Dearest Readers,

Just a fun fact, I am now the proud owner of 4 pretty blue fish. ^_^

Read on, Cherubs.

Over and out.

Chapter 8

They sat on the bench until the night fell and the chill of the cold wrapped around them, making them begin to shiver.

"Come on, Wombat. Let's go back inside." House said, pulling Chase up by his hand and led the way back to his apartment.

As they walked, House noticed that Chase was walking slowly, lingering slightly behind him.

Why is he doing that?

"You do know you can walk along side me, right?" Chase snapped his head up him and blushed. He turned back down at the sidewalk and continued walking, House deciding to remain quiet until they reached Chase's apartment.

Chase fumbled with his keys as he found his apartment key, House observing Chase's hand shake as it took him a few moments to get the key in the lock. He felt Chase's grip on his hand tighten as he unlocked the door pushing it open ajar. Pulling the key out of the lock, Chase stood motionless, keys dangling in his hand.

"What's wrong?" House asked softly, standing closely to him, their noses almost touching. Chase's eyes stared up at him, having a slightly glassy look.

"I…I don't want to be by myself." A fond smile spread across House's face.

"Who said I'd be leaving you by yourself?" Chase's eyes widened momentarily, but then a small smile graced his face, charming House. Still holding his hand, Chase pushed the door fully open and led House inside.

HouseXChase

"Robbie," House said softly, causing the blonde to look at him from around the refrigerator door.

"Yeah?" He noticed House's hesitation and closed the door, placing the coffee creamer on the counter. He walked over to House and stood in front of him, looking curiously up at him.

"Are we okay?" House asked quietly, hating the timid tone of his voice. Chase felt his heart begin to thunder in his chest. Gently, he grabbed House's hand, pulled him closer, and pressed his lips gingerly against House's.

"Yeah, we're okay." Chase said against House's lips as he pulled away.

He felt House wrap his other around his waist, pulling him flush against his front. Chase felt a light blush creep to his face as he looked into House's clear blue eyes, surprised by House's act of affection and possession. House released a quiet chuckle at Chase's blush as he tightened his grip on Chase's hand, remembering how it wasn't too difficult to make the blonde blush.

House reached up and brushed a strand of hair away from Chase's face, making him smile lightly, his eyes glowing. Chase grabbed House's shirt collar and captured his lips again, wrapping his other arm around the older man's neck. Cautiously, House parted Chase's lips and began to explore carefully, surprised at the younger man's passionate response. Chase wrapped both his arms tightly around House's neck as he felt a swelling feeling of passion start in his core and flow to the rest of his body; lighting his soul.

They parted, breathless. As House looked into Chase's eyes, he noticed that they seemed to sparkle in the light. They didn't say anything as Chase laid his head on House's shoulder, nuzzling his neck lightly. No words were necessary as House continued to hold Chase against him, feeling his steady heart beat lightly against his chest. Slowly, Chase closed his eyes contently as the feeling of safety wash over him.

HouseXChase

"House!"

"Cuddy!" House shot back as he stared at the symptoms on the board. Cuddy rolled her eyes and stood in the doorway of the conference room.

"House,"

"Cuddy!"

"I didn't shout that time!"

"You did then."

"House." Chase said warningly, giving House a look that said 'If you continue being a big ass, I'll punch you.' House sighed and looked at Cuddy, who was surprised that he listened to Chase.

Since when did House listen to anyone? I'm his boss and he doesn't listen to me!

"House,"

"Cud—"

"Don't!" Chase said loudly, giving House another look.

"Fine, Dr. Cuddy what can I do for you on this glorious day?" House said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I'll get right to the point. The Eating Disorders and Outreach Program Summit is coming to New Jersey." Chase felt himself pale; he had a feeling where this was going to go.

"The what?" Cameron asked as she stared at Cuddy confused.

"The Eating Disorders and Outreach Program summit. It's basically an organization that travels around the country to raise awareness and recovery support about eating disorders. They're coming here in two weeks and I want you, House, to be nice to them because the doctors here at PPTH are going to the summit." House surprised Cuddy by not groaning. "Also," She continued, "You need to write a little something start the whole thing off." This was where House groaned. "It doesn't have to be long! But, I want you to do it because there's going to be a lot of important people there who actually want to know who you are. You're doing it."

"What exactly goes on in the summit?" Foreman asked from his place by the wall.

"Basically, people who raise awareness of EDs give words of encouragement, recent studies and statistics, things like that; and then they actually get people who struggle with an ED to speak up about it to encourage more awareness."

"Oh, wow. I bet that's hard for them." Cameron said and Cuddy nodded.

"Yeah, I went to it when I was in California…it's a tear-jerker to say the least. Oh and another thing," She said looking around the room, "I want one of you to say something too." They looked at her in confusion and House watched Chase carefully, waiting for a reaction. To his surprise, he smiled.

"I'll do it." Chase spoke up and Cuddy nodded at him.

"Good, thanks for volunteering. Your part is mainly to start off the portion of the summit where people who have an ED actually talk about it. They're nervous, so they need to be calmed down a little bit before they go up. I know that you three are good at public speaking." Chase nodded and flashed House a small smile.

"Alright, you two have some writing to do. It's the Friday after next, so you better be ready by then." With that, she left.

"That's great that you volunteered, Chase!" Cameron said excitedly, "I wouldn't be able to do that; not with that much pressure!" Foreman nodded and smiled at Chase and Chase felt himself glow.

He could do this. If he can start the process of healing and recovery, then he can tell others that that first step is worth it without being a hypocrite. A small smile crept to his face as he realized that he actually had a lot to say. House noticed this smile as well and was already anxious to hear what Chase was going to say.

HouseXChase

Alright Gang,

Most important chapter is next!

Yes, the Eating Disorders and Outreach Program summit is a real thing. It does do what I said it does…but work with me here.

Reviews would be wonderful!

When-Rabbit-Howls