Chase paced back and forth in front of House's office, currently empty. Foreman watched him with slight annoyance, before finally snapping.
"Dammit Chase, stop it!" he said sternly, wringing his hands. Chase stopped, sighing angrily, and sat down next to Foreman.
"He hasn't been back here in almost an hour," Chase said, stating something that both he and Foreman knew couldn't mean anything good. They sat in silence for another long moment
"You think it's true, what Rachel said about Wilson?" Foreman asked, in an attempt to push the picture of a bruised and battered Cameron from his mind. He found quickly that thinking about Wilson being a rapist only put more gruesome pictures in his head. Chase shook his head furiously.
"I just don't think that Doctor Wilson could... I... no," he said, with some obvious struggle. Foreman raised his eyebrows. "Seriously, Wilson?" Foreman shrugged.
"I hope not," he said. "But at this point, I'm out for vengeance, as I'm sure you are too." Chase nodded once again. Opening his mouth to speak, Chase was silenced by House's arrival into the hall. Standing in unison, Foreman and Chase were ushered back to their seats with the annoyed wave of a hand.
"Updates on today's soap opera: Cameron is still out, and probably will be for a week, so feel free to go sit with her once her family leaves. Wilson is being booked, which is where I'm going now. And as much as I appreciate the time-honored art of loitering, you can't do it outside my office all night," he said, without breathing. Chase and Foreman watched him, unblinking. "So, go do something. Don't just sit there." Foreman stood, nodding at Chase, and walked down the hallway. House stepped past Chase into his office, only to be followed.
"House, is Cameron going to die?" Chase asked, surprised to hear the words uttered so easily. Chase observed the tension House's whole body immediately, realizing that House also couldn't believe it. Turning slowly, Chase noticed that House looked more tired and exhausted than normal.
"Chase, for the love of all things holy, go away," he said, his voice gruff. Chase stared, before breaking his gaze and exiting the office. Sitting down heavily, House attempted to control his breathing. Surely she wasn't going to die.
HCHCHCHCHC
I can see the light behind my eyes and hear their voices. I think I hear Mom and Emmy, but I'm not sure. The pain in my head and body is indescribable: at least an eight or nine on the pain scale. There's a muted whoosh in my ears, which I'm sure is the sound of the ventilator providing air to the tube down my throat. Everything hurts. I knew it would. I can't move a thing, but that's probably because I'm sedated. Maybe I'm paralyzed. At least I'm alive. Well, I think I'm alive.
Heaving a sigh, Emmy stood and stretched. "Mom, we need to go get something to eat. Let Doctor Chase and Doctor Foreman have some time with Ally." Elizabeth relinquished her grip on Cameron's hand before placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. Passing both Chase and Foreman on the way out, Elizabeth and Emmy held each other's hands for warmth and emotional support. Sitting in the recently vacated chairs, Chase and Foreman allowed their eyes to survey the body of the woman they had both come to know and respect. Foreman felt guilt swell in his chest, for both almost killing her several months ago and for not inviting her to drinks with him and Chase that evening. If he had, she might not be here. Shifting his eyes left, he noticed that Chase had taken Cameron's hand and was stroking her palm with his thumb.
"S'all right Allison. We're here now."
I know. I'm glad for it.