Title: Family Ties
Chapter 11 – A Silent but Deadly Threat

He wouldn't have to wait too long for his resolution. House hears some soft creaking in the hallway and looks up to see Chase appear in the doorway.

"Everything okay?" He asks in tender concern, as he puts down his glasses and book.

"I can't sleep," Chase huffs as he enters House's bedroom and slowly eases himself down at the foot of House's bed. "The past few nights have been restless. One night was hell, one night was happy and one night was just tense. I thought if I was tired out or went to bed happy I'd wake up rested. I haven't and I can't see it getting better…without help," Chase pauses.

"Robert…"

Chase slowly extends his arm and opens his palm to reveal the last bright green sleeping pill. He looks up with a tormented expression and sighs. "Help me," he softly begs. "Please."

*earlier*

The day had been one of rest and relaxation so Chase got ready for bed, telling himself that he had more than earned a good night's sleep and he would wake up rested. He climbs into bed, turns off the light and rolls onto his side. But inside his mind he can't turn off the silent call of the pill in the far corner of the room.

Just take me and you'll wake up feeling refreshed and ready for work.

Chase flips on the light, his eyes instantly drawn to the forbidden corner. For a few split seconds he actually contemplates downing the last high dosage pill, telling himself the potency wouldn't be harmful and he could take it. But sense and reason finally take hold, reminding him that he nearly died and he didn't just have himself to think about. He pushes himself out of bed and slowly makes his way to the corner of his room, pulling back the heavy object keeping the pills hidden and grasps the package with the last green pill in it. He looks down at the pill in his hand closing his fist tightly around it and takes a deep breath.

He feels a twinge of pain in his chest as his eyes slowly open and he stares down at the pill in contempt. They nearly killed you…stop it right now…go talk to House…he will help you.

They had talked about trust and being open and honest with each other; those were the fundamental building blocks to making any family unit work. And now that he was being tested he had to prove those words spoken by him were more than just mere sentiment. He meant it.

Go….now! His brain urges as he finally gets out of bed and takes the slow walk down the seemingly long hallway to House's bedroom, slowly enters and then asks for help.

"Of course I'll help you," House assures Chase as his hand covers his. He gives him a tender squeeze before plucking the pill from the younger man's grasp and then closing his empty fist. "Thank you for coming to me with this."

"I thought I could handle it on my own and I…I want to take it, I do."

"Course, because it'll make everything feel better right?"

"That's just it, it won't."

"Why not?" House lightly presses.

"I know it's dangerous. If I wasn't on anything else and just hadn't…"

"Nearly died?"

"Nearly died," Chase repeats in a soft whisper. "I know they are potent and harmful but…but I'd fooled myself in the past and paid the price. I don't want to take that chance again. I'm tired and restless and…"

"And you're thinking too much."

"I can't turn my mind off for some reason. I sleep better when you read to me but I don't want to impose every night."

"Robert…it's never an imposition. But I'm glad you trusted me enough to come here."

"I need you to help me say no. I know it'll hurt me if I take it, but all I can see is a peaceful night's sleep."

"Breaking an addiction is tough," House states with some torment in his tone as Chase's jaw tightens. "I know from personal experience. But I also know that a secret addiction hurts not only you but those that care about you."

"I need them."

"I know you do and you want them because you think they are the only things that can help. They've tricked you like all good drugs do."

"I just want to sleep normally on my own. I want to win this but all I see is this pill helping me do that."

"First off normalcy is overrated," House lightly quips, hoping to lighten the mood. His ploy works as Chase's face somewhat softens. "Secondly this is a battle you can with without the little green pill. Besides if you take this one you could end up in the Matrix."

"Those were either red or blue," Chase deadpans as House's eyebrows arch. "But I don't want to end up there."

"Luckily for you, you've only taken…."

"Four."

"Four. So that means it won't take as long to get you to sleep on your own say if you'd been taking them for a month or longer."

"Is that even allowed?" Chase mutters somewhat rhetorically. "Sorry," he groans.

"There are several things you can do. You've gotten rid of pictures of what's his face so at least you don't have something mean to occupy your mind right before you turn off the light. Exercise and a warm drink before bed will help tire your body and soothe your nerves. But you have to find a way to turn off your mind. Me reading to you and the sound of my voice lulling you to sleep is something I don't mind doing, but you still need to have something else you can rely on. I have an idea."

"Should I be afraid?" Chase asks weakly.

"Lie down here," House pats the other side of his bed. "Oh I promise I won't do something in the middle of the night," House groans as Chase hesitates. "Right…here."

Chase slowly slides under the covers and then looks up as House gets up and heads over to his dresser. "I don't…."

"Ah…is that a peep duckling?"

"No," Chase lightly huffs as he watches House gather a few things. But when House turns around, Chase purses his lips and prepares to verbally protest the intended sleep aid. "House I don't need…"

"Hush now and relax. You know you can't argue with your doctor."

"You do," Chase retorts. "Debbie won't…"

"Where is my muzzle?"

"Seriously House, I don't want to listen to that stuff."

"Trust me," House warmly entreats as he gently pushes Chase back down. "You've told me before you're not fond of Debbie and while I sometimes scoff and tease, I do take it seriously when needed – like now. I want you to close your eyes and relax. Trust me Robert."

The gentle entreat makes Chase automatically sink back down into the covers and close his eyes. He feels House fitting the small ear buds in his ears and then pause.

"Without opening your eyes tell me your happiest memory at the beach."

The question was almost unnecessary as Chase had told him when they were down in Melbourne of his day of surfing and how it was the happiest day at the beach for him.

"Can you picture yourself surfing?" House asks softly.

"Yes," Chase nods without opening his eyes.

House sets the volume level on the relaxation tape and presses play, putting it on continuous loop to help keep Chase's mind occupied with only good thoughts for the duration of his sleep. At first Chase outwardly bristles when the relaxing sounds of water, gently lapping waves and distant birds calling start to fill his ears.

"Close your eyes Robert," House instructs as Chase looks up in anxiety. "See yourself on your board…in the water…at the beach. See your smile…feel your peace…feel your happiness."

"Sounds like Wilson," Chase muses softly as House grimaces; knowing they were the same words Wilson used on him.

"Close your eyes already."

Chase closes his eyes and sure enough it takes only mere seconds for his mind to picture the scene and his heart rate starts to slow back to normal and his breathing to settle into a comforting rhythm. House looks down at Chase; his brow and jaw at first tense but then slowly softening as the music starts to work it's magic, setting the young man's mind at ease and promising the first real night of at least a few hours of solid rest. House knows it's not a magic solution and there would be days to come in which nothing would work and Chase's mind would be up all hours of the night. But at least he could buy his beloved would be son a small disc player and CD that he could keep in his room and use without the ear buds and sleep in his own bed starting tomorrow night onward.

"Goodnight Robert," House whispers as he turns off the light, bathing them both in darkness.

XXXXXXXX

Early next morning, House awakens to the soft snores of the younger man beside him and can only smile that his device worked. He had felt Chase tossing a bit and offering a few angry grunts during the wee hours of the night, but for the most part the young man had slept through the night. House couldn't be happier as he knows Chase needs his rest after what he had been through – mostly brought on by his own silence. Leaving Chase to sleep as long as he wants, he carefully slips free of his side of the bed and heads for the kitchen.

About half hour later, Chase's frame starts to stretch and his sleepy eyes finally open. He slumps back down and then reaches for the disc player, pressing the stop button and plucking the warm ear buds from his ears.

"I take it, it worked?"

Chase looks up to see House hovering in the doorway and nods in confirmation. "First time I've slept almost all night in…a week maybe?"

"You needed it. And I want you to rest all day. Turn on the TV if you want and use that as white noise. Your brain needs something other than the sound of your father's cruel voice filling your head as you sleep. I'll pick you up a little something to help you tonight."

"I'm going to rest today."

"Now see that isn't fair."

"What?"

"You staying willingly. Means I can't use my yellow restraints with the ducky print on them I brought home just for you."

"Yeah what a shame that is," Chase deadpans as House offers a mock pout. "I still have a better pout."

"I might have to appease the slave god by working a bit late on this damn project."

"Tell Foreman I'm better," Chase states with a small smile. "And I promise I won't open the door to strangers."

"Good boy," House grins as he reaches for his jacket. "I'll try to be home for dinner."

"Okay."

As much as he protested the day before, staying home and just doing nothing when he wasn't physically incapacitated, he now feels that just resting was the right idea. Chase slumps back into the bed and looks up at the small musical device. His mind thinks back to a time when he wandered into his father's room as a small boy, frightened by a nightmare and seeking some solace for the night.

'You're not a baby Robert. You don't need gimmicks to help you sleep. That is for the weak minded. Now go back to your room and don't let me see you until breakfast.'

'Yes father.'

"Insensitive bastard…" Chase grumbles as he rolls onto his side and closes his eyes, not opening them for another three hours.

XXXXXXXX

"You look….rested," Wilson comments as he walks into House's office at lunch time. "How's Robert?"

"He…finally confided in me last night. He came to me with the last pill and he…asked for help."

"Tough moment."

"But an important one," House states seriously as he leans back in his chair and looks at Wilson with a heavy expression. "He has so many tormented memories that I wish I could just erase that part of his memory and have him start fresh but I know I can't so I have to find ways to work around it. During the day he can keep his mind busy with work but at night…at night…that's what we have to work on. He needs…help at night."

"Please tell me you didn't give him Debbie," Wilson groans.

"She was busy last night."

"Good keep it that way," Wilson lightly scolds.

"I had an old relaxation CD that…"

"What old relaxation CD? You never...you always scoffed at those. Wait…the sounds of water and…"

"Yes that one," House lightly snaps.

"That's my CD. The one I gave to you to use."

"I know," House huffs. "But at least it worked. And yes I used all that sensitive mumbo-jumbo you used on me also. He had a few moments but…"

"Wait how did…did he sleep with daddy?" Wilson grins widely.

"You make it sound sordid," House grumbles. "I wanted him close. The nights before he was up with some nightmares and I was worried. I'm going to pick him up his own relaxation CD that he can play at night in his own room and that should help. At least I hope so."

"Might take a bit more."

"I know. But I can't okay prescribing a pill," House looks at a picture of Chase on his desk and offers it a tender gaze. "Drugs are not what he needs."

"You said that was the last one right?"

"I know he'll work through this I just…I know it won't be easy or an overnight fix and he could easily relapse. He told me once but maybe if he does relapse he'll be too embarrassed to tell me a second time. I just want him to be better already."

"He will be there soon," his best friend tries to assure him. "I saw him on Saturday. Aside from the twinge of hospital residue he looks happy and content. You're doing a good job."

"Parenting is hard work," House lightly groans as Wilson offers a warm smile. "But yes…it's worth it. My boy is worth it."

"I think he knows that too and that's why he came to you. He knows you can help him…he knows you'll want to help him."

"He's also Robert Chase who's used to dealing with things on his own."

"I know with you watching out for him, he'll be okay."

"Hope so," House half whispers as Wilson hands him a file; the real reason for his visit. About an hour later, House heads back into his office with a heavy sigh; the day for the most part pretty ordinary except the fact he was missing his favorite duckling and picking on the rest of the team without Chase's sarcastic input just wasn't the same.

House looks at the clock and decides to use his fifteen minutes before his next meeting with Foreman to call home. "Where…are you?" House repeats a few times as he listens to empty rings. "Robert…where are you?"

XXXXXXXX

"Well…I should get up," Chase tells himself as he looks at the clock – it being noon. He remembers House saying he'd be working a bit later but would try to make it home for a later dinner. But as he feels his back starting to ache from lying in the same position for too long he decides it's time to get up and officially start his day.

As he heads back down the hallway to his own bedroom with the small CD player in hand, he thinks about the breakthrough he had the night before. It was a relief that House had taken the pill and disposed of it; his eyes looking at the corner but his brain reminding him that there's nothing there that could appease his desire.

"It's gone…you don't need it," Chase tells himself as he pulls out some clean clothes and heads back to the bathroom. He offers a small chuckle to the bath he had two nights ago but is thankful that he's able to stand up and take a shower on his own.

As he stands under the warm streams, Chase ponders heading down to their favorite deli and picking up a few things he could make for a later dinner. Despite the fact that House said he'd be late, he knows House will use him as an excuse to blow Foreman off and come home earlier than if he was in perfect health working by House's side.

"I need one of those CD's," Chase mumbles to himself as he starts to dry off and then dress. With his upper half still bare, Chase reaches for a small mirror and looks at the wound on his back, offering it an approving nod as he notices the swelling had gone right now, the edges didn't look angry and there were no outward signs of infection. In fact when he touches the skin around the wound opening it wasn't warm as it had been the past few days and he knows the medicinal ingredients in the half dosage tetanus shot had worked it's magic.

I'm glad I didn't take that pill last night…telling House was the right thing to do, Chase's mind reminds him as he heads for his bedroom to finish getting dressed. After he was dressed he heads for the kitchen to get himself a light lunch and then think about heading out for a brief walk; getting some fresh air and picking up something special for supper.

'Just make sure you don't go too far and tire yourself out,' House had warned just before he left. Chase makes himself something to eat and then heads for the front door. He makes sure he has his phone and wallet as he grabs his jacket and pulls it on.

As soon as he hits the busy front street, Chase's head starts to lightly swim; having not been around so much commotion in a few days. He heads for the edge of the sidewalk, closest to the buildings where the traffic is lighter and slows his pace; reminding himself that the deli is just at the end of the block and he's not in any hurry.

"Hey Dr. Chase," the deli owner greets him with a welcoming smile. "Kinda surprised to see you in here today. Have the day off?"

"A rare one Mike," Chase nods as he nears the counter. "My turn to make dinner."

"Your old man is working?" Mike smirks as Chase nods and smiles. "Okay…so whadda you'll have?"

"Okay I'd like to try…" Chase points to a few items and then shuffles down toward the cash register to pay.

"I'll be right with you," Mike calls out to the next patron; Chase not lifting his eyes to see just who was there. If he had, he would have felt his stomach tighten instantly – mostly from déjà vu. Wayne watches Chase a few feet from him, his brain daring him to walk up to the young man and press the tip of the needle into the fleshy part of his upper right forearm. Just a small bump….hold him a few seconds and make your move. Wayne's lips slightly curl upward; his face and head disguised as they were one time at the hospital; fake mustache, hat and glasses. Oh Dr. Chase you have no idea your life is in such danger. Wayne makes his move but at the last second he hears a jingle and freezes just as Mike says…

"Afternoon officers, I'll be right with you both."

Wayne can only watch with gritted teeth as Chase quickly exits the building. So as not to arouse too much suspicion to himself, he is forced to walk to the front of the counter, select an item and pay.

Chase casually strolls back to the apartment, his mind now wondering what he could pair with the items he bought for supper. But as he slowly heads back to his apartment building, he fails to see the set of eyes hurrying after him, a determined mind on a confirmed path to send another message. He had been toyed with before his life ultimately hung in the balance and so he didn't mind toying with the younger man a bit longer.

'I'm sorry Mr. Gardner just a little bit longer.'

'I've been suffering…for weeks. Tel my d-doctor…I need help…I need it now. PLEASE!'

'Just...a bit longer.'

His mind tries to shut out his calls for help – ignored calls by a man with a god complex that told him, take a few pills…try this experimental drug and try to block out the pain – you'd be fine. But he wasn't and his life was forever altered by one man's oversight. Now he was on a mission to make someone pay for what he had to endure. And that someone was now in his sights.

Chase darts into the small market just before he hits the door to home; allowing Wayne to head by and carry on with the rest of his plan. Chase picks out a few items and then starts to head for the cash register to pay, his body already starting to feel the fatigue from all the exercise and he knows it's time to get home and just rest. If not there will be hell to pay from House and I don't know if I even want to know what kind of punishment he'll offer. He'll use the ducky restraints! His brain argues back. Ha! He probably would.

"Thank you."

Chase gathers up the last of his grocery bags and heads for home, it being later in the afternoon and he wanted to get a few hours rest in before dinner. He thinks about his discussion last night; confessing he needed help and then receiving such tender care in return. At first he had expected House to say I told you so…because House was fond of pointing out people's failings to them – especially when they failed and more especially after they said they didn't have a problem. The CD helped. It forced his mind to think about happy thoughts. House was right – the time when he was on his surfboard as a teen was a happy memory indeed. But what he failed to tell House was another happy memory also helped him through the night. It was of him and House after the funeral, spending time by the beach, walking in the water, laughing, talking and just bonding. It helped to settle his mind and heart.

He reaches his apartment and heads inside, his mind preoccupied with dinner that he fails to notice the set of eyes watching him intently. I wonder if House will like my surprise? He inwardly muses as he reaches his apartment and lets himself inside. He takes off his jacket, that currently houses his wallet and phone, his keys and grocery bag still in his grasp and heads for the kitchen counter.

Just before he can put anything away, the intercom buzzes and he looks at it with a small frown. "Did House forget his key?" He asks himself as he nears it. "Hello?" Chase asks into the small speaking piece. Static in return. "Hello?" Chase tries again before he looks at the clock and frowns. House is still at work…or maybe he just said that and is playing a joke on me? Chase goes about putting stuff in the fridge when the intercom buzzes again.

"You know I don't let strangers into the building," Chase lightly quips, thinking it's House on the other end. Static again. "What the hell?" Chase muses softly as he releases the button and steps back. "Kids," he growls as the intercom buzzes again. "That's it…" he huffs as he pulls away from the counter and heads for the front door – slamming it shut and walking right into an expertly set trap.

The elevator reaches the main floor and Chase storms out, expecting to see a bunch of kids hovering around the intercom box, pushing buttons at random. Instead he sees nothing.

"Waiting for someone?" A male voice asks, forcing Chase to spin to the left to see an older man looking at him intently.

"Did you see a bunch of kids hovering around the box?"

"They buzzed you too a bunch of times?"

"So it's not just me?"

"No," Wayne easily lies as he pulls out a set of keys. "Have you lived here long?"

"A number of months why?"

"Just moved in and I can't…do you have a second? I can't figure out the dryers in the laundry. I don't have my own set yet. The wife says they're coming," Wayne offers a mock nervous chuckle; hoping to lull his prey into a false sense of security.

"They're kinda tricky," Chase replies as he tries to place the voice. The face…I've never seen it before but the voice…it seems….familiar… but where? If he had time to ponder he would have come up with the orderly at the hospital; pondering further would have sent back into the stairwell and beyond that – the first gruff warning when he was attacked in the parking garage.

"Can you…show me? It won't take too long but if I don't get the load in my wife will make me make supper. Fate worse than death."

"Oh I'm sure it won't be that bad," Chase lightly snickers as he slowly pushes past the stranger and heads for the hallway that leads to the rather isolated laundry room. At the same time, his phone is ringing a few flights up; a very nervous and paranoid would-be father on the other end.

"Okay so which one is yours?" He asks as he enters the very quiet facility. But he hears an odd shuffling behind him and turns; his lips uttering a small gasp as his eyes widen and then darkness consumes him.

XXXXXXXX

"Pick up the damn phone!"

"Is that the way you talk to all your patients?" Foreman groans as he walks into House's office.

"Afraid of another lawsuit?"

"Yes actually. Better knock on wood before I say it's been a few months."

"It has?" House grumbles. "I must be slipping."

"Chase is a good influence," Foreman quips.

"So it would seem. Don't worry I'll corrupt him in no time," House promises as he redials. Nothing. He dials the apartment number. Nothing. "Even the dead would have woken up by now!" House grumbles as he stands up and reaches for his jacket.

"Uh…what are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing?" House snaps.

"Leaving. But see you signed off on this meeting…House?"

"The bean counters can wait," House retorts as he heads for the door, stomping past Foreman with heated determination. "I have bigger issues to deal with."

"Chase? Maybe he's in the shower," Foreman calls out as House pauses. "That's who you're worried about right? Even if a patient was dying you wouldn't move that fast."

"I'm worried," House states flatly. "He'd take his cell with him."

"In the shower?"

"It's been about a twenty minutes. He'd have answered something by now. I'll see you tomorrow."

"House."

"The deadline isn't until Wednesday. I'll see you tomorrow."

House offers Foreman a small wave as the elevator doors close and he's taken from view, his finger hitting redial until he could have sworn the key on the phone broke. Where is he? He'd answer by now…what if he took more pills? What if he's had another attack? A seizure? Even a small one could be dangerous. Even fatal!

Not wasting time with his own care, House jumps into a cab and heads for home, his mind racing as to why his beloved duckling wasn't answering. For a few split seconds he pictures Chase on the floor in distress, begging for air, calling for help but no one coming to his aid. Of course House's mind could never imagine the other danger lurking…waiting silently…to strike!

House reaches the apartment and then hurries inside, racing past the hallway that would lead to the laundry room. "Come on damn it move!" House grumbles as he pushes the up button several times. He heads into the elevator, once again cursing its slowness as it moves up to their level.

"Robert?" House calls out as he enters their quiet apartment. He pulls his phone and dials Chase's number, cursing when he hears it in the hall closet. "Where is he?" House grumbles as he plucks Chase's phone and spies all his missed calls. "He didn't get any of them? Robert!"

House hurries into the kitchen and spies the new grocery bags on the counter with a few non-perishable items waiting to be put away. His mind races in fear…where is Chase?

"Where is he?" House asks with racing panic.

A/N: So where is our dear Chase? What kind of warning did Wayne deliver? And will this latest warning force House to be more over protective? Will Chase like that? Is this what Wayne wants? Tension and danger are ahead! I hope you liked the resolution of the pill issue (we know addictions can take longer to break but this is fanfic haha BUT Chase will still struggle a bit but he now has bigger things to worry about). As always I hope you like the House/Chase moments *sigh* and please do review before you go and thanks!