A/N: Ok, I couldn't keep it from you. I felt mean. Have some hints at some plot and some Will and Ron interaction and Alan being cheeky to get Eric to talk. He's not as innocent as he seems. Thank you for your reviews, and the people who've got this fic on alert and so on. Please keep them coming.

"Look, if you don't intend to go to the academy and actually attend your classes, at least come to work with me and make yourself useful," Eric called into Ronald's bedroom. Ronald groaned and didn't answer. "Oi. Knox!"

After two weeks of mentoring the boy, Eric was certain Ronald wasn't going to classes. He sighed and strode into his room, shaking the kid awake. He groaned and rolled over. They'd barely spoken since Ronald had ended up in his in his bed. It was incredibly awkward but Eric was determined to keep pushing on. He was going to get through to Ronald somehow.

"Go away," Ronald hissed. "I've got school today."

"You're not going to your classes," Eric snapped, dragging him up. "Get dressed. You're coming to work."

"No way."

Eric sighed and turned away, giving up on his attempts to get Ronald out of bed. This just wasn't getting him anywhere. He shut the door behind him and turned to head out to work. Sometimes it was goof to get away from that kid anyway. He was so difficult to be around and the stress was driving Eric crazy. The sooner he figured out this kid the sooner things would fall into the easy, friendly working relationship he usually had with his students.

Ronald was so different to everyone he'd mentored before. Eric tried to tell him it was still early days, there was plenty of time for Ronald to settle and maybe things would get back to normal. The normal files weren't enough with this kid. He needed Ronald's files. The more detailed ones. And he needed to figure out how to reach Ronald, how to get through that shell and help him.

On his way to work, one of Ronald's teachers caught up with him. Unfortunately it was just more bad news. Ronald had an exam tomorrow, an exam he'd already rescheduled and missed twice. If he didn't pass tomorrow then it would be proof he wasn't ready to move onto the mentoring program and he'd be pulled back to the academy to repeat last year's training before being kept back in the academy for another two years before becoming a trainee reaper. That was what they did for reapers who weren't considered to have enough potential. Everything had to be done slowly and in a class room before they moved onto training. Mentoring took less than half the time regular training did. Eric couldn't see academy training being the right path for Ronald. He needed to be out in the real world. He had to get Ronald through this exam.

One step at a time. This was going to have to be done in baby steps. First he needed to get him through this exam and keep him in his care, then maybe gain his trust some and maybe get somewhere with his studies more consistently. But how to get him to even turn up to the exam, let alone pass it?

The problem plagued him all day until Alan was sitting on his desk once more, helping him with his paperwork. Alan had, of course, noticed how Eric was having problems focusing.

"What's up with Ronald this time?" he said quietly.

"He's going to fail the start of year exam," Eric said, leaning back on his chair. "He's already missed it three times, this is his last chance and he's going to fail if I can't think of something drastic today."

Alan frowned. "Maybe there is nothing you can do for him, Eric. I know I'm trying to push you not give up but this is serious, what if you can't help him?"

"I don't know anymore," he said quietly. "If he goes back to the academy he'll get lost in the system and he'll never get anything done with his life. I don't want to fail him."

"Well, how did William get you to work?" Alan said.

Eric frowned. William had mentored him decades ago. Back then Eric had been trouble and William had worked hard to pull him back from the edge of failing. He was strict and firm and sometimes absolutely terrifying but he was certain to praise Eric when he needed to and when he needed to be encouraged he gave him the help he needed. He frowned and slipped away from his desk to William's office.

"What's wrong, Slingby?" William said, not even looking up from his work.

"I need your help," Eric said, shutting the door and sitting across from him. "You've met Ronald." William nodded, still not looking up. "He's scheduled to take his start of year exam tomorrow and I need your help to get him through it."

William paused and he lifted his head. "Why should I help you or him, Slingby?"

"Old times' sake?" he said weakly. William frowned. "Come on, William, he's hurt and he's suffering and he needs someone to help him and if he gets sent back to the academy he'll get worse."

"That's not my problem," William said.

"No, but it's mine," Eric argued. "Please, help me with him. You didn't give up on me. You understand, right?"

"And what am I supposed to do?"

Eric grinned. That was William giving him his way. "Just help him study, make sure he pays attention and make sure he goes to the exam, please."

William nodded and sighed, getting up slowly. Maybe Ronald would be more receptive to William. He reached into his pocket for his key but William quickly reminded him he still had his own. William had become a supervisor just as Eric started mentoring, so Eric had taken William's old apartment. He'd never bothered changing the locks or getting the key back from William. It wasn't as if William was untrustworthy.

Of course, in return for his help, William dumped all his overtime and paperwork on him. Eric had argued half-heartedly but put up with it. Ronald needed help and if William could give him time to try then it was worth it. Alan stayed with him, sitting on the couch at the far end of William's office, which Eric hadn't moved from since William had a far more comfortable chair, reading quietly. William would figure Ronald out. He had to or Eric didn't know what was going to happen to the poor boy.

"So, has anything else happened between you two since your little fumble the other night?" Alan said absently.

"Nope. He's barely said a word," Eric replied. "And it was hardly a fumble. We just fell over."

"Sounds like the start of a beautiful relationship to me," he laughed. "I think you two would make such a beautiful couple."

"I really don't care, Al, it's not going to happen."

"Knox." Ronald groaned and rolled over, amazed to find William glaring down at him. He blinked and fumbled for his glasses, expecting the world to clear and William to vanish. It was just because he was half asleep, right? But William was still there. "Get up. What on earth as you doing in bed at this hour is beyond me?" William pulled away his duvet and Ronald squeaked, quickly pulling it back and turning bright red. "Get up. You have five minutes to join me. Would you like something to drink?"

"Umm… T-tea, pl-please…" he stammered.

This all felt incredibly surreal. William nodded and strode out, pausing at the door and glancing back. "You should consider getting some pyjamas, Knox."

Ronald groaned and lowered his head. What on earth was going on? Why was William here? In his room, waking him and demanding his presence? What was happening? Ronald quickly got up and dressed before hurrying out to William, was waiting for him in the kitchen. Tidying. Ronald frowned.

"Mr Spears, sir?" he said quietly.

"Slingby is ruining this house," William sighed. "It was never such a mess when I owned this place." Ronald nodded and William gestured to the breakfast counter where there were books and papers waiting for him. "We should get on with work."

"I'm fine thanks," Ronald said turning away to return to his room.

William was suddenly in front of him, glaring down at him and Ronald couldn't help staring back, his breath caught in his throat. "Sit down, Knox." Ronald sat down at the counter, unable to take his eyes from William's. "Now, you have an important exam tomorrow and Slingby is worried about you, so he has taken all my overtime so I can be here to help you prepare."

"I wasn't aware I needed help," he muttered. It was a little unnerving. Why was Eric so concerned about him passing tomorrow? Surely he'd be pleased to have him out of his hair. "I'm pretty smart, you know?"

"Yes, if you turned up to your classes and exams," William snapped, turning to glare at him once more. "I was not at all pleased to find such a lazy, troublesome child with such an obvious lack of work ethic was being given to Eric to work under me." Ronald could only nod dumbly, his stomach churning violently. Was that how William saw him? A book was pushed in front of him and Ronald clenched his fists in his lap. "Prove to me that Eric's faith in you isn't misplaced."

Ronald nodded quickly and lowered his head. Eric had faith in him? He'd taken all William's overtime just to get William to help him study? They spent hours working together and Ronald hoped that William was changing his mind about him. He worked hard for William, who was strict and harsh but was kind enough when he got things right.

It was late and getting dark when William handed him another mug, this one coffee. "You will attend the exam tomorrow, won't you, Knox? I wouldn't like to think I've been wasting my time here."

"I will, Mr Spears," Ronald said, nodding slightly. He would. And he'd pass. William had put in the time to be with him and help him, he wouldn't let him down. "Thank you, Mr Spears, for taking time to help me with this."

William frowned and dropped another book in front of him. "I am not doing it for you, Knox. I'm doing this because Slingby is very insistent on helping you. He believes you have potential and that you can be a good reaper. He'd worried about you, and I am simply doing this as a favour to him." Ronald sighed and nodded. "I hate to see potential wasted and immature children like you make my job harder. You're lucky there are men like Slingby around who want to help brats who think they're entitled to everything easily just because they're considered charming and good looking. I won't accept behaviour like that and if you dare to not show up to this exam or if you fail it and end up being returned to the academy I will make sure that you never get a job in Dispatch and that you make up to Slingby all the time you wasted."

"Yes, Mr Spears," Ronald said weakly. He was trembling and kept his gaze on the book in front of him. He'd looked up to William since the moment he saw him teaching in the academy. He was hard working, blunt and absolutely stunning but apparently he hated him. "I won't let you down. I'll pass, I promise. I won't let you down."

"It won't be me you're letting down. My expectations for you are so low I won't be let down or surprised." Ronald nodded, unable to look up still. No one had ever spoken to him like this. Eric had been stern with him but no one- absolutely no one ever- had spoken to him like he didn't deserve the breath it took to berate him. He'd always been the golden boy, and even when he was told off they would take the softly-softly approach, trying to argue that he had more potential than that and needed to do better. William was so completely different to anyone he'd met before. "I fail to see what Slingby bothers to keep trying. If I were him I would have let you be dragged back to the academy. Now, get back to work."

"This is so against the rules, Eric," Alan muttered.

Eric nodded. "But it's a necessary evil."

"We're going to get in so much trouble if we get caught," he said quietly.

"You don't have to come with me," Eric replied.

They were heading down to the infirmary. Eric needed to know more about Ronald. He needed to find his files and get more information. Something had drastically changed Ronald and Eric's first thought about something that severe was that maybe it was something medical, physical or mental. Maybe he'd broken up with a lover or had an argument with a friend, but he couldn't see that changing him so much.

"I can't see you managing this on your own," Alan said. The paused at the entrance to the infirmary and Alan smiled. "Jennifer..."

"You're right, that's perfect," Eric said with a smirk. "You distract her, I'll get the file."

"Why can't we just ask her for it? You're his mentor."

"You know medical files are confidential. Why else do you think we'd get in so much trouble?" Alan sighed and nodded. "Thanks, Al."

Alan gave him a sideways glance, looking as if he wanted to argue but just couldn't be bothered. If this didn't work he was going to get an 'I told you so' look, even if Alan never seemed to say it. Jennifer Helm was smitten with Alan. She smiled as Alan approached and leant on the desk, her back to the door to the records room. Alan got chatting with her and Jennifer smiled, twisting her blonde hair around her fingers. Of course, Alan was above flirting and taking people on dates to get what he wanted, Eric wasn't and he was pretty sure Ronald wasn't either, but he was perfectly happy to chat with her sweetly and hold her attention. He would say nothing to lead her on and make her think she had a chance deliberately, but just that fact that he seemed to be there just to chat to her, even if it was friendly, was enough to hold her attention.

Once he was sure Alan had her complete and utter attention, the way she leant forwards leaning on her hands and gazing into his eyes dreamily was a big clue, and there was no one else around Eric slipped passed to the records room, slipping the door open as little as possible and heading inside. It was a huge room, full of racks and filing cabinets. There were files here on every reaper currently working in the London area and quite a few who used to.

The buzz of the infirmary outside had been silenced by the thick walls. It was almost spooky. The lighting wasn't very good either. Reapers might have been ahead of those humans in technology, but apparently they couldn't get around to getting rid of that hideous florescent lighting in rooms like this. It seemed almost unstable and made the shadows shudder and jump. Now he had to figure out how to find Ronald's file. He strode through the narrow gaps between racks and cabinets until he found the Ks. He pulled open a cabinet draw about half way through and quickly flicked through the files. It was amazing how maybe people had last names starting with Kn. He frowned and shut the draw, opening the one below it. There were the files he wanted. The Knoxs. There were a surprising amount of them.

Eric sighed. "That bloody kid just can't be easy, can he?"

Out the corner of his eye, Eric was sure he caught movement between the racks and turned slightly. There was nothing to be seen, definitely no one there. He sighed and shook his head. It was probably just the lighting. He turned back to the files and quickly found the Rs. Why were there so many of them? He would have thought there weren't that many R. Knoxs in London, even if the files did go back at least two centres from what he could see at a glance.

"Raymond… Rebecca, Richard, Ricky, Rihanna…" He frowned and flicked through a bunch in one go. "Roland. That's better." There were footsteps behind him and once again Eric was sure he saw movement and jerked his head up. "Hello?" He frowned and glanced around. Still there was no one in sight. "Is anyone there?"

Still silence. Obviously his mind was playing tricks on him in the silence. He turned back to the files again and his frown deepened. Roland, Rowena, Roxanne. Eric flicked back through that again. No. He hadn't missed a file. Roland, Rowena and Roxanne Knox. Now, he didn't claim to be the most academically minded. He was intelligent, even if not in a book smart kind of way, but even he knew the alphabet and knew that Ronald should have been between Roland and Rowena. He flicked through the rest of the draw quickly, just in case his file had been put back in the wrong place accidently, but it wasn't there. He doubted the nurses would put it in the wrong draw entirely. So where was his file?

Alan couldn't keep Jennifer distracted forever. He needed to get on with this but his file couldn't have just disappeared, could it? The light above Eric flickered, flashing on and off almost violently. The draw he was looking in was slammed shut and he was sure there was the fluttering of a cinematic record.

"Hello?" he called quietly. "Who's there?"

He turned slightly. There was that movement again, like someone running passed. Someone was teasing him. Trying to scare him. The lights stopped flickering and the room fell silent once more. Eric frowned and glanced around. There was someone here. Someone was messing with the lights and playing tricks. Right? It had to be someone messing around. What else could it be? That was hardly a normal fault with the lights, was it?

The lights went out again, plunging him into darkness. What in the world was going on? Was there a storm or something outside? That would explain it. It would explain that fluttering sound that sounded too much like a cinematic record. It was just the wind and something was interfering with the lights. A dark figure suddenly appeared right in front of his face and Eric stumbled back. Something hit his ankles and Eric tumbled to the floor staring up at what looked like a shadow.

Light flooded the room once more and everything seemed normal again. Eric glanced around and let out a slow, shaky breath. Something had just happened but he had no idea what. He glanced down at the ground at his feet. There was a file there. He leant forwards slowly and picked it up. Ronald's file. His eyes widened. How had Ronald's file got there? Shaking his head, he shoved the file into his jacket and struggled to his feet, hurrying to the door. As he slipped out, Alan smiled at Jennifer and excused himself, running to join Eric.

"Well?" he demanded. "What took so long? What happened? You look pale. Are you ok?"

"Enough questions, Alan," Eric muttered.

"Eric?"

"Something weird just happened," he said quietly. "Something really weird. Some demon or someone playing tricks or something but it was weird."

"What happened?" Alan asked quietly.

"I have no idea, but I think it's something to do with Ronald. His file wasn't in with the others and then it just suddenly appeared. It was so weird. I think there's something going on and it might explain why Ronald's such a mess." He sighed and shook his head. "I hope William's got somewhere with him."

"I'm sure he has." Alan smiled and patted his arm. Eric forced himself to smile back despite the amount of ideas rushing through his mind, mainly involving grabbing Alan, pushing him into one of the unused offices and reminding him that they were so perfect together. "Mr Spears is quite motivating when he wants to be."

Eric nodded. "I figured he'd be good for him. It's not wrong to use Ronald's crush on him to get him to behave?"

"Not really," Alan replied. "It's for his own good, isn't it? And maybe they'll get somewhere." He smiled and tilted his head just right so the light caught his features just right, not helping Eric's desire to kiss him. "So, you were going to tell me what happened in there?"

"It was so weird, Alan," Eric said quietly. "It was looking for his file, and it wasn't there. Then the lights started going and there was their weird sound, like a record, and next thing I know there's this… shadow and I'm on the floor and Ronald's file is suddenly there. It's either someone screwing around or a demon."

"That does sound weird," he said, nodding slightly. "What do you think Ronald's got himself into?"

"Who knows, but I think this file's going to tell me something."