Luke

Copyright and Disclaimer: 1. This is a fictional story with fictional characters. 2. No one is to steal this story under any circumstances. 3. This story deals with relationships and not sex, so if you're looking for a story with a lot of sex in it, this isn't the story for you.

This chapter is going to be a little different from the other chapters of this story. The characters from the sister story to this one, Phases,' will be heavily featured in this one. Due to these other characters making an appearance most of the normal Luke' characters won't be featured in this chapter as prominently as they normally do. I hope you still like it anyway. This chapter is written specifically for the readers who also followed Phases.' So I hope you enjoy it! Here's part 22, titled Back in L.A.'

`BACK IN L.A.'

Before Luke went with Derek up to Los Angeles, he went over to Ford's place for breakfast.

"So I'm guessing that Shane has told you and Benji about Derek and what I think," Luke said. "You guys think I'm crazy too?"

"No," Ford shook his head, but then he admitted, "Well Benji thinks you're a little crazy. I don't though."

"You don't?" Luke asked surprised. "I wouldn't hold it against you if you did. It's a far-fetched idea."

"Maybe it isn't," Ford replied. "It all sounds really romantic to me."

"Yeah?" Luke asked relieved that Ford was on his side.

"Yeah. I completely believe in soulmates and I think that it's entirely possible for Nick's soul to have found a way back to you," Ford replied.

Luke just smiled, he didn't know what to say, he was so happy that someone else believed him.

"Are you going to ever tell Derek?" Ford asked.

"I don't know," Luke replied. "It's not a conversation you can exactly bring up casually."

"Are you hoping that he'll somehow regain his memories of Nick?" Ford asked.

"Not really," Luke said. "I mean, I'm not stupid. Obviously I know he's a different person, but deep down, spiritually I believe Nick is there and even though he will never really be my Nick again, I'm happy enough to know that he's inside somewhere."

"That's sweet," Ford smiled. "I'm happy for you Luke. You're going to get a second chance with the great love of your life."

"And I'm not going to lose him," Luke said making a promise to himself.

"Well I hope you have a great trip to L.A." Ford said raising his glass of orange juice. "And I hope everything works out for the best."

The two clinked glasses and ate breakfast together.

After breakfast Luke drove and picked up Derek and the two began their drive up to Los Angeles. On the way there Luke made a playlist on his iPod filled with songs that he knew Nick once loved. He didn't expect Derek to suddenly remember any of the songs, but he thought maybe they would get some sort of reaction out of him.

"Do you like this song?" Luke asked playing Bon Jovi's `Living on a Prayer.' Nick was a big fan of Bon Jovi and he wondered if maybe Derek was as well.

"Ooooh, we're halfway there. Ooooh, living on a prayer!" Derek sang along to the music. "I love this song."

"Yeah?" Luke asked hopeful. He thought things over, first Derek was able to point who Kurt and Leo were in the picture he had of them the night before and today he enjoys the same music that Nick enjoyed. Before Luke got himself too excited he reminded himself that many people like Bon Jovi so it can purely be coincidental.

"What other songs you have on here?" Derek asked scrolling through the playlist. "Good playlist. I love most of these songs."

"Most of them? Not all of them?" Luke asked.

"Not really a fan of ACDC," Derek replied after he noticed `You Shook Me All Night Long' on the iPod.

"Oh," Luke said, he sighed quietly to himself. `You Shook Me All Night Long' was Nick's favorite song. It was the first time that he doubted that Nick was in there somewhere.

"I'm really excited about this trip," Derek said. "I was looking at the menu online of the food they have at Valentino and I already know what I'm going to get. The gli gnocchi."

"The what?" Luke asked, not sure if he heard Derek correctly.

"The gli gnocchi," Derek repeated himself. "Is that any good?"

Luke smiled before answering, "It's amazing." The gnocchi was Nick's favorite dish at the restaurant.

In Los Angeles, Kurt Parker was in his home writing his new book when Leo Washington came over busy on his Blackberry talking to some people at the studio that was producing a film he wrote and wanted some rewrites done.

"I hate these executives," Leo complained sitting down at the table with Kurt. "I have been so busy doing these damn rewrites for this film that I'm too exhausted to play with my own son."

"How is Liam doing?" Kurt asked. He hasn't seen Leo's son in a week.

"He's good," Leo sighed. "I just didn't realize how hard it would be parenting alone without Jesse there for support."

"Have you talked to Jesse lately?" Kurt asked concerned. Leo and Jesse have been separated for the past couple months and Leo really missed him and the family life they once had together.

"No," Leo replied. "But I don't want to talk about that today. We're seeing Luke and I cleared my schedule for the afternoon to see him."

"Good," Kurt said. "Him and Derek should be up here in a couple hours."

"So he really thinks that Nick's ghost is inside Derek?" Leo scoffed.

"I think so," Kurt sighed. "I'm worried about him. He's never been one to believe in stuff like that."

"So how are we supposed to greet Derek when we meet him?" Leo asked, he then jokingly tested out a greeting, "Nick! Are you in there somewhere?"

"I know, it's ridiculous," Kurt said. "Obviously Nick isn't there and Luke made a deal with me that if we didn't feel that it was Nick then he would drop it and move on."

"Good," Leo said. "Although maybe he also should see a psychiatrist."

"We'll cross that bridge when we get to it," Kurt said. "You know who should also see a therapist?"

"Jesse and I don't need a therapist," Leo said. "We already know what our problems are and obviously they're too hard to work through so we're not together anymore."

"Yeah, but you two are supposed to be together. You're Jesse and Leo! You're a package deal. It doesn't make sense without you two together," Kurt brought up.

"Kurt, I really don't want to talk about it," Leo sighed.

"All right," Kurt nodded. "Sorry to bring it up."

"It's okay," Leo replied. "But today is supposed to be a fun day. We're seeing Luke."

"Yeah, I'm glad that he's back in our lives," Kurt smiled. "I realize that for a while he needed space from us, but it's nice having him back."

"It is," Leo agreed. "I just hope he's okay. This whole thing with Nick and his new boyfriend is worrying me."

The two both shrugged, they knew that they would have to deal with it later when they actually met Derek.

When Luke and Derek arrive in Los Angeles, they drove past the Kodak theatre on Hollywood and Vine and made their way a few minutes later past a familiar building to Luke.

"That's a nice building," Derek said pointing to the apartment complex.

"It's beautiful, huh?" Luke asked with a smile. It was the complex that Nick used to live at.

"Yeah, it's really nice," Derek replied. "So what should we do first?"

"Well, I thought we would park and then walk around Hollywood and see all the popular tourist sites," Luke said. "Kurt and Leo are going to meet up with us later."

"Sounds good," Derek smiled.

Luke parked his car and the two got out and began to walk around and take in the great things Los Angeles has to offer.

Down in San Diego, Ford was at work when Benji stopped by. "What are you doing here?" Ford asked as Benji entered his office.

"So I got a phone call at work today from Don's office," Benji said.

"Oh wow," Ford replied knowing how hard that must have been for him, "You okay?"

"Of course," Benji tried brushing it off. "It's no big deal, his company just called to inform me that they would like to sell me back their shares of my stores."

"So he wants to cut all ties with you?" Ford asked.

"Yeah," Benji replied. "But it's for the best. I think it's a good idea, right?"

"If you're okay with it then I guess it is," Ford shrugged. "Are you okay with it?"

"Yeah," Benji insisted. "I'm totally fine with it. I think it's fabulous. It'll be nice to have full ownership of my company again."

"But that's your last connection you have with Donovan," Ford said. "You sure you want him to sell you those shares back?"

"Positive," Benji smiled. "It's what's best."

"So are you going to go back to New York to take care of it or is he coming out here?" Ford asked.

"Neither," Benji said. "He's going to send a lawyer with the paper work."

"He's not even going to come himself?" Ford asked wincing. He knew that had to hurt.

"No, he knew it was for the best," Benji said, doing his best to pretend it didn't bother him at all.

"So let me ask you something," Ford began, "If it doesn't hurt then why did you come all the way across town from your store to my office to tell me that?"

Benji didn't know how to answer, mostly because he knew that Ford could see right through his charade. "You want to finally admit that you're hurting?" Ford asked.

"I should let you get back to work," Benji said getting up from his chair. "I'm sure you have a lot of work to do."

"Benji," Ford called out, but Benji just smiled, waved goodbye and left. Ford shrugged his shoulders feeling badly for his friend. He went back to his work, but was once again interrupted.

"Ford, you have a call from Pacey on line one," Henry, Ford's assistant, said poking his head in the door.

"Thanks Henry," Ford replied. He picked up the phone and smiled as he answered. "Hey you."

"How's my favorite guy doing?" Pacey asked in his charming way.

"You're favorite guy is great. What's going on?" Ford asked.

"I just got a call from Donovan," Pacey said. "He told me he was selling his shares of Benji's stores back to him. That true?"

"News travels fast," Ford said. "Benji just told me about a minute ago."

"So they're really done for, huh?" Pacey asked.

"It looks that way," Ford replied. "Benji won't admit it, but he's really upset about it. How's Donovan?"

"He's not fairing much better," Pacey replied. "He keeps calling me so much that I'm going to fly over to New York tomorrow and see him."

"That's nice of you," Ford said. He then got an idea. "But you know what could be better?"

"What's that?" Pacey asked.

"We should get them back together!" Ford enthused.

"Ford, if it were that easy then don't you think they would be back together already?" Pacey asked. "Don wants to get married and Benji doesn't."

"Right," Ford sighed forgetting that `minor' detail. "Well, back to the original plan. You help Donovan move on and I'll help Benji move on."

"It's the best plan," Pacey agreed. "So are you going to come back to Denver this weekend?"

"I thought it would be nice for you to come here for a change," Ford suggested. "I have to go house hunting so it would be nice to have company."

"House hunting?" Pacey asked.

"Yeah, I was looking for a place a few months ago, but it didn't work out and then a lot of stuff happened that kept me busy so now that things have settled down I want to get back out and look," Ford replied. "It can be fun."

"Yeah, I'm sure looking for a house is a load of fun," Pacey said sarcastically.

"Come on," Ford begged. "I've been going to Denver to be with you for the past three weekends, it would be nice if you came out here for once."

"Maybe another weekend," Pacey said. "I may be busy with Donovan actually."

"If you don't want to come out here you can just say so. You don't have to make stuff up," Ford said rolling his eyes.

"Fine. I don't want to go out there," Donovan said. "Just come to Denver."

"I told you. I'm going to be busy looking for a house," Ford said.

"But I want to see you," Pacey complained.

"Then you can come here," Ford told him again.

"I don't like California," Pacey said. "Well, maybe next weekend."

"Fine," Ford mumbled. "I'll call you later. I have to work." Ford hung up the phone and took a deep breath. As much as he liked Pacey it infuriated him that Pacey was so self-centered and was unwilling to do something he doesn't want to do. Whenever the two of them got in a fight he wondered why they were even a couple in the first place, but he knew that Pacey would eventually make it up to him and do something that would make up for it. It may seem unhealthy to some, but it worked for them.

Meanwhile, Shane was at work going over some articles for the next day's paper when his cell phone rang. He usually liked to ignore it when he was busy, but when he saw Jackson on the caller-ID he was more than happy to pick up the call.

"What's going on Jackson? You okay?" Shane asked answering the phone.

"I need to get out of here," Jackson complained. "I am so tired of being in this hospital. I can't take it."

"I'm sorry," Shane said. "But the doctors still want to keep you around for observation. They still aren't sure if your paralysis is permanent or not."

"Shane, it's permanent," Jackson sighed. "We both know it. Can you just come get me?"

"Jackson, I know it's really frustrating, but just hang in there okay?" Shane asked. "It'll only be a couple more days."

"I can't take another couple days," Jackson snapped. "I need to get out of here. I'm sick of it. I want to go home."

"Jackson, you're apartment hasn't been fixed up to allow you to get around with a wheelchair yet," Shane said. "After work today I will get all that taken care of and then tomorrow afternoon when I finish I'll take you home. Okay?"

"Can't I just stay with you tonight?" Jackson asked.

"Well, of course. You can stay as long as you want, but are you sure? You don't want to stick it out for a little longer?" Shane asked.

"No," Jackson said. "I want to leave here. Please get me."

"Fine," Shane sighed. "I have to finish up some stuff here, but I'll come get you later today, okay? I promise."

"Good," Jackson replied. "Thank you." Jackson hung up the phone before Shane could say anything more, he just let out a big sigh, knowing that things were about to get difficult.

Up in Los Angeles, Luke and Derek were sitting down for lunch at the Ivy talking and waiting for Kurt and Leo to come.

"You know, for a place that has so much history you would think that they would try to keep it a little cleaner," Derek noted. It's true, Hollywood may be one of the most famous places in the world, but it doesn't seem to be treated that way.

"I know," Luke replied. "That was always one of the things that bothered me."

"So tell me a little more about your friends we're meeting tonight," Derek brought up.

"What do you want to know about them?" Luke asked.

"They're friends of your old boyfriends?" Derek asked.

"Yeah. That's not weird for you, is it?" Luke asked realizing that the situation may be uncomfortable for him.

"No, it's fine," Derek insisted. "What was this boyfriend like?"

"Nick was..." Luke began, trying to think of how to describe someone as great as Nick, "He was an incredible guy. He was always there for his friends when they needed him and he was really supportive of me and my career."

"Sounds great," Derek said. "Mind if I ask how he died? You never told me."

"He was...killed," Luke said softly.

"Oh my God. I'm so sorry," Derek said. "That's horrible."

"It was bad," Luke sighed.

"So you moved down to San Diego after?" Derek asked.

"Yeah," Luke replied. "Nick was supposed to move down with me. After he died I had to get away from here. It took a long time for me to come back and visit and talk to his friends again."

"I bet they're glad you finally came around," Derek said. "So what are they like?"

"Kurt is the ultimate nice guy," Luke explained. "He is always giving people second and third chances. Leo is a great guy too. He's always been a little bit more of a rebel and can sometimes have a temper, but he's a good guy."

"You think they'll like me?" Derek asked.

"I have a very good feeling they'll like you," Luke smiled, hoping they would see Nick deep down inside of him too. He looked up behind Derek and saw Kurt and Leo approach. "Here they are." Luke got up and smiled brightly at Kurt and Leo and gave them both a big hug and hello. "I want to introduce you guys to Derek."

"It's nice to meet you guys," Derek said standing up from his seat and shaking hands with them.

"It's nice to meet you," Leo smiled.

"We've heard some good things about you," Kurt added. The four of them sat down together and proceeded to have lunch together. Through out lunch Luke kept glancing over at Kurt and Leo to see if they saw Nick in him too, but so far he got no reaction from them.

"So Luke tells us that you moved here from Nevada. How long did you live there?" Leo asked.

"Honestly, I'm not too sure," Derek replied. "I don't know if he told you, but I have amnesia."

"Oh yeah, he mentioned that," Kurt said. "You got that eight years ago, right?"

"Yeah," Derek replied. "So unfortunately I don't remember anything before then. Doctors told me that I'm one of those rare cases who doesn't get any of their memory back."

"That's horrible," Kurt sighed. "Sorry to hear about that."

"It's okay," Derek shrugged. "I've learned to live with it."

"So you remember nothing at all?" Leo asked.

"Not really," Derek replied. Kurt glanced over to Luke and raised his eyebrows as if trying to say, `Sorry, I don't see Nick in there.' Luke took a deep breath; he was banking on Kurt and Leo to believe it was Nick too. He felt that if they agreed with him then t was true after all and it wasn't just him having wishful thinking. Luke tried masking his frown with his drink as he took a sip.

After work, Ford went over to Benji's place bringing Chinese food with him for dinner.

"Thanks for coming over," Benji said. "I've been so bored today. After I left your office I went back to work for a couple more hours and then just spent the rest of the day walking around."

"And you're sure you're okay?" Ford asked.

"I'm fabulous," Benji smiled. "I should be celebrating. I have full ownership of my company again. Don selling it back to me is a good thing."

"Benji," Ford sighed trying to get him to admit his true feelings.

"You know, I've actually been hoping he would do this for a long time. Even before we broke-up I wanted him to give me my company back," Benji said.

"Benji, stop it," Ford said.

"Stop what? Being fabulous?" Benji asked with a laugh. "I can't very well do that."

"Benji," Ford sighed. "Come on. Be honest with me here."

"No, I'm great," Benji replied.

"Benji, would you stop it?" Ford asked. "I know you're hurting. You can admit it."

"I'm not," Benji insisted.

"Yes you are!" Ford replied. "I know you! If you didn't care then you would have gone and hooked up with tons of guys by now, but you haven't. As much as you try to pretend you're the way you used to be, you're not and it's okay to admit it."

"I am so," Benji replied. "If you want me to hook up with someone I will."

Ford rolled his eyes, "I don't want you to hook up with someone. I just want you to be true to yourself. You're hurting. Admit it."

"No!" Benji retorted.

"Why not?" Ford asked.

"Because if I did then I would fall apart," Benji said honestly. "And I can't let myself do that now."

"It's okay to be sad," Ford said rubbing Benji's back.

"Not for me," Benji insisted. "I don't do that. I don't let myself be sad. I'm fabulous and that's how it's supposed to be."

"You have to let yourself feel it," Ford encouraged Benji. "I know it's a horrible feeling, but you can't keep resisting it. It'll just make it that much harder."

"Ford, I love you, but please stop pushing," Benji said. "Let me deal with this in my own way. If I want to feel sad then I'll come to you, okay?"

Ford gave Benji a sympathetic smile, "Okay," he said softly.

After Shane picked up Jackson from the hospital (against his doctor's advisement) they went back to Shane's place. When they got to Shane's front door they realized that the wheelchair Jackson was sitting in wouldn't fit through the front door.

"Shit," Shane groaned as he surveyed the situation before figuring out what to do. "Okay, you wrap your arms around me and I'll carry you in and then I'll collapse the wheelchair and bring it inside."

"I'm sorry Shane," Jackson said feeling completely embarrassed.

"You have nothing to apologize for," Shane affirmed with a gentle kiss on Jackson's lips. "Now wrap your arms around me." Shane opened the front door and he leaned down to let Jackson wrap his arms around his neck. He then took a deep breath and lifted Jackson up from his wheelchair and carried slowly carried him inside. "You're heavy," Shane joked to bring some levity to the situation.

"Thanks a lot," Jackson said giving an appreciative smile for the joke. Shane made his way to the couch in the living room and set Shane down on the couch. "Thank you."

"No problem," Shane smiled and went to the front door and collapsed the wheelchair and brought it inside. "So how about I order us a pizza?"

"Sounds good," Jackson smiled. "Do you think you can help me take a bath afterwards?"

"Of course," Shane replied. "I'll start the bath now and then we'll get you washed up as we wait for the pizza, okay?"

"Thanks Shane," Jackson smiled.

"No problem," Shane said again. He felt that Jackson was thanking him every five seconds.

"No really Shane, thank you," Jackson said. "I know this is a lot of trouble for you and I really appreciate it."

"Jackson, you don't have to thank me," Shane said. "I am more than happy to do this for you, okay?"

"Okay," Jackson smiled.

"And don't forget, it can be temporary," Shane said. "The doctor said that it can take up to a couple months for feeling to return. They're still hopeful that the trauma to the spinal nerves can heal."

"I don't want to get my hopes up," Jackson said.

"Well you can stay here as long as you want, but you have to continue physical therapy, okay?" Shane said.

"All right," Jackson nodded.

"Good. Now I'll go get your bath started," Shane said giving Jackson a kiss before leaving the room. Jackson closed his eyes and said a silent prayer hoping that the paralysis would indeed be temporary.

Up in Los Angeles, Luke, Derek, Kurt and Leo were eating dinner together at Valentino.

"It's been so long since I've been here," Leo noted.

"Same," Luke replied.

"Well today was a fun day," Leo said. "It's been a while since I've been able to just hang out and relax."

"Yeah," Derek added. "I really appreciate you guys showing me around the city."

"It's no problem," Kurt said. "Did you like the places we visited?"

"Yeah. Each one was really great," Derek smiled.

"While we're waiting for our food, I'm going to go use the restroom," Luke said getting up from his seat. "Kurt, want to come with me?"

"Sure," Kurt shrugged. "Excuse us."

Kurt and Luke entered the restroom and began to wash their hands.

"I told you that it was Nick," Luke said.

"What?" Kurt asked. "I still don't see what you were talking about."

"Are you kidding?" Luke asked. "We went to all of Nick's favorite spots today and he loved each one."

"Luke, we went to Melrose, the Griffith Observatory, the Ivy, and Bev. Center. They're popular tourist spots. Everyone likes those places," Kurt said.

"How about the fact that he ordered the same meal here that Nick always ordered," Luke pointed out.

"It's a good dish," Kurt shrugged. "I ordered the gnocchi too."

"His accident was on the same night that Nick died," Luke brought up.

"Coincidence," Kurt replied.

Luke sighed, "Okay, how about the fact that-"

"How about the fact that it's not Nick," Kurt said interrupting Luke. "I know you want it to be him and a part of me was hoping that maybe you were right, but it's not him. Leo and I would know if it was Nick or not. You need to move on."

"I have moved on," Luke insisted.

"You're trying to believe that Nick's spirit is inside of this guy," Kurt said. "How is that moving on?" Luke didn't say anything because he knew that Kurt had a point. Kurt then went on, "Luke, I think it's really sweet and romantic of you to want to believe that Nick somehow found a way to come back to you, but it's not him. Derek is a great guy, but he's not Nick."

"Maybe you're right," Luke sighed. "I just really wanted it to be him."

"I know you did," Kurt said giving Luke a hug. "So did I."

Back down in San Diego, After Ford left Benji's place, Benji found himself sitting in his room alone looking blankly at the wall. He looked over on his dresser and found a letter tucked into a book that he's been reading on and off for the past few months. He picked up the letter and instantly remembered it. It was a letter that Donovan had written him before he came to visit him for Christmas.

`To my Benji,

I'm writing you an actual letter. Can you believe it? Do people even send letters anymore? I feel it's a dying art so I wanted to bring the trend back and write a letter just for you. I miss you so much Benj, I can't wait to see you. Things have been so boring without you. Can you believe it? I'm in New York City and I'm bored! Look at what you've done to me? You've brought too much into my life that you've made the most exciting city in the world boring to me! I guess it's just another one of the many reasons why I love you. I'll see you in a couple days. I love you.

All my love, Donovan'

Benji took a deep breath trying to settle his nerves, but he suddenly felt as if the walls were closing in on him. He felt his face heat up and had a heard time focusing. He didn't know what he was feeling, but he knew he had to get out of his home. He grabbed his jacket and car keys and ran out the door.

Back in LA, Luke and Kurt went back to the table where Derek and Leo were in mid-conversation.

"What are you guys talking about?" Luke asked.

"I was just telling Derek about the Halloween where you and Nick went to my Halloween party as Sonny and Cher," Leo said.

"Oh my God," Derek laughed heartily.

"How embarrassing," Luke said laughing putting his hands over his face.

"I'll leave it to your imagination to guess who went as Sonny and who went as Cher," Leo laughed.

As they all laughed together, Kurt and Leo quieted down when they heard Derek's laugh. They knew that laugh. There was something in his laugh that was instantly recognizable.

"I'll be right back," Derek said getting up from the table. "I just need to use the restroom." After he walked away Luke turned to Kurt and Leo.

"What is it?" Luke asked noticing that Kurt was looking intently at Derek.

"That laugh," Kurt whispered to Luke.

"What about it?" Luke asked.

"You recognized it too, right?" Leo asked. Luke took a moment to think about it and then smiled.

"That's Nick's laugh," Luke said. Nick had a recognizable laugh, it was big and loud and full of joy, but it was also a deep laugh, a laugh that no one was able to copy, but now here it was coming from someone else. Coming from Derek.

"It can't be," Kurt said in disbelief. "Can it?"

Later that night, Ford was in his room watching the news when his cell phone rang. It was Pacey.

"Yes?" Ford answered the phone in a less than enthusiastic manner.

"Still mad at me I see," Pacey replied.

"I'm not angry," Ford said. "I expect this kind of stuff from you."

"Think you can read me pretty well, huh?" Pacey asked.

"I have a pretty good idea," Ford replied.

"So then what am I going to do next?" Pacey asked.

"You're going to find a way to make it up to me," Ford replied. "I'm guessing you already booked yourself a flight to come out here tomorrow to see me. True or false?"

"I would like to say false just so you can wipe that smug grin off your face that I'm sure you have." Pacey laughed, "But you're right. I'll be there tomorrow morning."

"Good," Ford smiled. "Then maybe we'll be together for at least another week."

"You see, this is why I like being with you," Pacey laughed. "You don't bullshit with me. I need that."

"You need many things," Ford snickered. "But we'll deal with your idiosyncrasies one at a time."

"That sounds like a deal." Pacey then took took a moment to be serious, "I miss you Ford."

"I might miss you too, a little bit," Ford admitted. The phone call was interrupted by a little knock on his front door. "I have to get going, but I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow," Pacey replied before hanging up.

Ford got up to see who was at the door. When he opened the door he was surprised to see Benji standing in the doorway with tears in his eyes.

"Hey," Ford said softly. "What are you doing here?"

"I think I'm ready to be sad now." Ford wrapped his arms tightly around Benji. Even though he felt bad for his best friend, he was glad that Benji was letting himself feel the pain now and not hold it all inside.

"Come on inside," Ford said. "You can stay the night, okay?"

"Thanks."

Benji and Ford spent the rest of the night talking to one another. Benji finally admitted his pain and the hurt he was feeling. It was the only night that Benji cried over Donovan, but it was all he needed.

After dinner Luke and Derek were saying their goodbyes to Kurt and Leo.

"I had a really great time today," Derek said giving Leo a hug.

"It was really nice to meet you," Leo said hugging Derek tightly. "You are an awesome guy and I hope we see you again soon." Leo still wasn't sure what he felt about everything. Was it possible that Nick's spirit was inside of Derek? Even though he knew it seemed ridiculous, he wanted to believe it was him and if it was then he was happy because he knew that Nick was okay. He was back with Luke. Leo held onto Derek probably longer than what Derek was comfortable with, but he was overcome with the feeling that he was hugging Nick and it was a hug that he's missed so much.

After Leo finally let go, Derek went to Kurt and gave him a hug. "You're an incredible guy," Kurt said hugging Derek. "You remind me a lot of someone I once knew."

"Oh yeah?" Derek asked. "Who's that?"

Kurt looked over to Luke to see if he should say, but Luke quickly shook his head. He didn't want Derek to think that he was only dating him because he though he was really Nick. "Just a really good friend of mine," Kurt finally answered.

Derek went and sat in the car as Luke said his goodbyes to the guys.

"So do you believe me now?" Luke asked quietly.

"I'm still not positive if it is him or not," Kurt said. "But once I heard that laugh I think I saw what you see in him. There is something really familiar about him."

"It's Nick," Leo said. "It has to be."

"I'm so glad you guys think so too," Luke said hugging them tightly.

"If it is him then you are getting a second chance and that's incredible," Kurt said.

The three of them shared a smile as they remembered Nick. "Leave it to Nick to find a way back from the dead," Leo joked.

"Nothing can keep that guy down," Kurt laughed. They glanced over at Derek sitting in the car waiting for Luke. "Well we should let you go."

"Yeah," Luke nodded. "Well, it was really great seeing you both."

"It was great seeing you," Kurt said hugging Leo tightly. "Keep us posted, okay?"

"I will," Luke promised. He then went and hugged Leo.

"Don't let him go," Leo said quietly. "Promise me that."

"I won't," Luke said. "I promise."

After they said their goodbyes Luke went to the driver's side of the car and gave Kurt and Leo one more smile before getting in. As they drove off Kurt and Leo stood for a little while longer to watch the car drive off.

"So what do you think? Is it Nick?" Leo asked.

"I don't know," Kurt replied.

"That laugh was Nick's laugh," Leo pointed out. "We can't deny that."

"I know," Kurt nodded. "But it's impossible, right? People don't come back from the dead. Spirits don't hop into other bodies."

"But how do you explain it?" Leo asked.

"We don't," Kurt replied. "We don't need to explain it. Luke believes it and that's all that matters. I was worried because I thought that he was trying to hold onto the past and not go forward, but that isn't the case. When I saw him laughing with Derek he was genuinely happy. He makes him happy and that's all that matters. Whether it's Nick or not isn't important. What's important is that Luke's happy."

Leo nodded; he knew that Kurt was right. Their friend was happy and that made them happy.

To Be Continued...

With any comments, questions or feedback please e-mail me at ilj4ever44@yahoo.com. Thanks so much for reading!