Plenty of fish in the sea
A.N. No Hameron in this. Please don't sue me. Chase's pick-up line is adapted from the season two episode 'All In'.
Elsewhere in Princeton, Chase and Foreman were drinking in a bar and discussing the merits of the two women at the counter who were, as yet, unaware of their existence. The diagnosticians had already been at it for an hour or so and were consequently a little worse for wear. "Do you think they're lawyers? I think they're lawyers". Chase had loosened his tie and rolled up his shirtsleeves.
Foreman scoffed but took a long draught of his beer while he appraised their targets. "You can't tell someone's profession from how they're dressed".
"You absolutely can. Lawyers always have really expensive clothes and excellent posture. Y'know, 'cos they've got to be in court all day and it pays to look the part".
"I dunno if that's what lawyers do, though. I bet most of their time is spent in an office researching a case".
"Nah, trust me. Court. I know all about it". Chase tapped his nose then pointed at the women. "Those ladies are lawyers. We should go over and ask them".
"I sorta just wanted to chat and stuff. Can't be bothered trying to make nice with complete randoms tonight. Besides, I'm still thinking about taking things more serious with Katie".
"Fine. We can chat for a bit, but if those chicks are still here in…", he glanced at his watch, "…thirty minutes, I'm going over there, Katie or no Katie. Hey, does she try and sell you medication after you do it?". Chase made a graphic gesture.
Foreman rolled his eyes. "I've told her that House isn't interested in sourcing from Parker-Wright, so it's pretty chill at the moment".
"Smart. Lay it all out there. That way, you both know what you want". Chase's eyes became unfocused for a few seconds, but Foreman couldn't decide if it was the drink or some other deeper feeling. Before he could enquire, though, Chase continued: "d'you think we should've invited Cameron out tonight? I feel like we haven't hung out just us three for a while".
Foreman took a sip of his drink as he considered his response. Since Cameron had revealed to him her relationship with House, he'd kept his counsel, willing to let the woman herself decide when to go public. Ultimately, of course, it was none of his business. On the other hand, however, he knew that the longer Chase was kept in the dark, the greater the risk of someone getting hurt, because he had confessed to holding strong feelings for her just two months ago. As Foreman had reflected then, such feelings didn't disappear overnight. And his friend's current train of thought suggested that their female colleague was on his mind once again. "I suppose we could've asked her", he replied carefully. "But she seemed pretty involved in her discussion with House".
"True. She seems to spend a fair bit of time with him, don't you think?". Chase swilled the dregs in his glass.
"Sure", he shrugged, "but she pretty much does all the departmental paperwork, not to mention House's personal mail".
"Yeah, yeah. She has the hots for him, man. You don't need to beat around the bush. I'm a big boy".
"You want another round?", Foreman asked, getting out of his seat.
"Go on, then. It's Friday, so why not? I'll take one of the beers on tap, cheers".
While he waited for his colleague to return with the drinks, Chase drummed his fingers on the table. Wilson had advised him recently to ask Cameron directly what her relationship status was. The problem with this course of action was that he didn't really want to do so, for fear of what she might say. Although he was pretty much resigned to the fact that she and their boss were now an item, and even though he had told himself he was willing to play the long game, he was afraid of how hearing the truth would make him react. He was so unused to being this way about a woman. That was the concerning thing. The whole thing felt fucked up.
His friend returned and slid across the drink. They both clinked glasses. "You're not gonna believe this, but I think you're right about those women being lawyers. They were discussing a legal case, at least".
"Told ya. I've got a sense for these things. Are you still against us going over there? I reckon we'd both be in with a shot, fair dinkum. The blonde was eyeing you up when you went to the bathroom".
"I thought you'd fancy the blonde, to be honest", observed Foreman, taking a sip of his fresh drink.
"Nah. I'd want the redhead, if we were picking. I've had enough of blondes for the time being, what with Mathilde and all. Are we doing it or what?". Chase rotated his beer on the coaster in irritation. He was yearning for a distraction, and a bar fling was just the ticket.
Foreman rolled his eyes but inclined his head in assent. "Fine. How'd you wanna play it?".
"Just let me do the talking initially and you can jump in when you see fit". Chase got up from his seat, shrugged into his jacket, and picked up his beer.
"What makes you think you're a better initiator than me?". Foreman followed suit and fell into step beside his friend.
"It's the accent, mate. American chicks love it.
"So were you in one of those cages?", asked the redhead.
"No. No, no. Those things are for tourists", Chase answered, running a hand through his hair.
"You were in the water with a great white…". The woman wasn't convinced.
He leant in conspiratorially. "Sure. It's no big deal. You just have to keep an eye on them. Generally they prefer fish to humans, but if they get too close, punch 'em in the nose and send 'em on their way".
"I don't believe you!", she replied, placing a hand on his arm.
Chase held his hands up. "Fine. You got me. I can't shape up to your lawyer interrogation skills, Anna. They really do prefer fish, though. That part was true".
"You are mean".
"Sorry", he grinned. The two sipped their drinks for a moment, glancing over to their companions, who had moved a little further along the bar. "Hey, this might be weird seeing as we just met, but I'd like a second opinion on something, if you wouldn't mind".
"I normally bill for this kind of thing, but I like you so go ahead". Anna took another sip as she looked at the other over the rim of her glass.
"What's your view on attraction? Like, do you think that there's one person for each of us out there or do you think it's completely random?". Chase kept his gaze levelled at his companion. It was a serious question and he was genuinely interested in the answer. As he had told Cameron in the cafeteria a while back, his views on soulmates had changed recently. It never hurt to ask for a consult, even if he was almost positive that he wouldn't see this woman again.
Anna's eyes widened slightly at this, but she was content to play along with this undeniably gorgeous man. "I go back and forth on that issue, to tell the truth. Sometimes I think soulmates are an immature notion. But then I feel that, if you meet the right person, anything's possible".
Chase nodded. "Yeah, that's the thing. How do you know if you've met the right person?".
"I'd think that you would just know, y'know? I mean, it's hard for me to say because I'm still looking. But I'd like to think that you'd understand pretty quick if the person was right for you or not". Anna's hand hadn't left Chase's shirtsleeve.
"Hmm. You might be right there", he replied.
The answer had made him thoughtful. Maybe Cameron was the one. The issue was that she had shown herself to be distinctly uninterested in him so far. The Australian was convinced this had more to do with House's almost gravitational hold over her rather than any particular failings on his own part. Chase knew himself to be a decent man, knew that, if given the chance, he would treat Cameron as she deserved to be treated. House couldn't offer her that. It wasn't in his nature. The question was, Chase recognised, how long he would have to wait. And whether he was willing to wait. Even feelings of love had to fade in the end. Nothing was permanent, and there were plenty of fish in the sea.
"What about yourself? Are you still looking, huh?", asked the woman, who had noticed the far-off glaze in his eyes.
Rather than reply directly, Chase tilted his head mischievously, brought back to earth. Whatever his feelings about Cameron, whether he needed to get over her or not; whether he even wanted to get over her, it didn't mean he couldn't have some fun in the meantime. "Why, are you volunteering for the job, Anna?".
She laughed. "Well, how about you buy me another drink first and we'll see how the evening develops?".
"That sounds like a fair plan", replied Chase as he signalled the bartender. "Same again?".
