Chasing Hearts (Robert Chase x Reader)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1
First impressions, Lasting tensions

The sun had barely peeked over the horizon, casting a soft golden glow through the tall glass windows of Princeton-Plainsboro Teaching Hospital. You stood in the hospital's lobby, clutching your coffee tightly, as if it were a life raft in this sea of white coats and hurried footsteps. Your heart raced, a mix of excitement and apprehension bubbling in your chest. Today marked the beginning of your journey as a consultant, a dream you had tirelessly chased since those long, sleepless nights in med school.

You took a deep breath, reminding yourself of the countless hours spent in the library, the late-night study sessions with Penny, and the stress-induced caffeine overdoses. "You can do this," you murmured under your breath, hoping it would drown out the anxiety swirling around in your mind.

Penny had already sent you a barrage of texts filled with encouragement and reminders of how amazing you were. She was a constant source of support, a fierce friend who knew when to pump you up and when to be the voice of reason. "Just be yourself," she had texted before you left for work. "You've got this."

As you stepped onto the elevator, you couldn't shake the feeling that the walls were closing in on you, squeezing out every ounce of confidence you had. The elevator dinged, and the doors slid open to reveal a bustling floor filled with the sounds of distant beeping machines and hurried voices. You straightened your back and stepped out, scanning the area for any familiar faces or signs of guidance.

"First day?" a voice interrupted your thoughts. You turned to see a tall woman with striking red hair and an easy smile. "You must be the new doctor. I'm Cameron," she said, extending her hand.

"Yeah, that's me. Nice to meet you," you replied, shaking her hand. "I'm (Y/N)."

Cameron led you through the maze of hallways, her warm demeanor easing some of your nerves. "Just try to keep up with House," she said with a hint of mischief in her voice. "He has a unique way of doing things, and his team... well, they're a handful."

Your curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"

"Let's just say you'll never have a dull moment. Trust me, he has a way of pushing people to their limits, but it's all part of the learning process." She paused, looking thoughtful. "And you'll want to watch out for Chase. He can be... well, challenging."

"Chase?" The name hung in the air, thick with unspoken tension.

Cameron glanced at you, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "You'll see. Just keep your wits about you."

Before you could inquire further, you reached the team's workspace. A chaotic array of papers and medical charts cluttered the tables, and a few focused conversations buzzed in the air. You felt the weight of the atmosphere shift as House entered the room, his presence demanding attention without even trying.

"Ah, the new member graces us with her presence," he drawled, his tone sarcastic but with an edge of genuine interest. "Hope you're ready for a crash course in abnormality, because that's all we do around here."

You squared your shoulders, summoning your best professional demeanor. "I'm ready. What's the case?"

House's eyes sparkled with mischief. "I like you already. Come on, we've got a mystery to solve."

As he outlined the details of a complicated case involving a patient with unexplained symptoms, your mind raced to keep up. You caught snippets of the conversation as House's team began discussing potential diagnoses. Cameron, Chase, and Foreman were animatedly tossing around ideas, and you watched them, absorbing their dynamic.

But it was Chase who caught your eye, and your breath hitched as you took in the changes that had reshaped him since med school. Gone was the slightly disheveled version you were used to—his messy hair and unrefined style that had always screamed of late-night cramming. Instead, he stood before you with a polished confidence that was hard to ignore. His hair was cut shorter, styled in a way that accentuated his sharp features. He wore a fitted white coat that seemed to hug his form just right, showcasing the lean muscles that had developed during his residency.