CHAPTER FOUR

Doctors Chase and Foreman stood at the window of the observation room overlooking the surgeons working on Cameron. They had a lot of work ahead of them – to relieve the pressure on her brain from the bleeding caused by the impact when she fell onto the curb, and to determine if she was strong enough to endure another hour or so to find out where the bleeding was coming from in her abdomen.

The clock on the wall struck 11:15pm. Cameron had been in surgery for only 45 minutes but her heart rate had sustained a normal rhythm and her breathing was steady. Dr. Phillips, the surgeon, would occasionally glance up at the pair and give a nod of the head that everything was going okay.

Foreman stood beside Chase and never left his side since they arrived at Princeton. Foreman was upset about Cameron's condition, of course, but was more upset that House was in his office and not there with them. At first he thought it was best for Chase, if only to lessen the stress he was in. But House was Cameron's boss, and yes, he should be in there with them.

"She kissed him. She said she had a plan but she never mentioned she'd kiss him," Chase said quietly.

"Come on, Chase. We've worked with House long enough to know that he's taught us to go a little out of our comfort zone and…"

"You're defending him?" Chase retorted. "Thanks."

"No, but you have to admit, we've all changed since we started working here. Don't you think just a little bit that that's why we wanted to work with him?"

"I never wanted to work with him. My father called him."

"Okay, then. I know you weren't close to your dad but don't you think he did that to benefit you? He had no stake in getting you to work with House," Foreman said.

"This has nothing to do with my father…I'm just so tired..." Chase started to say but stopped himself as he leaned back against the wall beside the window.

Foreman noticed his hands were shaking, as was his voice, and his eyes were beginning to flame with anger. He was seriously becoming concerned. That could only mean one thing: Chase's patience had begun to wane and that couldn't be good news.

"Chase, let me go get you coffee," Foreman offered.

"I don't want coffee. I need to kick his…" Chase started to say but the phone on the wall beside Chase rang.

Foreman reached over and put it to his ear. "House, I'm not leaving him."

He remained silent for a second as he listened to House and replaced the phone. "I'll be back in ten minutes. You'll be all right?"

Just then, the door opened and Cuddy walked in. She wore jeans, sneakers and a light pink sweater. Foreman approached her at the door, out of hearing range of Chase.

"I don't think this is a good idea," he objected.

"He needs rest. He'll be fine," she told him as she broke from him and walked toward Chase.

"How's she doing?" she asked as Foreman left the room.

"So far, fine. But that doesn't mean she won't be mentally…"

"Chase, don't even think that. Phillips is the best brain surgeon on the east coast. She'll be fine," she said as she affectionately touched his shoulder for reassurance.

A few minutes later, Foreman entered House's office. He looked on his desk and saw the can of soda, with the top popped, and the pills that rested beside the can.

"Look, you've already put us through hell, especially Chase. I don't think doing this will make it any better between you two," Foreman protested.

House remained silent, put the pills into the can, swirled it and handed it out to Foreman. He hesitated a moment before he took it and walked toward the door.

"She kissed me," House said quietly. Foreman stopped just as he touched the door handle. He turned around and gave House a look of disgust.

"You knew they were together. You shouldn't have…"

"Would you have stopped a hottie like Cameron kissing you?"

"That's not the point. You've gone too far, House, even for you," Foreman answered and walked out the door. House watched him until he turned the corner and was out of sight.

"She kissed me," House said to an empty room.

Back in the observation room, Cuddy and Chase were standing at the window watching the scene below. Foreman walked up to them and handed the can to Chase.

"Chase, take it," Cuddy said. He took it eventually but didn't immediately take a sip.

Cuddy and Foreman walked to the door to talk. "He didn't say a word while you were gone."

"Just wait 'til he drinks. He's taking it worse than I thought he would," Foreman said.

Cuddy and Foreman watched Chase anxiously waiting for him to take a sip. After a few minutes he took a long swig. Cuddy held her breath and waited.

Chase drank about half the can before they saw his legs buckle underneath him and he dropped the can, soda fizzing and spreading on the carpet. Cuddy and Foreman rushed to his side and held onto his arms for support before he fell flat on his face.

"No…you didn't…I can't…I won't leave her," Chase mumbled. His eyes seem to fade of life and closed heavily, his body collapsing heavily into their arms.

"Okay, I've got my couch ready for him," Cuddy told him as the two carried Chase toward the door.

Just as Foreman opened the door they heard from the operating room below, "Doctor, her blood pressure is falling!"