Chapter 2

Noah wasn't impressed. Bobo hadn't come through in the way he had suggested during their phone call. Noah had been expecting to be expedited towards a military hangar where a Providence transport would be waiting for him. Instead, he received an economy ticket on whatever airline chain had the next departure time. At least it wasn't a middle seat, he mused once he located his window seat. Once he settled in he tried to stay positive, keeping in mind the likelihood of seeing Rex on a commercial flight was much lower than it would have been if Bobo had booked him a Providence airship. Noah plopped into his seat and took a deep breath, fighting off his relief of not having to face Rex so soon. He was eager to see his old friend, but it came with some heavy baggage he wasn't fully prepared to unpack yet.

Determined to use the long flight as a way to study, Noah couldn't focus. He had been planning on using the long flight to study, but every time he opened one of his textbooks he found his mind wandering about what would greet him once he landed. Eventually, he gave up and decided to watch an in-flight movie until landing. At least that was the plan until the overhead speakers piped on and the captain informed everyone that due to the thunderstorm being stronger than expected they would have to land at a different airport 200 miles away.

By the time the plane landed and Noah was able to get a hold of Bobo Haha it was the dead of night.

"How's Six doing?" Noah asked, waiting for the conveyer belt in baggage claim to start moving. He hoped that Bobo would dismiss any tones of annoyance. He was tired and irritated that he wouldn't make it to Providence HQ until very late.

"He's hanging in there. The surgery was successful."

"Oh that's good," Noah breathed, suppressing a shudder at the idea of surgery.

"Yeah, the docs are confident they were able to clear him of any internal bleeding. And the damage to his lungs wasn't as bad as they feared. It's all about giving him the best environment for his body to recover and heal."

Noah perked up at the odd statement. It suggested that Bobo was quoting one of the surgeons and if that was the opinion of the professionals then things were probably better than he feared.

After grabbing his suitcase Noah made his way to the taxi line to wait for the next available car. He wasn't looking forward to a long, cramped, expensive car ride in the middle of the night.

"I can't believe I still gotta travel five hours until I'm there."

In response to his prickling tone, Bobo mirrored Noah's exasperation. "Maybe you oughta go home for the night, you know, wash off the stinky attitude before heading over here. There's enough negativity around here, we ain't looking to buy more. You get what I'm saying?"

"Yeah, yeah," he agreed. "Sorry. I'm sorry. It's just I hate it when things don't run smoothly," Noah apologized.

"Apology accepted."

"Um, now that Six is stable how's- " Noah paused, uncertain if he had the right to ask after Rex right now.

"The chief is as good as you'd expect."

"So not very."

"Exactly."

"Are you sure I shouldn't stop by tonight?"

"See ya tomorrow kiddo," Bobo stated briskly, brokering no argument by hanging up.

"Yep." Noah sighed deeply. He was too tired to argue against Bobo's dismissal. Dragging his suitcase to the back of a taxi he had finally flagged down, Noah hoped the pressure behind his eyes would wait until he got home before turning into a full-blown headache. Unfortunately, he doubted it.

It was weird being in his old room after all the little touches he added all his life were either back in Boston or packed away. It was like a being in a blank canvas where he was a guest instead of it being his home. It was clear at some point he had tried to turn it into a gym, which was probably quickly abandoned judging by the number of clothes hanging off the elliptical handles.

He had a hard time sleeping. He kept drifting off only to wake up a few moments later, gasping for air and often needed a minute to remember where he was.

Though the walls were familiar, this wasn't his room anymore and he wasn't sure how to feel about the whole thing. His entire situation was ridiculous.

By four o'clock, Noah abandoned any idea of sleep and rolled out of bed, changing out of his sleep pants and into a pair of deep green basketball shorts, and a hoodie he'd purchased at the college school store once the weather changed. He grabbed his running shoes but refrained from putting them on until he was outside. He didn't want to disturb his hard-working parents with his inability to quiet his tumultuous thoughts.

Despite the warmth from the extra layer, Noah sucked in a breath at the sharp cold air that rushed over him when he stepped out to the porch. Sitting on the top step he quickly tied his shoes. The sooner he got running the sooner he'd warm up.

Noah put his wireless headphones in and started his favorite running playlist, then decided to take one of the earbuds out so he could keep one ear free to hear any oncoming traffic, or as unlikely as it was this early in the morning, another runner. After doing minimal stretching, he jogged down the driveway. Except for the porch lights, the neighborhood was pretty dark out, but the streets were as familiar to Noah at night as it was during the day, he knew his way around.

He set a slow pace at first, testing out the fitness of his body. The last thing he needed was to injure himself. He was pleased by his legs responding to his need to run. Taking the path from his house to his old high school Noah felt his mind wander, focusing on the best of the music and controlling his breathing.

Benjamin Franklin High School was only 3 miles away, so it didn't take him long to run there, though he wasn't nearly as fast as he was when he had been conditioning for basketball and he was winded when he reached the school parking lot. Hand braced on his knees Noah fought to catch his breath. He had been lost in thought and hadn't realized how hard he was pushing himself. When he placed two fingers on the side of his neck he found his pulse drumming faster than he expected. He sucked in a deep breath and exhaled heavily. He thought the run would help relax him, not cause him more problems.

Once his breathing was milder, he started back home, only this time keeping a slower, manageable pace.

Fishing out his house key he unlocked the front door and went straight into the kitchen and drank two full glasses of water before lightly stomping up the stairs to take a shower.

Noah took his time, letting the hot water pound his back and shoulders. He tried not to think of anything; not his school work, or his job or the emotional rollercoaster he was sure to be on in the coming days. Instead, he focused on small things. What should he eat for breakfast? Which show to watch while he ate? Should he purchase flowers or a get well card? What would he say to Rex when he saw him? Would Rex be happy to see him?

"Gah," Noah shook his head, trying to dispell those last thoughts. Stick to simple things, Noah chastised himself. Turning off the water and stepping out of the shower. He didn't bother wiping the fogged mirror, he just grabbed a towel and lightly dried himself off before wrapping it around his waist.

The sky was growing lighter when he reached his room and Noah was surprised to feel a yawn stretching out his jaw. Perhaps the late night jog had helped, after all, he thought before falling asleep only wearing a towel.

Soooooo on Feb 8th, I went to the ER for shortness of breath and chest pains. It turns out I have blood clots in my legs, lungs, and heart. I was hospitalized for 12 days and so was unable to work on and update this story. I am sorry about that. I am doing well now and hope to get back on track. Please bear with me as I recover and work to get back to the schedule I had planned for this story. Though tonight I won't be posting two chapters, just the one.

Thank you for sticking with this and know that I love each and every one of you readers!

BR4