Dr. Reid Oliver was a man who disliked a lot of things. One of those things was having to work within someone elses schedule.
He was already moving to Oakdale, most likely permanently, and he'd agreed to take on Noah Mayer as a patient, but that obviously wasn't enough for Mr. Mayer's boyfriend. Ex-boyfriend, as the blond was constantly reminding him. Reid was prepared to make the move in a month. Planning for the neurology wing wasn't set to begin for a few more weeks and he needed time to make the transition from Dallas to Oakdale. A month, however, was far too long in the annoying blond boy's eyes, so here Reid was, a month ahead of schedule, stepping off a plane at Oakdale Regional Airport.
It was a somewhat familiar sight that brought him little comfort. Mostly it annoyed him, almost angered him, really. He checked his phone for the tenth time as he moved through the concourse toward baggage claim, his computer bag slung over one shoulder and his briefcase in his free hand. Still nothing. With a tired groan he punched in a few buttons and held the small device to his ear, frowning bitterly as he continued walking.
"I'm on my way!" came a woman's voice on the other end. Reid held the phone away for a moment, making a dissatisfied noise.
"I didn't even say anything yet," he complained into the phone. "I'm almost to baggage claim, I just wanted to know if you were parking or picking me up out front."
"Um," the woman contemplated. "Well, it'll be a few more minutes, I'm stuck behind some stupid cab driver, so I guess I'll just pull around up front," she said.
"Okay," replied Reid, sounding almost bored.
"So I'll see you in a few minutes?"
"I guess so," said Reid before hanging up. He returned the phone to his front pocket, continuing the short stroll forward to the escalator that carried him to baggage claim. He stood around for a few minutes, waiting for the conveyor belt to start turning, eventually carrying his large duffel bag right to him. He latched it over his other shoulder with a low groan but he quickly adjusted to the weight, carrying his things out into the cool Illinois air.
Luckily he wasn't waiting long before a silver SUV pulled up beside him. Reid actually smiled a bit as the blond woman driving waved through the window. The trunk opened and he dropped his things into the back with ease before shutting the trunk and climbing into the passenger seat.
"I can't believe you're here," the woman smiled. No, beamed. Reid laughed awkwardly.
"It's good to see you, too, Katie."
"So this will be your room. Jacob is with me just there, and you'll have the guest bathroom all to yourself." Katie pointed and gestured nonstop during her very short tour of the apartment. "And the fridge is stocked, I remember how much you like to eat," she teased, smiling too innocently at Reid. He narrowed his eyes playfully.
"So where is the kid anyway?" he asked.
"With Henry," Katie replied simply, moving around the room and picking up some of said-kid's toys.
"Ah," Reid replied dryly. "How is old Hank doing these days anyway?" There was a bit more humor in his voice this time.
"Henry is doing fine," said Katie. "Actually, he's doing pretty good. He's been seeing this woman named Barbara."
"What happened to the long-legged, accented girl?" Reid asked, struggling to describe the woman he'd met only once.
"Vienna?" Katie laughed. "Yeah, well, there was some drama there," she sighed. "But, Henry moved past it, and he's happy now."
"How about you? How are you doing?"
Katie looked up to see Reid leaning back on the counter top in the kitchen, a more serious expression on his face. She smiled gratefully.
"I'm doing alright," she said honestly, dropping a kiss on Reid's cheek as she passed him going into the kitchen, dropping Jacob's bottles into the sink. "It's still hard, not having Brad around, but I'm doing okay."
"Good," said Reid. "The last thing I need is a crying roommate," he grinned. Katie cast him a playfully threatening look.
"You're temporary roommate," she corrected. "I hate that, by the way, that you aren't going to be here long," Katie continued. "I miss having other people in the house."
"You'll be fine without me, Katie. There are always people here and you know you'll always be welcome at my place."
"When do you guys move in, anyway?" Katie asked over her shoulder, starting on the dishes.
"The apartment won't be ready for three more weeks. We were supposed to have everything delivered and set up before the move, but what can you do," he said with a frown. Katie, however, smiled.
"Oh, stop complaining," she said. "It's not like you weren't planning to move already."
"Yeah, but I was planning on having a place of my own when I did," Reid reminded her. "I think it must be a Snyder thing," he mused. Katie stopped and turned.
"What is a Snyder thing?"
"Being pushy brats," he grinned. She flicked water at him.
They laughed for a moment and continued to chat while Reid looked through the fridge, pulling out the mixing for a sandwich.
"When is Avery coming up here?" asked Katie suddenly. Reid frowned.
"Not til the end of the week," replied Reid simply. Katie nodded sympathetically. She could tell the separation was killing Reid.
"I can't wait to see him, it's been too long," she said. Reid could hear the slight sadness in her voice. He came up beside her.
"I'm sorry," he began. Katie stopped what she was doing, but didn't look up. She already knew where this was going. "I'm sorry that I wasn't here for Brad's funeral," Reid continued, putting a hand on Katie's back. He could see her tearing up.
"It's okay, really," she insisted, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands, her fingers covered in dish soap.
"No, it wasn't. You were there for me at Josh's funeral. I should have been here for you."
"It was Stacey's funeral, too," insisted Katie. "We needed each other then. Besides, I had my family here, Brad's family. And you came up a few weeks later, remember?"
Reid frowned. "It still wasn't the same," he insisted. Amazingly, Katie smiled. She sniffled a little, too, reaching for a rag to dry her hands. Once she had she immediately wrapped her arms around Reid, who hugged her back enthusiastically.
"I may very well be the only one who knows it, Reid, but you're a great man," she said into his ear, her voice breaking. He smiled, kissing the side of her head.
"I have my moments," he said with an impish smile. "Just don't tell anyone."
Katie laughed. "Don't tell anyone I was crying again, people around here are prone to overreact," she smiled.
"Deal," returned Reid, kissing her cheek again before returning to his sandwich making.