Part 1
Reid woke up early to the sound of his beeper. He grabbed it immediately, and grumbled, "Fuck, 911." He threw his clothes on haphazardly. Between taking care of Chris and his usual shifts in the hospital, he hadn't seen Luke in days. Every bone in his body ached with fatigue. He felt the absence of his boyfriend like an open wound, but he just didn't have the time to see him.
Reid fumbled in the darkness for his shoes, coughing loudly. His hands were trembling. Beads of sweat stood out on his face. He pressed a clammy hand to his fevered forehead.
"Have to get to work," he muttered. After much prodding, Chris had finally agreed to see a cardiologist. Chris had requested (ordered) Reid's presence. Though Reid hated being bossed around by someone he was keeping alive, he'd been glad to oblige. He figured the next logical step would to be tell Chris' family, to tell Katie.
Reid shook himself out of his haze and left the apartment. He'd been feeling weak for days, but he just chalked it up to exhaustion. He couldn't be sick today. Chris needed him. The hospital needed him. He drove to work, coughing the entire time.
Bob took one look at Reid and ordered him to go back home.
"Bob, I'm fine." Reid said sharply. "It's just a cold."
He tried to focus on Bob's face, but it was blurry and unclear. Reid blinked quickly, and Bob came back into focus.
"Reid, you look like death warmed over," Bob said firmly. "I won't have you infecting my patients. Stop by the pharmacy, get some steroids. Then take a paid vacation. "
"Sure, Bob." Reid said snarkily. He turned away and stumbled down the hallway. He would never make it to the pharmacy. The break room was only a few doors away. He opened the door, and collapsed onto the cot.
His cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out, and stared, for a moment, uncomprehending, at the number.
"Ello?" he whispered. "Who's this?"
"Reid!" came the joyful reply. "Oh my god, how are you? I know you said you were busy, but I've been worried. It's not like you to drop out of touch. Are you okay?"
Reid tried to answer, but a rasping cough was all he could manage.
He wet his lips, and tried again. "Luke," he wheezed. "I need you. I can't breathe. I thought it was just a cold, but I can't –" he broke off to cough again.
"Jesus," Luke murmured. "Reid, I'll be right over. Where are you?"
"The hospital break room," Reid said softly. "Hurry. Chris has his appointment today."
Luke was completely confused. "What appoint- never mind. I'll be right there. Just try and get some rest."
Reid nodded, even though Luke couldn't see him. He didn't bother closing his phone, just let it fall from limp fingers. He closed his eyes and tried to remember days when he hadn't been sick. Fever assaulted his senses, and he could no longer concentrate. Finally, he surrendered to a restless sleep.
Part 2
Luke's fear nearly overwhelmed him. He grabbed his keys off his desk and ran downstairs.
Have to get to Reid, he thought. Have to get to Reid.
He made it to Memorial in record time. His heart pumping loudly in his ears, he opened the door to the hospital break room.
"Reid," he breathed. For a moment, Luke was rooted to the spot, staring at Reid in mute horror. He quickly walked to Reid's side. His skin, normally a healthy glow, now was pale and sickly.
Luke gently brushed Reid's forehead with his fingertips. It burned him to the touch, but he kept his hand there anyway, trying to rouse his boyfriend.
Reid stirred at the touch. His eyelids fluttered open.
"Luke," he mumbled. "You came." His sudden smile became a grimace.
Luke tried to be comforting. "Of course I came. I'm gonna get you some help."
He turned away to do just that, but Reid grabbed his wrist in a surprisingly firm grip.
"Chris," he said. "Needs to a see a cardiologist today. Heart muscle could be compromised."
Luke stared at Reid helplessly.
"What are you saying?" he pleaded.
"Been helping Chris during downtime. He's very sick. Make sure he goes." His eyes rolled back into his head, as he fell back to sleep.
Luke had no idea what was going on, but a few pieces were falling into place.
He turned and jogged out of the break room. He flagged down the first nurse he could find.
"Nurse Taylor!" he said urgently. "Reid's sick. He's passed out in the break room, and has a very high fever."
Nurse Taylor blinked at him in a perplexed fashion. She couldn't imagine that Dr. Oliver would ever get sick.
"Well Luke, I'll get someone right away." she said nervously.
Luke sighed loudly. He paced back and forth, scruffing his hair, agitated. Nurse Taylor stared at him. She'd never seen Luke so frantic.
"What the hell is wrong with you, Gretchen?" Luke yelled. "Go do your job!"
Dr. Bob strided down the halls quickly, as he heard the commotion. He spotted Luke yelling at the terrified Nurse Taylor.
"Luke, what is going on?" he said, grabbing the young man's shoulder. "Nurse Taylor?"
"It's Dr. Oliver, sir." Nurse Taylor whispered. "He's sick." She snapped out of her stupor and entered the hospital break room. Dr. Bob followed her.
Nurse Taylor immediately took Reid's pulse, while Dr. Bob placed a tentative hand on his forehead.
"Oh my god," he murmured. Reid had seemed fine half an hour ago. Now he was in desperate need of help.
Dr. Bob left Nurse Taylor to her job, and called for an emergency medical team to come to the hospital break room.
"We need a stretcher down here right away. We'll put him in a private room. I want an ice bath ready. We have to get his temperature down."
They said they'd be there in minutes. Bob nodded, and turned back to his patient.
"Gretchen, you take care of him. I need to make sure the team's on its way."
"Yes, Dr. Hughes."
Bob left the room and passed Luke, who stood outside, staring into space.
"Luke, why don't you sit down, son?" Bob said softly. "We're taking care of him."
"What's wrong with him? What happened?" Luke asked.
"By the sound of his cough, I'm guessing bronchitis or pneumonia. Has he been sneaking extra shifts? That happens sometimes."
Luke sputtered in disbelief. "Shouldn't you know that? I haven't seen him in weeks. He's been working the usual shifts, but he's been helping -" Luke shook his head, and turned away from Bob. "I think I need to sit down."
"Of course, Luke." Bob guided Luke to the chairs against the wall. "I'll let you know the minute we've got him stabilized. We have to get that fever down. Once we do that, I'll order a chest x-ray to confirm the pneumonia. It'll be okay."
Luke nodded to Dr. Bob, because he had no idea what else to do. He put his head in his hands as soon as Dr. Bob walked away. Ice bath. In his mind's eye, he could hear Reid's screams as the ice soaked his burning skin.
He felt the tears slide down his cheeks, and didn't bother wiping them away. His thoughts centered on the man responsible: Chris Hughes. Luke shoved the chair back and stood up, gaze steely and determined.
If Chris had something to do with Reid's illness, Luke was going to find him and make him pay.
Part 3
Reid jerked awake immediately as the ice touched his skin. His eyes scanned the room, before finally he found Bob leaning over him.
"Just relax," Bob said gently. "It's vitally important we get your temperature down."
"It's f-freezing," Reid mumbled. Bob nodded, reassuring, as he put his hand on Reid's shoulder.
Reid blinked quickly, then tried to find Bob again in the explosion of light.
Instead, it was Chris Hughes who stood in front of him. His gaze was hard and unforgiving.
"You killed me, Reid." he gritted. "You might as well have shot me, and spit on my corpse. You didn't try hard enough. Now it's too late, and I'm dying. Well, that's all right. I'll get my revenge now."
Chris gave a cold smile, and put his hands around Reid's throat. Still smiling, he began to squeeze.
Reid batted him away, but could do nothing.
"Chris, stop." he muttered weakly. "Get off me. I'm sorry. I tried. I'm so sorry."
Bob tried to steady Reid as he thrashed against him. Reid clenched his teeth, and shut his eyes tightly to try and erase the image of Chris.
"We're gonna need some restraints here." he told a nurse. "Can you find Luke Snyder? We need someone to keep him calm."
Part 4
Luke paced back and forth in the waiting room for patients. He'd thought about tracking Chris down, but abandoned the idea immediately. He couldn't go anywhere until Reid was stable.
Bob entered the waiting room, a grave expression on his face.
"Bob, what is it? What's happening?"
"We don't have a diagnosis yet, Luke. We're trying to do the ice bath, but he's panicking. He's hallucinating. I need you. I know you can keep him calm."
"Of course," Luke replied. "I'll do anything to help."
"I know you will. Let's go."
Bob turned away, and Luke followed him to Reid's room.
Luke's stomach rolled when he saw his boyfriend lying in the hospital bed. He was naked from the waist up. Goosebumps pimpled his body, though he was drenched in sweat. His eyes were closed, as he tossed back and forth, mumbling. His hands were bound to the bed. Luke looked at Bob, in askance.
"We had to," Bob said before he could say anything. "He wouldn't stop fighting us. Now keep him calm, and we can start the ice bath again."
Luke stood next to Reid in an instant. He stroked his forehead, and called his name.
"Luke," Reid said through dried lips. "I killed him, Luke. I know I killed him."
Unbidden tears fell down Luke's cheeks. He gave Reid a watery smile and bent to kiss his lips tenderly.
"You didn't kill anyone," he said. You didn't, but I might. "You're an amazing doctor. You do your best every day. It's what I love so much about you."
Reid regarded him for a long moment. Every few seconds, his eyes roamed around the room in confusion before falling back on Luke.
"You're bleeding sentiment, Mr. Snyder." he joked feebly. "It doesn't become you."
Bob stood in the background, and instructed the nurses to resume the ice bath.
"Bob," Luke said quietly. "I want to hold his hand. I think it would help."
"Sure." Bob undid the restraint. He used a washcloth to wipe down Reid's brow.
Luke quickly wrapped Reid's hand in both of his own. Around him, the nurses packed ice on Reid's prone body.
Bob stuck a thermometer and waited a few minutes. Reid squirmed, but didn't protest out loud. He gritted his teeth as he tried to curl away from the ice. He stared up at Luke with a frenzied concentration.
"If anything ever happened to you, Luke." Reid said desperately. "I don't know what I'd do. You changed me. You crawled in and like attached yourself and shit. I just -"
"Reid," Luke interrupted, bending forward so he was only a few inches away. "Shut up. You can tell me all this when you're better. This is not your deathbed. Besides, you changed me. You've made me stronger. You've shown me what it really means to love someone. Okay?"
Reid nodded in response. He stared deeply into Luke's eyes, but felt very tired. He bit his lower lip to contain his screams. Even in his frenzied state, he knew he didn't want to scream in front of Luke. He didn't want to see the pained look on Luke's face.
Shaking slightly, Luke rested his hand on Reid's cheek.
"Shh," he said. "Just lie still."
For what seemed like an eternity, Luke held Reid's hand with his right hand, while cradling his cheek with his left. His gaze remained steady on Reid's eyes, while Reid moaned softly.
Luke couldn't understand why Reid was being so restrained. He scooted closer, and said, "Reid. You can scream, you know. I promise I can take it."
Reid shook his head ferociously. "Y-yoga," he said. "E-easier this way." He swallowed quickly.
"Luke, I -" he whispered.
"Got it!" Bob yelled triumphantly. "It's 99.1. Get him that chest x-ray stat."
"99.1? But that's still -" Luke began.
Bob clapped Luke on the back. "It's out of the danger zone, Luke! You may have saved his life. Thank you!"
The nurses wheeled Reid out of the room. While Bob followed them, he paused in the doorway.
"This will take a few hours, Luke. We need to do the chest x-ray, confirm the illness, and then prescribe a form of treatment. You should get home, get a change of clothes. I'll have the nurse set up a cot for you in his room."
Luke wanted to protest, but he nodded despite himself. "Okay, Bob. I won't be gone long."
Bob nodded, distracted. "I care about him too, Luke. He's not dying on my watch." He quickly left the room.
Luke wandered of out of the hospital room. He knew he should call his family, let them know what was going on. But he couldn't think of anything except Reid's words.
"I killed him, Luke. I killed him."
He scrubbed the tears off his face with a fierce determination. He had one more stop to make before he left the hospital. He went to the nurses' station, and asked politely, "Excuse me, ma'am. Can you tell me where Dr. Chris Hughes is?"
The nurse smiled brightly, recognizing Luke as a hospital donor. "Sure, Mr. Snyder. One second."
She pulled up the information with a few clicks. "Looks like he's doing a consult with Dr. Truman. Room 322. I think one of his kids has a heart problem."
Luke thanked her, and turned away, his mouth set in a grim line. I'll bet he does.
He went upstairs to the third floor, and found the room without trouble. He leaned against the wall, and waited for Chris to come out.
It didn't take long. Several minutes later, Chris emerged from the room. He shook the doctor's hand immediately.
"You'll have the results soon?" Chris asked.
"Of course, Dr. Hughes." Dr Truman responded. "We should know within 24 hours whether your heart's been damaged. Until then, get some rest. You shouldn't be working anymore. Any amount of stress with agitate your disease."
"Thank you, Dr. Truman."
Dr. Truman nodded in acknowledgement, and walked away, shaking his head. He didn't want to tell Dr. Hughes, but based on his initial diagnosis, Chris' disease had advanced to the point where he needed a heart transplant. He hoped the young man was strong to bear the news.
"Luke," Chris said, confused. "What are you doing here?"
Luke glared at him darkly. "You'll find out soon enough. We need to talk privately."
Chris glanced left and right, then shrugged. "Sure, come in." He went back into the room he'd just exited.
Once the door closed, Luke got into Chris' personal space.
"So I suppose you're wondering where Reid is," he growled.
Chris chuckled nervously. "Actually, yeah I was. He was supposed to be moral support today for the –consult." He finished lamely.
"Cut the crap, Chris. I know all about it. Or I know enough," he said acidly. "Reid is currently getting a chest x-ray down in ICU. He has a high fever. He's exhausted. Every time I try and calm him down so your father can treat him, he just keeps babbling about you, and how you need him. Once, he said something about killing you." Unable to contain himself, Luke shoved Chris against the wall.
"Now call me crazy. Either you're in love with my boyfriend, and you've been fucking him behind my back. Or you're keeping some other secret that Reid's been helping you with. Something to do with your heart?"
Luke jabbed Chris' shoulder sharply.
"Now unless you're about to croak right this minute, start talking. What is your perfectly reasonable explanation for getting Reid so exhausted that he develops a severe illness?"
Chris was silent for a long minute, digesting what he'd heard.
He gently removed Luke's arms from his body, and sat down on a nearby stool.
"It's a long story," he began.
Luke locked his arms together, and watched him intently.
"Make it snappy. I need to get back downstairs."
Chris shrugged, and began talking.
As Luke listened, his anger slowly cooled. When Chris finished, Luke sat on the examination chair, looking pensive.
"So." He said reluctantly. "You're really sick, then?"
Chris nodded glumly. "Yeah, I am."
Luke clenched his jaw, and said sarcastically, "And instead of admitting yourself like a sane person, you tried to treat yourself. Reid found you, and you've been forcing him to help you secretly for months."
Chris winced. "I didn't force him. He found me drawing my blood, and he just went along with it. He wanted to help me."
Luke waved his hand dismissively. "With a little bit of blackmail on the side, I imagine."
Chris shrugged, and refused to meet Luke's eyes. "I may have told him if he didn't keep my secret, I'd tell everyone he coerced me into keeping quiet." He mumbled.
Luke fought the impulse to scream at the idiotic man in front of him. It was easy to do, because telling the story had taken its toll on Chris. He looked frail and small on the stool.
"You know what, I can't deal with this. I can't take care of you, and Reid. Reid's the only thing that matters. You've got plenty of family to help you with your disease. Instead, your selfishness made you choose the one person who would go above and beyond to help you, even though it's not his specialty. He's helped you enough, Chris. You stay the hell away from him now."
Chris nodded sheepishly.
Luke ignored him, and dialed a number he knew by heart. "But you know what, you've got someone else in your corner."
"Hello?" Katie answered.
"Katie, it's Luke. I'm here at the hospital. Reid had to be admitted." He listened to her concerned babbling for a moment. "Now Katie, calm down. Dr. Bob assures me he's gonna be fine. But I do have someone else who needs you."
He handed the phone to Chris with a smirk. "Good luck, champ. Drop it off at the nurses' station downstairs when you're done."
Luke left the room with a slight swagger to his step. No matter what happened next, at least he'd defended the man he loved.
Part 5
Katie knew she was about to hear bad news. She sat down on her couch, curling her feet underneath. She drew in air slowly.
"Hi, Chris." she said softly. "Why did Luke give you his phone?" Keep it simple.
Chris laughed nervously. He rubbed the back of his neck. He stared straight out at the closed door. How am I gonna tell her?
The silence stretched too long. It created a gaping chasm between the two of them.
"Chris?"
"Katie, I'm - I don't know how to tell you this. When I was in Haiti few years, I contracted a rare tropical disease which primarily affects the heart. I stayed there for an additional year so I could beat it. I got injections, therapy, everything. When I was certified healthy, I came back here. I just wanted to get closer to my parents, but then I met you."
"Your heart?" Katie interjected. "So those weren't panic attacks? You were having heart problems?"
Chris nibbled his bottom lip, and was surprised to find tears in his eyes.
"Yeah," he murmured. "I was. I am. Reid found me drawing my blood. The disease is back. Reid's been helping me in his downtime. Giving me the injections. He's been dogging me to go a cardiologist. So I finally did today. I -"
"Hold on a minute," Katie interjected. Her voice was shaking, with anger or sadness she didn't yet know. "Reid's been helping you? Why didn't you tell me? How long have you been keeping this a secret? What did Luke mean when he said Reid was sick? Are you contagious? Did you infect me when we had sex?" Now she knew. It wasn't anger or sadness, it was rage.
"Baby, calm down." Chris tried to soothe her. "I've been selfish, yeah, but I'm not contagious. Reid just forgot to take care of himself, and got run down. He's probably got a mild case of pneumonia."
"Mild? Are you fucking crazy? He's been admitted, you ass! He's been helping you, and working his usual shifts. He works 70 hr weeks, Chris. He definitely doesn't have time to add you on as a side project!"
"I know that, believe me. That's why I made the appointment today. I'll find out soon if my heart is damaged, and if I need a transplant. But it'll be okay. I'm gonna tell my parents. I'll be fine." Chris replied. He wished he could believe that. He was terrified. He didn't want to die, and leave Katie alone.
"You're gonna be okay? You're gonna be okay?" she sputtered. "You put Reid in the hospital. You've been lying to me for months. You seduced me even though you're terribly sick. How could you do that to me? After what happened to Brad," she began to sob. She put her hand over her mouth to try and hide the sound, but it was no use.
"Katie, don't cry." he pleaded. "I need you. I'm scared. I'm so -"
"Fuck you, Chris Hughes." she spat. "Admit yourself. Tell your parents after Reid's out of the woods. Apologize to him, if Luke even lets you. Do that and then maybe -" she broke off. The tears poured freely down her cheeks. I hate you, Chris. I hate you.
"Maybe?" he whispered hopefully.
"Maybe nothing." she said fiercely. "I gotta go. Just because you're trying to kill yourself doesn't mean Reid deserves to suffer." You selfish prick, she added silently.
Chris couldn't believe what he was hearing. Katie was supposed to love him. Didn't she know what he was going through?
"Katie, I need you. I don't think you get it. I'm getting worse."
Katie shook her head quickly. "You know I'd do anything for you. But you just dropped a bombshell. I need time to deal with this. Besides, you've got a truckload of family who will fall all over themselves to bring you a Kleenex. Reid's got Luke, and me."
"Katie," he murmured. "Please -"
"Time's up. I'll talk to you soon."
She hung up the phone and threw it against the tv. She hugged herself, and began to cry in earnest. She felt like her entire world was crumbling around her. The righteous indignation evaporated, and now she felt betrayal and grief.
Brad dominated her thoughts. She remembered cradling his dead body. Now it was all happening again. Chris had a fatal disease. That was okay. She could cope with that. She'd done it before. But he'd lied about it. Instead of seeking the best care right away, he'd roped Reid into helping him.
Images of Reid filtered through her brain over the last few months. Him coming home at 3 AM with heavy bags under his eyes, way past the end of his shift. The two of them trying to watch a movie, and Reid dashing off on some mysterious errand.
She remembered the last time she'd seen him, a few days ago.
Katie sat in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee. It was 6 AM. She heard the door knob and smiled brightly as Reid entered.
He stumbled slowly into the room, and she got up immediately to catch him before he fell to the floor.
"Are you all right?" she asked. "Did you go on a bender last night?" she joked.
He smiled feebly, but immediately a deep, racking cough exploded out of his mouth.
"Katie, I don't feel so hot." he mumbled. "I'm just gonna grab some sleep. I need to be at work at 10."
"10?" she asked. "You just got home."
He staggered to his feet, coughing into his hand.
"Yeah, I - they're short staffed. They need everyone." He averted his eyes, and stared longingly at his bedroom.
"Okay, well at least let me make you some tea." she said. She rubbed his back tenderly. She could hear congestion in his chest. He wheezed slightly.
"Thank you," he said gratefully. Reid walked to his bedroom. Katie walked to the kitchen, and began bustling around.
"They are working you too hard, Reid. It's not right."
Reid paused in the doorway, listening to her take out the tea packets, and boil water. He wanted to hold onto this moment.
He went back into the kitchen, and sat down.
Katie grinned at him.
"Jasmine or chamomile?"
"Chamomile."
He looked at her, a blond flurry of activity. The knowledge of Chris' sickness hung in the air between them.
"Here you go, hon." she said a few minutes later. "I already put some honey in it for you."
He took the steaming cup, and blew on it. He took a long swallow. She got a cup out, and poured herself some tea.
They sat together in companionable silence.