Dearest Readers,

Nothing important is to be said right now. ^^;

Read on, Cherubs.

Over and out.

Chapter 4

House woke up the next morning with his leg feeling as though it were on fire. He shifted slightly, trying to not wake Chase. He got his Vicodin and swallowed 2 pills dry. He looked down at Chase, who was just starting to stir from his slumber. Chase looked up at him, weariness evident in his dull green-blue eyes. Chase felt heat flush through him as he sat up, embarrassed that he had fallen asleep on House.

His boss.

He ran a hand through his hair, not making eye contact with House. The older doctor looked carefully at Chase, wondering why he was acting kind of awkwardly.

"Thank you." Chase whispered and he tried to get up, but House stopped him.

"For what?"

"…listening…and not judging." House smiled slightly at Chase's awkwardness.

"Normally I wouldn't let people vent to me…but, you're an exception." Chase looked over at House and grinned slightly at his way of saying 'you're welcome'; he got up from the couch to go make coffee, House peering after him as he did so.

House was even more worried than when he was before Chase opened up to him. Chase had admitted that he hurts himself and that he no longer eats anything.

Anorexia in males isn't common, that's why their cases are usually missed.

He also had a feeling that he hoped with every fiber of his being wasn't true. The feeling had been nagging at him all throughout the night; and although he didn't want to admit it: he was sure that this feeling was true.

Chase is suicidal.

Chase being by himself is a dangerous thing now. Dealing with any case involving suicide is a very tricky and dangerous game…every person has their own trigger that can send them over the edge.

The almost certain fact that Chase is suicidal didn't sit with House at all; it left his insides crawling with worry and fear, although he wouldn't admit that he's scared. Yes, Chase smiled every now and then; however, suicidal thoughts and tendencies were very common with people who are anorexic.

Take the Anorexia, verbal abuse from his father, apparent physical from another person, more verbal abuse from someone he was close to, an alcoholic mother, a previous suicide attempt, and self-injury that he's currently in…that's a perfect recipe for another suicide attempt, or at least intense suicidal thoughts.

For the first time in a very long time, he didn't know what to do; he didn't know how to help Chase, despite the fact that he promised Chase he would. He was a Diagnostician, not a psychologist. He doesn't deal with anything mental health related. So, when he didn't know what to do, and he sure as hell will take this secret to the grave, he was going to go talk to the one person he thought could help:

Wilson.

"Here," Chase's voice startled him and he turned to look at him holding a coffee mug out to him. He smiled lightly at the fact that Chase had used a red coffee mug and took it from him, Chase sitting next to him. They drank in silence until House started to laugh quietly. Chase turned to look at him, confused.

"What?"

"Oh nothing, I'm just thinking of Cuddy's face when she sees you of all people walk in late." Chase turned around to look at the clock on the stove…he was 15 minutes late. Crap.

They finished their coffee in silence, each lost in their own thoughts, and Chase walked House to the door. House reached out and gently grabbed Chase's elbow, noting the boniness of the joint. He pulled Chase closer and the blonde looked up at him, his green-blue eyes seeming to stare straight through him.

"Chase, everything I said last night, I meant it. You don't need to be doing this to yourself."

"But—"

"You may feel like you deserve it…you don't. Someone once said that 'bones are not beautiful'. And I'm going to help you see that, Robbie." Chase's eyes went wide. Had House just call him by his first name? House never does that to anyone…ever. Mind, House has been acting very 'un-House-like' since yesterday.

"I'll…I'll see you at the hospital." Chase said finally and House felt disappointment formulate in him, knowing that his words didn't have an effect. He turned from him and opened the door; he was about to leave when he felt a hand grab his. He turned to look at Chase whose face now had a growing blush on it. House smiled at the man's shyness.

He can get shy and embarrassed relatively easily. Not exactly something I expected from him, but it's an oddly strange thing to see.

"Can you…do you want…to…come by again tonight? You don't…you don't have to obviously, but…it…it would be nice." He asked shyly, not looking at House. House turned fully around and looked down at him, catching his eyes.

"I will if you get take-out." Chase snorted at his response.

"I suppose I can do that."

HouseXChase

Alright Gang,

Like I said, House and Chase will be OOC at a lot of parts.

Reviews would be wonderful!

When-Rabbit-Howls