Fic: Fate (10/?)
Title: Fate
Author: slayerkitty
Genre: Romance, Angst, AU
Rating: PG-13 for language (For now, rating may be upped later.)
Characters: Luke/Reid
Disclaimer: As the World Turns and it's characters are not mine, no matter how much I enjoy playing with them. :)
Summary: Luke is in car accident on the way home from a business trip. Reid saves him in more ways than one.
Author's Notes: So, this was sort of inspired by sripley's "It's the What If Factor." I was re-reading it, reveling in her ability to change up the story so awesomely and still keep it true to the characters, and thought to myself, I can do that. So this is me trying another take on the the Luke/Reid relationship with a different beginning, and we'll see where we end up. Story starts in January 2010. If it isn't said enough, the medical stuff I am making up as I go.
You guys....I just love you guys. Thank you so much for all of your comments. I don't love this chapter. Luke was being a bitch, Reid was being himself and neither of them felt like listening to me. I hope you like it anyway! :)
Prologue: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/500229.html
Chapter 1: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/507184.html
Chapter 2: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/508139.html
Chapter 3: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/512260.html
Chapter 4: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/516572.html
Chapter 5: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/521903.html
Chapter 6: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/527730.html
Chapter 7: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/530569.html
Chapter 8: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/540819.html
Chapter 9: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/551013.html
The next few days passed quietly for Luke. Allison brought him the paper every morning - picked over though, as it came from the nurse's lounge - and went with him on daily walks. Casey brought him lunch, sneaking in food from Al's for which Luke was glad. As good as hospital food had been when he was first allowed to eat it, after a day or two it started to get old. His mother had brought him some lounge clothes, so he didn't have to wear the hospital gowns anymore, and for that he was thankful. It was hard enough fighting what Luke realized was a growing attraction to his doctor in nothing but a paper thin gown.
Luke threw his newspaper down with a sigh. Reid - Dr. Oliver had barely been to see him over the last few days. He made his customary morning visit, checked him over, changed his dressing, and Luke didn't see him for the rest of the day. He was actually waiting for Reid's visit this morning, and glanced up at the clock on the wall.
Reid was late.
He was never late.
Luke didn't know what to make of it.
They'd been getting along fine, given that by all accounts (mostly from Ali, but also from his parents) that Reid was a “difficult” person.
Maybe Dr. Oliver had figured out what Luke was trying so hard not to acknowledge. There was something between them.
He sighed again, running his hands over his face. He touched the edge of the bandages around his head. Reid had said they were coming off today.
Luke was interested to see what color hair he had. Looking at himself in the mirror was strange enough when he didn't recognize his own face. He wondered if seeing his whole appearance might jog his memory.
He glared when Reid finally appeared in the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest.
He saw surprise flash in Dr. Oliver's eyes when Luke didn't say anything.
“You're quiet today.” Reid commented, checking Luke's stats. Luke shrugged, averting his eyes when Reid looked at him. “Are you giving me the silent treatment?”
“Does it matter?”
“Are you five?” Reid asked, sitting down in the chair and moving it closer to the bed. He reached for the edge of Luke's bandages and Luke jerked away from his fingertips. “Seriously, what's your problem?”
“You.” Luke snapped.
“Me?” Reid replied.
“Yes, Dr. Oliver.” Luke said. “You're my problem.”
“Well, get over it.” Reid reached for Luke's head again. “I need to check your incision.”
“Not until you answer me something.”
“What?” Reid nearly barked. “What could be so important, what do you need to know so badly that you would potentially let it affect your health?
“Never mind.” Luke sighed.
“Are you done being a drama queen?”
“You're one to talk.” Luke mumbled as Reid began undoing his bandages.
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” Luke whispered, doing his best to ignore it when Reid's fingers brushed against the side of his neck.
“It's obviously something.” Reid said. “Or you wouldn't be acting like this.” Luke didn't say anything. “Fine.” Reid sighed. “You want to act like a brat, go ahead.”
“What about how you're acting?” Luke accused.
“What are you talking about?”
“Don't pretend like you don't know.”
“I honestly have no idea what you're talking about, Luke.”
“Of course not.”
“I don't know what you want from me.” Reid said quietly. Luke finally looked up at him. Reid was the first one who looked away, leaning over to pick up a pair of tweezers. “Your stitches are ready to come out.”
“Great.”
“Don't sound so thrilled.” Reid replied. He began pulling gently on the stitches, and Luke winced. “You'll probably be able to go home in a day or two, as long as you can take it easy.”
“You would just love that, wouldn't you?” Luke snapped at him, as Reid finished up.
“Yes, I would.” Reid finally told him. “Because it means that you're better, and I did my job right.”
“Because you feel responsible for what happened to me.”
“Partly.”
“I don't blame you.” Luke said. He stared at Reid for a second, and then reached out and put his hand on top of Reid's. “I never blamed you.” Luke couldn't look away, searching Reid's face intently.
“I...” Reid trailed off. “I can't do this.” He pulled his hand away. “Keep your incision clean, and if there's no sign of infection, I don't see why you can't go home in a day or two.”
“Fine.”
“I'll check back on you later.” Reid promised, getting up and heading for the door.
“Whatever.” Luke rolled his eyes and watched as Reid walked out.
*
“Fantastic.” Reid muttered, catching site of Luke's parents in the hall. Whether it was luck or just chance, they didn't see him, and he was glad. After checking in on Luke, and their intense conversation, Reid couldn't deal with parents today.
He wasn't stupid.
He knew what Luke had been getting at, why Luke was upset.
Reid didn't understand why things with Luke were different. With any other patient, beyond saving their life, he wouldn't give a damn about them.
So what was it about Luke Snyder that got under his skin?
“What am I supposed to say, Holden?” Reid heard Lily say loudly.
“I don't want to you to say anything to Luke.” Holden insisted. Reid couldn't but listen. The minute they mentioned Luke's name, they had his attention.
“He's going to keep asking where his father is.”
“I know that, Lily.” Holden put his hand on her arm.
“I can't keep lying to him.”
“Dr. Oliver said no stress. You know what happened just a few days ago.” Holden reminded her. “Another panic attack like that might kill him.”
“Don't you think I know that?' Lily cried. “Do you think I really want to tell my son that his father tried to kill your sister and then held us at gunpoint?”
“No.” Holden said after a moment.
“I just don't know what to do.” Reid watched as Holden pulled Lily into his arms.
He couldn't believe his ears. What the hell kind of town was this?
“We'll think of something.” Holden said. “We should find Bob and let him know that he needs to up security on this floor, for as long as Luke is here.”
“You really think Damien will come here?”
“I wouldn't put it past him.” Holden replied, and then they walked off down the hallway.
*
Reid spent the next few hours trying to take his mind off things. He went back to Katie's, made himself a triple meat sandwich, took a nap, and entertained Jacob while Katie ran a couple of errands.
Jacob was his favorite person in Oakdale...mostly because he didn't know how to talk.
When he finally went back to the hospital, he still didn't know what to do about Luke. The way that Luke made him feel...
Acting on it would be wrong, Reid knew that. It would unethical. He couldn't even be sure that Luke was feeling the same way about him, and even if he was, was it real?
Florence Nightingale syndrome was real. So was the fact that Luke didn't remember hardly anything about himself or his life, and add in the boyfriend...
Reid shook his head. He just needed to hold on for a few more days, and then Luke would go home, and he would go back to Dallas where he belonged.
He headed towards Luke's room, intent on telling him that.
The door was shut, the lights off. Reid paused, debating on whether or not to let Luke sleep. Reid decided to check on him anyway, opening the door only as wide as he needed to slip inside, letting in as little light as possible. He shut the door behind them and froze as he realized Luke was not alone. The dim light of the over head lamp washed over a terrified Luke and a blond man standing next to his bed, pointing a gun at Reid.
Author: slayerkitty
Genre: Romance, Angst, AU
Rating: PG-13 for language (For now, rating may be upped later.)
Characters: Luke/Reid
Disclaimer: As the World Turns and it's characters are not mine, no matter how much I enjoy playing with them. :)
Summary: Luke is in car accident on the way home from a business trip. Reid saves him in more ways than one.
Author's Notes: So, this was sort of inspired by sripley's "It's the What If Factor." I was re-reading it, reveling in her ability to change up the story so awesomely and still keep it true to the characters, and thought to myself, I can do that. So this is me trying another take on the the Luke/Reid relationship with a different beginning, and we'll see where we end up. Story starts in January 2010. If it isn't said enough, the medical stuff I am making up as I go.
You guys....I just love you guys. Thank you so much for all of your comments. I don't love this chapter. Luke was being a bitch, Reid was being himself and neither of them felt like listening to me. I hope you like it anyway! :)
Prologue: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/500229.html
Chapter 1: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/507184.html
Chapter 2: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/508139.html
Chapter 3: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/512260.html
Chapter 4: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/516572.html
Chapter 5: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/521903.html
Chapter 6: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/527730.html
Chapter 7: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/530569.html
Chapter 8: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/540819.html
Chapter 9: community.livejournal.com/lure_atwt/551013.html
The next few days passed quietly for Luke. Allison brought him the paper every morning - picked over though, as it came from the nurse's lounge - and went with him on daily walks. Casey brought him lunch, sneaking in food from Al's for which Luke was glad. As good as hospital food had been when he was first allowed to eat it, after a day or two it started to get old. His mother had brought him some lounge clothes, so he didn't have to wear the hospital gowns anymore, and for that he was thankful. It was hard enough fighting what Luke realized was a growing attraction to his doctor in nothing but a paper thin gown.
Luke threw his newspaper down with a sigh. Reid - Dr. Oliver had barely been to see him over the last few days. He made his customary morning visit, checked him over, changed his dressing, and Luke didn't see him for the rest of the day. He was actually waiting for Reid's visit this morning, and glanced up at the clock on the wall.
Reid was late.
He was never late.
Luke didn't know what to make of it.
They'd been getting along fine, given that by all accounts (mostly from Ali, but also from his parents) that Reid was a “difficult” person.
Maybe Dr. Oliver had figured out what Luke was trying so hard not to acknowledge. There was something between them.
He sighed again, running his hands over his face. He touched the edge of the bandages around his head. Reid had said they were coming off today.
Luke was interested to see what color hair he had. Looking at himself in the mirror was strange enough when he didn't recognize his own face. He wondered if seeing his whole appearance might jog his memory.
He glared when Reid finally appeared in the doorway, crossing his arms over his chest.
He saw surprise flash in Dr. Oliver's eyes when Luke didn't say anything.
“You're quiet today.” Reid commented, checking Luke's stats. Luke shrugged, averting his eyes when Reid looked at him. “Are you giving me the silent treatment?”
“Does it matter?”
“Are you five?” Reid asked, sitting down in the chair and moving it closer to the bed. He reached for the edge of Luke's bandages and Luke jerked away from his fingertips. “Seriously, what's your problem?”
“You.” Luke snapped.
“Me?” Reid replied.
“Yes, Dr. Oliver.” Luke said. “You're my problem.”
“Well, get over it.” Reid reached for Luke's head again. “I need to check your incision.”
“Not until you answer me something.”
“What?” Reid nearly barked. “What could be so important, what do you need to know so badly that you would potentially let it affect your health?
“Never mind.” Luke sighed.
“Are you done being a drama queen?”
“You're one to talk.” Luke mumbled as Reid began undoing his bandages.
“What's that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” Luke whispered, doing his best to ignore it when Reid's fingers brushed against the side of his neck.
“It's obviously something.” Reid said. “Or you wouldn't be acting like this.” Luke didn't say anything. “Fine.” Reid sighed. “You want to act like a brat, go ahead.”
“What about how you're acting?” Luke accused.
“What are you talking about?”
“Don't pretend like you don't know.”
“I honestly have no idea what you're talking about, Luke.”
“Of course not.”
“I don't know what you want from me.” Reid said quietly. Luke finally looked up at him. Reid was the first one who looked away, leaning over to pick up a pair of tweezers. “Your stitches are ready to come out.”
“Great.”
“Don't sound so thrilled.” Reid replied. He began pulling gently on the stitches, and Luke winced. “You'll probably be able to go home in a day or two, as long as you can take it easy.”
“You would just love that, wouldn't you?” Luke snapped at him, as Reid finished up.
“Yes, I would.” Reid finally told him. “Because it means that you're better, and I did my job right.”
“Because you feel responsible for what happened to me.”
“Partly.”
“I don't blame you.” Luke said. He stared at Reid for a second, and then reached out and put his hand on top of Reid's. “I never blamed you.” Luke couldn't look away, searching Reid's face intently.
“I...” Reid trailed off. “I can't do this.” He pulled his hand away. “Keep your incision clean, and if there's no sign of infection, I don't see why you can't go home in a day or two.”
“Fine.”
“I'll check back on you later.” Reid promised, getting up and heading for the door.
“Whatever.” Luke rolled his eyes and watched as Reid walked out.
*
“Fantastic.” Reid muttered, catching site of Luke's parents in the hall. Whether it was luck or just chance, they didn't see him, and he was glad. After checking in on Luke, and their intense conversation, Reid couldn't deal with parents today.
He wasn't stupid.
He knew what Luke had been getting at, why Luke was upset.
Reid didn't understand why things with Luke were different. With any other patient, beyond saving their life, he wouldn't give a damn about them.
So what was it about Luke Snyder that got under his skin?
“What am I supposed to say, Holden?” Reid heard Lily say loudly.
“I don't want to you to say anything to Luke.” Holden insisted. Reid couldn't but listen. The minute they mentioned Luke's name, they had his attention.
“He's going to keep asking where his father is.”
“I know that, Lily.” Holden put his hand on her arm.
“I can't keep lying to him.”
“Dr. Oliver said no stress. You know what happened just a few days ago.” Holden reminded her. “Another panic attack like that might kill him.”
“Don't you think I know that?' Lily cried. “Do you think I really want to tell my son that his father tried to kill your sister and then held us at gunpoint?”
“No.” Holden said after a moment.
“I just don't know what to do.” Reid watched as Holden pulled Lily into his arms.
He couldn't believe his ears. What the hell kind of town was this?
“We'll think of something.” Holden said. “We should find Bob and let him know that he needs to up security on this floor, for as long as Luke is here.”
“You really think Damien will come here?”
“I wouldn't put it past him.” Holden replied, and then they walked off down the hallway.
*
Reid spent the next few hours trying to take his mind off things. He went back to Katie's, made himself a triple meat sandwich, took a nap, and entertained Jacob while Katie ran a couple of errands.
Jacob was his favorite person in Oakdale...mostly because he didn't know how to talk.
When he finally went back to the hospital, he still didn't know what to do about Luke. The way that Luke made him feel...
Acting on it would be wrong, Reid knew that. It would unethical. He couldn't even be sure that Luke was feeling the same way about him, and even if he was, was it real?
Florence Nightingale syndrome was real. So was the fact that Luke didn't remember hardly anything about himself or his life, and add in the boyfriend...
Reid shook his head. He just needed to hold on for a few more days, and then Luke would go home, and he would go back to Dallas where he belonged.
He headed towards Luke's room, intent on telling him that.
The door was shut, the lights off. Reid paused, debating on whether or not to let Luke sleep. Reid decided to check on him anyway, opening the door only as wide as he needed to slip inside, letting in as little light as possible. He shut the door behind them and froze as he realized Luke was not alone. The dim light of the over head lamp washed over a terrified Luke and a blond man standing next to his bed, pointing a gun at Reid.