Chasing Hearts (Robert Chase x Reader)

Chapter 3

Chapter 3
Unplanned encounters

The quiet hum of the gym was a world away from the constant noise of the hospital. Today was your first day off in what felt like weeks, and you intended to make the most of it. Your muscles protested as you stretched, shaking off the lingering exhaustion of long shifts and intense cases. You had nowhere to be, no tests to run, no rounds to make—just peace, for once.

The steady rhythm of the treadmill beneath your feet gave your mind a chance to drift. You let yourself focus on the simple act of moving, step after step, breathing in time with the music in your ears.

Until the sound of the gym door closing distracted you. You didn't look immediately—you were here to unwind, not to pay attention to who was coming and going—but the familiar buzz of energy told you otherwise. You couldn't ignore the presence now entering the gym.

As you glanced sideways, your stomach dropped. Of all people, it had to be him.

Chase, of course.

He didn't see you at first, just strolled in with that usual, effortless ease, towel slung over his shoulder. You quickly looked away, hoping to blend into the background, as unlikely as that was.

The treadmill beeped, signaling the end of your run. You stepped off, wiping the sweat from your forehead and trying to appear casual. You weren't sure why your heart had started to beat a little faster, or why the air in the room suddenly felt a bit warmer.

Great. Of all places.

You walked over to grab your water bottle, hoping to avoid conversation, but of course, he spotted you just as you were about to leave.

"Didn't expect to see you here," Chase called out from across the room, his Australian accent curling around the words, as casual as ever.

You turned around slowly, trying to appear unfazed. "It's my day off. I thought I'd do something that wasn't hospital-related for once."

Chase smirked as he grabbed a nearby weight. "And you chose the gym. Clearly, you don't know what 'day off' means."

You rolled your eyes, making your way to the free weights. "You're here too. I guess we're both bad at relaxation."

He lifted the dumbbell effortlessly, shrugging. "Maybe. Or maybe I just needed a break from House."

"Join the club," you muttered under your breath, sitting down on the bench and avoiding his gaze.

It was strange, running into Chase outside the hospital. The sterile walls and heavy tension of the clinic were gone, and in its place was this casual, almost uncomfortable setting. You weren't rivals here, or colleagues caught in a constant push-and-pull of cases and opinions. You were just two people, thrown together in yet another unplanned moment.

The silence between you felt different, heavier somehow. But neither of you were saying anything that mattered. The unspoken tension lingered, and you both pretended not to notice.

As you moved to switch weights, you felt his gaze on you again, and when you looked up, he was watching, though he quickly turned back to his own workout. Before you could think of something snarky to say, your phone buzzed in your pocket, saving you from the awkwardness.

"Hello?" you answered, breathless from the workout.

The voice on the other end was frantic. "Are you a doctor?"

Your brow furrowed. "Yes, who is this?"

"I'm calling from the front desk! There's a man collapsed outside—he's barely breathing!"