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

When: August 2011; after Luke's nightmare about Noah, and shortly before Luke travels to LA


Luke navigated through a small crowd of morning shoppers in Old Town, toting his new purchases in several large bags. He placed his acquisitions on a bench, settling himself down beside them to check his messages. While he had one text regarding a minor detail of the Reid Oliver Memorial neuro wing, there was nothing of consequence otherwise.

"Luke!" Luke looked to his left to left to find Kevin Davis (of all people!) heading straight over to him. As Luke watched incredulously, upon reaching the bench, Kevin extended a hand towards Luke. Working on autopilot, Luke stood, offering his own hand to shake that of his … ex-friend? Past crush? Former rival?

Luke really didn't know how to quantify the guy now. Once upon a time, Luke had trusted Kevin with his biggest secret, and in return, Kevin had effectively spat in his face. Later, Kevin had stood by while his student government campaign manager, Mark, pulled every dirty trick in the book (inventing a few new ones) to humiliate Luke. Finally, Kevin actually stepped up (albeit belatedly) when Ellwood was killed, by helping Luke and Noah to catch his own friend, Mark.

"Hey," Luke said simply as he released Kevin's hand.

"Hey, Luke," Kevin replied. "I saw you over here and, I just wanted to see how things were going. I was really sorry to hear about your boyfriend's accident last year. I know this sounds lame, but I thought about sending a card. I didn't, but, you know, I didn't know if that would do more harm than good."

Luke was amazed to find Kevin seemed sincere. Still, there was little point in prolonging any conversation with him. Luke's response would be polite, but brief.

"It's ok; thanks for the thought, though. I appreciate it. So, how are you?"

Kevin smiled in response. "Actually, I'm pretty great. Well, I'm not great; I'm still pretty lame," Kevin laughed, and continued excitedly. "But, life is amazing. I can't complain at all. I just took the bar, and I've got an awesome gig lined up with a local firm. But most of all I've had the greatest thing happen…," Kevin trailed off as his face fell. "Geez, Luke, I'm sorry man. I'm just rambling on and, I guess I'm a little nervous to talk to you. I know, weak, right? I just… how are you? I hope… things are good. You look good!"

Luke didn't know quite what to make of this perplexing version of Kevin. The cockiness he would have expected from the guy seemed to be AWOL. What's more, Luke could tell Kevin genuinely was nervous about talking to him, though for the life of him, Luke couldn't fathom why.

So he replied, "Things are pretty good, actually. The neuro wing is up and running, and it's a huge success. It's everything Reid would have wanted; well, except himself running it, of course." Luke didn't know why he had just shared even that much about Reid with Kevin. Maybe he just liked name-dropping Reid with someone who wouldn't be traumatized by the mention.

"That's awesome, man. Really great!" Kevin's easy smile was back, and again, Luke was struck by the difference in him. The other man seemed more at ease than Luke remembered. And not only with Luke, but with himself.

As Luke prepared to retrieve his bags and escape this odd encounter, a young woman appeared, slipping her arm through Kevin's and anchoring herself at his side. Luke watched with amazement as Kevin's entire face transformed, lighting up at the arrival. Kevin chastely pecked the girl's cheek, a surprisingly sweet action coming from the renowned ladies' man.

"Luke, this is my fiancée, Danielle. Danielle, this is Luke."

As Luke shook the girl's hand, her face registered recognition, though he didn't understand why. He was sure he'd never met the girl before.

"Luke Snyder?"

Luke started at that. While moments before, he'd been planning a quick exit, his curiosity was now peaked. "Yes; how'd you know?"

Danielle smiled warmly. "You were Kevin's best friend in high school! Since I'm gonna marry the guy, I make it my business to know this kinda stuff."

Both Danielle and Kevin laughed, and Luke couldn't help but to join them. He couldn't believe Kevin had told the woman he intended to marry that Luke had been his best friend. Luke wouldn't have thought that was something he'd want to advertise.

Luke was also amused at the hen-pecking nature of Danielle's joke. He never would have pictured Kevin with a girl who was so, well, not deferential to him. If anything, it seemed that Kevin was so smitten, he likely deferred to Danielle more often than not. Will wonders never cease?

Scrapping his plan to be perfunctory with Kevin, Luke responded to Danielle's friendliness. "Yeah, Kevin and I were quite the threat on the basketball court. The other schools shook in their sneakers when they had to play us!"

Kevin interjected, "Yeah, you shoulda seen this guy shoot hoops. He could make the craziest shots no one else would even dare try. We always knew we could win with Snyder on the floor."

At the compliment, Luke decided he'd entered some kind of Twilight Zone episode. Why was Kevin Davis acting like Luke's friend? Surely, the guy must be trying to impress his fiancée. A past version of Luke (circa the student government election, perhaps) wouldn't have stood for this. That Luke would've blown Kevin's act out of the water, as he let Danielle know in no uncertain terms just what an ass her intended really was.

Luke had changed a lot since then, thank God. Perhaps Kevin had, too. But it didn't matter if Kevin's about-phase was genuine. He seemed happy, and his betrothed certainly was. There would be no justification besides spite to behave badly. Luke would wish them well, and be on his way.

As Luke once again prepared to say his goodbyes, Kevin's mobile beeped. He excused himself apologetically to take the call. This left Luke alone with Danielle, and not knowing what to say, he attempted small talk.

"So, you and Kevin… you make a nice couple. How long have you guys been together?"

"Luke, I know you just met me. But, could I talk to you about something kind of personal?"