A note from your author...Here we are at another and here I am again in complete awe over the continued (and fiercely loyal) love and support for this story! There truly are no words! This chapter feels a bit like a roller coaster, lots of ups and downs, highs and lows, but all in a very good way;) Tremendous growth and development that I think you'll all be pleased with. Again, thank you so very much for making this story what it is. Enjoy!

My stomach fluttered as soon as I recognized the familiar soft hum of Will's chair approaching outside my hospital room.

"Are you decent, Clark?"

A smile spread from ear to ear at the sound of his voice. "I suppose that depends on your definition of decent," I called out playfully.

Will entered with Nathan in tow. He looked a bit weary and his posture a tad stiffer than usual. A slight pang of concern settled deep within my stomach, but he was smiling so I was able to push it aside for the moment. "How are you feeling?" he asked immediately.

"Fine actually," I replied with a soft giggle. "As long as I don't move, I feel fantastic."

Both men laughed at my joke, but then Will turned serious. "Are you in much pain?" He winced as he said it and I briefly wondered how much he was currently in.

"Not particularly. They got me up early this morning moving around a bit. Had breakfast in the chair over there. And while sitting completely upright is not the most comfortable position at the moment, it wasn't too terrible," I rattled off. "I will tell you that I had the absolute best sleep I've had in a long time. I'm not sure what they slipped me last night, but I slept like a baby."

Nathan chuckled, and while Will smiled, it never quite reached his eyes. "I'm willing to bet not having to get up at 2am for position change, helped a bit."

I wasn't sure how to respond. The comment puzzled me, and though his tone was light and matter-of-fact, it still stung. No matter how restful a night I had, I would have much rather been home at the annex with Will - changing his position a hundred times, if I had to.

"No more lines." Nathan's observation, thankfully, broke through the dead air that followed.

Glancing down at the small bandage on my arm that had replaced the intravenous needle, I shook my head and smiled. "They took it out this morning," I added with a small sigh of relief. "Now we just have to wait for the doctor to sign my release papers and I. Am. Outta. Here!"

"Has Dan been in to see you?" Will asked and I couldn't help but grin. Only he would be on a first name basis with his own doctor.

"Not yet. I was told it probably wouldn't be until later in the evening. I guess he has a full schedule and is only available after hours, since he had only agreed to take over my case as a favor to one of his patients," I replied, eyeing Will pointedly.

He flashed me an incredulous smirk. "You deserve to have the best possible care, and he is the best."

The sentiment touched me deeply, but I tried to play off the extravagance. "Though not entirely necessary for a minor injury such as mine."

"For you, it is," he countered softly, and while there was a hint of guilt evident in his tone, the rest exuded pure affection.

I was nearly brought to tears when that familiar urge to jump up and kiss him senseless hit. The fact that I couldn't, at the moment, was weighing heavily on me. I swallowed the lump, cleared my throat, and changed the subject. "Mum rang earlier to say she was dropping a bag off at the annex."

Nathan nodded as he lifted the small sack from the chair he'd placed it on. "Right here for you."

I gave an appreciative smile that turned a bit self-conscious. "As much as I can't wait to shower, I'll settle for simply fixing my hair, brushing my teeth, and changing into some real clothes. I caught a glimpse earlier and I look affright."

"No you don't."

Will's contradiction made me blush slightly, but also made me roll my eyes and smirk at him skeptically. "Even with this major case of bedhead, no makeup, and dopey narcotic hangover?"

"You look beautiful," he muttered reassuringly. "You always look beautiful."

My insides fluttered for a second time that afternoon as I relished in the complete sincerity of his words. For the past three months, Will had seen me nearly every single day, first thing in the morning - fresh out of bed, completely unkempt, no shower - and still thought I was beautiful. As emotional as that was making me feel, I couldn't help but tease him for it anyway. "Shameless flatterer."

"I do try my best," he quipped back, though the levity was waning.

I held his gaze, my playful expression softening into concern. "If you don't mind me saying, you're not looking much like yourself at the moment."

Will gave a small nod of concession. "Bit of a long night, I suppose."

"Even after I warned him he was trying to do to much," Nathan piped in, as casually as if he were discussing the weather.

Will scoffed at him. "The error in that statement, Nathan, is that I didn't actually do much of anything. I can't do much of anything."

I could hear the exhaustion and frustration bubbling up in Will's voice, and I'm sure Nathan could too, but he chose to ignore it. "Yesterday was a long day and you were up late," he pointed out, more for my benefit I believe, than Will's. "I know there's a lot going on, but you need your rest too, Mate. And you need to start eating a damn sight better than you have been, or you're going to be the next one to end up in here."

"I haven't been very hungry," Will mumbled defiantly, as he slowly let his eyes fall shut.

I read his demeanor even before Nathan flashed me a pointed look. "Well, I could eat a horse," I announced, less than a beat later.

"Hospital food definitely leaves something to be desired," Will noted, cracking his eyes open, one at a time. "Even in a private facility such as this."

"I suppose I lucked out with breakfast then," I went for an attempt at humor. "Though one would think it'd be rather hard to screw up cold cereal and fruit."

"Oh you'd be surprised, Clark," Will countered flippantly. And there it was - success.

"Well lucky for the both of you, we've got that covered," Nathan stated, pulling up the insulated bag from where he'd placed it when he walked in.

"You're not going to join us?" I asked by way of offering.

He gave a slight shake of the head. "Thought I get the two of you set up first. I can hold off a bit." I quickly realized the implication of his words and I wasn't having any of it. I wanted to be the one to feed Will his meal, especially since it seemed he was actually willing to eat this one.

I began to press the controls of my bed, much to Will's dismay. "What do you think your doing, Clark?"

"Joining you two over at the table," I answered as casually as I could while Nathan was helping me ease into a more comfortable position.

"The hell you are," Will refuted, I assumed after noticing me wince.

I tried brushing off his concern with a soft chuckle. "Can you bring me that walking frame over there, Nathan?"

He did what he was asked of, but not before the nurse in him kicked into overdrive. "Remember to go slow. Steady gentle pressure on the left leg, none on the right-"

Nathan was just about to help me to standing, when Will's voice rang out. "No. It's too far of a walk and you're already in enough pain."

"I can do it, Will," I muttered through only slightly gritted teeth. "I'll have you know I made it all the way to the bathroom and back on my own, this morning."

"Well I'm here now, so you don't have to," Will all but demanded. "On my lap, Clark."

After a good chuckle, I willingly obliged, looping my arms around Nathan's neck so he could help me shift my body across Will's thighs. Once settled and the throbbing subsided a bit, I wrapped my arms around Will's shoulders and inhaled his unique scent as he moved us both closer to the table. "You're going to spoil me, Will Traynor."

I could feel him smile against my cheek. "You bet I am."

My anxiety didn't pique until I was being released. I felt fine in the hospital, pleased with my pain management thus far, and my swiftness at picking up the use of my newly acquired crutches. But as soon as Will's specialist friend came in and started rattling off a list of restrictions, and timetables, along with prescriptions, follow-ups, and physical therapy, I began to panic a little.

We'd gotten along fine at lunch, with Nathan's help, of course. Though it hadn't occurred to me until we were headed home, that I would be relying solely on crutches to get around for the next two weeks. That while I would still able to feed Will, I wouldn't be able to prepare those meals on my own, or even bring him a drink. That it was now going to take me twice, maybe three times as long to get to him, if he needed something.

How was I supposed to take care of Will's needs, when I could barely even take care of my own?

I was thankful it was already dark out by the time we loaded into the van and left for home - that way there would be less of a chance of Will noticing the tears swimming in my eyes. And it wasn't until we pulled up to annex, did a subtle feeling of relief wash over me.

Will exited the van first, and I assumed he and Nathan would disappear into the annex for a bit, to get him settled. To my surprise, the side door opened to reveal both men. A smiling Will staring at me expectantly. "You can't be carrying me around everywhere for the next two weeks, Will."

"And why not?" he countered, grin widening playfully.

I knew he was well aware of the reasons, but I answered him anyway. "It's not good for you. It puts too much pressure on your legs."

"You know she's right, Mate," Nathan concurred from behind, for good measure.

Will gave a small nod of concession, then maneuvered his chair so he could meet Nathan's gaze. There was a slightly conspiratorial glance between the two men. "Just let me carry her inside, alright?" And before I knew it, I was gingerly helped from the van and placed back into Will's lap. "Close your eyes," he instructed as we neared the door.

"What? Why?"

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, Will raised a brow. "Humor me."

There was something in the way he said it, the way he looked when he said it, that completely melted me. I'd closed my eyes as directed and wrapped my arms around Will's shoulders. I could hear the crunch of gravel underneath our wheels. Distinguish when Nathan opened both sets of the courtyard doors for us to enter through. Could feel the warmth emanate from the inside once we'd made it past the threshold and into the annex. "Open them."

I slowly lifted my eyelids to reveal a simply stunning sight. The entire annex was awash in bright twinkling lights, and elegant decorations in hues of burgundy, evergreen, ivory, and gold. "Wha - Will?" The shock hit first but quickly turned into excitement and I began to squeal much like I had on my birthday. "Oh my God, how did you do this?"

"Well, I didn't actually do any of it, Clark."

"Stop. You know what I mean," I mock scolded with a light swat to his shoulder.

"I had a little help." Will smiled back at me. "I talked with my Mum, and she called over her decorators."

"She has more than one?" I asked incredulously.

He gave a small nod and chuckled. "She has an entire staff, employees at the castle."

The realization hit and tears immediately sprung to my eyes. "This is what you were doing late into last night."

I could tell Will was pondering a reiteration of his previous quip, but held back. "I wanted you to come home to something special."

His tenderness nearly broke open the floodgates. "Coming home to you is special enough," I reassured him after I'd managed to compose myself. "But this - this is just -." Another squeal of elation emanated from deep within me. "Take me around, I want to see everything."

Will laughed along with me as we toured our festively decorated living space. Everything was picture perfect, from the flickering candle arrangements to the enticing smells of balsam and cinnamon. "Are those our stockings?" I shrieked, pointing over at the ornately adorned fireplace. "And embroidered." One green and one burgundy, both embossed with a gold stitched initial.

By the time we arrived at the focal point of the room, my heart nearly stopped. "That thing is massive," I declared, craning my neck at an awkward angle, just to get the entire tree into view. "How did it even get in here?"

Will chuckled. "It was our Dads and Nathan," he explained. "It was quite a comical site watching them wrestle it in here."

"A bit like the Three Stooges?"

"Something like that," he laughed, then turned slightly serious. "Mum kept the decorations pretty basic, that way you can make it your own."

"That way we can make it our own," I corrected, cupping Will's cheek in my hand.

"Okay. We can make it our own."

"This is absolutely amazing, Will. I love it. I love you."

Will began to nod, but then stiffened slightly as his chin started to tremble. "I - um, I - oh God, I love you so much, Clark."

The sudden onslaught of tears that began to spill down my cheeks had nothing to do with the current exhaustion or discomfort I was feeling.

Will was crying now too. "I love you so bloody much, it scares me to death. And I just - I couldn't -"

"It's okay, Will. I know," I tried reassuring him with a gentle caress and soft kisses. "I know how much you love me. It shows in every single thing you've ever done for me."

"But you deserve to hear it."

"I did, last night." Will's eyes flickered up in surprise, and locked on mine. "I'd thought perhaps I was dreaming, but I wasn't, was I?" I gazed into his eyes for confirmation, and when I received it, I rested my head against his and held him.

We muddled through a late dinner consisting of expertly warmed leftovers, courtesy of Nathan. Mum stopped by to stock our fridge with prepared meals, enough it seemed, for the entire month and to help me get ready for bed. I was so grateful to finally have a shower, even if it was a tad embarrassing realizing how much assistance I was actually needing. She stayed a while after and we chatted. She was obviously concerned, but only suggested once that maybe it would be easier if I came to stay with them for a bit while I recovered. I politely declined - the thought of leaving Will, for any extended period of time, seemed unbearable. Especially now.

Mum left me tucked in with a book, my phone, the television remote, my pain medication, and a glass of water on the nightstand. Nathan popped his head in a few minutes after she'd gone, to see if I needed anything. "I think I'm good for now, thanks," I replied with an appreciative smile. "Is Will in bed?"

"Yeah, finally," he gasped in playful exasperation. "That man can be bloody stubborn sometimes."

"Sometimes?" I quipped and Nathan full on laughed.

"Had to threaten to leave him in bed all day tomorrow, if he didn't get enough rest tonight." I laughed along even as my deep concern for Will's well-being began to bubble up to the surface. "He wanted me to check up on you first."

I couldn't help but smile. "You can tell him that I'm just fine."

"Will do," he replied with a small nod. "I'll be out on the couch tonight, if you need anything. Just holler or shoot me a text."

"Thank you, Nathan. I really appreciate it."

"Aww, you're like a little sister to me, Lou. I'd do anything for you," he stated, stepping into the room to place a light kiss to the top of my head. " 'Night."

"Goodnight."

I snuggled into my mattress, trying to get comfortable. It took me a moment to realize that for as exhausted as I was feeling, I wasn't actually tired. I decided to read for a bit and reached for my book, but had only gotten to page three before the words started to blur together. The buzzing of my phone startled me, so I put my book down and, not bothering to look at the caller, answered. "Hello?"

"Hi."

I'd expected my parents, maybe even my sister, but definitely not the voice that greeted me. "Hey," I forced a laugh.

"Did I wake you?"

"No."

"Are you crying?"

The concern in Will's voice was palpable. "No," I squeaked, hoping it sounded more confident through the phone.

"Clark?"

Damn. I heaved a shaky sigh. "Okay, maybe a little," I managed, just before the sobs began. "I don't even know why." It was a minute or so before the odd silence on the other end of the line, hit me. "Will?" And another minute or so before I heard the muffled conversation from down the hall.

He was at my door in an instant.

"Will." I let out a deep sigh of relief, but instantly felt guilty. "You should be in bed."

"I've already given him his blood pressure meds," Nathan added pointedly, acknowledging me, but aiming the emphasis at Will - an importance he was already very well aware of.

"Just recline me a bit, Nathan. I'll be fine for a little while." A tad reluctant, Nathan did what was asked of him, and made sure to stay close.

I watched as Will's eyes began to pan the room. "What?" I asked defensively, as soon as a smirk began to appear.

"I just realized I haven't been in here since you moved in."

"Really?" I gasped incredulously. Will nodded, then chuckled slightly when his gaze settled on the wall behind me. "Yeah, it's a bit - busy."

"It's perfect," he replied, though his beaming expression soon turned curious. "Are those photos of your feet?"

I was laughing now, and blushing with embarrassment as I glanced up at the pictures hanging above my head. "My favorite shoes."

"You have a lot of favorites."

"Well, I have a lot of shoes." The mood had lightened a bit, but the tears returned. "I don't know why I'm so weepy," I cried apologetically.

Will inched his chair as close to the bed as he could, then paused to take in a breath. "You've been hurt, and you're in pain. Your limitations are frustrating you. You feel completely overwhelmed by the situation and you're scared," his words were soft and comforting and described exactly how I was feeling.

"Yes. How-?" I stopped. Of course he understood. He understood better than anyone else ever could.

Will was smiling at me. "I'm going to stay with you until you fall asleep."

"No," I protested, but of course it fell on deaf ears.

In the next breath he was asking Nathan to help him line his chair up next to the bed and lift the arm rest out of the way. "Take my hand," he instructed and I did. I felt that faint familiar squeeze of his thumb and finger against mine. "Try not to be upset. I know that seems hard right now, but you're going to be okay, Clark." He smiled as his thumb brushed lightly over mine. "Everything is going to be okay, and I'll be beside you through it all, every step of the way."