Haha Rei, Pallada and verlan, I think you'll be surprised. Hope you like the chapter even if it isn't very eventful. I didn't have a lot of free time, Pallada knows

why ;] But I'll upload another chapter very soon, by tonight maybe. Assioma – thanks, sure I will! :]

House sat on his bed for a full ten minutes, staring into space and trying to compose himself. He had no idea why suddenly, his angry duckling wasn't pure

amusement but the things he said actually...hurt. The diagnostician sipped from his scotch again and noticed the time. Nearly seven. Wearily, he got up,

grabbing his cane and slowly making his way to the door.

As soon as he limped into the corridor, House had to sidestep his employee, who was sitting on the carpet. "Chase!" House growled, "Why the hell are you

sitting on the floor?" The younger doctor looked like a scared five-year-old, gazing up at his boss. "Sorry." he said nervously, inching backwards. "Yeah. Not

an answer." "Um, I...I didn't have any shoes." Indeed, the Australian was barefoot, not having found the time to grab his loafers when House had ordered him

outside. He hadn't even considered going back in to fetch them, knowing he would probably be rewarded by something colliding with his head the second he

walked into the room. "Go get them. We're having dinner." Chase rose immediately, flattening himself against the wall when passing his employer just to avoid

asking him to move. House clenched at the sight of the young man, but scolded himself immediately. Since when was he feeling sorry for his lackeys?

Shaking his head, the diagnostician resolved to keep himself in check.

When Chase arrived back outside, footwear included, House limped ahead at his usual speed, leaving the younger doctor to follow. They reached the

elevator and stepped in, Chase standing beside the panel of buttons but staring into space silently. House smacked the back of his head sharply, and the

intensivist jumped backwards, wincing. "Ow." he complained, "What'd I do?" "Push the button, moron." Knowing it would not be smart to protest, Chase

simply did as he was told.

The two arrived in the dining-hall shortly after. House strode ahead, having spotted a corner table, and the younger doctor followed him. When he had

caught up, his boss was already sitting in a chair. "Go see what's on the menu." House instructed. Nodding, the other doctor turned around, making his way

back to the buffet.

A short while later, the blonde returned to the table. He took a deep breath, and then presented a long list of dinner options: "Uh, potato-and-lentils soup.

Roast beef. Corn. Peas. Wild rice and mushroom sauce. Fries. Pasta. Turkey. Spring rolls. Baked potatoes. Chocolate mousse. Garlic bread. Mini pizzas. Mac

'n' Cheese. Fresh fruit. Lobster. Chilli. Almond cake. Pecan Pie. Chicken wings. Salad...lemon sorbet...and...I think that's it." Despite himself, House was

sincerely impressed at the other man's memory. "You're wasted at the hospital. You should be a waiter." Chase hid his annoyance with a strained smile. "Mac

'n' Cheese and mushroom sauce." The Australian frowned. "Together?" "If it's not too much trouble." Sighing quietly, Chase turned and made his way back to

the other end of the room. He had expected to be sent for food, but couldn't suppress the feeling House was quite deliberately humiliating him. Then

again...when wasn't he? Deciding it didn't really matter since complaining would definitely not accomplish anything, the intensivist filled a plate with his

employer's requested meal.

Back at the table, Chase set the bowl macaroni down in front of his boss and placed his own plate opposite. "Interesting choice." House commented. His

employee was slightly surprised, as his meal consisted of baked potatoes, turkey and vegetables – it didn't get much more traditional than that. "Thank

you..." he mumbled anyway, and sat down. "Actually..." Sighing, Chase got back on his feet, clearly annoyed. "Yeah, what else?" "Beer."

Arriving back at the table for the third time, Chase planted himself on his chair firmly, as if telling House he would not get up again before finishing his meal.

However, when he looked down on his plate, Chase realised there wasn't much to finish on it anyway. All the baked potatoes were gone, and at least half of

the turkey. "You see, a dog was attacking a baby, so I had to distract him by offering food. And everyone know dogs hate macaroni." Nodding mutely,

House's fellow got up, taking his plate with him.

Back again, Chase was finally able to start eating. He tucked in, gradually feeling better. When he was not quite as starved as he had been, he started

looking around the dining room between bites. House noticed him winking at someone and glared. "Go get me a refill." he ordered sharply, and the Australian

went, if not happily.

This continued for a while – every couple of minutes, Chase would start winking, and get sent away for something. Finally, House had had enough. His

employee felt a cane hooked around his headrest, pulling him back. The Australian was close to toppling off his chair and heard his boss demand they leave

at once. He was still wondering how House had managed to sneak behind him when he was yanked back again. "I'm coming!" he growled, not enjoying this

treatment. Finally, his boss unhooked the cane and walked off, expecting Chase to follow. Which he did, with a look of dismay...and while stuffing a last

baked potato in his mouth. Trailing after his boss, he waved to the little girl at the other end of the room once more.

"You can go take your walk now." House said coldly, when the other doctor had caught up with him. "Actually, I don't really want to any more..." "Let me

rephrase: Go take your walk." Chase scowled, but knew his boss was in a dangerous mood. "Fine." He stopped at the elevator, and House stared at him.

"What? You want me to go right now?" The intensivist sighed at the glare he received in response. "Yeah, yeah. You did say 'now'. I'm going." He turned,

walking away from the elevators, happy that he had at least taken a coat with him. Little did he know he'd need that coat more urgently than he

suspected...