Three weeks later


Thirteen had come this morning to go outside to the small restaurant in the garden by the hospital to have a drink.

He leaned his left arm on the table, his whole arm incased in the heavy cast that was really pulling on his shoulder. But his sore neck couldn't take a sling hanging around it.

2 weeks he had had the surgery on the tendons in his left hand and arm as well. Even though he had wanted to put it off, he knew it was better to have it done before he would even look at going home. As much as he wanted to go home now, he was glad about the improvement in his right hand and arm and he hoped that the surgery would bring the same for his left hand.

He still had to put up with the cast for another 2 weeks and as annoying as it was, he knew it would be good for the future.

''Here is your water.'' Thirteen said as she put it down in front of him, positioning the straw so it was easy for him to drink.

''Thanks.'' Chase said, glad to be out of his room again. It was nice outside today as well.

His phone started to ring that was wedged between his leg and the armrest so he could grab it easily. Even though he couldn't do much with his phone, he liked he could at least take of the phone and make some phone calls.

Thirteen looked as he slid the phone on his leg with his right hand, looking at the screen.

''It's a journalist. Now that the guys hearing is almost starting he won't leave me alone.'' Chase sighed as his phone was ringing.

''Want me to get it?'' Thirteen offered.

''No, I've told him no already.'' Chase said.

''So heard from any relatives in Australia at all?'' Thirteen asked. The last few weeks it had only been the team that came to visit him.

''No, I am not in contact with any. There is one friend in Australia I chatted with. He might come see me next time he crosses the ocean.'' Chase said softly. He had always been so busy with working that he had never really missed it. But now he wished he had build a bigger social circle here. After the divorce with Cameron he had lost the few friends he had and now that was all gone.

His family he didn't even think about telling about the shooting. His alcoholic sister probably only was interested in the compensation he had gotten from the hospital. Even though he had not chosen to sue the hospital.

It was sad though. If he was going home, he had nobody to look after him and he knew he had to hire somebody.

''Hope he does.'' Thirteen said. Even though they had a good friendship, she was worried about him not having many people beside the team.

''Wilson invited me over for dinner tonight. Leaving the hospital for a few hours for the first time in 4 months.''

''That sounds exciting!'' She smiled. It was insane how one thing had made him have to stay in here for 4 months.

His phone went off again and sighing annoyed.

''Again.''

''Yeah.''

''Maybe you should take it and say no again.''

''no, I don't even want to talk about it.'' Chase admitted. The last weeks, he had been trying to push it to the back of his mind. The Last thing he wanted to think about was the shooting. Even though House kept talking about the therapist. He had still not gone to see him. He really just did not want to think about it or talk about it.

After a while, they went inside again and Thirteen helped him get ready for the dinner.

House came to pick him up. They were brought to the apartment with a van provided to the hospital. Chase felt a bit embarrassed as he was helped from the van with his wheelchair. House pushed him inside and they took the lift up to the apartment. He remembered his bachelor party here. He thought that the pain of the anaphylactic shock was bad. But it was nothing to what he was going through daily.

House opened the door for him and they went inside.

''It's nice to get out of the hospital.'' Chase admitted as House got the blanket off him. With his sore back and the cast a jacket was too much of a hassle.

He was immediately greeted by TimTam, who jumped on his lap.

''Hey, you silly cat.''

Looking back, House was glad to see that this time Chase wasn't sad when he saw the cat. House pushed his wheelchair to the table so he could lean his arm on it and Wilson was finishing up dinner. Chase had a smile on his face as TimTam was excited to see him this time.

''Where did you get him?'' Wilson asked as he was just putting the food down for the cat, but TimTam did not want t move from Chase's lap.

''I found him and took him in. Figured he deserved a loving home. Just a shame I didn't give that for the past few months – not that I don't think he doesn't-''

''Don't worry, I know what you mean.'' Wilson said, not offended by what Chase said.

TimTam finally switched Chase's lap for the food bowl and Wilson carried the plates to the table.

''Steak strips with sweet potato fries.''

Chase smiled a little bit, glad that it was easy to eat with one hand, even though he figured Wilson would have thought of that. The oncologist always seemed very thoughtful and it showed with this dinner.

''Can I get you anything?'' Wilson checked, and Chase shook his head.

''No, I am fine, thanks.''

House just picked up the napkin from the table and put it over Chase's lap in case he would drop something.

''Thanks.'' Chase said, glad he didn't have to ask for help. He struggled a bit holding the fork in his hand. Even though his right hand had gotten some feeling and grip back. Even with the tendon surgery it was hard to hold onto things. As his fine motor skills in his hand were almost fully gone, he struggled getting something on his fork.

But even though he wished he could do a better job eating by now, he tried not to feel embarrassed. He really appreciated House and Wilson doing this for him.

''Last time I was here it was a whole different affair.'' Chase laughed, seeing the irony that the only other time he had been in this apartment was for his bachelor party.

''I don't remember.'' Wilson shook his head.

''I do.'' House remembering the state Wilson was in when they found him that night. Feeling bad then, he also remembered about the whole strawberry affair.

''I bet Cameron does.'' Chase laughed softly, remembering how she had arrived at the hospital in a panic.

''Was the only time she had your back.''

''Well I bet if this –'' He pointed at his legs –''had happened while we were married she would have never left me.''

Wilson and House didn't know what to say, but knew he was right. Taking a drink, Chase hoped they would end the silence soon.

But he looked at his drink then as it slid out of his hand and knocked on his knee, falling on the floor.

''Shit – Sorry Wilson.'' He said as the glass shattered on the floor.

''No worries, I will get you a towel.'' Wilson said as he got up and came back with a towel and cleaned up the glass.

''You okay?'' House asked concerned.

''It is fine. I am fine, really.'' Chase assured them as he tried to dry himself off as much as possible.

''Here is a new napkin.'' House put it down and Chase smiled appreciative that they weren't trying to help to much as he was already feeling embarrassed.

''Next time you get a plastic cup.'' House joked.

''I am really sorry.''

''No I got those ugly glasses from Bonnie's mimma for our - my second marriage. I have been trying to get rid of them for years. Bonnie wouldn't take them.''

''She took the dog but not the glasses?!'' House joked with a face of disgust.

Chase was glad they could laugh about it and started to feel a bit better about it.

After dinner they moved to the living room.

''want to move to the couch?'' House offered Chase.

''I am alright, but thanks.'' Chase assured him as he was worried moving to the couch would only make his back worse. He felt okay tonight, and he didn't want to jinx it.

Wilson handed him the beer bottle with a straw and they chatted a bit longer.

''You want another beer?'' Wilson asked as he got up, saw Chase had finished the bottle.

''I think I am going to have to call it a night, thanks so much for dinner.'' Chase thanked Wilson and gave TimTam a last hug. House called the bus to pick them and they waited outside.

''You enjoyed dinner?''

''It was really glad to finally get out of the hospital. Almost silly how a simple dinner is a big deal now.''

''You know, when you want to get out of the hospital, any time, just let me know. '' House told Chase.

''I know, but I just want to be able to go by myself at one point.''

''After the surgery you should get more control of left arm and hand.'' House said hopeful as he knew it would mean that Chase would be able to move his own chair and go out on his own more.

''Yeah, I am hopeful.'' Chase said with a small smile. But even though he was smiling, he still seemed so tired and sad.


Thanks for reading once again! Hope you liked it and please let me know what you think!