That's more or less what I thought, too: so little was said between them that Chase's bringing that up could not be throwaway. And yes, he definitely knew that under the circumstances, House would prefer he made a quick exit.

As I said above, I'd have been happier had Chase stayed and taken headship of a team of his own--the burning need to be out of House's shadow felt very sudden to me--but that's what I have many, many AUs for.