CHAPTER TEN
Chase found comfort on the floor of the diagnostic room. There weren't any cases that needed House's attention, so the room was pretty quiet except for the footsteps and muted sounds for the hall, which eased away his new fear of being alone. House had had all the shades drawn except for the ones to his office, so the room was almost completely dark. Chase managed to sleep for the whole day.
"Chase." There was a light shaking on the Aussie's shoulder. "Chase, come on. Wake up, we need to go home." It took him a minute to realize that it was Dr. Wilson that was talking.
"M'time is it?"
"It's almost midnight."
Chase carefully sat up and stretched his good arm. He took Wilson's offered hand and was pulled to his feet.
"You slept better here on the floor? House's couch isn't /that/ uncomfortable."
"It's not that…" Chase said quietly as he walked beside the older doctor, still limping from his injured ankle.
"You're scared?" It was a rhetorical question, but Chase nodded. "You're going to be fine."
"No," Chase said sharply. Wilson was startled, he'd never heard such a tone from the young doctor. "I won't be fine until he can never get to me." They walked a few more steps. "I don't want to fight against him. If I lose…"
"Let's not worry about if for now, okay?" Wilson put a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Chase nodded again and let himself be led out to Wilson's car where House was already waiting.
