marsabi1

Title: Anywhere USA
Author: Marsabi
Summary: This is a two part story with multiple chapters.
Part One: Abandoned as a teen, Reid is forced to live on the Snyder farm as a foster kid for a few months, before he heads off on his own, but will a certain child worm his way into Reid’s heart?
Part Two: Reid returns to Oakdale as a favor for Bob, something he planned never to do, and he can’t wait to leave town, until his past slams into him in the form of Luke Snyder and damn if Luke isn’t all grown up.
Warning: Sexual Content in some parts
Rating: PG-NC-17
Thanks to the following friends for their support of this story: shadownyc, traciamc, and Rhiannonhero
Author’s notes: This was bid on by Rhiannon Hero for the Japanese auction. Because I know Rhiannonhero loathes short chapters, these chapters will be long.


Chapter 12

A third week began, and finally Reid was officially on vacation, free to spend all day and night with Luke. He teased Luke mercilessly about being stinking rich and able to make his own hours, but he was secretly happy to see Luke make time for him. Reid still attempted to downplay the vacation, and didn’t make a big deal out of it to Luke, because Reid wasn’t ready to examine his decision, or admit to himself what it might mean.

He tried to ignore the unexpected gurgle of weird happiness inside of him, whenever Luke smiled or kissed him or just came into the room. He tried to ignore how intoxicated he felt all the time being near him. Instead, Reid focused on each moment separately, refusing to look at it as a whole. The first day, they hung out watching baseball on television, arguing playfully over the better team, and after the game ended, Reid couldn’t resist wrapping his arms around Luke tightly, licking the hollow of his neck, driving him crazy, making Luke thrash and swear, and the unexpected profanity on Luke’s lips drove Reid crazy in return. He practically threw Luke onto the bed, stripped him naked, and began to furiously rim his sweet ass. The sex was fast and frantic and simply fantastic. They ordered pizza and stayed in bed the rest of the day, eating and arguing sports and screwing.

In bed and out, Luke continued to surprise Reid. Luke made the rest of the world seem far away, all his focus was on Reid, and when they were together like that, Reid felt like there was nothing else but them, and he tried not to think about how much he liked feeling that way.

The next day, Luke wanted a real “date.” So they went to a farmer’s market, wandering around with baskets, filling them with fresh fruit and cheese. They had a picnic under a gigantic tree, feeding each other fat, red grapes, and licking the juice off each other’s lips. It should have felt ridiculous, this romantic bull crap that Reid had always despised in romantic comedies and in the stories he overheard about other people's lives; instead it was fun and intimate, and Reid felt almost stupid that he'd never known.

Later, Luke insisted on apple picking, climbing up a tree and tossing apples down at Reid’s head, daring him to catch them all. Reid laughed at Luke’s face as he easily caught all the apples. When Luke climbed down, they shared one, crunching into it, passing it back and forth. After, they spent some time browsing in Old Town, all three stores, and then went to a movie. Reid had no idea what the film was about. Luke started kissing him, the moment the lights went out, and they didn't come up for air until the credits rolled.

The week flew by and each day was different. Time felt meaningless, elusive. It was so unlike Reid, but he hardly ever glanced at the clock or wore his watch the entire week. They made out by the pond for what seemed like hours, just kissing, causing a physical ache, that almost stung, all the way inside of Reid, from the roots of his hair down to his toes. That night, they’d delayed sex for awhile, just talking and laughing together. When they finally did embrace each other, it had been slow and sweet. They both tried to keep their eyes open, watching each other as long as possible, as their bodies moved against each other, connecting. Reid hated to say it, but it had been beautiful. He was sort of afraid it would always be that way, and he didn't know how he felt about that.

So he was relieved when on another night back at the hotel, they were so horny that they never made it to the bed and ended up fucking in a chair. Reid straddled Luke, grabbed at Luke’s chest hair, grinding up and down on him, with Luke’s cock up his ass. They screwed wildly until they both collapsed. As they stumbled from the chair to the bed, Luke immediately pressed his body into Reid’s for comfort, and then he fell into an exhausted sleep, tangled up in Reid’s arms.


***
Reid slept late the next day. He felt Luke nudging him a few times and calling his name, but Reid only swatted his hand away. He turned over and slept more. When he finally woke up, his hand immediately went to the pillow next to him. Luke wasn’t there.

Reid ran his fingers over the indented place where Luke’s head had been, and swallowed hard. He sat up, rubbing his eyes. There was a note propped on the dresser. Reid walked to it, reading Luke’s happy scrawl. He'd gone to the foundation to schedule some meetings for next week and wanted Reid to meet him at Java at nine.

Reid glanced at the clock; it was already 8:35.

Cursing, he hurried into the shower and got dressed. He hopped around on one foot, pulling on a sock, grabbing his jeans and zipping them up quickly, not bothering to do more than brush his teeth, slowing down for that despite his desire to rush. He combed his hair, ignoring the flyaway curls at his neck, and stuffed his wallet in his pocket. Reid felt a happy buzz inside of him at the thought of meeting Luke. He walked to his hotel door, and then winced. Damn it, if the little fucker hadn’t made him good and sore. An almost proud smile lit up Reid’s face, and he headed out.

As he entered Java, the place was packed. Of course, there really was only one coffee shop in the lousy town, and the coffee was merely second rate too. Reid scanned the line for Luke. Luke waved at him happily. He was already waiting for their coffee.

Reid felt his heart lift at the sight of him.

“Try to get a table,” Luke called out. “I’ll join you in a minute.”

Reid nodded, fighting off the crowd, and secured a table near the back. He picked up the morning Intruder off of the table, shaking his head over all of Oakdale’s nonsense, but reading it anyway.

“Hi there. We can’t find a table. May we join you?”

Reid glanced at the middle aged blonde in a tight little dress and her friend, a younger version of her.

“No. This table is taken.” Reid went back to the paper.

“It’s so crowded and you’re at a huge table," the women replied and then sat down. Reid’s mouth dropped open at her audacity.

“I said no.” He scowled. "Are you deaf or just stupid?”

They both ignored him, putting their purses on the one empty chair.

“Emily Stewart,“ she introduced herself. “And my sister, Ali.”

“We’re having a girls' morning,” the younger one, Ali, said chirpily.

“Doctor Reid Oliver.” He looked over at Luke, placing their order. “Find your own table.”

Emily scooted closer. “I like doctors just fine, especially handsome ones.”

“I’m gay,” Reid told her flatly.

Emily shrugged. “I’ve had worse challenges.”

“She really has.” Ali agreed. She took a sip of her coffee. “But hands off, Emily.”

“Why?” Emily pouted at her sister.

“He’s Luke’s.”

“Oh,” Emily looked over to Luke, who was paying for their coffees.

Reid frowned. “How did you know that?”

Ali shrugged, waving a hand at him. “Please it’s all over the hospital. I’m a nurse there. Don’t you remember the day I assisted you with that motorcycle accident?”

“Not really. All the nurses’ look alike to me.”

“Well, the nurses all know you. Everybody knows all about you and Luke. Why are you surprised? It's a small town. It’s like when mom hooked up with Bob that time, remember Emily? Everybody at Memorial knew.”

“Your mom?”

“Dr. Susan Stewart. She and Bob had this thing. I mean, it’s ancient history, but they were working the late shift together and-“

“Please,” Reid stopped her. “I can’t hear about your mother and Bob doing the horizontal mambo.”

Emily shrugged. “I thought you’d like to hear the dirt." She waved a hand at the Intruder. “You are reading my newspaper.”

“I’m not reading it,” Reid replied. “I was saving it for my cat’s litter box.” He handed it to Emily. “You should put some real articles into that trash.”

“Like what?”

Reid thought a moment. “Luke’s been wanting to write some articles on Oakdale’s blossoming gay community, how about giving him a shot?”

“What gay community?” Ali laughed.

Emily, however, looked interested. “I could use giving the Intruder some legitimacy; I’ll talk to him about it.”

“Hey!” Luke called out as if on cue, walking to them, balancing the coffees on a cardboard tray. “What are you guys doing here?”

“Just a sisters’ morning out,” Emily said. “And we’re checking out your new boyfriend too.”

Luke startled; he darted his eyes over to Reid.

Reid shrugged and took the coffee from him so that Luke could sit down.

“It’s all over the hospital,“ Ali said again, turning to Luke and stealing a few packets of sugar from Reid’s tray. “Liberty was telling everybody. She’s working there as a candy striper, you know.” Ali dumped two packets of sugar into her already light coffee and stirred.

“Liberty?” Luke said, scratching his ear. “How would she- “ Then his eyes widened. “Oh.” Luke made a face. “She’s my sort of cousin,” he told Reid.

“Of course she is.” Reid snorted. “Isn’t everybody?”

“And she lives with my Uncle Jack,” Luke continued.

“Oh,” Reid nodded, remembering the car incident.

“Yeah,” Luke said, ducking his head.

“Now that you mention it,” Emily said. “I did overhear Lily at Fashions whining about how Luke had a new boyfriend and she would soon be abandoned with no kids left in the nest. She was spending a bundle of cash to cheer herself up.”

“I’m not abandoning her -“ Luke exclaimed.

“Mom said she saw you guys making out at the movies, too,” Ali added. “I hope it was at least R rated.”

Luke and Reid met each other’s stunned faces. They’d been in some kind of dream world the past few weeks, oblivious to anybody but each other, but of course, all of Oakdale knew about them. Reid sighed. The week was coming to an end and he was already struggling with that, now whatever happened between him and Luke would be fodder for the gossiping morons of this one horse town. If this were a normal place, nobody would care about them at all. Why couldn’t they all just watch YouTube porn for kicks like everybody else?

Reid took a sip of his coffee; Luke had remembered to get him caramel flavoring. Reid snuck a glance at Luke and found he was already staring at him, a sweet smile across his face. Reid swallowed more coffee, unable to stop looking at Luke. Watching him, Luke licked his lips and Reid’s body clenched with desire. He stared intensely at Luke’s mouth and then met his eyes again.

“Whew,” Emily pretended to drag her palm across her forehead. “You two are hotter than my latte.”

“Totally steaming." Ali giggled in approval.

“Sorry,” Luke dropped his gaze. “We’re being rude.”

“No worries.” Ali grinned, she stood up and motioned for Emily to get up too. “But that’s our cue to leave.”

“No -“ Luke started," We don’t mind-“

“Yeah, we do. Go ahead and leave anytime,” Reid said to them.

Luke cuffed him on the side of the head. “He doesn’t mean it. Stay.”

Reid shot him an annoyed look. Luke wrinkled up his nose at Reid, trying to appear irritated, but looking amused instead.

“Ever since Casey left me, I’ve been so glad Emily is around,” Ali sighed.

“Well, I remember how devastated I was when he left me,” Emily replied.

“That must have been hard for you.” Luke nodded, his eyes wide and sympathetic, as if it were normal for two sisters to have dated the same guy.

"I'm feeling left out," Reid grumbled. "Everyone at this table has dated Casey but me. And he's pretty cute, if I recall correctly. Though, it was kind of dark out when I met him."

"Reid," Luke muttered, covering his smile with coffee. "He's joking. Forget it."

"Oh, well, you were just pretending to date Casey, Luke. Everyone knew that."

Reid narrowly avoided asking what the point had been of the whole charade then, and instead focused on grumpily drinking his coffee, and watching Luke’s charm bubble out of him easily, and the sisters lapped it up.

Now those two would never go. As if Luke sensed Reid’s mood, he slipped a hand underneath the table and rubbed up and down on Reid’s thigh. Reid turned to him, ignoring the conversation about Casey, and leaning in to nibble Luke’s ear. He gave Luke a hungry look, wanting to bed him right then and there.

“Reid!” Luke admonished, blushing. The hand on Reid’s leg, however, didn’t stop rubbing. Reid kissed the slope of Luke’s neck, letting his lips linger on his musky skin, letting Luke feel the force of his want.

“What?” Reid asked, looking only at Luke’s deep, sweet eyes.

Luke waved a hand toward Ali and Emily.

“Don’t mind us,“ Emily said. “I am all about a bitching make out session.” Emily leered.

“She is.“ Ali nodded. “Ask anybody in town. She’d join you if she could.“

Emily turned to her sister, a hand on her hip. “Oh, don’t act innocent - Miss Cheat on every potential fiancée in Oakdale. You’d grab these two and have a three-way in a minute.”

“At least I wasn’t hooking at the Lakeview,” Ali argued back.

“No, you were just the porn star.”

The two sisters broke into a cat fight, spewing insults for a moment. Reid and Luke just sat there watching. Reid took another sip of coffee, wishing he’d asked Luke for some muffins to go with the drama. Despite himself, he was kind of curious about Ali’s meth habits and Emily’s boy-toy lovers, but the sisters were already making up.

“Sorry, Em,” Ali finally said, giving her sister a hug. “You know I love you.”

“Aww, Ali, me too!” They hugged some more.

“I’ve never been so glad to be an only child,“ Reid mumbled and drank his coffee.

“Well, um,” Luke was clearly disconcerted from their fight. “You guys can stay.”

“Naw. We’re out of here,” Emily said to Luke, tapping his shoulder with a manicured finger. “Oh, and by the way, I want to talk to you about writing some serious pieces for the Intruder.”

“What? Me?”

“Don’t you write? Reid said you did.”

Luke’s mouth gaped, he looked at Reid.

“You haven’t read anything of mine since I was eight.”

“Not true. I peeked at your diary at Lily’s.”

Luke flushed. “He’s joking. I don’t have a diary.”

Reid gave a small smile. Luke so had a diary; he’d have to really search for it now.

“Well, consider sending me some of your thoughts on articles,” Emily said.

“I could do that now…?”

“No,” Reid interrupted. "You can’t.” He’d be damned if Intruder chatter would interrupt more of his time with Luke. “Please excuse us, as you pointed out earlier, we have the hots for each other and I need to do something about that right now.”

“Reid,” Luke bopped him on the shoulder. “Stop joking.”

“Stop trying to beat me up in public, save your S& M tendencies for the privacy of my hotel room,” Reid replied, enjoying Luke’s crimson face. “And you’ll know when I’m joking. “

He cupped Luke’s face and went in for a kiss. Luke flailed a moment and then opened his mouth. He let his mouth move on Luke’s slowly.

Reid knew Ali and Emily had gotten up and were headed out, but he still kissed Luke's mouth; the rest of the world could gossip about them or just go away. Reid didn’t care. Luke kissed him back, his hands circling Reid’s neck.

“That was rude,” Luke scolded in a husky voice, after the sisters left and the kiss ended. He held a finger to his swollen mouth a moment.

Reid shrugged. “You liked it.” Luke didn’t reply to that, he merely pursed his lips together, but his eyes sparkled. Reid leaned in closer to Luke, staring at him, “And I want to be alone with you.”

“You were alone with me all night.” Luke gave him a grin and he reached for Reid’s fingers.

A warmth uncoiled in Reid’s gut. He needed the day to be special for them both; they had so little time left. Maybe a trip out to the farm and a picnic at the pond again? More sex outside? Or maybe, a romantic night that Luke would appreciate? Reid pictured some future sex by that great fireplace at the farm on some really cold night. Where had that thought come from? Reid scowled- there would be no sex by a fireplace. What was wrong with him? This was almost over. His vacation time was almost up and then…. Luke was playing with his fingers, raising them up and kissing them one-by-one. He was looking at Reid like he was the only person in the room, and Reid felt that clawing inside his guts because he wanted to be here on some cold night to warm Luke’s chilled skin, kiss his lips, make a fire for them, drink hot chocolate with Luke, and then fuck him all night long on Emma’s giant rug.

“Luke.” Reid savored the taste of his name in his mouth.

He just kept staring at Luke, not at all certain of what he wanted to tell him. His brown eyes were so warm, lit up with joy, and part of Reid wanted to do or say anything to keep Luke looking at him that way, but another part of him wanted to run. Reid wanted to do the right thing, but he wasn’t sure what the right thing was anymore.

A few more days, Reid thought. After that, he’d explain that he needed to return to the Mayo Clinic. He’d be logical and lay it all out for Luke. Luke wouldn’t like it. Luke didn’t exactly run on logic. Reid didn’t want to be a selfish jerk, though, and now, with the whole town now in their business, leaving Luke would be even harder for him. Everyone would talk. Maybe he could extend his time? Maybe he should? God, he had no idea anymore; all of these conflicting feeling were battling inside of him and he couldn’t seem to control any of them.

“I know what you’re doing.”

Reid stiffened at the voice. Luke froze for a second too.

Noah towered over them, his face pinched, his hands curled into fists.

Reid let out an audible sigh. This day just kept going downhill fast.

“I know why you’re here with him, Luke. You can just quit it now.”

“Quit what? I’m with Reid,” Luke said quietly.

Noah’s head bopped up and down. “Yeah, that’s what I heard. It’s all over town. But you can stop the charade now Luke, okay? You have my attention.”

Reid’s jaw clenched. He forced himself to appear unconcerned. He sipped his coffee.

“I’m with Reid,” Luke said again. Luke glanced at him and his face softened.

“Please!” Noah scoffed. “You're just trying to make me jealous. It's not working."

"Noah, I'm not."

"Sure you are. You know that, in the end, we always get back together. “

“That was true in the past, but-“

Noah put a heavy hand on Luke’s shoulder. He squinted at him, his eyes beady and small. He shot Reid a hostile glare too. "You're just saying that to try to hurt me. Besides, you don't even know this guy, Luke. He’s been in town for what? Three weeks? And you expect me to believe you're leaving me for him?”

“Noah-“

“I know you. I know what you're like. I’m your first love, right? I’m your first kiss. And a guy can’t just forget his first kiss.”

Luke and Reid looked at each other then, remembering that innocent kiss so long ago. They smiled, with a look of heat that even a guy as thickheaded as Noah probably could comprehend.

“Luke!” Noah demanded. “What’s wrong with you?“

When Luke seemed unable to answer, Noah turned to Reid. “He doesn’t know you and you don’t him. Did Luke tell you he’s an alcoholic? That he got kicked out of school and- “

“Noah,” Luke interrupted, his cheeks flushed. “Please don’t-“

“I’m just saying that I know you and forgave you for all of that. But Dr. Oliver doesn’t know anything about you, and if he did –“

“Listen,” Reid said. That was it. He stood up to take Noah on, ready to blister the skin off of Noah’s pompous ass with some choice words.

Luke’s hand on his stopped him.

“No,” Luke said simply, looking at Noah, and slowly getting to his feet.

“I do know, Reid. Noah, you are so wrong about that. I know him very well.“ Luke paused to give Reid a look.

“You can’t just expect me to believe that you’re over me so fast?” Noah exclaimed. “You wouldn’t be with somebody else so easily.”

Luke nodded at Noah slowly. “That might be true if this were just some guy. But this is Reid.” Luke glanced at Reid. “I don’t expect you to understand this, Noah. But it’s Reid. “ Luke sighed deeply. “It’s always been Reid.”

At Luke’s words and his face, all the blood rushed to Reid’s head. What the hell did that mean?

“Luke-“ Noah whined.

“All you need to get here, Noah, is that we’re over.” Luke said. He spoke calmly, with no anger in his voice. In fact, Luke’s voice almost held a slight hint of compassion. “We’re over. The truth is that the moment Reid came to town - the moment I saw him- “ Luke almost smiled gently at Noah. “I couldn’t break up with you fast enough.”

Noah’s mouth dropped open like a fish. He gasped.

Reid jumped too. His stomach fell to his knees at Luke’s soft words.

“I don’t want to hurt you, but I have real feelings for Reid. I do. ” Luke swallowed hard. He paused a moment, clearing his throat, shaking his head a little, a small smile touching his face. Luke looked at Noah once more. “Noah, I think you should just go now.”

“You can’t mean- you don’t really- “ Noah sputtered, and he looked at Reid.

Noah stood there, looking like he might turn violent. Reid could see in Noah’s eyes that he wanted to punch him. Luke must have seen it too. He stepped a little in front of Reid.

“Seriously, just go, Noah.” Luke repeated, his voice less gentle now. “I don't want to see you embarrass yourself.”

Without another word, Noah stomped away.

Luke sat back down. Reid sat down too, more than a little shocked. He stared at Luke.

“You almost had me convinced there, too.”

Luke gazed deeply into Reid’s eyes. He was quiet a second and then Luke took a huge breath. “I hope you’re convinced because that was the truth. It’s how I feel.“ Luke leaned in toward him, his face set and determined. “Reid , I love you.”

For a moment Reid couldn’t react. Then he swallowed hard, his heart accelerating.

“No, you don’t. It’s just sex, Luke. You’re grateful to me. You like fucking me.”

Luke inhaled sharply. “You think that’s all this is?” His face was pained. He tried to take Reid’s hand. “I’m in love with you. We belong –“

Reid pulled his hand away.

“A month ago you loved Noah. You don’t know anything. It’s sex, not love. We’re having sex, Luke, not running off to get married.”

“It’s so much more than that,” Luke said softly. ”I love you, Reid, and I know you. You’re rude and egotistical and rude," Luke smile grew wobbly. “And you hide your feeling with jokes. But underneath that you're honest and sweet and make me feel like I can do anything.” Luke bit his lip. “I know it seems fast on the outside, but inside- my heart just knows yours. And I feel like I was just sleepwalking through my life until you came back into it, and now I’m awake and alive…and I love you. I’m in love with you. I am.”

Reid wanted to sink down and draw his knees up to his chest. He wanted to stop his heart from leaping crazily at Luke’s words. Love doesn’t happen for him. He was the one who could do it all alone. Love couldn’t happen, not now. He’d been wrong to think this situation could be contained, that he could control it. The whole room swayed, and Reid put his hand to his forehead. He had to get out of here now.

“That’s a pretty speech.” Reid deliberately made his voice cold.

Luke flinched. “It’s the truth. How can I make you believe me?”

“You can’t.” He stood up and tossed some money on the table. Making Luke flinch, hurting him, was like a knife in his own guts. Reid pressed a hand to his abdomen, almost expecting blood.

Luke opened his mouth to speak again, but then abruptly closed it.

Reid started to flee, stumbling over his feet, a sick film of sweat breaking out all over his body. He felt physically ill, like he was about to crawl out of his skin

“You were wrong,” Luke called out suddenly, a new heat in his voice. His jaw quivered for a moment, but then he controlled it, his face determined.

“About what?” Bile rose up in Reid’s throat, his palms itched and his head swam; he could barely hear Luke through the wave of nausea hitting him.

Luke smiled, but his eyes mirrored his pain. “About that first time. Back when we were kids, you left and told me that we’d never see each other again, remember?“ Luke gave a hard laugh. “And you were wrong then, and you’re wrong now. We do love each other.” Luke stood up, jamming his hands into his pockets. “Right?”

Of course he loved Luke. Luke was the only person in the world he’d ever loved.

His stomach clutched and Reid’s head whirled. Luke waited, his eyes huge, his face brave. Reid felt like he was crumpling. Luke only thought he loved Reid; he was blinded by the sex. It wouldn’t last. Luke would end up breaking it off, gently like he had with Noah, trying not to hurt Reid’s feelings because Luke would never want to hurt anybody, but Reid wasn’t going to do it; he wasn’t going to wait around for that day to happen and for Luke to toss him aside like trash. He couldn't be that person again.

“Reid, please? Don't lie to me. We've never lied to each other.” Luke said. He stood there, full of life and hope and vitality.

Reid backed away, shaking his head. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, feeling the bile creeping up again.

“I just can’t do this with you,” Reid said, and he walked out.


***

Reid found himself knocking on Bob’s office door. He couldn’t even remember driving to Memorial; it was like his brain had switched onto automatic and there he was at the hospital. Luke’s face was all Reid could see right now. That face. Luke. Reid closed his eyes.

He should never had stayed so long. He should have left Luke after that first night. What had he done now? To both of them? Reid inhaled big gulps of air, the smell of antiseptics and sickness calming him a little, though his heart still pounded too quickly. He was leaving. Today. He would jump on the first flight back to Minnesota. He was leaving and he wouldn’t look back. He knocked again, louder, wanting in. He heard Bob's voice, worn and yet patient, telling him to enter. He swung it open and found Bob on the phone; within moments Reid knew it was a conversation with some big shot drug company, and when Bob motioned for Reid to take a chair, he did, listening impatiently to Bob talk. He rolled his eyes at Bob as the suit at the company tried to give Bob the run-around. He took deep breaths and listened to Bob's paternal, easy tone as he didn't back down. It was easier to listen to Bob's conversation and think about hospital bullshit than to think about what had just happened at Java

“I don’t like the hospital politics any more than you do, Reid, “ Bob said as he hung up. “But it is necessary sometimes, so that I can do the real work of the hospital, the work I do believe in. “ Bob cocked an eyebrow at him. “It’s like anything you care about, really. You have to work hard at it. Whether it's a job or a relationship; there’s work involved.”

Reid scowled. Bob could babble all he wanted about home, family, and relationships; he had that privilege. When he'd been abandoned by the side of the road and sent to live with an insane family on a farm, then Reid would consider whether or not Bob had any authority to tell Reid about the work of life. At the moment, he was glad for the nonsense, though, it kept his mind away from wondering where Luke was and how he was doing. The thought of Luke's face when Reid had told him that he couldn't do whatever they'd been doing anymore made him feel like throwing up again. He wiped a hand at the back of his neck, sweating profusely.

“Well, enough talk about Memorial,“ Bob said. “I heard your news.”

“About Ameera Mayor’s rehabilitation?” Reid took out a handkerchief and mopped at his face.

“Well, that, and thank you for finding her such an excellent facility.” Bob looked at him a second. "But actually, I was referring to the news about you and Luke?”

Reid jumped up out of his seat. “Never pegged you as one for wallowing in the gossip troughs, Bob,” he snapped. Reid felt like something inside of him was unraveling. He tried to school his features into an indifferent mask.

“Casey was visiting me earlier and he told me about you and Luke. I’m happy you found some love in your life, son. It is good news.“ Bob narrowed his eyes. “Isn’t it?”

“Love?” Reid sputtered, he’d heard enough of that word today. “Wh- what…Luke and I are not in love.”

Even as he denied it to Bob, Reid felt all the air squeezing out of his lungs. Reid drew in a shaky breath; he felt incredibly sick. He was in love, God help him, yes, he absolutely was in love - but Luke…Luke was just confused.

“He cooked for me, and we played some chess,” Reid crossed his arms at his chest. "And we spent some time together.” Reid felt like he’d just tossed a breakable object into the air and his hands twitched waiting for it to hit ground and smash everywhere.

“Right.“ Bob studied him. “You look flushed, Reid. Have some water.“

“And maybe there was some more to it,” Reid added, shutting his eyes. “Some feelings, but it was a mistake. “ Reid’s eyes opened and he looked into Bob’s steady gaze.

Bob came over to him and patted his shoulder. “Don’t look so stricken, son.” Bob smiled at him fondly. “I’m sure Luke feels the same way. It was meant to be from the time you were boys, even.”

Reid felt his heart knock against his ribs. “I’m not some damsel in distress. I'm not stricken. I just don't…do love. That's all.“ Reid cleared his throat noisily.

Bob gently handed him a glass of water.

Reid gulped it down, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. He looked at Bob. “I’m leaving town. Immediately. I just came to tell you goodbye.”

Bob frowned in disapproval. “Reid, normally I don’t give people unsolicited advice. “ Bob ignored Reid’s snort. “But I feel compelled to try with you here. If Luke does love you and you love him, then don’t turn your back on that. Don’t run away because it’s uncomfortable for you.”

“Uncomfortable? That sounds like what we tell patents before inserting a large needle into their chests. This will be uncomfortable; you might feel a little pressure.“ And then we jab a needle into their hearts.” Reid shook his head. “No. I refuse. And for the record?” Reid swallowed, and said quickly. “I’m leaving, not running. I’m going back to my job.”

“I notice you didn’t say back to where you belong. “ Bob examined Reid a moment. "I believe that people can’t ignore their true feelings, not really, but it seems to me that you’ve made a habit out it. I remember the day you started working here-“

“I don’t need a trip down memory lane-“ Reid motioned to go. “Spare me this Father Knows Best lecture.”

Bob shook his head at him. “I think perhaps you do. As a young man, you were already one of the smartest people I’d ever encountered, your mind was so inquisitive. I was confident that you’d make a fine surgeon. And I was right.” Bob put a hand on his shoulder. “But emotionally? You were so wounded. I watched you that summer build up your walls. You pushed everybody away.“

“It’s called a defense mechanism, Bob. It worked for me.”

“Really? Is it working for you now?” Bob raised his eyebrows at him

Reid didn’t answer.

Bob was about to say more, when Nurse Gretchen opened the office door. "Pardon me, Gretchen, but we’re in the middle of something-“ Bob began to tell her.

“Sorry, Dr. Hughes,” she said. “But they’re all waiting for you.”

“Waiting for me?” Bob said blankly.

“The meeting?” Gretchen scrunched up her nose at him. “Don’t you remember? It was your idea this morning to meet with the pediatric staff?”

Bob blinked at her, and then stroked his chin a moment.

“Ahh, yes. I took some notes on it earlier and I have some valuable ideas to share with them.” Bob made a point of rummaging around at his desk. He tried to appear like he was contemplating something about the staff or the meeting, but Reid could tell he was faking it. Bob wasn’t contemplating anything; Bob was bewildered.

“Excuse me, Dr. Oliver.“ Bob nodded to Gretchen. “I need to go.”

Reid frowned. Something here was just not right. Bob had been annoyingly fine a moment ago, dissecting Reid’s life, but now he seemed harried, discombobulated, and unsure. He’d clearly forgotten his meeting and was unnerved by it.

Reid stared after Bob, a sinking feeling in his gut. He’d seen that confused look on patients' faces, like they were coming out of a deep fog. He thought back over his stay in Oakdale, and how Bob was always exhausted, how he stayed at work so much. Was he covering up little mistakes? Reid remembered how for a second Bob had mixed up his motorcycle victim with Ameera Mayer.

There was a knock on the door, and another doctor came in. “Oh, hello there. I was just looking for Bob.” The doctor pulled at his white jacket. “Have you seen him?”

Reid nodded absently. He remembered him. Dr. Stevens - he was the doctor who’d stopped Bob in the hallway the other day, the doctor who couldn’t seem to take a leak without asking Bob to hold his hand.

"I have an open heart in an hour,” Dr. Stevens told Reid, "I wanted to discuss the case with the Chief.”

“You’re the cardio surgeon?” Reid frowned at his nod. “Where’s John Dixon?”

“Dixon?“ Dr. Stevens said “Never heard of him.”

Reid's blood ran cold. He swallowed hard, and snapped, "Well Bob’s not here. Why don’t you go handle things by yourself? That's what they pay you to do, you realize.“

“No need to be snotty,” Dr. Stevens huffed. “You can’t have Bob to yourself all the time.”

Reid snorted. Dr. Stevens sound like Chris. Bob always did baby people too much.

Dr. Stevens left the office and Reid hurried over to Bob’s desk. Reid sat down at the computer and typed into the staff records. He sat back with a heavy heart. John Dixon had left town years ago.

Reid sucked in a breath. For the first time in his medical career, Reid fervently hoped to be wrong.

***
Despite Reid's proclamation to Bob that he was leaving immediately, Reid didn’t go. He stumbled his way to the roof of Memorial, gasping for some air. He felt like he was in the middle of a disaster and didn’t know who to save first. He never felt like that. He thrived on emergencies. He was Reid fucking Oliver, best neurosurgeon in the whole damn country, just as he’d always bragged he would be. Reid gazed at the space between the buildings, gulping in air. The roof was deserted, and Reid felt a sudden stab of loneliness hit him and he sank down to his knees. A blast of cold wind swept over his body, making him shake. Below him, he could hear the insistent rush of cars and he nearly covered his ears to block out that noise. That noise only reminded him of the past and that day that had led him down the road and into this town, where everything changed. Reid felt like the world wanted to rip off his skin. He looked at the door, waiting for Luke, not sure what he’d do or say if Luke appeared. But nobody came. Luke was probably at his home with his family, surrounded by their love. He didn’t need Reid. Reid wanted to follow through with his plan and get the hell out of town. Instead, he rubbed his hand at his chest and sat there. Bob. Shutting his eyes a moment, Reid exhaled. Luke. Slowly, he stood up, turned and went back inside.

He spent the rest of the day hiding out in his tiny office, researching everything he could on dementia and making phone calls to experts in the field. He didn’t want to voice his suspicions until he was certain, but the more Reid researched, the more it made sense.

Why hadn’t he seen it before? Reid shook his head, opening up his hotel door. He dumped his research and his snacks on the bed, and sank down onto it, cradling his head. He always thought he knew everything, but he had almost left town and missed this completely.

Reid could almost hear Bob’s lecture: “Doctors aren’t infallible, Reid. We assess the situation the best that we can and proceed cautiously from there.“

Reid ran a hand over his eyes, beyond exhausted. Between the morning with Luke and the afternoon concerned about Bob, he felt like somebody had kicked the shit out of him.

He should shower and shave. He picked up the papers and his chips instead. There must be a treatment he was overlooking, something. Why couldn’t he concentrate? Reid pinched the bridge of his nose, and he tried to keep reading, but his head throbbed. He rubbed at his temples. He wished he could talk to Luke about it because he’d know how to handle telling Bob; Luke was so good with people and their feelings, both of which Reid sucked at.

Reid’s heart lurched painfully. He’d put Luke out of his mind for the last few hours, worrying about Bob. But now, being in his hotel room, it wasn’t so easy. Reid threw the papers down on his dresser and then he threw the bag of chips down too; he wasn’t hungry at all.

Reid went over to the bed and ran his hand along the sheets. He picked up Luke’s pillow and brought it to his face; inhaling deeply. Reid stared at the bed, remembering Luke naked and gazing up at him with a bashful smile as he held out his arms for Reid. He shuddered and tried to shake the image from his mind. He needed to stop being a complete idiot.

Reid inhaled the pillow again, inhaling the scent, pressing the pillow to his chest. He curled up on the bed. And then Reid noticed Luke’s things were still scattered around the room.

For a moment, his heart jumped to his throat, and he got up and peeked into the bathroom to see if Luke was there. Of course, he wasn’t. Either Luke had simply forgotten his stuff or he didn’t want to chance seeing Reid again. Reid looked at Luke’s robe hanging on the bathroom hook, and Luke’s razor, and Luke’s toothbrush. He walked over to it and gently ran his finger across the bristles; it was still a little damp. He could return the stuff, bring it over to Lily’s; that would be the mature thing to do. Reid tightened his hold on the toothbrush. Luke’s mouth. Luke’s smile. Carefully, Reid put Luke’s toothbrush back into its designated slot, on the right side, next to Reid’s own.

A muscle pulsed in Reid’s cheek. He turned abruptly from the bathroom. He had to get back to his research and Bob. In the morning, he would need to convince Bob that he should get some tests done. He didn’t expect Bob to react well to it, but it had to be done. And Reid was the one who had to do it.

He nodded firmly, and told himself that Bob was the only reason he was still in town.

Title: Anywhere USA
Author: Marsabi
Summary: This is a two part story with multiple chapters.
Part One: Abandoned as a teen, Reid is forced to live on the Snyder farm as a foster kid for a few months, before he heads off on his own, but will a certain child worm his way into Reid’s heart?
Part Two: Reid returns to Oakdale as a favor for Bob, something he planned never to do, and he can’t wait to leave town, until his past slams into him in the form of Luke Snyder and damn if Luke isn’t all grown up.
Warning: Sexual Content in some parts
Rating: PG-NC-17
Thanks to the following friends for their support of this story: shadownyc, traciamc, and Rhiannonhero
Author’s notes: This was bid on by Rhiannon Hero for the Japanese auction. Because I know Rhiannonhero loathes short chapters, these chapters will be long.

Chapter 10

After leaving the farm, they headed to Lily’s to get some of Luke’s belongings. The car ride was silent, but a nice type of silent, like they had no need for words. Reid felt more relaxed than he had in years. They drove on, the sun starting to set now, warm colors of pink and orange spreading across the sky.

“Do you mind some music?” Luke asked softly.

“Sure.”

Luke smiled and fiddled with the radio a moment and then took Reid’s hand in his.

Giving him a quick look, Reid thought again about his vacation time. He had some due to him, lots and lots actually. The Mayo Clinic couldn’t refuse him. He wouldn’t tell Luke about it just yet, not until he was officially on a break, but he made a mental note to get in touch with his boss there.

As they pulled up to Lily’s house, Reid’s relaxed feeling began to fade. He knew he should keep it all casual and easy, but he was feeling anything but that at the moment. He felt proprietary toward Luke; he didn’t want to have Luke go inside his house, feeling suddenly certain that seeing other people might make their new closeness vanish. He wanted Luke for himself - if only for a little longer.

Reid glanced at the house; it was smaller than he’d pictured but still impressive looking. Lily was probably home and Reid would need to make small talk with her. And while he didn’t dislike Lily, she had a way of making him feel like a really bad guest. She never wanted him at the farm that summer, not really, and Reid could imagine that she didn’t want him here now, much less want him inside her son, which of course she didn’t know about, but he could imagine her horror all the same.

Seeing the house, a wave of irritation went through him. This was Luke’s world, his family. Reid could pretend it was just him and Luke at the hotel or even back at the empty farm, but here Reid could almost feel the Snyder clan roping Luke off and pulling him in.

Well, at least it was just Lily and Luke’s immediate family he might have to face inside. It could be worse. It could be the entire town. Reid could still see the adoration on their faces at Luke’s birthday as he rode around on a pony, waving to them all. Luke belonged here; he was rooted here.

For Reid, this town just reminded him of the endless days as an insecure, scrawny nobody, trying desperately to follow his ambitions, refusing to be sidetracked. But Reid understood that for Luke this place was everything that mattered. It was family and it was home. Not that he cared what any of these idiots thought, but Reid could imagine the gasps of outrage as the town learned that Reid was screwing the unofficial prince of Oakdale.

He swallowed hard and turned off the ignition, making no move to leave the car.

Luke turned to him suddenly, un-clicking his seat belt and scooting close to him. Gently, Luke ran his thumb over Reid’s lips and then held the side of his neck. Tilting his head, Luke smiled slightly.

“What?” Reid asked, feeling the skinny kid he used to be chafe under scrutiny. Reid knew what most people thought of him when he entered a room; he knew he wasn’t an easy person.

“Nothing. Just….” Luke slid his gaze away. “There’s still so much about you that I want to know. “

Reid said nothing. His mouth turned down. Great. Just great. Luke wanted to know about him. Of course he did, but what was there to tell? His past was a prickly, painful thing and he hated thinking about it. Why couldn’t they just enjoy each other? Reid should have taken Luke straight back to the hotel and continued to screw his brains out. Then he wouldn’t be sitting here in the car sweating out old memories of being alone. Besides, no one ever died from wearing the same clothes two days in a row.

“Like…before coming here, were you involved with anybody recently? “ Luke peeked at him from beneath his eyelashes.

“Not really. Let’s go inside.”

Why did it keep coming up, the constant reminders of how alone he’s been his whole life? This thing with Luke was just temporary, too. He shouldn’t be thinking of extending his stay. He should be trying to find a way to cut it even shorter. If he was smart, and he had it on good authority that he was very smart, then he’d be getting the hell out of Dodge, not getting his dick further and further in Luke.

Reid opened up his door and started for Lily’s house, while Luke hurried to catch him. Reid swallowed a muffled curse. Of course, he should have realized that Luke, being Luke, would feel a compulsion to analyze him. He probably read self-help magazines at his dentist’s office. For that matter, Oakdale probably offered a college course on how to get your boyfriend to be a star-crossed lover.

Not that Luke couldn’t ask about his past, but why should they go there? He’d done lots of things with lots of people, but none of it had anything to do with Luke.

“So it has been a long time? Or it hasn’t been? What’s not really mean?”

“It hasn’t been that long, okay?“ Reid snapped. “But it’s just sex, Luke. I enjoy sex, but I just don’t think about them afterwards. I’m not putting notches on my bedpost; I’m too busy for that nonsense.“

“That’s it?’ Luke pursed his lips together. “That’s all the men you’ve slept with mean to you?”

“That’s it. “ Reid nodded. “My personal life can’t compete with medicine. Never has and never will.”

Bob was wrong all those years ago, some people couldn’t have both a home life and a medical career. Reid grimaced, remembering how Bob seemed to have it all. He could see Bob leaving with Kim and Chris for the day, as Reid had stood alone waiting for Holden to pick him up, acting like he hadn’t wished it was Bob’s hand on his arm instead of Chris’s.

Luke clicked his tongue at him. “That explains a lot.” He jammed his hands in his pockets. “What’s the matter with you?”

Reid frowned. “Me? Nothing. What’s the matter with you?”

Luke didn’t answer, but he gave Reid a piercing, injured look.

“Don’t overreact,” Reid said, pushing the memory away. He felt an impulse to wrap his arms around Luke.

“Why do you say I’m overreacting, whenever I want to know about your life? “ He tossed his head back. “And I hardly ever overreact. I’m interested, making conversation. It’s what people do, you know, talk.” Luke’s lip jutted out again. “I told you about my past.”

“You don’t have a past,“ Reid said. He pinched his nose. “Look, there’s nothing else to tell. I never cared about them. I’m a doctor; that’s what I care about. Stop looking at me for things that aren’t there. Leave it alone, will you?” Reid grunted at his own words, aimed more at himself than at Luke; he was the one thinking about being a 15 year old screw-up again, longing for a father figure, hoping for a family that would never be there, wanting too much from the past, from the present.

A myriad of expressions crossed Luke’s face. He shrugged, “Sure, okay.”

Reid opened his mouth, tempted to apologize for his abrupt tone, then he shut it. Reid rubbed the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to hurt you-“

“I’m not hurt,” Luke said quickly, feigning disinterest. “You don’t have relationships; you have medicine. Got it.” Luke started to walk up the front steps, but Reid grabbed his shoulder.

“Hold on, hold on,” Reid said.

“What?” Luke folded his arms at his chest.

Reid let out a long breath. “You know I’m an ass. But when I said they never matter… I don’t mean you, alright?” Reid took his hands on both sides of Luke’s face and held them there. ”You’re more than those other men and all of that,“ he added, unable to stop . Christ, he was babbling like an imbecile and Luke knew it.

“What am I?’ Luke asked softly, searching Reid’s face.

Reid swallowed hard, his lungs tightening painfully, making it hard to breathe. “I don’t know…” He gazed a moment a Luke. He could feel the softness of Luke’s skin under his hands, and see the wistful hope in his eyes. Reid remembered Holden pulling up in the truck outside of the hospital, Luke in the front seat with him, a grin on his face, excited to see Reid, and the way even then, Reid’s stomach would warm with affection for the kid.

Reid took a deep inhale, squeezing the air in. “You’re-“ Reid paused, then he shrugged. “You’re … Luke” he finally said and kissed Luke’s mouth to stop any more questions.

Luke wrapped an arm at Reid’s waist and kissed him back, hard. Luke pressed his forehead against him, and Reid closed his eyes briefly. Then, with a pat on Luke’s cheek, Reid stepped back.

“Now let’s get your stuff and go back to the hotel,” Reid said, feeling relieved the conversation was over and glad to have cast off the bad memory for a good one. Luke nodded and took Reid’s hand in his own. They marched up the steps of the house.

“And don’t forget your toothbrush," Reid instructed. “You’re not using mine.”

“Oh, you mean the one I scrubbed the toilet with this morning?” Luke grinned. He opened up his front door and they went to the stairs.

Reid was about to joke back with him, when Lily’s voice rang out.

“Who‘s there?” Lily called, coming up the stairs.

“Me, Mom,” Luke said.

“I didn’t know you’d be around today.” Lily said, coming up to them, looked like she’s been crying, her face was splotchy, her eyes looked pinched.

Luke immediately went to his mother and embraced her. “Are you okay?” he asked.

She patted him. “Of course, baby. Just tired.“ Lily smiled at Reid. “I don’t know if I’ll see you after today. I have to pack for Paris. I go in a few days to see some perfume factories.”

Reid nodded, thinking Lily’s fragrance must be desperation with a splash of self-pity.

“Mom,” Luke said, still frowning at her. “If you want me to come-“

“Oh, no. You have so much going on here.” Lily squared her shoulders. “I’ll do it alone.” Then she sniffed and said, “Do you boys want a snack? It’s so nice to have you visiting Luke, Reid.”

“We’re good,” Luke said. “Um, we’ll be in my room.”

Lily just nodded and went downstairs.

“She okay?” Reid asked.

Luke sighed. “Not really.”

They went up to Luke’s room. Reid took in the narrow bed, collection of basketball trophies, and goofy pictures his siblings had drawn for him tacked onto the walls.

“Excuse me,” Reid said to Luke, who was busy putting some things in an overnight bag. “Have you decided to stay seven years old? All that’s missing is your stuffed bear collection. “

“Shut up,” Luke laughed and pushed at Reid. Reid smiled at him and sat down on Luke’s small bed.

“Just saying-time to put the toys away.”

“Can you be nice to me for like five minutes?” Luke made a face at him.

“I thought I was very nice to you earlier,” Reid pointed out. “Say the word and I’ll very nicely introduce you to some grownup toys.” Reid waggled his eyebrows at Luke.

Luke grunted in reply. He threw some pants into his suitcase. Reid stood up a moment, and opened up his other drawer and tossed him a few t-shirts. Luke caught them in one hand, and then smiled at Reid, as Reid flopped back down on Luke’s bed.

“That was it? “ Reid said. “Not gonna continue your lecture on making me a better person?”

“Nope,” Luke started to put some toiletries into his bag. “And I never said you weren’t a good person. In fact, I kind of like the person you are.” Luke walked over to him. He ran a finger down Reid’s chest.

“Good,” Reid replied huskily. “’Cause I was just about to comment on all your copious hair products. Are they all necessary to bring? I feel like I just invited Cher back to my hotel.”

Luke laughed, shaking his head. He dropped his hand away.

Reid picked off some lint form the blue bedspread. “Just so we’re clear? I’m never having sex with you in Lily’s house, no matter how magnificent looking you might be. I have real issues with the idea of mommy walking in. I can just imagine Lily calling you baby and wanting to powder your ass.”

Luke leaned back against his wall and looked at Reid, a small smile on his mouth. “You think I’m magnificent looking?”

Reid rolled his eyes. “Don’t be all coy - you own a mirror.”

“No, I’m not trying to be coy,” Luke looked self-conscious and rubbed at the back of his neck. “It’s just kind of nice to hear…You’re the first person to- Noah never – he didn’t like to talk or anything. I always had to work really hard to know what he thought about me.” Luke caught his bottom lip on his teeth.

“So, you never talked or had sex. And you were unhappy? Shocking.”

Reid glanced at the picture of Noah with Luke. They were a good two inches apart, not touching each other. It looked like a picture of two friends on their way to school.

“So why did you stay with him so long?”

“I guess…. I don’t know.” Luke looked at him helplessly. “I mean I thought he loved me, and I’d waited for somebody to say that they loved me for a long time, so - I don’t know. I just kept trying to make it work. But we never fit, not easily.” Luke ducked his head.

Reid got off the bed and went to him. He walked over to where Luke stood and he grabbed Luke, pulling his body in tightly to his own. Reid pushed him back against the wall, capturing his hands, and held them high above Luke’s head. Luke gasped in surprise as Reid smiled at him until Luke slowly smiled back, their eyes gripped in passion. Reid began to kiss Luke’s lips.

The door opened suddenly and they moved apart.

“Oh!” Lily inhaled a sharp breath. “Oh.”

“Mom!”

“Hey Lily,” Reid said.

Lily’s eyes darted back and forth at them. “Are you- are you?” Lily floundered.

“Mom-“ Luke said and then stopped in confusion.

Reid took his hand. “Let’s make this simple. “ Reid looked at Lily. “Luke and I are spending some time together.”

Luke blushed, but he smiled down at their linked fingers.

“Reid,” Lily said. “Please excuse us a moment?” Lily gestured for Luke to step into the hallway.

Reluctantly, Luke let go of Reid’s hand and followed his mother. Neither of them probably realized that their voices carried, and Reid could hear every word.

“Luke,” Lily said. “I don’t understand, baby. You and Reid? You’re so different.”

“We understand each other, Mom. We aren’t so different really. Not in the important ways.”

Reid felt his heart bang against his chest and he flushed. He just stood there, listening.

“I’m trying to stop you from a mistake. Listen to me-“

“It’s not a mistake. You have no idea what it is.”

“Luke--”

“Mom, it isn't your business. Look, I’m going back in to Reid.”

Reid tried to appear indifferent as they both came back into the room, but he couldn’t help peering over at Luke. Luke smiled at him. He came over and picked up Reid’s hand again and Lily frowned, her brows knitted together. She turned her attention to Reid.

Lily shook her head. “I know you’re a good doctor and not a bad man,” she told Reid stiffly. “But surely you must see how odd this is? Luke is much younger than you.”

Reid tried to be indifferent to Lily’s cold statement. He just shrugged at her. “Luke’s a grown man, able to make up his own mind.”

The whole thing was a little crazy, considering they weren’t even a couple really, that it was a sex thing or a friend thing or…Reid scowled. Whatever it was, Luke was right, it wasn’t any of Lily’s damn business.

“Mom!” Luke said. “Reid is a good man, and I am old enough to decide that for myself.”

“And what about Noah?”

Luke’s entire body tensed. “Mom, we broke up. You know that.”

“Luke,” Lily said, ignoring Reid completely now. “You just broke up with Noah; you can’t possibly be ready for another relationship.”

There was a silence, and then Reid felt Luke squeeze his fingers. Luke nodded at Lily slowly. “I appreciate you worrying about me, but I’m fine. Really. Go on your trip and enjoy yourself, okay?”

“But Noah-“

“Is a grown man, too, Mom, and, like I said, so am I.“ Luke went on, ignoring Lily’s growing frown. “And you know how it was with Noah. We broke up more times than I can count. We’ve barely seen each other all these months, especially since Ameera came into the picture.” Luke shook his head. “Even before she came, we weren’t happy. You remember the election and all of that, right? It should have been over then. It was over. I just didn’t want to admit it. You know how sad I was with him, how alone I felt.”

Lily was about to reply, when they all heard the door bang open.

“We’re home, mommy,” shouted Natalie.

“Go make a snack, honey,” Lily shouted out. “I’ll be right there.”

“Lily?” Holden called. They heard him come up the steps. Holden walked into the room, a sleeping
Ethan in his arms, and seeing Luke, Reid, and Lily's expressions, he asked, “What’s going on?”

Reaching out his other hand to touch Holden’s shoulder, Luke shrugged. “I was just telling Mom that Reid and I are involved.” Luke moved his hand to Ethan’s small frame. “Shouldn’t you put him to bed?”

“You and Reid….” Holden said, perplexed.

“Can you believe it?” Lily said. “Just after breaking up with Noah, Luke says he’s with Reid now. “

Holden made a face at Lily. “Well, if that’s what Luke wants-“

“For God sake’s, Holden, Luke can’t know what he wants right now.“ She glared at him. “And of course, that’s what you’d say!”

They began to fight bitterly, in hushed voices so as not wake up Ethan, and Reid was amazed that even now, Holden and Lily could find a way to turn Luke’s life into their own drama. It was still all about them.

This time, Reid squeezed Luke’s hand. They turned to one another, shutting Lily and Holden out, and exchanged a smile. Luke’s eyes held a sadness though, and it made Reid want to drag him down the hallway. Reid knew that Luke would always care deeply about his home and his family; he wouldn’t want Luke to be any other way, but neither did he want Luke to needlessly listen to them.

“Look, we gotta go,” Reid told Holden and Lily abruptly. Luke eyed his still fighting parents.

“I’ll call you both,” Luke said, lovingly, and it jolted Reid to realize that Luke’s heart truly had no limits, and his own heart lurched in reaction. Holden and Lily only nodded, their hostile glares focused on each other. They had always been that way; their children always second behind their own drama.

As if Luke were thinking the same thing, he reached out protectively to stroke his little brother’s silky hair once more.

“I’ll take him, Dad,” Luke offered.

Holden nodded, barely looking at Luke as he dumped Ethan into his arms. Holden’s attention was on Lily, the air between them turning even uglier. Reid was glad to help Luke take Ethan, even asleep, away from them, and he was glad to have Luke leave the room too.

Reid picked up Luke’s bag and followed him down the hallway. Carefully, Luke carried his brother to his room and laid him on the bed. He took off Ethan’s shoes and socks, and rubbed Ethan’s small feet. Reid handed Luke a cover, and Luke spread it across his brother, tucking him in.

Reid motioned toward the door.

Luke hesitated a moment, looking down at Ethan again, and giving him a kiss on his forehead. Ethan stirred a moment and then was silent. Luke walked to the door, and still paused, chewing his lip. Reid waited for him to be ready, his hand resting at Luke’s waist.

Luke sucked in a breath. “They’re good parents, and they do love us. Really. But sometimes…” He shook his head. Reid moved his hand up from Luke’s waist and then wrapped both his arms around Luke’s chest, not speaking. Luke looked back at him, smiled slightly, and then rested against Reid. They both looked down at Ethan’s sleeping form.

“He’s got you,” Reid whispered into Luke’s ear. Reid could feel a deep sigh move through Luke’s body, before he looked at Reid again and nodded.

“I try,” Luke smiled. “We can go. I’ll call them in the morning.”

“Sure?”

Luke nodded.

With his free arm, Reid picked up Luke’s small overnight bag, and they went downstairs, hand in hand, leaving Luke’s home behind them.

As they got to the car, Reid stopped Luke from opening his door. He put a hand on Luke’s neck and searched his eyes.

“What?” Luke asked. He already seemed more at ease away from his parents. He jammed his hands into his pockets, looking inquisitively at Reid, ready to be there for him too. For a moment, it made the words Reid wanted to say stick in his throat.

Reid stared at Luke intensely, devouring his face, fervently glad that he had a photographic memory, and that he would forever be able to summon it up. Reid put his hand to Luke’s smiling mouth and ran his fingers over their shape.

“No matter what, do me one favor okay? Don’t go back to a guy like Noah. You deserve better than that. You deserve somebody who doesn’t play games. Who treats you right. Noah’s not that guy.” Reid tenderly cupped the side of Luke’s face.

Luke blinked at him slowly. “Okay,” he said in a soft voice.

Reid kissed him, still keeping his fingers on Luke’s cheek.

Luke smiled, and covered Reid’s hand with his own, letting it rest on the side of his face a moment longer.

“Good, now that we’ve settled that,“ Reid said briskly, giving him a fast smile. “Let’s go back to the hotel and we can try out some of those positions you’re so curious about.” Reid put his mouth to Luke’s ear. ”How about you do me?”

Luke gaped at him, “Seriously? Now?”

Reid shrugged. “Got something more important to do? Somewhere else to be?”

“No,” Luke shook his head vigorously. “I’m ready to go. I won’t let you down,” he told Reid with an earnest look.

Reid patted him once more. “Then you’ve got the job.”


***
The drive back to the hotel, Luke never stopped talking. He seemed full of excitement, even more than normal, he rocked in his seat, waving his hands around as he spoke.

“I’m going to call a few favors in and start on that family wing, and then maybe build a brand new Peds wing too. A neuro wing?” He shot Reid a sly look. “There is so much I can do for Memorial. ” Luke drummed his fingers at his knee. “And I have other ideas. I think I can make them happen,” he said. “Like maybe I’ll look into buying a small newspaper here too. I wanted to have a gay magazine focusing on issues of gay rights. Another idea I had is -”

“Maybe focus on one idea at a time, Trust Fund,“ Reid teased.

Luke shrugged, smiling widely. “I know, you’re right. I’m just excited. I put all these ideas on hold, doubting I could make them really happen, but now. I dunno. I feel so energized!”

Reid nodded. He enjoyed listening to all of Luke’s ideas. Reid knew why he felt energized; he felt that way too. It was all the mind blowing sex. He looked at Luke’s animated face and smiled again.

Luke could do anything he wanted with his life. Reid has always believed that about him. Whatever dreams he had stored up in his heart, Luke could make them happen. Reid’s smile faded a little. He would like to see them come to fruition. It was only now that Luke seemed ready to start down a path of self discovery, and Reid would have liked to watch him take on the world with his eyes open and heart aimed so high, but Reid would be long gone by then.

“Hey,” Luke tugged at his arm. “Where are you?”

Reid forced a smile. “I’m right here.”

Luke narrowed his eyes at him, his head tilted. “Are you sure?” His face filled with concern.

“I’m fine,” Reid replied, rolling his eyes.

“Okay,” Luke answered, wrinkling his nose up, and then rolling his eyes right back at him. “Be all strong and silent.” Luke took his hand. “But I’m here if you want to talk to me.”

Reid’s mouth kicked up at the corners. “I’m fine,” he said again, but in a softer voice. Reid shook off his worries and smiled at Luke. “Tell me more about your magazine idea.”


A huge grin swept over Luke’s face. “Really? You wanna hear? ” At Reid’s nod, Luke beamed. Eagerly, Luke launched into detail about his plans. Luke was so damn excited. Clearly, all the sex had agreed with him. Maybe spending time together hadn’t hurt Luke’s confidence either.

Suddenly it occurred to Reid that if Luke were this upbeat now, what would Luke be like after he topped him? Reid felt an ache in his groin. He drove a little faster toward the hotel. Reid had only bottomed a few times. He preferred to be the one in control, but the idea of teaching Luke how to do it? Showing him how to make a man ready for his cock, and move inside of him? A thrill of anticipation ran down Reid’s spine.

Reid quickly pulled up to the building and parked the car. He and Luke both laughed as they practically leaped out of the car, and rushed inside and over to the elevator. For once, Reid was eager to ride in it. He kissed Luke a few times on the way up to his suite. Luke took off Reid’s jacket, running his hands over Reid’s back. Then the elevator doors opened and they hurried to the room, still stopping to kiss and grab at each other, and then hurrying some more. Reid fumbled, unusually klutzy, nearly dropping his key.

As they banged open the hotel door, kissing some more, Reid’s pager went off. Both he and Luke glared at it.

Reid read the message from Bob.

“Work. I gotta leave,” Reid said.

“Right now?” Luke pouted.

“Ameera’s awake,“ he told Luke. “A bit sooner than expected, but it’s good news.“

“Oh,” Luke’s face cleared. He nodded. “That’s wonderful! I’m happy for her.”

“Yeah, but I do need to run over there now.” Reid still held Luke’s waist. He knew that it was odd that he didn’t really want to leave.

“Well, I’ll just work on some foundation business on my laptop.” Luke clasped his shoulder. “I can wait for you.” He made no move to release Reid either.

Reid kissed him once more, urgently needing to taste his mouth, feel his lips. Luke moaned slightly and kissed him back. Cursing, Reid broke it off and stepped away.

“I’ll be as fast as I can.”

Luke nodded once more. He went to Reid, inhaling sharply. Luke put his lips on the side of Reid’s neck and sucked at the sensitive skin, making Reid twist his head in response. Then Luke released him, smiling at him.

“I’ll be here,” Luke promised.

Title: Anywhere USA
Author: Marsabi
Summary: This is a two part story with multiple chapters.
Part One: Abandoned as a teen, Reid is forced to live on the Snyder farm as a foster kid for a few months, before he heads off on his own, but will a certain child worm his way into Reid’s heart?
Part Two: Reid returns to Oakdale as a favor for Bob, something he planned never to do, and he can’t wait to leave town, until his past slams into him in the form of Luke Snyder and damn if Luke isn’t all grown up.
Warning: Sexual Content in some parts
Rating: PG-NC-17
Thanks to the following friends for their support of this story: shadownyc, traciamc, and Rhiannonhero
Author’s notes: This was bid on by Rhiannon Hero for the Japanese auction. Because I know Rhiannonhero loathes short chapters, these chapters will be long.


a/n: Since I won't be home tonight, I thought I'd post 7 early. Hope you guys don't mind my posting it so fast here.

Chapter 7

Alone, in the operating room, Reid took a moment to breathe. Ameera’s tumor was lodged at the very center of her brain and he’d have to use extreme caution. Reid washed up and put his mask on. His adrenalin was starting now. There was no high like surgery. He waited as they brought Ameera into him, her body was open to his hands, ready for him to work and it made Reid let go of any other thoughts; there was no room for a personal life in the OR.

The operation went perfectly for the first few hours, but at the halfway point in the procedure Ameera’s heart rate became erratic, beating way too rapidly, and the inexperienced staff almost panicked, but Reid calmed them. He knew what to do. His hands never stopped working. His voice was sharp as he threw out orders, but his mind was steady, logically moving through the problem. He was in control and that feeling of power allowed Reid to never hesitate as he did what was necessary.

First, he brought her heart rate down by freezing her. Quickly, efficiently, with a firm belief in his decision, Reid injected the cool saline solution into her veins. The body would slow its metabolism down- preventing further damage. Reid then sent for a cardio specialist to assist and he went back into her brain. Now he worked to find the tumor. It was the size of a small peach pit, but a pit with its tentacles latched on to the nerves endings. Reid cut away at it, one piece at a time. His own thoughts were blank as he moved almost in a rhythm, a dance of sorts, his whole self entranced. There was nothing else but this brain, this moment, this cut.

***

Hours later, Reid stood in front of Noah and the Snyders. They were huddled in the waiting area.

“Well?” Noah rushed up.

Reid pulled down his mask and took a breath. He pinched the bridge of his nose a second. It had been an intense operation. Now that it was over, he could feel his exhaustion coming on.

Reid nodded at Noah. “She had a little trouble during the surgery, but she’s stable right now. The tumor is out - all of it.” Reid allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction.

A cheer went through the group.

Noah attempted to hug him, but Reid held up a hand. “No hugs. And you do need to understand, due to some complications, we had to cool her body down to prevent further brain injury. She’ll need to be in intensive care for awhile.”

Noah nodded eagerly. “Can I see her?”

“In a little while. I need to run some tests and then I’ll have her sent back to the room. We can talk more about it then. “

“But it looks good?” Noah said.

Reid nodded. “For now.” He never liked to be too optimistic.

Luke smiled, coming closer to Noah. “See?“ he said. “It’ll be alright.“ He tentatively put a hand on Noah’s shoulder, looking uncertain.

Reid had an odd feeling that Luke expected Noah to knock his hand away. Reid had almost forgotten how strange their friendship seemed to be. He narrowed his eyes on Luke’s hand and stared a moment at Luke’s uncomfortable face.

“After the tests, you’ll know more?” Noah asked Reid, not acknowledging Luke.

“We won’t know anything for sure until she wakes up,” Reid told Noah. “But as I said, the tumor is gone.“

“Thank you!” Noah said. “You're as amazing as Bob promised.”

“So I've heard,” Reid said. “But things can still go wrong. But, at this time, cautious optimism wouldn’t be going too far. There were some close moments in surgery.”

“Ahh, so you did need good luck.” Luke grinned at him, teasingly.

Reid held his hand up to indicate a half an inch of luck was all he needed.

Luke started to laugh, when Noah turned on him. “Luke! I’m sure the operation is a success due to his skill. Don’t insult him!”

“I wasn’t. I was just joking around -“

Noah bristled. “None of this has been easy. Not for me. I don’t see how making jokes helps at all.”

Luke hung his head a little.

Reid was about to defend Luke and give Noah a piece of his mind, when Holden and Lily came up to congratulate him. He had no choice but to turn to them. Bob was coming up now, too. Reid accepted all the warm wishes and handshakes. He felt caught between what he wanted to do and what he should do.

Apart from Bob, there was only one person he truly wanted to please with this operation’s success, only one person that Reid was eager to see happy. But when he had a second to look for him, Luke was already gone. Resigned, Reid turned back to the gathered group and allowed the praise to continue.

***

After another shower and change of clothes, all Reid wanted was some sleep. He didn’t even have the energy to consider looking for Luke. His eyeballs felt strained, his feet ached again and he could barely form a coherent thought. But he’d promised Noah another report about his wife’s condition, so he headed for her room, rubbing his eyes. Reid stopped at the loud voices coming from her room.

“Luke,” Noah said, “Are you drinking again?”

“No, I‘m not drunk, Noah. I’m just tired of this. Of you.”

Luke’s tone was bitchy, and Reid could picture his face. For some reason, bitchy was a good look on Luke. Really, he had no bad looks, Reid thought, although he would always prefer Luke to look happy.

Reid knew he should knock or leave, but, instead, he stood there with his eyes shut and listened.

“You don’t mean it,“ Noah said dismissively. “Not now. You heard the doctor; Ameera’s chance for recovery is good. It’s over.” Noah’s tone turned placating. “You can’t break up now that the worst is past.”

“I can!” Luke raised his voice. “I’m done. I won’t be treated like this anymore.”

Break up? Reid felt cold, like ice in his veins. Of course. Of course, how had he missed it? The guilt written all over Luke whenever he talked about Ameera, the way he was so solicitous of Noah, like a skittish colt approaching an unpredictable mare, afraid of being kicked, but needing something too. They were lovers. Or they had been? Still were?

“Look,” Reid could hear Noah’s lower, more reasonable voice. “I know I’ve been hard on you, blaming you, but, “ there was a shrug in the sound of the ‘but’ like it wasn’t important.

Blaming Luke. For Ameera. Right, Luke had said he'd been fighting with her when she collapsed, that he'd been saying horrible things to her. And Noah had blamed him. Had she discovered their affair? Was that what they'd been fighting about?

Reid tapped his pen against his leg, some pieces of the puzzle clicking together in his brain, others jamming and refusing to fit. What about Casey? Was Luke was cheating on him too? Or was that a ruse of some kind? It'd make more sense – there had been something not quite right there, some kind of disconnect that Reid had felt but been unable to understand. He'd written it off at the time as jealousy, anger that Luke was involved with someone so dumb, but maybe what he'd felt was something different. Was this all a knot of lies that Luke was afraid that Reid would untangle?

“Who cares now?” Luke said. “When it came to standing together, you chose to stand alone.”

"That's what I had to do, Luke! You know it was the right thing! Her life depended on me!"

"That's what you said. That's what you wanted me to believe, but it was always something, wasn't it, Noah? Always something that kept you from choosing me first."

"You make it sound like it was easy."

"Wasn't it? Easier at least than choosing to be with me?"

Reid couldn’t quite make out Noah’s mumbled reply. He swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth. He felt his whole body clench. What the hell was Luke involved with here? Noah was his cheating on his wife with Luke – that much seemed clear, now or in the past? Was it a current thing, or something that had come up after the fact? Break up – Noah had used the words 'break up' as something that Luke was doing currently, so it was ongoing then. Reid had a death grip on his chart.

Was this what Luke had become? Trapped in this small town with Lily and Holden as his parents? Had he become this kind of man?

Reid thought of Luke's eyes in the moonlight, the earnest, nervous expression in the hall as he'd looked at Reid earlier, and he couldn't reconcile this information, not with the little boy he'd known, and not with the man he wanted to believe existed. Reid shook his head to clear it.

“I asked you weeks ago. I told you all or nothing,“ Luke shouted. “You picked nothing.”

Luke sounded broken, wounded and hurt. It made Reid's stomach ache, and he wanted to make that sound go away.

"I know what I chose, Luke."

Noah had picked nothing? What did that mean – that Noah had ended things, chosen to stay with his wife? And he wanted to start up again now that it looked as though his wife might live? He'd said something about doing it to save her life? Doing what – marrying her? Breaking it off with Luke? But no…weeks ago, Ameera was perfectly healthy. It made no sense. Reid stood there, frozen, his brain frantically trying to connect all the pieces.

“Before she ever got sick, I begged you to end all this with her! To stop the lies!”

“And I told you, I couldn’t just walk away. She needed me. You know that!”

“I needed you,” Luke said. “Or didn’t that matter at all?”

”Ameera had to come first, okay? Back then and now, she had to come first. She’s my wife.”

“Believe me, I haven’t forgotten.” Luke said bitterly. “And I’m glad she’ll recover; I want that more than you know, but I won’t stand here and pretend to be happy about all the rest.”

How could Luke love a man who married somebody else, a woman, and who treated Luke like dirt? And why did Ameera need Noah so much? Clearly, the prick got off on seeing himself as some kind of hero. If it wasn’t about her illness and standing by her through that, what was the other situation that she needed protecting from? Reid rubbed a hand over his head. He felt chilled, like a block of ice was in his gut, solid and hard. Everything he’d ever known about Luke – his goodness, his need to help, his desire to do what was right – made him want to reject what he was hearing now.

The only part that rang true for Reid was the pain in Luke’s voice. Luke was being treated like second best, like crap, and he’d been taking it for a long time, that part Reid believed. Luke always had been so vulnerable that way, allowing people to use him, accepting their justifications.

“Luke, don’t leave like this. We’ll work it out; we always do.”

“No. Not this time. I can see myself now, Noah. I can see us. “

“What do you mean? We’re the same.”

“I just can’t do this anymore,” Luke’s voice dropped. “It’s over. “

Reid could hear a tremor in Luke’s voice. He wasn’t certain if Luke’s voice wavered from doubt or conviction, but Reid simply couldn’t stand there a moment longer. As he pushed open the door, Reid’s felt a twinge of nerves. He still didn’t understand why they were lovers, or how long it had been going on, or where Ameera fit into it all. He still didn’t understand why Luke would do any of this.

Reid stalked into the room, his gaze cold and hostile, and he held the chart to his chest, like protection. He had to see; he had to meet Luke’s eyes. The truth was slippery; it wasn’t like a scraped knee or a broken bone. You couldn’t measure it with a ruler or reason it out like a chess move, but he might see it in Luke’s face.

Noah and Luke both jumped.

“Dr. Oliver!” Noah called with false joviality. He walked over to Reid. “I just want to thank you again for helping Ameera.” Noah had his hand on Reid’s shoulder.

“It’s what I do,” Reid answered, staring over at Luke, glaring. “And I need to examine her. “

Luke wouldn’t look back at him, not even for a second. “Excuse me,” Luke said. Keeping his head down, Luke pushed past both Reid and Noah. Reid tried to catch his eye and failed, and with Luke’s hasty exit, the truth remained elusive.

Reid slowly faced Noah. “I need to examine your wife.”

Reid went over to her bed, and Noah followed him, his face squinted up.

“Dr Oliver, did you just hear any of that? Cause I can explain-“

"I don't know what's going on with you and Mr. Snyder, and I don't want to know, but I will tell you that any sudden stress could damage the already fragile health of my patient."

Reid began his exam, almost pushing Noah away.

"I understand.” Noah watched him begin the exam and then he rushed back up to Reid. “But I’m a really good husband and Ameera came into my life when –“

Reid put his stethoscope to his ears. “I have no time to play your Father Confessor. You’ll have to find someone else on whom to you unburden yourself, Mr. Mayer. I’m not interested in your skills as a husband or a boyfriend, or anything actually. I only care about Ameera’s health.

“My wife’s health should come first,” Noah bobbed his head in agreement.

"I'm sure it does."

"Luke is just --"

"I said I don't want to hear it, Mr. Mayer."

Ignoring Noah, Reid did his job.

Outwardly, he remained calm. He gave Ameera a thorough exam. Inwardly, it was another story; a wave of anger built up inside of Reid, anger he had no right to, but anger that filled him anyway.

Noah meant nothing to him at all, less than nothing. He was an asshole and not worth his brain power. But Luke? Reid wanted to knock him around, grab him by his cheating, idiotic head and thrash him. He was angry that he couldn’t understand the situation. He was angry that Luke had connected with him again, let him sit at his table, break bread, share his thoughts, and made Reid feel like Luke gave a damn about him.

Reid swallowed hard. Why did this hurt him? It wasn’t his concern, right? He was just here to do his job. He didn’t need to get sucked into this, and Luke was a grown man now, so what did it matter to Reid?

Reid continued to check Ameera’s vitals. She was his patient. She was what he needed to concentrate on. If Reid had questions, he needed to focus them on her care. What mess was this girl about to wake up to? Reid curled up his mouth. He hadn't saved her life just to have her wake up and go into some kind of traumatic shock. If Luke came back through that door, and Noah was certainly glancing over at it like he expected Luke any time, then Reid needed to be ready for the emotional impact this might have on Ameera. Reid nodded to himself. Okay, that made it his business. He needed to know, as her doctor of course, what the hell was really going on.

“Your wife is stable.“ Reid narrowed his eyes at Noah. "And when she wakes up, she’ll need your support, not drama.”

“Dr. Oliver,” Noah said, actually touching Reid’s arm. “I promise you that I’m good for Ameera. She’s my main concern. As for Luke, he and I just need a little time to work things out, and everything will be fine. I promise that I have good reasons for it all. I’m doing the right thing for everybody involved. I am."

“Good for you, but I have other patients to see.”

Removing Noah’s hand, Reid stepped back. Noah’s words gave him a strange pang. Holden always talked that way too. He never was wrong, even at Luke’s birthday, when he’d allowed Molly to wreck the party, Holden had seen himself as perfect. Reid stared at Noah thinking of Luke.

The boy he’d known hated his parents’ lies and his father’s cheating. The boy Reid remembered cried over it and had blamed himself for it, crawling into Reid’s bed for comfort. Reid might not get people, he might be slow to understand human emotions, but he couldn’t accept that what he’d heard in this room added up. Luke just couldn’t be this much of a prick.

The boy he’d known would never cheat with a married man on some helpless girl. Just today, when Holden had that phone call from his girlfriend, Luke’s face had been full of pain. Noah sounded so damn reasonable now and it chilled him that Luke’s boyfriend had the same tone of voice as Luke’s father. Reid remembered that Holden had been so nice when he was cheating on his family: his exterior had been calm and he’d dripped sincerity as he’d placed the blame at Lily’s feet and ran off into the night.

Suddenly, Reid felt the desire to find Luke. Lily had waited for Holden to return to her and he’d come back, only to hurt her again, and neither of his parents ever acknowledged the damage they did to Luke. He’d been a sensitive kid, not like Reid; Luke hadn’t a tough bone in his entire body, but he’d had a huge heart, and that just didn’t disappear, not unless it was ripped out.

Reid turned away from Noah, moving to the door, to Luke. He wanted to hear Luke’s side; Reid wanted to give the boy he knew a chance to still redeem himself. If he was wrong, if Luke truly had changed, well, Reid wanted to face that too. At the very least, he needed to make Luke aware of Ameera’s frail state and warn him to stay away from her. If he was planning to run back to Noah, the way Lily ran back to Holden, maybe Reid could help him see it. Maybe Luke was just stumbling around blindly making his parents mistakes? Reid wasn’t certain of anything. But, as he left the room, Reid hoped that once he had all the pieces to the puzzle, it would all at least make sense.

Luke was not in the hallway or by the elevator. He checked the break room, but Luke wasn’t there either. Then Reid went up the stairs, following his intuition.

Luke was on the roof. Reid approached him slowly, seeing the tears on Luke’s face.

When Reid was orphaned and living with Angus, he’d felt separated from the world. Reid might as well have been made of glass, for all Angus saw him. Reid did everything independently. Even as a young kid, he knew that that no one really wanted him. Until Luke. That first time Luke had smiled at him and called Reid his friend, his entire body had reacted. He’d reeled back stunned, heat flooding his skin, his knees nearly buckling. He’d gazed in Luke’s eyes, focused on him with such intensity, and a wave of relief had overtaken Reid. When Luke had looked at him, Reid wasn’t invisible after all.

Reid tentatively raised his hand up and held his fingers to Luke’s damp cheek. Reid would be damned if he’d allow Luke to be alone. He wanted Luke to know that he was here. He might not know what to say or do exactly, but he was here. Reid saw him.

“When we were kids, we were always honest with each other,” Reid said softly, “right?”

Luke nodded.

“Well then?” Reid said. “Can’t you be honest with me now?”

Luke shook his head. “It’s a long, crazy story. Are you sure you want to hear it?”

Reid hesitated. He knew the conversation was bound to make him uncomfortable; he’d spent his adulthood wrapped up in his own affairs, keeping his life focused on his career. Reid was a surgeon and nothing more. He wasn’t at all sure he would know how to help Luke with his troubles; he wasn’t at all sure that listening wouldn’t completely destroy his ideas of who Luke was as a person.

Gently, Reid stroked his thumb over another of Luke’s tears.

“Tell me,” Reid said, pushing his doubts aside.

Luke nodded. He drew in a shaky breath and began to talk.

***

“So let me get this right,” Reid paced the roof, a little while later. Luke was just sitting on the ground now, his face dry, knees pulled to his chest. “You and Noah were boyfriends, but Ameera was about to be deported and he married her.”

“Yes.” Luke shifted uneasily. “It sounds bad when you say it.”

Reid came over to Luke. He bent down by him, so that their faces were close. “And you approved? You agreed?”

“I wanted to help. And Noah said-“

Reid reached behind Luke’s left ear and flicked.

“Hey!” Luke said.

“That’s it, right? “ Reid said. “The switch for your brain? Obviously nobody has turned it on since I left.”

“I thought you’d be compassionate,” Luke protested, rubbing gingerly at the spot behind his ear.

Reid sat down next to him. “That is me being compassionate,” he replied.

“What should I’ve done?” Luke said defensively. “I’ve been with him for years. He wanted me to do this. He came to me, pleaded for Ameera, and-“

“Oh I don’t know,” Reid interrupted, “hired lawyers? Fought in court? Use your big bucks to make it all go away? But no, you let your boyfriend marry her instead. Smart.”

“When you put it like that,” Luke moaned and then hid his face behind his hands. “Maybe my brain has been turned off all these years.”

Reid snorted in agreement. “Well, we could just blame this town. I have a theory it turns everybody a little crazy.” Reid looked at him. “So Casey was just pretense.”

“Yeah. It was Noah’s idea. Casey was cool enough to agree. I – the whole thing got more and more messed up. I wasn’t happy. I fought with Noah, with Ameera. I hated it.” Luke sighed deeply. “I tried to reason with them. I did. But Noah has a way of making me feel just awful if I go against him-“

“I’ve noticed.”

Luke let out a shaky laugh, and Reid’s mouth hitched slightly up.

“He had me feeling bad all the time. Blaming me for being difficult about the marriage and not trusting him, and then really blaming me for her seizure the day we fought…. I just let him hurt me over and over.“ Luke looked at him with bottomless pain in his eyes. “Is love supposed to hurt like that?”

Anxiety fluttered in Reid’s stomach as he tried to answer; he opened his mouth, struggling to address the question of love, but no sound came out.

“I wouldn’t know,“ Reid finally replied. “Ask me something easier like all the elements in the periodic table.”

“It isn’t Noah’s fault, I guess. Everybody likes him. He’s so good.” Luke sounded like he was parroting someone’s words. “He’s a good person, and he married Ameera because it was the right thing to do.” Luke said nothing more, his face fallen.

“Sounds boring,” Reid snorted. “Being so righteous all the time. And I don’t like him.”

“You don’t like anybody,” Luke said, exasperated.

“I like you.” Reid said with a glimmer of a smile, his eyes focused on Luke’s face.

Startled, Luke mouth dropped open.

“Don’t look so surprised.”

Luke bit his lip, for a moment he couldn’t speak. “But you haven’t been around me, not really in a long time.”

“So?”

“So… You don’t know how I can be about love, be about Noah. “ Luke’s face looked agonized, the mere mention of Noah’s name on his lips made Luke’s eyes almost start out of his head with remembered pain; his face darkened by a red flush . “He says that I hover and that I pressure him. I-I do that. He’s right. I don’t know when to stop.”

Reid looked at Luke’s tense expression, his trembling lip. He felt his whole body gravitate toward Luke then, as if to offer some shelter. Reid leaned in, so that their thighs pressed together. He took Luke’s face in his hands.

“ You have a generous heart, Luke. Never apologize for it. “

Luke inhaled sharply, and then a joyous smile came over his face.

Until he saw it, Reid hadn’t realized just how much he’d wanted to bring out that smile, how much Luke’s happiness caused a tenderness to swell up inside of Reid’s chest, the force of it nearly knocking him back.

“Thank you,” Luke said, still smiling at him.

Reid abruptly released Luke and gave a sulky shrug. “No big deal,” he told Luke. “Let’s not get sappy.”

“Okay,” Luke nodded, his eyes looking moist. “No sappy stuff.”

Reid looked away and spoke slowly. “I don’t know crap about love, Luke. I could tell you about the brain chemicals. How mysterious it all is. I could tell you that each brain is unique, so maybe love is unique every time too. That’s about all I can tell you.“ Reid was aware that he was babbling, but couldn’t seem to stop it. When he glanced back at Luke, however, Luke was listening, his head tilted near Reid’s own.

“Maybe I don’t know crap about love either. “ Luke sighed.

Reid nearly laughed at that. Luke was the most loving person he’d ever known; it came as easily to him as breathing.

“I wish I’d ended it with Noah sooner,” Luke continued. “Why did I just stay so long?”

Reid gave Luke an awkward pat on the back. “Well, maybe because he’s your first. First lover and first love, right? That’s hard to lose.”

Luke didn’t answer. He bit his lip harder and chewed it. “Actually” Luke said, ducking his head, “he was my first love, I guess. But not my first…you know.”

“Oh. So there were others.” Reid nodded and suddenly wanted the conversation to end. Bad enough he had been talking to Luke about love and mooning over the brain to him. At this point, he didn’t really need to hear about all the men Luke had slept with.

“There weren’t others,“ Luke mumbled, tugging at his ear.

Reid’s brows came down in concentration. “What?”

“I’m not a prude,” Luke said suddenly. “I wanted to! I –I imagined I’d like sex.”

Images flashed at rapid speed through Reid’s mind – Luke on his back with his knees to his chest, open and eager, Luke on all fours, groaning for it, Luke’s mouth open and sucking Reid’s cock -- and he had to shut his eyes to push them away.

“Noah never felt it was the right time, “ Luke explained. “And to be fair, we always had one bad thing after another happening. I tried to get past the stuff and be with him. But Noah always wanted a break up when things fell apart. So we’d split…. We’d get back together, talk about maybe doing it-“

“Talk about doing it?” Reid echoed.

“We’d come close,” Luke flushed, “sort of. And then more problems. More breaks.“ Luke looked away. “Now I feel like the world’s biggest idiot for waiting. I feel like that will never happen for me now.” He rubbed his hands over his eyes a moment. “Anyhow. All that stuff aside. You want to know the worst part?”

Reid nodded, but his mind was still processing the fact that Luke was a virgin.

Luke took a deep breath. “The worst part was that right before he met Ameera, I realized that I didn’t fit with Noah anymore, not in a long time, maybe for months. I realized that I needed to get out for good. But then Ameera happened and he needed me, and I keep trying to stand by him, to fix us anyway. Even though I finally saw that we didn’t work. I just keep taking it, like some habit I just couldn’t stop.”

“Sounds like you need a Noah-detox treatment,” Reid suggested wryly.

Luke laughed at that. He met Reid’s gaze with soft eyes. His mouth curved still. Reid felt a thrumming start inside of his heart and he couldn’t help but to reach out for Luke’s hand.

Then Luke bolted up. “You know - that’s it!”

“What?” Reid asked, watching as Luke became animated, feeling both relieved and disappointed that Luke had gotten up.

“I do need a detox from him.“ Luke looked at Reid. “You’re joking, but you’re not wrong. I was kind of addicted.“ Luke’s face grew thoughtful. “And now I want to move on with my life, detox Noah from it.” Luke gazed at Reid again. Suddenly, Luke came a few steps toward him, with a determined look and a suggestive smile on his lips. “Maybe I know the right doctor to give me the treatment?”

Reid stood up nervously. “I don’t follow.” Only he did know what Luke wanted; Reid could see it in his eyes. “I don’t know what you mean,” he repeated stiffly, trying to reject the plea in Luke’s expression, the desire on his face.

Luke’s look of bravado crumpled. “This- this virginity thing?“ Luke blushed. “It’s embarrassing! I’m twenty and I haven’t, you know. How can I go forward to another relationship with this thing hanging over me?” He came closer to Reid. “I need somebody to - to – relieve me of it, so I can really move on.”

“Luke,” Reid said in a low voice. “Don’t ask me. “ Reid could feel his strength draining away at the longing in Luke’s gaze.

Luke paused a second, and then, as if his feelings just couldn’t be contained, he shrugged helplessly. “Why not? Why not ask you? I saw you when I massaged your leg. I saw.”

“I- I - you’re like a brother or something.”

Luke gave him a look. “Really? Honesty, remember?”

Reid’s jaw clenched. “Okay, maybe I don’t see you like a brother exactly.”

Eagerly, Luke started towards him.

“Wait.” Reid said, quickly. “Listen,” he backed a few inches away, “I don’t do relationships. I don’t fall in love. “

“But that’s perfect!” Luke declared enthusiastically to Reid’s utter shock. “I’m not asking you to fall in love with me,” Luke exclaimed. “I’m not ready to fall in love again. I just want you to be with me. You can help me out as a friend- no strings- and we can both go on to our lives.”

“That’s insane,” Reid replied, even as his whole body started to sweat.

“I need somebody I can trust with this. Somebody who understands that it’ll just be a sex thing. I tried waiting for love. And I will try and love again…someday. But right now, I need this to just happen.“ Luke stepped closer. “Please, Reid? Please? You’re the only person in the world I can ask this of.”

“No. It’s insanity,” Reid repeated firmly. The sweat was dripping down his back now.

“No,” Luke argued stubbornly. “Insanity would be my picking up some stranger. Do you think that’s a better plan?”

“Of course not! Don’t be a moron!” Terror ripped through him at the thought of Luke being stupid enough to go home with a stranger, someone who might be too rough, or hurt him, or not use a condom.

Luke smiled sweetly. “Well then?”

“Did it even occur to you that I’m a stranger too? We haven’t really seen each other in all these years.“ Reid shook his head. “We don’t really know each other anymore.”

Then Reid froze at the visible grief in Luke’s eyes.

“Yeah, we do.” Luke walked over to Reid, pressing his body close, searching his face.

“You can’t look at me,” Luke said, his voice thick with pain, “and tell me you don’t know me.”

At his words, Reid felt time slipping away, back to their boyhood. He pictured Luke with him in the barn, explaining how to milk a cow; Luke making up stories with Reid as the villain and Luke the hero; Luke sneaking him food, telling him knock-knock jokes, picking him over time with other kids. He saw Luke riding on a pony, all dressed up for his birthday; Luke sobbing over his parents; Luke defending him to Chris; Luke saying that he loved him. Reid’s eyes pinched closed a moment, seeing it all.

He opened his eyes slowly and simply nodded at Luke.

Luke smiled and touched his arm gently. Everything between them now seemed dangerously alive, even the air sizzled.

“Look,” Reid scowled at him, still trying to argue, “even if we do know each other, it might not matter. I’m still seven years older than you. Don’t you think this might be a problem?”

“No, not really,“ Luke smiled. “I think that’s great! I mean, you’ll know what you’re doing.“ Luke hesitated. “Wait. You do know what you’re doing, right?”

“Of course!” Reid huffed. “I’ve had no complaints!”

Luke grinned. “So it’s perfect.” Luke started to touch him again, but Reid pushed him away.

“Don’t go taking off your chastity belt just yet,“ Reid said sharply.

Luke drew back and his grin faded. “Are you making fun of me?” Hurt spread across on Luke’s face.

With a groan, Reid shook his head. “No, but I think you’re overreacting.” He gently took Luke’s hand and squeezed. “A lot of guys won’t mind being your first, Luke. Maybe just wait.”

“I’ve been waiting! I’m sick of waiting,” Luke began to get upset again. He began to pace in front of Reid. ” And a lot of other guys would think I’m ridiculous.” Luke’s cheeks were flushed; his voice began to crack a little. “What if I make a fool of myself in bed? What if I freeze up or something? What if he gets impatient with me and I –“

“Then he isn’t the right guy,” Reid replied firmly.

Luke just shook his head stubbornly. “What if I’m too needy ‘cause it’s my first time? I want to be confident, you know? And right now I’m this stupid mess. I have all these doubts about myself now, after Noah. And I just know I’ll be so nervous with a new guy. I’ll be a wreck trying to be with him without any experience and then - “

“Okay, okay.” Reid interrupted. He shushed Luke. “Calm down. Just, slow down a moment. You’re all emotional.” Reid paused. His own voice sounded less than calm. He drew in a deep breath.

Reid couldn’t disagree that the world was full of predatory men; men who would be impatient or worse, rough with Luke. Some men got off on causing virgins’ pain, tearing apart their assholes without any lube or preparation or care, and Luke with his air of sweetness would be like a lamb being led to the slaughterhouse. Reid’s body jerked back at the thought.

“Maybe you do need to do this, but I still think it’s too soon. You just broke up with your boyfriend like five minutes ago-“

“But I’ve been trying to break it off for months. I just wasn’t strong enough before. I don’t want him back.”

“Good to know.” Reid smiled slightly. “But it’s still fast, and I’m not sure you’re thinking straight.”

“I am! I want to experience passion, sex. Everybody acts like I’m some throwback to the Victorian age already, but I’m not. I’m a person with needs, like anybody else. Please? Please Reid?”

Jesus fucking Christ. Luke was begging to have sex with him, to be deflowered or whatever. Reid felt like his brain was about to explode. He held his hand over his face a moment. He searched his normally logical mind for some more arguments, but it was like a bomb was going off in his head. Even knowing that this was a mistake, even knowing that Luke wasn’t being rational, even knowing that he was not staying in Oakdale and there was no future in it, even knowing that he shouldn’t touch Luke or he’d never want to stop, Reid just stood there wanting it.

A long moment went by and Reid couldn’t seem to collect himself.

“So,” Luke said with a twist of his lips. “I’m not hearing a no.” He grinned at Reid and waggled his eyebrows hopefully.

Reid hesitated. He was uncertain what to do. Reid wished Luke were an operation that came with instructions. He wished he could see the results clearly in his mind. The last thing he wanted was to choose wrong here and hurt him.

During his own teenage years, Reid had avoided relationships by hiding in his text books. When he’d finally emerged enough to look around, he was already 18 and in his third year at Harvard. It had been agony, wondering how to know if a guy liked him or not. Reid had stumbled his way through a few relationships, and then had simply decided to keep his emotions in check. He could understand what Luke was saying. Relationships were messy and Luke had been hurt. Sex was easy. It was a basic human function.

Luke was asking for his help.

On the other hand -- oh, fuck - there was no other hand. This was wrong. This was foolish, wrong and ridiculous.

Reid gathered his words together. He’d have to let Luke down gently. Try to make him see why it was a lousy idea.

Then Luke wetted his lips nervously.

Desire shot through Reid’s body like a blast from a gun. He’d never felt desire so strongly before. He had yet to touch Luke, but his whole body was already a shaking mess. A strange, almost animal sound escaped Reid’s throat and a tremor passed through him.

Missing Reid’s reaction, Luke wrung his hands together. “I mean, unless...I know you don’t think of me as a brother, but if you’re not attracted enough to me to be interested,“ Luke stammered out. “I mean, I know I’m not all that . I-“

Blindly, with an instinctive grunt, Reid pulled Luke’s body against him abruptly stopping Luke’s words. He couldn’t stand it anymore. He had to touch Luke’s moist lips, taste him. Just once.

Reid let their mouths press together, but then he wanted more. He thrust his tongue into Luke’s mouth, teased his way deeper inside. The taste was intoxicating, and Reid felt his body responding. As their lips clung, he wrapped his hand firmly at Luke’s waist, boldly tightening his arms around Luke. The kiss went on, lingering, exploring. Reid traced Luke’s lips and then pushed back inside. Luke was moaning softly, his mouth desperately locked on Reid’s own. Reid felt like he couldn’t breathe without Luke, he needed to keep on kissing him, holding him.

Reid pushed him away.

“What the hell am I doing? “ Reid muttered. Luke didn’t answer; he was gasping for air. Luke trembled and rocked his body closer. Reid stared at him a second, and he went right back for Luke’s lips.

He drew Luke’s tongue back into his mouth, suckling it. His pulse was pounding. He could feel it throbbing in his neck. Reid nibbled Luke’s delicate lips in teasing strokes and then thrust again at his tongue. Luke was so responsive. He was thrashing his body around in Reid’s arms, trying to squirm closer. Luke’s mouth hung on his own. Reid shuddered. His hands were gentle now, caressing Luke’s back. Their tongues circled. Their bodies tangled, arms like ropes now, chest against chest, hip to hip. They seemed rooted together.

Reid held Luke’s head in his hands. His mouth never wanting to let Luke’s lips go. The contact was almost unbearable, heat searing his mouth. Reid’s eyes opened a moment and all he could see was Luke’s skin tinged pink. He could see the delicate curve of his earlobe and sunlit hair. He inhaled and closed his eyes again, continuing the kiss. He tasted so amazing. It wasn’t something Reid would ever be able to put into logical words. Luke just tasted perfect. It was like his mouth fit the shape of Reid’s the way a last puzzle piece fit, and his taste was every craving Reid longed for, and Luke’s body was incredibly warm and true. Reid teased him a moment longer with his tongue. He let his lips noisily find Luke’s in a few last tender touches.

Reid finally pulled his head away. Luke’s eyes were still closed. Gently, Reid placed the pad of his thumb on his lower lip and then touched the corner’s of Luke’s mouth.

Luke smiled, his eyes flying open.

Reid didn’t smile. He let his thumb and finger rest lightly still on those lips and then moved them away.

“I want it to be you.” Luke’s voice was strained. “You’ll take care of me. You have my back, remember?”

“If we do this,” Reid said, “I’m going to have more than your back.”

Luke blushed, but he laughed too. Reid smiled in response. He just stood there smiling, unable to help it. He gazed at Luke’s swollen lips and happy face, and Reid smiled again. “All I’m going to say tonight is go home. Rest. “

“Sleep on it?”

“Yes.”

“And,“ Luke said huskily. “If I’m still sure in the morning?” Luke took Reid’s hand and laced their fingers together. “I’m not changing my mind,” Luke said insistently, and with his words, Reid felt something twisting inside of him, an emotion he refused to examine too closely.

“Sleep on it.” Reid’s tone was gruff now.

He released Luke’s hands, and left Luke standing on the rooftop.

Title: Anywhere USA
Author: Marsabi
Summary: This is a two part story with multiple chapters.
Part One: Abandoned as a teen, Reid is forced to live on the Snyder farm as a foster kid for a few months, before he heads off on his own, but will a certain child worm his way into Reid’s heart?
Part Two: Reid returns to Oakdale as a favor for Bob, something he planned never to do, and he can’t wait to leave town, until his past slams into him in the form of Luke Snyder and damn if Luke isn’t all grown up.
Warning: Sexual Content in some parts
Rating: PG-NC-17
Thanks to the following friends for their support of this story: shadownyc, traciamc, and Rhiannonhero
Author’s notes: This was bid on by Rhiannon Hero for the Japanese auction. Because I know Rhiannonhero loathes short chapters, these chapters will be long.

Warning: strong language and sexual content in this chapter

Chapter Five

The next morning, as he hurried to find a parking space at Memorial, Reid let his car turn sharply, making the tires screech. He’d had his own private parking space at the Mayo clinic, and now he had to circle around and around like some gopher again.

Reid glanced down at his pristine white coat. Nope, still a world class neurosurgeon - one without a place to park. Out of the corner of his eyes, Reid finally spotted an open space. He accelerated.

He barely tapped the other car’s bumper; it had come out of nowhere to steal his space, before Reid slammed the brakes on.

Reid honked the horn several times at the idiot driver, before getting out.

“You,” Kim Hughes said as she opened up her car door.

Unlike Bob, Kim hadn’t aged well. Her mouth was heavily lined and her hair had turned mostly white. The only thing about her that was the same was that expression of haughty disapproval, and she was probably still as sweet as a packet of artificial Sweet N Low; Reid could almost imagine her bitter aftertaste.

“So happy to see me that you had to hit my car?” Reid joked.

“You hit my car,” Kim informed him. “And we need to exchange insurance information.”

“Why?” Reid made a face. “It’s a fender bender. No damage. See?”

Kim ignored that. “Don’t bother to ask if I’m alright.”

“I can see you are,“ Reid replied. “But don’t worry, I’m sure Bob will run 100 tests on you for free and then confirm what common sense tells us right now.”

Kim walked over to him. “I heard you were back in town. I should have known. Bob has been working twice as hard as usual.”

Reid handed her his insurance card. “And you blame me?”

Kim glared at him. “Shouldn’t I?”

“No,” Reid said annoyed. “I’m not making Bob stay at work. He’s doing his job. Imagine that.”

“Bob needs to take it easy,” Kim said frostily. “Not spend his time with neurosurgeons.”

She made it sound like a dirty word. “Would you rather I’d gone to clown college with Chris?” Reid asked, baiting her. Why did she always act like he was about to steal Bob away or something?

“Chris is a doctor,” Kim told him proudly. “A good family doctor. He’s off in Africa right now making a difference to poor families.”

Reid snorted. “Do they have golf in the jungle? Otherwise, I can’t imagine what he’s doing out there.”

“He’s concerned about humanity.”

Chris Hughes was still full of so much shit, he could fill up a port-o-potty. Reid opened his mouth to tell that to Kim.

“And the last thing Bob needs,” Kim continued before he could talk, “is you. “

“Bob doesn’t seem to mind my presence,” Reid said flatly. He glanced at the exit door, ready to leave her and this ridiculous conversation.

“Bob is exhausted. Several doctors have left him already. Richards left because of you.”

“So Bob is understaffed and tired and Chris just took off for Africa.” Reid nodded. “That sounds like him. Maybe what Bob needs is needs a vacation or a checkup,” Reid suggested. “Or less pressure at home.”

Kim stared at him. “I’m not discussing my husband or our personal life with you!”

“Isn’t that just what you were doing?” Reid countered.

Kim walked away from him, not answering. Reid shrugged. He would look into asking Bob about his staffing issues. If Bob needed some competent new doctors, Reid could make some calls for him and do some research. There must be a few decent M.D.s out there still foolish enough to think that small town living sounded quaint.

“There you go again making friends.” Luke called out. “You always did have a talent for that.”

Reid turned startled and looked at Luke, who somehow had come up right behind him and was now standing nearly on top of Reid’s feet.

“That woman has always hated me,” Reid said. “And I don’t need friends.”

“Well,” Luke laughed, jamming his hands in his pockets and grinning foolishly at Reid, “You have one friend .” He smiled wider. “Right here.”

“Is that what we are?” Reid said cautiously.

Luke pushed his face closer to Reid’s own and smiled again gently.

The trouble was, Reid couldn’t help returning the smile. Luke had a great smile; it was warm as sunshine. Reid couldn’t help wanting to get tangled up in its light.

“I guess I don’t understand people,” he admitted.

“There’s news,” Luke laughed.

“Thanks,” Reid’s lips twisted wryly.

Then Luke’s whole face softened. “Aww, don’t be sensitive about it “

“I’m not.”

Luke reached out and touched his arm. His eyes were full of sweetness. “Maybe you don’t get people, but they don’t try and get you. Like Kim for instance? She should be thanking you for being concerned about Bob. If she knew you, she’d know that you are going to work harder for him while you’re here and even try and help him with his staff. That you would tirelessly go over applicants for Bob if he asked you, right?”

Reid’s mouth fell open a moment. It was exactly what he’d been thinking before Luke had spoken. Luke’s eyes practically melted into his. His fingers squeezed Reid’s arm.

“Excuse me, I didn’t know you moonlighted as a psychic. Where did you pick up your insight? From the back of a cereal box ? ” Reid pulled his arm away. “And I have no interest in the Hughes family. “

“Uh-huh,” Luke grinned. “Okay. You’re a rude jerk who doesn’t give a damn about anybody.”

“You got it,” Reid replied.

“And that’s why you need me,” Luke happily added in a smug tone. “To be your friend.”

Reid was about to protest, when Luke smiled at him again, his brown eyes dancing. Luke’s dimples appeared and his grin widened. Reid’s breath caught in his throat.

“I guess if I have to be in Oakdale, it’s not such a bad thing to have a friend.”

Luke’s face lit up. “Careful, Reid,” he teased, “I might lure you in to extending your time here. And who knows? Stay long enough, we might get to be BFFs again. “

“Oh no. I have to give that honor to Bob or he’d cry.”

Luke burst out laughing. He pushed at Reid with the heel of his hand. Reid clasped his shoulder. It was nice to make Luke laugh.

Luke’s tongue darted out and ran over his teeth. Reid couldn’t help following the motion.

Their eyes stayed on each other, lingering, unable to break off the contact. Luke was watching him like he wanted something from Reid; his smile started to slip slightly. Reid breathed in his scent. He was so close to Luke he could smell his skin and hair. He could feel the air charged between them. Reid looked at Luke’s mouth as it parted, open, waiting. That mouth hovering by his own, asking to be kissed, those lips so near, with their promise of soft skin and warmth.

They swayed closer to each other.

Reid pulled back. This was crazy. It must be all in his head. Luke was in love with Ameera, and even if he wasn’t, Luke was like a little brother. Reid wound his arms around his waist. He felt an urge to sit down and put his head between his knees to keep from hyperventilating.

“I should get inside.”

Luke nodded.

Reid gritted his teeth. He deliberately made his face a mask. As they slowly start to walk toward the door into the hospital, Reid could feel Luke sneaking glances at him.

“So,” Luke smiled at him as they walked. “Do you like Minnesota?”

Why did he always insist on chatting? Reid took deep breaths through his nose. He barely glanced at Luke, but he could feel Luke waiting.

“I guess.“

“What’s there to do for fun?” Luke persisted.

Reid rolled his eyes, “How would I know?”

“Okay, let’s try another question.” Luke sighed. “How long have you lived there?”

“Couple of years.” Reid opened the door to the hospital, walking up to the elevator.

“And you know nothing about the place?” Luke nudged him. “Reid?”

“What?” Reid shrugged. “Every place is the same to me. Food. Sleep. Work. Whatever.”

“Well,” Luke said, his eyes soft now. “Oakdale isn’t like just anywhere.”

Reid snorted derisively. “Tell me about it.” He jabbed his finger at the up button, frowning at the elevator’s slow response.

“I mean…you have people who remember you and care that you’re back.” Luke smiled at him, his expression affectionate.

Reid stared. He rubbed a hand at his neck for a second.

If anything, Luke’s face seemed to soften more as he watched him. ”Am I making you uncomfortable?”

“No,” Reid said. He pressed at the button again, leaving his finger on it.

“Are you in a hurry?” Luke asked.

Reid ignored him.

“You do know it’s okay for people to care about you, right?” Luke’s voice was teasing, a light of humor in his eyes.

Reid sighed as the elevator finally arrived. It was only when he quickly got inside and the doors closed, that Reid remembered how much he hated small spaces, and now he was inside one with Luke. Reid watched the numbers slowly lighting up; he would be out of this sardine can and away from the source of these uncomfortable feelings soon enough.

“I don’t have time for that. I‘m here to operate on Ameera. That’s all,“ Reid said. “So why are you at the hospital? I thought you were staying away?”

At the name Ameera, Luke’s face grew somber again. “Then you’ve forgotten a few things about me,” Luke joked weakly. “I just came to talk with Noah, but I won’t go into the room.”

The fact that Luke was so obsessed with Ameera’s condition told Reid quite a lot. Luke’s feelings for her must be deep. Reid’s stomach lurched a little as the elevator continued to climb.

Luke shifted from side to side. “This is weird, but there is one thing I do need from you, okay? A small favor.”

Reid raised an eyebrow questioningly.

“Here? At the hospital? Can we not share the fact that we know each other with Noah?” Luke had a look of stubborn concentration on his face now; his tongue was tucked at the corner of his mouth.

“Why?” Reid demanded bluntly.

“It’s complicated, I’m paying for her hospital care and that was hard enough to convince Noah about…” Luke scratched at his ear. “I don’t want him thinking I’m taking over and brought you here too.”

“Bringing me is bad?” Reid frowned.

“No, of course not. I just-” Luke looked away. “Noah’s proud and he wouldn’t like the idea of me controlling the situation.”

“What? By helping? By getting the most brilliant neurosurgeon here to save his wife?”

“I told you, he’s proud.”

“Sounds more like ungrateful.”

Or was Noah not as vacuous as he appeared? Did he know about Luke’s feelings for Ameera?

Luke shook his head.

They fell into silence. Reid looked at the elevator lights again. There was a barely perceptible clicking noise as they passed each floor. Reid could imagine the cables snapping and hurtling them down to the ground.

The elevator doors opened and Reid started down the hall with Luke trailing behind him. After a few yards, Reid stopped and looked at Luke.

“And I’m supposed to call you Mr. Snyder?” he asked. He folded his arms across his chest.

Luke nodded. “And I’ll call you Dr. Oliver. But just in front of Noah.”

“Terrific,” Reid mumbled.

“What’s the big deal,” Luke asked. “It’s my name.”

“No, your name is Luke, at least to me,“ Reid answered flatly. “I don’t like this situation.”

“I can see that.”

Reid nodded, his mouth turned down. Just then, Reid’s pager went off.

“What is it? “ Luke asked. “Ameera?”

“No,” Reid said, already moving quickly. “ Emergency. An accident. Head trauma. Gotta go.”

“About the name thing, do you agree to -“

“Are you an idiot? I gotta go!” Reid snapped and hurried off to the OR.

“See you at dinner,” he heard Luke call to him as Reid rounded the corner toward the ER.

***

The car accident was pretty brutal. There were actually two different head trauma patients. The woman from the car was comparatively lucky, only needing a CT scan, some staples in her head, and maybe some plastic surgery to cover what is sure to be a nasty scar. The other victim, an apparent genius who chose to ride his motorcycle without a helmet, required surgery to save his life, and he was in the Intensive Care unit recovering when he seized, and Reid spent another three hours going back in – a dangerous procedure, to say the least. The longer a brain is exposed, the longer the potential for complications, and this man's life was hanging by a thread.

After seeing the family, Reid quickly went to Bob’s office to update him. "Good thing I was here, Bob-o. Saved the idiot’s life. For now."

“Oh yes,” Bob said slowly, looking up from a huge stack of papers. “So the operation was a success?” Bob asked.

“Of course.” Reid sat down across from him. “You actually need to ask me?”

“Forgive me. “ Bob smiled. “I forgot that I was speaking to the great Dr. Oliver. We mortal doctors actually experience a few failures from time to time.”

"Must suck to be you," Reid said, letting his eyes twinkle a little. “Now I need a hot shower to wash off the family’s endless hugs of gratitude.” Reid gave a mock shudder.

Bob chuckled in amusement, folded his hands on his desk, and leaned forward. "Regardless, Dr. Oliver, it looks as though you'll be stuck here in this town that time forgot for at least one more day."

"Yep. Ameera Mayer's surgery will have to wait." Reid rolled his shoulders and inclined his head, stretching his sore muscles. "I suppose you explained the delay to the patient's husband."

"Yes, and I have to say, he wasn't thrilled. But if anyone is familiar with being thrown a curve ball, it's Noah and Luke."

"Yeah, about that," Reid started, but his beeper cut him off. "Christ, can't the guy give me a break?" he muttered. "He seized again. A bunch of panicky, squawking nurses have it under control for now, but I’ll need to check the MRIs, sees what's going on. And here I was hoping for a nap."

Bob shook his head. “You know one day, Reid, you might actually come across a patient who impacts on you emotionally. You might care about him and his family, too. It won’t be a bad thing. In fact, it might even make you a better doctor for it.”

“That’s deep, Bob.“ Reid rolled his eyes, standing up to leave. “Why not have Kim embroider it on a pillow for your office?”

Bob held up a hand. “Enough. Go and shower. Rest up, Dr. Oliver, you earned it. By the way, that motorcycle patient, do you think he'll require a second procedure? That's risky.”

Reid’s own smile faded. “I went in a second time already. I'm trying to avoid a third.”

Bob blinked at him several times, and then he rubbed his eyes. “Oh, right. I was thinking of Dr. Dixon’s heart patient from the accident. Long day.”

“Dixon? He’s still around?” Reid said. “No wonder this hospital is second rate; half the staff here should have retired to a condo in Florida decades ago.”

“We might be old, but don’t count us out.”

Reid only shrugged. Bob did look tired. Maybe Kim was right about his being overworked. “You really should hire a secretary for all this paperwork,” Reid told him, fingering at a file.

“Memorial has a budget problem currently, “ Bob sighed. “Otherwise, I’d gladly do that.”

“Well then, forget about paying somebody. That’s why you have interns, right?”

Bob failed to hide a smile. “Goodnight, Dr. Oliver,” he said sternly.

“Not quite. MRIs first, and then, with any luck, I can get out of here."

"Right," Bob agreed. "Care to join us for dinner?"

"Thanks, Bob, but I've got plans."

Reid shut the door behind him, hoping that the motorcycle idiot wouldn’t require anything more than close monitoring and stronger anti-seizure meds, so that he could make it out to the farm in time for Emma's pie.

***

After finally leaving Memorial, Reid raced back to his hotel for a fast shower. His muscles were aching and sore from holding such awkward positions during the day's two grueling surgeries, and he knew he should stretch out soon, or he'd risk a cramp. Cramps always sucked, but for a neurosurgeon, if they come at the wrong moment, say, while curled over a patient's delicate brain with a sharp, sharp scalpel, the consequences could be deadly. He checked the clock; he had no time to worry about it right now.

As he shaved, barely nicking himself, he cursed as he stuck a piece of toilet paper on the tiny bleed. He was exhausted, and would have liked a nap before heading out to the farm, and had even briefly considered not going, but the lure of Emma's cooking, and a strange coursing excitement that he didn't want to look at too closely both compelled him to ignore his lust for sleep, and get on some clean clothes. He even remembered to stop by the grocery store for flowers, proud of himself for remembering not to arrive empty handed.

It was almost six. Time to eat.

Lily especially loved the flowers, fussing over the roses and praising Reid more for them than for the patient he’d saved. Emma immediately sat him down to eat. She’d cooked lasagna, and Reid happily dipped his bread into the thick sauce. Holden was apparently out of town until the morning and the kids were staying the night, excited to see their father soon. Lily merely smiled and didn’t whine as much, though Luke sat close to his mother anyway, offering his usual sweet comfort.

Reid thought the meal was going really well. Luke and Emma both asked him about the trauma victim, and that gave him something to concrete to discuss.

"So, you'll be here for another day at least, then?" Luke asked, and he looked incredibly hopeful in Reid's estimation. Why did he care? And why at Luke’s wistful smile did Reid’s chest swell with a buoyant feeling?

"Looks like," Reid agreed. "Ameera's operation will be tomorrow, and sans any emergency operations, it'll be a few days after that before I'll be sure that motorcycle idiot and Mr. Mayer's wife are in the clear."

"Tell me more about the motorcycle idiot," Natalie said, her eyes gleaming.

“Well, I can’t tell you the details about this while he’s in my care,” Reid said. Then, seeing Natalie’s disappointment, Reid quickly launched into a story about a motorcycle accident from a few years back . Excited now, Reid was just at the good part in the brain surgery, where he’d scooped out some damaged tissue, when Faith pointed out that he was chewing with his mouth full.

Lily gave her a reprimanding look.

“What?” Faith shrugged insolently. “That’s gross.”

Reid shrugged at her, opening his mouth full of pasta wider and said, “No, gross is brain matter underneath your nails, but don’t worry, I wore gloves.”

“Eww,” Natalie said. “Do brains really get under your nails?” she looked impressed.

Reid turned to her. “There’s nothing quite as cool as slicing bit by bit through a dead person’s brain.”

Natalie clapped her hands in delight.

“The grosser the better for her,” Luke laughed, wrinkling up his own nose Reid’s description.

“Not for me though.” Lily waved her hands at Reid to stop. “And not over dinner.”

Reid smiled at Natalie. She smiled back, revealing a huge gap in her mouth. Reid remembered Luke having a lot of missing teeth too. Luke used to bang and wiggle the tooth until it came free.

“I’ll tell you more after dinner. We haven’t even talked about guts or intestines.”

Natalie nodded eagerly, and Luke laughed, as Emma deposited the pie in front of everyone. Just one taste of the sweet cherry goodness on his tongue made Reid nearly forget everything else. He made a sound of deep appreciation as he took a bite, letting his eyes drift close. When he opened them after savoring the decadent dessert, he found everybody watching him, and Luke's grin was huge.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing," Luke said, and everyone else went back to their food. "You just…really like to eat, don’t you?"

Reid shrugged. "Just because you've always had an embarrassment of riches, doesn't mean that those of us less spoiled shouldn't thoroughly enjoy what's on offer here."

"Oh, no, go right on ahead," Luke laughed. "Just, you know, keep your enjoyment PG-13 at least."

Emma slapped at Luke's hand, and said, "Ignore him, Reid. I'm happy you're enjoying the pie."

"It's delicious," Reid said around a mouthful. "Best I ever had."

Emma looked pleased, and Luke did, too, as Reid took another huge bite.


Afterward, the family broke up. Ethan and Natalie went to the living room to play board games, and Faith disappeared upstairs with a goodnight snarl toward her mother. Lily, for her part, thanked Emma graciously for the dinner, and then checked her voicemails, her face falling in disappointment. She pathetically seemed to be waiting for a man, any man, to ring her. After announcing that she was going to take a short walk around the farm, she told Ethan she’d be back soon to give him a bath, get him in his pajamas and read him a story. Lily had always been a good mother to her children in the small ways; it was in the big picture that she seemed to fail. Reid just wished she’d get her adult life together. He could still remember Lily at Luke’s birthday party; he doubted she had much more self control now.

“Game, game!” Ethan was shouting to Emma and Luke, his small face grinning at getting out of bedtime for a little while longer.

“Okay, okay,” Luke laughed at him, ruffling his hair.

As Luke took out Candyland to play with the kids, setting up the board, Reid quietly studied Luke’s silky skin, deep brown eyes, long eyelashes, full mouth, firm body. Luke had beauty, but also a maleness to him, a promise of hidden strength that Reid found exciting. The moment Luke glanced up from the game and caught his eye, Reid looked away.

He decided to retreat, not wanting to unnerve Luke with his attraction, and seeing an option for escape, Reid offered to help Emma clean up.

“You don’t have to help,” Emma said.

“No problem,” Reid answered quickly, already stacking up the plates. “I’d rather help you than face the Lollipop Queen or whatever that game’s about.”

“In that case, help.” Emma chuckled and smiled at him. “My goodness, help would be lovely.”

Reid carried the dishes to the sink, and as he began to wash, Emma dried them. “I’m surprised some lucky guy hasn’t swept you off your feet yet,” Reid told her sincerely. “That was the best dinner I’ve had in forever.”

Emma pursed her lips in pleasure. “Thank you.” She handed him some glasses. “My heart is taken with my grandchildren though.”

“Well, Luke always was a lucky guy.”

Emma sighed. “Well, not always. He’s had a few bumps.“ She looked at Reid. “I did sometimes wish that you’d been around for him when he was a teenager.”

“Me?” Reid asked surprised. “Why?”

“To help him see it would be okay. “

“What?”

“Being gay,” Emma told him as opened up her cupboard. “He really struggled coming out.”

Reid almost dropped the plate in his hand. Slowly, he placed it into the sink and looked at Emma.

“Luke’s gay?”

“Yes, dear. He told us years ago. And like I said, it wasn’t easy for him.”

Reid barely heard her. He was still processing the information. His thoughts, usually so swift, felt like they were moving through mud. Hadn’t a part of him known today? Deep down? For a moment, Reid flashed back to the parking lot and the way Luke looked at his mouth, had almost leaned in for a kiss. Then Reid shook his head vigorously. He refused to allow his mind to go there.

“His parents all had some problems with it, but they seemed to be resolved now,” Emma said as she took the dried plates from Reid.

“Resolved,” Reid snorted. “Sounds supportive.”

“Well,” Emma sighed. “I know Luke felt very alone. “

Reid winced at that, imagining it. He washed a few more dishes in silence.

Outwardly, Reid was careful to wear a mask of indifference, but inside his heart beat wildly. Reid continued to clean up, looking at his hands in the sudsy water. He picked up a sponge and washed the same dish twice. His mind circled around and around thoughts of Luke, the way he'd looked at Reid earlier, and the undeniable attraction that Reid felt toward him. Reid scrubbed the plates until his fingers pruned, and he had no more excuses to stand there.

It was ridiculous. He wasn't here to play doctor with the boy he'd always thought of as a little brother. He was here to save a life, Ameera Mayer's life, and Luke…Luke wasn't his type. Luke would be all about love, romance, and family, and Reid was a one night stand or a fuck-buddy kind of guy. It would never work. It should never get started.

Reid nodded his head firmly, and let the water out of the sink, determined to say his goodbyes. He would treat Luke like he would treat as Natalie or Ethan; he could control his emotions the same way he controlled a scalpel. Reid bent to retrieve a towel that had fallen to the floor; he dried the dishes efficiently and then he strode out of the kitchen. It had been good to see them all, but he wasn’t planning on coming over for any more meals. He would simply do his job and then get out of Oakdale as fast as humanly possible.

***

Reid found Luke outside. He seemed lost in thought. The moonlight was bright, illuminating his features.

“I’m heading out.” Reid’s voice sounded low to his own ears. He carefully took out his keys and tried to appear casual.

Luke turned and his face lit up as he saw Reid there. His skin glowed, his eyes shined, and his mouth curved into a delicious smile.

Reid inhaled sharply. Why did he have to look like that?

“You’re going?”

Reid just nodded, clasping his keys in one hand tightly. He had planned to talk with Luke further about Noah and this Mr. Snyder crap, which made even less sense to Reid now that he knew there was no love triangle, but looking at Luke suddenly, being alone with him, Reid felt off balance again. He continued to just stare at Luke, holding his keys, while his legs refused to budge.

“I could stay a little longer,” Reid finally mumbled, still gazing at Luke. “Or I could go. I should probably go -“

“Stay,” Luke said, hastily. “Just a little longer.”

Reid tried to remind himself that he was a genius. He’d graduated medical school before he was twenty-one. He’d drilled open skulls to remove tumors the size of grapefruits. He’d bested doctors twice his age.

He could handle the information that Luke was gay. He would ignore it. What Luke did and with whom was none of his concern. Luke was just a kid to him. He’d seen him do arm farts. He’d seen him spit milk out of his nose. He’d seen him dance around with underwear on his head.

“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?" Reid demanded.

“Tell you?”

“That we play for the same team,” Reid answered. At Luke’s blank look, Reid clenched his jaw in annoyance. “About your sexuality.”

Luke jumped about a foot in the air. He stared at Reid, his eyes on Reid’s face. “What?” Luke’s voice was a croak.

“Relax. I’m not asking your favorite positions.“ Immediately several positions popped into Reid’s head and he nearly cursed.

Luke still looked like he was completely clueless. “Positions?” he echoed.

Reid’s eyes narrowed at the way Luke was gaping open-mouthed at him. “Why didn’t you tell me you were gay too?”

“Oh.” Luke laughed nervously. “Yeah that.”

Reid moved a little closer to him. “I thought you were in love with Ameera. I could have sworn –"

"Me? In love with Ameera?" Luke choked on his laughter. "No. No, never."

"Because you're gay."

Luke nodded, dumbly, his eyes wide.

"Have you known a long time?” Reid asked, suddenly curious.

“Long time, yes,” Luke said, like he was confused by the question.

“Are you dating anybody?” It wasn't his business. Why was he asking? The question just flew from Reid’s lips.

Luke cheeks tinged with pink. His tongue darted out over his lips. “Dating?” He repeated in a dazed voice.

“Yes, dating. Do you need to look the word up in a dictionary?”

“Yes - no yes.”

Reid raised his eyebrows. This was absurd. Ridiculous, but he really had to know. “Which is it? Don’t you know?”

“I’m dating N-Casey.” Luke nodded. “Casey. He’s nice.”

“Sounds serious.” Reid smirked. But underneath his teasing, Reid felt a jolt of disappointment. He quickly tried to brush it aside. Why wouldn’t Luke be dating? Reid eyes gently skimmed his features. Of course, he’d be dating.

Luke crossed his arms defensively. “What about you?”

“Nope. Not attached.”

“Probably work too much.”

“Most likely.” Reid did work a lot, but he'd never met anyone who made him want to work less.

“Or it could be that winning personality,” Luke threw out.

“Possibly” Reid replied, enjoying the exchange. He shrugged at Luke. “So we’re both gay.”

Luke nodded.

“Must have been that secret handshake,” Reid teased.

Luke laughed. “You remember that?”

“I remember everything about that time, “ Reid said, his eyes sharpened on Luke’s face.

Luke stared back at him. “Me too.”

“Really?” Reid tilted his head. “You were very young.”

“Try me.” Luke suddenly lit up again. He grinned and stuck out his fist at Reid challengingly.

Reid met his fist with his own. They bumped them twice, hooked their thumbs, and then ended with their hands on each other’s shoulders.

Reid was aware of the warmth of Luke’s fingers. He could smell a subtle hint of Luke’s aftershave, and another, slightly muskier smell. Luke looked at him, their hands still on each other’s. Luke’s mouth quivered slightly. Reid watched it. Then he swallowed hard and dropped his hand.

Luke smiled shyly.

Reid didn’t return his smile. He felt like somebody had socked him in the stomach. He stared intensely at the shape of Luke’s mouth as Luke came a little closer to him, looking into his eyes. Reid licked his lips and his heart pounded in his throat.

“Yo, Luke,” somebody called out.

They jumped apart. A guilty flush rose up Luke’s neck.

“Hey, Casey,” Luke called out as a tall, well-formed guy approached them. “I was just talking about you.”

Casey bounded up the porch steps. “And my ears are burning.”

“What’re you doing here?” Luke asked.

“I thought I could see you before the big operation day tomorrow. You know? Anyhow, aren’t you glad to see your main squeeze?” Casey laughed, socking Luke’s shoulder lightly.

“Right. I am,” Luke smiled at him. Then he turned to Reid.

“Um, Casey Hughes, Dr. Reid Oliver.”

“Hughes?” Reid asked. What was it about this town? The whole place consisted of Hughes or Snyders. These families bred like rabbits.

“Bob’s grandson,” Luke informed him.

“Hey man,“ Casey said, grinning away. “Good to meet ya. You're the guy who’s gonna drill into Ameera’s head, right?”

Reid just nodded his head. It was clear that the Hughes gene pool thinned with every generation. Reid shot Luke an incredulous glance. He knew Oakdale wasn’t a gay mecca, but was this really the best Luke could do?

Luke blushed, as if he knew Reid’s thoughts, and then gave a tiny shrug.

“Yep,” Reid said. “That’d be me.”

“Cool!” Casey enthused.

Reid narrowed his eyes. “So how long have you two…?”

“Oh not long,“ Casey laughed, “I mean , I’m new to this whole gay thing. But then I got with Luke and figured, why not?”

Luke shut his eyes for a second.

Casey glanced at Luke and suddenly looked nervous. “I- I mean I like dudes totally now.” He stumbled little on his words. “A lot. Dudes. Yeah.”

“And what did you like specifically about Luke?” Reid asked smoothly, his tone like ice.

“Um…He has great hair,” Casey said.

“His hair, not his ass? Or his –“

“Reid!” Luke jumped in. “Casey is a bit shy talking about all this. He hasn’t been out of the closet too long.”

Reid looked at Casey, who was drumming his fingers on his thighs to some internal rock beat. He was an idiot, anyone could see that.

Luke straightened his shoulders up, and determinedly took Casey’s hand in his own. “I’m glad you’re here,” Luke smiled suggestively.

At the expression on Luke's face, all warm and flirtatious, Reid felt his own gut clench and his dick twitch. Reid stared at Luke’s fingers locked with Casey’s, watching Luke’s thumb stroke there.

“I gotta go,” Reid said abruptly. “I have work early. “

“Wait a minute-“

“Don’t worry, you’re 'Mr. Snyder', I got it. And by tomorrow, Ameera Mayer will get her surgery, and I’ll be out of here. And we won’t have to think about it anymore.”

Luke looked confused. "Think about – what? Reid? " Luke dropped Casey’s hand. “One minute,” Luke told Casey, and Reid walked faster, hoping to outpace Luke. No such luck. Luke grabbed his arm. “Wait-“

“What?” Reid turned, and Luke halted inches from his face.

“It's just that…after the operation,” Luke asked. “You’re not staying in town for a while?”

Reid got the car door open, and held it like a barrier between them. “No. I'll stay as long as my patients need me. Maybe a few days. Then I have to get back to my real life.”

“Oh,” Luke said.

“Thankfully,“ Reid said harshly, “Oakdale is just a blip on my radar.”

“A blip?” Luke repeated, his expression changing, a pout forming on his lips. “So I’m a blip too?”

Reid could see that simpleton Casey Hughes looking over. He probably didn’t even know how to give good head. Reid would bet anything that Casey was a gagger.

“What do you want from me?” Reid snapped. He held his keys pointed at Luke, almost like a weapon.

Luke glared at him a minute. Reid glared back, sparks of electricity firing off between them. “Not a thing,“ Luke said.

Reid sighed. “Look, thanks for dinner. Okay? I gotta go.”

“So go,” Luke said, and turned back to Casey, to his boyfriend. Reid rolled his eyes again at that, before getting into his car, turning the key and pulling out of the driveway.

He tried to push out the image of Luke’s smile, his full lips out of his mind. He’s dating somebody. He’s too young. I’m leaving soon. Reid sucked in some air. He’s like my brother.

“Like my brother,” Reid muttered out loud. ”Like my brother.”

A brother he had spent just five months with as a boy. Did that really make him a brother? Reid exhaled slowly and turned onto the road toward town. Close enough. It was definitely close enough.

***

Reid went back to the Lakeview and took a long shower. He leaned his head against the wall and let the steam soak into his skin. The water hit his back in a powerful rush, as Reid soaped his shoulders and neck and lower stomach. He turned to wash his thighs and calves, and then his hand drifted down his body to his cock. He palmed it, rubbing circles there, and his lips curled, his neck arched back, as his movements increased.

Desperately, he began to stroke, squeezing the tip hard, and then gliding his fingers along the engorged flesh. He held the weight of his cock in his hands and ran a thumb relentlessly over the small slit. Then he wrapped his whole fist around the shaft and worked it firmly up and down.

He thought about the last guy he’d screwed. The guy had been young, and blond, but Reid couldn’t remember his name. What was the point? A new nurse from peds, with strong shoulders, and a nice long neck that Reid had marked for the hell of it, and an ass that had been sweet, and tight, and he'd pounded into the guy so hard.

Reid blinked his eyes. It wasn't working. He needed something more. His other hand slid to his ass, and he pushed a finger at his own hole. He massaged the sensitive flesh there, imagining a hard cock plowing him open. It didn't matter who – just someone, big, and strong, who'd push into him with abandon, and make him come. His finger thrust in and out, and he groaned. Or someone with warm eyes, and a tender touch, someone that he could trust.

“God!” Reid stroked himself harder now, his entire body tensed, and a hot stream of cum burst out, covering his hand like a sticky net. Reid turned his body back under the water and trembled, washing the mess away, and trying to forget the image that had entered his mind at the last moment.

Afterward, Reid dried off, pulled on some sweatpants, tied the drawstring, and drank a beer from the mini bar. I really need to get laid, he thought, by some unimportant fuck.

Lying on his back, alone in his bed, Reid stared at the ceiling, but sleep wouldn't come. For a moment, he allowed himself to remember Luke’s hand on him, his forehead pressed close, his body radiating warm heat. Reid sat up and gazed out the window at the dark sky, visible from between his hotel curtains.

Despite his orgasm, his body didn’t feel relaxed. He kept seeing Luke’s face. Reid reached down between his legs. He was rock hard again.

He curled up with his pillow and let out a soft string of curse words. It wasn’t a stranger he wanted.

Title: Anywhere USA
Author: Marsabi
Summary: This is a two part story with multiple chapters.
Part One: Abandoned as a teen, Reid is forced to live on the Snyder farm as a foster kid for a few months, before he heads off on his own, but will a certain child worm his way into Reid’s heart?
Part Two: Reid returns to Oakdale as a favor for Bob, something he planned never to do, and he can’t wait to leave town, until his past slams into him in the form of Luke Snyder and damn if Luke isn’t all grown up.
Warning: Sexual Content in some parts
Rating: PG-NC-17
Thanks to the following friends for their support of this story: shadownyc, traciamc, and Rhiannonhero
Author’s notes: This was bid on by Rhiannon Hero for the Japanese auction. Because I know Rhiannonhero loathes short chapters, these chapters will be long.



PART TWO

Chapter Three

“Miss me?” Reid said.

He pushed open the door. But the office was empty.

Reid shrugged and tossed his bags down. He stretched his arms up over his head. It had been a long flight. He’d forgotten how he loathed the red-eye. He could use some sleep and good food. He sat down in the leather chair and put his feet up on the big desk and wondered if Al’s Diner still made those super greasy onion rings . He could go for those and a chocolate milkshake right now.

Part of Reid couldn’t even fathom that he was back in this town. Oakdale. It was still a dump. He only had to drive through the one main street to the hospital to see that his assessment held true. He’d been fifteen when he’d been here last. He’d walked into the town, trying to pretend he wasn’t scared shitless, and stumbled into an insane, do-gooder, hell.

Reid closed his eyes and remembered it all: the Snyder farm, milking cows, and a comfortable bed that never felt like it was really his. Reid remembered the bumpy drive leading to the farm; it shot off the main road just outside of town. Could anybody still be living out there? Maybe the place was sold by now? He couldn’t imagine Emma ever leaving. He would have to ask Bob. He was curious about Lily, Holden and Emma.

And Luke? Reid’s mind went blank a moment; his neurons refusing to fire, and then an image of Luke flashed in his memory. Luke had been such an innocent kid, with so much promise. He pictured Luke standing on his toes to look Reid in the eye, excitedly demanding his attention, his upturned face, almost obnoxious with its devotion, shining up at him. Stupidly naïve little kid. Reid sighed and wondered what had become of him. Did his parents finally warp him, or break him? Or worse.

Reid hoped Luke had escaped the insane asylum that was Oakdale and was making his way somewhere else in the world, like he had.

At least his time on the farm had been tolerable. They’d treated him well. Considering how rude he’d been to the Snyders, they were pretty decent to him. They were a screwed up family, for sure, but what family wasn’t?

Reid pressed the bridge of his nose and shook his head, trying to shake it all away. Fact was, he’d been taken in like a stray puppy. For years he’d tried to forget how that felt. But now, back in Oakdale, it was closing in around him. How easy it was for the past to merge with the present.

Reid stiffened his shoulders. Maybe he wouldn’t ask Bob about the Snyders, after all. It would be better to leave it alone. Reid would do his job and then try to forget about all of this again. And that’s the way it should be. When he’d left Oakdale the first time, he’d promised himself that nobody would ever jerk him around again.

Unless it was some hot blond doing the jerking. Reid sighed. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d fucked somebody senseless. The last boner he had was all alone in his apartment, looking through a dirty magazine and letting go all over his chest and belly. It wasn’t the same as being with somebody.

God. Why was he even thinking about this? He should be thinking about the case. Usually, he had a one track mind – medicine and only medicine. But he’d been restless lately, and not just for some sex. Reid never took vacations. Since leaving medical school he’d worked every day without fail, but these last few months he hadn’t felt his usual passion for it. His recent patients had all been routine, no excitement in fixing them, and Bob’s phone call had come at the perfect time. Listening to Bob explain the help he needed, hell, just hearing from Bob, had sparked a response in Reid. He’d felt more alive since that call than he had in a long time.

Angus would call him a sap or worse. He’d say Reid was whipped for jumping on a plane the moment Bob called. Normally, Reid refused calls from other doctors begging for his help. He had a waiting list and he stuck to it. He didn’t care if a patient was Mother Teresa or a serial killer – they all had to wait their turn. It was surprising how something so fair could piss so many people off.

And doctors – doctors were the worst. Arrogant pricks, most of them, pressuring him to place their patient’s name higher up than the others. Everybody had a reason, a sob story, for wanting their patient to move to the top spot. Reid didn’t give a damn. Fair was fair, and people would wait their turn.

But Bob was different. Bob had favored him, taught him, accepted him. Reid really didn’t understand why. He would never let some stupid kid follow him around the hospital. But Bob wasn’t like him. Bob had allowed him in the OR. He’d handed him a skull saw. He’d recognized the fire inside of Reid to become a doctor. Bob had been warm and kind and good with people. No, he wasn’t at all like Reid.

The moment Bob called, the warmth he greeted Reid with, even after all these years, had crushed Reid’s defenses. Reid shifted in his chair. That last thought was far from comfortable. Reid sucked in a few deep breathes. Maybe he wasn’t quite so ready for this meeting after all.

Reid picked up a notebook and a pen. Really, he could use some food. He started to write a note, informing Bob that he would come back later, when he froze. He heard Bob’s voice just outside the door and Reid cursed his perfect memory then. Just the sound of that voice combined with the smell of Memorial’s halls brought it all rushing back: walking the corridors with Bob, his scrubs hanging off his skinny frame, as he desperately followed Bob from room to room, attempting to look more confident and self assured than he was. Bragging to Bob about all the medical things he already knew, scribbling things down in that ridiculous notebook he’d carried. Reid could see now that he’d probably never fooled Bob with his bravado. He’d been so eager then, practically stumbling over his own feet to fit in at Memorial. He shuddered slightly.

Last week, Bob had called him and asked for his help. Reid had agreed readily. But now memories of being that ugly teenager made him feel trapped, like Bob’s office had no windows and really poor air circulation. Reid detested that sensation, almost as much as he loathed the fifteen year old kid he’d been, and when he’d told Bob yes, he hadn’t anticipated any of that.

The staff at the Mayo Clinic where he worked now would be shocked to see him wiping at his forehead with his handkerchief, sweaty and unsteady. He was Dr. Oliver, for God’s sake. Nurses cowered in the corner every time he entered the room. Patients looked up to him and feared him. Other doctors despised him with all the hatred inspired by rampant jealousy and respected his every idea. He’d made it. Big time.

So why did hearing Bob’s voice just outside the door make his palms sweat? As a kid, he’d never wanted to please somebody so much.

As Bob entered his office, Reid made a sour face.

“Reid!” Bob smiled. “Thank you so much for coming.”

Reid stood up. Bob looked the same. His hair was gray now and his eyes were lined, but it was still Bob. When Bob moved as if to embrace him, Reid quickly stuck out his hand. They shook solemnly.

Reid picked up Bob’s name plate from off of his desk. “I see you finally made it,” Reid said, tapping on the Chief of Staff title under Bob’s name. ”How many decades did it take you?”

“You know, the moment I saw your frowning face on that website , I knew it was you. But I’d forgotten that charm of yours.”

“I’m just surprised someone as ancient as you can navigate the internet.”

Reid could never remember a single person in Oakdale ever talking to Bob with anything but the utmost respect. The hospital might as well name a wing after him, or erect a statue of Bob in Old Town; he was that much of a central part of Oakdale. Reid suspected that kind of reverence got boring, and deep down, Reid had always sensed that Bob enjoyed their exchanges. Bob took the joke good-naturedly now.

“Even an old guy like me can learn a few tricks,” Bob said with a twinkle in his eye. “But I must admit my grandson helped me. “

Reid wondered for a moment about Bob’s family. Was the grandson Chris’s kid? Now, there was a person who should never have gone forth and multiplied. Reid felt an old, familiar twist in his gut.

As a kid, he’d had no use for the Hughes family, but he valued Bob, and he’d always thought Bob’s sons hadn’t appreciated their father enough. In fact, that gangly, fifteen year old Reid had sometimes imagined with vivid desperation that Bob was his father, and he’d wanted to thump Tom and Chris for having no idea just how great they had it. He could admit that to himself now, standing in front of Bob. It was the first time he’d admitted that to himself since he’d left this ridiculous place.

Bob clasped his arm. “I am very appreciative that you came here to consult on this case. “ Bob looked at him warmly. “My neurosurgeon was way out of her depths.”

“Well if she trained in Oakdale that’s no surprise.”

He was a little uncomfortable with Bob’s sincerity. While it pleased him that Bob recognized his brilliance, discussing Bob’s gratitude unnerved him.

It was a good thing that Bob never needed to know just how far Reid’s daydreams as a teenager had gone. Truth be told, if he’d been Bob’s son, he most likely would have disappointed him anyway, because he was not very good at being a person. Truly belonging was not something Reid could really imagine for himself. The best he could do was to be a fucking fantastic doctor, and he certainly always succeeded there.

People with good families, loving fathers and mothers, just took it all for granted. Chris certainly had, and Reid had seen it many times in the hospital: sons and daughters neglecting their parent’s care. They were burdens suddenly, too much trouble to deal with, even though Reid could see that their folks had given everything to make sure they had gone to the best schools, and they had everything their hearts could desire. Ingrates, all of them, and without any sense of gratitude. It made no sense. It was inexplicable to him. Not that Reid knew anything about the intricate workings of a family.

Reid cleared his throat. “Where is your so-called neurosurgeon anyhow? Did you give her a time out?”

Bob sighed. “No. I’m afraid Dr. Richards left in quite a huff over this matter. “

“She didn’t want another surgeon playing in her sandbox, huh?”

It didn’t displease Reid to learn of Dr. Richards’ departure. If he took on a patient, he wanted complete control. It was messy to work with other, always inferior doctors, so he was pleased that he would be doing the operation solo. Dr. Richards’ petulance allowed him to escape the pretense of inclusion. Reid nearly sighed with relief at not having to pretend to ‘play well’ with others.

Bob ignored his quip and handed him a file. “Here’s the case. She’s a young woman with quite an interesting story-”

Reid opened the file. “Right. I don’t really care about all that. Just so long as the case is challenging, like you promised. Just give me her name and a synopsis of her medical history.”

“Still think compassion is for the nurses, do you?” Bob shook his head. “I know you’re a serious surgeon, Reid, but the really gifted surgeons care about every aspect of a case. “

Reid was surprised that Bob remembered his remarks as a teenager. He certainly had liked to shoot his mouth off. And Bob always was a bleeding heart.

Reid preferred to keep a healthy distance with his patients. If anybody else had lectured him about compassion, Reid would have smirked at them with a mixture of scorn and enjoyment of their stupidity. The few times he had attempted to reach out to a patient, when he’d been young and foolish, Reid had gotten burned. One had sued him for malpractice when the surgery, successful in every other way, left a scar that was larger than the patient deemed necessary. It had been all the confirmation Reid needed that he’d been right not to trust the human race. After that, Reid pulled back and remained strictly professional.

“Her name is Ameera Mayer,” Bob continued. “Her preliminary CT scan was serious; the tumor is located in a rare and dangerous place. The bleed is contained right now, but has the possibility of a massive eruption at any second. You should see the brain scans - the swelling.”

“Oh, Bob,” Reid drawled. “Now you’re just sweet talking me.”

Bob laughed. “Let’s go meet the Mayers, shall we?”

***

Ameera Mayer was in her last year of college, young and seemingly healthy, when she collapsed with a violent seizure. A friend had quickly phoned 911, but Ameera had already slipped into a deep coma. Her CT scan revealed a massive tumor in her brain, deep in the center of her head.

As Reid listened to Bob go over the medical facts, he looked at Ameera. She was a pretty woman, though obviously very ill. Her face was pale and her body looked tiny in the hospital bed, especially with her husband, Noah, standing like a giant over her. His face was scrunched up, as if begging Reid for some understanding.

“Are you the specialist?,” he said the moment Reid walked in. “Please, you have to save my wife.”

Reid pressed his lips together, avoiding the hundred or so sarcastic remarks he longed to make. Reid was careful about every word he uttered either patients or family members. Discussing a case with the family was like unfolding a map; you had to be cautious of every crease or they read it completely wrong.

“You’re in excellent hands with Dr. Oliver,” Bob told him. He patted Noah on the back and Noah nodded his head up and down. “I called him in because I believe Dr. Oliver is truly the best man for the job.” Bob met Reid’s eyes. “I have every confidence in him.”

“Thank you, Dr. Hughes. Dr. Oliver.“ Noah smiled at them.

“Don’t thank us yet,” Reid said dryly. “One step at a time.”

Noah bent over his wife, stroking her hand. “Don’t worry,” he said to his wife. “I won’t leave you for a moment. I’ll be here night and day. “

Terrific, Reid thought, just what he needed.

Noah looked at Reid. “I made her a promise, when she came to this country. I swore to take care of her.”

Noah paused then, like he expected Reid to praise him or something. Reid just looked at him. Wasn’t that what husbands and wives did, take care of each other? Noah said it like it made him special.

His chest puffed out a little. “I rescued my wife.” His face changed slightly. “And then this happened.”

“We’ll do everything possible to help her,” Bob assured him warmly. “She’s lucky to have you.”

Noah seemed satisfied by that and nodded in agreement.

Bob signaled Reid to join him at the door. “I trust you want to examine her now?”

“Examine her? “ Reid’s mouth lifted. “Nah, I thought I’d go right for the skull saw. Just do it right here in this room. Figure it out as I cut.”

“I’d forgotten your rather colorful sense of humor.” Bob sighed. “Seriously, Reid, do you need any further assistance from me? I’d be happy to stay for awhile. “

“I got it, Bobo.” Reid’s brow lifted. He glanced at Noah. “Unless you can get rid of him for me?”

“We allow our immediate family members to stay.” Bob gave him a stern look. “We try and work with our families and offer them some comfort.”

“Well, there’s your first mistake.”

Bob crossed his arms over his chest. “Our rule here is to practice sound medicine with a compassionate heart.”

“Sure, let’s all join hands and sing ‘It’s a Small World’.” Reid leaned forward. “Medicine is about results.”

Bob shrugged. “Well, Dr. Oliver, when you run a hospital of your own, you can make the rules.”

Reid gave a bark of laughter. “Me? Run a hospital? I’d rather be tied up, gagged to a chair and forced to watch soap operas all day, than listen all day long to the histrionics of the nurses and interns.”

Bob shook his head at him. “After you’re done, meet me on the second floor, room 201. I’d like to hear your evaluation of the case and go over it with you.”

Reid felt slightly annoyed at the way Bob was ordering him around. At the Mayo Clinic, he had free reign. Nobody questioned him or wanted to meet with him every second. He’d forgotten how Memorial worked. This place was so old-fashioned. They probably still accepted chickens instead of cash as payment.

Besides, Bob had called him, hadn’t he? Reid might need to remind Bob of that fact. But this wasn’t the right moment. When they were alone, Reid would remind Bob of that he wasn’t a boy of 15 anymore. He didn’t need a babysitter.

Bob left the room and Reid went over to begin his exam. He was hoping Noah would just be quiet and let him work. Noah, however, had other ideas. It was almost as if he couldn’t stand the silence. He’d swallow, and burst out with strangled comments, going on and on about his wife, her background in Iraq, and a bunch of other insignificant nonsense that had nothing to do with the upcoming operation.

Reid didn’t listen. The case was difficult, but clear cut enough to know that nothing in her history or environment led to the tumor. Reid sighed, examining Ameera’s reflexes.

“…And she’s a great person, doctor. She’s an honor student and has a job at a fashion store, and she-“

Blah, blah, blah. Reid pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation and tried to shut out the noise.

Noah went on now about how his wife didn’t deserve her illness. That it was unfair. Reid tried not to roll his eyes in response. He tried to nod sympathetically. If a doctor learned to fake a good nod, he might be able to escape small talk.

While Noah strangled out sentences, Reid focused on his patient. He intently looked her over, careful not to miss a thing. Reid gave her cold fingers a soft squeeze; he hoped this fragile girl had the strength for her battle ahead.

“Well,” Reid interrupted finally, straightening up, “I really need to study her case file.”

“Thank you, Doctor Oliver, thank you so –“

Reid waved a hand to stop his gushing. “Again, don’t thank me until I’ve done my job, all right? Here. Look over these consent forms carefully. I’ll be back soon.”

He picked up the other file of her scans and exited the room quickly. He really didn’t want to hear Noah prattle on any further about the unfairness of life-as if life ever balanced on a scale of justice. Reid had seen a baby born with half a brain. He’d witnessed children dying of cancer, taking a final breath in their mothers’ arms. Suffering was never given out in equal measure.

Reid felt lucky to escape the room. He hoped to get this operation done quickly. He considered transferring Ameera back to the Mayo Clinic. The trip down memory lane had already been anything but comfortable, and Memorial was a tiny hospital in the middle of the sticks; the chances that it had upgraded its O.R. to rival the state-of-the-art facilities he was accustomed to was unlikely, but, from everything Bob had said, Ameera was far too delicate for that. She might not survive the trip. Reid frowned grumpily; he was trapped here for now and being trapped sucked.

Just then, a body slammed into Reid, causing his scans to go flying.

“Watch out!”

“Sorry!”

The young man bent to pick them up. Reid had a nice view of a firm ass. It was exactly the way Reid liked it-- high and tight.

“I’m so sorry,” the guy was saying, “totally my fault.”

“Just move aside, “ Reid said impatient and suddenly horny again all at the same time. “I’ll get them myself.”

“No, no. I insist.” The young man glanced at him, his gaze lingering on Reid’s features with curiosity a second, and then he bent back down once more.

A jolt of recognition shot through Reid. He knew that face. But, no, it couldn’t be. What were the chances? Well, okay, given that it was Oakdale, a town the size of a postage stamp, the chances were pretty good.

Reid narrowed his eyes. “Luke?”

The man glanced up questioningly.

It was him. It had to be. Same brown eyes. Same expressions.

“Luke,” Reid repeated and, for the first time that day, broke into a real smile.

“Do I know you?” Luke answered, tilting his head.

Reid swallowed a sudden jab of hurt. Of course, Luke had been a kid and –

“Wait. Reid?” Luke’s mouth dropped open. He stood up, his eyes moving up and down Reid’s frame, the CT scans left on the floor. Luke ran his tongue over his lips and asked, “Seriously? Is it you?”

“It’s me.” Reid nodded. “Have I changed that much?”

“No- I mean- you do look different.“Luke flushed. “I don’t think I would have recognized you now,” Luke went on. “You’re so- so filled out.“ He flushed again. Then he chewed his lip. “Not that you looked bad before-“

“I was a nightmare,” Reid laughed slightly, not offended. “Puberty isn’t anybody’s best look.” Reid studied Luke’s features slowly. “I’d have recognized you,” Reid said, “you have the same face you had at seven.”

“Oh,” Luke answered, clearly unsure if that was a good thing or not.

Their eyes locked on each other.

Reid remembered the way Luke had always scurried to catch up to him, looking at him with that open and eager face, and he knew they could be meeting on the other side of the world and Reid would know him. He would recognize Luke.

Luke chewed his lip now, making Reid smile. He’d always done that as a kid too. Reid half-expected him to have ruined those lips with that habit. But no, his lips weren’t scarred at all. They were full and lush- a generous mouth.

Reid realized he was staring at Luke’s lips. He forced himself to look away.

“What are you doing here?” Luke asked finally, breaking an awkward silence.

Reid liked that Luke asked that instead of the more asinine “How are you?” or “How’s life treating you?,” Luke’s question had a clear cut response, and Reid had an actual answer to it.

“I’m working on a case. Bob tracked me down and asked me. The internet is a dangerous thing.”

Luke laughed, and Reid felt oddly pleased . When Luke laughed, his whole face expressed joy. Unlike most people who laughed with their hands at their mouths or with only a polite chuckle, Luke laughed openly. He laughed in a way that made Reid want to laugh too.

“I’m not surprised you’re sought after. I always knew you’d be at the top of your field.”

“And I am.”

“Still modest, too, I see.” Luke smiled.

“Modesty is overrated. “

Luke rolled his eyes, but seemed amused more than anything. “What’s your specialty?”

“Neurology, of course.“

Surely Luke remembered Reid at the dinner table sketching the Frontal and Central Lobes on all those napkins, while Luke’s family babbled on and on, and he waited for Emma’s food?

“Well, I guess you always were doodling those pictures of the brain,” Luke said, as if reading his mind, although Reid took a slight offense at the word doodling. Those drawings had been accurate renderings. He started to correct Luke about that, when Luke added “ And Bob found you on the computer?”

“Yeah,” Reid nodded, “Who knew the old dinosaur could work a mouse?”

Luke started to laugh again and then stopped. “Wait. Neurology? Are you- it’s not Ameera’s case, is it?” Luke didn’t wait for him to answer. “What am I thinking? Of course, you’re the specialist Bob promised Noah. That’s you. Wow.”

“You know her?”

Luke’s eyebrows shot up underneath his hair. “Sort of…I mean, yeah.”

Why was he surprised? Of course, Luke knew her. The Snyders knew everybody in this town. All Oakdale residents were either tied by blood, marriage or a weird combination of the two. That’s probably what made ‘em crazy.

“She’s not your wife and stepsister too, is she?” Reid joked.

“What? No,” Luke tugged nervously at his ear. “She’s just a friend.” But he looked guilty. His eyes darted to the side.

Reid cocked his head. Interesting. The woman was married, of course, but in a town like Oakdale where infidelity was as pervasive as opinions, that didn’t mean a damn thing.

“Is she really so bad?” Luke folded his arms across his body. He slumped his shoulders in protectively. “I mean, she can be fixed, right?”

Reid stared at him. He wasn’t going to discuss a patient with Luke, but something about Luke’s eyes made Reid think of the many nights when Luke, frightened of his nightmares, had crawled into his bed for comfort.

“That’s privileged information,” Reid simply said. But he said it almost gently.

“Oh! Of course it would be. Sorry!” Luke straightened up and flashed his dimples at him. “Anyway, it’s terrific that she has you on board now. I’m sure you’re a great doctor. “

“I told you. The best.”

Luke grinned. “Right. The best.“ Amusement and something warm lit up his face. “It’s really good to see you!” Luke came at him with open arms.

Reid didn’t hug. Ever.

But as Luke reached him, Reid automatically opened his arms to tolerate the coming embrace.

Luke grasped him and hugged tightly. He leaned a moment into Reid’s neck, and Reid took a deep breath. Luke smelled good, like fresh laundry soap. His body felt warm and strong, and nothing at all like the little kid he’d known.

The hug ended abruptly. Luke stepped back, tugging at his ear again, suddenly interested in what the nurses across the way were doing. Luke brushed a hand over his hair, tidying it. Reid swallowed. He felt a little off balance, too.

“So did you come alone?” Luke inquired suddenly.

“Of course,” Reid said, puzzled at the lack of segue. “I’m hoping it will only take a few days.”

Luke nodded, focusing on Reid intently. “And then back to?” Luke asked curiously.

“Minnesota.”

Luke nodded, and Reid saw that he looked a tired and sad. Of course, Reid hadn’t seen him in years. But it was there all the same. Reid never was good at reading people, but he knew he wasn’t wrong about reading Luke.

“The Mayo Clinic?”

Reid nodded. Was it the girl? Or something else? He wasn’t sure, but Luke was not happy. That much he knew for sure.

“Wow,” Luke said. “So, how long will you be here?”

“A few days, tops.”

Luke looked genuinely disappointed, and he sighed. “That’s too bad.”

Reid shrugged. “Three days of second-rate sushi and freaky hotel room sheets? I’d say that’s more than enough time for me.”

Luke bent over the x-ray films again, moving with what seemed like incredible slowness. Reid remained still, watching Luke as he moved, admiring the shape of him.

“Here,” Luke said, rising.

“Thanks.”

Gazing at each other, Reid felt like the air had suddenly grown hot and he was breathing too hard. So was Luke. Reid folded his arms. He had a strange burning inside of his chest, a pressure almost, like a tight valve was about to be released. He cleared his throat and took the scans from Luke. Their fingers brushed.

Luke quickly pulled his hand away from Reid’s.

Reid backed away, forcing images into his mind of small Luke giggling and making him sandwiches, with gobs of mayo on crusty bread, layering the meat and cheese for Reid to eat. Reid breathed out slowly, calming down.

“Well,” Luke said in a high voice. “I was headed to Ameera’s room . Are you?”

“No, I need to look these over now. “

He should shake hands and go. But he stood and looked at Luke instead. He couldn’t seem to stop looking. He had an urge to touch Luke on the arm, as if to make certain he was real.

Luke smiled softly. “But you don’t work tonight, right? Want to come out to the farm for dinner? Grandma Emma can still cook up a storm.”

“I was just thinking about her pie,“ Reid licked his lips.

Luke’s eyes darkened a moment; he ducked his head away. When he looked back, Reid could almost swear that Luke was giving him a coy look, his eyelashes fluttering up and down.

Reid rubbed a hand over his eyes, clearing his head. His weird reaction to seeing a grown-up Luke was crossing his wires all wrong. He needed food. A nap. To get laid. Something.

At that moment, a nurse rushed by, pushing a heavy cart, and they were forced to take a step away from each other.

Luke cleared his throat. “Anyhow, my mom and all the kids –I have three younger siblings now- Faith, Natalie and Ethan- they’ll be at the farm tonight. You should come. Eat with us.”

Reid bit back a snarky comment about the respective parentage of each of the new siblings and said, “I don’t want to intrude on family dinner time.”

Reid wanted to accept Luke’s offer. He hardly ever ate a home cooked meal. Most of his dinners, were around the television, eating plastic covered crap from the microwave. On the other hand, he’d always sucked at dinner chitchat, and the Snyders were a mushy bunch. Reid knew they liked to sit around and ask about each other’s day and all of that. It had always twisted his guts up. He’d never felt relaxed with it all. It was probably a really bad idea. Reid massaged his temples; he had a headache coming on.

“Reid,” Luke murmured, and Reid felt an odd ache at his name on Luke’s lips. ”You were family once...“ He walked closer to him, until their shoulders almost rubbed together. Luke searched his eyes.

“And I’d hate for you to leave town without getting to see you again. Please come.” Luke smiled. “Please?”

It had always been difficult to refuse Luke anything. Like the time that Luke had managed to drag him out of bed before dawn to see the sunrise over the pond. Luke had sworn to him that it would be a great adventure. First, Reid had tripped on a cow patty and had to wash his foot off in the stinking cold water of the pond, and then after a rather disappointing sunrise, red ants crawled onto his towel and bit him; he’d ended up needing calamine lotion on his face, neck and back. He’d vowed never to do anything Luke suggested ever again.

Luke caught his eye and hit him with another warm smile.

Reid sighed. “What time’s dinner?”

“Six!” Luke’s smile turned goofy. Weirdly, Luke seemed genuinely happy at the thought of Reid’s company. That never happened to Reid. Most people couldn’t stand him. When he entered the room, the nurses all busied themselves or ran into the bathroom. Other doctors only ate lunch with him if they had need of a consult. Reid pretended not to notice, not to care.

“And don’t be late,” Luke added.

“I’m never late for food,” Reid replied.

“Good to see some things never change.” Luke grinned widely at him.

Reid’s mouth lifted slightly. He couldn’t help smiling back at Luke. “I’ll see you out at the farm.”

“See ya then!” Luke said cheerfully.

Reid watched Luke head toward Ameera Mayer’s room.

***

Bob opened the door of room 201. It was a small office, with a square-shaped desk, an old laptop, and a phone.

“For you Dr. Oliver,” Bob said graciously.”For as long as you’re here.”

Reid walked into the room, taking in the nearly ancient computer. Oh, well, he supposed it would do just fine for checking email from Mayo. His eyes fell on the phone.

“Is this a rotary?” Reid made a face. He was still annoyed at Bob for all of the hand holding.

“I’m afraid the hospital hasn’t updated a lot of things.”

Reid looked at the old fashioned clock on the wall and the flowered wallpaper. “I swear Oakdale is the town that time forgot,” he muttered.

‘Well,” Bob said, and smiled. “Feel free to make it your own space.” He put a friendly hand on Reid’s shoulder. “I really want you to feel comfortable.”

Reid felt his annoyance fading. As usual, he had misunderstood the social situation. Bob wasn’t mistrusting him; Bob was attempting to be generous. At the Mayo Clinic, the doctors worked like it was a giant factory. There were no personal touches, no visits from the boss. Bob wasn’t like that, had never been like that. Everything about Bob, Memorial, and Oakdale was personal.

Bob stood looking at him, waiting. Reid knew he should say thanks or something.

“I’ll be here two days, Bob. Three tops. But I’ll be happy to decorate it with candy wrappers and Coke cans.”

“I remember when I used to travel for the occasional consult—“

“In the dark ages?”

“I’m not as old as I look. I used to like to bring a picture of Kim and Christopher. I’d put it out wherever I was, and I always felt at home.”

“Still got the sermons on home and family, I see.”

“Still got the loner chip on your shoulder.”

“No chip. Just pragmatic acceptance of reality and an appreciation for having everything I want exactly how I want it.”

Bob just smiled at him. “Why don’t we move on to the lab?”

“Finally! Maybe we could actually focus on what I came here to do.”

“All right,” Bob agreed. “In that case, I’ll confide in you that this case has me a bit anxious.”

“Losing your nerve in your age old man? Sure it’s a difficult case, but it’s far from beyond me—“

“No, Dr. Oliver. That’s not the problem. Unfortunately, there is something we need to discuss about Ameera.” He hesitated. “Have you by any chance seen any unusual activity around her room?”

“UFO sightings? Paranormal activity? You’ll have to be more specific, Bob.”

They left the office and headed for the lab.

“INS. There appears to be some concern over her citizenship.”

“I haven’t seen them and don’t really care,” Reid shrugged, “As long as they stay out of my way.”

Bob started to reply, when a nurse stopped them.

“Good morning, Dr. Hughes. Thanks again for the pep talk last night.”

“You’re welcome, Gretchen. You have the makings of an excellent nurse. Just remember to keep your chin up.”

The nurse gave him a wobbly smile and moved on. Three other nurses passed by and each of them also had the need to thank Bob or ask his opinion on a matter. Their questions struck Reid as rather idiotic and he’d have happily told them where to stick them; Bob, however, patiently answered them all.

At this rate, Ameera Mayer would die before Reid had a chance to examine her scans.

“By the way,” Bob glanced at Reid, as they started toward the lab again. “ Dr. Richards informed me this morning that she’s taking some personal time . There is a serious question about her returning to Memorial. As you can imagine, her rather abrupt decision is a problem for the hospital. Can I count on your help for any emergency neurological cases?”

Reid was about to ask just how many neurological cases a small town like this had, when another doctor grabbed at Bob.

“I must speak with you,” he said, practically tugging on Bob’s white coat.

“Dr. Stevens. This is Dr. Oliver-“

“Nice to meet you,” Dr. Stevens said without looking at Reid. “Please, Bob. Five minutes.”

Bob looked at Reid. He almost sighed. “Can you find your way, Dr. Oliver?”

Reid nodded.

It seemed like everybody in the hospital wanted a piece of Bob. Reid wondered if Bob ever felt like he was surrounded by a bunch of hungry vultures. Probably not, what with Bob being Bob and all.

“About those Neuro emergencies?” Bob turned to him, removing the other doctor’s hand from his coat.

“Sure, why not.” Reid would probably be gone before a single problem came up in the ER.

“Fantastic.” Bob smiled widely, his eyes gleaming. “I’ll meet you in the lab.”

He hurried away with Dr. Stevens. Reid stood there for a moment, his eyes narrowed. Bob had given him a smile like Reid had offered up his first born. Why did he feel like he had just been tricked?

***
Sighing, Reid went on to the lab. He began to unload his papers and x-rays.

Moments later, Bob joined him. He handed Reid a cup of coffee. “It’s still awful and burnt, but here.”

Reid accepted the cup.

“I read your background,“ Bob said suddenly, as he slowly sipped his drink. “I was impressed with your work at Hopkins.”

“Of course you were.”

Bob smiled. “Dr. Oliver, I see that has ego stayed with you all these years.” Bob handed him a scan. “I actually think I might have missed it. Or maybe I’m just missing my own sons lately.”

“Oh?” Reid put the scan up to the machine and pointed at the tumor.

Bob nodded at it. “Tom’s very busy, and now Chris is off.”

Bob looked at Reid. “I guess it’s natural. All young men want to go out there and see the world.”

“I just want to see an OR,” Reid replied grumpily. “Sometime in the next day or so, preferably before Mrs. Mayer dies.”

Bob shook his head. “You make a valid point, Dr. Oliver.”

“Thank you.”

He and Bob studied the test results . As they reviewed them, Bob listened and asked him pertinent questions. Time didn’t matter, only medicine, only the pursuit of the right treatment. Reid felt his adrenaline kick in; a good medical talk always gave him a high.

Reid appreciated that Bob worked swiftly and was professional. They discussed the prognosis, trouble shooting different scenarios for how to deal with possible complications during the operation. It felt oddly good to go back and forth with Bob. When Reid had been a teenager, he would have been in heaven for five minutes of Bob treating him like an equal.

“Let me tell you what I have in mind for the first part of the operation.” Reid tapped at the x-ray. “See here? That is where we take out part of the skull-“

Bob nodded his agreement, and a flush of pleasure went through Reid’s body. Usually, Reid kept his Chief of Staff at a great distance, answering only direct questions, avoiding meetings. Most Chiefs lived to shove paperwork down your throat and Reid never wanted to waste time with any of them.

“And here is where I can remove the tissue and still not damage the cortex. Do you see?”

Bob made an appreciative sound. “Impressive.”

Reid couldn’t quite hold back his smile.

Finally, they reached the last scan. Reid drummed his fingers on the chart. He waited for Bob to finish examining the picture.

“So? “Bob said. “As bad as I thought? Right?”

Reid nodded. A surge of excitement went through him; this was a case he could really sink his teeth into and it’d been a long time since he’d faced a true challenge of his skills. Reid’s hand eagerly twitched at his side for a scalpel.

“You know I was right to call you,” Bob said, “I always knew you’d be the best. But your ideas are just amazing, cutting edge.”

“Well, don’t give yourself a medal.” Reid rolled his eyes. “Any competent Chief of Staff would know to call me.”

“But nobody else could have gotten you to come,” Bob replied, amused. Then his expression sobered. “Have you explained all this to Noah? Her husband will need to know the full scope of the operation. It’s a risky procedure.”

Reid nodded grimly. “He has the waivers and disclosure information already. Once he signs, we’ll be good to go.”

“Dr. Oliver, I want you to take some time with him. Make sure he understands all the facts.”

Reid had his doubts that Mr. Mayer was capable of understanding even a few of the facts, much less all of them, but he said, “Will do.”

Reid started to leave.

“Oh, and one more thing.” Bob held up a hand, asking him to wait.

Reid sighed impatiently.

“Is it feeling like home here again?” Bob gave him a big, hopeful smile.

Reid grunted. “It never felt like home before .”

He walked off, drinking the horrible coffee, and hoping that Memorial’s cafeteria wouldn’t give him too serious a case of food poisoning.

Title: Anywhere USA
Author: Marsabi
Summary: This is a two part story.
Part One: Abandoned as a teen, Reid is forced to live on the Snyder farm as a foster kid for a few months, before he heads off on his own, but will a certain child worm his way into Reid’s heart?
Part Two: Reid returns to Oakdale as a favor for Bob, something he planned never to do, and he can’t wait to leave town, until his past slams into him in the form of Luke Snyder and damn if Luke isn’t all grown up.
Warning: Sexual Content in some parts
Rating: PG-NC-17
Thanks to the following friends for their support of this story: shadownyc, traciamc, and Rhiannonhero
Author’s notes: This was bid on by Rhiannon Hero for the Japanese auction. Because I know Rhiannonhero loathes short chapters, these chapters will be long.

Part One:

Anywhere, USA

Chapter One

As he pushed open the door to the barn, the smell of hay and manure filled his nostrils and he twisted up his lips. He was dressed in a white t-shirt that hung loosely on his skinny frame, a pair of faded black jeans and some scuffed sneakers. In his jeans, were all the things he actually owned: a leaky pen, some Band Aids, a white Queen and a ten dollar bill. Listening for any noise outside, he exhaled a deep breath. Nobody was coming. Satisfied that he was alone, he carefully slid the book out from underneath his shirt. Anatomy. He had seen it on in a bookstore and spent his last winnings on it. He sighed and opened up the first page, gliding his fingers across the text. He only needed a few hours; he’d have the entire book memorized by then. Since he was alone, he allowed a tiny smile to pass over his lips as he glanced down at the picture of the human heart.

Then a small movement in the hay caught his attention. Frowning, he made his way over to it. The hay rustled. He crouched down and threw some pieces aside.

“Who are you?” he demanded, irritated.

“I’m Luke.” The small boy answered. “Who’re you?”

Reid stared into a pair of wide, brown eyes.

“I’m nobody,” Reid said. “Forget you saw me in here.”

“Forget you saw me,” Luke replied.

“Why?”

Luke wrinkled up his small nose. “My mother. She wants me to take a bath. Again. “ His chin jutted out, “And I took one yesterday. I’m totally clean.”

“Actually, regular hygiene is important to your health. This hay probably isn’t sanitary. Mice can get into the loft and their droppings –“

“You talk funny.” Luke emerged out of the hay now.

“So I’ve been told.”

Luke had on a striped shirt, and a pair of khaki shorts; his legs were bare and scabbed, his hair a mess of blond, slightly dirty strands that almost reached his eyebrows. He was one of those annoyingly cute kids that adults fawned over.

They examined each other a moment.

Then Reid’s stomach let out a gigantic growl, and Luke began to giggle.

“I guess you’re hungry.”

“Brilliant deduction.”

“I got a candy bar.” Luke suddenly offered him. He gave Reid a shy glance, “It’s yours.”

“Why?” Reid narrowed his eyes at him.

“Just ‘cause.” Luke pulled a slightly melted candy bar from his shorts.

“I can’t be bribed, kid.” But Reid’s stomach growled again, and he grabbed the candy.

Luke began to chatter then, something about his mother and grandmother, and Reid closed his eyes to block out his noise. He couldn’t believe his great escape had led to this encounter, or that he was standing in a barn. Reid didn’t bother to make small talk with Luke, or glance at him. Instead, Reid devoured the candy bar in a few big bites.

Finally, Luke had fallen silent. Either he had realized that Reid was not listening or else he had simply run out of things to say.

Reid looked down at him. Luke stared right back. Luke had just been waiting for his attention; he wasn’t as dumb as Reid had thought at least.

“Look, are you gonna tell on me? Or not?” Luke asked, his small face earnest. “I need to know. Seriously.”

“What will you do if I say yes?” Reid asked. He handed Luke his candy wrapper. Luke looked at it, and then just shrugged and shoved the wrapper into his pocket.

“Run,” Luke promptly replied. “I’m a really good runner. I won a ribbon last year, beating Casey, even though Casey bragged he’d win, and my dad said –“

“Whatever,” Reid quickly interrupted him. He did not want another bout of endless chatter.
Then Reid shrugged. “Do what you want. I could care less.”

“Thanks,” Luke flashed him a ridiculously big smile, revealing a missing tooth.

Reid was about to reply, when they both heard a loud nose outside the barn. It sounded like a truck kicking up some gravel.

“Hide me!” Luke squealed and dove back under the hay.

Cursing, Reid found himself putting down the book and covering Luke up.

A moment later, Holden pushed open the barn door.

“That you, Reid?” he said.

“Obviously,” Reid replied.

Holden studied him. “You’re supposed to be helping in the corn fields right now. The other boys are out there already.”

“Well, I’m not other boys,” Reid answered. He rolled his eyes. “And I told you this morning that I won’t pull corn or whatever it is you farmers do. I’m going to Harvard in 5 months and then med school. I’m going to be the best damn surgeon in the world. I’m not risking these.” He held out his hands.

“Then I’ll find you some other chores.” Holden just shrugged at him. “Right now. A lot of farm work requires some muscle though.”

Holden slowly examined Reid’s body up and down, making Reid flush. He followed Holden’s gaze down his own bony frame. He imagined what Holden saw: ribs visible, knobby knees, gangly limbs. Angus had called him Toothpick enough times.

“I can do the work,” Reid said coolly. “I look stronger than I appear.”

“Let’s hope so,” Holden said. “And you might be some kind of boy genius or whatever, but that hardly matters here in Oakdale. “

“Of course it doesn’t,“ Reid scoffed. “I’ve seen your police. I’ve been through your court system, remember? Believe me, I know that you people don’t rank intelligence as important.”

“We care about values, heart.” Holden suddenly smiled at him. “And I think hard work at our farm will be good for you.”

Reid scowled at him. “You know what I hate more than anything?”

Holden waited.

“People who think they know what’s good for me.” Reid sneered.

Holden looked like he might laugh. “Well, you’re stuck with us.” He shrugged at Reid.

Reid hugged his arms around his chest and cursed his uncle beneath his breath.

“By the way,” Holden said. “You haven’t seen my son Luke, have you? His mother is searching for him.”

“Nah,” Reid replied. “But then again, I can’t keep all of you Snyders straight.”

Holden just nodded at the insult and then gestured for Reid to follow him.

Reid left the barn without a backwards glance.

***

It had only been a few days earlier that Reid’s whole life had turned inside out. He did it to himself, really. Reid regretted not keeping his mouth shut, but when he’d figured out Angus’s scheme, Reid had up and refused to do it. He had told his uncle that clearly.

“You’re going to do it, smart-ass!” Angus snarled from the front seat.

“No,” Reid pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’m not.”

Angus glared at him in the rearview mirror. They were headed to Chicago for a very important chess match. The old Pontiac was guzzling up their last bit of gas money, their frayed suitcases piled up next to Reid’s feet, the radio full of static. Reid was glad that the radio had static, or he’d be forced to listen to Angus’ oldies station all day. Angus was still yelling at him and Reid purposely shut him out, gazing out the window, looking at the rather sad houses that could be seen from the highway, their paint peeling from neglect, revealing their own disappointed stories. Reid and Angus had lived in houses like that, renting them out once or twice when money was tight, and they’d lived in far worse places too. In the front, Angus paused to chew his tobacco, making his mouth look swollen. He ignored every time Reid tried to tell him about the dangers of chewing. He would just spit the dirty brown wad at Reid’s feet. So Reid had given up on it. He’d pretty much given up on changing anything about his uncle.

Abruptly, Angus pulled the car to the side of the road. He turned fully and faced Reid.

“Listen up, you spoiled brat. We have no money, get me? I need to win this thing. And winning here means betting on somebody else. You’re the favorite. You win and we get squat, see?”

Reid climbed out of the car. He clutched the Anatomy book he’d been reading to himself. Angus was supposedly home-schooling him, but that had stopped years ago. Angus’s intelligence was razor-sharp and he had taught Reid a great deal, but once Reid had become a chess champion, all Angus’s greedy focus had switched to that, and Reid’s education from then on had been self-motivated. Reid had been pathetically eager to please him. It was never enough. There was always one more competition – one more win. Not that Reid didn’t love the game, he did. He loved it the way a person loves a deeply hidden secret. He loved the way an almost invisible force took over his body and showed him the answers. With chess, everything would just click and Reid could see the moves. He never felt that way about real life. Angus though, turned the game into profit, into results, the sheer pleasure of playing stolen from Reid day-after -day. Now Reid had just applied early admission to Harvard. He was 15 and confident he was about to be accepted there. Reid could taste the freedom. He only had to put up with Angus and the chess competitions a little longer.

Right from the start, when Reid had been forced into his life, Angus had made it clear that Reid was unwanted. “What am I gonna do with this scrawny brat?” he‘d asked the social worker who’d tracked him down after Reid’s parents’ fatal accident. No, he hadn’t wanted Reid. But the money from the State had tempted him. They had lived off that money, eating convenience store food and traveling around as Angus drifted from job to job. Angus was always looking for an angle, the next big thing. The day Reid had picked up a chess board, Angus found it. Memories of his parents faded daily, leaving only Angus and his demands. One day, Reid worried, he might forget completely his father’s laugh or his mother’s face. Even now, the memories felt more like faded impressions and his brain was failing him.

Reid stood watching the traffic whiz by them. The fumes from the cars filled his lungs.

Angus climbed out of the car, too. He went over to Reid and jabbed an elbow at his stomach.

“I’m talking to you, genius.” His watery eyes met Reid’s. One wrinkled hand, aged with spotted skin, attempted to hold Reid’s arm firmly. Reid pulled back from him.

“I hear you,” Reid replied. He began to think of a problem to solve:

Two cars 225 miles apart start traveling toward each other at the same time, and one car travels at twice the speed of the other car. Find the speed of each car if it takes two and a half hours for them to meet.

Reid quickly did the calculation in his head as Angus ranted at him. It was what he did during his uncle’s sudden rages.

Finally, Reid became aware that Angus had stopped screaming at him.

“I won’t do it,” Reid repeated flatly. He was a lot of things, but he would never be a loser. He would never deliberately throw a chess match.

“You’ve got a real problem then,” Angus said in a low tone.

Reid refused to let Angus see any definable emotion on his face.

“I did you a favor, taking you in, a skinny, no good smart-ass. And this is how you repay me? “ Angus nodded thoughtfully and chewed his tobacco. They stared at each other. Something like a smile passed over Angus’s lips, but his eyes were small and mean. He was dirty and unshaven. Reid dropped his gaze and examined his own clean hands. Every time they stopped on the road, Reid would find a restroom and attempt to keep himself clean.

Angus walked away from him and headed to the car. Reid looked up at the sound of the door being slammed shut.

Angus turned the key in the ignition. “So be alone then, big shot. Find out what it’s like.”

The engine roared to life. The tires squealed at the fast rotation back to the highway.
Reid watched him pull away, stunned and stupid-acting for once, unable to move.
He looked all around, lost. Reid swallowed hard. He wouldn’t cry. He wouldn’t feel anything about it. Angus didn’t matter. Reid didn’t need anybody. He began to walk off, ignoring the smell of exhaust fumes and stepping around the discarded cans, balled up tissues, and half-torn candy wrappers that littered the road. Determinedly, Reid’s eyes focused on the nearby exit sign. He planned to leave the highway, regroup, and think. He would come back later, maybe hitch a ride. For now, Reid headed for the exit ramp, toward the town called Oakdale.

***

He didn’t get far. A police car followed him the second Reid had entered the town. Apparently, everybody in this one-horse town knew each other, and immediately the cops knew that Reid did not belong. A red-haired female officer then insisted he get into the patrol car. She proceeded to ask him a bunch of stupid questions that Reid simply refused to answer. Angus would be back; the situation could not last too long. Reid was his uncle’s paycheck, after all.

Only he didn’t return.

Within hours, Reid stood in front of a judge, the police officers and a social worker, all trying to “help “ him.

“Tell us where you’re from,” the judge ordered.

“No place.”

“Tell us your home address,” said the social worker.

“What are you, a town of idiots? I just told you I’m from no place.”

The judge droned on and on. Reid did more math problems in his head.

Finally, the judge ordered Reid to go with the cops to the station and for the social worker to find him a “suitable, temporary residency.”

Inside the tiny police station, Reid sulked. He leaned up against the wall. He might as well be in their half-assed jail cell. He’d slept in worse places.

The cop offered Reid a donut. She and another officer just stood nearby, sipping old coffee out of Styrofoam cups. Reid chewed the stale donut and sighed.

After investigating him some more, the social worker and cop agreed he really did have nowhere to go. Reid just rolled his eyes at them and took a second donut. He’d told them as much hours ago. Maybe there was something in this town’s water that damaged brain cells.

The social worker approached him with a big, fake smile. She was a heavy woman and it looked like her feet were pinched too tightly into her shoes. Rolls of fat clung to her belly and thighs.

“So let’s talk about where we will live,” she told him in a patronizing tone.

“I assume you live at Burger King ,” Reid told her, “but by all means, we can discuss it.”

“No need for nastiness, young man.”

“No need for obesity either,” Reid countered. “It’s called diet and exercise.”

Less than twenty minutes later, she gave up. “He’s all yours,” she said and left.

The cop watched her leave. Then Margo Hughes quietly examined Reid. “ I get it. You’re angry. It’s okay to be mad.”

“What have you been reading, psycho-babble in cop sensitivity training or something?” Reid shook his head. “I’m not mad, lady. I just want to go. I’m perfectly fine taking care of myself.”

Officer Hughes ignored his rudeness. She patted Reid’s bony shoulders.

“Oakdale is a great town. We want to find you a home here.”

“Look,” Reid snapped, “I don’t want any help. And I sure as hell don’t care about this town of Anywhere, USA. I’m leaving, as soon as I can, do you hear me? “

She shook her head sadly at him, and the pity in her eyes made Reid flinch. “We can’t let a minor just be alone. “ Then she smiled. “But don’t worry, Reid, I have an idea. I’m going to call a great family and see if they’d agree to foster you for a while. The Snyders have fostered many teens before and they’re warm, decent people. They even live on a farm!”

“And that’s a selling point to you? Do I look like I want ‘Little House on the Prairie’?”

“You can be happy here, “ she told him. “If you let yourself.”

“It’s the human condition to be miserable,” Reid shot back in his most authoritative voice. “Happiness is just a delusion.”

She shook her head. “You sure are smart. I wish my own boys used their brains half as much.”

“The average person only uses a third of their brain’s potential,” Reid started to inform her, and then he realized she was not truly listening to him. She had already picked up the phone.

Nobody listened to a teenager, not even one with a genius IQ. Reid tried to formulate another math problem in his head, but found it impossible. His mouth felt sticky from the donut, and his throat was dry. He refused to ask the bonehead cops for water. Reid closed his eyes; he felt like they must be burning. He imagined that Angus must have reached Chicago by this time. He could picture the tournament. He could see all the other contestants receiving their numbers and exchanging relieved looks that Oliver didn’t attend the competition. The other kids always went out for pizza after they’d lost and talked chess strategy for the next contest, but Reid never went. He didn’t need to hear their puny ideas or hear about the newest chess book on the market. He was always the winner. Besides, nobody ever asked him to go.

“The Snyders want you!” Officer Hughes told him suddenly and gave Reid the thumbs up.

“But I don’t want them,” Reid replied. Blunt as usual.

A little while later, they’d sent for Holden Snyder and he’d packed Reid up into his truck and taken him away.

***

Dinner at the farm was an endless event. There were always people, that for the life of Reid, he couldn’t quite figure out: cousins and more cousins and half-brothers and adopted grandparents…it went on and on. After his first few nights, Reid simply gave up trying to keep the endless mix of family straight. All he cared about was the food anyway. The food made it all almost worth it.

Emma Snyder didn’t seem to know about microwaves. She made everything from scratch. She put down a plate in front of Reid filled with food: roasted chicken, sweet potatoes, corn fritters, fresh rolls, and green beans. She never sat down at the table herself, she was always too busy serving her family. She seemed to love to do this. Reid practically drooled at her side, holding out his plate. Emma didn’t really try and talk with him; she simply fed him. Reid could easily be in love with her or at least in love with her cooking.

The rest of them drove him crazy. Luke always insisted on sitting near him and prattling away to him. Everybody else clearly found the kid adorable and so there was no ditching him, not if Reid wanted to sit there and eat. Lily and Holden usually were there. Sometimes they acted lovey-dovey to each other, and other times the air was filled with a strange tension. Reid noted that the mood of their marriage went up and down like a see-saw. The other cousins and their babies came and went and added to the loudness of the meal. Somebody was always shouting for something.

Tonight was fairly quiet for a meal with the Snyders. There was only Lily and Holden and Luke and baby Faith. The baby was screaming though, and Emma was trying to soothe her. Reid was busy shoveling in some of Emma’s chicken.

“Reid,” Lily admonished him. “You can slow down. There’s plenty.”

“I know,” Reid told her impatiently, his mouth full of food. “But I’m starving.”

Lily frowned at his open mouth. Luke giggled.

After his parents’ death, Reid had never sat down at a real table and ate a meal. He and
Angus ate in the car, or on rickety wooden picnic tables, with the food wrapped in Saran wrap. Sometimes they had stopped at restaurants, mostly small diners, places full of truckers, smells of frying bacon, plastic flowers on the table. Eating with the Snyders, Reid missed those greasy spoon stops. He would have liked to have Emma’s food in peace and quiet. His stomach let out a sudden rumble of agreement and Reid pushed in the food quickly.

“By the way,” Lily told him, “my sister’s daughter Lucy is coming to town. She’s about your age. I thought maybe you’d like to make a friend.”

“Not interested,” Reid said.

Lily gaped at him. ”Why not?”

Reid’s mouth turned down in displeasure. “Do I look like a people person to you?”

Luke, meanwhile, spilled his milk. Reid handed him a napkin and Luke dabbed at the mess. All he succeeded in doing though was pushing the milk around toward the edge of the table. Reid snorted at him and then grabbed the napkin from his hands. In one move, Reid efficiently wiped up the milk. Luke smiled at him, leaning his head into Reid’s arm, just beaming up at him. Reid ignored Luke and continued to eat his meal. He looked back at Lily.

Lily was shrugging in confusion. “Everybody needs friends, Reid.”

“What for?” Reid asked her bluntly. He really did want to know. To him, friends appeared a lot of work and a colossal waste of time.

Lily didn’t answer that. She only said, ” Lucy is a great girl. You might even find yourself interested in being more than friends.” Lily actually let out a giggle. “Who knows?”

Reid stared at her. He found Lily extremely irritating. Out of all the Snyders, she seemed to him the most illogical.

The baby started to wail again, and Emma took her out of the room. Reid spooned some more food onto his plate.

“I don’t want to date her,” Reid told her. “Do you understand? “ He rolled his eyes. “I have no interest.”

“Well,” Lily laughed. “Nobody’s asking you to marry her. But she is a beautiful girl and –“

Reid shook his head. Okay, he’d just have to spell it out for her. It might be rather enjoyable to watch Lily’s carefully made up face.

“I’m gay,“ Reid said flatly. It pleased him to see Lily’s stunned expression.

There was a dead silence at the table. Holden shifted in his chair. Reid chewed loudly and indifferently.

“Oh,” Holden said, finally. “That’s okay, Reid.”

“Thanks for your permission.”

“What’s gay?” Luke asked.

“Happy,” Lily said quickly, passing him some rolls.

“Reid’s never happy,” Luke said in confusion, wrinkling up his small nose.

Reid let out a bark of laughter.

Luke smiled up at him widely, clearly not getting what he had said to make Reid finally smile, but pleased by Reid’s response.

“Reid may not need to entertain Lucy anyhow,” Holden was saying slowly to Lily. “ It looks like another girl Lucy’s age might be in town too.”

“Who?” Lily’s eyes narrowed. “Oh no. Not her!”

Holden’s face grew pinched. “She is my daughter, “ he whispered to Lily firmly.

“This is just a ploy of Molly’s , Holden, “ Lily said crossly. “Wake up!”

“Abigail isn’t a ploy-“

Emma came back a moment, grabbed baby Faith’s diaper bag, and left again. Reid was sorry to see her go. He was almost ready for dessert.

“Shh,” Lily was hushing Holden. “We can talk about it later.”

“No,” Holden said angrily. “We’ll talk about it now. I welcomed your past mistakes. I’ve adopted Luke, haven’t I?” Then Holden realized what he’d said. He flinched and glanced at Luke. “And I love you so much, Buddy,” he added.

Luke ducked his head away and nodded.

Reid glanced at Luke. He was adopted?

He saw Holden try and take Lily’s hand, but she was too angry.

“You always throw Luke’s father in my face. Damian was long ago,” Lily said heatedly. “Molly is here now.”

Reid slid a glance at Luke. He might not know much about parenting, but even Reid could sense this conversation shouldn’t be in front of a little kid.
But Holden and Lily appeared to have forgotten that. They had eyes only for each other now.

“Molly is not a threat to you,” Holden insisted. His voice grew louder.

“She is, too!”

Reid looked at Luke once more. The kid sat stiffly now beside him. Holden and Lily were talking about people like they were misplaced socks. Reid grew more and more confused by them.

“Damian won’t ever be back,” Lily said. “He doesn’t care about me or Luke. But Molly is just waiting for you to feel sorry for her again and to –“

“Children!” Emma scolded, as she and the baby came back into the room. She gestured to Luke, “That’s enough!”

There was a brief, guilty silence.

“Sorry, Mama.”

“Yes, sorry.”

Emma just shook her head at them. “Reid, “ she said, “will you please take Luke to your room for a while? I’ll call you boys back down for dessert.”

“Sure,” Reid said. He was eager to escape this insane dinner. Reid grabbed a few rolls as he left. Luke followed him silently.

Upstairs, Reid glanced at Luke.

“So um..want to watch some baseball?”

Reid fiddled with the TV, but they could soon hear voices from below.

They sounded angry. Lily was yelling. There were some sounds of chairs being moved. Then it was quiet.

Luke sat on Reid’s bed, his feet dangling off. He didn’t say a word. His small mouth pulled tightly closed.

The voices started again, trying to speak in more hushed whispers, but still the voices were clear every once in a while. Reid looked at Luke. The kid’s shoulders shook, hunched in, and Reid could see he was trying not to cry.

Crap. Reid went over to Luke.

“How ‘bout a game instead?” Reid asked.

Luke didn’t answer. Reid hurried to the closet with the board games.

The door opened and Lily peeked in. Her face was red from crying. “ Dessert is ready guys.“ Then she looked at Luke. “Baby, I’m going to visit Grandmother for a while, “ she told Luke in a fake, cheery tone that put Reid’s teeth on edge.

“When are you coming home?” Luke asked in a small, quivering voice.

“Oh real soon. It’s just for tonight,” Lily gave him a big hug, but didn’t look Luke in the eyes. “Real soon.”

“He’s not an idiot,” Reid snapped. Why did adults think kids had no brains?

Lily gave Reid her chilly smile. “Reid, this is a family matter.”

She hugged Luke again and then left.

Reid reached down and awkwardly patted Luke’s stiff shoulders.

“A game,” Reid said again. At Luke’s unusual silence, he felt desperate. He went back to the game closet. Reid’s eyes found the chess board. What a plastic piece of junk, but better than nothing, Reid figured.

He gingerly approached Luke with it.

“We can play this.”

“My fault,” Luke said in a low voice. He wasn’t even looking at Reid.

“What?”

Luke sniffed a little and wiped his eyes with his shirt.

“What’s your fault?” Reid asked. “ Your folks?”

Luke nodded, his gaze still on the floor.

Impatiently, Reid grabbed Luke’s chin and tipped his head back. Their eyes met.

“Listen, mini-Snyder, it isn’t your fault.” Reid sighed loudly. “ Let me tell you what a genius like me knows to be true, okay? It’ll save you lots of time in the future. Grownups suck. People suck. They’re selfish. They let you down.” Reid released his chin.

He sat down on the bed opposite Luke and began to set up the chess board.

“Now pay attention. I’m about to teach you the greatest game on Earth.”

“I don’t know how to play,” Luke said, his attention finally off of Lily and Holden.

“Too bad. I won’t take it easy on you. Got that brat? You’ll have to suck it up and learn.”
Reid gave him a small, fast smile. “It might take a few nights until you get it.”

“We can play every night?” Luke asked, a little light returning to his eyes.

“Why the hell not? “Reid shrugged. “It’s not like I have any place else to go.”

Reid glanced at the door. He was hungry for dessert, but he didn’t want Luke to have to face Holden just now. Reid sighed again. Pie would have to wait.

“Your move,” he told Luke.

***

“Would you quit following me, kid?”

Luke dogged his every step, practically on Reid’s heels. The day was hot and humid and marked the coming end of the spring. Reid’s entire body ached from farm work. His mind was bored too. He had been counting the days off until Harvard. Oakdale was sucking out his brain cells the longer he stayed.

“But you’re my friend, “ Luke protested.

“I’m not your friend,” Reid mumbled.

“Sure you are.” Luke beamed a smile at him, revealing his dimples.

Reid sighed. They had this conversation at least once a day now. Luke was everywhere he turned. Teaching him chess and giving him attention had been a huge mistake. Now he was stuck with Luke.

“Anyhow,” Luke was grinning, “I made you sandwiches.”

Then again, the kid had some uses.

Reid stopped abruptly causing Luke to smack into him. Reid pulled him off and looked at the bag in Luke’s hand.

“What kind?” He asked hungrily.

“Roast beef. And Peanut butter and Jelly. And baloney.”

“No turkey?”

“How many sandwiches can you eat?” Luke asked with wonder.

Reid shrugged at him. “Just hand it over.”

Their fingers touched briefly. Luke had sticky hands.

“Whatcha doing?”

Reid glanced down at his bathing suit. “Going to take my SATS. What do you think I’m doing, moron?”

“You shouldn’t call little kids names,” Luke told him, scolding him. “That’s what my parents say.”

“No one’s asking you to listen, Miss Manners.”Reid chewed on the baloney sandwich as he talked.

“Not that I’m a little kid,” Luke said suddenly, poking the ground with his shoe. “I’m seven, almost eight.”

Reid opened up another sandwich.

Luke watched him, pleased. “Good, right?”

“Not bad,” Reid grudgingly replied. “ More mayo next time.”

Luke peeked up at him with big eyes. “More mayo,” he repeated, like he needed to commit the knowledge to memory. He studied Reid as he ate the food, not moving, his small face completely serious. Reid sighed, finishing the last sandwich, wiping the crumbs on his swim suit.

“I’m going to the pond,” Reid told him.

Luke jumped up, suddenly animated. “Wait for me to swim, okay? I’ll go get my trunks. Don’t go without me!” He dashed off urgently.

Inwardly groaning, Reid watched him run off into the house. He shook his head. Why Luke wanted to follow him around was a complete mystery to Reid.

Of course, people in general made no sense to him.

Reid ran his hand across his sweaty forehead. It was only late April, but there was a record heat wave the past few days. Reid was dreading the long summer. Luke came back, his small arms loaded with pool toys and towels. Reid didn’t offer to carry it. He let Luke stumble along beside him and they made their way down to the pond.

At the pond, Reid and Luke quickly went into the water. It was frigidly cold, but somehow refreshing. There was soft, cool mud at the bottom. Reid tried to keep treading water, but his foot would sink into the mud occasionally. Luke was a pretty fast swimmer for a kid. He swam eager, exuberant circles around Reid, trying to get him into a splash contest. Reid gave and in and soon they splashed around a little, laughing, and something inside of Reid loosened up as he played with Luke. Reid’s own childhood was all about focus and reward, not fun. Luke stuck his tongue out at Reid, dodging the spray of water. A surge of exhilaration filled Reid as he splashed Luke back, the sun hot on his face, laughter gurgling again from his lips, a strange, unfamiliar joy inside of him.

***

“Hey Luke!”

“Lukey! Oh, he’s so adorable.” A girl squealed as Luke turned and waved.

“Hello there!”

Reid’s gaze turned to look at the gaggle of teenagers. They were all in bathing suits and carrying coolers and towels. He watched them wave at Luke again and then spread out a big blanket. Reid saw them look at him, whisper to each other and then look away. The boys sniggered with laughter at something.

He had no real reason to assume they were laughing at him, but still…

Reid was suddenly aware of his bony frame. He crossed his arms. He painfully realized that he was goofing around with a child while all the other teens were with each other. Reid clasped his hands together in a tight grip. He treaded water, his feet kicking out.

“I’m going to swim over there,” Reid told Luke, pointing to the other side of the pond.

“But my tube and noodles are here,” Luke protested, “and now other kids are here.”

“Whatever,” Reid said.

“Stay, Reid!” Luke implored. “I’ll give you the blue tube?”

“I’m not playing with your toys,” Reid snapped. “Just stay here.”

He swam away from the other kids and from Luke. Reid went to the other side of the pond. Stubbornly, Luke went after him.

This side of the pond had less grassy area and more rocks. Reid treaded the water. He tried to think about the lungs- he’d been studying that in his Anatomy book. Reid went under the water a moment, deliberately feeling the pressure build for air. Lungs were amazing really. He held his breath until he couldn’t stand the sensation a moment more, then he broke through the surface of the water.

Luke was walking on the rocks, putting one foot in front of the other.

“Look , Reid! I can jump off of these. I’m a really good jumper.”

Reid frowned. “Go back to the other side,” he told Luke.

Luke climbed up the jagged rocks and then threw himself into the water.

“Cannonball,” he yelled in a high-pitched voice.

He emerged from the water, flicking the hair out of his eyes.

“Did you see Reid? Did you see?” Luke cupped his mouth, shouting at him. “I was awesome!” Luke beamed at him in delight.

Reid just grunted. His eyes were on the group of teens again. Some of them were clearly kissing now, their hands at each other’s waists. A few of the boys had their shirts off. Reid’s eyes moved over the hard, flat torsos.

“Watch me do it again. “

Reid didn’t ever hide who he was; he wasn’t ashamed. With a sigh, Reid swam around in the murky water a second. But it was one more thing making him the odd one, the outsider. Reid glanced back at the others. They were just starting to go into the pond. The girls were shrieking and giggling, and the boys were playfully shoving each other and calling each other “asshole.”

A suddenly loud splash and a yelp drew Reid’s immediate attention.

With one look, all the color drained from Reid’s face as he realized that Luke had fallen. He had tumbled down a jagged rock and into the pond. Reid reacted swiftly, although his heart pounding, his throat caught. He dove under the water and grabbed Luke’s small, slippery body. Reid held Luke in his arms and treaded to the edge of the water. He quickly pulled them both out.

“Jesus! Are you okay?” Reid gripped Luke’s shoulders, his eyes probing Luke all over.

“I think so,” Luke answered, dazed. Then Luke felt the top of his head and blood stained his tiny fingers.

He looked at Reid. They both froze.

With a quick intake of his breath, Reid moved. He took a towel and put pressure on the cut.

“It’s okay, Luke.”

Luke just whimpered and clung to him.

“It’s okay,” Reid said again. “Heads bleed. I’ve read about brain trauma. Most bleeding head wounds are strictly superficial.” Reid touched Luke gently, feeling his skin inch-by-inch for any problems.

Luke wrapped his arms around Reid tighter; he leaned against him, shuddering.

“I’m gonna get Holden, and we can go get your head checked out, okay?”

Reid scooped up Luke and carried him back to the farm. The other kids hadn’t even noticed. They were all in the water across the way by then, swimming with each other.
Reid hesitated. Maybe he should ask for their help too. Then he felt Luke shaking in his arms. He determinedly walked off with him; he could take care of Luke alone.

***

Holden was pretty good about Luke’s injury. Reid had to give him credit. Many fathers would scream or curse or something. Holden had been calm. He and Reid had glanced at the cut from underneath the towel and seen the injury wasn’t too deep.

“Put him in the truck,” Holden told Reid. “I’ll call a friend of ours and let him know Luke is coming to the ER.”

“I feel okay, Daddy.”

“We still need to get it checked. “

Holden went into the house to make the call.

Reid and Luke sat in the truck waiting for him.

It was only then that Reid felt a little of the tension that had clutched his guts easing. Thank goodness Reid was right about the superficial wound. His hands trembled and Reid quickly pressed them down at his thighs.

“Sorry,” Luke whispered.

“Good thing you have a hard head,” was all Reid could manage.

***

They reached Memorial and found Dr. Bob Hughes waiting for them. His son Chris was there too.

“Thanks for coming, Bob,” Holden said, as Bob led them to an exam room.

Chris, however, didn’t look too thrilled, Reid noted. He had a sour expression on his face.

“Want to watch me stitch him up?” Bob asked his son. “I keep hoping Chris will show an interest,” Bob joked to Holden.

“Me too, “ Holden laughed, “with Luke and the farm.”

“I’ll wait outside,” Chris said in a disgruntled tone. “Give me a dollar for the vending machine?”

Bob sighed and opened up his wallet.

“Can Reid stay?” Luke asked.

Bob looked at him. “As long as you don’t mind the sight of some blood.”

“Not me.” Reid’s mouth hitched up. “I plan to go to medical school.”

“Really?” Bob looked at him with a sudden interest. “In that case, look at this. It’s the latest staple gun. I don’t need to do any stitching. “ Bob showed it to Reid. He let Reid hold it a second.

The staple gun felt surprisingly light. Reid studied it reverently. He could feel Bob Hughes looking at him and the way Reid glided his hand over the instrument.
Embarrassed, Reid quickly gave it back.

“Interesting, right? “ Bob said.

“Whatever,” Reid shrugged.

Then he watched in fascination as Bob cleaned Luke’s injury. Holden held Luke’s hand as the staples were shot into his head. Bob did it quickly, Reid saw, but perfectly.

“All done.”

“How about a lollipop?” Holden said to Luke.

“Okay!” Luke grinned, his wound forgotten with the promise of candy.

“Just a second,” Bob said. “Holden? Can you come to my office a moment?”

“Sure.” Holden glanced at Luke. “Right back, buddy. Stay with Reid.”

When they’d left, Luke tugged at Reid’s arm. “You’re my hero. Thanks!” His brown eyes glowed up at Reid.

Reid looked at Luke. “Oh, shut up.”

“You are.”

Reid pinched the bridge of his nose. “Next time, just pay attention.”

“Okay.”

“I mean it. Don’t be stupid. Turn your brain on!”

“It’s here,” Luke said seriously.

“What is?” Reid dropped his hand to look at Luke.

“The switch.” Luke tapped behind his left ear. “The switch for my brain is there.”

Reid’s lips twitched. He leaned over and flicked his fingers behind Luke’s ear.

“Okay then. It’s on. So no excuses for acting like an idiot again.”

“Right,” Luke beamed.

Reid smiled at him reluctantly.

Just then the door opened, and Chris came in. “My father here?”

“Obviously not,” Reid snapped, embarrassed to be caught smiling. “Unless you think your old man is a ghost.”

Chris flushed. “And you are, again?”

“None of your business.”

“This is Reid, “ Luke said, “ he’s staying with us.”

“Oh,” Chris’s lips twisted. “A charity case.”

“They pay me actually.“ Reid nodded his head at Chris. “To keep morons away from the farm.”

“Like a skinny geek could ever keep me away,” Chris said hotly and puffed out his chest. He walked to Reid. “I’d like to see a wimp like you try it.”

Luke turned to Chris. “Reid’s not a wimp and he’s not a charity case,” Luke defended him instantly. “Reid’s fun to have around. Reid’s gay.” Luke added proudly.

Chris took an instinctive step back. His eyes bulged.

“Don’t worry,” Reid said caustically, “it’s not catching.” He gave Chris a deliberately flirtatious look. “Or maybe it is.”

Chris nearly tripped over his feet to escape.

‘Dumb fucker’, Reid thought, ‘As if he’d ever be my type.’

Chris opened the door and fled.

Reid looked at Luke. Luke tilted his head in puzzlement.

The door opened and Bob came in. Holden followed and handed Luke his lollipop.

“Come on Luke,” Holden said, picking him up. “Let’s wait outside a second.”

Reid started to follow them, when Bob put a hand on his arm. “A moment, please.”

“I didn’t do anything,” Reid frowned.

Bob shook his head. “Not yet. But I’d like you to do something.”

“What?”

“Work here. I just spoke to Holden about you. He told me all about you. We both agreed that you might do better working here with me than at the farm.”

“What would I do here?”

“Nothing glamorous,” Bob shrugged. “Mostly mop up after operations, but you could observe them, too, on occasion.”

Reid tried to ignore the hopeful hammering inside his heart.

“Of course, I have to run it all by the Chief of Staff first.”

“That’s not you?”

“No,” Bob laughed, “not yet.”

“Wow,” Reid snorted. “You’re so old and you aren’t even Chief.”

“I guess you plan to run a hospital by what? Twenty?” Bob looked amused. “ Holden said you were opinionated- most good doctors are.“ He gave Reid a wry look. “I might be old to you, but I know a great deal about hospitals and I know my way around a good surgery.”

“ Did they have even have operating rooms back in the Stone Age?” Reid made a face, “What did you do? Knock the patients out with a big boulder?”

“I’m younger than I look,” Bob replied dryly.

Reid shrugged, “If you say so.”

Then Bob touched Reid’s shoulder. “You’ll have to lose that attitude, young man, if you want to work here.”

“Good thing I haven’t signed a contract yet,” Reid said.

Bob ignored his remark. “If you really want to be a doctor one day, you should learn about compassion and about patient care.”

Reid stared at him. The guy really looked like he believed that malarkey.

“Yeah,” Reid said slowly, as if talking to an idiot. “I thought that’s what the nurses were for.”

Bob just shook his head. “If all clears with the Chief, I’ll expect you to start here on Monday.”

***

For the next few days, Luke’s parents treated him like a yo-yo. The poor kid bounced back and forth between the farm and his grandmother’s house.

Why am I thinking about him? Reid frowned as he headed to the barn. He was starting the job at Memorial in the morning after what had seemed like endless delays of ridiculous paper work, and that was what he should be focused on. Opening up the barn door, Reid grabbed the bucket from off of a hook. Holden had ordered him to milk the cows this morning.

Gingerly, Reid approached the animal. Up close, cows smelled worse than he had imagined. Reid nearly gagged. He forced himself to walk closer, and, as if sensing his unease, the stupid bovine thrashed its tail like a whip. Reid squatted down on the stool and slid the bucket under the cow’s udders. He tentatively reached out his hand.

“Wait! That’s not right,” Luke called to him, stepping into the barn.

“You’re back,” Reid said, surprised. He studied Luke. He looked good, other than the bad haircut somebody had given him.

“Yeah. “ Luke flashed his dimples at him. Then he held up a sneaker, “Can you tie this for me?” He asked. The laces flopped around as he waved his foot at Reid.

“No.”

“What? Why not?”

“Learn to do it yourself,” Reid told him.

“Fine,” Luke’s lips came out. “Go back to grabbing the cow’s teat.”

“Teat,” Reid repeated in disgust, “no wonder I suck at this.”

The cow mooed in agreement with him.

Luke watched him struggle a moment.

“Here,” Luke handed him some Vaseline. “You need to make your hands slippery. She doesn’t want dry fingers on her.”

Reid scowled , but he took the Vaseline and quickly used it.

“Now go and squeeze the base of her teat,” Luke instructed him.

Reid started to put his hand on the cow’s udder. He paused.

“You wanna do this? “ Reid turned to Luke hopefully.

“Nope.”

“Why not?”

Luke grinned at him. “You gotta learn to do it yourself.”

“Brat,” Reid said, but with some admiration.

With a sigh, Reid fingered the cow’s teat and pushed down. To his surprise, a spray of milk came out and shot into the bucket.

“Yay!” Luke cheered him and Reid gave him a fast smile in return.

“No big deal,” Reid boasted and then began to milk the cow some more. Milk spurted out in a thin white line.

After the bucket was full, Reid walked over to Luke.

“Now watch,” he told him. He bent down and picked up Luke’s laces.

“This is a knotty mess,” Reid scolded.

“I tried to make bunny ears-“ Luke protested.

“Bunny- what? What the hell is that?”

“That’s what Mom told me to do. Make two bunny ears and then go down the hole.”

“Figures,” Reid mumbled. He was not particularly impressed with Lily’s intelligence. Luke clearly got his brains from his mysterious father.

“No bunny ears- no baby stuff, clear? I’m going to show you and only once, the real way to tie a shoe.”

Reid explained the steps as he tied up Luke’s sneaker.

Luke bit his lip and nodded, giving Reid all of his attention. He made Luke practice it over and over. Finally, Luke looked at him in absolute delight.

“I did it!” Luke exclaimed, his small face flushed with pleasure.

“I have news for you,” Reid told him dryly, “most seven year olds can tie a shoe.”

Luke still smiled. “Well I have news for you. Grandma Emma’s so happy to have me back, she’s making her special chocolate fudge cake.”

Luke giggled as Reid clasped at his heart.

“You’re certain? Chocolate fudge?”

Luke nodded again.

“Fantastic!” Reid smiled a second. “Emma is the only person in this crazy town that I actually like,” Reid declared.

Reid could almost taste the decadent cake already. His stomach gave a rumble.

Then Reid saw Luke’s face. “What?” he asked perplexed. Luke looked as if somebody had shot his dog.

“Nothing.” Luke dug his heel into the ground, poking at the dirt. “She’s not perfect, you know. “

“Who?”

“She snores louder than a bulldozer. And she makes you not swear and say thank you all the time.” Luke crossed his arms over his chest and looked at Reid. There was that pout of Luke’s lips again. The kid really needed to outgrow that face. Nobody pouted past childhood.

“What do you think about her knowing that?” Luke asked.

“Who?” Reid had lost the thread of this entire conversation.

“Grandma Emma. Is she,” Luke voice trembled, “is she really - the only person?” Luke said finally, his small face crumpling.

“The only person?” Reid repeated blankly.

“That you like?” Luke persisted. Tears were starting in his big eyes.

“Oh, that’s why you’re upset? Geez, don’t get all weepy,“ Reid waved his hand at him. “I wasn’t thinking about you.” He stood up and awkwardly patted Luke’s hair. “You’re okay too. For a little pest.”

“You like me?” Luke demanded.

Reid shrugged.

“You like me?” Luke said again. He pushed his face close to Reid. He was practically standing on Reid’s feet.

“Yeah. Maybe, you get the Oliver stamp of approval. “

He reached out and mockingly slapped his palm at Luke’s forehead.

“I knew we were friends!” Luke beamed up at him.

“Well, I never said that,” Reid huffed. He walked to the barn door. “Now scram. I have other chores to do for your slave-driving old man.”

“Okay,” Luke said happily. He practically danced out of the barn, “See you at dinner!”

Reid just frowned, shook his head and didn’t answer.

***

Dinner had gone pretty well that night and Luke didn’t lie about Emma’s fudge cake. It was beyond delicious. Afterwards, they’d all played a game of checkers and watched mindless TV. Nobody pushed Reid to talk too much. Still, Reid was happy another day at the Snyders’ was ending. He went to his room and read.

Suddenly, he heard Lily downstairs. She wanted to take Luke back; something about that Molly woman again. She had showed up at the grandmother’s house, bragging to Lily about Holden. Reid listened as Holden defended his actions. He looked at the clock. It was pretty late. Luke would be sound asleep. Reid drummed his fingers against his textbook. Part of him longed to march down the stairs and tell them both to shut the hell up. They should just accept the fact that their relationship was toxic, put the kids first, and deal with each other. Reid listened to them fight some more. Idiots.

Finally, Lily must have just left. Reid heard the door slam. He heard Emma and Holden whispering to each other, and then silence. He contemplated sneaking to the kitchen for more fudge cake. He decided against it - too risky. He didn’t want to run into the adults. Maybe he could sneak some for breakfast. Although, Luke was right about Emma and her rules. She’d insist he eat something healthy first. Shrugging , Reid went back to his book. He studied the skeleton and the spinal cord for a while.

A long time later, Reid put down his text book and drifted off to sleep. His last coherent thought was that he would start in the morning at Memorial, impress the hell out of Bob Hughes, and never touch another teat as long as he lived.

Reid sighed in his sleep. He was half-dreaming about the bones in the body. He felt warm. Something was rubbing up next to him. Reid tried to push it away. It snuggled determinedly back.

It was a body and it was shaking.

Reid’s eyes flew open.

“Luke? What - why are you in here?”

Luke sniffled and nestled even closer against him.

Reid felt Luke’s tears wetting his t-shirt.

“Bad dreams?” Reid asked.

“Don’t send me back to my room,” Luke pleaded. He pressed his face into Reid’s chest and sobbed.

Hesitantly, Reid patted Luke’s back. “Wanna tell me what it was about?”

Not that Reid couldn’t guess. Why a sweet kid like Luke had to have such awful parents was beyond him. It didn’t take Reid’s genius IQ to know Luke must not have been sleeping earlier.

“Monsters,” Luke replied. He lifted up his tear-stained face and stared at Reid. “They were getting me. They had my mom and dad too. “

“Hmm…. What did they look like?”

“Purple,” Luke answered quickly, “with two heads and claws like this.” He showed Reid a curled hand. “And snake eyes. “

Reid shook his head at Luke.

“ Don’t worry about it, okay?” Reid said. “It’s just your REM sleep has triggered a nightmare. Actually, the amazing thing about the brain is that it never really shuts off. In fact, the emotions in your dream possibly overloaded its circuits, see?”

“Okay,” Luke replied. Then he promptly burst into giant sobs. Reid frowned in confusion. Science always helped him though bad moments, but it clearly wasn’t working with Luke.

Reid searched his mind for what to do.

“And there are no such things as monsters,” he said decisively.

Luke was bawling now. If anything, all of Reid’s words had made him just cry harder. He was soaking his shirt with snot and tears. Reid was baffled. He ran his hands through Luke’s hair and down his thin, sweaty shoulders. “Okay, okay,” Reid murmured to him.

Clearly, Luke didn’t care about explanations or reality.

He took a deep breath and decided to try something completely unlike what he would need, but maybe Luke…

Reid began to sing softly to him. He sang the only song he really knew from childhood. “Mr. Sandman...” As he sang, his voice alternated between deep and true and an occasional, embarrassing cracking high note. Luke didn’t seem to mind that. He looked at Reid transfixed and listened to him.

Mr. Sandman, bring me a dream
Make him the cutest that I’ve ever seen
Give him two lips like roses and clover
Then tell him that his lonesome nights are over

Reid sang it once more, noting that Luke’s tears had lessened now. When he was done, Reid broke the song off and looked away.

He felt Luke patting his arm insistently. Reluctantly, Reid forced his gaze back to Luke.

“Better now? “Reid asked gruffly.

Luke stared at him a moment. Then he nodded slowly.

“I love you, Reid,” Luke said.

Reid’s heart jumped in his chest. “Shut up!” Reid said quickly, “you don’t.”

“I do.”

“You don’t.”

Luke tilted his head at him in puzzlement. His big eyes looked at Reid with compassion beyond his years. Reid felt himself almost flush.

“Why do you say that?”

“Cause you don’t, “ Reid answered.

Luke didn’t argue. Instead, he grabbed Reid’s cheeks with both of his small hands. He leaned down and kissed Reid’s lips softly, his mouth lingering on Reid’s mouth a moment. Luke smacked his lips once more on Reid’s stunned ones. Luke’s skin was soft as dough, his breath sweet as candy.

“ I do,” Luke said simply. “I love you.”

With a satisfied little smile, Luke put his head back down on Reid’s chest and closed his eyes.

In no time, Reid could hear Luke’s little snores.

Reid didn’t sleep for a while. Nobody had ever told Reid that they loved him. If his parents had ever said the words, Reid had no memory of it. Angus never said anything even remotely affectionate to him. The closest he came was after Reid would win a chess match. He’d let out a grunt of approval. Reid had a few past friendships, but moved around too much to ever keep a friend for long. Besides, his friends were the types to discuss Physics or video games, not emotions.

Reid stayed awake and tried to lecture himself. Luke was just a little brat, and it shouldn’t matter. Little kids probably went around telling everybody that they loved them and it didn’t mean a thing. But for once, Reid’s logical mind was losing the fight. His heart was pounding with emotion. Reid wrapped an arm protectively around Luke. He’d always thought a little brother or sister would only be a pain, but now he thought it might be kind of nice.

Luke had said he loved him.

Up until that moment of Luke’s kiss, Reid had always believed he was simply unlovable.

Title: Without Borders 14/14
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Noah remains blind, and he abandons Oakdale and Luke. Luke is left feeling guilty and lost, so he decides to focus on the foundation and PR work. Luke moves the foundation to Rome and avoids America. However, two years later, his family in Oakdale has been pressuring him to visit, and when an old friend calls him with a problem with her medical organization’s image, Luke agrees to fly to Miami. But can he turn their best doctor into a media star? As the cameras roll, Luke soon finds himself in a “pretend” relationship with Dr. Oliver …
Warning: none
Rating: PG- NC-17
First of all, a big shout of thanks to the amazing rhiannonhero! Thanks also to lovely traciamc



Chapter 14

Luke rushed there. He flew out of his car and down the wooden walkway. He prayed Reid would be where he asked him to meet. Luke glanced at his watch and practically ran.
Reid was there.

The sun was setting behind him and he was looking down at some ducks swimming in the green algae of the swamp. Luke’s pulse pounded as he started toward Reid. At that same second, Reid seemed to sense Luke’s approach and turned. They walked to each other, drawn closer and closer. They were in the middle of the Fakahatchee Wildlife Preserve. The wooden walkway stretched out for over 3 miles.

They stopped inches from each other. Luke wanted to press his lips on every part of Reid; he wanted to taste the curve of his neck and then move over his chest and shoulders. He wanted to inhale him as he made his way down. He wanted to just hold him forever and always. Luke looked away a second. Then back.

“Alligators,” Luke said suddenly.

Reid glanced at the water. “Where?”

“By that small bush area. See it?” Luke pointed. “Looks like a rock in the water, but see the nostrils? The snout?”

Reid followed his hand. “Oh, I do see it.” He nodded. “Look at that.”

“Sorry I was late,” Luke said.

Reid nodded again. Luke’s journal was near his feet, sticking out of Reid’s medical bag.

Luke cleared his throat, “It’s strange, isn’t it? Here we stand in a marshy wonderland, but shopping malls and houses are just outside of here. Go figure.”

“Yeah, I think a group of early bird diners just power walked past me,” Reid said.

They were quiet a second and listened to the sounds of the swamp.

Luke took a breath. “Here’s the thing,” he said to Reid, who was now watching him, “I want to stay in Miami. I like it here and – I want to stay. I told my father that I want to try to start my own PR firm. I told him it was time to move on.” Luke exhaled a moment. “I want to do that with you.“

There was a pause. Luke tilted his head to try and get a better look at Reid’s face. “You can say something back here. ”

Reid rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I might have been a little impatient last night, waiting for you to tell Damian yourself.”

“Been impatient?” Luke said, but with a smile. “You were obnoxious.”

Reid held up his hand to indicate an inch, “Only by this much.”

Luke spread his hands wider.

Their eyes met and held.

“Maybe waiting isn’t my best event,” Reid conceded. He glanced away.

“I know,” Luke said. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Reid said dismissively. Reid’s eyes were soft, vulnerable. His hands were nervously tapping at his side.

Luke nodded. He felt paralyzed by feeling, unable to speak.

Reid appeared to be having the same problem. He seemed to be taking in large gulps of air. His gaze remained fixed on Luke.

They circled each other a minute.

Then Reid rolled his eyes at him, ”Are we done with this apology stuff? All better?”

“Better.”

Reid blew out a quick breath. “ Good.”

“Although, technically, you didn’t do any apologizing,” Luke pointed out.

“Oh,” Reid looked at him warily.

“Hmm,” Luke answered. Watching Reid squirm a minute, he couldn’t help giving Reid a grin. Luke had already heard the contrition in Reid’s voice and had seen it on his face.

Reid came closer to him. He reached one finger out to touch Luke’s smiling lips.
Luke stared at him. They both exhaled the same moment, and Luke felt their breath mingle in the humid air. He swallowed hard. He began to reach out for Reid.

“Luke, I’m-“

“Scuse me,” said a voice to Luke’s left.

They paused, dropping their hands, waiting as a man lugging a giant camera went by them. A few others with cameras scurried to a nearby spot to capture a picture of some turtles. They looked at each other, forced to wait some more.

“Nature lovers,” Reid said in an annoyed voice, as they all finally left. “Why can’t they go elsewhere?”

“We are standing at a preserve,” Luke wasn’t really concerned with the people passing by them. Luke’s gaze had fallen on the journal.

Reid saw him look at it.

“You read it?”

Reid nodded. “I did.“

Luke’s eyes darted all over the place, looking anywhere but at Reid.

“Hey,” Reid said, waiting until Luke reluctantly turned.

“What?” Luke folded his arms at his chest.

“Did that bonehead really not sleep with you for two years?”

“That would be the part you’d focus on,” Luke shook his head at him, a small smile on his face. ‘Five hundred and fourteen days, actually’, Luke recalled, ‘of pure misery’.

“Well, I focused on the other stuff too.” Reid said, also with twitching lips. “But nearly two years? He was damaged way before his accident. I want to touch you every hour of the day.”

They gazed at each other. A bird flew over their head. Reid looked up, “Blue Heron,” he said, impressed by the bird.

Luke stared only at Reid. When Reid glanced back at him, Luke had lifted up his shirt.
He lifted it and pulled his shorts down slightly, revealing the scars.

“Why are you doing that?” Reid asked, his voice low now. A muscle jumped in Reid’s cheek.

“These have healed.” Some more people walked past them, but Luke just ignored them and their curious looks. He focused on Reid.

Reid was listening for him to go on, his face directly on Luke. Luke almost smiled at that. Reid didn’t think waiting was his best event, but Luke knew better. When it really mattered, Reid would wait. Luke licked his lips and paused, gathering his words slowly.

“My scars on my body have healed, “ he repeated, “but the one in here?” Luke tapped his heart. “Not as much as I thought. I hid out in Europe, and behind my father, and I thought it was all better. It wasn’t. I let this wound fester for a long time. See? Noah wasn’t the only damaged one.”

Luke lowered his shirt back. “I love you,” he told Reid softly, looking right at his eyes. “Can you deal with me and my messed up heart?”

Luke held his breath. Reid stepped to him. He put his hand on Luke’s chest, fingers splayed out.

“The heart’s just a muscle, Luke,” Reid whispered. “And you don’t need it to be fixed.”

Luke threw his arms around Reid and pulled him close. He buried his face in the warmth of Reid’s neck and clung to him.

Another bird soared over their heads. As Luke began to kiss Reid, the bird landed in the mottled nest of a nearby tree. Luke closed his eyes and saw nothing else. He kissed Reid on and on, no longer aware of time, holding him possessively, his hands stroking Reid’s face. Reid wrapped his arms at Luke’s waist.

Finally, Luke pulled away. He took the journal from Reid.

With Reid watching, Luke ripped up the first page and threw it down into the marshy water.

“I’m going to do this until it’s all gone, “ he smiled at Reid.

“Ah,” Reid put a cautionary hand on Luke’s arm, “not the best gator food.”

“Oh no!” Luke jumped back with dismay. “Oh, I wasn’t thinking. Do you really think eating paper hurts them?” Luke looked down at the still visible paper in the water.

Reid patted him reassuringly, “Maybe not one piece.”

Luke sighed. “I guess I can’t do it in some great, dramatic way. “ He walked over to the nearby trash. He smiled at Reid, and then just chucked the whole journal away.

“Done,” he told Reid.

“Sure?”

Luke nodded. Reid came over to him. He cocked his head at Luke.

“So you’re done writing? No more journaling? No more putting pen to paper to get out your thoughts?”

“Yeah.”

“Too bad.” He touched Luke’s face with affection.

“What? Aren’t you glad I’m not going to focus on my past anymore?”

“Yeah, but what about everything else? You won’t be tempted to write about it all? About us?”

Luke flushed. Reid knew him so well.

“I might be a little,” Luke said.

“Here.” Reid thrust something quickly at him. “Just don’t tell anybody I was encouraging you with this.” He looked around.

“What’s this?” Luke laughed, delighted. He held a small, leather notebook in his hands.

“A new start.” Reid’s eyes gleamed.

“Oh,” Luke exclaimed, “that’s so sweet.”

“Sweet?“ Reid looked pained, “No. It’s not sweet. I just,” He pinched the bridge of his nose a second and then he took Luke’s hand. “After I read the other journal, I felt even worse about last night so… “ Reid cleared his throat suddenly. “Besides, our story should get equal time, after all.”

“More time” Luke said laughing. “Our story will fill up a 100 notebooks.“

“Let’s go back to my place,” Reid suggested, “and I’ll give you something to write about.”

They kissed hungrily.

***

Banging open Reid’s door, they began to tear each other’s clothes off. Luke eagerly lifted off Reid’s shirt. He pressed a kiss at Reid’s collarbone. Reid returned the favor, his nimble fingers opening up the buttons of Luke’s shirt. The second the shirt was pulled off, Reid gazed at Luke’s skin, looked at it with such longing and intensity that Luke could feel his entire body just sway towards Reid. Reid leaned forward and caressed Luke’s flat nipples with his tongue. Then he murmured his name in appreciation. Luke grasped Reid’s head, pulling him closer. Luke’s hands stole their way around to the nape of Reid’s neck.

Reid yanked at Luke’s shorts, taking his underwear off too, and he threw them across the room. Their lips kissed frantically. Reid walked Luke backwards to his bedroom, not breaking the contact.

“I love you,” Luke managed to pant.

“Me too,” Reid said. “I love you.” He was kissing a hot path down Luke’s chest.

“You’re so beautiful. I just want to be with you,” Luke could no longer resist gushing to him. “I love you. I do. Everything about you.”

He waited for Reid to speak. He nudged him and felt Reid sigh.

“I love you so much,” Luke prompted. “You make me so happy.”

He waited for Reid to answer. Reid stopped kissing him and lifted his head.

“I want to hold you each night and wake up with you. I want to know each part of you,” Reid murmured back.

Luke felt his heart jump. Then he came to his senses.

“Reid!” He smacked at him. “Wait a minute – that was from my journal!”

Reid held off Luke’s slaps. “I needed to say something,” he laughed.

“Terrific,” Luke’s lip jutted out, “I want you to say your own thoughts.”

“Naw, you don’t.” Reid said, totally unapologetic for remembering lines from an entry. Luke recalled it was a passage where he was lonely and wishing to just find somebody. He felt some of his annoyance fade at that.

“You don’t want my thoughts, “ Reid told him, “because I’m no poet, Luke. I think things like, ‘maybe we can eat after this’. ‘Wonder where the chips are?’”

Luke let out a small laugh, despite himself.

Reid flashed him a smile.

“And you wrote some nice things in that journal. Really nice.”

Luke shook his head at him. “You and that photographic memory. Okay, fine. Steal my lines. But that’s it! You’re not reading my new journal. “

Reid laughed. “Okay, I won’t read it unless you offer it to me. “

“Good.”

“I’ll just tell you what to say.” Reid pretended to think this over. “I can see the first line based on your life with me. It will start out with this line, ‘Every morning, Reid wakes me with the most amazing, fantastic, explosive blowjobs of my life.’”

“I dunno. Can you live up to that? That’s a lot of adjectives?” Luke said, suddenly grinning madly.

“Please,“ Reid scoffed. He ran a finger down Luke’s body, and Luke couldn’t help the shudder he released. “I’m thinking whole chapters should be dedicated to my fingers and tongue. “

Luke laughed fully now. Reid was stroking his arousal and watching him.

“Ahh,” Luke said, “how can I be so hard and find you so funny all at the same time? “

“See? You’ll turn us into a bestselling memoir. He makes me laugh and then he fucks me senseless.”

“Eloquent. New York Times look out!” Luke giggled.

Reid dropped to his knees.

“I guess you’re more an action person than a –“ Luke’s thoughts crumpled.

Reid began to take him down his throat.

Luke’s laughter faded as he felt the wet heat of Reid’s mouth. He arched his head back. His arms went up to cover his eyes. The pressure of Reid’s tongue pushed down on his head. It glided along the underside of Luke’s erection. Luke could feel his jaw muscles working. He felt Reid’s hands holding him up higher, taking Luke more firmly in. Then Reid sucked him and Luke felt like his whole body could get sucked up in that mouth. He felt Reid’s teeth teasingly graze the sensitive flesh and then another, demanding suck.

Then those magical fingers were kneading Luke’s ass, massaging him. Luke’s breathing became labored, his body straining with urgency. His lips parted and a cry was torn from Luke’s throat. Reid’s mouth was still on him, ardently tasting and then devouring his cock.

“Oh please,” Luke choked out. His body moved instinctively for more. Reid had him all the way inside now. Luke’s face flushed. His body felt a wave of heat.

Reid’s mouth held the weight of his cock, pumping and pumping it, never letting it go.

Luke surrendered, fully and joyously. He let his body convulse, felt Reid drinking him in. He was in a thick fog of delight.

Reid went back up Luke’s trembling body. He was the only reason Luke had not fallen to the rug. Reid took Luke’s hands away from his face, then Reid’s lips came crashing down on his own. As Luke opened his mouth, a few drops of cum that Reid had held released down into Luke’s throat. Luke swallowed his own taste.

Luke’s eyes widened in shock. “You could have told me you were planning to do that.”

Reid didn’t answer. He began to suck and nibble at Luke’s neck.

Luke felt like his entire body was humming. For a moment longer, Luke just floated in a state of bliss.

Then Luke looked at Reid. He stopped his kisses a moment and took his head in his hands. Reid met his eyes.

“If I get woken up with blowjobs –“ Luke’s voice was heavy.

“Amazing, fantastic, explosive ones,” Reid corrected.

“Does that mean I wake up here with you daily?” Luke continued. He ran a hand over Reid’s face and then held him by the back of his head, threading his fingers in his hair.

“I told you earlier,“ Reid said, “I want to touch you 24 hours a day. “

Luke beamed at him.

They walked the few steps to the bed and Luke pushed Reid on to it first. He climbed on top of him. Luke took off the rest of Reid’s clothes and then rested his head a second on Reid’s bare stomach. He looked up at him and offered a giant smile.

“Or we could buy our own place?” Luke asked and Reid just nodded. Luke didn’t think he could smile any wider, but he felt his lips keep stretching open.

“Okay,” Reid was saying a small smile on his own face now, “but I need more than a place. I need a castle by the sea.”

Luke laughed and raised himself up to Reid. “That was the worst imitation of my father’s accent I’ve ever heard.”

He kissed Reid soundly, their mouths making happy noises together. He let his tongue circle Reid’s lower and then upper lip. He tasted him again.

Then Luke shimmied down his body, his hands touching Reid as he went. Soon he was all the way down, Reid’s foot in his hand.

“I will make love to you now,” Luke said, easily mimicking Damian’s voice, “ and kiss every place on your body.”

Luke kissed the arch of Reid’s foot, and then suckled Reid’s toes. Reid made a surprised groan and bucked up. Luke kissed his leg gently. “And then we can discuss castles by the sea.”

Luke began to hold and caress him, their silliness giving way to more.

Luke kissed on every part of Reid’s body, his movements slow and deliberate. Luke spent long moments just gazing openly at Reid’s limbs, his stomach, his cock. He’d look at him and then carefully begin to savor him. With each steady touch, Luke could feel Reid’s barriers dissolving. Luke loved the way Reid could no longer be guarded here, not in the bedroom. His mouth was open, eyes closed, and face vulnerable. He let his palm circle Reid’s cock. At the same time, Luke lubed and guided Reid’s fingers to him, until he felt slick and ready. Then Luke rolled a condom on him. He lowered his body down on Reid’s, joining them, taking Reid inside of him.

“Look at me,” Luke whispered, “let me see you.”

Reid grasped Luke’s hips and pushed Luke even harder down, making Luke gasp. Then Reid’s eyes opened and they stared at each other for a second. Luke gasped again, but this time it was because of Reid’s face – he felt like Reid’s heart was right there in his eyes.

Their bodies now moved together, writhing and aching for it. Luke drove himself up and down on Reid’s cock, his flesh yearning for connection with him. It was never going to be enough, he wanted so much. Luke was giddy with pleasure, with happiness. He bent his head down to Reid’s shoulder and gave it a slow, tantalizing lick. He smiled as he nibbled his neck, and Reid arched his head back for more. Reid’s whole body felt open to him then. Luke ran his palms up and down in a gentle touch. Half-dreaming, Luke pressed his lips again to Reid’s lips, and rode him in loving strokes. Everything he held inside, he was now giving to Reid, turning his soul over to him, trusting him to love it forever.

“Luke-Luke-Luke-Luke,” Reid shouted out in a dazed chant. His pelvis thrust upwards, pushing himself in deeper, grinding his body closer. Reid’s fingers dug desperately into Luke’s buttocks. His head began to thrash back and forth on the pillow.

Reid quickened the rhythm, moving Luke’s body, urging Luke to ride him faster. He moaned. Luke moaned too. They kissed each other fiercely, and then there was a rush of intense pleasure.

Luke collapsed onto Reid, a sweaty, satisfied mess. Reid held him to his body, still inside of Luke, and gently rubbed at the small of Luke’s back.

They remained connected and gave each other lazy smiles. Their nude bodies glistened; their hands were linked. Their eyes were open with love.

***

Three weeks later, Luke had sent for all of his belongings in Rome. He and Reid were still living in Reid’s condo, but Luke was actively looking for a small house near the beach. WMB was still his first priority for PR, but Luke had already picked up a few potential clients who’d heard about his success at WMB. They’d also seen the full magazine article that Newsweek had done on Reid, leaving out the boyfriend part and focusing (as they should) on Reid’s work and the organization. He’d clipped it out and framed it, insisting a grumbling Reid put it in his office. Luke was happily fixing up that space, adding plants and pictures and letting Reid have office sex with him on his desk to convince him. He could only imagine all the sex he’d have to give Reid during the time he would want to decorate their house.

Damian and Jessica were still corresponding. Damian had plans to visit them all in a few weeks. Luke, meanwhile, promised his mother a week’s stay in Oakdale. He’d already bought two tickets for the week of July 4th. Reid had merely shrugged, accepting the large sandwich Luke had made him, and agreed to go to Oakdale with him. It amused Luke to see Reid so innocently chewing his sandwich; he had no clue about what awaited him in Oakdale. The thought of his family no longer filled Luke with dread. He was ready to go back to visit and to show off Reid.

The weeks had just flown by, and Luke couldn’t believe that he’d yet to write a word in his new journal. He had it with him now. He and Reid were at the condo’s pool. Luke had chatted with some neighbors there, and was planning a small party with them. He wanted to invite Claudia and Jessica too. Maybe even Long John.

Luke could see Reid swimming laps in the small pool. Reid’s body was sure and strong. Luke smiled and adjusted his sunglasses. He loved it here. He loved his man. He loved his life. He let out a deeply, contented sigh.


Then he opened up the small notebook, grabbed a pen and began:

Every morning, Reid wakes me with the most amazing, fantastic, explosive blowjobs of my life .



The End

A/N: Hope you guys liked the ending! Thanks so much for the beautiful comments!

Without Borders 12
Title: Without Borders 12
Author: Marsabi
Summary: Noah remains blind, and he abandons Oakdale and Luke. Luke is left feeling guilty and lost, so he decides to focus on the foundation and PR work. Luke moves the foundation to Rome and avoids America. However, two years later, his family in Oakdale has been pressuring him to visit, and when an old friend calls him with a problem with her medical organization’s image, Luke agrees to fly to Miami. But can he turn their best doctor into a media star? As the cameras roll, Luke soon finds himself in a “pretend” relationship with Dr. Oliver …
Warning: none
Rating: PG- NC-17
First of all, a big shout of thanks to the amazing rhiannonhero! Thanks also to lovely traciamc



Chapter Twelve



Luke’s ass had never felt so sore. His entire body was moving like he’d just ridden a horse for hours. Of course, in this case, he was the one ridden. To say he felt like Reid owned his ass, had pounded on and kissed every inch of it, would be no exaggeration.

Sexual satisfaction hung in the air between them; Luke was sure Damian would smell it. But he didn’t care. Reid was by his side about to meet his father. Luke’s eyes drank him in hungrily.

“Ready to go in?” Luke asked him. “Don’t worry. My father promised me he’d behave.”

Reid gave him a doubtful look.

“I shouldn’t have shared so much about Damian and my childhood,” Luke said. “He’s really supportive now.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Course if he drives you to a camp for straightening queers, I’d advise you to leap out of the car.”

“Right.”

“If he offers to take you to a mental hospital, I’d stash some rope to climb out the window.”

“Got it.”

“If he tells you he’s dying, just give him a full brain scan.”

“Can do.”

“See,” Luke grinned widely, “it’ll be easy.”

Reid grasped his hand. “And this is the parent you feel closest to?”

Luke shrugged. “Pretty much.”

“What’d you tell your father about me anyhow?”

“Hmm,” Luke pretended to think about it, “that you’re rude, egotistical… and have a gigantic cock that’s fully loaded and uses me frequently as a sexual target. “

The corners of Reid’s mouth kicked up.

“Ahh, so you were honest with him,” Reid said.

Luke gasped with laughter. He was about to kiss Reid when he heard a familiar shout.

“Luciano!” His father called, coming out of the restaurant. “There you are.”

“Luciano?” Reid whispered to him as they both watched Damian coming over.

“My birth name,” Luke said.

“You mean I don’t even know the legal name of the man I’m sleeping with?” Reid asked.

“Turned on?” Luke grinned again.

“Rock hard,” Reid replied.

Then Damian reached them and they all went inside.

***

Damian was charming and civil at dinner at Joe’s Stone Crab, mainly because of Jessica. Luke ate his crab and watched them, wondering when Damian would go after Reid. He knew it would happen. Reid, meanwhile, seemed content to eat his meal and rub his foot up at Luke’s ankle.

“Stone crab,” Jessica smiled, “what a treat.”

“Here,“ Damian dipped a piece of the crab into melted butter. “Open your mouth.”

Jessica Griffin, head of WMB, let out a girlish giggle. She let Damian feed her. Then Damian dipped a piece for himself. He stared at Jessica as he ate it and then licked the butter slowly from his lips.

“This is embarrassing,” Luke groaned in Reid’s ear. “I’m sorry.”

“Why?” Reid shrugged, “Jessica deserves a night out. And I’d say your father’s about to give it to her all night long.”

“Reid!”

“So your dad is on the prowl,” Reid laughed, “and he isn’t bad to watch in action. He’s kind of attractive to see flirting.”

“Are you saying my father is hot?” Luke’s tone became indignant.

“Hot and climbing all over Jessica,” Reid grinned. He stared at Luke. “Relax. I like the younger Grimaldi version. The pouty, high maintenance one.”

“Thanks a lot,” Luke had to smile though, Reid’s foot was now moving along his thigh.
Jessica and Damian devoured their crab.

Reid was much more meticulous with his. He was the only one at the table who’d refused to wear the bib. “Not even when I was a baby,” Reid said to the waiter with a look. Now Luke watched Reid take his tiny fork and wield it expertly in one hand, pulling out the meat in full chunks. He didn’t have one drop of butter or juice on him.

Luke broke off a small crab leg and sucked at the juice. At the same time, he rubbed his foot back at Reid. Reid looked at him, sucking on the crab leg. His eyes darkened. A moment later, Luke felt Reid’s hand glide over his crotch.

“Do you like the crab?” Damian was asking Luke.

“I do,” Luke said, his voice a little thick. He broke off another leg.

“Me too.” Reid said, “the crab is very,” he watched Luke a moment, “succulent.”

“I was reading an article about the dangers of mercury,” Jessica offered, “but they said shellfish was fine.”

“Just what we need the FDA to be doing,” Reid said, “doing more studies where they take back the findings of their older studies. Genius use of time. “

Damian had finished his crab, cracking it right down the middle. He ordered Jessica some more wine and toasted her.

“To Miami beauty,” he said smoothly.

Jessica let out another giggle.

Luke met Reid’s eyes.

“He gets away with anything with that accent,” Luke whispered.

“Fake that accent with me later, Luciano, “ Reid flirted, “and I’ll do anything you want.”

Luke suddenly felt his father watching them.

“Dr. Oliver,” Damian said pleasantly. “Tell me about your medical background.”

“It’s all on file,” Reid shrugged, “I’m sure you checked. “

“Reid’s very dedicated,” Jessica offered.

“And your personal background? “ Damian pursued. “Your family?”

“Not a concern,” Reid said.

“Reid’s private.” Jessica smiled fondly at him.

“I’m not private,“ Reid said irritated. “I’m professional.”

“Why is it not professional to share your family with some colleagues?” Damian countered.

“Dad,” Luke injected quickly, “I’m sure Reid will share things if he wants to.”

Luke uneasily sipped his water. He looked at Damian’s passive face and wasn’t fooled. Luke gave him a look to back off. Damian smiled innocently at him.

Luke was also certain Damian had checked Reid’s background thoroughly- all of it. He probably already knew everything from the color of Reid’s baby blanket right through his graduation day. He frowned at his father.

Then Luke turned his attention back to his crab. Nervously, he attempted to open it up. Every time he tried to crack it, the crab kept on slipping away from him. Luke attempted to hold it in place, and again the crab moved slightly . With an impatient snort, Reid suddenly took Luke’s plate and utensils, opened up the meat in one quick cut, and then slid the plate back to him. Luke looked at Reid, and he smiled at him. Reid’s mouth twitched slightly. He gave Luke back his cracker and his fork. Their fingers touched. Luke’s smile grew dreamy. He gazed into Reid’s eyes.

“Reid,” Jessica turned to him. Reid reluctantly took his eyes off of Luke. “Speaking of your professional life…I need your surgical skills, I know you aren’t due back yet, but can you come to the hospital in the morning?”

“Why? I’m not scheduled for anything until Wednesday.”

“I know. But we had an accident victim brought in- bad head trauma. If you can’t come in, Channing will do the procedure-”

“Channing? “ Reid scoffed. “I can operate better than him with just my pinky.”

Jessica smiled slightly, “So you can come in?”

“I’ll be there.”

“It’s a hard case.”

Reid shifted all of his attention to Jessica, dropping his foot from Luke’s. “Tell me.” Reid’s face lit up.

Jessica went over the facts of the case, but Luke was no longer listening. Luke studied Reid.

Luke could see a little eagerness in his eyes. He was clearly missed operating and being in the hospital, despite their time together. Luke could almost smell Reid’s sudden desire to cut into a brain.

“If we only had more equipment- “ Jessica was saying to Reid now.

“We will,” Reid paused and looked at Damian , “soon.”

Damian inclined his head in acknowledgement. Luke caught his breath. Here we go, he thought.

“What are your plans for the neuro-wing?” Damian asked him directly. “Can you tell me, Dr. Oliver?”

“Call him Reid,“ Luke said quickly.

They ignored him.

“I plan to make the neuro-wing the best damn brain trauma unit in America.” Reid met Damian’s eyes.

“You seem very certain of yourself.”

“If you have read my file, “ Reid said simply, “you already know I’m the best.”

Damian grunted. He looked at Jessica. “And you second this?”

Jessica nodded. “Reid is excellent.” She gave Damian a wide smile. “And you're so generous to help WMB.”

Damian preened a little. “I enjoy helping.”

“Not every person with money does.”

Damian leaned closer to her. “Thank you. My heart sings when you are pleased.”

Even Reid rolled his eyes at that one. Luke smothered a laugh. Jessica glowed.

The meal continued. Reid had survived the first test.

It wasn’t long though, when Jessica’s beeper went off. “I’m sorry- work.” She looked around regretfully. “I have to leave.”

“The night is young!” Damian protested. “ Come back after your work. We still need dessert. A nightcap!”

“Not for me. Once they have me at that hospital, I’ll be stuck there all night. Ask Reid “ she laughed. “He knows how it is.”

She leaned down and kissed Damian on both cheeks. “Besides,” Jessica rubbed her
stomach. “I’m stuffed. Thank you for the wonderful meal.”

“And wonderful company,” Damian said.

Jessica beamed at him. “I haven’t had this much fun flirting, since my ex-husband Duncan took me to a Scottish castle,“ she said simply.

“Then you must come to Malta,” Damian said, his eyes locked on Jessica, “and see my castle by the sea.”

Jessica sighed. “Sounds heavenly. “

“To a future date with a lovely lady,” Damian lifted his drink to her.

Jessica sighed again. She came around and hugged Luke. Then she nodded at Reid.

“Behave,” she told Reid.

Reid raised his eyebrow at her, “I think I need to be telling you that.”

Jessica blushed. “All work and no play….” She shrugged. Then she went to Damian and blew him a kiss.

“Call me,” she said.

“I will,” Damian rose to his feet. Luke and Reid followed suit.

“Marvelous woman,” Damian said with a smile.

When she was out of sight though, Damian’s charming smile faded, “Let’s order dessert now. Something sweet. And discuss other matters.”

“ Dad,“ Luke pointed at Reid’s plate, “Reid’s still eating his main course.”

Damian smiled, “Alright. We wait on the dessert a few minutes. But perhaps a drink for now, Dr. Oliver?”

Reid nodded yes.

Damian ordered two brandies.

“You were very smooth with Jessica ,” Luke told his father, trying to keep the conversation in neutral.

“I’m a good talker,” Damian shrugged. He sipped his drink.

“Well, me too,” Luke laughed, “Ask Reid. I have great oral skills.”

Reid and Damian stared at him.

“I mean, talking skills,” Luke blushed.

“I absolutely agree,” Reid said with a smirk. He drank some of the brandy.

Damian lowered his drink and turned a steely eye on Reid.

“So Dr. Oliver,” Damian began, “you explained the wing somewhat. And I do believe in Jessica’s good opinion. But, “ Damian paused, “ I need to know. Just what are your intentions with my son?”

They both looked at Luke.

Luke flushed. “Dad-“

Reid looked at Damian unflinchingly. “What I plan to do with Luke is none of your business. Luke’s a grown man.”

“You wouldn’t be the first to try and use the Grimaldis,” Damian said, “for our money or power. Perhaps this is your real interest in Luciano?”

Reid slowly lowered his fork.

“You got me,” Reid said and clapped his hands together. “Figured out my master plan. I’m not really a brilliant neurosurgeon trying to build a wing at all.” Reid shook off Luke’s arm on his shoulder. “ All those brains I operated on and repaired were just flukes. See I knew Luke was coming to Miami, so for the last eight years or so, I’ve been here plotting, waiting,” Reid rubbed his hands together like he was scheming. “I knew he would be unable to resist me. Once he gives me those funds, I really I plan to take Luke’s money and live in Key West and spend my time singing Jimmy Buffet tunes.”

“Great joking,” Luke tried to give a laugh, ”he’s got an odd sense of humor. He just –“

“Seriously,” Reid said. “That was my plan.”

“Please!” Luke said.

“Course I knew Luke would be fall right into the trap in about one day.”

“Reid-“

“Okay, maybe two.”

Luke turned and scowled at Reid. Reid picked up his fork, easily extracting the crab meat and chewed.

“Many people aren’t what they seem,” Damian said coldly. “Even in our own family, there were imposters.”

“Ahh,“ Reid said, “now it makes sense.” He nodded sagely. “ Paranoia in one of the first signs of it,” Reid said.

“What?” Damian said.

“Oh boy,” Luke mumbled and dropped his head into his hands.

“Of Capgras delusion. It a neurological disorder.” Reid talked on while he stuffed more crab into his mouth. “Patients think everybody is out to get them and nobody is who they seem. Might want to have yourself checked out.” Reid gave a small smile and tapped at the side of his head. “Just saying.”

Luke looked up and then squirmed at Damian’s face.

“Most people don’t speak to me that way,” Damian replied slowly and bared his teeth at Reid.

Reid shrugged, “I’m unique.”

“Dad,” Luke tried to interrupt. “Reid.”

“Noah never spoke to me like that.”

The name hung in the air.

“I’m sure.”

“He might be easily found, you know.”

“Dad!” Luke tried to jump in again. “I wouldn’t want to find Noah.”

Both men ignored him.

“I’m sure he’s out there somewhere,” Reid agreed. “He’s probably blindly jacking off right now, regretting letting Luke go, and knowing it was the worst mistake of his stupid, mediocre life.”

Damian turned his attention to Luke. “He called me, you know.” He spoke softly.

Luke caught his lip.

Reid frowned.

“Right before he walked out on you. “ Damian seemed lost in thought. His eyes glittered with an intense emotion.

“What – what did he say?”

Luke knew his face must have showed his apprehension then.How he wished he had a face that registered nothing. His heart pounded.Had Noah revealed that he’d hit Luke?

Reid sensed his alarm and gently rested his hand on Luke’s left thigh.

“He called and told me that you were a mess. “ Damian’s voice was clipped, his mouth tight. “That he was concerned and you were drinking again. He thought I should know how bad you’d gotten. ”

Luke clenched his teeth. “That’s sounds like him. I bet he was all morally righteous with you on the phone and told you how much he respects you and how much of a disaster I am.“ Luke swore, “Fucking ass kisser.”

Damian’s mouth fell. “Luciano,” he said, “I’ve never heard you speak this rudely before.”

“Blame me,” Reid said suddenly, “I’m a really bad influence on him.” His hand soothingly made a circle of warmth on Luke’s leg.

Luke’s heart was in his throat. He didn’t want to tell Damian how ugly it had all gotten, but he would tell him if it was necessary. He took a deep breath and gathered up his resolve. “Dad, “ he said, “Noah wasn’t concerned about me; he wasn’t what he appeared.”

“I know that,” Damian said abruptly. “I am a Grimaldi, after all.“ Damian’s face went taut with emotion.

“What’d you tell him?” Luke asked.

“That if he truly wanted what’s best for you, then he’d be helping you into rehab and not planning to take you away from the family.“ Damian’s mouth tightened. “The next thing I heard he’d abandoned you.”

Damian’s eyes glittered dangerously. He downed the rest of his brandy. He examined Reid again.

“So, forgetting Mr. Mayer, I repeat, what’re your intentions with my son?” Damian’s voice was soft as silk.

“Dad,” Luke stopped him. “I appreciate where this is coming from. I know it’s from your heart. But like Reid said- I’m a grown up. “

Damian stared at Luke. His steely face cracked a moment, and Luke spotted the vulnerability just underneath.

“I can count on Reid,” Luke told his father firmly. “He’s a pain in the ass, but – “

“Not an ass kisser,” Reid finished for him, making Luke smile.

Luke felt some of the tightness finally easing out of his chest.

Reid pushed away his dinner plate.

Reid glanced back at Luke briefly, but Luke saw warmth in his eyes. Then Reid looked at Damian. “Look, all kidding aside, I’ll say this once –“

Whatever it was, Reid didn’t get the chance. Damian’s phone buzzed.

He glanced at it. “Jessica,” He mouthed. “Yes?“ Damian said, he played with the edge of his napkin. “Not as long as you thought, eh? No, I don’t mind late. After your work then. Bellismo ! I look forward to having you,” Damian smiled, “with me.”

He hung up and looked at them. “ A little fun planned.“ Damian said. “ Now where were we?”

“We were here,” Luke told him. He turned to a surprised Reid. He firmly clasped Reid’s mouth and kissed him breathless.

“I’m also, finally, having fun,” Luke told his father. “I’m happy.”

Luke beamed a smile at both men.

Both men seemed unable to resist smiling back at him.

“Now we can order dessert.” Reid said. He signaled to the waiter and his cart full of sweets.

“Cheesecake or pie?” Damian asked, a subtle glint of humor on his own face.

“Reid will eat both, “ Luke answered absently. He held up a hand to stop the waiter from coming over. “But one more thing. “

Both men sighed.

Luke ignored that. He turned to Damian. “I expect Reid to get the foundation funds, with no strings, and have them released ASAP. You,” Luke said thrusting finger at Reid, “will go over the plans in detail with my father and be agreeable about it. And you,“ Luke thrust the same finger now at Damian, “will listen to my boyfriend and be charming to him from now on.”

When both men were silent, Luke gave a nod of satisfaction.

Luke saw Reid and Damian exchange a meaningful glance.

He waved the waiter over with the dessert cart.

They all started to eat.

“He is rather bossy,” Reid complained to Damian, as he ate some pie.

“He gets that from his mother,” Damian said smoothly, and took a bite of cheesecake.

***

As they waited for their cars outside the valet, Damian took Luke’s hand.

Reid had gone to the restroom. It was just the two of them.

“I leave in a day. I want to spend more time with you.”

“Me too.”

“Remember,” Damian told him, ” It’s fine to have a fun fling. But use your head.”

“It’s more than that.”

“Is it?” Damian just looked at him.

Reid came back to them. He looked from Luke to Damian.

Luke smiled. He could feel sparks of attraction starting between him and Reid. He linked his fingers with Reid’s.

“Well,” Damian shrugged as his car pulled up. “We’ll have all the time in the world soon.”
Luke turned back to his father. “What do you mean?”

“When you come home,” Damian said simply.

Luke stared at his father.

“Well ah, “ Luke stuttered, “I have a press release to do, maybe two.” Luke said, feeling Reid’s eyes on him.

Damian nodded. ”And then home, yes? The foundation needs you. Your mail is stacked up too high.”

Luke bit his lip. “I’m sure, but-“

He looked again at Reid. He waited a second for Reid to jump in and demand Luke stay in Miami.

Reid stared back at him.

“How’s the weather in Rome right now?” Luke said weakly.

“Ah, rain. Your office view might be cloudy. But it will be so good to work side by side again, right?”

“Right,” Luke said distractedly. Why wasn’t Reid giving him a sign to stay?

“It was good to meet you,” Damian was saying now smoothly to Reid, shaking his hand. “I’m sure Luciano will enjoy vacation time here.”

“Thanks.”

They both watched as Damian climbed into his car.

“He really loves having me in Rome,” Luke murmured.

Reid said nothing.

Their car came. Luke tipped the valet and they went in.

Luke rested his hands on the wheel a second. He had Reid had not discussed the future. He waited. Reid didn’t speak.

“Aren’t you going to ask me?”

“Ask what?”

“Ask me not to go back.”

Slowly, Reid shook his head.

“You’re not?” Luke said, hurt. He turned the key in the ignition, suddenly feeling miserable.

“That’s your decision,” Reid told him.

“I’m asking you to tell me what you think that I should do.” Luke waited. Tell me to stay, please, please, please .

“Like I told your father, “ Reid said as he stared out the car window, “You’re an adult.”

“He has a dream about us- me - being his heir and running the business, you know?”

“Right.”

“He just wants that son and father thing.” Luke swallowed hard. “And I just want to make him happy.” He attempted a quick glance at Reid’s set face. “And you . And me.”

Reid made a rude noise, “You can’t make everybody happy, Luke,” he snorted. “that’s not the way the world works.”

“Says the man who doesn’t care if he makes anybody happy,” Luke shot back defensively.

Reid didn’t get how Damian had helped him through so much. How he’d lifted him up. Saved him.

“Do you want me to stay?” Luke asked again, as he turned off the exit-ramp and headed to the condo.

“That’s a choice you have to make,” Reid said again. His lips came together firmly. He wouldn’t say more.

They pulled up to the condo and they both got out. Luke held his keys in his hand so tightly he could feel a mark.

“So you don’t care,” Luke said angrily, “what I do. Where I live?“

“That isn’t what I said,” Reid began.

“No,” Luke interrupted. “You don’t say much, do you?”

“Well, how ‘bout you?” Reid replied tightly.

“What?”

“You could have just told Damian you were staying here. But no. You were all – ‘Yes, father. No, father. How’s the weather.’ It was idiotic. If you want to stay then stay- if you don’t-“ Reid stopped abruptly.

Luke folded his arms across his chest. Why wouldn’t Reid just ask him to stay?

“Is this a pride thing?” Luke asked him.

“Get over yourself,” Reid snorted.

“What?”

“You think everything revolves around you. You’re not the center of my universe.”

“I never said I was,” Luke’s voice was hollow sounding.

“Did I hit a nerve? “ Reid said. “Need me to reassure you now? ” Reid shook his head emphatically. “Do you ever think for yourself?”

“Shut up!”

“No, I’m interested. Did you ever make a decision without your family or your ex? Did you ever take control of anything?” Reid went up to Luke.

Luke body shook with anger.

“You’re such a jerk. I’d forgotten what an asshole you can be.”

“And I’ve forgotten what a spoiled brat you can be - “ Reid drew his breath in.

Their faces were inches apart. Luke’s hands were pushed against Reid’s chest. He could feel the warmth of Reid’s skin beneath his shirt.

Luke dropped his hands and took a step back from him.

Reid also stepped back.

“I’m not doing this,” Reid said quietly, and Luke felt a stab of deep hurt.

Reid rubbed his fingers over his face quickly. “I think I should go in. Jessica wants me at work to help her tomorrow and…” He fell silent.

“Fine,” Luke shrugged, “whatever.”

Reid started away.

“Doesn’t matter to me,” Luke added in his bitchiest tone. “Do whatever you need to do.”

“You too,” Reid said coldly.

He watched Reid walk away. Luke felt like he was burning up inside. He turned the air on in his car and rolled the windows down, but nothing helped. He started back to his hotel, but then drove past it. Luke cruised up and down AIA.

He drove along the beach. He glanced hopefully at his phone as it buzzed. Reid? No. It was his mother. Luke ignored the call. He’d been ignoring her calls for a while. He drove faster. How had this happened? How had they gone from “I love you” this afternoon to this huge fight? It was a stupid fight too. He knew it was ridiculous. He should turn around . Go back. Luke shook his head in confusion, a little stunned. No, he wasn’t going to beg Reid to have him stay. He wasn’t going to be whiny and needy. Luke turned onto the highway and raced the car down I-95. Let the cops pull him over. He didn’t care. He put his foot down and felt the speed. Faster, faster- Luke drove on. He drove all night.

Reid never called.

At dawn, Luke slowly made his way back to his hotel, his mind numb, his body aching for Reid. He took a long shower and crawled into the bed. Luke was painfully aware of Reid’s absence; how he was craving him. Not for sex, but just to be near him. He wanted to nuzzle his face in Reid’s neck and to wake up in his steady arms.

Luke twisted in his bed fretfully. He would fix this. He would go to the hospital in a few hours and have it out again with Reid. He’d make Reid admit he wanted Luke to stay. He’d force the words out of him.

Luke hugged the pillow. Every time he squeezed his eyes shut, he still saw Reid’s face, his beautiful face. Luke could picture Reid in the shower as he leaned in to kiss Luke’s lips, Reid trying not to laugh at Luke’s doing yoga, Reid’s eyes the night he told Luke that he could stay, Reid’s intensity at the moment he’d said he loved him. He’s mine and I’m his . Luke sighed and glided his hand over the pillow next to him. There was no way this was over, no way. A few hot tears escaped Luke’s eyes. He touched the pillow again. He’s mine and I’m his .

Sleep finally found him.