Autopilot

A House Fanfic.

Set mid to end of season six.

Robert Chase was on autopilot. And he didn't care who knew it.

At five in the morning he woke up to soft jazz that he didn't really like. He took a shower and tried to ignore the memories written around him. He skipped breakfast, drove to work, and ignored the looks from the nurses as he made his way to the Diagnostics department. He shrugged off sympathy from his coworkers, one who was attempting to fill the hole left by a dead friend, one who felt pity for him, and one who missed the friendship they used to have.

But most of all, Robert Chase tuned out every comment from House. Because if he listened and heeded every word House said, then eventually he would throw himself from the roof of Princeton-Plainsboro.

He did his job, ignored the images of blood on his hands that he saw when he closed his eyes. He worked, he went home, ordered pizza, had a beer or two, and went to bed.

Autopilot worked just fine for Robert Chase. Because the truth was, Robert Chase was not okay. He could still hear her hum along to the jazz that she had loved. See the empty spaces where her shampoo used to be. Smell the bacon and eggs she tried to cook and burned. Remember walking into work holding her hand. See her sitting next to him at House's table. And he could still feel her by his side when he turned out the light at night.

Her presence lingered on his life and wouldn't go away. And when he closed his eyes, he knew no one could hear his screams.

Robert Chase was not okay. But he won't tell you that. Because right now, he is on self-destruct. And he doesn't want to be stopped.

A/N: Please drop me a review and let me know what you think. A certain sexy Aussie thanks you!

Disclaimer: House, M.D. is the property of David Shore and Fox.