➹BEEPER

[intheblanks]

"It had better be an emergency."
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[intheblanks]

[The line makes him grin, and he leans around to look over the contour of her calf with her feet kept practically en-pointe. If she weren't in the business of dressing him he'd try pulling one of her legs up to run his hand down it.

But, the effect won't be lost in the car.

He looks back to the detail work at his cuffs, and her focus on it.]

This is great. Perfect.

[synanthrope]

[The cuffs are delicate, intricate, by no spider to match one of her rings and a pin in her hair.]

Do you think so? I'm always looking for that.

[intheblanks]

[He notices the match, both the cufflinks and the colours. It's interesting that it's part of her design.

When she's done with the cuffs he lifts the jacket and slips it on, the lining gliding easily over his shirt, smooth enough to hang perfectly. He has a distinctive build, strong but slight, not tall, narrow at the waist. Most off the peg jackets make him look like a kid in his dad's gear. He stands still for her.]

Your verdict's the important one.

[synanthrope]

I knew this would settle well on you.

[She knows just how to tailor it, it make him look well built, not like a boy. She tugs just a bit, helping everything look right.]

The nurses will talk.

[intheblanks]

I'll tell them you came to pick up the rent.

[He offers a hand.]

[synanthrope]

[She takes his hand, hers tiny and hot but dry in his grip]

Is that a euphemism?

[intheblanks]

I think I'd come out of it badly if it was.

[synanthrope]

Well, that would be troublesome.

[The second they're out of his office, someone is staring. He looks really good in that suit.]

[intheblanks]

[And he's still a little blind to that reasoning but, so far as hospital gossip is concerned, he's learned to just keep walking.]

House would enjoy it. Is the car outside?

[synanthrope]

House enjoys pain in general.

Yes.

[intheblanks]

It makes him feel like people are on a level pegging.

[No it doesn't - House doesn't do equals (and Chase doesn't know it, but he's the closest there'll be)]

[synanthrope]

They never are.

[intheblanks]

All the people he's seen suffering, I haven't seen him decide one has suffered enough.

[As long as there's a puzzle, there is no enough.

Chase steps ahead just enough to hold the lobby door.]

[synanthrope]

[She tilts her head]

Why are there levels of suffering? Who decides on them?

[intheblanks]

In general terms, the person experiencing it is the only one who gets to judge. There's a reason we ask patients for their own pain scale - suffering is subjective.

[synanthrope]

Then why does House get to choose?

[Saya hands him the keys. He gets to drive.]

[intheblanks]

He doesn't. He gets to subjectively decide his suffering is worse.

[Even given the topic, Chase can't help raise his eyebrows at the offer of the keys.]

Whose birthday was this again?

[synanthrope]

[She just looks at him, her smile sharp]

I can drive everyday. You can drive.

[intheblanks]

I have to put some money into a car.

[His own keys would be a nice thing. He gets her door.]

[synanthrope]

[She slips inside, one bare leg slipping up the side of his leg]

If you find something, I'll fix it for you.

[intheblanks]

I'll look forward to your face when I bring in the battered RV.

[He says this to her knees before blinking and refocusing.]

[synanthrope]

Do you think I couldn't make a battered RV a good car?

[She blinks up at him, innocently]

[intheblanks]

Maybe if you smelted it and started over. [He closes her door for her, decidedly, to walk around and get in on his (her) side.]

Which I wouldn't put past you.

[Belt, ignition, hand on her thigh.]

[synanthrope]

I think that's a challenge, Robert.

[She settles under him, shifting slightly, her legs slightly awkward. But she looks comfortable]

[intheblanks]

Now where do I find a battered RV?

[His hand lifts to pull out onto the road, returning not long after, as soon as he can handle the wheel one handed.]