Fic: Fate (6/?)
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 ended up so much longer than I intended (not that you'll complain). Don't know when the next chapter will be up - I'm going to the midnight release for Twilight: Eclipse and I'm not sure what my day is like tomorrow. Will hopefully have next part up Thursday at the latest. Also, I've renumbered the chapters to alleviate confusion. :)
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
Reid let himself into Katie’s house, using the key she’d given him. When he’d agreed to check out her kid, he had no idea that the conversation would suddenly turn to his hatred of hotels or her need for a roommate.
He’d found out she was recently widowed, trying to make a life her and her son, and that maybe she wasn’t as bad as he’d originally thought. She’d handed him a key, and told him to come by after work with his stuff.
He wondered if everyone in this town was so damn trusting. He could be a serial killer or something.
“Oh, great!” Katie exclaimed quietly. “You made it.” Reid had his suitcase in one hand and set it down quietly on the floor.
She gave him a quick tour, showing him his room and where she kept everything, all while keeping up a steady stream of chatter.
If he didn’t like her so much, he would have been really annoyed.
“Do you ever stop to breathe?” Reid asked, finally unable to take anymore. She grinned.
“Sorry, I’m just excited.” Katie apologized. “It’s been awhile since someone has lived here but me and Jacob…it’s nice to not be alone.”
“Don’t get too excited.” Reid warned. “I’m only staying here until Luke is better.”
“A few weeks here, and you’ll never want to leave.” Katie assured him.
“I wouldn’t bet on it.” He said, bidding her goodnight, and heading to his room.
*
The next few days passed in haze of pain and medication. Luke was constantly in and out, often falling asleep against his will. Tension was running high between his parents, even though they tried to hide it when they came to visit. Luke thought that some of it might be because of his condition, but he had a feeling there was something else going on they didn’t want to tell him about.
Noah had been by a couple of times, and Luke wasn’t sure how he felt about it. He didn’t try to force anything, but sometimes the way he looked at Luke made him uncomfortable.
It wasn’t that Luke didn’t think he was gay.
He was pretty sure about that, considering the number of times he’d checked out Dr. Oliver when he wasn’t looking.
He just couldn’t put his finger on why his and Noah’s relationship, for lack of a better term, didn’t feel right.
Luke sighed and looked down at the pile of stuff in his lap. His parents had brought a couple of photo albums, and to his amazement, a family tree.
His mother had spent nearly a half hour just explaining the basics to him, and he still couldn’t believe it. Luke had tentatively touched on the topic of their differing last names, and Lily had briefly explained that his real father, Damien Grimaldi was her current husband, but that Holden had adopted him when he was young. He knew there was more that she wasn’t saying, like why his biological father hadn’t come to visit him. He was about to ask, and maybe she saw it coming, because she had abruptly remembered an appointment, kissed him good-bye and left.
After glancing at the family tree for a few minutes, his mouth dropped open. It was more insane looking than he’d realized, even with his mother going over it. That was how Dr. Oliver found him.
“What are you looking at?” Reid asked, seeing his expression.
“My family tree.” Luke replied. “My mom thought it would help me keep everything straight.” Reid peered over his shoulder, and Luke tried not to notice how good he smelled. “It’s entirely possible I’m my own grandpa.”
With that, Reid chuckled.
“Wow, Dr. Oliver.” Luke couldn’t help but tease. “You’re actually smiling.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Reid asked, glancing at him.
“I was beginning to think you only had one facial expression.”
Reid looked like he was going to say something, but thought better of it, his smile fading. He set about checking Luke’s vitals, testing his reflexes and the usual things. He sat down in the bedside chair, and Luke knew what was coming.
It was his favorite part of Dr. Oliver’s first visit of the day. Sure enough, Luke heard the familiar sounds of gauze packages opening. He held still, automatically closing his eyes as Dr. Oliver slowly unwound the bandage from his head. Once it had been removed, Luke felt the gentle sensation of the doctor’s fingers against his scalp. Biting his lip to keep from moaning in appreciation, Luke worried that this feeling wasn’t normal. Normal people didn’t have this type of reaction when their doctors touched them.
“Am I hurting you?” Dr. Oliver must have seen his expression.
“No.” Luke managed, keeping his eyes on the papers in his lap.
He kept still while Dr. Oliver finished wrapping a new bandage in place.
“We’ll take out the stitches in a few days and you won’t have to keep it wrapped up.” Reid said. Luke nodded. “How would you like a change of scenery?”
“Seriously?” Luke replied.
“If you’re careful.” Reid cautioned.
“I swear.” Luke promised. He watched as Dr. Oliver flagged down an orderly, and spoke to him. The orderly came back a moment later, pushing a wheelchair into the room.
Luke’s happiness suddenly disappeared as he stared at the wheelchair.
He didn’t know why, but the object filled him with dread.
“Please don’t make me sit in that.” He whispered to Dr. Oliver. Reid took one look at Luke’s petrified expression and ushered the orderly out.
“It’s just a wheelchair, Luke.”
“It’s…I…I just can’t sit in it.” Luke tried to explain. “I don’t know why, but I just can’t.” He looked up at Dr. Oliver. “Can I please just walk? Not far…to the end of the hallway and back.”
“If you take it very slowly.” Reid finally agreed, pushing the chair away. “The fact that you don’t want to sit in the wheel chair is a good thing.”
“Why is that?” Luke asked, pulling the sheets back and moving his feet over the side of the bed.
“According to your medical file, you were paralyzed for a short time when you were younger.”
“You’re kidding?” Luke exclaimed. “You’re not kidding.” He said, looking at Reid’s face. “Wow.”
“You’ve also had a kidney transplant.” Reid continued. “That’s why you’re on so much medication.”
“I don’t even know what to say about that.” Luke told him. “I can’t believe I don’t remember any of it.”
“You didn’t want to sit in the chair.” Reid pointed out. “Just give it some time. Things will start coming back to you.” He offered Luke a hand as he started to slide off the bed. Luke took it, gripping his hand tightly. He felt himself start to sink a little on weak legs and raised his other hand to grasp Dr. Oliver’s shoulder. They were standing closer than they should have been, eyes locked. Luke was startled by the intensity he saw in Dr. Oliver’s eyes.
There was a knock at the door, and then a blond girl poked her head in.
“You asked for me, Dr. Oliver?” She said. Reid took a step back from Luke, turning to the girl. “Hi, Luke.” She greeted him, seeming not to notice the almost embrace he’d just had with his doctor.
“Hi.” He replied, staring at her. There was something… “Do I know you?” Luke asked.
“You sure do.” She answered.
“Nurse Stewart is going to accompany you on your walk.” Reid said, as she walked over. He put Luke’s hand on her arm, and moved around to the side of bed so he could put Luke’s IV on a movable stand. “Not too far, and not for more than fifteen minutes.” Reid told Allison. She nodded, taking control of the IV pole. “I’ll come and check on you in a little while.” Reid said, and then left them alone.
“So how do we know each other?” Luke asked as they started walking. It felt incredible to be and out of his hospital bed.
“Well, I’ve been involved with your half-brother, Aaron, off and on for years…but you and I are friends too.” She replied.
“And you’re engaged to?” Luke wanted to know, seeing her ring.
“Casey Hughes.” Allison answered. “We’re getting married really soon, actually. I hope you’ll be up to it.” She smiled at him. “It won’t be the same without you there.”
“And do I know Casey?”
“You guys are best friends.” She paused. “He’s going to come by and see you today if you’re up for it.”
Luke nodded.
“What’s your first name?” He asked, as they reached the end of the hallway. He was glad it was time to go back to his room. Luke suddenly felt exhausted, a little weak in the knees. She laughed, realizing he didn’t know.
“It’s Allison.”
“That’s pretty.”
“Thanks.”
*
Luke had never been so relieved to get back into bed. A fifteen minute walk down the hall had left him weak and out of breath. He didn’t like it.
Allison made sure he was settled, promising him a lunch tray and his first solid food in days before leaving.
Finally alone, Luke lay back against his pillow. He reached for the photo album on the bedside table and began leafing through it. His parents had already pointed out his brothers and sisters in the photos and he couldn’t help but smile at how happy they all looked. He still couldn’t believe his youngest brother was only four.
He flipped past the pages, and came across a section with him and Noah. Luke paused on a photo of them staring at the camera, arms around each other.
With a sigh, he slammed the album shut and tried not to think.
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 ended up so much longer than I intended (not that you'll complain). Don't know when the next chapter will be up - I'm going to the midnight release for Twilight: Eclipse and I'm not sure what my day is like tomorrow. Will hopefully have next part up Thursday at the latest. Also, I've renumbered the chapters to alleviate confusion. :)
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
Reid let himself into Katie’s house, using the key she’d given him. When he’d agreed to check out her kid, he had no idea that the conversation would suddenly turn to his hatred of hotels or her need for a roommate.
He’d found out she was recently widowed, trying to make a life her and her son, and that maybe she wasn’t as bad as he’d originally thought. She’d handed him a key, and told him to come by after work with his stuff.
He wondered if everyone in this town was so damn trusting. He could be a serial killer or something.
“Oh, great!” Katie exclaimed quietly. “You made it.” Reid had his suitcase in one hand and set it down quietly on the floor.
She gave him a quick tour, showing him his room and where she kept everything, all while keeping up a steady stream of chatter.
If he didn’t like her so much, he would have been really annoyed.
“Do you ever stop to breathe?” Reid asked, finally unable to take anymore. She grinned.
“Sorry, I’m just excited.” Katie apologized. “It’s been awhile since someone has lived here but me and Jacob…it’s nice to not be alone.”
“Don’t get too excited.” Reid warned. “I’m only staying here until Luke is better.”
“A few weeks here, and you’ll never want to leave.” Katie assured him.
“I wouldn’t bet on it.” He said, bidding her goodnight, and heading to his room.
*
The next few days passed in haze of pain and medication. Luke was constantly in and out, often falling asleep against his will. Tension was running high between his parents, even though they tried to hide it when they came to visit. Luke thought that some of it might be because of his condition, but he had a feeling there was something else going on they didn’t want to tell him about.
Noah had been by a couple of times, and Luke wasn’t sure how he felt about it. He didn’t try to force anything, but sometimes the way he looked at Luke made him uncomfortable.
It wasn’t that Luke didn’t think he was gay.
He was pretty sure about that, considering the number of times he’d checked out Dr. Oliver when he wasn’t looking.
He just couldn’t put his finger on why his and Noah’s relationship, for lack of a better term, didn’t feel right.
Luke sighed and looked down at the pile of stuff in his lap. His parents had brought a couple of photo albums, and to his amazement, a family tree.
His mother had spent nearly a half hour just explaining the basics to him, and he still couldn’t believe it. Luke had tentatively touched on the topic of their differing last names, and Lily had briefly explained that his real father, Damien Grimaldi was her current husband, but that Holden had adopted him when he was young. He knew there was more that she wasn’t saying, like why his biological father hadn’t come to visit him. He was about to ask, and maybe she saw it coming, because she had abruptly remembered an appointment, kissed him good-bye and left.
After glancing at the family tree for a few minutes, his mouth dropped open. It was more insane looking than he’d realized, even with his mother going over it. That was how Dr. Oliver found him.
“What are you looking at?” Reid asked, seeing his expression.
“My family tree.” Luke replied. “My mom thought it would help me keep everything straight.” Reid peered over his shoulder, and Luke tried not to notice how good he smelled. “It’s entirely possible I’m my own grandpa.”
With that, Reid chuckled.
“Wow, Dr. Oliver.” Luke couldn’t help but tease. “You’re actually smiling.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Reid asked, glancing at him.
“I was beginning to think you only had one facial expression.”
Reid looked like he was going to say something, but thought better of it, his smile fading. He set about checking Luke’s vitals, testing his reflexes and the usual things. He sat down in the bedside chair, and Luke knew what was coming.
It was his favorite part of Dr. Oliver’s first visit of the day. Sure enough, Luke heard the familiar sounds of gauze packages opening. He held still, automatically closing his eyes as Dr. Oliver slowly unwound the bandage from his head. Once it had been removed, Luke felt the gentle sensation of the doctor’s fingers against his scalp. Biting his lip to keep from moaning in appreciation, Luke worried that this feeling wasn’t normal. Normal people didn’t have this type of reaction when their doctors touched them.
“Am I hurting you?” Dr. Oliver must have seen his expression.
“No.” Luke managed, keeping his eyes on the papers in his lap.
He kept still while Dr. Oliver finished wrapping a new bandage in place.
“We’ll take out the stitches in a few days and you won’t have to keep it wrapped up.” Reid said. Luke nodded. “How would you like a change of scenery?”
“Seriously?” Luke replied.
“If you’re careful.” Reid cautioned.
“I swear.” Luke promised. He watched as Dr. Oliver flagged down an orderly, and spoke to him. The orderly came back a moment later, pushing a wheelchair into the room.
Luke’s happiness suddenly disappeared as he stared at the wheelchair.
He didn’t know why, but the object filled him with dread.
“Please don’t make me sit in that.” He whispered to Dr. Oliver. Reid took one look at Luke’s petrified expression and ushered the orderly out.
“It’s just a wheelchair, Luke.”
“It’s…I…I just can’t sit in it.” Luke tried to explain. “I don’t know why, but I just can’t.” He looked up at Dr. Oliver. “Can I please just walk? Not far…to the end of the hallway and back.”
“If you take it very slowly.” Reid finally agreed, pushing the chair away. “The fact that you don’t want to sit in the wheel chair is a good thing.”
“Why is that?” Luke asked, pulling the sheets back and moving his feet over the side of the bed.
“According to your medical file, you were paralyzed for a short time when you were younger.”
“You’re kidding?” Luke exclaimed. “You’re not kidding.” He said, looking at Reid’s face. “Wow.”
“You’ve also had a kidney transplant.” Reid continued. “That’s why you’re on so much medication.”
“I don’t even know what to say about that.” Luke told him. “I can’t believe I don’t remember any of it.”
“You didn’t want to sit in the chair.” Reid pointed out. “Just give it some time. Things will start coming back to you.” He offered Luke a hand as he started to slide off the bed. Luke took it, gripping his hand tightly. He felt himself start to sink a little on weak legs and raised his other hand to grasp Dr. Oliver’s shoulder. They were standing closer than they should have been, eyes locked. Luke was startled by the intensity he saw in Dr. Oliver’s eyes.
There was a knock at the door, and then a blond girl poked her head in.
“You asked for me, Dr. Oliver?” She said. Reid took a step back from Luke, turning to the girl. “Hi, Luke.” She greeted him, seeming not to notice the almost embrace he’d just had with his doctor.
“Hi.” He replied, staring at her. There was something… “Do I know you?” Luke asked.
“You sure do.” She answered.
“Nurse Stewart is going to accompany you on your walk.” Reid said, as she walked over. He put Luke’s hand on her arm, and moved around to the side of bed so he could put Luke’s IV on a movable stand. “Not too far, and not for more than fifteen minutes.” Reid told Allison. She nodded, taking control of the IV pole. “I’ll come and check on you in a little while.” Reid said, and then left them alone.
“So how do we know each other?” Luke asked as they started walking. It felt incredible to be and out of his hospital bed.
“Well, I’ve been involved with your half-brother, Aaron, off and on for years…but you and I are friends too.” She replied.
“And you’re engaged to?” Luke wanted to know, seeing her ring.
“Casey Hughes.” Allison answered. “We’re getting married really soon, actually. I hope you’ll be up to it.” She smiled at him. “It won’t be the same without you there.”
“And do I know Casey?”
“You guys are best friends.” She paused. “He’s going to come by and see you today if you’re up for it.”
Luke nodded.
“What’s your first name?” He asked, as they reached the end of the hallway. He was glad it was time to go back to his room. Luke suddenly felt exhausted, a little weak in the knees. She laughed, realizing he didn’t know.
“It’s Allison.”
“That’s pretty.”
“Thanks.”
*
Luke had never been so relieved to get back into bed. A fifteen minute walk down the hall had left him weak and out of breath. He didn’t like it.
Allison made sure he was settled, promising him a lunch tray and his first solid food in days before leaving.
Finally alone, Luke lay back against his pillow. He reached for the photo album on the bedside table and began leafing through it. His parents had already pointed out his brothers and sisters in the photos and he couldn’t help but smile at how happy they all looked. He still couldn’t believe his youngest brother was only four.
He flipped past the pages, and came across a section with him and Noah. Luke paused on a photo of them staring at the camera, arms around each other.
With a sigh, he slammed the album shut and tried not to think.