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Title: What Is Undone
Rating: R
Chapter: Part Seven
Pairing: Luke/Noah
Summary: Sometimes love is your only chance.
Disclaimer: Sadly I don’t own any of the boys I like to play with. All rights for the characters go to P&G, ATWT, JP, CG, etc.
Beta: The phenomenal and wonderful mactwck. Thank you!
W/C: 7036
Warnings: Attitudes that will piss you off, some violence, definite cursing...a little cracky which begins here.
Author’s Note: Woot! This is where the story starts rolling along. I'll be posting the next two chapters back to back. Last one will be posted on Wednesday! Enjoy! And feedback is yearned, loved and appreciated.


Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five
Part Six









Part Seven



They had waited for their buses to arrive, talking quietly together about their plans once they got to the cities. Noah had reminded them to keep moving no matter what. When the subject of communication happened, they were stuck. Except for Luke’s dead one, none of them had cell phones with them, not having had any at the camp. There was no place to buy them now. Luke came up with the solution.

“We still have mine right?”

The others nodded, looking at one another in confirmation then looking back at Luke.

“Okay, so here’s what we do. When we stop at our destinations, we'll buy those pay by the minutes ones. They're easy to use and can't be traced as well. I’ll get a new battery and you call us and leave a message on my cell with your numbers. We'll call back and leave one with Noah's. After that we don't use them unless necessary. We’ll check in with the voicemail every two days, just to keep you updated, but if anything happens and we have problems, we’ll leave a message on Marc’s.”

He stared at them all, pointing to himself and Noah. “Same goes for us. Leave a message on mine letting us know that you’re okay. Leave one with Noah if anything happens.”

The sound of a bus pulling up brought them to their feet and out of the conversation. When they looked at the lit sign over the front, it stated the bus destination was Philadelphia. Marc and Evie stood up, walking to the bus, Noah and Luke following slowly. From Philadelphia, they would catch a bus to New York, and then wait until they heard from Noah. It was only a few weeks and they knew they would see each other again, believed it, but Luke couldn't help holding on tighter to Evie, when she whispered her goodbye, and told him to take care of Noah. That they were counting on him to keep him going now.

He watched Noah as he hugged each in turn, saying something to them quietly, and when Evie spoke into his ear, Noah’s eyes met Luke’s for a brief moment before nodding at her.

“I will.”

Luke could only guess she was telling him to take care of him. It was just like her, keep them distracted by looking out for one another.

Marc hugged Luke tight, told him he was going to be fine and that Noah would take care of him. “Make sure you get him a sense of humor out there okay? He needs it.”

Luke laughed at that, patting Marc once before they separated. He stood at Noah’s side, watching with him as their friends climbed onto the bus, waving as it moved away from the curb and out into the horizon.

They were alone.

Together and alone.

Noah glanced at him, then away when Luke met his eyes, and in turn, Luke kept his gaze on his hands or the floor. They had never been able to spend this kind of time together. He wasn't even sure if he would like Noah when this was done. His heart lurched at the thought. They had nothing in common he was sure. He had no clue what Noah liked or did for fun.

He heard a loud sigh and when he turned around, Noah was sitting down, his head in his hands.

“Noah.”

When he looked up at Luke, the light from the windows hit his eyes, making them a brilliant blue, which Luke had rarely seen outside the farm when the sky was so perfectly colored, it astounded him. It did that now and he took a moment longer than he meant to finish his sentence.

“Do you like - what did you do when you were a kid? For fun?”

It was the lamest question he could have asked, but his mind had blanked out. He needed to know that these feelings, the tremor that Noah made him feel, something he never had before, not even with Kevin, was a possibility of more.

Noah blinked a few times in his direction, because Luke had stumped him, apparently something Luke did to Noah a lot. Then he opened his mouth and he shrugged. “The colonel was never one to let me get away with being a kid. My house was full of rules and regulations. So, I’d usually read comics on the sly. Tommy, my next-door neighbor loved them, and would lend them to me. When I got older, I loved movies, so I’d sneak out to see the new ones or stay up late to see the classics.”

Luke's heart hammered fast and loud, his eyes glued to Noah’s face, lit up from the inside as he talked about the movies he loved. He took a seat next to him, listening as he told Luke about some of his favorites. One in particular, he had heard before, it was his Grandma Emma’s favorite, too.

“I’m a writer.” He said it aloud before he realized it. Noah stopped for a moment to look at him and Luke’s eyes fell to his mouth, watching at the grin that appeared there. Taken by this need to touch Noah, because, Jesus, he was pretty when he did that, Luke grinned back at him. “What?”

“Nothing. I just -- that makes sense. A writer.”

“Well, only in my mind, really.”

“I’m sure that’s not true.” Noah looked at his hands, then up and to the side at Luke, sighing before saying. “Don’t laugh.”

Luke shook his head. “I wouldn’t.”

Noah closed his eyes when he spoke. “I want to be a director.”

Luke grinned once more and gently bumped his shoulder against Noah’s. “I think you’d be awesome.”

“Right.” Noah snorted, shaking his head.

“No. You’re bossy enough when you want.”

Noah glared at him and Luke found himself laughing, the moment turning serious when their eyes couldn't leave one another’s. The sound of bus tires squealing to a halt jolted them out of the moment, and when Luke checked, their bus had arrived. They were going to Chicago.

“Let’s go.”

Noah nodded, pulling himself up and sticking his hand out for Luke’s, interlocking their fingers. “Let’s go.”

*

Colonel Winston Mayer straightened his tie, smoothing out his jacket in case any wayward wrinkle had dared to mar his uniform. He had heard from Kreeger that Noah had managed to leave the retreat without any permission. That he had led, in fact, some sort of escape. Abandoning everything he was supposed to be accomplishing, letting Winston down once more.

Not that he was surprised by that.

The son he had raised didn't exist anymore. Winston doubted he ever had. However, he would be damned, if he was made to look like an idiot, especially by his flesh and blood.

He had scarified too much for Noah to have him come out less than the man he was going to be.

He was going to make sure of that.

“Colonel?”

He turned to look at the door, his secretary standing with her head down, the way he liked to be approached. He had taught her that quickly. “What is it, Elizabeth?”

“There are two gentlemen to see you. They say it’s about your son, Noah.”

Colonel Winston Mayer was never taken by surprise, so his annoyance at having done so was evident in his voice. “Why didn’t you remind me of this appointment, Elizabeth?”

There was the slightest vibration from her, and he could smell the fear, relished its power, and waited.

“They didn’t have one, sir.”

He nodded at that. That made sense. “Let them in.”

The two men that entered looked like something a tank had dragged in. Haggard, unshaven, and overly emotional, for men in his opinion, they were asking questions before they had all been properly introduced.

“Colonel Mayer, why was your son in the camp?”

It seemed like an obvious answer, but the Colonel smiled politely and answered nonetheless. “Noah was sent to Pioneer to learn how to become a man.”

The same man that had asked the question leaned back in his chair, studying him now. “I see. He wasn’t one before then?”

“Obviously not.”

The two men, both named Snyder, had sat down across his desk, agitated and easily frustrated when Winston refused to answer any questions. The name was bothering him, as if he had recently heard it.

“Your son isn’t there anymore. It burned down last night.”

“As I understood, Noah may have had something to do with that. Is it like your son to carry out such actions?”

The Colonel laughed, cold and mean, shaking his head. “Noah doesn’t have the courage to try anything like that. I’m sure whatever was going on he simply followed someone else’s lead.” It was then the name registered. Kreeger had mentioned a new recruit that Noah had taken an interest in and they were worried about it. Luke Snyder.

The Colonel rose out of his chair, tugged his jacket down to fit him better. “I have to think it may have been your son’s influence on mine that caused all this.”

“My son is a good kid, Colonel. He didn’t belong in that place. No one did.”

“Those kids, as you call them, are sick and confused. What they teach there…”

“…isn't anything any of them need to learn.” Snyder rose to his feet, taking a step toward the Colonel. “Whatever you’ve done to your son, I can only say, I’m glad he’s managed to escape it.”

With that, the two left, leaving Winston to stare at the door through which they had disappeared.

Noah would never escape him.

He was his father.

It was his job to make him a man.

*

Faith and Parker slammed into the house and JJ jumped a foot in the air, holding on to the tray he was carrying to his room. “What the hell happened?”

Parker shrugged out his jacket, throwing it over the chair. “What always happens?”

JJ looked at Faith’s face, feeling that little pinch in his throat he always had when she was around. “They didn’t believe him.”

“They didn’t believe him.”

JJ sighed, setting down the heavy tray on the side table and going over to his brother, patting his back. “Man, I’m sorry. I know it sucks.”

Parker brushed him off, pacing the floor as he spoke to them. “Yeah, it kinda does. I mean, you know that something bad is going to happen, someone you know and care about could get hurt and because you can’t prove it, because it was something that can’t be explained, they won’t even look into it.”

“Well, Dad might if you try.”

Parker shook his head because despite everything that had happened when Jack was missing, he didn't believe that Parker’s abilities were real. He was a cop. Facts and clues were what he looked for. Maybe if he told his mother, but she was a little busy with her own latest crises. This wouldn't matter right now.

“They won’t believe me, JJ. You know that.”

He wished he could say something else to Parker. That their parents believed in him, even if they didn't understand, or get his ability. However, that wouldn't work.

“Okay, so what exactly do you know?”

“That Luke is in trouble. He and this other guy, I don’t know his name but I think he is Luke’s friend. They are going to need help. Someone’s help. Soon.”

Faith sat down with a plop, her face crumbling with tears and JJ was at her side immediately. One hand over her shoulder, the other in her hair, soothing her. “It’s okay, Faith. We’ll find a way.” He glanced back at his brother, who looked like he was ready to break down in tears, as well.

“We’ll find a way to help Luke.”

*

Noah opened his eyes to the bright rays of the morning sun on his face. He readjusted his legs and attempted to sit up, but a weight pressed on his side kept him in his place. He turned his head , and there was Luke, face just inches from his own. He took the time to stare at the smooth skin of his cheek, the long lashes that drew shadows on his skin, and the peaceful expression that sleep brought him. Two fingers trailed over cheek and toward lips that were slightly parted. Noah traced the bow-shaped mouth with his one finger, swallowing against that ever growing desire to taste Luke.

Being this close, having him there with him, it was all he could do to keep his control, to keep his distance. That had always been the plan. He was going to keep away. Now, it was worse than before, because here there wasn't anything stopping him. Nowhere to hide how he felt and what he wanted.

His head inched closer to Luke, his breath brushing over parted lips, and when he paused for a moment, he heard the slow intake of air, and met Luke’s eyes, soft with sleep, dark with desire.

"What's wrong?" Luke asked, eyes staring into Noah's, flicking down to mouth and back up.

His answer was a soft whisper, slight shake of head. "Nothing."

Time slowed down and before he realized it, his lips were pressed against Luke’s. It tasted soft and sweet and so damn good. He pulled back; making sure this was what Luke wanted. The slight nod of his head was all he needed and Noah dove back in, going on instinct and need.

The bus braked to a stop and they jerked forward and apart. It was jarring and Noah breathed deep against the pain. It was now so much a part of him that he didn't think twice about it.

“Chicago: Union Station.”

Blinking back into the moment, Noah pulled away, rubbing one hand over his face. Luke made him lose control faster than anyone ever could. He needed to remember why they were there. He needed to remember that the people he cared for tended to die.

Luke followed Noah out of the bus and they made the silent agreement to head to the bathroom before making any other plans. He touched his fingers to tingling lips, tasting Noah there when his tongue swept over them. His heart was still beating erratically in his chest, and his skin was heated. His cock hard and painful at just the touch of Noah. Every bit of him was alive.

Touching Noah was like electricity.

He knew that it was the same for Noah, from his gait. It was obvious and Luke smiled inwardly. He liked that Noah reacted to him. It meant he wasn't alone. It meant what he was feeling now, so much more than he had before, was more solid than either one of them was willing to admit.

When he was done in the bathroom, he waited for Noah, just inside the small hallway, panicking for a moment that maybe he had been left behind. That Noah was so scared about what they had, he had run away from Luke. He looked toward the exit that led to the station but a moment later, there was a firm grip on his shoulder and Luke turned into Noah, feeling Noah‘s arms wrap around him. For whatever reason, the fact that they had made it seemed like the biggest accomplishment he‘d ever made in his life.

It wasn't until that moment that Luke realized how scared he was.

“We made it.”

He breathed in Noah’s scent, wrapped his arms around his waist, and grinned into warm skin when he felt a small kiss pressed to the side of his head. Noah pulled away, planting another kiss on Luke’s forehead.

“Now, we just have to make sure we get this where it has to go.”

Luke grinned at the word ‘we’. They were a team.

Them against the world.

*

“You’re going to let the flies in, Marc.” Evie tapped his chin, forcing him to close his gaping mouth. “Don’t be such a tourist.”

Marc rolled his eyes at her. “Evie, I’m gay. I’m in New York. I just got hit on like ten minutes ago. I’m staring at so many lights, and billboards, and possibilities that my mind is reeling. This is like my fucking Shangri-La, woman. Let me enjoy it.”

Evie laughed, shaking her head at him. “We need to find a hotel somewhere. Make it a motel. We have to save some money.”

She flipped open her new phone, punching in the number she’d memorized, pulling Marc into a nearby doorway. “Hey, guys. We’re okay. We’re here. Number is six-oh-seven-five-two-one-ten-twelve. Marc’s number is - same area code, four-two-nine-three-oh-two-one. We love you. Be careful.” She snapped the phone shut, leaning into Marc’s side as they watched the city with its people, its noise, its freedom.

“We made it.”

“We did.”

They slipped into silence, enjoying just being for a minute. Marc started vibrating slightly, and Evie turned her head. His face was red, shoulders shaking and she started to giggle.

“What?”

She could guess.

“They’re so going to get married .”

Her giggles escaped and she nodded her head. “They don’t even realize it, do they?” Marc shook his head, trying to breathe. “I’m so going to be the Best Woman.

Marc snorted. “You’ll have to fight me for that position, baby.”

“Oh, please. It’s in the bag, you little princess.”

“Little? Say that again and we’ll take it to the mat, lady.”

They started to laugh, hugging each other in relief, breathing in for the first time in a long while. Hoping that their friends were doing fine. Hoping they would see them again soon.

*

The motel room they found was clean and in a decent enough neighborhood. They could stay there for the next two days. After flipping through the television looking for any news on the fire, knowing they wouldn't find anything, they settled on an old movie, letting it play in the background while they took turns in the shower. Luke wasn't sure how he was going to handle sleeping in the same room with Noah.

It was like wanting him had increased tenfold over the last few weeks. The slow attraction had flared into something so intense; it was like heat and fire between them.

The bathroom door opened and Luke choked back a moan, cursing the instant reaction of his body. Noah, wet and in jeans, bare feet, pulling a shirt on over his head carefully, stomach muscles stretching and rippling, and Luke almost turned his face into the pillow, biting back a groan, until his eyes caught the large purple bruise down Noah‘s side and around to his back.

“You told me you were okay.”

Noah glanced at him, confused, then down to where Luke was staring. He covered it quickly with the shirt, stepping back when he felt the other boy get up and move closer. “It’s nothing. Just a bruise.”

Luke said nothing, watching Noah move gingerly to the table and rifle through their belongings, pretending to look through them. He was angry that Noah was keeping things from him. “I don’t like it.”

Noah sighed, speaking honestly. “I didn’t think you’d notice.”

Luke snorted. “Not notice you? That’s a little difficult, Noah.” It was frustrating to say the least, having Noah not trust him enough. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he was composed enough, he ventured a look over, catching a small smile on Noah’s face. “Oh, I see now.”

Noah gave him an innocent look. “What?”

Luke raised an eyebrow at him, and then laughed when Noah blushed just a little. “I didn’t think you were a tease, Noah.”

He ducked his head down, shaking, his eyes sincere when he looked back up at Luke. “It wasn’t done on purpose, I swear. I just…nobody’s ever looked at me the way you do.” That was hard for him to say, Luke could see. Luke wanted to show Noah, that with him, he could be honest, be himself.

He took a deep breath before answering. “I can’t believe that.”

Noah shook his head, his eyes holding on to Luke’s, dropping the towel over the back of one of the chairs in the corner. Every step bringing him closer and Luke fought the urge to back away. It was all heat and desire, fear, and want rolled into this emotion that neither one them could deal with. “Noah.” Luke shook his head as he said Noah’s name.

It was all too much.

That made Noah stop in his tracks, made him step aside, and take a deep breath. “I’ll go out and get some stuff. Food, water, and just essentials for the next couple of days. Maybe pick up the newspapers and check there. You said Evie left a message. I’ll call them back. Tell them we’re okay. It’ll give you time to get cleaned up.”

Luke held onto his arms as he watched Noah walk slowly out the door. He knew Noah felt rejected and unwanted when the opposite was true.

He was wanted, very much.

When the door closed, Luke fell face forward on the bed, groaning.

*

Noah returned to find Luke splayed out across one of the beds, face down, back exposed to the air. He must have passed out as soon as he had finished his shower. Noah reached for the comforter, slipping up over Luke, pausing to cover his back. He ached to touch him but that wasn't meant to happen, not now.

What kind of man are you?

His father’s voice, always his father’s voice inside his head. Noah moved away from the bed.

Leaving Luke sleeping, he turned the television on, lowering it to a quiet mumble in the background. The food he had bought went into the small refrigerator and he took one of the water bottles with him, sitting in the corner chair. He pulled out the envelope Rodney had left him. Counting the money to make a mental ledger, in an attempt to know how long they had before it was done. There was a strip of paper that fell out when he went to pull out more of the money, and Noah looked at it. It had two names printed neatly, and he realized Rodney had thought of everything. He shifted his weight to his left side, keeping the pain at bay. Dizziness hit him hard and he clutched the edge of table, taking deep breaths until it passed, his chest burning with the effort. Reaching into one of the bags he had brought from the store, he pulled out a bottle of aspirin. He could deal with it the few days it would take to make sure they were safe. He focused on the paper in his hand again.

It contained the name of the person who would help them if necessary, just as Rodney promised. Along with the name of the police officer he was supposed to hand all the information to when it was safe, per the neatly written instructions. Noah glanced over at Luke, shaking his head a little. Sometimes it was as if fate had the strangest way of playing with them. They would have to wait a few days. Kreeger would look for them at their homes first. Only logical place they would go. Once a week had passed, and Noah was sure it would pass, then they would go.

“Hey.”

He glanced up at Luke, who was staring at him from across the room, smiling just a little.

“Hey.”

Pulling off the covers, Luke stretched out of the bed, shirtless and beautiful enough that Noah had to look away. He casually thumbed through the papers, waiting for Luke to join him. Soon enough, he felt that pull, the magnetic force that came when Luke was at his side, with his own bottle of water. Noah met his gaze, handing him one of the papers. “Just checking the national news.”

Luke nodded, taking the paper and looking through the section that mattered. When he was done, he picked up the next paper. They went through them all, and finding only one that mentioned the small fire that destroyed half of a treatment camp in Montana. Luke had rolled his eyes and mumbled about the term “treatment camp. “ Noah couldn't blame him, but he was too grateful that nothing about them had been mentioned.

He could relax a little. If they weren't advertising their disappearance, it meant they hadn't lied to the police, yet. They hadn't tried to make them guilty. He knew that it was a possibility but at least for the time being, no police would be looking for them.

Just a few days should be enough time to let the trail die down. Noah breathed through the pain again, trying not to notice the way Luke was staring at him. He needed a distraction.

“Remember how I told you that Rodney had a connection here in Chicago that he had wanted to take all the information about Kreeger and the program to?”

Luke glanced up from reading the comics, or pretending to, locking eyes with Noah, sensing this was somehow important to him. “Right. It’s why we’re here.”

“It turns out the guy isn’t here.”

Luke dropped the paper, gaping at Noah. “What? Then why the hell did Rodney tell you that.”

“Because he wanted us to come here first? I think he wanted to make sure we were protected.”

Luke shook his head, one hand on his temple. “I don’t understand.”

Noah leaned his elbows on the table, staring straight at Luke. “He left me the guy’s name, though.”

“So you know the name but not where this cop is? Great.”

“No. I know where he is.”

Luke spread his hands out. “How the hell do you know where he is if Rodney didn’t tell you?”

“The cop’s name is Jack Snyder, Luke.”

Luke had mentioned Jack a few times in passing during one of their few moments alone at the camp. Noah remembered everything Luke said, so Rodney must have known somehow when Luke arrived that Jack was the person to go to.

Noah took in Luke’s flabbergasted expression and shared one of his own. “I have no idea how that happened.”

Luke knew exactly what it was. “Fate.”

“I wish we could go now, Luke.”

Luke waved him off. “They’re looking for us, Noah. I know they’ll go there first. I don’t want to put anyone in danger. We wait the week out. It’ll be okay. We’ve made it so far.” He glanced at the phone and Noah read the look on his face.

“If you want to call home, that could be okay.”

Luke smiled at him but shook his head. There was so much he didn't want to know. If his mother hadn't made it… The pain shot through him and Luke took a deep breath to quell it. “I can wait another few days.”

*

Their faces were in the evening news the next day, along with a story in two of papers that pointed at them as having been directly connected to the fire. Noah had dropped his head on the table, muttering a litany of curses, breathing in short gasps. Luke had left a message on Marc’s cell in case they hadn't heard and prayed that they were okay.

*

“They’re in Chicago.”

Paul glanced up from his half-eaten sandwich, blinking at the look on Ryan’s face. They were inside another filthy motel, in another desolate town.

Paul felt… He felt. It was… something was wrong. He could feel it inside him. Something, someone pushing to be freed. He didn't understand it. His hand itched to touch Ryan’s face, but why?

It was so confusing.

His head hurt, sharp pain radiating from behind his eyes.

“Paul, did you hear me?”

The voice was cold, just this shy of mean and Paul responded with a flinch. “I heard, yes.”

“Get ready. That’s where we’re heading.” Ryan smiled at him then, empty and Paul felt that thing push again.

*

Dark and humid. Nothing but blurry, distant shapes around him. It smelled…as if nothing lived there. Coppery. Like blood. He was barefoot, walking over cold metal bridges, the moonlight leaving shadows in between the spaces he was in. He could make out someone ahead of him.

Luke.

He could make out Luke.

Standing over him was a shadow, large and empty. It was empty and he felt the cold reach him. Then the shadow plunged at Luke and all he could hear was screaming and pain…and smell that copper again. He started to run, trying to help. Saying Luke’s name repeatedly. He watched as something moved in the shadow.

The other boy. The one from before. Dark hair. Tall.

He was trying to help. He was protecting Luke. He kept running but the distance seemed to lengthen, sending him farther away. The shadow turned, grabbed the other boy and all Parker could see was his face in agony. His screams. Luke’s screams. Their pain.

He screamed with them.

He jolted as hands shook him awake and JJ came into focus. “Parker!” He clutched at his brother’s arms, taking in deep breath, trying to shake off the fear, the smell of blood and death.

“It’s Luke. I saw him. He’s…I don’t know…it’s like he was in a big, building…a factory. He was being hurt. And his friend…his friend was…” Parker was shaking and JJ patted his shoulder, rubbing one hand on his back.

“It’s okay.”

“Boys. What’s going on?”

They both jumped at their mother’s voice and Parker pulled away from JJ, burrowing down into his bed. “Nothing.”

JJ sighed and giving Parker an apologetic look, he turned to their mother. “Parker had another dream about Luke. We think that Luke is going to be really hurt, Mom. Even dead.”

Parker feared looking up at his mother. She would have that look on her face, like Jack’s, like the one everyone but JJ and Faith gave him. The one that said he was scaring them and that he was making it all up. The one that screamed he was a kid with an overactive imagination.

“Parker.”

Her tone was quiet and he closed his eyes briefly before looking up at her.

She didn't have that look.

“Is that what you saw?”

He remembered. She had been there with him.

He nodded.

“Okay. Then get dressed. Both of you. We have to tell Jack and Lily.”

Now he remembered why, no matter what she did, he loved his mother. Because when it mattered, she came through.

*

“My son would never have anything to do with arson.”

“Sir, he is the one that is missing. Along with Mayer and the other two. It does make him look suspicious.”

Holden held Lily back as she leapt forward, grabbing hold on the lapel of the other man’s shirt. “They were scared. All those kids were. Do you have any idea what that place is?” His face went blank and Lily took a step back. “Of course you do. But you don’t care, do you?”

Holden watched his wife, torn between worry, for her health after everything she had been through, and pride, because this couldn't be the same woman who had been so afraid of who their son was.

“He’s gay. They’re gay. Not evil. Not sick. I know my son is a beautiful boy who loves deeply. From what I can see of those kids, they are all good kids. How could you let something like this happen under your nose and ignore it?”

Lucinda spoke up; reaching for Lily’s other arm. “Darling, this isn’t going to help you.” She glanced at Holden, who nodded and took Lily by the shoulders.

“We’ll go find him ourselves.”

She turned into him, arms reaching around his waist to hold on tight. “He has to be so afraid, Holden.” Thinking of the other boy, Noah, who according to what they now understood, had risked his life to save her son, she whispered into Holden’s chest. “I hope they’re both okay.”

“I know, Lily. But he’s brave, our boy. He’ll make it. And Noah. He seems like a survivor.”

Lily sniffed as she spoke. “I hope so.”

*

The next several days passed in a daze, most of it filled with paranoia and the kind of pain Noah had never known before. He spent it half in numbness and half in such agony, that it managed to knock him off his feet a few times. Gratefully, none of them had been in front of Luke. Noah could only imagine what Luke would do, if he realized just how bad Noah was. It didn't really hit him until they changed motels, finding one in a less thriving neighborhood. They had needed to move especially since they were being hunted down. They only had to stay there the night.

It was time for Luke to go home. Jack was in Oakdale and so Noah would go there. Once they made it, he would allow himself to collapse to the floor and the bliss of numbness take him. Until then, he faked it well enough. If he grimaced and Luke noticed, he had waved him off, claiming a strained muscle.

When they reached the room, they realized they would have to share a bed. It was something they had expected to happen at some point. It was only one night. They glanced at each other, their eyes cutting away quickly. Noah had climbed in, shivering as quietly as he could, feeling the pain radiate down his side. It was getting harder for him to breath and he had taken to quietly wheezing through his mouth.

They were watching an old movie, when the pain worsened to the point that Noah tried to scream but choked on it, gasping for air. Luke jumped so far up in bed that he almost fell off. He was at Noah’s side immediately, touching his head, cursing at how hot he felt. He got up to find the phone book. They needed a doctor right away. Noah grabbed at his hands, pulling him into his side. “You can’t.”

Luke spoke through clenched teeth. “They haven’t found us, yet. And you’ve been lying to me for days, Noah.”

“It’s just my ribs.”

“Oh, that’s it, then okay. Sure. Let‘s leave it so if they‘re broken, they cause one of your organs to burst..” Luke pulled away, going back to the phonebook, finding a doctor that made house calls. Motel calls would probably be fine, too. Did they even do that anymore? Was it even safe to pick a doctor from the yellow pages that was willing to come to some random motel room?

“What are you doing?”

Luke glanced up, annoyed, and flipped another page, not looking over as he spoke.

“Looking for a doctor.”

“In the yellow pages?”

“You got any better ideas, Mayer!”

Noah shifted up, stopping for a moment, staring down at his lap, counting until the pain subsided. He was pale and he swallowed back his nausea, and then spoke quietly, “You can’t call a doctor, Luke.”

“I’m not sitting here and watching you die of a broken rib!”

Noah would have rolled his eyes, Luke thought, if it didn't seem to hurt him too much to do anything. He waved one hand weakly at his bag. “Get the paper with Jack’s name on it. There’s a second name. Someone Rodney said we should call for help.”

Rummaging through the papers, Luke found the small scrap of note with neat handwriting, looking at the name for a moment. He pulled out his phone, pressing the numbers, eyes flicking back to Noah who was breathing harshly through his mouth, trying not to move, biting back moans.

After the third ring, the phone was answered with a brisk “Hello.”

Luke glanced at the paper and asked, “Is Tony there?” Crossing his fingers as he did.

“Who’s calling?”

“Luke. I’m a friend of Rodney’s.” That seemed like the most logical thing to say. When Noah whimpered a little, he whirled around to look at him, catching the slight shake of Noah’s head telling him he was fine.

Yeah. Sure.

There was quiet on the line and then the sound of the phone being handed to someone and another voice picked up the conversation.

“Hey, Luke. This is Tony. What’s going on?”

The voice was smooth and calm, in charge, making Luke think of Aaron. He missed his big brother like crazy at that moment. “Yeah. Hi. Listen…Noah is hurt. I don’t know what to do.”

There was some mumbling, the sound of paper rustling and then, “Okay. I’m going to send someone to help. Where are you?”

Luke hesitated for moment. He didn’t know Tony. He wasn’t sure if he should even be making this call.

Noah gasped loudly and Luke fought not to look at him.

He didn't have a choice.

“We’re staying at the White Horse Inn on Western and Devon. Room 212.”

“Someone will be there soon. And kid? Don’t worry. It’ll be alright.”

The line went dead.

When there was a knock on the door less than twenty minutes later, Luke practically sprinted across the room and yanked it open, without thinking. He cursed himself for that as soon as he had. What if it was someone there to hurt them? He pushed that out of his mind and stared at the person in front of him.

He was young. That was the first thought in Luke’s head. He was staring at Luke with warm, green eyes and a reassuring smile. “Are you Luke?”

“Yes.”

“Michael.” He put out his hand and Luke took it automatically, pumping it a few times before letting go. Michael’s eyebrow raised a fraction of an inch. “Tony said that someone needed help.”

“You’re a doctor?” He couldn't help the disbelief in his voice. Doctors were older, with white hair and a comforting kind of presence. Like Dr. Hughes. That is what Luke pictured.

Michael smiled warmly and nodded. “Yeah. I get that all the time. I have my license if you need to see it.” Michael was joking, trying to reassure the young kid in some way.

It wasn't really working.

Luke pulled back and pointed to Noah on the bed. There was no time. He had gotten really still in the last ten minutes and it was scaring the hell out of him. “Noah. He’s hurt.”

Dr. Michael, Luke assumed he really was a doctor so he gave him the name, quietly entered, heading to the table and opening the bag Luke hadn’t even noticed, pulling out a stethoscope, gloves, and thermometer.

Michael was at Noah’s side before Luke could even blink. “Noah. Hey, Noah.” There was no response and he turned his head to Luke. “How long has he been like that?”

Luke took in a deep breath. “A few minutes.” He pushed past Dr. Michael, holding onto Noah’s hand and quietly saying, “Noah. Wake up. Look at me.”

Noah opened his eyes and did.

Luke grinned down at him, tremulous and relieved all at once. “Hey. Dr. Michael here is going to help you, okay?”

Noah glanced behind Luke at the man standing a few feet away and his brow furrowed. “Doctor? Kinda young.”

Luke let out a small, shaky laugh and nodded. “He says he gets that all the time.” He moved away, squeezing Noah’s hand when he clutched at Luke’s, and then releasing it so Dr. Michael could get to work.

He paced the floor while Dr. Michael looked at Noah, watching as he gently probed and prodded. His voice was soft, but reassuring, as he talked Noah through what he was doing. His hands gentle and quick. He glanced at Luke a few times, smiling at him before turning back to his examination.

He had the comforting presence thing down to a T that was for sure. Luke relaxed as the time passed, taking a seat in the corner as he watched. It was when Dr. Michael started frowning and Noah started to gasp when he was touched that Luke tensed, and got up to start pacing again.

Dr. Michael took out his phone, glancing at Luke and then turning away as he started talking into it. When he was done, he stared at Noah for a long moment, before turning back to Luke.

“We’re going to need to get him somewhere safe to give me enough time and space to help him.”

Luke eyes widened, shaking slightly, moving to sit on the bed next to Noah.

He watched as Dr. Michael opened his bag, pulling out a needle and a small bottle. “It looks like he broke a few ribs, which explains the pain. It’s causing an infection, which normally is something we can take care of. In this case, however, one of the broken ribs punctured his lung. If we don‘t get him immediate medical attention, he‘s going to die, Luke.” He continued what he was doing and when he finished, the grimace on Noah’s face made Luke feel like his heart was being squeezed hard.

Die. Noah was going to die.

“Where are we going?”

“Somewhere safe. A private hospital not far from here.” Dr. Michael squeezed Luke’s shoulder gently. “I’m going to go ahead, set up the space I need. Tony is sending two of his men over, Andy and Rick. Don't open this door unless it’s them, okay?” He pressed a hand to Noah’s forehead, frowning slightly. “His fever is pretty high. We won’t be more than an hour. They’re going to secure everything and then come get you.” He smiled at Luke, patting his shoulder quickly. “Noah is going to be fine. I promise I’ll do everything I can.”

Luke followed him, watching Dr. Michael walk briskly out of the door, he locked and bolted it, leaning his head against the rough grain of wood.

Please, let it all be all right.



Part Eight





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