Chasing Hearts (Robert Chase x Reader)

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Sweet Beginnings

The day began quietly—too quietly for a hospital that never quite rested. It was early, and the usual hum of activity hadn't yet settled in, leaving a kind of peaceful calm hanging in the air. You were focused on your desk, your fingers tapping absently on a pile of case files, the quiet sound of it filling the room. The paperwork was beginning to pile up, but somehow it felt less pressing than usual.

A sigh escaped you as you sat back in your chair, rubbing your tired eyes. It had been a long night shift, and you hadn't been able to shake the sense that you were running on fumes.

Just as you were about to dive back into the files, you noticed something unexpected. On the corner of your desk sat a small, pink box—its cheerful colors almost too bright for the otherwise sterile atmosphere of the hospital. You blinked, a bit confused. You hadn't ordered anything, and the box didn't look familiar.

You pulled it closer, lifting the lid, and found a single donut inside, sprinkled with sugar—your favorite. There was a note tucked underneath it.

For a little sweetness this morning. – Ch

You smiled to yourself. Of course, it was from Chase. Somehow, he always knew when you needed a bit of comfort. You picked up the donut, taking a small bite. The sweet sugar was a nice contrast to the heavy workload ahead of you, and you briefly closed your eyes to savor the moment.

Before you could go back to your desk, a familiar voice broke the quiet.

"Thought you could use some of that today," Chase said, standing in the doorway, his usual casual air surrounding him.

You looked up at him, raising an eyebrow. His expression was relaxed, but there was a glimmer of something else in his eyes—something like concern, something you knew was never far from the surface when it came to you.

"Thanks," you said softly, a small chuckle escaping your lips. You took another bite of the donut, enjoying the moment of calm.

Chase leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed casually over his chest. "I knew you'd appreciate it," he said with a slight smile, but his eyes didn't quite leave you. He seemed to study you for a moment, his gaze steady.

You raised an eyebrow at him, finally meeting his eyes. "Got something for me to do today?"

His expression shifted slightly, his demeanor turning businesslike. "We've got a case," he said, his voice steady. He handed you a file that you'd missed earlier in the chaos of your morning. "A child, seven years old. Fever, vomiting, and now they're showing signs of joint pain and a rash. Not responding to treatment. We need to figure out what's going on, House is nowhere to be seen."

You opened the file, flipping through the notes quickly. It didn't seem too unusual at first glance. Fever and joint pain were symptoms you saw often, but the inconsistency in the lab results raised a flag.

Chase stood there for a beat longer, his eyes scanning the room as if weighing his next words. You couldn't help but notice the subtle tension in the air—something between the two of you that hadn't gone unnoticed lately, even with the distraction of work.

"We'll figure it out," you said, cutting through the silence as you glanced back up at him, giving him a small, reassuring smile. "Get the child started on IVIG and see if the CT shows anything."

Chase nodded, but his gaze lingered on you just a moment too long. Something unspoken passed between the two of you before he turned and left, the door softly clicking shut behind him.