Authors note: Sorry it's been so long, things have come up... and thankfully passed. I have not forgotten any of my stories, and I will do my best to write a chapter on all of them *crosses fingers*. Thank you all for being pacient with me, I hope what I have to write from here on out will make it worth your wait. Please R&R! ^_^

"Where have you been Will?" Gilan asked as the boy walked slowly out of the bedroom and sat at the table.

Will glanced up, but said nothing. Gilan sighed and set his fresh cup of coffee in front of the lad and started making himself a new one.

"Keeren was just here. He said to tell you he said 'hi'."

Will sipped the coffee slowly, his eyes wandering over one of the windows. The sky was still dark even though it was morning. It had only been several hours since the other ranger had left, but neither Will nor Gilan had even thought about sleeping. Gilan sighed again and sat on the chair opposite Will, coffee in hand.

"Will."

The lad jumped, as if having just realized Gilan was there. His brown, lifeless eyes met Gilan's for a split second before they swivled around to stare at the wall by the window he'd just been looking at.

"Will, everything will be okay." Gilan reached across the table to put his hand on Will's but the boy jumped back. He pushed his coffee cup so it was in the middle of the table, stood up, and walked outside, closing the front door tightly behind him.

Gilan swore and let his head fall onto the table with a loud THUD.

"What am I doing wrong?" he asked himself, shutting his eyes. "Why won't he talk to me anymore." he fought not to let the tears he'd been trying not to shed fall down his cheeks, but his voice cracked as he spoke again. "Halt, why did you have to go? Why?"

"You know, talking to yourself doesn't work for most people, but let me know how it goes. You might be the exception."

Gilan jumped straight to his feet, the chair fell over backwards, and he spun around. Crowley was standing in the door way. Gilan hadn't heard the front door open, but he was not surprised when he saw who it was. He wiped his face on a dish towel that was in reach and tried to regain his composure.

"With how Keeren talked, it sounded like you wouldn't be here for a few days, not only a few hours." Gilan said, putting the towel back.

Crowley regarded him with only a look for a moment before stepping into the house.

"I was worried, so I pulled a few strings, put some people in my place, and left just after Keeren did. The storm was what stalled me the most." His eyes narrowed as he looked around the small house. "I thought Halt raised you two better than to keep a house this messy."

Gilan looked around and realized for the first time that his house was a complete mess. The dishes in the sink were starting to smell, dust had started to gather on just about everything, and it looked as though both of their wardrobes had exploded.

Gilan opened his mouth to answer, but Crowley interrupted.

"I know what you two are going through, but you need to keep it together."

"I know, Crowley, but it's difficult! Epically with Will not being himself on top of it all..." Gilan trailed off, his eyes cast down.

"Yeah, I saw that." Crowley mumbled, stepping around Gilan to fix the chair that had toppled over.

Gilan looked up, "You did?"

"Yes, I passed him outside. He should be alright though, after all, it has only been what, a week and a half. He needs time. Halt was practically a parent to him- to both of you. You both just need time to take it in."

"You sound like Keeren." Gilan said dryly. "Or he sounds like you."

"Gilan, sit," Crowley said, Gilan did as he was told. "You're older than Will, you've seen more things than he has. I'm not saying that their deaths are not a terrible thing, but Will will need more time to... adjust, to what has happened. Just relax and give him some time. If he still hasn't come around by the time the Gathering comes around, then I'll allow you to start worrying."

"That makes me feel so much better."

Crowley watched him for a minute, "You two aren't the only one who lost someone important to you." he took a deep breath. "Why don't you wait here, I'm going to go talk to Will."

"Good luck with that." Gilan said, returning to his coffee.

"It's worth a shot, and besides, I said I'd talk to him, not that he would talk back to me."

The front door shut softly and Gilan could just barely hear Crowley's boots desend the steps and cross the yard.

XxXx XxXx XxXx

Crowley paused as he looked across the grassy area at the boy. Will was standing next to Tug, gently brushing the shaggy pony's fur. Tug looked up as Crowley started walking towards them. The pony let out a happy whinny and tossed his head, Will didn't look up.

"Will?" Crowley asked, a bit louder than necessary.

Again Will didn't look up, he only continued brushing Tug.

Crowley crossed the several feet between them in a few seconds and moved around the lad so he was facing Will head on.

"Can you hear me?"

Will glanced up, but quickly moved his eyes back to his horse.

Crowley's face fell for a brief second but he quickly hid it.

"Stay strong." he said, clasping Will firmly on the shoulder. "For you and Gilan."

Will didn't respond. Crowley gently but firmly took the brush from his hand and turned Will to face him.

"I need you to tell me what you remember about what happened." Crowley said slowly, eyes watching the boy who refused to meet his gaze.

This time Will shook his head.

"Can't or won't?"

"Ask Gilan." the words were barely a whisper, but Crowley heard them none-the-less.

"I want to hear it from you."

Will shook his head again. "I can't."