He had a lot on his mind as he weaved his way through the crowd of people, looking for a seat. The gate waiting area at Fort Worth-Dallas airport was uncharacteristically crowded for this time of day. A frown crossed his lips as he looked at the text message he just received. He was so preoccupied with the phone that he didn't notice the pair of eyes that were watching him as he settled down into an empty chair. A raised eyebrow was the only indication that the eyes were impressed with what they saw. The eyes continued to watch as he put the phone down and placed his ear buds in his ears, checking the phone every few minutes as his foot tapped nervously against the floor.

It seemed an eternity had passed before the gate attendant began calling for the flight to board. He stood and walked with his trolley towards the entrance, holding out his ticket for the attendant who smiled at him before allowing him to pass. He was still texting on his phone, sending another message off while he pulled the trolley down the runway and onto the waiting plane. If he was honest with himself for a moment he would admit that he was looking forward to the time when they would have to cut off their phones. He was growing tired of the conversation. He gritted his teeth as he read the last message, shaking his head as he readied a reply.

He watched the blond man disappear beyond the gate before turning his attention back to the file he was reading. He wasn't sure what it was about this man that caught his attention but it was definitely caught. Perhaps it was the subtle way the man had fallen into the chair, or the way his shoulders tensed when he looked at the phone, and relaxed when he put the ear-buds in his ears. The man had very expressive features, and he prided himself in noticing such things. He noticed everything. Up until that point, when the blond entered the scene, he had been pretty bored and irritated. He didn't like to fly, and he wasn't quite sure why he was sitting here waiting on a flight he may not make it onto to go to a town he had never heard of. Watching the young man fiddle with his phone and his music had afforded him some entertainment, and now it was over.

"That was fun while it lasted," he muttered as he once again focused on the file in front of him. He looked up again when he heard his name being called and he sighed with relief, grateful that he could finally get this flight over with. "I hate first class" he scoffed as he took his seat in 2B. The passenger beside him laughed and Reid turned just in time to see a glimpse of brown and a smirk before the man lowered his head again. He smiled when he realized it was the man who had been entertaining him earlier. Maybe first class isn't so bad after all, he thought as he settled back in his seat and watched the blond who was once more texting on his phone.

He sighed as he tried unsuccessfully to buckle his seatbelt. For some reason the belt did not want to go into the buckle. "Dammit," he cursed as the elusive belt slipped away from him yet again.

"Let me help you with that," A voice said from right beside him. He lifted his head just as he felt a warm hand brush his as the belt was taken from him.

"Thank you," he said as the blond successfully buckled the belt together. "I'm usually better with my hands then that." He frowned as the man beside him chuckled, looking down at his phone once more before texting furiously and turning it off. "Trouble in paradise?" he asked quizzically as the phone was being shoved into the man's bag.

"Just a stupid argument that I've had many times before," his seatmate offered with an exasperated sigh. "Even from miles away I can't seem to do anything right." He shrugged his shoulders as he placed his bag beneath the seat. "I'm Luke by the way,"

"Reid," he replied allowing a smile to replace his frown. "Is it okay if we forget the earlier crack about my hands? I just get really nervous on planes."

"It's okay," Luke laughed as he shook his head. "I've already forgotten it."

"Sir, can I offer you something to drink," the flight attendant said stopping beside Reid's seat.

"I'll have what he's having," Reid said gesturing to Luke who was taking a sip out of a small cup.

"Diet coke then?" the flight attendant said smiling herself.

"Wait!" Reid called out, his voice an octave higher than he intended "How about what he's having with a splash of vodka please?" He turned as the woman walked off, immediately locking gazes with Luke. "I need it to get through the flight," he explained.

"You really don't like planes do you?" Luke asked noticing the anxiety laced in Reid's voice

"Honestly, if I didn't have to fly I wouldn't," Reid admitted with a nervous laugh, resting his head back against the seat. His hand idly tapped his leg as he waited for the flight attendant to return with his drink. "Being in the air makes me uneasy…and besides that I don't do well in tight spaces."

"I'll hold your hand if you'd like," Luke offered. Reid looked at him sternly, but he quickly relaxed when he saw nothing malicious in that chocolate gaze. There was only sincerity and a friendliness that Reid wasn't used to.

"Um…thanks," Before he could say more the flight attendant returned with his drink and a fresh diet coke for Luke.

"We will be taking off shortly," she informed them as she handed Luke a napkin. "Is there anything else I can get you gentlemen?"

Both men shook their heads and Reid took a sip of his drink before glancing over at Luke who was watching him closely. "I'm serious about the hand holding," Luke said placing his hand on the armrest between them. "I'll do whatever it takes to make this comfortable for you."

"Keep me distracted while we take off," Reid requested even as the lead flight attendant announced that they were ready for lift off. He closed his eyes tightly as the plane jolted and started to move down the runway. He felt a hand close over his and opened his eyes to see that Luke had twined their fingers together.

"I'll tell you all about my trouble in paradise," Luke said, his voice soft as he allowed his fingers to graze Reid's skin. "I think I can keep you entertained for a few minutes with that."

"Only if you really need to talk about it," Reid said letting out a breath of air as he focused on Luke. "I don't make it a habit to pry, but I tend to be a better listener than people give me credit for."

True to his word Luke kept Reid preoccupied with stories about his on again off again relationship with his partner. Reid learned a few things as he listened to the stories. He knew Luke was committed, and loyal. That the relationship he was currently in was a toxic one, and this Noah guy was an idiot. By the time Luke finished with his story they had been in the air for 45 minutes and Reid was nursing his second vodka and coke combo.

"So you live in Oakdale?" he asked when there was a break in the conversation. "I can't imagine someone wanting to live there."

"I've lived there my whole life," Luke laughed. "It's really not that bad." He took a sip of his drink and glanced out the window momentarily. His favorite thing about flying was looking at the cloud clusters. Reid watched, amazed as he pulled out his camera and started taking pictures of the various formations.

"What are you going to do with those," he asked gesturing to the camera in Luke's hand. "Are you a photographer?" He took another sip of his drink and crunched on the ice as he awaited Luke's response.

"Not a professional one, no," Luke smiled as he snapped another shot. "I'm taking them for my little sister. Whenever I travel she asks me to take pictures of the clouds for her."

"How old is she," Reid asked curiously.

"She's eleven."

Reid nodded and took a sip of his drink. There was a lull in the conversation as Luke continued to take pictures and Reid continued to watch.

"So," Luke said finally putting his camera away. "What brings you to Oakdale anyway?"

Reid shifted in his seat making himself comfortable as he turned to face Luke. "Um I'm going to be the head of the new Neurology wing at Oakdale Memorial. You have heard of it…right," he asked curiously. "Oakdale Memorial that is?"

"Are you kidding me?"

"Actually, no," Reid said sounding mortified. "Um, Doctor Hughes offered me the job because I'm the best in the country."

"So you're Doctor Oliver."

"Yeah."

"The Doctor Oliver."

"I guess my reputation precedes me," Reid laughed breaking the tension slightly. "How do you know who I am?"

"I'm on the board of directors at the hospital," Luke explained.

"Aren't you a little young to be a board member?"

"Aren't you a bit young to be the top Neuro Surgeon in the world?"

"Touché."

Luke smiled and lifted his cup in salute to Reid before taking a drink. "My foundation is footing the bill for the new wing," he explained moments later.

"Which means we'll be seeing more of each other I reckon?"

"Looks like," Luke grinned showing his dimples before forcing himself to look away. Reid filed away that piece of information and focused on his drink as he thought about all Luke had said. They spent the remainder of the flight talking about mundane things like the weather, sports and the price of tea in China. Reid wasn't surprised at all to find out that Luke's loyalties extended to his sports teams as well. By the time the plane touched down at the airport they were trying to figure out which baseball team sucked the most; the Astros or the Cubs. They were last ones to get off the plane.

"I'm actually just here to see if I really want to accept the job," Reid explained as he and Luke waited for their luggage at the baggage carousel. "It was offered to me, and I know it is an opportunity that won't come again…but it's a big step."

"It would mean uprooting yourself," Luke agreed. "Is that yours?" he asked as a duffel bag moved towards them on the conveyor belt.

Reid grabbed the bag and shouldered it, adjusting the strap to make it comfortable before he focused on Luke again.

"It just screamed you," Luke laughed answering Reid's unasked question. "Practical and sophisticated yet simplistic at the same time."

"Perhaps you have missed your calling, Luke," Reid remarked playfully. "If hospital board member doesn't work out you could always become a fashion designer."

"Ha-ha," Luke deadpanned pulling his own bag off the belt and shouldering it before turning his attention to his new friend. "Are you ready to venture into Oakdale?"

"Honestly, no," Reid said following Luke out of the airport. "Not that I have much choice in the matter. I am here, and if my meeting with Dr. Hughes goes well I will be here to stay."

"Speaking of which do you need me to drive you anywhere?"

"I was going to stay at the local hotel," Reid bristled as he said the word. He actually didn't like hotels…they were germ traps in his opinion. The idea of sharing sheets and towels with multiple people made him ill. "The Lakeview, I think it's called. I have a reservation."

"Not a big fan of hotels, huh?"

"Is it that obvious," Reid asked almost pulling off being sheepish.

"Almost as much as your fear of flying," He teased. "Seriously though, I can offer you a place to stay. It's not fancy, but it's clean. And home cooked meals are a definite every day. It's peaceful and quiet and if you're lucky no one will really bother you."

"I somehow don't think your boyfriend would appreciate me moving in with you," Reid winked at him slyly.

"Ah very funny, Dr. Oliver," Luke said wagging his finger at him. They were now standing on the curb waiting for Luke's ride to show up. "I wasn't saying you could stay with me…but this place will just about guarantee that you will see me more often than not. You might get sick of me."

Reid hid a smile as he thought seriously about Luke's offer. Anything would beat staying in a hotel, and while he knew it was probably idiotic to be accepting anything from a stranger he argued that it wasn't necessarily the case here. After all he had spent just under two hours on a plane with this man, and it had been the best two hours ever spent. Besides, he argued Luke was on the board of trustees and if need be he could goggle him to find out more information. His gut was telling him that he could trust Luke, and he had learned early on to always trust his gut.

"Okay, Luke. I am at your mercy. Where is this place where I can find lodging at least for the time being?"

Just as Luke was about to respond a car pulled up in front of them and Reid watched as a tall brunette climbed out of the car and came around to collect Luke's bags. "Hey Noah," Luke greeted warmly.

"Hey," Noah replied kissing Luke on the cheek, all the while keeping his eyes on the man who stood beside him. "How was your trip, and who's he?"

"This is Reid," Luke said smiling at his new friend. "Reid I'd like you to meet Noah."

"I'm the boyfriend," Noah added as he placed Luke's bags in the trunk.

"And I'm the doctor," Reid said matter-of-factly. Luke tried his best not to laugh at that, but Reid caught just a glimmer of a smile.

"Excuse me?" Noah said crossing his arms in front of him.

"Dr. Reid Oliver at your service," Reid said holding out his hand for Noah to shake. "I like to fix brains."

"Reid is the Neurosurgeon Bob is thinking of hiring to head the new wing," Luke explained.

"Is everyone on a first name basis in this town?" Reid asked whispering in Luke's ear." Luke nudged him playfully in his ribs, a gesture that didn't go unnoticed by Noah.

"So are we dropping him off at the Lakeview then?" Noah asked walking back around the car to the driver's seat. Luke gestured for Reid to climb in before doing so himself. He fastened his seatbelt before focusing on Noah's question.

"Actually he's going to be staying at the farm."

"I didn't know peace and quiet equated cows and chickens," Reid quipped from the back seat. Noah glared at him through the rearview mirror before focusing on pulling away from the curb.

"You'll love it," Luke said turning in his seat to face Reid. "There's even a pond that's perfect for ice skating in the winter, and heavenly for swimming in the summer. And my dad raises horses."

"Did you run this little idea by your grandmother?" Noah asked glancing at Luke before keeping his eyes on the road.

"Not yet. I only made the offer right before you pulled up. I'll talk to her when we get there. I'm sure she won't mind. There's plenty of room."

"What gives you the right to make that type of decision? You can't just decide to move a stranger into your grandmother's house."

"I live there too, in case you forgot," Luke retorted, trying to keep his voice quiet. He couldn't believe that Noah was starting this argument with him, especially when they had company in the car. "And this is my family we're talking about here, Noah. That alone gives me the right to make that decision."

Reid arched an inquisitive eyebrow as he watched the combative interaction between Luke and his boyfriend, or the boyfriend as he was so informed. He pulled a candy bar out of his bag, peeling back the wrapper as he watched the fireworks. It was like watching a tennis match actually; each one serving the other a great return. If not for the fact that Luke seemed to be holding his own he would have jumped in and said something. To his credit Luke was attempting to keep their disagreement between them, while the boyfriend didn't seem to mind that they had a captive audience.

"You certainly weren't uptight about it when I did it for you."

"Love, match 30," Reid muttered under his breath. He thought he said it low enough but when he looked up he saw Noah's eyes glaring at him through the rearview mirror. He shrugged it off and polished off his candy bar licking his lips for effect.

After that the car was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Reid wondered if he should make small talk or just enjoy the scenic tour of Oakdale. He decided on the latter as he noticed that Luke was looking out the window. He lost count of how many trees and pieces of land flew by before the car turned onto a dirt road.

"Are we still in Oakdale?" Reid asked when they stopped in front of a sprawling farmhouse.

"Actually this is Luther's Corners," Luke replied easily. "We're actually forty-five minutes outside of Oakdale." He stepped out of the vehicle and watched as Reid and Noah stepped out as well. Reid strapped his bag on his shoulder and waited for further instructions from Luke. "You can go on in, Reid; I just want to talk to Noah for a minute, please."

Reid stood watching Luke for a moment before nodding and turning to head into the house. He heard Luke's voice fade away as he ventured through the screened in porch. The moment he opened the door to the kitchen the smell of fresh baked cookies met his nose. He stepped into a quaint country kitchen with appliances that appeared to be very outdated. Still the kitchen had a homey feel and Reid imagined that a lot of great meals and many conversations were had in this very kitchen.

The cookies were sitting on the counter and Reid immediately gravitated towards them. He set his bag down by the table and grabbed the still warm treat. "Mmm," he moaned appreciatively as he took a bite before grabbing a couple more from the plate and taking a seat at the table. His eyes roamed around the kitchen as he took another bite of cookie. He was beginning to think he could get used to this. If Luke's grandmother cooked as well as she could bake then he wouldn't bother finding another place to live.

It was at that moment that a plump woman appeared in a doorway that Reid hadn't seen. She wiped her hands on the apron that covered her clothes and gasped as her eyes spied the plate of cookies which was by this point half empty. "Now where did those cookies go?" she muttered as she moved over to the stove to check on another batch. She used a mitt to pull the cookie sheet out of the oven, placing it on the rack to cool. Reid watched her for a few minutes wondering if he should alert her to his presence. It was obvious that she didn't see him sitting there.

His stomach made the decision for him growling loudly even as he popped the last bit of cookie in his mouth. The portly woman turned around her hand touching her heart as she came eye to eye with Reid who had stood to snatch yet another cookie.

"Well, hello there young man. Are you the one snatching my cookies?"

"I'm sorry," he said wiping his hands on his pants legs. He wondered if his attempt at appearing bashful was a success.

"Oh I am sure you aren't sorry," the woman scoffed playfully. "But it's alright. The cookies were for my church group though. They were expecting a dozen, not eight."

"They'll love them," Reid said stuffing the cookie into his mouth.

The woman smiled and walked over to him, looking up at him with brown eyes that reminded him a little of Luke. "I think introductions are in order don't you?"

"Ahem," he cleared his throat. "Yes ma'am. Um, I'm Reid Oliver, and I'm assuming your grandson, because you look too old to be his mother, said I could move in with him."

"Oh did he now?" she said raising an eyebrow. "Tell me Mr. Oliver, how do you know my grandson?"

As if on cue Luke entered the kitchen. "Hello Grandmother," he said greeting the woman with a kiss on the cheek. "I see you've already met Doctor Oliver."

"Doctor Oliver?" she repeated her attention focused on Reid once more.

"Yes," Luke said proudly. "He's hopefully going to be the head of the new Neurological wing at the hospital. He's a surgeon."

"I'm good with my hands," he said regretting the words as soon as he watched the frown form on Emma's face. "That's not what I meant to say," he stated apologetically as his eyes sought out Luke."

"Reid is here to check out the Neurological wing to see if he wants to head it up," Luke said changing the subject. "He had a reservation at the Lakeview, but he hates hotels. So I told him he could stay here with us for a few days."

Emma looked at her grandson before turning her gaze to Reid, and then back to her grandson. "He can stay," she said finally, "Under one condition. He has to keep his hands off my cookies." She wiped her hands on her apron as she sauntered off leaving the boys alone in the kitchen.

Luke smiled as he noticed that Reid had cookies in his hand. Instead of grabbing one off the plate he took one of Reid's and bit into it before gesturing around the room. "Come on, I'm going to show you around. Starting in here," he pointed at a door that Reid quickly learned led into the parlor. As Luke pointed things out Reid explored with his eyes, taking in the homey feel that permeated this room as well. There was an old fashioned TV Set which sat in front of a coffee table, two comfortable looking couches and a love seat. A wicker rocking chair sat in the corner and Reid noticed that every chair was draped with a homemade afghan. There was another chair situated beside a large window. A Lamp sat beside it and it was clear to Reid that it was a perfect spot for reading. He had no doubt that the sunlight gave off the perfect lighting during the day, while the lamp was perfect for late nights. All in all he found the room to be very welcoming, and he was sure the rest of the house would be the same.

He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see that Luke was standing by his side. "It's time for me to show you your room," he said his free hand touching Reid's other shoulder as he led him back into the kitchen. Reid grabbed his duffel bag before allowing Luke to lead him up the stairs. He listened as Luke told him where the bathroom was, and pointed out which room belonged to whom, making a mental note that Luke's room was right beside his own. "It's not much," Luke said moving aside so that Reid could enter his new living space. "Just a bed, a dresser, and a desk. It's better than a hotel though, clean and very welcoming. And you'll have a lot of privacy here too."

"I'm already sold, Luke. You can drop the hardcore sales pitch. I hate pushy salespeople anyway," he said turning to Luke with a smile.

Luke ducks his head bashfully and rubbed his hands together, "Well, Um, I should let you get settled then. I'll just leave you alone." Reid nodded as he watched Luke head towards the door. "Oh," he said turning back at the last minute. "I'm not sure what you're doing for dinner, but my grandmother usually has dinner ready by six o'clock. Or if you'd rather there's a great burger place in town. I could take you there if you would like."

"What about the boyfriend?" Reid probed.

"You mean Noah?"

"Ah yeah, unless you have another boyfriend I don't know about."

"He's working tonight," Luke shrugged.

"Burgers in town," Reid said changing the subject quickly. "Sounds like a date…I mean plan."

Luke half smiled and turned to leave the room.

"Hey Luke?" Reid called after him.

"Yeah?"Luke said glancing over his shoulder.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." Luke had one foot out the door when Reid called grabbing his attention once more. "Yeah?"

"Are you okay? I mean…you know?"

Luke did know. Reid was talking about him and Noah. "Yeah, I'm okay."