Reid was furious. He was still on the floor after being sucker punched by Noah.

Well, one thing was for sure, Noah could hit.

Alison Stewart ran in the room then to see if Dr. Oliver was okay,

"What happened? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, Nurse Stewart. Can you just get me an icepack, please?"

Alison looked hesitant but when Reid said,

"Sometime today would be lovely", she ran off.

He got a text a few minutes later that read,

Meet me at Snyder Pond in an hour.

Oh great, now he's also going to get verbally beat up as well as physically today. That's wonderful.

Reid was in a foul mood and nearly bit off Alison's head when she came back with the icepack and some aspirin and water.

He felt sort of bad until he remembered how much of a Noah supporter she was. Did everyone in this town love Noah like he was the long lost son of the pope?

He took the aspirin, put the icepack on his face and closed his eyes.

"So, someone didn't take too kindly to the bedside manner, Dr. Oliver?"

Reid squinted to see Dr. Bob Hughes standing in his office with some paperwork,

"Nothing I can't handle, Bob."

"Just wanted to let you know security said Mr. Mayer left without further incident."

"Good to hear, Bob."

Did everyone know about Noah punching him?

"Maybe you should have that eye looked at."

"I'm fine, just a bruise."

"That's not a suggestion, Reid. Go get it looked at and take the rest of the day off."

"Fine, if it makes you happy. Can I bill it to the hospital?"

"Just go, Dr. Oliver."

Reid found the radiologist who took a quick x-ray and said he was fine.

Reid left about a half hour later and headed to Snyder Pond.

Of all the places in Oakhell, why did he choose here?

He spotted Luke's car and pulled in next to him.

He got out and saw Luke sitting on a bench near the pond.

He walked over to him, mulling over in his brain what he would say.

Luke looked up then. Reid couldn't read his expression, but he knew that this was not going to be a fun conversation.

"I'm glad you could get away from the hosp- OH MY GOD! What happened to your face, Reid?"

Luke was instantly by his side and took Reid's face in his hands. He gently brushed his fingertips over the bruises and Reid winced slightly from the pressure.

"I'm fine, Luke. Really."

"Did Noah do this?"

"Yeah, but I can't blame him, Luke. He just found out about us."

Luke sighed and dropped his hands. He shoved them into his pockets and started pacing back and forth,

"How did he find out Reid?"

"He made the mistake of assuming I was straight. I corrected him."

"Really? You simply told him you were gay?"

"God, Luke. Do you think I would honestly just flippantly throw our relationship out there for him to hear?"

"I don't know, Reid. You haven't talked to me in months! I don't know what you're feeling or thinking because you won't talk to me!"

"Stop it, Luke. Don't you dare blame this on me. You are the one who let me let you go. You didn't fight for me or beg me to stay or come after me. You let me let go. I let you go back to him and be with him! I would never have told him about us because I knew you wanted to be with him!"

Luke stopped pacing then,

"Why can't this just be simple? Why can't I just quit caring so much about him?"

"Because of who you are, Luke. I hate to admit this, but part of the reason I fell in love with you was because of your huge heart. You refuse to give up on anyone, me included. It's so damn annoying and frustrating, but it's also kind of great. And if you tell anyone I admitted that, you'll think me having Hank quarantined for TB was a walk in the park compared to what I'll do to you."

Reid walked closer to the pond and looked into the water.

He could see Luke's reflection coming up next to him,

"I know that you would never purposely hurt, Noah. I was just worried about him, that's all. I don't think he can handle losing me. He has no one. No family, no one to be there for him."

Reid angrily turned around,

"He has no one? How about everyone I meet in Oakdale that has met him? Alison, Casey, Chris, Katie, Bob, Kim, Good Dad, Hot Mom, Slice of Meat lady, I could keep going…"

"Reid, it's not the same."

"Really? Cause I can name you two people in this town that can stand me. Katie and Jacob. Bob can tolerate me, the rest just ignore me. So if you're going to be comparing who has the least, I'd probably win that fight."

"Reid, stop-"

"What? You go on and on about poor Noah, like he has nothing to live for, like he has no one to rely on and be there for him, when in my observation he basically has the entire town on his side. I'm supposed to feel sorry for him?"

Reid was shaking in anger.

"I get that you love him and you need to be there for him, because of who you are, but quit using excuses and justifications for why you want to be with him. I don't need to hear anymore stupid reasons. Just tell yourself and me the truth. You want to be there because you love him."

"You're right. I do love him. And yes I am there for him, but I haven't been with him since well before the accident."

"And what's holding you back, Luke? I told you a long time ago to go be with him. Don't suffer on my account. I refuse to let you play the victim and make me feel guilty because you can't get any from your boyfriend."

"He's not my boyfriend, Reid."

"For all intents and purposes he is."

"God you are so arrogant and rude and sometimes I just want to-"

"Want to what?"

"Injure you"

"Well why not, it seems to be the flavor of the day."

Luke just stared at him in frustration.

"Luke, why did you call me here?"

"I just needed to be near you."

Reid sighed then. Goddamnit. This man was going to be the death of him.

He pulled Luke close and held him tightly against his chest. He could feel the hot tears of Luke against his shoulder.

"Don't cry, Luke. Please."

"I'm sorry, I can't help it. I'm so damn confused and mixed up."

Luke looked up at Reid then with tear filled eyes and Reid's heart melted.

He tilted Luke's head back and rubbed away his tears. He dipped his head and gently kissed Luke.

Luke responded by putting his fingers in Reid's hair and allowing Reid's tongue access into his mouth.

They kissed like this for a few minutes before Luke moved his hands and started to undress Reid.

Reid stepped back then and broke the kiss. He had his shirt off and looked at Luke, who was still trembling.

We really shouldn't let this go any further, but then Luke removed his shirt and stepped forward and ran his hands up Reid's sides.

Oh fuck it, he thought.

He threw caution to the wind and drew Luke even closer.

Luke easily removed all his clothing and went to work removing the rest of Reid's scrubs.

He pulled Reid toward the pond then,

"Come on, Reid. Swim with me."

"You want me to step foot into that germ infested cesspool?"

"You aren't going to die, Reid. I promise."

Reid looked disgusted at the mere thought, but he knew he would be swimming. He simply could not refuse anything to Luke. Damnit.

Luke pulled him in then. The water felt great against his heated skin.

They walked a few feet out and stood in the pond. Luke turned Reid around and used his cool, wet fingertips to massage his neck and back muscles.

Reid just groaned in appreciation.

This lasted for a few minutes until he spun around and grabbed Luke to him.

He kissed him then and Luke responded with passion. The sun had just started to sink then and the low sunlight cast shadows on the water. It was so peaceful there and beautiful.

Luke and Reid stood there forehead to forehead wrapped up in each other and the water. Luke looked up then and grasped Reid's face in his hands,

"I love you, Reid. I wish you'd just let me."

Reid sighed and broke away.

He walked back toward the shore and grabbed his clothes.

Luke stopped him,

"Quit running away, Reid. Just let me love you."

"For how long, Luke? Until you get tired of me and go running back to Noah?"

Luke took Reid's hands in his own and said,

"For as long as you let me, Reid."

Reid dropped his clothes and pulled Luke in. He was going to regret this in the morning he was sure.

He let Luke lead him to the bank of the pond. Luke laid out a blanket and then laid Reid down on it.

Reid felt the warmth of Luke's body against the cool night breeze.

Luke smiled and then settled down over his body.

"What if someone catches us, Luke?"

"Let them see. I'm only making love to my boyfriend. "

Reid gasped when he heard Luke say that.

Before he could say anything Luke captured his mouth with his own.

They spent the next few hours making love.

Afterwards, Luke was wrapped around Reid's body who had moved to slightly shield him for the cool breeze.

"So, what does this mean, Reid? Are we back together?"

"Depends, Luke. Are you willing to be my boyfriend and let others know about us?"

"I am willing to do just about anything if it means staying in your arms."

Reid kissed Luke slightly then got up.

"Come home with me to our bed, Luke."

Luke just smiled and let him lead him.