AN: Here is the next chapter and I hope you'll like it. I know it has been a while but school has been keeping me busy and Fanfiction had some troubles... Next time, I will update sooner.

Don't forget to review!

Enjoy…

Chapter 15

The bullet had lodged itself very close to his spinal and if it wasn't removed, it could cause some damage. They couldn't risk anything. Surgery took more then six hours as Chase's lung had to be repaired as well and Cameron didn't miss any of it. She watched every move and she felt fear every time Chase's heartbeat elevated, jumping up from her chair and pushing her hands against the window, as if she could reach Chase and grab his hand.

But now, the six long hours were finally over and they were stitching Chase up. Cameron didn't hesitate and immediately walked the IC where they would bring Chase. Only 15 minutes later, two nurses rolled him in on a bed and connected him to a respirator and a machine which monitored his heart rate. The attending surgeon followed and placed Chase's chart at the end of the bed.

'Everything went well, the bullet has been removed and we gave him a blood transfusion. All we need to do now is wait for him to wake up.'

'Is he still in a coma?' Cameron asked as she grabbed Chase's warm hand.

'I'm afraid so.' The surgeon answered as he watched Chase.

Cameron turned her gaze to Chase as well and placed her other hand on his forehead, caressing his hair.

'Then we'll just wait for him to wake up.' She said with a faint smile on her face. She had faith in him and she knew he wouldn't give up without a fight.

The surgeon left Cameron alone.

'You're not going to give up,' Cameron whispered to Chase, still streaking away his hair, 'I know you won't. You're strong and you won't just leave us. You can't leave us. Think about all of your friends. So you have no choice but to come back because they can't loose you. I can't loose you.'

'Nobody wants to loose him.' A soft voice came from behind Cameron and she turned her gaze to the origin of the sound. Cuddy was leaning against the door and watched both Cameron and Chase, a weak smile on her face.

'The surgeon told me everything went well.' Cameron said as she turned her gaze to Chase again.

'Why don't you take a shower, putt on some clean scrubs and get something to eat.' Cuddy said as she went standing at the other side of Chase's bed. 'I'll stay with him.'

Cameron didn't like the idea of leaving Chase behind. She didn't even want to let go of his hand. But she needed a moment for herself; that she knew too. Her stomach was screaming for food and her body was screaming for water. A shower would feel nice indeed. Cuddy was right.

'I'll be back as soon as I can.' Cameron promised, more to Chase than to Cuddy.

Cuddy nodded and when Cameron left the room, she went sitting in Cameron's chair, laying her hand on Chase's shoulder, gently squeezing it. She had to let him know that he wasn't alone.

'She cares for you,' Cuddy smiled, 'don't dare to leave her alone. She needs you, she needs your friendship. You have to wake up, you understand me?'

Cameron came back about an hour later and she replaced Cuddy at Chase's bedside. Cuddy didn't really want to leave, but she still had a hospital to run. Others needed her.

House passed by every once and a while, just looking in to the room, sighing and then he left. He never said one word, but Cameron knew House better then that. House never needed words to express his feelings. Showing up here at the door meant that he was worried about Chase and that was somehow reassuring to Cameron.

Foreman came to visit every hour, just like Wilson. They brought food and water for Cameron because they knew that they wouldn't be able to get her to leave this room.

Almost 3 days passed when a new voice came from behind Cameron.

'Can I come in?' a young woman asked. She had curly blond hair and bright blue eyes. Cameron recognised this woman, but she couldn't place her. Her memory was failing her for the moment and she knew that the lack of sleep had something to do with it.

'I'm Lauren.' The woman said hesitant.

That was it! She was the rape victim. House had told her that Chase had been seen with her before he had gotten…Cameron quickly turned her thoughts back to Lauren. She wasn't ready to fully accept what had happened.

She smiled at Lauren and slowly got up from her chair, letting Chase's hand go.

'Of course you can come in.' she said.

Lauren went standing at the foot end of Chase's bed and rested her hands on the frame.

'How is he?' she eventually asked, still looking at Chase.

'His wounds are healing nicely and he's breathing almost completely on his own so don't let the respirator scare you off.'

'When will he wake up?' Lauren asked in a soft voice.

'When he's ready.' Cameron said reassuring.

Lauren looked at Cameron with a confusing gaze in her eyes.

'He's in a coma.' Cameron explained. Those words hurt her as much as they now hurt Lauren. They were heavy words…

Lauren let her gaze drop the floor and Cameron heard her holding back a sob. Lauren took in a deep breath and lifted her gaze to Chase again.

'I'm so sorry.' She whispered.

'This isn't your fault.' Cameron said as she went standing next to Lauren, placing her arm around her shoulders.

'It's my fault that that…Parker did those things to him. If he hadn't met me, he would be fine. He's such a good man, such a nice and friendly man and if-'

'He's going to be fine.' Cameron hushed her.

Lauren released herself from Cameron's grip and walked up to Chase's head. She took his hand into hers and smiled.

'Hey,' she said with a sweet voice, 'remember me?'

Cameron quietly left the room to give her some privacy. She smiled a little as she realised that this was the first time she had left this room. She had eaten in there, she had gone to Chase's bathroom, she had slept in that chair. It felt strange to be outside.

'It's me,' Lauren continued, 'it's Lauren. I just wanted to say how sorry I am. And I wanted to thank you. You saved a lot of people by giving the police all those details. You gave me the feeling that I'm safe again so…thank you.'

For a moment she felt pressure on her hand. He had squeezed her hand, she was certain about it!

'Can you do that again?' she asked with a voice filled with hope. Chase squeezed her hand again.

Lauren laughed and called out to Cameron. Cameron immediately walked in fearing something bad had happened. Confusion hit her when she saw Lauren laughing.

'He squeezed my hand.' She smiled.

Cameron walked over the Chase and grabbed his free hand.

'Chase? Can you squeeze my hand too?' she asked. Chase immediately reacted and Cameron felt her face light up as a big smile covered her mouth. She grabbed a small flashlight and shone into his eyes.

'He's waking up.' Cameron said in a loud cheery voice.

'Robert?' Lauren whispered into Chase's ear, still holding his hand. 'Wake up. Open your eyes for me.'

A long 5 seconds later, his eyes fluttered open and Chase started coughing hard. Cameron had to remove the tube in his throat but Chase still needed oxygen to help him breathe better. His lung wasn't fully healed yet. She quickly put an oxygen mask on his mouth and nose. Chase coughed again and slowly reached to his chest.

'It hurts, I know,' Cameron said, 'but it will get better soon.'

Chase switched his gaze from Cameron to Lauren and back again. Another coughing fit hit him hard as he tried to sit up.

'Easy tiger.' Lauren smiled as she kept him down on the pillow, 'don't try to get up.'

Chase wanted to say something to them, but his throat hurt too much and every time he tried to say anything, another coughing fit hit him. Instead, he gave them a long and warm smile.

'Welcome back.' Cameron smiled.