The Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital hums with the usual chaos and sarcasm. You toss your white coat over your shoulders, the soft fabric brushing against the teal blouse you'd picked on impulse this morning-fitted just enough to feel confident, but not enough to invite commentary.

Of course, that didn't stop House.

As soon as you step into the diagnostics room, Chase glances up. His faint smile flickers across his face and vanishes too quickly. He's been quiet the last few days, distracted. Cold, almost.

Before you can even say hi, the familiar limp and tapping cane announce House's arrival.

"Ah, Dr. Carter" he drawls, eyes scanning your outfit with zero shame. "Looking edible as ever. Did you dress like that for me, or is it all part of your plan to drive Chase into a jealousy-induced stroke?"

You shoot him a glare. "Maybe I just enjoy making insecure men uncomfortable."

Chase doesn't respond. He turns back to the whiteboard, gripping the marker a little tighter.

House grins. "Oooh. So, there is tension. Knew it. I can smell it. It smells like unspoken feelings and last week's bad decisions."

"Don't you have a patient to harass?" Chase said annoyed.

House shrugs. "Yeah. But watching you two pretend you're not halfway in love with each other is much more fun."