A Test of Love part 5

Luka broke his arm in an accident involving an attempt to race shopping trolleys. The next day, 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. Kerry told Luka 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. Luka explained to Dave that although they could not legally be married, they could still become each others 'next of kin', which was what he wanted. To Luka's delight, Dave accepted.

Kerry brought them the news that the patient was going to let his blood be tested and 'suggested' that Dave take a few hours off until the results were back. Luka and Dave decided to go shopping for rings.



"Will we take the car?" asked Luka. "Or would you prefer not to drive?"

"I'm good to drive," replied Dave with a smile. "Especially your car."

Luka rolled his eyes as Dave pulled him to his feet. "Even with all four limbs in a cast, you would still say you were 'good to drive'," he said good-naturedly. "You should get your own car."

Dave grinned as they left the Lounge.

"I will just tell Kerry that we will be back in a few hours," said Luka. "We will meet up outside, okay?"

Dave nodded as Luka set off. Seeing Carter, he walked over to him.

"Hey Carter my man, how's it going?" he said, with a cheerful grin.

"Dave," said Carter. "I'm okay...but I heard about you getting bitten. How're you doing?" he asked sympathetically.

Dave shrugged, his grin fading. "I'm okay...have to wait a few hours till the blood work comes back. Chief said I should take off until then...guess there's always a silver lining, huh?"

Although Dave spoke lightly, Carter could see the pain in his eyes. "I'm sure it'll be all right," he said.

"Yeah, whatever. Listen, Carter," said Dave as a thought struck him. "Your family has money, right?"

"No Dave, I'm not lending you £50 until payday," said Carter with a smile.

"Hah hah hah," said Dave. "I'm not asking for a loan...I was just wondering...you guys must know of some good jewelery shops in Chicago. It's just..." Dave started to blush. "Luka and me...we want to buy rings...for each other..." Dave looked around hurriedly before mumbling, "We're engaged..."

"Engaged?" said Carter, a little louder than he had intended.

"Ssshhh Carter, we don't want the whole world to know," hissed Dave.

"Wow...you and Kovac...engaged..." Carter shook his head in disbelief.

"Yeah, so? Anyway, do you know of anywhere good...preferably not too pricey...but I don't want no cheap stuff either?"



A few minutes later, with a list of stores in his pocket, Dave was pulling out into the Chicago traffic. "Carter gave me a few names of good places," he said as he deftly maneuvered the car. "You got anything in particular in mind?"

Luka shook his head. "I know of a few antique stores that might have something...but we will try your list first."



Dave parked the car as Luka went into the first shop on the list.

"Can I help you Sir?" asked the manager when he saw Luka looking at the tray of gold rings.

"I hope so," smiled Luka. "I'm looking for a ring for my fiancé."

"We have a lovely selection here," said Mr. Pringle as he pulled out a tray. "Do you have the young lady's ring size?"

"Oh it's not..." Luka started to say, but was interrupted.

"Well, if you wish to surprise her, you could always bring in a ring that you know fits her, and we could pick out the exact size. But if not, then it will be no problem to have the size adjusted." Pringle pulled away the velvet cover and Luka gasped at the array of rings that was laid out before him.

"Do you see anything you like?"

Luka shook his head, "They are all so beautiful," he said, awestruck.

"Hmm," sniffed Pringle. "Perhaps it would be better if you brought your fiancée in to help you choose."

"Oh I have," said Luka. Looking up, he saw Dave walk in to the store flipping the car keys in his hand and whistling. "Dave," he called.

Pringle watched disdainfully as Dave strolled over. "*That* is your fiancé?" he said in a voice filled with distaste.

Luka nodded, frowning. "Do you have a problem with that?" he asked coldly.

"I really don't think that this is the right establishment for *your* sort," sniffed Pringle. "I'm sure if you go to the 'gay' quarter, you can find something more 'appropriate'."

"Are you refusing to serve us because we are in a homosexual relationship?" asked Luka. His voice was raised slightly and there was a trace of anger in it.

"Luka," said Dave, warningly, placing a hand on his arm. "It's not worth the hassle. There's plenty of shops around...c'mon."

Luka shook Dave's arm off angrily. "No," he said stubbornly. "We have come to this shop...we are going to see the rings here."

"I'll call security," said Pringle, starting to get nervous. "We don't want your sort in here."

Luka stared menacingly at him. Dave was pulling at Luka's arm. "C'mon...he's not worth it...we don't need his shitty rings anyway."

"Our rings are not 'shitty'," said Pringle indignantly. "They are of the highest quality."

Dave looked at the tray. "My mistake," he said, smiling politely. "The rings are cool...you're the piece of shit."

Turning, he managed to drag a seething Luka out of the shop.

"Perverts," he heard Pringle yell after them. Dave could feel Luka tense up again but he kept a firm grasp on the older man and didn't let go until they were back at the car.

They sat there in silence for a few minutes until Luka spoke up. "I should have hit him," he said angrily.

"Dude, what good would that do?" said Dave, patiently. "He'd have just sicced the cops on us...besides, you could have broken your other wrist...and then you'd be totally helpless."

Luka glared at Dave. "How can you be so calm? You saw the way he looked at us...what he called us...how can you just walk away from it?"

Dave shrugged. "Maybe I've just had more practice at it. Gotten used to it...believe me, compared to some of the homophobes I've come across, that guy is strictly an amateur." He smiled trying to lighten the mood.

Luka sighed, "I...I thought I was prepared for this...for the looks and the comments...and the whispering behind our backs...but when something like this happens...I suppose we have been lucky so far..." his voice trailed off and he stared into space.

"Luka, are you having second thoughts...you know, about us?" Dave asked quietly. "I...I mean, I know it's not gonna be easy...especially now that we're doing all the legal stuff...and...and if you've changed your mind about anything...I want to know..."

Luka turned to look at Dave. "Do you think I would let one silly little man drive me away from the best thing to happen to me in such a long time?" He reached for Dave and put his arms around him. "I admit...it was a bit of a shock...but like you...I will just have to get used to it."

They sat there in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Luka said, "Somehow, I don't feel like looking at any more rings today...that...that *person* has ruined it...I wanted this to be special...but now..."

"Hey, it's okay," said Dave, kissing Luka softly on the cheek. "There's no rush. I mean, we still have to get all those papers drawn up...you know...the legal stuff."

Luka nodded. "There is something I wish to ask of you. I...I hope that you will never have to do it...but if it came to it...if something happened to me...I...I would not wish to live out my life on a machine..." He looked Dave squarely in the eye. "I know that it is a difficult thing to ask of you...and I pray that it will never happen...but would you do that last thing for me?"

Dave bit his lip and Luka could see tears in his eyes. "I...aren't you afraid I might pull the plug too quickly and then run off with all your money?" he said, trying to force a smile.

"I trust you Dave," said Luka simply. "I trust you to make whatever decisions would be necessary...whatever you think is the right thing to do."

After what seemed like an eternity, Dave finally nodded. "I...I don't know if I'd ever be able to let you go like that...but if it's what you want..."

Luka put his arms around Dave and held him closely. "Thank you, little one," he said softly.

Wiping the tears from his eyes, Dave straightened up and reached for the ignition. "Guess we should head back to the hospital, huh?" he asked.

"Yeah," said Luka quietly. "The results...they will probably be ready soon."

Dave switched on the ignition with trembling hands and pulled out into the traffic.

"So, which of us should wear the white gown?" Dave asked in an effort to lighten the mood.

"The white gown?" asked Luka in surprise.

"Yeah...I mean, are we going to do a ceremony...make a big thing out of it or will we just sign the papers?"

"Oh, I hadn't thought that far ahead," admitted Luka. "But I don't really think that either of us are technically 'entitled' to wear white for a wedding...but I admit...the thought of seeing you looking at me from under a white veil has a certain...appeal..."

"Yeah, well..." was all Dave managed to say before a car ran a red light and slammed straight into them.

There was a shriek of metal against metal...the crash of breaking glass...and then silence.

To be continued