-Ch 13-
Wilson walked past the office reading a file, then stopped and slowly backed up and looked in. He pulled open the door and walked in giving House a bewildered look. "What are you doing in here? I thought you were super glued to Chase's side?"
House glanced up then went back to looking at his computer screen. "I was. Found a way to be comfortable and make sure he doesn't escape at the same time. I put a camera in his room. And a speaker." He pushed a button on a walkie-talkie and barked. "Hands off that IV!" They both saw Chase give the camera a death glare, but obediently put his hands back down.
Wilson chuckled. "Nice set up."
"Thanks." House pushed out a chair, motioning for him to take a seat. Once Wilson was sitting he threw a thick folder in to his lap. "Legalese. I think Princeton General is begging us not to sue."
Wilson hefted the heavy stack of papers. "Already? You must have scared them."
"Hmph." House looked at the monitor and picked up the walkie-talkie again. "Hands were I can see them, mister!" Chase responded by holding up his middle finger to the camera.
"He seems determined to leave." Wilson observed.
"And yet he's still there."
"But for how long? Chase is very clearly completely unhappy with being in the hospital, and watching him like a hawk in between panic attacks can only last so long."
"Yeah well, lets take it only step at a time."
"Hmm..."
"What?" House eyed Wilson, taking in his thinking look.
"Mmm? Oh nothing. I just-" Wilson trailed off and stood up abruptly, throwing the folder back on the desk and strolling out of the room.
House rolled his eyes and turned back to the monitor. The Wombat Show, as he had dubbed it, had turned out to be surprisingly interesting.
There was just one thing missing. He picked up his tennis ball and tossed it at the window to get his employees' attention.
"Oi! Foreman. Popcorn."
--
Chase jumped then hissed in pain as the door to his room opened. House rolled his eyes and stalked over to whack him. "Stop it!"
Chase scowled at House, then nervously eyed Wilson and Cuddy.
"Be nice." House warned.
"Why are you here?"
"Don't ask me. Ask Wilson; he called this little get together. This is his party." House said sitting down and putting his feet up on the side of Chase's bed, with a wicked grin. He bounced his foot sharply as Chase began to pick at the tape on his arm again. Chase sighed and began fiddling with House's shoelaces. He had found out earlier it was the only thing he could play with without getting yelled at.
Wilson cleared his throat then started. "Well uh I've been thinking. Clearly things can't stay the way they are. Chase is in a constant state of stress and he's not going to recover like that, House can't stay here 24/7 and Chase won't let anyone else near him."
Chase flinched and looked embarrassed and guilty as Wilson spoke. Then he blinked and looked up sharply. "I can go home?" He translated, voice sounding excited.
"No!" Cuddy snapped, squelching the tiny ray of hope.
She ignored his wounded look and turned to the one doctor she had thought had some sense. "Chase just had major surgery! Whether he likes it or not he needs medical attention. He needs to be under medical supervision. He's already ripped his stitches out once, he could bleed to death if it happens again!" Cuddy insisted.
"I can take care of my self! I've stitched my self up before!" Chase insisted again.
They ignored him. He scowled and tied House's shoelaces together.
"Well that's where my idea comes in. Chase can go home. With House. He's comfortable with House, and House is a doctor and can take care of him, as long as they take some medical supplies."
"Chase is going to need a lot of care, for weeks at the very least! As concerned for Chase as I am, House still has a job to do! He can't be away from work taking care of his employee for that long! Not even one that's technically his patient."
"Well uh you see you may not have a choice." Wilson said biting, his lip to suppress a grin. "I checked. There's a rule that you're allowed time off to take care of a sick or injured spouse."
"And it's not our fault that New Jersey doesn't recognize our love!" House declared dramatically pulling his legs off the bed and leaning forward to grasp a clearly confused Chase's hand. Chase frowned and yanked his hand away.
"Turns out the hospital has a significant other clause for just such occasions." Wilson chimed in helpfully.
Cuddy stared open mouthed at the three of them then sighed and rubbed her forehead. "You know what? I don't care. Fine."
Wilson snickered, and she turned on him
"Since this is your brilliant plan you get to help House take care of Chase."
It was House's turn to snicker.
"It's a good idea anyway. House can not do this completely on his own so Chase will just have to learn to deal with Wilson like he deals with House."
Chase looked at Wilson uncertainly, and reached back out unconsciously to grab the cuff of House's shirt.
Cuddy sighed. "Get a list of what you need together. And I still expect him to stay, until you're absolutely sure it's safe to move him."
House gave her a sloppy salute and waved as she left. "She took that better than I thought."
Chase stared from the door, to his hand, which House was holding again, to Wilson. "...What just happened here?"
House let go of Chase sitting back with a smirk. "We just came out of the closet."
Chase blinked at him.
"You got your wish Wombat! You're going home!" He stopped and tilted his head. "And I got a wife. Gosh I hooked my self a pretty one."