74 Trust the love
Word Soap: As The World Keeps Turning
Author: SYLnl
Title: #74 Trust the love
Rating: PG
Summary: “Everything is clearer when you're in love.” - John Lennon
Big Thanks To: ltklo, for brushing up my grammar
Previously on As The World Keeps Turning:
#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 #26 #27 #28 #29 #30 #31 #32 #33 #34 #35 #36 #37 #38 #39 #40 #41 #42 #43 #44 #45 #46 #47 #48 #49 #50 #51 #52 #53 #54 #55 #56 #57 #58 #59 #60 #61 #62 #63 #64 #65 #66 #67 #68 #69 #70 #71 #72 #73
“Reeeeeeeeeeeeeeeid!”
Luke’s scream filled the air and within seconds the blond sat on his knees next to the body on the ground. The first thing he noticed was the moving breast. He was alive! The second thing he noticed was Reid’s whisper.
“I’m okay. He didn’t hit me. I took a dive.”
To prove his statement, Reid slowly rose to his feet. Right into two strong arms and against a body that shivered.
“I’m okay,” he repeated, pulling Luke close. He stood on tiptoe, looked over Luke’s shoulder and watched a police officer covering a body. His attacker wasn’t outsmarting anyone anymore.
As if all personnel had been hiding around the corner, within minutes the corridor was filled with nurses and doctors, all hovering over their upcoming Chief.
“Reid,” Alison couldn’t care less about protocols and titles at this moment in time. She just came up to him and gave him a hug. “Thank you.”
Feeling a little awkward by all the attention and kindness, Reid gave Ali a quick smile and turned to the group.
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m okay. Let’s just be thankful that we’re all safe…” Reid looked at the lifeless body next to him, “Him excluded…and please return to your stations.”
When he walked towards his office, he took a deep breath and Luke, clinging to his waist, looked up.
“Are you really okay?”
“A little startled,” Reid admitted with a quick smile, “But ready to eat.”
Luke laughed and when he saw Margo waiting in Reid’s office, he rubbed Reid’s stomach.
“Let me get something for us. I have a feeling your office will be the hottest place in town for the next hours.”
“It always is,” Reid snorted, “being the hottest doctor in town and all…”
Luke grinned, remembering their interaction not so long ago. “Can’t argue with that.”
He turned to Margo. “Hey Margo. I’m getting us something to eat. Can I bring you anything?”
Margo rewarded Luke with a radiant smile. “I heard a lot about a special sandwich. I’d love to try that one!”
Luke gave her the thumbs up. “Big O coming up!” He gave Reid a quick kiss and made his way to Bob’s.
“So, almost Chief of Staff,” Margo took a seat at the desk and smiled at the pictures. The one with Luke was more or less expected, but the one with Reid and her father-in-law was new to her. It was also telling to find that picture on Reid’s desk. It was a tribute. A confirmation of a special band.
“So, Chief of Police,” Reid smiled. “Thanks for coming to my rescue.”
“You’re very welcome. We had several calls coming in about this situation, but your Luke was the most composed. He gave us exact details about your position and because he obviously reads you very well, he seemed to know exactly what you were doing.”
Reid leaned back in his chair and smiled. Maybe he should start his own Proud Diary and list the moments he felt proud of Luke. This moment would be a nice entry.
“I’m glad to hear that. My main concern was Alison and after that…” Reid shrugged, “I was just buying time, basically. Hoping you guys would take over.”
“And we did,” Margo looked pleased with herself, “It’s sad we lost a life, but I’m glad it isn’t yours.”
“So am I,” Reid agreed. “The look on his face was very clear. He was ready to kill me.”
“Yeah, he was. Officer Grady spotted that too. I think he shot him a split second before the guy could fire at you.”
Reid nodded. It was close.
“What is it with you and guns in your face?” Margo teased and Reid rolled his eyes.
“I guess I need to put a check on my natural force of attraction …”
Margo laughed out loud and she was joined by Luke who stepped in with two loaded trays. He picked up some fries and put them in Reid’s mouth, softly slapping his cheek.
“You need to eat. You’re talking gibberish.”
For a minute he stood on the threshold. Surprised by the view, taken in by the friendly banter and once more flabbergasted by the amount of empty food wrappings on the trays. And Reid was still chewing.
“Hey gang, this looks cozy.”
“Bob!” Margo jumped to her feet and kissed her father-in-law on his cheek. “Good thing you interrupted, because I lost all track of time.”
She turned to the younger men. “Luke, again…thanks for the sandwich. It was a great treat! And Reid, thanks for the statement. And your company of course.”
“Of course,” Reid nodded calm, but with an amused grin. He then turned to his Chief.
“Did we have an appointment I forgot?”
Bob shook his head and took a seat. “No, nothing like that. I have Barbara’s newest test results and I wanted to talk to you about them. But first…are you okay? You’re the talk of the town.”
“Nothing new there, right?” Reid rolled his eyes. Those Oakdalians were so slow on the uptake.
“Well, actually very new, because this time they’re positive about you!” Bob teased and Reid shrugged with a wicked grin.
“There goes my well thought-out and carefully constructed reputation.”
“Yep, down the drain,” Bob agreed.
Both men looked up when Luke rose to his feet. “I’ll leave you two to it.” He picked up the trays and gave Reid a quick grin.
“Had enough?”
“Of you? Never,” Reid let his eyebrows dance seductively and Luke blushed, making Reid grin. “Will you stay around?”
Luke nodded. “I’ll go meet up with Will and Gwen in Barbara’s room. See you there?”
After Reid gave him a nod, Luke blew him a kiss and hurried off.
Bob smiled when he saw Reid watch Luke leave. His smile broadened when he noticed the picture of himself on Reid’s desk.
“I don’t know that one,” Bob nodded at the frame.
“Ah, don’t worry about it. He’s nobody important.”
For a minute Bob looked perplexed, but then he started laughing. Loud.
“I remember a time you did think I was.”
“Nope. I said you looked important. I soon found out that look was very deceiving.” Reid teased and Bob shook his head.
“And again I wonder why I like you so much,” Bob chuckled.
“No, you don’t.” Reid’s confidence was real. “We both know you’re in awe of my people skills.”
“Oh, totally,” Bob snorted, “You’re my guru.”
“Of course I am,” Reid nodded and pointed at the documents in Bob’s hand. “So, show me some scans so I can shower you with my brilliance once again.”
Bob grinned, but kept the documents where they were.
“First I want to talk to you about something else.” He stood up and closed the door. It made Reid raise his eyebrow.
“You’re the first to know and I want you to keep this news to yourself. Well, you can tell Luke, of course…” Bob fiddled with the files, “But I’ve decided to announce my resigning as Chief of Staff at our Memorial Christmas reception.”
Reid was doubly thrown. He knew this moment would come, but hearing the news touched him. The other surprise made its way to his mouth.
“We have a Memorial Christmas reception?”
Bob smiled. “We have. It’s just a little gathering at four, on the day before Christmas. All personnel are invited, including their partners, to share in a drink and to collect the Christmas bonus.”
“Hold on,” Reid sat straight, “We’ve been over the bonuses, but I thought they would be included in their salary. You hand them out personally?”
“I do,” Bob smiled, “Let me guess…very 1960’s?”
“Pfff, more like 1950,” Reid muttered and Bob chuckled.
“Listen Reid, you do it your way, okay? I just like that personal note. The opportunity to thank everybody for their dedication. So this year I’ll do that for the last time and next year you decide what approach appeals to you.”
Reid nodded.
“So you’re really stepping down…”
Bob smiled. “I am. I’m confident you’ll do great. I showed you all I could and now it’s your turn.”
“It will be strange without you.”
Bob swallowed. Somehow he hadn’t expect this sadness in Reid. It warmed him.
“I’m pretty sure I’ll be in from time to time. This place has been my home for a very long time.”
Reid nodded. “Yeah, that must be strange. To leave, I mean.”
“It is. But I’ll stick around.”
“I’m glad,” Reid gave him a quick smile and pointed at the documents again. “Can I now see those scans?”
Bob handed them over with an understanding smile. Bob’s upcoming departure hit a nerve with Reid that the younger man didn’t want to share. And that was okay. So he followed Reid to the light box and looked at the scans again.
When Reid walked into the room, the conversation stopped immediately and all eyes were on him.
“Hey guys,” his eyes were drawn to Luke, but after their eyes met in a silent greeting, he also acknowledged the others with a quick nod.
“I’d like to speak to my patient in private.”
“They can stay,” Barbara interfered. “I want them to hear what’s going on.”
When Luke rose to his feet, she motioned him to sit down. “You too, Luke. Please stay.”
Reid looked at his papers. “Okay, the good news is basically the bad news. The swelling is gone and that means you’re ready to go home.”
“But my memory loss…”
“I know. Apparently it isn’t caused by the swelling, so now we need to explore other options to find out what’s going on.”
“What other options?” Paul asked.
“Well, the memory loss can be caused by the injury of the hippocampus, but it could also be stress related. Another option we need to consider is that you suffered a stroke. That could also explain why you fell in the first place. We could also be dealing with an overactive defense mechanism.”
Barbara looked in shock.
“So…how can we find out what it is?”
“We have a highly skilled doctor on board who specializes in this. I advise you to call upon his knowledge, but you don’t have to stay here for that. Basically I see no reason to keep you here.”
Barbara’s shock turned into panic.
“I can’t go home. Apparently I was living with Henry and I can’t go there.”
“Mom, calm down. You’re always welcome at Fairwinds,” Paul intervened in a soothing tone. “We’ll take it one day at a time. You heard Dr. Oliver. This can be stress related, so you’re not helping matters if you add to the stress.”
Reid nodded. “Exactly. Don’t work yourself up.”
Barbara gave him a glimpse of a smile.
“I’ll try,” she noticed the way Reid was looking at Luke and her smile became more apparent. “I know I was very judgmental about your relationship with Luke…” the golden ring on the men’s fingers hadn’t gone by unnoted, “but after seeing you both at the opening ceremony I owe you an apology. You’re an unlikely couple, but it’s obviously working very well.”
“Just like you and Henry,” Gwen mumbled and Barbara looked at her for a moment.
“I know. It’s just that I don’t feel that…”
“Give it time,” Reid smiled at her. “Maybe you can start by giving Henry the benefit of the doubt… you really had something special together. It would be sad to see that go to waste.”
“I agree,” Luke sided with Reid, while he walked up to his doctor and took his hand. “Will told me a few weeks ago about the beautiful wedding vows you and Henry shared. About how you loved and admired each other for who you are. That’s what Will and Gwen have too. And that’s what Reid and I have.”
He saw Paul raising his finger and Luke continued: “And that’s what Paul and Emily have. That real connection. You were so happy. So in love. Even if you don’t remember it, right now…you can decide to trust it. That it was there. That it’s still there. Don’t try to evoke it. Just trust it’s there.”
Luke gave Will a wink and his friend gave him a loving smile.
“Your wise son helped me with this advice last night, so I’m passing it on. Hoping it will do for you what it did for me.” Luke looked up to Reid and the doctor softly squeezed Luke’s chin.
“Just trust the love.”