Chapter Four: Where do we go from here?

As the sun slowly descended, allowing darkness to creep over the island, Warren Peace looked over at the sleeping figure next to him. Will was sleeping soundly, the glow of the near by fire Warren had made lit up his face and bare chest, which was covered in love bites from Warren. Warren sighed and pulled Will close to him. He let his fingers lazily trawl through Will's hair, the other hand resting on his soft, smooth abs. Warren closed his eyes and listened to the sound of his lover breathing gently and before he knew it, he too was asleep.

The next morning came quickly and Warren squinted as he opened his eyes and saw the sun. He stretched out on the sand and yawned loudly.

"Hey will." He mumbled, still drowsy from sleep. He turned to face his lover, but instead found an empty space.

"Will?" He called out, sitting up quickly, afraid that something had happened.

"I'm over here Warren." Will replied.

Warren looked over to the direction of the voice. Will sat close to the trees, examining the robot they had fought yesterday. Warren smiled when he saw that will was wearing his black shirt, which was much too big for him. He stood up and walked over to Will, still completely naked. He sat down behind Will and rested his head on his shoulder.

"What ya doin?" Warren asked, as he playfully nuzzled Wills neck.

Will grinned and grabbed hold of Warren's hand. He interlaced their fingers and thought for a moment.

"I'm having a look at our mystery foe." Will said. He leaned in closer to the twisted hunk of metal.

"And..." Warren began

"And I'm not sure. See, at first I figured it was part of the survival test from the school..."

"Well that makes sense."

"But now I'm not so sure. Look at some of the design features here." Will said, pointing to the chest of the robot, which, inside was a mess of wires and cables. "This thing was... Well, Medulla's smart, and crazy, but this thing is something else."

"I guess. It was going all out on us yesterday. But if the school didn't send it, who did?"

"I don't know. This doesn't look like the work of anyone I know of. Its way to advanced to be anyone from school."

Warren smiled and stroked Will's hair. Deep down Warren knew he should be worried. This could be a serious threat to their lives. But he couldn't tear his eyes away from Will for long enough to focus. Finally he stood up with a slight grunt and began walking down the beach, without saying a word to Will.

"Hey!" Will called out "where are ya going sexy?"

"Swimming!" Warren yelled. He turned around and flashed his big white smile at Will and winked. "Wanna join me?"

"Finally something I like." said Will as he ran down the beach and tackled Warren, pushing them both under the water. As they splashed each other and laughed, Warren realised he was happier than he had ever felt. And it was all down to Will.

-

The rest of the week past far to quickly for Warren. In between long kissing sessions and making love, the boys had been under a few attacks. These ones were obviously from the school. The fights lasted for no longer than a minute, with both boys coming out unhurt. Leaving them plenty of time to do other things.

When Warren walked back into his room and flopped down on the bed he let out a sigh of relief. He had had the best time of his life, but was completely exhausted.

"Warren honey are you home?" His mother called from outside his bedroom door.

"Yeah mom, I'm back."

His mom entered the room, holding an envelope. They chatted about the trip for a few minutes, obviously an edited version of what happened on the island. Just before his mom left the room she turned back.

"Oh, I nearly forgot. here, this came for you while you were away." She said as she handed him the small black envelope. On the front was his name written in small, silver writing. HE opened it, and pulled out the small sheet of paper that was folded inside. When he unfolded it, he saw the one word that was written on it that chilled him to the bone.

Soon.

"What is it honey?" Asked Warren's mom, sounding genuinely concerned. "All the colour just rushed from your face."

Warren sat silently for a moment, staring at the card. Soon? Soon what? Warren racked his brain trying to think of who would send such a cryptic message, and why. Suddenly he became aware of his mother staring at him.

"Oh, it's nothing mom, just a note from Layla."

"Ok. Well you should get some rest. Night Warren."

"Night mom." Warren said as he back down on the bed, his hand clutching the note tightly. As soon as his mom shut the door he stood up and walked over to the window. He pushed open the heavy sash window and stepped out onto the roof of his homes porch. He then jumped into the nearby oak tree and climbed down to the ground. He had to show Will the note. Even if it wasn't about their relationship, Will was still his best friend, and Warren was feeling freaked.

He walked fast across town until he got to the Strongholds lawn. He walked slowly up the path, suddenly feeling extremely nervous. He ran his hands through his long dark hair and straightened his shirt before knocking. He waited for a moment, and Will's mom, Josie Stronghold, opened the door.

"Hello Mrs Stronghold." He said quietly.

"Hello Warren!" Said Josie warmly "Its been a while since I saw you "

"Yeah. Jeeze it must have been hours since you guys dropped me off after the trip!" Warren said, jokingly. He like Will's mom. She was smart and funny, and knew just how to treat you to make you feel like an adult.

She smiled and gestured for Warren to come inside.

"Thanks." Warren said as he walked past her into the entranceway of their home.

He quickly looked at he walls an smiled. There were hundreds of pictures all over the walls, of The strongholds over the years, some of Will and Layla, changing as they grew older together, and finally, his eyes rested on a photo he was very familiar with. The homecoming picture. He leaned in closer and looked at them, happy together, not knowing that the other was wishing it was something more the whole time. Josie leaned in close to Warren.

"you two make a cute couple." she whispered in Warren's ear.

Warren's insides froze. They had been discovered. But how? Had someone seen them? Who else knew?

"Relax Warren!" Josie said as she slapped him on the back. "I'm is mother, you think I wouldn't pick up on it?"

Warren smiled slightly, although he could feel his face burning still.

"Besides it was hard not to notice the way you two were acting in the car. It's so sweet, just like when Steve and I first met."

Warren smiled again. He allowed himself to look Josie in the eye.

"Mrs. Stronghold I..."

"Honey! Quick!" Steve Stronghold yelled from the living room.

Warren and Josie raced in, to see Steve and Will staring at the television set. Warren froze. His fathers face was on the screen, only this time, Warren knew it was really him. The nervous twitch, the way his hair sat. It made Warren feel sick to look at him.

"Hello son! and hello stronghold family!" he said dramatically. "Sadly, I can't chat for long, you see, I'm really quite busy."

Warren could feel his anger rising. His father ha ruined his life, and his mothers' life. His arms burst into flame. He couldn't tell where his father was, but inside he felt something wasn't right here.

"So before I get going, I thought I would let you in on a little secret."

Warren stared at the screen intensely, ignoring his arms

"You really do make a cute couple, even your mother thinks so."

The camera panned out to reveal Warren's mother, tied to her bed. His father was in his home! His father started laughing, staring directly into the camera. suddenly he pulled a small remote from his pocket and pushed a button.

In the Stronghold house, the sound of metal doors slamming into place echoed through all the rooms. Then, large metal sheets began to cover the windows. Without thinking, Warren jumped through the air and smashed through the glass of the window. The metal plate slammed shut behind him. Warren turned around to see the entire stronghold family home covered in steel. And Will lying on he ground outside.

"You think I'm letting you go alone?"

"Stay here Will. He'll kill you if he got half a chance. I can't fight him and protect you."

"Warren!"

"No Will. I love you too much. He knows that and he will destroy you."

"I'm not letting you go alone."

Warren turned his back and began to run. Will flew overhead and landed in front of his lover.

"I mean it."

"So do I." Warren said "You're not coming."

Warren pulled his arm back and punched Will right in the jaw. Will sailed backward in the air, and before he could sit up, Warren was gone.

To face his father, and the part of himself he tried to pretend wasn't there.

-end-

AN: See, action. Not sure if that was lame or not though...