A Test of Love - part 4

Previously on ER

Dave got bitten by a patient and was freaking out about the possibility that he could be infected with HIV. Luka did his best to comfort and reassure him, promising to stand by him, no matter what the results were. Once Dave was calmer, Luka went looking for Kerry, to find out what the results were. Kerry told him that she wouldn't be able to give him the results of Dave's tests without express permission from him. Luka went to talk to the patient who had refused to take an HIV test and reasoned unsuccessfully with him. However on discovering that Luka and Dave were partners, the patient called Kerry and changed his mind...on the grounds that *he* could have caught something from Dave. Unaware of the patient's change of heart, Luka went to find Dave and surprised both of them by proposing to him.



"Shhh," said Luka, as he took Dave's hands in his. "Dave. I...I know that we are not the most 'conventional' of couples...and I know that we can't do this in the same manner as a man and woman...but...will...will you marry me?"



Dave stared at Luka open-mouthed, before sinking back onto the couch. "Luka man...are...are you serious?" Luka nodded, unable to speak. "But...but we can't get married...I...I mean...we're two guys...it...it's impossible..."

Luka sat up on the couch beside Dave. "I know that we cannot simply go before a judge and be bound together as man and...and husband I guess. But we can make this a legal union in every other sense of the word..."

"But what's brought all this on?" Dave asked puzzled. Suddenly his face paled. "Did...did my tests come back positive? Is...is this why you're doing this?"

Luka shook his head. "Your tests have not come back yet...and...and even if they had...Kerry would not have told me the results..."

Dave frowned, "Why not? I mean, I wouldn't have minded..."

"I know that," said Luka, as he gently stroked Dave's cheek. "But Kerry could not disclose confidential information to me...you see...legally...I...I am nothing to you..."

"Don't ever say that," said Dave as he caught Luka's hand and gently kissed the palm. "You...you're everything to me...you know that..."

Luka sighed at the gentle touch of Dave's lips. "Legally I am not...and that is what I want to change. You remember about six months ago...I was treating a patient...her partner didn't want her to be intubated...but because they were not married...her wishes could not be considered. I...I fought Kerry over it...but lost...legally...legally Kerry was right...but morally..."
Luka put his hands either side of Dave's face and looked him in the eye. "If it ever came to a situation like that...I would want you to be able to make that decision for me...I want you to have the power to do that...and I want to be able to do the same for you...I know that it is possible to make it legal...there are papers that we can sign...so I ask you again...will you marry me?"

"Oh Luka," said Dave, softly as tears ran down his cheeks. "Yes," he said so softly that Luka could hardly hear him. "Yes."

Luka was hardly able to believe his ears. Putting his arms around Dave, he pulled him close. "I love you Dave...whatever happens...I will always love you."

"I know," said Dave softly. "And...and I love you...whatever happens...no matter what my test results say...you know that I will always love you."



Kerry limped towards the Lounge. Stopping with her hand on the door, she did her best to compose herself. She wasn't really surprised that Luka had tried to reason with Harris. After all, if she had been in the same position, she would have probably done the same thing. But that didn't change the fact that she had told Luka that she would handle it and he had gone against her wishes. The fact that Luka's intervention had probably persuaded the man to get tested was irrelevant...well okay, for Dave's sake it was a good thing that Luka had spoken to Harris, but she still wasn't going to let the matter pass without comment.

Sighing, she pushed the door open.

Luka and Dave were talking on the couch when she walked in. Hearing her footsteps, they both stood up and looked nervously at her.

"Luka, I want a word with you," she said quietly. "In private."

Dave and Luka exchanged worried glances. "Kerry, anything you have to say to me can be said in front of Dave. We have no secret's from each other."

"Yeah, that goes for me too," said Dave. "My test results and that sort of thing...it...it's okay if you tell Luka about them...I...I don't mind."

Luka reached for Dave's hand and squeezed it reassuringly.

"We...we're gonna get it all drawn up legally," said Dave. "Luka's going in as my 'next of kin'...and I'm gonna be his..."

Kerry looked at the two of them in surprise. "I see," she said, raising an eyebrow.

Luka nodded. "We have been talking about this...and we are going to make a formal commitment to each other. It will not be a wedding...but it will be as close as we can make it."

Kerry blinked. "You're getting married?" she said.

Luka nodded.

"Well let me be the first to congratulate you," said Kerry smiling. "I...I hope the two of you will be very happy together." She gave each of them a quick hug.

"Thank you Kerry," said Luka.

"Thanks Chief," said Dave. "So what d'you want Luka for."

Kerry's smile faded. "You shouldn't have gone to see Mr. Harris," she said, frowning. "He wasn't very impressed with your efforts to persuade him to get tested."

"I am sorry if I have caused trouble for you," said Luka quietly, "But I did what I thought was right...and...and I would do the same thing again if necessary."

"Luka's not gonna get in trouble over this, is he?" asked Dave, looking concerned.

Kerry shook her head. "I don't think Harris has any grounds for complaint. I'll let him fill out the forms if he wants to...but I don't think it'll go further than this department. Just consider yourself reprimanded...and I'm putting you on two days paid suspension...effective immediately."

"Um...Kerry," said Luka. "I'm on sick leave for the next two days."

"I'm perfectly aware of that," said Kerry, wearing her most innocent expression.

"Okay, that's that taken care of...now for some better news...Mr. Harris has decided that he *will* let his blood be tested for HIV."

"He...he will?" said Dave, with some disbelief.

Kerry nodded. "It'll be a few hours before his results come back...but at least then we should know for definite. Do you want to wait here or would you rather come back in a few hours? I don't think it would be advisable for you to work until your tests are back."

Dave's face fell. "You mean in case I'm infected and I might pass it on?"

"Partly that," said Kerry honestly. "But mainly because I think you'd be too distracted by having this hanging over you. I think you'd be better off getting out of here for a few hours."

Luka nodded. "Thank you Kerry...for everything."

Once Kerry had left the room, Dave turned to Luka. "So...will we stay or go?"

"I think we should get away from here for a few hours," said Luka. He paused before continuing, "We could always go shopping."

Dave raised an eyebrow. "Shopping? What for?"

In reply, Luka took Dave's left hand and gently kissed his ring finger.

"Oh," said Dave, softly, a smile appearing on his face. "What are we waiting for then?"

To be continued