Luke flipped the final pancake in the pan, watching as is spat and sizzled. He smiled when his mom rubbed her palm in the small of his back and kissed his cheek.

"You know, you really didn't have to come back." He told her again, although he was secretly glad she had.

"What," his mother joked, "and miss the opportunity to spend some time with my baby?"

Luke laughed, "Um… I hate to break it to you, Mom, but I think you'll find I passed the baby stage quite a few years back actually."

"Not as far as I'm concerned!" She replied, squeezing half a lemon over a pancake and sprinkling the shiny surface with sugar, "You'll always be my baby boy and nothing you say can change that." She rolled the pancake neatly, took a bite and grinned at him, "So there!"

Luke laughed, turning off the heat and resting the pan to cool, "Well, why don't you take your breakfast into the sitting room and let your baby make you a nice brew? Then we can sit and talk for a while. It feels like a lifetime since we did that…"

"Deal…" She kissed him once more on the cheek and left the kitchen, humming contently to herself.

Luke smiled and shook his head. It was fun spending time cooking with his mom; something they'd never done together before. Mostly because his mother was by far the worst cook alive and he wasn't afraid to tell her so. He laughed out loud, remember a disastrous dinner years back where she'd tried to be domesticated by cooking a beef dinner. Now that was an experience!

Even Nicholas had learnt that it was safer to run if Lily ever got it in her head to cook. And Nicholas would generally eat anything.

He grabbed two mugs from the cupboard and flipped the switch on the kettle. He was amazed that his mother had managed to hold off asking him anything about his current predicament. He was grateful to her for that. These moments when things felt close to normal were rare and he really just wanted to prolong them as much as possible.

The first thing that hit him on his way to the sitting room was that the front door was open. He had to swallow back the knock of fear and grip hold of the coffee mugs to prevent spillage.

But anything he was feeling dissipated completely when next, he noticed Noah. The man was ashen; silent and still. It looked like he'd stopped breathing.

"…Oliver Lacopo; found to be living under the assumed name of Oliver Deagostino…" The name hit Luke's ears like a hammer and he gasped. His mother had the widescreen television turned on the news, "…dramatic and heart wrenching day in a court room in Torrance…"

Luke's skin crawled at the police mug shot of Oliver, looking stern toward the lens; face bruised and battered from how hard Noah had punched him that night.

"Although we can report on what was said we are not allowed to broadcast any of the video footage or show any of the horrific photographs discovered in Lacopo's Lakewood apartment…"

Luke could still smell the man's breath; remember the way Oliver's course hands felt when they touched him. But worse than that he felt the rage for what the monster did to Noah and countless others.

"…raped and fatally beaten…" the broadcaster continued.

"Turn it off." Luke found his voice. He meant that to be an order but it came out so softly his mother didn't hear him at first.

"What's that sweetheart?" She asked over her shoulder, distracted by the excited children desperate to tell her about their swim.

"I said turn it off!" he said louder and far sterner than he intended.

The report continued, "On Friday their killer will be sentenced and family of the victims are expected to attend…"

She fumbled a little with the remote but finally the screen went black.

"I'm sorry," she said confused, standing from the sofa, "I just thought I'd watch the news while I waited for you."

For the first time she noticed Noah standing frozen in the doorway, still staring blankly at the screen. She frowned, "Noah honey?"

Holden stood behind Noah half in and half out, unable to enter due to Noah blocking the doorway.

"You okay kid?" Holden asked.

Noah blinked and looked over at Luke for a moment; like he'd just woken up from some dark dream. Luke watched Noah close that part of himself off again; something the man was scarily good at doing.

Noah shrugged and shook his head smiling, "What are we all standing around for? Don't we have a party to throw?"

"Yeah!" the kids screamed, oblivious to the adult tension.

Noah collected all three of them and disappeared into the kitchen chatting merrily like nothing had happened.

Luke gazed at the floor; trying to reign in his own emotions but finding it characteristically impossible. He could feel both his parents' eyes on him.

"Luke?" Holden asked, "What the hell was that?"

Luke shook his head, "It's nothing for you to worry about."

"Didn't look like nothing."

Luke looked up and pleaded with his father, "It's not up to me to explain. Understand?"

Holden regarded Luke for a moment; his face clouding over but he nodded.

"It's Nicky's day." Luke said, trying to smile it off, "Let's… um… let's blow up some balloons!"

He moved quickly forward and opened a cabinet drawer where all the party decorations and favours were stored. It was a zoo theme, animal's being one of Nicholas's current obsessions.

Silently his parents joined him at the dining table. Grabbing a deflated balloon each, they looked over at each other, communicating silently in that same way Luke and Noah often did.

…

Noah opened the front door to smile and sigh at the same time, "Were you invited or did he just call you?"

"Both." She winked, hugging him. "He's just worried… that's all…"

Noah nodded as they broke apart "I know, but… really there's nothing to worry about. I just wish…"

He stopped and stared off into the distance.

"You wish…?"

Noah shook his head, "You know… I'm glad you're here. I wanted to ask you something about Luke. He's been-"

"Terry!" Luke greeted across the sitting room, cutting Noah off."

"Hey Luke!" The therapist grinned, crossing the room to meet Luke as Noah closed the front door.

"I'm so glad you could make it." Luke told her, squeezing her shoulders fondly.

"Thanks for having me." She replied, "I can't remember the last time I was at a child's birthday party." Her eyes scanned the hanging banners and groups of bright balloons; the table laden with sweets and crisps and the various guests already standing around with mugs of coffee; chatting merrily. "Looks like the adults are having fun, but where are the kids?"

Luke laughed, "Outside in the sandpit." Then he cupped his mouth with one hand as though sharing a secret, "Enjoy the quiet while you can…"

"Oh you!" She smacked him playfully and at the same time handed him a brightly wrapped gift.

"Oh… wow… Terry… Thank you! You really didn't have to bring a gift but I know Nicky will love it!"

Terry shrugged, "It's part of the deal when you come to one of these things… At least that's what my niece tells me…"

"Can I get you a drink Terry?" Noah asked.

"Cola would be great. Thanks Noah."

They watched as crossed the room to where a drinks table had been laid out.

"How's he doing?" Terry asked quickly.

"Honestly?" Luke asked, "No idea! He seems fine but then this morning… the thing with the TV…"

"You're worried he'd rather pretend this week's not happening…?"

"Yeah…"

"And you?"

Luke blinked, "What about me?"

"You were hurt in all this too Luke. Oliver may not have raped you but… he came close enough."

Luke watched Noah selecting a glass for Terry and carefully dispensing the cola.

"For me it's just… I guess it's more important that justice is done." He stared down at the gift in his hands, turning the box shape around and around, "It's kinda always been important to me that I go…"

"You go?"

"Yeah… I wanted to go… you know? To the trial?"

"But you were in Africa…"

Before Luke could answer Noah showed up with the drink and handed the glass to Terry.

"Oh that's perfect!" She took a long sip, "It's hot out there today!"

Noah smiled, "Just the way I like it!"

They stood in silence for a moment and Terry noted how Noah seemed to glance anywhere but at Luke.

"Because Luke can read him so well." She thought to herself.

"Noah, how about we have a little session while I'm here?" She suggested.

"Now?" Noah asked.

"While I'm here." She repeated.

"Um…" Noah's Adam's apple had a habit of bobbing when he felt worried or awkward.

"And you Luke…" She added.

"Me?" Luke asked, surprised.

"Yes," she said, "I think it would be good for both of you..,"

"Everything okay?" An older dark haired man approached their group with a concerned frown. Terry had noticed him earlier, watching them with interest.

"Oh yeah, Dad, everything's fine. This is Terry Curtis she's…" his voice cut out when he realised he couldn't explain her presence without opening up a can of worms for Noah, "She's a friend of ours."

Terry looked over at Noah and noticed his look of relief.

"The family doesn't know." She thought, adding this to her list of things to discuss with them later.

Luke turned to Terry, eyes pleading, "Um, Terry, this is my Dad, Holden Snyder. He and my mother are visiting us from Oakdale this weekend."

Terry stuck out her hand, "Very pleased to meet you Mr. Snyder. You have two fabulous boys here!"

Holden grinned proudly, "Don't I know it! And please, call me Holden. Mr. Snyder makes me feel like I'm 80!"

"Oh, I know the feeling! Recently the cashiers in shops have gone from calling me Miss to calling me Ma'am! It's quite a shock to the system!"

Holden laughed out loud, "So… Terry… What's your connection to this little family? They've never mentioned you before?"

Terry had to think quickly. She didn't want to spill things for the boys but she didn't really want to lie either. In the end it was Noah who rescued her.

"She's our therapist." He said bluntly.

Luke's eyes widened in surprised.

"Oh I see." Holden replied without flinching.

Terry could tell instantly that the boys had a strong support in this man. More importantly, Noah seemed to trust him. She could use that.

"Yeah." Luke replied, "And… um… actually, Dad? We could use a few minutes alone with Terry… Would you mind looking after the guests and keeping the kids happy?"

"Of course I will!" Holden exclaimed, patting his son on the back.

"Great." Luke replied, looking over at Terry and Noah, "Shall we use the bedroom?"

Noah was the one to nod. He and Luke turned to head that way; Luke with his hands stuck in his pockets like a reluctant schoolboy. Terry smiled at Holden before following the boys. She couldn't help but sense there was still a lot of work to do with these two.

…

"So," Terry began, flopping back into an old sofa they had in the corner of their room, "I followed the news of your African adventure and I read your articles Luke. You guys must have had quite a scare…"

To be honest she had the fright of her life that morning, when she picked up the paper to see Luke's face plastered on the front.

"That's an understatement…" Noah huffed.

"Yeah, but… we're back now…" Luke began, characteristically trying to brush off the seriousness of the situation.

"Most likely in the hope he'll deflect Noah's anger…" Terry thought.

Luke's feet crossed at the ankles as he sat on the end of the bed.

"And what?" Noah snapped with an edge to his voice, "Everything's great? Back to normal?"

Luke frowned and Terry watched this exchange with interest.

"Is there something else I don't know about?" Terry asked, pressing the pads of her fingers together.

"Um…" Luke hesitated. He looked over at Noah who was standing near the closet. Luke was obviously searching for something but after not finding it he continued, "Since we got home from the farm… I've kinda been… um… stuck… I guess…"

"Stuck?"

"He won't go outside." Noah explained.

"Correction," Luke glared, "I can't go outside. There's a big difference."

Noah breathed deeply; his face softening. He sat down on the bed beside the dejected looking Luke and pulled him into a hug; speaking with his chin on the top of Luke's head, "I know. I'm sorry. I don't know why I'm snapping at you."

"Luke," Terry continued, "when you say you can't go outside… what's stopping you?"

She watched Luke's hazel eyes flitter as he considered this, "I'm scared." He looked up at her, "That's the only way I can explain it."

"And how long has it been this way?"

"About a week."

"It's getting worse too." Noah told her, "He broke into the drinks cabinet."

"I didn't drink any!" Luke was quick to say before she could speak. "I wasn't really thinking straight and Noah wasn't here…"

"I see." She chewed on the inside of her cheek, watching the two men from the lower vantage point of her chair, "Hmm. Okay. We're going to have to get some regular appointments in the diary for you Luke. I'll come here, obviously."

Luke nodded, "And what about Noah."

"What about me?" Noah asked.

"Noah," Terry said, "we should really discuss your feelings regarding the sentencing…"

"What feelings?" Noah questioned, standing to his feet, "Look at me." He indicated to himself, "Fine. Solid. Strong. Luke needs this far more than I do right now…"

"He needs therapy, yes, but…"

"Look!" Noah stipulated, "I don't want to keep dragging this up! That's all this whole trial business is doing; dragging up what should be kept buried!"

"Okay," she said, "Be that as it may, I would still like to see both of you this week." She looked pointedly at Noah, "If that's okay?"

Noah pulled his plaid shirt closed and crossed his arms, "Fine."

"Excellent!" She smiled in triumph, standing up, "Now that's settled… Show me to the birthday cake!"