"It is amazing to me…"
"What is?"
Kikongo nodded toward Noah's wedding ring. Noah looked up from the ring and into the younger man's eyes and saw so much conflict there; sadness and intense heartache.
Noah knew they couldn't openly discuss it so he simply acknowledged Kikongo's statement with an understanding smile.
"You were okay?" Kikongo asked, waiting a moment for the van to travel over a few humps in the road before continuing, "You were okay that he came?"
"You mean that he came here?" Noah asked.
Kikongo nodded.
"No." Noah answered. "No. I wasn't okay."
...
"This isn't my house." Nicholas was quick to point out, frowning from his car-seat at the strange white building as Noah pulled up to the curb.
"Nope," Noah agreed. "This is where Luke works. I thought we could surprise him and pick him up today. Then he doesn't have to take a cab home again. You know how much he's always complaining about those cabs."
"Phew!" Mia imitated the action that Luke always made by squeezing the bridge of her nose. "Stinky!"
Nicholas burst into a fit of giggles.
Noah walked around the car to open Mia's door which faced the road, stretching over to unbuckle her.
"Okay?" he asked once he'd pulled her from the seat.
She nodded.
Holding her, he walked around the bumper to open Nicholas's door and bent to help Nicholas with his seatbelt.
"I can do it." Nicholas reminded Noah with exasperation.
"Oh yes!" Noah apologised with a hidden smile, "I forgot."
He patiently waited for Nicholas to struggle with his buckle, eventually getting the button to release so that he could hop out of the car; proud at his ability to perform this very adult task unaided.
Noah took his hand and Nicholas walked beside him as they made their way indoors.
"Noah?"
"Yes, Nicky?"
"Why doesn't Luke drive a car?"
"He's not allowed to baby, remember? Because of Nat? The police said Luke can't drive for a year."
"How long's a year?" Mia asked from his hip.
"A very long time." Noah told her.
"Then after a year he can drive?"
"Yes Nicky. One day he can pick you up from school."
"Will Jasmine be at my school?" Nicholas asked.
"No, baby"
"Will you be at my school?"
"No, I'll be at work."
"Will Luke be at my school?"
"Luke will be here."
Nicholas frowned, "Who will take care of me?"
"You'll have some very special teachers to watch you."
Noah could tell by the truculent look on Nicholas's face that he was far from pleased with that idea. But he figured the middle of Luke's office probably wasn't the best time to discuss it.
Instead he addressed the receptionist, who spent a moment cooing over the kids before smiling in recognition and ushering them inside.
By now Noah knew the route to the large newsroom and he headed that way, rounding a sharp corner to bump bodily into Jenna coming the other way.
"Ouch!" she exclaimed, "Watch where you're going, will ya? God gave you eyes… use them…"
Nicholas disappeared behind Noah's legs, clutching on and peering around at the apparently irate woman.
"Hello Jenna." Noah smiled. "Sorry. I didn't see you."
"Yeah well, you should learn to slow down!"
"I was excited to see Luke."
For the first time she noticed the children.
"This isn't a kindergarten you know?"
Noah smiled. Luke was so right! Jenna was exactly like Reid.
"I know." He replied, "But I picked the kids up from their babysitter and I thought I'd swing around to surprise him with a lift home."
"Hmph…Wonderful for you both I'm sure! Well you've just wasted a trip."
"What do you mean?"
"Luke left over an hour ago."
Noah frowned, "But it's only half five?"
Noah wondered why Luke didn't call if he was getting off early. But then smiled to himself.
"What's so funny?" Jenna asked suspiciously.
"Oh nothing. I think perhaps Luke decided to surprise us, just as we decided to surprise him."
Jenna shut her eyes and shook her head uttering, "My brain's about to explode."
She deeply sighed as though trying to clear her thoughts of sugar before opening her eyes to say, "I'm not sure that's the case. He spent an hour tapping away at the internet muttering to himself; then another talking to Jarvis. Then he flew out of here like a bat outta hell."
"He didn't say where he went?"
"Nope, but Jarvis should know. Maybe you should ask him."
She pushed past Noah and left them standing in the passage.
"Noah?"
"Yes Mia?"
"Why is the funny lady mad?"
Noah laughed. "She's not mad, Sweetheart. She's always like that."
Mia scrunched up her nose in confusion but didn't ask any more questions about it.
Wondering about his husband, Noah continued down the corridor with the aim of reaching Luke's desk. He wanted to call Luke on his cell, but he needed to put Mia down first.
It was clear by the state of his workstation that Luke had left in a hurry. A newspaper was spread open across his keyboard and a half drunk mug of coffee sat cold on a coaster nearby. Luke hadn't even shut down his desktop computer.
Noah checked Jarvis's office from a distance and noticed it was empty.
"Excuse me?" He asked a pretty young blonde lady as she passed, "Is Jarvis around?"
"Sorry, he isn't. He left for a dinner conference a while ago."
"Okay, thanks."
He let her go and shrugged. It was probably nothing.
He tried Luke's cell but it went straight to voicemail.
"Where's Luke?" Nicholas asked, quickly becoming impatient from all the waiting around.
"Sorry, Nicky. It looks like Luke already went home."
"Can we go home now?" Mia asked.
"I'm hungry." Nicholas complained.
"I know. This hasn't worked out very well, has it?" Noah agreed. "Okay, come on lets go."
Nicholas had crawled up onto Luke's office chair and was swinging around on it. He bounced off and Noah moved behind the desk to re-take his hand. As he did so his eyes caught a photo in the opened newspaper.
His heart began to pummel. It was the exact same picture of Tony he had seen a few days before.
"Oh no." he whispered, falling into the chair with Mia on his lap.
Of course the likelihood had always been that Luke would eventually find out. It was near impossible for Noah to hide it from him, especially when Luke worked in a newsroom. But Noah had hoped.
"Still no sign of two missing doctors." He read.
The article didn't give much more information than the last one he'd seen. But Noah knew it was enough to peak Luke's interest.
"Noahhhhh!" Nicholas moaned, shifting now on his feet.
But Noah wasn't listening. He swallowed hard and folded up the newspaper to reveal Luke's keyboard and mouse. A few clicks brought up the standard computer lock requiring a password.
Noah thought for just five seconds, wet his bottom lip and typed in the same password Luke used on his laptop, "N.0.A.H.=.L.0.V.E."
The screen burst into life. The internet was up and the page confirmed Noah's worst fears.
Uganda – Pearl of Africa.
"Can we go home now?" Mia asked for the second time and Noah snapped out of his brief trance. He ran a hand over her head and smiled at her.
"Course we can. Come on."
By some strange impulse he took the folded newspaper with them.
He drove home in silence. The kids, in tune to his mood, spoke only to each other; for which Noah was grateful.
He could almost hear Holden's voice in his head. "Don't try to control the situation."
He deeply sighed. Then what was he supposed to do? Just sit back and watch while Luke…
Noah wasn't even sure of how Luke would handle the news of Tony's disappearance, but he had a pretty good idea.
As they walked through the front door of the house Noah felt relief flood over him. He immediately knew Luke was home because of the distinct aroma of coffee wafting in from the kitchen.
"Luke?" He called.
"Bedroom!" he heard Luke reply.
The children had disappeared into the house as Noah, newspaper tucked under his arm, made his way down the passage.
The sight before him stopped his legs from functioning and he came to an abrupt halt in the main bedroom doorway.
There was no Luke. He could hear Luke shuffling around in the ensuite. But on the bed was an open, half packed suitcase.
Noah closed his eyes and made his way to sit beside the infernal object.
Faced with proof of Luke's pending departure Noah was hit with a deep sense of depression.
He needed Luke. He needed to see Luke at dinner after a day's work. He depended on Luke's company and his solid, heartening presence; the smooth and warm strength of him in bed each night; waking up to his tousled, smiling kisses in the morning. The thought of his absence… any absence… was like a bleak, black cloud descending.
Luke appeared, toiletry bag in hand, head down as he examined the contents.
"Hey Babe?" he asked all flustered. "Have you seen my aftershave anywhere?"
When Noah didn't respond Luke finally looked up; questioning and worried brown locking with Noah's deep blues.
"I went by your office." Noah told him. "To pick you up…"
"Sorry, something's happened."
Noah lifted up the paper.
"You're flying to Uganda to look for Tony, aren't you?"
Luke didn't answer. He didn't need to.
A long silence followed, both men simply staring. A stand-off.
Dropping the paper on the bed beside him, Noah stood and left the room, ignoring Luke's plaintive tone as he drew out the nickname, "Bubby?"
Noah opened the sliding door and stepped outside, coming to stand on the edge of the decking; something he often did when he needed to clear his head. The fresh air helped. So did the view. The sun was setting and the sky burned a beautiful red and purple.
He felt Luke's presence behind him, but he didn't turn.
"Jarvis gave me permission to go. I can search for Tony and at the same time write a story about it."
"Well whoop-dee-doo for you Luke!" Noah replied, anger flaring.
"Noah, we knew this job might require that I travel."
Noah turned. "Are you serious?"
Luke cocked his head in that way he always did when he knew Noah was mad at him and didn't know what to say to calm him.
That look just made Noah angrier.
"To Chicago, Luke! Or New York! And that would have been bad enough, let me tell you! But AFRICA?"
"I have to go."
"Why?"
"Because there's more to this story than what meets the eye."
"What's THAT supposed to mean?"
"I'm not sure yet. It's just a hunch. I'm hoping I'm wrong. The other doctor? Kizza? That's the man I met at Java. That's the man Tony was dating."
"So?"
"So, don't you think it's a little strange? Both of them disappearing like that?"
Realising that Luke was determined to follow through with his plan, Noah resorted to the only weapon he had left - he begged.
"Please don't go. Don't leave."
Luke sighed. "Noah…"
"I knew when you took this job that you might have to travel. Yes. I knew that. But I'm not ready. I need you to stay. I'm begging you to stay."
"I can't."
"You always do this."
"I have to."
"Why?"
"Because even though me and Tony were drinking together… even though that was wrong… he was there for me when I needed somebody. He was a good friend. And I need to know what happened to him. I owe him that."
"What about what you owe me? And Nicky and Mia?"
Something about Luke's demeanour seemed off to Noah but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"What aren't you telling me?" Noah asked, eventually realising there must be more to it for Luke to leave his family.
Luke's eyes shifted sideways a few times as he thought quickly, "It's only for one week."
Noah's senses suddenly peaked to high alert. Did Luke just avoid his question? "Why do I get the feeling you're holding something back?"
Luke's eyes grew suddenly dark and sad. "I have to finish packing. The cab will be here in an hour."
To Noah's shock Luke returned to the bedroom leaving him standing on the decking with what felt like a hole in his gut.
"Noah?"
"Noah?"
"Noah?"
He blinked. He wasn't sure how long Nicholas had been calling his name but the child stood before him looking utterly confused.
"Is it dinner time, Nicky?"
His little face bloomed with a smile and Noah followed him into the kitchen where he set to work heating up leftover meatloaf from the night before. He couldn't face cooking. He felt sick.
The children had just finished eating and were about to get up when Luke entered.
"Hang on you two… I want to talk to you." Luke said.
Without a word Noah returned to his usual spot on the decking, crossing his arms and occasionally looking back over his shoulder while Luke explained to the kids that he was leaving and would be back soon.
As expected Nicholas fired three million questions at Luke.
"Where are you going?"
"When you coming back?"
"Why you going?"
Noah involuntarily jumped as a horn sounded from the front of the house. He looked back and watched as Luke kissed each of the kids.
Luke checked through the front window before making his way into the bedroom to collect his suitcase; placing it by the door.
As Luke looked his way Noah quickly turned his back again. He heard Luke's footsteps as they approached.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye?"
Hugging his numb arms to his chest Noah said nothing.
"I love you Bubby. Leaving you guys is the last thing I want to do. But it's one week! And it's… it's me! It's how I am. And you know it."
Noah could feel his resolve crumbling but he stood his ground; strained and bloodless.
"I'll see you soon."
Noah heard the front door close but he knew he couldn't let Luke leave like that. He waited only a few minutes before flying through the lounge and flinging the door open.
"LUKE!"
But there was no need to yell. Luke was already waiting for him on the other side of the door. Noah drew him into a crushing hug.
"I hate you!" Noah said, snuggling his head under Luke's chin.
"I know. But I'll call you every day. I promise."
Luke stroked his back, gentle fingers tracing the bumps of Noah's spine. As they drew apart Luke took Noah's face in his hands.
"Just promise me you'll be careful."
"It will all be fine. You'll see."
Luke kissed him thoroughly, temporarily depriving Noah of oxygen in his need to convey all his feelings in that one gesture.
Noah could feel Luke's heart beating against his ribs and wanted nothing more than to stay that way forever, just standing there and breathing the same air; both in the same place, the same continent.
Noah clung to him for a few more seconds, or until the cab hooted impatiently, and then did what he knew Luke needed from him.
Noah let him go.
...
"Why did you agree then?" Kikongo asked.
"I didn't really agree. Rather I just accepted."
"I see."
"He wouldn't have been happy. He would have been restless. Helping people… it's just who he is."
Kikongo nodded.
They rode along in silence for a few kilometres, Noah contemplating the situation he had discovered since arriving.
"Maybe it will happen one day, Kikongo."
The other man frowned in confusion.
"The ring?" Noah reminded him.
Kikongo shook his head, "Not in my life time. Not while these foreign ministers keep coming to preach."
Noah shivered as he recalled his first day in Kampala.
There was a question that Noah wanted to ask but had been afraid too. However he had to know.
"Kikongo? Can I ask you?"
"Ask me anything, rafiki yangu."
"If I ask you… will you tell me the truth?"
"Of course."
Noah took a deep breath, "Is Luke alive?"
Noah saw the hesitancy before Kikongo managed to hide it and his heart dipped. Noah looked down at his hands; bit his lip.
"Please tell me the truth." He whispered.
His friend paused for what seemed a long time before he answered. "I believe it is strongly likely he is not."
Noah kept his head bent forward. He closed his eyes, felt the tears track down his cheek and nodded.
"But rafiki yangu," the man said, covertly taking Noah's hand and squeezing it. "I will not leave your side until we know."
"Thank you."
...
Thanks all!