Chapter: 17 Friends Rush In Special Thanks: Special thanks to Vernie for her help with this story. Rating: PG 13 Characters: Noah, Eddie,Roth, Greg, Luke, Damian Disclaimer: This site is no way associated with "As the World Turns", CBS, P&G, or Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann. This is not for profit. No copyright infringement is intended. Authors submit and write their own work.

Noah was on his way to Eddie's he had called and said that he had news about Damian. Noah hadn't slept well. He no longer had the hurt of Luke not loving him, but he couldn't stop thinking about Luke being with Damian. Why would a father go to such lengths? Then Noah remembered his own father, or the man that he thought was his father. How Winston Mayer had tried to kill Luke to keep him away from Noah. "Even though I have lived through it, it's hard to believe that there are such people in the world. Why can't they just let us live our lives?"

Noah arrived at Eddie's. "Hey Noah. Do you want some coffee or tea?'

Since Eddie's near death experience, he had turned over a new leaf. He wasn't high all the time and he had stopped sleeping with everything that moved. Eddie really wanted to help Noah and luckily for Noah his past had come in handy. "No thanks. What did you find out about Damian?"

Eddie lead Noah over to the sofa. "Damian came back to town a few months back. He bought a large house just outside of the next town."

Noah nodded. "That makes sense. Luke's mom said that he called her a few months ago."

Eddie nodded. "Well, he has quite the drug business. He was down in Florida and since he's been here he has developed all types of contacts. You were smart to tell Luke's dad to not contact the police. He has a lot of them in his pocket."

Noah held his breath and then let it out. "What are we going to do?"

Eddie had a look of determination. "We are going to have to bring him down ourselves."

Noah looked at Eddie. "Eddie, if he has so many connections, he probably has the place guarded like Fort Knox."

Eddie nodded. "That's true, but he's always looking for new delivery guys. I've already met him and I've got someone who can hook us up with a meeting."

Noah shrugged. "What good will that do me? He would spot me in a minute."

Eddie smiled. "Your not going in directly. We will keep him occupied, while you go and get Luke."

Noah shook his head. "I don't know. It sounds dangerous."

Eddie nodded. "It is, but you want to get to Luke don't you? Do you have another plan?"

Noah had no choice but to agree with Eddie. "Your right. I think I will talk to Mr Snyder. Since Jack is his brother, he can meet him and not look suspicious. Maybe he can come up with some type of back up plan."

Eddie agreed. "That's great, but tell him not to do it before we get started. Otherwise he will try and stop us."

Noah nodded. "Your right. I'll go talk to him now."
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Eddie, Noah and Roth were driving up to Damian's in Eddie's car. Noah had talked to Greg, who wanted to come along. Eddie slowed the car. "Noah you get out here. If you circle around back you can probably find a way in."

Noah got out of the car. "Okay. Good luck guys."

Roth waved. "Your the one that's going to need it. We'll be fine."

Noah made his way through the woods. He was relieved to see that there didn't appear to be any guards outside. He made his way to the back of the house. He watched as Eddie came up the driveway. When he saw the guys get out and head towards the house, he cut around the back.

Luke was sitting by the pool. He was doing what he normally did to try and not think about his situation. He was writing in his journal. He just wished that he could call Noah. Damian didn't let him have any contact with the outside world. He only saw Damian's friends.

Damian had said that he was watching Noah and Luke would try to find out if he was alright. Damian had told him that he was in Chicago. Luke was relieved to find out that news. He had gone to be with his family. They would help him through this.

Luke looked up from his writing. He thought that he heard something. He got up and walked over to the side of the house. "Whose there?"

Noah saw Luke. He looked so good. He had on a stripped button down shirt and a pair of dark slacks. He was sitting and writing. Luke always wrote when he was troubled. He didn't look happy. Noah wanted to run to him and scoop him up in his arms. He held back his impulse. He wanted to make sure that he was alone before he let him see him. Noah crouched down and took a step closer and stepped on a twig.

Luke continued to look. He called again. "Whose there?"

Noah came out of the bushes. "It's me Luke."

Luke nervously looked around. "Noah what are you doing here?"

Noah took a step closer. "I'm here for you. I know about Damian and him setting me up to deliver the drugs. He was the reason that you did what you didn't isn't he?"

Luke shook his head. "No. I told you what happened."

Noah looked at Luke. "I can tell that you are lying. I always could. Roth told me that he didn't kiss you and that you wouldn't explain why you kissed him."

Luke turned away. "I was upset about Eddie and hurting you."

Noah walked up and put his hand on Luke's arm. Luke closed his eyes at his touch. He wanted so much to throw himself into Noah's strong arms, but he couldn't. "If that is the case why did you lie to your parents and tell them that you were going to Chicago with me."

Luke shook his head. "I didn't want them to know that I screwed up."

Noah grabbed Luke and made him look at him. "Yeah and Damian's is the only place that you could find to go. You would rather die first."

Luke looked into Noah's eyes. He couldn't lie to him. "I..."

Damian came out to the pool. "If anyone is going to die around here it will be you."

Coming Soon: Stop the Insanity
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Chapter 18