SO YOU HAD A BAD DAY...part 5
Chase was just shrugging on his jacket when Foreman entered the conference room. From the look on his face, Chase could tell he wanted something. But he didn't initiate any conversation. If Foreman wanted a favor, he could ask for it.
Right on cue, Foreman blurted out, "Can you cover for me tonight? I've got plans."
"Can't." Chase grinned as he said it, seeing the look of disappointment on Foreman's face.
But the other man wasn't going to give up easy. "Come on, Chase. I'll owe you a couple then. I'll even cover one shift of clinic hours for you."
Still grinning, Chase shook his head. "Sorry. I have plans."
"What type of plans?" Foreman countered, not looking convinced.
"A date." Chase reached for his messenger bag but stopped when he heard a feminine voice call his name. He turned and smiled at the auburn haired woman who was standing in the door way. Moving to her side he he said softly, "Hello, Danielle. I'm just about ready." Then he accepted the fingers that carded in his hair, and the hand that landed on his butt as she kissed him. It was a sexy kiss and Chase simply let himself enjoy it. The added benefit was the look on Foreman's face when they broke apart. The man looked stunned.
Danielle didn't seem to notice. "Shall I wait for you in the lobby then?"
Chase nodded. "Sounds good. I'll just be a few minutes." He kissed her again then watched her walk away before turning to face Foreman. He couldn't wait to hear what the other man had to say about what just happened.
"That's Dr. Gardiner from ICU," Foreman stated, as if Chase wouldn't know that.
"Head of ICU," Chase reminded him.
Foreman blinked hard. "She's House's age."
Chase shrugged at that. "So? She doesn't look it. She could pass for thirty-five easy."
"Which is still older than you," Foreman pointed out.
"Not by all that much," Chase replied. He grabbed his messenger bag and slung it over his shoulder. Then he patted Foreman on the back. "Sorry about tonight. Why don't you go ask Cameron to cover for you." With that Chase slipped out the door and headed for the elevator.
He knew that Foreman would tell everyone about his date with Dr. Gardiner and he didn't care. She had asked him out this morning and something had made Chase say yes. Hell. It was friday night and he knew he was going to get laid. Dr. Gardiner had been flirting with him for a while now and Chase really didn't see any reason to turn her down. She had a relationship record similar to Wilson's. Three failed marriages with no interest in having a long-term committment with someone any time soon. She had explained to Chase, after asking him out tonight, that all she wanted was someone to have fun with and great sex. He was up for both those things. That she didn't expect anything more from him was a relief. And going out with her had the extra benefit of getting him out of movie night without having to make up some excuse for Cameron.
He was tired of feeling lonely. He could date pretty much any nurse in the hospital, and had dated a few, but they were always looking for committment. He wanted to have some fun, maybe get some good sex out of it and be able to walk away without feeling guilty. Which was exactly what Danielle was offering. So tonight he'd made up his mind to go out and have fun, with the niggling hope in the back of his mind that maybe he'd sleep better in someone elses bed.
So when he reached the lobby he greeted Danielle with a kiss and a smile. And as it turned out, he did sleep better in her bed. Maybe because she kept the busy all weekend, with them wearing themselves out with sex at night. Sunday night she told him she was going away to visit relatives in England for two weeks but she would call him when she got back.
Chase fell asleep not caring if she did call or not. For now he was content. He'd had some fun, gotten some great sex out of it and managed to sleep. Monday at work was going to be good for once. House would be off his back about sleeping and he was feeling with it enough to be able to deflect any gossip thrown at him.
But things didn't always turn out the way he planned them.
He started monday out by deflecting questions from Cameron about Danielle. At least they didn't last long because he'd gotten in late, having over slept, and House was in his office when Chase arrived but soon came limping out to greet him.
"So, is sex better with older women?" House queried.
"I don't kiss and tell," Chase promptly replied.
House snorted. "Did she tuck you into bed and night and tell you a bedtime story?"
Chase merely smiled and asked, "Do we have a case or not?"
"Not." House looked disappointed. If it was by the lack of Chase's reaction or lack of a case, it was hard to tell. "Our previous patient is going home soon and we don't have anything of interest at the moment." He turned to Cameron. "Go scour my email for something."
"You want me to go poison someone or something?" Foreman inquired, before House could come up with something.
House narrowed his gaze at him then shrugged. "Well..if you can't think of anything more original then, sure." He then focused his attention on Chase. "You go do my clinic hours."
Chase knew House was expecting an argument, which he refused to give him. Instead he got up and headed out the door without saying a word. A few hours in the clinic would feel like a vacation right now.
A rather boring vacation, Chase soon realized. Busy, but repetetive. After two hours and no call from House, he was ready to take a break. He sent his patient out and took a few minutes to write up some notes on their file, then he was ready to see maybe one more before definitely grabbing a coffee, when he heard a scream.
Running for the door, Chase pulled it open then froze when he saw who had screamed. One of the nurses. Marie. She was crying now because a big guy, built like a Pro Wrestler, was waving a gun in her face.
Chase's first thought was that someone needed to call security. But he had the thought even as he edged out of the room and found himself striding over to the confrontation. Eyes on the gun waver's face, Chase could see he was pale, shaky and that he looked strung out. No surprise then when he started screaming at the nurse for drugs. He was just about to grab her by the arm when Chase intervened, cursing himself out even as he did so.
"She can't get you drugs!" he announced, drawing the druggie's attention onto himself. Stupid move and he'd wonder later what made him play hero, but for now he needed to focus. If he could distract the guy long enough, Chase was certain security would show up and handle this. He just didn't want anyone getting shot. He didn't want to see someone else laid out on the floor by a bullet. Watching House get shot in front of him was an image that still haunted Chase to this day. It was one thing dealing with the aftermath of a gunshot wound, but having a front row seat to the event was another. An event he didn't care to repeat. Ever.
"She works here!" Snarled the druggie, his bloodshot eyes now firmly focused on Chase.
It was a good argument, Chase realized, but he had a come back. "She's just a nurse. She doesn't have the authority to get the drugs."
That gave Mr. Drughead pause. For about one second. "Who can get them?" As he asked, he waved his gun around, arousing a few terrified screams from the patients and nurses who were scattered about.
"I can get them," Chase said quietly. "But I need you to put your gun down." He winced at his words, feeling like an actor out of some bad TV show. No doubt something House would watch like the O.C..Truth be told, everything felt a bit surreal at the moment. But he could live with that if the guy would put the damn gun down.
"Get me the drugs and you can have the gun," Mr. Druggie countered. For a big man - and big translated into massive -, Mr. Druggie could move surprisingly fast.
Before Chase could blink, he found himself staring down the barrell of a gun. Then a beefy hand gripped his arm, steel fingers squeezing hard enough to leave bruises. "OKay...I'll get the drugs," Chase said, because it wasn't like he had a choice. But he did have a plan. Sort of. He nodded towards the exam room he'd just come out of. "In there," he said.
Big guy pushed Chase into the room. "Where?" he demanded, eyes wild and his grip tightening.
"Over there, in the cabinet," Chase said, pointing. Then he found himself shoved over to the cabinet, hitting the counter hard and gasping a bit at the pain. But he didn't let that stop him from opening the small drawer in front of him. There were syringes in it filled with sedatives. Chase grabbed one he knew was fast acting and popped the top off it.
"Get them now!" Mr. Druggie roared. Then he was on Chase, yanking him around and pointing the gun at him.
Fear rushed through Chase like a wave, but he was used to working through adrenaline rushes. He could keep his focus. "Shoot me and you don't get your drugs," he warned.
That threat made big guy lower his gun. But he shook Chase for good measure. "GET THEM NOW OR I START SHOOTING PEOPLE!" He was practically frothing at the mouth, his spittle flying as he screamed at Chase.
The moment the gun was lowered to the side, Chase made his move. He stabbed the needle into big guy's thigh, pressing the plunger in a smooth motion, then backing away. Or, at least, trying to back away.
Big guy gripped him with one hand, dropping the gun in reaction to being stabbed so he could rip the syringe out of his leg. "Stupid..." he slurred, because he was fading fast. But he held on long enough to get a two fisted grip on Chase and fling him across the room.
For a moment Chase felt like he was flying. Right up until he impacted with the counter and cabinets above it. His ribs hit the counter and his head hit the cabinet. Twin explosions of pain right before he dropped on the floor. That landing brought it's own pain, but Chase clung to consciousness. He rolled onto his hands and knees and made it over to the gun. It was several feet away from big guy, who had crashed into the exam table then dropped like a load of bricks to the floor. But Chase wasn't taking any chances. He grabbed the gun, clicked on the safety then pulled the clip. Just like his friend John's dad had taught him to do that summer he'd been allowed to visit. Chase laughed at the thought that a weekend learning how to shoot guns when he was fourteen, would come in handy now.
Shaking off the random thought, he started to push up to his feet. Only to find a security guard looming in the door way. Relief washed over Chase, leaving him feeling a bit giddy. "Here," he said, holding out the gun. Once the guard took it, Chase jerked a thumb at the big guy. "Knocked him out. Cuffs would be good though. It won't last long."
Then suddenly the room was filled with people. Security mostly, and Chase pushed himself into the corner to get out of their way. Then he realized someone was calling his name and he blinked hard and brought Cuddy's face into focus. She was saying something he couldn't quite make out. But when her hand touched his face in a soothing gesture, he figured it would be okay to close his eyes now.
Chase let the darkness take him away.
OoO
House was listening to his Ipod when Wilson burst into his office. "Very nice dramatic entrance," he stated. "Auditioning for CSI:Miami?"
Wilson didn't take the bait. "There was an incident in the clinic. A drug addict with a gun."
"Chase!" House put it together instantly. He was out of his chair and reaching for cane and nearly out the door before he thought to ask, "Is he okay?"
"He brought the guy down," Wilson said, with admiration plainly coloring his tone.
House thumped his cane. "I'll give him a medal later! Is he okay?" He asked because visions of his own shooting were now dancing in his head. Visions he couldn't quite make vanish into thin air, no matter how hard he tried.
Wilson grimaced. "He didn't get shot, but he did get thrown into the counter. Possible concussion and bruised ribs. Cuddy is examining him right now. She's the one who called me."
"Why didn't she call me?" House didn't really expect an answer from Wilson, but he damn sure was going to get one from Cuddy later.
A few minutes later he was in exam room 3. He studied Chase, who was arguing with Cuddy about staying overnight for observation.
Cuddy was trying to reason with him. "Chase, you have a concussion. I think it's best if you stay."
"Stay or you're fired," House interjected. He shouldered by Cuddy, grabbing the chart out of her hands. Chase's chart. He skimmed it and felt himself relaxed. A concussion and bruised ribs and the like were painful, but not life threatening in any way. That was all that mattered.
"Stop threatening me with that!" Chase shot back, then he winced and pressed a hand to his forehead. Shouting with a concussion wasn't smart.
House narrowed his gaze at him. "It works, doesn't it?" He didn't need to ask. He knew Chase would stay. He looked wiped out and ready to collapse. But that didn't mean House was going to let him off the hook. "You get two days off."
Cuddy glared at House. "I'm giving him the week off," she stated firmly.
"I'll be back in two days," Chase interjected, not looking at either her or House as he spoke.
"You can take the time," Cuddy protested, moving closer to Chase as if she felt she would be able to shield him from House somehow.
House was amused by her, and impressed by Chase. "See you in two days," he said, then he turned and left the room. He kept walking till he stepped into the elevator. When the doors closed he sagged against the wall. He was too damn old for this shit. Just too damn old.
OoO
Chase agreed to stay, knowing that House would follow through on his threat to fire him, if only because he could. But he was steadfast against wearing a gown and charmed a nurse into bringing him scrubs to change into. Then he let himself be settled into a bed on the second floor, curling up onto his good side and drifting off to sleep.
When he got woke up for a two hour check, he discovered a basket of flowers on the side table and a stuffed koala bear sitting at the end of the bed. It was staring at him. He made a face at it, smoothing his expression to neutral when he heard the clack of heels approaching. He wasn't the least bit surprised to see Cuddy enter the room.
"Do you like the flowers?" she asked. "They're from me."
"You didn't have to do that," Chase told her. In fact, he wished she hadn't. It wasn't like he was sick or anything. His being there was nothing more than a stupid formality.
Cuddy shrugged. "I wanted too. And I want to take you out to dinner when you're feeling better."
That surprised Chase more than the flowers did. "Why?"
"To thank you for what you did." Cuddy responded with as much surprise as his own. "That man could have hurt people, Chase. He could have killed someone. You saved lives with your actions. I'm grateful for that."
"You don't have to buy me dinner," Chase insisted. He didn't know what else to say. He didn't want her gratitude or her gestures. He just wanted to pretend that today hadn't happened. Although a part of him knew that her gratitude stemmed from the fact that he had saved her alot of paperwork and grief over her precious hospital. So, ultimately, it would be easier to just accept what she offered.
Moving closer, Cuddy shook her head at him. "We'll talk about that later. How do you feel?"
Chase considered the question. Everything ached and his head was throbbing, but he figured it could be worse so he settled on a neutral response. "I'm fine. Just tired." He hoped the latter comment would get her out of the room. And maybe she'd take the koala bear with her.
She caught him staring at it. "It's from Marie, the nurse you saved. I sent her home because she was pretty shaken up, but she wanted to give you something to show her appreciation." Cuddy reached for the Koala and stroked it's fur. "She thought it would remind you of home and offer some comfort to you."
There really wasn't anything he could say to that. He supposed Marie meant well, but most of his memories of home weren't the greatest and none of them really offered any comfort to speak of. But he didn't say that to Cuddy. He just accepted the Koala when she held it out to him, stuffing it down against the side rail.
"I'll let you get some rest," Cuddy said softly. Then she drifted out of the room.
Which allowed Chase to sleep for about twenty minutes before he had another visitor. Foreman. Which was something of a surprise. Chase sensed a presence and opened his eyes to see Foreman scanning his chart. He shifted up against the pillows, wincing a bit as his bruises made themselves felt. His head ache was better though, for which he was grateful. Then he realized he had an IV, which came as a surprise. He was staring at it, trying to figure out what he'd been given, when Foreman cleared his throat, garnering Chase's attention.
"You're a bit dehydrated," the Neurologist said, catching on to what Chase had been doing. "House ordered the IV and mild pain meds. The IV will be gone by tonight."
"Okay." Chase felt a bit muddled, but then it hit him. "Does House think he's my doctor?"
Foreman grinned. "Yep."
Chase wasn't sure how he felt about that, but he didn't want to think about it so he let it slide. "Do we have a case yet?" he queried.
"No, not yet." Foreman returned Chase's chart to the end of the bed and moved to stand beside him. "So you can chill and feel better."
"I'm fine." It was an almost defensive reply, but made rather ineffective by the giant yawn Chase couldn't quite stifle.
Foreman was still smiling at him. "Get some sleep, man. I'll talk to you later." With that he left.
Chase settled himself more comfortably, thinking how weird it was to be on this side of things. He much preferred doctor to patient, but the line blurred a bit as he drifted off to sleep.
OoO
He was allowed to sleep for four hours before another wake up check. This time from Cameron. She checked his vitals while asking him a few questions, then she went about removing his IV. Chase was glad to see it go. Not that he'd even noticed having it while he was sleeping, but it made him feel too much like he was sick or something. All he really was right now was tired.
"You look better," Cameron said, once she had smoothed a bandaid over the back of his hand.
"Better than what?" Chase found he couldn't resist teasing her a bit. Her eyes were dark with concern and he didn't much like it directed at himself.
But Cameron wasn't going to play his game. "We were worried about you. You could have been shot." She faltered after saying that, hands waving around until she stuffed them in her lab coat pockets.
He knew she was thinking about House. He had thought about that too. The image of House getting shot and being helpless to do anything was something that freqented Chase's dreams. It was after the shooting that he'd started having trouble sleeping. Because he couldn't control his dreams. "I'll be back to work day after tomorrow," Chase said quietly. "This is nothing. I've been hurt worse in football matches. Hell, I even knocked myself out once while surfing. Got wiped out and the damn board nailed me a good one when it popped back up." Chase found himself rubbing the side of his head at the memory. The side that wasn't presently tender.
"You surf?" Cameron looked astonished, and not in a flattering way.
"I used to," Chase allowed. "Not much surfing to be found in New Jersey." The sudden memory of white beaches and wild waves washed over him, leaving Chase feeling a bit hollow inside. Guess there were a few good things to miss about Australia. He didn't think of it as home anymore, but there were some things that made him wish he was there again.
Cameron grinned suddenly. "Well...you are blond." She said it like it meant something.
Chase followed her line of reasoning. "And I'm totally awesome, dude," he said, in a well-honed Keanu Reeves imitation. Cameron's reaction to that was priceless.
She looked like she wanted to say something, but her pager went off.
"House?" Chase guessed.
"Yeah." She grimaced then stuffed the pager back in her pocket. "I'll stop by later." She reached out to squeeze his shoulder, then she was gone.
Chase sighed and closed his eyes, wishing he was back at his apartment where he could be left alone. Curling up on his side he found himself staring at the stupid koala. Someone had moved it to the side table in his direct line of view. He made a face at it then laughed at himself. Which made his head ache and his bruised ribs protest. Chase curled up against the pain and fell silent. He didn't know how long he stared at the stupid toy before drifting back to sleep.
OoO
Wilson popping in to see him was a surprise to Chase. "What time is it?" he asked the Oncologist. Only just now realizing he didn't have a watch on.
"Late," Wilson replied. "I'm heading home but I wanted to check in on you."
"Uh..thanks. I'm fine." Chase sat up slowly, pushed the covers aside and made to slide out of bed. Till Wilson blocked him. "Have to use the bathroom," Chase stated. He figured that would make Wilson move, but instead he found a strong hand gripping his arm and helping him to stand. Which Chase ended up being grateful for when his knees buckled a bit.
Wilson supported him. "Head rush?"
Chase couldn't answer for a moment, then he gave a careful nod. His head was aching again. "Yeah, a bit. I'm good now, thanks." He felt Wilson release him then he made his way into the bathroom. He relieved himself, washed his hands, then avoided looking at himself in the mirror. Surprisingly Wilson was still there when he headed back to his bed. But Chase didn't climb back in. He was feeling stiff so he wanted to move around a bit. "I thought you were leaving?"
"In a minute." Wilson watched him move around the room.
Chase didn't know what to say to him. He was about to ask about the weather, just to break the silence, when approaching footsteps drew his attention to the doorway. Danielle was standing there with a smile and a pizza box. He had forgotten all about their date.
She walked in, dropped the box on the tray table, then moved to Chase and studied him. "Are you all right? I checked on you earlier but you were sleeping and I didn't want to disturb you."
"I'm fine." Chase meant it this time. "Sorry about dinner."
"It's okay." She pointed to the pizza box. "One of the nurses asked me to deliver it to you. We could share if you don't mind the company?"
Chase was fine with that. She didn't know him very well so she wouldn't ask questions he couldn't, or wouldn't, answer. "I'd like that," he told her. "But who sent the pizza?"
Wilson answered that question, grabbing a slip of white paper that was taped to the box. "House." He lifted the lid. "Cheese and mushroom."
That was Chase's favorite, but he didn't betray his surprise. But he couldn't help but wonder why House would do that.
"Enjoy your dinner," Wilson said, a smile plastered on his face. "See you tomorrow." He waved and walked out.
Chase knew House would be hearing about Danielle, because he had no doubt that Wilson was heading straight over to his bosses apartment. He didn't care. He could handle teasing about Danielle.
Who was watching him carefully. "Why don't you get back in bed, Robert. Then we can eat. You must be starving."
He was a bit hungry. "Sure." Moving a bit stiffly, he climbed back into bed and was about to reach for the covers when Danielle was there, drawing them over him then smoothing them out. He was about to thank her when she kissed him. Just a soft kiss filled with promise.
"When I get back from London, we'll go out to a proper dinner," Danielle whispered.
"It's a date," Chase replied, because he couldn't miss the sultry promise in her voice and he knew that she wanted the same thing he did. Companionship and sex. No strings, no complications. She was just what he needed right now. At least he hoped she was.
So they ate pizza and he listened to her stories about her trip to Africa three years ago, sharing a few world travel stories of his own before drifting off to sleep.
Chase didn't hear Danielle leave, nor did he see Cameron pop her head in on her way out.
And for once he slept without dreaming.
OoO
House ignored Wilson's chatter about his day. Up until the point where he mentioned Chase.
"Chase is an idiot!" House interjected, waving a slice of pizza at Wilson. Pepperoni pizza, not stupid mushroom pizza. Chase didn't know what was good for him.
"He did a brave thing today and saved alot of lives," Wilson countered, setting his own pizza aside. "How is that being an idiot?"
House snorted. ""He could have died." Which was something House could relate too, having almost died twice himself.
Wilson narrowed his gaze at his friend. "But he didn't die. Neither did you."
"Cuddy needs better security at the hospital," House countered. "After I got shot you'd think she'd find a way to make sure people with guns couldn't get in again."
"Good point," Wilson allowed.
House could tell Wilson wanted to talk about this so he grabbed the remote and turned up the volume on the Law and Order repeat. He liked to mock the episodes. But tonight his heart wasn't in it. He couldn't get the image of Chase, curled up in the hospital bed and looking somehow small and fragile, out of his mind.
THE END...of part 5