Will moaned gently trying to move onto his side. He didn't understand why he was on his back, 'Where's Paul and Sonny? I can't sleep without them.' Turning slightly Will whined in the back of his throat when he felt something pulling against his back and side. 'What?' Slowly opening his eyes Will tried to think before his eyes focused on the most wonderful sight he could think of, 'Oh Sonny and Paul now I can sleep.'

"Hey," he heard Sonny speak "You're OK."

"You're back," Paul added.

Will smiled slightly before humming gently. 'I'm OK.' Opening his mouth Will winced at the horrible stinging he felt. Licking his lips Will felt strange bumps in the middle of his mouth, almost like thread. Confused, Will tried to lift his hand to his mouth only to get distracted by the strange device over his finger and the needle in his wrist. Beginning to panic, not understanding, Will looked at Sonny and Paul, blue eyes shinning with fear.

"Hey, it's OK," Sonny comforted, taking Will's hand and squeezing it slowly. "Just relax."

Paul, not wanting to touch the hand bandaged from all the glass, reached over and put his palm around Sonny and Will's hands. "How are you feeling?"

"Confused," Will whispered, voice dry and scratchy, words still slurred. "I don't, how am, why?"

"Shh," Paul said gently. "You're in the hospital. Do you remember why?" Paul leaned down and picked up his water bottle he put on the floor. Opening it up Paul slowly helped Will get a drink; doing everything he could to not touch his stitches.

Closing his eyes Will remembered flashes of the day before, Neil holding him close and kissing him; a knife cutting across his ribs as he stared despairingly at passing cars; something salty being poured down his throat, head aching; cruel, dark eyes glaring at him; Chad promising to take him fishing. Will shook his head, nothing was making sense, "No, not really."

"Maybe we should get a doctor," Sonny said, "Just to check you out first." Buzzing for the nurse Sonny, not wanting to let go of Will, added, "Something happened to you yesterday. You were going to meet me in the park and something happened. Do you remember what?"

"Oh," Will said slowly, "Was it Neil kissing me? Are you mad at me? Is that why I'm here?"

Puzzled, Sonny tilted his head to the side, "What? No, no, of course not. No one is mad at you. And Neil is the reason you're safe now." Trying to figure out how to explain everything to Will Sonny looked to Paul for help.

"Remember how someone kept taking pictures of you," Paul asked, waiting to see Will nod before he continued, "He found you yesterday and did this." Paul gestured towards Will's body, "Neil and Chad found you and they brought you here."

"But where are they," Will questioned, "Why did they leave me?"

"Chad is around somewhere I'm sure," Sonny said consolingly, seeing Will beginning to get worked up, "But Neil got hurt, babe. He had to have surgery."

"Why," Will whispered, shoulders hunching in and heart racing, "I want to see them. I want them here."

"He was protecting you," Paul admitted, alarmed at Will's behavior, "That guy stabbed Neil."

"So it's my fault," Will started breathing erratically. "He's hurt because of me. He loves me and all I do is hurt him." 'That's all I ever do,' Will closed his eyes.

"It's not your fault," Sonny tried to explain, unsure what to do. 'What is he talking about? And where the hell is the nurse?'

Opening his eyes Will looked toward the door, a flash of dark eyes were openly staring at him. Body freezing Will opened his mouth and screamed at the top of his lungs.

Jumping Paul and Sonny stood up, "Will," Sonny begged, "What are you? Will, stop it." 'Oh god, what's wrong with him?'

Burying his face in his hands Will started to cry, "I saw him. He was there. I saw him."

Turning to look at the door Paul said, "No one is there Will."

"I saw him. He was looking at me. I don't like it when he looks at me," Will sobbed, "I don't want him to look at me. Make him go away. I want him to go away."

"Will," Sonny said gently, not wanting to upset him even more, "Will, your grandpa arrested him. He couldn't have been there."

"I saw him," Will swallowed harshly, lip stinging, head pounding, "I saw him."

"What the hell," Chad demanded, running into the room, "Why did I hear screaming?"

"Will thinks he saw Ian," Paul said quietly, not wanting Will to hear his name.

"There was no one in the hallway," Chad whispered giving Paul an alarmed look.

"Chad," Will yelled, reaching his arms out, sighing in relief when Chad sat on the bed and swooped Will into his arms. "I saw him. I know I did. It was him."

Looking at Sonny and Paul in distress Chad patted Will gently on the back, mouthing, "What do I do?" Not knowing what to say Chad told Will, "OK, tell me what you saw."

"He was looking at me," Will said, putting his face against Chad's collarbone. "I always know when it's him. No one looks at me like that, like they hate me. It was him." Pulling away to look at Chad's face Will asked, "You believe me don't you?"

"Maybe it was him," Chad said, not wanting to give Will any false hope, "I'm sure you thought you saw him."

"I saw him, I know I did," Will insisted trying to shake his head only to wince in pain. "My head hurts." Will blinked at Sonny and Paul while he was holding onto Chad.

"You have a concussion," Sonny slowly stated, biting his lip, wishing he could pull Will out of Chad's arms.

"Oh," Will replied, twisting Chad's shirt between his fingers, "My head hurts."

"You just said that," Paul told Will, "Remember?" 'Why is he acting like this?'

"No," Will said, "My head hurts."

Seeing that Will was getting confused Chad shushed him and patted his back, petting the back of Will's head until he felt his breathing even out. He had fallen asleep again. Gently moving Will back to the bed Chad stood up and looked at Sonny and Paul, "What the fuck was that?"

Sonny, saddened that he couldn't find a way to help Will, shook his head, "I don't know. He was a little out of it but once he started screaming he wasn't making any sense."

"The doctor said hallucinations were a side effect," Paul whispered, staring at Will's tear streaked face.

"I thought that meant while the drugs were in his system," Chad said, "Or is it a permanent thing?"

"I have no clue," Paul said running his hands through his hair, "Where the hell is the nurse?"

"Did he say anything else before he started screaming," Chad questioned, trying to figure out what was happening.

"He didn't really remember much of what happened," Sonny said, "But I don't know if that will come back to him or if he just doesn't know. Oh but he said something about kissing Neil and Neil being in love with him. I mean, that didn't make any sense."

"Uh," Chad said sheepishly, "Actually that kind of happened."

"What," Paul barked out, "What the hell are you talking about?" 'When was this,' Paul thought angrily.

"That's why Neil left him alone," Chad explained. "Neil cracked under the pressure and kissed him so when Will shoved him away he ran off. And it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what he feels for Will. For god's sake the man tried to yank a knife out of his own back for Will."

Swallowing uncomfortably, Sonny nodded, "OK, right. I can't really blame him but wow."

"Yeah," Chad shrugged, "I mean, I'd be pissed but I'm a little too concerned about Will to care right now." Looking around the room and just now realizing Chad asked, "Shouldn't we go get EJ and Sami?"

"No," Paul said firmly. "No, I don't want either of them anywhere near Will right now."

"OK," Chad said slowly. "You're a little mad about the trying to kill you thing. For the record though I told EJ not to get involved with Victor."

"It's not just that," Sonny argued, just thinking about his uncle made his skin crawl, "It's everything. All they've done since before we even got together is confuse Will. They tried to manipulate and scheme and do everything they could to control him. He doesn't need that right now."

"Huh," Chad said, "Well I think if we've learned anything from this situation it's that Will needs to decide for himself what he wants to do."

"Will is too out of it right now," Paul stated firmly, arms crossed, "Therefore we'll make the decisions."

'This isn't going to end well,' Chad sighed, "I think I'm going to go get a doctor or something." Walking out of the room Chad shook his head, 'Idiots.'

Sonny slumped back into his chair, head in his hands, "What are we going to do Paul?"

"We're going to take care of him," Paul assured Sonny, walking over and putting his hands on his shoulders. "Just like we've been promising him all along."

"Is that the right thing to do," Sonny asked quietly. "We've hurt Will just as much as everyone else. Horrible things keep happening to him. Are we the cause of this?"

"No Sonny," Paul insisted, "It's not us. It's life OK. Life is getting in the way. But we aren't giving up on him. Do you really think you could just walk away when he's like this? After what he went through, is that what you want?"

"No," Sonny stated insistently. "Of course not but Paul look at him," Sonny's voice cracked. "Look what happened. How are we going to take care of him? He didn't even want us to hold him, he wanted Chad."

"That's probably because Chad was there when it happened," Paul said softly. "Whatever makes Will feel safe we're going to do. If that means Chad has to hold him then I will gnaw through my tongue and let it happen."

"OK," Sonny nodded, "OK." Reaching forward to hold Will's hand again Sonny rubbed his knuckles wishing he knew what to do.

Chad popped his head into Neil's room, knowing he must be going frantic after he heard Will's screaming. "Hey," Chad called out, "I'm going to get a doctor for Will. He thought he saw Ian at the door and flipped."

"Oh," Neil said sighing clearly relieved, "Well, at least we know we won't be seeing him anymore."

"I'll let you know what the doctor says," Chad said before hurrying away quickly, not bothering to tell Neil Will remembered what happened between them in the park.

Stopping before he got to the nurses station Chad bit the side of his cheek before making his way to EJ and Sami, 'Don't get too pissed boys.' "Hey," Chad said, "Will was awake."

"Oh my god," Sami sat up quickly, "Is he OK? What happened?"

"He didn't remember much and flipped out a bit," Chad admitted, "He fell back asleep and I'm getting a doctor for him. Um, just can you do me one big favor?"

"What is it," EJ asked wearily already knowing he wasn't going to like it.

"Just um let the doctor see Will before you decide to go in there," Chad asked, rushing to explain before Sami could start yelling, "I'm just saying that he was really disoriented and I think having even more people in there is going to freak him out."

"Very well," EJ nodded, sensing there was more but not willing to do anything to jeopardize William's recovery. 'It's the least I can do after contributing to this.'

Shocked it was that easy Chad smiled, "Um, OK, good, I'll be back in a bit."

"Hey," Chad said slowly, knocking on Will's hospital door, "I tracked down his doctor." Opening the door wider, allowing the doctor to go inside first, Chad walked over to the bed and asked, "Has he woken up again?"

"No," Sonny said with a shake of his head, standing up. "Um, why isn't Will's Aunt his doctor?"

"Hospital is really cracking down on familial relationships," the doctor explained with a smile. "They don't want their doctors working on relatives. So here I am."

"Right," Paul said not exactly caring, "Can you talk to us about Will now?"

"Sure," the doctor replied casually, trying not to roll her eyes. Walking over to Will's IV and tapping the bag slightly, "Well he's got plenty of fluids so he won't be dehydrated. Now, can you tell me what he was like when he woke up?"

"Well he was pretty out of it," Sonny started to explain, "He remembered some things but not very much. He thought he saw someone at the door and started screaming."

"Hmm," the doctor said before glancing down at Will. She started prodding at Will's temple, turning his head from side to side.

"Yeah," Paul added, "He was generally really confused and was repeating things."

"He looked dazed and he sounded kind of drunk," Chad inputted, "It was pretty freaky."

"Well," the doctor said, "I would say this all sounds related to his probable concussion. Was he complaining of a headache?" Seeing all three men nod the doctor said, "I'd say that's what happened. Now as for the screaming, you're sure there was no one there?"

"Positive," Chad answered, "I was in the room next door and I didn't see anything when I went in the hall."

"But that could be related to the drugs right," Sonny asked, "You said hallucinations."

"I did," the doctor said looking at Will in concern. "But GHB doesn't have a very long half-life so it wouldn't be in his system anymore. It must be the concussion."

"I know what I saw," Will whispered, eyes still closed. He had woken up when the doctor was jostling him and he didn't appreciate them talking about him hallucinating. "I saw Ian." Opening his eyes and trying to sit up and wincing, accidentally brushing his teeth against his lips Will whimpered before throwing his head back against the pillows in frustration.

"Hey," Paul said, reaching forward and helping Will sit up. "Take it easy, it's OK. I've got you."

Leaning against Paul Will lifted his hand up only to realize it was covered in bandages, frustrated Will turned to the doctor, "I know it was Ian."

"Will," Sonny said slowly, rushing for his side and taking his other hand, mindful of the IV and the heart monitor on his finger. "Will, your Grandpa Roman arrested him. It couldn't have been Ian."

"But," Will blinked, early morning light hurting his eyes, "But I know it was him."

"Will," the doctor interrupted, "I'm Dr. Garcia. I've been treating you since you were admitted. Now, I don't know if there was anyone there or not but I just want you to relax. When you've had a concussion sometimes your mind starts to play tricks on you."

"OK," Will said slowly. 'I know what I saw.' "How, um, how did I get here?"

"Do you not remember," Paul asked desperately, arm around Will's shoulder. 'What if he has amnesia?'

"No," Will sighed, "I mean how did I get to the hospital. I know why I'm here."

"Oh," Sonny exhaled loudly, relieved, "Well actually Chad why don't you explain this one?"

"First," Dr. Garcia interrupted, "Let me give Will a bit of a check-up. I doubt he wants me to be here for that." Checking Will's eyes and reflexes, asking a few routine questions Dr. Garcia announced, "It's definitely a concussion. I'll leave you some literature about it and a prescription for the pain. You'll need to come back in about a week for the stitches and make sure you keep them clean. I'll make sure you go home with some antibacterial solution."

"So I can go home soon," Will asked brightly, hating hospitals.

"There's not much more we can do for you here," Dr. Garcia explained. "I'm sure your recovery will go much smoother at home. Just a few more hours and you can check out. Just to be sure."

"Thank you," Will smiled before hissing, the stitches in his lip pulling tightly.

Escorting the doctor out Chad shook her hand before asking her quietly to go to EJ and Sami in the waiting room and explain everything. "And if you could tell them not to disturb your patient too that would be great," Chad tried looking at Dr. Garcia with a hopeful smile.

"We'll see what I can do," Dr. Garcia smiled before walking out the door and closing it shut making some notes in Will's file.

Chad, sitting down on the edge of Will's bed, nudged Will's feet, "How you feeling?"

"Like crap," Will answered honestly. "My head is pounding and my ears keep popping. Plus my back and side hurts and it hurts to talk."

"Plus you've only got one hand," Chad teased with a grin.

Rolling his eyes Will replied, "Yeah, that too. Can someone get me something to drink?" Trying not to smile since it hurt his mouth too much Will looked at Paul adoringly when he immediately fed Will some water.

Leaning his head against Paul's arm and squeezing Sonny's hand Will asked quietly, "So how did I get to the hospital?"

"I wanna hear about what happened to you first," Paul requested. "If you remember."

"And if you're up to it," Sonny reassured. "You don't have to tell us anything if you don't want to."

"No," Will said, "No I remember." Closing his eyes lips pressing together painfully, Will started, "I guess it all starts with me and Neil."

"OK," Chad encouraged Will to get started. 'I guess I'll see if I need to chew Neil out or not.' Remembering how and why he got injured Chad figured, 'OK maybe Neil gets a free pass this time.'

"Well Neil and I were done packing and my mom sent the text saying to go to the park for our surprise," Will began, "And we saw the picnic and I guess I said something stupid because Neil got really upset with me. He started going off about how much he liked me and I told him to knock it off and before I knew what happened he kissed me." Looking at Sonny and Paul, hoping they weren't upset with him Will added, "I didn't kiss him back! And I told him to stop."

"Hey," Sonny said with a small smile, "It's OK."

"Right," Will continued, nervous, "Well Neil was upset and he ran off. I was waiting for one of you to come when T walked over." Closing his eyes, remembering the hurtful things T told him, "He said some really gross things to me, about me."

"What did he say," Paul demanded, 'That asshole I knew he wasn't helping out of the goodness of his heart.'

"It doesn't matter," Will shook his head, nostrils flaring when it made his head throb, "T left and then he came. Ian." Shivering slightly, reaching up to pull Paul's arm around him tighter. "He was saying all kinds of crazy things and when I tried to run away he tackled me and put a knife to my ribs. I landed on the glass and that's why my hand is like this. He made me go with him." Bringing his bandaged hand to his ribs Will explained, "I wanted to run into traffic and he did this."

"Why didn't anyone stop you," Chad questioned, rubbing at Will's legs. "Didn't anyone notice?"

"It was Halloween," Will shrugged, flinching at the pain in his back. "They probably thought it was a costume. We walked to your old studio. He said he rented it and it was just a coincidence."

Seeing how hard it was getting for Will to tell his story Sonny kissed the palm of Will's hand, "It's OK. Whatever you tell us you know we won't repeat."

Chad stood up from the bed and peeked his head out the door just to make sure there was no one around. Spotting a guy fiddling with his phone near an open door, Chad came back in, "It's just us." 'And nothing can possibly be worse than me finding you the way I did.'

"You can tell us," Paul insisted.

Taking a deep breath Will explained, "He pushed me against a wall and put the knife to my throat. He was telling me about how I was a slut and that you," Looking at Sonny and Paul, "That you two were just using me. That I ruined you. I just, I told him that wasn't true. But he didn't believe me." Closing his eyes and fidgeting slightly, "He pulled out this bottle of something. He wanted me to swallow it. When I wouldn't he hit me in the head with his knife," Will touched his tender temple with his bandaged hand, "It felt like my head split open but I still wouldn't open my mouth. He put his knife to my lips and did this," Will licked the stitches on his mouth awkwardly, hating the taste. "I opened my mouth then."

Angry and horrified, Sonny rubbed Will's hand firmly, "Hey, it's OK. You did your best. It's OK."

"Right," Will nodded, knowing he tried as hard as he could to resist. "He put the handcuffs on me after he nicked my throat. He pushed me on the bed and cut off my clothes. I just remember how angry I felt. Everything he was telling me was so wrong. I'm not easy and I don't sleep with everyone I know."

"Hey," Chad patted Will's leg sharply, "We know, bud. We know."

"I said something to piss him off and he sliced my back. He tied me up and that's when everything gets a bit fuzzy," Will admitted.

"How did he tie you up," Paul questioned, needing to know everything. Wanting to know exactly what Will had been forced to go through.

"He tied his ankles together with a rope," Chad supplied, "Then tied it to the handcuffs so he was on his hands and knees." 'That's an image I'll never get out of my head.'

"It hurt my hand," Will recollected. "I think he was taking pictures. I don't really remember what he was doing. I just remember that he kept telling me you wouldn't want me anymore. That he was going to ruin me. But I knew it wasn't true. I knew that there wasn't anything he could do to me that would make you hate me."

Eyes watering, so incredibly proud of Will, Sonny nodded, "Nothing Will."

"Absolutely fucking nothing," Paul promised, swallowing loudly.

Rushing to finish what he knew Will closed his eyes, "He put a blindfold on me and I don't really know what he meant but he said we would have company. The whole time he kept saying something about me being special; not knowing why I was special or wanting to find out why. I don't really know. But I started begging him to stop." Opening his eyes Will confessed, "I'm not sure but I think he started touching me. I remember someone touching me, down there."

"The doctor said there wasn't any signs of penetration," Chad interrupted, needing Will to know that.

Relieved Will said, "The last thing I really remember was you." Looking at Chad with wide eyes Will continued, "You were there and you were saying something about going fishing. After that I don't know."

"Of all the things that's what you remember," Chad chuckled sadly. "Neil rescued you. I was just the sidekick."

"Where is Neil," Will asked, looking around as if he would just appear.

"Oh," Chad licked his lips, "Actually he's in the room next door. He had to have surgery."

"For what," Will gasped, sitting up straight terribly worried for his friend.

Catching Sonny and Paul's eyes Chad wasn't sure what he should explain to Will. 'Are we supposed to tell him what Victor and EJ did? Should I tell Will there's even more pictures online?' Deciding Will only needed to know the basics Chad said, "Neil and I went to the studio and Neil beat the shit out of Ian. Then Ian stabbed Neil."

"What? Oh my god," Will cried out. "Is he OK?"

"Yeah, yeah, he's fine," Chad waved off Will's concern. "I mean he lost a lot of blood and passed out but he was fine. I mean, he was more concerned about you. It was pretty crazy actually. But once we got you out of the handcuffs you passed out."

"So he's OK," Will confirmed. "I mean, he's not like paralyzed or anything."

"No, dude," Chad laughed, "I just saw him wiggling around. Trust me; besides a pretty nasty wound I think he'll be fine."

"Good," Will relaxed back into Paul's arm, "I feel bad enough about him as it is."

"Why do you feel bad," Chad questioned, eyes squinting.

"Well because," Will said uncomfortably, "Because of how he feels about me. And because I don't feel the same."

"Oh," Chad shrugged, "Well, I mean, you can't really control his feelings but it's not your fault he got stabbed."

"He's known for a long time that you're taken," Paul said firmly, "So, he's had plenty of time to figure out he needs to move on."

"Don't be mean," Will whispered. "I've tried to convince him."

"OK," Sonny said loudly, wincing when Will grabbed his head, "Sorry. Look Neil is fantastic for saving you Will but I don't really care about him right now. I care about you. How are you doing?"

"I-I don't know how I feel," Will stated, "I feel achy and I feel confused."

"Do you feel scared," Paul asked, rubbing Will's arm up and down.

"I, yeah, kind of," Will admitted. "I don't want to be." Blinking so he wouldn't cry Will sighed, "I just don't understand how this happened."

Chad, Paul and Sonny all looked at each other, knowing they needed to tell Will the entire story.

Biting his lip Sonny said with trepidation, dreading this conversation, "Will, there's something we have to tell you."

Victor sat at the dining room table eating his breakfast quietly. Taking a sip of coffee Victor raised an eyebrow when Adrienne sat down at the table stiffly. Knowing the look on her face Victor barked, "Out with it."

Taking a deep breath, placing a napkin over her lap, Adrienne said, "I just wanted you to know Will woke up this morning. He obviously was concussed but he should be able to go home soon."

"Good," Victor nodded. "That means Sonny will be more reasonable now that Will's awake and fine."

"He isn't fine Victor," Adrienne argued, twisting her napkin. "He just went through a very serious and dangerous ordeal. He isn't fine."

"Give him a few days and he'll bounce back," Victor stated. "He'll be fine and Sonny will realize what I did I did for the good of our family."

"Our family," Justin repeated walking into the room and sitting down next to his wife. "Our family? I thought that was something our family was no longer involved in? I thought you were completely legitimate now. Yet here you are putting my son in danger all because of some petty feud."

"I did not put Sonny in danger," Victor contended.

"Yes you did," Adrienne cried out, "You did when you put that psychopath in this town. You had no idea what he could have done."

"Will Horton never did anything to you or anyone in this family," Justin said rationally, "But you let him get hurt anyway."

"I did what I thought was best," Victor informed them stiffly. "Now, I don't want to discuss this anymore."

"What do you need to tell me," Will asked shifting uncomfortably on the bed. 'When do I get to go home?' Will kept looking towards the window on the door, afraid he was going to see Ian again. 'I know he was there. I know it.'

Sonny, knowing it was his uncle that helped set everything on course, told Will, "We all thought that that Ian guy showed up because of the article right? Because he was obsessed but that isn't the whole truth."

"What are you talking about," Will furrowed his eyebrows, "That's what he told me. He said he saw the article and wanting to save you two from me."

"OK, yeah that part is true," Sonny said, trying to figure out how to explain everything to Will, "But the thing is he had help coming to Salem. Inside help."

"From who," Will asked quietly, getting the feeling something awful must have happened to put that look on Sonny's face.

"My uncle," Sonny whispered looking away from Will.

"And my brother," Chad added knowing this was going to crush Will.

"What," Will gasped, uncomprehending. 'No EJ would never do anything like this. Not to me. He wouldn't.'

"Hey, breathe," Paul ordered rubbing Will's shoulders comfortingly, making sure he didn't get near the bandage sticking out from the top of his hospital gown.

"Tell me," Will demanded, "Tell me right now."

"EJ was pissed about what Paul did," Chad hurriedly explained, "After we all found out him and Victor decided they needed to take care of him. Permanently."

"What," Will shouted, head screaming in pain, "Oh my god." Turning in Paul's embrace Will felt the need to shelter him with his body, as if someone was going to rush into the room and attack.

"Yeah," Chad continued, "So, um, they started planning some stuff. EJ wanted to hire someone to make it look like an obsessive fan went crazy and killed him or something. Victor decided to do one better and find a real fan. So he found Ian and brought him here."

"Oh my god," Will moaned against Paul's chest. "Oh my god."

"I told EJ he needed to stop whatever he had planned with Victor," Chad added, "I knew we couldn't trust him. And when EJ realized Victor must have been behind Ian he tried to get him to back off. Victor insisted that he had everything under control and that you were never going to be hurt."

"But I did," Will grumbled. "I was hurt. So how the hell did that happen?"

"Uncle Vic," Sonny spat out, "He allegedly had no idea what that idiot was really doing."

"What about EJ," Will begged, turning to look at Sonny and Chad, "What happened?"

"He turned on Victor when we all found out you had been taken," Sonny told him. "We found out that Ian was Victor's fault but wanting Paul dead was all EJ."

Breathing heavily Will said, "I want to see EJ."

"Sonny and I don't want-," Paul started to tell Will before he was cut off.

"No," Will yelled, head throbbing, lips hurting. "I want to see him now!"

"OK, OK," Chad said holding his hands up and walking to the door. "I'll get him."

EJ paused when William's door came into his sights taking a deep breath, bracing himself, 'This is it. I might have lost him forever this time.'

"You can do it," Chad encouraged patting his older brother on the back. Chad wasn't sure what Will was going to say or do but he knew EJ was nervous. 'I just hope Will doesn't do anything he's going to regret.'

"Right," EJ whispered before walking to the door and going inside. "William," EJ stated getting his attention.

Will stared at EJ determinedly before exhaling slowly. Glancing at Paul and Sonny Will asked, "Can you two please leave?"

"Will I don't think-," Sonny started to say.

"No," Will argued, eyes steely and tone firm. "Go outside."

Leaving no room for discussion Sonny and Paul walked out the door to stand with Chad, uncertain what was going to happen.

Will watched EJ not sure what he was looking for but knowing he needed to find something. 'Guilt, concern, something that proves he cares.' "Just tell me why," Will finally asked, proud that his voice didn't wobble.

"Why what William," EJ questioned stepping closer to William unsteadily.

"Why any of it," Will said, voice caught in his throat, tossing his arms in the air, "Why Paul? Why Ian? Why did you do this to me?"

Swallowing, eyes watering slightly, EJ tried to convince Will, "I didn't, I didn't do this." Looking at the ground EJ gathered his thoughts, "When I found out what he did to you I was furious. All I could think about was getting him away from you. I knew the only way for that to happen was if he was gone. Really gone. But I can assure you I never had anything to do with Ian."

"Yes you did," Will insisted heatedly. "You knew Victor brought him here and you didn't stop him. You didn't warn me."

"I made sure you were protected," EJ fired back, "I never wanted anything to happen to you."

"Well I wasn't protected! I was alone," Will screamed. "Neil isn't a professional. You never should have let him be in charge of me. You knew how he felt about me and you were just toying with him."

"I thought since he cared about you so much he would be inclined to protect you," EJ argued. "I know I should have tried harder and I'm sorry."

"Do you know why he left me there, at the park, alone," Will asked, eyes watering. "Because he's in love with me and I don't love him. He left me there. And you knew someone was bothering me and you knew who was behind it and you didn't stop it."

"I-I know," EJ stated desolately. "I know. I know, alright? I know it's my fault. Do you think I don't know that? I do. OK, from the moment I found out you were missing I knew it was my fault. I should have done everything I could to shelter you, to save you. And I didn't. I know I didn't. I know it's my fault." Lips trembling EJ did everything he could to look William in the eyes as he admitted his shortcomings. "I know I failed you."

"You were supposed to take care of me," Will uttered, tears finally escaping. "You were supposed to be different."

EJ, face collapsing under his grief, fell forward onto his knees beside Will's bed, "I know. I trusted Victor. I trusted that he would look after you. I never once thought that this would happen. I never wanted this." EJ grabbed William's hand between two of his own. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

Will, feeling like his head was going to burst from the pounding pressure, tried to breathe, "You, you did hurt me." Looking away from EJ Will swallowed, "Even if this didn't happen you were going to hurt Paul. You were going to take him away. You knew what he meant to me! You knew!"

Jumping at the venom behind William's words EJ, biting his lip, said, "I know! I know that." Resting his head against William's hand EJ shook his head, "I was so angry. I didn't care that you would hate it. I didn't care that you were going to hate me. I just wanted him away from you."

"How could you," Will choked, stuck between furious and saddened. "How could you do this?"

"I'm sorry William," EJ promised, lifting his head, tears slowly trickling down his face. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Will shook his head, eyes closing, not able to stand EJ's remorse, "That's not good enough."

Sonny glared at the door to Will's room cursing EJ for ever getting involved in Will's life. 'Stupid asshole.'

"OK, you two need to relax and let Will deal with this," Chad said knowledgeably. Seeing the two sets of incredulous looks thrown his way Chad rolled his eyes, "Look, this little dick measuring contest you've been having with EJ needs to end. All three of you need to realize that you are not in charge of Will. He is legally an adult. Yes, he might be naïve and a little lacking in common sense but he can take care of himself. This whole fucked up situation would have never started if all of you people would realize Will is in charge of himself." Breathing heavily after the end of his rant Chad leaned against the wall.

"I think I get a say in whether my boyfriend gets to be around the man that planned my murder," Paul blurted out.

"Now," Chad ordered, completely ignoring Paul, "You two are going to let Will think for himself. You're gonna go in the next room and thank Neil for saving Will's life. Then you're going to leave me the hell alone for five minutes without having to deal with any of your drama." Stomping off to the waiting room Chad couldn't help but think, 'What kind of world am I living in that going to talk to Sami is the less dramatic option?'

"No," EJ begged eyes wide and panicked, "No, William, please."

"No," Will said firmly. "No. You promised me you were going to take care of me. That you thought of me as yours. But I'm not and you don't. All you've done since I ran into you at the park that day is try to control me and take all of my choices away. You manipulate me and treat me like I'm stupid. Well not anymore."

"No," EJ squeezed William's hand, "No, please. I know that I was wrong. I can see now how much Paul means to you and how much you mean to Paul. I promise I do. I'll let you be with him. I won't interfere."

"No, you won't," Will said quietly, "Because you won't be there to stop me."

"I'll do anything," EJ pleaded. "Just please give me another chance."

"Why," Will breathed out, "Why should I? You wouldn't let me give one to Paul and look what happened. How do I know you won't do the same thing the next time I get into a fight with one of them? How do I know that you won't go after Sonny now that Victor screwed you over?"

"I won't," EJ promised, "I won't do anything you don't want. I promise, William. Just please don't do this."

"How am I supposed to trust you," Will asked voice quiet, head slumping. He was getting dizzy and his head felt awful.

"I'll prove it to you. I swear I will," EJ vowed. "Please don't leave."

Closing his eyes and swaying slightly Will tried to give EJ an answer but his head hurt too much. Whimpering in pain Will rolled onto his side, toward EJ, opening his mouth Will attempted to speak. Instead a stream of vomit came out.

Jumping out of the way, disregarding the puke on the wrinkled suit he slept in all night, EJ pushed for the nurse before finding something for William to retch into. Rubbing the clear part of William's back and comforting him EJ wiped his own eyes, desperately hoping he hadn't lost his son forever.

"Knock knock," Sonny said before walking into Neil's room. 'Wow that is super disgusting,' he thought with a frown when he saw a nurse changing the dressing on Neil's wound.

"Oh, hey," Neil said looking over his shoulder at Sonny and Paul, visibly disappointed Will wasn't with them.

"So, that looks painful," Paul commented looking at Neil's back in distaste.

"Yeah, no kidding," Neil huffed, wincing when the nurse sprayed his back with an antibacterial spray. 'Fuck that stings.'

As the nurse carried her equipment away, with firm instructions for Neil to stay on his stomach for a few more hours and not touch the bandage, Sonny deliberated on what he should say to Neil.

"So," Neil said suddenly, "I take it you're not here to check up on me?"

"Actually," Paul admitted, "We kind of are." Seeing Neil's disbelieving face Paul shrugged, "Will was concerned about you. Now we can tell him you're gross but fine."

"Uh huh," Neil said slowly not believing it.

"And we needed to tell you thank you," Sonny finally disclosed. "Thank you for finding Will and saving him from that creep."

"Trust me, it was no problem," Neil commented, biting his lip at the pain in his back when he moved, "Knife to the back and all."

"Right," Paul nodded. "That's normal." Figuring now was as good a time as any, "Look, let's cut to the chase here. You are in love with our boyfriend."

"And you kissed him," Sonny said crossing his arms, "Again."

"Thank you very much. I'm aware he's your boyfriend," Neil muttered, "It's been made clear." Sighing and closing his eyes Neil said, "And I'm going to work on it, OK? I think I've more than made up for what I did to him that EJ will leave me alone. That fucker is behind bars so I won't have to follow Will around all the time. I can start to move on. And really move on, not like when Will tried to move on from you two."

"Good," Paul looked at Sonny, surprised it was that easy. "But thank you. For what you did."

"I would do it again," Neil admitted. "If I had to I would. Now, if you don't mind I would like to wallow a bit."

"OK," Sonny slowly slipped from the room. "I'm really sorry about all this Neil."

"It's not your fault," Neil mumbled into his pillow. "I'll get over him." 'Eventually.'

EJ, pulling the IV cart in one arm and supporting William with the other, gingerly helped William to the bathroom. Sitting him on the toilet seat EJ found a washcloth, wetting it before wiping William's face. Dabbing at William's stitches, frowning when he winced, EJ tried to be as gentle but thorough as possible. Seeing an extra hospital gown in the room EJ asked, "Is it alright if I take the old one off and put a new one on you?"

Nodding, head still in pain, Will tried to help EJ but couldn't. He felt too disoriented.

EJ, untying the strings on the back of the gown and pulling off the soiled one tried not to stare at the stitches against William's ribs, "How did you get that?" 'If a damn nurse would get here we could see about getting him a shower.'

"I tried to run away," Will explained, trusting EJ to get him dressed as soon as possible.

Covering William up again EJ swallowed, "And your back?"

"I said something to make him mad," Will commented, glad to be clothed again. "My mouth was because I didn't want to swallow what he gave me. My head too."

"Here, let's see if you can rinse out your mouth," EJ filled a plastic cup with water, handing it to William. His own stomach was beginning to feel a bit queasy just thinking about what William went through.

Swishing the water around, lips smarting, Will leaned on EJ's arm for support as he spit into the sink. Looking up and into the mirror, seeing his stitches for the first time Will grimaced at his reflection. 'I look awful,' Will thought. Realizing for the first time that what Ian had done, or almost done, was going to be staring at him each time he looked in the mirror. 'I'm going to see the scar on my mouth every day and think of him.'

"Stop it," EJ urged gently, hand clamping William's shoulder, "I know what you're thinking about but you need to stop." Unsure of himself, EJ lifted his free hand to William's face, ever so softly brushing his mouth, "It's not a mark. It's a battle wound. Proof that you're stronger and braver than you give yourself credit for. And that your friends and family care for you more than Ian ever imagined."

Catching EJ's eyes in the reflection Will nodded slowly.

Sonny and Paul walked back into Will's room confused that neither Will nor EJ were in the room. "What's that smell," Paul complained immediately, nose wrinkling.

"What the hell," Sonny said in concern seeing the vomit on the floor. Seeing the door to the bathroom open Sonny relaxed slightly.

EJ, half dragging and half carrying William, cursed when he saw the mess still in the room, "What the hell do the nurses in this hospital do?" Pushing Will into the chair by his bed EJ picked up the phone on the side table and started yelling into it.

"Hey," Paul kneeled down in front of Will, "What happened?"

"I was sick," Will whispered. "My head really hurts."

"It's OK," Sonny soothed, rubbing the back of Will's neck, "It's gonna be OK. As soon as they clean this up you can go back to sleep."

Immediately, a team of nurses and custodians came into the room, gathering around the mess on the bed, and around Will. Examining him and asking him questions Will blinked at them dazed until EJ demanded they give him something for the pain. Switching out his saline bag for a morphine bag not wanting to incur EJ's wrath the nurses quickly left. Just as Will began to relax into the chair the custodians had completely sanitized the area, including switching out the plastic covering on the mattress and getting rid of the horrific smell.

Seeing how drowsy and clumsy William was EJ lifted him out of the chair and into the bed easily. Backing away, not sure whether William ever wanted to see him again, EJ was almost out the door when he stopped.

"EJ," Will called out quietly.

"Yes," EJ whispered, rushing to William's side, shouldering someone out of his way.

"I'm still mad at you," Will reassured, "But I don't hate you."

"OK," EJ smiled, "I can handle that. You get some rest and I'll check on you later. Your mother is probably driving everyone crazy." Kissing the top of William's head EJ walked out the door relieved that William wasn't so jaded yet he was willing to give up on him.

Frowning at EJ Sonny sat next to Will, "Are you sure about him Will?"

"No," Will laughed eyes barely open. "He's EJ. I never know what he's going to do next. But I gave both of you a second chance. You can still hate him if you want to though."

Opening the door slowly, slinking into a chair at an empty table hidden in the corner Ian looked around the pub cautiously. 'What kind of a town is this that I can just wander about in broad daylight and the police don't notice,' Ian mused.

"Look I am telling you there is definitely something there," came a feminine voice near Ian. "Chad and I have something. I know we do."

"Uh huh," another female mocked. "I think there's more between Will and Chad than you and Chad."

"That is not true," the voice hissed. "That's not even funny. You know Chad isn't like that."

"Are you talking about Will Horton," Ian asked suddenly, startling both employees.

"Shit, I didn't even see you there," one of the girls said, feeling unsettled. "I need to get back to my tables."

That left the girl that was talking who had long dark hair and a beautiful face. "Um, yeah, I was talking about Will Horton," she said with a confused look. "Why are so interested?"

Ian shrugged innocently, "Just curious. I saw him and Chad together the other day, that's all."

"I need to get back to my other tables," the girl said, biting her lip, "When I come back for my order you can tell me everything you know about Will and Chad."

"What's your name," Ian asked suddenly, thinking she looked familiar.

"It's Gabi," she announced before walking away.

Watching Gabi go from table to table with a fake smile on her face Ian contemplated what to do. Deciding, Ian pulled out his cell phone and strummed his fingers on the table until he heard an answer, "I just got an idea."

Author's note:

Will's alive and mostly well. Also I know nothing about hospital procedures so I just rushed through that real quick.

I was going to have Will alienate EJ but as I was writing it this happened instead. I think it fits their relationship in this story better anyways. Plus if EJ can forgive Will for literally almost killing him Will would probably do the same. Also, Will has a nasty habit of forgiving everyone for everything here anyway. But Will hasn't found out about Sami, Adrienne, Kate and Lucas all plotting to get Will and Sonny to break up with Paul yet. So there's that to look forward to.

Please review and let me know what you thought. Any suggestions/ideas for when W/P/S finally move in together/go home? Also how do you think Sonny and Paul would react to finding out Will shot EJ?

Thanks for reading.