Chapter 3

"He what!" Cuddy was right, Foreman was not going to like it at all.

"Chase & Cameron are leaving the case. He said that he would rather be at home taking care of Cameron than treat Dibala. And Cameron, I have no idea why she's leaving, but that's beside the point."

"How am I suppose to treat the patient when the best Intensivist I know, who's at home with his sick wife, has left in the middle of a case?"

"How about have me help." House butted in from across the room. "I know I don't have my license, but I'm the best you've got right now. I'll help with diagnostics, but nothing else. I swear it." As if those two are really going to fall for that.

"Alright, just this once. And Dr. Foreman, if Dr. House even as much as thinks of making any contact with the patient, please tell me at once so I can notify the review board." Foreman only nods, knowing that this action would go on his record, if it did happen.

After his conversation with Cuddy, Chase went to the kitchen for a quick cup of coffee, before getting some Gatorade and crackers for Cameron. Walking back into their bedroom, he saw that the color had returned to the face of his beautiful, yet sickly, wife, who was staring back at him, through slanted eyes.

"How do you feel now, honey?" He felt, and kissed her forehead. At least her color's come back. That's a good sign.

"Hmm," she moaned, yawning. "Tired, though not as weak. I'm kind of hungry too."

"Thought you might be. Here, why don't you sit up, and we'll see how you do with some crackers." Helping her to sit up was less of a challenge than last night had been. After getting her situated, removing his robe and trading it for one of his sweatshirts, Chase was sitting next to Cameron on the bed, his arm around her shoulders as he handed her the crackers, one at a time.

"I called Cuddy a little bit ago. Told her that you had the flu, and that I was going to stay with you until you were feeling better."

"What did she have to say about the whole thing? About me being sick, and you staying home to take care of me?" she asked, slowly eating her "breakfast".

"She said it was probably for the best. I also asked her to tell Foreman that both you and myself have decided to step away from the case." She gave him that look that usually meant that he was in trouble.

"Why? I know why I want to be off the case, but why you as well?" I hope his reason's better than mine, because I feel like a coward right now.

"Because you being sick is more important to me than a patient who's sick, let alone a sick genocidal dictator. Family comes before work and you Mrs. Chase, are my family. I know I might sound old-fashioned, but it's the truth."

"Your excuse is better than mine," said Cameron giggling. "You do sound old-fashioned, but you're right: it is the truth. And if Foreman has a problem with it, then that's his problem." The only thing Chase can do is smile at her, and pull her into a one-armed hug. Leaning back on the bed and resting his head against the wall, Chase pulled Cameron with him, knowing that she still needed rest.

"Thank-you for agreeing with me," he told Cameron, softly kissing her hand that he was holding, then her forehead once again. Leaning back again, both fell asleep to the sound of birds outside their bedroom window.

Several hours later, Chase woke to the sound of Cameron coughing, violently. He immediately began rubbing her back, trying to get her to calm down.

"Shhh. Here, drink this, and take slow, deep breaths." Chase was worried, but after Cameron did all that he told her to, she leaned back against him, and both were able to relax. "That a girl. What happened?"

"I don't know. One minute I was fine, the next minute I thought I had something in my throat, so I tried to cough it out. Whatever it was, it's gone." Just as she finished speaking, she started coughing again. When she was done, Chase tried to get her to drink some more water, but to no avail. "Hurts to swallow." Leaning back, Cameron suddenly began to feel pain, in her chest.

"Do you think I should get checked out at the hospital?" There was pain in her voice now.

"Depends. Why, what's wrong now?"

"Every time I lean back, I feel pain in my chest. You don't think it could be something serious, do you?"

"Only one way to find out. Let's go get you checked out." Helping his wife slowly out of bed, and downstairs to the car, Chase was getting more worried by the minute. Please God, don't let it be too serious. And if it is, don't let it take my Allison away from me, he silently prayed. That was when he called Foreman to let him know that Cameron needed to be looked at, and fast.

"Dr. Cuddy." Foreman called to Cuddy when he got to her office after walking, practically running down to tell her what Chase had just told him over the phone.

"Chase just called. He's bringing Cameron in to get her looked at."

"Chase said she has the flu. Why would he bring her in to get looked over if she's already been diagnosed?"

"Because I don't think chest pain is a symptom of the flu, nor is sudden cough attacks." Cuddy looked at him, suddenly in shock.

"Okay, when he gets here, bring them both in here to my office. I don't want there to be a whole fiasco in the clinic. And I don't think they would want that either."

"Yes ma'am." Foreman left to go wait outside for Chase and Cameron.

"What the hell is this?" Just thinking about it was making Cuddy feel nervous. Don't let anything happen to Cameron, she silently prayed.