They got ready in the locker room. Thirteen helped him with his shirt as he couldn't get the buttons closed himself because of his hands.

The bar he had gone very often before, near his apartment, was their gig for tonight. He had really wanted to go out but had been nervous going alone. Luckily Thirteen was in for a night at the bar and he had been looking forward to it all week.

It was 8 months since the shooting incident and he had not gone out since. Usually he would go at least two nights a week to a bar and pick up a girl. But now that he was tired all the time and his health left a lot to be desired he had not been out at al. Besides that he was also just too nervous.

Soon, he was also moving to another apartment that was currently being adapted for him. He was nervous about the move and also sad. But he knew leaving to another apartment would also give him so independency back.

Plus it would leave all the memories he still had of his failed marriage behind as well.

He and Thirteen made their way to a bar after work.

He quickly claimed a table as they came in so she could sit down too and he didn't have to look up all evening as she was getting some drinks.

''here, I asked if they couldn't fill it up all the way.'' Thirteen said as she put the glass down and he picked it up with both hands.

''Thanks, got it.'' He said as he took it and they hit their glasses together. It was really helpful it wasn't filled all the way up, since his hands were still weak and shaky.

Further up the bar, there was a woman chatting with another woman.

''Had any dates since you got home?'' Thirteen asked as she saw him look.

''No – not since getting shot.'' He shook his head, taking another sip.

They finished their first drinks and Thirteen was just getting them another drink when she saw a woman sitting down by the table with Robert. Stopping in her tracks, she took her distance, staying at the bar. His face lit up and it was nice to see him getting the female attention again he loved so much.

''Karen.''

''Robert.'' He said as he shook her hand.

''So, what do you do Robert?'' Karen said as she sat down across form him.

''I am a doctor. I consult with the diagnostics department.''

''Alright, let me get you a drink – what are you drinking?''

''Long island ice tea.''

''Well, one coming up then.'' Chase said as he maneuvered his chair back, Karen looking shocked.

He tried not to mind her face as he made his way to the bar. She probably hadn't seen the wheelchair as it had been mostly hidden under the table.

The bartender walked with him to the table and put the glasses down as there was no way he could take them back on his own.

''Thanks.'' He said, looking back at Karen, worried for what she was going to say.

''Can I ask what happened to you?'' Karen asked.

''I got shot.'' Chase just said, not really wanting to talk about it.

''You were policeman, military?'' She asked curious.

''No, was also a doctor.''

''Are you the doctor of the shooting incident at the hospital here?'' She asked, and he just nodded.

''Look, I don't really want to talk about that.''

''Oh, I am sorry.''

''It is fine, I just don't want to talk about it.'' Chase explained.

There was an awkward silence of about a minute.

''So what do you do?'' He tried to get conversation going again.

''I work as a primary school teacher.'' Karen answered.

''That is really cool.'' He smiled.

''I am probably going to go back for my friend. Thanks for the drink though.'' Karen said as she got up. She looked back at him once more and started talking with his friend again.

Thirteen saw him and walked his way.

''She saw the wheelchair, and when she did she started talking about the shooting and then she was no longer interested when I didn't want to talk about it.'' Chase said bummed.

''Well, she is not worth it. Another drink?''

Chase nodded, drinking the last bit of beer in his glass she walked away to get some more.

Thirteen walked to the bar, looking around the bar as well in the hopes of finding another girl she could hopefully get Chase to talk to. He looked so bummed and she hoped it would give him some more self-confidence.

''Hey, can you bring a wine to the woman over there? It's from him.'' She pointed back at Chase. She took their own drink as well and put the beer in front of him, backing off a bit as she saw the woman walking their way.

''So you send over a wine?'' A woman was suddenly standing beside him.

''Uhm''

Thirteen stood behind her and winked.

''Yeah, yeah I did.''

The woman smiled. ''Thanks.''

You are welcome.'' Chase smiled, glad to have something to get Karen's reaction of his mind.

She sat down on the free chair beside him and smiled.

''I mean – I saw her do it – she making sure you are not leaving alone tonight?''

''She is a great wingwoman yeah.'' Chase just smiled.

''Well, cheers.'' She smiled and they hit their glasses together.

''I am Julie.''

''I am Robert.''

''You are from Australia I presume.''

''I am.'' Chase nodded.

''So you left the nicest beaches of the planet to come the Atlantic boardwalk. Totally understandable.''

They laughed together.

''Yeah, I couldn't stay in Australia - mad story.'' Chase started joking along with her.

''So I was surfing and –

''True story?'' She was joking along.

''True story! Okay, so this giant croc came over and I was on my surfboard –'' Chase couldn't keep his laughter in.

''I am sure this is going to be a true story.''

They laughed.

''Anyway so the croc came up and got in cahoots with a shark. They thought I was the best surfer of whole of Victoria – I mean, I don't want to brag but!''

Julie was still laughing, and it gave him some self-confidence again.

''They decided to stop my surfing career and knocked me off my board and tried to get to me. I think they are still hunting me to this very day.''

Julie chuckled.

''No, I just moved here for work.'' Chase admitted.

''I like the other story way more.''

Suddenly the glass of beer slipped from his hand, falling over Julie. A bit shocked she looked at him, jumping up then.

''I am so sorry!'' He said, damning his hands.

''It is fine.'' She said a bit annoyed, grabbing some napkins of the table.

''Really, I am so sorry, my hands –''

''It is fine, really.'' She just said, but she did not seem to happy as she was wiping off her light brown dress.

''Don't worry, I will take care of the dry cleaners.''

''Really. It is fine.'' She just said. ''I got to go, want to get this dress of me now.''

''Sorry again. Can I have your number.''

''Maybe I will see you around some time.'' Julie said as she grabbed her stuff and left.

''Want another drink?'' Thirteen asked careful.

''No I just want to go home.'' Chase said miserable.

Thirteen walked with him to his apartment and made sure he was okay – she was pretty sure he wasn't – he looked like he was going to cry any minute.

''Thought talking to some girls would boost your confidence a bit.''

''Well not tonight.'' Chase admitted as Thirteen got his coat off.

''Alright, I should order an uber soon.'' She said as she took her phone from her purse.

She left soon and he thanked her for the nice evening. Even though not everything had worked tonight, he hoped that they could do this again. Looking around the house, he was glad he was leaving here soon and it hopefully felt a bit like a clean slate.

Yvon arrived to help him get to bed and about 20 minutes later, he was in bed and heard the nurse lock the door. He had kept it in while she was here, but now the tears were streaming down his cheeks. He felt so angry and embarrassed. Karen looking at his wheelchair and losing all interest and how he had messed it up with Julie.

His back started to hurt again and he realized that his painkillers were out of reach as well.

Not being able to turn on his side on his own, he figured it was probably for the best that there was no woman beside him, even though he had wished there was.


Thank you so much for reading! I hope you liked this chapter with Chase finally hitting the bar again. Please let me know what you thought and hopefully till next chapter!