Fic: Fate (5/?)
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. :) This chapter is extra long just for you.
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
“Who the hell are you, and what are you doing with my patient?” Reid demanded, startled to see someone else in Luke’s room, and more than that, Luke was awake. He picked up Luke’s chart from the bin outside Luke’s door and walked inside as he waited for an answer.
“I’m Noah Mayer.” The brunette said. “I’m Luke’s boyfriend.” He continued. “Lily and Holden are down the hall, talking to Dr. Hughes and said I could come see Luke.”
“Boyfriend?” Luke whispered, staring at their joined hands. Reid could hear how hard it was for him to speak.
“Well, you can talk.” Reid said to Luke, ignoring Noah and the drop in his stomach at his words. “That’s a good sign.” He checked the readings on the machines near Luke’s bed and made a few notes on his chart.
“He says he doesn’t remember anything.” Noah told Reid. Reid looked down at Luke.
“Is that true?” Reid asked. Luke nodded slowly.
“It’s just…blank.” Reid made another note.
“Okay, Noah.” He looked at the young man holding Luke’s hand. “I’m going to need a few minutes with Luke alone to examine him.”
“I would really like to stay, if that’s okay?” Noah asked. Reid could see the reluctance on his face and hated him for it. He glanced at Luke and saw the panic in his expression.
“You can come back when I’m done, if that’s all right with Luke.” Reid forced himself to say. Noah sighed.
“I’ll be out in the hall.” He said, giving Luke’s fingers a final squeeze and heading for the door.
Reid shut the door behind him, and shut the blinds on the window.
“Well, now.” He began. “It's just you and me.” Reid grabbed the plastic hospital cup from Luke’s beside drawer and filled it with water. He raised the bed slowly, hating it when Luke grimaced in pain. “Here.” Reid held the cup out and Luke leaned forward to take a small sip.
“Thank you.” Luke coughed and groaned. Reid checked Luke’s IV and saw that he was due for another round of medication. “What happened to me? Why don’t I remember anything?” He whispered.
“You lost control of your car during an ice storm and went off the road.” Reid answered. “You were trying to avoid my car, actually.” Luke was looking him with heavy lidded eyes. Reid took out a penlight and began checking his responses. “While in the ER you developed a blood clot in your brain, and we had to operate.” Luke reached up a shaky hand and touched the bandages wrapped around his head lightly as Reid ran through the list of other injuries that Luke had.
“I guess I’m lucky to be alive.”
“That you are.” Reid said with a smile.
“Do I know you?”
“I’m Dr. Oliver.” Reid replied. “We met the night of your accident, so don’t worry if you don’t remember me.”
“Your voice sounds familiar.”
“That’s because you’ve been listening to me berate the second rate staff at this hospital for the last two days.” Reid replied. Luke smiled a little.
“Noah called me Luke.”
“That’s your name.” Reid said, sitting down in the seat Noah had vacated. He made another note on his chart. “Luke Snyder.” He saw that Luke was becoming agitated again. “Let’s not worry about what you don’t know at the moment.” Reid suggested. “Let’s find out what you do know.”
“Such as?”
“What’s this?” Reid held up his pen.
“A pen.”
“Good.” Reid held up the cup of water.
“A cup.”
“This?” Reid pointed at the tv remote.
“Remote.”
“Well, I think it’s safe to say you’ll remember what most things are and how they work, but don’t be surprised if you have problems with that.” Reid told him. “What year is it?”
“I don't know.” Luke said after a moment. “Is that bad?”
“Not necessarily.” Reid answered. “Do you know who the president is?”
Luke shook his head slowly. It still hurt to move.
“The surgery was successful, there weren’t any complications.” Reid said after making a few more notes. “I expect the amnesia is temporary.” He stood up. “If you’re okay with Noah coming back in, I’ll go find your parents and fill them in, and then bring them back for a visit?”
Luke nodded.
“Don’t let him overwhelm you.” Reid said softly. “And don’t panic if you don’t remember something.” He reached out and squeezed Luke’s shoulder lightly. Luke hesitated a second, and then covered Reid’s hand with his own.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” Reid said, staring into his eyes. After a second, he pulled away and headed for the door.
Luke watched him go, uncertainty written on his face.
*
“So...” Luke trailed off, staring at Noah. He had no clue what to say. “How long have we been together?”
“A few years.” Noah answered. “Off and on.” He paused. “Mostly on.” Noah smiled.
“Wow.” Luke said.
“You're handling this pretty well.” Noah commented.
“I don't know what you want me to say.”
“You don't have to say anything.” Noah tightened his grip on Luke's hand. Luke stared at their joined fingers again. He wasn't sure how he felt about this. “Just know that I'm going to be here for you, whatever you need.”
Luke settled for nodding, and wondered if Noah would be offended if he asked for his hand back.
He never got a chance to find out.
Dr. Oliver was showing an older couple into the room. The woman wasted no time in rushing to his beside and taking his other hand.
What was it with these people and hand holding?
“Luke, these are your parents Lily Gramaldi and Holden Snyder.” Noah introduced.
“Hi.” Luke whispered. His mother tried to speak, but only choked out a sob. He wanted to ask about the differences in their last names, but figured he’d wait until his mother wasn’t crying.
“Hello, son.” The man behind her said. Luke instantly felt at ease with them. There was a sense of familiarity. “Do you know who we are?”
Luke saw Dr. Oliver roll his eyes behind them, and fought back a smile.
“I do, but only because Dr. Oliver told me he was going to bring you to see me.” He told them. He knew it wouldn't be the answer they wanted, but he didn't want to lie.
“I'm sure it'll come back to you in time.” His father tried to reassure him.
Luke nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
“And you're in good hands with Dr. Oliver.” His mother finally managed to speak. “He's the best there is.”
“And on that note.” Reid chimed in behind them. “It's time for Luke to get some rest. You can all come back and see him tomorrow.”
His mother kissed his cheek, whispering her love in his ear. His father patted his leg gently, said he loved him too, and then pulled his mother out of the room.
“You too, Mr. Mayer.” Reid insisted.
“I'll come back and see you in the morning.” Noah replied. “I mean, if you want.”
“Sure.” Luke finally said. He didn't know what else to do. Noah leaned down, and for a moment Luke thought he would kiss him on the lips. Noah's mouth brushed lightly across his forehead instead.
“I love you.”
Luke tried to smile, but found he couldn’t force his mouth to move. Noah didn’t seem to notice. He watched as Dr. Oliver moved the call button to the bed, before turning the lights in the room down.
“You should get some sleep.” He suggested, moving towards the door.
“Wait.” Luke’s voice was quiet. Reid paused in the doorway. “Don’t go yet.” Reid walked back towards him. “Stay.” Reid was clearly struggling with something to say, and Luke smiled a little. “Just talk to me until I fall asleep.”
“Talk about what?”
“Anything.” Luke murmured, closing his eyes. “Just want to hear your voice.” He mumbled.
Reid knew that Luke would asleep any second, but sat down anyway. He started talking, keeping his voice quiet. He started telling Luke about Texas and the work he did there. After a few minutes he looked over at him, and noticed Luke was asleep.
“Good night, Luke.” He whispered softly, and then left the room.
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. :) This chapter is extra long just for you.
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
“Who the hell are you, and what are you doing with my patient?” Reid demanded, startled to see someone else in Luke’s room, and more than that, Luke was awake. He picked up Luke’s chart from the bin outside Luke’s door and walked inside as he waited for an answer.
“I’m Noah Mayer.” The brunette said. “I’m Luke’s boyfriend.” He continued. “Lily and Holden are down the hall, talking to Dr. Hughes and said I could come see Luke.”
“Boyfriend?” Luke whispered, staring at their joined hands. Reid could hear how hard it was for him to speak.
“Well, you can talk.” Reid said to Luke, ignoring Noah and the drop in his stomach at his words. “That’s a good sign.” He checked the readings on the machines near Luke’s bed and made a few notes on his chart.
“He says he doesn’t remember anything.” Noah told Reid. Reid looked down at Luke.
“Is that true?” Reid asked. Luke nodded slowly.
“It’s just…blank.” Reid made another note.
“Okay, Noah.” He looked at the young man holding Luke’s hand. “I’m going to need a few minutes with Luke alone to examine him.”
“I would really like to stay, if that’s okay?” Noah asked. Reid could see the reluctance on his face and hated him for it. He glanced at Luke and saw the panic in his expression.
“You can come back when I’m done, if that’s all right with Luke.” Reid forced himself to say. Noah sighed.
“I’ll be out in the hall.” He said, giving Luke’s fingers a final squeeze and heading for the door.
Reid shut the door behind him, and shut the blinds on the window.
“Well, now.” He began. “It's just you and me.” Reid grabbed the plastic hospital cup from Luke’s beside drawer and filled it with water. He raised the bed slowly, hating it when Luke grimaced in pain. “Here.” Reid held the cup out and Luke leaned forward to take a small sip.
“Thank you.” Luke coughed and groaned. Reid checked Luke’s IV and saw that he was due for another round of medication. “What happened to me? Why don’t I remember anything?” He whispered.
“You lost control of your car during an ice storm and went off the road.” Reid answered. “You were trying to avoid my car, actually.” Luke was looking him with heavy lidded eyes. Reid took out a penlight and began checking his responses. “While in the ER you developed a blood clot in your brain, and we had to operate.” Luke reached up a shaky hand and touched the bandages wrapped around his head lightly as Reid ran through the list of other injuries that Luke had.
“I guess I’m lucky to be alive.”
“That you are.” Reid said with a smile.
“Do I know you?”
“I’m Dr. Oliver.” Reid replied. “We met the night of your accident, so don’t worry if you don’t remember me.”
“Your voice sounds familiar.”
“That’s because you’ve been listening to me berate the second rate staff at this hospital for the last two days.” Reid replied. Luke smiled a little.
“Noah called me Luke.”
“That’s your name.” Reid said, sitting down in the seat Noah had vacated. He made another note on his chart. “Luke Snyder.” He saw that Luke was becoming agitated again. “Let’s not worry about what you don’t know at the moment.” Reid suggested. “Let’s find out what you do know.”
“Such as?”
“What’s this?” Reid held up his pen.
“A pen.”
“Good.” Reid held up the cup of water.
“A cup.”
“This?” Reid pointed at the tv remote.
“Remote.”
“Well, I think it’s safe to say you’ll remember what most things are and how they work, but don’t be surprised if you have problems with that.” Reid told him. “What year is it?”
“I don't know.” Luke said after a moment. “Is that bad?”
“Not necessarily.” Reid answered. “Do you know who the president is?”
Luke shook his head slowly. It still hurt to move.
“The surgery was successful, there weren’t any complications.” Reid said after making a few more notes. “I expect the amnesia is temporary.” He stood up. “If you’re okay with Noah coming back in, I’ll go find your parents and fill them in, and then bring them back for a visit?”
Luke nodded.
“Don’t let him overwhelm you.” Reid said softly. “And don’t panic if you don’t remember something.” He reached out and squeezed Luke’s shoulder lightly. Luke hesitated a second, and then covered Reid’s hand with his own.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it.” Reid said, staring into his eyes. After a second, he pulled away and headed for the door.
Luke watched him go, uncertainty written on his face.
*
“So...” Luke trailed off, staring at Noah. He had no clue what to say. “How long have we been together?”
“A few years.” Noah answered. “Off and on.” He paused. “Mostly on.” Noah smiled.
“Wow.” Luke said.
“You're handling this pretty well.” Noah commented.
“I don't know what you want me to say.”
“You don't have to say anything.” Noah tightened his grip on Luke's hand. Luke stared at their joined fingers again. He wasn't sure how he felt about this. “Just know that I'm going to be here for you, whatever you need.”
Luke settled for nodding, and wondered if Noah would be offended if he asked for his hand back.
He never got a chance to find out.
Dr. Oliver was showing an older couple into the room. The woman wasted no time in rushing to his beside and taking his other hand.
What was it with these people and hand holding?
“Luke, these are your parents Lily Gramaldi and Holden Snyder.” Noah introduced.
“Hi.” Luke whispered. His mother tried to speak, but only choked out a sob. He wanted to ask about the differences in their last names, but figured he’d wait until his mother wasn’t crying.
“Hello, son.” The man behind her said. Luke instantly felt at ease with them. There was a sense of familiarity. “Do you know who we are?”
Luke saw Dr. Oliver roll his eyes behind them, and fought back a smile.
“I do, but only because Dr. Oliver told me he was going to bring you to see me.” He told them. He knew it wouldn't be the answer they wanted, but he didn't want to lie.
“I'm sure it'll come back to you in time.” His father tried to reassure him.
Luke nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
“And you're in good hands with Dr. Oliver.” His mother finally managed to speak. “He's the best there is.”
“And on that note.” Reid chimed in behind them. “It's time for Luke to get some rest. You can all come back and see him tomorrow.”
His mother kissed his cheek, whispering her love in his ear. His father patted his leg gently, said he loved him too, and then pulled his mother out of the room.
“You too, Mr. Mayer.” Reid insisted.
“I'll come back and see you in the morning.” Noah replied. “I mean, if you want.”
“Sure.” Luke finally said. He didn't know what else to do. Noah leaned down, and for a moment Luke thought he would kiss him on the lips. Noah's mouth brushed lightly across his forehead instead.
“I love you.”
Luke tried to smile, but found he couldn’t force his mouth to move. Noah didn’t seem to notice. He watched as Dr. Oliver moved the call button to the bed, before turning the lights in the room down.
“You should get some sleep.” He suggested, moving towards the door.
“Wait.” Luke’s voice was quiet. Reid paused in the doorway. “Don’t go yet.” Reid walked back towards him. “Stay.” Reid was clearly struggling with something to say, and Luke smiled a little. “Just talk to me until I fall asleep.”
“Talk about what?”
“Anything.” Luke murmured, closing his eyes. “Just want to hear your voice.” He mumbled.
Reid knew that Luke would asleep any second, but sat down anyway. He started talking, keeping his voice quiet. He started telling Luke about Texas and the work he did there. After a few minutes he looked over at him, and noticed Luke was asleep.
“Good night, Luke.” He whispered softly, and then left the room.