Fic: Down the Rabbit Hole (26/?)
Title: Down the Rabbit Hole
Author: slayerkitty
Genre: Romance, Angst, AU
Warnings: Implied rape, Implied incest (I'm not sure I need this one, but Zoe and Luke are technically related)
Rating: R to NC-17
Spoilers: None
Characters: Luke/Reid, Past Luke/Noah, Other Misc characters
Disclaimer: As the World Turns and it's characters are not mine, no matter how much I enjoy playing with them. :)
Summary: What if Zoe succeeded in her plans to have Luke's baby?
Author's Notes: Flashbacks are in italics. This story picks up right after Luke has promised Reid that his foundation will donate money to the new wing.
For stl29tide, who requested the dinner party - it's getting at least one more chapter after this, bb. :) We're still sick, but on the mend! Thanks for all the well wishes!
Please try and keep the comments spoiler free. I am spoiler free, as are many others and I don't want them to be spoiled on accident! Thanks! :)
Previous Chapters: Prologue/ 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 9/ 10/ 11/ 12/ 13/ 14/ 15/ 16/ 17/ 18/ 19/ 20/ 21/ 22/ 23/ 24/ 25
Rose was still sleeping peacefully and Luke headed back downstairs after a few minutes. He shook his head, still smiling about Reid. He couldn’t believe that Reid had actually tried to grope him under the table with the rest of his family, and Noah around.
He hadn’t seen that coming.
When he got back down to the kitchen, it looked like everyone had finished eating, and were starting to clear the table while Emma offered dessert.
The kids clamored to have their pie in the living room to watch some random movie and Luke laughed as Emma gave in and they excitedly tore into the other room, plates with heaping slices of pie in their hands.
Richard and Noah were still sitting at the table, talking quietly, and Holden and Lily awkwardly trying to get around each other to help Emma clean up. He didn’t see Reid anywhere.
“Rose okay?” Lily asked, as he joined them.
“Sleeping like a baby.” Luke joked, waving the baby monitor around. “Did Rei - Dr. Oliver leave?” He asked, cursing himself for almost slipping and saying Reid’s first name in front of Noah.
“He got a call and went outside to take it.” Noah spoke up from the table.
“Oh.” Luke answered. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Do you guys need some help?” He offered.
“Don’t be silly.” Emma scolded playfully. “You take this pie and go sit. We can handle a little clean up.” Luke smiled his thanks and took his pie out onto the porch. He sat down on the loveseat, putting his feet up on the chair across from him.
“Luke?” Noah’s voice got his attention from the doorway of the kitchen.
“Hey, Noah.” Luke said. He set his pie aisde.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure.” Luke answered, and made himself sit perfectly still as Noah tapped his cane and made his way over to sit down next to him on the love seat. It was all he could do to not offer any kind of help. “What’s up?” He asked when Noah was sitting.
“Thank you for coming tonight.” Noah began. Luke smiled a little.
“Where else would I be?”
“You could have - I would have understood if you couldn’t…” Noah trailed off. Luke put a hand on his arm.
“I know.” He told him. “I wanted to be here for you.” He paused. “Richard seems nice.”
“He is.” Noah seemed to hesitate. “He’s a good friend.”
“I think he likes you.” Noah’s expression changed. “Yeah, like that.” Luke said softly. They both grinned; remembering that Luke had said the same thing when confessing his feelings for the first time.
“Richard’s just a friend.” Noah was a little more firm about it. “What about you? Are you…seeing anyone?”
Luke swallowed. He hadn’t wanted to do this tonight.
*
Reid hadn’t meant to eavesdrop.
He’d gone outside to answer his phone, the hospital calling about one of his patients. It was quieter out there, away from the screaming kids, but he’d had to wander around the side of the house before he could find a good signal.
It ended up being an intern too stupid to follow directions, and once he’d set him straight and told him never to bother him at home again, Reid had turned to go inside. That’s when he heard Luke’s voice, and realized that his boyfriend was sitting on the porch, talking to Noah.
He froze.
“I think he likes you.” He heard Luke say. “Yeah, like that.”
“Richard’s just a friend.” Noah replied. There was a pause. “What about you? Are you…seeing anyone?”
“Hear anything good?” Someone whispered behind him. Reid jumped, startled. He turned around to see Faith standing behind him.
“You’re just everywhere, aren’t you?”
“It’s part of my charm.” She replied, crossing her arms over her chest. “So, eavesdropping, huh?” Faith tilted her head towards the porch.
“Not exactly.”
“That’s what they all say.” She smirked, and he repressed the urge to smile. “You picked a really bad spot, by the way.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Well.” Faith continued. “If you really want to hear what they’re saying, and see what’s going on, I can show you.”
“You would know the best place for that, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course.” She tapped her foot impatiently. “Do you want to hear this or not?” Faith gestured toward the porch.
Reid debated it, he really did. He knew he shouldn’t…but Faith was looking at him expectantly, and how many chances would he have at something like this?
“This never happened.” He told her, and she made a zipping motion across her lips. She motioned for him to follow her, and he did. Reid couldn’t believe he was doing this; he was too old for this shit.
He just had to know what Luke was thinking.
She led him up a path through the bushes by the farmhouse, and Reid was grateful there was a breeze or they would have been heard. He wouldn’t have even known the trail was there, without being shown. She stopped and crouched down, gesturing that he should do the same. He had a clear view of the porch, could see Luke and Noah sitting on the loveseat.
“Luke?” Noah said. “Did you hear me?”
“Yeah, I…” Luke trailed off. “There is someone, Noah.”
“Is it…is it serious?”
“It could be.” Luke answered. “It’s still new.”
“I just always…” Noah started to say. “I just thought, and maybe it’s selfish, but once I could see…”
“That we would get back together?” Luke finished for him.
“Yeah.” Noah looked sheepish. “Stupid, I know.”
“It’s not stupid.” Luke took his hand, and Reid frowned. “A month or two ago, and I would have said the same thing.”
“What changed?”
“Rose.” Luke answered. “She’s changed everything. I can’t…do this back and forth with you. I told you that.”
“And this guy…” Noah said. “He’s someone you could raise her with.”
“I think so.”
“I never thought we’d end up like this.”
“Me either.”
They were quiet for a moment, and Reid decided he’d heard enough. He got ready to leave, and then Noah spoke again.
“Luke?”
“Yeah?”
“Tomorrow…I…” He paused, like he was having trouble getting the words out. “I’ve spent all this time thinking about being able to see again, and doing what it takes to make that happen, you know? And it occurred to me at dinner that I’m about to have a major operation, and…if something happens to me, who would they tell?”
“Noah, nothing’s going to happen to you. Rei - Dr. Oliver is the best there is.”
“But if something does, will you…will you be there?”
“What are you asking me, Noah?”
“Just be there for me…as a friend.”
“Of course I will.” Luke promised, and Reid closed his eyes. Of course he would.
Luke squeezed Noah’s hand, and Reid turned away, disappearing through the trees and ending up back in the yard. He didn’t look to see if Faith was following him, just turned and headed around the house, walking up to the porch and going inside. Luke was still holding Noah’s hand, and he gently pulled it away when Reid walked in.
“I’m gonna go.” Reid said, keeping his tone even. Luke met his gaze, worried.
“Thank you for coming, Dr. Oliver.” Noah got up.
“You're welcome.” Reid replied stiffly. “I'll see you in the morning.” He stared at Luke for a second. “Mr. Snyder.”
“Dr. Oliver.” Luke had to force out, and then Reid was walking away.
*
Luke was helping Noah back inside when felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He let go of Noah, and pulled it out.
I'm parked behind the barn. If you're not down here in 5 minutes, I'm leaving.
Luke's mouth ran dry.
“Hey, Noah, you ready to go?” Richard asked.
“Yeah, just about.” Noah answered. “I just need to say good-bye to Lily and Holden.”
“Listen, Noah. I've got to run down to the barn for a second.” Luke interrupted. “Can you tell my mom that's where I am if Rose needs me?”
“Sure.” He agreed.
“Thanks.” Luke touched Noah's arm for a moment. “I'll be at the hospital first thing.” He glanced at Richard. “It was nice to meet you, Richard.”
“Likewise.” Richard replied, and then Luke headed out the door, walked briskly across the yard, and when he was out of sight of the house, took off at a dead run.
Author: slayerkitty
Genre: Romance, Angst, AU
Warnings: Implied rape, Implied incest (I'm not sure I need this one, but Zoe and Luke are technically related)
Rating: R to NC-17
Spoilers: None
Characters: Luke/Reid, Past Luke/Noah, Other Misc characters
Disclaimer: As the World Turns and it's characters are not mine, no matter how much I enjoy playing with them. :)
Summary: What if Zoe succeeded in her plans to have Luke's baby?
Author's Notes: Flashbacks are in italics. This story picks up right after Luke has promised Reid that his foundation will donate money to the new wing.
For stl29tide, who requested the dinner party - it's getting at least one more chapter after this, bb. :) We're still sick, but on the mend! Thanks for all the well wishes!
Please try and keep the comments spoiler free. I am spoiler free, as are many others and I don't want them to be spoiled on accident! Thanks! :)
Previous Chapters: Prologue/ 1/ 2/ 3/ 4/ 5/ 6/ 7/ 8/ 9/ 10/ 11/ 12/ 13/ 14/ 15/ 16/ 17/ 18/ 19/ 20/ 21/ 22/ 23/ 24/ 25
Rose was still sleeping peacefully and Luke headed back downstairs after a few minutes. He shook his head, still smiling about Reid. He couldn’t believe that Reid had actually tried to grope him under the table with the rest of his family, and Noah around.
He hadn’t seen that coming.
When he got back down to the kitchen, it looked like everyone had finished eating, and were starting to clear the table while Emma offered dessert.
The kids clamored to have their pie in the living room to watch some random movie and Luke laughed as Emma gave in and they excitedly tore into the other room, plates with heaping slices of pie in their hands.
Richard and Noah were still sitting at the table, talking quietly, and Holden and Lily awkwardly trying to get around each other to help Emma clean up. He didn’t see Reid anywhere.
“Rose okay?” Lily asked, as he joined them.
“Sleeping like a baby.” Luke joked, waving the baby monitor around. “Did Rei - Dr. Oliver leave?” He asked, cursing himself for almost slipping and saying Reid’s first name in front of Noah.
“He got a call and went outside to take it.” Noah spoke up from the table.
“Oh.” Luke answered. He shoved his hands in his pockets. “Do you guys need some help?” He offered.
“Don’t be silly.” Emma scolded playfully. “You take this pie and go sit. We can handle a little clean up.” Luke smiled his thanks and took his pie out onto the porch. He sat down on the loveseat, putting his feet up on the chair across from him.
“Luke?” Noah’s voice got his attention from the doorway of the kitchen.
“Hey, Noah.” Luke said. He set his pie aisde.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?”
“Sure.” Luke answered, and made himself sit perfectly still as Noah tapped his cane and made his way over to sit down next to him on the love seat. It was all he could do to not offer any kind of help. “What’s up?” He asked when Noah was sitting.
“Thank you for coming tonight.” Noah began. Luke smiled a little.
“Where else would I be?”
“You could have - I would have understood if you couldn’t…” Noah trailed off. Luke put a hand on his arm.
“I know.” He told him. “I wanted to be here for you.” He paused. “Richard seems nice.”
“He is.” Noah seemed to hesitate. “He’s a good friend.”
“I think he likes you.” Noah’s expression changed. “Yeah, like that.” Luke said softly. They both grinned; remembering that Luke had said the same thing when confessing his feelings for the first time.
“Richard’s just a friend.” Noah was a little more firm about it. “What about you? Are you…seeing anyone?”
Luke swallowed. He hadn’t wanted to do this tonight.
*
Reid hadn’t meant to eavesdrop.
He’d gone outside to answer his phone, the hospital calling about one of his patients. It was quieter out there, away from the screaming kids, but he’d had to wander around the side of the house before he could find a good signal.
It ended up being an intern too stupid to follow directions, and once he’d set him straight and told him never to bother him at home again, Reid had turned to go inside. That’s when he heard Luke’s voice, and realized that his boyfriend was sitting on the porch, talking to Noah.
He froze.
“I think he likes you.” He heard Luke say. “Yeah, like that.”
“Richard’s just a friend.” Noah replied. There was a pause. “What about you? Are you…seeing anyone?”
“Hear anything good?” Someone whispered behind him. Reid jumped, startled. He turned around to see Faith standing behind him.
“You’re just everywhere, aren’t you?”
“It’s part of my charm.” She replied, crossing her arms over her chest. “So, eavesdropping, huh?” Faith tilted her head towards the porch.
“Not exactly.”
“That’s what they all say.” She smirked, and he repressed the urge to smile. “You picked a really bad spot, by the way.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Well.” Faith continued. “If you really want to hear what they’re saying, and see what’s going on, I can show you.”
“You would know the best place for that, wouldn’t you?”
“Of course.” She tapped her foot impatiently. “Do you want to hear this or not?” Faith gestured toward the porch.
Reid debated it, he really did. He knew he shouldn’t…but Faith was looking at him expectantly, and how many chances would he have at something like this?
“This never happened.” He told her, and she made a zipping motion across her lips. She motioned for him to follow her, and he did. Reid couldn’t believe he was doing this; he was too old for this shit.
He just had to know what Luke was thinking.
She led him up a path through the bushes by the farmhouse, and Reid was grateful there was a breeze or they would have been heard. He wouldn’t have even known the trail was there, without being shown. She stopped and crouched down, gesturing that he should do the same. He had a clear view of the porch, could see Luke and Noah sitting on the loveseat.
“Luke?” Noah said. “Did you hear me?”
“Yeah, I…” Luke trailed off. “There is someone, Noah.”
“Is it…is it serious?”
“It could be.” Luke answered. “It’s still new.”
“I just always…” Noah started to say. “I just thought, and maybe it’s selfish, but once I could see…”
“That we would get back together?” Luke finished for him.
“Yeah.” Noah looked sheepish. “Stupid, I know.”
“It’s not stupid.” Luke took his hand, and Reid frowned. “A month or two ago, and I would have said the same thing.”
“What changed?”
“Rose.” Luke answered. “She’s changed everything. I can’t…do this back and forth with you. I told you that.”
“And this guy…” Noah said. “He’s someone you could raise her with.”
“I think so.”
“I never thought we’d end up like this.”
“Me either.”
They were quiet for a moment, and Reid decided he’d heard enough. He got ready to leave, and then Noah spoke again.
“Luke?”
“Yeah?”
“Tomorrow…I…” He paused, like he was having trouble getting the words out. “I’ve spent all this time thinking about being able to see again, and doing what it takes to make that happen, you know? And it occurred to me at dinner that I’m about to have a major operation, and…if something happens to me, who would they tell?”
“Noah, nothing’s going to happen to you. Rei - Dr. Oliver is the best there is.”
“But if something does, will you…will you be there?”
“What are you asking me, Noah?”
“Just be there for me…as a friend.”
“Of course I will.” Luke promised, and Reid closed his eyes. Of course he would.
Luke squeezed Noah’s hand, and Reid turned away, disappearing through the trees and ending up back in the yard. He didn’t look to see if Faith was following him, just turned and headed around the house, walking up to the porch and going inside. Luke was still holding Noah’s hand, and he gently pulled it away when Reid walked in.
“I’m gonna go.” Reid said, keeping his tone even. Luke met his gaze, worried.
“Thank you for coming, Dr. Oliver.” Noah got up.
“You're welcome.” Reid replied stiffly. “I'll see you in the morning.” He stared at Luke for a second. “Mr. Snyder.”
“Dr. Oliver.” Luke had to force out, and then Reid was walking away.
*
Luke was helping Noah back inside when felt his phone vibrating in his pocket. He let go of Noah, and pulled it out.
I'm parked behind the barn. If you're not down here in 5 minutes, I'm leaving.
Luke's mouth ran dry.
“Hey, Noah, you ready to go?” Richard asked.
“Yeah, just about.” Noah answered. “I just need to say good-bye to Lily and Holden.”
“Listen, Noah. I've got to run down to the barn for a second.” Luke interrupted. “Can you tell my mom that's where I am if Rose needs me?”
“Sure.” He agreed.
“Thanks.” Luke touched Noah's arm for a moment. “I'll be at the hospital first thing.” He glanced at Richard. “It was nice to meet you, Richard.”
“Likewise.” Richard replied, and then Luke headed out the door, walked briskly across the yard, and when he was out of sight of the house, took off at a dead run.