I updated people! Rejoice and be happy!

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Chapter Four: Embarrassment

"Everyone out," grunted House as he stopped to stand in the lab doorway. Cameron and Foreman looked surprised, but moved for the door anyways.

"Except you," House finished, pointing to Chase. Cameron and Foreman raised their eyebrows and left.

Chase ignored House and went to follow them. He was so annoyed he didn't see House stick his cane out into his path.

The Australian doctor sprawled over it, landing right on his nose with a shout. House swung the door shut, placing himself in front of it.

Clutching his nose, Chase looked up at House like a storm cloud. House gazed down mildly.

"You were so eager to tell me something this morning, and now you're ignoring me."

Chase looked away, cheeks reddening. "I wasn't eager. What made you think that?"

"Aww, how precious, now the seven year old's pouting," House exclaimed. He jabbed his cane into Chase's ribs.

The younger man winced. "This coming from the three year old!"

House stuck out his tongue. Chase made a face back. House flung out a hand.

"Get up," he said. Chase looked at the hand warily.

"Fine," he replied as he shoved himself up without help.

"See now," said House with a sigh," you're so immature. I need a person who's more mature than me. A relationship between us would never work."

Chase blinked. "Relationship? Wha-?" Incomprehension was replaced with understanding very quickly. "Wilson," he hissed in a deadly whisper.

House saw death in the future for his poor friend. "A word in his defense, he was half-drunk when he said so." Chase's eyes grew large.

"He was drunk at work?" he asked in disbelief. House almost groaned.

"Oops," he said simply. It seemed like all Chase's anger had been switched from House to Wilson. House could literally see torture plans being written behind those green eyes.

He tried to distract him. "What was it?" House asked, smoothly changing the subject.

"What was what?" Chase said cautiously.

"What was it about me that attracted you? Was it my," he continued, sliding his hands down his sides, "sexy body?" Chase bit his lip.

"Or was it my rough demeanor?" He stroked his stubble. Chase's fists turned white. House paused. "Surely not my witty comments?"

Chase didn't respond, so House went on. "Or maybe you secretly like being yanked around." Chase's face went from a rosy pink to a fiery red.

"What? No, I-" he stopped abruptly. His eyes flicked up behind House's shoulder. House glanced behind himself too.

He closed both eyes, and turned his head back to face Chase.

"How long have you been there?" he asked without turning to look at Cuddy. He didn't even need an answer. The look on her face had been enough.

He stepped aside and cracked open a single eye. Cuddy's eyebrows were still standing near her hairline.

She covered her mouth with one hand. "No, go on," she said. Chase's jaw dropped in sheer embarrassment.

House shook his head. "I think we're done here."

"For now, right? Just for now?" shouted Chase after House's retreating figure. He hadn't really gotten rejected or accepted.

Cuddy watched him. "You sure know how to pick 'em, don't you?" she stated, patting Chase's back before leaving.

Chase stood there wordlessly. He wasn't sure which he'd die from faster: disappointment or pure embarrassment.