A/N: Sorry it has been so long on this, and sorry this is so crappy. I got them in this pot and was waiting for inspiration to hit with a way to get out without geting too sappy, emotional, and OOC, but it just didn't happen. So I finally gave up and decided to push it ahead, for better or worse. So, here it is. I hope it doesn't suck too badly, and I hope to have some more of the story soon. Remember, this chapter serves no purpose other than just to get them out of the woods. Please review and let me know if you guys are still with me!

The path was clearly not intended for nervous oncologists on crutches, and the progress was very slow. He stumbled a few times, but Chase managed to help him stay upright. "You know," the younger man said, catching him for the third time. "I can just got find her and bring her back to you."

Wilson shook his head. "No. I have to go to her."

Chase rolled his eyes. "House is right. You do have a martyr complex. Do you really think she wants you to do something as painful as limping through the woods by flashlight?"

"Do you think I don't deserve it?"

Chase winced. That was a loaded question! This guy had just beat the crap out of him. But still, he had put up with worse than that. This was Wilson, and frankly, he had good reason. Chase hadn't thought of what it might look like when she was taking his stitches out. At least, he hadn't until Cuddy burst in. If Wilson saw what she saw… "No. I don't. You reacted as any creature with a Y chromosome would. Not sure I would have done any different in your place."

Wilson didn't answer, guilt over the misunderstanding eating at him, and Chase kept pace with him with the practiced ease of someone who had done hundreds of walking differentials with House. "Besides, Alex is going to kick my ass for bringing you all the way up here with you hurt."

They came to a grove at the top of the hill. Chase knew the place well, and could practically see Alex sitting on the rock. It was her spot. She probably had her iPod, and maybe tears still drying on her face. He wondered suddenly what House had said to her. "Uh, Wilson, you might want to wait here."

"What? No! I have to go apologize!"

Chase glanced to the clearing. "Look, I know you care about her. But it would be in everyone's best interest for me to talk to her first." Okay, that didn't come out right, and Wilson was looking at him funny. "What I mean is…" He took a breath. "Okay, what I mean is you know when House is acting like- well, like himself, and Cuddy sends you to intercede before someone else shoots him?" Wilson's glare softened into a smirk, so he went on. "What you are to House, I am to Alex."

Wilson had to smile. "So, you're the Alex-whisperer?"

Chase laughed. "Yeah, I guess. You know, Even if I did have a thing for her, you make her happy. I would never interfere with that. I want her to be happy. However, if you hurt her, I'll have to beat you to death with a shovel."

Wilson shrugged. "Fair enough. Uh…next time, right? You aren't going to beat me up now, are you? 'Cause I had no prior warning…"

Chase pretended to consider it. "I guess I can let it slide this time. Now, wait here. We need to make sure she's not going to attack you on sight." He helped Wilson sit down on a fallen tree, then disappeared through the trees into the clearing.

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It was nearly twenty minutes before Chase and Alex appeared back on the path. Wilson could hear them talking before he saw them. "Why do guys always assume the worst, anyway?"

"We don't always. Just when it comes to women." Her giggle was music to his ears. He had expected anger, tears, or other psychological warfare. Letting Chase go in first was definitely the way to go. He made careful note of that for future messes.

He saw them before she saw him, and struggled to his feet. "Alex!" He exclaimed, gobbling toward her. "I'm so sorry! I wasn't thinking. Forgive me?"

She stopped in her tracks and stared at him, then turned to Chase. "You brought him up here?! What were you thinking?!" Chase opened his mouth to defend himself, and Wilson's heart sank. She was still angry. Then she ran to him, still yelling at Chase. "He could have fallen and hurt himself even worse! If he jars that leg again, he may really need the metal rod." She threw her arms around him. "But I'm glad you're here. I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking, and I'm sorry you saw what you think you saw and-"

Balancing on his armpits on the crutches, he put his hands on her face and pulled her up for a kiss that removed all doubt as to how he felt. When they parted for air, he stared into her eyes, and Chase was forgotten. "Forgive me?" He asked. She nodded mutely, still stunned by the depth of the kiss.

The moment was almost nauseating, and Chase was afraid if things got any sweeter, he was going to need insulin. He ignored then nonverbal communication for as long as he could stand it, then cleared his throat. "Um, Alex? Did you bring your keys?"

Still transfixed on her boyfriend, she shook her head. "Nope. I left them in the truck. Didn't want them to fall out of my pocket."

"Same here," he said. "So, does it bother anyone else that we left House with both vehicles and both sets of keys? For forty-five minutes?"

Identical looks of apprehension dawned on Wilson and Alex's faces. "I…uh…think we should hurry," Wilson said.