The banging door caused all four heads to turn. Their eyes followed the silent woman as she walked into the conference room, slammed a piece of paper on to the table and stalked back out. As she reached the door she turned sharply around. "There is no option. Either you do it or you are fired. It goes for all of you. No deals, no taking away of clinic duty. You caused us to loose one million dollars. This is the least you could do!" She turned back around and walked out the door.
"Well, that was new." House commented making his way to the table to take a look at what Cuddy had slammed down. The rest of the ducklings crowded around to look also.
"I hate talent shows." Foreman groused as he leaned back in his chair.
"Cause you don't have any talent." House gave him a look.
"I played the violin through most of high school."
"Must have gotten your ass kicked a lot too."
"And what are you going to do? Be mean to everyone? Or just ostracize them?" Cameron added in.
"Ohh, snarky aren't we? That time of the month? And what are you going to do? Hug and cuddle everyone? Or just care about them all?"
"We could team up then. You'll be mean and I'll be nice. Actually, I think I have some duet music, Foreman. If you are interested? I play the flute and violin."
"That's an idea." Foreman commented, warming to the idea of not having to do this alone. "And what about you Chase?"
"Don't know yet."
"You can always strip. I'm sure you'll win the judges over." House commented looking to get a rise out of the Australian.
"Wouldn't want everyone to know what you fantasize at night." Chase smirked back at his boss.
"Fifty bucks says that you won't make the top five." House commented, not wanting to deal with his fantasies and Chase.
"A hundred says I place higher than you." He challenged back.
Foreman and Cameron both sat back to watch the two of them go at it.
"I'll take that action." House looked at the other two ducklings. "You want in?"
"I like my money thank you very much." Foreman said.
"Chicken shit." House looked at both of them before heading back to the board.
For the next month Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital was abuzz with rumors about the talent show fund raiser. Who was doing what? Who the judges would be?
Most were open about what they were going to do for the show. Most were playing an instrument or singing. One of the nurses in ICU was going to put on a martial arts exhibition and someone else was doing some dancing.
The only one who was still a mystery was Chase. Any questions were met with an 'I don't know yet.' Or an 'I'm still deciding.'
House had chosen this month to be excessively hard on Chase. Tasks would range between having him do his clinic hours, to putting him in extremely awkward situations.
Part of it was House trying to psyche out his competition. He hated loosing a bet. He knew what everyone else in the talent show was doing. He knew he would beat them all. He was the only one who went to a special elementary school for the arts when he was younger. He'd been playing the piano since he was 4. There was no way anyone could be better than him.
Except for Chase. House didn't know what the boy's talent might be. Although he was sure that if Chase was to strip, he'd be the winner hands down. Lord knew that House was all for a naked Australian doctor strutting his stuff on the stage.
The other part for the torture was to get back at Chase for the comment he made. Chase had no idea how close to the truth he had come by mentioning that a naked Chase was what he dreamed about at night.
But Chase was not new to this behavior and knew the reason behind it. Chase knew that House had a thing for him. It was the only reason that he was treated to way he was. The only way for House to show he liked someone was to torture them. So Chase took all the punishment, knowing that his plan for revenge would get him just what he wanted. Doctor Gregory House.
Chase stood back stage, getting ready to perform. Like he asked, he was the last one to go. The piano from House's piece was still on stage. He heard the whispers from the audience. 'What's he going to do?' 'Play a piano piece also?' 'No one is going to beat House. That number was exquisite.'
It was true. House was an amazing pianist. There was no reason that he shouldn't win this show. Except for what Chase was about to do.
The lights dimmed and Chase walked out to sit at the piano. Taking a deep breath he started to play a few bars on the piano before the background music kicked in. Once done Chase took the microphone that was on the piano and turned to straddle the piano bench. With his eyes closed he started to sing.
Whose
eyes am I behind
I don't recognize anything that I see
Whose
skin is this design
I don't want this to be the way that you see
me
Chase stood up and continued to sing. The lights brightened as the music started to pick up in beat. Walking his way to the middle of the stage the crowd was able to take in the leather jacket, white tee shirt, and blue jeans, the most casual dressed of the night. Chase continued to sing.
I
don't understand anything anymore
In this world that I'm tired
of
Is taking me right up these walls
That I climb up
To get
to your story
It's anything but ordinary
And
when the world is on its knees with me its fine
And when I come to
the rescue I get nothing but left behind
Everybody seems to be
getting what they need with mine
'Cause your what I need so very
but I'm anything but ordinary
Chase,with the microphone in his left hand, pulled his right arm out of the jacket, switching the mike to the other hand, he flung his left arm and the leather jacket hit the floor hard just as Chase started the next verse.
Can you save me from this world of mine
Chase jumped off the stage to the 'ohh's' of the audience.
Before I get myself arrested with this expectations
Chase walked up the center aisle. He stopped at the table where House, Foreman, Cameron, and Wilson were sitting.
You
are the one look what you've done
What have you done?
This
is not some kind of joke
You're just a kid
You weren't
ready for what you did
He sang right in House's face, who was staring at Chase with wide eyes, unsure at what the Aussie was going to do. Cameron, Foreman, and Wilson all smirked at House's expression.
Quickly Chase turned away from the table and continued signing.
And when the world is on its knees with me its fine.
And when I come to the rescue I do it for you, time after time
He turned around and stared directly at House and the table with his co-workers.
Everybody seems to be getting what they need with mine.
Cause you what I need so very, but I'm anything but ordinary.
Chase made his way through the other tables.
I think I'm trying to save the world from you
You've been saving me, too.
Chase had made his way to the other side where Cuddy and some other administrators where sitting. He got down on his knee by her side, taking her hand.
We can just stay in and save each other.
Chase kissed her hand, before standing up and making his way back to the stage.
I'm anything, but ordinary
Chase jumped up to sit on the edge of the stage.
He stood up.
I'm anything but ordinary.
The music played two more beats before ending. Chase bowed, grabbed his jacket and left the stage.
There was a moment of silence before the crowd erupted in cheers and claps. Cameron and Forman included. They knew that they had lost to House, but they were thrilled that Chase actually had a chance to beat House.
Wilson looked over at House trying to gauge his reaction. From what Wilson could tell it was mostly shock. But if it was a good shock or bad shock, he couldn't tell.
After a few moments the crowd quieted and Lisa Cuddy, the MC of the event, took the stage. "Let's give all the contestants a round of applause." She paused as the crowd complied. "We'll be serving the main course now. Afterwards we'll have our top three perform again for the final placements. We'll inform them during dinner. Again, thank you all for attending and participating." Cuddy left the stage as the waiters came forward with plates of food.
"Where did you learn to sing like that?" Cameron asked, once Chase joined them at their table.
Chase shrugged. "Was in a boy's choir back home. When I got older some friends and I started a band. We even had a hit single back on the Australian charts."
"How old were you?" Foreman questioned.
"About 15 when we cut the album. Think I have a copy or two of it at home."
"Robert Chase, doctor and rock star." Cuddy said coming up to their table. "That was great. I think next time we'll just hold a concert. Between your singing and House's piano playing, we can start a band."
"House and the ducklings." Wilson jumped into the conversation. "You play anything besides piano?"
"Don't really play the piano. Not like House. I can find my way around a key board. I played guitar mostly."
"Lucky for us, we get hear both of you again. You're both in the top three."
"Who else?" House asked, speaking for the first time since Chase joined them.
"Kimberly from NICU."
"The step dancer." House confirmed who the competition was.
Cuddy nodded and left as the waiter laid plates of food down at House's table.
House and Chase both remained silent as they ate their dinner. Both allowing the conversation to flow around them, both lost in their own thoughts.
House was still in shock from what he had just witnessed. His dream, his fantasy up on the stage, with the voice of a god, and dressed in a tight pair of jeans and a nicely fitted white shirt. The outfit hugged Chase in all the right places and left very little to the imagination.
Not that House's imagination needed help at the moment. He could easily picture the smooth skin beneath the white shirt. How his hands would caress the taught abdominal muscles as they roamed up his pectorals, over broad shoulders, to run through Chase's hair. How firm that little ass, incased in denim, would feel, cupped in his hands. House had an image of him holding one of Chase's ass cheeks in each hand, with his fingers caressing Chase's ass crack.
House shifted in his seat trying to ease the pressure growing between his legs. He hoped he went first. He didn't think he'd be able to play the piano if he had to watch or listen to Chase sing again. No matter what Chase chose to sing. Actually the more House thought about it the more a plan started to form in his mind to get back at the wombat.
Chase couldn't help the smirk as he watched his boss out of the corner of his eye. House looked uncomfortable and Chase had a feeling he was the cause of the discomfort. And that didn't bother him one bit. Chase could clearly remember his first romp after a concert. He was barely 15 and she was 25. A virgin, she quickly took him by the hand and showed him what to do and how to do it. After that, he went to bed with a girl after each concert. Chase's theory was, if his father could do it than so could he.
It was during their first tour of Australia and Eastern Asia that he had sex with a man. It was in Japan and he never knew the man's name. All he knew was that he had enjoyed the sensations and that he wanted to repeat them.
Chase wondered what he co-workers' reactions would be if they knew of his sexual experience, before he was 18. Not that he had any since he left home. Since arriving in New Jersey, there was only one person he wanted to share his body with.
Chase hoped that he was chosen to go last again. He had a feeling that House wouldn't be able to tolerate another one of his performances. Especially with his choice of song.
"What do you think he's going to sing next?" Cameron asked sitting up straighter as Chase took the stage. He was again picked to go last.
"Looks like he'll be playing his guitar too." Foreman commented as he saw the strap across Chase's chest. This time wearing his jeans and black tee shirt, again fitting to his body nicely.
"You think he's going to do it?" Wilson asked.
"Do what?" Cameron questioned, still not taking her eyes off of Chase.
"Beat House?"
"Tough call. While House has talent, Chase has talent and skill the whole package." Cameron commented.
"This isn't American Idol." Foreman commented. "He has a chance. It depends on who the judges are. If they are female and have worked with House and Chase than Chase will win. Otherwise, it's up in the air."
The lights once again dimmed on the stage.
Step
inside, walk this way
You and me babe, Hey, hey!
The lights turned up to show Chase standing center stage in front of a mike stand as the music started. Chase took a deep breath and started to sing.
Love
is like a bomb, baby, c'mon get it on
Livin' like a lover with a
radar phone
Lookin' like a tramp, like a video vamp
Demolition
woman, can I be your man?
Razzle 'n' a dazzle 'n' a flash a
little light
Television lover, baby, go all night
Sometime,
anytime, sugar me sweet
Little miss ah innocent sugar me, yeah
Hey!
C'mon, take a bottle, shake it up
Break the
bubble, break it up
Chase lifted the mike from the stand.
Pour
some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on
me
C'mon fire me up
Pour your sugar on me
Oh, I can't get
enough
Chase ran his hand down his chest as he raised his head to the ceiling.
I'm
hot, sticky sweet
From my head to my feet yeah
Chase stated to walk down the stairs on the right side of the stage.
Listen!
red light, yellow light, green-a-light go!
Crazy little woman in
a one man show
Mirror queen, mannequin, rhythm of love
Sweet
dream, saccharine, loosen up
As he walked among the tables he'd reach out to caress the face or arm of a female, whether he knew them or not.
You
gotta squeeze a little, squeeze a little
Tease a little more
Easy operator come a knockin' on my door
Sometime, anytime,
sugar me sweet
Little miss innocent sugar me, yeah
Take a
bottle, shake it up
Break the bubble, break it up
Chase started to return to the stage as he sang the next verse.
Pour
some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on
me
C'mon fire me up
Pour your sugar on me
Oh, I can't get
enough
I'm hot, sticky sweet
From my head to my feet yeah
Chase put the mike back on the stand and he brought his guitar from around his back and played a guitar solo before starting on the next verse. He stole a quick glance at House, who stood in the wings of the stage watching his performance.
You
got the peaches, I got the cream
Sweet to taste, saccharine
'Cos
I'm hot, say what, sticky sweet
From my head, my head, to my feet
Do you take sugar? one lump or two?
Putting the electric guitar back behind him he grabbed the mike stand with both hands
Take
a bottle, shake it up
Break the bubble, break it up
Pour
some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on
me
C'mon fire me up
Pour your sugar on me
Oh, I can't get
enough
Pour some sugar on me
Oh, in the name of love
Pour
some sugar on me
Get it, come get it
Pour your sugar on me
Ooh
Pour some sugar on me
Yeah! Sugar me!
Once again Chase's performance ended in a round of applause. And once again Chase took a quick bow before heading off the stage.
Dr. Cuddy quickly replaced him. "Wow. Dr. Robert Chase, everyone." The room applauded again. "Our judges are tallying up the points and we'll have the winner in a few seconds. I would like to thank all our participants this evening yet again." She clapped. Others soon joined in.
A young girl, one of the doctor's daughters, came up the stage to hand Cuddy a card.
"In third place, Katie O'Hara, from NICU." Cuddy applauded as the young nurse came out to accept the hand shake and envelope from Cuddy. "Great job." Cuddy smiled at the woman.
"Second place, and this was a hard choice. In second place, from diagnostics, Dr. Gregory House." The audience applauded yet again.
"Guess you owe me 100 bucks." Chase commented as House made his way to Cuddy, to accept his envelope.
Don't worry you're pretty little head over it. House thought as he made his way to collect his prize. I'll make it worth my while. He smiled. His plan would work out perfectly. He would set it in motion next week.