Fic: Neither Rhyme Nor Reason (1/9)
Title: Neither Rhyme Nor Reason (1/9)
Author: gradgirl (aka Ali)
Rating: PG-13 (eventually NC-17, I’ve given into peer pressure)
Characters/Pairings: Luke/Reid eventually
Summary: When it comes to love, neither rhyme nor reason need apply.
Warnings: Based upon this prompt.
Author’s Notes: Written for a prompt by gypsieheart. Hope you enjoy it. And a huge thank you to cherimola for beta work and listening to my whining. Comments are appreciated and loved. Thank you ~Ali
Chapter One
Bob Hughes wasn’t too surprised to find Luke Snyder wandering the hallways of Memorial. Given the young man’s history and numerous family members, he generally found a reason to be there.
“Luke,” Bob greeted the blonde who had been aimlessly pacing up and down the hall.
The young man smiled in greeting. “You’re just the person I want to see,” he admitted.
The doctor was surprised by the admission but nodded his head. “Why don’t we go to my office?”
Walking down the hall, the two men made small talk while Bob’s curiosity grew.
Finally, they reached their destination. Bob took a seat and watched Luke continue to pace a little. The young man was full of nervous energy, a trait Bob had gotten used to with his grandson, Casey.
“Luke?” Bob prompted his voice calm and just what Luke needed.
The younger man plopped down. “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about Noah,” he admitted, referring to his best friend.
The brunette had come to town a few years earlier and quickly become friends with Luke and Maddie. The two supported Noah as he struggled to admit he was gay and during the subsequent confrontation with his father. While Maddie left town, the two guys had continued their friendship, along with Casey and Alison. The previous year, when Noah had gotten into an accident while arguing with his boyfriend, Richard, Luke had stood by his friend, even trying to keep Noah and Richard together. Noah had lost his sight, and there was some strain on his relationship with Richard. With Richard’s help, Noah found a doctor, but when the specialist lived in Dallas, Luke helped raise money for Noah’s surgery. The brunette would not accept any charity from Luke, and through his foundation they got Noah the treatment he needed.
“Is everything all right?” Bob asked. As far as he knew Noah had been back from Dallas for a few weeks. The “miraculous” Reid Oliver had restored his vision.
“Oh, yeah.” Luke smiled. “Everything’s great. It’s incredible the work this doctor did. He and Richard are happy, but I can’t help but wish we had something like that here in Oakdale. With the Foundation and some work, we raised the funds for Noah to go, but what about other people? The Foundation was set up to help children who need it.”
Given Luke’s history with his kidney transplant and all the support he received from his family and friends, he wanted to make sure that others could get help as well. When Damian gave him a large sum of money a couple of years previously, Luke wasn’t sure what to do with it. Remembering what he’d gone through in high school, he didn’t want anyone to have to go through that as well. And in a way it was nice to do something good with the Grimaldi money, with those parts of him that Luke tried to ignore and hoped didn’t exist. But that was just one piece of who he was. And yet, Luke still had questions and doubts about turning out like his biological father. He had seen first-hand the way Damian had seamlessly manipulated those around him. Luke had come to see Bob with a goal; he was on a mission. Would his actions show him to be manipulative or a good businessman? The younger man wasn’t sure any more, especially when Damian had gone to such great lengths to cause pain to everyone Luke loved.
“…that’s why I suggested Reid Oliver,” Bob finished. He looked at Luke for a moment and realized the younger man hadn’t been paying attention. He tried not to be insulted, especially since Luke had been the one who wanted to meet.
“I’m sorry.” Luke shook his head, wishing the thoughts would leave just as easily. “Dr. Oliver? Noah’s surgeon,” Luke checked. He’d heard numerous times about the brilliant surgeon who had restored Noah’s vision. Once Bob had come up with a list of names for Richard and Noah, they did extensive research. It became obvious quickly that Dr. Oliver was brilliant and the best.
Noah often joked that Dr. Oliver would be the first to remind you of that. Luke always blocked it out; the man sounded like an ass. But Luke couldn’t deny the skill of his work. Richard noted on more than one occasion that Noah’s doctor was hot. Again, Luke generally blocked it out. He was fine with Noah being gay, and he was comfortable watching his friend and Richard together, but he never looked at a guy and decided if he was hot or not. The important thing was getting what he wanted and apparently, that was going to be Dr. Oliver.
“Yes, Luke, as I was saying,” Bob continued. “Reid Oliver is one of the best neurosurgeons in the country. I’ve met him a few times; he actually went to school with my son, Christopher. The man is brilliant, abrasive, and an incredible doctor.”
Luke found himself nodding his head. “He was a miracle worker. Noah never expected to see again and now I think his vision is even better then it was before. I want Oakdale to be a part of that. Noah had to go all the way to Dallas. Why couldn’t this guy come here?”
Bob refrained from voicing his opinion. From what he understood about Reid, the other doctor would have had a few choice things to say about Oakdale. “He won’t come here for one case.”
“But there are many people who need a neurosurgeon. We’re close to Chicago but what about other people who need help immediately? I really think…” He had to stop himself. Sometimes Luke got caught up in his ideas and he was afraid that people wouldn’t take him seriously. Often when he went to board meetings, he saw the look on people’s faces when he arrived. He knew that Bob didn’t look at him that way, but he had a plan, and he wanted to make sure every step of the way was perfect.
“Why don’t we develop a neurology wing here at Memorial?” Luke finished. He sat up straighter in the chair, meeting Bob’s gaze. “Noah isn’t the only person who could go through what he did. We helped him; I want to help the others that don’t have access to the same money or resources we do.”
Bob smiled at the young man. Memorial, as with many hospitals, was facing financial difficulties. If they could develop a state-of-the-art facility, and have someone of Reid Oliver’s caliber running it, then some of the burden would lessen. “Luke, that’s an incredible idea. There would be a lot of work needed, of course, we’d need to find backers and-”
“The Foundation will underwrite all the costs,” Luke noted, waving away any argument.
“Luke-”
This time, the blonde held up his hand. “I mean it, Bob. What do we have to do make this happen?”
“I’ll contact Reid Oliver,” Bob told him. “I don’t know that he would be interested-”
“Well, since he appears to be as brilliant as I’ve heard, then we’ll listen to all of his ideas of course, tailor the wing to his specifications-as long as they’re reasonable-” Luke was quick to add. “Although, from what I heard about this guy, reasonable isn’t part of his vocabulary.”
*
Reid Oliver wasn’t necessarily surprised to hear from Bob Hughes again. The older man had been calling frequently with requests for Reid to take on the Mayer case. Despite himself, the younger doctor actually liked Bob, which was why he agreed to take on the case, under Reid’s conditions, of course. He wasn’t about to fly to Podunk USA to help some stupid kid. He’d read the file notes, and he couldn’t believe the way Noah had injured himself. Once he met Noah, Reid didn’t find him as insipid as he thought and the case would be a great write-up for him. And the fact that some foundation covered most of his fees upfront was an added bonus.
But the case was done. Noah was returned safely to his boyfriend and that ridiculous little town he came from. What more did Bob Hughes want?
“I have a proposition for you,” Bob told Reid.
The redhead paused for a moment, wondering when he’d voiced his question. “You’re not my type,” Reid countered, although his son was kind of cute, the redhead mused. Maybe it’s the dimples?
“What do you say to moving to Oakdale?” the older man continued as though Reid had not spoken. Bob had learned rather quickly that the younger doctor used sarcasm and thinly veiled disgust to push people away. It made working with him difficult, but Bob also knew that Reid’s genius was what enticed people to come back. Bob wasn’t going to be deterred, and from what he knew about Luke, neither would he.
Bob smiled to himself, trying not to relish the idea too much. Luke could be tenacious when he went after what he wanted, and the young man had been desperate to help Noah, as he was with so many other young patients that came to this hospital. He wondered how Luke would handle the abrasive Dr. Oliver, but he didn’t doubt Luke’s success, and maybe it would help Dr. Oliver to realize someone wouldn’t bow down to him. And Bob couldn’t wait for that moment; it would make Dr. Oliver a better doctor as a result.
“I’d want to check to see if you’ve had a stroke,” Dr. Oliver countered. Move to Oakdale? Had senility set in already?
“A local benefactor is interested in developing a new neurology wing here. This person has heard of you and your talent,” Bob knew he was laying it on a little thick, but with Reid, was there such a thing as too far? “This benefactor would like to develop a center here, and make it the premiere neurology site in the Midwest.”
“If I was there, it would be the country,” Reid argued.
“Are you interested?” Bob questioned, but he knew that the younger man’s interest was already piqued.
Reid unceremoniously snorted in response. “I have a waiting list of at least a year. And you want me to drop everything to go to the middle of Nowhere for some ‘benefactor.’ If you think-”
“The wing would be designed to your specifications and you would run it,” Bob cut him off.
“I’ll need a few days to work around my cases.”
“Of course,” Bob noted. From what he understood, Reid was a workaholic and unlikely to want to transfer any cases to another doctor. The time would give Bob a chance to talk to Luke, try and warn the young man about Reid Oliver, but honestly words could not do the man justice-a sentiment Reid would relish-because the abrasive and abrupt doctor couldn’t be described in a few sentences.
“Dr. Hughes, I will be in touch. I’ll need a plane ticket-”
“The benefactor has access to a private plane. Please alert us to the day and time, and I’ll see if it is available for your usage,” Bob cut him off. Something he would have to discuss with Luke, but Bob hoped the young man would agree.
Reid was uncharacteristically silent for a moment. He wasn’t sure who this benefactor was and with all the amenities provided-anything he wanted, running a facility, private plane-he briefly wondered what was expected of him in return.
“Dr. Oliver?” Bob prompted.
“I’ll be in be touch,” Reid told him and hung up the phone. He didn’t want to admit how appealing all of this was and his interest was piqued. Reid liked to keep a distance from most people, but for some reason Bob always pushed and, as a result, got closer than many others. Whenever discussing Noah’s case, the older doctor would try to check on Reid, see if he was in a relationship, what kind of support system Reid had. There were also nuggets of advice parceled out.
Reid found it annoying as hell. He wondered if that would be the price he had to pay to get an advance in his career at least ten years, assuming he accepted the proposition.
There was also the benefactor. Reid worried he’d be just as intrusive and annoying as Bob Hughes.
Probably some old fart who wants his name on a plague or to give away all his money before family or the government seizes it.
*
Luke found himself sitting across from Bob Hughes again a few days later. He hadn't been sleeping well, his excitement for this new project keeping him up. He was doing research, trying to get in touch with neurosurgeons. When he finally met with this Dr. Oliver, Luke wanted to be prepared. He was tired of being viewed as the trust fund brat, being patronized by people, or worse, not taken seriously. Luke didn’t know this man, but from everything he heard all three of those options could take place. And the young man wasn’t going to allow Dr. Oliver to view him that way.
“Luke, there is something I would like to discuss with you,” Bob greeted him.
The younger man straightened himself and his gaze locked on the familiar face. Bob always had a smile for Luke, but now the blonde saw the gravitas in his face: the wealth of knowledge and respect so many had for him. Luke realized Bob was another person he would need to have esteem and support from to get this project going.
“I would like to name the new wing after you. I was thinking, the Luke Snyder Pavilion.”
Luke’s mouth fell open for a moment. That wasn’t what he was expecting. “Uh, no,” he responded when he finally found his voice. Luke didn’t want to say no to Bob, but… “I don’t want may name on this project. That’s not why I’m doing this. We need to help people like Noah. No, Bob, I’m sorry.”
“All right, if you feel that way-”
“I do,” Luke insisted. “Was there anything else you needed to talk about?”
“I spoke to Dr. Oliver,” Bob replied. “He has a heavy caseload and-”
“When can he get here?” Luke questioned. Once he started on the idea for this project, he was anxious for it to form shape. Luke found himself a little bit at loose ends since he dropped out of school a year earlier. He didn’t enjoy it the way his friends did, and reconnecting with his high school friend, Kevin, made him uncomfortable. On more than one occasion, he thought about drinking again. So much of his drinking was tied to the past and with Kevin back in his life, the past had come back to haunt him. Now he was left in charge of Grimaldi Shipping while his father was in jail for all the damage he had done to Luke’s family. Trying to learn the business kept him busy, but he didn’t enjoy it. The Foundation and now this new wing would help him, Luke realized. He could work on a project that he cared about.
“Dr. Oliver said he could be here in a few days. I’m sure he’ll have ideas for what this new wing will look like. I told him…” Bob unsuccessfully tried to hold back a sigh. “Well, Luke, I had to use some encouragement to get him here.”
Luke snorted. He wondered how much this “encouragement” would cost him. “We can send the Grimaldi jet to pick him up. If he is as brilliant as I’ve heard, then this facility would be the best. That’s what we all want. So, fine, let’s get him here.” Luke stood up. “I, um, I have an idea for what we should call this wing. Just let me know when Dr. Oliver can leave Dallas-I’ll send the jet.”
Bob smiled. He wasn’t sure if it was just Noah’s recent problems that were pushing Luke or something more. He knew the young man his whole life, but he did seem a little lost, looking for something. Bob had seen the same in Casey and hoped that both young men would find what they were seeking.
*
“Luke!” Katie greeted the young man. They had always been friendly. After Brad’s death, a part of Katie wanted to keep her distance from the Snyder family, but Luke had taken it upon himself to keep her company. At first, she didn’t know what to expect, the young man coming over, having dinner, baby-sitting Jacob, holding her when she cried.
Everything that reminded her of Brad left her feeling like she couldn’t catch her breath, but watching Jacob, seeing the parts of him that were Brad helped her. She was still lost, though, focusing on her work and being a mom. Katie could admit to some loneliness, but she didn’t know what to do with that, either.
“Hi, Katie,” Luke returned the greeting. “Can I come in?”
She smiled and jumped slightly, moving out of the way. “Of course, come in,” she ushered him into her home. “How are you?”
A rueful smile tugged at Luke’s lips. “I think that’s my line.” It was how Luke usually greeted her. At first it bothered her, because she didn’t know how she was feeling and once the numbness wore off she was feeling too many things, and she couldn’t say any of it. And yet, Luke always understood.
She laughed gently and it felt nice, to be taken out of her head for a moment. “Right. Well, I’m doing okay. Is there something I can do for you?”
“Actually, there’s something I want to do for you, but I…” He shuffled toward her couch. Once again, he felt like he couldn’t talk and he was going to be viewed as some stupid kid. Katie’s pain after Brad’s death had been so visceral. Each member of the family felt her despair and wanted to help. Luke took it upon himself to try to lessen her hurt. Luke then worried that he would add to it. He didn’t realize, though, every visit helped to ease her ache just a little.
Katie watched the young man for a moment. “Luke?”
He nervously sat down and his eyes caught Katie’s. She smiled gently at him, and he found himself smiling in return. It also gave him the courage to start what he came to do. “I’ve been talking to Bob, and… You know Noah Mayer, and all the difficulties he had getting help, finding the right doctor, getting surgery.”
Katie wasn’t sure of everything that Noah had gone through. Luke talked about it a little, but didn’t want to spend their time together discussing anything negative. Casey and Ali mentioned some of the trouble Noah had gone through. There was also talk of everything Luke and his foundation was trying to do to help. They had hosted a telethon at WOAK to help raise funds.
“Yes,” Katie said slowly, not sure where Luke was going with this.
“We don’t want other people to go through that. The Foundation is going to underwrite the cost of a new neurology wing.”
Her mouth fell open for a moment. She was surprised by Luke’s generosity and then she felt guilty for feeling that way. “Wow.” A part of her wondered why Luke was telling her. If he wanted to announce it on WOAK, it would seem more appropriate to go through Kim.
“Bob wanted it name it after me for donating the money, but…” He let out a breath. “I would like to name it after Brad. I…” He held up his hands, trying to ward off any argument. “I know what it’s been like for you, when we thought we lost my dad…” his voice trailed off and he felt like a jerk, because Holden had come back to them. “I would like to honor Brad, with your permission of course.”
Almost immediately tears pinpricked her eyes. It was such a generous idea, and she hoped it would help her to get out of her grief. “Yes,” she replied and reached out, pulling Luke close for a hug. “Thank you.”
She pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek and Luke blushed briefly. He also felt a nervous flutter in his stomach-a bit of anticipation. Luke felt both grateful for the feeling and then awful for thinking about Katie in that context.
Despite her offer to stay for coffee, Luke made a hasty retreat. He ignored the confused look in her eyes and hoped he hadn’t added to her pain. Luke offered a distracted apology about needing to get back to his office, research for his first meeting with Dr. Oliver. Katie was confused for a few moments, but Jacob’s cries pulled at her attention.
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So feeling a little rusty with Luke and Reid but I hope you enjoyed the first chapter. If you read the prompt you’ll have an idea of where this is going but I hope you enjoy the ride. Thank you for reading and commenting. ~Ali
P.S. Happy (belated) birthday to penurexpression!
Onto Chapter Two...