Hit and Run Part 19

Title: Hit and Run
Author: Marsabi
Summary: After Natalie is a victim of a hit-and-run, Luke and Reid’s relationship is tested
Disclaimer: Owned by ATWT
Warning: Some strong language
Rating: PG

Part 19

It was New Year’s Eve.

Reid was rushing Luke along, and trying to remind himself to breathe. He hated to acknowledge it, but he was extremely nervous. He had not eaten all day. His stomach was in knots and the thought of food actually made it hurt. Besides, he had slept poorly last night. He had gotten up feeling drained. Now they were only an hour away from the party - only an hour.

Reid picked up the clock again for the fourth time, “Would you move along?” He said to Luke.

It didn’t help that Luke was walking around in just his briefs, looking like an angel in an underwear ad, not helping his nerves one bit.

His scheduled proposal time was almost here. Reid felt dizzy from just the thought and sat down on their bed. The lack of sleep and sustenance was getting to him. And Natalie had made him go shopping all day. Shopping! In and out of every frilly, prissy store imaginable.

“Why do you care so much if we’re on time?” Luke complained. “ You hate parties.”

Could Luke’s underwear be any tighter? Could he be any more perfect? Reid studied the clock again.

“I don’t hate parties, besides its Lucinda. Now stop asking me so many questions,” Reid said anxiously, “and get your butt in the shower.”

“You had my butt in the shower last night,” Luke said laughing, “however, I might be persuaded to do it again – “ Luke and his hot, skimpily-clad body started over to him. He offered Reid one of his killer smiles.

“No,” Reid held out his hand to stop him. “ I want you to actually get clean. “

“ Spoilsport.” Luke stuck out his pink tongue. Reid felt like somebody just cut him off at the knees. Part of him just wanted to drag Luke back to bed and keep him there.

Luke wouldn’t get his romantic proposal then. Natalie would kick his ass.

“I’m not spoiling things,” Reid said with irritation. “ I just know how long it takes you to do your pretty hair.”

“Hey,” Luke pushed at him, “just for that remark , I won’t go and get ready until you tell me something…revealing.”

“Oh, come on!”Reid put a hand to his head- none of this was going easily for him. He could feel his mind turning into quivering mush. Is this what love did to you? He was beginning to have not one coherent thought. He just wanted to go and get it over with, and here was Luke goofing around, wanting to play. Didn’t he know how hard this was for Reid? Well, okay, he didn’t know, but still…

“Let’s see. Before I shower for the party, I need you to tell me…” Luke chewed his finger in thought. “The number.” He shot Reid a triumphant grin.

“The number?” Reid parroted. “ Fuck Luke! You want to tease me about the number of men right now?”

It was an ongoing fight they’d always both enjoyed. Luke constantly asking for details of Reid’s sexual history, and Reid’s carefully avoiding it. It always had bothered Luke that Reid knew all about Noah and Luke’s history together, but much of Reid’s past love life was a mystery to him.

“Tell me,” Luke said now, his eyes dancing.

“If I tell you the number of men I’ve been with, will you hurry?” Reid snapped. He really had more important matters on his mind. He’s promised Natalie he would not screw it up; he did not want to screw this up. And now they were already running late.

Luke was stunned, “Yes,” he agreed eagerly. He couldn’t believe Reid was about to finally reveal the number of men he had slept with. Luke braced himself, suddenly wondering if he really did want to know.

“Okay, then. ” Reid rolled his eyes.”Five. Happy now?”

“Five?” Luke’s mouth dropped” Just five?”

“Look, I never said I was some kind of Casanova, you just got in your mind.” Reid grinned suddenly, “Probably cause I’m such a master in the bedroom. “

“Five?” Luke said again.

“Hey,” Reid said a little defensively, ” I was busy becoming a world class neurosurgeon. And before that a chess champion and Harvard medical school student and –“

“Before that a high school science geek?” Luke offered, laughing.

Then Luke’s face glowed wickedly. “So five, huh? Hmm. You mean if I go and sleep with just a few more men, I could tie you?” he teased.

“You’re not sleeping with anybody but me,” Reid said hotly.

“I don’t know,” Luke mused.“Five only? “Luke laughed again, delighted.

“They were five extremely satisfied men,” Reid said.

“I’m sure.”

“Just go and shower , smart ass. I answered the question.”

Giggling, Luke headed for the shower.

Reid rushed over to their closet. He glanced down a moment at the texts from the family urging him to hurry. Then Reid took out the outfit he’d hidden behind his tux. He took a deep, terrified breath and grabbed it.

Reid gazed at his appearance in the mirror and winced. He looked ridiculous. He must be out of his mind. How could he listen to Natalie? She was eleven years old! He shook his head and glanced at the bathroom door. Luke was still in the shower, no doubt conditioning his hair or whatever.

Reid studied himself again. If they were still alive, his rational, cold-hearted parents would be shocked by his idiotic behavior. No one in his family ever foolishly acted from emotions. If his Uncle Angus could see him, there would be vicious taunting and ridicule. Reid examined his reflection again. No, not like this. He just couldn’t. It was all too risky. He didn’t know anything about declarations of love. Panic consumed him. He had to get away. He had to think this over. Just for a little bit of time. He grabbed his winter coat and quickly covered up the outfit.

Then Reid walked out the door.

***
When Luke opened up the bathroom, showered and shaved, and looking more lovely than a man should be allowed to look in his tux, he found himself all alone.

“Reid?” He called. The room was deserted. Luke looked around in confusion . He went down the stairs and wandered from one dark room to another. A pang of loneliness hit Luke. The house was empty.

Then his phone buzzed. Luke went and picked it up.

Meet me at the hospital the text read, I’m in exam room one.

***


The hospital was eerily quiet. Soon there would be New Year’s Eve accidents and drunks pouring into Memorial’s doors, but right now it was early. Luke was surprised that an emergency had called Reid away. At least, that was what he guessed. He was baffled why Reid wanted him to come to the hospital, and not just meet him later at the party.
Luke walked to the exam room and opened the door.

Reid stood in his long white doctor’s coat and scrub pants, but there was nobody else there.

“Hey,” Luke said, suddenly feeling unsure.” What’s going on? I thought you must have had an emergency.”

“I did,” Reid said grimly. “of nerves.”

“What?”

Reid slowly looked Luke over from head to foot. He was wearing his formal black tuxedo. It outlined the shape of his body snugly. His hair was combed back and spiked a little. His beautiful skin looked illuminated, even under the harsh hospital lights.

“You look amazing,” Reid told him honestly.

“For a guy you just stood up?” Luke asked, a little hurt and irritated now that he could see no emergency in sight.

Reid ignored that.

“Do you know,” Reid said, moving around the exam room and fiddling with one of the machines. “That this is the room they brought Natalie into.”

Luke glanced around. “It is? I guess it is. That day was so crazy.”

“Yeah,” Reid said. “I remember coming in here and seeing her for the first time. “ Reid paused and cleared his throat. “And do you know, my hands shook when I touched her.” He frowned with puzzlement as if the shock of that day was still with him. “ That never happens to me.” Reid’s eyes flitted all about room. “ I never, ever shake. “
Luke’s heart was hammering in his chest with confusion. “ Your hands?” He repeated. “ Shook?”

“Yeah, I didn’t tell you.” Reid drew his eyebrows together. He had just assumed Luke would somehow know his fear. He realized now that had not been fair. “I’m sorry,” he told Luke.

Feeling awkward, Luke grabbed at the edge of the metal table. “Sorry? About your hands?”

With a muffled oath, Reid began to babble:

“No, I’m sorry I’m screwing up! You deserve this to go as planned. You deserve it all to be perfect! Natalie told me how to be romantic and she had me reserve the bridal suite of the hotel. It’s supposed to be like in the Nutcracker, I think. She has music on and ready and there are flowers there, even rose petals in the tub, and balloons and sparkling cider and – but Luke, “ Reid turned away with a rueful smile, “I just couldn’t go there. “

He gestured around wildly. “ I couldn’t do it!” Reid took a step back from Luke. “ All that isn’t me. I’m not that guy – I couldn’t.“

Luke inhaled a sharp breath. He tried to get closer to Reid.

“Do what? Couldn’t do what?” Luke asked desperately now. He felt the shock of the situation hitting his stomach.

“Wear my heart on my sleeve and be all sappy,” Reid answered, backing away from him. “ All I thought about is will Luke think this is good enough? Is this romantic enough? And what will happen in that hotel room, when he sees everything? I panicked. “

Reid turned away.

Frantically, Luke tried to answer. “ It doesn’t matter,” Luke stumbled over his words, “Do you hear me?” I don’t care about music or flowers or a bridal suite- I just need you to – I don’t – just please –“ Luke’s voice broke.

But Reid didn’t hear Luke’s plea. He was clammy with sweat by then, and in his own world of agony.

“Look,” Reid declared suddenly, “See what an idiot I am.” And with that, Reid began to take off his lab coat and scrubs in order to reveal to Luke just what was underneath.


a/n: Okay, don’t throw tomatoes at me for the cliffhanger… the rest is being posted later today; it was just getting too long here

Hit and Run Part 20

Title: Hit and Run 20 (LAST)
Author: Marsabi
Summary: After Natalie is a victim of a hit- and-run, Reid and Luke’s relationship is tested
Disclaimer: Owned by ATWT
Rating: PG
Warning: Fluffy and some strong language



a/n: This is it! Thanks so much for all the comments; it really kept me going. I appreciated every comment. Here is the end…

Part 20

Reid was dressed like a prince. He wore a fancy red and blue vest and shirt. He had a crest of gold decorated on his chest. His legs were in blue tights. Nervous sweat was starting to pool at Reid’s eyebrow, and he carelessly wiped it with a puffy prince arm.

“Do you see me?” Reid demanded.

“Oh God, “ Luke said.

“I’m ridiculous!”Reid moaned, throwing up his hands in despair. “And I don’t even know how this happened to me. One moment, I was seeing Natalie off and the next your family descended on me with crap about your mouse fetish and Valentine’s Day and –“

“My what?”

“And then I tried to tell you how you look and how I felt, but I end up shoveling cat shit, and then the next thing I know, Natalie has me getting out my credit card at a costume shop and – Look at me!”

Luke did. He tried to fight it, but a huge wave of laughter hit him. He gave a small pinch at his own arm to try and stop it.

“You’re bratty sister even gave me these cards, “ Reid babbled on nervously, oblivious to
Luke’s shaking shoulders and twisting mouth. “She was afraid I couldn’t remember. I mean, I told her I have a photographic memory!” Reid’s voice trembled with indignation, “ But she didn’t listen. “ He took an index card out from his pocket, “She wrote down word for word romantic things I was supposed to say.”

Luke was desperately biting the inside of his cheek now.

Reid read from the card in a robotic voice, “You’re my handsome prince and I’m going to be your prince too, “ He looked up at Luke with an incredulous, pained expression.

Luke couldn’t help a burst of laughter that escaped his lips.

“I don’t know how she got me to go this far, “ Reid was mumbling, “Your sister is ruthless. She’d be a great chess player.” Reid read another line, “We can be together and make our own beautiful castle of love.”

Luke held his side and tried to stop. It was no use. A great belly ache of laughter escaped.

“Oh shut up!” Reid said suddenly seeing Luke’s face, “quit it.”

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” Luke held up a protesting hand, even as he roared with more laughter. “But your costume? Those- those words from your mouth,” He had to lean against a wall as he laughed.

Reid balled up the index card and threw it at him, “I hate you!” He said.

Luke only laughed harder, a partly nervous laugh, and a snort came out of his nose.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying this,” Reid said, but his lips twitched. “It is pretty awful, huh?”

“Terrible,” Luke agreed.

Suddenly, both of them were laughing. The sound filled the room.

Luke walked over to Reid and pulled on his puffy sleeve.

“Should I call you Charming from now on?”

Reid flipped him the bird.

They laughed harder.

“ Okay, not Charming, not at all,” Luke said, through his giggles.

“None of this would have happened, if you could just stay awake after sex,” Reid accused.

Luke cupped Reid’s disgruntled face. “Sorry.” He let his hand slide down Reid’s cheek gently.

Their laughter died in that moment of physical contact. Reid looked deeply into Luke’s eyes.

“No, I’m sorry. That I left tonight. But your family. The bridal suite, the speech, this outfit- I just panicked, you know?” Reid said.

Luke tensed up a little. He swallowed the lump in his throat and just nodded.

Reid took Luke’s hand from his face and just held it a second.

“I didn’t mean to leave; I just went into breakdown mode,” Reid admitted. “It was all too much.”

“So you came here,” Luke whispered seriously now, and understanding at last, “Where you feel safe.”

“Yeah,” Reid said. “And where we got so off track.”

Luke licked his lips. His eyes filled with mixed emotions.

He had no clue what Reid would do next. Now that he had laughed at him, Luke suddenly wanted to cry. He looked away and pulled nervously at his ear. “So…?” He said softly.

Luke looked to Reid then, as if to discover some part of Reid that had been eluding him.

“So,” Reid gazed around the exam room. Then he sighed. He looked at Luke’s hopeful face. “So. I hope Natalie and you will forgive me. But I gotta do this like me.”

“Are you,” Luke stammered, “doing it?”

“I’m wearing a fucking prince suit, aren’t I? I am doing this alright.”

“Okay,” Luke gave him a tremulous smile. Then he wiped more tears from his eyes. “And you, you trust me again?”

“It was never really you I didn’t trust!” Reid said quickly. “Did you think that?”
Luke wouldn’t answer.

“I’m sorry.” Reid glanced at him, “Is that why the cat and the skating and the rest? You were proving yourself?”

“Did it work?” Luke asked shyly. “Was it the public sex? I know you liked that part. Was it Reid Jr.?”

“It wasn’t the sex! And not the damn cat!” Reid laughed.

“Then what?”

Reid shook his head. He thought about the way Luke punched Chris, defended him to Lily, comforted him after they’d fought. He looked at Luke and wanted to tell him that it was everything about him. It was his very essence that Reid loved so much.

“I don’t know.” He smiled.

Luke smiled at him too. “You’re not mad about all that crazy stuff I did?”

“Well,” Reid drawled and rolled his eyes, “We may have to talk later about your family and boundaries…”

“Oh geez,” Luke said. “Let’s put that talk on hold.”

“Agreed,” Reid answered. Then he snuck a shy peek at Luke. “It was never you I didn’t trust –it was the rest.”

“The rest?” Luke looked puzzled.

“Our house, our love, our – life.” Reid looked down with embarrassment. “Look…I don’t usually end up with things like this or someone like you. I’m the guy who works all day and night and then comes home to a frozen dinner and an empty apartment.” He touched Luke reverently . “And then I met you. You turned all my expectations upside down. That’s what it took me awhile to believe in again – that I could really have a life with you that would last.”

“It will last,” Luke gave him a reassuring smile, ”Cause I love you. ” Luke leaned his forehead against Reid’s, and circled an arm at his waist.

“Me too,” Reid said thickly.

Then he tilted his head at Luke, “So why didn’t you just come out and talk to me about all this? Tell me how worried you were about the engagement ?”

Luke was quiet a long moment. “ I know I should have just been honest. But I knew I’d let you down before.” He struggled over his words, filled with raw emotion. “ And I was just too afraid of your answer.”

“And why did you take the rings off?” Reid persisted gently.

Luke buried his face in Reid’s neck and hugged him tightly.

“I think I know the answer, “ Reid said. He absently stroked Luke’s hair. “You were trying to do what you thought I needed. So you put the rings away. Even though you didn’t want to, right?” He could feel Luke shudder in response.

Reid wrapped his arms around Luke protectively. He even rocked him a moment. “Are you ready for your proposal?” Reid whispered in Luke’s ear.

A sob racked Luke’s body, “You, you don’t have to. I’m happy to be together. I-“

“Shut up,” Reid told him cheerfully. “Stop babbling. “

“Me? You’re the babbling one,” Luke replied . He was about to add more, when Reid held Luke away from his body and gently hushed him.

“Now-“ Reid said. “Don’t interrupt, okay?” Reid’s voice trembled with the true depth of his feelings.

Luke bobbed his head up and down. His fists clenched. He tried to freeze like a statue.

Reid squeezed Luke’s hand, and then he dropped down on one knee.

“ I’d rather be doing brain surgery in here right now, “Reid groaned.

Then he gazed up at Luke’s loving expression. Luke’s cheeks were pink, and he had a sweet, tentative smile of encouragement on his face. “Or maybe not,” Reid said softly.

He could feel Luke’s hand shaking in his own. Tears were starting again in Luke’s eyes.

“Watch the water works,” Reid advised dryly, “This costume is a rental.”

Then when Luke remained silent and waiting, Reid exhaled deeply .

“I love you,” he told Luke simply. “And I want you to be my husband and plan our wedding again and…” Reid paused nervously. “Will you please marry me? I really love you. More than junk food, more than brains, more than anything or anybody. Okay? That’s it, I guess. “ Reid shrugged self-consciously. “I said it… So will you?”

With a shout of undisguised joy, Luke hauled Reid up to his feet and hugged him tightly. “Yes! “ He said. “Yes, yes, yes!” Luke’s face flushed with happiness and he flashed
Reid his high-voltage smile.

Their lips met.

“Can I tell you a secret, Snyder?’ Reid said suddenly.

“You’d better tell me all your secrets, Dr. Oliver,” Luke teased in a choked voice and kissed Reid softly.

“ Earlier this evening? When I told you my number? You know, that was just my sex number. “

Luke sniffed. He wiped some stray tears away. “What do you mean?”

“My real number? My love number?” Reid smiled. “ It’s one, Luke, only one.”

With that, Reid slid the frog ring off of his finger and carefully placed it on Luke’s.

Luke’s whole face lit up with joy.

“The truth is- there’s nothing I want more in this wide world than to be your husband, “ Reid admitted.

They kissed again slowly and deeply. Their lips smacking as they parted.

“I’m sorry this wasn’t good like your proposal, “ Reid said suddenly, breaking it off with a guilty face. “That we’re in the hospital, of all stupid places.” He gave Luke a sheepish look. “ I wanted to romance you, I really did. I worked it all out with Natalie and it’s all waiting there. But-”

“Reid,” Luke put a finger to his lips, stopping his words. “You’re standing here, telling me you love me, wanting to get engaged again, wanting to become my husband .” Luke gave an elated laugh. Then Luke’s voice cracked with love, “ This – here and just like this - is the most romantic thing in my life, you big idiot. “

“Really?’ Reid exclaimed.”I did a good job?” Reid’s entire face was suddenly open and excited like a little boy’s, making Luke suck in his breath.

“A really good job,” Luke told him. “Just the way you did it.”

Reid grinned happily, and Luke sweetly kissed him.

“Although, I do have to thank Natalie for one thing.” Luke added.

“What’s that?”

“You look damn good in these tights. “ Luke laughed and ran his hand down Reid’s leg suggestively.

A moment later, Reid pulled back and sighed. “Well, everybody’s waiting to congratulate us at Lucinda’s party. We should go. They all expect me to be proposing right now at the bridal suite. “

“That’s nice,” Luke murmured, pulling him in for another kiss.

“Yeah, your family is excited. They must have called me a hundred times. So should we go?“

“Nope,” Luke nibbled the line of Reid’s jaw.

“No?” Reid said in confusion. “It’s almost midnight.”

“We’ll go and see them all and wish them a happy New Year,” Luke said gruffly, “ but much, much later. I want to spend a little time with you and me first. “ He nuzzled Reid’s neck and then sucked on the sensitive skin there.

“Just you and me,” Luke repeated.

Luke looked at Reid and gave him a melting smile full of promise.

“Just you and me,” Reid agreed.

He no longer felt silly standing in front of Luke in his prince outfit. Reid knew in that moment that he would love this man until the day he died, and that their love would last for always.

Just like a fairytale, they were meant for happily ever after .

The End