Luke looked across the table at his boyfriend and sat down his fork. "What happened today?"

"What makes you think something happened?" Reid asked.

"You've been quiet ever since we left the hospital. In fact, you've been quiet ever since you came out of that exam room with Chris. Reid, what's going on with Chris?"

"I'm not cheating on you," Reid said as he got a defensive look in his eyes.

"I never thought you were," Luke said as he reached over and took the older man's hand. "I also don't think this is about the Chief of Staff job. The only thing I can think of scares me."

"What's that?"

"That there's something wrong with either you or Chris."

Reid sighed and looked around Al's. The diner was starting to get busy as the dinner crowd arrived. "Let's not have this conversation here."

Luke nodded as Reid got up and paid Henry for the meal. He sat there for a second then got up to follow his boyfriend. Reid wanted to go somewhere private to talk about what was going on between him and Chris. And he only said that after Luke said he was scared something was wrong with one of the doctors.

When they stepped outside, Luke asked, "Do you want to go back to Katie's?"

Reid shook his head. "Can we go somewhere we won't run into anyone we know?"

Luke nodded and led Reid to his car. As he drove, he started to think about what Reid had to tell him. If Reid was sick, what would Luke do? They hadn't been together for that long but Luke already knew he couldn't imagine his life without Reid in it. He pulled through the gate and down to the carriage house. As he stopped the car, he looked over at Reid. "This is my grandmother's property. We're at her carriage house. She's at Worldwide so she won't bother us."

Reid nodded and they got out of the car and went inside. Luke went over to the couch and sat down. Reid saw the fear in the younger man's eyes. "I'm not sick."

Luke let out sigh of relief then his eyes got big. "Chris."

Reid nodded as he sat down next to Luke. "He has a virus that's attacking his heart but he won't let me see what the damage is. He won't let me tell his parents or Katie."

"You have to. Bob and Kim have a right to know that their son is sick. And Katie. God, Reid, it hasn't even been a year since Brad died. I don't think she could handle losing someone else so soon."

"I can't," Reid sighed. "I'm his doctor."

"Is there a chart that has his name on it that lists you as his primary physician?"

"No."

"Has he invoked privilege?"

"Not really. He threatened me though."

"How?"

"He said he would tell everyone it was my idea to treat him secretly and that I discouraged him from telling anyone because I want the Chief of Staff job."

"That's bull," Luke said as he started to get angry.

"Yes, but with my reputation…"

"No one will believe that," Luke assured him. "I'll tell you what, I'll tell Bob, Kim and Katie. I'll tell them that you confided in me about a patient and I figured out that it was Chris. In the meantime, contact whatever cardiologist you think should take care of the idiot."

"It won't work," Reid sighed. "His pride will keep him from getting treatment."

"Not once his parents find out," Luke argued. "And let's not forget his grandmother."

Reid smiled. "Yeah, I met her. Nancy Hughes may be old and frail but I wouldn't cross her."

"Exactly," Luke said as he stood up. "I'll call them and ask them to meet me at my office. There's no chance of running into Chris there."

Reid got up and took his hand. "Luke, why are you doing this? I didn't think you liked Chris."

"I don't like some of the things he's done in the past," Luke clarified. "It was his fault that Bob had his stroke and wound up in a coma. And he broke up my brother's marriage. But Katie is my cousin now. And she's finally healing from Brad's death. For better or for worse, she's falling in love with Chris and he's falling in love with her. And Bob and Kim have done so much for me and my family. I can't let them lose their son because he's being stupid"

Reid just looked at him for a minute then he kissed him. "You know something Mr. Snyder."

"What's that Dr. Oliver?" Luke asked as he grinned.

"I think I'm falling in love with you."

"That's good because I think I'm falling in love with you too," Luke said as they kissed again.

Luke made his calls while Reid called the best cardiologist he knew. As soon as he mentioned the patient's name the doctor said he would take the next flight out. The next morning at 9 AM sharp, Luke led Bob, Kim and Katie into his office. "Would any of you like some coffee?" he asked.

"That would be lovely dear," Kim said as she smiled at him.

He stepped out to get the coffee and Katie looked at the older couple. "Do you know why we're here?"

Bob shook his head. "Luke wouldn't say when he phoned yesterday. I can only assume it has something to do with the new wing."

Katie nodded as Luke came in with a tray of coffee. He and Katie sat down in the two chairs facing the couch in his office. Bob and Kim sat on the couch. After Luke served the coffee, he began.

"I know you're wondering why I called you here. I'm about to break a confidence and I need you to hear me out before you say anything. Reid confided in me about a patient he's been seeing privately. From the way he described the patient I figured out who it is. Chris is sick. He contracted a virus in Africa and it's attacking his heart. Reid has been trying to get him to see a cardiologist and so far he's refused. Reid didn't tell you because Chris swore him to secrecy and threatened to make it look like Reid was the one discouraging Chris seeing a cardiologist. Trust me when I say that Reid would never break confidentiality. I knew something was bothering him and he explained the situation to me without names. Once I figured out who he was talking about, I knew you had to be told and that Chris had to see a cardiologist. So I called you and Reid called the specialist."

"Why did you want to be the one to tell us?" Kim asked as Bob took her hand.

"Honestly I thought it would be easier to hear this from me. I know Reid can be abrasive at times and I know he's not your favorite person, Kim. I also know that if it was me, I would want to here something like this from a friend."

Kim nodded.

Bob was quiet for a minute before he looked at the younger man. "Who did Reid call?"

"I don't know," Luke admitted. "I was on the phone with you guys while he was making the arrangements. He picked the specialist up at the airport this morning and took him straight to the hospital to go over Chris's chart. Reid said he didn't put Chris's name on it so it's not an official chart."

Bob got up. "Then that's where I'm going. Kim, call Tom and Margo and have them meet us at the hospital. I don't know if we should tell Mom right now."

"I have an idea," Luke said as he got up. "Why don't I go find Casey and explain all of this to him? Then he can go with me to tell Nancy. By that time you'll know who the cardiologist is and we can give her some reassurance that Chris will be all right."

"Thank you Luke," Bob said as Kim got up and gave him a hug

"My stubborn son could learn a thing or two from you and your Dr. Oliver."

Luke just smiled as she followed her husband out of the office. Luke watched them leave then turned to Katie. She was his cousin by marriage and that made her family. If there was anything about the Snyders you could count on it was the fact that they stuck by family. He sat down and took her hand. "Are you okay?"

"Why didn't he tell me?" she asked with tears in her eyes.

"He knew it would upset you. He knew what you have been through this past year with losing Brad and having to raise Jacob by yourself."

"But Luke, he knew he was sick and he didn't listen to his doctor. And he let me fall in love with him."

"Want to know what I think you should do."

She nodded and he continued. "Go home. Play with Jacob. Think about how you feel about Chris and decide if you can handle being with him through all of this."

She nodded and wiped her eyes. "I'll do that. Tell Bob and Kim I'll be at the hospital as soon as I can."

Luke nodded as they both stood and he gave Katie a hug. He watched her leave then he went to find Casey. He found him at Java. He tired not to sigh when he saw his best friend talking to Noah. He walked over to the table they were sitting at.

"Casey, can I talk to you, in private?" he asked.

"Yeah, sure, man," Casey said as he and Noah got up.

"Luke, I was kind of hoping we could find time for dinner or something before I leave for LA," Noah said as he looked at his ex.

"I really can't right now Noah," Luke said. "There's something going on right now that I have to give most, if not all, of my attention to. I don't know how long it's going to take to resolve."

He started to leave when Noah grabbed his arm. "Dr. Oliver can't keep you from seeing your friends."

"He's not, Noah. He doesn't try to control me. What I need to talk to Casey about is very serious and takes precedence over everything else. Let's go Casey."

Luke pulled himself free of Noah's grasp. He led Casey to a quiet part of Old Town. "What's going on man?" Casey asked.

"It's about Chris," Luke said as he explained everything that was going on with his friend's uncle.

"And he didn't tell anybody?" Chris asked in shock.

"No. And I don't know why other than the fact that he told Reid he didn't want to worry your grandparents."

"How did Dr. Oliver find out?"

"I didn't ask him," Luke admitted. "I did promise your grandparents that I would go tell Nancy. I was hoping you'd come with me."

"Yeah, of course," Casey said as they started walking. "Do my parents and Grandma know?"

"I know Kim was going to call your parents. I don't know about Lisa though."

"She could help us tell Gran."

Luke nodded and they headed for the Lakeview. On the way, Casey called Allison and asked her to go to the hospital and work with Reid on Chris's case. They found Lisa in her office at the Lakeview and she agreed to help them tell Nancy about her grandson's illness.

Nancy smiled when the three of them came in. "It's lovely to see all of you today," she said as they sat down. "Although Lisa was here for dinner last night. Would you like something to drink?"

"No, Gran, that's okay," Casey said as he looked from his great-grandmother to his grandmother. "We came here to tell you something."

"What's that dear?"

"It's about Chris," Lisa said as she looked at her former mother-in-law.

"What about Christopher?"

"He's very sick, Nancy. Dr. Oliver says he needs to see a cardiologist to determine just how sick he is."

"I thought Bob said Dr. Oliver is a neurosurgeon."

"He is," Luke said. "I haven't found out how he realized Chris is sick, but he's been treating him. And he called a top cardiologist to come exam Chris. They're at Memorial now."

"Do you trust Dr. Oliver?" Nancy asked as she looked Luke straight in the eyes.

"Yes ma'am. I would trust him with my life."

"Good. Now, you boys go be our eyes and ears at Memorial. And tell that grandson of mine that he will do everything his doctor's tell him or he'll answer to me."

Casey and Luke grinned. Casey got up and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "We will Gran."

He went over and gave Lisa a kiss as Luke headed for the door. "Luke," Nancy called.

He turned back toward her. "I want to meet this young man of yours. Bring him by for tea."

"I thought you already met him?" Luke asked confused.

"Yes, at Bob and Kim's anniversary party. But that was as Bob's new employee. This is different."

"Yes ma'am," Luke said as Casey laughed and led him out of the apartment.

"Dude, how did Gran know you were dating Dr. Oliver?"

"I have no idea. Sometimes your great-grandmother is scary."

They went to the hospital and were surprised to see who the cardiologist was. "Grandpa John?" Casey asked as John Dixon turned from his conversation with a nurse and saw his grandson.