It felt like an entire age had gone by, but finally Holden stood up, and Lilly stopped fussing around the apartment, and they made a move to leave.

Luke and Noah's eyes locked, as they had a hundred times since Luke's parents had driven them home. "At last!" they silently communicated.

"Call us if you need anything, okay?" She said with concern, giving both boys a kiss on the cheek. "Whatever it is! Day or night!"

"Yes Mom, we will." And he slipped his hand into Noah's.

"Promise me?"

"I promise!"

"Noah?"

"I promise too, Lilly." He squeezed Luke's hand and rubbed his thumb up and down Luke's index finger. Luke couldn't believe what feeling just that small gesture was causing him. "Thanks for everything and please don't worry. Have a safe trip back."

Within seconds of the door closing both men were shirtless and Luke had pushed Noah onto the floor, too impatient to move things into the bedroom. Noah pulled Luke impossibly close so that their chests rubbed together… so that they breathed together.

"I want you… oh god help me but I want you…" Luke's breath in his ear sent sparks flying through Noah's whole body and he quickly flipped Luke over and under him, wriggling out of his jeans and underwear as Luke did the same.

As he devoured Luke's mouth, Noah felt the blonde's eager hands float down his back to cup his thighs and then, to his surprise, roughly lift him up and down, not wanting to wait. The initial intrusion was startling… Luke's presence within him solid and intimate… their skins hot and slippery.

Luke pulled at Noah until his forehead rested in blonde waves, and held him there on a point, firm and steady, before suddenly making one slight movement with his hips that caused Noah to draw in his breath in a half-stifled gasp. "I missed you like this! I missed you so much!"

Luke lingered again, teasing him until the anticipation alone was driving Noah over the edge. Finally he would move again, wait, move, wait… Noah was in a blissful state somewhere between heaven and hell, the feeling so intense he thought he might explode.

Luke drew his hands slowly up and down Noah's back, cupping, curving, tracing the swell of Noah's hips, enjoying the feel of him, pushing Noah to the brink so that he almost fell and then sharply pulling him back. Noah's breathing increased, faster and faster and he gripped the curved muscles of Luke's shoulders, waiting… waiting for Luke to make his next move. He quivered and the breath flew from him in another loud gasp, "Luke…" he said. "Luke, please…"

Luke's hands came hard around Noah's waist, settling and slowing him, pressing him down until he groaned. Suddenly, with incredible force and strength Luke had Noah spun onto his back and was drifting over him with undisguised want and abandonment, the muscles in his arms taught as his hands pressed into the floor, either side of Noah's head. A deep groan escaped his lips as he released and Noah felt the rush between his thighs, shooting like a dart into the depths of this body, his own joints loosening at the same time, so that his hands slipped limp from Luke's shoulders as he collapsed in the warmth of him.

Resting his head against him, Noah felt boneless and suddenly incapable of coherent speech. The blood was pounding in his ears all the way through to his fingertips…

...

They made love in countless ways over the course of the afternoon and into the night, lost in a timeless world all their own… falling asleep… waking… making love… falling asleep… continuous like waves in the ocean.

Then during one of these moments of wakefulness Noah rubbed his eyes to find Luke missing from the bed. He glanced quickly at his alarm clock before leaving the bedroom to look for him… it was just past 3am.

As he made his way towards the lounge, Noah heard Luke's familiar voice…

"…how are you going to make a film?"

He entered the dark room to find Luke sitting on the floor in his boxers hugging his knees up into his chest, illuminated by the television screen.

"Oh what… you mean because I'm blind?"

Immediately Noah recognised the clip he had shot months ago, just before he was due to travel to Dallas with Reid… the trip that never happened.

"Yeah… yeah… kinda!"

He felt the familiar squeeze of his heart and his stomach tightened. Silently he settled himself behind Luke so that Luke sat between his legs. Noah startled him for a second, but then Luke relaxed and leaned back into him and Noah drew his arms up around him, his chin resting on Luke's shoulder as he supported him there. They continued to watch together.

"Well, let me show you. You can just watch and be amazed."

"Okay"

"Okay… there! See yourself?"

"Mmm"

"Ready? Centred? Focused?"

"Mmm hmm"

"Okay… now what film festival is going to turn down a blind film maker?"

[Luke laughed] "You're amazing!"

"Hey, come on! Say something."

"Noah Mayer, you are the most incredible person I have ever met in my life and it is an honour to know you."

Noah squeezed him tighter and Luke rubbed his arms.

"Thank you "

"I mean it…"

"And I'm so happy you're in my life…" [Another sad laugh from Luke as the camera suddenly faced the floor before losing focus. The screen went black]

They sat in silence for a while before Noah spoke into his ear, "I can't tell you how many times I've watched that clip. The first time I saw it… I…" he took a deep breath as he remembered. "The sadness in your eyes just killed me. It still does, every time I watch it…"

Luke twisted slightly in his arms so that he could look back at him. He reached up and ran his finger through Noah's bed hair before holding the back of Noah's head and leaning up to kiss him softly on the lips.

When their mouths eventually parted Noah continued, "It hurt so much to see you like that… to know I was the reason. To know that I put that sadness there! I'm SO sorry, Luke! At the time, I knew how hard it was for you but… I… I couldn't SEE your pain… You know?"

Luke nodded.

"I was so stupid!"

"It doesn't matter…"

"Yes! It does!"

"It doesn't matter…" Luke repeated softly shaking his head, "All that matters is that we are here now."

And Noah breathed a deep sigh of relief, marvelling again at just how amazing Luke was. He bent down to meet Luke in a burning kiss.

And slowly the waves began to crash again.

...

"No, no, no! We're cutting the restaurant scene! It's all laid out in my notes…"

"Listen James, it's in the shipping manifesto, I read it there myself…"

"…the restaurant scene makes Nathan appear unsympathetic! We already discussed this when…" Noah was angrily pacing around the room speaking into his phone, drink in one hand.

Luke was seated at the dinner table, the top of which was strewn with his and Noah's paperwork, "…still in charge of Grimaldi Shipping right? That hasn't changed since I left, right? Because if it has I've yet to get the memo! Now for the last time I want you to…"

"Yes! I know I've been gone for a while but my notes are extremely detailed! Roger couldn't possibly be confused or get it wrong! He didn't agree with me so he took advantage of my absence and went over my head!" Luke looked up worryingly, trying to keep his attention on his own phone conversation, as Noah continued his loud tirade, "Now you go and tell him to cut that bloody scene or get the hell off my set! His choice!" And with that Noah hung up and flung the glass in his hand so that it shattered on the wall. "Son of a bitch!"

Luke jumped and watched as the cranberry juice ran down the white brickwork. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, "Look James, I need to go." His eyes fixed on Noah. "Just find the manifesto and you'll have all the information you need… yes… yes I'll be back soon." He hung up.

Noah was watching him.

"This isn't working." Luke said.

"No." And his blue eyes were clouded with frustration… and desperation.

"We have to go back to work Noah."

"I know." He collapsed on the sofa and started fiddling with his hands.

Luke sat beside him and drew him into his chest, "It will be okay…"

"The last time you walked out that door my father…"

"Sh… your father's gone Noah. He can't hurt us anymore."

"I know but…"

"We can't go on like this Noah. I HAVE to go back. We both know that."

...

That hot and sticky Saturday afternoon there was a loud rap at the door. Noah was reading on the sofa and made a move to get up when Luke appeared from the Kitchen and said, "I'll get it babe." And he walked over to open the door.

"Oh my god! So it IS true!"

"Katie?" Luke's mouth gapped open.

Noah stood up in surprise as Katie marched past Luke, blond hair whipping around as she unfolded a piece of paper she held in her hand, "Dear Katie." She read. "I'm sure I could never express to you how sorry I am that I missed the memorial, bla, bla, bla! An email Luke? An email?"

She looked up and glared fire at Luke.

"Katie I…" he began, dumbfounded, but she cut him off.

"So guess what Luke?" Her voice was laced in sarcasm, "The day of Reid's memorial arrives… you remember Reid right? Well the day of his DEATH arrives and who's missing from said memorial? The one person who I thought wouldn't miss it for the world!"

Luke looked mortified.

"So there I am, silly me, telling everyone… poor Luke! Can't bring himself to attend the memorial… it's just way too painful for him. Only for an innocent little Natalie to tell me yesterday that her big brother is shacked up in LA with his ex… without a care in the world!"

"Okay now that's enough!" It was the last straw for Noah.

"Oh yes… and YOU!" She swept her hands down at him, "I suppose it was all your idea, right? I suppose you went out of your way to guilt trip Luke into staying here!"

"You are way out of line!"

"ME! You treat Luke like shit for MONTHS! And then what? Reid dies and you're back for the scraps?"

Before he could stop himself Luke had stepped forward and slapped her across her face.

The room went dead quiet as they all held a collective breath. She stood stunned, her hand on her cheek.

"God!" Luke said suddenly shaking with shock. He moved forward and reached out to her, tears in his eyes, "God Katie, I'm so sorry! Please!"

She moved away from him, glared back and forth at them before yelling, "You two can go to hell!" and storming out the door.

The two men shared a look of shocked disbelief and Noah let out a deep gasp, his heart aching at the gaze of despair in Luke's hazel eyes, their ears ringing from the slam of the door.

...

Noah stood outside the hotel room nervously working up some courage. Finally he thought now or never and knocked lightly on the door.

It was obvious by the look on Katie's face that she was less than please to see him there. "How did you find me?"

"I called Chris at Memorial…"

She moved to close the door on him but he blocked it with his shoe, "Please Katie, just give me five minutes."

"Why are you here?"

"For Luke…"

She cocked her head at him, "You don't deserve him, you know?"

Noah felt the familiar stab as she voiced what he already knew himself, "You're right. I don't. He's a far better person then I could ever hope to be. But despite what I did, despite everything, by some miracle he's forgiven me… And I have to hold onto that. It's all I have… He's all I have…"

She seemed to soften to him somewhat.

"God, Katie… I wish you could have seen him. I wish you could have seen him that day because then maybe… maybe you wouldn't be so hard on him."

She looked up at him.

"He was a mess! He cried for hours! He was so angry at himself for forgetting, you know? Really he was! And you can hate me if you want. You can blame me all you like but, please, just please make things right with him. You were the only other person to understand Reid. He needs you in his life… Please Katie."

...

When Luke opened the door it was to a very different Katie. She took one look at him and flung her arms around him, "I didn't know about the abduction… the hospital! When you didn't phone me I thought you didn't care anymore…" She pushed him back so that she could study his face, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, fine. Noah and I are both fine."

A shadow passed over her face.

"Will you come in?" He asked uncertainly and she stepped inside the apartment. As he shut the door he asked, "How did you find out? About the Colonel I mean?"

"Noah. He came to see me at my hotel room."

Luke broke into a soft smile.

"What?"

"He said he was going to the set. That he had an errand to run. I should have known…"

She nodded and his smile waivered as he read the unease on her face.

"Please try to understand Katie…"

"I'm here aren't I? I'm listening."

"Katie, when Reid first started to show an interest in me I was a mess! I was losing Noah! And he was… he IS… so much a part of my life! Of who I am. And I was confused… I was so lost without him! And suddenly Reid was there kissing me! This incredibly intelligent man who seemed to hate everybody… for some unfathomable reason wanted ME!"

"Are you trying to tell me that Reid was just a distraction?"

"Maybe at first. I found him interesting." And Luke smiled slightly, "He was like this extremely complicated puzzle that I just couldn't resist trying to solve. But then suddenly and to my complete shock, I realised that I loved him. And I did want what we had. I was ready to make a go of things with him."

"But?"

"But… now I can't help but wonder whether I might have wanted it for the wrong reasons."

"What do you mean?"

"The thought of not having Noah in my life scared me so much! I didn't know what to do with myself! And it was like I wanted him back as much as I didn't want him back. If that makes sense?"

She nodded.

"When he rejected me, he tore my heart out and I couldn't imagine going back to him and risking that again, but then on the other hand? Without him… there was nothing… nothing but this great big hole inside me. And Reid… Reid… I guess he gave me something to fill the hole."

Katie sighed.

"But Noah was always there… between us… I don't think I would ever really have let him go. Not totally. And I think he knew that… I think Reid knew."

"He loved you. Maybe he hoped things might change over time. You were obviously worth the risk." And for the first time she smiled.

"I understand why my being here upsets you Katie. Really I do. Reid was your friend and you loved him. But this isn't Noah's fault… or mine… or Reid's… this is just how it IS. I think its how it's always been.

"Do you think you and Reid would have lasted?"

"I don't know. How could I know that? I can't say what would have happened. All I can tell you is that it still hurts that he died and I still miss him."

"I miss him too…"

"The thing is, Katie? Right NOW? The only truth I know for sure is that Noah and I belong together… we always did and we always will."

Katie nodded. "One thing about Reid is that he knew the score. He always knew how things stood. He once called you two the gay Bob and Kim."

Luke smiled wide, "Really? He said that?" Then he hugged Katie to him and whispered "I did love him."

"I know." She replied.

...

Noah waited anxiously for two hours in Cafe Latte before returning to the apartment. As he walked in the door he was relieved to hear Luke and Katie talking and laughing in the kitchen. "Crisis averted" he thought to himself.

"Is that you babe?" He heard Luke call.

He didn't enter the kitchen right away, but stood tentatively in the doorway, not sure of what to do or say.

But Katie initiated things by hopping off her stool, walking up to him and giving him a tight hug. She kissed his cheek and said, "I'm sorry… I said some really terrible things to you and I had no right."

He shrugged. "Most of them were true."

"Coffee?" Luke asked him as Katie returned to her seat.

"Are you kidding? I just had like eight cups over the road!" They all laughed and then looking at Katie he asked, "How long are you planning to stay in LA?"

"I'm heading back tomorrow."

"Well then you must stay here tonight."

"Oh, that's kind but I don't want to put you guys out…"

"Nonsense!" Luke chimed in, "I want you here! You can stay in the guest room. Please?"

"Okay then." She replied.

Just then Noah's phone rang, "Hello? Jim, hi… aha… tonight?" The fear started to rise up inside him… if he was ready to go back to work then so was Luke and he struggled to face what that meant. "I don't know…" He looked over at Luke who must have been reading his thoughts because he smiled at him and nodded encouragingly. "Yes… okay I guess I can… I'll see you on set in an hour."

He hung up and Luke walked over to him. He hugged him and rubbed Noah's arm up and down. A silent discussion went on between them.

"Right then!" Noah stated, breaking out of their gaze, "I guess I need to shower, change and head to work. I'll most likely be home late but it will give you guys sometime to catch up." He kissed Luke once and left for the bedroom.

...

Luke was somewhere between the point of sleep and wakefulness when he felt the warm body crawl into the bed beside him. Smiling he rolled over and reached out his arms only to realise instantly that something was off. His eyes flew open to be met with brown instead of blue and both he and the girl yelped with shock before jumping to stand on either side of the bed.

"What the…!" Quickly he turned on the bedside lamp and gawked in disbelief, "Maddie?"

"Luke?"

And then together, "What are YOU doing here?"

Maddie stared wide eyed at him for a second, "Hang on… if you're here then… then… you and Noah are…" and she shook both her index fingers back and forth to indicate "together" before squealing with delight, stepping up onto the bed, walking wonkily across the mattress, and falling into Luke, her arms wrapped around his neck. She proceeded to kiss him all over.

"Luke is everything okay?" Katie asked as she peered into the room, "Maddie?"

...

Noah hated to admit it to himself, but being back on set had felt good. Really good! It almost made him feel normal again. After dealing with the costume problem Jim presented him on his arrival, he had spent the rest of his time reviewing progress and sorting out some minor issues. He spotted a few major problems that would need his attention but they would wait until Monday. Monday… when he officially returned back to work.

Noah unlocked the door expecting to find a dark and sleeping apartment, but instead the lights burned brightly and the place was wrapped in the sounds of cheerful chatter.

"Oh my god Luke but you are SO cute! I mean your hair is just like… urg… you know? Hot!" And she reached over to ruffle it, "You must be driving Noah crazy!"

"Maddie…"

But she let out another loud squeal of joy before Luke could continue and bear hugged him, "Maddie I can't breathe!"

She pulled back and beamed at him, "I still can't believe Noah didn't email to tell me you were here! I mean this is MEGA!"

"We've been kind of busy…"

"Yeah!" She giggled, "I bet ya have!"

Katie laughed out loud.

It was then that they noticed Noah standing, mouth agape, at the door and they all shouted in unison "Noah!"

Once he had recovered from his shock, he smiled wide as Maddie walked over to him, "Maddie! Oh my god! I'm so sorry I completely forgot you were coming!"

"Rubbish! You are SO forgiven! Especially as it seems you had good reason!" And she winked at him, giving him a hug before whispering in his ear, her tone suddenly serious, "I'm so happy for you!"

"Thank you." And he kissed her forehead, his eyes welling slightly at the sentiment.

"Okay then! Spill! I want all the details! How, when, why and for!"

"Well!" Luke interrupted playfully, walking over and pulling Maddie off Noah so that he could take her place, arm around Noah's waist, "We can start with Noah here explaining to me why Maddie dearest has a key to his flat! And why darling Maddie…" and he put his other arm around her shoulders, "…thinks nothing of crawling into bed with him?"

Noah quickly cleared his throat and, ignoring the question, asked, "Hot chocolate anyone?"

...

"It was because of Thanksgiving."

"What?" Luke asked with a teasing tone, "You and Maddie started sleeping together because of Thanksgiving?"

"Shut up!" And he humorously punched Luke in his shoulder making him laugh. "Do you want to hear the story or not?"

Luke shifted slightly in the bed to make them both more comfortable. "Okay not another word! I swear!" And he zipped his fingers across his lips, "Good as gold!"

"Hmm..." Noah responded without much confidence. Luke staying quiet was not usually a likely event. "Anyway... I guess you know that Lilly called to invite me for Thanksgiving and... I wasn't sure... I mean... I couldn't. I just couldn't sit there at the table with you and your family and pretend that everything was okay. It should have been an amazing year for me right? I mean I had so many things to be thankful for! I had my sight back! I had a Hollywood career! But none of it mattered because I didn't have you."

...

The flat had always felt empty but today the air was permeated with loneliness making him feel pathetic.

He lay flat on his back on the bed, staring up at the ceiling fan, allowing the turning rotor blades to hypnotise him somewhat. He felt stupid for feeling upset. It wasn't the first Thanksgiving he had ever spent alone. It wasn't like his Dad was ever around to celebrate with him. He'd spent most of his childhood Thanksgivings alone, eating microwave meals and watching black and white films. Thanksgiving had never been particularly happy or merry. (Until Luke… and he felt the usual convulsions as his thoughts once again brushed the subject he was trying to distract himself from.)

A few of his work colleagues had invited him over to their respective family events, but there was something really depressing about these last minute invites. They made him feel like a charity case, which he didn't need or want.

He was just starting to wonder whether he had made a mistake refusing the Snyder's invite when he heard somebody knock on his door.

Now, that was strange! But what was stranger was the sight of the chocolate haired cutie, dimple smiling at him when he opened the door. She peered over his shoulder and into the apartment before saying, "Hm! Just as I thought! All alone!" And she marched past him with determination, duffle bag on her shoulders, shopping bags in her hands.

"Maddie? What are you doing here?"

"And a Happy Thanksgiving to you too Noah!"

"No, I mean… yes… Happy Thanksgiving, but…" And he gestured towards her as though to make out his point; that she was standing in his LA apartment.

"Well the thing is Mayer? We dated… so I kind of know you… and I knew… I just knew you would be locked away all on your lonesome today! So I thought I'd surprise you! So SURPRISE!"

Noah couldn't believe it! He was at a complete loss for words, so instead of speaking he walked up to her and pulled her into a hug.

"Oh goodie!" She smiled as they pulled away, "You're happy to see me! Shoo! I thought you might throw a fit!"

He laughed.

"Anyway to the kitchen, we have a turkey to cook!"

...

Bellies full and two black and whites later, the two friends sat curled up together on the sofa.

"Thank you, Maddie." Noah said sincerely.

"You're welcome." She smiled.

He could feel the tears starting and he didn't want to breakdown in front of her, but eventually he cracked, "I miss him! I miss him so much!" And she pulled his head into her so that he could cry as least some of the loneliness away.

...

"She's been amazing! Whenever I was at my worst she would somehow appear on my doorstep. I owe her a lot."

"I can't believe her!"

"What? That she was helping me?" Noah was confused.

"No! I can't believe she was visiting you in the same way she was visiting me?"

Noah turned over him so that they were face to face and gave him a quizzical expression.

"She visited me too Noah… this whole time. She never pressed the subject of Reid, or you or anything. She was just… there! "

"Wow!" Noah exclaimed as the full picture was revealed.

"Like you just said, she certainly is amazing!"

"Yes. An angel"

"But!"

"There's a but?"

"I still don't like the sound of this sleeping in your bed business!"

Noah laughed, "Well, did you know that there was one thing we didn't do in the bed…"

"Oh yes?" Luke arched his eyebrow, "What might that be?"

"This!" And he crashed down on top of him.

...

Whilst on her way to the bathroom Katie found Noah making breakfast in the kitchen. It was 5:35am, "Morning."

"Morning." He replied, "You're up early…"

"You too…"

"Yes well… sleep… it's kind of elusive at the moment. Coffee?"

"No thank you, I was just on my way to shower…" And then after a pause she said, "I'm sorry about that you know? About your father and everything."

"It's okay. I mean it's not like it was anything we didn't already know right? My father was crazy."

"Yes but, still… I'm sorry Noah."

"Thanks"

"And I'm sorry for jumping on your back about Luke. I'm just protective over Reid. It may not have seemed like it? But he wasn't as tough as he made out."

"I know." And then, "Look Katie… when I found out everything… about Luke? I was so angry at Reid for stealing him away from me… but the truth is… Reid didn't steal Luke… I lost him all on my own. It was just easier for me blame Reid then it was to be angry at myself. Because then I'd have to admit what I'd done… what I'd done to Luke."

"He never set out to split you guys up."

"No, he didn't have to split us up Katie… I already had. Reid was really good to me… really supportive. In his own way, if you know what I mean…"

"Oh yes! I do!" And they both laughed.

"He gave me my sight back so I don't have any bad feelings towards him. All I feel is gratitude."

She nodded. "It's been fun hanging out here with all of you. Don't get me wrong, I miss Jacob, but sometimes it nice to get a break from motherhood!"

He smiled, "You should come back sometime… stay a little longer and bring Chris and Jacob along."

"I'd like that. We can double date!"

She was just about to leave when she turned back and said, "Um Noah?"

"Yes?"

"I'm glad we're friends." She flashed him a genuine smile.

And he returned it, "Same here."