I really really tried not to take this long to get this chapter out but work has kept me swamped. Sorry!!
First things first, big thanks to everyone who has taken the time to leave reviews!! You guys are great! THANKS!!
But, of course, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to stop and read the story.
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~~Chapter 3~~
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"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Chase stopped chewing on his pencil as he recognized the voice of the person now standing in front of him. Quickly trying to figure out how to handle the unavoidable conversation to come, he looked up and answered with nothing but a polite neutral tone, "Sure, what can I help you with?"
Wilson observed Chase for a moment. To the other man's credit his expression gave nothing away. A small part of him had to admire the level of protectiveness he was going up against. Right now, however, it was just annoying and frustrating. "Look Chase…I know."
Displaying a look of confused innocence perfectly, Chase replied, "Know? Know what?"
"You know what. You can drop the act."
"Well, I'm sorry but you're gonna have to be a bit more specific." Chase wasn't willing to have this conversation and was trying to keep it that way.
After his first visit with House, he'd spent some time reflecting on it. And one sentence kept repeating a few times in between thoughts.
'Well, I guess you'll have to keep coming back until you figure it out.'
It was pointless to try and deny it was good advice. Really, it was the only idea at this point. And until this thing was figured out in his mind, there was only on other person who had the right to discuss this topic with him. Everyone else would just have to deal with it until then.
Scanning the doctors' lounge to make sure there was no one eavesdropping, Wilson continued with a sigh, "Fine, I'll be specific. I know you went to go see House."
"Okay." Chase replied simply as if confirming a standard medical treatment.
There was a brief stare down between both men before Wilson conceded.
"You're not going to budge on this, are you?"
"Nope." Chase said rising from the table and making his way to the door.
Just as he touched the door handle, Wilson spoke up again.
"Chase…understand that I want him to get better just as much as you do. And I realize there's nothing I can do to stop you. Just…be careful. You know the lengths he will go to get what he wants."
Chase stared at the closed door for a bit. His impulse was to say it was none of his business or that maybe he shouldn't of hung up the phone to begin with. Then he reminded himself that this was the last man who would intentionally hurt his closest friend. So instead he softly replied before leaving, "Thanks Wilson."
Thankfully, Chase managed to get by the rest of the week without any other confrontations. Although the occasional paranoia did manage to creep in whenever Foreman or Cameron mentioned House. He felt sure that one of them would sense something was up whenever they looked at him. He also felt a little guilty that he couldn't at least share how their former boss was doing. He knew that they cared for him and would've liked to know about his progress.
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The next drive up to Mayfield, Chase was completely relaxed even though he was no closer to finding answers. The confusion and unease was off set by the fact that 1. House was expecting him and 2. It was House who proposed the idea in the first place.
Just as he was signing the visitors' log, an unfamiliar voice spoke to him, "Dr. Chase?"
"Yes?"
"Hi, I'm Dr. Nolan, Head of Psychiatry. I wanted to properly introduce myself and welcome you to Mayfield."
Suspicion immediately flooded his mind as he stared at the man extending his hand toward him.
"Uh, hi. Nice to meet you." He replied hesitantly but shook his hand nonetheless.
You didn't have to be a genius to know Dr. Nolan had an agenda for this conversation. His entire demeanor was too passive. Even the polite smile being directed at him, was probably very effective in getting patients to share intimate information.
"Likewise. I had meant to introduce myself during the last visit but was detained for a patient consult. That's nothing new to you, I'm sure."
"Sure..."
"Speaking of which, I hear that you've been a colleague of Dr. House for a number of years. And the majority of that, you were actually on his team."
"That would be correct."
Just as with Wilson, Chase wasn't willing to help this man find what he was fishing for. Quickly scanning the room, he hoped to spot House to be able to excuse himself but had no luck.
Not missing a beat, Nolan continued, "Well, I must say that must have been a very unique and educating experience. No doubt you saw and heard many things of interest. I was wondering if you would be willing to let me pick your brain on a few subject matters."
Chase almost laughed at the man's attempts to gain information about House. At least, Wilson knew when to drop the act.
"So what do you say Dr. Chase? Would you be willing to help me out?"
"Hate to burst your bubble, Doc…"
Startled by House's voice, Chase looked to his right and found him sitting on the sofa next to them facing away.
'Hands down, he has to be one of the stealthiest men on one good functioning leg.'
"…but I believe the term 'visiting hours' applies to patients of this facility. I would suggest trying Craigslist if you're really that lonely." House continued as he put down the magazine he was pretending to read and walked next to where they were standing.
Nolan was unfazed by the comment as he looked between the two men, analyzing what he could.
"Well, then I'll leave you to it. Dr. Chase, it was nice to meet you. I hope we get a chance to talk soon."
Chase politely nodded as he shook the man's hand again.
"Seems like you're becoming Mr. Fascinating around here. Head Shrink wants to delve into that pretty cranium and see what he finds." House grumbled as Nolan walked away.
"Something I'm sure you were expecting. Frankly, I was surprised you didn't tell him you called dibs first."
"Why would I do that? That would be pretty childish, wouldn't it?" House mocked with his face scrunched in false curiosity.
"Right."
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Just like with the last visit, House steered them outside.
"No new revelations I take it."
"None yet. You?"
"Still a work in progress. Although I'll admit there have been other matters that have occupied my attention."
This time Chase brought the stroll to a halt.
"This other matter wouldn't happen to be related to your phone call the other night, would it? Tell me you're not still plotting to get yourself released early."
House immediately broke eye contact and looked off to the side like he normally did when someone called him on one of his schemes. Finally, he shrugged, "Well then I guess that only leaves my witty banter."
"Come on House. You don't need to do this. I offered to help with your rehab. I want to help."
"That's all well and good but the detox is over. I can handle the rest outpatient. I don't need to be here for that."
House was now trying to stare Chase down. However, it was having the opposite effect since Chase called him out.
"Yes, you actually do. You did this before. Remember Tritter? And now look what has happened. Look where you ended up again. Don't let your bloody pride get in the way."
"Oh ye of little faith." House continued to walk, meaning that he wanted the subject to change.
"My faith is fine and you're more than stubborn enough to stick this out."
"Flattery will get you nowhere."
Chase held back a sigh of frustration. He needed to change tactics fast before House wore him down. He sped up to get in front, blocking the other man from going any further.
"Fine. If you don't want to seriously help yourself get better then I retract my offer. As much as I want to help, I'm not gonna waste the effort…which is exactly what's gonna happen if you keep pulling the same stunts."
"Hmmm, playing the ultimatum card so soon? How very Wilson of you."
House tilted his head in curiosity.
"Is that where this is coming from? You're just the puppet while he pulls your strings."
"Wow, paranoid much?" Chase scoffed. "Sorry to disappoint you. Even though I know you'd love that to be true. That way you could justify your scheming."
As much as he would've liked it, unfortunately, House could tell he wasn't being lied to. But now he saw a different opportunity appear.
"Fine, you made your point but while we're on the topic…what did good old Jimmy have to say? I'm sure he tracked you down right away once he caught wind of what happened."
All he got from Chase was an eye roll followed by, "Of course he did and you know exactly what he said. Now stop changing the subject. Quit scheming and let me help."
By this point, he was standing up close right in House's personal space. House chose not to respond but instead went to go walk around him. Now it was Chase's turn to not let House leave until he got the answer he wanted. He immediately grabbed his waist to keep him from moving. The grip started out a little firmer than intended, as he was unprepared to feel the fluster in his stomach return the second he touched House.
"House…" he softly said as a last plea.
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'Shit.' This was the only thought that came to House as he felt his resolve to not give in crumbled away as those soft blue eyes simply stared at him.
"Stop flirting with me just so you can get your way. It's cheap and completely unbecoming of you."
He hoped that would be enough to get some space away from the blond. The close proximity added with the hand resting way too comfortably on his hip was causing his nerves to rattle as his thoughts started drifting to a more inappropriate place.
Chase automatically smiled at House's playful tone and expression. But he knew this talk wasn't quite finished yet.
"So is that a yes? No more scheming?"
"Alright, fine. We'll try it your way." was the reply with an exaggerated eye roll.
At this point, House didn't care that he totally caved. He just wanted to move on from this situation for the moment so he could clear his head without Chase being the wiser.
The smile turned into a smirk as Chase paused and said, "I'm going to hug you now."
Just like the last time, he wrapped his arms around the other man before anything could be said or done. But what happened next was completely different than either could expect.
Chase had, in fact, sensed House's nervousness. He figured the hug would snap him out of it and a smart-ass remark would follow. However, a second later, he should've remembered his own fluster of nerves. Chase's senses seemed to hit overdrive as he breathed in House's scent.
The next that followed was the feel of the body that pressed against him. Like he remembered, House still had a toned but not overly firm physic. It made you feel comforted and protected at the same time.
Oddly, these feelings didn't have him running for the hills like he would've imagined. Yes, there was a tiny nagging voice reminding him that this was House…his ex-boss…his very male ex-boss. Chase's history of experimentation only consisted of one random make out session one drunken night at a bar. It was a while after he arrived in the states and was trying to fill what had become a regularly lonely nightlife. The experience wasn't bad at all but he soon lost interest because his heart wasn't in it.
After a moment, Chase managed to pull himself out of his thoughts to realize that House had yet to make a sarcastic remark or say anything for that matter.
"House?" he asked softly almost afraid that he would spook him. Instead, a startled gasp escaped from his own mouth as he felt a firm squeeze around his waist from where House's arm was resting. He didn't even realize that it had been wrapped around him for a while now.
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I'm leaving you hanging, I know....Not trying to be mean.....Hope you guys still like where this story is going.
Feedback Please!!!
Good news is that the next chapter is about half way done so I should have it up soon.