Chase back.
Chase took his medication with the water and looked at House.
''This was so great. Thank you so much.''
''Told you we were going to do whatever you like. That is also a lot now that you got some good news.'' House smiled but Chase's smile disappeared as house said so.
''What is wrong?''
''It is...the trial gave me a nasty feeling after I heard about Jeremy. It's unfair that it worked for me and not for him.''
''I am so Chase, but you can't help it. Sometimes people get lucky and sometimes they don't.''
Chase nodded, looking at the wooden bar.
''It's not fair. He is only 18. He wants to become a lawyer and make something of his life. He liked going out with friends, drawing graffiti. A teen who should have the future of becoming a lawyer.'' Chase sniffed and mad he hit his fist on the bar.
''It's not fair! He is supposed to have a future, not die in a hospital bed before he even had his first legal beer and put a foot in college.''
House nodded understanding and laid his hand on Chase's shoulder.
''You are just a poor soul just like Jeremy. One day you will be dying in a hospital bed and without a future and it is just that unfair.'' House spoke honestly and Chase looked at house, just as mad.
''I am twenty-nine. I had somewhat of a life, he is eighteen, he never had a life!'' Chase said them happy and House nodded.
''But it is still unfair. Twenty-nine is so young.''
Chase was finally quiet until he ordered another water and shrugged.
''Life is unfair I guess.'' Chase said then and House nodded.
''You know, I didn't read everything on your list. I didn't want to because it was your list and I don't want to get you upset as it is yours. Just the first things. New york on New Year's eve should be amazing and we did this today. We are going to do everything you want.''
At first Chase was confused House was not the manipulative bastard anymore but that he actually seemed to care about Chase and his feelings for once and Chase looked worried.
''What if I die before the new year?''
''You won't because you have to promise me you will see your thirtieth year on this earth and if I am right your birthday is on January third.''
Chase nodded. ''I promise.''
''Good, because there are so many things we still got to do. Like driving back to Princeton for instance.'' House said and Chase nodded and got up. ABout two hours later they arrived back at the hospital and House went to get his bag from the office. Chase walked to the office to take his stuff so he could go home, but then he saw Jeremy's father approaching him. He stopped walking as the man stopped standing in front of him. His eyes were read and the dad had been crying. Scared Chase looked at him and he closed the door he was opening.
''I...I got something for you...you are Robert Chase, right?''
Chase nodded and took the envelope the dad held out for him and he looked at the small note in his hands.
''Jeremy made it for you.'' The dad sniffed and Chase opened the envelope and took the paper out, looked at the nice graffiti drawing that was in there. The lines were done with a dark marker and the last letters were not coloured, but it was clear the letters said Don't Give Up and Robert looked at it, his eyes filling with tears as it was so meaningful that the boy made it to him.
''Can I thank him tomorrow, in person?'' Chase asked as he put it back in the envelope, afraid it would get crumbled or damaged and he looked back at the dad, whom started to cry again.
''Jeremy passed away this afternoon...''
NOTE: Can Chase overcome the death of the person he had hoped that would outlive him? Will it scatter his hope in the trial and make him do stupid things? Will he break his promise to House about making it to his birthday?
Thank you so much for reading I hope you liked this chapter and thought it was realistic. Please leave a reviews and tell me what you thought and maybe what you hope to see in the story!