Luke had been everywhere, looking Noah. He had never felt such a panic like he was feeling right now. It all made since to him, he felt so stupid for not realizing what he had done to Noah earlier. What must he be thinking? That was what was killing Luke. As if it wasn't bad enough that Luke had crushed Noah's heart when he left him for Reid, but now that Reid was gone he was still tormenting Noah. It wasn't any wonder that Luke was an awful boyfriend; he never saw the bigger picture. It had taken Reid's death to make Luke realize that he had never really felt that same burning passion that he had with Noah. When they were together in was white hot, passion mixed with love and devotion. Noah was able to keep his world whole and right, but in all the messiness of the past year he let all of that get in the way. Luke didn't even realize he had driven out to the cemetery, but as he pulled down the familiar path he parked his car and got out. He hadn't been to so Reid's grave in over a week but now he felt as if Reid was calling to him reaching out for one last chat.

"Noah's back, you have to be pissed." Luke smiled down at the grave. He missed him he always would; Reid was not only his partner but they were friends also. "I know what you thinking, 'He's going to hurt me, push me away again.' But I think this is truly different". Luke was silently begging for some sort of sign that is was okay to move on. He needed to let Reid go completely so he could move on and love Noah the right way.

"He'd want you to be happy honey". Luke was startled by the voice from behind him. He knew instantly who spoke to him. Tears sprang to his eyes, she had been such a comfort in the days and weeks after Reid had died. "I know you think it is wrong to love Noah again… but he would never ask you to give that up for him, and I think you know that". Katie had walked up beside Luke and put her arm around his waist.

"It's like, why do I get the second change to go on?" Luke swiped at the moisture on his face. It wasn't that he didn't want the chance be with Noah, he would do anything for that. It just didn't seem to be the fair thing. Reid died a hero, Luke did nothing. "Reid was so much braver than me". Looking down at the headstone he felt new tears sliding down his face.

"Really, because I think, no I know it is hard to go on. Luke when I lost Brad I thought my whole life was over. I didn't want to get up in the morning and I sure as heck didn't want to go through the motions of living." Katie looked into Luke's desperate eyes, and felt herself drowning with him. "But I did. I got up and I got dressed, and I went to work, and I became the mom that Jacob deserved". Luke watched as Katie wiped her own tears and pulled her close. She had lost so much in life and yet here she was surviving… and in love again.

"Katie, when did loving Chris get easier? I mean I've always loved Noah… that has never been the problem. But a man is dead and I feel like I have to keep him alive."

"That's not you job anymore honey. Reid is gone, and though I miss him and still love him he isn't coming back. He would never have wanted you to feel like his keeper; in fact he would have hated that. It's time to let him go, but I think you already knew that didn't you?" She held his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Let him go, Luke."

Stepping away from Katie Luke moved closer to Reid's headstone. Kneeling down he placed his hand on the cold surface. This was harder that he had imagined, but he knew that this was the time.

"Reid, we didn't really get the shot that we both so desperately wanted. I let myself fall so easily in love with you because you were so much different than Noah, and I think I had needed that… Needed you. I love him Reid, and I know you won't hate me, but I wanted to tell you, I needed to let you go so I could fully be with him." Tears that Luke wasn't prepared for rushed down his face as he felt the pressure of Katie's hand in his shoulder. "He is my soul mate. He has had my heart since before I had ever met him. Thank you Reid for helping me grow up, I needed it. I love you and I miss you." Getting to his feet he wrapped his arms around Katie and let her hold him.

"Come on Luke, it's time to find Noah and make this right. Are you ready?" Katie had a smile on her face, one that seemed to give the impression that she knew something that he didn't.

"Yes, I am ready". And for the first time in a long time Luke felt free.