As Chase awoke his eyes had trouble adjusting to a much brighter light this time. The light felt far less hot than the sun that had beat down on him earlier and one that offered a comforting hue. He took a moment to focus clearly and reacted in deep surprise to see Andie starting at him with pure innocence and loveliness. Her face looked full and lively, her blue eyes sparkled, and her long hair shined with blond, flowing and curly locks.

"Hi Dr. Chase. I didn't expect to see you so soon." Andie's smile lit up her virtuous face offering deep comfort to anyone who so needed it; such as a young man who was suffering in pain as he lingered.

"I didn't expect to see you either since I was at your funeral only two months ago."

"I found out when I got here how much you hate funerals. You didn't even go to your own father's funeral. I'm deeply honored that you put that all aside for me."

Chase smiled in appreciation of her comments. "Andie, where are we?"

"Heaven of course. I pulled a few favors so I could say hi. Your chest is bleeding."

Chase looked down to see a wound that was almost completely healed, but yet a small spot still existed.

"I don't feel so well," he candidly told her.

"You aren't dead yet. Too bad you aren't a child. We get immediate passage into Heaven. No lingering in pain. I can take care of you just like you took care of me."

Even in death she was a very brave and thoughtful little girl. "How about you show me around?" Chase asked her with a bright smile. "I always wondered what Heaven looked like."

Andie grabbed his hand and helped him off of the large, white, cushioned lounge chair that he was sprawled on. They walked through an area of lush and lavish gardens. Fountains and statues laced the garden's spectrum of brilliant and soothing color. It was easily the most beautiful place Chase had ever seen.

It wasn't just the beauty though. He felt a strange peace inside. If he didn't know better, he was experiencing deep serenity. Since such inner peace had eluded him for his entire life so he wasn't exactly sure what was happening. He became easily overwhelmed by emotion. "This is heaven. It's not what I expected, but then again, I didn't have any ideas of what this would be like. This is better than I could have hoped." He spoke with a slight quiver in his voice as he fought his tears.

"Heaven is supposed to be eternal happiness. When was the last time you felt happiness?" Andie asked.

"I don't remember."

"That is why this is better than you could imagine. If you can't remember happiness, then this place can be rather overwhelming."

They walked through the landscape hand in hand in silence. Other souls were there, all walking by with peaceful and quiet demeanors. If Chase had learned anything so far, it was that time is not a concept anywhere in the afterlife. He found that comforting.

"Dr. Chase, there is someone I want you to meet." Andie led him in another direction.

"Andie, you can call me Robert."

She again showed her beautiful angelic smile. "Okay Robert, this way." They approached a young man, around ten years of age, who was dressed in old-fashioned clothing from the end of the 19th century.

"Robert, this is Michael."

"Pleased to meet you," Chase said with a nod. The boy nodded back in silence but with a pleasant grin.

"Typhoid took out his entire family. He was glad to hear that thanks to doctors like you, that is no longer a problem. Anyway, he is my boyfriend."

Chase wasn't at all surprised that Andie was making new friends so quickly. "I like him. He seems nice."

"I guess I didn't need your kiss after all. I still liked it though."

Chase blushed and said nothing.

"Michael, we are going for a walk. I'll see you later."

"See you later." Michael then turned to Chase with a slight expression of concern. "Take care of yourself mister. My mom was in limbo for a while but she eventually joined us. Wherever you go next, the spirits could turn cruel."

An uncertain Chase was touched by the boy's unease. "I'll be fine. Thanks. Take good care of Andie. She is a wonderful girl."

Andie pulled Chase along and continued to lead him through the gardens. "It is so perfect here. I wish my mom would stop being so sad. If she knew what a beautiful place this really was, free of pain, she would be happy for me instead."

"She misses you, that is all. She knows you are in a better place."

Andie suddenly stopped, got a serious look on her face, and stared upward at Chase into his eyes. "Robert, would you like to talk to God?"

Chase was completely thrown back by that question. At first he didn't know what to answer. "I talk to him all the time Andie."

"No, I mean a one on one conversation. You ask questions, he answers."

"I can do that?" Chase couldn't believe it was possible.

"That's the best part of being in Heaven. He just happens to live here."

Chase got a scared look in his eyes. "I don't know Andie. I wouldn't know what to say."

"You say what you normally say. You just say it to his face."

Chase hesitated with his answer. "I don't know. I'm just not ready."

Andie pulled him down so that she could look directly into his eyes. She touched his cheek with her small hand. "You don't have to be scared here. You only have fear now because you are still connected with the earth. Once you let go of the pain, you are free."

Chase stared at this amazing little girl. "Are you sure that you are not an angel?"

Andie's face lit up. "Maybe I am now. Aren't angels supposed to be God's messengers? I'll see what I can setup."

Chase smiled and stood straight up. The world started to spin a bit.

Andie grabbed his hand to help his balance and flashed a look of concern. "You need some rest. Your wound is bigger."

Chase looked to see the spot on his shirt was much larger. All of a sudden he didn't feel so good. The serenity was lost. They walked back to the chair and Andie helped him get comfortable. "Sleep well Robert." Chase smiled at her warm gaze and passed out.

-----------------

Cuddy entered the observation room to see her somber team of doctors. She had just spent the last few hours with the police. She had to shut down the clinic and round up witnesses for their statements.

"Dr. Cameron, I'm sorry to bother you, but there is an officer downstairs that would like to get a statement."

"A crazy woman shot and killed Chase. What more do they want to know?" She snapped.

"Please, hopefully it won't take too much of your time."

"I've given statements before. They never go quick, especially when one of your patients is involved." She bit her lip to prevent herself from breaking out in any more tears.

"Cameron, go now." House instructed. "There is nothing you can do at this moment. The only thing you might miss is if he dies, and you have already seen that once today. You never want to see someone die twice."

Cameron looked down and let a few tears roll down her cheek before reluctantly agreeing. "Okay, let's go." She and Cuddy proceeded to the elevators.

Foreman stood up. "I'm getting coffee. Anyone want some?"

House and Wilson both nodded.

Foreman left giving Wilson his opportunity to get into House's head. "Waiting must be a tough job for you. This time there is no problem to solve or a magical cure for the great Dr. House to find. It seems what we need now is a miracle."

"Miracles of healing are the type of crap only Chase believes in, and I don't see them doing him any favors right now. Care to cough up a few Catholic saints that we can harass? I'll bring my cane for the whacking."

Wilson loved hitting the sore spots. "Ah ye of little faith. What comfort do you have to fall back on if he dies?"

"Comfort is that icky crap that helps you feel all warm and snuggly on those cold winter nights with your honey by your side. I'm better than that. I don't need comfort. I only need reason."

"There was no reason for this act."

"Yeah, tell me about it."

----------------

As Chase began to rouse, he found himself in yet another surrounding. Why couldn't he just stay in one place? This near death stuff was more exhausting than life.

When he fully opened his eyes, the place looked very familiar, but it didn't feel familiar. The room felt eerie and cold. He realized he was lying on his back in a pew. He sat up and was shocked to find he was in the chapel at the hospital.

Was this all a dream? If so, how did I end up in this room? Chase made it a point to never go into the hospital chapel unless he had to. He certainly would never go in there to sleep. A sharp jab struck his chest. That verified for him it wasn't a dream. There was a rather large spot this time, one that covered almost his entire side.

"Who would have thought it would be so cold? Everyone pictures fire and brimstone."

An alarmed Chase spun around to see House standing there. He wasn't there a second ago.

"What's going on House? Knock it off this time. I feel like crap."

"You haven't figured out where you are yet?"

Chase shook his head.

House flaunted a hugely wicked smile. "Welcome to hell."