Author's Notes: SPOILERS TO HOUSE SEASON FINALE. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
This is it.
I'm finally ending this story. This Epilogue has been long overdue and I think it's time I ended it.
It has been months since the last season of House ended and I still feel bad that this ship didn't get enough air time as the rest, but it was a good run and that's what fanfics are for. I have some other fics written for this ship, but I have other things in focus at the moment. We shall see.
Thanks for everyone who supported the idea when I posted, who subscribed to me throughout the time of this story, and who stayed until the very end.
Disclaimer: House MD and all its characters (Except the band members and Melissa) do not belong to me. If it did, there would be too many Chark moments.
Epilogue
One year later…
It was late in the evening and most of the doctors were on their way home. Foreman was in his office reading some paperwork as Chase entered. Foreman looked up to see him. "You wanted to see me about something?"
Chase sat down in the chair on the other side of his desk. "Yes I did. I just wanted to ask how my evaluation is so far."
Foreman couldn't think of a good reason as to why of all days Chase would ask this (and that did show in Foreman's face) but he pulled out a drawer and opened Chase's file. "Well, you obviously have more plus points with the patients than with House; that's to be expected. You bring in results and you don't give me too many headaches."
Chase didn't seem to be so interested in that part. "How about with my team? "
Foreman skimmed the file again. "Well, nobody has complained so far. You make them work hard and you push them, but they say you're just as talented as House. You were the right candidate and they were glad I called you in for the position."
"Nobody has complained about me being biased?"
Foreman shook his head, a smile forming on his lips. This was the clue he needed to understand the sudden need for Chase to talk to him.
"Nope. Even I had my doubts at first with you and Park, but so far you have been very objective with her at work. Park has done very well under the Diagnostics department. Adams and Taub have not complained about you being unfair with them for Park's benefit. Well…sure you two may bicker more than a boss and his employee would, but it hasn't been an issue with anybody. You've been fair to each and every one of them."
Chase nodded. "I'm glad to hear that.'
Foreman felt there was more to this than Chase's file. "Is there a particular reason why you needed to know? Are you and Park having problems? Aren't you guys going to Niaggra Falls this week?"
Chase shook his head. "Nope. We've been great." Foreman noticed that Chase was trying to hide a smile.
Foreman raised an eyebrow. "So…what is it?"
"Well… I had to be sure nobody complained about me having a bias before I do anything official."
Foreman was puzzled at first, and then he gave a sly smile. "I see. Well, you may need to take this up with HR again. They should be fine with it but worst case is we might have to put Park back in Neurology and you may need to get a new team member."
Chase nodded in understanding and got up from his chair. "I'll start checking out resumes then, but I doubt we will have to go there."
He turned around to head to the door but Foreman's voice stopped him. "Chase…"
Chase stood and looked at his boss. "Yes?"
Foreman gave out his hand for Chase to shake. "Good luck."
Chase smiled, and shook it. "Thanks."
He walked out of Foreman's office and walked towards the elevator, feeling accomplished. He found Park waiting for him there as she usually did. She saw him down the hall and smiled.
"Hey. Where were you?" She asked as he stood next to her.
"I had to talk to Foreman about some admin stuff. Nothing serious" Chase replied.
Park noticed that he seemed awfully excited for something. "Did something happen?"
"No. Nothing happened…yet."
Park was still confused, but she decided to talk about something else.
As they entered the elevator, Chase slipped his right hand into his right jacket pocket, checking if the small box was still in there. Inside was an engagement ring with a beautifully cut diamond. Chase had lied to Park one weekend about shopping for things for his surfboard in order to find time to buy it without her finding out. It took him an hour to figure out the right one for her. He had hid it in his jacket the whole time in fear of her finding it, but Park had never found the need to look through his clothes.
As he closed his fist around it, his grin became even wider. This stopped Park's train of thought.
"You're pretty giddy about something." Park commented. "Do you still have that repressed man-crush for Foreman?"
Chase scoffed. "No. I told you it went away when he became the Dean. I'm just excited about our trip."
Park smiled, her cheeks a little pink. "Oh that. I'm so glad we're finally going to get an actual break! It's about time!"
"Yes…" Chase replied. "It's about time…" he said offhandedly.
He took her hand with his as his free hand stayed inside his jacket, fingers still gripped around the box as they walked out the elevator.