One week later

Chase woke up in the morning as Julie's alarm went off. She had to start shirt earlier. Leaving his arms as she left the bed, he took a minute to wake up. He was still tired and didn't feel great, but he was finally going back to work after recovering for over a week. His PT had been so helpful as well, and he knew if he would not be as weak as he felt now forever.

Julie came walking from the bedroom and got dressed.

''Are you sure are ready to go back to work?'' She asked concerned as she was putting her scrubs on.

''I feel fine.'' He assured her again. ''I am meeting with House first to get cleared for work.''

''Alright, well, have a good day back, I will see you tonight.'' She said as she kissed him, leaving the house then. Chase tried to sit up a bit more. Even though he was feeling a bit better, he still felt like he was hit by a truck. Except it was not a truck, it had been the pneumonia.

The last week he had been training really hard to get back at his level he had been before he had fallen ill, but he was nowhere close still.

Yvon came walking into his apartment to help him with getting ready.

''Glad to go back to work.''

''Yeah, it is good to go back.'' Chase smiled as Yvon helped him get out of bed.

''Well, you need to put some fat on your bones, you are getting skinny. I put a casserole in the fridge of tonight.''

''Thanks.'' He smiled at Yvon. She was such a warm person and he still felt guilty that he had been so hard and mean to her in the beginning.

Soon he was dressed to go to work and Yvon sorted out is his medication for him. Even though she was glad he was going back to work, she was still concerned about him. He still didn't look great, and was a lot weaker than before the pneumonia.

''You sure you are up for going back to work? You don't look great.'' Yvon said a bit concerned.

''I will get back there.''

''I know.'' She smiled, handing him his bag.

Taking a cab to the hospital, he would meet with House first for a checkup and to get cleared for work. Making his way to the checkup room House had texted him, he was glad that he had the power assist on his chair again now. It was upsetting, but he knew soon he wouldn't need it anymore. He still was angry about losing so much because of the pneumonia, but he knew he should be glad to be alive and that he would get better eventually. In the examination room, he was a bit nervous. Even though he knew he should be able to go back to work, he was concerned about what House would say.

''You're late.'' Chase said as House came in.

''I picked up breakfast for the both of us. Stop complaining already, we've been waiting on your ass to get better a full week two weeks ago.'' House said and he was glad it made Chase laugh.

''It's good to see you back.'' House said and he meant it.

''I have been in here more as a patient than a doctor.'' Chase said annoyed as he pulled up his shirt as House laid the stethoscope between his shoulder blades.

''Well, your lungs sound all clear.'' House told him. ''About time you come back to work and stop slacking off.''

''I know, you don't think Julie made sure I was up for going back to work?'' Chase smiled as he lowered his shirt.

''I'm sure you really minded all the attention from a lady.'' House mocked him as he signed off the paper work.

''Never said I did.'' Chase grinned. Moving his chair to the desk, he looked at the massive breakfast House had taken for them.

Together they had breakfast from the massive box of treats and with the coffees House had brought.

''House, how do you do it?'' Chase finally asked.

''What?'' House asked as he grabbed another donut.

''Dealing with the constant worries, pain, pity and people think they know what is best for you.'' Chase said a bit upset.

''I became an addicted asshole.''

''Right.'' Chase nodded.

''Is it Julie?''

''No, she is great, she is one the few people that doesn't pity me, besides you.'' Chase sighed. ''I mean, I had a pneumonia and you are here signing of paperwork if I can go back to work. I don't think the same would happen for – hypothetically - Foreman.''

''Hypothetical Foreman also wasn't on the brink of death because of said pneumonia. Besides, the hospital wants to do right by you.'' House said as he grabbed another donut.

''Yeah, well – I don't want to be treated differently.'' Chase admitted.

''Some nutcase came in here and blew a hole through your spine, it is not that crazy the hospital wants to do as well as they can.''

''I guess so.'' Chase said, looking down at his coffee.

''Something else bothering you?'' House asked concerned.

''I finally called my sister after years.'' Chase finally blurted out.

''About what?''

''Being shot, about maybe trying to get closer again.'' Chase shrugged.

''Hope it works out, you are planning on going to Australia to see her?''

''What happened to family is shit? Well, I might, but I figured it is not fair to take any more days off.''

''You still have your vacation day, we are not taking those from you. You should go. Family shit, but your life is shit as well, but maybe getting closer to family will help you feel better.'' House said.

''Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better.'' Chase said sarcastic, picking up another donut before their made their way to the office.

After a great day at work, Julie came to see him in the office as he was just about to leave.

''You know I can just take a cab home?''

''I know, but I finished work anyway, might as well drive home together, right?'' She smiled as she kissed him.

''You are right about that.'' He smiled at her. Together they made their way to the car.

''House cleared you for work without problems?''

''No problem, lungs are clear.'' He smiled as she pushed the wheelchair to the car, as he was so tired. Helping him into the car, he sighed tired.

''I know it was your turn but you don't need to make dinner, I will do it.'' Julie smiled at him.

''We are fine, Yvon brought a casserole this morning.'' Robert told her and she smiled.

''Sounds good.

At home, they put the casserole in the oven. On the floor, Chase was doing some excises with the help of Julie.

''Weaker than even after being shot.'' Chase complained as he pushed the weight away into her hands.

''You will get back there.''

''Someday I will have my abs again.''

''You didn't have abs when I met you.'' She said with a smile as he put it away.

''I had them earlier, I swear.'' He laughed and with the help of Julie, pulled himself back in his chair.

Going to the table to have dinner, he thought about what he had talked about with House today.

''I want to go to Australia to see my sister and just take some time to sort stuff in my head.'' Robert admitted as she put some of the food on his plate.

''Sounds like a good idea.''

''You don't have to say yes – we have not been dating for that long – but will you come to Australia with me?''

''You want me to come with you?'' Julie said surprised.

''The last few weeks have been worrisome, and hard, I just want to spend some time with you away from the hospital.'' Chase said as he took her hand.

''I don't know Rob – I don't really have that kind of money laying arou-'' She said concerned.

''Don't worry about the money.'' He assured her. ''I would just love to spend the time with you. If you don't mind reminding me of taking my medication at the right hours –'' He said with a smile and she smiled as well.

''If you are sure about it. ''

''I am, let's see if you can get two weeks off. I don't want to stay away any longer since I have been off work so much already.''

''Sounds good to me.''

Excited, they shared a kiss.


Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the ending of it. Please let me know what you thought and hopefully till next chapter :)