I was hiding from Cuddy…again. I went to the jogging park this time even though it was so cold it just made my leg hurt a little more. Wilson had been in my office every chance he could get since we moved in together. He was probably afraid of facing Cuddy's wrath alone. He didn't have enough practice as I did. Besides that the supposed sympathy he felt for me because of my latest breakthrough pain was smothering. I had to get out of there. So I laid on one of the tables hoping I could just be left alone today.

It wasn't to long until someone came looking for me though. I just didn't think it would be this one particular person.

"Hey." My view of the grey sky was filled with Chase's face.

"Hey." I replied. "Cuddy sent you?"

"No. She's busy with donors." Chase took my arm and placed it on my stomach so he could sit beside me.

"And you came looking for me why?"

He shrugged and did one of those hair flips to get the hair from in front of his face. "Thought maybe you'd want to grab a bite to eat."

"Is this your attempt to make yourself feel better about punching me?"

"Yes."

"I don't want your apology nor do I need it." I turned my head away to look at the pond. It seemed a much better view.

"Actually, I really want you to come out with me."

"What for?" I didn't want to go out, didn't want to move. My leg just hurt so bad it didn't seem worth the effort. It was times like this I craved for the vicodin or so other painkiller.

"Because I've noticed you've had a loss of appetite ever since the case."

"It tends to happen when I'm busy." There was a hint a irritation in my voice that I couldn't keep out. I wasn't irritated with him just life in general. "Besides, the case is over."

"Also, you're the only one who wouldn't pity me and avoid even mentioning Allison's name."

"Well, you know me. I'm the biggest cold-hearted bastard out there." I turned my face slightly just so I could see his reaction.

His bottom lip was drawn in and his eyebrows furrowed as he gave a small shake of his head. "No, that's not it at all." He looked at me with an expression that seemed to say he couldn't find the words he wanted. "You have this completely different view of the world. It's as if you simply accept things that happen. You don't try to deny it and make it seem better when it isn't. I like that."

I snorted loudly. "You have a sadly misconstrued idea of who I am."

"Then tell me what you're really like." He leaned a little closer to me so I could feel the warmth of his breath on my brow. "I want to know that you're not some cold-hearted bastard."

A small shudder ran down my spine and I focused on a woman walking casually with her child by her side. The woman wore a yellow and black shirt with black pants. Her red hair pulled back in a messy bun at the nape of her neck. Her daughter was like a copy, same red hair and everything.

"Did you hear me?" I heard Chase's voice as if it came from far off and had to zone back into our conversation.

"No. What did you say?" I asked. I wished he would just go away now and leave me with the silence I wanted.

He tilted his head slightly, a lock of blonde hair falling into his eyes. "If you needed to, would you call me?"

The question took me by surprise. I sat up, propping myself up with my left hand. "What are you talking about?"

"If Wilson was ever gone and you felt yourself slipping, would you call me?"

"What do you know that you're not telling me?" I asked with a questioning glare. If there was something about Wilson that he was keeping from me I would find out soon enough.

"Nothing, I swear." Chase held up his hand defensively. "I was just wondering because it's happened before. Next time I want you to know that you could call if you needed me."

This turn in the conversation was random and way too personal for my liking. I had to get him out of here and away from me as soon as possible.

"I've known you long enough to tell when you want your space." Chase said. He hopped off the park table and put his hand on my shoulder. "I meant what I said, House."

I moved out from under his hand and tried to look at anything but him. But my eyes kept going back to his. I could tell when a person was jerking me around and he wasn't. That's what made it so much harder.

With a sigh, he let his hand drop to his side. "You should probably get back to work soon. Cuddy won't be distracted by donors for much longer."

"She'll find me when she needs me."

Chase nodded and turned on his heel to make his way back to the hospital. I watched him as he walked, his hands neatly tucked into the pockets of his grey coat. His shoulders sagged a little more than usual today and he walked just a little slower as if he had weights tied to his feet. The sooner he got over Cameron the better.

I took my cell from my pocket and quickly dialed a number. As it rang I watched Chase pause on his way to his car and pull out his phone. He turned around and, even though I couldn't see from that far away, I'm sure he looked surprised.

"Hello?" Chase said after he finally picked up.

"So," I said. "Where did you want to go?"

I'm opening it back up because, believe it or not, I read your reviews and I'm writing this for you. Also, it's up to you whether you want H/W slash or just friendship.