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After returning to the Mansion from a walk into town, Luke found himself just outside the back exit of the mansion lost in thought about everything that had happened in the last two days.

He was alone only because Nikki had gone back to his room and promptly fell asleep because of his headache.

 "How's yer friend doin'?" A deep gruff voice startled him out of his thoughts, turning he found Logan lighting up a cigar and slowly take a drag off it.

 "He's okay, just sleeping now."

Logan nodded blowing the smoke out his nose, "What's yer guy's story?" He asked not necessarily interested but for lack of a better thing to say.

 Luke shrugged looking away.

 "That kid looks up to you, he yer brother or somethin'?"

 "No," Luke shook his head running a hand through his hair, "He's just been through a lot is all…"

Logan waited for him to continue but when he didn't he took another drag of his cigar before dropping it to the ground stomping it out.

 "What ch'ya go there?" He asked now noticing the paper bag sitting by Luke's feet.

He looked down at the bag, "I went into town and got somethin' for Nikki-" He was cut off by the shouts of a greenish looking boy who hopped outside next to them.

 Todd came out of the house and-seeing Luke- hopped over to him. "Hey man... you're friend's awake upstairs... is he okay? He didn't seem to with it, if ya know what I mean."

Luke's eyes widened, grabbing the bag by his feet he raced into the house and upstairs to his room finding it empty.

 "Nikki?" He called out finding the bed a mess, but other than that not a soul in sight.

 Todd and Logan stood in the doorway, both looking puzzled.

Logan took a step back and nudged Todd, "Come on." he grunted walking away.

Nikki heard footsteps and saw Luke's shoes from his hiding place. "Luke? " He called. "Is it you?"

Setting the bag down, Luke dropped to his knees and looked under the bed.

 "What're you doing under the bed?"

Nikki looked up at him from under his hair. "'m hiding from Alex..."

 Luke frowned, "You had another nightmare, didn't you?" He asked holding his hand out.

Nikki took Luke's hand and wriggled out. "I don't know." He said, voice stressed. "I can't tell anymore."

 Luke sighed, "You just got to remember now that Alex is dead now, and there's no way he can hurt you anymore."

Nikki ran a hand through his hair. "I can't Luke, I can't remember. I can't tell fucking reality from fantasy anymore." He turned and threw the pillow halfway across the room.

Suddenly remembering his trip into town, Luke turned and grabbed the paper bag he had brought with him.

 "I went into town while you were sleeping and got you something..." He frowned slightly in thought, "And I talked to Professor Xavier, he wants to do some tests on you to see if he can help you." He smiled softly.

Nikki paled. "Tests?" He about squeaked. "What kinda tests?"

"Nothing painful," Luke assured him, "I think he wants to give you a CAT scan or something. I'm not sure."

Nikki looked vaguely worried. "Why?"

 "You don't have anything to worry about, really," Luke rested his hand on Nikki's shoulder, "He was thinking that maybe there was something he could do for you without giving you pills."

Nikki pouted, and tilted his head.

He was going to say something, but forgot it in a few fleeting seconds as insanity took over, "Whatchya get me?" He asked.

Luke looked down at the bag then smirked, "Wouldn't you like to know." He said jokingly.

"Yes, yes yes" Nikki said, bouncing on his heels.

"Alright, alright." Luke opened the bag and pulled out a brown stuffed bear.

Nikki raised an eyebrow. "WHa... why... Luke... I can't take that..."

Luke furrowed his eyebrows and glanced down at the bear, "Why not?" He asked looking back up at Nikki.

"It musta coast you loads..." He said, biting his lip

"No," Luke shook his head, "It wasn't that expensive, plus I knew you've been wanting one."

Nikki looked at the bear, and then hugged Luke tight. "Thank you Luke," he said sincerely

Luke smiled hugging Nikki back, "You're welcome."

Nikki laid his head on Luke's chest and it seemed that the terrors that were always lurking in the black recesses of his mind ebbed away for a little while. He suddenly wanted, desperately, to get closer to Luke... he wanted to increase whatever bond they had going... but he was scared. He didn't want to lose his only friend to homophobia... so he kept quiet, bowed his head and just snuggled.

Luke closed his eyes briefly afraid of the emotion that was running through him.

 'It's wrong,' He thought to himself opening his eyes again, 'He's too young, and naive... and I'm not...' He mulled over the thought for a few moments, 'am I?' The thought scared him, but he didn't want to startle Nikki so he kept still pushing the thoughts out of his head.

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A/N: Please Review!!