Chapter 14:

Six Months Later:

Reid stepped off the plane at Oakdale Airport. He hadn't been here in six months. He was here to visit Katie and Jacob, and to help Doogie with a particularly intensive neuro case.

He got in his rented car and headed to Katie's house.

He smiled as he passed all the landmarks he had come to know and love when he had lived there.

Reid couldn't believe how much he actually missed Oakdale.

He pulled into Katie's house to see Jacob in the yard playing with his Tonka truck.

He got out and shut the door.

Jacob looked up and beamed a smile brighter than the sun,

"Uncle Reid!"

Jacob ran as fast as his little legs would carry him to Reid.

Reid hugged him.

Katie came out of the house then to see what all the fuss was about and squealed in delight.

"Reid!"

"Hey, Katie."

"How long are you here for?"

"Just a few days. Doogie called and asked me to take a look at a case. I figured I had to stop and see my favorite Oakdale people while I was in town."

"I'm so glad you're here. You have to stay for dinner."

"If you insist."

Katie grinned and hugged her friend tighter.

"Come in. You can use the guest room while you're here."

"No need, Katie. I have a room at the Lakeview."

"No. I insist you stay here. "
"Please, stay, Uncle Reid!"

"See even Jacob agrees!"

Reid just smiled and agreed to stay at Katie's for the few days he was there.

A few hours later, Reid was stuffed with chili and cornbread from Al's.

He smiled as he remembered where his love for that came from and his time in Dallas with Luke.

Doogie came home then and greeted Reid.

They had come to respect each other after working together so many years, and Chris was genuinely pleased to see Reid.

They talked about the case for a bit, and then Katie, who was hovering and dropping hints that since it was a Friday evening they should do something fun.

Chris told her to go to the video store and pick out a movie.

So Katie dragged Reid along.

Reid was standing in the documentary section looking at a film about a man's journey through receiving a heart transplant.

He suddenly smelled familiar cologne and knew Luke was behind him.

"Reid?"

He turned around to see Luke standing there.

"Hi, Luke."

"What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I'm here helping Chris with a neuro case."

"Wow. I didn't expect to see you this weekend."

"No, I don't imagine you would, since I don't live here anymore."

"No, I mean, this weekend in particular."

"What is so special about this weekend?"

"I'm getting married to Spencer tomorrow."

"Oh. Well, good luck with that, Luke."

Reid's heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces.

"You should come."

Reid looked incredulously at Luke,

"I don't think that is a good idea, Luke."
"I know, I just felt like I should be polite."

Reid looked at Luke then. He looked sad and tired.

"Are you getting enough sleep, Luke?"

"Usually. Just had a hard time this week. Lots of stress."

"You really should take care of yourself, Luke. You don't want to overdo it and cause stress to your kidney."

Luke looked at Reid in surprise then.

"What?"

"Nothing, I'm just shocked that you care."

"Of course I care, Luke. Just because we aren't together, doesn't mean I want you to die."

"It's just nice to hear someone say."

"Well it looks like Katie is ready to go. Good luck, Luke. I hope your wedding is all you hope for."

Reid smiled at Luke who watched him walk away.

Reid handed Katie the film and they went back to her house for the evening.

Later that night he was reading a medical journal when he heard stones against his window.

He opened it to see Luke standing outside. He walked outside to talk to him.

"This isn't Say Anything, Luke. You don't have a boom box do you?"

"Very funny, Reid. I just needed to talk to you."

"What about?"

"Us."

"There is no us anymore."

"I know. I keep daydreaming about my wedding. I walk down the aisle and I look and see my future husband staring back at me. He's beaming at me. It's never Spencer I see. It's always you. I can't help but think that I'm making a huge mistake in marrying Spencer, when the only man I have eyes for is you."

"Sounds like you have cold feet and are trying to use me as an excuse to not make a commitment."

Luke looked crushed by those words. Reid didn't know what Luke wanted from him. A shoulder to cry on, some advice? Reid was pissed. Luke was being unfair right now.

"Before tonight we hadn't spoken in over six months, Luke. I don't know what you expect me to tell you. The last thing I want to hear is about your wedding to another man."

"I know, Reid. I'm sorry. I'll just go."

Reid felt bad for Luke.

"Wait, Luke."

Reid grabbed Luke's arm gently and pulled him into an embrace.

Luke melted against him and wrapped his arms around Reid's waist. He put his head against Reid's chest.

Reid could feel the stress and tension slowly leaving Luke's body.

Reid just stood there for a good five minutes, just letting Luke relax.

Finally Luke lifted his head and stepped back,

"Thank you, Reid."

"For what?"

"For being you."

"I don't think anyone has ever thanked me for that before."

"You are so good. I can't believe how lucky I was to have you in my life."

Luke kissed Reid's cheek then.

Reid turned his head to look in Luke's eyes.

They were still for a few seconds, before Luke gently caressed Reid's face.

Reid sighed and melted into the touch.

They were kissing gently and softly then.

Luke moved to deepen the kiss and Reid stopped.

They couldn't do this.

Luke was getting married to someone else tomorrow.

Reid stopped and pushed Luke away gently.

"Go home, Luke."

Luke looked at Reid with tears in his eyes and finally turned and left.

Reid's heart hurt something fierce.

He sat down on one of the swings on Jacob's swing set.

He watched Luke get in his car and drive away. He was ready to get back to New York.