A/N: I had wondered if Will had suffered some sort of mental trauma after the accident, but I did a little research and he could be able to use the hot tub.

Chapter Seven

Winter arrived sooner than expected as snow covered everything and the air was ice cold. Will wasn't allowed outside and I hoped being indoors wouldn't depress him. He would sit in front of the window as the snow fell and I had no idea what to do.

"Hey," Ami said as she, Kari, Marcy, Karen and Merida walked closer and sat down at the table. They had come to the annex a few nights ago for movie night and took turns helping Will drink or eat some Will friendly snacks.

"Hey," I said.

"How's Will?" Marcy asked.

"He's ok," I said.

"Why don't I believe you?" Merida asked.

"Ok, he's developed some pressure sores on his bottom."

"Is he going to be alright?" Kari asked.

"Yes, but he's miserable," I said.

"So," Marcy said as she changed the subject. "What are you and Will going to do for Christmas?"

"I haven't really thought about it," I said. I really hadn't thought about what we were going to do because Will was supposed to be dead.

"I remember when I had the flu last Christmas," Karen said with a smile. "Max, that's my boyfriend, he came over with Christmas videos and we spent all day in bed watching them."

"Will's already in bed," Ami said with an annoyed look. "I don't think he would want to do that."

"It sounds romantic though," I said and Karen nodded. Suddenly my phone buzzed and I saw it was Nathan's number. A small wave of panic moved through me as I pushed the button and lifted the phone to my ear. "Nathan, what's wrong?"

"What makes you think something wrong?" Will asked and I mouthed "It's Will,".

"Hello," I said and the girls smiled as they nudged each other.

"What are you doing?"

"I was working on my paper, but now I am talking to Ami, Kari, Karen, Marcy and Merida."

"I see,"

"Do you want to say hello?"

"Sure."

"Hold on while I put this on speaker."

"I feel like I'm in a Charlie's Angels movie," Marcy said as I hit the button and placed the phone on the table.

"Hello, Ladies," Will said.

"Hello, Will," they said together and giggled.

"What's so funny?"

"Have you ever seen the Charlie's Angels movies?" Kari asked.

"Yes," he said then laughed and I could just hear him explaining it to Nathan. Nathan laughed as I rolled my eyes and lightly shook my head.

"How's your bottom?" Ami asked as my stomach dropped and I wanted the floor to swallow me up.

"You told them!?" Will asked and I could just see his shocked face behind my closed eyes.

"Yes," I squeaked and he sighed.

"It's much better. Thank you for asking."

"So, Will, what are you and Lou going to do for Christmas?" Marcy asked.

"I haven't thought about it. What would you like to do, Clark?" he asked. They found it cute that he uses my last name and I sat back in the chair.

"Don't know yet," I said when the bell rang and I picked up the phone. "Shit, there's the bell."

"Then I guess I better let you go," Will said and I barely heard Nathan whisper something to him. "Good bye, Angels."

"Good bye, Will," we all said together then I ended the call, put the phone in my purse, gathered my things and we headed off to class.

"You want us to what?" Mrs. Traynor asked, looking at Georgina. She had come home for Christmas and Georgina sat up a little straighter on the couch.

"I thought it would be nice if we went skiing over the Christmas holiday," Georgina said. "I mean it wouldn't be fun hanging around here."

"Georgie, as much as I would love to go….," Will said then sighed.

"But you can," she said and I saw the excitement on her face. I had been trying to think of things to do with Will over the winter and for Christmas and the idea of going somewhere sounded interesting. "I did some research and found this lodge. It has accommodations for people in your…condition…."

"You make it sound like I'm pregnant," Will teased and she laughed.

"Here, look at this," she said as she knelt down next to the wheelchair and opened the pamphlet. "See, they have special hotel rooms, activities, if you want to do them while we go skiing, and, well, a life flight helicopter just in case…"

"Yes, I see that," Will said as he looked at the photos then looked at me. "What do you think, Louisa?"

"Sounds like fun," I said with a smile.

"So we're all going?" Georgina asked as she looked at us.

"We? I thought this was just a family…."

"Oh for goodness sake," Mrs. Traynor said, getting exasperated. "When are you going to realize that you are family, Dear?!"

I just looked at her with a stunned look then blinked.

"But I don't have that many winter clothes."

"Leave that to me," Georgina said.

"Oh, no, I couldn't allow you to buy…"

"Louisa," Will said as I leaned closer and he arched his eyebrows. "Let her."

"But…," I said then he gave me a pointed look and I looked at Georgina. "Well. Alright."

Nathan had agreed to come with us as we waited for our flight and Will sat at the window, watching the planes take off and land. We weren't sure if we would be able to go after a small snowstorm the night before, but the runways were cleared and I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"When I agreed to this, I had no idea the lodge was in Switzerland," Will said without looking at me and I nodded. Going back there brought up thoughts of Will almost dying and the muscles twitch under his jaw. Our flight was called as the flight attendant assigned to help get Will on the plane came closer and Will was settled in his seat a few minutes later. He did seem a little down about the idea of flying again as I held his hand and he gave me a small grin. I suggested he close his eyes and take a nap, but he told me he wasn't tired and the plane took off.

When we arrived at the airport, it was snowing and the air was so cold you could feel it through the thick window glass. I wondered how we were going to transfer Will to the rented van which was waiting for us as we walked through the terminal when Georgina came closer and held onto a pair of car keys.

"Ok, crisis averted. The van is in the underground garage," she said and the airport aide showed us where the underground garage was. It was well lit and warm as we stood near the blue and white van while the aide went to lower the ramp and Will looked around. He suddenly saw a motorbike sitting in one of the parking spots and I noticed his face going pale.

"Will?" I asked as I knelt down and he had a blank look on his face. I knew when he was in his dream world, but I wondered if he had a nightmare world as well and looked from him to the motorbike. I slowly stood up when I went forehead to forehead with him and noticed his pupils were dilated. I was more worried about him having a panic attack then him having an AD attack and lightly kissed his lips. "Will, if you can hear me, whatever you're seeing isn't real. It's just a bad dream. Now, follow my voice. Come back to me."

His eyes darted around for a few seconds then locked with mine and his pupils returned to normal. I brushed the hair from his eyes when I noticed he recognized me and gave me a little smile.

"Everything ok?" Nathan asked as he came closer and he looked worried.

"It is now," Will said, giving me a wink and we went to get into the van.

The van pulled up to the front of the lodge as we quickly got Will inside and the lobby was huge. A large stone fireplace was to the left of the room and crystal chandeliers were on the ceiling. A grand piano was on a platform at the center of the room and dark wood support beams crisscrossed the ceiling. A few elk heads were mounted over the mantel of the fireplace and the window glass was done in stain glass. The furniture was arranged so it was easy for Will to move the wheelchair and our room was located on the first floor.

The door opened as we went in the room and I liked the rustic looking furniture. Near the window was a hot tub with a harness to get Will in and out if he wanted to use it and Will parked the wheelchair near the window. Slowly, I walked to him then placed my hand on his shoulder and looked at the view. Everything looked sugar coated and some of the snow swirled by the window.

"Guys," Nathan said while I turned the wheelchair around and knelt down as he took a photo with his phone. I still felt nervous about sharing a room with Will as we went to unpack and Will looked at something over the bed.

"Is that an elk head?!" Will asked and I looked up to see a plastic elk head mounted over the bed. I carefully climbed up onto the bed as I placed my hands on either side of the elk head and frowned.

"It's plastic," I said as I hopped off the bed.

"I don't care if it's plastic. What is it doing over the bed?"

"I'll call and have them take it down," I said, looking up at the elk head. "Now, do you want to go sit in the lobby for a bit or do you need a nap?"

"Do you need one?" he asked as I tried to silence a yawn and he smiled. We both knew getting up early as well as some jetlag would wear him out, but I felt like I could sleep.

"I'll go get Nathan," I said. A few minutes later we were on the bed as Will looked up at the elk head and my head rested on his shoulder. "Ignore it."

"Easy for you to say," he said. I picked up the remote from the night table as he glanced at it and I pointed the remove toward the fireplace. The screen inside the fireplace clicked on as a video of a roaring fire appeared and he looked at it. "It's not the same."

"I know," I said as I snuggled a little closer. "Just pretend we're alone in a cabin in the woods and we just came in from a long walk."

He looked at the fire as I noticed his face softening and his eyes had a slightly glazed look. He had slipped into his dream world as his eyes closed and his breathing slowed as I watched his chest barely rise and fall. I was asleep a few minutes later to the sound of his breathing and the crackle of the fire and the snow started falling harder outside the window.

Looking in the full-length mirror, I admired the dress I had bought for the trip. It was a soft blue with a neckline just showing my breasts and the skirt ended just above my knees. It had long sleeves and a low back and I had on a pair of black heels. I could just see Will's reflection behind me as he gave me a big grin and I turned to look at him. He was dressed in a dark blue suit, it looked almost black, with an ice blue shirt and a dark blue tie. The black shoes were highly polished and his hair had been brushed back. His hair hadn't been cut in a while and he had a little stubble and I liked how rugged he looked.

"What do you think?" I asked as I made a little spin and he gave me a blank look.

"Something's missing," he said.

"What?'

"Go to the suitcases and take out the black box," he said and I walked to the suitcases. I found the long black box as I held it in my hands and he noticed the puzzled look on my face. "Think of it as an early Christmas present."

I slowly opened the box to see a silver chain with a crystal snowflake pendant on the end and he moved the wheelchair closer. I dropped the box onto the floor as I held the necklace in my hand and he noticed the look on my face.

"You don't like it?"

"Of course I do," I said while softly sitting down on his lap then undid the clasp. He watched as I placed the chain around my neck so the pendant was against the back of my neck then took his hands and moved his fingers so he was the one redoing the clasp. It took a few tries until the clasp finally clicked shut and I placed his hands back on the armrest. I turned the pendant around so it dangled between my breasts and he had tears dribbling down his cheeks.

"Louisa," he whispered, but I hushed him and looked deeply into his eyes. Wiping his eyes with the pads of my thumbs, I gave him a small grin when someone coughed and I turned to see Nathan in the doorway. He was in a cream color jumper with a white shirt underneath, tan trousers and a brown leather belt and dark brown leather shoes.

"Sorry, but we need to get going," Nathan said and I swore he was blushing. I carefully got off Will's lap then went to check my makeup in the mirror and we left the room.

The lodge restaurant was crowded as we headed for the table and Mrs. Traynor smiled as I sat down.

"You look amazing, Dear," she said and I blushed.

"Thank you," I said.

"You look amazing as well, Georgie," Will said and Georgina lightly laughed. Compared to Georgina in a black dress with a low front and her perfect hair, face and body, I felt like a whale and sank a little in the chair.

"Is that necklace new, Louisa?" she asked and I looked down at the crystal sparkling against my skin.

"Yes," I said.

"I like it," she said when the waiter walked over and placed the menus down in front of everyone, but Will. "Excuse me, but you forgot my brother."

"It's alright. I'll share hers," Will said and I held the menu up so he could see what he wanted to eat. I found something for him as he smiled and we ordered after the waiter came back. The sound of piano music came from the lobby as we chatted when I noticed Will glancing at the people staring at him and the muscles in his jaw tensed.

"Ignore them," I whispered and he looked at me. I knew he didn't like being in public as he frowned and I helped him sip on some water. The waiter came with the salad course as I helped Will eat and he seemed to be a little tense. There were some others there in wheelchairs, but he was the only one who needed help eating and I started to think we should have eaten in our room.

"No, that would have made it worse," I thought and wiped his lips with a napkin.

As the meal progressed, I did notice a couple at the next table staring at us then would start whispering and I tried to distract Will by talking about my classes. He half listened as he glanced over at them and talked to me every now and then. By the time coffee arrived, I was helping Will with the vanilla mousse I had ordered for him and the couple had gotten up. They strolled by the table when I noticed the woman looking at us and she gave her husband a small smile.

"See, I told you they were in love," she said in a whisper loud enough for Will and I to hear and her husband nodded as they walked away. Will seemed to relax after that and I placed some of the mousse in his mouth.

We returned to the room as Will moved the wheelchair toward the hot tub then turned the wheelchair to face us.

"Anyone in the mood for a dip?" he asked.

"I don't know, Mate. It's a late," Nathan said.

"So?"

"I have to get you ready for bed and…"

"Clark, did you pack your bathing suit?" Will asked, looking at me.

"Yeah, you told me to," I said.

"And you told me to pack mine and yours," Nathan said.

"Then you can get me ready while she gets into hers," Will said with a grin.

"But are you sure it's warm enough in here?" I asked.

"Hold on." Will said as he moved the wheelchair to check the thermostat on the wall. He knew what temperature was safe for him in case he did get wet and he turned the wheelchair around. "Yes, it's warm enough. I'll be fine."

"Mate, what about…?" Nathan asked and I figured he wondered about Will losing bowel control.

"I promise I won't do that," he said then gave us a pleading look. "Come on. I really want to do this."

"Well, I'm game if you are," he said then looked at me. "How about it, Lou?"

"Uh…," I said. "Ok."

I left Nathan to get Will undressed then into the harness when I came back out wearing a towel and had some more towels in my arms. There were straps on the seat to prevent Will from floating on top of the water as he looked at me and I felt a blush moving over my body. Will gave me a grin as Nathan adjusted the setting on the hot tub so the water was just warm enough for Will to be comfortable then Nathan got into the water.

"You have to drop the towel sometime," Will said, wiggling his eyebrows up and down. Taking a deep breath, I dropped the towel and quickly went into the water. The hot tub was deep enough as I sank down until the water was at my shoulders and Will rolled his eyes. Nathan laughed as he placed his arms across the side of the hot tub and I felt like an idiot. "Come here."

Careful not to hurt him, I moved closer until I snuggled against Will and moved his arm up so it rested on the edge of the hot tub. Will gave a small grin as I splashed some water against his chest and the water rolled slowly down. His chest hair darkened as he looked like he wanted to recline and Nathan reached over for the head pillow he had found. We helped Will recline until his head was against the pillow then Nathan redid the straps and I snuggled against Will.

We soaked for a while when Nathan called time and I helped him get Will out of the hot tub. After drying off, a quick examination and replacing the dressing over the catheter tube and getting into our pajamas, we sat watching the snow falling when Nathan noticed the bright moon outside and used the remote control to turn the lights off. The room was filled with the soft light from the moon as I looked out at the blue, black and silver landscape and snuggled closer to Will. Nathan had carefully sat Will on the couch with pillows piled on one side of him to prevent Will from tipping over while I held him up on the other side and I noticed the happy look on Will's face. None of us said a word as snow started falling and I placed my head against Will's shoulder.