House limped back to the conference room, his team must already have the results of the test back, he was almost sure it wasn’t lysteria but the tests could indicate something else. He was surprised with the amount of people in the room when he walked in.
On one side of the room, Thirteen and Kutner were writing on the chart and Taub was getting himself some coffee. On the other side he saw Chase, sitting on a chair, looking at nowhere, clearly thinking on something, next to him was Cameron, she had her arms in his shoulders and was looking at him with a caring look. Standing next to the door frame were Foreman and Wilson, they were talking with low voices, occasionally glancing at Chase with worried looks.
House cleared his throat so that everyone could acknowledge his presence; everyone looked up, except for Chase, who continued starring at nowhere. Realizing that nothing good would come of getting his attention, House just ignored him.
“Anything new?” He asked.
Nobody said nothing for a while, but then Thirteen stepped up.
“Lysteria test came back negative and now her kidneys started to fail”
“Ideas?” House said and walked to his board to write ‘kidney failure’.
“E. coli H0157 causes bloody diarrhea, and leads to hemolytic uremic syndrome. Toxins from the bacteria causes her kidneys to shut down, we should start her on plasmapheresis.” Foreman said.
“It doesn’t causes her first symptoms” Taub said “Goodpasture's syndrome. Circulating antibodies cause kidney failure and bleeding”
“It could also be heavy metal toxicity” Kutner said.
“Her hematocrit would have to be low, it's at 44”
“What about lymphoma? Causes kidney failure, GI bleed and can infiltrate the base of the brain” Thirteen tried.
“Good, you” House said pointing at Thirteen “Go do and MRI, and you two” he said now pointing at Kutner and Taub “Test her for Goodpasture’s syndrome”
The three of them stormed out of the room, and his attention was caught on Wilson.
“What are you doing here?” he asked him.
“Heard about what happened… got curious” He said simply, shaking his shoulders.
“Well, so help Foreman to break in her hotel room, could be toxins” he said.
“I’m not on your team House” Wilson said offended.
“Well, you’re not helping either”
With that Wilson rolled his eyes and followed Foreman out of the room. House turned to look at Chase, he haven’t moved or said a word during the entire discussion, Cameron got up to get some coffee and House approached him.
“Soo… How’s your sis?”
Chase looked up and starred at his eyes, no expression of angers or fear in his face, actually no expression at all.
“Well, according to you, she’s dying” He said simply and returned to look at nowhere.
House was surprised by this, surely he was a jerk on asking that, like Chase knew her all along, but he was surprised by the lack of reaction from Chase, then he realized something.
“You still didn’t visit her, did you?” He asked him, and House could see Chase’s eyes piercing him once more.
“No” he said again simply.
Cameron was just observing the interaction between the two of then with a worried look on her face.
“Well, when Thirteen is done with the MRI, you should be able to go” House said, thinking that Chase would want to visit his new found sister.
“No, I don’t see the point” Chase answered shaking his shoulders.
House was shocked by that, and he realized that so did Cameron, he approached Chase a little more and pierced his eyes.
“You don’t see the point?” he repeated incredulously “You don’t see the point on talking to the girl that crossed half a world to find you?”
Chase abruptly got up, abandoning his without expression face, and looking a little angry.
“I don’t see the point of coming in there if it won’t make a difference” he exploded “What do you expect me to do? Come in there like it was not a big deal and say ‘ Hi, do you know the guy that you were looking for before you found out that you are dying? Hey, it’s me!’ ” He added sarcastically.
Cameron, realizing how Chase was still not with peace with this discovery, ran to him and stoop up beside him, putting a hand on his shoulder and looking at him with a sad face “Chase…” she started but was interrupted by House.
“No, I wouldn’t expect that, no, sounds kind of harsh” he said mockingly.
“Chase…” Cameron continued “You got to go see her, she came for you, you need to talk to her”
Chase seemed to be calming down, then he looked at Cameron’s sad expression and guilt filled him for his blowup “I know…” he said “Sorry”
“Do you want me to come with you?” she asked.
“No, I need to do this alone, I guess” he answered and lowered his head.
“Yeah, it’s better if you don’t go Cameron, she is still a little pissed that you told him before telling her” House said looking at her with an evil smile.
She ignored him.
“Well, then, good luck” House said and limped to his office.
After House got out of the room, Cameron grabbed Chase’s hand and started to get out of the conference room “Come on” she said, and then he followed her, knowing that what he is going to do will be one of the hardest things he’ll ever do.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
The hospital mess was beginning to calm down, most of the accident victims only had minor injuries and they’ve already been discharged, which make it easier for Chase to cross down the hallways in directions to Claire’s room, with Cameron following right behind him.
He was a bit calmer now, although he knew that now was the time that he should be more nervous, he was thankful for that, things would go along much easier if he kept himself calm and focused. Cameron was very worried about the encounter, but decided not to say anything in the way that would put pressure about that moment, there was already enough of it.
Chase stopped in front of Claire’s room, without entering, taking deep breaths he decided to look at her from the small glass on the door, realizing that would be better to prepare himself about how she was, before entering and be surprised in front of her. Taking a few seconds to lift his head, he looked at her, and fear and shock passed over him, she looked a lot like his father, they both had earned his blue eyes and expressions, her blond hair was just like his, he couldn’t believe how they could have so many similarities by only sharing the same father. It seemed almost unreal… her image, and the calm that had took him over disappeared, and he was beginning to get really nervous about what would come out of this conversation.
Cameron watched as Chase looked at Claire and felt him freeze, she knew he was looking at the similarities and remember how shocked she was when she first saw her, it must be way harder for him. She waited a few seconds and then got closer and put a hand at his shoulder.
“Are you okay? You can do this later, you know, prepare yourself more….” She started to say but was interrupted.
“No, I better… I better do it now, before it gets… well, too late” He said and then turned around to look at Cameron.
“Okay, I’ll be here, outside, waiting for you” she said while looking at his anguished eyes “Good Luck” she added and gave him a little smile of encouragement.
He smiled back at her and said “Yeh, guess I’m going to need it” and then he turned around a pushed the door slowly open.
He made his way into the middle of the room without looking at her; he had his head lowered and took a long time until he managed himself to lift it. Then his eyes met hers, and a new wave of fear washed through him, he could see that she was looking curious about the doctor that entered and kept starring at the ground, he really shouldn’t have done that. He took a few steps closer, but was unable to find his voice; Claire was starting to think that that doctor was kind of problematic, but she also kind of liked him before even talking to him, he reminded her of her father, so she decided to talk first.
“Uhm, hello, you must be one of House’s team” she started “Did you guys figured out what I have?” she said in a very casual tone, like she was talking about the weather.
That made Chase feel even worse, oh yes, she is sick, he had forgot that, it absolutely made things easier, he thought sarcastically.
“No, actually, I’m not on House’s team, I’m…” he began, but still didn’t have enough courage to reveal anything “I’m just involved in the case as well”
“Why are you involved? I think four doctors are kind of enough to take care of me” she said in a playful way.
Okay, there’s a question that can be a real good window to reveal the truth, Chase thought, but he couldn’t say it yet, but he needed to try, he couldn’t just waste the opportunity.
“I’m involved…” he started and then took a deep breath “Because you want me to be involved, I guess”
Claire got very shocked after this; she didn’t even know this guy, why in the world would they think she wants him to be involved? It didn’t even make a difference of who was treating her, the only thing that mattered was that she would get well soon and then look for her brother that worked in this very hospital, her brother….
Then in the split of a second, everything began to get clear in her head, her brother knew that she was here, he knew where she was, and she wanted him to be involved, and apparently he knew that, and now, he was right in front of her looking down to the floor, and she hadn’t realized it yet, her brother was the one that was with her right now.
She took a couple seconds to recover from this discovery and then looked at him, she was almost shaking, she couldn’t believe that she had found him, but she also was washed by insecurity, because she had no idea of what she was going to do after she found him.
“Ohh… so you are…” She started to say and then lowered her head and started examining her hands.
Relieved that she figured out by her own, Chase let down a sigh and said “Yes, I guess so”
Then, out of nowhere she started talking fast and mumbling.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry that you had to find out this way, I had no intentions to surprise you like this, I mean I didn’t know how I was going to tell you… but, I don’t know, I didn’t know that she was you’re girlfriend, or your that Dr. House was your ex-boss, I just, wished that I had told you and… explained, although I don’t really know the explanation, I just really really didn’t know what else to do after my mom died, and all, and well… guess am I just rambling now, I just want you to know that I am very very sorry, and, and, well I really should stop talking now, just… sorry!” she said, trying desperately to explain herself and feeling ashamed.
Chase realized that he wasn’t the only one suffering, and that the girl was too sick to have a panic attack.
“It’s okay, it doesn’t matter how I find out, and it would be probably the same… for both of us”
“Guess so, I just, I still don’t understand, everything for that matter, why haven’t he told us, why me mom only told me now… and it must be more shocking for you all of this, why he didn’t tell you and…” she took a deep breath and realized she was talking too much.
“I am not shocked that he haven’t told me actually, but it’s okay, I understand you” Chase said and looked down at the ground again.
“I’m… I mean, you’re not?... I don’t know, I don’t know how your relationship with him was, and…” she started mumbling again.
“Well, I don’t think that that changes anything now” he deflected “Now all was found out, and nothing changes that” he said putting an end on his father’s subject, he really didn’t want to talk about that now.
Claire realized she had found a soft spot, a saw that probably he had a bad relationship with Rowan, and she certainly didn’t want to bring up uncomfortable subjects to him, but that, in her opinion, made everything as to why she hadn’t been told about him, clearer.
“So… hum, what now?” she asked hesitantly.
“I don’t know, I don’t know what you came looking for, we just… right now, we just need to treat you and find out what’s wrong, I guess…” he started.
“I came looking for you, I came looking for a brother, a family…” she began slowly, but then changed her tone to a more firm one “I have no one left”
Chase sighed and looked at her straight in the eyes, right now, that was almost impossible, it was too difficult, too messy, but he felt sorry for her, he knew the feeling of being left alone, but at least now he had Cameron and some friends. He could see how Claire was suffering.
“I don’t really think I could be your family right now” he said lowering his head “This is too sudden for me, and I just, can’t give that to you right now, I’m sorry”
“Ohh” was all that Claire was able to say, she should’ve known that it wasn’t going to be easy, that she couldn’t just show up and get at brother without some complications, but she couldn’t help but to feel that she was ripped apart with his words, she was devastated.
“I’m sorry” Chase said again, seeing the misery in the girl’s eyes.
“I know” she said “But… do you think you can change your mind? Someday… not right away? Or that we could just be friends, or just stay with me during this entire disease thing?” she asked hopefully.
“Someday, I guess, I might be able to give you that, but it’s complicated” he said looking at her again “And I’ll accompany on your case, and I will stay with you, you can’t be alone, I’m just not sure if I can be your brother”
“Oh, well, okay, it’s a start I guess” she gave him a little smile “Thank you”
“That’s okay, and I really wish that someday I’ll be able to be your family” he said returning her smile. Then he started to walk to the door slowly, when he was about to leave, she said.
“Am I going to be okay?” Her voice now was weaker.
Chase turned and looked at her, her big blue eyes were now filled with worry, and he couldn’t help but feel extremely sad about the girl’s condition.
“I hope so” He said simply, giving a little smile of reassurance to her, before turning around and leaving his sister’s room.
_______________________________________________
AN: Hope you like where things are going!
On one side of the room, Thirteen and Kutner were writing on the chart and Taub was getting himself some coffee. On the other side he saw Chase, sitting on a chair, looking at nowhere, clearly thinking on something, next to him was Cameron, she had her arms in his shoulders and was looking at him with a caring look. Standing next to the door frame were Foreman and Wilson, they were talking with low voices, occasionally glancing at Chase with worried looks.
House cleared his throat so that everyone could acknowledge his presence; everyone looked up, except for Chase, who continued starring at nowhere. Realizing that nothing good would come of getting his attention, House just ignored him.
“Anything new?” He asked.
Nobody said nothing for a while, but then Thirteen stepped up.
“Lysteria test came back negative and now her kidneys started to fail”
“Ideas?” House said and walked to his board to write ‘kidney failure’.
“E. coli H0157 causes bloody diarrhea, and leads to hemolytic uremic syndrome. Toxins from the bacteria causes her kidneys to shut down, we should start her on plasmapheresis.” Foreman said.
“It doesn’t causes her first symptoms” Taub said “Goodpasture's syndrome. Circulating antibodies cause kidney failure and bleeding”
“It could also be heavy metal toxicity” Kutner said.
“Her hematocrit would have to be low, it's at 44”
“What about lymphoma? Causes kidney failure, GI bleed and can infiltrate the base of the brain” Thirteen tried.
“Good, you” House said pointing at Thirteen “Go do and MRI, and you two” he said now pointing at Kutner and Taub “Test her for Goodpasture’s syndrome”
The three of them stormed out of the room, and his attention was caught on Wilson.
“What are you doing here?” he asked him.
“Heard about what happened… got curious” He said simply, shaking his shoulders.
“Well, so help Foreman to break in her hotel room, could be toxins” he said.
“I’m not on your team House” Wilson said offended.
“Well, you’re not helping either”
With that Wilson rolled his eyes and followed Foreman out of the room. House turned to look at Chase, he haven’t moved or said a word during the entire discussion, Cameron got up to get some coffee and House approached him.
“Soo… How’s your sis?”
Chase looked up and starred at his eyes, no expression of angers or fear in his face, actually no expression at all.
“Well, according to you, she’s dying” He said simply and returned to look at nowhere.
House was surprised by this, surely he was a jerk on asking that, like Chase knew her all along, but he was surprised by the lack of reaction from Chase, then he realized something.
“You still didn’t visit her, did you?” He asked him, and House could see Chase’s eyes piercing him once more.
“No” he said again simply.
Cameron was just observing the interaction between the two of then with a worried look on her face.
“Well, when Thirteen is done with the MRI, you should be able to go” House said, thinking that Chase would want to visit his new found sister.
“No, I don’t see the point” Chase answered shaking his shoulders.
House was shocked by that, and he realized that so did Cameron, he approached Chase a little more and pierced his eyes.
“You don’t see the point?” he repeated incredulously “You don’t see the point on talking to the girl that crossed half a world to find you?”
Chase abruptly got up, abandoning his without expression face, and looking a little angry.
“I don’t see the point of coming in there if it won’t make a difference” he exploded “What do you expect me to do? Come in there like it was not a big deal and say ‘ Hi, do you know the guy that you were looking for before you found out that you are dying? Hey, it’s me!’ ” He added sarcastically.
Cameron, realizing how Chase was still not with peace with this discovery, ran to him and stoop up beside him, putting a hand on his shoulder and looking at him with a sad face “Chase…” she started but was interrupted by House.
“No, I wouldn’t expect that, no, sounds kind of harsh” he said mockingly.
“Chase…” Cameron continued “You got to go see her, she came for you, you need to talk to her”
Chase seemed to be calming down, then he looked at Cameron’s sad expression and guilt filled him for his blowup “I know…” he said “Sorry”
“Do you want me to come with you?” she asked.
“No, I need to do this alone, I guess” he answered and lowered his head.
“Yeah, it’s better if you don’t go Cameron, she is still a little pissed that you told him before telling her” House said looking at her with an evil smile.
She ignored him.
“Well, then, good luck” House said and limped to his office.
After House got out of the room, Cameron grabbed Chase’s hand and started to get out of the conference room “Come on” she said, and then he followed her, knowing that what he is going to do will be one of the hardest things he’ll ever do.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoO
The hospital mess was beginning to calm down, most of the accident victims only had minor injuries and they’ve already been discharged, which make it easier for Chase to cross down the hallways in directions to Claire’s room, with Cameron following right behind him.
He was a bit calmer now, although he knew that now was the time that he should be more nervous, he was thankful for that, things would go along much easier if he kept himself calm and focused. Cameron was very worried about the encounter, but decided not to say anything in the way that would put pressure about that moment, there was already enough of it.
Chase stopped in front of Claire’s room, without entering, taking deep breaths he decided to look at her from the small glass on the door, realizing that would be better to prepare himself about how she was, before entering and be surprised in front of her. Taking a few seconds to lift his head, he looked at her, and fear and shock passed over him, she looked a lot like his father, they both had earned his blue eyes and expressions, her blond hair was just like his, he couldn’t believe how they could have so many similarities by only sharing the same father. It seemed almost unreal… her image, and the calm that had took him over disappeared, and he was beginning to get really nervous about what would come out of this conversation.
Cameron watched as Chase looked at Claire and felt him freeze, she knew he was looking at the similarities and remember how shocked she was when she first saw her, it must be way harder for him. She waited a few seconds and then got closer and put a hand at his shoulder.
“Are you okay? You can do this later, you know, prepare yourself more….” She started to say but was interrupted.
“No, I better… I better do it now, before it gets… well, too late” He said and then turned around to look at Cameron.
“Okay, I’ll be here, outside, waiting for you” she said while looking at his anguished eyes “Good Luck” she added and gave him a little smile of encouragement.
He smiled back at her and said “Yeh, guess I’m going to need it” and then he turned around a pushed the door slowly open.
He made his way into the middle of the room without looking at her; he had his head lowered and took a long time until he managed himself to lift it. Then his eyes met hers, and a new wave of fear washed through him, he could see that she was looking curious about the doctor that entered and kept starring at the ground, he really shouldn’t have done that. He took a few steps closer, but was unable to find his voice; Claire was starting to think that that doctor was kind of problematic, but she also kind of liked him before even talking to him, he reminded her of her father, so she decided to talk first.
“Uhm, hello, you must be one of House’s team” she started “Did you guys figured out what I have?” she said in a very casual tone, like she was talking about the weather.
That made Chase feel even worse, oh yes, she is sick, he had forgot that, it absolutely made things easier, he thought sarcastically.
“No, actually, I’m not on House’s team, I’m…” he began, but still didn’t have enough courage to reveal anything “I’m just involved in the case as well”
“Why are you involved? I think four doctors are kind of enough to take care of me” she said in a playful way.
Okay, there’s a question that can be a real good window to reveal the truth, Chase thought, but he couldn’t say it yet, but he needed to try, he couldn’t just waste the opportunity.
“I’m involved…” he started and then took a deep breath “Because you want me to be involved, I guess”
Claire got very shocked after this; she didn’t even know this guy, why in the world would they think she wants him to be involved? It didn’t even make a difference of who was treating her, the only thing that mattered was that she would get well soon and then look for her brother that worked in this very hospital, her brother….
Then in the split of a second, everything began to get clear in her head, her brother knew that she was here, he knew where she was, and she wanted him to be involved, and apparently he knew that, and now, he was right in front of her looking down to the floor, and she hadn’t realized it yet, her brother was the one that was with her right now.
She took a couple seconds to recover from this discovery and then looked at him, she was almost shaking, she couldn’t believe that she had found him, but she also was washed by insecurity, because she had no idea of what she was going to do after she found him.
“Ohh… so you are…” She started to say and then lowered her head and started examining her hands.
Relieved that she figured out by her own, Chase let down a sigh and said “Yes, I guess so”
Then, out of nowhere she started talking fast and mumbling.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry that you had to find out this way, I had no intentions to surprise you like this, I mean I didn’t know how I was going to tell you… but, I don’t know, I didn’t know that she was you’re girlfriend, or your that Dr. House was your ex-boss, I just, wished that I had told you and… explained, although I don’t really know the explanation, I just really really didn’t know what else to do after my mom died, and all, and well… guess am I just rambling now, I just want you to know that I am very very sorry, and, and, well I really should stop talking now, just… sorry!” she said, trying desperately to explain herself and feeling ashamed.
Chase realized that he wasn’t the only one suffering, and that the girl was too sick to have a panic attack.
“It’s okay, it doesn’t matter how I find out, and it would be probably the same… for both of us”
“Guess so, I just, I still don’t understand, everything for that matter, why haven’t he told us, why me mom only told me now… and it must be more shocking for you all of this, why he didn’t tell you and…” she took a deep breath and realized she was talking too much.
“I am not shocked that he haven’t told me actually, but it’s okay, I understand you” Chase said and looked down at the ground again.
“I’m… I mean, you’re not?... I don’t know, I don’t know how your relationship with him was, and…” she started mumbling again.
“Well, I don’t think that that changes anything now” he deflected “Now all was found out, and nothing changes that” he said putting an end on his father’s subject, he really didn’t want to talk about that now.
Claire realized she had found a soft spot, a saw that probably he had a bad relationship with Rowan, and she certainly didn’t want to bring up uncomfortable subjects to him, but that, in her opinion, made everything as to why she hadn’t been told about him, clearer.
“So… hum, what now?” she asked hesitantly.
“I don’t know, I don’t know what you came looking for, we just… right now, we just need to treat you and find out what’s wrong, I guess…” he started.
“I came looking for you, I came looking for a brother, a family…” she began slowly, but then changed her tone to a more firm one “I have no one left”
Chase sighed and looked at her straight in the eyes, right now, that was almost impossible, it was too difficult, too messy, but he felt sorry for her, he knew the feeling of being left alone, but at least now he had Cameron and some friends. He could see how Claire was suffering.
“I don’t really think I could be your family right now” he said lowering his head “This is too sudden for me, and I just, can’t give that to you right now, I’m sorry”
“Ohh” was all that Claire was able to say, she should’ve known that it wasn’t going to be easy, that she couldn’t just show up and get at brother without some complications, but she couldn’t help but to feel that she was ripped apart with his words, she was devastated.
“I’m sorry” Chase said again, seeing the misery in the girl’s eyes.
“I know” she said “But… do you think you can change your mind? Someday… not right away? Or that we could just be friends, or just stay with me during this entire disease thing?” she asked hopefully.
“Someday, I guess, I might be able to give you that, but it’s complicated” he said looking at her again “And I’ll accompany on your case, and I will stay with you, you can’t be alone, I’m just not sure if I can be your brother”
“Oh, well, okay, it’s a start I guess” she gave him a little smile “Thank you”
“That’s okay, and I really wish that someday I’ll be able to be your family” he said returning her smile. Then he started to walk to the door slowly, when he was about to leave, she said.
“Am I going to be okay?” Her voice now was weaker.
Chase turned and looked at her, her big blue eyes were now filled with worry, and he couldn’t help but feel extremely sad about the girl’s condition.
“I hope so” He said simply, giving a little smile of reassurance to her, before turning around and leaving his sister’s room.
_______________________________________________
AN: Hope you like where things are going!
