-Ch 12-

Chase tried to focus on his breathing, to keep him self calm, but it wasn't working. He'd finely convinced House he'd be fine while House went and grabbed a short nap in his office and a shower.

He'd lied. He was not at all in any way fine. He was a nervous wreck.

So far he'd managed to keep him self from a full-blown panic attack, but that was only because no one had come near his room so far. He didn't know what he would do if someone actually came in when he had no House to beat them off.

His brain was telling him he was being stupid and irrational, but the pain in his side was telling his brain to shut up. At the moment Chase was more inclined to listen to his side.

But really, he was a doctor. He could remain calm in stressful situations, right?

Wrong, he decided as the door swung open, admitting Cameron and Foreman. Chase bit down on his lip and tried to ignore his instant panic reaction.

"Uh hi Chase. We, um just wanted to see how you were doing..." Cameron said hesitantly both of them not getting too close to his bed.

"Fine. I'm fine." A sudden thought came to Chase and he pushed him self up, ignoring the stab of pain, and threw off his bedding, pasting a bright smile on his face. "In fact I'm going home. House released me. He's signing me out right now." Chase was vaguely aware that he was babbling, but he kept going.

"Could you do me a huge favor and grab some of my extra shirts and pants from my locker? Or some scrubs or something? I hate these gowns. Don't know how I'll ever be able to make a patient wear then ever again!" Chase joked sitting on the edge of the bed, gritting his teeth against the pain.

Cameron and Foreman exchanged looks and Cameron stepped closer to the bed while Foreman stepped closer to the door, One trying to help, the other trying to cut off his escape route.

Cameron paused uncertainly as Chase flinched away. Unfortunately, the movement only caused Foreman to block the door entirely.

"Maybe we should wait for House..."

"No! I mean..House would be annoyed over having to wait. You know how he is."

Chase ignored Foreman, zeroing in on Cameron. He gave her his best 'little-boy-lost' smile.

Foreman narrowed his eyes looking at Chase. "If you're being discharged why are you still on a IV?"

"Uh...House hates work and uh I just didn't bother to do it my self. But now is a great time!" Chase said far too cheerfully peeling the tape off and started to pull the needle out of his arm.

"What the hell are you doing!" House barked entering the room, his hair still wet from the shower. The door smacked into Foreman who scowled at his boss.

Chase flinched, freezing and tried to look innocent. "Er.. It slipped?"

House favored him with a glare. "Put that back in."

He waited until Chase complied and then turned on the other two doctors. "And what are you two idiots doing? Just standing there watching him make an escape attempt?"

"He said you were releasing him!" Foreman snapped, rubbing his elbow.

House rolled his eyes. "Yes I'm releasing him one night after being gutted like a fish! Moron!"

"Well we knew he was lying." Foreman defended their actions.

"And you told us not to get near him." Cameron added.

Chase gave them both a hurt look.

House taped down the IV, and began to check the stitches.

"New rule. If he touches the IV, tackle him and restrain his ass. Use the big scary straps."

House looked at his two employees and sighed. They looked like small, little lost ducklings. It made him uncomfortable.

"Don't you two have clinic hours or something?" He asked, dismissing them. He waited until they left before smacking Chase upside the head.

"I can't leave you alone for even an hour can I?"

"Oh like you didn't know I would try..." Chase snorted, rubbing his head.

"Hmpf."

Chase picked at the tape on his arm.

House smacked him again.

Chase sighed and obediently kept his hands by his side.

"Good puppy." House ruffled his hair, flopping back down into the chair.