Chapter 1- Chad's advice

Chad heard the bell of the door ring, letting him know that a new customer was entering the Common Grounds coffee house. His back was to the door, busy making a latte when he heard footsteps head towards the counter.

"I'll be with you in just a minute," Chad says as he finishes steaming the milk in latte he is working on.

"No rush Chad," He hears a familiar voice say.

Chad finishes up and turns around to see Will standing there.

"Hey bro," Chad says, "Sonny's not working today."

"I know," Will states, "I actually came to talk with you."

"Oh," Chad says a little surprised. They hadn't talked much since the wedding incident, other than when he apologized for outing him as the father of Gabi's baby, he was surprised at how mellow Will was about the whole thing. Guess it was time for him to face the music at last, at least from Wills end. "Let me take this latte to the customer over there and we can talk," Chad says giving Will a crooked smile.

"No worries, take your time," Will smiles back. Will goes and sits at his and Sonny's favorite spot back in the left corner. He starts taking off his scarf and jacket as Chad returns and sits across from him.

"So what's up?" Chad asks nervously, he really wasn't sure what to expect from the brooding blond. Will had a lot going on these days and this could be about just anything.

"Well, there is a specific reason I came but first we haven't really talked much since…." Will paused for a second as Chad gave Will his I know what you are talking about look, "Well, you know,…" Will concedes it is best not to mention the details, "I thought we should catch up a little bit. How are things going with you?"

Chad just looked at Will a bit confused. Well, they are good friends Chad thinks to himself. But given the past few months you wouldn't know it. They barely talk anymore and when they do, someone's life ends up getting screwed up. Maybe it is time for them to change things. "Well," Chad begins, "before the wedding fiasco, I thought Abigail and I were headed in the direction of getting back together, but that kind of blew up in my face."

"Yeah….sorry about that," Will says, actually feeling bad for the guy.

Chad looks at Will completely flabbergasted by this kid. He has to be the most forgiving and selfless person he knows, "You kill me sometimes Will."

It was Wills turn to be confused, "What do you mean, I just want you to know that I understand what it is like to screw up a relationship."

"Ya, I get that," Chad shares, "But here I have screwed up your life, caused more problems for you than a friend should ever cause, and yet here you are apologizing to me for my screw up with your cousin."

"Chad," Will says, "What you did at the wedding may have been a little messed up, just for the fact that it was none of your business and wasn't your secret to reveal. But to be honest it needed to be done, I'm sure eventually the truth would have came out, if not by me."

They just sit there looking at each other for a bit. Chad can't believe what a great guy this kid is, he see's the good in everyone. Come on now, the kid manages to find the goodness in Gabi and Nick, he must be a saint.

"Will, I can't believe how sensible you are. You are able to find the good in anyone, including your jerk best friend." Chad smiles at Will, he hadn't called Will that in awhile, he hopes Will still thinks of him as his best friend.

"Well…." Will states, " what are best friends for?"

They have another one of those awkward silent moments, the ones where you know you should say something but don't know what. They both felt it appropriate for them to hug, but neither of them had really said what they really wanted to say.

"Well….I really am sorry about everything Will? I should have behaved better."

"It doesn't really matter anymore, either way I would still be stuck in this same crappy situation."

"What do you mean crappy situation? You and Sonny are back together, right? And I thought you were happy about becoming a dad? Last we talked you showed me the sonogram and was all smile."

"Oh, no….I am thrilled about being a dad. I would do anything for my daughter. And yes, Sonny and I are very happy. It's Nick and Gabi that I am struggling with."

Poor kid, Chad thinks to himself. He doesn't know what he would do if he was bound to Nick and Gabi for the rest of his life. Those two are definitely trouble.

"What have they done now?" Chad asks.

"Nick is just a…." Will stops himself. Lately he has been getting fired up anytime he has to talk about the lousy son of a bitch, but he needs calm down. He can't reveal anything or say too much, it might mess everything up.

"Nick is just a what?" Chad asks fully interested in what perfect Will has to say about the dirt bag. He couldn't believe that Will was finally starting to see beyond Nicks little act.

"Well, I can't really talk about it." Will shares. "You can understand that, right?" Will asks giving Chad a inquisitive look. One of those I know you have a secret you can't tell me, but you want to type looks.

Chad looks down, he would love it more than anything to tell Will the truth about their "perfect" ex-girlfriend, and feels guilty that he can't especially given Wills situation. But, alas he cannot, thanks to that stupid contract and the scheming Nick.

"Ya, I can understand," Chad finally is able to say looking back at Will. Trying to hide the guilt that he is feeling. "Nick is a sly one that is for sure, but I am sure his time will come." Chad says trying to cheer Will up.

"Ya.." Will says, not sure whether he fully believes it or not. He starts to get lost in his own thoughts. He really is worried that there is nothing that can be done to bring Nick down. Will knows he's done some bad things, but really, he shot EJ Wells, I mean who hasn't tried or wanted to take the guy out at one point. Besides EJ has already forgiven him for it, and really has become a none issue, until Nick had to stick his big nose into everything and threaten to screw up everyone's lives.

"Will," Chad says trying to get his attention again.

"Ya," Will looks back at his friend.

"I want you to know that if you ever do need someone to talk to I am here. I promise I won't judge you. I know I haven't always been the best guy, I mean Mia cheated on you with me, I completely lost it on you when I thought you killed my father, which was the worst thing I could do considering all that you were struggling.…"

"Chad…" Will says.

" Having a hard time accepting you sexuality and al. I wasn't even there for you when you needed a friend…."

"CHAD," Will yells.

"What?" Chad asks losing his thoughts.

"I get it. I don't think we need to rehash our whole history. I understand, we both have made mistakes, but we should leave the past in the past and move on." Will says, a little touched that Chad cared this much.

"Ok," Chad says putting his hand out, it was kind of a peace offering and more of an agreement to let the past go and move on. Will reaches out his hand and shakes Chad's.

"Oh, one more thing I should inform you" Chad says, a little nervous how Will is going to take this information.

"Yea, what is it?"

"I am sort of, kind of, uh" Chad mumbles over his words, "moving back into the Dimera mansion."

Chad just stares at Will trying to gage his reaction. He knows Will has always hated the Dimera's, but given the look Will was giving him he was a bit confused. Will was the one who warned him about them when the truth about his paternity was revealed.

"And…" Will asks. Looking at Chad like he was waiting for some sort of big confession.

"And?" Chad exclaims, "And, nothing. That's it. I thought you would be mad, or try and warn me what a mistake that would be."

"Well, I guess normally I would, but given that my mom and siblings have already moved in there, I don't have much room to talk."

Chad just smiled at that. So Wills mom and siblings are living there now to. Seems like the Dimera mansion is going to have a full house. Chad begins to wonder what his dear old dad might be up to.

"But hey, before I go I actually had something I needed advice on." Will says as he sits back down.

"Oh, and what might you need my advice on?" Chad asks, really curious on what he could help Will out with. He also follows Wills lead in sitting back down.

"Well, Sonny's birthday is coming up. And with you being his business partner and all, I thought maybe you could help me figure out what to get him."

Chad couldn't believe it. He had no idea when's Sonny's birthday was, he has been partners with the guy for almost a year now, and still didn't know when his birthday was.

"Well?" Will asks, bringing Chad back out of his thoughts.

"Oh, ya Sonny's birthday. Well are you having a party?" Chad asks.

"O no Chad, I thought it's Sonny's birthday, lets not celebrate it." Will barks at him sarcastically, "I only gave you the invitation last week."

"O right." Chad felt like an even bigger idiot, he didn't even remember getting an invitation. "So you want to know the perfect gift to get Sonny."

"I kind of already said that." Will said a little annoyed at Chad's stalling.

"Well give me a minute to think," Chad says noticing Wills irritation. He really wanted to help the kid out.

"Given everything I have put Sonny through these past several month he really deserves something special. I know I don't have a lot to offer him, but surely he must have told you something that he wants something that I could get him."

Chad had to turn away, he couldn't think while looking at Wills pleading face. He really wanted to help Will out, he felt partially to blame and thought this may make up for at least some of the crap he had put Will through. As he was thinking he saw the front door open up and saw Brian walk in.

Chad couldn't hide the look of horror that came over his face as he turned around to see if Will had noticed who just walked in the door.