January 25th 1941
Taylor House
Luke sat at the table in the den, glaring at the newspaper. His latest article got cut down to less than half its original size. He gave the paper one final glare before folding it up and throwing it on the table in mild disgust and resignation when his aunt walked into the den.
"Oh hi Luke, I wasn't expecting you in here."
"Yes.. I was supposed to be working.. but this whole saving paper for the war effort" Luke said and gave the newspaper another dirty look before continuing. "Is killing my job."
"How so?" Rose asked
"My article was originally three columns, all necessary for the story. Now? It's 1. Pathetic.."
"Well.. does it still tell the story?"
"Barely." Luke said sounding frustrated. "By the way.. who was that sleeping on the couch the last couple days? And why did he leave so early? And those men were here a few days ago, again. What's going on?"
"What? What do you mean what's going on?" Rose asked defensively.
"There are random people that come in and out.. only after dark or before sunrise. There are those two guys that come in here and act all secretive.. It's all noticeable Aunt Rose and I think that.."
Luke stopped when he saw that Rose had dropped her tea cup, the china shattering into a frenzy of white on the wooden floor, she ignored it, giving Luke a hard look.
"They're just friends of ours, Luke, nothing to concern yourself with."
"Friends? Why don't you introduce them to us then? We're all family."
"Luke. Trust me. These people are our friends. This is not your next story. Please stay out of it."
"Then why do they only come by in the shadows? Why do they step around us? Why do you talk in casual terms that seem to imply the exact opposite, why do you -"
"I said stay out of it! Do not get yourself involved, they are friends who prefer discretion, leave it at that"
"But why are you so secretive? Maybe I can help.. your friends.."
"It's nothing you need to worry about, I mean it Luke." Rose said and looked at the floor, only now noticing the shards. "I'm going to fetch a broom..and I do not want to return to this discussion when I come back." She said and left the room, leaving an air of coldness Luke didn't know she was even capable of.
Luke shivered slightly.
"Damn.." He mumbled to himself. "It's like she's a different person.. this war is going to kill us all."
Later - Derek's workshop
"Hi uncle Derek. Do you need help with anything?" Luke asked as he casually strolled into the workshop.
Derek watching him carefully, not sure he could trust this sudden interest in manual labour from his nephew.
"You could start sawing into that wood, I need thin, but wide planks."
Luke nodded.
"Alright. What are you working on?"
"A desk." Derek replied carefully.
"A desk? Really?"
"Yes.. yes so uh.. you won't have to use the desk in the study anymore. You can use your own desk in your room."
"Oh..I see.. thank you." Luke said and they worked in silence for a few minutes.
He decided that his uncle might be onto him, so Luke approached the subject he wanted to discuss with more care than he had with his aunt Rose.
"So...the towns quiet these days, you notice? No one really talks on the streets anymore.. it's dim.." He said, trying to start a conversation.
"You think so? It's always quieter here than in the city. You'll get used to it" Derek said, not looking up from his work.
"I do.. but it's like people are afraid of Gerry over hearing them if they so much as dare to speak above a whisper.."
"Well.. frequent bombings get people on edge, though it's died down a bit now."
"You didn't get bombed here like the city did." Luke pointed out.
"I know, but still.. people worry."
"But what do they have to worry about here?"
"Well.. you never know right? It's natural for people to get afraid. There is a war on you know."
"Is that why.. they hide.. here then?"
Derek looked up from his work and gave him a blank stare.
"How's work?"
Luke mentally cursed himself, his uncle's dodge was as obvious as a stop sign, and he would have to put him back on course now.
"It's quiet. We haven't really had any major happenings in the area since the fires.. I guess Jade's wedding will make the paper. All those military guys coming here.."
"Would you be the one bringing it to their attention?"
"No of course not, why do you assume so?"
"I wasn't assuming. Just asking."Derek said and turned back to his work. "Are you working on anything right now? A story on your.. friend in the RAF maybe?"
"I WAS" Luke said and failed to keep the bitterness from his voice."Produced a decent story too.. But the paper apparently disagreed."
"Haven't sat with it yet, what did they do?" Derek asked.
"Cut it down. To save paper."
"Ahh.. for the war effort."
"Yeah but that war effort is killing my job."
Derek shrugged.
"Can't be helped."
"So.. you've got some odd friends." Luke said, deciding he's sick of playing games.
"Odd friends? What do you mean?" Derek asked, putting his work down again.
"The kind that come at night.. are they vampires or something?"
Derek laughed
"Vampires? Where did you get that from? They're just.. people who need a place to stay for a night or two. You know. Curfew and all."
"What about the men who come before they do? Who are they?" Luke asked.
"They're just.. friends.."
"But who are they? What do they do?"
"Luke.. its better if you just.. stay out of it.. trust me."
"Why? If you're doing something dangerous then -"
"I can't talk about it, for your safety, just.. forget what you saw and heard." Derek said, interrupting him.
"Why? I'm just asking who they are.. maybe I can help. There's a war on.. we have to help each other."
"I can't, I mean it Luke. This conversation ends here. If you want to keep talking it'll be about something else."
Luke sighed.
"Alright.. When we lived in the city.. We barely had enough to eat each week.. You seem to have plenty.. How do you do that?"
"There are ways.."
"Like what? My boss wants us back in the city. He's working on getting us a house. How do you do it?"
"I can't Luke"
Luke tried to hold back a sigh of frustration.
"I'm not blind, Uncle Derek."
"I know you're not son.. but just don't make me answer these questions. It's better if you don't know. We'll help you every way we can.. but don't ask too many questions please.."
Luke sighed appearing to give in.
"Alright ok, I won't question you further. What time is it?"
"3:30 PM." Derek answered after checking his pocket watch.
"Excellent, I'm going to pick some stuff up at work. I'll be back for supper."
Derek nodded.
"Alright"
Paul Ryan's office
"Don't tell me you came here to whine about your article getting cut down." Paul said when Luke entered his office.
"Nope." Luke said and quickly glanced around the room."I came for information."
"Regarding?"
"What kind of activity goes on around here that the.. authorities aren't aware of? The kind that has people coming in and out at night every few days, and has complete strangers who arrive around midnight and leave around five AM without being seen. The kind that keeps your family VERY well fed, when the rest of us are on rations. That kind of information." Luke blurted out.
"What makes you think I know anything about that?" Paul asked carefully.
"Surely you know SOMETHING. Someone has to know something.."
"I don't know everything that goes on around here Luke. I have some contacts that help me out.. but I don't know what else is happening.."
"So you don't know anything?"
"I didn't say that. But don't expect to get any names from me."
Luke sighed, trying very hard to keep his temper in check.
"I don't need NAMES. I just want to know what the hell is going on so I know what to be ready for, that's all."
"All I can tell you is that I get more and better food via the backdoor.. if you get my point. people give me something if I help them. That's all I know."
"You too?"
Paul raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't that why you wanted to know?"
"No! I was wondering because of my aunt and uncle, not you.. you're into this stuff as well? Luke asked, rubbing his forehead.
"Everyone tries to get more than the government gives them. Not just me or your aunt and uncle. But I don't know what they're dealing with."
"Alright..alright.. I'm sorry for disturbing you, I'll see you tomorrow in the morning." Luke said and left before Paul could say anything.
RAF Base – later that day
"Hey you. I wasn't expecting you, just finished some late training, what's up?" Noah asked when he saw Luke waiting for him near the barracks.
"I really needed to get away.. out of that house."
"You look upset. Is that why you needed to get away? What happened?" Noah asked while re-buttoning his tunic and frowning at Luke, pushing some blonde hair out of tired annoyed eyes.
"I'm being treated like a child. Got the brush off from Paul too."
"Why? What's going on?"
"Can we go somewhere? To.. talk?" Luke asked and Noah lead him into the barracks and closed the door behind them.
"Uhm..Noah.. you kind of share this thing with who knows how many other guys.."
"Yeah but no-one's here right now though."
Luke sat down on a bed and sighed.
"I told the guard I'm interviewing you for an article.. I better convince Paul to let me write something.."
"What's going on Luke?" Noah asked as he sat down beside him.
"My family is into something that I just KNOW is dangerous, and I keep getting the brush off."
"Something dangerous? Like what? Do you think they're pro.. axis?"
"No..nothing like that.. I think.. but something shady.. I asked Paul about it.. and he gave me the same 'don't ask me these things' treatment."
"Well.. maybe you should just forget it then.. I don't want you getting in any more trouble than usual."
"I can't forget it.. I see it happening right in front of me daily and... Hey! Just what do you mean by that huh?"
Noah chuckled and kissed him.
"You're a trouble magnet."
"I just want to know if they're in danger that's all.." Luke said, pulling moodily at his tie.
"You just have to know everything don't you? It's probably for the best that you don't know everything."
Luke tried very hard to keep his temper in check for yet another time that day.
"Noah.. I don't have to know EVERYTHING, but this is my FAMILY here.. and if they're in danger then I feel like I should know. It's logical to me so that I know what I have to be ready for. It's not like they're playing chess with some people I've never met here! We have strangers coming in and out and men who come in the dead of night and talk only in code! I'm worried! And I feel like I have that right, the right to be worried about it!"
"Hey, hey calm down. If they're keeping you out of things it's probably for your own good. You can't tell things you don't know. That's how things are around here. You're only told what you need to know."
"I wouldn't rat my own family out Noah!"
"Of course not. That's not what I meant. Just think about it for a minute. If something happened and you were caught, what then? By not knowing, no matter what happens YOU can't get blamed for it, because you legitimately don't know."
"No they'd just shoot me thinking I did know but wouldn't tell them." Luke said moodily. "I just want to know what this IS..."
"There's a number of things it could be, and unfortunately you're not going to know.." Noah said and suddenly grabbed him."But I'm telling you, this is enough detective work."
"Noah I-" Luke started
"I mean it Luke, cut it out. If you're caught sneaking around you'll be shot as a spy in a heartbeat. I mean it, get out now. Please don't do anything stupid."Noah said, interrupting him, shaking him slightly to try get his point across.
"Do you know something I don't?"
"I only know what I'm told. But I know that you're in dangerous territory right now, and I want you safe."
Luke snorted.
"Dangerous territory.. you're surely one to talk."
"Would you please listen to me!" Noah pleaded. "I know full well that I'm no better off as far as danger goes but I unlike you am not alone and I have the ability to protect myself. You have no idea what you're getting involved in! Please stop, please!"
"I just want to know what's going on with my family. I can help them. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."
Noah sighed and sat back rubbing his forehead.
"At least remember what I've told you."
"You didn't tell me anything Noah. I know nothing more than I did when I came here.. and I don't even know why I came here anymore.. this war is ruining everything. You can't talk about anything but the weather anymore!"
"I know, and that's frustrating for everyone. Not just you, everyone is tense, you can barely sneeze these days without wondering who might've heard it."
"I wish this mess would end. I'm sick of this place.. I miss home.. my family.. hell I even miss mucking out the stables on my grandma's farm."
"I miss home too." Noah admitted. "Everyone does.."
"At home.. I could be me.. without the risk of getting killed.. We could just.. disappear together.. without having to worry about officers and guns and orders and all that mess. Do you think it will end soon?"
"I really don't know.. but I do hope so."
"I wish we could just disappear together. Just leave this mess behind and never look back" Luke said putting his head on Noah's shoulder.
Noah wrapped an arm around him.
"Me too..more than anything most of the time."
"How long do you think this place will be empty for?" Luke asked after a few minutes while working on getting Noah out of his uniform.
"It should be empty for..at least another hour" Noah said, quickly catching on to Luke's plan and started kissing his neck.
"Hmm an hour should be long enough for at least two rounds" Luke said grinning.
"And who is counting?" Noah said, yanking at Luke's tie. "I really don't like this one."
"I hate it too, but I put it on in a rush.. and I only have two left.."
"Well all clothes" Noah said and kissed him. "Look better" He continued, unbuttoning Luke's shirt. "On the floor." He said and pushed Luke's shirt and jacket off his shoulders before pulling away a bit to let Luke get rid of his uniform jacket and shirt.
"I like the way you think" Luke said and laid down on the bed, pulling Noah on top of him.
At that moment the door opened and Maddie walked in, looking at some papers.
"Noah, Andy said you were in here, I need to go over these mission reports with you before I give them.. to.. Hallaway.." She said, staring at the two men on the bed after looking up from her papers. "Err..I.. should.. knock.."
"Maddie!" Noah said, sitting up bolt right on the bed staring at her with an expression of horror on his face.
"Uhm.." Maddie stammered, looking anywhere but the bed, shutting the door behind her. "I'm alone, there's no one in the hallway.. You should..dress..quickly.."
"Yes uhm.. I'll uh.. look at those papers uhm.. later? Ok?" Noah said looking around for his shirt.
"Yes..uhm..Hallaway wants them..very soon..I..I..uhm.."
"Soon.. right.. yes.. uhm.."
"I uh.. have to go.. I'll uh.. see you.. Wednesday.. for the uhm.. interview.. for my article.." Luke stammered, half dressed and halfway out the door.
"What are you..going to write..for this one?" Noah asked.
"I'll think of something! I need to get moving. You know.. curfew." Luke said, and all but ran out the door.
15 minutes later – somewhere in London.
Luke had decided to walk home instead of trying to find a ride back. His mind was working overtime and he just hoped the girl wouldn't tell anyone what she saw. That would mean Noah would get discharged.. and get sent home..at the very least. He noticed it had started to rain and cursed himself for leaving home without an umbrella. Again.
"Ah still haven't gotten used to the rain have you?" A familiar voice said and made Luke jump.
"Ali!"
"Yes Ali, that's my name, glad you remember. They say talking to yourself is a sign the devil is in you, you know."
"What?" Luke asked confused.
"Nothing. Never mind." Ali said, waving her comment away. "Anyway, I haven't seen you in a while, what's going on in your mind?"
Luke sighed.
"Too much. But mostly.. I'm homesick I guess."
Ali nodded.
"That's to be expected. I was homesick too at first.. but this place is growing on me now."
"You look exhausted though." Luke said after taking a good look at her.
"I am..it's a busy time."
"It hasn't been that bad with the raids lately has it?"
"Still bad enough.. even just one bomb can do a lot of damage. And I'm going back and forth between the hospital and that base. Just.. not a lot of time to rest."
"Ah.. yeah I guess not." Luke said and looked around the street. "It's just.. so.. I don't know.. dismal.. it makes me miss home more."
"You have a lot to miss. Your family misses you too. They'll be glad when you're home again, I'm sure."
"I know." Luke said and sighed. "I just don't know when that's going to be.."
Oakdale IL Jan 25th 1941
After his daily morning routine of feeding and checking up on the horses Holden was on his way back inside when he noticed the mailman walking up to their house.
"Oh hello Mitchell, anything interesting for us today?" Holden asked the way he always did when he saw the man.
Mitchell smiled.
"I think so Mr. Snyder. Something from overseas I reckon." He said and reaches into his bag and pulled out an envelope. "There you are."
Holden smiled when he recognised the handwriting.
"Looks like it's a letter from our Luke. He's in England now. Works for a newspaper."
"Oh really? Well that'd explain it then. I have to get moving now, have a good day Mr. Snyder."
"You too Mitchell." Holden said and went inside. "lily? are you home?"
"In the living room Holden."
Holden walked into the living room while opening the letter.
"It's from Luke."
"Oh really? Well let's see what he has to say." Lily said and patted the sofa next to her, signaling her husband to sit down.
Holden unfolded the paper and a little photo dropped out.
"Oh look, a picture of all of them. Even Casey is on it." He said after he'd picked it up.
"Aww that's nice. They look so thin though.. I think something's written on the back." Lily said after taking a quick look.
Holden flipped the photo over.
"All of us in the old house a few days before Christmas"
"Old house? He didn't say anything about moving in his last letter did he?" Lily asked her husband.
"No.. I don't think he did. Maybe he mentions it in this one.."
"Well.. let's find out. What's he saying?"
"Let me see here.." Holden said and started reading.
"Dear mum and dad, sorry it's been so long since my last letter. We have to save paper for the war effort and I had to save up to be able to send this. Anyway, it's January 6th now and I'm writing this from aunt Rose's kitchen. We live here now because.. -mum are you sitting down?- our house got a few direct hits and burnt down just before new year's eve. We're all ok, don't worry."
"What! It did! What about Faith and the baby?"
"He says they're all ok. If they were hurt he'd tell us.. right?" Holden said, trying to stay calm himself as well as calming his wife down.
"Yes...Yes..You're right.. I'm.. I'm sure he would.."
"Let's just see what else he writes." Holden said and continued reading.
"Really mum, I know you don't believe me but we're all ok. Faith and Ida took the kids to the shelter way before the first bombs dropped and hunter and I weren't home. We were reporting on the bomb damage.. and we found a little girl in a collapsed house. We got her out and she lives with family in Wales now. Oh and I have some good news too - Jade and Casey are getting married!"
"MARRIED!" Lily exclaimed. "All the way over there? In the middle of a war!"
"Ah why not? They could use some happiness over there." Holden said.
"But... isn't that a bit..strange?"
"People in love do strange things honey. Remember what we were like at that age?"
"Yes.. I do.. it just seems like an odd place to get married.. they haven't even known each other that long.. it's.. odd.. unless.. You don't suppose he got her pregnant?"
"That's possible.. maybe it's in the letter." Holden said and started reading again.
"And I know what you're thinking mum.. and Jade told me to tell you she is not pregnant. At least not yet. So no playmate for Sophia for now. She likes to play with my friend Noah's uniform hat anyway. Aunt Rose said you should try to come over for the wedding.. she would pay for the boat ticket. But honestly mum, dad.. you should stay there, I'm hearing so many stories.. it's safer at home."
Lily laughed a bit.
"Goodness, it seems he's got every thought I might have already covered."
"He's your son, he knows you." Holden said smiling.
"But.. he says it's safer here.. that just makes me worry about them more."
"They're with Rose now.. and they're together.. and he talks about that new friend he's made.. that.. Noah."Holden said after checking the name in the letter. "He seems to be doing alright over there."
"That does little to reassure me Holden.. there's a war on there."
"Well.. let's see what else he says." Holden said and turned back to the letter.
"We're not in the city anymore now. Aunt Rose lives just outside of it. There haven't been any major hits here according to uncle Derek. Gerry (it's what they call the Germans here) follow the river Thames.. so the east end docks get the biggest hits. Jade lost her house in the same raid we lost ours.. so we all live here with aunt Rose now. She has enough food and room for us all thankfully."
"Those poor kids...they're losing everything over there.."
"It is a war honey... and they still have each other." Holden said, trying to reassure his wife.
"I know.." Lily said and sighed. "I just wish they were all back home with me. It's safe here. We're not in this war."
"I know.. I wish they were here too. But we just.. accept that they aren't.. and take comfort in these letters."
"He just told us he lost his house!"
"Yes.. but they're safe now. And they're together. The house is gone, but they're NOT."
"Alright.." Lily said, trying to get herself together again. "What else is he saying?"
"We're doing alright now. Paul Ryan said he'd try to find us a house in the city again but Faith is happier here. And I can't say I blame her. It is nice to be able to sleep in a real bed all night instead of in a cold damp shelter. I'm sure Faith told you all about that in her letter. She hated the thing. Oh and little Sophia is growing so fast. I'll try to send a picture of her alone next time. She looks like you mum."
"I can't wait to see her..to hold her.." Lily said, tearing up slightly.
"You will.. and so will I. This mess will end and they will come home to us. Where they belong." Holden said and turned back to the letter.
"Well that's about it from us here. We're together and we're healthy.. and Jade promised to write about the wedding. But mum.. dad.. please just stay there. We'll do it all again back home when this war ends. It won't go on forever will it? They say Hitler is losing.. and we don't have raids every night anymore.. I hope it's true. I miss you all. How are you doing there? How are the kids? I hope you're all ok. I'll write again soon, I promise. Love always, Luke"
"They don't have raids every night anymore..that's..a good sign?" Lily asked
"It is a good sign.. maybe they'll be able to come home soon."
"You think so? I wish they'd never gone over there.."
Holden nodded and wrapped an arm around her.
"Me too. But we're going to get through it, we will."
Lily sighed and at the same moment the front door opened.
"Mum? Dad? I'm home." Natalie said, putting her school books on the table and shivering, snow covering her. "It started to snow pretty badly."
"I thought you'd stay at Amanda's today and study." Lily said, surprised to see her daughter home again.
"Yes but her brother started getting sick so her mum said it'd be best if I left. So I don't get it." Natalie explained.
"Oh nothing serious I hope. We'll stop by tomorrow." Lily said absently.
"Is that a letter from Luke?" Natalie asked when she saw the envelope in her father's hand.
"Yes.. yes it is honey."
Natalie slid onto a chair, brushing more snow off her skirt and shivering.
"Natalie you're soaked!" Holden said after patting his daughter's knee.
Natalie blushed.
"I fell on some ice.. I didn't want to say anything because I know this is a nice skirt.."
"I don't care about the skirt, you'll catch a horrible chill, go change right now." Holden told her.
"Can't I read Luke's letter first?"
"You can read it after you change. Are you hurt?"
"No.." Natalie said, not looking at her father.
"Natalie.."
Natalie sighed and rolled the skirt up to her knee, where a sizable cut was running down the side of her leg from mid-calf to the top of her boot.
"A scratch I guess.."
"A scratch? What happened? Come into the kitchen and let me clean you up." Lily said ushering her daughter into the kitchen.
"It's ok.. it doesn't hurt.. much.. I didn't want to worry you because you're so worried about Luke and Faith already.." Natalie trailed off.
"Is that why you hid it?" Holden asked.
Natalie nodded.
"And they can't come running when they're hurt. I want to be like them... I want to take care of myself, like they are.."
Lily pulled her into a hug. "Oh honey.. let us take care of you for a few more years please. It's bad enough that Luke and Faith are so far away.. and Aaron putting himself in danger by joining the army.. we want to keep you and Ethan safe with us."
"Yeah? You don't mind then?" Natalie asked, returning the embrace.
"No of course not sweetie.. I'm just glad you're young enough to keep safe, here under my roof."
January 30th 1941, RAF base, England, barracks
Noah was sitting on his bed, staring at the still unopened box when Casey walked into the room with a slight bounce to his steps, humming *"We're Going to Hang Out The Washing on the Siegfried Line".
"What are you singing? And why are you in such a good mood?" Noah asked his friend.
Casey shrugged and smiled.
"It's a catchy song, it's on the radio a lot. And I'm getting married soon and my brother is going to try to come over for it.. and I told my parents and they didn't yell at me.. and we made it through another mission in one piece. Those are pretty good reasons I'd say."
"How is Adam supposed to get over here if he's away fighting?"
"I don't know.. I sent him a telegram the other day and I just got a reply.. and he says he's going to try to be there. I guess things are calming down over in Pearl, Hawaii."
"Really? That's.. that's good..I'm glad to hear that."
"Yeah.. me too.. those blacked out letters got me worried." Casey admitted. "Anyway.. why are you hiding in here? It's actually stopped raining, it's safe to go out now."
"Yes, I know.. but I.. I uhm.. I have a package."
"Really? That's fascinating. So does every guy." Casey joked.
Noah rolled his eyes.
"Funny Case. Very funny." He said and tapped the box. "It's from home.. got it last week."
"Yeah? What's in it?"
"I don't know.. I haven't opened it yet." Noah confessed.
Casey sat down on his own bed and leered at him.
"Well why not? You should open it right when you get it."
"There was a letter too.. and my dad.. kind of reminded me about the deal.. with Maddie's parents.."
"Damn.. I forgot all about that.."
"Yeah.. I wish our parents had.." Noah said sadly, staring at the package.
"But.. what could be in that package?" Casey wondered. "Your tux and her dress? The rings?"
"I don't know.. maybe.. I'm too nervous to open it."
"Want me to do it?" Casey offered. "I can tell you if it's safe."
Noah shook his head.
"No.. no I can.. I can do this."
Casey took out his pocket knife and handed it to Noah.
"Go for it then."
Noah took a deep breath and cut the tape open, handing the knife back and staring at the opened box as if it's about to explode.
"Well?" Casey asked."What is it? You got me curious now."
Noah took another deep breath and looked inside.
"Uhm.. chocolate?"
"Chocolate? Real chocolate? Not that surrogate crap?" Casey asked, getting excited. "Are you.. planning on eating it? All.. of it?"
Noah rolled his eyes and opened the chocolate, handing a piece to Casey, then putting the rest of it away to save.
"Jesus Casey you're all but drooling."
"I haven't had real chocolate since we got here! I miss it! Just like real coffee.. and real.. everything. Did your parents send you real coffee too?" Casey asked, looking in the box.
"I don't know.. uhm.. these appear to be.." Noah said taking something from the box and holding it up. "Uhm.. what is this?"
"Uhm.. stockings? Why are they sending you those?"
Noah sighed.
"Wedding gift I guess. Here, you take them. For Jade." He said and threw them at Casey before reaching back into the box.
"Hmm.. I think I have something else here.."
"More wedding gifts?" Casey asked.
Noah smiled as he took the item out of the box.
"Ah no.. thankfully this is not meant for Maddie." He said and held up an old looking, slightly worse for wear teddy bear.
"A teddy bear? Aren't you a little old for that man?"
"It's not for me! It's for the baby!"
"Baby? What baby?" Casey asked confused.
Noah sighed.
"It's for Sophia."
"Oh THAT baby."
"Yeah.. THAT baby, the one that we all know by now.."
"Well.. I don't have other people's kids on my mind all day.. Did you ask your parents to send that over especially? What did you tell them?"
"Yes. I did ask them. I just said I wanted to give that bear to a friend's kid. That's all."
"Right.. have you told them.. about Luke?" Casey asked.
"Uhm..not..exactly.."
"I take it that means not at all?"
Noah nodded.
"There's.. nothing I can really tell them about him. They wouldn't understand.. nobody does.."
"Surely someone understands Noah." Casey said, trying to cheer his friend up.
"Like who! Who would understand Case? You accept it, but do you get it?"
Casey shrugged.
"What is there to understand? Things just.. are the way they are.."
"And I can still be put in jail for that 'thing' Casey."
"What? That's crazy. Surely they won't put you in jail for.. well.. that.."
"Wouldn't they? I've heard things.. I've heard that they do." Noah said quietly.
"Really?" Casey asked, looking seriously worried. "But.. why.. I mean.. there's nothing wrong with.. you know.. what you do.. it's.. the same as what I do.. with Jade.. right?"
"It is.. I think it is.. and YOU get that.. but the rest of the world.. I don't know."
"Yeah but.. they wouldn't put you in jail for that.. would they? I mean.. there are worse things.."
"They HAVE in the past.. and it's still against the law.."
"Against the law?" Casey asked sounding shocked. "What are you on about here?"
"What Luke and I.. do.. it is against the law.. people say it's wrong.. that it's a disease.." Noah said looking miserable.
"That's... ridiculous, that's the stupidest thing I've ever heard." Casey said and wrapped an arm around his friend. "Just because they don't 'get' it doesn't mean it's a disease. I mean you're still alive right? If it was a disease you'd be dead by now, because it'd be terminal and whatnot."
Noah attempted to smile at his friend's comments.
"People still say that though.. but it doesn't feel wrong.. at all. When I'm with Luke.. it feels.. really good."
"And if that's the case, then why should people be saying it's wrong?"
"People just don't.. accept it.. it's not like we can take a walk together and hold hands like you and Jade can.. or even get married.."
"Stupid. Stupid. Stupid and more stupid." Casey said and sighed. "We should try getting some sleep."
"What? It's three thirty in the afternoon!"
"Ahh yes, but we're being put on patrol tonight, Hallaway told me." Casey explained, handing him Hallaway's note. "I forgot about it when you brought out the chocolate."
"Why are WE on patrol? That's not our division." Noah said, looking miserable again.
"They're shorthanded. The others have training tonight. Hallaway is making us substitutes."
Noah groaned.
"Let's hope it's quiet tonight then.. maybe we can go drop off the bear."
Casey nodded.
"Hallaway said he'd be waking us up at nine."
"Awesome, I can't sleep in the afternoon.." Noah complained as he undressed and got into bed.
"Well.. better pray for bad weather and a night without raiders then."
"I don't believe in god anymore." Noah told Casey.
"Me neither." Casey replied. "But pray anyway." He said and got into bed.
*The song Casey sings is real. It was very popular in England in the 40's. I thought this description "This song intensely irritated the German High command as it poked fun at their defences. The song was actually banned on some American radio stations (before America entered the war) because it was thought to infringe America's neutrality." fit him nicely.