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 13 (last)


It wasn’t going well. Reid tried to do it all quietly, but Bob refused to listen.

“I’m perfectly fine," he kept on insisting.

He wouldn’t take the test and Reid had to get Kim involved. She’d forced Bob to do it, all the while shooting looks of hatred at Reid. Kim turned her back on him and made some phone calls, and Reid just paced the hallway. They’d given each other space for a good hour. Kim kept the phone glued to her ear and made more calls, and Reid had fallen back into his old habit of doing math problems in his head. Every so often, Reid took out his own phone and checked for messages. None. Well, what had he expected? He had been pretty harsh at Java. He had no right to think Luke would call him. Even if he did, nothing had changed. Reid hugged his arms to his body. He walked the halls some more. His scrubs felt sweaty and Reid tugged at them, an unwanted image of following Bob around in his first pair of scrubs came to his mind like a painful flash. Reid turned, almost knocking his body into the wall, wanting to pound his hand into it or butt his head against it or do something, anything, to release all this feeling zeroing in on him. Reid squeezed his eyes shut. He would control himself. He picked up some stupid magazines and paged through them. Let me be wrong, Reid thought, let me be wrong.

Some more time passed. Suddenly, waiting, Reid understood what Luke had been trying to tell him about building a family wing. Waiting in a hospital sucked so much. Families needed a place to go, to grieve, pray, cry or whatever. Luke had been so right. Thinking about him, Reid held himself motionless, trying to ward off the wave of pain moving through him. Reid blinked hard, a burning feeling behind his eyes. Even if Luke hated him now, Reid just wanted him here. He wanted to hold him, to hear his name on Luke’s lips, and to be in Luke’s arms.

Finally, Bob came back and the results arrived. It was confirmed. Bob had senile dementia. It was still in the early stages, but seeing the results, Reid had to lean against the hospital wall. Bob took the news without expression, locking his office door, leaving Kim and Reid to face one another.

“Did you have to push all this so soon?” Kim said to him. “Why couldn’t we do the test without his knowledge? “

“Because I needed his consent,” Reid said, speaking to her like a dimwitted child. “And because Bob should know what’s going on.”

“And now he’s in his office devastated,” Kim snapped. She yanked off one of her earrings and glared at him. “You know, I think we should just slow all of this down and wait a moment. “ Kim ran her hand through her short hair. “I need to think.”

“Wait?” Reid replied. “Wait for what? Bob to start drooling? Incontinence?” Reid shook his head. “Bob needs treatment to begin right away.”

“This is a delicate matter,” Kim argued. “Bob is a proud man. “ She tightened her lips. “And frankly, Dr. Oliver, I question your motives.”

“My motives?” Reid gave her a look like she was certifiable.

Kim nodded emphatically at him. “Yes. You come to me, insisting on tests, making all kinds of assumptions about Bob.“

“I’m not assuming anything. We have the test results.”

“-And I’m not promising you anything,” Kim cut him off. “I want to take a long moment and examine the situation clearly.”

“Bob needs treatment,” Reid said again. "Right now. He can’t wait for you to go to high tea with the gals and mull it over. By the time you think about it, you’ll be pushing Bob in a wheelchair and chewing his food for him."

Kim gasped. “You're an awful man. I have no idea what Bob sees in you. You don’t know what Bob needs; I’m his wife. And I want another opinion. I’m going to call Christopher in Africa and –“

Reid groaned. “If you’re going to get a second opinion at least get an expert's,” Reid said. “Not some idiot relation’s bad advice.”

“Chris is not an idiot.”

“Sorry, was that not PC? Intellectually challenged,” Reid corrected himself.

“I ought to flatten you!” Kim exclaimed.

“Well, have at it,” Reid snapped back. “I’ve been hit for less important reasons –“

“Okay, that’s enough! Stop right now!” Luke was suddenly there, grabbing Reid, dragging him away from an irate Kim.

“Wait,“ Reid protested, but Luke shoved him down the hall and into his office.

Luke let him go and closed the door.

“You had no right to do that. You have no idea what was going on there.”

“Maybe not,” Luke agreed. “But I know that making Kim crazy isn’t the answer to any problem you might be having with her. Can you just calm down?” Luke took his shoulder.

“Can you just mind your own business?” Reid rolled his eyes. He broke away from Luke’s grip.

“Whatever it is can be worked out with Bob’s help -“

“Bob can’t help,” Reid barked out. “I need to help Bob. “

Luke’s eyes darkened with concern. He reached out to Reid again, attempting to calm him. Reid dodged the touch. He couldn’t bear it. He staggered farther away.

“What’re you doing here anyway?” Reid’s voice was raw.

Luke shrugged. “I have a board meeting about the new wing.” Luke puffed out his chest defensively. “I didn’t come to bother you.”

They faced each other, unable to avoid looking at each other any longer.

Reid couldn’t help the disappointment at Luke’s words, his heart skidding to a stop.

“But since I am here,“ Luke said. “Why don’t you tell me how bad is Bob?”

“I’ll give you the short version. Bob needs my help. Kim is an idiot. You pulled me away from a fist fight.”

“Reid,” Luke half-smiled. “I know you’d never physically fight with Kim.”

“I wouldn’t be too sure of that,” Reid grumbled. “I was prepared to clock her.”

Luke frowned. ”Then Bob must be showing symptoms already? ”

Reid shook his head, his eyes glistening a moment. “I can’t talk about it. It’s privileged.” Then he realized what Luke just said. “Wait, you know?”

Luke nodded. “This is Oakdale, Reid . The whole town knows. Kim called Barbara and Margo. That’s all it took. Margo called everybody else, including Casey. He got in touch with me. So you don’t need to keep quiet. Talk to me.“ Luke knitted his brows together. “How bad off he is. Reid?”

Reid stood silently, unable to speak, his fingers digging into his skin.

As usual, Luke easily understood what Reid couldn’t say out loud. Luke drew in a breath. “God. Can you help him?”

Reid threw up his hands. He began to pace the room. “Sort of. There are medications, memantine or donepezil. Vitamins.“ Reid swallowed hard. “He’ll need haloperidol too for his mood changes; things that might help for awhile, but only awhile.”

“Well,” Luke said. “That’s good. It’ll help him. Help his symptoms.”

“No it’s not,” Reid snapped. “It’s temporary. Do you understand? He can’t be fixed. I can’t cut open his brain and solve this. There isn’t a magic pill or a surgery to help him and over time his mind - “ Reid broke off.

He stumbled over to the wall, leaning against it for support, and ran his hands over his face.

“How is Bob taking it?” Luke asked gently, and took a small step in Reid’s direction.

“How do you think?” Reid rolled his eyes. “He doesn’t want to admit it’s happening.“ Reid frowned at Luke. “He’s a doctor, after all.”

“What does that mean?”

Reid let out an exasperated noise. “You can’t be a doctor and a patient. It doesn’t work that way. “ He paced back and forth again, pinching his nose. “We don’t have illnesses, we treat them.”

“That’s stupid,” Luke protested. “Doctors can get sick – they aren’t Gods.”

“You don’t get it,” Reid said, his voice cracking.

“Once a doctor is patient -” Reid just shook his head. "All the lines are blurred. And with Bob, it’s only a matter of time. I’ve been looking at the research, trying -“ Reid closed his eyes a moment. “I can’t figure out what to do.”

Reid put his hands to his temples and then slowly opened his eyes again. His eyes felt bloodshot. Reid felt a tug of desperation as he looked at Luke, his hands twitched, his insides contracted painfully. He’d always been so sure of what he wanted and where he was going, and now Reid felt like his life was somersaulting. He kept his eyes on Luke, not moving.

Catching his lip with his teeth, Luke came closer, making a sympathetic sound and giving Reid a tender glance. “Reid-“ Luke said quietly, his eyes soft, he tilted his head to one side. “You can’t fix everyone.”

“Why not?” Reid answered. He breathed deeply, his chest rising and falling.

Luke’s face was etched with compassion, and he started swiftly toward him again.

Reid jumped back, putting up a hand to stop Luke. “No, no, no,“ Reid mumbled to himself. He shook his head vigorously, banging his forehead with his hand. “This was all a mistake.” He looked at Luke. “Why did I let Bob bring me here? Reminding me of all the times he helped me out as a kid? The medicine he taught me.“ Reid swallowed hard, choking on his feelings. “Why did I ever come here and have to see him again?” He looked at Luke. “And see you-“

Reid stopped talking, unable to finish his sentence, his eyes lingering on Luke’s.

“Bob won’t be able to practice medicine soon. His entire identity as a doctor will be just gone.” Reid could barely push the words out of his mouth. Reid gazed at Luke, and he knew his face must be revealing too much by the way Luke was gazing back at him, starting again to come closer.

“But Bob isn’t just a doctor,” Luke said, running his tongue over his lips. “He’s a person too.” Moving slowly, his eyes fixed on Reid’s, Luke closed the distance between them. He reached out a hand and cupped Reid’s face, Luke’s fingers stroking gently. “Bob can hold onto his family. He can hold onto the people who love him.”

At Luke’s touch, a violent shudder ripped through Reid’s entire body, his ears rang, his skin felt feverish, and Reid opened his mouth, trying to gather his ragged thoughts. Luke wavered toward him, and it was pointless to resist.

Reid lunged forward, seeking solace in Luke, kissing him so hard their teeth clinked. Luke's hands were all over him now, and Reid couldn't get enough. They pulled and tugged, moving their shirts up and opening buttons, getting skin under their fingers. They kissed again and again, breathing heavily, struggling and grunting for more contact, more flesh.

Luke’s hands were at Reid’s zipper, yanking it down, and then his hand was there, firm, soft, warm, and stroking Reid’s dick frantically. They stumbled for a moment to get their pants all the way down, pushing their clothes off, and then Reid let out a growl, cupping Luke’s ass and lifting him onto the desk.

Luke’s hands sought out Reid’s skin, gliding over his chest, digging his thumbs at Reid’s nipples, pinching them. Reid groaned and pulled Luke’s body closer, biting his ear and his neck, tasting the saltiness of Luke’s skin. They scratched and grabbed at each other, wildly intertwining their limbs, needing more.

Luke bucked his hips up, as his hands reached around to grasp Reid’s lower back. Reid pushed his hand under Luke’s ass again, taking hold of it. With his other hand, Reid spat into his palm and his fingers found Luke’s dick, his balls, his hole. All Reid could think about was getting inside Luke’s body. He pumped his hand over Luke’s erection again, getting him ready, feeling it harden more, caressing the silken warmth.

Luke made a guttural sound low in his throat, and the hand at Reid’s back clawed into his skin. Reid ground his mouth against Luke’s one more time, tasting his lips and tongue. His fingers pushed in and everything inside of Reid felt unshackled. Luke whimpered at the rough finger fucking, but he spread his legs wider. Reid kissed him again, demandingly and thrust another finger inside Luke’s hole. Luke hit at Reid’s shoulders, pounding at Reid, and then Luke rose up his body and threw back his head, moaning, “Yes!” Reid increased the pressure of his fingers against Luke's prostate, and Luke’s hard dick began to leak.

Withdrawing his hand, Reid gave Luke’s cock one hard suck, and then he broke away, fumbling for his wallet and tearing the foil package with his teeth. With a low keening sound, Reid entered Luke quickly, almost falling into his body. All of Reid’s bottled feelings exploded into passion as he rutted in and out of Luke, and Luke scrabbled at his back, trying to drag him in tighter and harder. Reid’s body pinned Luke’s, and he pummeled into him. Reid charged on, knocking the breath from his own lungs, slapping his body at Luke’s. He couldn’t get enough of him; he needed all of him, every thrust, every inch. He could never be close enough. Reid clutched Luke to him, giving him everything, fucking him raw. Luke’s dick was trapped at Reid’s stomach, hot and pulsing, until finally Luke gasped and a shudder ripped through him, his cum streaking out at Reid’s belly, chest, and even his neck. Reid’s own orgasm followed quickly, rocking his entire body, and he burrowed his face in Luke's neck, riding out the aftershocks, trembling and feeling emotional in a way that hurt and scared him, until they both were still.

“Reid?” Luke asked, lifting his head, his expression vulnerable and disorientated.

Reid held him, both of their bodies slick with sweat, and rubbed his cheek against Luke’s. But Luke rolled out from under Reid, pulling their sticky bodies apart, and carefully climbed off the desk. He didn't look at Reid as he put on his underwear and pants.

“Luke-“ Reid stared at him, watching him dress. Reid sawed his finger up and down at his jaw. He wanted to touch him all over again, but gently this time. He had done it all wrong. He should have been tender and sweet, not rough and crazy. He wanted to worship Luke with his body, suck his cock, slowly, all night. He wanted to get down on his knees and grovel, if that’s what it took. Luke was standing right in front of him, but he could easily walk out the door and disappear, and if Luke left, he’d take all the important parts of Reid with him.

“What?” Luke said, and jammed his hands into his pockets. The room smelled of sex, the papers on Reid’s desk all fallen away. Luke’s hair was mussed, anger had tightened his lips.

Reid, still naked, and sweating with fear, exertion, and love, stared at him.

“I’m not a boy,” Luke said, his jaw clenched. “I knew what I was doing on the roof that day. I know what I’m doing now.”

Reid nodded, swallowing hard. He wasn’t looking into the eyes of a boy, but the face of a man.

“Sorry,” Reid voice was strained, the word awkwardly stumbling off of his tongue, but he met Luke’s gaze steadily.

Just the simple act of looking at Luke’s face again, the act of looking at his expressive mouth, looking into his eyes, so naked with their wistful expression, the act of looking at his hair all kicked up in deliberate spikes that begged to be played with, looking at his creamy skin that demanded to be licked, looking at Luke and seeing the hidden pieces inside of him, just looking at Luke, all of Luke ,the whole of him, filled Reid with a fierce need to acknowledge what was still between them, always there, and to make Luke forever, irrefutably, his.

Luke frowned and shifted his weight. “That’s all you have to say?”

“Why ruin a sincere apology with a lot of cheap excuses?”

Luke snorted at that and Reid offered him a glimmer of a smile.

“When are you going to admit that you need me?” Luke asked. ”Cause you do.” But there was a slight question in his voice.

Reid shook his head, smiled, and shrugged his shoulders. “Maybe a little.”

They looked at each other. Luke rubbed his sleeve across his nose. He watched as Reid threw his clothes back on.

“You look terrible, by the way.” Luke told him.

“You don’t.” Reid answered. He let his gaze sweep over Luke’s body.

Luke sucked on his lips and just stared at Reid. Both of them grew still a moment. Luke’s expression was full of yearning but he remained motionless, and Reid knew it was up to him, and even though his legs were shaking, he didn’t take his eyes off of Luke.

Reid approached him slowly, his every step heavy, his heart hammering, his hand out. “I’m not good at all this. I’ll forget your birthday. I’ll work too much. I’m pretty much crap at romance. And if we do this thing, really do it…If I put myself out there, it’s got to be for good, for keeps. I can’t do it halfway because I’m just not that kind of guy and I don’t work like that. And the only thing I understand about relationships is they can’t be calculated like math problems, so I’ll probably- ”

“Reid.”

“What?”

“Breathe,” Luke advised.

Luke’s face softened as Reid neared. He opened his arms and Reid slipped in, nuzzling his lips at Luke’s collarbone, holding his waist.

“I know who you are,” Luke said. He ran his fingers through Reid’s hair and then down the nape of his neck. “And I don’t want halfway either.”

Reid looked into Luke’s eyes. Reid inhaled and then exhaled painfully.

Luke touched his cheek gently. “Trust me.” He leaned in and their foreheads touched.

“I’m trying,” Reid said.

Reid felt Luke’s hand snake around him firmly.

“I get that you’re afraid, “ Luke whispered. “But you have me, all of me.“

Reid’s body trembled. He managed a nod.

“All those years with Noah, it never felt right,“ Luke murmured, “and the moment you came back I figured it out.”

“What?” Reid asked, pulling back slightly, so that he could look into Luke’s eyes.

“That you stole my heart when I was just a kid,“ Luke answered, “and you never gave it back.”

His heart tightening in response, Reid kissed him softly, his mouth barely touching Luke’s at first, hovering. The kisses were light and sweet for a moment, then Luke opened his mouth wider and Reid pressed his lips to Luke’s, seeking the warm, true taste of Luke’s tongue. When he released Luke, Reid noticed Luke’s lips were swollen and wet, and his eyes were shining brilliantly at him. Reid traced a finger down Luke’s face.

“I love you,” Reid said simply.

“I know,” Luke said. “I’ve always known.”

They kissed again, capturing each other’s lips in a promise.

***



6 weeks later

“I should step down,” Bob said, waving Reid into his office. “It would be for the good of the hospital. Memorial has to come first.”

“Bullshit,” Reid retorted, closing the door. “This place would fall apart without you.” He went over to Bob’s desk, picked up his ham and cheese sandwich, and took a bite. “This isn’t bad. Is it from Al’s?“ Not waiting for Bob to answer, Reid ate some more. “And you’re not going to step down, not yet.“ Reid talked as he chewed. “Don’t let those old buzzards bother you. “

“Those old buzzards on the board are all younger than me,” Bob sighed. “And they have a right to question my ability to run the hospital.”

“Your medication is working, right?” Reid half-smiled at Bob’s nod. He had prescribed the combination himself, and it seemed to have Bob’s symptoms controlled. “Then forget them.”

Reid knew Bob faced difficulties in the future, such was the nature of his illness. Illness had no sentimental side, no sense of fairness, and it would pursue Bob with a steady detachment and a stubborn relentlessness for the rest of Bob’s life, but Reid was ready to fight back at every step, and he’d rather attend a thousand trustee dinners or kiss every phony ass in Oakdale than admit defeat. He would see Bob through this the best he could and he had to believe that the fight make some difference-might give Bob the one gift he could offer-more time.

“Reid,” Bob paused, stroking his jaw. “I am not sure how to say this, but I wanted to thank you for all that you did for me, son. I really –“

“Improve the food around here, keep the nurses off my back, and that’s thanks enough,” Reid waved his words away. Reid preferred not to have Bob speak, offer his gratitude, force Reid to acknowledge his own deep need to help Bob, or worse, force him to reveal the filial attachment he had for Bob in some schmaltzy moment of bonding.

Bob was about to reply, when Reid’s phone buzzed. He smiled down at the message from Luke requesting that Reid meet up with him as soon as Reid could get away.

Luke, on the other hand, could drop to his knees, show him some gratitude, and Reid wouldn’t object at all. Just last night, Reid had introduced Luke to a little light bondage, wrapping a tie around his eyes and another at his hands, and it been ridiculously hot having Luke at his mercy, writhing under his kisses, and helplessly ejaculating all over the sheets.

“Well?” Bob asked, and Reid blinked at him.

“What?” Reid said, tapping the side of his head with his fingers, clearing it.

“Nothing much,” Bob frowned at him sternly. “I was only asking you if you would perhaps consider being the next Chief of Staff here. Obviously, you have other important matters on your mind?”

“I thought we just agreed you’re not going anywhere.”

“Eventually, Reid, we both know the time will come.”

Reid said nothing to that, examining his hands a moment, thinking about how he would feel if they ever failed him.

“Memorial is a fine institution,” Bob said, ignoring Reid’s sudden smirk. “With you at the helm, it could be great.”

“I have to be honest, Bob. I don’t see myself pushing papers and calling meetings. Right now,” Reid finally answered. "Let’s just concentrate on your time as Chief. “

Bob nodded, a small smile on his face. “Fair enough, Doctor Oliver. While I am still Chief, it will give you time to hone those people skills of yours.”

Reid rolled his eyes. “Half the staff here are more qualified to serve coffee at Java or flip burgers at Al’s than be part of any hospital that I run.”

Bob shook his head and sighed at Reid. “I can see that this conversation is going nowhere. I guess I’d better stay healthy for a long time.”

“A very long time,” Reid agreed.


***

Reid arrived at the pond. As he got out of his car, he was still dressed in his blue scrubs, and the air had turned chilly, making Reid want a jacket. Hugging his body, Reid looked around. The water was surrounded by trees, vibrant with color, and there was Luke, sitting quietly, his knees pulled up to his chest, his cheek resting on his palm, eyes gazing worriedly out at the water.

“Hey,” Reid called, making Luke jump. “Got your text,” Reid said, walking over and kissing him hello. “What’s up?”

Luke kissed him back, but then sighed. He picked up a few pebbles and skipped them into the pond water. Reid waited patiently. He picked up a pebble too, feeling how smooth and cool it was in his fingers, and threw it across the water. They sat there awhile, shoulder-to shoulder. Finally, Luke stopped tossing in the pebbles and looked at him anxiously.

“Did you really get your last paycheck from the Mayo Clinic today?”

“Yep.” His old boss had been playing games, trying to make Reid reconsider. “Why?” Reid cocked his head at Luke. “Worried about my being able to wine and dine you in the style you’re accustomed to?”

Luke laughed at that, cuffing Reid on his head. “Idiot. And I pay for most of our dinners, which usually are cheeseburgers and shakes, hardly breaking my bank account.”

“I’m a cheap date,” Reid agreed.

“And you put out,” Luke teased, throwing back Reid’s old words at him. "That’s a plus.”

They laughed, but then Luke’s smile started to slip away again. He picked up another pebble and watched the ripples in the water. Reid watched him, his gut uneasily stirring. He reached out to touch Luke, massaging his arm, and Luke looked at him again, his eyes soft.

“What’s wrong?” Reid asked. He braced himself, trying to trust that Luke wasn’t disappointed in him somehow.

Luke shook his head. “I’m just thinking about all you gave up: leaving the Mayo Clinic, living at the hotel, your stuff in boxes, and working at Memorial, which you’ve told me a half dozen times is totally inadequate and not up to your standards at all. When you called and mentioned the paycheck, I realized,“ Luke paused, gulping hard. “I realized today that I’m being incredibly selfish.”

Reid merely raised his eyebrows. As far as he was concerned, the words selfish and Luke didn’t belong in the same sentence together.

Luke turned to him, his face full of guilt and doubt. “I never even discussed anything with you; I just assumed you’d be here with me. But I can move the foundation anywhere. You deserve to work and live in a place that makes you happy, Reid. “

“What’re you saying?” Reid narrowed his eyes. “That you’d leave here with me?”

Luke nodded. “I would. Or,“ he looked away, ducking his head. “If it’s too much too soon, I could visit you. Fly to wherever you are as much as you want.” Luke gave a wobbly smile. “As you’re always pointing out, I’m stinking rich.”

“Hell no!” Reid exclaimed. He gripped Luke by the shoulders. “I want you, all of you, “ he growled. “Twenty-four seven.”

Luke grinned at that, and he wiped some imaginary sweat from his brow. “Whew.“

He leaned into Reid, resting his head at Reid’s collarbone. “I don’t want to be apart from you either.” Luke eyes softened. “But I meant the rest. We can go, if you need to live and work elsewhere.”

Reid stared down at him. Luke, who loved this town and his family more than breathing, was offering to leave it all. For him.

Amazed and shocked, Reid said nothing. He stroked Luke’s hair and then rested his hand at the nape of Luke’s neck. Reid could feel the final resistance inside of him melting away. He slowly let the feeling of happiness, so new to him, wash over his body. Luke really did love him. Reid examined Luke’s tense face. Luke needed to be in Oakdale, and Reid would never force Luke to leave. He only wanted to give Luke what he needed, what he wanted.

“Reid?” Luke asked at his silence. “What are you, calculating math equations or something? This is the part where you talk back.”

Reid grunted, pretending he couldn’t speak. Luke nudged him, exasperated, making Reid give him a quick smile. Luke was so easy to rile up, and Reid liked to see his eyes flash, lips twist.

“What do you think about leaving?" Luke persisted.

“Well, I can’t just desert Memorial, even if the place is from the dark ages. My arrival did chase off the other neurosurgeon.”

“Oh.” Luke bit his lip. “That’s right.”

“As far as Memorial goes, you can bet your sweet ass that if I remain there, I plan to drag it into this century. After all, they now have a family wing being built, and they have the finest neurosurgeon in the country, so…”

“What modesty,” Luke said.

Reid ignored him. “When I’m through with it, other doctors will be begging to come and work in Podunk.”

“If anybody can get it to happen with sheer determination and huge ego, it would be you.”

Reid nodded emphatically. “And there’s Bob. He has a long road ahead. I should keep my eye on him. God knows, Kim will be of no use. She’s even calling Chris daily and I can’t let Doogie fly back to be in charge of Bob’s medication; he’s a complete moron.”

“Reid.” A small glimmer of hope was entering Luke’s eyes.

“What? “ Reid smiled quickly. “Kim stuck me on the phone with him the other day, and he hasn’t gotten any smarter. He approaches medicine like it’s an 8th grade history test- all memorization and no critical thinking. I don’t trust him.” Reid would have had a little more respect for Chris if he’d flown back to the States to be with Bob, or had even argued with Reid about Bob’s care. But Chris had been all false joviality on the phone, oozing charm, quoting medical statistics, and all that civility was sickening to Reid because in the end, Chris did nothing of use.

Luke just pursed his lips at him. “If he does visit, try and get along. “

Reid nodded. Since Chris was too selfish to actually get on a plane, it wouldn’t be a problem. Reid studied Luke. He had never expected to end up with him. He had never expected to have love in his life. He smiled at Luke wordlessly. His heart pounded just looking at him. Reid never wanted to do him wrong.

Reid scooped up Luke’s hand and held it firmly, Luke’s fingers threaded in his, palms together. “And let’s not forget the most important thing keeping me here.”

“What’s that?” Luke said eagerly, his eyes widening on Reid’s.

“Emma’s pies.”

Reid nearly laughed at Luke’s face. “Your cooking is pretty good too. And then there’s the crumb snatchers to consider.“ Reid shrugged. “I have to teach Natalie about blood and guts; I promised her.“ Reid looked out at the water. “And God knows we can’t leave Natalie and Ethan to the whims of your parents. “

“Reid,” Luke murmured. He hesitated, his face looked strained. “I admit I’d like to be here, and I’d miss my family. But I can’t let you do this just for me. You could be at Hopkins or Cleveland Clinic- anywhere.”

“And I can stay anywhere too,“ Reid argued, gazing at Luke steadily. “As long as I stay with you.”

Ignoring Luke’s startled gasp, Reid leaned in and kissed him, his lips coaxing Luke’s open, his tongue gentle in Luke’s mouth. Luke took a deep inhalation, and kissed him back, their arms holding each other, their bodies fitting, molding together. Reid could feel the steady beat of Luke’s heart at his own chest. He kissed Luke again; his fingers nestled at Luke’s face.

Luke pulled back slightly, searching Reid’s eyes. “I love you so much. And I love you for offering to stay here. But are you sure?” Luke chewed his lip.
Reid smiled, thinking that Luke looked pretty sexy when he bit down on that lower lip, his face hopeful.

“I know how much you hate Oakdale,” Luke added.

“I don’t hate it,” Reid finally admitted, rolling his eyes. “I mean, yeah, it’s a dump…But you know,” Reid shrugged at him. “ It’s the closest thing that I ever had to a home.”

Luke smiled then, that huge, blindingly beautiful smile of his, the one where his dimples appeared, his eyes lit up, and his face glowed, radiating joy; the one that was Reid’s favorite look of all. Reid put his fingers to the corner of Luke’s mouth and sucked in a shaky breath, and Reid knew beyond a doubt that Luke’s smile was all the welcome he’d ever need.


The End


Thank you for reading! I love this community lots and lots!

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.

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.
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 5
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: Sexually explicit content (some parts) and some Nuke here
Rating: PG- NC-17 (depends)
A big shout of thanks to the amazing rhiannonhero! Thanks also to traciamc
Previous chapter: http://marsabi.livejournal.com/26703.html


Chapter 5

The next day, Luke and Reid walked past the pastel hued buildings of the Art Deco district. Luke had always wanted to see this part of South Beach and he wasn’t disappointed. Every hotel and art gallery and restaurant had flair. Coming from Oakdale, where all the houses were white or some other bland color, it was incredible to see so much vibrancy in such a small area.

Reid allowed Luke to drag him into the different places without too much grumbling. Luke suspected he’d never taken a day off and just toured around before.

“Admit it,” Luke said to him as they walked, “you’re enjoying this.”

“No, I’m tolerating this,” Reid answered, but a tiny smile was on his handsome face.

Reid looked amazing. He was dressed casually, not in a suit or scrubs, and it made Luke feel all kinds of crazy urges to touch him. Reid had on a dark pair of jeans, button-down shirt, and sunglasses.

Neither of them had discussed the night before. They had simply met and started the day. Luke almost brought it up, but he couldn’t see Reid’s eyes and he thought he’d want to read their expression for that conversation. Besides, Luke was at a loss what to say. He’d barely slept all night, thinking it all over.

Seeing a small art gallery, Luke took Reid’s hand and pulled him into it.

“Welcome to Long John’s!” A voice called immediately. A small man with a toothy smile, came up to them. “I’m John.” He was short and thin and wearing a yellow shirt with ‘It’s Good To Be Queen!’ on the front.

The gallery was filled with big canvases of street scenes in neon colors. It had small sculptures of bodies, all naked, twisting and turning together - some were men, some women, some both.

“This is wonderful!” Luke enthused. Reid said nothing, just jamming his sunglasses on top of his head.

John smiled and strutted over to them. “Yes, darling, isn’t it?” He said. John ran his finger down one of the sculptures naked torsos, “I just love a good bronze.”

“I’m Luke and this is Reid,” Luke offered, ignoring Reid’s rolling eyes.

John shook Luke’s hand, “Not from here?”

“Just visiting.” Luke eyed a picture of a dolphin and a naked man swimming together. “That’s interesting,” he smiled.

Reid, meanwhile, stood back and scowled.

“I normally don’t like fish,” John twittered, “ but this one’s special.”

“Dolphins aren’t fish,” Reid said rudely.

“Reid, come out from behind me,” Luke scolded.

“Oh darling, let the man be behind you,” John winked, “I would.”

Luke laughed and felt himself blushing.

“You are too cute!” John gushed. “Isn’t he?” He said to Reid.

“Like a stuffed animal,” Reid drawled and Luke turned and glared at him.

“Okay,” John clapped his hands together excitedly, “I must have you in my collection.”

“Collection?” Luke asked.

“Hmm, yes. I take my picture with many of the tourists who come to my gallery – a little hobby of mine. Not all the tourists of course. Not those skeletal woman from Boca, or those lobster-faced, sunburned men from Minnesota…the good tourists. Just a sec!”
John dashed into the back of the gallery.

“Don’t move- “ he called.

Luke looked at Reid.

“I think we should make a run for it,” Reid said dryly.

“Why? What do you think he’s doing back there?”

“I don’t know, “ Reid said, “but if he comes out in nothing but a feather boa or something –
I’m sacrificing you and heading for the door. “

“You’re all heart,” Luke said, clutching at his chest in a pretend swoon.

“That’s me,” Reid agreed, his mouth kicking up.

“I’ve returned!” John said in a sing-song voice, coming up to them holding a photo book and tiny camera.

He thrust the photo album and camera into Reid’s hands. “Now dear, you take our picture first,” he instructed Reid, “and then I want one with you.”

John grabbed Luke and pulled him in for a picture, flinging his arm around Luke’s shoulders.

Glancing at John’s album, Reid looked up with a wicked gleam in his eyes and aimed the camera
at them.

“Smile,” Reid said sweetly.

Just as Reid went to snap the picture, John made a lunge for Luke’s right nipple and squeezed.

The camera flashed and Luke stepped away, shocked.

“Oh dear, have I upset you?” John asked him. “I’m sorry.”

“Um, no it’s fine, “ Luke said awkwardly.

Reid tossed Luke the photo album, “Take a look, “ he said smirking, “then you won’t feel so badly.”

Luke flipped through the album. All of the pictures were of John and other tourists. All of them had John grabbing for nipple. Only male nipples.

“How ‘bout it?” John asked Reid.

“Yes, Reid, do take a picture!” Luke grinned and took the camera. Luke looked at Reid challengingly, sure he would refuse.

“Okay,” Reid said calmly walking over to John, “but stay away from the family jewels. “

“His only,” John nodded to Luke.

John’s remark caused a nervous jolt to go through Luke’s system and he looked anywhere but at Reid’s jeans right then.

“That’s right. His,” Reid said mockingly, and Luke knew that taunting tone was aimed at him.

“ I understand darling. Too bad though,” John’s gaze lingered on Reid’s crotch, “looks like some huge stones.”

Now it was Reid’s turn to flush. He glared at John.

“Smile,” John told him, “nobody likes a sour-puss.” John made kissy noises at Reid, who now looked like he wanted to get away.

Luke was laughing so hard that he had trouble taking the picture.

Sure enough, John grabbed Reid’s nipple at the camera’s flash.

“Thanks, boys, “ he told them happily. “You’ve made my day.” Then he indicated the art all around. “Be even a better day if you’d buy something?” he suggested.

“Just browsing, “ Reid said firmly, seeing Luke start to look around to spend his money.
Reid steered Luke out of the gallery.

“What?” Luke said, “I have money to buy some art.”

“That stuff is in every gallery on this street, “ Reid said impatiently, “at least compare places before you just whip out that big credit card of yours.”

“Are you looking out for me?” Luke asked, amused.

“I’m protecting the money for my wing, “ Reid protested. “I can’t have you buying art from every Mary in South Beach.”

Luke laughed again. Reid started to laugh too.

“ We have a meeting with the Herald later, right? “ Reid asked him.

“Yes, no more South Florida Today. A real newspaper wants to interview us.”

Reid snapped his fingers, “Darn! I’ll miss those M&Ms.”

“M&M’s?” Luke said, puzzled.

“Molly and Mick,” Reid said.

Luke smiled at him, but Reid didn’t smile back. He just gazed at Luke intently.

The air between them sizzled with sudden tension. Reid was openly just looking at him, his gaze moving over very part of his body. It made him feel exposed as if every one of his emotions were visible.

Luke felt the urge to bolt, and it must have been clear on his face because Reid grabbed his arm.

“Relax,” Reid said quietly, “nothing has to happen again.” He studied Luke with his eyes, “unless you want it to?” Reid crossed his arms over his chest.

Staring at the ground, Luke found he couldn’t answer.

Luke chewed on his lower lip and then took a deep breath, “About last night. I –“

Reid waited.

“It’s just been a really long time and I-“ Luke broke off. A muscle quivered in his stomach.

Reid still waited.

“ I-I do want it too,” Luke finally stammered out, keeping his eyes low. He could feel his own pulse speeding up.

When Reid didn’t answer, Luke couldn’t stand the silence and raised his head.

Reid was looking straight at him.

Luke swallowed hard. He was sure Reid was about to kiss him again. He wet his lips in anticipation. Reid’s lips hovered just an inch above his.

Then Reid gave a wordless exclamation and ran a hand through his hair.

Reid shook his head, “Not when we have to be at the newspaper in a little over an hour. “

Luke couldn’t reply. The nearness of the kiss had left him half-dizzy with lust.

“Come on, I want to show you something,“ Reid said, “a really good thing for WMB’s press.”

“Oh,” Luke said, trying not to sound disappointed that Reid wanted to take him somewhere for
business and not pleasure, ”Okay. Will it help the PR campaign?”

They began to walk again.

“I think so,” Reid said. They headed to where the car was parked, crossing a busy street.

Reid reached out and took Luke’s hand. Pleased, Luke glanced at him.

Reid smiled. “And after we go do some PR work,” he said, ”we can discuss all those reasons that you didn’t mind my kiss.”

Luke looked away in embarrassment and tried to take back his hand. Reid refused to let it go.

“What?” He asked Luke. They had crossed the intersection and stopped walking again.

“Nothing just- “ Luke hesitated, ”now I’m the one who’s wondering, “ Luke paused. “Did you like my kiss?”, he asked in a rush of words.

Reid groaned, “You have to ask? I think you felt the proof of that last night.”

Luke felt heat rise to his cheeks, but he was also relieved.

Reid put his thumb under Luke’s chin and lifted his face up. “Why would you even doubt that?”, he said curiously. The thumb under his chin gently stroked Luke’s skin.

Luke just stubbornly shook his head.

“I guess I’ll have to do it again,” Reid said with mock reluctance. He patted Luke on his cheek. “Later.”

Luke felt like a silly schoolgirl then. His cheek felt like it was burning where Reid had touched him. His palms were literally sweating, his heart thudding. He snuck a glance at
Reid. His eyes were bright in the strong sunlight. His mouth curved in a slight smile. The humid, Miami air was blowing through his hair. Luke couldn’t help darting out his tongue again as if to taste Reid. He could practically smell his skin.

“Come on,” Reid said, “let’s go.”

***

“I bet you didn’t know that WMB promotes this Baby Cuddler program, “ Reid said, somewhat proudly, opening the door to a small, cute looking house. It was right next to the hospital grounds.

Luke shook his head, “I had no idea.” He looked around the cheerful lobby. It was full of flowers and stuffed animals.

“Yeah, it will be good to mention today. We aren’t just about other countries. WMB does important work right here. Without people to love them,these sick, often neglected infants, will have lower bonding abilities and social skills down the road.” Reid played with a stuffed bear as he spoke, and then, seeing what he was holding, he quickly dropped it.

“You seem to know a lot about this place?” Luke asked curiously.

Reid shrugged, his face tightened, “A little.” He led Luke into a pretty lobby area. The sound of babies crying and soft music could be heard. The walls were designed in black and white.

“It stimulates them,” Reid said, nodding to the walls, “that’s what the studies show anyhow.”

A short, rounded woman came out.

“Luke- Claudia, “ Reid said, “the head nurse here. She decides if the babies need to be back in the hospitals’ Nic U, or can be part of the cuddler program here. “

She greeted Reid with a huge , warm smile. Reid, of course, scowled back. Luke noticed that
Claudia seemed more amused than offended. She lightly took Reid’s arm as they walked inside and Reid didn’t object.

“Are you enjoying your time here?” Claudia asked Luke.

“I am,” Luke said. He really was, too. He pondered that for a quiet minute. “It’s a beautiful area,” Luke added.

“Ah, I grew up here. I’m spoiled,” Claudia grinned at him. “Beaches, night life, and not too far from Mickey Mouse.” She had a great, full laugh. Luke couldn’t help laughing too.

“Before we go to the other babies, “ Claudia stopped a second to turn to Reid, “I need something, mijo.”

“You always do,” Reid said with a mocking sigh.

Claudia pushed at him, “Oh, stop that. Haven’t I brought you my famous paella ? Didn’t I take you out for caipirinhas on your birthday last year? You owe me.”

To Luke’s amusement, that seemed to shut Reid up and embarrass him.

“Excuse me, Luke?” Claudia smiled. She handed Reid a chart of some kind.

They chatted a moment in Spanish together.

“She wants me to look at one of the drug addicted babies for a second,” Reid told him, “He needs to go back to the Nic U. When I return from examining him, we can both go in, okay?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll keep your friend company,” Claudia told Reid cheerfully.

He eyed her suspiciously a moment.

“And I don’t owe you, by the way.” Reid said suddenly. “Not since you set me up with your cousin Larry from Hallandale. The one with the back hair and limited IQ?.”

Claudia’s smile widened.

“He liked you,” she teased. “He still asks me about a second date. “

Reid made a sour face and went to look at the baby.

Claudia turned her wide smile to Luke.

“Did Reid tell you that this was his idea? He helped me convince WMB to try it. “

“No, really?” Luke said in surprise. “He left that part out.”

Claudia laughed heartily, “Figures.” She smiled at Luke again. “He’s a clam, that one.”

“I don’t know,” Luke laughed, “he’s no trouble making comments to me.”

“Ah, about silly things? Rude remarks? But real feelings?” She shook her head, “A clam.” She patted Luke’s arm, “But no worries. I saw him looking at you on television. The eyes always give it away, yes?”

Luke shifted his feet uncomfortably. It was one thing to deceive the press, but he felt strange pretending to be a couple to Reid’s friend. And she clearly was a friend.

“I’m just so happy that Reid found somebody!” Claudia’s joyful tone continued.

“You seem like a fan of his,” Luke said, interested, fishing slightly. This was the first person who really seemed to know him.

“Oh I sure am! He comes here all the time, in what little spare time he has and helps out.” She grinned at Luke, “But I’m sure you figured out his tough act by now too, right? “

Luke looked at Reid through the glass window as he was listening to the baby with a stethoscope.

“Yeah,” he said to Claudia quietly, “I got that.”

“Well, I’ve never had him bring anybody here with him before,” she beamed. “The two of you together- muy guapo!”

“This is such a great thing you do here,” Luke said smiling as he changed the subject, “I’m really moved. I want to give you a small donation.”

“Really?” Claudia asked.

Luke nodded. He glanced quickly at Reid, then smiled. “Let me just do this fast and then I can see the babies. “ Luke took out his wallet before Reid returned.

A little while later, Reid and Luke sat in the rocking room, as Claudia called it. Each man held a small infant. Luke gazed down at the little boy, swaddled in a striped blanket. The baby had a thick head of black hair. His tiny, wizened face was red, his little fist curled up against Luke’s body.

“It’s hard to believe he’s sick,” Luke said, “he doesn’t look it.”

“Appearances can be deceptive.“ Reid nodded, rocking his baby. “Some of these infants have had intensive treatment for drug withdrawal, some had operations already, “ Reid looked at the girl in his arms, “and all are neglected and lost. Welcome to the world, right?“ He shook his head.

They rocked the babies more. The only sound in the room was the creaking of their chairs.

“Looking at them it puts everything else in perspective,” Luke said quietly, “and how much of my problems have been of my own bad choices.”

“What problems would that be?” Reid sarcastically said, “deciding to play golf or tennis at the country club? Running out of caviar on your private jet?”

Luke laughed silently. Reid was still doing his best to offend him, but it was hard to take seriously now. Not when Reid was cuddling a baby at the same time, holding the infant to his chest. Luke felt his heart flip over at the sight of the small baby, no bigger than a man’s palm, snuggling trustingly into Reid. The baby let out a tiny, mewing sound and Reid gently rubbed at the small cheek.

They stayed for a good hour, rocking different babies in companionable silence.

As they left, Claudia came over and waved. “See you soon, mijo,” she told Reid and then added to Luke, “Thank you so much.”

Luke tried to wave her off, but Claudia was too busy smiling at Reid. “Your friend here is so generous. I mean this amount of money he just donated is going to help so many of our babies,” Claudia became misty-eyed. She leaned over and kissed Luke’s cheek. “You’re an angel. ”

Luke smiled and flushed. He felt tongue-tied. He really wasn’t expecting Claudia to mention the money. Reid said nothing about it as they left.

He and Reid walked out of the small house and back into the Florida sunlight.

“Are you angry at me?” Luke said in a small voice.

“Why should I be?” Reid said startled.

“For writing that check? I mean no sarcastic comment about rich boys writing checks instead of doing real things?”

“You were here. Wasn’t that you? Rocking babies, changing babies? And writing checks. “ Reid smiled a little. “Hey I wish I had a trust fund!” He reached out an arm and patted Luke, “No, I’m grateful. Thanks for coming here with me and for helping.”

“You’re welcome,” Luke replied slowly.

Reid headed to the car, but Luke felt like his feet were in thick concrete.

***

The interview with the Miami Herald went well. Luke made certain to bring up WMB local programs and praise Reid for his work. They answered a few questions about dating, but mostly it was a big boost for WMB. Just what Luke needed to finish the job soon. So why did the thought of the job coming to an end leave him slightly depressed? Instead of being elated that the plan was working, Luke left the Herald feeling restless.

Afterwards, they agreed to meet at a local club for some nightlife experiences. The alternative press would be there and it might be another way to gain attention. For the meantime, they both wanted to shower and relax first. They left it with Reid agreeing to come to the hotel around nine.

Luke took a long shower, letting the warm water caress his body. Then he dried off with a hotel towel and slipped on one of the fluffy hotel robes. He picked out an outfit to wear. He played a little with his hair, combing it in different ways. It was still too early for Reid. Luke threw off the robe and put on his dress pants. Then he picked up his journal, brooding slightly, remembering.


Even before Noah’s accident, our sex life was sporadic at best. I didn’t mind back then. I truly loved him with my whole heart. I thought maybe I was too demanding and emotional, and he was right to withdraw. Noah didn’t like anything involving his mouth. He liked to jerk me off with only his hands. He seemed slightly repulsed when I sucked on him. I never swallowed, he thought that was disgusting. I always went to the sink afterward and had to brush my teeth before he’d tolerate a kiss. And that was before our fight. Before the fireworks he was fooling with exploded. That was our sex life when things were supposedly loving.

The last time Noah and I tried to be intimate was beyond a nightmare. It took me by surprise. He rarely wanted me. But that night, for whatever reason, he was horny. He woke me from a deep sleep. I was confused at first, then I felt the erection. Pleased, I started to get hard, hopeful that we’d at last connect in some way. I leaned into Noah to offer him a kiss.

“Get the stuff,” he said, holding me off with his hand. “We can do that part later.”
I tried once more to meet his lips. I knew that “later” would never arrive. Kissing always meant so much to me, and Noah knew that it did. My lips pressed at his briefly, but he refused to open his mouth.

I went to the night table and handed him the condom and lube. I looked at Noah’s ruined eyes. I hesitated, examining his face. My hand held the thin sheets a moment. The only sound in the semi-dark room was the hissing wind outside, making the window tremble. I looked down and realized that I’d twisted the sheet into a knot, and I forced my hand to relax. If I didn’t try again, I felt like I’d just disappear into nowhere; fear and need struggled inside of me. Tentatively, barely touching him, I attempted to stroke his cock. Noah just sat there a moment on the edge of the bed, his expression almost sullen. Then he swatted my hands away.

“Can we just do this?,” he’d interrupted. His unfocused eyes held no tenderness as he jerked down my sweat pants. My body stiffened up then. I felt a dull shame in the pit of my stomach. Noah could feel my hesitation.

“Look, if you don’t want me – “ he started to say.

“No, I do!” I answered quickly back. “I just need some time to get going. Can you just -“

“I can’t see, Luke! Remember? I can’t be worrying about all of that.” Noah sounded frustrated, edgy and the gulf between us was widening again. I was desperate to cross it. Soon it would be too late; we’d be lost on the other side of something never spoken.

“Okay, sorry! Sorry!”

I attempted to feel excited by the muscles of his chest, his skin, the evidence of his hard-on.

I told myself that my own pleasure wasn’t important; all that mattered was Noah.
I didn’t try and argue anymore. I got on my knees. I thought maybe if I showed him that I would always be there for him, no matter what, I would matter to him again. I could feel his finger swipe on the lube. It was still cold, jolting me. He grunted once as he put on a condom.

“Do you want help?”

“I can do it. Leave it alone.” His erection bumped along his hands as he struggled.

He clumsily rolled it on. I started to guide my body up and at him, but he just said “Don’t.“

His tone was like a master to his dog. And I knew abruptly, who I’d become. I stopped moving as he fumbled his dick up and down my crack, pushing against and then missing my hole repeatedly. Just as it was beginning to be humiliating for both of us, he turned and found the right leverage and made his way inside. I tried to breathe through it. I could hear his guttural sounds, but they seemed remote, as if they were coming from another place. I could feel his sweat dripping on my lower back. Noah was gripping my hips roughly, seeking his own release. As he pounded away, my own erection shriveled. I held the headboard and just tolerated it.

“I- was it what you wanted?” I asked him afterwards, still hoping for some encouragement.

“You always need reassurance” Noah said wearily. “Let’s just sleep.” Then he’d just rolled over.

I was awake the entire night, curled up in a tight ball of misery, listening to his small snores.

That was the final time. After that, Noah still lived in my house and ate my food and took my help, but he never tried to be with me again. I got used to that. I got used to taking care of myself in the shower or quickly in the dead of the night.

But I never got used to the way he made me feel so lonely.



Luke shrank back at the loud knock at his door. He’d been so caught up in his journal that he’d forgotten about the time. Putting the journal away, Luke grabbed his shirt and opened up the door.

Reid stood there looking fantastic. He glanced down at Luke’s naked chest and then at his wet hair.

“I should have known you’d take forever to get ready.” He stepped around Luke, and sat down by the desk, straddling the chair.

“Go ahead, “ Reid said, waving his hand at Luke, “continue to get gorgeous. But if you could stop primping in about an hour, I’d be ecstatic”

“Sure,” Luke said, distracted. “Just a few minutes.”

He went into the bathroom and closed the door, breathing deeply.
Reid is not Noah. He told himself firmly. Then Luke almost smiled. Now that was ridiculous. Noah and Reid were nothing alike. Reid was rude and egotistical and brilliant. He was funny and irreverent. Noah had been straight-laced and serious.

Reid had hidden depths that Luke was only now discovering. Noah had ultimately been shallow. After seeing Reid with his patient and with the babies, Luke sensed that Reid had a sweet, gentle side that he tried to hide from people.

Luke felt calmer now. He opened up his bathroom door and stepped out.

“Sorry,” Luke said. “I’m almost ready.”

Reid cocked his head to one side and studied him. “Everything okay?”

Luke just smiled. “Let’s go clubbing,” he said.


A/n:
Okay- don’t hate me for that Nuke pain! Luke and I will make it up to you in the next part- we promise!

FYI: Most of the places in South Beach in this fic are real, but I made up Long John’s. The guy’s photo fetish, however, is based on a waiter in South Beach who takes pictures like these of his male customers. As for baby cuddling programs, they do exist. But of course, not one in WMB…

Title: Without Borders 3/24
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: Sexually explicit content (some parts)
Rating: PG- NC-17 (depends)
A big shout of thanks to the amazing rhiannonhero! Thanks also to traciamc

Without Medical Borders (WMB) is a fictional organization, but is modeled loosely on Doctors Without Borders.
Previous chapter: http://marsabi.livejournal.com/25995.html

Chapter Three

The next day, Reid met Luke in the green room of ‘South Florida Today’, and he actually looked pleased when Luke offered him a latte.

“Ah caffeine,“ Reid sighed and breathed it in. Luke smiled.

“It’s early,“ he agreed. “I didn’t know what you like, but I like the flavored lattes, so-“

Reid nodded at him, “Fine.” A smile played across Reid’s lips, making Luke catch his breath and turn away.

“Are you ready for this?” he asked Reid, fiddling with his coffee cup.

“Sure,“ Reid answered, “bring on the inquisition.”

“You’ll be fine,” Luke said. He automatically reached out and touched Reid’s shoulder. Reid’s eyes followed the movement. He looked down where Luke’s hand rested. Luke abruptly removed his fingers from Reid, feeling like his gesture of good will had become provocative. He focused on his coffee cup again.

After suffering through the makeup girl, Reid was brought onto the show and seated as the cameras started rolling . Molly and Mick, the two hosts, chatted inanely about the weather and sports first. Then they gave an ecstatic caller a trip to the Eden Rock hotel for the night. Luke motioned to Reid from backstage – he was yawning on camera.

Reid rolled his eyes at Luke and Luke again frantically motioned him to stop. He pointed to the cameras.

“Now,” chirpy Molly was saying, “We have our first guest. He is the genius behind our local Without Medical Borders facility, and is here today to share with us some of their new goals and dreams. Dr. Reid Oliver!”

“Dr. Oliver, “ Molly said with enthusiasm, “ have you been at Without Medical Borders long?”

“Didn’t you check?” Reid said annoyed, “I’ve been there ten years. “

“Wow! What a long time!”

“In TV time, I guess. How long has this show been on the air? Ten minutes? I guess you have your five minutes more left.”

Molly was starting to look uncomfortable, she turned to Mick.

Luke, meanwhile, was trying to catch Reid’s attention from off stage. None of this was what they’d rehearsed.

“So, Dr. O, can I call you that?” Mick asked.

“No.”

Mick shifted in his seat, “Oh. Okay, Dr. Oliver…Tell us what’s up next for the WMB? Planning to save more lives?’

“Are we planning…What?” Dr. Oliver pinched the bridge of his nose. “No, we’re thinking about playing a game of chicken with the patients. You know? This one lives or this one dies. “

Molly gave a loud, tittering laugh, “Oh, what a kidder!” She gave Dr. Oliver’s arm a mock punch. ”But really can you answer the question?”

“When you ask something intelligent, “ Reid replied, “’I’ll answer.”

Molly laughed again, “This must be your first –“

“Moment of insanity?” Reid interrupted.

“ - Interview, “ she finished.

“Tell us about WMB,” Mick encouraged him.

“Well, Dick,”

“Mick.”

“If you say so.” Dr. Oliver paused. “ Tell me what you know about WMB.”

“Not much,” Mick chuckled, “I’m more an NBA guy than a WMB,” he laughed at his own joke and so did Molly.

“You’re so funny, Mick!”

“Gee, thanks Molly!”

“Do you two want a moment alone?” Dr. Oliver asked.

“So tell us, WMB is about…what? In your own words?”

“WMB is on the internet, doesn’t anybody do any research here? –“ Reid started to complain.

Luke couldn’t take a second longer of watching Reid ruin his words and ruin WMB’s chance for redemption. Before anybody could stop him, Luke ran out in front of the cameras.

“What Dr. Oliver is saying, “ He told Molly, sitting down next to a stunned Reid, “is that the WMB is a great organization , one that truly cares about people.”

“And you are?” Molly asked.

“I’m Luke Snyder, I’m Dr. Oliver’s partner – “

Luke started to say his partner in the WMB campaign, when Molly interrupted.

“His partner,” she gushed, “hear that everybody? Well, that is so sweet.”

“No,“ Luke tried to correct her, “we work together and –“

“Aww, partners and co-workers. Lovely. We have a lot of couples like you two here in South Florida, “ she glanced down at her phone. ”Oh, in fact, we all love you two already! Our phone lines are lighting up.”

Luke looked around helplessly, as Reid remained glued in shock to his seat. This would be a huge disaster, they’d look like liars and it was worse than anything, unless…

Luke took a deep breath, put a hand on Reid’s knee, and gave the camera his most charming smile.

***

“Just hear me out!”

“No! Of all the stupid, brainless – “ They were back in Luke’s hotel room.

“Listen,” Luke held up his hand near Reid’s chest. “I had to do it. Otherwise, WMB was about to have another scandal. “

“I don’t think-“

“We’d have to admit that I was helping you and you would no longer appear sincere. And maybe this will actually be good for the PR process,” Luke mused.

“How is turning us into a couple good?” Reid demanded.

“Gay is hot,” Luke said, “Think Modern Family? Will and Grace?”

“Those are sitcoms!”

“And this is South Beach. You heard the callers. They wanted to know all about how Without Medical Borders works and about us. They were curious. Hooked. Trust me, gay is hot right now.”

Reid looked so pained that Luke suppressed a smile.

Reid’s eyes narrowed at Luke.

“What does it matter to you, right? You fly off to wherever in a day or two, but I live here.”

“Look, in a week, nobody will remember our part in this whole thing. But meanwhile, this can help the public forget the scandals and focus on something else. And we can educate them on WMB at the same time. It’s just for a few more days, five at the most. “

“Fine,” Reid said slowly, “ I’ll do it, but only if you live up to your hype.“

“What do you mean?”

“I mean show me the money! You’re loaded, right? So I need new equipment, new operating tools, hell…” Reid’s eyes gleamed with challenge, “Why not give me a whole new neuro wing?”

Luke pursed his lips together a moment. He knew Reid was just trying to rile him up.

“Fine,” Luke agreed, “but that means you go in front of the cameras again and we act like a couple.“

Reid’s mouth fell open. “You- you agree?”

Luke shrugged, “You know us rich folks – what’s a few more thousand –“

“Millions.”

“Millions then. It’s for a good cause, right? We can save WMB and build that wing.” Luke paused, “But I have some conditions.”

“Conditions?” Reid folded his arms across his chest.

“You have to be willing to do this right. Take a few days off from work and be with me. I’m sure Jessica will understand. And I want a seat on the board at WMB. Most of all, you have to make a serious effort here, not like your interview today. “ Luke glanced at him. ”We have to practice.”

“Practice?” Reid said warily.

“Learn things about each other. In case they question us. Where you live. When’s your birthday. That sort of thing.”

“So, in other words, if you learn I’m a Pisces and yet ironically allergic to shellfish, people will believe we’re lovers?”

Luke could feel heat rising to his cheeks. “Well, maybe we should also practice, um…you know.” He looked away and tugged at his ear a little.

“Do you want to do that now?” Reid asked softly, stepping closer to him.

“No!” Luke stepped back,” I –I mean we have time to talk all that over.” He could see amusement in Reid’s eyes and frowned at him. “So we agree.” Luke said, changing the subject. “ Tomorrow we can go out early, and then meet up with Mick and Molly for another interview at some hot spot.”

“Fine.”

Luke bit his lip. “Where should we go?”

Reid shrugged, “I don’t know.”

Luke looked at him, “Well, you live here. What’s good?”

“I don’t know,” Reid repeated indifferently.

“Do you ever go out?” Luke asked him. Then he shook his head, “Poor Reid. All work, no play.”

“What can I say?” Reid agreed, “I’m a dull boy.”

Luke laughed, “Fine, I’ll plan the date and then set something up with Molly. Some place that doesn’t serve shellfish, right? “

“It was an example, Einstein. I’m not allergic to anything except stupid people.”

“Are you even a Pisces then?”

Reid stared at him. “Oh, no. I’m starting to itch.” He scratched at his chest with both hands.

Luke blew out a puff of air. “You might be the world’s most brilliant doctor, but as a human being? I have my doubts.”

“Now you’re getting it.“

Luke sighed. “If we’re going to pull this off, then I do need to know things for real.”

“Just don’t forget I want the neuro wing plans in a contract too, and we’ll be fine.”

“Okay, I’ll get my lawyer on that. So…” Luke studied him, ”Deal?”

“Deal.”

Luke stuck out his hand. Reid looked at him, hesitated a moment, and then shook it.

***


I’m average, give or take. Yes, I have money, but for me it was just background. Life still caused me confusion and pain. I’ve seen my parents screaming at each other in the hallways of mansions. I’ve felt like I was starving for something surrounded by opulence. I’ve had my money thrown at me like it could solve all the upheaval and drama my family constantly created.

I met Noah when I was young and desperate to be loved. During my family’s divorce and my mother’s latest mess with my two fathers, I wasn’t skilled at hiding my need. Like a lot of people when they are still teenagers, my emotions were often raw and full of undisguised despair. I craved Noah’s approval and it was like a scent he picked up on with distaste - like my loving him was sour. I didn’t know I could demand anything from him in return. I just groveled until I hated that part of myself as much as he did, but I couldn’t help it. Every moment with Noah was an apology, even before I made him lose his sight.

Once he was blind, I couldn’t save him, and my money was useless. I was so guilty. I wanted to be elsewhere and not staring into his angry, unseeing eyes, his burnt face. He pushed me away in a series of shoves, like he was trying to chop me in half, the way I once chopped at worms as a boy. I used to cut them into pieces just to see them wriggle. He did that to me. Cut me. Sliced me. Watched me squirm. When everybody else said “Poor Noah,” he was severing my heart in two.

Luke shut the journal. He’d been thinking about the way Reid had saved that little girl. Despite their crazy deal, Luke was still impressed with Reid. Thanks to him, Maya would recover and hopefully, live a full life. If only Noah had been that lucky, Luke thought suddenly, so much might have turned out differently. Or would it have mattered at all?

He tossed and turned in bed all night.

***

The next day, Luke picked Reid up in front of WMB building for a lunch to talk strategy. Since he’d need to stay in Miami longer than planned, he’d rented a car.

Reid’s eyes widened as he saw the red Lamborghini.

“Slumming it, are you?” He asked as he opened the door.

Luke grinned and started the engine. He looked at Reid’s face as he the car purred to life.

“Careful, Reid. You’re drooling over the seat,” Luke answered dryly.

“Rich boys,” Reid complained, buckling up.

“My father and I both love cars,” Luke chatted as he drove. “Especially Italian ones.”

He stepped harder on the gas, weaving in and out of traffic.

“So I see,” Reid shot him a look. He held on as Luke took a sharp turn onto the highway.

“Why did I pick you up at the hospital?” Luke asked. “I thought you planned a few days off?”

“I did. But I wanted to look some last minute things over. “

“If we are going to pull this charade off, I’ll need to know more about you. Like where you live!” Luke laughed. Seeing his exit at the last moment possible, Luke shifted and quickly turned.

The car roared.

Reid’s face became white. His knuckles gripped the dashboard.

“Slow down!”

“Sorry,” Luke slowed a little. He took his eyes off the road a second to look over at Reid.

“Keep your eyes on the road,” Reid instructed him.

“Boy,” Luke said, “for somebody who flies all over the world and goes into violent locations, I’m surprised a little fast driving bothers you so much.”

“Just keep your hand on your stick,” Reid grumbled.

“Thought you’d never ask,” Luke teased.

Reid shook his head, “Really? Do you want to play double entendres with me? Should I bring up blowing your tires or burning rubber?”

Biting his lip to hold back a laugh, Luke turned on Collins Ave. A few moments later, they’d arrived at the parking lot of the restaurant. He got out and tossed Reid the keys.

“What’s this?” Reid asked as he caught them in one hand.

“You’re reward. If you do some prepping with me over lunch, I’ll let you drive.”

“Really?”

“Sure. You can even go under the speed limit like all the other elderly people in Miami.”

“Brat,” Reid said, “at least I’m old enough to shave.” He reached out and stroked Luke’s smooth cheek. “Do you even get stubble on that skin?”

Luke looked down at the ground, fighting a blush. He jammed his hands into his pockets. How could one quick touch cause his heart to hammer so strongly? His knees to almost buckle? Luke tried to shake off the tingling feeling.

He forced his eyes to meet Reid’s.

“Let’s just get to work,” Luke said.

***

They ate at the Big Pink, which was a South Beach landmark. A greasy diner that served all kinds of eclectic food, the Big Pink lived up to its name with its bright, neon pink walls. Reid ordered the enchiladas and a milkshake. Luke had the chicken pot pie and a latte.

“Okay,” Luke told him, waving his fork in the air for emphasis,” We meet Mick and Molly in just hours at a dinner and dance place. We need to be ready.”

“I don’t dance,” Reid said flatly.

“Then eat.“ Luke eyed Reid’s already half-finished plate, “I can see you have no problem eating.”

Reid grunted in agreement.

“I told Molly we’d just be having dessert and drinks there, but feel free to have another meal.”

“Finally,“ Reid joked, “something to look forward to.”

Luke bit his lip, trying to ignore the surge of hurt he felt at Reid’s words. It was so stupid to feel hurt. Luke knew this wasn’t a real date; it was just a meeting to plan their public appearance later. He shook his head and tried to focus .

“Why the pout?” Reid asked.

“What?” Luke frowned, “I’m not pouting!”

“Yes, you are.”

“No. I don’t pout,” Luke told him, attempting to relax his lips.

“Whatever, “ Reid said.

Luke wanted to change the subject. He looked at Reid sternly.

”Let’s get back to the basics. We need to know things about each other. And by the way, remember to use my first name.”

“I haven’t been calling you Mr. Snyder.”

“I know but we should still practice. “

Reid just rolled his eyes.

“We should get used to using our names- it should come naturally.”

“Fine, Luke, pass the hot sauce.”

Passing the bottle to Reid, Luke couldn’t help liking the way he said his name. Reid had a deep, sensual voice.

“Where are you from originally?” Luke asked.

“Here and there.”

“Do you like Miami?”

“It’s fine.”

Luke drew in a breath and tried to be patient.

“Are your parents nearby?” Luke persisted.

“No.”

Luke scowled at him. “I really could use more than monosyllabic answers.”

Reid chewed his food a moment. “They died. A car accident. “ He looked down at his plate. “My uncle raised me.”

“Oh.” Luke felt horrible now, remembering Reid’s reaction to his driving. He reached over impulsively and squeezed Reid’s hand. “I’m so sorry.” He gave another warm squeeze.

Luke looked deeply into his eyes and offered Reid a sweet smile of real sympathy.

Reid appeared startled. His eyes darted from their hands back to Luke’s face. Luke smiled at him again.

Reid shrugged, “Long time ago.” But he allowed Luke to hold his hand a second longer, before he pulled away.

There was an awkward pause.

“What about you? “Reid asked slowly, “You mentioned your father?”

“Yeah,” Luke’s face softened. “He lives near me in Rome. But I also have parents in Oakdale, where I’m from…Brothers and sisters there too. Cousins. Grandmothers. “

Reid raised one eyebrow, “Yet you don’t live in Oakdale?”

Luke rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m going for a visit when I’m all done here.”

Reid continued to just look at him, waiting for more. Luke shifted in his chair. “Family’s great,” he said finally, “in small doses.”

“Like taking medicine,” Reid offered, eating again.

“Yeah,” Luke agreed laughing, “just like that.”

“How far along is this relationship?” Reid asked him, ordering an apple pie for dessert.

“Um, what?” Luke nervously sipped on his latte.

“Well, we have to fake a history there too. Are we lovers or just interested in dating at this point?” Reid asked smoothly, biting into the pie. “We should try and generate some sparks or whatever.”

Sparks shouldn’t be hard, Luke thought, considering he felt on fire every time Reid looked at him.

“We’re dating, “ he nodded, “taking it slowly.”

Reid looked him up and down. Then he shook his head. “Bullshit,” Reid said simply. “There would be no way I wouldn’t have hit the sack with you by date one or two. No way.”

Luke just stared at him. “Really?” He asked at last.

“Have you seen you?” Reid flashed a smile, “I’m not that patient a guy.”

Luke felt his heart start that ridiculous beating again. He took a giant gulp of his latte.
He had no idea what to say.

He gazed into Reid’s eyes. His whole body felt flushed with sudden heat.

“You have some whipped cream on your upper lip.” Reid said huskily. He leaned over with a finger and wiped it off. Then he sucked on his finger and gave Luke a wicked smirk, “Guess faking chemistry won’t be a problem, “ he said.

“Right,” Luke said, his own voice a bit high and squeaky. “We act like lovers for them.”

“Works for me,” Reid smiled.

Title: The Last Doughnut
Author: Marsabi
Summary: When Damian disinherits Luke, can he survive in the “real” world?
Rating: PG-NC 17 (depends on chapter)
Warning: None
Previous chapter: http://marsabi.livejournal.com/21704.html

Part 8 Revelations

Luke opened one eye slowly and then the other, the light seemed burning . He shut his eyes quickly and moaned. Then he heard a murmur of voices and his name being called. He tried again, opening them as widely as he could. But they were just small, bruised slits.

“Hello there,” said a vaguely familiar voice, “Glad you finally woke up to join us. This one was fit to be tied.”

“It’s just he slept so long,” Lucinda huffed, tears in her eyes that she refused to let fall, “I was beginning to think you were incompetent.”
"Hardly,” John Dixon replied, “Just letting the boy regain some needed strength.” John smiled at Luke, “Normally, I’d be doing valve replacements or angioplasties around this time of the day, but the old gal here insisted I stay with you.”

“Am- am- I okay?” Luke’s voice sounded like a rasp. He frowned and then immediately winced with pain. His entire face hurt.

John nodded, “Basically , yes. You have cracked ribs, a mild concussion and a great deal of bruised and cut areas, but…”

“You were lucky, Darling,” Lucinda told him, sitting carefully down on Luke’s bed, trying not to touch his black and blue flesh, “The police came right away. Apparently, an older gentleman came back to the diner to ask you something and saw it through the window. “

Luke opened his mouth to ask for Reid, when his door swung open.

“There he is!” Vienna called out, forcing her voice to sound bright, appalled at the sight of Luke’s face, “Awake.”

She came in with Henry. They had muffins and a container of lemonade. Luke’s favorites.

“How ya doing, kid?” Henry asked.

”I’m sorry,” Luke answered, “the diner- it must be a mess.” He could remember things getting knocked down, smashed. “And now you’re short -staffed too.”

“Please, Luke, “ Vienna waved one manicured hand at him, “No worries.” A tear slid down her cheek, making her mascara run. She was relieved to see that Luke was still acting like Luke –sweet and earnest.

“We can mange without you for a few days, “ Henry smiled with a small trace of irony in his voice. “But we’ll miss you.”

“We’re the ones who are sorry,” Vienna added. “We never had any trouble at Al’s before and-“

“You really need better security,” Lucinda interrupted them with anger.

“Grandmother,“ Luke cut her off. “It’s not their fault.”

“You’re right,” Lucinda nodded, “It’s those barbarians’ fault. Monsters! Good thing they’re in custody . Margo had better not handle it wrong or else! ”

“Reid and Holden are down there now, making sure of that,” John said.

“Dad and Reid are at the police station?“ Luke asked.

“They were here by your side all night,” Lucinda assured him, “But they wanted to be certain these men got what’s coming to them!”

Luke sank back against his pillows, thinking all of this over. He should be crying. He should be frightened. He should be wanting to hide. But he felt none of those things. That Luke was gone, left on the floor of Al’s diner. All he felt was a desire to see those creeps brought to justice. All he wanted was to stop the endless cruelty that had caused his friend Armand’s suicide, the “de-gaying” camps, his beating. Luke inhaled sharply. He felt like his thoughts were racing, the way a child might race up an enormous hill. He was plummeting down the other side now, and there was fear in him, but also a sense of weird triumph. They had thrown the worst at him, and he was still here.

Just then, his door opened once more and Lily stepped inside, an enormously expensive floral arrangement in her hands.

“Luke,” she said quietly, ‘You’re awake.”

Luke stared at her.

“Well,“ Henry said, backing out of the room, “We’ll see you.”

“Yes,” Vienna air-kissed him . She gave a disapproving look to Lily, almost snorting at Lily’s conservative outfit. Then Vienna said pointedly to Luke, “We love you.”

“Let’s go, “ Henry said, “Before you start one of your legendary cat fights.” He made a gesture like a claw and then quickly pulled Vienna out of the room.

“Mother,” Lily asked Lucinda, “Can you excuse us?”

Lucinda hesitated, and then John firmly took her arm.

“I’ll be right outside,” she told Luke.

Mother and son looked at each other.

“I’m sorry,” Lily said finally, her eyes moist, “that this happened to you.”

Luke waited. Lily said nothing else. She didn’t say she was sorry for the awful things she had said. She didn’t say she was sorry for allowing Damian to disown him. She didn’t say she was sorry for all the rejection or for turning his siblings against him.

Luke closed his eyes shut. “Look, Mom,” he said in that raspy voice, “I know you care about me-“

“I do! Of course I do,” Lily spoke quickly, “ You’re my son.”

Luke opened his eyes. “But you still think who I am isn’t acceptable, right?”

Lily’s own eyes filled with tears, “Look at what just happened!” She said angrily. “ This is exactly why I can’t accept it! “ Lily paced the room in agitation. Then she went near his bed. “ Luke, Luke…don’t you see? It would be so much better and easier if you just...” She trailed off at his expression.

Luke shook his head, “Just be somebody different? “ Then he put one hand up to his bruised cheek. He took a breath. “I can’t do this right now with you,” he said. He looked at her. “I need to rest.”

Lily’s lips trembled, but she nodded. “I’m here for you, baby. “ She touched his hand gently. “Please think hard about coming back to us- to your family- to the way it used to be.”

Luke just shook his head again. She really didn’t get it.

He rolled away from his mother and faced the wall. Every part of his body hurt, and now his heart hurt too. He listened as Lily left the room and closed his door. Luke stared at the hospital wall.

Reid, Reid…I want you he closed his eyes, please get here soon

***

Outside of Luke’s room, Reid leaned against the wall and tried to stop the panic from gnawing at his guts again. Panic took over every time he returned to the hospital room. Holden tapped him on the shoulder in silent sympathy, and went in to check on Luke. They had spent the last hour making sure those scumbags were being prosecuted and not getting away with anything. Reid had sat in the station, forcing his hands tightly together, forcing his mouth to remain shut for once, as Tom Hughes helped them press charges. He’d wanted to slam those assholes against the nearest wall. He wanted to tell them that Luke was his; he was Luke’s. Then he’d wanted to slice open their empty brains with a chain saw.

Reid felt like this whole thing was almost an out of body experience. He had been stunned when he had seen Luke in the ER, and for a moment when he’d seen all that blood, and he’d thought he might have to operate on Luke’s skull, he had just stood there, frozen, numb. There had been blood in Luke’s hair and covering his whole face. His lips had been swollen, and a deep laceration had just missed taking out his eye. When the nurse had cleaned the blood away, relief had poured through Reid’s body at seeing only cuts and bruises. He had assumed much, much worse.

Still, the sight of Luke had made Reid have to clench his teeth together in order not to scream. Luke seemed so small on the stretcher, shrunken. He never wanted to see Luke that way again: so hurt, bruised, battered, and humiliated. How could he have left that diner? How could he have not seen those idiots watching Luke kiss him? He went over and over those moments at Al’s, even though he knew it was a useless exercise. Reid couldn’t help himself, couldn’t help berating himself for everything. Thinking of it now, Reid made a strangled, choking sound and gripped the wall.

Holden came out. “I told him we pressed charges and all of that,” he said, his face filled with sadness for his son. “I was about to tell him you were waiting to see him, but he fell asleep.”

“That’s okay,” Reid answered stiffly, “I’ll just go sit with him.”

He was partially glad that Luke was sleeping again. He had watched him sleep all last night. Reid had not slept at all. He felt unhinged. Maybe Luke would reject him now and maybe he deserved to be rejected. Maybe it would be better for Luke to just be done with him. Reid didn’t know what he’d say to Luke. His mind was a swirling, chaotic mess.

***

Luke was having a beautiful dream. He and Reid were having a picnic lunch by the Snyder pond. The sky was a deep blue, the sun was bright, and the water sparkled. He was so close to Reid that he could feel his body heat, and he could smell Reid’s skin. Reid kissed his hair. He laced his fingers gently with Luke’s own.

Luke’s eyes flew open.

Reid’s blue eyes stared back at him.

“You look awful,” Luke said, after a moment, taking in Reid’s stubble and the dark circles under his eyes.

“You’re not winning any beauty contests yourself,” Reid replied. “But don’t worry,” Reid continued, “the bruises will heal. You can still have a career as a male model.”

Luke laughed and then winced and held his side. “Don’t make jokes, “ he pleaded, groaning.

But Reid was no longer looking at him; he was watching Luke hold his hurt ribs. Luke noticed that his expression darkened with anger.

“It’s okay,” Luke said to him, trying to smile through his split lip. “It looks worse than it is. It doesn’t hurt so much.”

Reid swallowed and looked off in the distance. He felt raw and exposed.

“Reid?” Luke asked slowly, sensing an incredible tension emanating from him. “What’s wrong?”

“My fault,” Reid said harshly, still not looking at him.

“Your fault?” Luke asked in confusion.

“I pushed you. Always pushing you to hold my hand or to kiss me in public or –“

“Stop!” Luke tried to sit higher up in his bed, ignoring the sudden pain. “Don’t say that.”
Reid still was looking away from him. His face tight. He wasn’t crying, but that made it somehow worse. Luke could sense the terrible need in Reid, and he immediately responded to that need.

“Reid,” Luke said quietly, but firmly, “Bad things happen. People get hurt. It’s not always somebody’s fault. “ Luke gave a hard laugh, “Or it is somebody’s fault - ignorant jerks who -“

“And if you hadn’t come out and started being with me- “ Reid said brokenly.

Luke cut him off. “If I hadn’t come out, I’d be dying inside. Do you hear me, Reid? I was dying inside day by day. “ Luke leaned forward, his voice aching with emotion. “I was living lies. Hating myself. And then I met you,” Luke reached for his hand and squeezed it, “And you saved me.“

“But it got you hurt, I got you hurt –“ Reid voice was low and rough, he gripped at Luke’s hand and couldn’t go on.

“You didn’t hurt me.” Luke insisted, “ Bad, stupid guys did… Not you. Okay?”

Luke tried to turn Reid’s head to him, but Reid was being stubborn. The best Luke was able to do was have Reid rest his head on his shoulder. Luke could feel a telling wetness at his neck and finally understood that Reid was trying desperately not to allow him to see him cry.

Luke gently stroked Reid’s hair. He could feel a shudder go through Reid’s body and he knew Reid was fighting for control. The trembling ripped at Luke’s heart.

Luke struggled for the right words. He took a breath, “I know you think cause you’re older and more experienced than I am that you need to be the strong one, “ Luke whispered to him softly, “but you don’t. I’m okay. Really. And I’m right here.” Luke caressed him again. “Look at me,” he commanded Reid.

Reid finally turned and stared up at Luke, just looking at him. His eyes were bluer than Luke had ever seen them. They watched each other wordlessly.

Reid carefully started to put each of his hands against Luke’s cheeks and was about to hold his face between his fingers. But at the last moment, Reid hesitated, afraid his touch would hurt Luke. So he took Luke’s hand and placed it on his chest instead. Luke could feel the steady beat inside his body.

Reid finally met Luke’s eyes again. His own eyes were glistening with emotion. Slowly, Reid raised Luke’s hand from his chest and placed a small kiss on the inside of his palm.

“Luke,” Reid said simply, gazing at him intensely, “I love you.”

Title: The Last Doughnut
Author: Marsabi
Summary: When Damian disinherits Luke, can he survive in the “real” world? Will he drive Reid crazy in the process?
Disclaimer: Owned by ATWT
Rating: PG- NC-17 (depends on chapter)
Warning: None
A companion to Camp Queer
Thanks traciamc for the read

Part Three - First Steps



“How was your night out? “ Holden greeted Luke the next day. Luke glanced at his grandmother, who was busying making pancakes by the stove.

“Okay, you know,” he ducked his head away, “fine.”

Holden, sensing Luke’s embarrassment, merely smiled and returned to his morning paper.

“Eat,” Emma said, and gave Luke an enormous plate of food.

After their swim, Luke and Reid had both been starving and had driven through the closest Taco Bell, munching away on some soggy tacos. They had just sat in the car, eating and listening to various radio stations repeat the same 3 songs over and over. Luke had felt ridiculously happy.

When they had reached Al’s, Luke had walked Reid to his door.

“Wanna come in?” Reid had asked, his voice deepening.

“Doctor Oliver,” Luke had answered playfully, “this is our first date. I’m not a slut!”

“Too bad,” Reid had retorted with smiling eyes. “And don’t underestimate the power of a good slut.”

“Hey, you were the one who was used like a sex toy on the rooftops of Memorial,” Luke protested.

“It’s not gallant of you to remind me,” Reid teased. “But at least now I have a fallback career.”

That had ended up making them crack up again. It was still a surprise to Luke just how much Reid made him laugh. The last few years of his life, he had spent either apologizing or trying to rigidly remain on the “right” path. With Reid, he could finally let go of all that.

“Anyhow,” Reid had drawled, when they’d stopped laughing, “ We’re talking about you.

“Are you saying you’d like me to be easy?” Luke had flirted, not wanting to stop the silliness of the moment.

“I like you any which way,” Reid had flirted back.

Luke had flushed, thinking about all the ways they had yet to do it. He had looked down bashfully. Reid had cupped Luke’s chin then and lifted up his head, kissing him sweetly.

“So how much dating before you put out?” Reid had asked.

Luke had giggled, “Oh, maybe the third or fourth one.” The talk at the pond had made him feel good again, assured of Reid’s desire for him. He had smiled at Reid, and he had smiled back.
They both knew the time was coming to be together again.

Luke doubted either of them could hold out for that third date.

His grandmother’s voice suddenly brought Luke back to the present, “Well, I’m off to go food shopping,” Emma declared, picking up her big purse and kissing both Holden and Luke, “You boys are just eating me out of house and home.”

“Thanks, Mama.”

Emma waved at them and left. Holden looked at Luke with laughter on his face, “Don’t be fooled. She loves nothing more than a big house full of Snyders to feed.”

“Yeah.”

They ate their breakfast in companionable silence.

“Listen,” Holden said to him suddenly, “ don’t feel you have to come back here for our sake.”

“What do you mean?”

“From your date. You’re not a teenager, Luke. You can do what you want.”

“Oh, right,” Luke stammered. He did not want to discuss sex with Holden, not any kind of sex.

He had already spent that one night with Reid, and Luke was longing to be back in his bed. Holden was right; he was not a kid. He was an adult , on the verge of graduating and making his way in the world. Still, he had lost years of his life, years of normal experiences , pretending to be straight.

“Thank you so much…for taking me in and for everything.”

“You don’t have to thank me, “ Holden said simply, “I’m your dad.”

There was a pause. Both men sipped their coffee. Luke’s eyes were moist.

“I know Mom took the kids to Malta to keep them away from me,” Luke said finally in a quiet voice , “and that keeps them away from you too.”

“They have to return at the start of school,” Holden answered, “And let me handle your mom and Damian.”

“It not fair to you, Dad, the trouble I brought when I came out.”

“Luke,” Holden said firmly, “stop blaming yourself. “

Luke half-smiled. How easily he fell back on his old habits, when he was not with Reid. “I wish Mom could just be more like you. “

“She used to be different,” Holden’s eyes narrowed. He always blamed Damian for Lily’s poisonous attitude. “The kids will come home soon, you’ll see, and we’ll all spend time together here on the farm.”

Luke shrugged, “I hope so. “ But an insistent voice inside of Luke didn’t think that Holden was right.

Luke’s mind drifted back to Reid and their date. Luke’s face softened as he thought about him. He wondered how Reid’s day was going at the hospital, and if it was too soon to call him and hear his voice.

***

Across town, Reid could barely believe the bullshit he was hearing come out of Bob Hughes’ lips.

“I’m not sure why Damian Grimaldi has decided to put a stop to the grant,” Bob was saying to him,” but your work here at Memorial has been excellent and I’d like you to stay on- you just won’t make the extra income that the Grimaldi-Walsh grant provided.”

The table of doctors nodded their agreement. Not all of them were fond of Reid and his blunt attitude, but most of them respected his work.

Reeling back from the shock of what Bob was telling him, Reid quickly attempted to compose his face. He could guess why Grimaldi was trying to pull the grant from him, the very grant that had brought Reid to Oakdale in the first place, and it made Reid furious.

“We can talk over the new salary privately,” Bob told him.

Reid was barely listening, still calculating the loss of income from the cancelled grant. He’d have to consider the best way to handle the situation. For Luke’s sake, he needed to think it all through.

“Fantastic,” He said to Bob, “I can use the three pennies Memorial gives me now to start a new piggy bank.”

“Too bad, Reid,” Chris said, looking at him with an insincere smile. “Maybe you won’t want to stay in Oakdale?”

“What and miss out on all my chances to fix your incompetent work? No way.” Reid smiled back as Chris glared at him. He had no idea why Chris Hughes seemed to hate him on sight, but then again most people hated him. Reid didn’t waste too much time worrying about it.

Now Luke, on the other hand, would be devastated at being disliked. Not that people disliked him. Who would? Luke was sweet and kind to everybody. Just last night, for instance, he had chatted with the girl at the Taco Bell on and on, listening to her life story and offering her genuine sympathy. Reid wouldn’t have minded at all, except his food had been getting cold. Then Reid had seen Luke slip the girl a big tip. Who tipped the drive-thru girl at Taco Bell? Only a sap like Luke. Thinking about him, Reid’s heart warmed.

“Now,” Bob was saying, “We have a one more thing to discuss.”

Reid sighed. This meeting was never-ending.

” I want to announce that Dr. John Dixon will be joining our staff again in the Cardio wing.”

“What?” Chris said, surprised.

A few of the other doctors at the meeting looked surprised too. There was suddenly a great amount of whispering among them. They looked like schoolchildren playing a game of telephone.

“Apparently, he and Lucinda Walsh have –er rekindled their old flame in Amsterdam, and are both coming back here to Oakdale in a week or so.”

At the name of Lucinda Walsh, Reid looked up. Luke’s other grandmother was headed back to town? He wasn’t sure if that was good news or not for Luke, but he hoped Lucinda Walsh would support her grandson’s choices. Besides, Lucinda Walsh was the other half of the Grimaldi-Walsh grant, maybe she would support Reid too. It was worth investigating.

Bob dismissed them, and everybody went their separate ways, except for Chris who was following Reid into the elevator

“We both know why you lost the grant!”Chris sneered, as the door shut.

“What?” Reid asked him with impatience; he punched his floor several times and took a deep breath. He hated elevators, and he was beginning to actively dislike Chris.

“The real reason you lost the Grimaldi grant was you’re doing his son.” Chris said nastily.

“And you know this how?”

“I ran into Luke, mooning over you, just the other day.”

Reid frowned.

“And I heard my dad too,” Chris went on, “on the phone. He was telling somebody that Damian was really angry and not acting rational about canceling the grant.”

“You know,” Reid told him, “ grown men who spy on their daddies usually do it because they have no life.”

“I have a life!” Chris said.

“Sure,” Reid nodded, “If being overly bitter and undersexed counts as living.”

“It won’t be long before my dad sees through you, Luke dumps you, and you’re gone,” Chris predicted.

“You can dream,” Reid retorted. Why couldn’t he have used the stairs?

They rode for a minute in hostile silence. Then they reached the fifth floor for Pediatrics. Reid thought Chris’s specialty suited him well; he was such an entitled brat.

“This is where I’m getting off,” Chris said needlessly, waiting for the door to open.

“Your ability to state the obvious is one of your few skills,” Reid told him. “Too bad we can’t add being a good doctor to that list.”

Chris stormed out.

Reid sighed as the doors closed again. He hoped he would see Luke later, cause so far his day had really sucked. A moment later, as if by magic, Reid’s phone buzzed with an incoming text. He looked at it and felt some of his stress lift.

Luke wanted to meet him at the end of his shift for date number two.

***

After an exhausting set of rounds, Reid could finally relax. He had spent hours dealing with fearful patients, irritating family members, and more than one idiotic intern. But now his shift was over. Now Luke was there. In his office. In his arms. Reid had Luke by the waist. Luke was starting to lean his body into Reid’s and allow Reid to gently find his mouth. Luke smelled as good as he always did – like fresh bread. And Reid was ready to savor his lips.

Just then, the door to Reid’s office swung open.

“Dr. Oliver? Oh!” Nurse Gretchen stepped back, blushing. “I’m sorry.”

“Did you ever hear of knocking?” Reid growled, and glanced at Luke as he jumped off of his desk in a hurry.

“I’m sorry, “ she said again, “but I needed to talk to you.”

“What ignorant thing you did today?” Reid snapped.

Luke shot Reid a reproving look.

“I’m sorry, Doctor.”

“That seems to be all you can say,” Reid complained. “Just tell me what it is and we’ll pretend you actually have earned your job title.”

Gretchen cringed.

Luke, feeling badly for the nurse, seized on a sudden plan to rescue her.

“In case it wasn’t obvious, “ Luke interrupted, and told Nurse Gretchen calmly, “I’m gay and Reid and I are dating.” The words felt surprisingly good, but what was even better was the look on Reid’s face as he realized he would now have to be “nice” to Nurse Gretchen.

“Oh- um- fantastic,” the poor nurse was stuttering, her eyes like a trapped rat’s.

“So once more, why are you here?’ Reid asked neutrally, and then seeing Luke’s raised eyebrows, he added “You look nice today, by the way.” He plastered a fake smile on his face at Gretchen.

“Are you saying I normally don’t look nice? “Gretchen asked in a wobbly voice. Tears started in her eyes.

”No –”

“I try my best,” She whined. “But I’m a single mother with two kids, and just brushing my hair and finding clean scrubs takes effort.”

“I – well-“ Reid shot Luke a look of desperation.

“And my ex-husband picks them up and he looks at me just like you do –like I’m an unattractive slob!”

She began to sob loudly. Luke went over and gave her a hug. “Nobody thinks that here, Gretchen. “ Luke told her soothingly. “We all know what a hard worker you are.”

He gave Reid a withering glare over Gretchen’s head. To which Reid mouthed at him not my fault.

“Really?” Gretchen sniffed.

“Yes.” Luke’s mouth twisted. “ Reid told me just the other day that you’re his favorite nurse.”

Gretchen looked up into Luke’s eyes doubtfully, “He did?”

Reid frantically made a slicing motion across his throat at Luke and shook his head.

“Sure.” Luke smiled.

Gretchen turned to Reid.

“I’d love to be in the OR more, Dr. Oliver, if you’d request me.”

Reid just nodded, resigned. “We need stable influences like you in there,” he said dryly, his slight sarcasm floating right over Nurse Gretchen’s empty head.

She beamed at Luke, gave Reid a wary smile, and backed out of the room.

“She didn’t tell you why she was here?” Luke said puzzled.

“She probably forgot. She’s like a preschooler- you have to remind her 20 times a day. Now I have to find a way not to have her in my OR.” Reid scowled at Luke. “You so got the better end of this deal.”

“You know what?” Luke said swiftly and with his usual impulsive generosity. “I’ll release you from it. “

“Really?”

Luke shrugged. After growing up in a world of manners and secrets, the way Reid said exactly what was on his mind was refreshing. Luke really didn’t want him to change. But it had been fun to see Reid squirm.

“Great,“ Reid grinned, and the power of his smile hit Luke forcefully. “Cause I thought I might explode holding back all my insults.”

“I feel like I’m exploding for different reasons,” Luke said before he could stop himself. He saw Reid’s mouth fall open, and Luke dropped his eyes ,”Oh my God! I can’t believe I just said that out loud to you!”

Reid laughed richly. “Are you kidding me? You just made my whole crappy day ! ” He pulled Luke to him and rubbed a hand over Luke’s crotch, confirming Luke’s arousal. Luke’s knees buckled and he might have fallen if Reid hadn’t put his arms around him.

“We- we can’t here,” Luke glanced fearfully at the door.

Reid gently put him on the desk.

He turned and locked the door. “Here and now. ”

He sauntered back to Luke and stroked him again through the material of his pants. “I’m a doctor, after all. I can’t see my boyfriend in pain.”

Luke found his pants unzipped and pulled off in a matter of seconds.

He watched Reid drop down to his knees. Luke was already a puddle of mush at the word, boyfriend. Reid had never said that to him before. Luke closed his eyes as he felt those firm fingers holding him at his base and then gliding slowly down to his tip.

“Now tell me,” Reid said hoarsely, clearly getting turned on by Luke’s obvious lust.

“What?” Luke mumbled as the hand stroked him again. His toes were beginning to curl.

“Suck my cock.” Reid ordered as his mouth nibbled the side of Luke’s thigh. “Say it.”

Luke shook his head back and forth, even as he raised his hips towards Reid’s lips.

“Come on , Luke. Be loud and proud. It’s just us.”

“You suck,” Luke managed, but it came out like an accusation.

“You suck, please,” Reid returned, laughing. Part of him just enjoyed hearing Luke say things in that sweet, polite tone of his, but another part of Reid really did want to begin to encourage Luke to learn how to ask for what he wanted, in and out of bed.

Reid’s tongue gave a small , teasing lick.

“Suck me please!” Luke nearly shouted.

“Good,” Reid murmured and his one hand soothed Luke, gently rubbing circles on his lower back. “And yes, I will.”

Reid slurped Luke into his mouth like a tasty treat.

He took Luke all the way down his throat. Luke’s fingers grabbed onto the desk for support, as his legs clenched. He tried to open them up wider, allowing Reid closer.Reid’s tongue worked the underside of Luke’s erection . His hands cupped Luke’s backside now. With a gasp, Luke felt Reid whole mouth pull at him. He exploded right then, unable to stop himself, trembling with release.

Reid helped clean him up as Luke just slumped down, dazed.

“Okay?,” Reid said softly.

“Well,” Luke considered, “I’m in no pain.”

Reid nodded. “That’s because I’m a damn good doctor.”

“And not a bad boyfriend either, ‘Luke teased, deliberately using the word again out loud.

“So, where do you want to go now?” Reid just smiled, offering him a hand up.

“Oh,” Luke had forgotten everything but the feeling of Reid’s mouth.“I don’t care.” Luke would go anywhere with him. He sighed. “I’m flexible.”

“Yeah, “ Reid answered, his eyes suddenly gleaming , “I remember that about you.”

He led a blushing Luke out the door.


***

At the same moment Reid and Luke were leaving Memorial, Maddie was just coming out of the Oakdale library, a thick stack of novels tucked under her arm. The day was hot and sticky, making Maddie’s thin blouse cling to her skin. She looked down, trying to pull the material away from her, when a familiar voice shouted her name.

Maddie stared at Casey wordlessly. He stood in the center of the street, arrogantly daring any cars to come, his feet planted firmly. His reddish-blond hair was blowing in the humid air, and his eyes were challenging.

Maddie approached him cautiously, unable to believe he was real.

“What? How?” She gasped.

Casey shrugged,” I got released early for good behavior.” His eyes wandered up and down her body. “I see you’re still a geek,” he said finally, nodding to her books.

“Reading doesn’t make me a geek,” Maddie replied automatically, her heart still nearly bursting out of her chest with desire and surprise.

Casey seemed to be about to come closer to her, touch her maybe, but then his eyes filled with something unreadable and he backed away.

“Casey,” Maddie said, hating the vulnerable quality in her voice, the begging, but unable to stop it.

“No,” He shook his head,” Don’t. Like I wrote you, we’ve nothing left. “ His mouth twisted with regret, but his eyes remained cool. “Go home, Maddie,” he told her.

She just watched him stalk off, wondering where it had all gone wrong.

Maddie swallowed the lump in her throat. She really wanted to talk to somebody about this. But Henry, and by extension Vienna, were out. Henry loathed Casey, ever since he had gambled too much and then had stolen to pay his mounting debts . Henry would advise her to not give Casey another thought. Maybe she could talk to Luke about it. He and Casey used to be friends. Luke wouldn’t judge her harshly.

Because regardless of what anybody else thought, she knew Casey. He was not a bad person; he had just made mistakes. The biggest one, in her opinion, was trying to end their own relationship. If Casey Hughes thought she could be dismissed so easily than he forgot who she was. Maddie squared her shoulders determinedly and walked on. She planned to remind Casey of all they had shared and soon.

***
Casey repeated the mantra in his head over and over, ”I’m no good for her,” until he almost cared. He paused outside of the Hughes house, and lit a cigarette, another habit he’d acquired in jail. He blew out a ring of smoke and scowled. It was amazing to be free. To be out of prison and just looking at the sky and sun. But the price was high. So damn high. Maddie was not alone in her sudden misery. Casey wished with all of his heart that he could be with the girl he loved.

Sighing, Casey whipped out his phone and punched the one number saved. When the voice answered, Casey simply said, “I arrived. It’s begun.”

Then, feeling sick at himself but resigned, he walked into his house. He had just traded one prison for another.

Title: Hit and Run
Author: Marsabi
Summary: When Natalie is a victim of a hit and run, Luke and Reid have their relationship tested.
Disclaimer: Owned by ATWT
Warning: Sexually Explicit and Strong Language
Rating: NC-17

a/n: This is almost the end to the story, but I couldn’t resist teasing Reid a little more and having one more NC-17 moment …Hope you guys like

Part 18

When the door opened a little while later, Reid nearly jumped out of his skin. Luke carried some office papers. He smiled at Reid distractedly.

“I’ve had a bad afternoon, “ Luke told him. He shrugged out of his coat and then walked to the kitchen. “Lucinda kept asking me to pick up more stuff. And I’ve neglected so much foundation business, “ he sighed. “Good thing I’m the boss or I’d be fired. “

Reid followed him, examining Luke’s every move. His eyes studying him like a science problem.

Luke unwrapped something in foil from their fridge and sniffed. He wrinkled up his nose and put it back .

“I don’t know how we ever fed Natalie here,” Luke said.

Reid reached into the fridge and absently opened up the foil . He nibbled the contents.

Luke gave him a look. “I’m pretty sure that’s not edible.”

“I have a strong stomach,” Reid replied. He poked at the food some more with a fork.

Luke took a glass down and filled it with water. He drank some noisily.

“Well, I better finish this work,” Luke said.

“What? You’re going? You didn’t eat.” He wanted Luke to stay. Reid started rummaging around the fridge. “Look here’s pizza from the other day, a hamburger and hey – a taco . Now that’s good food!”

“Eat this,” Reid ordered. He handed Luke a hamburger, and frowned when Luke handed it back.

Luke shook his head and then began to wash out his glass. “Sometimes, I can’t believe you’re a doctor. I think you must have skipped basic nutrition class.”

Reid picked up the soggy taco. “How ‘bout this? Last chance? We can go halves?”

“Bon appetite,” Luke grinned at Reid as he left the kitchen.

How can I bring up weddings, when he keeps leaving the room? And why am I trying to get him to eat old Taco Bell? I should have bought lobster or something. Damn!

Reid quickly tossed the leftovers in the trash and followed Luke. Luke headed up the stairs with his papers in his hand.

“Luke!”Reid called and when Luke stopped, Reid crashed right into him.

“What?” Luke asked. He put a hand on Reid to steady him.

Reid glanced down at Luke’s hand on his arm.

“I just –“Reid hesitated, “I want you to know that you can ask me anything. Whatever’s on your mind, you can ask me.”

Reid stood back and waited expectantly.

“Really?”

“Yes.” Reid stood and waited for Luke to bring up love and relationships and feelings. God, he hoped they wouldn’t have to talk about feelings too much!

“Okay,” Luke shrugged. “I really could use some help today, while I finish my work. Would you mind cleaning out R.J’s litter box? It’s a mess.”

“You’re asking me to…” Reid’s face twisted up in disgust, “clean out the cat’s crappy box?”

“Didn’t you just say I could ask you a favor?” Luke demanded.

“No! Yes! “ Reid huffed, “I don’t think that’s what I just said. I didn’t mean –“ He ran hand through his hair. “Okay, whatever.”

“Great. Thanks!,” Luke said and continued up the stairs.

“Terrific,” Reid muttered as he grabbed a bag of fresh kitty litter and the scooper. This was going well.

He thought Luke would have picked right up on his verbal cues by now and be kissing him with happiness, not having him shovel cat shit.

***

Reid finished and then went slowly up the steps. He peeked into their bedroom at Luke.

Luke was busy working at their desk.

Reid watched. He noticed the missing engagement bands and flinched. When Had Luke taken those off? More importantly, why had Luke taken the rings off? Reid flashed back to the day he told Luke he would not put on the ring. He had just needed some time, not forever. Of course, he still wanted to marry Luke. But had he told him any of that? What exactly did he say to him? Reid could not recall it.

After a moment, Luke looked up. “All done?” He smiled.

Reid nodded.”Yep.”

“Hey, we need to get our suits ready for grandmother’s New Year’s party. Don’t let me forget.”

“Right.”

Reid had imagined Luke would just propose again, after a time, and he’d say yes again. Clean. Easy.

He eyed Luke’s naked finger. Okay, so Luke was insecure now or something. He’d have to let him know that he still wanted to be his husband. He just needed to reassure Luke that he was ready and loved him and -

Luke looked over at him. “You’re being a little weird. You okay?”

“I- I’m- “ Reid sucked in a sudden breath. Reid’s eyes darted around.

Try. Reassure him!

“Do you know that the brain has three main neurotransmitters to activate love? Adrenaline, dopamine, and serotonin,“ Reid babbled suddenly.

“Uh-huh.”

“Then feelings of great attachment form and you have oxytocin and vasopressin too, all those chemicals. Pretty soon you have the brain’s mix for love. And once these chemicals are there, they can stay forever, you know, forever? “ Reid voice went up a notch, “Do you get what I’m saying.”

Come on, Luke. Understand me

Luke had been reading over one of his papers. He looked up a second, “Um, are you writing an article for a medical journal?” He asked politely.

“No!” Reid snapped.

“Sorry,” Luke gave him an annoyed look. “Don’t jump down my throat.”

Great, Oliver, now he is pissed at you.

Luke went back to sorting his things. “I’m almost done with this.”

Stop talking science, bonehead. Try what Luke likes. Try poetry or something.

Circling around him like a shark, Reid spoke again.
“Okay, forget brains. They’re not important. Luke, um, did you know that I…I like your eyes. “

“What?”

“Your eyes,” Reid nodded vigorously.

“My eyes?” Luke said.

“Yeah, there um, like a puppy’s.” Reid rushed on. “ I mean in a good cute way- not a drooling , begging way,” Reid broke off clumsily.“And your hair is- like- like a great shiny “ Reid searched his giant intellect for words, “–field of –…corn.”

“Corn?”Luke repeated.

“Yeah,” Reid pinched the bridge of his nose. “ I like corn. It’s good. On the cob. Or I like it cut up and creamed .”

There was a pause.Reid swore under his breath.

Luke just shook his head. “What’s wrong with you?”

Reid sighed.

“You know, I am feeling a bit off.” He gestured to his head and made a sound like an explosion was going off in there. “Must be your family here. Chattering on and on. “

“About what?”

“Nothing. Stupid things. I think I have a migraine. I’m going in the shower and er– be back.”

Luke just looked at him, as Reid turned and fled. Reid closed the bathroom door and started up the water. He banged his head against the wall. He took several gulping breaths.

That was a huge disaster. Good job, idiot. Way to be romantic!

What the hell was he going to do now?

“I know what you’re doing!” Luke suddenly tapped on the door, startling him.

“You do?” Reid said in shock.

“Yeah,” Luke entered the bathroom. “And it won’t work.”

“It won’t?”

Luke shook his head. “Nope. We are going to that party tomorrow night. It’s as much a celebration of Natalie’s recovery as it is a New Year’s party. Being nice to me won’t get you out of it.”

“Oh,” Reid sat down on the edge of the tub. “That.”

He looked up at Luke. “Okay, you got me.”

What did anybody expect from him anyhow?

Luke nodded, “I knew you were being all nice to get out of it. Face it Reid, you can’t fool me.”

“I can’t?” He nodded sagely. “ You always know what I’m thinking.”

“I do,” Luke returned, somewhat smugly.

“It’s like you read my mind,” Reid said sarcastically.

He sincerely hoped he never would have to romance Luke ever again. His original strategy of being rude as possible to Luke as he had fawned all over that douche Noah had been a million times easier than this. What had he done back then? Just been a total jerk and then kissed him and then… Wait a minute…That was it, sex.

Sex he could do.

Reid stood up and then reached into the shower to feel the water temperature. “Like right now. Can you guess what’s on my mind?” He gave Luke a lascivious grin.

“Well, you were fed not long ago,” Luke drawled, “so I’ll guess me?”

“So smart,” Reid marveled. Then he opened up the glass door to the shower. “Mr. Snyder, step
right this way.”

I’ll give Luke the best sex of his life. I’ll get him to be all happy and glowy- the way
I like Luke anyhow - and then I’ll ask him.

Reid grinned at him.

They quickly stripped. Together, they entered the shower.

***

It wasn’t long before Reid had Luke by the hips, his hard cock pressing against Luke firmly. His hand on Luke’s tip, brushing it back and forth against his knuckles and then stroking it with his fingers.

Groaning, Luke’s hips rocked forward .

Reid dropped to his knees worshipfully. He began to taste him intimately with his tongue. He slid one thumb over Luke’s slit, and then used his mouth again.

“Ohh,” Luke’s body convulsed. “Please. “

“Tell me what you want,” Reid said softly, “and I’ll do it. Tell me.”

Luke could only make incomprehensible sounds as his cock got rock-hard.

Luke’s wet hands slid up and down the shower wall.

“God! “ Luke shouted in sweet agony. “I just want you!” Luke eyes darkened. His lips were slightly parted.

He was lovely.

“You got me,” Reid said in answer. He wrapped his tongue around Luke’s head, and then took
Luke fully into his mouth. Luke pumped his cock in and out of Reid’s mouth.
Luke pulled frantically at Reid’s hair, holding the back of his neck. His cock knocking at the back of Reid’s throat.

And then Luke was there, his hot, milky explosion filling Reid’s hungry mouth.

Luke nearly collapsed; he panted and shook. Reid released him and then caressed his body gently. He ran his hands up and down Luke’s spine. Luke glanced down at Reid’s enormous erection pressing into him, and his eyes widened. Reid turned him around and kissed his neck and shoulders.

“Bend over,” Reid commanded in a husky voice.

“I –“

“Now!”

Luke bent down, and Reid palmed his ass. “Beautiful,” Reid murmured. Then he took down the shower nozzle and let the water pulse over Luke’s exposed hole, washing the sweet flesh.

“Ahhh,” Luke moaned. The water was like little shocks of wet heat. Reid added his finger, thrusting it in and out of Luke. He was already getting hard again.
Reid pushed another of his fingers inside and rotated it.

Grabbing the wall for support, Luke helplessly groaned. “No, no , no.”

“Yes, yes, yes,” Reid laughed. “I’m going to lick you now,” Reid told him.

Then he put down the shower head and removed his fingers and found Luke with his tongue.
Meanwhile, Reid’s hands glided all over Luke’s slick body.

***

Reid toweled Luke off gently and then started to the bed. Luke tripped and slid down to their rug.

“I. God that was – Wow.” He moaned. Reid sank down beside him.

“What makes you think we’re done?” He whispered, still focused on giving Luke every bit of pleasure he could. He was still determining the right moment to ask him. Besides, they were both hard now.

Reid pushed Luke down on the carpet. He turned so that his mouth hovered just over Luke’s cock. Luke had a full view of Reid’s sculpted butt. Luke couldn’t help reaching up and trailing a finger down the cheeks and flicking at Reid’s crack.

“69 with me,” Reid demanded. He knew how much Luke loved the mutual pleasure of that move.

Sure enough, Luke shook with anticipation. He slid Reid’s dick into his mouth. Luke’s hands massaged Reid’s ass. Reid pushed apart Luke’s thighs. Reid took Luke between his lips. They both sucked.

***

“Fuck me already!” Luke sobbed, his whole body twisting.

“No.”

“I can’t take this, I can’t take it!”

“You’re taking it, “ Reid ordered, lowering down his mouth.

Sobs of need racked Luke’s whole body,” Please, Reid, please.”

“Soon,” Reid soothed. “Soon.”

***

Reid let out an animal groan of pleasure.

They had made it to the bed, finally. Luke was underneath him, his legs on Reid’s shoulders.

“You’re so incredible,” Reid moaned.

He thrust deeper. Luke clenched his muscles around Reid’s hard shaft. He loved the way Luke quivered with need then.

Reid made an indeterminable noise of satisfaction. Luke was so fucking tight.
Reid began to move rhythmically inside of him. He captured Luke’s erection with his hand and stroked him up and down. He pounded into Luke’s ass.

“I guess those brain chemicals of ours are on fire right now,” Luke suddenly laughed and then panted.

Reid paused and looked down at him, “You heard all that? I didn’t think you were really listening. “

Reid thrust into him again. Luke’s head thrashed back and forth with pleasure.

“I always listen to you,” he replied, his whole body shaking.

Suddenly, Reid had no desire to keep pulling out every sex trick he knew. He stared down at
Luke’s lovely face, flushed with passion.

***

Suddenly he just wanted to kiss Luke and never stop.

***

Luke’s eyes flew open. “What?” he asked.

“This-“ Reid answered and bent down to Luke’s lips.

He kissed him with all the sweetness he felt inside. Their tongue touched gently. Luke weaved his fingers into Reid’s hair.

Reid began to move inside of Luke again, slowly now. He rocked in and out.

“You’re, “ Reid moaned as Luke lifted up his hips to meet him, “You’re everything,” he said to Luke, “everything.”

Luke sucked in a sharp breath at his words. His face went soft.

“For me too.” Luke managed to say. “ You’re everything too,” he told Reid thickly.

They kissed again. The kiss lingered, a warm, sweet pressure.

Being inside of Luke was perfect, like knowing where to belong. They moved again, eyes open, watching each other, giving each other coded messages that lovers silently speak. The thrust of their bodies matched the rapid rhythm of their hearts.
Then Reid closed his eyes. He felt a tingling ache inside. He pulled Luke up higher, chest to chest, mouth on mouth, his hands digging underneath Luke’s firm buttocks, lifting up.

Moving. Soaring.

“Mine!” Reid shouted out as he finally climaxed.

“Mine ,” Luke answered, groaning and spilling his semen, creamy and plentiful. Reid didn’t mind. He liked the hot rush of Luke against his skin. He liked knowing they were both lost in pleasure.

Their bodies were woven as one, limbs tight. The air full of the musky scent of love.
Reid rolled over, taking Luke with him, still holding him. They rested . Their breath slowly calming. Reid finally pulled out. Luke collapsed next to him. He wrapped his hands at Luke’s waist and rested his head on Luke’s shoulder.

Now.

Reid practiced the words for a moment in his head. Then he frowned and practiced them again. This was a lot more difficult than he’d imagined. He absently made lazy circles on Luke’s stomach. He liked just resting in the warmth of Luke’s body. Sometimes it seemed like Luke had a light burning inside of him; the way he would radiate heat and the way his whole face could suddenly brighten. Reid was eager to see that high voltage smile now as he asked Luke to be his. He took a huge breathe and spoke.

“Luke. I was thinking,” Reid voice came out, actually trembling, “We’re doing pretty well with this whole love thing so…What do you think about getting engaged again?”

Reid was elated. He’d said it! He looked up hopefully at Luke.
Luke was asleep. His hands were curled and resting sweetly by his head. His mouth was innocent and open and slightly bruised from their kisses. His still wet hair was at his forehead in messy strands.

Of course, too damn late.

Reid gently stroked his thumb over Luke’s lips.

Luke deserved better than a post-sex proposal anyhow. Reid held Luke in his arms and tried to think.

***
An hour later, Reid’s mind was still blank. He carefully got up, not waking Luke from his sleep. He would just have to surrender. Reid grabbed his phone with a deep sigh.
Reid shook his head and began to text: Okay, Natalie. You win. Please give me your idea. I need help! You’re completely clueless, soon to be brother-in-law

Across town, Natalie smiled at the text from Reid. Step Four: Get Luke a fantastic, romantic proposal. She texted Reid back detailed instructions of just what to do. Natalie smiled contently. She couldn’t wait for the ceremony.