When Darkness turns to Light
Chapter 12
Five days had past since Luke had passed out in a Chicago hotel lobby and the young man was still unconscious in the ICU. As his doctor, Reid checked on him during his rounds, but kept the visits short and professional. However, once his shift and visiting hours were over, he would return to Luke's room for a more personal visit.
Sometimes he'd talk to Luke encouraging him to wake up but most of the time he just sat and kept him company. Sitting in the chair next to the bed, Reid picked up Luke's hand and began stroking the back with his thumb. He wasn't sure how long he sat there just stroking the blonde's hand when all of the sudden he felt Luke's fingers move. Reid quickly looked at Luke's face and saw his eyelids start to move. They fluttered several times before slowly opening.
"Luke"?
Luke turned his head slowly towards Reid's voice and was met with the most amazing blue eyes he had ever seen. That's when it hit him, he could see!
"I can see. Did you operate on me?"
"Yes. You passed out in Chicago and I discovered a mass of scar tissue from when Channing operated on you, pushing against a blood vessel in your brain. I had to operate to remove the tissue and while I was in there I took care of your vision. Two birds with one stone as they say."
While his vision may not have been 20/20 yet, Luke could tell the man standing before him was very attractive and he couldn't help but stare.
When Luke had begun to wake up, Reid had let go of the man's hand and immediately gone into doctor mode.
"How's you vision?" Reid asked as he began shining his pen light in Luke's eyes.
"Well, it'd be better without the bright light shinning in my eyes," Luke said with a smile and a laugh.
"Ha Ha. Seriously though, how well can you see?"
"It's not clear but I can tell you have very blue eyes, reddish, brownish curly hair and a black eye. What happened?"
Ignoring Luke's question, Reid asked,
"You're name?"
"Luciano Eduardo Grimaldi Snyder."
"Very good and the year?"
"2010."
"My name?"
"Well, that's a bit of a trick question seeing how I've never actually 'seen' you before but going by your voice and the fact that you are my doctor, I'm going to guess that you are Dr. Reid Oliver, Neurosurgeon Extraordinaire."
"Yeah, nothing wrong with your brain," Reid said with a laugh. "But just to be sure, we'll run scans tomorrow," he said as he continued to check the blonde's vitals.
"How long have I been out?"
"Almost five full days. Your family has been here a lot. They've been very worried."
"How about Noah? Has he been around much?"
"Not since shortly after you came out of surgery. He was angry that you broke up with him and thinks it's my fault so he decided to take it out on my face. He also broke my nose, sending blood everywhere. The blood caused several of your relatives to pass out. It was quiet the scene. I called security and had him escorted out and banned from the hospital.
When Reid stopped speaking, Luke reached up and gently ran his fingers over the bruise below Reid's eye.
"Does it hurt?"
"Not really, but it sure stung when it happened."
Luke continued to caress the area and Reid found himself swallowing hard as the sensation overwhelmed him.
"I'm sorry it happened."
"What do you have to be sorry for? You didn't make Noah punch me. You were unconscious for heaven's sake! And if anybody is to blame, it's Noah. He was the one that cheated on you and treated you like dirt. You were right to put yourself first and dump his sorry butt."
"I know, but..."
"No buts, it's not your fault and you have no reason to be sorry, so don't apologize. If anybody should apologize it's that douchbag of an ex-boyfriend of yours."
"He hasn't apologized?"
"No and I don't expect him to."
As Reid was talking he walked over to the sink and got a wet wash cloth.
"Now that you're awake I want to clean around your eyes. If at anytime it hurts, let me know immediately.
Reid took the cloth and gently wiped around Luke's eyes, carefully cleaning crusties out of the corners.
"Okay, now close your eyes."
Reid ran the cloth over Luke's eyelids, continuing to wipe gently.
"Mmm, that feels good, thank you."
"Just doing my job."
"For some reason I don't think your other patients get this kind of treatment from you."
"You're not all that you know."
"Oh, I know," Luke said with a smile.
Reid took the cloth back to the sink before returning to the bed.
"You need to get some more rest and I should go and let your family know you're awake," Reid said as he started toward the door.
"Stay," Luke said as he reached out and grabbed Reid's arm. The older man stopped and looked back at Luke.
"Don't tell them yet. It will be a circus once they know and right know I just want to be here, with you."
"I'll stay but I insist you get some more sleep. I'll wait until morning to talk to your family."
"Thank you."
Reid sat in the chair he'd used before and picked up a medical journal he had with him and tried to read.
Before closing his eyes, Luke took in the sight of Reid, who was an extremely handsome man. He looked surprisingly similar to what he had pictured in his mind for all those months.
Luke was watching the older man read when all of a sudden Reid looked up and caught him starring.
Luke blushed and ducked his head, embarrassed at being caught.
"Go to sleep Luke," Reid said as he went back to trying to read.
Luke snuck one last look at Reid before closing his eyes.
Reid kept his eyes on his journal until he heard Luke's breathing even out, indicating he was asleep. He set his journal down and looked over at Luke. He picked up the young man's hand and began stroking it with his thumb like before. He continued stroking Luke's hand and before he knew it he had dozed off too.
Reid was woken up when Nurse Gretchen gently shook his shoulder. He quickly dropped Luke's hand and stood up.
"Dr. Oliver, I need to check Mr. Snyder's vitals."
"Very well. And when you're done could you arrange to have Mr. Snyder moved to a regular room? He woke up earlier this evening while I was here and is doing fine. There is no reason to keep him in the ICU."
"Sure thing Dr. Oliver. Oh and Dr. Oliver?"
"Yes?"
"Your secrets safe with me. I'll never tell anyone what I saw when I came in."
"Thank you."
Chapter 13: http://mickey9928.livejournal.com/6927.html