5 days later
Today was finally the day of the surgery for Chase.
With rods and screws, they had put his vertebrae back together. After removing the fragments as well they removed the bullet and switched out the disk with an artificial one. It took hours, but they hoped it was enough to help Chase with the long recovery ahead. The first night of the surgery they all took turns staying with him through the night as the young Australian was not doing well at all. The anesthetics had made him very nauseous and with the help of nurses, they constantly had to turn him on his side because they were worried about him choking through the night.
The next morning he finally felt a bit better and felt embarrassed about the team being with him all night while he was so sick. He was pretty sure he had thrown up all over Taub's scrubs during the night.
In the morning Foreman came to tell about the surgery and he was just glad to hear everything had gone well.
In the evening, House went to see Chase as well. He had heard how sick he had been during the night and left him be but wanted to go see him now. Even though he couldn't have done anything any better during the emergency surgery he wished he could have done more.
Walking towards Chase's room in the ICU, he saw he was awake. He looked tired, laying in the bed. They were giving him extra blood again because of the surgery and he hoped at least in that aspect Chase would feel better soon.
''How are you feeling?'' House asked as he walking in towards the bed.
''Decent.'' Chase mumbled.
''Feel anything yet?''
''No.'' Chase said softly. He was tired, from the surgery, the bad night and the blood loss but was still awake in the hopes he would feel something in his body.
''We talked today with the rehab unit about moving you there next week.''
''I might go back to Australia to recover.'' Chase said as House sat down.
''Why?''
''Because it is easier to go away then having you all look after me.'' He admitted. ''The last thing I want is for any of you having to deal with my vomit again or change my catheter.''
''You are in no condition to fly any time soon.'' House just stated the facts, but also hoped he really wouldn't leave.
''House, you realize that if I am not recovering, I could possibly lose my green card? I'd rather just leave than have ICE on my back.'' Chase mumbled softly.
''No matter what, Cuddy will find you a job here so you can keep working – I want to keep you in my department.''
''House, I can't even sit up and I don't see that improving any time soon. I am not stupid, I nearly became a neurosurgeon too. Foreman showed me the scans. I know it is bad.''
''Your spinal cord is damaged, but not severed.'' House told him, ''It is hard to tell but you could still get back on your feet.''
''I will end up like you anyway with chronic pain.'' Chase fired back. Being a doctor only made him see how bleak his situation was.
''Yeah.''
''I don't want to end up like you.'' Chase said, a lot meaner than he meant to.
''I know.''
''That morphine was nice, but the last thing I want is to become an addict like you.''
It hurt House, but he knew the man was not wrong.
''We can manage your pain still Chase. I know I am not dealing with it well, always. But you will be fine.'' House promised him.
''Are you going to stay my doctor?'' Chase asked. Since Chase had nobody as his medical proxy, House had stepped in. Chase knew he was one of the best and it made him feel okay that somebody he knew was working on his case.
''You are not mad anymore?''
''You didn't shoot me.'' Chase just mumbled softy. He was still angry they had not found the bullet earlier. But House was right about there not being enough time to even get him on a backboard.
''Can I ask something else?''
''Ofcourse.''
''Can you pick up some stuff from my apartment? I am going to be here a while.''
An hour later, House parked his bike near Chase's apartment and took the key from his bag. Getting into the elevator, he knew it could be months before Chase would go here.
House walked inside Chase's apartment. It was small but very tidy and clean. Chase had asked him to bring some clothes, as well as his books. Even though he wasn't able to hold them yet or read, he hoped he would be soon so it could kill some time.
Suddenly he heard some noise from the bedroom. Pretty sure Chase did not have any roommates, he moved towards the bedroom, busting the door open.
A cat jumped off the bed towards House, just as startled as he was. Catching the beast mid air and holding it away as it was trying to scratch, he looked at the very pissed off cat.
''Couldn't mention that, could you Chase!'' House sighed, relieved it was not somebody that had had sneaked into the apartment somehow.
Back at the hospital he was carrying the box with Chase's stuff.
He knocked on the door and opened it slowly.
''I got you some stuff from your apartment.''
''You broke the door?'' Chase said a bit worried. The last thing he wanted to deal with now was his property manager.
''No, I just took your key.'' House said as he carried the box to the bed, struggling walking.
''What did you take.''
''Some books that were on your nightstand, as well as some clothes, socks. Also took your own pillow.''
''Thanks – oh,'' Chase suddenly said, startled by something on his mind.
''What is it? You want something else, I can go back.''
''The cat.'' Chase said scared. He had been in here for a week now, and he hadn't even thought about sending somebody for Timtam.
''She is fine, I took her to Wilson. He is looking after her for now.''
''Thanks.'' Chase sighed relieved. ''So stupid I didn't tell anybody as soon as I woke up.''
''Chase, the cat is fine, and you have enough on your mind.'' House said, not wanting the man to feel bad about it.
''Want me to leave you alone?''
''No, can you stay for a bit?'' Chase asked as he still had a lot of questions, and he didn't want to be alone any longer.
''Sure.'' House said as he sat down.
''What happened to the man that shot me?'' He finally asked. The last days, there had been so much on his mind that he had not even be thinking about it.
''He is in custody with the police. You can prosecute him but Cuddy figured you wouldn't feel up for it, so the hospital will do it.''
''I don't even want to think about that now.''
''I can understand. You look tired, I will let you be.''
''Yeah, I think I could fall asleep soon – can you help me get the bed up a bit more, might help me with the pain in my neck.''
House helped him get his bed up a bit more and left soon after.
Looking down, his arms were both on pillows beside his body and as much as he tried, they weren't moving at all. His neck was still in a brace because of his back, as well because of the artery they had had to fix. His back was still immobilized as well.
Looking down at his hands, both of them full of IV's and not being able to feel anything at all, he just really hoped it would still get better. Even though he was not to hopeful, he hoped it would all be okay.
Because right now he was not so sure himself.
Another quick update. Next chapter is probably up tomorrow since I have already written it! Thanks so much for reading and please let me know what you thought before leaving :)
