somebody should be kissing those lips -- part 5
PART 1: http://dpracket.livejournal.com/50255.ht
PART 2: http://dpracket.livejournal.com/50611.ht
PART 3: http://dpracket.livejournal.com/50931.ht
PART 4: http://dpracket.livejournal.com/51075.html
"What's this about you being suspended?" Luke asked as Reid opened the apartment door.
"Hello to you too," Reid said sarcastically, watching Luke walk past him into the apartment.
"I accompanied Noah to his follow up, and when we got there, we were told.....Oh, hey, Katie," Luke said, realizing that Katie was reading at the kitchen table.
"Hi, Luke," Katie said, smiling. She stood up. "I need to check on Jacob. If he doesn't wake up soon, he'll never sleep tonight. I'll give you guys a chance to talk." She walked toward her bedroom, glancing back at Reid, who rolled his eyes.
Luke turned to Reid. "We were told that Dr. Munoz is now handling Noah's case. And that you are on 'administrative leave.' What happened?"
"I'm being sued for malpractice. It's Memorial's policy that I'm put onto leave until it's resolved."
"What? Sued? For what?"
Reid stepped toward Luke. He pulled Luke to him by his belt loops, brought his hand to the back of his neck and pulled him in for a hard kiss, his tongue sliding into Luke's mouth.
Luke pushed him back. "Cut it out, Reid. Tell me what happened."
"I don't want to talk. I want to fuck." He nuzzled the side of Luke's face with his nose. "C'mon, let's go to my room. I need you in my bed." He tried to capture Luke's mouth with his.
Luke pushed him away again. "What? Where is this coming from?"
Reid stepped back and looked at the ceiling for a moment before challenging Luke. "It's not like we haven't done it before."
"So, you just assume that means we'll do it again. Just like that?"
"Just like that? What the hell are you talking about? There is no just like that. We've been eye fucking each other for the past three weeks. In front of your boyfriend. In front of your parents. We touch. We hug. We kiss. Hell, we were making out in the hospital chapel two days ago...up against the mural of St. what's-his-face. Jesus, Luke. There's this thing between us, and it's not going away, no matter how much we avoid addressing it. And right now I'm stressed out. I'm pissed off. I'm horny, and I feel like fucking something other than my own fist."
Luke shook his head. "I'm leaving..."
Reid heard the change in Luke's breathing, saw him tug on the right leg of his pants. "You're hard," Reid said directly, locking eyes with Luke. "I make you hard."
Luke stared at Reid, seemingly shocked (awed?) by his audacity. But he didn't deny it. "Sex is more than just physical, it's..."
Reid rolled his eyes. "Here we go with the feelings again..."
Luke backed up. "Right. And you don't do feelings."
Reid sighed. "Have you not been paying attention to anything that's been going on here the past few weeks?" He gestured between Luke and himself. "I think that I've been embarrassingly obvious."
"Obvious about what?" Luke asked.
"I can't get you out of my head," Reid admitted, his voice softer, as he moved toward Luke. "I like you. A lot. It's more than that. I'm fucking drawn to you. I want to be with you."
Luke licked his bottom lip. "I can't...I have to go..."
Reid watched Luke hastily walk out the door.
Katie came out of her room with a babbling Jacob on her hip. "Luke's gone already?"
Reid continued to stare at the door.
"Reid?"
"Huh? What?" He turned toward Katie.
"Luke's gone?"
"Yeah," Reid said looking back at the door and palming the front of his jeans. "Yeah, he had to leave."
"That's too bad. I thought maybe we could all have lunch together. I'm going to make a sandwich. You want one?"
Reid didn't answer.
"Reid?"
"Huh? Uh...no...I'm gonna shower." He walked to his bedroom and closed the door.
****************************************
"The emergency hearing is in three days. I've retained two Texas medical attorneys who will meet with you tomorrow. They have your cellphone number and will contact you upon arrival in Dallas."
"How do you have my cell num..."
"My private jet is being fueled and readied with provisions and refreshments. Name your poison."
"Guinness. And on really bad days, Stoli's. Chilled. Straight up...............and those Swiss Roll Little Debbie cake things. And pizza-flavored Combos, and ..." Luke's grandmother started at him, looking highly unamused. "Ya know what? Nevermind. Just the Guinness."
"Consider it done. Captain Scotley will fly you to Dallas this afternoon. A rental car will be waiting for you at DFW. I requested a luxury sedan. If it's not to your liking, feel free to upgrade. There won't be a problem. I've made arrangements for accomodations at the Ritz Carlton."
"I'd rather stay at my apartment."
"Suit yourself," Lucinda said, fluttering her hand through the air. She ran her eyes down the length of Reid's body and back up to his eyes, clicking her manicured nails against the substantial bauble around her neck. "I assume you have something adequate to wear? Or shall I have some Armani delivered to your apartment?"
"I have a suit," Reid said, rolling his eyes. "It's not Armani, but it works."
"Very well, then. My driver will pick you up at 2:15. Please, be ready."
"Why are you doing this?" Reid asked Lucinda.
"I told you. I love my grandson, and he's adamant that you keep your medical license and that you are returned to practice as soon as possible. He is quite grateful for the restoration of Noah's eyesight, as am I, Dr. Oliver. There's nothing I wouldn't do for Luke. And I get the feeling he fancies you."
"Fancies?" Reid repeated, his brow furrowed.
"Don't get me wrong. I like Noah well enough, but I've never felt he was worthy of Luke's devotion. Luke has confided in me that Noah wants him back, has been insisting on reuniting quite frequently in fact since the miraculous restoration of his eyesight, but as much as Luke loves him, there's something keeping him from falling back into old patterns, which I, for one, am happy about. I think that something is you."
"Me? No. With all due respect, Ms. Walsh, I think you're wrong."
"Luke needs a strong partner," Lucinda continued, as if Reid had not spoken. "Someone who is certain about the things he wants, and the things he likes. Someone who appreciates the person Luke is. Someone with focus. You are a surgeon. You must have a tremendous amount of focus. And precision." Lucinda stepped forward and ran a long fingernail down the middle of Reid's chest. "You like men, do you not?"
Reid cleared his throat. He wasn't sure if Lucinda was going to bat for her grandson or hitting on him herself. "It's not a secret."
"And in particular, you like my Luciano." It wasn't a question.
Reid swallowed. Luciano? He nodded. No sense in denying it.
Lucinda smiled. "Then I hope you will find your way to each other in some capacity...friendship...or otherwise. I will notify Luke of your plans to travel to Dallas and your certain exoneration. He will be pleased. My staff will keep me up to date."
"Thank you, Ms. Walsh." Reid wasn't sure if he was intimidated by Lucinda Walsh or admired her. Maybe a little of both.
"Call me Lucinda, darling. And you're welcome. Walk me out, please?"
Reid walked Lucinda to the door and held it open for her. She offered him her hand, and when he went to shake it, she cocked her head, a devilish smile on her face. Reid raised her hand to his lips and kissed the back of of it. "That's better," Lucinda purred, patting Reid playfully on the cheek. "You are quite handsome. Don't be a stranger," she said, before turning and walking out as abruptly as she had come in.
Reid ran a hand through his hair and wondered what the hell he had just gotten himself into.
****************************************
Luke stood in front of University Center condiminiums, his shirt sticking to him in the Texas humidity. How could it be so hot? It was barely into May yet. He took a deep breath and walked toward the lobby entrance.
A few minutes and nine floors later, he was standing outside apartment 975. He knocked softly, somewhat hoping that Reid wasn't there, but then the door was open, and he was looking into a surprised pair of blue eyes.
"Luke...what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help you...ya know...with the hearing."
Reid furrowed his brow. "Why? How?"
"Are you alone?" Luke asked, ignoring Reid's questions.
"Just me and Brian Williams," Reid said, hooking his thumb back toward the TV at the back of the condo and looking at the bag in Luke's hand. "What smells good?" he asked.
"Take out from the Red Dragon. They received good online reviews. Are you going to invite me in?"
Reid seemed to contemplate it for a moment before stepping forward and taking the bag from Luke's hand. "Only because you have food," Reid said, but Luke saw the small smile tug at his lips. Reid looked at the suitcase in Luke's other hand and the garment bag hanging from his shoulder. "You planning on staying?"
"No! Oh.....um, no. I have a room at the Ritz. But I came straight here from the airport. Took a cab."
Reid nodded. "Come on in," he said, stepping into the apartment and holding the door open for Luke. "You can leave your bags here by the door."
Luke followed Reid into the living room, which was surprisingly bright and open, with a wall of windows on the far side, offering a view of the downtown skyline. "Wow, what a fantastic view."
Reid shrugged and put the take out bag on the coffee table. "You want a beer?" Reid asked, holding up his own bottle. "I have Shiner. And Dos Equis."
"I don't drink, but water would be great," Luke said, peeling his jacket off as Reid went to the kitchen. Reid came back into the living room with another beer for himself, a bottle of water, plates, and utensils and put them on the coffee table. He sat down, pointed at the couch, and then started pulling the food out of the bag. Luke sat down where Reid had pointed, untucking his dress shirt and removing his tie. "I'm sorry if I stink. I can't believe it's already this hot here.." Reid didn't respond and plated the food, a little of everything on each plate. Luke looked around. "Your condo is nice," he said, trying to make conversation, even though it actually was very nice, with hard wood floors, black leather furniture, and muted chrome and glass tables. "How long have you lived here?"
"Prior to being dragged to Oakhell, six years."
Luke ignored the jab. "Your TV is a little small though," Luke joked, taking in the 60-inch on the wall.
"You know what they say about Texas. Eat," Reid said, sitting back with his plate, changing the station to ESPN, and digging in.
They ate in a silence for a few minutes, watching basketball highlights. "Fucking Mavericks," Reid said. "I can't believe they're out of it already..." As a commercial came on, he put his plate down and took a swig of beer. "So, Snyder...why are you here?"
"I told you. I'm going to help you get ready for the hearing."
"What makes you think I need your help?"
"My grandmother said that you refused the services of her legal arsenal."
"Yeah, I told those yahoos to take a hike. I don't need a lawyer. It's a medical board hearing, not a trial. They're going to ask me questions, and I'll answer them honestly. I've done nothing wrong. Why would I need a lawyer?"
"Maybe to keep you from saying something stupid at the hearing?" Luke suggested, putting his plate on the coffee table. "You don't exactly filter yourself..."
"So how do you propose to help me prepare?" Reid interrupted.
"We've seen the complaint from Mr. Judd, so we can anticipate what kinds of questions the medical board will ask you. Together, we can formulate answers that will shed a good light on you."
"You saw the complaint from Judd? How?"
Luke shrugged. "My grandmother got it somehow."
Reid shook his head. "Of course she did."
****************************************
Four hours and five beers later, Reid felt himself dozing in front of Conan's monolog. Luke reached over and ran his thumb along the side of Reid's jaw. "I'm going to go."
"Sorry," Reid said straighteing up on the couch. "It's been a long week, and it's only half over. You want to use my rental car? It's a Mercedes. You granny reserved it for me. I'd drive you, but..." He pointed to the empty beer bottles on the coffee table.
"No, that's okay. I've already arranged for a cab." Luke held up his phone. "There's an app for everything." He smiled.
"Or, if you want...you could just stay here."
Luke cocked and eyebrow at him.
"No...no, what I mean is," Reid stammered. "I'll stay on the couch. You can have my bed. I'll be a perfect gentleman. Swear." Reid crossed his heart for effect.
Luke laughed. "It's okay, Reid. Thanks, but no...I've got reservations for a suite. I'll just stay there, but I'll be back tomorrow, and we can work on your testimony."
"Aye, aye, Captain," Reid said, with a mock salute.
Just then, Luke's phone chimed. "Taxi's here."
"OK," Reid said. "I'll walk you down." He stood and held out Luke's coat so that Luke could slip his arms in. He then smoothed it across his shoulders before walking to the door and slinging Luke's garment bag over his shoulder, as Luke picked up the suitcase.
Inside the elevator, they leaned against opposite walls. Their eyes locked. Reid exhaled. Luke licked his lips. Reid let the garment bag slip off his shoulder and crossed the elevator, pinning Luke to the wall with his hips, hands, and mouth. Luke dropped the suitcase and threaded his hands into Reid's hair, moaning as their tongues slid together deliciously. Neither one of them heard the elevator chime its arrival on the first floor.
"Oh sweet heavens to Betsy," exclaimed an elderly man.
They broke apart, panting. Reid brushed a hand through his own hair. "Mr. Abernathy, good evening. You're up late."
"What have I told you about kissing boys in the elevator, Dr. Oliver? It's not right. NOT right!"
Reid picked up Luke's garment bag, smiling, and took Luke's hand. "Don't knock it 'til you try it, Mr. A," he said as they exited the elevator.
"Perverts!" Mr. Abernathy called, stepping into the elevator.
They arrived at the taxi laughing, and the cab driver took their bags and put them in the trunk. "He's going to the Ritz Carlton, downtown," Reid said to the driver.
"Got it."
While the driver was concelaed behind the trunk, Luke leaned close to Reid's ear. "So, just how many boys have you been kissing in the elevator, Dr. Oliver?" He stepped back, his eyebrows raised teasingly.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Reid placed a quick but firm kiss to Luke's lips. "I'm a tad bit claustrophobic. I like to distract myself from it." He smiled and kissed Luke again. "See you tomorrow, Snyder."
****************************************
Luke walked into Reid's apartment the next morning, a box of kolaches in hand. "I don't know exactly what a kolache is, but I got a variety."
"YES!" Reid said, excitedly, taking the box from Luke. "Did you get the jalapeno and sausage ones? I made coffee."
"Yeah, there's a couple spicy ones in there," Luke answered.
Reid poured two cups of coffee and brought them over to the table, which already had cream, sugar, and orange juice on it. He nuzzled the side of Luke's neck from behind him. Luke turned around in his arms and took Reid's face in his hands. "Listen, doctor...kiss me once. Okay? And then we work. Tomorrow is far too important for us to get distracted from working, okay?"
Reid smiled and kissed Luke softly on the lips, lingering, but not opening his mouth.
He pulled back and licked his bottom lip. "Okay. Let's stop at that because I'm telling you, Mr. Snyder, my restraint with you is about at its limit." He sighed and shook his head.
"Okay then, let's work..."
****************************************
Later, in the evening, after a dinner out at a Mexican restaurant, they relaxed on the loungers on Reid's balcony, the sun setting behind the Dallas skyline.
"Tell me about Annie," Luke said.
"I told you earlier, I dont' want to talk about her," Reid sighed.
"But, Reid...you HAVE to talk about her at the hearing. They have to know that she was more to you than just a patient or a statistic. All of your medical mumbo jumbo and facts will mean nothing, if they're not followed up with a little bit of feeling."
"What the hell is it with you and feelings?"
Luke gave Reid a stern look.
"Okay, fine..." Reid said, closing his eyes briefly. When he opened them he simply said, "She was a beautiful little girl."
"And..."
"And what? I don't know what the hell to say about her. I try to detach myself from my patients...." Reid sighed.
"You can't say that in the hearing."
"Why not? Doctors will be the ones asking questions. They'll get it. It's self preservation. Patients die. Especially in my specialty. Podiatry maybe not so much. I don't know what you want me to say about her. Why don't you just ask me some questions, and I'll answer them. You're apparently the boss." Reid pinched the bridge of his nose. He was tired. He was tired of thinking about Annie. He was tired of being reminded that he'd failed.
"She was your patient for over a year and a half, and you worked with her quite closely, based on the case files. Did you detach youself from her?"
"I tried. I was wholly unsuccessful at it."
"Why?"
"Because she was cute. And persuasive. She wouldn't let me detach. Stubborn little brat." Reid found himself smiling.
"You liked her."
"Yes."
"Did you love her?"
Reid hesitated, but then breathed out a sad, "Yes." He took a deep breath. "I was going to marry her. Or so she told me. In front of Cinderella's Castle in a purple tuxedo." Reid looked down at his hands and smiled at the memory. "I would sing Michael Jackson's Smooth Operator to her...ya know that one? Annie are you okay, are you okay, Annie? you've been struck by a smooth criminal...I let her hear it on my I-Pod one time, and then she insisted I sing it to her everytime I saw her. She called it our song."
"That is the cutest thing ever."
Reid rolled his eyes. "That's only because you've never heard me sing. It's not pretty...anyway, then she would try to sing it to me, but it didn't work with Dr. Oliver, so she changed it to Ollie...Ollie are you ok, are you okay, Ollie..." Reid smiled, the memory raw, and he felt a tightness in his chest. He took a deep breath. "Anyway, after that, we'd make up silly names for everyone."
"You still make up nicknames for everyone."
"Yeah."
They stayed silent for a few minutes.
"She was always happy," Reid said quietly, looking out at the horizon. "Kids handle terminal illness so much better than adults. Adults lament how little time they have left, but kids...they just keep on living. She knew she was dying, but it didn't keep her from enjoying every single day. She went to Disney, SeaWorld...the Statue of Liberty...she rode a horse by herself...a big one. Not some wimpy carnival pony. She had her own little bucket list. And at the end of it was 'Hug Jesus.' I hope he's there on the other side, Luke, because she was looking forward to seeing Him. I was with her the day before she died, and she was happy. Weak and frail, but happy to see me. Nobody's ever happy to see me. But she was smiling, and she told me it was because she was going to see Jesus soon. She was as sick as a person can get...losing her battle by the minute...and she was still smiling. I love you, Ollie...that's the last thing she said to me." Reid thumbed at the wetness in the corner of his eye. "Fuck..."
After a few moments, Reid looked over at Luke, who also had his eyes on the distant skyline, but in addition, his hand was turned palm side up, on the small table between them. He wiggled his fingers without looking at Reid. Reid sighed and slotted the fingers of his left hand between the fingers on Luke's right hand. He stared at their joined hands, Luke's darker skin next to his own fairer tones, until Luke squeezed gently. Reid returned his gaze to the horizon, and together they silently watched the colors of the sunset until all that remained were the twinkling lights of the city.
****************************************
Reid walked Luke to the front door and opened it. "I'll pick you up at the hotel at 8:30. What's your room number?"
"I'm in the penthouse suite.
"Of course you are..."
Luke shook his head and smiled. He fished his wallet out of his pocket. "Here...take this. It's the extra card key. You'll need it for the elevator to get up there." He turned to leave.
"Luke?" He turned back around. "Why are you helping me? I mean...what's in it for you? If it's because of Noah, my role in his care is largely over. I've done what I needed to do, and now he just needs to heal. He's got a whole team that will help him through rehabilitation. I will definitely be in the loop, but I won't have much of a place in his..."
"It's not because of Noah."
"Then what reason do you have for taking the time to help me?"
Luke stepped back into the apartment. "Because I want to help you, that's all. I like helping people. We have that in common, wouldn't you say? But right now, you can't help people. Your place is in an operating room, and I want to see you back in there as soon as possible. Too many people need you for you to be unfairly kept from doing your job."
"But I haven't been exactly nice to you the past few months, and lately, we...I don't know what the hell we're doing..."
"Listen, Reid. I've done my research on you. And I've gotten to know you. I'm not going into this blind. I see you."
"You don't know anything about me," Reid offered, sounding defensive.
"My grandmother has a very powerful team of investigators. I know a lot about you."
"Bullshit," Reid countered, glaring at Luke.
"You make a very substantial salary between your work at Universtiy Hospital and your speaking and teaching engagements around the country."
"That's no secret, Mr. Snyder. You don't need a private investigator to figure that out. I'm a neurosurgeon. We make bank." Reid rolled his eyes.
"You drive a six year old Honda," Luke said, looking into Reid's apartment. "This place is completely paid off. It's nice, but small. You don't live luxuriously." He nodded towards Reid's chest. "You don't spend a lot on clothes, that's obvious."
Reid looked down at this attire. "What's wrong with my clothes?"
"Nothing's wrong with your clothes. However, your wardrobe's not varied or extensive. Your watch, though nice, is probably from Sears."
Reid looked at his wrist and smiled. "Penney's..."
Luke nodded. "You do like shoes though, don't you Dr. Oliver? Well-crafted boots. Italian leather shoes. Expensive running shoes. I've noticed that."
"I'm on my feet a lot. I need to be comfortable."
"You don't have to justify it to me. My point is, for the most part, you live modestly. You have a good retirement fund."
Reid's brow furrowed. "How do you know that?..."
Luke ignored the question. "I also know that roughly 60 percent of your annual salary goes back into the community."
"How the hell..."
"For instance, I know for a fact that you partially fund a clinic in downtown Ft. Worth with a group of other physicians. And prior to my dragging you to Oakhell, as you call it, most Saturdays you volunteered your time there as well, performing duties well below your ability."
Reid took a step back and looked down at his bare feet. Luke stepped closer to him.
"And I also happen to know that there is a young Mexican woman, named Lara Benicio, who..." Reid's head shot up. "...who is able to study pre-med at Baylor University only because you pay her tuition."
"That's not true," Reid said, shaking his head. "She's a very intelligent girl. She has numerous scholarships."
"Some, yes," Luke agreed. "But you fill in the difference, anonymously at that. Right? She has no idea who provides the additional needed funds for her education, only that it is there waiting for her every semester."
"Her mother was my surgical nurse. She was exceptional."
"I know," Luke said quietly. "She died in a car accident three years ago."
"She died on my table," Reid sighed, avoiding Luke's eyes.
"It wasn't your fault."
Reid shrugged. "So, you're what?...... helping me as a reward for doing what I want with my money? I really don't see anything magnanimous about it. Medicine is the one thing I believe in. I don't have a family to support. I don't take vacations. I make a lot of money. Why wouldn't I funnel it back into medicine? And it's not exactly all that philanthropic. I get tax write offs. Don't make me out to be a fucking saint because I'm not."
"Oh, I KNOW you're not a saint," Luke teased gently. "But there's more to you than you let on, isn't there? .What you shared with me tonight about Annie. That was beautiful. There's a sadness in you. You don't like people to know that. I love that you shared that with me."
Reid looked off to the side. "You don't know me." He shook his head. "Luke..."
"And lonliness too," Luke continued, despite Reid's defensiveness. "I can identify with that. Ultimately, what it boils down to is that not only are you an incredibly gifted physician; you're a good man, Reid. You're good at the core. And that's why I'm helping you."
It took Reid a few moments to raise his eyes to Luke's. The fact that Luke had just read him like a book was slightly overwhelming. When he finally looked at Luke, he felt truly valued, not just for his surgical skills, which is where he usally found validation, but for everything he was. Even the ugly parts. Because if Luke had investigated his past as he claimed, he knew the ugly parts. And he was kind enough not to mention them. He stepped forward and pressed his lips to Luke's, kissing him softly and whispering "thank you" against his lips before pulling away.
Luke smiled and squeezed Reid's arm. "I'll see you in the morning?"
Reid nodded and then watched Luke walk to the elevator from his doorway. As Luke entered the elevator, he looked back and smiled, nodding his head toward Reid to say goodbye. Reid raised his hand in a silent goodbye before the elevator doors slid closed.
Reid closed himself inside his condo, pressed his forehead against the cold apartment door, closed his eyes, and spoke, barely whispering.
"I love you."