[CLOSED TO PETER] Some answers, finally

[chasemd]

There really wasn't anything pleasant about Chase post-surgery. He was hot, sweaty, tired and had sore feet. He had merely scrubbed out and accompanied Cameron and Foreman back to the ICU to make sure Rob was still as stable as he was when he came out of Recovery. He was just adjusting the ventilator tube around Rob's throat when he caught sight of

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[imgrounded]

Peter returned Chase's smile and rubbed at his eyes. He certainly didn't feel as bad as the last time he'd woken up. He cleared his throat, trying to take stock to work out if maybe anything was missing, or something was added. Everything seemed the same, just that his mind wasn't as fogged up as before.

"Actually, it's got nothing on the sex on this side. At least the sex with you," he smirked. Peter pushed his fingers through his dark hair and watched Chase with Rob. "I feel like I've missed a few things. What's been going on?"

[imgrounded]

"You, a bastard?" Peter snorted before he broke out into a smirk. "I don't believe it. I'll talk to him as soon as I'm back on my feet," he promised.

"Don't. There are plenty of things I wish had never happened... I know I miss having abilities, but some days I wish I had just stayed a nurse and nothing changed. Anyway, I prefer leather to spandex." Peter raised his eyebrows. "Hey, I bet he's a right asshole in battle. Army wouldn't let nice guys on the frontline. I feel like we should have a safe word for if I ever don't act like myself. In my world... there are shapeshifters. There was also, um... see, this is where it gets weird, there was a future me. Remember the teleportation? It was linked to time travel. The future me is a bit of a prick."

[chasemd]

"I told him you were on a break. I didn't want to freak him out or anything," Chase explained.

He shrugged. "Hey, the future me is probably quite the prick too, it's fine. I don't think we have shapeshifters here. At least, not that I know of. I'd rather not know, I guess. I have met a lot of different type of people with different abilities though. I've become more open-minded here. I just... sure you aren't weird about being stuck here after doing all that? So, what's the favour?"

[imgrounded]

"Probably a good thing to do. Kid might wind up with a guilt complex and think he's troubling me if I try and talk to him after being sick."

"He might be if he wound up married to a woman he never particularly loved," Peter couldn't help but say. He gave Chase an apologetic look. "Sorry, couldn't help it. Cheap shot. "Which is cool, and never a bad thing. I'm just saying... Yeah, I don't think the favour matters anymore. It's cool. Changed my mind. And no, I'm not weird. I think I needed this more than I realised."

[chasemd]

Chase nodded and smirked. "Yeah, just like when ill staff members think they're letting me down getting sick."

"Touche. And to be honest, when I interact with her right now, I cannot see anything in what might have made my future self want to marry her. Don't get me wrong. I don't think she's a bitch or anything, but I don't feel a connection at all. She's just a work colleague. Fucked if I know what progressed back there without me. I hope I never know, too," he murmured. "Aw, man. You're going to leave me hanging? Now I'm all worried something is bothering you that you don't want to say."

[imgrounded]

Peter held up his hand. "Hey, it was valid when you were under pressure like you were."

"But you do feel a connection with me?" Peter asked, wetting his lips. "Not a fair question, but I'm just checking I didn't imagine a recent conversation. Whatever it is, I guess she's just going to have to accept it's not present here." Peter held up his hand again. "Sorry, I didn't mean to. It was just... I realised it was probably going to come out lame. I'm not bothered by anything, promise."

[chasemd]

"Yeah, but Diagnostics? That's my one true love. Don't tell House I said that, or he'll get all cocky. But it was. I felt like I was where I should be. It was just ironic I got here when House fired me from his team. It wasn't the getting fired that bothered me, it was losing a job I loved and felt like I belonged in. Yeah, it's stressful, and even sometimes it's terrifying to have that many lives in your hands, but my life has been one big pressure. I didn't want you feeling guilty about it," Chase told him with a smile. "All the staff here are very supportive."

He nodded. "Yeah, of course I do, or my arse would just be a speck in the distance. Committment is not something that comes easy for me. But it doesn't mean I don't want it. I might just suck at it and fall on my arse with it a bit before I find my committment feet." He tilted his head a little. "So, tell me anyway."

[imgrounded]

"I've barely spoken to House, so I think you're secret's safe with me. My lips are sealed until I'm down on my knees," Peter smirked. "Yeah, but I'm a Petrelli and raised a Catholic. Guilt kind of comes with the territory. I think it's great you had a taste of your one true medicinal love. You think there'd be enough cases on the island to warrant maybe getting back into it?"

"You and me both. The falling thing, not so much the running. I always seem to run into the issues as opposed to away from them." Peter scrunched up his face before taking a deep breath, and letting it out slowly. "This is stupid, I feel like I'm back in high school. It's not even a favour really, I just didn't know how else to start it. I was just wondering if maybe once I'm better and you're rested if you wanted to maybe try like a date thing."

[chasemd]

"Yeah, he likes doctoring without a bedside manner," Chase snorted and then smirked at the knees comment. "Well, if there are more cases, I'll probably be involved. It's just... House and I really clashed over this one. He was so used to me kissing his arse, that the fact I was arguing back at him about shit was probably a shock to the system."

He pressed his lips together in amusement and then smiled. "Sure, that sounds like a plan. I might be a bit rusty on the date thing, though. It's been one night stands for so long. Got any specific ideas?"

[imgrounded]

"Hey, whatever works if he's really that much of a genius," Peter said. "Frankly I'd rather have your bedside manner to deal with. So you think he's going to wind up respecting you more?"

"It's been... well, nothing for me for so long. Just some weird thing while I had amnesia, then Simone before that and no dates were involved. I think the only thought I've really had was beer," he admitted with a sheepish look.

[chasemd]

Chase shrugged. "He's a bastard. No question. But he saves lives. I guess that makes up for it. Me? I get quite invested in patient care. I get connected, and it just maybe means more stress. Probably why House doesn't, or doesn't know how to. I really don't know. Maybe? Maybe not. I've chewed him out more than once. He tried chewing me out right back, only I'm allowed to have the last word now," he laughed.

"A beer? Oh that's romantic," he teased, giving Peter a small nudge. "Even Rob bordering on a coma did better than that, even if it didn't come off. You don't want to get dinner or something?"

[imgrounded]

"Hey, last words mean something," Peter grinned. "I get it, though. I mean, that's why I'm a nurse and not a doctor. My Mom probably would have been happy for me to be a doctor, but I just couldn't do it. I like the people, not the body parts."

Peter ran his fingers through his hair and huffed out a breath. "I know, I have no excuse. See? Not so extraordinary after all. Dinner is a much better idea. You like Italian?"

[chasemd]

Chase nodded in understanding. "Yeah, I get it. Body parts aren't for everyone. I only became one because my father wanted me to. I even did the specialty he wanted me to because what I picked wasn't 'real' medicine." He rolled his eyes. "Either way, it worked out okay. The first time I really loved what I did, though, was on House's team. I learnt so much, and believe it or not, I like House. I always have. I want to shove his cane up his arse in frustration, but I still like him."

"Oh, I dunno... to be fair, the bloke's been married. He knows the romance deal. Plus, he drives a Trans Am, which has nothing to do with anything beyond the fact I'm as jealous as hell. I always wanted to get off in a hot car," he laughed. "I do like Italian. I like anything but seafood. Oh, and don't feed me strawberries. Ever."

[imgrounded]

"So despite the stress, and the worry, and the lack of sleep, and the drowning in sweat - you've been in your element this week, huh?" Peter asked, his eyes starting to get some of their shine back.

"Yeah? Maybe I should I should look into finding a hot car to borrow for the night. He's been married, and he's managed to win Fox over. He probably does know the romance deal. I'm jealous," Peter laughed. "Allergy?"

[chasemd]

Chase nodded with a laugh. "Yeah, I really have. Now do you think I'm weird? You must think I'm a sucker for punishment, but that's the ultimate medical practice. Trying to fix someone, treat them, heal them, when you don't know the answer."

"He was still married and won her over," he sniggered. "Don't tell her I said this, but I think he had her from the get go, and vice versa. They just didn't know how to admit it to each other. She turned him down originally, and he went out and got pissed out of his brain. You don't do that unless someone really got under your skin. I'm jealous too. Bastard. Gets the romantic skills and the hot car to pull them off," he joked and then nodded. "Ohhh yes, and it doesn't take much, either. I like being able to breathe."

[imgrounded]

Peter glanced at Chase, his lips twisting into a wry smile. "Have you forgotten who you're talking to? I'm not one to judge on this. I was the same, just not so much with the nursing. That was easy to take into my stride. It was trying to save the world that was doing me in."

He raised his eyebrows a little, another rough chuckle escaping. "Does this mean I should have turned you down, or something to make it really mean something?" Peter nodded, making a mental note about the strawberries. "Good thing I'm not a lip gloss kind of guy then, is it?" he smirked.