House and Wilson quietly monitored the struggling Chase.
Wilson wasn't sure what type of reaction he was going to get, but he knew it was time to bring the subject up. "House, there is something we need to do now."
"Well, don't keep me in suspense." House sarcastically replied.
"We need to get a priest."
"Chase isn't dead. He doesn't need last rites."
"He's near death and it is called anointing of the sick. It is a ritual of healing that is often performed in times of serious and critical illness, not death."
"Chase has always been evasive with his Catholic beliefs. He wouldn't like this."
"All the more need for the blessing. Whether Chase wants to admit it or not, he was baptized Catholic. His soul needs the sacrament if he should pass."
House looked at Wilson's serious expression and decided to back off. "You're the religious one. I'll leave it up to you. I'm certainly not going to do anything about it, but I won't stop you. I just don't plan on being anywhere near here when it happens."
"That was never an expectation." Wilson silently left the room.
House continued to stare forward and his fallen doctor. All his years of training, his brilliant ability to solve puzzles, his reckless ability to save the patient no matter what, couldn't be used in a time when one of his own is blown away by a wacko.
Twenty minutes later Wilson arrived with the priest on call, Father Samuel.
Wilson cleared the OR so the Father could be left alone with Chase.
"So, how good a Catholic is he?" The Father asked.
"Not good." Wilson replied.
"Confession?"
"I have no idea, but judging from what I do know, assume it has been a while."
"Okay, that gives me a good idea of what I need to do. Thank you Dr. Wilson."
Wilson went back to the observation room, noticing that House had already left. Chicken, he thought. He watched the Father perform the sacrament and thought about the Jewish prayer of healing that he had said over the years for the many that have passed. He silently recited it for Chase.
Cameron raced in. She passed House in the hall and wondered if something terrible had happened. She gasped. "Is that a priest giving him last rites? Is he dead?"
Wilson walked over to her and offered reassurance. "It is a sacrament, a Catholic blessing for the sick. He isn't dead and we haven't given up hope. We just wanted to be careful in case the worst happened."
Cameron broke out in tears. "I'm sorry for being ignorant. I have seen too many TV shows where the priest is always blessing the dead. It frightens the crap out of me."
Wilson gave her a big hug. "I know. It frightens me too."
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Chase didn't know where he was going anymore. He aimlessly wandered in the rolling meadows; his mind was too blank to process anything anymore. He was completely numb and wondered how much more of this he could take.
He tried to remember how he got here. He couldn't, but he knew he had been here before. Yes, it looked like Queensland where he used on go on holiday, but he vaguely remembered being there recently as well.
The sun was hot, so very hot. He could feel the rays sapping the energy from his already weakened body. The weakness made him suddenly remember. He looked down at his chest. There was slight bleeding where he heart was.
I'm not dead yet, he told himself. He wasn't sure if that was good news or bad. He was getting oh so tired of lingering. Still, to be back here, it was better than where he came from. The terror of his previous experience now swept his mind and delicate emotional state.
"Robert, you're back." Clyde greeted him with a warm smile. "We weren't sure if you would make it back here. Usually people in limbo often don't. Then tend to end up in heaven or hell."
"Thanks. I'm not sure if I can say it is good to be back, but it is nice to see someone who isn't scaring the crap out of me. I'm pretty tired, what say we go sit down?"
"You don't want to go there right now. There is a little "unpleasantness" happening. I usually give them an hour or so and it is over by then because your mother is too drunk."
Chase knew all too well what he was talking about. That was how long he used to hide before coming out into the open. Sometimes he would come out too early and would be the bitter recipient to the tail end of the fight. Still, he was just too exhausted. "I really need to sit down. I'll take my chances."
"Okay, I'll come with you in case I need to run interference. I got your back."
Chase smiled at Clyde's amazing gesture. "I could have used you when I was a child."
Chase and Clyde could hear the screaming as they approached the chairs. The fight wasn't over. Chase looked at the stagger of his mother. "She is three sheets to the wind. The fight will be over soon."
They walked over and Chase sank down into the chair. He tried to tune the insults out like before but he was having great trouble doing so this time. Maybe it was because he hadn't had to hear this for a while, or it was because he had been through too much lately and wasn't as tolerant as normal. Either way, it grated on him. "Just stop it, both of you!" He shouted. "Some of us need to rest here." He felt that familiar sharp stab in his chest. He was getting used to it.
"Oh Robbie, you are back!" His mother stumbled over to him. "I didn't think we would get to see you again. You look rather awful dear."
"Thanks mum. I feel rather awful." Chase replied sarcastically.
"Look young man, don't take that tone with me…" She started to unfairly scold him like she always used to after a bender.
"Leave him alone!" Rowan shouted. "The boy is sick for God's sake."
"You are only defending him to get back at me you bastard! You weren't taking his side earlier. 'Go to the light…'"
Chase couldn't take anymore. He got up and started walking away.
"No, don't go Robbie. I promise we'll behave." His mother chased after him and pulled him back.
Chase reluctantly sat down, grabbed his chest and a few tears welled up in his eyes.
"Don't cry dear. It was my fault. I didn't mean to hurt you." His mother pleaded the same way she did after she was mean to him for no reason. "If it is any consolation, you shouldn't be lingering too much longer. I think the end is near."
"How do you know? What's happened?" Chase's alarmed expression showed his fear of what was to come.
Rowan decided to deliver the news. He was always best with this sort of thing. "They've stopped the surgery and brought in a priest. You don't have much time."
Chase's heart sank. Yes, he wanted all of this to be over, but he didn't think that House would ever admit defeat. He certainly didn't think House would ever allow a priest. That was no doubt Wilson's idea.
Chase felt he only had one more option. He got up, looked upward and started shouting. "Andie! I need you! I have to talk to God now!"
Chase's parents both looked at him like he had flipped. "Sit down dear, you aren't well."
"I know what I'm doing. This is my last chance to get answers before I'm done." Chase looked at them desperately.
"I'm over here Robert." He swung around to see an angelic Andie, all dressed in white, smiling sweetly at him.
Chase returned her warm greeting with his own, relieved smile.
"Ready to go?" she asked. Chase nodded.
She grabbed his hand and they walked off into the distance until they could no longer be seen.
---------------
Chase waited on a stone bench overlooking a lovely Grecian themed garden. He still had a hard time grasping the concept that God would be along shortly just to have a chat. He still had trouble believing that such a thing could happen, but he did trust that Andie would not mislead him.
As he sat there in silence enjoying the huge contentment that filled his soul, he heard someone call his name.
"Dr. Chase?"
He saw a saintly looking Kayla standing in front of him. He tried to get up but she stopped him.
"No, don't get up, you're hurt." She pointed to the small stain on his chest. "I just wanted to show you how great I'm doing. You don't have to feel guilty. It all worked out. That was an amazing thing you did for my brother and kids. You have served them well and your good deeds will be rewarded."
Chase didn't know how to respond. He so wanted to tell her how sorry he was, but he looked at her with deep sincerity and said, "Thank you."
"Thank you Dr. Chase. I know you have an appointment, so I just want wish you all the best. No matter what, it will all work out for you."
Chase watched her slip away into the garden. He didn't feel a total release from his guilt, but he did feel better. As he pondered his encounter, a voice spoke from behind him.
"Robert, you wanted to talk to me?"
The voice sounded eerily familiar. That can't be who he thought. No, it couldn't be possible. He turned around to face the figure that spoke to him.
"House?"