Dearest Readers,

~ "Sorry, I forgot my English to Blarg-Blarg dictionary!"
- "Oh I had one of those, but I threw it out…it didn't have many pictures."

Read on, Cherubs.

Over and out.

Meeting from the Past

Chase, Cameron, and Foreman sat in the conference room waiting for House, who was late…as always. Chase smiled slightly as he listened to Cameron and Foreman bickering about House and his behavior and such. He focused on his puzzle and chewed on the end of his pen. They looked up and were surprised when Wilson walked into the room, looking frazzled and irritated. He looked around and slumped in a seat next to Cameron.

"Wilson," Cameron asked, "What are you doing here?"

"House told me to come here and he's not here…wonderful." Wilson huffed as he leaned back in his seat and ran his hands over his face. Just then, House strolled in, carrying a file. He hooked his cane on the board, picked up a marker and started to write symptoms of their newest patient.

"House, why am I here?"

"It's one of Life's greatest mysteries, Jimmy. Why are we here? Are we a coincidence? Or is there really a God who created us or—"

"I meant why am I here in this room." Wilson cut in exasperatedly.

"Maybe I just wanted your company." Wilson rolled his eyes and Chase chuckled slightly.

"Again?"

The door opened and a man stepped in, looking nervous. They turned to look at him and he seemed to squirm under their gaze. He was a big, tan man with rippling arms and chest. He had blonde cropped hair and his clothes seemed to cling to him in desperation. He stepped closer into the room, twiddling his fingers nervously.

"I'm looking for Dr. Robert Chase and I was told that I can find him here." Chase's face paled as he stared at the big man.

"Get away from me." Chase said quickly, jumping from his seat and putting it between them. The man cautiously walked around the chair, never breaking eye contact with Chase. House felt his protective instincts kick in and he grabbed his cane, ready to strike this man if needed.

"Robert, listen to me. I didn't come here to hurt you."

"Then leave…now." Chase said tersely. The man sighed heavily.

"I came here to apologize." Chase let out a snort of sarcastic laughter.

"Apologize? It's a bit late for that. Now leave." He emphasized the last word, but the man wouldn't listen; instead, he moved closer.

"Listen you brat, I came all the way from Australia to apologize to you and I come to find that you haven't changed a bit. You're still the same pathetic, cowardly, repulsive human being you were when you were a child." He smirked, his eyes drifting over the blonde's figure. "Plus you've let yourself go quite a bit." He added, knowing that Chase has always had a body-image problem.

Everyone was on their feet at the last comment and Chase felt himself freeze on the inside. His father's words began to ring inside his head and he put his hands over his ears to try to block out the noise. House grabbed Chase's arm and pulled him towards him more roughly than he meant too, making Chase release a sound of surprise. House pulled the blonde slightly behind him.

Chase began to see memories from his childhood of this man forcing him into a corner and beating him. He gripped the hem of House's shirt and clenched his eyes shut, remembering the impact of the blows against his body; hearing the curses and insults thrown his way mingle with his father's voice.

The man stepped closer to Chase, glaring at him. That's when House acted. House grabbed his cane in both his hands and jammed it into the man's stomach, making him bend over gasping for air. The man backed up, still clutching his stomach and glaring at the blonde behind the man who just attacked him.

"I'll be back you brat. But, it won't be to apologize; such a fucking waste of time." He left, leaving everyone in the room in stunned silence. Chase sighed heavily, letting go of House's shirt.

"I'm not talking about it." Chase said with a hint of anger as he walked away from House to grab his things. They were surprised by his now present anger and House stared worriedly at the blonde, who was now slinging his computer bag over his shoulder.

"Chase?" Cameron asked tentatively. "Who was that man?" Chase looked back at her, a glare in his features as his father's voice was still whispering in his ears.

"I don't want to talk about it." He snapped and left the conference room, House staring worriedly after him. He quickly hid his worry.

"What was all that about?" Wilson asked, looking over at House, thinking that he knew the answer. House made eye contact with him and Wilson saw the worry in his blue eyes.

House doesn't know either.

HouseXChase

He arrived at their apartment and saw Chase dressed in sweats, curled up on the couch with his book. House walked over to the couch and saw by Chase's feet, tapping his cane against the floor. He eyed the blonde who was resting his head on the arm rest, seeming to now be aware of his presence.

"Robbie?"

"I'm not talking about him." Chase said instantly, looking down at him. House reached over and grabbed Chase's arm, pulling him up and causing the blonde to fall against him. Chase had dropped his book on the floor and wrapped his arm around House's middle, laying his head on House's shoulder.

It was moments like these where House liked to think about their relationship. He still had the ring box in his pocket and he hoped that Chase couldn't feel it. As he looked down at the blonde hair, it dawned on him that through their whole relationship, they've never slept together. He pondered this thought for a moment. He's been with Chase for about two years and it was the most fulfilling relationship he's ever been in and yet…no sex was involved.

He thought about other relationships that he's been in; he cringed at himself when he realized that they mainly consisted of one-night stands…and Stacey. He shook his head; no, he was not going to think of her. He was with Chase now and he was the happiest he's ever been in his life.

"Greg?" House blinked at Chase's soft voice breaking the silence.

"Yeah?" He looked down, seeing Chase looking back up at him.

"Thank you for making him go away." House placed a kiss on his forehead.

"You didn't expect me to stand by and do nothing did you? He was going to hurt you, I wouldn't tolerate that. I had to protect you somehow." Chase smiled and lightly kissed House and pulled away.

House then realized that Chase's arm was wrapped around his waist, awfully close to his pockets. If Chase's arm went lower or shifted in a certain way, he would feel the ring box. He needed to make an excuse to get Chase to move his arm away from his pockets.

He shifted, making Chase sit up and look at him worried.

"What's wrong?" Chase asked and House pecked him on the lips before standing gingerly.

"Leg's sore." He lied and Chase nodded, buying the lie.

House sighed as he popped a couple of Vicodin, just to make it more convincing. He limped towards their bedroom to make it appear as though he need to keep his leg moving, when he was really going to put the ring box in a place where Chase couldn't find it.

HouseXChase

Alright Gang,

I hope this chapter was okay! By the way, I know that it's awfully "coincidental" that Wilson and Cuddy end up in the conference room...but I want them there.

As always, patience and reviews/PMs would be appreciated!

When-Rabbit-Howls