Looking down at the blond head on his arm, all Reid could do was smile. His arm felt like falling off at any minute, but shifting his body was not an option. He loved feeling Luke in his arms. At moments like this, he still couldn’t believe it was real. For a long time he’d thought he would never get here. With Luke’s hand on his chest, his leg tangled with his, his even breathing as a soft breeze against his shoulder and memories of their love making. But here he was.
And here felt pretty good. The morning light tried to peep in, but was firmly blocked by the black drapes. Luke had done an amazing job. Not just by choosing the curtains and furniture, but also by finding the right people to put it all in place.
The biggest surprise was recognizing the chess set on a side table next to their huge sofa.
“Isn’t that the same one…”
Luke’s eyes had sparkled as he nodded.
“It is! It was already yours when we played with it at the Lakeview, but I totally forgot to bring it with me. They delivered it this afternoon.”
“You are something else, Mr. Snyder.” Reid had kissed him firmly, as if he wanted to etch his words in Luke’s brain. “I love you.”
They started a game, but Luke put so much effort in trying to distract Reid, they ended up making out on the sofa and, without ever finishing their game, making love on their bed. Chess as foreplay. Who knew?
So here he was. Watching Luke slowly waking up was about the cutest thing he ever witnessed. The breathing changed, he felt Luke’s body stretch a little and Reid could see the moment Luke realized where he was…and with who. A satisfied smile broadened as he looked Reid in the eyes.
“Hey you…”
“Hey.”
“I don’t want to wake up yet.”
“Then don’t,” Reid whispered, kissing him on the forehead.
“But you…”
“I’m enjoying myself. Holding you. I’m in heaven. You go back to sleep.”
He didn’t. With a lazy smile he pulled Reid’s face towards him. Sleeping was such a waste of time!
***
Reid caught himself humming, when he found his way around the kitchen. His master demanded breakfast, so here he was. In his jogging pants and t-shirt, trying not to shiver. From the hot bed into this cold kitchen was quite a transition.
‘I wish you could see me now, Mr. Grimaldi,’ Reid thought with a smile, ‘Me calling the shots…I don’t think soooo”
The coffee machine was doing its job and he warmed up a few pieces of Emma’s pie. Okay, not a Continental Breakfast, but it was the thought that counted and he would freeze off some critical parts of his body if he stayed here too long.
He saw the sun trying to find his way in and Reid pulled a curtain to accommodate. Maybe the sun could spread some warmth…
His thoughts stopped when his brain alarmed him about ‘something being off’. He scanned the area. Everything looked… what was that?
For some reason he knew immediately.
He hurried back to the bedroom, pulled out some socks and a sweater and sat down on the bed. “Luke, you need to get up and get dressed.”
“This is SO not funny and SO not fair…you said you…”
“Luke, I’m not trying to be funny.”
Reid’s tone of voice registered in his half-sleeping brain and Luke sat up.
“What’s wrong?”
“I think Damian is lying outside. I’m not sure he’s alive. Call 911.”
How long had Damian been out here? The man was icy cold, his lips turned blue-ish. Not a good sigh, but Reid did feel a pulse. On his way out, he had grabbed some blankets and he was covering Damian in them when Luke arrived.
His eyes were big, but his voice was determined and calm: “Is he dead?”
“No, there’s a pulse. But it’s not very strong.”
“What can I do to help? Coffee? To warm him up?”
Reid shook his head. “No food or drinks. Just keep the blankets around him, until the paramedics arrive.”
“The paramedics,” Luke stood up.
“You forgot to call?”
“No, no…but the gate is closed. I will open it.”
The few minutes felt like hours, as Reid’s body started to protest against the low temperature. Come on, come on.
The siren never sounded better and Reid smiled when Luke threw a coat around his shoulders.
“Do we go with him?” Luke asked.
“Tell me. What do you want to do?”
“He is my father.”
“Exactly. Let’s go.”
***
Reid followed the ambulance in Luke’s car and when they met up at the hospital, the young man stepping out of the ambulance was almost as pale as his father.
“Stay with me,” Reid took Luke’s hand and followed the paramedics inside, calling some orders to the nurses in the corridor. Realizing he couldn’t take Luke into the examining room, he found another – genius, if he did say so himself – way to make sure Luke was not alone.
“You go and visit Doogie for a while, so I’ll know where to find you when I know more.”
Reid was glad Luke didn’t protest. He just nodded, looking very vulnerable and young when he whispered: “Take care of him for me” and walked towards Chris’ room.
The doctor felt a little shiver running down his spine. He could hear Damian’s voice, saying those exact words to him, yesterday. He didn’t know what to make of it, he didn’t even know if he should, but somehow it felt important. He made a mental note to tell Luke about it later.
Damian was surrounded by bleeping, pumping and sucking noises when Reid walked in and both Bob and John were obviously surprised to see him.
“I brought him in,” Reid explained, “I found him on our lawn.” He came closer to the bed. Damian’s lips had returned to a more natural color.
“Is he critical?”
“It’s hard to tell,” John Dixon handed him a chart with all findings so far. “The super cooling won’t do him in, but something tells me there’s more going on. I’m waiting for lab results to know more. Did somebody call the authorities, yet? We are dealing with an escaped prisoner.”
When Reid shook his head, Bob walked to the door.
“I’ll call Margo. Where’s Luke?”
There was sincere concern in the man’s voice and Reid’s look was not unfriendly.
“He went to see Chris.”
Bob gave a nod. “Ahhh, good. Kim and Katie are there too. They will look after him.”
Reid’s smile was quick and short, but Bob noticed anyway, smiled and left the room.
***
Reid’s presence was first spotted by Chris, who greeted him with a forced smile.
“If it isn’t the future Chief of Staff.”
“Hello Chris,” Reid’s eyes said ‘Grow up already’ and his mouth asked: “How are you feeling today?”
He smiled at Luke, pulled a chair out, sat next to him with his arm behind Luke and then focused on Chris again, as if he was really interested to hear his answer. It confused Chris and Reid laughed to himself. Eat your new heart out, Doogie! This is what insincerity looks like. Not a pleasant sight, right?
“I’m doing better,” Chris sounded cautious, “But thanks for asking. How’s Damian?”
“Hanging in there. We’re waiting on lab results.”
“It must have been awful to find him outside,” Katie shivered, thinking about it.
“It was,” Reid gave her a nod. “But I’m glad he’s still alive.”
“Really?” Kim’s searching glance was mixed with disbelief and dislike. “I understand he isn’t a big supporter of your involvement with Luke.”
“He is not,” Reid agreed and calmly looked into her eyes. “And he has every right to feel that way. That doesn’t mean I wish him dead, Mrs. Hughes. I do realize you loathe me, and that’s perfectly fine by me, but perceiving me as cold hearted, doesn’t mean I am.”
Kim had the decency to blush and was about to respond, when her husband walked in. All his attention went to Luke and Reid and as if by agreement they stood up.
“Damian is awake. He’s asking for you…both.”
Luke took Reid’s hand and they exchanged looks.
“Stay with me?”
Reid smiled. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
