Luke threw his keys on the table and leaned over to grab his cell.

No missed calls.

Very good

On his way over to the fridge he went through the pile of mail he was still holding. There was nothing but leaflets and advertising brochures except for the last one, a final notice.

''Ah fuck.'' With a guilty sigh he looked over to the pile on the dresser. There it was, unopened and at least a month old, along with a few other official letters he had just ignored.

''Damn.'' He slammed the rest of the mail down on the table and placed the final notice into the urgent pile.

While he waited for his computer to boot up he pulled off the foil from his yoghurt and scraped it clean with his spoon. Now a quick check through his mails, then another bite to eat and then he'd still have half an hour to kill before Reid would show up. Maybe his writer's block had lifted a little today, he would have to keep trying at least.

Luke put down his yoghurt and reached out for the touchpad.

Seven unread.

Two spam, one from his mother, one from Noah and the rest replies to applications he had sent out.

He clicked on the one from the investment bank. At least this was just formalities, he was pretty sure he knew what he was about to read.

And there it was, right on clue.

Dear candidate

We would like to thank you for expressing an interest in our company by sending us your application.

We are sorry to inform you that we cannot provide an internship which fits to your interest.

We hope you will soon find an internship to suit your requirements and talents.

Hell yes it does. Luke thought to himself as he rolled his eyes. It pays money and I don't have to wear skates.

This particular way of phrasing a rejection had never seemed even remotely appropriate to him but today it truly pissed him off.

Next mail, from another bank - same thing.

And another one.

]Awesome.

Luke deleted them and clicked on the message from his mother.

Luke honey,

I am really worried about you. I still don't know what really happened between you and your father

Why don't you at least talk to me? I don't even know what you are up to right no Call me!

His mother trying to talk him out of his decisions, was one thing he did not want to deal with now. He quickly clicked it away pretending he had not read it.

Now Noah.

Hey Luke

I met your mum today and she told me that you have broken bonds with your father and don't even want to have anything to do with her money either. Why the hell are you still paying for my hospital bills? What is going on? Call me when you get this I need to talk to you.

Noah

Luke sighed and dragged a hand over his face. This was even better. What the hell was he going to tell him? He placed both elbows on the table resting his face in his palms for a moment.

God, he could do with a drink.

He looked down at his watch. Reid was supposed to show up in twenty minutes.

Luke switched off his computer and walked over to the fridge. There was one untouched bottle of Vodka standing in the door rail. He had bought it last Friday for possible emergencies.

Actually this was one.

He bent down to reach for the bottle and straightened up again. No he would never be able to cover that up. With a sigh he swung the door closed again just to tear it open right after.

Screw that, he reassured himself. He could just have a coffee or a mint drop and well, actually it was none of his business anyway.

When Luke answered the door twenty minutes later he had downed two vodka straight and was now sucking on his third mint drop. Perfectly timed he thought, as he swallowed the last one on his way to the door.

Even better. Reid was appeareantly still talking on his cell and walked straight past him into the kitchen. This would buy him another five minutes.

He went behind the kitchen counter secretly reaching for the box of mints. After all he should not push it. Minty breath could come from freshly washed teeth but purposefully reaching for mint drop before greeting someone could always rise suspicion.

Luke moved the drops around in his mouth with his tongue as he turned around to clear out the dishwasher.

Unfortunately this was not so perfectly timed. Very unnacording to the timetable Luke had had in mind Reid had already ended his phone conversation and was standing right next to him before he could even react.

''Come on let's hit the sheets Snyder.'' He placed his cell onto the counter and stepped closer to Luke.

''Oh come on.'' He pulled away again, rolling his eyes.

''What?'' Luke stored the drops under his tongue foolishly hoping this was not about them.

''Mint drops? Don't tell me you really believe that works.''

''Works for what? '' Luke could not come up with a better idea and he knew damn well where this was going to head.

Reid remained standing right in front of him staring into his eyes as he replied.

''How many alcoholics do you think I have seen in my career? Let alone the two I lived with for half my life. How many do you think used that trick? Take a wild guess.''

''So what?'' Luke had now decided to go for the defensive way. ''Even if that should be true it is still none of your business and besides you had no problem with the champagne last Thursday so just shut up and stay out of this once and for all?''

''Please, there[i] is[/i] a difference between a glass of champagne on a night out and being dead drunk at 07.00 p.m. right in the middle of the week. ''

''What the hell is your problem? So I was having a mint drop. So what? Accusing me of alcoholism just based on that is quite a leap even for someone as arrogant as you don't you think?''

''Really?'' With one quick step Reid had darted over to the kitchen counter, sniffing at the empty, used glass he had picked up.

''Vodka straight.'' He stated holding the glass into Luke's direction.

Luke rushed forward to follow him behind the counter. He stuck out his index finger, pointing it at him as he spoke.

''Now listen we are going to do this one way [u]or[/u] the other and if you treat me like a fucking whore than you stay out of everything not related to sticking your dick into my ass.''

''Woah, watch your French.'' Reid put the glass down again and frowned back at Luke a little taken aback by this sudden violent outburst.

'' What the hell pissed you off like that?''

''Well what do you think? I paid for the room? Why don't you just throw a few twenties on the nightstand next time? Oh and by the way the grief care is extra.''

''Hold on. If you are not happy with the way things are going you have no one but yourself to blame.''

Luke shook his head, his face now a furious grimace.

''How is this my fault?'' he asked shouting.

''One day you are all over my ass because I don't like to spill my guts over everyone I meet accusing me of feeling superior to everyone else, then you suddenly give me heat for talking to people. Whatever it is that you are taking out on me here, deal with it!''

''Deal with it?'' Luke furrowed his brow and pulled his head back slightly.

''You are acting like a complete ass and I am supposed to - deal with it? What the hell is wrong with you Reid? Do you really have no idea what a normal human being behave like or does it get you off to treat people like that? Have you ever considered the fact that there might be a few issues you have to deal with. Apparently you can't even handle your own bit so don't go dishing out advice.''

''If you are looking for trouble then keep running your mouth like that Snyder. Otherwise I warn you to watch your words.''

' 'Why? Because you are in a position of power here, or at least you think you are. Because you call the shots? You constantly seem to forget about one tiny uncomfortable detail . You blackmailed me so I would sleep with you. [i]You[/i] want [i]me[/i] and if I decide to hell with the bills and blow this deal off, then I have lost nothing. ''

Luke's voice became steadier again and he held on to the word he spoke, as if they were his connection to the safe world. The world outside this gloomy spiral of emotions he had gotten himself into.

''You are the one that wants me.'' Luke said again and when he was sure he could keep his emotions out of his voice he went on. ''I don't want you.''

While he listened to his words Reid never turned his gaze away and Luke could see that he was struggling with something.

He dropped his gaze to Reid's lips for just a second and when he looked up again the shadow in his eyes had dissappeared and there was nothing but rainy blue and calm in them.

Luke heard him breathe evenly and when his gaze dropped to his lips again he saw him part them with a soft sound.

He looked up again, feverishly searching Reid's eyes for any sign of what was going on behind them.

Compared to the yelling before the silence was almost plastic and it made Luke nervous.

''You are one lousy liar.'' Reid finally said and he stepped closer, a breeze of his scent washing over Luke's senses. As he inhaled he could smell hospital disinfectant and air dried clothes.

His eyelids had almost fell shut at the sensation but he forced them open again.

Reid parted his lips a little more and took a step forward closing the distance between their bodies.

Luke swallowed as he forced himself to not look away, silently cursing himself for how easily he responded to Reid's presence.

''So you don't want me?'' Reid asked, rolling the words off his tongue deliberately slow.

The thoughts were rushing through Luke's brain but he could not find anything to reply so he just held Reid's gaze hoping that it was enough to prove his point.

''Then tell me to stop.'' Reid took another step forward until he had him backed up against the wall, his body pressing into Luke's and then reached out for his shirt, slowly beginning to unbutton it.

Luke drew in a sharp breath and swallowed again. His eyelid were so heavy now that he could barely keep them open and as Reid leaned in breathing against his ear, sucking on the soft skin right beneath they fell shut.

''If you don't want me, then do it. Tell me stop.''

He pulled away, to shift them face to face, his eyes dark under his lashes, his wet lips almost touching Luke's.

Luke tried to turn his gaze away but instead it dropped down to Reid's hands following them as they moved over his body.

He reached them out to undo Luke's belt, grazing his thumb over bare skin just above.

While he was still working on Luke's belt he leaned in for a slow kiss, drawing a desperate sigh from Luke's soul. Luke's head instinctively moved forward and he kissed him back, grabbing the fabric of his shirt with both fists, his struggle lost before he had even been able to put it up.

They kissed feverishly for a while neither of them caring to undress the other one further. Reid's hand went around Luke's neck and he kept it there as he pulled away two seconds later.

''Open your eyes.'' Reid said in a calm and deep voice.

He waited for Luke to oblige and then gave him a second to adapt.

''No listen carefully Luke. If I catch you drunk just once more, I will be on the first plane out of Oakdale, leaving Noah to the care of the local neurologists and I think you are aware what that means for his case.''

Their bodies still pressed together and their faces just inches apart Luke was caught between schok and arousal.

''You can't do that.'' Said in a breathy voice.

Reid nodded his head.

,, I can resign from a patients treatment and have a co worker step in for me as soon as I don't see myself fit for handling the case anymore. And believe me the minute I catch you drunk again I will.''

''You are not going to do that.'' Luke tried to convince himself.

''I wouldn't take the chance if I were you.'' Reid spoke calmly, his voice not threatening just simply stating.

''Are we clear about that?'' he asked, his eyes still locked with Luke's.

Luke nodded.

''Good.'' Reid leaned in to connect their lips again and began moving, walking them both towards the bedroom.

When they'd reached the bedroom they had already lost their shirt on the way and Reid briefly let go of Luke's shoulders to undo their pants so they could easily step out of them before lying down on the bed.

Once he was fully undressed Reid lay down on top of Luke, shifting their bodies until their chests where touching and their lips just inches away.

He did not kiss him right away instead stayed still for a second, staring down into his eyes.

And it didn't fail to make Luke's heart skip the usual beat. He loved the way it made him feel when he looked at him like that. He could look at him like he mattered, like nothing but him mattered even if it was just for sex.

Reid slowly ran one hand down Luke's side, only fingertips and heel touching his skin. He rested his palm flat against his hipbone and then reached inside his boxers, stroking him with one hand while he shifted his weight onto his left elbow. Luke instinctively arched his back, moving his head trying to bring his lips closer to Reid's and Reid met him halfway only to change direction shortly before their lips met.

With a frustrated sigh Luke let his head fall back onto the pillow. Reid's mouth was now on his neck, lips and tongue leaving a wet trail as he sucked on it. Luke closed his eyes and then he felt Reid shift off his body and with a firm to shoulders he was flipped on his side Reid's chest covering his back. With a quick motion Reid pushed his boxers down his hips and Luke struggled to kick them away with his feet.

Both arms wrapped around his chest Reid pulled him closer, bringing them into the right position. He briefly slid his thumb across Luke's bottom lip then reached down, his hands first on Luke's hipbone then his ass and his thighs to push his right legs up so he could get better access. Luke tried to find the right rhythm between grinding his hips against the mattress and pushing back into Reid's touch, trying to guide his thumb that was traced along the curve of his ass.

Luke made a whimpering sound when he suddenly felt Reid pull away but then he heard the sound of the opening drawer and the bottle of lube being opened and the feeling of loss was replaced by sweet excitement.

Reid slid one well coated finger insdie Luke's body listening to his deep but still even breathing. He moved slowly, preparing him , but then he deliberately lingered on the one spot he knew was always doing magic and he drew in a sharp breath as he heard Luke's breathing hitch.

Luke moaned deeply again, shifting his bent leg even higher up on the bed opening himself up to Reid.

Reid would have loved to take his time and tease him a little but the sight of his body displayed naked in front of him, ready to be taken by him made his stomach twitch and so he began to move faster, now almost rushing the preparations.

At first he still moved slowly, barely even thrusting and Luke had to rock his hips back against him to create the friction he was so desperate to feel. He reached one hand behind himself digging his nails into Reid's hips trying to make him move faster but Reid grabbed his hand and placed it onto the pillow next to Luke's head, entwining their fingers.

As Reid finally began to pick up some pace and moved inside him harder and faster with every thrust, Luke's brain stopped working and he lost himself in the feeling of Reid all over and all inside his body.

Getting hold of his last bit of willpower Luke guided their entwined hand down between his legs placing his own hand over Reid's as he wrapped it around his cock.

Reid came just shortly after him and Luke felt his insides fill up with satisfaction and fear at the same time. The fear of losing Reid' s heat inside him and around him. The fear of having to part from this body that kept him so warm.

He brought Reid's hand up to his mouth and kissed it before he pulled it close to his chest. Still breathing heavily he turned his head around and buried his face inside the pillow, sealing his lips.

When Reid got up from the bed, Luke was already half asleep but he still struggled to open his eyes so he could watch him get dressed.