Stay - Chapter Thirty Four
Author's Notes:
I know, another.... :) Date night continued. This is a little bit of a game changer. It's something I always planned, hence the title in many ways. I always wanted mini moments of them realising they didn't want to be without eachother in their lives... now it's time for a bigger one. Hope you like it :D
Thank you for your lovely lovely feedback <3
"I feel like I'm in high school," Reid whined, his lips pouting, "we just made out in the kitchen and now you're putting me up on the sofa. This is the hottest night ever."
"Shut up," Luke snapped with a smile, throwing a t-shirt and a light blue fluffy blanket in Reid's direction onto the couch. "My Grandma Emma is very traditional so there's strictly no sleeping in my bed, it was the same with Noah..." Luke regretted saying it before he even opened his mouth.
"Urgh," Reid groaned, "I bet he was devestated about that. The guy's textbook a-sexual."
"Reid!" Luke shouted, realising his volume in a house with sleeping children and lowering his voice to a whisper.
"Oh you know it's true." Reid leaned back onto into the patterned cushions, clearly pleased with himself.
"What time are you at the hospital in the morning?" Luke asked, skimming obviously over the Noah-bashing.
"I am unfortunately without a scalpel in my hand tomorrow. My on-call day. Bob's been overly generous in his one man aim to turn me into his clone. Soon you won't recognise me."
Luke laughed, pulling the coffee table away from the couch to give Reid space. "He cares about you Reid Oliver so don't be cruel."
"Oh he'd miss me if I wasn't there and he knows it. That's just me, I'm that likeable," Reid gushed, his arms spreading wide across the back of the cushions.
"You know, if you ever find yourself on hard times, you've always gt a promising career as a comedian. Likeable? You're delusional." Luke smiled cheekily under his eyelids and Reid groaned happily, reaching out to pull him down onto the couch. That look... kryptonite.
"You like me," he murmered as Luke straddled him, leaning forward comfortably with raised eyebrows.
"Yea, and aren't I the idiot?" Luke purred, his brow furrowing as he wrapped his arms around Reid's neck.
"Well you said it," Reid quipped sarcastically. Luke couldn't help but laugh. He planted a baby kiss on Reid's nose, winked and climbed off the sofa.
"Is that it?" Reid complained.
"Told you, Grandma Emma is traditional." Luke headed towards the door.
"I spend most nights falling asleep to the image of you in my bed covered with that sheet... or uncovered as the case may be." Reid could hear the want in his own voice. Luke heard it too, his heart quickening. He bit down his lip and smiled, considering his options.
"Seeing as we're going all highschool, how about we have a sleepover tomorrow night?"
Reid's face beamed as Luke flicked off the lamp. "Oh golly, we can eat popcorn and sleep in sleeping bags."
Luke lingered by the door, his hand tracing a line on the wooden frame. "Oh there won't be much sleeping going on," he purred softly into the darkness, a silhouette only visible to Reid for a second before he disappeared.
Reid shut his eyes and goraned again, his head falling back with frustration. He pictured a brick wall, counted the bricks, built it in his mind and then demolished it, starting over and over until he stopped himself thinking thoughts that would lead to ambushing Luke's bed in the early hours followed by the inevitable castration of his important organs by Grandma Snyder.
Damn tease.
.....
"Reid. Reid. Reid! Please wake up."
Luke reached out and tugged at the blanket, his hands shaking. Reid muffled a noise and turned over, sleepily batting away Luke's hand. "Go...sleep."
"Reid please, I need you to wake up," Luke pleaded. Reid's eyes opened slowly, heavy and laboured. His hair stuck up and his cheek was imprinted with pillow marks.
"Wha's happening?" he mumbled, rubbing a hand over his eyes.
"I don't feel good."
Reid's eyes were open fully, the blanket dragged back equally as fast. It was dark and Reid could barely make out Luke's form. He reached out, his hand landing on Luke's chest.
"What's up?"
Luke's voice was raw and shakey. "I can't ... I can't breathe properly. Feel dizzy."
Reid climbed off the couch, his legs getting caught in the blanket before he could escape. He made it to the table in the corner and switched on the small lamp, bathing the room in a sublte orange glow. He noticed the clock- 3:30am.
"Hey? Luke? Sit on the couch. Look at me." Reid took Luke's place on the edge of the coffee table, his hands ensuring Luke was settled infront. "Pain?"
"No."
"Feel sick?"
"No. Just dizzy." Luke answered sharply, breathing heavily beforehand to take enough air to speak. He sat, arms stiff by his sides, in boxers and a t-shirt, his skin pale and slightly sheened.
"Where's your thermometer?"
Luke blinked open his eyes and looked towards the sideboard. "Bottom shelf. Green box."
Reid found it easily and pulled off the cap wiping the end with a steralising wipe from the first aid kit. "Here. Keep this in your mouth until I say. Ok?" Luke nodded and closed his eyes, leaning his head back for strength.
Reid was on autopilot, he could feel it. He wanted to pull Luke close but was focused, directly intent on fulfilling the doctor part first. The thermometer beeped. "Yea, temperature's a little high. Ok this is what we're going to do. You're ok. I promise. You need paracetamol to reduce your fever and I'm upping the dose on your prescription tablets just for the next few days. It seems they're not working as well on the current doseage. That ok? You'll be fine."
Luke listened to every syllable feeling his heart in his fingertips. His skin shivvered and head pounded so much that his eyes stung and hands tingled with pins and needles. He swallowed thickly.
"Had a text from dad. Aunt Meg isn't well so Grandma Emma's not coming ho-"
"You're sleeping right here." Reid wasn't even going to let Luke say it. He wasn't prepared to watch Luke move a single centimetre away. Screw Snyder politics and traditional values.
"That'd be good."
Luke could barely move his limbs, the sofa swimming like a water bed and the material swaddling him as his woozy head found the pillow. Reid turned off the lamp and climbed onto the edge of the couch, finding a comfortable spot. He surveyed Luke's face, searching his eyes for flickers of pain but he was serene, shivvering and feverish but half way between sleep and waking.
"You ok?" Reid whispered gently into Luke's hair. He received a small nod in reply followed by a slow and tentative hand on his chest. Reid sighed, stretching his arm out over Luke for a second. "Come here," he said, his voice gravelly.Luke responded instantly. His boneless limbs curved their way into Reid, an arm holding onto his t-shirt and a leg hooking around his.
"S'nice," Luke spoke into Reid's neck. He shuddered and moaned a little, his skin flushing cold. "I'm so pleased you're here."
Reid took a breath and shut his eyes tight. Nobody ever felt that way. It was opposites for everyone else and Luke was the exception in all respects. It felt incredible, so incredible that Reid snuggled closer, holding tighter and fell asleep breathing in Luke's scent.
"I love you too." It was a nervous whisper, gently spoken into Luke's messy blonde hair.
....
"Doctor Weeeedddddd!"
"What the-"
Reid snapped open his eyes, ready to swear and flail a dismissing hand but when the image of a pajama clad Ethan Snyder filtered into view, he stopped abruptly.
"Ethan! Leave Reid to sleep. Come on I've got more toast in here for you."
Reid watched as Ethan, his hand covered in crumbs and mouth chewing ferociously, ran out into the kitchen.
Luke lingered a little, peeking around the door. Reid rubbed the back of his hand across his eyes and blinked the room into focus. "Morning."
Luke smiled slowly as he sat down on the sofa gently. "Thank you," he said softly and leaned closer, his lips planting a warm kiss that tasted of pancake syrup. Reid hummed a small sleepy noise and leaned in further, his hand stroking a line down Luke's cheek and along his jawline.
"How are you feeling?" Reid asked into the kiss, wrapping his right arm around Luke's side, holding him close.
"I'm ok. I guess I'm always going to have moments like that. I've had them a lot in my past, caused by different things. Last night was the first time I fell asleep with my doctor though," he chuckled, wriggling free.
Reid laughed and followed Luke's lead, composing himself and standing up, pulling on his dress pants as he went. As they reached the door, Luke turned as if to speak but stopped himself. Reid caught hold of his arm and turned him around. "Out with it."
Luke's shoulders swayed and he bit his lip, an look in his eyes that set Reid entirely and happily off balance.
"I remember what you said last night," Luke admitted, his hand reaching up to fiddle with the hair at the nape of his neck. It was an action Reid associated with complex Luke ... Luke with something on his mind. He had a feeling he knew what it was.
"Which part? The part about Mr Mayer being a-sexual, the stuff about your tablets or the fact I said I love you?"
Luke laughed, dimples and all. "Definitely the stuff about the tablets." He smirked cheekily noticing the glint in Reid's eye.
"Yes well. It was spoken from that heart. You should really listen to me."
"Oh I did Doctor Oliver. I really did.... It's all getting very serious now isn't it?"
Reid stared forward, his heart beating enough to answer 'yes' and his brain tangling with ridiculous insecurities and past issues. He looked into Luke's eyes and saw the previous few months flash by, knowing that a single look could squash the fear. Reid knew exactly how to answer.
"Definitely."
....
It was one of those mornings- one of those memorable ones. Reid was onto his fifth pancake, the plate balanced on the arm of the sofa, his other arm curved around Luke's back. His phone buzzed on the coffee table infront him. Luke looked up from the book he was reading, his head leaning easily against Reid's arm. It buzzed again causing Reid to mutter something under his breath and shift from his comfortable position. This better be good, he thought.
"Hello Doctor Oliver speaking?"
"Holy fuck Reid Oliver. I thought you'd hang up when you realised it was me."
Reid's stomach tightened and otherwise skipping heart fell. Not good. Luke noticed the sudden shift in mood, his brown forming a deep V as he watched Reid's face.
"How did you of all people get my number?"
"The staff at Memorial Hospital, Oakdale are very accomodating. Seriously Oliver, you work there?"
"Yes I work there. What the hell do you want?"
"I miss you Oliver. I miss ripping the shit out of you at every given opportunity. I have nobody who appreciates my sparkling personality here."
"How does that not surprise me? Again, what the hell do you want? I thought you were a distant memory and I'd really like to keep it that way."
"Oh Oliver you say such beautiful things....," the voice sang, "Cut the crap Reid, you're curious as to why I called."
"No. Just irritated. I'm bored now ok, it's been lovely chatting. Now disappear and don't call me for...hmm lets see.... ever."
"I happen to know that you'll listen to me."
"Oh and what gave you that impression smart ass?"
"Oliver you define that phrase so stop talking shit. How's the attitude by the way? Still making interns cry?"
"Naturally. Still an asshole? Oh yes of course you are."
"Touching Reid, touching."
"Have you not hung up yet?"
"Oliver, you can never get rid of me."
"Yea like mould or scabies."
"Again, touching..."
"Go away."
"Look, I'll cut to the chase... Cromwell asked me to call you. I'm leaving."
Reid wooped. "To the moon? Please god let it be the moon!"
"Not quite... Australia."
Reid coughed and laughed at once nearly choking. "That... is music to my ears... good riddance."
"Cromwell wants you to take my job." Reid fell silent.
"Cromwell hates me."
"Everyone hates you Oliver, when you finally accept that, all will fit together in that thing you call a life. Speaking of which, you still painfully single and flirting with the take-out guy?"
Reid looked at Luke snuggled against him and smiled, it was met with an innocent face full of confusion. Reid leaned down and kissed Luke's nose. It worked. "It's none of your damn business anyway and you can tell Cromwell exactly where he can shove his job offer ... sideways."
"He'd just enjoy it. No, in all seriousness, he wants you to take my job and run the entire department. Oliver, you forgotten it's the job you went to med school for? The one I happened to be better suited for?"
"You were sleeping with half the staff. I've got more talent in my little finger. It was always my job. Oh golly look at the time, I need to go..."
"Consider it."
"Why the hell would I?"
"Because it's your dream."
"How do you know I haven't got everything I want here?" Reid looked down again at Luke, took in his lopsided smile, his blonde hair sticking up in all of the right places ... he smiled.
"In Oakdale, Illinois... in a community hospital. Oliver, you're talking shit."
"That's your department. I'm going now. Give my regards to your wife, oh no that's right isn't it? She left you when she realised how much of a mistake she made marrying a monumental asshat."
"Ouch."
"Yea well it's payback Channing. Lets leave it longer this time before we speak again..."
"Oh I think you'll be in contact a little sooner than that, Oliver. Toodles."
Reid felt as if his fist would crush the phone. He jammed the button hard and threw it onto the couch.
"Who on earth was that?" Luke asked with a half smile, the rest of his face shroweded in something Reid couldn't make out.
"This guy I went to med school with. Like I said... monumental asshat."
"What did he want?"
"Nothing much. He's a loser. Plain and simple."
Luke frowned. "Sounded like you really hate him."
"Believe me, the feeling's mutual. Anyway, enough about him."
Luke smiled and dropped a small playful kiss on Reid's lower arm as he settled back down to read. His mind wandered to the phonecall and the way Reid sounded as he spoke- so bitter and cold. It was as if his past, the pre-Oakdale Doctor Oliver, appeared for a moment and Luke simply wanted to wrap his arms around him and remind him he didn't have to be that way anymore. So he did.
Reid felt Luke's arms slide around his waist and smiled. He let his heart slow down and shoulders relax in an attempt to push the phonecall out of his crowded brain. It didn't work. It was as if the skeletons from his closet were hanging infront of his face, nothing to hide but just waiting to unleash those old feelings, those empty nights and long faceless shifts. Things are different, Reid thought, and Channing can go to hell if he thinks I'm going back to that. He was sure he'd convinced himself ... almost.
I know, another.... :) Date night continued. This is a little bit of a game changer. It's something I always planned, hence the title in many ways. I always wanted mini moments of them realising they didn't want to be without eachother in their lives... now it's time for a bigger one. Hope you like it :D
Thank you for your lovely lovely feedback <3
"I feel like I'm in high school," Reid whined, his lips pouting, "we just made out in the kitchen and now you're putting me up on the sofa. This is the hottest night ever."
"Shut up," Luke snapped with a smile, throwing a t-shirt and a light blue fluffy blanket in Reid's direction onto the couch. "My Grandma Emma is very traditional so there's strictly no sleeping in my bed, it was the same with Noah..." Luke regretted saying it before he even opened his mouth.
"Urgh," Reid groaned, "I bet he was devestated about that. The guy's textbook a-sexual."
"Reid!" Luke shouted, realising his volume in a house with sleeping children and lowering his voice to a whisper.
"Oh you know it's true." Reid leaned back onto into the patterned cushions, clearly pleased with himself.
"What time are you at the hospital in the morning?" Luke asked, skimming obviously over the Noah-bashing.
"I am unfortunately without a scalpel in my hand tomorrow. My on-call day. Bob's been overly generous in his one man aim to turn me into his clone. Soon you won't recognise me."
Luke laughed, pulling the coffee table away from the couch to give Reid space. "He cares about you Reid Oliver so don't be cruel."
"Oh he'd miss me if I wasn't there and he knows it. That's just me, I'm that likeable," Reid gushed, his arms spreading wide across the back of the cushions.
"You know, if you ever find yourself on hard times, you've always gt a promising career as a comedian. Likeable? You're delusional." Luke smiled cheekily under his eyelids and Reid groaned happily, reaching out to pull him down onto the couch. That look... kryptonite.
"You like me," he murmered as Luke straddled him, leaning forward comfortably with raised eyebrows.
"Yea, and aren't I the idiot?" Luke purred, his brow furrowing as he wrapped his arms around Reid's neck.
"Well you said it," Reid quipped sarcastically. Luke couldn't help but laugh. He planted a baby kiss on Reid's nose, winked and climbed off the sofa.
"Is that it?" Reid complained.
"Told you, Grandma Emma is traditional." Luke headed towards the door.
"I spend most nights falling asleep to the image of you in my bed covered with that sheet... or uncovered as the case may be." Reid could hear the want in his own voice. Luke heard it too, his heart quickening. He bit down his lip and smiled, considering his options.
"Seeing as we're going all highschool, how about we have a sleepover tomorrow night?"
Reid's face beamed as Luke flicked off the lamp. "Oh golly, we can eat popcorn and sleep in sleeping bags."
Luke lingered by the door, his hand tracing a line on the wooden frame. "Oh there won't be much sleeping going on," he purred softly into the darkness, a silhouette only visible to Reid for a second before he disappeared.
Reid shut his eyes and goraned again, his head falling back with frustration. He pictured a brick wall, counted the bricks, built it in his mind and then demolished it, starting over and over until he stopped himself thinking thoughts that would lead to ambushing Luke's bed in the early hours followed by the inevitable castration of his important organs by Grandma Snyder.
Damn tease.
.....
"Reid. Reid. Reid! Please wake up."
Luke reached out and tugged at the blanket, his hands shaking. Reid muffled a noise and turned over, sleepily batting away Luke's hand. "Go...sleep."
"Reid please, I need you to wake up," Luke pleaded. Reid's eyes opened slowly, heavy and laboured. His hair stuck up and his cheek was imprinted with pillow marks.
"Wha's happening?" he mumbled, rubbing a hand over his eyes.
"I don't feel good."
Reid's eyes were open fully, the blanket dragged back equally as fast. It was dark and Reid could barely make out Luke's form. He reached out, his hand landing on Luke's chest.
"What's up?"
Luke's voice was raw and shakey. "I can't ... I can't breathe properly. Feel dizzy."
Reid climbed off the couch, his legs getting caught in the blanket before he could escape. He made it to the table in the corner and switched on the small lamp, bathing the room in a sublte orange glow. He noticed the clock- 3:30am.
"Hey? Luke? Sit on the couch. Look at me." Reid took Luke's place on the edge of the coffee table, his hands ensuring Luke was settled infront. "Pain?"
"No."
"Feel sick?"
"No. Just dizzy." Luke answered sharply, breathing heavily beforehand to take enough air to speak. He sat, arms stiff by his sides, in boxers and a t-shirt, his skin pale and slightly sheened.
"Where's your thermometer?"
Luke blinked open his eyes and looked towards the sideboard. "Bottom shelf. Green box."
Reid found it easily and pulled off the cap wiping the end with a steralising wipe from the first aid kit. "Here. Keep this in your mouth until I say. Ok?" Luke nodded and closed his eyes, leaning his head back for strength.
Reid was on autopilot, he could feel it. He wanted to pull Luke close but was focused, directly intent on fulfilling the doctor part first. The thermometer beeped. "Yea, temperature's a little high. Ok this is what we're going to do. You're ok. I promise. You need paracetamol to reduce your fever and I'm upping the dose on your prescription tablets just for the next few days. It seems they're not working as well on the current doseage. That ok? You'll be fine."
Luke listened to every syllable feeling his heart in his fingertips. His skin shivvered and head pounded so much that his eyes stung and hands tingled with pins and needles. He swallowed thickly.
"Had a text from dad. Aunt Meg isn't well so Grandma Emma's not coming ho-"
"You're sleeping right here." Reid wasn't even going to let Luke say it. He wasn't prepared to watch Luke move a single centimetre away. Screw Snyder politics and traditional values.
"That'd be good."
Luke could barely move his limbs, the sofa swimming like a water bed and the material swaddling him as his woozy head found the pillow. Reid turned off the lamp and climbed onto the edge of the couch, finding a comfortable spot. He surveyed Luke's face, searching his eyes for flickers of pain but he was serene, shivvering and feverish but half way between sleep and waking.
"You ok?" Reid whispered gently into Luke's hair. He received a small nod in reply followed by a slow and tentative hand on his chest. Reid sighed, stretching his arm out over Luke for a second. "Come here," he said, his voice gravelly.Luke responded instantly. His boneless limbs curved their way into Reid, an arm holding onto his t-shirt and a leg hooking around his.
"S'nice," Luke spoke into Reid's neck. He shuddered and moaned a little, his skin flushing cold. "I'm so pleased you're here."
Reid took a breath and shut his eyes tight. Nobody ever felt that way. It was opposites for everyone else and Luke was the exception in all respects. It felt incredible, so incredible that Reid snuggled closer, holding tighter and fell asleep breathing in Luke's scent.
"I love you too." It was a nervous whisper, gently spoken into Luke's messy blonde hair.
....
"Doctor Weeeedddddd!"
"What the-"
Reid snapped open his eyes, ready to swear and flail a dismissing hand but when the image of a pajama clad Ethan Snyder filtered into view, he stopped abruptly.
"Ethan! Leave Reid to sleep. Come on I've got more toast in here for you."
Reid watched as Ethan, his hand covered in crumbs and mouth chewing ferociously, ran out into the kitchen.
Luke lingered a little, peeking around the door. Reid rubbed the back of his hand across his eyes and blinked the room into focus. "Morning."
Luke smiled slowly as he sat down on the sofa gently. "Thank you," he said softly and leaned closer, his lips planting a warm kiss that tasted of pancake syrup. Reid hummed a small sleepy noise and leaned in further, his hand stroking a line down Luke's cheek and along his jawline.
"How are you feeling?" Reid asked into the kiss, wrapping his right arm around Luke's side, holding him close.
"I'm ok. I guess I'm always going to have moments like that. I've had them a lot in my past, caused by different things. Last night was the first time I fell asleep with my doctor though," he chuckled, wriggling free.
Reid laughed and followed Luke's lead, composing himself and standing up, pulling on his dress pants as he went. As they reached the door, Luke turned as if to speak but stopped himself. Reid caught hold of his arm and turned him around. "Out with it."
Luke's shoulders swayed and he bit his lip, an look in his eyes that set Reid entirely and happily off balance.
"I remember what you said last night," Luke admitted, his hand reaching up to fiddle with the hair at the nape of his neck. It was an action Reid associated with complex Luke ... Luke with something on his mind. He had a feeling he knew what it was.
"Which part? The part about Mr Mayer being a-sexual, the stuff about your tablets or the fact I said I love you?"
Luke laughed, dimples and all. "Definitely the stuff about the tablets." He smirked cheekily noticing the glint in Reid's eye.
"Yes well. It was spoken from that heart. You should really listen to me."
"Oh I did Doctor Oliver. I really did.... It's all getting very serious now isn't it?"
Reid stared forward, his heart beating enough to answer 'yes' and his brain tangling with ridiculous insecurities and past issues. He looked into Luke's eyes and saw the previous few months flash by, knowing that a single look could squash the fear. Reid knew exactly how to answer.
"Definitely."
....
It was one of those mornings- one of those memorable ones. Reid was onto his fifth pancake, the plate balanced on the arm of the sofa, his other arm curved around Luke's back. His phone buzzed on the coffee table infront him. Luke looked up from the book he was reading, his head leaning easily against Reid's arm. It buzzed again causing Reid to mutter something under his breath and shift from his comfortable position. This better be good, he thought.
"Hello Doctor Oliver speaking?"
"Holy fuck Reid Oliver. I thought you'd hang up when you realised it was me."
Reid's stomach tightened and otherwise skipping heart fell. Not good. Luke noticed the sudden shift in mood, his brown forming a deep V as he watched Reid's face.
"How did you of all people get my number?"
"The staff at Memorial Hospital, Oakdale are very accomodating. Seriously Oliver, you work there?"
"Yes I work there. What the hell do you want?"
"I miss you Oliver. I miss ripping the shit out of you at every given opportunity. I have nobody who appreciates my sparkling personality here."
"How does that not surprise me? Again, what the hell do you want? I thought you were a distant memory and I'd really like to keep it that way."
"Oh Oliver you say such beautiful things....," the voice sang, "Cut the crap Reid, you're curious as to why I called."
"No. Just irritated. I'm bored now ok, it's been lovely chatting. Now disappear and don't call me for...hmm lets see.... ever."
"I happen to know that you'll listen to me."
"Oh and what gave you that impression smart ass?"
"Oliver you define that phrase so stop talking shit. How's the attitude by the way? Still making interns cry?"
"Naturally. Still an asshole? Oh yes of course you are."
"Touching Reid, touching."
"Have you not hung up yet?"
"Oliver, you can never get rid of me."
"Yea like mould or scabies."
"Again, touching..."
"Go away."
"Look, I'll cut to the chase... Cromwell asked me to call you. I'm leaving."
Reid wooped. "To the moon? Please god let it be the moon!"
"Not quite... Australia."
Reid coughed and laughed at once nearly choking. "That... is music to my ears... good riddance."
"Cromwell wants you to take my job." Reid fell silent.
"Cromwell hates me."
"Everyone hates you Oliver, when you finally accept that, all will fit together in that thing you call a life. Speaking of which, you still painfully single and flirting with the take-out guy?"
Reid looked at Luke snuggled against him and smiled, it was met with an innocent face full of confusion. Reid leaned down and kissed Luke's nose. It worked. "It's none of your damn business anyway and you can tell Cromwell exactly where he can shove his job offer ... sideways."
"He'd just enjoy it. No, in all seriousness, he wants you to take my job and run the entire department. Oliver, you forgotten it's the job you went to med school for? The one I happened to be better suited for?"
"You were sleeping with half the staff. I've got more talent in my little finger. It was always my job. Oh golly look at the time, I need to go..."
"Consider it."
"Why the hell would I?"
"Because it's your dream."
"How do you know I haven't got everything I want here?" Reid looked down again at Luke, took in his lopsided smile, his blonde hair sticking up in all of the right places ... he smiled.
"In Oakdale, Illinois... in a community hospital. Oliver, you're talking shit."
"That's your department. I'm going now. Give my regards to your wife, oh no that's right isn't it? She left you when she realised how much of a mistake she made marrying a monumental asshat."
"Ouch."
"Yea well it's payback Channing. Lets leave it longer this time before we speak again..."
"Oh I think you'll be in contact a little sooner than that, Oliver. Toodles."
Reid felt as if his fist would crush the phone. He jammed the button hard and threw it onto the couch.
"Who on earth was that?" Luke asked with a half smile, the rest of his face shroweded in something Reid couldn't make out.
"This guy I went to med school with. Like I said... monumental asshat."
"What did he want?"
"Nothing much. He's a loser. Plain and simple."
Luke frowned. "Sounded like you really hate him."
"Believe me, the feeling's mutual. Anyway, enough about him."
Luke smiled and dropped a small playful kiss on Reid's lower arm as he settled back down to read. His mind wandered to the phonecall and the way Reid sounded as he spoke- so bitter and cold. It was as if his past, the pre-Oakdale Doctor Oliver, appeared for a moment and Luke simply wanted to wrap his arms around him and remind him he didn't have to be that way anymore. So he did.
Reid felt Luke's arms slide around his waist and smiled. He let his heart slow down and shoulders relax in an attempt to push the phonecall out of his crowded brain. It didn't work. It was as if the skeletons from his closet were hanging infront of his face, nothing to hide but just waiting to unleash those old feelings, those empty nights and long faceless shifts. Things are different, Reid thought, and Channing can go to hell if he thinks I'm going back to that. He was sure he'd convinced himself ... almost.