All I have to say is that I'm sorry. I took a break from writing for I had other responsibilities and this is supposed to be a hobby. Thank God I haven't forgotten about the storyline I had planned, so maybe we can pick where we left off. Because I certainly don't want to delete this one. Still, no promises on when I'll update again, but you know me. I'll finish this story.

Anyway, I hope you are all doing well during this difficult time. University and its online classes are kicking my ass.

Also, I know that events are way different in the show at the moment, but you guys know I never care about that.

"Father, please, stop this" Chad begged. "Nobody has to die. Don't make Will do this, he's too noble to take a life".

Stefano shook his head. "Always so soft, son. It's a good thing that I love you, or else you wouldn't even be a part of this. I'm not even going to do anything about the fact that Shin has decided to give the power to you. In fact, I will step aside and let you lead the company to its glory".

"Then why kill Shin?!"

"That was just a test" Stefano replied, and smirked. "William, please, procceed".

"Will, don't!"

Will reaffirmed his grip on the gun with both hands, and Shin closed his eyes, awaiting death, and his colleages started making as much noise as they could, panicking, for they were still gagged.

However, at the very last minute, Will turned around, and fired.

"Ah!" Stefano screamed, having been hit in the leg, and fell to the ground.

Will moved to point his gun at him, as, out of the same dark spot from where he had come out, John appeared, also carrying a gun a pointing it to Stefano's face.

"Got you, you son of a bitch".

Stefano stared at John, and then glanced at Will, horrified. "What the hell, William?! You were under my control!"

"That's what you thought, Stefano" Will replied. "I honestly can't believe you fell for it. You are definitely more stupid than the man I used to respect".

"No, that's impossible!" he yelled.

"Well, believe it is" said John, as he and Chad untied everybody, Will kept pointing the gun at Stefano, who looked at him and grinned.

"You seriously don't plan on shooting me dead, eh, William?"

"I will if I have to" Will replied.

Stefano scoffed. "Please, you are incapable of taking a life! Your soul is pure, you don't have the guts to do it!"

"Don't listen to him, Will, he's just taunting you" John warned, untying Mr Shin last.

"Perhaps you forgot" said William. "But I've shot a gun before. Remember EJ?"

Stefano's grin disappeared, as the members of the board left the room, finally free.

Shin collected himself after the whole ordeal, and approached Chad. "Expect our call".

He nodded at everyone, except Stefano, whom he ignored, and left too.

"How the hell did you break free of my drug?" Stefano asked. "Rolf himself made it. It hasn't let me down in years!"

"And that was your mistake, using it for years" John said, as they heard sirens approaching. "How about we talk about this on our way to the hospital?"

Marlena sat on her couch after a long morning shift at work. All she wanted was to take off her shoes, lean down, have a glass of wine and relax, preferably in the arms of her husband. Seeing that he hadn't come home yet, she sighed and settled just for the wine, while checking her notes of her last patients. Who was she kidding, she was way too tired for that. So instead, she turned on the TV. It was just in time, for her favourite show was on.

"Oh" she said, excited to see the plot unfold.

But of course, not even ten minutes had passed and three knocks on her door interrupted her.

"Come in!" she called, not wanting to miss what was happening.

Sonny entered the loft, looking worried. He glanced at her, frowning when he noticed the television was on. "Hey, um, what are you doing?"

"Oh, I'm watching my favourite show" she replied, pointing at the screen. "Come sit down, it's really exciting".

Sonny sat next to her, right where Marlena had patted. "What's going on?"

"The man there has been stabbed, and that kid just donated his blood to save him, and now it turns out he's his long-lost son" she explained. "It's really dramatic because the kid knew all along. He's a CIA agent, you know".

"Sounds like a familiar plot" Sonny mused, shaking his head to concentrate, for he had gone to see Marlena for a very different reason, and stood up. "I actually wanted to ask you if you had seen or heard from Will".

"From Will? No, I haven't" Marlena replied. "Why? What's wrong?"

"No, nothing, I just... I haven't been able to get a hold of him all day, I'm a little worried".

"Well, it's only past noon, maybe he's just busy. Here, sit with me".

She patted again on the spot Sonny had sat on before, and he obliged. Rubbing his hands together, he noticed Marlena was not paying atention to her show, but to him. "What?"

"Oh, nothing" she replied, a little bit nonchalantly. "It's just that I can see you still care".

"I never stopped" he admitted. "I was just so angry for what I thought he had done. And then he asked me to stop visiting and then the divorce... It was just so easy to just do what he asked me to do instead of fighting for our marriage, which was the right thing to do".

"You still love him, don't you?"

"I never stopped loving him, and I never will".

Marlena gave him a soft smile. "At some point in our lives, we have all made the mistake of doing what is easy instead of doing what is right. But what matters is that we acknowledge that mistake and try to rectify it".

"I have" Sonny said. "I've been leaving secret surprises for him every day. I'm kind of wooing him again, you know. Trying to earn his love and trust back".

"I know that my grandson hasn't lost one tiny bit of those things, and he never will" Marlena said, fully grinning. "I'm so glad you are working on it. But I'm also sure Will has forgiven you for not believing in him, and that he doesn't hold it against you".

"He's amazing, isn't he?" he said, and hid his face in his hands. "God, I don't deserve him".

Marlena put her hand on his shoulder, and squeezed. She knew the feeling too well, and was just not going to let her grandson's happiness be jeopardized again. "You don't get to decide that. Only Will gets to decide if you deserve him. And if you ask me, I think he made his desicion a long time ago".

Sonny looked up at her. "You do?"

"Of course" she replied, smiling. "It was the day you stood by him when he had Arianna, and it was also the day you two exchanged vows for the first time in the Kiriakis Mansion. It was the day he was finally back in our lives, and it was the day he defeated his brain tumour. You pick any of those, but the outcome is the same: he loves you, and wants to spend the rest of his life with you. Do you want the same?"

"Of course I do!" Sonny replied, voice breaking. "We had so many projects. We were supposed to finally go on our honeymoon, we were supposed to have another baby, maybe move out of town and raise them away from all the drama. And then my mother dies and he thinks he caused it, and everything went to hell".

"The truth came out" she reassured. "It's out, and Will is innocent and he's free and he can't wait to pick where he left off with you".

"How do you know that? Did... Did he speak to you?"

"He didn't need to. I know my grandson. The only obstacle in your way now is yourselves. You two love each other, and you have forgiven each other. My advice would be to just tell him that. You have forgiven him, have you?"

"I didn't need to. He's innocent, there's nothing to forgive. I just hope he's forgiven me".

"What about yourself?"

"What do you mean?"

Marlena looked at him pointedly. "Have you forgiven yourself?"

As the sirens approached, Stefano laughed. "Bold of you to assume I'll talk about anything, John. You know me too well for that".

"He didn't mean you" Will said. "He means me".

"You?" Chad asked. "Have you known that my Father was going to do all this?"

"Not really" he replied. "When I saw him at the hospital, I just knew he was up to no good. So, after I left, I did what I had to do".

Stefano looked at Will, and then at John. Of course, now it all made sense. "He came to you".

John nodded, a small, victorious smirk on his face. "Yes he did".

"Wow" Will said, as he eyed the man in his uncle's body. "I was actually wondering when you'd be reaching out to me. Not that I'd feel left out if you didn't".

Stefano raised an eyebrow. "Ah, William. Sarcastic and witty as always. I must admit I missed you and your antics".

Will gave him an uncomfortable smile. "Yeah, you in my uncle Steve's body? It's weird. I should go".

He motioned to leave, but Stefano stopped him by putting his hand on Will's chest. "Ah, ah, boy. Come on. I know this is not my most conventional comeback, but you must admit it was smart. And by the way, I'm really happy to see you out of prison. I knew you couldn't have been responsible for what happened to your mother in law".

"Ah, you've thought about me" Will said, pretending to be touched. "I'm surprised you even heard about it. I figured you were too busy plotting your next revenge to even care".

Stefano gave him a small smile, and put his hands on Will's arms. "William, I do care. Because, whether you like it or not, you are family".

"I really don't like it" Will said. He knew he could be honest with Stefano to a certain level, including that kind of situations. He knew the older man appreciated it, even if he didn't like it. Besides, it was better to be cautious. "I only accept it because of EJ and Chad".

"Fair enough" Stefano chuckled.

"Why were you clapping?"

Stefano grinned at him, in his own creepy, terrifying way, which in Steve's face it was even worse. "I saw you inside with that man. I'm assuming that's the one who lied about his identity and almost killed, uh, what's his name...?"

"Sonny".

"Sonny, yes. You must have been furious".

"I wasn't that mad" Will lied.

Stefano gave him a knowing look. "I saw you, William. You gave him a warning, didn't you? Let me guess, do not come anywhere near my family or else? And then, the leg where he was shot. I can only imagine, it was right there, the opportunity of inflicting pain to that bastard and make him fear you, and you just could not resist".

Will was looking at him in shock. The man must have known him better than he thought.

"I can tell by the look in your eyes that I'm right" Stefano said. "Ah, William. You are a true DiMera".

"No, I'm not" Will said, chuckling in disbelief.

"Yes, you are" Stefano insisted. "I took you under my wing all those years ago, and it seems that more than just my knowledge has stayed with you".

Will scoffed. "You are crazy. I'm not a DiMera. Even less, like you".

Stefano didn't look offended at all. "Oh, son, you've been a DiMera ever since Elvis married your mother the first time. Once you become part of the family, there's no going back".

"Lucky me" Will deadpanned. "Look, this was fun, but I really should go".

"Wait, William" he said. "At least, before you go..."

Stefano took out two small flasks out of his pockets, and offered one to Will. "Let us have a toast. For your freedom".

Will stared at the flask Stefano was offering him, and raised an eyebrow. "I'm not drinking anything you have to give me".

"Ah come on, William" Stefano chuckled. "You are a smart boy. You know it would be foolish of me to try and hurt my own family. I know you think I'm a monster, but I'm not that bad".

He looked at Will in the eyes. "You know me better than most people, William. You know I mean no harm to you".

Will hesitated. Of all his experience with Stefano DiMera, he had been pretty decent. But then again, he had hurt people he loved in the past. How could Will trust somebody like that?

"William" Stefano said softly. "Just one toast".

"I want the other one" Will said quickly.

Stefano seemed to be taken aback, but nodded anyway. "Very well".

He offered him the other flask. Will stared at it, and took it with trembling fingers.

Stefano gave him a satisfied smile, and raised his own flask. "To you, may you get back everything you lost, and live a happy life with your family as you deserve".

Will gave him an uneasy smile as he raised his flask too, and drank.

God, it tasted awful. Will didn't have much experience telling the difference between drinks, but he was certain that what he had sipped was not something he had had before. And he had tasted it all, given past experiences, or so he thought.

Stefano just grinned at his expression. "Was it too strong?"

"Just a little" Will said. "Oh my God, this is not alcohol, is it? Did he know I was going to ask for the other flask so he offered me the untouched one first? Were both of them drugged and he just pretended to drink it?"

Stefano chuckled. "I'm sorry. But hey, you've tasted something new. It's one of the best new drinks from my village in Italy. You have just had the honor of being one of the first people to taste it".

Will grimaced. "That's bull and you know it".

Pushing his thoughts aside, he forced a smile. "Well, in that case, thanks. Now, I really should go".

"Don't let me stop you" Stefano replied, stepping aside so Will could go to the elevator. "But William, I'll be in touch".

Pressing the button of the elevator, and stepping in once the doors opened, Will gave him a nod. "Of course you will".

He didn't wait for Stefano to answer. A soon as the elevator closed, he leaned against the back wall, panting. He was starting to feel uneasy, he just knew something had been done to him, and he had been stupid enough to fall for it.

The second the elevator opened in the first floor, he ran outside as fast as he could. His head was spinning, and he could hear the echo of what he was certain was a voice, but he couldn't exactly tell whose it was. As he passed by the square, it hit him.

He knew who could help him.

So he turned around, and ran to the big building he knew so well. He climbed up the stairs, two by two, and got to the door of the loft, and pounded on it as hard as he could, praying Marlena wasn't home.

She wasn't. Thank God.

The door swung open and John came out of the house, looking confused and a bit annoyed at the sound.

"What the... Will! Hey! How are you kid..."

Will walked past him into the loft, shaking, more out of nerves than the drug he was so certain had been given to him.

"Whoa" said John, frowning in confusion. "What's going on?"

"I need your help" Will said. "I ran into Stefano earlier".

John's expression changed. "Oh, kid, that couldn't have gone well. Look, I know he looks like your uncle Steve but let me tell you, we're gonna find a way to get him back and..."

"No, that's not it!" he exclaimed. "I... I think he's done something to me?"

"What do you mean, did he give you something?"

Will slowly nodded. "He, uh, offered me a flask, saying he wanted to toast to my freedom, and swore to me that because he considered me family he wouldn't dare trick me, and I, stupid as I am, believed him, and now I'm not feeling well and I think he's drugged me and oh God, I..."

"Ok, ok, calm down" John said, putting his hands on Will's shoulders. "You did good by coming here, kid, I know exactly what to do".

He patted Will's cheek and ran off inside.

Will sat on the couch, putting the tips of his fingers on his temples.

"William..."

He looked around. He could hear the sound of John looking though his drawers as fast as he could, but he had certainly not called him.

"William..."

Oh God...

"Found it!" John announced as he entered the living room again, a triumphant grin on his face and a small vial in his hand.

"What's that?"

"Before I tell you, I must know what exactly you are feeling" John said.

"Uneasy" he replied. "A little anxious, not in control... I think I hear his voice calling me".

John nodded in understanding. "Yeah, he definitely drugged you. Ah, Will, you more than most people know better than falling for Stefano's fake promises".

"I know, I just... He was right though. We were family before, I think we still are".

"Stefano only cares for his own interest, Will" said John, shaking his head. "He's brainwashed his own children before, and he would do it again. Don't think for one moment he'd hesitate about doing the same to you. Luckily, I do too have a little bit of experience when it comes to mental control by that maniac".

He shook the little vial to make emphasis.

"You see" he explained. "I was Stefano's pawn for many years. And he's managed to control me over and over again. So, after the last time he did it, I managed to retain a little bit of the drug he used, found a lab far away from here, and developed an antidote".

Will's eyes widened, as John opened the vial. "Come on, drink it".

Will didn't need to be told twice. He drank the formula in a single gulp, and grimaced a bit. The flavour was not better than whatever Stefano had given him. "Is it gonna work?"

"Partially" John admitted. "You know how science is, and since the formula I gave them was too small, they couldn't do much. But here's what's going to happen: Stefano will not be able to control you, and you will stop feeling uncomfortable. However, you will still be able to hear his voice, and we are going to use that for our advantage".

"Our advantage?"

John nodded. "I have a plan".

Stefano laughed. "Ah, William. Once again you prove you're smarter than people give you credit for. You beat me in my own game".

"Quite the old game, if you ask me" Will said. "I can't believe you've been using the same formula all these years!"

"Father tends to underestimate his enemies" Chad said, raising his eyebrow.

"Quiet, Chad!" Stefano ordered. He then looked at John. "Do you actually think this is over?"

"I know it's over" John said.

"No it's not" Stefano said, standing up, struggling with the pain in the leg where Will had shot him, but standing up anyway.

Chad's eyes widened. "Father!"

Will raised the gun, pointing it at Stefano's face. "One more step and you're dead".

Stefano chuckled. "Now come on, William. You wouldn't shoot your own uncle, would you?"

"Oh, so now you're my uncle?"

"Don't listen to him, Will, he's trying to taunt you!" Chad warned.

"I said quiet!" Stefano yelled.

"He's right" John said. "He knows that if you shoot him, not only will Stefano die, but Steve will too".

"William here is not a killer" Stefano mocked. "And even if he was he would be terrible. I mean, just ask my son Elvis".

"Shut up!" Will shouted.

"Come on, William" he challenged. "Shoot me. Be a man for once in your life".

"Don't talk to him like that!" Chad said.

"Will, give me the gun, I'll handle it" said John. Will reluctantly gave it to him, choosing to be smart. He was not the same impulsive teenager he used to be.

"Yeah, give grandpa John the weapon!" Stefano mocked again.

"Don't try me, Stefano, we both know I won't get in trouble if I shoot you like the kid would".

"That may be true" he replied. "But you won't get your best friend back either".

"Nobody has to shoot anyone!" Chad exclaimed as he moved to be next to Will.

"So that's the side you're picking, Chad?" Stefano asked. "After everything I've done for you, you'd rather losing me, your father, than being the next Phoenix?"

"Will has done more for me than you ever will" Chad said. "And I certainly do not want to be the next Phoenix. You heard Shin. I'll be appointed CEO of DiMera and I will run it like I must. But you won't be able to see it".

Something finally snapped in Stefano. Despite the pain in his leg, he charged towards Chad.

Many things happened at once.

Will pushed Chad out of the way, and by doing so pushed John against Stefano, whose body turned just as the gun in John's hand went off. The bullet hit a barrel of gasoline and the blast of the explosion hit Stefano right on the left side of his face.

Just in his new eye.

"I think it's safe to say I am working on my own guilt" Sonny said, after thinking for a little while. "I'll eventually get to the point where I forgive myself for failing Will, more times than I can count".

"It's alright" Marlena replied. "It's the first step, don't worry. Take your time and be patient. You are going to be so happy, I promise".

Sonny nodded. "Hey, thank you for listening, I guess I've been a little stressed ever since I found out the truth about Will, and, well, I just don't want to keep jeopardizing things".

"You're so very welcome. And don't worry, it'll be okay" she replied. "You know that if you ever need to talk, I'm a phone call away".

"I wouldn't want to intrude..."

"Nonsense. You are my grandson's husband. Heloves you so much, and I do too. We are family, and that's forever".

Sonny smiled at her. "Thank you. That means a lot to me".

Marlena smiled at him too, just as her phone rang. "Oh, sorry, it must be John".

"No problem, go ahead".

Marlena stood up and went for her phone. "Hey John, I was just..."

Her expression changed. "In the hospital?"

She turned around to face Sonny, who looked confused too. "Oh my god, but is he alright? And what about... Ok. No, no, he's with me, we'll meet you guys there. Yeah, alright. Love you, bye".

"What happened, is John ok?"

"Yeah, um, he, Will and Chad are at the hospital".

Sonny's eyes widened. "What? Are they ok?"

She nodded. "Yes, yes for the most part. There was an explosion and they're getting checked out".

"An explosion?!"

"Look, all I know is that they want us there, apparently Stefano was involved".

"Oh my God" Sonny sighed. "Ok, we'll take my car, let's go".

Marlena grabbbed her purse and walked out, followed by Sonny, who silently prayed Will hadn't been harmed.

WEAR A MASK. Be safe. And for the love of God, love one another.

Please comment and thanks for reading!