a/n: I deeply apologize to all those following this story for my delay in between updates. I had this written a week ago but ended up running with another burst of inspiration on another story. Anyway, it is my goal this week to complete this story, thus completing the series as well. Happy reading!

Who knows what I'm doing here or why I care so much. Probably because it is my nature to care, but you and I both know it is something more. I just never have been able to explore what that something more is. What I originally mistook for love turned out to be nothing more than a crush much like a student fawning over a professor. The student falls for the brilliance and would like to believe there is something more behind that virtuosity. Sadly in most cases, the student eventually finds there isn't.

We are all damaged House, not just you. You believed that I wanted to fix you. Hell, I believed it too at first. I have learned though that I can't fix myself, let alone you. I can't even fix my medical career. The grey lines that you have so painfully shown me have taught me that anything I once held dear really doesn't exist. There is no right or wrong, black or white, strong or weak, and broken or unbroken.

I confess though, you weren't the one to finally get through to me. I was too stubborn and blind to see your motives of needing to blow apart my reality. Foreman and Chase were the culprits. Each in their own broken ways showed me the cruelty of this profession. I'm not sure how they saw it from day one and I didn't. Probably because life has taught them to be emotionally distant and they have used that to their distinct advantage. Either that or medicine is truly a man's world. No, I'd actually believe that if it wasn't for Cuddy. She has more balls that all of you men put together.

I don't love anyone nor do I want to love anyone. I was attracted to you for your mind and Chase for his body, but both those moments are over. Chase actually had the nerve to tell me that none of us are happy. He's right, but that doesn't mean that we aren't capable of being happy. Foreman is trying, so I will too. My first step is letting go. We would be the most miserable couple in history. I'm letting go of you and choosing to become the doctor I'm supposed to be. I'm going to jump onto those grey lines and try to make sense of them.

Cameron's pager went off. Foreman was letting her know it was time for the brain stimulation. As she got up she took one more lingering look at her mentor. Get well House. No matter what I resolve to do, I will always care.

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Chase wanted to slip in and quickly speak to Mrs. Harris before Foreman got started. He was relieved to find her alone, holding vigil over Emily.

"I brought a good luck charm." From his pocket he pulled out a necklace with a small sterling silver medal hanging from it. Mrs. Harris examined the likeness imprinted on it. "St. Rita?"

"She is the patron saint of impossible cases. 'Let me suffer like you, Divine Saviour' she said one day and suddenly one of the thorns from the crucifix struck her on the forehead. It left a deep wound that did not heal and caused much suffering for the rest if her life. Her injuries were considered by her to be a most treasured and singular gift of god."

Mrs. Harris clutched the medal as if someone had given her a pot of gold. She put her head down and let the emotions overcome her. "Thank you. I will treasure this forever."

"I'm sorry, but I have other priorities I must get to. Good luck. I'll check in with you later."

Chase passed Foreman on the way out. "All yours."

"Ready Mrs. Harris?" Foreman asked as he noticed tears running from her eyes. He was curious about what Chase said to her, but knew not to ask.

She rubbed the medal between her fingers and nodded. "Yes, we are more than ready."

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Natalie was in the ICU performing her routine check on House when Chase came in with his now trademark stack of files. "You're going to hide here with your paperwork again I see."

"I'll be in here all the time from now on. I'll even assign myself ICU patients in the future. This place is better than any office. You'll just have to put up with this face for a while."

Natalie observed Chase getting settled. She found his slight angst over his menial tasks to be quite endearing. "Oh yes, there is nothing worse than attractive young doctors hanging out in the ICU." Chase smiled bashfully at her comment but said nothing. "I know you are busy, but I just have to know something."

"Sure, what is it?" Chase was rather curious. Natalie was usually not the inquisitive type.

"Why do you put up with House? No one doubts his brilliance but personally given his behavior, I don't think he is worth the trouble."

"House is making me a better doctor."

"He is not making you a better person," Natalie countered. "Cynicism and crankiness don't improve your medical skills."

Chase shrugged off her observation. "I've learned to filter through all the bad stuff. I just don't let it bother me."

Natalie wasn't the kind to tolerate such passive behavior either. "It bothers me. Decent people don't deserve to be treated that way. It isn't just you. Once upon a time I actually liked Dr. Cameron as a person. In her time under House she has turned into a mean spirited bitch."

"Our team works very well together. There are no rules that say you have to be nice." Chase defended.

"Yeah, if that is the case, then why are you still nice? You treat patients, their families, and the nurses with huge respect. You are the only thoughtful person left on that team."

"I'm not nice. I'm polite. Anyway, House challenges me and I like it."

Natalie got a cute little grin. She felt it would be a great opportunity to push a few buttons. "That sounds like self punishing behavior. What is your shame?"

Chase wasn't sure whether to be pissed or amused by her attitude. For whatever bizarre reason, he was actually intrigued by her playful nosiness. He wasn't about to answer her question though. "Now you are getting too personal."

Natalie let a small smile slip that indicated she was indeed having fun with him. "You don't need to tell me. I have a feeling though that House knows exactly what your shame is and is using it as emotional blackmail. It all makes sense now."

Now it was Chase's turn to do some mocking. "I think you and House would make an ideal pair. You both could go around together and psychoanalyze everyone in the hospital. It is a match made in heaven."

Natalie got a huge and flirtatious smile. "Not my type. I like my doctors younger, cuter, and foreign."

Chase blushed at her comment and knew she was up to something. He decided to play along. "Now you are just plain teasing me. Didn't you just say something about showing people respect?"

"I like to have a general idea of what types of demons are haunting the doctors I'm going to have a drink with."

"You want to have a drink with me?" Chase was very surprised.

"No, you want to have a drink with me."

He stared at her, uncertain what to say next.

"Come on," she said, "Spit it out. Natalie will you..."

"...have a drink with me?" Chase finished her sentence as she had hoped.

She smiled showing deep flattery in her expression. "Yes, I'd love to." Then she turned and exited the room.

Chase sat there pleasantly stunned trying to figure out how he just got a date out of that.

"Sure, flirt with a hot nurse in front of the coma patient. He won't notice." Chase looked up to notice a wide awake House giving him a taunting smile.

"You weren't in a coma."

"That makes it even worse! She thinks you are actually nice. Boy did she get that wrong."

"So you heard everything." Chase grabbed his forehead in slight humiliation.

"Yep, pretty much. We need to put Cameron and Nancy there in a steel cage together for a death match."

"Natalie."

"Whatever. I'll put my money on Cameron. She may be tiny but she fights dirty."

Chase looked at House rather un-amused by the whole suggestion.

"No?" House asked, retreating from his excitement. "Suit yourself. For the record, you were self-punishing the day I hired you. I haven't done anything to you that hadn't already been done. I just think it is fun after all this time I can still get away with everything I do to you."

"Have you ever thought that someday I might snap and bring a machine gun to work?"

"Nah, you are too nice. You would apologize for making a mess and clean it up."

Chase gave House the evil eye. "You're right. Someday I'll just slip something into your drink. Far less messy."

"That's the spirit; use that creativity that got you hired. By the way, I'm fine, thanks for asking."

"What do I care?" Chase replied. "I'm not nice."

Chase left the room, leaving House highly amused by the situation. Even while sick in the ICU, he could still push buttons.

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A week later the ducklings were finally allowed back into their regular diagnostics home. They all went in together, each taking their own moment to reflect on what had happened last time they were there.

"Feels weird, doesn't it?" Cameron looked at the stain in the carpet that stood now as their constant reminder of the horrific event.

"Yeah," replied Foreman who really didn't want to dwell on it too much.

Chase didn't waste anytime. After taking his one second of reflection, he started making coffee right away. The other two took that to be a sign that it was time to get back to business.

"Has anyone heard from House since he went home?" Cameron asked.

"Nope," replied Chase, "and I doubt we will. He will be doing some strict rehab for the next 8 weeks and doesn't want to be disturbed. I'm not sure Wilson will even get to see him."

"Wilson should feel really lucky then." Foreman added.

All three pagers went off in mismatched patterns. As they checked their messages, Cameron looked the most panicked. "Emily." They all rushed out.

A few minutes later they shuffled into Emily's room and were astounded by what they saw. Foreman ran to the bedside while Cameron and Chase stayed behind still frozen in disbelief.

"Emily?" Foreman asked as two large blue eyes stared at him. He put his hand on top of her right hand, and she proceeded to weakly grab it. Foreman threw her an encouraging smile, and she ever so slightly allowed her lips to move upward. An attempt to smile at this stage was more than he could have hoped for. He looked over at Mrs. Harris, who wore a simple look of overwhelming relief.

"Thank you Dr. Foreman." Mrs. Harris' voice quivered as she fought back tears. She wanted to be strong for Emily. "You did it."

"No Mrs. Harris. She did it."

Cameron let tears slide down her cheeks at this incredible sight. Chase tried to show as little reaction as possible, but inside he felt a rush of emotion that he hadn't experienced in a long time. He was on the brink of being completely overtaken.

"Chase?" Foreman asked.

Chase cleared the lump in his throat and replied in a shaky voice. "Yes?"

"Can you help me do a reflex check?"

He nodded, snapped back into doctor mode, and went to help Foreman.

"I'll let you do your exam. I'm off to the chapel to give my thanks to St. Rita." Mrs. Harris quickly left.

Cameron and Foreman looked at each other confused, and then both noticed a smiling Chase. Cameron smiled too. It maybe a God thing, but it was all good.

a/n: One more chapter to go. It will be out rather soon. Thanks again for your patience between updates.