Reconstruction - Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
Luke checked into his room and insisted that they work together to get his testimony figured out. Reid wanted to go to his condo and not even do this. He knew how he was going to handle the review board tomorrow and he didn’t need to rehash everything with Luke.
But the truth was, he wanted to spend time with Luke. He wanted to be around almost as much as he didn’t want to. It was almost as it had been when he and Luke were dancing around their mutual attractions to each other. He figured, how hard could it be to spend time with him and not let it go that far. Keep it totally professional.
Reid had all of his files with him. They went over everything to get all the details fresh in his mind before tomorrow. Not like he needed help. He would forever remember all that happened to Annie and everything he did to save her. They went over all the orders he made on her behalf and how she reacted to everything. After going over everything for the fifth time, he decided he needed to go back to his condo and get some sleep.
“I’m going back to my place to watch some tv and get some sleep.” Reid said as he started to collect his files from across Luke’s bed.
“Not until we go over your testimony one more time.”
“Annie Judd died, I did everything that I could to save her. I have the facts and figures to back me up.”
“That’s not the problem. You and I both know that you have everything medical covered, but you need to go over the other part of your testimony. The emotional part.”
“For the love of…”
“I’m serious Dr. Oliver. This is more than just science. Look, Annie was not just a number; she was a little girl. You knew her; you did everything you could to save her. And when she died, it broke your heart.” Luke said and Reid had almost forgotten how accurate Luke had been in his assessment of his feelings towards Annie’s death. How could he know all that? He was able to read him so well. It was almost unfair.
“I don’t let me feelings get in the way of my work.” It was a pathetic attempt and Reid knew, but he had to try to stop Luke from getting too close.
“See, I think you feel a lot more than you let on. And how you tell her story, will be the difference between you keeping your medical license and losing it. And by doing this right, you will be able to convince them that them taking away your license, they will be killing people.” Luke always was one with a flair for the dramatic, but he wasn’t wrong.
“She had a nice smile; Annie.”
“Nice?”
“Brave. Like she knew we were worried for her. She wanted us to know that everything was going to be all right. I was one causing her pain; cutting into her skull; sticking her with needles; ordering chemo. But she always lit up when I walked in the room.” Reid laughed at the sight of the little girl, sitting on her bed, surrounded by crayons strewn across the bedspread. “I miss that smile. Nobody smiles when I walk in a room. Most of the time they act like it’s the grim reaper and I’m ok with that. But I didn’t want to be that for Annie. I miss Annie. The world misses her and because I couldn’t save, they’ll never know it.”
“People think that you’re a brilliant doctor because you’re fearless. They don’t know it’s because you care so much.” Luke said in a quiet voice. Reid looked over and didn’t even realize that Luke was sitting so close to him. When he sat down, Luke was sitting on the other side of the mattress, but now they were sitting so close that their shoulders were touching. He needed to create a little distance between them.
“You sound like a self-indulgent celebrity therapist.”
“Why do you do that? You came so close to being a real human, with real emotions and you just go right back to being a jerk.”
“Well, you’re wrong again Mr. Snyder, I’m always a jerk.”
“What’s wrong with you?” Luke almost demanded.
“What do you mean?”
“After all this time, you can’t call me by my first name?”
“Oh come on. I don’t have time...”
“My name is Luke, just say it.” Reid brushed past Luke and tried to ignore the sparks that seemed to shoot straight through him whenever he got close to Luke. He hoped that he could get out of this room as soon as he could.
“What does matter what I call you?” He asked and started to put files back into his briefcase.
“Mr. Snyder,” Luke grabbed the files out Reid’s hands and rapped them against the desk, “is my father. I’m Luke.”
“Can I have my files back please?” He nearly forgot how frustrating Luke was.
“You call Noah by his first name?” Luke asked; extended the pile of documents to Reid before he snatched them away again.
“Noah is my patient.”
“So?”
“It’s a simple well-defined relationship; it’s patient-doctor; it’s clear.”
“And what does that make us then?” Luke was close to him again; he could almost smell his mouthwash.
“We are nothing. We are working together on the new wing; we’re colleagues, not friends.” Reid could see a bit of the playful light in Luke’s eyes dim just slightly; the blonde looked away. He almost buckled again. He almost told him that he is in love with him, but knew that he needed to go through with this. “I’m tired of explaining myself. I need to get some sleep. Thank you for helping me prep for the hearing.”
“You sure you’re ready for this?”
“Yeah, have to be. Goodnight Mr. Snyder.”
“Goodnight Reid.” Luke purposely used his first name. Luke was not going to let this go and he knew that they were more than colleagues, but what they were, he wasn’t sure.
~~~~~~~~~~
Reid took a deep breath and knocked on Luke’s hotel room door. Last night after they arrived, they holed up in Luke’s room and went over everything that pertained to Annie case. They sat in Luke’s room all night going over the procedure and the results. Luke was beginning to know the ins and outs of the case almost as well as Reid did. He tried to keep his distance, not wanting to lead Luke on in any way. Reid just hoped that he would be able to talk to the board the same way he did last time. He could conceivably lose his license this time. He just had to be the man that Luke always knew he was.
Even if this Luke didn’t.
Reid had purposely waited an extra ten minutes. He knew he wouldn’t be able to be as reserved as he was the last time. It was hard enough not wanting to grope Luke with his clothes on. Seeing him near naked would be too much for even him to take. He knocked again and the door opened. Luke was dressed and Reid was relieved. He handed Luke his cup of coffee and followed him inside.
“You know what you’re going to say?”
“The truth…”
“Very funny. Just don’t get too clinical.”
“I’ll just keep repeating my mantra…don’t be an ass.” Reid said without thinking.
“That’s weird. I was just about to say that exact same thing.”
“Yeah, that’s something. Can we just go?”
“Yeah.” Luke said as he grabbed his suit jacket and slid it on. Reid’s phone rang and he pulled it out; knowing exactly who it was.
“Dr. Oliver.”
“I am so glad that I caught you. I just found out today that you had been suspended. What going to happen now?” Noah asked, worry heavy in his voice.
“There’s nothing to worry about Noah. The hearing is just a formality. Mr. Judd just wants to be sure that someone is paying attention.”
“Yeah, but you could lose your license right. That’s what they’re going to decide today.”
“That’s what I’m trying to tell you. It’s just for appearances sake. They’re not going to take away my license; it would cost too many people their lives.”
“But if it should happen, by some fluke, what then? And before you ask, not just talking about my surgery. I know how important this hearing is for you, you shouldn’t have to go through it alone.”
“I’m not." Reid said and looked at Luke while he stood near the window, listening to their conversation. "I have a colleague here to help me through it. Not to worry, everything will work out just fine.”
“Well, good luck and I’m still going to worry.”
“Fair enough and thanks.” The doctor disconnected the call and slid his phone back into his pocket.
“What did Noah have to say?” Luke asked expectedly.
“Ah, you know, wishing my luck that everything went well. You ready to go?”
“Hold on one second.” Luke said as he turned Reid to face him. He lightly brushed at the front of Reid’s suit jacket, clearing away any lint that may have been there. He looked at the redhead for second and a soft smile came across Luke’s face. “You’re going to be great.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“No, it’s not.” Luke said quietly.
~~~~~~~~~~
The ride back from the hearing was a quiet one. Reid stared out the window from the back seat of their cab and thought about his testimony. He ran what he said over and over in his head. Trying to see if he could have said or done anything different. He was nervous and rightfully so. He could lose his license; again he was in limbo. Next to Luke, being a doctor was what he lived for. His leg bounced as he sat next to the blonde. Luke looked over at the doctor and felt for him.
Luke had conned him into coming to Oakdale. Sure he was now getting a multi-million dollar hospital wing out if it, but his entire life had been uprooted. Luke wasn’t sure if he’d ever get Reid’s forgiveness for that, but he was going to try. And right now, seeing him this worried, he had an idea. He needed a distraction. Luke fished his blackberry from his pocket and started searching. Then he found what he was looking for.
“Driver, forget about going to the hotel. Take us to….,” Luke rattled on and Reid prayed that they weren’t going where he thought they were going, but they were. They pulled up in front of the cowboy bar and got out of the cab. Reid groaned inwardly. Seeing Luke riding that mechanical bull had been his jerk off material for weeks afterwards. Reid wasn’t sure he wanted to revisit this.
They walked up to the bar and took their places on a couple stools. The ordered some drinks and returned to silence that was with them in the cab. Reid took off his tie and shoved it in his pocket. He didn’t know how to do this. How should he talk to Luke? There was always an undercurrent of sexual tension between them and Reid played that up. Flirting, teasing, and enticing Luke the entire time that they knew each other. Reid didn’t know how to do this now. He had to basically do everything the exact opposite way he had the first time.
“How long do you think it will take for them to make their decision?”
“I don’t know, but this waiting is killing me.” Reid said and then took a drink from his beer. Luke could see concern all over Reid face, even though the doctor was doing a very good job at hiding it. He needed to help take his mind off of it.
“You know what I have always wanted to do?” Luke asked and Reid had a dirty answer at the ready, but he couldn’t say that. He decided to keep that to himself.
“What is that?” And before he even had the question out of his mouth, Luke was about to climb up onto the mechanical bull. “What are you doing? You’re not actually going to do that are you?”
Luke jumped out onto the bull and tightened his thighs against the bull’s sides. The machine kicked to life and Luke held on. The smile on his face was fast and genuine. Reid laughed as he saw Luke given to the bull’s rhythm. The blonde’s hair swayed as the bull speed up. Reid was sure that he was going to get thrown off. As his ride wore down, Luke slid off the bull; landing on his feet. He bounded back up to the bar, glee apparent on his face.
“And that’s how it’s done.”
“Talk about a worthless skill.”
“Bet you couldn’t do it.”
“I assure you I can and have, but why risk hurting my hands to prove a point.”
“You keep telling yourself that.” Luke teased and then bit down on an ice cube. “You said you have, when was that?” Luke was taking the opportunity to get to know him better. As much as he wanted to see him on that bull, he wanted to get to know him even more.
“A long time ago. In a bar a lot like this. I was on a sort of date with a guy, that I liked a lot, even though he didn’t know at the time. I don’t think that I knew how much at the time.”
“And what happened?”
“I kissed him and, and um,” Reid lost his train of thought when he saw how close Luke was paying attention to him. He was about to pick up his last thought when his phone vibrated. He pulled it from his pocket and saw he had one missed call. He didn’t even hear it ring. “It’s the medical board. Looks like they’ve made their decision.”
“Oh. Well, let’s get out of here.” Reid nodded at Luke’s suggestion and they went back to the hotel.
~~~~~~~~~~
Reid played with his phone. Not knowing what the answer would be was killing him. He could really lose his license this time. He could be without the one thing that defines who he is. He needed to know, but did he have the courage to call. Luke was standing behind him. He could feel him. He never knew that feeling until he met Luke. He could feel everything that he was doing; moving back and forth in the room.
“Are you afraid it’s bad news?”
“I wish I didn’t care this much. This phone call…it’s everything. It’s Noah surgery, the new wing, my career, it’s my life. What if they tell me I can’t practice medicine anymore?”
“Then we keep fighting. You are way too obnoxious to lie down and die.” Luke joked and Reid laughed. He still found that funny.
“I’ve worked my whole life to become what I am. I need my work, with those highs and lows, without it I’m…”
“…you’re going to be fine. Make the call.” Luke lightly rubbed Reid back and the doctor let out a long breath. He hit “Return Call” on his cell and waited for the phone to connect him.
“Yeah, this is Dr. Reid Oliver returning Dr. Vasko’s call.” Reid listened while Dr. Vasko told him about the board’s decision and what that meant for Reid’s future. “I see. Hmm hmm. I understand. Goodbye.” He disconnected the call and slid the phone into his pocket.
And this was the moment. He could kiss Luke and start something with him or not. He had a second to decide their fates.
“Well?”
“I’m reinstated.” Reid said in almost shock.
“You’re kidding! That’s fantastic! I knew you would be.” Luke said cheerfully and did something that surprised them both. He bridged the gap between them and pulled Reid into a hug. Reid was surprised at first, but quickly recovered and hugged him back. The two men reveled in the feeling of being in each other’s arms for a minute or two, but it was Luke who pulled away.
“Oh god. I’m sorry Reid. I was just so excited for you. I’m sorry that I overstepped.”
“No, it’s fine Mr. Snyder. I’m not offended or anything.” Reid tried to calm him; he could see Luke’s cheeks blush in embarrassment.
“So, what did they say?” Luke asked as he ran his hand through his blonde hair and rubbed the back of his neck.
“Vasko said they’re going to keep the investigation open. Why? I have no idea. I’m certainly not guilty of malpractice. Which they’re going to discover.”
“Well, let’s get out of here and go home. I can call the airport and get the jet fueled up for us.” Luke pulled out his phone and quickly dialed his pilot. He was still embarrassed that he had actually hugged the doctor, but it was something that he had wanted to do for a while. Luke wondered what would have happened if he had the courage to do what he really wanted.
If he had kissed him.
Luke decided that was something he would just have to wonder about.
Chapter Eight