Title: A Necessary Burden
Chapter 10 – Total Eclipse of the Heart
A/N: Wow when this started out as a one shot I never expected to get to 10 chappies (a real milestone for me in this fandom) but b/c you all have liked this story soooo much (your reviews ROCK by the way!) it's kept my muse wanting to find ways to extend the Chase angst-hurt/House comfort a bit longer so we came up with a few more and hope that's okay.
"I want to know if Dr. House told you the real reason he came to get you?"
"I don't have…" Chase starts as his father quickly interjects.
"To get back at me, that's why. He's made a mockery of your feelings and I would like to know why you allow him to…"
"I told you I didn't want to stay in that prison any longer," Chase argues back.
"You've always made it difficult for me to…love you."
"What? Me?" Chase's voice lightly stammers. "I only ever wanted your love and attention as a child and all I ever learned was I was a burden. How was that my fault?"
"I taught you to be self-sufficient and successful. Emotional people are not successful."
"I don't have to listen to…"
"Just like now you never wanted to hear the truth," Rowan offers another manipulative lie.
"Here I feel wanted."
"Really? You think Dr. House actually cares about you? Has he ever told you that to your face? I'll bet you twice my yearly salary it's just a sad fairytale a grown man should know better than to make. He's all about the win and something to gossip about to the rest of his staff while you're away wallowing. You amuse him. Nothing more."
"What do you want father?" Chase asks in a quiet tone.
"And you're just staying there to lap up some older male attention?"
"I have to go," he states numbly but doesn't act.
"Robert…"
"I want to get better…and after suffering in that prison for a few days this is a welcome change."
"Just make sure you're there for the right reasons."
"Why did you call? Because if you wanted to ask me to come back I think you know my answer."
"No. You put on enough of a spectacle the other day."
"Spectacle? If you would have let me leave when I wanted then none of that would have happened. And House came for me. That proves he cares."
"It proves he had time on his hands. But have him tell you that. He won't because he doesn't. He merely wanted the upper hand on me."
"I have to go now."
"I'm rather disappointed in you Robert."
"Well…at least that I'm used to. Goodbye father."
"Goodbye Robert."
Chase hangs up the phone and then leans back in his wheelchair and stares at the small device in misery; his heart trying to keep angry tears at bay and his mind yelling at him to suck it up and put his brave face back on. Why did you keep talking? He was never going to listen to reason! He only wanted to hurt you with his petty words because he's angry that…
"House won…is this really just a damn game to them? Doesn't anyone care about my feelings? I have them…some," Chase looks back at the phone with an angry glare. "Maybe I should be on my own…" his voice trails off as he heads into his bedroom and stares around with a glum face. "But if I leave now…my father will have won," he continues his one man/one sided conversation. "He can't win. I'll wait one more day and then…one more day," he chants as he gathers up his few laundry items and then heads back into the hallway and pauses as he looks at the door.
'You've always made it difficult for me…you never wanted to hear the truth…you always...you never...you...you...YOU!'
Chase purses his lips as he starts to ponder if he was bothering House in any way but then knows that since House isn't one to mince words, if he wanted him gone he would be. Maybe he knows my father is still here and he's doing it just for show?
"I should leave so he doesn't feel obligated to have me stay longer…" Chase muses to himself as he heads into the elevator and then presses the 'B' to get down to the basement to do some laundry. As soon as the door opens, Chase pauses in the area before he decides to move any further; his mind replaying himself being followed by the unsightly looking man who then tried to attack him; Wilson, at House's urging show up at the right moment to keep him from being attacked further.
"You are being overly paranoid," Chase mutters in an undertone as he heads for the laundry room with the small sack of clothing on his lap. He fills up one of the machines, pops in the quarter but just before he slams the door shut he hears a noise and then turns to see another man enter and head for another machine, giving Chase a nod and a small hello but basically minding his own business.
After he flips on the machine, he looks down at his bandaged hand and frowns, his mind wondering whatever happened to Kari, Carl and Nora. Of course his father could easily dismiss them no questions asked – he basically walked in and out of his own son's life like he was entering a store; it was nothing with real strangers.
"Always nothing," Chase whispers to himself as he pulls out his phone and then looks at the last message his father had sent him.
'Dr. House cares for himself first and foremost. Maybe you need a little extra education in how to read people Robert.'
He shoves the phone back into his pocket and pulls out the small book that he had gotten from House's library and starts to flip through the pages; his mind not really interested in reading. Instead he leans back in the chair and starts to ponder his father's words. Stop overanalyzing his words…they were meant to hurt…read the book and forget him.
But try as he might to concentrate on the information in the book, the seeds of doubt continue to grow inside his mind and heart; until he doesn't care about the book and lets it fall to his lap; his mournful blue gaze now absently fixed on the slightly reverberating machine before him.
However, Chase is so lost in thought that it's not until two rather familiar hands cover his eyes and his body gently jerks in response.
"Eye spy with my little eye..." House's voice trails off as Chase's lips twist upward into a soft smirk.
"Something that is black?"
"Why not yellow?" House huffs; his hands still covering Chase's eyes.
"Because I only see black," Chase remarks in a dry tone.
"Spoiled sport," House remarks as Chase looks up just as House plunks himself down on top of the rapidly moving dryer. "Left my vibrator upstairs," House quips to which Chase just rolls his eyes. "Maid was busy?"
"I needed an outing," Chase replies with a small frown as he tries to look past House to see how much time was left.
"Slow day?" House inquires.
"Yeah nothing major happened," Chase says as he fails to meets House's gaze.
"Why do I get the feeling you're lying?"
"Want to spank me for being a bad boy?" Chase retorts with a tone a bit louder; with an angry edge, forcing the other man in the corner to look up in wonder.
"Lover's spat…keep it up and I might," House states matter-of-factly as he looks back down at Chase. "I was just wondering."
"I'm just tired. I was down here earlier and a small child asked about my legs and then…I'm fine," Chase replies with a tight lipped smile.
"Okay," House says as he holds Chase's gaze a few seconds before turning to see how much time was left in the dryer. Without saying another word, House pulls open the dryer, hands the few items to Chase and then stars to push him out of the laundry room. At first Chase feels himself wanting to protest but holds back; his mind actually thankful for the small spot of attention House was offering. And it wasn't in the same way a child would need attention from a parent, it was a friend who had been lonely all day and missed another friend and mentor. But admit it…his mind reminds him…you want to prove your father wrong…you want House's affection. I do…Chase inwardly admits. For once I would like to know I mean something more to someone…than just a mere employee or object of amusement.
"My duckling is quieter than normal. Yesterday I'd have to have stuffed a sock between those lips to shut you up," House comments as they reach Chase's room and Chase pulls ahead with his clean clothes still in his lap.
He remains in place with his back to House before he exhales and then slightly cocks his head. "What the boy said…it just made me want to…speed things up."
"You have to wait the full two weeks," House reminds him kindly.
"And that's why I'm…down."
"And I have just the thing to cheer you up."
"Am almost afraid to ask. It involves socks?" Chase lightly groans as House pulls open his drawer and starts to rummage around. "Those are…House what are…" Chase starts as House turns around and then reaches for the bottom of his tee-shirt to pull it up. "What are…" Chase stammers as House looks at him with a heavy frown. "What is that for? What is going on?"
"Arms up now," House demands as Chase looks at him in wonder. "Oh you have nothing I haven't seen before…or don't have myself," House chirps as Chase arches his brows but slowly raises his arms. "Ohhh a bandage on your chest…now that I don't have," House teases as Chase just shakes his head.
"House what are…"
"Hush or I'll reach for the sock next. Arms back up," House instructs as Chase raises his arms; Chase helping to finish pulling the black sweater over the rest of his head. "Pants or…"
"No pants?"
"Dockers?" House retorts dryly.
"Where are we going?"
"Not telling."
"Not answering," Chase playfully answers as House reaches for some socks and puts Chase's runners back on and then heads into the hallway; Chase slowly following him in wonder. Without telling Chase anything further, House heads for the door and holds it open; Chase wheeling toward it and taking his jacket from House; wallet and phone in his pocket. "Where…are we going?"
"I told you…I have a sad duckling to cheer up," House replies in a tone that tells him not to ask any further questions. House pushes Chase to the elevator, telling him some amusing anecdotes about the team's latest case and how Wilson's latest patient faked cancer to avoid a law suit. The elevator opens and Chase looks past the doors and fixes his gaze on the handicapped bus waiting and then twists his head and looks up at House.
"Have to get to the zoo somehow."
"The…zoo?"
"Blame Bruno for that one," House retorts as they head for the ramp to get into the bus. House gives the address to one of their favorite, rather kitschy restaurants and both settle in for the ride; House looking at Chase in wonder, his mind trying to discern why the younger man beside him was rather uncharacteristically quiet. Did daddy call? Did he say something else unkind or untrue?
"Did the big bad wolf call today per chance?" House gently inquires. It wasn't the few seconds pause that Chase offered before his lie, but rather the way his jaw had hardened in the darkened interior of the bus that told House the real story.
"No," Chase replies in a somewhat timid tone; his eyes daring not to look at the older man beside him watching in concern for fear he'd confess all and then be forced to listen to House saying to not to have answered the phone because he should have known what was coming. He'd say that right? Course I should have known better…Chase's mind inwardly groans.
"Well…we're almost there," House changes the subject in haste, noticing Chase's jaw unclench and fingers loosen around the handles to the wheelchair. So he did call…or did he come over personally? House's mind silently growls in indignation as he pictures Chase subjected to another bout of unfair emotional browbeating and actually for a second giving thought to his father's cruel and hurtful words. He knows he could have called Chase on his unconvincing tone but figured they were now in public and it wasn't the time or place to press the issue and cause an argument. Besides…he felt like getting out and enjoying himself with Chase at his side; knowing the younger man had been cooped up inside for far too long.
"You weren't kidding."
"Nope," House retorts as the handicapped bus stops in front of the all too familiar establishment called 'The Zoo' and Chase's lips can't help but crack into a genuine smile. "Thought so," House smiles as he pushes Chase out of the bus, telling the driver they'd be ready at the specified time. House pushes Chase into the moderately noisy establishment and then toward an area beside a window where a handicapped table was waiting.
"Didn't know they had this here," Chase remarks as he settles himself in opposite House.
"Ever look before?" House counters as the waitress brings them two menus. "Oh we can't stay here," House instantly pipes up as he looks at the menu and then playfully snatches Chase's out of his grasp, prompting Chase to look up in haste; a small look of boyish wonder adorning his face.
"Why not?" Chase asks in genuine confusion.
"They don't serve alcohol to minors."
"I'm allowed one drink," Chase playfully snatches it back.
"I really wanted you to pout," House huffs as Chase gives him a small snicker as he looks at the menu. House notices Chase's fingers momentarily tighten around the edges of the menu and then watches his eyes drop to the bottom of the menu where nothing was but some information about the restaurant and wonder's what secret Chase is hiding. What aren't you telling me Robert? Did your father stop by to say something before he left town? And if so what…what could make my little wombat so sad when he's back where he…wants to be? For a few seconds House ponders Wilson's words about telling Chase sooner rather than later that his breaking him out of the high priced prison was because he cares and not only because he wanted to beat Rowan at his own game. However, he also knows that this wasn't the place for a confession of affection; so once again it would have to wait.
"Time's up," House grabs the menus from Chase's grasp just as the waitress comes back for their order. "I'm buying…I'm picking."
"And are you ready?"
"We are," House butts in before Chase can. "We'll have this to start…" he points to the menu, lifting it slightly so Chase can't see what's being ordered.
"And to drink?" She asks House and then after taking his turns to Chase. "And for your son?" She looks at Chase and asks directly; Chase's soft blond brows instantly rising before he looks at House who merely offers a small smile in return but nods at Chase to order his own drink.
"So how's mom?" House quips as Chase's face can only smirk at the silly question. But as the two of them carry on their silly but friendly banter, both of them fail to notice the set of narrowed eyes watching them in anger.
"So Robert…you've chosen your future. Poor choice," Rowan hisses in the quiet cabin of his car as he watches them from across the street. His lips uttering an angry curse as the older doctor leans in and wipes something off his son's face and then his son offer a rather genuine and boyish smile and then tease the older doctor in return with something – an inside joke the two of them obviously shared.
"Enjoy it now…soon it will change forever."
"Now that sounded like a genuine laugh."
"You just tricked me into eating…what was that again?" Chase asks in wonder. "Tasted like a rubber band."
"You've tasted rubber bands before?"
"Not the point. What?"
"Cow testicles."
"Was not," Chase groans. "Snails."
"If you knew, why'd you ask," House grins as he pops another in his mouth; Chase watching with a scrunched up expression.
"I'm done…with those."
"Now how am I going to fatten you up?"
"I could always eat a few pats of that butter?" Chase nods to the small plate with a few little squares of butter on it.
The rest of the evening plays out with moderate humor and mild conversation but by the time they were heading back to House's apartment, Chase was once again quiet and House's mind races with finding a way to force him to open up and confess or just leave him to his own silent misery.
"Thank you again for dinner…and the outing," Chase tells House as he reaches his bedroom and slowly enters. House had told Bruno about his plan to take Chase out of the apartment for a real outing and arranged for him to come the day after.
"It was fun," House replies seriously as he offers Chase a heavy frown. "Need some help?"
"I'll be okay…thanks," Chase looks up with a small smile. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."
Houses turns and leaves the room, his hand pulling the door closed half way and then heading back down the hallway. And unlike when he had gotten home, he heads for the phone and then pushes the button for the call display list. He looks at the last number that called, writes it down and then heads into the living room to trace the number and wonder who had called his duckling while he wasn't home.
Chase looks at the picture of him and House on the dresser and thinks back to the last few hours. It was his first outing in a few weeks and all he could do was ponder his father's hurtful words; his mind yelling at him to just let it go as it wasn't fair to House for him to bear the emotional brunt of his father's stupidity.
"Tomorrow will be better," Chase mutters to himself as he pulls off his sweater and then looks down at the bandage on his chest. Just as his fingers reach the edge to lift the bandage he hears a small shuffle and lifts his eyes to see House watching him. "Just wanted to see…how the um stitching was."
"Same as earlier," House mentions softly as he heads into the bedroom and sits down, his hands reaching for Chase's shoes; Chase's hands quickly stopping his and making House look up in wonder.
"I'm okay…really I can manage."
"What other lies did daddy feed you with today?" House lightly snaps as he pushes Chase's hands away, Chase looking away with pursed lips and a small sigh. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because as you said…they were…lies and I'm a grown man and can handle this on my own," Chase replies with a firm nod his mind trying to push away the voice of his father's telling him that he was only there to get House's attention and that was not the way a grown man should act and that House was probably just putting up with it because he didn't want to be rude.
"So he did tell you some things."
"Just that he was leaving."
"Oh dear Chase you are a terrible liar."
"Fine then I'm lying!" Chase hisses as he snatches his socks from House's grip and pulls back a few feet, the back wheels being stopped by the bed and his legs unable to get him upright and out of the room on his own merit. He tosses the socks onto the floor and then looks away with a small scowl. "He called to say goodbye."
"And before that?"
"It doesn't matter," Chase resigns in sorrow as he looks away and mutters to himself.
"It does when you make that sad little puppy dog face all night long and I spend half the night trying to make you smile and it still doesn't work. And I'm usually pretty good at making you laugh."
"House I'm sorry…" Chase replies heavily as he slumps back in his chair; his scowl gone and a small frown adorning his forehead. "I just thought I wouldn't hear from him again. He called. He was curt and said a few things but he then said goodbye and I know I won't hear from him again. I'm just tired. But I did have fun tonight," Chase quickly changes the subject, hoping House will do the same and just drop the subject about his father.
"Tee-shirt?" House resigns as Chase looks up with a pleading expression; his eyes silently begging him to just drop the subject and save his waning emotional dignity.
"Sure," Chase answers absently as he watches House reach for his sleeping tee and then gesture for him to put his arms up. "Bedtime," House comments softly. Without putting up too much protest, Chase allows House to help him get ready for bed and then help him get onto the top of the bed and pull the covers over him; House sitting beside him and looking down in concern.
"My duckling needs to learn to tell me the truth," House tells him matter-of-factly, Chase looking up with a tormented expression.
"House I…"
"And that I won't judge him if he does."
"I know but I…"
"We'll fatten you up tomorrow," House remarks lightly as Chase's lips twist upward in a soft smile and House smiling down before he pulls the covers over Chase and then nods. "Goodnight."
Chase whispers goodnight in return as he watches House turn off the light and leave the room; a few seconds later he flips onto his side as best he can and hugs the pillow his mind racing with angry frustration. 'You're just there to get his attention. House doesn't care; he pity's you. You're probably there just for his amusement or something to gossip about.'
"Damn you father…you're wrong…about me," Chase groans into the darkness; the biting words not lost on House as he stands in the hall leaning against the wall – listening.
Damn you Rowan, House silently curses as he waits a few extra minutes, his fists curling as his mind conjures up an image of Chase's dejected expression as he listens to his father browbeat him over the phone. He's worth so much…he inwardly laments as he hears Chase utter an angry curse before all falls silent. A few minutes later his mind takes some small comfort in the soft contented sounds coming from Chase's room as the younger Dr. Chase finally falls asleep.
XXXXXXXX
"How did you sleep?" House asks Chase as he turns to see Chase wheel himself into the kitchen early the following morning.
"Kept having this dream that I was served to you on a golden platter, trussed up like a duck with an apple in my mouth."
"Tempting vision but for the record…only pigs have apples in their mouths. A duck's mouth is too small," House reiterates in a serious tone to which Chase looks up with an incredulous glare. "But you know if you wanna try a little role play with this apple…" House grins as he holds up the apple with a grin; forcing Chase to offer a small laugh.
"I'm allergic," Chase retorts in haste as House offers a small pout and proceeds to cut the apple in half and give one of the halves to Chase. 'You're nothing more than a pitiful amusement to Dr. House. All you want is his attention. Shame on you Robert…you're a grown man, not a child.' "About last night…"
"Remember only Wilson is allowed to wallow."
"Does he?"
"No, that's why he's allowed," House retorts with a smirk. "I had fun too."
"I did have fun and I just didn't want you to think that I…well maybe I did allow my father's hurtful words to affect me but I did have fun," Chase admits in haste. "I did."
"I do believe you but you still can't wallow."
"Fair enough. I was thinking today that maybe…I'd go to my apartment. You know check on the mail and such," Chase mentions as he pulls away from House and heads for the coffee maker; his back to House and mind racing as to how House would entertain his suggestion. House looks at his back, a few silent seconds later Chase finally turning around to see House watching him with a curious glare. "I can take the bus on my own," he adds in a rushed tone.
"Course you can," House replies as he looks at Chase in concern. "But if you want to wai…"
"I want to go on my own," Chase quickly interjects as his father's voice continues to assail his muddled mind. "You'll be busy today and I don't want bother a real issue with…personal stuff and…I'll be okay."
"I know you'll be okay," House tries to reassure him as he looks at Chase, trying to hold his gaze but feeling his agitation surge when the younger man looks away. 'You need to tell him.' "I…" House starts only to have Chase look back in expectation.
"Unless…you want to wait until later?" Chase suggests, his tone forcing House's mind to dance between the two options.
I can't just say, Robert I care for you for no real reason…his mind huffs as he pastes on his all too familiar tight lipped smile and shakes his head.
"Nonsense. You're a big boy now. Just make sure you're home before dark," House tells him firmly as Chase rewards him with a small smile but pulls away and goes about making the rest of his breakfast.
Your father's words mean nothing. House is your boss and friend…nothing more. You can do this on your own now. You have always been alone and self-sufficient and always will be. On your own now.
"Earth to wombat…" House teases as Chase finally snaps him out of his mental stupor and looks up with a soft frown. "Make me one promise."
"What's that?"
"You won't spend the day giving the big bad wolf's lies another thought."
"Promise," Chase answers a little too quickly; House giving him a unconvinced glare. "Apple?" Chase holds up the second, uneaten half.
"Fits your mouth better," House smirks as he fills up his coffee cup and grabs his phone. "Maybe we can play twister tonight," House mentions seriously as he turns and heads out of the kitchen.
"I'd easily win," Chase calls out with a small snicker.
"Lying across the whole board is cheating," House reminds him matter-of-factly as he reaches for his coat. "See you tonight."
"Bye," Chase mutters with a small sigh; another audible offering not lost on his older guardian. He goes about making his breakfast and then heads into his bedroom; leaving his black sweatpants on but pulling on a sweater, socks and his runners before heading back into the hallway and reaching for the phone. He looks at the last number that called and feels his teeth grit as he curses himself for listening to his father's twisted lies for longer than he should have.
"Time to go home…" Chase tells himself as he calls for the schedule to the handicapped bus, grabs his coat and a few personal things and heads outside; locking the apartment door and heading for the elevator.
"Morning Dr. Chase," the bus driver greets with a friendly smile as he waits for Chase to lock himself into place and then slowly pulls away from the curb, heading away from the secure confines of House's apartment and back to the open but lonely fortress of solitude he calls home.
Chase thanks the driver and then heads for the front door to his own apartment and then back into another elevator and up to an all-too familiar floor. "Home," Chase whispers as he tries to paste on a contented smile; his brain remembering that he hadn't been back in a few weeks so things were supposed to be cold. He locks the door and then goes about turning on the heat first and then seeing what he had left in the fridge that might need to be tossed away.
"House," he mutters lightly to himself as he pulls open the fridge door and stares at the empty shelves before him, before closing the door and then turning around to face his empty apartment. He looks down at his legs and feels his entire frame sag into his wheelchair. 'Remember just don't try this without me,' Bruno's words quickly flood his mind as he thinks about trying to have a shower on his own. But he quickly remembers his bathing chair at House's he tells himself he'd have to wait until tomorrow to fresh up with Bruno.
"Tomorrow…am I going back to House's tomorrow?" Chase asks himself as he slowly wheels into his own bedroom and looks around. The landscape while all too familiar, now seems oddly – cold and uninviting; his mind wanting to just make sure everything was in order and then get back to House's apartment; a place he wants to call home.
"But it's not home," Chase argues with himself as he remains in his cold bedroom; his mind telling himself to go and at least put the heat on. Turn on the TV…order in a pizza…get back to a regular routine – you will have to soon enough because you don't live with House! You live alone…time to get back to reality.
Chase heads back into the living room area and looks up at the heat controls and frowns, his mind telling him to find something he can use to reach upward and at least push the control button on and then the up switch to get some heat into the cold space. He heads into kitchen and spies a long wooden spoon but at the same time hears a grumble in his stomach and eyes the phone; his mind trying to decide which task to tackle first. However, just before he can make a move in either direction, fate intervenes and a knock is heard at the door. Wondering who it could be Chase wheels toward the door and stops.
"Who's there?" He asks, not able to see the peep hole and not about to open the door if it was his father.
"Post office."
"Post office?" Chase mutters as he pauses for a second but then figures he was too tired to play another silly mind game and opens the door; gazing up at an actual US postal worker.
"Registered Letter for Doctor Robert Chase."
"That's me," Chase states slowly as he looks down at the letter and then signs for it, offering a small thank you and closing the door. "What is…" he asks himself as he quickly rips open the top of the plain white envelop and pulls out the folded letter. Looking at the PPTH logo, he tells himself it had to do with his medical leave, Chase unfolds the letter; a small smile still upon his face. But as soon as he starts into the first paragraph his smile fades and utter shock replaces it.
"This…can't be…" Chase's voice dies out as he stares in shock at the few small but stinging paragraphs.
XXXXXXXX
"Why is there a Twister mat on the floor?" Wilson inquires as he comes into House's office near the end of the long day.
"I'm practicing my moves so I can beat Chase," House replies in a matter-of-fact tone.
"You know…I'm not even going to go there."
"Wanna join? Chase might like a threesome."
"He could just wheel onto that thing and win."
"Spoiled sport," House grumbles as he stands up and looks at his best friend with a wondering glance. "Bored?"
"On the contrary, I came to drop this off and get back to my last patient. How is Robert?"
"His father phoned him yesterday. Ruined our fun night out as dear Dr. Chase spent the night pouting. But in his defense he has a really great pout."
"And did you console the poor lad?" Wilson asks in wonder.
"He bounced back pretty fast."
"Course he did; he's Superman," Wilson retorts as House looks at him in surprise. "You missed another opportunity."
"I wasn't about to confess anything in public and then when we got home…trust me he's fine," House insists with a nod of his head. "Think you can put your right foot on green and your left hand on yellow at the same time?"
"Tell him…before you lose the chance for good," Wilson calls out as he leaves House's office; House looking down at the Twister board and then up at the clock. He quickly folds up the plastic mat, shoves it into his briefcase and heads for the elevator.
"Dr. House."
"Evening Bruno. On the way to see Dr. Chase?"
"Well I called but he never called me back. Didn't want to bother him if was busy so if you see him, tell him I'll be by tomorrow if he's able."
House offers a nod followed by a heavy frown as he gets into the elevator and quickly pulls his phone. He knows how much Chase likes spending time with Bruno and figures unless it was something terrible, he wouldn't just miss or not call back. He better not still be wallowing, House's mind inwardly groans as he dials Chase's cell number. No answer. Chase's home number. No answer. His apartment. No answer.
"Ok-ay," House mutters as he heads for home, wondering now if perhaps Chase was sleeping or just ignoring the call because he was in the mood to play games. House opens the door to his apartment and stares at the darkness greeting him. "Are we playing hide and seek instead of Twister tonight?" House calls out as he flips on the lights; instantly hit by waves of silence. "Chase?" He does a quick apartment search and then heads for the door; knowing that in his condition, Chase couldn't hide that easily. House heads down to the common area and the laundry area – both empty.
"Where to Sir?" The cabbie asks House as he gets into the warm cabin of the waiting vehicle. House gives him Chase's address and then pulls his phone once more; sends a text and waits. Again no answer. He tries the numbers another time and then hangs up with a small curse. Telling himself that it would be somewhat absurd for Rowan to kidnap his own son or try something like he did the first time; House's mind offers another terrifying possibility – Robert is hurt and unable to come to the phone.
He reaches Chase's apartment and hurries for the front door as fast he can and into the waiting elevator and up to Chase's floor.
"Oh Dr. Chase…open the door," House states firmly as he offers a solid knock. His mind races in wonder at the disconcerting silence that is offered in return; his fingers reaching for the spare key to Chase's apartment and then slowly unlocking the door. He pushes the door all the way open and is instantly hit with a cool breeze and the distinct smell of alcohol.
"Robert?" House calls out in a somewhat quiet tone as he flips on the light and closes the door; turning on the heat at the same time. But as he rounds the corner to the living room he utters a small gasp as he spies his beloved duckling sprawled on the floor a few feet from his tipped over wheelchair; a half drunk bottle of whiskey beside Chase's slightly shivering frame and a piece of paper clutched tightly in his grasp.
"Damn…" House gently curses as he races for Chase's fallen frame. "Robert…" House whispers as he sinks to the floor, pulls Chase onto his lap and turns him over; his heart instantly sinking at Chase's blank but tear stained expression looking up in misery.
"My…fault…" Chase whispers as House snatches the paper from Chase's cold grasp and stares at the first paragraph.
"Son of a bitch," House curses angrily as Chase's eyes close and he goes completely limp in House's grasp.
A/N: Uh oh….so before the angsty cliffe did you like the outing and their playful banter? So what came in the mail? And will House now finally have the right moment to confess to Chase that he really does care? Or will Chase even want to hear it now? Would love your thoughts so please do review and thanks so much!