Crazy write like mad week is over. Yes, I have to go back to school...which reminds me I still have to study for that unit final...oh well. Enjoy, I made it super long. (Well not exactally super long but long enough for me.)
tlttmn: (Jaw drops) Really? I feel loved, seriously loved. But hon, you didn't have to do that. And I feel like a red Christmas light bulb right now. Thankyou. (Huggles)
blashphamy6669: Lol, thankyou.
Firetop: (Grins) Thanks.
isheebishee: Lol, thankz.
AtreidesHeir: Well Chase is playing your angle to House, but you know House. Genuis who gets everything right...or almost right. Lol, I hope this helps with some of the pain. Thankz.
felixgirl: Don't worry bout it. Really? I've only read Chase gets raped fics, but oh well. We all love Chase torture. Everyone's busy right now, I just have absolutely no social life. Thankz.
Rubix-Complex: Lol, you should strangle her real life counterpart I based her off of. I think it would do me a lot of favours. Thankz.
Merlin71: Well first things first. Welcome to the world of House MD, I hope you'll enjoy your stay. I'm very flattered you would pick my fic out of dozens of gooder ones out there. Thankz.
Thankz to all who reviewed, but you know me. Review whore, so get your reviews in while you can.
Shadowed Guilt: Chapter Twelve Subdued
The Reichs lived in the middle of nowhere, by a placid blue lake surrounded by autumn coloured trees on all four sides. Chase stepped out onto the cobble stoned driveway and glanced back as the rest of the gang crawled out of the shiny black limousine that had come to pick them up. He had remembered how fast the other's jaws dropped when they saw it, he wasn't sure about himself though. The jaw dropping was imitated again as they stared up at the house, which could only be considered a mansion in their eyes. Emerald jewel bright lawn, with a smattering of gardens with wilting begonias and roses. The gate and the surrounding walls looked like a prison to Chase considering the fancy yet lethal spikes lining the tops of the walls. A fountain could be seen in the far corner of the lawn, but it was too far to make out the figure perched in the center of it spewing out water. It could've been Chase's over active imagination, but he was pretty sure it wasn't something that would be taken lightly if seen in public.
The weather was starting to chill down slightly, he wrapped his arms around himself and watched as House slowly adjusted his crooked bow tie, Chase had avoided him so far. Foreman climbed out of the leather interior glumly, he had tried his hardest to get out of this little engagement by claiming he had a patient with a serious aneurism that had to be surgically treated today. However House declared if he himself was forced to go then his ducklings would be going along with him, unless they wanted to be fired there and then. Chase had spent the better part of last night assuring Foreman that this particular suit didn't make him look like a penguin.
In truth both House and Wilson could've passed for penguins with there matching black bow ties and snow white dress shirts tucked neatly into their black dress pants. House had even shined up his shoes to a mirror like appearance just for this occasion. Cameron had surprised them all by applying make up, changing her hair until it floated every time she walked or moved, and wearing a rather low scooping red dress. Chase felt invisible in his conservative black suit, shirt, tie, and shoes the very same outfit he had worn to his father's funeral. Considering the reason they were here in the first place, he considered it a small blessing.
A gaunt man stepped from the vast interior of the foyer of the estate, he was dressed formally in a suit which marked him as a butler. Chase thought in all appearances the man could've been a vampire with a stick up his arse. "This way please." the butler had a high thin nasal voice, which grated on everyone's nerves.
Through the polished marble, wood, and persian rugged floors they went. Chase couldn't help but stare at the pieces of art hanging on the walls and the statues that were in the middle of the corridors in equally spaced intervals. He couldn't figure out what they were suppose to be and he had no desire to, at least not at the moment. The butler lead them to the dining hall, overhead in the high ceiling a giant antique chandelier glimmered with lights reflected off the clear crystals. The center of the hall was taken up by a round dark oak table covered with fine linen already set with silverware and wine glasses. "Please be seated." the butler indicated to the cushioned chairs.
As the butler left, House raised his eyebrows, "Ohhh, everything is so formal. I'm suffocating from the weirdness flowing out of this place."
The doctors seated themselves and Chase found himself seated between House and Wilson, 'Oh damn.' Chase thought, 'Now they're going to gang up on me.' he sank a few inches in his seat.
The doors opposite to the ones that they had entered burst open, two maids in the classic black and white uniform scurried to keep the enormous polished wood doors open. Mrs Reichs dramatic as ever strutted in. She was dressed in an eye searing pink strapless ball gown, at the back was a mile long train in a more eye friendly pink, it was what would be conservative for Mrs Reichs. Her blonde hair was bound up at the back of her head with stray locks dangling and some were caught in the golden hoops adorning her ears, for once her lips were painted a soft rose colour instead of the overly garish red, "Welcome to my humble abode." her voice was loaded with so much sugar that they could almost taste the sweetness in the air.
"We er...wish you a happy birthday?" Chase sounded uncertain.
"Oh, what a dear. Thank you." she gestured behind her, "I'm terribly hungry, let's eat." she seated herself in the chair with the back facing the doorway she had just entered.
Uniformed waiters and waitresses appeared behind her and placed what could only be considered a feast down. Caviar, a giant roasted turkey flavoured with spices, steak and rice for each of the tables occupants, red and white wine bottles appeared every few feet, salad, and other such heavenly food. Their mouths watered and they were in danger of drooling over their outfits, "Well." Mrs Reichs said, pouring herself a glass of ruby red wine, "What are you waiting for dig in."
They cautiously reached for their forks and knives and began sawing away on their tender steaks, Chase's lips wrapped around the medium rare piece he had just cut and nearly closed his eyes in bliss. The juices flowed into his mouth, remembering not to swallow it whole and look like a pig, he chewed it thoroughly and slowly savoring every bite before swallowing. In no time he had swallowed the last bite of steak and steamed rice, he gently poured himself a glass of red wine, only half a glass. He delicately sipped it, House watched him, "You have the weirdest way in eating food, young man. I don't think it should be legal."
"What do you mean?" Chase asked licking his lips.
House waited until Chase took another sip, "You're having sex with the food."
To Chase's credit, he didn't spray the mouthful of wine all over the table, he however did make a weird gulping noise, "What!" his voice strangled as he tried to clear his abused throat.
"You heard me." House said a little too loudly, "You're-" he was interrupted as Chase elbowed him hard in the stomach.
Everybody looked up from their food, Wilson he had been eavesdropping stifled a laugh. Chase went a slight shade of pink, "Just ignore him, he's had a little too much wine I think."
Use to the fact that House sometimes acted like he was a little kid on a candy high, Foreman and Cameron turned back to their food. Mrs Reichs speculated for a moment then turned back to her food. Chase glared at House, "You-"
"Dr Chase." Mrs Reichs' sugary voice floated over to them, "Do you play the piano?"
"Only a little, ma'am. And fairly poorly at that." Chase gave a strained smile, "If you're looking for a pianist, I suggest you ask Dr House here."
Mrs Reichs didn't even give House a passing glance, "Do you play any instrument well?"
"Only the violin, but I haven't played in years." Chase started feeling a little bit antsy.
"Oh, what a shame. Do you draw?"
'What is this twenty questions?' Chase asked himself, "Only a little, for the little ones in the pediatric ward at the hospital."
"Oh, so what do you think of the art hanging around in this dreary old place?"
"I hardly think this place is dreary, ma'am." Chase said, "But to tell you the truth I haven't inspected those wondrous pieces of artwork to give a honest enough opinion."
"Oh, dear. We should take a look then after lunch?"
"If you want, madam." Chase said.
"Why do you call her ma'am or madam?" House whispered into Chase's ear as Mrs Reichs turned to engage with a conversation with Cameron, commenting her on her spectacular appearance.
Chase shrugged and quietly stabbed a few leaves of lettuce with more force then necessary, "Habit, I suppose."
"So you call the women you sleep with ma'am or madam?" House inquired.
"No, only women in high positions. And I haven't slept with her. Now can we not talk about this? I'm feeling a bit queasy." Chase muttered.
"I don't see you talking to Cuddy with a ma'am or a madam at every tail end of the sentence. Does that mean you've slept with dear Lisa?" House asked.
"I didn't call Stacy madam and I sure as hell haven't slept with Cameron." Chase defended.
"Yet." House finished.
"You are unbelievable." Chase turned, "Don't you start either." he said pointedly to Wilson.
Wilson did a one shouldered shrug and continued eating.
oOoOo
As the lunch drew to a close, Mrs Reichs stood up patting her lips delicately with a handkerchief, "Let us move into the parlor, shall we?"
The parlor as Mrs Reichs put it could've been considered a studio if it weren't taken up by a seven foot grande piano and floral printed furnishings. A giant fireplace took up almost one wall and over it hung two finely decorated swords, crossed and keeping some sort of holly in its confines. They sat, House taking up a cushy armchair for himself and his bad leg rested on a matching footstool. Mrs Reichs sat almost directly across from him in the armchair's twin and the rest of them scattered themselves among couches and chairs. A servant brought in tea, the real stuff not the floral scented water that came in small packages at convinience stores. Taking his cup, Chase wandered the room as Mrs Reichs engaged the rest of the gang in a conversation about her husband's case.
On one side of the room, it was covered with cages. Chase sauntered over and expected one, in it held a sad cockatoo, it's bright yellow fringe lying dismally flat upon it's head. It spread it's white and yellow wings and made a sad noise. Soothing noises issued automatically from Chase's mouth, the cockatoo cocked its head and shimmied closer on it's perch. "Dr Chase." he snapped to attention, "Why don't you play us something on the piano?" Mrs Reichs asked.
"Ma'am, when I say I play poorly. I play poorly. Perhaps you could get Dr House to play for you." Chase panicked.
"But I want you to play." Mrs Reichs true side showed itself for today, "Please? As a gift for my birthday."
"Fine." Chase agreed half heartedly, "However if you're ears start to bleed, it wasn't my fault."
"I'm sure you don't play that badly." Mrs Reichs settled herself and set up a chess board.
Chase suppressed a snort as he carefully moved the bench back from under the piano, lifting the keyboard cover, he sat for a moment wondering what on earth he was suppose to play. Like a lover's unforgotten perfume, a memory stirred in the back of Chase's mind. A sweet melancholy melody that his mother had played on their piano day in and day out, before all their problems had started. She had attempted to teach him, but he never could seem to get it right. One minute it was too loud and boisterous and the next too soft and barely heard. Instead he sat back and listened to his mother play it, so beautifully oh so beautifully.
He lifted his arms and let his fingers gently rest on the keys, caressing the slippery black and white ivory he played. The first notes were played stiffly, with no little rainbows of colour in them. As he started to relax, Chase remembered his mother's soft voice and perfume, full of sunlight and lilies, teaching him. Gently the first phrase went by, with little error except a wrong note here and there, "I never knew you could play." a voice interrupted Chase from his deep thoughts.
He jumped and his fingers hit a wrong chord, causing a discord that rang loud in the room. Blushing deeply, he grinned embarrassed at the people who had turned, "Do you make a point in doing that every time you talk to someone?"
House gestured for Chase to scoot over, which he did. Sighing, House sat and leaned his cane against the black wood of the piano's supports, "No, not really. It's just you who seems the jumpiest. A little guilty are we?"
"No." Chase said and started playing.
House listened for a moment and joined in an octave higher, "Right..."
"Yup." Chase replied and concentrated on the song.
"You ever had a teacher for this?" House asked and winced at a wrong note played by Chase.
"No." he said shortly, not wanting to divulge any personal information with House.
"I did." House said as if they were old buddies, "I didn't like his thin voice and harsh jokes. But I got through it, all the way up from grade one to the damn performer's ARCT."
"Good for you." Chase said having no clue as to what House was talking about.
"Yeah, I wasted about...oh, thirteen years with that man. But he was a good teacher."
"Uhuh." Chase said his part faltering, putting his hands back in his lap he muttered, "That's all I know."
House nodded, finishing the final run of the song and imitated Chase by putting his hands in his lap, "That's pretty good without a teacher."
Chase shrugged, "Not for..." he didn't finish his sentence, instead he started playing a one hand melody, "Piano wasn't for me."
"Not then, but maybe now." House suggested.
"It never will be." Chase replied and doggedly kept playing his one handed song, which was only suit for a violin.
"You never know if you don't try." House said, "By the way, you're sitting wrong."
Chase's eyebrows furrowed and he looked down, one leg was tilted back under the bench and the other leg was at a ninety degrees with the piano keyboard. He slowly shifted his leg back under the keyboard, "See." House pointed and poked him in the small of his back, "No slouching."
Chase straightened his back and rolled his shoulders back, "No tense shoulders either. Relax." House patted Chase's shoulders which instantly dropped and relaxed.
"See you're learning." House said.
Chase looked up at House's blue eyes, "You really think so?" he whispered, something flickered in his now bright blue eyes something that looked remarkably like hope.
"I know so." House replied kindly.
Chase opened his mouth and was interrupted as Mrs Reichs stood up, "Well shall we let Dr Chase inspect the artwork outside?" she asked.
He turned and got up and dutifully followed Mrs Reichs and the crew of doctors to the first statue that stood just outside the hall, "Feel free to wander." Mrs Reichs said, "I want feedback when we meet again."
Chase strolled to the opposite end of the hallway and found himself intrigued by a twisted metal sculpture, Foreman appeared at his shoulder. A pause stretched between them before Foreman asked, "What is it?"
Eyes wide, Chase circled it once then twice, "I think it's suppose to be female, crossed over either with something reptilian and arachnid like or a scorpion. Or maybe I'm just completely off the mark."
"I think that's a more educated guess then I could make." Foreman bent to examine the brass plaque fixed to the statue's platform, "Women by Mr Richard Reichs. Wow, what an insult. I never even knew he was a sculptor."
"What's the bet it was influenced by his wife?" Chase quirked an eyebrow and studied the next sculpture approximately ten feet away.
"A pretty good chance." Foreman said, "Now what the heck is this?"
"This one I'm lost. I think it's a toad."
"No, toad's look more prettier." Foreman commented on the squat flat shaped creature glaring up at them in stony silence.
"Uhuh." Chase commented, "I have nothing good to say to Mrs Reichs about them."
"Me neither." Foreman said, wandering into another hallway.
Chase followed, "You know. I think I've heard of Mr R. Reichs the sculptor."
"Really." Foreman said in disbelief, "Who would want these pieces of junk?"
"You'd be surprised." Chase muttered darkly, "I think he makes millions annually on these pieces of junk. I believe my father..." a hard lump formed in his throat which he deftly swallowed, "Bought one. A small anubis like creature, it was in the trash by next morning."
"By you, I assume?"
"Let's just say, I have have better taste then this, even though it may not seem like it." Chase smiled referring to his colour clashing dress shirts and ties he wore to work on every day basis.
"Yeah. I can't believe people could and would spend billions for these."
"I think people who have nothing to do but sit on their asses all day want to seem well rounded. They believe that art, such as this will speak to them. When in turn they actually hate the damn thing and resent having spent millions on them. But they'll keep it in their house, probably tucked into a room where they rarely see unless they have guests over, because other people have them in their houses. It's kind of a peer pressure thing I guess."
Foreman shook his head, "Sad."
Chase nodded in agreement.
oOoOo
Two seemingly unending hours lately, Mrs Reichs saw them off. The gang slumped back, ruffled and exhausted from trying to entertain Mrs Reichs. Chase glanced back and winced as she waved a mile long pink sequenced cloth, which he assumed was a handkerchief. Sighing, he held his head in his hands. His elbows propped up against the window. Work seemed almost heaven to the unimaginable horrors they had faced in that house. Chase vowed if ever he was to be forced to a party like this again, he would commit suicide. He didn't care if he suffered in the burning flames of hell for it. No torture, could surpass the torture that Mrs Reichs had inflicted on them in those hours they spent in her house.