I'm so glad you liked it, and I'm sorry for keeping you all waiting.

Disclaimer: I'll own this the day my sister meets a bipolar polar bear.

NON-CAFFEINATED DRINKS ARE EVIL. (they're taking over the world I tells you- they takings the world over!)

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Chase wakes up in his bed to the smell of a non-caffeinated drink. He has to blink several times as he watches his boss walk into his room with a tray. For a moment his breath hitches at the idea of what may have happened. But only for a moment.

"You-", House says pointedly "are heavy. The next time you decide to faint- do it on someone who can support himself without a cane. "Now we're going to have a little talk- and I'm using talk as a euphemism for you shutting up and listening to me yell at you."

Chase closes his gaping mouth again. Hopes are different from dreams. His future unravels at the seams. Hope is forgotten, he has nought but dreams.

House continues, "It's extremely rude to faint on someone while they're on good, healthy ramble. Healthy- you know? That thing that you aren't."

"Why the hell do you care?" Chase interrupts- he doesn't need these hopes- he has dreams. "because I get bonus points" house replies cockily, looking quite pleased with himself.

Chase understands at that moment that Cuddy can't give him clinic duty if he's taking care of the sick wombat. I am not sick, Chase thinks forcibly- he's not even sure which part of him is arguing. Liking your twisted boss is not sick. But Chase knows that it is.

House isn't yelling. He's handed a cup the non-caffeinated drink to Chase with a glare that says 'drink it or get poked repeatedly with my cane" Chase is trying VERY hard not to interpret the look with his biased and sick mind.

"Why don't you eat?" house is asking, watching Chase watch the swirling contents of the cup.

Chase tries humor; "Because I'm faaattt" It's his whiny interpretation of one of his ex-girlfriends. House grimaces- he isn't even going to banter today. Another question. "Why don't you sleep?"

His breath hitches for a moment. Just for a moment. "I don't like the dreams" he admits. He's almost shocked for saying so much- he must be delusional. House is waiting for him to elaborate.

Chase decides to risk the drink. House looks gleeful for a moment. It's a thick hot-chocolate, but he can taste the crushed up vitamin and protein pills. He stops sipping immediately.

House wags his finger and speaks in a pseudo-motherly tone "Now-now Bobby- you can't go out and play with the other wombats if you don't eat your vegetables." He places one long finger at the bottom of the cup and tips it up. Chase has two choices- drink up or risk the bed sheets. He decides to drink up.

He feels a lot better physically- and about the same mentally. House is positively dancing in his shoes.

Chase stares. Hard. House is wearing his shoes. "I wanted to play dress-up" Chase is confused, but it doesn't matter anymore. "Go to sleep" he's ordered. He almost cries as he sees House putting on his coat and making his way to the door. He's leaving. "Don't you dare drink coffee- I'll be back after that annoying superman thing I do everyday where I save people's lives. You have to tell Cuddy to give me a raise."

The door shuts. And locks. House took his key. Chase's mind has just registered that House has gone to work- which means he has to do clinic duty. Which means House wasn't escaping it by taking care of the poor, sick wombat. Chase is confused- but it no longer matters. House just said he'd return at the end of the day.

His breath hitches for a moment. Just a moment.

He sleeps. He doesn't need hope, he has dreams.

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