Well, I hope that you guys are enjoying the show and the story that was inspired from it.

I think this chapter is pretty good!

Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty

Unspoken Feelings

"Ok Noah, slowly open your eyes. How does everything look?" Reid asked as he pulled the last of the bandages away. Luke could really see what Noah looked like now. His curly hair was gone; sacrificed to the surgery. There was a long row of staples that went from ear to ear over the top of his head. He was in desperate need of a shave, but Luke always thought that stubble on him looked sexy. He just looked tired and Luke couldn't blame him. He had been living in this room since his surgery. Luke knew from experience it was near impossible to get a good night's sleep in here. There was always people moving about and coming in to check on you.

Noah winced as the light bled through his barely open eyes. Reid looked over his shoulder at Luke and nodded toward the light switch. Luke dimmed the lights and returned to the foot of the bed.

"Noah. I really need you to open your eyes for me,"

"It hurts,"

"That's a good sign, isn't?" Luke asked with a bit of fear in his voice which Reid noticed right away.

"Noah, open your eyes," Reid told him as he took Noah's face in his hands. Noah very slowly opened his eyes and the light was much less this time, but it still hurt. He finally opened his eyes all the way and cast his eyes around the room.

Luke held his breath as he waited for some sign that Noah was able to see. And he got it.

Noah looked right at him and smiled.

"Hello Luke," Noah breathed out when he was able to look into those limitless brown eyes.

"Hello Noah," Luke said as he smiled. Noah's eyes were still the most beautiful shade of blue.

Reid clenched his jaw as the ex-lovers exchanged greetings and shared a moment. It hurt to see that look on Noah's face. That was utter happiness on his face.

"Mr. Snyder, I need to examine Noah. Please wait outside,"

"Ok. I'll be right outside," Luke said as he opened and closed the door. Then he realized something. Who was he talking to just then? He pushed that thought away and fished his phone from his pocket. He needed to make some calls. It was just like Noah to not tell anyone when the bandages were coming off. The first one he called was his mom. She was ecstatic and angry at Noah for not saying anything to her. The whole thing with Damian and now Faith getting in trouble at school has her pulled in few different directions. He the next call was to Maddie. Luke had to pull the phone away from his ear to avoid the scream that came out of her.

Reid came out of Noah's room and saw Luke standing in the hall on his phone. His back was to the doctor and he was talking excitedly to someone. Reid could hear in Luke's voice how happy he was that Noah could see. He smiled to himself slightly while he watched Luke. He was happy and Reid didn't want to ruin this moment for him. Even though it was hard for him to do it, he turned around and walked away from Luke.

Luke hung up his phone and looked toward Noah's room. He glanced through the window and saw that Noah was alone. He was standing, looking out the window with is back to the door. Luke took a breath to steady himself and walked inside. Noah didn't turn to look who had walked in; he could smell Luke's aftershave.

"I'm glad you're still here," Noah said over his shoulder.

"Me too. Didn't you call anyone to tell them about the bandages coming off?" Luke asked as he stepped closer to Noah. Noah turned to face Luke and an uncontrollable smile spread across his face.

"You were the only one I could think of," Noah said plainly. "Luke, I…," Noah was cut off by Luke's phone.

"I'm sorry. I'll see who it is and turn it off,"

As soon as he answered it, he was assaulted by his assistant voice franticly relaying a huge problem at work. Apparently a shipment had come into New York without the proper papers and they were being held by Customs. Luke told him to calm down and he would be right there.

"I'm sorry. I have to go to work and I don't know if I'll be able to come back today,"

"Hey, it's ok. I'm sure I'll have a ton of visitors this evening. Tomorrow?"

"Sure. Tomorrow. And we can talk then," Luke said as he lightly brushed Noah's arm. He felt his pulse spike when Luke's fingers brushed against his bare skin. Luke left and Noah turned to face the window. He wanted to take it all in. He looked out over the spring day and saw nothing but blue sky and trees just starting to bud. He was sad that he missed winter, but he was so looking forward to seeing what a new season had to offer. Especially after he would finally be able to talk to Luke tomorrow.

Luke managed to get home by nine and dropped into the sofa. It was Tuesday and he knew where Reid was right now. He pulled out his cell and called him. The phone went to voicemail, as Luke knew it would, and he left Reid a message.

"I knew you wouldn't answer. I'm just calling to say that I was so impressed by you today. I have never seen you in full doctor mode before and I gotta tell ya, it was pretty hot," Luke laughed slightly to show Reid that this was a friendly message. "I guess I'll keep this short, but I do want to say that I miss you and hopefully I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight," Luke hung up the phone and let out a long breath. What was he going to do? He had a boyfriend who loved him and wanted him to move across the country and an ex-boyfriend who loved him, but didn't to be in a relationship with him. He decided that he was not going to think about it right now. He was going to go to bed and figure it out tomorrow.

Reid was walking into the elevator when he saw Luke standing in the hall. He lived two floors below, so this wasn't a "I was in the neighborhood" sort of thing. He stopped in his tracks when Luke made eye contact with him. The blonde straightened up and took a couple steps toward him.

"Hi," Luke was able to say.

"Hi," Reid said back. Both men stood in silence for a few seconds, but it was Reid this time who spoke first. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, well, last night was Tuesday and the results show for "Dancing with the Stars" was on. You always stay up late watching it, which makes you sleep in. So, I went out and bought you a cinnamon raisin bagel and coffee. Two sugars and one cream, just how you like it," Luke said as he handed Reid the white paper bag and an insulated coffee cup. Reid was shocked. He wasn't sure how to react. He took what was offered and looked at Luke. He was being so thoughtful and considerate even after the fights they've been having.

"Thank you. I, ah, well you didn't have to do this,"

"I know. I wanted do something nice for you,"

Both men stood in silence again; each unsure what to say next.

"Did you want to share an elevator?" Luke asked as he gestured toward the double doors at the end of the hall.

"Ah, no. I have to, I forgot something, my cell phone. I'll talk to you later," Reid as he fidgeted with the bag holding his bagel.

"Yeah, I'm going to visit Noah later. Maybe I'll see you then," Luke said and Reid nodded in response. Luke turned and walked to the end of the hall to catch the elevator. Reid watched him step on and disappear behind the doors. He walked to the apartment to retrieve his forgotten cell phone. He found it in his room and saw that he had a message waiting. As he rode the elevator down to lobby alone, he called his voicemail box.

"You have one new message," the computer voice said into his ear.

"I knew you wouldn't answer. I'm just calling to say that I was so impressed by you today. I have never seen you in full doctor mode before and I gotta tell ya, it was pretty hot," Luke laughed and Reid had to smile at how nice it sounded. "I guess I'll keep this short, but I do want to say that I miss you and hopefully I'll see you tomorrow. Goodnight,"

Reid closed his phone and stuck it his pocket.

I am an idiot. Man, did I make a royal mess out of this.

Noah was standing at the window of his second floor room staring out and enjoying it all. The kids playing at the park across the street. The feel of the sun warming his skin. The birds floating on the spring air. He was suddenly so grateful for so many things. And he saw another thing he was grateful for. Noah could see Dr. Oliver coming into the hospital. Then he was grateful for Luke and stubbornness that brought the Dr. Oliver here. Noah knew he was pushing it by staring out into the light, but after being in the dark for so long, he just could not resist.

About a half hour later Dr. Oliver came into Noah's room and found him in the same place.

"Noah, you really shouldn't push it. Your eyes are still very weak,"

"I know you're right, but I just can't stop looking,"

"Well, that maybe true, but going blind a second time would be a terrible career move, besides it would make me look bad. Come sit down and I'll take a look,"

Noah sat on the edge of his bed and Dr. Oliver started to run through his tests. He checked Noah's vitals, the incision area, and he checked that Noah's eyes were responding to stimuli. Everything seemed to be looking good, like Reid said before, textbook.

"Well, Mr. Mayer, despite this hospital's efforts, you are actually doing quite well,"

"Thanks. Does that mean I'll get to leave soon?"

"Yes, I don't see why not. I think one more day should do it and then I release you," he said as he turned to walk out. He stopped in the door and turned back toward Noah. "Oh, if you want to look out the window, I'd suggest you get some sunglasses,"

Noah knew that Luke was coming to visit and he could not wait. He was able to change and take a shower. These were the little things that he always took for granted. He was finally able to do all those things without having to carefully map everything out. He could just tie his shoes and pick out a shirt. He was able to shave and brush his teeth without someone having to help him. He was so sure that he going to be locked inside his head forever. Now he would be able to do all the things that he was missing so much. Finally being able to see Luke was top of his list.

Luke was just getting in his car at Grimaldi when he got a text from Reid.

~Where are you right now?~

At Grimaldi. I'm getting in my car to come to the hospital. Where are you? ;)

~I waiting for you to get here. I have to tell you something.~

Do I get a hint? ;)

~I want to wait until you get here!~

I'll be there in five minutes. :)

And indeed, five minutes later Luke was parking his car in front of Memorial Hospital. He was lucky, he never got a front row spot. He enjoyed the warm weather as he got out his car. He pulled his coat off and threw it inside before he closed the door and started towards the door.

Noah was again standing at his window. The day was utterly gorgeous and maybe he could convince Luke to go for a walk, even it was just a short one. He smiled as he saw Luke pull into the hospital parking lot. He only knew one person who drives like that. Noah winced as Luke seemed to skim into the parking spot. Luke once asked Noah why he always had to drive, Noah's answer, he wanted to get where he was going without ending up going through the windshield.

Reid was standing just inside the doors of the hospital lobby. When Luke texted him that he was going to be there in five minutes, he rushed to get to door. He wanted to do something and he didn't want to wait until he got off work. He saw Luke pull into the parking lot and wondered how he ever got his license. He drove like an old lady. He walked out to greet him.

Luke turned toward the hospital, took a few steps away from his car and saw Reid walking out. He smiled and waved slightly. He wasn't sure what Reid wanted to talk about, but at least he wanted to talk. That was a good step in the right direction. He walked around a large truck and felt Reid grab him around the waist and move them between the truck and another car.

Noah saw Luke wave at someone and he followed Luke's eye line. It was Dr. Oliver. Noah was glad that they had managed to get over their differences and be at least civil to each other. The entire time that they were together yesterday, neither one sniped at the other. It was a step in right direction. He watched Dr. Oliver grab Luke and push them between two cars. His eyebrow furrowed as he squinted to watch them.

"Ah! Reid what are you doing?" He nearly shouted when he felt Reid grab him around his waist and walked them back between two cars.

"I want to tell you something," he said with a deep voice and a raised eyebrow.

"Someone will see us," Luke whispered quietly. Reid reached up and cup the side of Luke's neck; rubbing his thumb against Luke's jaw. Luke's eyes closed as he felt Reid warm hand against his cool skin. He leaned into Reid's movements and bit back the moan that wanted to make itself known. His entire body started to tingle.

"Would that be bad?" Again with that deep voice. Luke felt his body reacting and Reid hadn't even done anything yet.

"Do you, want anyone here, to know who you're seeing?" Luke said; he took long pauses to make sure he knew what he was saying. Reid looked around and saw that they were pretty well hidden behind these two cars. No one could see them.

"No one can see us," Reid said as he pulled Luke to him and their lips crashed together.

No one could see them, save one.

Noah felt like the floor had dropped out and he was sinking into oblivion.

Well, Noah knows now! What will he do now?!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to review! Let me know what you think!

Stay Tuned!

In the next edition of Time to Say Goodbye - Noah does something that he wishes he could take back.