You and Chase had just wrapped up a long, complicated surgery—removal of a brain tumor from a 20-year-old patient. You were leading the procedure, as the hospital’s top neurosurgeon, and Chase served as your assistant this time. Both of you loved working together—it was seamless, natural. Everyone in the hospital knew it, and many admired how well you functioned as a team.

Exhausted but satisfied, the two of you grabbed coffee and made your way back to your office to decompress. The moment you walked in, you sank into the couch with a deep sigh, cradling the warm cup in your hands. Chase followed and sat beside you, his posture just as drained.

“You did amazing today,” he said, his Aussie accent coming through a bit thicker now that he was tired.

“Thanks,” you replied with a soft smile, “but I couldn’t have done it without you.”

He smiled back, sipping his own coffee.

“You saved a young girl’s life. I’m not sure anyone else would’ve had the hands steady enough to pull that off.”

You smile then leaned your head back against the couch, eyes closing briefly. Your body relaxed into the cushions, letting the moment of stillness settle over you. Chase took the opportunity to glance your way. Even exhausted, he thought you looked beautiful. Maybe even more so like this—at ease, natural, glowing from the rush of a successful surgery.

The room fell into a comfortable silence. Until, of course, it was broken—by none other than Dr. Martin House.

“There you two are,” he said casually, walking into your office without so much as a knock.

You opened your eyes, already half-smirking as you watched House saunter in, followed by Foreman and Cameron. House dropped into a nearby chair, resting his cane against your desk. The others remained standing.

“Yes, please, come in,” you said dryly, the sarcasm not even attempted to be hidden.

Chase chuckled quietly beside you. House smirked too—he liked your mouth, your pushback. You were one of the few doctors at the hospital who could match his wit without flinching. He’d never outright admit it, but he respected you for that.

“I’ve got a new case,” House announced, holding up a file casually. “And I need you and Chase to help us figure it out.”

He looked at each of you pointedly, waiting to see who’d take the bait first.