AN: I've been away from House and the fandom for a while. I just came back this season and I adore Park. She's so quirky and funny. I hope the writers expand her character more before the series ends. Anyway, I've convinced myself that Chase and Park should be together. I'm not sure if they fall under a crack ship or not. Either way, I don't care. I like them as a couple. I have several follow up ideas if continuance is called for. So here's this little drabble. It's un-beta'd and written over three consecutive nights in the wee hours.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

Midnight rolled around at Princeton-Plainsboro as well as an eerie silence. Chase never noticed it until now. Then again, he noticed much more about the hospital now as a patient. None of which he cared for in the least. However, it was the gossiping nurses and doctors who tipped the scale for him. All of his disdain made him even more resolute to get out of the gown and back into the lab coat.

Yet what ate at Chase the most was the loneliness. Of course he didn't expect a bedside chat with House or a call from his sister. He wasn't even sure if his sister even knew. But Adams seemed to be avoiding him and no one else from the team had stopped by-to Chase's knowledge that is. His life consisted of rehab and sleep at present. However, his schedule did not make the odds any less ridiculous. Of course he rationalized that Taub had his daughters to care for and Foreman was busy dealing with logistics. It didn't surprise him but it didn't hurt any less either.

He was about to call it quits for the night when Chase saw Park, standing in the hallway, as she peered into his room. He felt a fluttering in his stomach. Something he hadn't felt since Cameron, which caused a rush of nervous excitement. He hadn't had feelings for anyone for a while; but, he couldn't place why Park made him feel this way. She was odd definitely, but charming still. Although insecure in some aspects, Park was always confident in her diagnoses. Chase admired that. She grew on him. Even with her clean cut and well manicured exterior, Chase could see a more lighthearted Park on the inside. Provided she was in the right environment of course.

Chase waved to her. When Park waved back, Chase motioned for to come into the room. With hesitation, she obliged.

"Hey," she greeted him with a tiredness in her voice.

"Up past your bedtime?" Chase teased.

"Ha-ha. Just because I live with my parents doesn't mean they treat me like a child," Park shot back.

"Wasn't implying they do. Just a joke," Chase assured her.

"Oh. Sorry. Just been a long day," Park sighed, "How are you feeling?"

"The same," Chase shrugged.

"But not worst," Park added with a hint of optimism.

Chase shook his head, "Nope."

"I meant to visit earlier…" Park paused, "but, when I came by you were asleep and I didn't want to bother you."

"No bother at all," Chase smiled.

Park let a smile of her own form. She contemplated, quickly, whether or not to sit down and have an official visit. It was late and her parents expected her home soon. But she's a doctor after all and emergencies spring up when they are least expected. Park rarely lied to her parents, if at all. She loved them very much and appreciated all they have given her. Then again, lying and omitting details are two entirely different beasts. Rather, that's what Park told herself. Out of the corner of her eye, Park saw Chase watching her expectantly.

She unceremoniously plopped down in the plastic and foam chair behind her, which elicited another grin out of Chase.

"Are you that desperate for visitors?" Park asked, unblinkingly.

Chase recoiled in surprise, "Am I that easy to read?"

"You aren't but desperation is," she explained.

"I am…a little," he admitted, "Haven't seen anyone today."

"You can't be serious," Park said, "No one has stopped by?"

"Well, Taub has his girls to get home to and Foreman has been busy being Dean," Chase reasoned, "You're the only friend I have tonight."

"What pain meds are you on?" Park asked, suspiciously.

"I'm not high. Is it so improbable that we're friends?" Chase asked earnestly.

"We went out for drinks," she replied, "twice."

"Which you invited me to do. Although, it was more like you asked me out," Chase teased once more.

Park's face flushed, "I...asked you out for drinks as a friend. A colleague."

The very idea of asking Chase out made Park flustered. However, the idea wasn't foreign to her. It took some coaxing for Park to admit to herself that she was even a little enamored by him. But the first step is acceptance. Eventually, she started to accept that she liked Chase. However, what sealed it was the thought of losing him. It made her heart ache. Yet, pursuing him was another story. Despite her feelings, Park was resigned in acknowledging that he was out of her league. His looks, job, and accent would have any woman dropping her panties in a heartbeat. Park had a low view of those women.

"What? We had fun didn't we? I got you to laugh."

"Because I didn't understand you after about three shots. You went full on Aussie on me," Park reminded him.

"Oh I wasn't that bad," he waved her off. Although, his memory of that night was somewhat hazy.

Park's brow rose, "You said and I quote 'The bloody buldger won't even get me another coldie. Tosser.' There was more, but I'm not sure you were even saying words by then."

She imitated his accent causing Chase to chuckle, "I wasn't even drunk."

"Evidently, you don't have to be," Park shrugged.

There was a short pause, each doctor averted their eyes from one another. Chase bit his lip in contemplation which Park picked up on.

"When I get out of here we should do that again," Chase said, "but for real."

"For real? As opposed to in an alternate universe or in a dream?" Park asked, slightly confused.

"As opposed to just going out as friends," Chase clarified, "like a date."

Park blinked, "A date?"

"Yeah," he gave her a half smile, "Look, I almost died and I like you. I don't want to hesitate this time. So if you want to go out that's great. If not, that's okay too."

"I…uh, oh-okay," Park stammered.

"Wait, you're not just saying 'yes' because you pity me are you?" Chase asked.

"Don't overanalyze," she remarked with a smile.

Chase held out hand, which Park looked at skeptically from over her glasses. Regardless, she stood up and gingerly placed her small hand into his. Gently, Chase pulled her onto the edge of the bed. Park became even more unsure but something inside told her she'd be all right.

"I excel at a lot of things, but dating and couple-y stuff are two I'm not so good at," Park whispered.

He shrugged, "Doesn't matter. I haven't been in a real relationship in over a year. So, I'm not that great either."

Park felt reassured as she looked down at her watch, "It's late, I need to get home. But, I'll come by for lunch tomorrow."

"It's a date," Chase grinned.

"Goodnight, Robert," Park said happily.

"Goodnight, Chi," he replied and sealed her departure with a peck on the lips.