Chapter 6

If Rex felt any particular way about doing a walk of shame while they retraced their route back to Six's room, Noah couldn't tell. It helped Noah suppress his embarrassment. If Rex wasn't concerned why should Noah be?

Rex may not have felt any unease towards the hospital staff, but he surely had some reservations about reentering Six's room when he hesitated at the door. Noah's first impulse was to grab Rex and push him through, but that could only backfire so Noah gave him a moment to collect himself before patting his shoulder.

"Come on," Noah encouraged. Rex didn't say anything and Noah missed any physical reaction when he walked past Rex and lightly knocked on the door. If Rex wanted to come in, he would when he was ready. "Hello?" he called softly.

"Come in," Rebecca's tired voice answered.

Noah's attention was first drawn to Six's prone form before moving on to Rebecca. She was seated in the visitor's chair, once again studying her datapad. Noah smiled, pleased to see a half-eaten doughnut resting on a napkin on her lap. There was proof that she had eaten something. She returned his smile. "Noah?" There was a question, but before Noah could decipher what it was, her gaze moved slightly to his left, and her smile grew.

Noah craned his neck to the side and saw Rex standing behind him at the threshold. He stepped to the side to allow Rex more space to fully enter the room.

"It's nice to see he caught up to you."

"Sure," Rex murmured. "And ah, sorry about before, Doc. That was pretty uncool."

"Don't worry, you are still plenty cool," Rebecca remarked. She placed the sweet treat on the small chest of drawers with the rest of Noah's shopping, and she stood up. She raised her arms and Rex walked into them. "Thanks for coming back to say that."

"It was Noah's idea," Rex confessed as they parted. Noah felt the need to go into more detail and was about to explain himself when Doctor Holiday laughed.

"I figured, but have you forgotten that I know you, Rex? You would have apologized eventually."

Noah felt like an idiot. He couldn't stop smiling, but he couldn't help it. It was gratifying to know Noah wasn't the only one who knew how to make sure Rex couldn't downplay his generosity.

After Doctor Holiday accepted the apology, Rex went quiet. Rex's discomfort was evident. His eyes moved around the room taking in everything. Noah idly wondered if this was the first time he had been in here.

"So, is there anywhere good to get something to eat around here?" It was a common saying throughout Providence. There was never truly anywhere else to go but the Mess Hall.

Rebecca and Rex chuckled at the familiar refrain.

"I hear the Mess is a pretty good time of year," she replied, finishing the saying.

Rex opened his mouth to say something, most likely to deny any reason to leave so Noah made sure to talk over him.

"Is there a way to check if my new credentials will allow me into the Mess Hall?" Noah asked holding up the keycard Beverly had handed him earlier.

"May I see it?" Holiday asked.

Noah handed it to her and watched as Rex eyed the temporary keycard. Was he surprised Noah didn't have his usual permanent one?

Holiday scanned Noah's keycard on a secondary device she had secreted in her lab coat. There was a small beep from the device. "Yes, this should work," she said, looking at the readout on the device. "But you should go with him, Rex, just in case," Rebecca stated, handing Noah back his temporary access keycard.

"But," Rex started. One quick glance at Six telegraphed what Rex wasn't able to say aloud.

"I'll let you know the moment there's anything to know."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

"Okay. Thanks." There was a moment of awkwardness before Rex gestured for Noah to follow him.

They had almost made it out when Noah heard Rebecca say: "It's so lovely to see you two together again."

Noah paused and blinked in surprise. Did Doctor Holiday know about Noah and Rex's past? Noah couldn't stop himself from looking over in Rex's direction hoping to see some type of confirmation or denial of how much aware she was in his expression only to find Rex's eyes trained on him. Completely unreadable. He didn't look away when Noah spotted him. It was as if Rex wanted Noah to know he was being watched. Now wasn't the time to dwell on how he felt about Holiday knowing or not knowing what had transpired between them. He had to focus on looking after Rex.

Because Noah didn't know how to respond to Holiday's pronouncement he didn't say anything. But he did clock that Rex didn't say anything either.

Noah shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and watched Rex's back as he trailed after him. Questions plagued him. He wanted to know to what extent the people in Rex's life knew about their summer of love. Why hadn't he thought about that before? Of course, Rex needed to talk to someone about it all after Noah left and there wasn't anyone better in Rex's life than her.

"She knows nothing," Rex said. His voice was low but sharp, like he didn't feel like going into more detail but he didn't want to leave Noah spinning in his thoughts.

"Oh, okay." Warmth colored his face. Despite being grateful for the confirmation, at that moment, he couldn't handle how Rex could tell what he was thinking. "Is there anyone who does know?"

"Yeah," Rex answered gruffly. It was clear that he didn't want to elaborate on who that was when he didn't say anything else.

"Oh, okay." Noah repeated. He pondered if he should tell Rex that there was someone in his life who he had told about their past, but that wasn't how he wanted to bring up Sebastian, so he settled on dropping the subject, too.

The cacophony of the massive Mess Hall grew louder the closer they got. By the sound Noah expected the Hall to be packed with people but in truth, fewer than half of the long tables were occupied and none of them were full. Providence agents and staff from all levels milled by the coffee stations and vending machines. Some stood in line with food trays in their arms waiting to make their selection of the limited options of the buffet-style setup. Others clustered in small groups enjoying semi-private conversations. If the dinner rush was still a couple of hours away it made sense why there weren't a lot of people there.

Nervousness and dread filled Noah as they made their way inside. He hadn't realized how much he had grown accustomed to being a nobody after leaving. His presence had always sparked interest in the rest of Providence so there was no lack of eyes trailing him as he appeared with the upper echelon of those in charge. He was well aware of how he had been brought into the inner circle of the battle against the chaos of the world with little proof of why he deserved to be there. Incredulity and jealousy followed him everywhere. He had struggled with the weight that people had and probably always would question his right to be in Rex's life. It was through Rex's perseverance and insistence that Noah was worthy to be by his side that Noah learned that just like everyone else in the massive building Noah was wanted and that was the only right he needed to be there. By the end of summer, there had been a time when he stopped noticing the looks and whispers. He and Rex had been too wrapped up in the excited fog of lust and each other then, but it's been a long time and there were always going to be people who were curious about them no matter the circumstances.

It would be only a matter of time before someone realized Rex had entered the Hall. Once that happened there was no stopping the hushed commentary that trailed Rex wherever he went. As Noah expected there was a shift in the timbre of the Mess. Where there was once the causal prattle of friends and co-workers getting a caffeine fix or grabbing a quick meal during their break the atmosphere had turned into the focused excitement of people realizing something important was happening. The jumbled collective of piercing metallic scratching over cement echoed throughout the Hall as people moved in their chairs and pushed back benches hoping to get a better look at Rex and Noah.

Rex was a celebrity of sorts, and after Six's accident, there was little doubt Rex's presence would be noted quicker as people looked to him for guidance. A few people called out to him. He waved back, a pleasant grin plastered to his face as he appreciated the attention.

Some agents seemed to remember Noah's name, and welcomed him back fondly, which only served to increase the pressure Noah felt. He did his best to return the greetings, making sure to also wave in acknowledgment at each person who called out to him and Rex.

Nostalgia transported Noah. So many incredible memories were created here. There were late-night raids when they would sneak down and raid the fridge and pantry after their all-night gaming sessions. He spotted a table where they would do first aid post-mission. Noah could see the kitchen's entrance and visualized the spot where they had their first kiss.

"Nixon! Salazar! Over here!"

Noah spun around at the sound of their names to see Beverly motioning them to a table near the back of the room.

"Go," Rex instructed. "I'll get you something."

Noah wanted to protest until Rex bumped his shoulder with his.

"I gotcha," Rex insisted.

"Okay, thanks."

"I see you managed to hook up with him again," Beverly said when Noah made it to her table.

"What?" Noah sputtered as he hiked a leg over the bench seating across from her.

"You found him," Beverly restated, eyeing his strange reaction.

"Oh, yeah," the blond agreed, sitting down fully. Her definition of hooking up and Noah's were clearly very different. "I found him."

"Good." Beverly stared into the plastic yogurt cup she was eating, apparently contemplating what she wanted to say next. "How is Agent Six doing?"

Noah's stomach twisted as a mental image of Six's current state was conjured in his mind at the question. He'd been so focused on his tense reunion with Rex that he hadn't asked after Six's condition. "He was asleep when I saw him," Noah said with a wince. It wasn't a very sufficient answer, but it was all he had. "He's stable."

"Yeah, I know."

Noah reached across the table and lightly placed his hand over hers. "Hey, you okay?"

"Yeah, no. I'm just worried about him and my sister," she admitted. "Six's like a big brother to me, you know? And my sister, god, my sister isn't handling things well." Beverly moved her hand from under Noah's. "And I hate all this waiting. It's so hard watching someone I love go through something like this knowing there's very little I can do about it."

Noah felt the same in that regard. He had the same desire to be useful and hatred of feeling powerless to make everything go back to normal. It was the reason he was there, after all.

"Hey, Bev. I want you to look at me and believe what I am about to tell you." Beverly lifted her head and Noah waited until her gaze was steady. "Everything will be alright. Six is incredibly strong. He just needs a little time. Don't worry. It won't be long until he's back on his feet, glaring over everyone through his shades."

The younger Holiday sibling chuckled weakly at Noah's attempted humor. "Yeah, good," she repeated. "Thank you, Noah." She stirred the contents of her yogurt and Noah couldn't help but wonder if there was something more she wanted to say.

His patience was rewarded when she spooned a small portion into her mouth and said, "Can we talk about how lame your reunion was?"

"Um, excuse me?"

She chuckled nervously and stirred her yogurt some more. "So, don't be mad, but you remember how your earpiece is preset to contact me? You must have triggered it on accident somehow, and well, I was able to overhear a portion of your and Rex's conversation."

Gingerly, Noah dug into his ear and pulled out the earpiece. He pressed the off button and pocketed it in his jeans. He decided it would be best if he kept the earpiece turned off until he needed it.

"How much did you hear?"

"I heard you ask if Rex was doing well." Beverly shrugged like it was no big deal. "I'll admit I was hoping there was gonna be fireworks and tears and declarations of love. Imagine my disappointment when all I heard was awkward talk about haircuts. Though I promise if things had gotten steamy, I would have cut off my side," she added adamantly.

Noah stared at her, eyes wide. She had expected declarations of love and that things could have gotten steamy between Rex and Noah? No way. That could only mean that she knew what happened with Rex.

He was wrong about which Holiday knew about Rex and Noah's past relationship and semi-falling out. He can't be too upset about it without it making him a big ol' hypocrite since Sebastian knew everything at this point. At least, Noah knew Beverly to some extent. How would Rex react to learning there was a person he didn't even know knew something this personally about him?

He started to replay everything that was said and done in the stairwell. "Oh, god," Noah groaned and covered his face with his hands. "Listen, I don't know how Rex explained things to you, but I am not the bad guy here."

Beverly huffed out a breath and rolled her eyes. "I know that. There is no good guy and bad guy. It's just frustrating to see how lost you both are and how much I want you two to figure out your shit and make it official. I don't know anyone who belongs together better than you and Rex."

The sound of Rex's laughter caught Noah's attention and his gaze zeroed in on Rex chatting with the Hall staff.

"See? That's what I am talking about. I am talking to you and here you are looking at him."

Noah didn't have an answer for her, so in an attempt to deflect his relationship problems, he asked her a question instead. "What about Six and your sister?"

"Well, duh," Beverly agreed, dismissing his deflection with ease. "But they are already set in stone. Is it the same for you and Rex?"

"Fine," he acquiesced to Rebecca and Agent Six, but he wasn't ready to admit defeat yet. "But if you're so smart what makes you think he even wants to be with me? Or that I want to be with him?"

"Please, Nixon. You can't be serious," Beverly said, stabbing her yogurt with each word. "You're here. Despite all the crap that's happened, you did everything you could've to drop everything to be here. For him."

Noah blushed at being called out so thoroughly. He wanted to deny that he wasn't still attracted to Rex but he wasn't that delusional. "I'm here to make sure he's doing well. And maybe, if there's time, patch things up. Anything else is off the table." Even if that's what I wanted, he added silently.

"Okay, that's enough about my complicated and yet somehow lackluster love life. What about yours?"

"Mine?" Beverly seemed genuinely thrown off at the question. Her face reddened as Noah turned the tables on her.

"Yeah, anything happening between you and your own partner?"

"Oh, no," she laughed. "That's a super non-starter."

"Oh? How come? Shawn seems nice and he's pretty good-looking-"

"Who's Shawn?" Rex cut in, dropping his food tray onto the table.

"My new partner," Beverly explained.

"Oh, right," Rex said. He shifted to look at Noah. "And how do you know what her partner looks like?"

Beverly and Noah shared a look, both of them clocking the jealous tone in the question as Rex took a seat next to Noah. As Beverly explained that she had been assigned to be Noah's escort and minder for the duration of his stay, Noah took in what was on the tray. He choked on his saliva when he saw that Rex had gathered. It was an assortment of the things they had eaten after sex: protein bars, cheese, a pre-packaged cup of fresh fruit, three types of muffins, and a sports drink.

Rex didn't seem to realize what he had done. And after his little freakout, Noah did his best not to make a big deal about it. He began divvying up the food between himself and Rex. Noah made sure to set the cup of fresh fruit and a fork in front of Rex.

"So you didn't drive your Jeep here?" Rex asked automatically unsealing the fruit cup and began eating it.

"Nope," Noah answered. Noah silently savored the small victory. Acting causal was the key to making sure Rex ate something. "If you're done killing that yogurt, would you like a muffin?" Noah offered to Beverly, hoping it would help cover how much Rex was affecting him.

"Oh, sure. Thanks."

Rex huffed under his breath, his jealousy returning at the attention Noah gave Beverly. Noah dipped a hand down to touch Rex's hip and gave him what he hoped was the perfect mix of a reassuring and warning squeeze. Noah felt Rex flinch at his touch. Then with a soft release of breath, Rex's shoulders sank and an easy smile touched his lips. He relaxed in his seat.

While Beverly was busy deciding out loud which muffin she wanted Noah felt Rex place his gloved hand over his, and after giving it a quick squeeze he took Noah's hand and firmly but gently placed it on the bench before letting him go.

The rejection stung, even though it made sense. Noah tried not to dwell on that sting as his phone chimed with a new notification. Grateful for the distraction, he busied himself with unlocking his phone. It was from his school's student app alerting him to new assignment details being available to download for his English course. There had been a new novel assigned.

"I guess that explains why he's got such limited access," Rex was saying. "I thought he'd have the same old pass as before. I didn't think it had been revoked."

"Oh yeah, I had to give it up before I left. It's standard procedure. I may have gotten my keycard differently than most, but that doesn't make me special," he said absently scrolling through his inbox in the college app looking for the title of the novel.

"Noe," Rex started. Noah looked up from his phone, back at him. Rex looked like he wanted to disagree with him, but before he could say anything, the steady lights of the Mess Hall began flashing red and the loud incessant whine of an alarm began blaring.