Can't believe it's been over 4 months since I last updated!
Many continued thanks to everyone who is still reading and take the time to leave reviews! This was originally going to be one very long chapter but still seeing this fic getting added as a story alert or favorite story I wanted to give you guys something sooner than later.
I'm going to do everything I can to finish this story!
###########
~~Chapter 7~~
###########
For the sake of appearance, House did nothing extra out of character to avoid suspicion. The only minuet change that no one seemed to notice was that he strategically put himself with Freedom Master in his line of sight whenever possible.
One thing was for sure, the kid was getting worse by the day. His behavior pattern was like a light switch.
The majority of the day he sat in catatonic state but then would start to look edgy as if anticipating to be attacked. It was the latter behavior that got House thinking.
Although he knew it might blow his cover, the next stop was to get in closer contact with Freedom Master. Waiting for the "a-ha" light bulb actually came quicker than expected as he stood by the window.
House felt his mouth twitch upwards at seeing a familiar convertible pull up with a cello case sticking out the back.
###############
###############
Like taking candy from a baby.
House mused over this phrase while watching the Mayfield building getting smaller and smaller in the rearview mirror.
'Really…who hands their car over to a relative stranger? Not only that but a stranger who's in a mental institution!'
Of course he knew he shouldn't grumble too much since people like that made it easy to get what he wanted.
**Twenty Minutes Later**
"You can do this. If you hold my hand, I can do it too."
A loud whirling sound started followed by a strong gust of wind that rushed up from below their feet. The gust then shortly became powerful enough to slowly lift them completely off the platform.
House did nothing to resist the joy he was feeling. He took his time savoring the view of the carnival grounds that they were now hovering over at least a good thirty feet.
At his side Freedom Master mirrored the same exhilaration. House had to admit that seeing the lively spark in the kid's face added to his own good feeling.
The natural high refused to wear off even after they touched back on the ground. Definitely not ready to leave, House made his way over to the game booths with Freedom Master happily following while running around him in circles.
Realistically knowing their time was limited; he quickly skimmed the potential prizes and froze when he spotted a giant kangaroo. Grinning, he made his way over to the booth. House couldn't wait to see the look on Chase's face next visit.
################
################
**Another Twenty Minutes Later**
The car ride back to Mayfield had been virtually silent.
Freedom Master sat in back aware of the tension that filled the air. Chase was a mix of worried, concerned, and angry.
Worry for the man in the back seat who he just managed to pull away from jumping out of a third level parking garage.
Concern for House's silent state after they were sure no one was seriously harmed.
And anger at House's need to go to the extreme to prove his point no matter what the consequence might be.
Chase purposely stopped himself from thinking what would've happened had he arrived five minutes later. Instead, he brought his attention to the fact that House had yet to utter one word.
'Hey! Hey, come on. Get down from there! There's no cry for help. There's no cat in a tree.'
'Thank you Greg.'
'NO!'
It was all a jumble of blurred images now. Just like the row of trees he numbly watched whizzing by his passenger window.
No warning bells had gone off in his mind. He was so caught up in his pride that his instinct had failed to pick up that anything bad was about to happen.
A gentle pressure on his hand brought him out of his trance. House became focused at the sight of Chase's hand grasping his. The normally smooth pale skin was now bruised and covered with scrapes.
"Talk to me House."
"Something still isn't adding up."
It was the only statement House could share with any certainty. Mentally, he kept working on lifting the fog in his mind until he discovered that one thought of clarity.
Catching a movement from the corner of his eye, House turned toward the back. He watched as the kid rubbed his head like he was trying to physically force an unpleasant thought out.
A small jolt of excitement began to charge up within.
"A new symptom."
"What do you mean?"
By this time, they had reached their destination and Chase was now able to give House his full focus.
Meanwhile, House was locked onto his new discovery and running through all the medical scenarios until he began honing in on the most plausible one.
"I mean that I was wrong. The problem isn't in his head…it's what is being put into it."
Chase was already dreading his next question.
"You think he's being medicated to be like this on purpose?"
"It fits. There's no reason for his behavior to deteriorate this steadily from when he was admitted."
"You don't know that for sure House. He just tried to fling himself out of the parking garage!"
"Exactly my point! Why would he try to fly now? Why not before at where ever he worked or the roof of a crappy apartment?"
"Maybe he did! You don't know his history!" Chase cried exasperated.
House stopped himself from rolling his eyes at the outburst.
"Right…because we both know how often I've hinged my decisions on the lack of patient history."
Chase took a second to steady his breathing.
"This is not the same and you know it. At the hospital, we could run whatever labs and scans we needed to help make up for what we didn't know. You're flying blind on this one."
House snapped back to look at Chase, clear irritation visible as always when anyone tires to talk down to him.
"Let me guess! This is where you tell me to leave it alone and focus on my own problems!"
Chase practically growled at House's patronizing tone.
"Don't fuckin' talk to me like I'm Cameron! Even you can't ignore what just happened. What if I didn't show up? If he jumped? If he died? What do you think they would've done to you then?"
Not able to remain sitting feeling trapped, Chase got out and began pacing behind the car.
Freedom Master had stayed silent since they arrived having felt the tension between the two men. So he took this as his cue to slip out and headed inside.
House found he could no longer focus on the differential at hand. The sight of Chase pacing and dragging his hand through his hair now had all of his attention. Part of him wanted to remove the worry on the younger man's face by reassuring that he would stay away from the case but the other part knew that there was no way he could keep that promise.
With a sigh, House got out, walked around, and leaned against the back of the car. Not knowing what to say, he opted to wait until Chase stopped and approached him.
"I know you hate hearing this but it needs to be said so shut up until I'm done. I care about you. I care about what happens to you. And I care about us…whatever this thing between us is. So you damn well better believe that I care if either is being affected in any way. Right now, this case has the potential to destroy both."
Hearing Chase's possessive tone sent a thrill through House. Again, he was tempted to give into the blond's plea but his brain refused to let it go. He knew with every fiber of his being that there was something foul at play.
Instead of saying something that would likely end up being a partial truth, House did the next best thing to express how he felt.
His hand quickly slid around Chase's neck and pulled him forward until their lips were locked together.
Without thinking Chase sank into the embrace. His kisses were slow yet firm. A swipe of a tongue on his upper lip gave House automatic entrance to taste the rest of his mouth.
It was unfair really that this man had such a talent with his mouth that it felt as if you were being drugged. Yet with all that sensation, the memories from earlier were strong enough to break through the haze.
Chase took what little breath he had left and ripped his lips away. Staring at House's intense gaze, although mostly comforting, still hadn't removed the lingering doubt.
"You're not going to let this go."
As expected, there was no contradiction…only silence.
The day's events had taken their toll at last. Chase had no more fight left today.
"I have to go. I need time…away."
There was no masking how tired he sounded.
House still looked at Chase as if recording his face to memory before giving a slight nod in acceptance.
The somber Aussie untangled himself and made his way to the exit, never once turning back.
################
################
**Four Days Later**
"I'd like you to share what happened on Saturday."
Having sensed what the session's topic was going to revolve around, House had preemptively decided to try to not say a word. Aggravatingly, it was easier said than done. He continued to center his frayed nerves by staring at a tree outside the window.
"Dr. Chase appeared to be rather upset on his way out."
Nolan clearly wanted to cut to the "chase", no pun intended.
Thinking back since the incident, House had been successful in keeping his frustrations in check…during the day.
Freedom Master continued to decline mentally will still no obvious cause. This factor alone kept him motivated to stick with his decision.
The nights, however, were a completely different matter all together. As much as he tried to stop it, Chase's image would surface to the forefront of his mind while the rest of the world slept.
It would start out idyllic, seeing his deliriously dazed face after being thoroughly kissed. Seeing Chase laughing completely at ease from one of his innuendo filled comments. House would try to hold onto this image like a drowning man for air.
Abruptly though it would shift and Chase's concerned face would seem to surround him at every turn. His pulse racing at the claustrophobic feeling. Yet, he would rather endure it then what came next.
The most lasting image at the end was the face of disappointment and exhaustion. Blue eyes completely dulled. Mouth set in a thin firm line. Shoulders and back hunched forward in defeat.
"House."
With a jolt, House was brought out of his reverie.
Nolan simply stared expectantly waiting for the information he wanted.
Talking a deep breath gave House a second wind to not give in and fight back. With a grin, he tilted his head as if solving a puzzle.
"You're persistent I'll give you that. Making sure the coast is clear before you try to 'tap dat'. Like I said, I don't think you're his type."
Nolan smiled calmly.
"Is this the way you want to keep playing it out? Seems very one note to me."
"You're the one that brings up Chase first…talk about one note."
"He is one of the few constant stabilizers in your life. He's worked directly with you the longest. Considering how much time you invest yourself to that work would make those relationships comparable to what would be family to most. So, yes, I would say it's worth talking about. Now why don't you share what happened Saturday."
House decided to keep shrugging away from the truth.
"Just the usual. Sun shining. Birds chirping. Schizophrenics ranting. Oh yeah and the meatloaf at dinner tasted like an old sock. You might be able to round up some new head cases from the kitchen if they honestly think that food was edible."
"I'll take it under advisement. Anything else you wish to discuss?"
House was fed up. The fuse for his patience was even shorter lately and had reached the end. He used his emergency card in hopes to finish this session immediately.
"Nope. Sorry the share tank is all emptied out for today. I really should let you concentrate on other pressing matters anyway. Say like the mysterious lady X from your calendar that you frequently meet. The one I'm sure your wife knows nothing about."
House was mildly impressed at Nolan's composure to the subtle threat. Finally sensing no further resistance; he got up and left the room.
################
################
**One minute later**
He was marching around the ward until he found his hyper roommate.
"Be ready tonight. We need to do some recon."
Not waiting for a reply, he immediately headed outside to the benches to better map out his plan.
"Yessss." Alvie hissed quietly and went back to his ping pong game, bouncing around with even more excitement than before.
################
################
More to come soon…
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!