Rooftop

A House Fanfic.

Set in season six, after the divorce.

"That bad, huh?" Thirteen asked, sitting on the ledge of the roof, her back to the street below. She gazed at the blond man beside her, his hair cropped short.

Robert Chase didn't answer. He was intently focused on the parking lot below. His legs swung from the ledge, dangling over the precarious height. He wasn't wearing his lab coat, he had no tie, his shirt was untucked, and his top button was undone. At his side he clutched a beer bottle.

He could be fired for the liquor, but at this point he didn't really care.

Thirteen shifted uncomfortably. "If you're going to jump, it's probably better to do it now, while it's still dark out. If you wait too long, there will be too many bystanders."

Chase remained silent. He studied the ambulance bay to his right. The clinic was crowded tonight. The logic of Thirteen's words registered in his mind. Fewer people witnessing the gory mess on the pavement was undoubtedly a good idea. He didn't want some old lady to keel over from a heart attack at the sight.

But then again, he didn't care.

He was tired. He could no longer pretend that everything was alright. The perfect façade he had created around himself during the past few weeks had cracked and faded.

"She isn't worth this, you know," Thirteen muttered. Chase turned his gaze to look upon her. She met his eyes. They looked exhausted and confused. Chase was in pain; a pain no pill could ever relieve.

He nodded, barely tilting his head, as he faced forward once more and took a drink, his hand shaking as he raised the cold glass to his lips.

Thirteen twisted her fingers together. She wanted to help her coworker, but she was not entirely sure how.

They sat in silence for a few minutes, before Robert Chase finally spoke.

"I know." He took another drink, and tossed the empty bottle over his shoulder, where it shattered against the cement rooftop.

"But how do I escape her when she's everywhere?"

Thirteen had no real answer. All she had were sentiments that sounded good. "You avoid her then. Change your routine. Buy a new apartment." She flung her arms in the air in frustration, before lowering them and sighing heavily.

The pair of them listened to the car horns and sirens from below, and the whisper of the wind. It felt like hours, but really only a few minutes had passed without a word between them.

"I'm not going to jump."

Thirteen sighed again.

"I know."

The next morning, Robert Chase woke up to classic rock. He took a shower and rearranged the bottles to take up more space. He made waffles for breakfast, drove to work, and said good morning to everyone he passed on the way to the Diagnostics department. He gave Taub a nod, Forman a smile, and House a disgruntled look. He looked at Thirteen across the table, and smiled.

Later, he pulled her aside and told her he was buying a new apartment. Just as he was walking away, he turned back and told her thank you.

"I didn't do anything."

"I know."

A/N: This short fic was partly inspired by the House episode "Black Hole." I found the blossoming friendship between Chase and Thirteen interesting. Please review and let me know what you think!

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