AN: Disclaimers, notes, explanations, and recriminations are found in Chapter 1

When: A year after Reid died and Noah moved to L.A.

Thanks to jberri79, BlueEyes444, and superlost for the encouragement.

September 2011 - Same day, continued

Noah held his hand out to indicate the sofa and chair in his living room. "Do you wanna sit down? Let's sit down." After answering his own question, a flustered Noah took a seat on the couch, expecting Luke to take the chair.

Instead, an amused Luke sat on the couch next to Noah. Somehow, Noah's obvious nervousness helped alleviate some of his own. Still, Luke didn't know how to broach what he'd come to discuss with Noah. Finally, he asked Noah, "So, don't you want to know why I'm here?"

It occurred to Noah that "yes" was probably the right answer only after he'd given his, "I don't care why you're here, just that you're here." At the surprise on Luke's face, Noah amended, "I mean, of course I care why you're here. I'm just glad you are, whatever the reason."

Luke took a breath, and thought I hope that's still true in a minute. He answered Noah, "I came here because there's something I have to tell you. Something really important."

Noah's heart didn't know whether to soar or plummet, so it chose to alternate between the two, making him feel nauseous. Was Luke going to say they could be in each other's lives again? And if so, as what? Was he ready to date again? Or was Luke going to tell him he already had been dating, and met someone? Or was he…

"WHAT?" Noah heard the panic in his voice and tried to calm it. "Sorry. I just, I'm sorry. I guess I do care why you're here," Noah continued wryly. "So, please, go on, Luke. What do you wanna tell me?"

Luke took perhaps the biggest breath of his natural life. When that didn't fill him with the needed courage, he impulsively took Noah's hand. Noah would've been pleased at this, if not for the fact that Luke was practically crushing his hand. Whatever Luke was going to say, he was scared to tell Noah, and that, in turn, scared Noah.

Is Luke sick? The thought increased Noah's seasick feeling tenfold, and he gripped Luke's hand back just as tightly. "Luke, whatever it is, it'll be ok. I know you couldn't always depend on me before, but you can now, I swear. No matter what, we'll get through it, and I'll be there for you all the way; I promise."

A quirky half-grin escaped Luke, who replied, "Well, I'm really gonna put that to the test now."

At Luke's bemusement, Noah became even more confused. If Luke was sick, wouldn't he take it more seriously? Noah responded, "Please, just tell me. I want the chance to prove myself to you. What is it?"

Luke sighed and turned to Noah, taking his other hand so that he now held both. "I came here to tell you something nobody else knows, except the other person involved. Something that's going to change my whole life; well, really, be the most important thing to ever happen in my life."

Oh God. Luke had found someone. And Luke was here to tell him, what? Was he getting married? How could that be? How could he be over Reid so quickly, not only to have found someone new, but be ready to marry that person? None of this made sense.

Noah was about to voice that thought when he realized, he'd promised to be supportive. No matter what. Holy hell. Luke hadn't been kidding when he told Noah he was putting that to the test now. As hurt ate away at his insides, Noah resolved not to let it show on his face.

"Noah, whatever you're thinking, I'm pretty sure you're wrong." So, too late to hide the hurt, then. "Of course I can tell. I know you. You're gritting your teeth!"

"Sorry - I never said I wouldn't be a work in progress," Noah quipped. "I'll do better. Go ahead; just tell me what you want to say."

"Ok." Luke smiled then, wanting to present this as the good news he believed it was. He just didn't think Noah would see it that way. Luke took one more deep breath, then finally let it out: "Noah, I'm having a baby."