Chapter 5

Reid and Agent Micheals rode in silence until they arrived at the truck stop.

"For what it's worth, I'm sorry things are like this," Michaels said as he turned into the parking lot. "I won't pretend to understand what it's like to start a whole new life. I wish I could have come up with a better way to help you after the accident. But everything happened so fast and the opportunity was right there... I didn't know what else to do."

"I'm alive because of what you did." Reid impassively replied. "Don't apologise. Besides, starting a new life isn't that bad. At least I'm still a doctor. That's all my life ever was until I…" He trailed off.

Michaels glanced at Reid. "Until you met him?"

"That's my rental." Reid pointed to car, changing the subject.

Michaels pulled into the parking space next it. "Is there anything I can do?"

"You've done enough," Reid grumbled. He sighed, realizing how he sounded. "I didn't mean for it to come out like that. I do appreciate everything you've done for me."

"Just returning the favor," Michaels said. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be alive to watch my baby girl grow up."

"I'm glad you are." Reid replied. And he meant it. But he also remembered what Luke had said the other day, about everyone else getting a fairytale happy ending except them. Life really is a fucking bitch, he bitterly thought.

"Things will get better," Michaels assured. "Just give it time."

"Sure." Reid climbed out of the car.

Michaels leaned over the passenger seat. "I'll check in with my informant and call you in a few days, okay?"

Reid nodded. "Thank you. Have a safe trip home."

"You do the same."

Reid closed the door and watched as the Agent pulled out of the space and drove off. That was that. It was over. He climbed inside his car and tossed his bag onto the passenger seat. A cell phone fell out when he did. Reid picked up the phone, a little surprised. He'd forgotten all about it. Luke had wanted this to be their alternate way of keeping in touch. Initially Reid had considered it a bad idea, but maybe he should give it a chance. There were still things he wanted to tell Luke. But after his abrupt departure, he was probably the last person Luke wanted to speak with. And Reid couldn't blame him. Sitting the phone aside, he started the car.

(Lily Pad)

Luke sat quietly in the dinning-room chair, trying not to draw attention to himself, but it was becoming harder to keep still. His arms, wrapped around the chair, ached with discomfort. He flexed his hands inside the cuffs, trying to keep his blood circulating. The cuffs were locked tight, the metal occasionally pinching his skin.

For the moment, his two captures were ignoring him. He could hear Grant in the kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets and in the refrigerator. Carter was in the livingroom, stabbing at the burning logs in the fireplace with a poker. The men had closed all the drapes and blinds, started a fire and basically made themselves at home. They seemed at ease with the knowledge that nobody would be coming around anytime soon.

Luke kept his head low, observing Carter through his long bangs that hung in his face. The man was average height and built, probably in his thirties. He seemed to be the leader of the two. His partner, Grant, was much stockier. He seemed to be the muscle.

The muffled sound of a phone ringing broke the silence in the living-room. Carter placed the end of the poker inside the fireplace and looked at Luke. "Is that your phone?"

Luke shook his head; he wasn't sure where his cell phone was. He must have left it in the car.

Carter pointed to the bag on the sofa. "Sounds like it's coming from your bag."

Luke blinked. He'd completely forgotten about the alternate cell phone. "I…I guess it is mine. I forgot it was in there."

Carter unzipped the bag and dug through it until he found the cell phone. "Blocked number." He looked at Luke, "Now who could that be?"

"Maybe a wrong number." Luke said.

"Then you won't mind if I answer it." Carter started to open the phone.

"Wait!" Luke quickly sat up. "It's could be my Mom. Her number's blocked."

"You don't say." Carter regarded Luke, dubiously, but didn't open the phone. It finally stopped ringing. "Why would her number be blocked?"

Luke quickly thought to himself. "She's one of the wealthiest people in Oakdale. She doesn't want her number listed. And I'm always loosing my cell phone… anyone could come across it..."

The phone began to ring again.

"I should answer it," Luke hoped he didn't sound as nervous as he felt, "if I don't, she'll get worried and call my uncle. She'll have him come by and check on me. He's a detective."

"I know who Detective Jack Snyder is, I've done my homework." Carter brought the phone to Luke. "Keep it brief and don't try anything funny. I'll be listening to every word you say." He flipped open the phone and held it next to Luke's ear.

Luke cleared his throat. "Hello."

"Hey," Reid's voice came through the cell phone. "If you want to hang up on me, I completely understand."

"How's your trip?" Luke asked.

"I'm just now leaving."

"Good, I'm glad."

Reid sighed. "I know you're still upset—"

"No, everything's fine," Luke glanced at Carter. "As a matter of fact, you should take some extra time. There's no reason for you to hurry back."

"What?"

"Seriously," Luke said, "I'll take care of everything."

Reid frowned. "What are you talking about? Luke… you know I'm not coming back."

Carter nudged Luke. "End it!" He hissed.

"Look, I'm really tired," Luke rushed. "I'm going to bed so you don't have to call and check up on me, okay?"

"Luke wait—"

"Take care."

Carter shut the phone before Luke could say anything else. "She shouldn't call anymore tonight." Luke tried to assure him. "And she won't be coming back anytime soon."

"Good boy." Carter tossed the phone on the table and returned to the fireplace.

Luke sighed with relief. Somehow, he'd managed to con the con-man. He wasn't sure about Reid, though. All he could do was hope Reid didn't try to call again.

(Truck Stop)

Reid frowned at the cell phone in his hand. He'd expected Luke to be upset and maybe hang up on him, but the conversation was odd. Even the tone of Luke's voice was odd. Reid held his finger over the redial button, but changed his mind and placed the phone in his bag. Maybe the best thing he needed to do was give Luke time. He'd wait a couple of days and see if Luke would call him.

(Lily Pad)

"So you're suppose to be taking care of things while Mommy's away?" Carter asked Luke.

Luke nodded.

"Then where were you?" Carter casually poked the logs in the fireplace. "you've been gone since yesterday morning."

Luke's brows came together. "Were you following me?"

"I'mthe one asking the questions, blondie." Carter warned.

"I was at the Lakeview." Luke answered. "Call them, they'll confirm I checked in."

Carter looked around the room. "Now why would you stay at a hotel when you've got a perfectly nice house here?"

Luke shrugged. "Sometimes, I need to get away."

"I see," Carter nodded. "And was Dr. Oliver with you on this little get-away?"

"No." Luke shook his head. "If Reid really were alive and hiding out, the Lakeview is the last place he'd go. Too many people in town knew him and could run into him."

Carter seemed to consider Luke's statement, but still didn't looked fully convinced.

Luke leaned forward in his chair. "I think I'm going to throw up."

Carter sighed, annoyed. "Grant, what the hell are you doing in there?" He yelled toward the kitchen. "Get your ass out here."

"What?" Grant came out of the kitchen, holding the bottle of bourbon. "I made myself something to eat." He held up the bottle. "These people buy the good shit."

"Get this kid something to drink." Carter ordered.

"Fine." Grant went over to Luke and held the bottle up to his mouth.

"Not alcohol, you moron!" Carter groaned, exasperated. "We're trying to sober him up! Make some coffee, it's going to be a long night." He looked at Luke. "Because we're not leaving until we get what we want." He stuck the poker between two burning logs then went to the interior green door that led upstairs.

"Where are you going?" Grant asked.

"I'm going to check the place out." Carter answered. "I'm sure his rich bitch of a mother has some nice jewelry laying around. Keep an eye on him."

"Yes Sir," Grant grumbled. When Carter closed the door, he gave him a mock salute.

"Can I have some water?" Luke asked.

"You can have anything you want," Grant replied. "As soon as you give us what we want."

"I have nothing to give," Luke insisted. "I spread Reid's ashes myself."

Grant crossed his arms, regarding Luke for a moment. Luke shifted, even more uncomfortable under the man's scrutiny.

"Get up." Grant ordered.

"What?"

"I said get up."

Luke tried to stand, but it was awkward with his arms wrapped behind the chair. Grant grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet then moved him away from the chair.

Luke stood where Grant placed him and waited for his next order, but Grant didn't give one. Instead the large man took a drink from the bottle of bourbon and stepped back, his eyes slowly roaming over Luke's body. He nodded his head in appreciation.

Luke lowered his eyes, feeling his face heat up with degradation by the man's unabashed stare. Disgusted at the way the man licked his wet lips.

Grant walked in a circle around Luke and Luke tensed, feeling the tips of Grant's insect-like fingers creep across his back. It made his skin crawl.

Grant smiled, enjoying Luke's visible discomfort. "So you and this doctor… how long were you together?"

"Not long enough." Luke quietly answered.

Grant stood in front of Luke. "Did you care about him?"

Luke nodded.

"How did you prove it?"

"What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean." Grant stepped closer to Luke. "A guy like you… I'm sure you had interesting ways of showing him how much you cared. What did you do for him?" He raised his hand, running a finger under Luke's chin.

Luke recoiled at his loathsome touch and Grant grabbed a handful of Luke's hair, keeping him still.

Cater opened the door. "What the hell is going on?"

Without warning, Grant punched Luke in the stomach, and Luke fell to his knees, gasping.

"He was trying to make a break for it." Grant quickly answered. "I stopped him."

"You don't say," Carter walked over to Luke and stood above him. "You weren't going to leave us were you?"

Crouched on the floor, Luke could only shake his head.

"He's lying!" Grant kicked Luke hard in the ribs.

Unable to catch himself, Luke flipped against the hard rock wall, his head bouncing off one of the rocks. Pain burst inside his skull, like millions of stars exploding then fading to black. He lay his forehead on the floor. Every breath he managed to take was agony against his ribs. He thought he heard one of the men saying something to him, but he wasn't sure. It was almost impossible to hear past the loud buzzing in his ears. But eventually the buzzing began to fade. Suddenly, he could hear music…

Raising his head, Luke opened his eyes and blinked several times. His vision was oddly hazy. The music he heard came from a portable radio sitting on the small table. It was tuned to the classic rock channel and Angel Eye'sby the Jeff Healy Band was playing. He'd always liked that song.

Reid sat across the table from him. "Are you old enough to remember this song?" he joked.

Luke cocked his head to the side, but smiled. "I'm not that young."

Smiling, Reid pushed his empty plate aside and stood. He went over to Luke and held out his hands. "Then come on."

"Huh?" Luke looked at Reid's hands.

Reid rolled his eyes. "Just come on."

Luke regarded Reid suspiciously but took the Doctor's hands, allowing Reid to pull him to his feet. "What are you doing?"

Reid guided Luke's hands to his shoulders then wrapped his arms around Luke's small waist. "It's called dancing."

"Dancing?"

"Yeah, ever heard of it?"

Luke just stood, surprised.

Reid chuckled. "I may not be an expert on this, but I think it helps if you were to actually move with me."

"Right." Luke smiled and laced his fingers around Reid's neck, letting Reid lead him to the soft rock melody. Dancing was something they'd never done and he honestly never imagined them doing. Nobody would ever believe Reid could be romantic. He knew people always wondered what he ever saw in the Doctor, but they would just have to keep wondering. Only he was privileged enough to see past Reid's cold, cynical exterior. "You never cease to amaze me, Dr. Oliver."

"Sometimes, Mr. Snyder, I amaze myself." Reid replied.

Luke continued to smile, knowing he must look like a giddy idiot, but couldn't help it. He was so crazy in love with this man, it was like Reid had injected him with some kind of drug. He pressed closer to Reid and brushed his lips over the Doctor's. Reid kissed him, soft and slow, his lips and his moves matching the rhythm of the music. Whatever drug Luke was on, he never wanted to come down from his high…

Suddenly, cold water splashed in his face like a stinging slap. Luke gasped and opened his eyes. He looked around, disoriented, then reality began to return. He was no longer at the cottage with Reid. Last night was only a memory.

"Welcome back." Carter stood over him, holding an almost empty water bottle. He poured the rest of the water over Luke's head then tossed it aside.

Luke tossed his head, trying to get his dripping hair out of his face. Things still felt cloudy. He realized he was sitting in the dinning room chair again, only this time his arms were tied to the chair's arms. However his left arm was tied with his palm facing up.

"Sorry about that," Carter apologized, like nothing was out of the ordinary. "I told him to sober you up, but instead he knocks your ass out. What can I say? He's a moron."

"I told you, it was an accident." Grant took another drink from the bottle of bourbon. "I didn't mean to knock him out."

Carter snatched the bottle out of Grant's hand and slammed it on the table. "I'm beginning to think, bringing you here was an accident."

"Hey, we're partners," Grant held out his hands. "I mean, what was I suppose to do? He was trying to escape."

"His hands were cuffed behind his back." Carter sternly reminded. "How far do you think he would have got?"

Luke shook is head, trying to gain back the rest of his bearings. He could feel blood trickling down the side of his face; the thick coppery scent making him nauseous. The men continued to argue, but his head throbbed too much to concentrate on what they were saying. It didn't really matter what they said; the end result would be the same. "If you're going to kill me, what the fuck are you waiting for?"

Both men stopped arguing and looked at him.

"Don't worry, blondie, we're done waiting," Carter stood next to Luke's chair and pulled a narrow metal object out of his back pocket. He opened it up to reveal a shiny long razor blade, similar to what a barber would use to shave someones face.

Carter pressed the razor to Luke's left arm, just below the crook of his elbow. Then with one quick motion, he swiped the razor across his skin. Luke cried out, shocked, the blade smoothly slicing through his flesh and penetrating his numb senses. Blood instantly began to run out of the long cut.

"The truth is, we don't really need you." Carter returned the bloody razor to Luke's arm, an inch below the previous cut. "You would have made it a hell of a lot easier for us andfor yourself, but that's okay. We're still going to find him."

Luke tried to pull his arm back, but the rope held him in place. He forced himself to keep still when Carter put pressure on the razor. "You won't get away with killing me. You don't know my family. They will find you."

"Oh I doubt that," Carter smiled, "See, we're not going to kill you. You're going to kill yourself. When your family comes home, they'll discover you in bed with your wrist slashed open. There won't be any evidence to indicate we were ever here."

"No!" Luke looked at Carter in horror. "Nobody will believe I killed myself."

"You sure about that?" Carter applied more pressure to the razor and Luke winced as it bit into his skin. Blood began to seep from the new cut.

"It's the holidays," Carter calmly explained, "people are always committing suicide this time of year. Especially people who've been drinking and are all alone, mourning the tragic death of someone they loved. Hell, I'd kill myself if I were you." He pressed down on the razor and deliberately drew it across Luke's arm, fully opening the cut.

Luke clenched his teeth against the pain. Both cuts were a couple inches long and he couldn't tell how deep. The skin below his elbow was fleshier than the rest of his arm and the cuts bleed copiously, blood dripping into a puddle on the floor.

This time Carter brought the razor to Luke's wrist, pressing it directly over his artery. Luke swallowed hard, able to feel his quickened pulse beat against the unforgiving razor.

"Since I'm such a nice guy, I'm going to give you one last chance." Carter said in a friendly tone. "I know you know where he is."

Luke opened his mouth to deny it, but hesitated. What if his family really did believe he committed suicide? After all, he was drinking and he knew drinking could literally kill him, yet he made the decision to do it anyway. But it wasn't because he actually wanted to die. Drinking had always been a temporary coping mechanism for whatever horrible thing was happening in his life. But he wasn't sure if anyone ever understood that. They considered his drinking self-destructive, and deep down Luke knew it was probably true. His parents knew how devastating Reid's death had been—if they were to find his body, wrist slashed, and alcohol in his system…

Carter warningly applied pressure to the razor.

"Wait!"

Carter stopped. "Yes?"

Luke turned his head away, sickened with himself for actually wanting another drink. He hated himself for being so weak, but he couldn't handle the thought of his parents believing he'd committed suicide. But it was going to happen no matter what he said. They were going to kill him, there was nothing he could do to save himself. In the end, all he could do was try to save Reid. Drawing himself up, Luke looked Carter in his eyes. "Reid is dead. So you both can go fuck yourselves."

Carter raised his eyebrows.

Luke closed his eyes, waiting for the final slice of the razor blade that would penetrate his artery. He prayed his parents would somehow learn the truth. He prayed Reid would never learn the truth or he would always blame himself. Last, he prayed death would come quick. But the cut never came. He opened his eyes.

Carter closed the blade, thoughtfully regarding Luke. "Maybe I underestimated you. I thought for sure you'd crack."

Luke blinked, confused. "I don't… I don't understand."

"Hell, I was just fucking ya, blondie." Carter chuckled. "No hard feelings?"

Luke stared at Carter in disbeleif. Never in his life had he felt such hatred for another human being. He clinched his fists, wanting to bloodily tear the sick twisted smile from the sadistic man's face.

"I can see you're a little upset," Carter nonchalantly shrugged, "but hey, for what it's worth, you're tougher then I gave you credit for. Take that as a compliment."

"Like I said, go fuck yourself." Luke snapped, his voice shaking with fury.

Carter simply threw back his head and laughed. "You've got quite the little attitude too. Maybe this night won't be as boring as I thought." He looked at Grant who was sitting on the back of the sofa, spectating. "Get me that poker out of the fireplace."

Grant smiled and stood, doing as instructed.

"This is all just a game to you, isn't it?" Luke yelled.

"Call it whatever you want," Grant calmly replied, "but you can't say I didn't warn you. You're the one who had to be stubborn."

Grant came over and handed Carter the poker. "It looks ready."

Carter turned the poker in his hand, examining it. "I godda tell ya, blondie, this is where things start to get unpleasent."

Luke caught his breath in his throat. He could see a faint orange glow at the end of the iron rod. His fury and resolve started to crumble. "I don't know what else I can tell you." He tried to put strength behind his wavering words. "Why won't you believe me?"

"Because, I don't believe it's a coincidence that Agent Michaels is in town." Carter said.

"That FBI guy is connected to Dr. Oliver. He's helping him hide out. There's no other reason he'd be here."

Luke's mouth dropped. "I… I don't know what you're talking about." But even to his own ears, he no longer sounded convincing. Until now, he didn't realize how much Carter actually knew.

"To be honest we didn't even know Agent Michaels was going to be here." Carter admitted. "Grant and I have been watching your place for days. Then out of the blue, he shows up and he's watching you too. When you left yesterday, he also left, following you. We obviously couldn't follow and risk him seeing us so we waited patiently for you to return. And here you are a day later. So are still going to tell me Dr. Oliver is dead? That this Agent didn't set up some little meeting for the two of you?"

"If this Agent was watching me, what makes you think he's not watching me now?" Luke carefully replied.

Carter's demented smile slipped for a second.

"Wait a minute?" Grant looked at Carter. "What if that FBI guy is watching the place? We don't know where he is?"

"He would have been here by now, don't you think?" Carter snapped at him. "Just sit down and shut up!" He looked at Luke, no longer smiling. "Now I suggest you start telling me the truth." He brought the poker up to Luke's neck, holding it only a few inches away.

Luke shrank away as far as he could, his heart pounding wildly. He could feel the heat radiate from the glowing poker. The searing hot iron would instantly melt through his skin and muscle.

At the front door, something small and pebble-like bounced off one of the windows.

"Did you hear that?" Grant looked nervously at the door.

Carter also looked at the door. "Go check it out."

Reluctantly, Grant pulled a gun from the back of his pants and went to the door. He parted the blinds with his fingers and peered through for several seconds, then cautiously opened the door and stepped outside.

"What was that noise?" Carter asked Luke.

"I don't know." Luke whispered, fearfully. He really didn't believe Agent Michaels was still in town. He prayed if anyone was out there, it wasn't his Grandma Emma, coming by to check on him.

Carter looked at the open door, but couldn't see his partner. "Grant, you see anything?" There was no answer.

Carter listened for a few seconds then quickly took the poker back to the fireplace and pulled out his own gun. He untied Luke's right wrist then pointed the gun at him. "Untie your arm and get up!"

It took Luke a moment to free himself, his hand shaking. Once he untied the rope, Carter yanked him out of the chair and pulled Luke to his chest, tightly wrapping an arm around his neck. Luke held Carter's arm, almost choking, but Carter wouldn't loosen his hold. He held his gun to Luke's temple and slowly walked him to the door.

"Grant?" Carter yelled. "Answer me dammit! Do you hear me?"

"I hear you."

Luke froze, trying not to react. He recognized the voice. Carter ground the barrel of his gun into Luke's temple, recognizing that the voice didn't belong to Grant.

Reid stepped inside the door. He held Grant's gun and pointed it at Carter. "Get the fuck away from him, now!"

Grant chuckled, but Luke could feel the arm around his neck, tense. "It looks like we have ourselves a good old-fashion stand-off. But I suggest you lower yourgun, because I'm going to shoot him either way. Even if you pull your trigger first, I'll still reflexively pull mine and his brains will be splattered all over the wall. You're a doctor, you know how reflexes work. I wouldn't be able to help myself."

Reid hesitated.

"Shoot him!" Luke struggled to speak against Carter's choke hold. "Shoot him!"

"Yeah," Carter mocked. "Shoot me and see what happens."

Reid looked from Carter to Luke. The reflex thing might or might not happen, but he wasn't going to play Russian roulette with Luke's life. He lowered the gun.

"Smart man." Carter said. "Then again you are a brain surgeon."

Grant stumbled over to the door and snatched the gun from Reid's hand.

"What the hell happened to you?" Carter angrily asked.

"He hit me over the head with a flower pot or something." Grant answered. "He came out of nowhere."

"Please." Reid looked at Grant, his voice full of disdain. "You were like Elmer Fudd out there. Anybody could have jumped your stupid ass."

Grant quickly brought the gun up and pointed it at Reid, his finger on the trigger.

"Not yet!" Carter halted him. "Just get your ass in here and close the door."

Grant slammed the door shut and locked it. He went to stand next to Carter, still aiming his gun at Reid. Reid glared at him, showing no intimidation.

"Welcome to the party Dr. Oliver." Carter greeted. "I'll admit, you showing up was the last thing I expected. But I'm so glad you could join us." He released Luke and shoved him forward.

Reid caught Luke as he stumbled to his knees. Ignoring both men, Reid carefully took Luke's arm and examined it. He swore under his breath, but was relived to see the blood had coagulated. Thankfully, there didn't seem to be any artery or tendon damage. "Flex your hand. Does it hurt internally?"

Luke did as instructed. "No, it's just sore."

Reid detected a faint scent of alcohol. "Oh my God! Have you been drinking?"

Luke lowered his head. "I'm sorry."

Reid ran his hand over Luke's damp hair, but didn't say anything else. What could he possibly say? He was the cause of all this. He grabbed a cloth napkin from the nearby table and wrapped it around Luke's arm in a make-shift bandage.

After he was done, he placed his hand under Luke's chin and raised his head. Luke's lip was busted and one of his eyes was going to be black in the morning. He gently brushed Luke's long bangs out of his face. Blood stuck to the side of his face from a nasty cut close to his hair line. Reid grabbed another napkin from the table and dipped it in a vase of flowers, wetting it, then used it to wipe away the blood.

For the first time, Luke winced at Reid's touch. Until now, he didn't notice how badly his face hurt.

"I'm sorry," Reid whispered, lightening his ministrations. "I'm sorry for everything."

"This isn't your fault, Reid," Luke said quietly.

Carter snorted amused. "Aww, you guys are breaking my heart. You're done with your examination, Doctor."

Reid stood, facing both Carter and Grant. "You have me, now let him go. There's nothing he can do to you. Hell, he's drunk. He won't even remember what happened when he wakes up in the morning."

"Maybe, maybe not," Carter said, "but we can't take that chance now can we? Besides, what I've got planned for you involves him."

"How the hell does any of this involve him?" Reid shouted.

Carter just smiled his sick twisted smile. "You'll find out soon enough Doctor."

TBC…