Chapter 7: Don't Stop Believing

"When the faith grows old, (I'm all for believing) and life turns cold. So if you're cold I will stay, maybe fate will guide the way. I believe in what I see and baby we were meant to be. Just believe. Just believe." ~All for Believing, Missy Higgins

Kate walked into her apartment with her luggage in tow. She had spent the week at a conference in Seattle. It was a beautiful place when it was not raining. She had barely gotten into the apartment when the phone rang. She picked it up and said: "Hello,"

"Hi." Chase said on the other line. "I was just calling to see if you had gotten in and how you were."

"I'm tired but that's mostly from the time change. The plane ride was fine."

"Good. So, I'll see you tomorrow?"

"Sure. Maybe we can get lunch." Kate said. The following day was Saturday and she knew that her calendar was clear.

"That's fine. Call me when you get up."

"I will."

"Okay, goodnight then."

"Goodnight Robert, I'll see you tomorrow." Kate smiled as she hung up the phone. She liked that her boyfriend had called to see how she was. It was a nice surprise. The phone rang again and Kate shook her head. She picked it up. "Honestly Robert, patience is a virtue I thought you knew that one."

"Hi Kate." Said a voice that did not belong to Robert, instead it was Peter.

"Uh, Peter! Um…hi?"

"Why are you dating Robert Chase again Katie?" Peter said.

Kate felt her heart sink. She had been waiting for this phone call. She sank down onto the couch. "Who told you?"

"Kate."

"Who told you?"

She heard Peter let out a sigh. "Erin. She called the other day."

Kate couldn't believe her ears. Her own sister had ratted out to Peter. She felt so betrayed but not surprised. She knew why Erin had told Peter. She even understood Peter's concern on the subject. It did not mean she agreed with him.

"Katie…we are worried about you."

"I'm fine. In fact, I am happy. Don't I get to be happy Peter?"

"This isn't about being happy Kate. This is about what is good for you. You were happy before with Robert and then things ended… Do you remember—"

"Peter don't. Just don't go there." She let out a deep breath. "I remember perfectly well without you having to remind me. I remember the pain but I also remember how happy we were. I don't know where, if this is going to go anywhere but I don't to miss out on any of it."

"Kate. Robert is my best friend. I love the guy to death, but when it comes to relationships… You shouldn't be involved with him."

"Peter I am an adult."

"You are still my baby sister."

"I can make my own decisions. That includes who I date." Kate said without missing a beat. It was as if Peter never said the previous comment. "Now goodnight."

"Night sis. Sleep well."

Kate hung up the phone and fell back on the couch. She could not deny the hurt. She just did not want to focus on it. However, she could not help wondering: "Is it a mistake to be happy with Robert right now? Again?"

House walked into the conference room and threw a file down on the table. "We have a new case."

"It's a twenty-seven year old with the flu." Cameron said.

House rolled his eyes and looked at Kate. "Please have a something smart to say."

Kate looked back over the file. "She probably has the flu."

"What else causes vomiting in the morning only?" House asked.

"Pregnancy, but she's never had sex so there is a low chance of that. Maybe it's a bad hangover." Chase said looking up from the chart.

"What twenty-seven year old hasn't had sex?" House asked.

"It's not that uncommon." Kate said.

"Maybe if you're Catholic or… ugly. That's right you are Catholic." House got an interested look on his face and grinned. He could use this. "So have you done the hot and sweaty yet or are you still waiting for your wedding night?"

Everyone looked at Kate curious except for Chase. Cameron looked especially interested in where the conversation was headed. "My sex life is none of your business." Kate said.

House looked intently at Kate. "You haven't had sex, have you?"

"Give it a rest House." Chase said.

House's gaze shifted to Chase. "Impressive. Especially since you jumped Cameron the moment she came onto you. Oh, I'm sorry my bad. Did you know about that Harker?"

"You are an ass." Kate said as she stood up and walked over to the door.

"Where are you going?" House asked.

"To go get a history of the patient. Or is that too much of an inconvenience to you insulting me?" Kate did not wait for a reply. She was already down the hall.

"Wow she is snarky. It was just a question." House said. "So Chase, has she put out yet?"

"It none of your business."

"I'm going to take that as a no."

"You must think I'm crazy." The patient Becky said as Kate finished writing down the history of the patient.

"No." Kate said and added when the patient looked surprised: "I respect the fact that you are waiting. I think that society puts too much pressure on having sex and not enough on real love or faith. Many people don't understand that religion is more than weekly service and reading the bible. Plus, if you're going to be with someone they should be willing to wait until you are ready."

Becky sat up straighter in the hospital bed. "You really don't think it is weird that a teenager makes a promise to God about premarital sex?"

"Not at all. I have to go. I'll check up on you later." Kate said before heading to the door.

"Dr. Harker, can I ask you a question? You don't have to answer it if it is too personal."

"Sure and if it's too personal I won't answer it."

Becky hesitated before asking. "Did you make the same promise as I did?"

Kate nodded her head but didn't look at Becky. "Yes, I did." Kate had a faded smile on her face. Then she left the room. Kate opened and closed the sliding door. She looked at the doctor who had been standing outside the entire time. "How much did you hear?"

"Not too much." Cameron said.

"So, basically everything." Kate said as she walked over to the waiting area.

"Basically everything." Cameron said.

Kate sat down and looked at Cameron. It was obvious that she was vulnerable now. "Are you going to attack me as well?"

Cameron sat down next to Kate. "No. I… don't understand how you can wait for—"

"I've had sex. I broke my promise." Kate looked at the floor humiliated and disgusted with herself.

"Oh…"

"Yeah,"

"What happened to change your mind?" Cameron couldn't help her curiosity. From observing Kate, Cameron knew she had strong faith and beliefs.

"I was in love. I was young… and… engaged. One night…it just happened. I know that doesn't excuse me for what happened."

"Did you get married?"

"No, we called it off."

"I'm sorry." Cameron said sincerely. Even though her husband had died, Cameron could not imagine what it was like without him. She had never regretted a day married to him.

"There is nothing to be sorry about. Not always getting what you want is a natural part of life. I think you understand that."

Cameron nodded her head. She understood that easily enough.

Kate wiped her eyes. She handed the case file to Cameron. "There is nothing to suggest that Becky has anything other than the flu."

Kate and Cameron's attention suddenly went to the sound of a code. The code was in Becky's room. They both went in and saw the last moments of a seizure. They both exchanged a confused and worried glance.

A few moments later, they were both back in House's office. "The patient just had a seizure." Kate said.

"Wow, you really know how to have a quick rebound." House said. "Miss me already."

Kate ignored House and continued: "We should do a CAT scan."

"Nope. I'm sorry that is the wrong answer."

"What?" Kate asked confused.

"I said, no to your test."

"Why? It's a logical test." Kate asked.

"I said no. Deal with it."

It suddenly clicked in Kate's head what House was pulling. "You are punishing me for not answering the question. Aren't you?"

"Please. I'm not that interested in your sex life or lack of one." House said with a grin that revealed he was lying.

"If I give you an answer, will you give me the test?"

House chuckled and leaned back in his chair interested. "No."

"Fine." Kate turned to leave the office.

"You would sell yourself out to get a patient a test."

"The patient comes first not my life." Kate walked out the door. If House wasn't going to help Kate she would just have to go around him.

Kate wondered if she would still even have her job after this move. It took a lot of convincing but Kate was eventually able to get Cuddy to give her permission for the CAT scan. It was a dangerous move on her part, but all that mattered right now was that Becky got a CAT scan.

Kate had just started the machine when Chase came in. He looked at her confused. "You might want to get out of here." Kate said.

"Cuddy?" Kate nodded her head. Instead of leaving, Chase came and sat next to her. "How are you?"

"I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"

"House was an ass."

"House is always an ass." Kate said refusing to look at Chase.

"I know you better than that." She refused to look at him. So Chase did something out of the ordinary. He stood up, leaned against the table, and moved Kate's face up so that she was looking at him. He then leaned in and gave her a soft kiss. "How are you really?"

Kate didn't respond verbally. Instead, she returned the sweet and gentle kiss back to Chase. After the kiss, Kate went back to the task at hand of looking over Becky's CAT scan.

"Kate?"

"Yeah,"

"Do you ever regret not waiting?" Chase asked with hesitation.

"I used to, but I don't anymore." Kate said before giving Chase a weak smile. Kate looked at the frame of the brain and everything made sense. "She has a brain aneurism. It's small but it is there."

"That would explain all of her symptoms."

Kate remembered the first time she had sex. It was not something lightly forgotten, especially when it was suppose to mean so much.

Kate and Robert walked out of her family's house. They had been visiting for a break and were going back to school a few days early, or so they were saying. "I can't believe there is so much to plan for." Chase said.

"It's a bit overwhelming." Kate said.

"But a good overwhelming?" Chase clarified.

"Yes." Kate said before giving him a quick kiss. "It's a very good type."

When they got to the car, Chase leaned up against it while Kate stood in front of him confused. "Are you sure you don't want to spend the rest of the weekend here with your family? My mother's house isn't in the greatest condition."

"What is wrong with the house besides the fact that no one is living in it?"

"Okay, there is technically nothing wrong with the house. I just think you'll be more comfortable here."

"Are you trying to get rid of me already?" Kate joked.

"No, of course not. Remember, I want to be stuck with you."

"I'm coming with you."

"Fine. I tried to spare you."

"Stop complaining." Kate said before getting into the passenger side of the car.

They arrived at the house and Kate looked at the outside of the house. It was just as she remembered. The house itself was a mansion. The outside of the house was white with green shutter windows on the two floors of the house. The house could not be seen from the road as ivy covered a metal gate wall that enclosed the property. In the back yard was a patio complete with a pool.

Robert carried their bags into the front entrance of the house. The house was still in perfect order. The furniture was covered in white cloths and the house had the smell of stale air. To get rid of the stale air they opened windows.

Chase took Kate's bag upstairs and put in it one of the nicer guest rooms in the house. "This is your room. My room is just across the hall incase you need me in the middle of the night." It was not that Chase was being inconsiderate he just thought that Kate might want her own space.

"Thanks. It looks cozy." Kate said before grabbing Chase and pulling him down on the bed besides her. They both laughed before settling on the bed to cuddle.

"I'm going to move your bag into my bedroom." Chase said his face buried in Kate's neck.

"Okay," She wasn't going to argue with him about it. "Come on, we should probably get up."

"Two more minutes." He tightened his grip around her waist and pulled her closer,

"If you insist."

"I do." Chase said through a grin.

After cuddling, the two got up and went downstairs. They went to the living room that also connect to the outside patio and moved the cloths off the furniture. It made the room more livable. Robert had disappeared and came back holding take-out menus. "Thai, Chinese, Pizza, or Italian?"

"Pizza. It's the easiest. Look what I found." Kate pointed to a stack of board games.

" For Clue and Trivia Pursuit we need more than two people. Cards…I guess it depends on the game."

"What about Scrabble?"

"It gets boring after awhile."

"Strip Scrabble isn't boring." Chase's eyes just about popped out of his head. He looked at her completely shocked and interested at the same time. Kate was so innocent most of the time and then she said something that would completely catch him off guard. He did not know what to think of her last statement. "What?"

"Where did you learn to plan Strip Scrabble?"

"Long story. Do you want to play?"

"Sure. First, I'm going to order the pizza."

Later after eating some pizza, Kate counted her points for the latest word she had played. "Sixty-eight." She looked at Robert. "Your pants please."

Chase took off his pants and handed them to Kate. She placed them in the pile with his other clothes. He only had his blue boxers and socks on now. Kate on the other hand was only missing her socks. Chase looked at his letters and grinned. He put down a word that totaled seventy points. "Strip babe."

"Top or bottoms." Kate asked.

"Top." Chase pretended to cover his eyes with his hand but separated his fingers and peeked as Kate stripped off her shirt to reveal a white-laced bra. Chase gulped. Sure, he had seen Kate in her bikini bathing suit but this was somehow different.

Kate tossed the shirt at him. "Here."

He grabbed it and put in a pile. "Hey do you want to take a break for awhile?"

"I guess. What did you have in mind?"

"The pool." Robert gestured to the pool in the backyard that was behind a sliding door.

"Sure. I would have beat you anyways."

"How are you so sure?" Kate held up the paper with points tallied. Chase was losing by an incredible amount. "Bad tiles."

"Right," Kate said. She opened the door and stepped out onto the patio. "Where are the lights?"

Chase flipped a switch on and a soft light illuminated the entire pool and patio. It was just past dusk and the sky was growing darker by the minute. Kate went over to the pool, stripped off her shorts and jumped in the pool. Chase of course noticed that Kate was wearing matching boy shorts to her bra.

Kate resurfaced and looked at here Chase confused. "Hurry up and get in here."

"I'm coming." Chase said. He threw his socks on the floor in the house and jumped in the pool. As soon as he resurfaced, Kate started to splash him. He splashed her back and soon it was a war.

To regain some type of ground, Chase dove under and caught Kate by the ankle. He pulled her into the water. Kate came up and glared at Chase. "No fair." She said through a smile. Chase shrugged. They both started to laugh, but looked up as the there was thunder. Suddenly it was pouring. Both of them quickly got out of the pool and ran inside.

Chase grabbed a towel out of the cupboard and wrapped it around Kate. Kate leaned up to give Chase a quick kiss, but it soon turned into to more than a simple kiss. It was deep and intense. Kate let the towel open and her body press against Robert's. "Robert…" Kate muttered between kisses. "I want you."

Chase stopped confused, pulled back, and looked at Kate unsure. "What?"

"I want you now. Don't make me say it again." Kate said before attacking Chase with her lips. Chase picked Kate up and carried her upstairs.

Upstairs, Robert laid Kate down on his bed. He subtly propped her up on the pillows. He stops kissing her and looks Kate directly in the eyes. "Are you sure about this?"

"Yes." Her hand slid down between them and into his boxers. He gets her point.

"I'll be right back." He stood up and went into the attached bathroom in the closet he grabbed out a small towel and a condom out of the cabinet. He came back and kissed Kate deeply. "Lift up your hips." He instructs. As Kate does, he places the towel under her for just incase.

"Where did you get the condom?" Kate asked.

"Cabinet above the bathroom sink," He doesn't mention that his mother, before her death, started putting condoms in there after he hit puberty.

His lips moved from Kate's lips down her jaw, neck, to her chest. He stops and looked back at Kate's face before continuing his journey. Her eyes begged him to continue. He undoes the front clasp of the bra and begins to explore first with his hands and then with his mouth.

Next, he trails down her abdomen, He stops right at the edge of her panties. Ever so slowly he peeled off her underwear. He noticed that they are wet but not from pool water. He dropped them on the floor. Kate sat up, pulled down his boxers, and helped with the condom. They press their naked bodies together for a moment.

Kate drew in a quick breath as Robert entered her. "Are you okay?" He looked worried. Kate nodded her head in reply. Trying not disturb too much at first, he moved back and forth gently and slowly. Things start to become more intense. Thrusts become rougher and breathing strained.

In the end, Robert collapsed on top of Kate panting. His right hand is intertwined with her left. He rolled off her and laid next to her. He looked at Kate. She's very quiet. "Are you okay?" He asked kindly. She nodded her head. "Kate…?" He can't think of what to say except: "I love you."

She looked at him. Her eyes glistened. "I know. I love you to." Chase looked down at her hand. There is a ring on her finger. He gave the ring to her almost two and a half months ago. "What are you thinking?" Kate asked.

He looked at her, moved a piece of plastered hair out of her face, and smiled. "I was just thinking: I can not wait to be married to you." Right now, Kate is his fiancé and wife-to-be.

A/N: I could tell you my life story and that still wouldn't be enough of an excuse. So, I am apologizing for the late chapter. My life has been stress, writer's block, and crazy lately. I'm sorry but this chapter is extra long so that hopefully makes up for some of it. I hope you liked the slight twist and new chapter.

Disclaimer: Seriously, House belongs to a big mean FOX. I don't own any music lyrics either.