Author's Note: Sorry I'm so far behind in posting. I usually get most of my writing done at my two jobs- I was off 2 weeks at job#1 due to a surgery I had and those two weeks I was also on winter break from being a teacher's aide. Oooooh how I love this chapter! I thought it was going to take longer to write since I'm used to handwriting the chapters then typing them up. Man...the words flowed like butter as this chapter got typed out! I cannot wait to write the next chapter...holy cow. It's going to be super intense...and bloody. Please continue to review- I love hearing from y'all! (So nervous with what happens to Will and Nat's relationship once he's back from protective custody...They better not split them up!)
Here I stand, helpless and left for dead.
Close your eyes, so many days go by.
Easy to find what's wrong, harder to find what's right.
I believe in you, I can show you that I can see right through all your empty lies.
I won't stay long, in this world so wrong.
Say goodbye, as we dance with the devil tonight.
Don't you dare look at him in the eye, as we dance with the devil tonight
Trembling, crawling across my skin.
Feeling your cold dead eyes, stealing the life of mine...
~Breaking Benjamin~ Dance With The Devil
Will wished he could stay in the corner embracing Natalie and Owen forever, but soon they were being ushered into a side room so the guests could gather outside the church to send the happy couple off. Once everyone was outside, Will hoisted Owen onto his shoulders then grabbed for Natalie's hand. The church doors opened, revealing a sea of friends and family that showered them with bubbles as they made their way down the sidewalk. After receiving well wishes from those that couldn't attend the reception, they were whisked away by the photographer. Will wasn't a fan of having his picture taken, but today was different. There were pictures of he and Jay together, he and Natalie, but perhaps his most favorites were those of him with Owen and Natalie. His little family. Once the photos were finished, everyone climbed back into the limo (which Jay had procured for free from a CI) and headed off to the reception. Will's anxiety built, climaxing when they arrived at the venue. Jay could sense his brother's uneasiness as they stepped out into the parking lot. He quickly pulled him aside without anyone noticing.
" They're not here. Voight and the FBI have eyes on all of them. There was no way I was going to let them ruin my baby brother's wedding."
" You're packing, aren't you?" questioned Will, following Jay inside.
" I always do," he responded before being summoned across the room by Maggie.
I've arrested thousands of perps. None of them scare me quite like she does." Will laughed before turning to find Natalie and Owen at his side.
" What was that about" Natalie questioned.
" Jay being Jay," answered Will, grabbing for Owen's hand. Inside the reception, they could hear cheers and clapping as the wedding party was introduced. Before they knew it, they were the only three in the hallway.
" Annnnnd now, I am proud to present the happy family. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand as I introduce newly married Mr. and Mrs. William and Natalie Halstead, along with Owen Manning-Halstead," roared the DJ. Will had no time to react to the change in Owen's surname as they were directed to the doors that opened into the hall. The three of them stepped inside and were welcomed with thundering cheers and applause.
" You didn't tell me you had his name switched," Will whispered to Natalie as they headed to their table.
" I know we had talked about it. It's not 100% official yet, but Owen, Helen, and I discussed it at great length a few weeks ago."
" Thank you for giving me such a wonderful son."
" Thank you for stepping up and being such an incredible father figure for him," Natalie responded.
" You never did tell me what we decided on for lunch" said Will as he buckled Owen into his highchair between he and Natalie.
" You really shouldn't be eating anything right now...but it's chicken marsala, roast beef with au jus, or stuffed eggplant parmesan."
" It all smells amazing. I know I'll pay for it later, but I loaded up on my meds as well as a few all natural methods to keep the vomiting at bay," declared Will.
" You're playing with fire...just don't complain later when you wind up in the ED," Natalie half-heartedly joked.
" Between lunch and that delicious cake we chose, it will be worth it," he stated, leaning over to kiss Natalie just as the rest of the wedding party joined the table. Once everyone had been seated, the caterers began coming around with the food. Will was practically drooling as a heaping plate of roast beef, potatoes, and veggies was placed in front of him.
" William Halstead. I know I don't see you with a plate of food in front of you," Maggie scolded.
" Don't try fighting with him. I already tried," conceded Natalie.
" Then when you wind up in the ED tonight I'll make sure the med students are the ones putting in your IVs."
" Thanks Mags."
Once the plates had been cleared, Natalie and Will made their way to the table where their large, delicate cake stood. They sliced a piece of it, dividing it in half. Will briefly debated on smashing the cake in Natalie's face like they had joked about, but decided against it. He had surely put her through enough the past few weeks. At the very least he could feed her the cake without making a mess. However, Natalie had other ideas and before Will knew what hit him he found cake being smashed onto his face. This of course elicited roars of laughter from the crowded ballroom.
" I'm going to go to the bathroom and try to clean up," said Will, leaning in to give Natalie a messy kiss. He exited the main ballroom and headed down the hallway towards the bathroom which appeared to be empty. Will turned on the faucet, cupping his hands so he could catch water to wash his face with. After a few rinses, his face was cake free. However, Will wasn't prepared to see Tommy Burke in the mirror standing behind him.
" You're a tough man to track down." Will turned around slowly, his heart racing.
" What are you doing here?" he managed to ask, suddenly plagued by anxiety.
" You know, a funny thing happened the other day when we were moving Pop's recliner. This fell out of it," declared Tommy, pulling the bug from Jay out of his pocket.
" What is it?" Will asked nervously, trying his best to play dumb.
" Come on Will. Neither of us is that stupid."
" Look Tommy...we can talk about this later. I need to get back to the reception."
" Not happening."
" Please. Just let me go back to my wife and son. I promise we can deal with this later." Will tried shoving Tommy out of the way so he could make it to the door, but was stopped when Tommy slammed his head into the mirror, sending shards of glass flying.
"Your wife is certainly stunning though in her dress. I understand she chose a beautiful strapless gown."
" How do you know what she's wearing?" Will managed to ask, blood clouding his vision as his head throbbed in pain.
" Because Tim is outside with a dear friend who happens to be a sniper. You do anything dumb, and our dear friend won't hesitate to put a bullet in Natalie's head."
" Please don't do anything to harm her or Owen," Will begged, his voice full of fear.
" That all depends on you William. I strongly suggest you come with us…"
" Just let me call someone. People are going to realize I'm missing from my own wedding and ask questions."
" Not happening. Give me your phone," demanded Tommy, grabbing Will by the neck of his tuxedo jacket with one hand, the other reaching into Will's pocket, producing his iPhone.
I don't think we'll be needing this." Tommy threw it to the floor, crushing it with his boot before tossing it in a nearby trash can.
" Now let's go."
Meanwhile inside the ballroom, an anxious Jay scanned the room looking for Will so he could give his best man speech before the first dance. Before he could go off in search of Natalie to see if she knew where her husband was, his phone began vibrating in his pocket. Seeing Ruzek's number flashing across the screen sent him into a panic.
" What's up Adam? I'm a little busy."
" We have a problem."
" What do you mean we have a problem?" Jay whispered anxiously.
" Voight and the FBI just took Ray Burke into custody."
" And?"
" We've lost Tim and Tommy. They fell off the radar and no one knows where they went."
" How in the hell did you manage to lose them damnit?"
" It's a long story. Dawson and Atwater are on their way to you right now. We need to get Will into protective custody as soon as possible."
" I gotta go man," Jay said suddenly, hanging up on his co-worker. Thankfully he was able to easily spy Natalie nearby with Owen.
" Nat. Where's Will?"
" He went to the bathroom to wash off the cake I smashed in his face. Why? Is something going on?" Jay debated on confessing the truth to Natalie, but didn't want her wedding day ruined until he knew more of what was going on.
" I just have to ask him a question," he lied, making a mad dash for the hallway. Nothing could prepare Jay as he walked into a clearly disheveled men's room. His dark eyes instantly flew to the shattered mirror, covered presumably in Will's blood. Without hesitation, he dialed Voight's number repeatedly until the seargeant answered.
" This better be damn important."
" Dawson and Atwater are on their way to the reception hall. Ruzek's team managed to lose sight of the Burke brothers."
" That's why you pulled me out of interrogating Ray Burke? Upton and Ruzek are searching for them now. Have you got Will yet?"
" Sarge...the last place anyone saw Will was when he was headed to the men's room. I'm standing in the middle of it and there are obvious signs of a struggle. They've been here. I know it. Will's blood is all over a shattered mirror and I just found his shattered phone in the trash."
" Dawson and Atwater should be there any minute and I'll make sure Ruzek, Upton and Burgess are close behind. Don't let anyone in that room until they're there to secure it. We'll find him Jay. Don't worry." A frustrated Jay hung up his phone. From the hallway, he could hear Maggie yelling for him.
" What in the hell is going on in there? You're due to give a speech and then Nat and Will are supposed to share their first dance. Tell your brother to hurry his ass up," declared the charge nurse, trying to get around Jay to enter the men's room.
" Maggie. I need you to listen to me. Okay?
" What's going on?"
" I need you to calmly go back to the ballroom and find Natalie and Owen then bring them to me, right here."
" What the hell is going on Jay?"
" Maggie. I need to have eyes on them until more help arrives. I have reason to believe they're in danger."
" Based on?"
" Will's missing. Based upon the upheaval in the room behind me, he didn't go willingly." Jay watched as Maggie's face became clouded with fear and she took off down the hallway, running in four inch heels. In record time, she was back with Natalie and Owen.
" Jay, what the hell is going on? Where is my husband?" Jay opened his mouth, but was interrupted by flashing lights as the rest of the Intelligence Units vehicles came to a roaring halt outside. Voight led the pack, followed by Antonio, Adam, Hailey, Kevin, and Kim. The four gentlemen plus pushed past the group into the men's room, leaving them standing with Atwater and Burgess.
" Kevin. I need you and Kim to take Maggie, Natalie, Helen, and Owen to Gaffney. Ensure they're in a secured location and do NOT take your eyes off them," demanded Jay.
" Can anyone tell me what the hell is going on?" shouted an irate Natalie.
" Nat. I promise you I'll explain it to you as soon as I can. All of it. From the beginning. Right now, we need to worry about yours and Owen's safety."
" What about Will?"
" I'll call Maggie as soon as I know something. Nat, all I can tell you right now is that Will is missing and I have reason to believe that not only has he been injured, but he's in extreme danger."
Cliff hanger...I'm evil! Read and review!
