Part 7
I feel really bad for Luke. Not only has he been sent to Exile Island again and again, but he has to spend the time with Reid. Especially after he found out there's no immunity idol. What's the point of Exile Island if there's no idol?
I wish we could spend more time together. To strategize, I mean. We're going to take each other to the final three. Me, Luke, and Casey. That's the plan.
~Noah, Aspiring Director
"Do you want to know what you're playing for?" Jeff Probst asks. His hands hover over two covered dishes. Luke stomach grumbles. The host smiles, dimples shinning and lifts off the first cover. "Subway sandwiches. We've got turkey and chicken, meatball subs, and ham." He lifts off the second cover. "There's chips and soda." He looks from one tribe to the next. "There's enough for each person to have a whole sub, a bag of chips and a drink."
"My god," Luke hears someone from the other team whisper. He looks over and realizes it's Reid. He snorts. It figures that the only thing that man loves is food.
"Chips," Casey says.
"Caffeine," Maddie replies and Luke is right there with her. He still wishes they had won the coffee challenge. Soda isn't as good, but one takes what one can in the game of Survivor.
"And that's not all," Probst says, stealing everyone's attention. "There will be no separate immunity challenge. The winning tribe gets both the reward and immunity." He motions to Vienna, who's clutching the immunity idol. "Hand it over, Vienna." She pouts, gives the thing a kiss, then walks forward to give it to Jeff.
He takes it with a knowing grin and sets it back on it's pedestal. "The goal of today's challenge is to knock down all of your opponents' markers." He points to the two rows of tombstone like markers resting on the ground. Each row consists of eight markers. One row is yellow and the other is red. "These," Probst says lifting up a tennis-sized black ball, "are what you will use to knock down the markers. You can use whatever technique you feel is best, but you need to stand behind the white line. We will go back and forth between the teams until all the markers are down. No teammate can bowl twice in a row. We'll flip a coin to see which team goes first." He waits to see if anyone has any questions. "Alright, let's get started."
It's not a complex challenge, though the ball ends up being lighter than Luke expects. You need some real force behind your throw to get the ball far enough to knock down the marker. What Luke originally thinks will be a quick and simple challenge lasts an hour and a half. Everyone has bowled at least three times, and both teams have a single marker hanging on. Dark clouds have moved overhead, blocking the sun and the air is thick enough to cut with a knife.
Brian steps forward, black ball gripped tightly in his sweaty palm. He takes a decent amount of time to aim, brings his arm back then bowls. The ball speeds along the ground. Luke leans forward, body wound tight. Come on. Come on, he pleads. He doesn't want to send anybody else home. He doesn't want to go home.
The ball misses.
Shit.
Noah squeezes his shoulder. "It's okay," he says. "Katie just has to miss and we'll have another turn."
Katie picks up a ball. Her hair is pulled back in a tight ponytail. Her shorts and tank top are moulded to her curvy frame and even though Luke's not into girls, he has to admit that Katie is a smoking hot babe. She winds up and lets the ball go on the downward sweep of her arm. It sails, full speed, towards the last red marker.
"Woo! You go, Bubbles!" Henry shouts.
"Bangka tribe wins!"
Luke brings his shirt up to his face to wipe away the sweat and hide his face.
"Damn-it!" Brian growls. Ali echoes him.
"Bangka tribe, you get both the reward and immunity. Congratulations." Probst holds out his hand. "Riau tribe, I'm sorry to say I've got nothing for you. I'll see you later at tribal council. But before I send you back, Bangka, do I even need to ask who you're sending to Exile Island?"
"Luke," Henry says.
Of course.
"And Riau tribe?"
Luke knows to say Reid. It's his team's plan. Strategically, it's the only thing that makes sense, for both him and his tribe. Still, he can't make his mouth say the other man's name. Because another evening with Mr. Perfect sounds exciting, Luke bemoans.
"Reid," Casey says, completely unaware of Luke's inner turmoil.
Wonderful. He sighs then accepts it, because it's the only thing to do. "Reid," he repeats. Luke reaches down to grab his bag. Noah catches his eye on the way up. Luke raises his eyebrows in question. Noah's gaze flicks to Brian. Luke understands the other boy immediately. He gives a quick nod.
I'll work on it, Noah mouths and Luke unknots just a bit.
That's one less thing to worry about, Luke thinks. He watches his teammates leave. At least I have Noah.
#########
The plan is to vote Maddie out. It's either her or Ali, since all of us guys are sticking together. Ali works harder around camp, so just in case we aren't merging next, it's a better idea to keep Ali around.
It's good to be in a strong alliance.
~Brian, Lobbyist
Reid's in a bad mood. He stomps to the little camp, body strung like a tightrope wire. Luke feels the need to poke at it.
"Jeez, what are you so upset about? Your team won. You have no chance of going home," Luke asks. His Walsh heritage is coming through strong and clear. He crosses his arms and cocks his hip.
Reid snaps around. "Why am I upset? Well, let's see. While the rest of my tribemates are back at camp, where the food, blankets, and shelter are, enjoying the subs I helped earn, I'm stuck here on this God-forsaken island with you!"
"Me?" Luke chokes out a grim laugh. "How do you think I feel? I have to be here with you. You and your elephant sized ego. I'm surprised we all fit!" His stomach takes the moment to growl. He throws up his hands. "You know what? I don't need this. I'm going to catch something to eat." He scoffs, "You know, be useful."
If Reid replies, Luke doesn't hear it. He jogs to the beach then scans the shore for a good place to look for food. It's low tide and there's a small sandbar not too far out. He doesn't waste time. The water is warm and unusually choppy. Luke looks to the sky. It's really dark. I better do this fast. He leans forward until his hands touch the sand. Water laps at his chin. His slow swim-crawl must look funny to anyone watching, but it allows him to feel for any shells as well as move forward.
A dozen feet out the water level jumps a foot, so Luke eases into a swim. The sandbar isn't far off, but he decides to dive below the water's surface and see what he can find. The move proves to be stupid. His hand brushes against something soft. It bites him.
"Oww!" He backpedals, legs kicking out until there's sand beneath his feet and he can stand. He yanks his hand from the water and twists it around. Near the base of his pinky is a red welt. His flesh is swollen. He turns around and wades back to shore as fast as he can.
The moment he's out of the water he's holding up his hand, using the little light streaming through the thick storm clouds above to get a better look. The sight makes it hurt worse. Pain throbs through his fingers, palm and down his wrist. "Oww," he says again, as if that will make it better.
A hand touches his shoulder. He starts.
"What happened? Are you okay?" Reid reaches out and wraps his fingers around Luke's wrist.
"I think I was stung by a jelly fish." Reid brings the injured hand closer. Luke's arm presses against the man's chest as he looks the sting over. Reid gently brushes the pad of his finger over the bite. Luke swallows down the pain and asks, "Do you think it was poisonous?"
"All jellyfish stings are poisonous. The real question is, 'Was it deadly?'" Luke doesn't take comfort in that fact. "Do you feel like you're going to be sick? Or pass out?"
Luke takes the question seriously. "No, I don't think so."
"Then no. I don't think it was deadly. It still going to hurt though. And you should have the medical team look you over just in case." He brings his other hand to Luke's shoulder and squeezes. "Don't worry, you'll survive."
Despite his hand throbbing like a bitch, Luke can't help but give a small smile. "Is that your professional opinion?" Reid flexes his palm and his fingertips brush the nape of Luke's neck.
"Yes, as your current doctor, that is my professional opinion."
Two members of the Survivor medical crew are making their way down the beach towards Luke and Reid. It's creepy how they know everything.
Luke pretends he doesn't see them. "I thought you were a neurosurgeon, not a doctor."
Reid ducks his head, attempting to hide his smile. "Occasionally I dip into the realms of the common folk." He briefly meets Luke's eyes. "When I'm needed."
Butterflies flutter inside Luke's stomach.
"Hi there," says one of the medical assistants. She's wearing a blue baseball cap and a matching nylon vest. Red crosses are stitched to both. She slides him from Reid's tender grasp with one hand and clicks on a flashlight with the other. The second medical assistant, dressed exactly the same as the first, moves up Luke's wet sleeve and puts on a blood pressure cuff. "We're just going to take a look."
Reid takes a step back to give the Survivor staff room to work. Luke can still feel the pressure of his hand against his shoulder.
"He'll be fine," Reid says.
The woman looking at the sting doesn't even glance at Reid when she says, "We'll be the judge of that."
Luke almost laughs at how affronted Reid looks. He can tell the man wants to say something, but the male medic says, "One thirty over eighty-five."
"Normal for having been stung by a jellyfish," the woman replies. She reaches behind her and pulls something from her bag.
"What's that?" Luke asks.
Reid answers. "Treatment for a jellyfish sting- a vinegar dousing followed by baking soda to cleanse, then antibiotic ointment and a bandage."
"You know your stuff," the male medic says as the female follows Reid's description to the letter. Luke flinches when she pours on the vinegar, but by the time the ointment cream is slathered against the sting he's already feeling better.
When she's finished wrapping his hand the medic puts away her supplies and stands. "If you hand starts to really hurt or if it swells unnaturally, call us back. It's going to sting for a few days and be sore for a week or so. You should be okay."
Luke nods.
"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him," Reid says. Luke thinks the medic is going to blow him off like before, but she surprises him by giving Reid a curt nod and smile. They walk away and he and Reid go back to the fire pit.
Luke kicks a piece of burnt wood into the pit. "I see you didn't get a fire going."
"Yeah, well, I was busy saving your life." Luke glimpses over his shoulder and gets a look at Reid's straight face.
"Saving my life?" he asks incredulously.
Reid's lips turn up in the makings of a smile. "Or something like that."
Luke laughs and Reid joins him. Reid takes a few steps to the left and bends down to grab something.
"Where did you find those?" Luke asks in awe. "I've been all over this island, and those are nowhere to be found."
"Banana?" Reid says in response. His eyes are mischievous.
Luke takes the offering. Their fingers brush.
"Luke…" Reid begins. His eyes flicker across Luke's face, seemingly unable to focus anywhere.
"Yes," Luke prompts.
Reid leans in and kisses him.
Luke is completely unprepared. His mouth parts in shock. Reid takes that as an invitation. He steps closer, wrapping one hand around the crook of Luke's elbow. The other hand cups the back of Luke's neck, holding him still as Reid's lips press harder against his.
It feels good. Reid smells musky; salt, sweat and pure masculine heat. Luke kisses back. Then his brain kicks in.
He fumbles backwards. A puff of air escapes his lips. He blinks and says, "You kissed me."
Reid narrows his eyes and looks at Luke like he's stupid. Luke feels a little stupid. "Yes, I did."
"You don't even like me!" Luke's voice rises.
Reid sways into Luke's personal space. Their legs brush. "I like you."
Luke's brain flickers like a fuzzy television screen. "What?" He can't think.
Reid answers by dipping forward and kissing Luke again. It's shorter this time. Less forceful. He doesn't move his face away afterwards, and Luke can feel each exhale against his mouth.
Lightening streaks across the sky. Five seconds later, thunder booms from above and shakes the ground beneath them. A heartbeat later the sky opens wide and it downpour.