"We're going to the hospital now," Adrienne told Victor from the hallway outside his office. He was on the phone and didn't look to be in the mood to be interrupted.

Nodding at Adrienne to indicate he heard her Victor went back to his conversation when Adrienne turned around and walked away. "So, you understand?"

"Yes, Mr. Kiriakis, Sir. Nothing about the incident will be reported," the nervous recently appointed Editor-in-Chief proclaimed. "And we'll notify you if we hear or see anything from any other publications."

"Good," Victor said before hanging up the phone. Rubbing his temples Victor couldn't help but think, 'I might have caused irreparable damage but at least I can prevent this situation from reaching the masses.' Picking up the phone to dial another number Victor shook his head, 'Of all the situations I've found myself in this has to be one of the strangest.'

Adrienne walked over to Justin, taking his arm, "I don't know what that man's up to but he better not cause any more problems for Sonny."

"I hope that goes for you as well," Justin said quietly.

"I know. I know," Adrienne sighed, "Look Sami and I already decided we needed to talk about all of this. So, when we get there she and I will have a nice long chat about staying out of our son's lives."

"Very nice," Justin praised his wife as the two walked out to the car.

Chad held his phone up to his ear, arms crossed, foot tapping impatiently. Hearing the voicemail message Chad groaned before leaving another message, "It's me again. I haven't heard from you since I left you at the Pub. I really need to talk to you. Call me when you get this."

"Problems," Sami asked, stirring her Styrofoam cup of coffee, taking a sip and making a face, "Ugh, this tastes like dirty water."

"I told you I would go run to Common Grounds if you wanted me to," Chad reminded her. He didn't particularly like Sami Brady but if it meant keeping her happy and her voice at a normal, even level he would do whatever she wanted. "And I don't know if it's a problem yet," Chad started explaining, slumping into the seat next to Sami. "The IT guy I hired to help track down Ian. I haven't been in contact with him since yesterday."

"Do you think that's something to be concerned about," Sami questioned, putting the coffee cup on an old magazine on a table.

"I'm not sure," Chad told her, "But I left Will's phone with him. I talked to Gabi earlier and she said everything was normal when he left but I don't know. Maybe he just hasn't checked his phone today."

"I don't like it," Sami said, leaning against the chair and shaking her head, "Anything that involves Will from now on needs to be treated lightly. I don't want anything else happening to him."

"Me either," Chad nodded, "Thank god Roman locked that freak up."

"Seriously," Sami sighed, "At least we can count on my dad for that much."

"Sami," came a surprised voice behind her. "Sami what are you doing here?"

"Mom," Sami stated clearly flustered. Playing with the ends of her hair nervously Sami asked, "Um, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here checking up on a patient who had to be admitted overnight," Marlena enlightened, looking between Sami and Chad suspiciously. 'What is going on here?' "You?"

"Well," Sami began, 'Oh god we didn't want to tell anyone that didn't already know.' "Um, well you see I'm here because there was a bit of an incident yesterday."

"An incident," Marlena gasped, "Was it one of the children? It wasn't Johnny was it? He's always climbing things he shouldn't be."

"Well it was one of my kids yeah," Sami said, gulping, "But it wasn't Johnny." Looking at her shoes Sami knew as soon as Marlena figured everything out Sami would be rendered useless. 'I shouldn't be jealous of my own mother but she's always been closer to him than I have. Hell, Will wanted to see EJ instead of me.'

"What happened to Will," Marlena demanded, rushing forward and grabbing Sami's elbows, "Sami!"

"Wow," Chad said, standing up and holding up his hands, "Relax Dr. Evans." Not knowing if Will would want the whole truth of the matter released, and not trusting there wasn't a nurse or orderly nearby eavesdropping, Chad lowered his voice, "Something happened yesterday and Will got hurt. They've been watching him overnight."

"I need to see him," Marlena burst out, "I need to know he's alright."

"Well he isn't taking many visitors," Sami argued, crossing her arms and pulling away from her mother.

"He has a pretty bad concussion," Neil explained. "I can go see if he's up for a visit or not but EJ was in there and I wouldn't get in the way of that quite yet. You can wait with us if you want."

"OK," Marlena took a deep breath sitting down next to Sami. "OK."

Glaring at Chad Sami reached her shoe out and kicked him in the shin when Marlena closed her eyes.

Wincing and bending over to rub at the probable bruise Chad was ready to fire back at Sami when Adrienne and Justin Kiriakis came in.

"Sami," Adrienne breathed, rushing over and pulling Sami into a hug. "How is he?"

"He's alright," Sami said demurely, guiding Adrienne away from her mother, "When he woke up the first time he was really disoriented and confused. Chad said he started screaming his head off because he thought he saw Ian."

"Oh no," Adrienne said, putting her hand over her mouth, "Is it because of the drugs?"

"The doctor thinks it was just the concussion confusing him," Sami told her. "He hasn't wanted to see me," Sami admitted, wrapping her arms around herself. "He asked for EJ but he doesn't want me." 'Don't cry Samantha Brady. Don't you dare cry.'

Adrienne pushed Sami gently into a seat and put her arm around her comfortingly, "It's OK. There will be plenty of time to see him. Don't take it personally." Adrienne rubbed Sami's back wondering how in the world Sami Brady became one of her friends.

Marlena watched Sami and Adrienne, eyebrows raised in surprise.

"Don't even ask," Justin said shaking his head at his wife, "I don't know and quite frankly I don't want to know."

Smiling at Justin lightly Marlena replied, "Well it's better than the two of them butting heads."

"We'll just have to keep an eye on them," Chad mused. 'I won't forget that picnic or all that wedding crap anytime soon.' Chad narrowed his eyes when he saw the man that was near Will's room earlier come out of the hallway. 'Who is that?'

Just then Roman Brady entered the waiting room with another man who immediately wandered off to Will's hallway.

'What the hell,' Chad thought to himself, immediately putting it together, 'Why does Roman have guards at Will's door?' Walking over to Roman Chad, using his best Dimera voice, cleared his throat, "Commissioner Brady. What was that all about?"

Thinking on the spot, not ready to admit they didn't have a lock on Ian anymore, Roman said slowly, "I'm just making sure we've got all out bases covered. Will's my grandson and I don't want anything happening to him. Now, let's keep that to ourselves shall we?"

"Roman," Marlena greeted, "Are you here about Will's accident?"

"Um," Roman blinked, catching Chad's eyes, "Yes, I wanted to make sure he was OK." 'And make sure no one has seen Ian around.'

Kate and Lucas, loudly arguing, entered the room, "And I'm telling you this is what's best," Lucas snarled. Seeing all eyes on him Lucas stopped short, "Morning everyone. We brought coffee." Holding up three carriers full of coffee Lucas began passing out cups, telling his mother under his breath, "Will needs to stay away from these people."

Kate, walking up to Chad, nodded awkwardly at her ex-husband, Roman, "How is he?"

"He's not so hot today," Chad explained. Not wanting to tell the story a million times Chad was ready to call everyone together when EJ hurried down the hallway, face wet. "Hey," Chad said, confused.

"What's that smell," Lucas questioned, nose wrinkling, moving towards his mother.

"That would be me," EJ stated gesturing to the vomit on his wrinkled suit.

"EJ," Sami sniffled, walking up to him, stopping short when she saw the stains. "What happened?" 'Oh my god, has he been crying?'

Attempting to discretely wipe his face EJ told the gathering crowd, "William got a little sick while we were talking. He's resting now."

"Is he OK," Sami demanded, "EJ, is he OK?"

"The concussion is clearly affecting him but it's only been a few hours since it happened. His brain needs time to heal," EJ consoled. "But he needs to rest a bit more before he can go home."

"I hope you're going home to shower now," Chad commented, hand over his nose, slightly amused that Will puked on EJ.

"Yes, thank you, I am," EJ rolled his eyes at his brother. Noticing Roman EJ asked pointedly, "Why are you here?"

"Will is my grandson," Roman said indignantly, "Of course I'm here. Now, Chad you were going to explain about Will."

"Right," Chad said, stepping away from EJ, "Well Will was a bit confused when he first woke up. Kind of hysterical and we thought he was hallucinating too actually. He thought he saw Ian but that's ridiculous, right?"

Roman, eyes wide, smiled weakly, "Right, completely ridiculous."

EJ, getting ready to leave, called Samantha and Adrienne to his side. "Look," he said immediately, "William is extremely upset by what I did. I advise you both to admit what happened with the picnic and why. He will appreciate the honesty. I don't want him to alienate the both of you as well."

Surprised EJ knew how to be so selfless Adrienne smiled, "Thank you. I think we'll have to."

"Yes," Sami nodded quickly. "Anything." Biting her lip Sami said, "And we'll stay out of his personal life from now on. Even if it means leaving him to be with Paul."

Making a face at his name Adrienne sighed, "Right. Even if it means they'll be together."

"Good," EJ said quickly. "William doesn't need any more parental interference."

"I guess it's a good thing Paul's parents don't live here," Adrienne joked lightly.

EJ, frowning a bit asked Samantha, "Is Marlena involved with John currently?"

"What does that have to do with anything," Sami asked completely puzzled.

"Nothing, nothing," EJ dismissed. "Just wondering if any more people are going to show up uninvited." 'I guess that's one secret I'll be keeping to myself for now.' "Now if you ladies will excuse me I need to run home and change." Kissing Samantha on the cheek EJ briskly walked away.

Chad, staring into space, almost jumped when someone put their hand on his shoulder. "Whoa," Chad said loudly.

"Hey," Gabi said with a smile, "It's just me. Um, I brought you lunch." Holding out a takeout bag from the Pub in front of her Gabi tried not to feel nervous.

"Oh," Chad replied, taking the bag and looking inside. "You brought my favorite."

"Yeah," Gabi smiled, pushing her long hair behind her ears, "Well you used to order it all the time when we used to be together." 'Before you left me for Mia. Is that when you got so close to Will? Because you bonded over her?'

"This is really nice of you Gabi," Chad told her before beginning to eat. Mid bite Chad put down his sandwich, "Wait, how did you know I was here? I didn't mention it when we talked this morning."

"Oh," Gabi said, beginning to panic, looking around the room Gabi said quickly, "Um, I overheard Lucas and Kate in the Pub earlier. And I knew if Will was here, you would be too." 'Whew, save that one.'

"That makes sense I guess," Chad shrugged. "So, um, what's up?"

"Nothing," Gabi said, moving closer to Chad in the chair, "I just wanted to make sure you were OK."

"Me," Chad scoffed. "I'm perfectly fine." 'It's Will I'm worried about.' Looking at Gabi's happy, smiling face Chad wanted so badly to explain how guilty he had been feeling over Will. How scared and overwhelming the past 24 hours had been. But for some reason he couldn't. He wasn't sure he could trust anyone with this information.

Putting her hand on Chad's back Gabi rubbed his tense muscles, "Well, I think you've done enough to help Will. Maybe you should relax and let someone else handle it."

"I wish," Chad laughed, "But I'm not resting until I know everything is under control. Thankfully Will is going to be released today. But until then I'm not leaving this building."

"Right, well I need to get to school," Gabi said, reluctantly standing up, having heard enough about Will.

Chad, standing up as well pulled Gabi into a hug, "Thanks for this. It was really sweet."

"Of course," Gabi closed her eyes, pressing her body to Chad's firmly. "Anything for you," she whispered in his ear. Smiling when she felt him shiver Gabi waved as she walked away. Once she was out of the room, waiting in front of the elevator, Gabi pulled out her phone and sent a quick message:

He's getting released today.

Getting a response almost instantly Gabi read the message, feeling a small wave of guilt trickling down her stomach:

Good.

"I'm really hungry," Will complained a few minutes after he woke up. "And I smell gross."

Smiling at Will fondly Sonny said, "You were sick. It's allowed."

Not amused Will crossed his arms, stitches pulling, "I want food and I want to know when I get out of here."

"OK, what would you like to eat," Paul asked, ready and willing to get Will anything he wanted.

"Something that won't make me open my mouth too wide," Will said quickly. "And don't make a dirty joke."

Paul, pouting a bit, "Fine, I'll go to the cafeteria and see what kind of soup they have."

"And you get something for Sonny and yourself too," Will scolded. "I know you've been in here instead of taking care of yourselves."

"We were a little busy," Sonny argued, "Food was the last thing on our minds today."

"I know," Will said sheepishly. "I just, I don't want this to control everything we do. I want to at least try to be a bit normal."

Sonny, reaching forward to cup Will's cheek, "It won't. Everything will get better." Rubbing Will's cheek softly Sonny pulled away with a small smile, "I want to find your doctor again but I don't want to leave you alone."

"Well then I guess it's a good thing I'm here," Marlena said cheerfully as she opened the door.

"Dr. Evans," Paul greeted, rubbing one arm awkwardly, uncertain how Will's grandmother felt about him.

"Paul, Sonny," Marlena acknowledged before turning her sights on Will. Gasping softly, rushing to his side, Marlena nudged Sonny out of his chair, "Oh Will."

"We'll be right back," Sonny promised Will, knowing he would want to be alone for this discussion. "Come on Paul."

"Hi, Grandma," Will stated, trying to smile, lips stinging and head throbbing lowly. It didn't hurt as much as earlier but it was still there. Just a deep pounding against his skull every few minutes, when Will thought it was over it would crash into him again.

"Oh, sweetheart," Marlena held his hand firmly, "Are you OK? What happened?"

"You mean, you don't know," Will asked tilting his head sideways.

"No, no, everyone out there has been very chintzy on information," Marlena replied. "But seeing the way you look I understand why. Oh, Will, what happened? It wasn't anything to do with the article was it?" 'Oh god, was this a hate crime?'

Lowering his head until his chin tucked against his chest Will said, "Oh." He didn't know if he was up to explaining what happened again. 'I don't know if I have it in me again.'

"Hey," Marlena lifted Will's chin up gently, "It's OK. You know I would never think badly of you. I love you."

Staring at his grandmother's kind, honest eyes Will nodded, "There was this boy that was following me. He kidnapped me yesterday. Neil and Chad rescued me."

"What," Marlena's mouth opened; mind not grasping what she was told. "I don't, what?"

"He drugged me," Will continued, voice soft, "He wanted to hurt me."

"Will," Marlena blinked away tears, knowing Will need her to be strong now, 'I will be strong, for Will.' "Did he, were you?"

Will shook his head quickly, wincing at the pain in his head, "No, no. I told you, Neil and Chad rescued me. They saved me."

"I'm glad," Marlena told him, "I'm so glad." Reaching out her hand slowly, Marlena asked, "Can I hug you?"

"Yes please," Will answered, practically collapsing into her arms. "Oh Grandma, it was awful."

"I know it was sweetheart, I know," Marlena patted his back, pulling her hand away when she saw a large bandage covering the middle of his back, 'Oh god.'

"I didn't, I tried to get away I did," Will promised. He wasn't crying simply because his head hurt too much to shed any more tears. "I didn't want him I didn't."

"I know, Will. We all know," Marlena shushed him, feeling him tremble in her arms. "Are you afraid that people will think you did want him?"

"He kept saying I did," Will admitted, voice wobbling, "He said I was a slut. That I had to have wanted it. But I'm not. I don't want anyone but Sonny and Paul. I didn't sleep with all those men, I didn't. I wouldn't."

"It's alright," Marlena assured Will, not understanding fully what he was talking about.

"I'm not like that, I'm not," Will whispered. Hiding his face in Marlena's neck Will's muffled voice floated across the air, "I saw him Grandma. I saw him earlier."

"Saw who, Will," Marlena asked, "Who did you see?"

"Him, Ian," Will shivered, "He was outside my room."

'Ian must be who took him,' Marlena figured out. "Will, I overheard your Grandpa Roman say it was impossible for you to see him. He was arrested wasn't he?"

"No, I know it was him," Will insisted pulling away to look in her eyes. "Everyone says it was just my mind playing tricks on me but I saw him Grandma. I didn't imagine him. He was there. He was."

Understanding what it felt like to be afraid your kidnapper, Marlena shook her head, "Will, he wasn't there. Roman would never let him get away. You know that."

"He's sneaky," Will said desolately. "And he has friends. He told me. He must have escaped."

"No, Will, he didn't," Marlena said firmly. "He isn't going to get to you, not anymore. He can't hurt you." Cupping Will's cheeks in both of her hands Marlena smiled sadly, "It's OK to be scared sweetheart but he can't get to you now."

"I am scared," Will revealed, feeling like he was shrinking into a shell, shoulders hunching, painfully stretching the stitches in his back and side. "I try not to be but I am."

"That's perfectly normal," Marlena said, rubbing Will's cheeks, "It's OK to be afraid."

Will put his head against her shoulder again, staring at the door. "You promise it's not him," Will asked.

"I promise, Will," Marlena stated decisively.

"Then who's looking through the window," Will mused, eyes glued to the pale face pressed against the glass. 'I really must be seeing things.'

Turning around quickly Marlena gasped, seeing someone, "Oh my god." Getting out of her chair and rushing to the door Marlena wrenched it open. When she looked down the hallway there was no one there.

Paul and Sonny stood in line at the cafeteria with two trays full of food. Paul, standing closely to Sonny, whispered slowly, not wanting anyone else to hear, "I'm just saying that it might not be a good idea to take him there."

"Where else are we supposed to go," Sonny asked, "We don't have anywhere else."

"I just don't think he's going to be comfortable walking past the studio every day," Paul explained, moving away from Sonny and pulling out some cash to pay for their lunch. Putting his change in the jar for hospital donations Paul walked back towards Will's room with Sonny hot on his heels.

"You're right," Sonny sighed. "But where can we take him? He needs to be somewhere he feels safe."

"As much as I hate to say it," Paul clenched his jaw, "We need to talk to EJ."

"No," Sonny blurted out. "Absolutely not."

"I don't like it any better than you do," Paul shot back, "But what else can we do?"

"He tried to have you killed," Sonny said, teeth grinding together. "No. I don't want him near you or Will."

"You know Will isn't giving up on him," Paul shrugged, "And EJ said he tried to get Victor to back off. And we talked to EJ the other day. We know that he was going to give us a chance."

"That doesn't change what he did," Sonny argued, not backing down. "He's too dangerous. If he wants to be involved in Will's life he's going to have to go through us."

"Sonny, quit being ridiculous," Paul looked up at the ceiling in frustration. "Chad was right. We need to find a way to get over everything. If it takes a screaming match so be it. But we need help with this. We aren't powerful enough to keep him safe on our own."

Hating this, hating absolutely everything right now Sonny shouted, "Fine! Fine, we'll go to the man that did everything he could to keep us apart and ask him to keep Will safe. Because he did a fantastic job of it the first time."

Walking into Will's hallway, seeing a crowd of people, including several police officers, Paul nearly dropped the tray of food. "Oh god, Sonny! Will!"

Shoving people out of his way, tossing the tray of food on the table near Will, Sonny rushed to Will's side, "Will, what happened?" 'We were gone for 15 minutes what could have happened now?'

Will was sitting upright on his bed. Behind him was Chad who had one arm around Will, resting against his collarbone, holding him tightly to his chest. "Sonny, Paul," Will whined, resting his head on Chad's arm, "I told you I saw him I told you."

"What," Paul questioned, sitting down on the bed, placing his hand on Will's thigh, "I don't understand."

Chad, shaking his head, arm gripping Will, refusing to let go, refusing to let Will be alone even for a second, "Will was right earlier. He wasn't hallucinating. He did see Ian. And he saw him again."

"Excuse me," Sonny demanded, anger crawling around his insides.

"Ask him," Chad growled, pointing at Roman who just walked back into the room.

Seeing the livid expressions on Sonny and Paul's faces, vaguely wondering why Will's friends were so involved, Roman explained, "We didn't want it to get out but Ian escaped last night."

"And you didn't bother to tell anyone," Paul yelled, rubbing Will's leg when it made him jump, "Sorry. But how could this have happened?"

"We placed an unmarked officer outside Will's door. We thought he would be safe enough until we found Ian," Roman tried to explain cringing when he heard a familiar shriek of outrage behind him.

"Dad," Sami seethed, "How could you let this happen? And how could you not tell anyone? That freak was within feet of my son and you didn't even know. Where is this alleged guard now?"

Sighing, rubbing his forehead, Roman admitted, "We found him passed out in the hospital room across the way. He had been administered some kind of drug."

"This is preposterous," EJ hissed behind Samantha, a small bag in his hand. "What the hell is wrong with the police department that one skinny little psychopath was able to escape? And what kind of training do your officers have, my god?"

"We have everyone looking for him," Roman explained, trying not to let EJ bother him. "We will find him soon. Someone is bound to see him."

EJ, glaring at Roman, 'I never should have trusted the Salem police department.' Not wanting to upset William any further by jeopardizing their tentative truce EJ didn't know if he should start his own investigation or not.

"He has help," Will said listlessly holding onto Chad's arm, "That's what he said." Will closed his eyes, head hurting, not wanting this many people around him anymore. "Sonny," Will opened his eyes hoping he would understand.

"OK," Sonny nodded seeing Will's expression. "Everyone out." Rushing as many people as he could out of the room Sonny grabbed EJ's arm, "Not you." Closing the door in Sami's face Sonny figured he would deal with those consequences later.

EJ, breathing heavily, still outraged that the police managed to blunder yet another simple task. Seeing William cling to Chad, desperate for some sort of barrier between himself and the world that constantly tries to knock him down EJ knew he couldn't sit by and do nothing.

"Look," Sonny explained quickly, looking at Paul gently comfort Will. "Will is leaving today and he needs a place to stay that will be safe, quiet and no one knows about. What can you do?"

Thinking quickly, assuming that Kiriakis didn't plan to let William go back to the mansion, EJ said, "I could arrange it for William to move back into his old luxury apartment. And here," EJ shoved the bag he was holding into Sonny's arms, "Clothes for him to go home in."

"Get it done," Sonny ordered before turning on his heels and going back to Will, Paul and Chad, refusing to acknowledge how thoughtful it was that EJ brought Will something to wear.

Sami, indignant to once again be closed off from her son, was tempted to run back into the room when her mother and Adrienne both called her over. Stomping over, sulking, Sami glowered at the police officers crowding the hallway.

"Sami," Marlena reprimanded. "Look, I know that things are very rough for Will right now. I just want to make sure that everyone is on the same page about how to treat him."

"Of course we are mom," Sami hurried out, annoyed, 'I'm not so horrible of a mother that I don't know how serious this is.'

Patient, knowing how riled up her daughter gets, Marlena said, "I just want you to make sure nothing is going to harm him. That whatever tension you have will not manifest around him."

"Mother," Sami gritted out, trying not to scream, "The only thing on my mind is helping my son. I haven't demanded anything. I haven't yelled at anyone. I haven't even barged in his room. I know what I am doing."

"I know you love him dear," Marlena explained gently, "I'm going to get Will the number for a friend of mine. A professional. Maybe he would be interested in talking to her."

"Why wouldn't he just talk to you," Sami asked quizzically. 'That's what he's always done.'

"No," Adrienne stated, agreeing with Marlena, "It might be better for him to go to a stranger. That way he won't feel uncomfortable discussing some of the more intimate details of what's been happening."

EJ, walking up to Samantha, put his hand on the back of her neck, "We have work to do." He gently guided her down the hall and away from the mess the police were going to have to deal with. "William needs us."

Lucas and Kate leaned against the wall nearby observing them all quietly.

Will patted Chad's arm lightly, indicating he could let go.

"Tell us what happened again," Paul requested, hating that Will couldn't catch a break. 'It's just one thing after another. Maybe once we get out of here we can normalize things.'

Stretching, muscles tense from sitting for so long, still a bit drowsy, Will said, "I was talking to my grandma and I looked over and I saw him. She saw him too. As soon as she opened the door he disappeared."

"I knew there was something weird going on," Chad confessed. "It didn't make sense why there would be a guard outside the room if everything was fine."

"Well," Sonny said considering everything, "Ian is working with someone so I would hope they would have some extra protection. But I don't understand how he could have escaped."

"It was bound to happen," Chad rolled his eyes, 'I should have pulled the trigger when I had the chance.'

"Did you get me food," Will asked, "And where's my doctor?"

"Is that seriously what you're focused on," Paul asked, getting up to bring Will his soup.

"What else can I do from here," Will wondered rhetorically. "Besides, I need to eat. I don't think I'm supposed to have so much pain meds without food." 'At least I hope that's why I'm still lightheaded.' Tucking into his meal, wincing whenever his spoon touched his stitches Will asked, "Doctor, Sonny? Where is she?"

"Were you always this demanding," Sonny questioned out loud before he went out the door smiling.

"He is," Chad remarked. "Now that your honeymoon stage is over he doesn't have to pretend to be nice."

"Oh shut up," Will elbowed Chad lightly, "I'm the nicest person you know."

"Nu uh," Chad argued teasingly, "Gabi brought me a sandwich and you elbowed me. You've got some work to do."

"Gabi was here," Will furrowed his brow, "Does, does she know, I mean, about me?"

"I don't think so," Chad stated, "I mean, she knew you were here but she didn't say anything. But she was the one who saw the post about you first."

"What post," Will dropped his spoon, letting it rattle in his bowl. Looking between Paul and Chad with narrowed eyes Will demanded, "What post?"

'Oh shit,' Chad thought. "Um, well, you see," Chad started, not looking at Will's accusing eyes, "The thing is Neil and I knew where you were because Ian posted pictures of you, online. That he took. From yesterday."

"Oh," Will gazed at the blankets around his legs. 'So everyone saw. Everyone knows.' "I-I want to see."

"Will," Paul said slowly, "I don't think this is something you want to see."

"No," Will contended, "If anyone deserves to see them it's me. I need to see them."

Chad, pulling out his phone, opening the link, frowned at the screen, "Huh."

"What," Paul probed, "What is it?"

"They're gone," Chad told them, scrolling through the message board. "All of them. Every post about Will is gone."

Sonny, walking back into the room, arms full of paperwork, prescriptions and samples of antibacterial spray. "So, as soon as we fill this out and she can come check on you we'll be good to go." Noting the alarmed looks on everyone's faces Sonny dropped everything on the foot of the bed, "What is it?"

"We can't find anything about what happened, anywhere," Chad explained, typing furiously on his phone. "All of it. From the article down to the pictures from last night. There's nothing here. And I mean anywhere. Not a single mention of Will Horton on the internet, nothing."

Sonny, sitting down in his usual chair, "Is this a good thing?"

"Maybe," Paul muttered, "But I'm more concerned over who. Who could have that much control over the internet? It's the internet for god's sake."

"Let's just not worry about that right now," Chad told them, seeing the discomforted look on Will's face. "You said Will had paperwork to fill out?"

"Yeah," Sonny shook his head lightly, "I can fill it out if you tell me the answers."

Will, smiling at him slightly, "I'd like that."

Sonny sighed, "I know you don't like it but it's hospital procedure."

"The sooner you do it the sooner we can leave," Paul pleaded, "I just want to get you out of here."

"Fine," Will pouted, crossing his arms, sitting down in the wheelchair.

"There, now we can go," Sonny rubbed his hands along Will's shoulders.

"Wait," Will held up his hand, annoyed his finger was bruised from the heartrate monitor and his vein was marked from the IV. "I want to see Neil before we go."

"Sure," Paul said holding the door open for Sonny to wheel Will through, pleased to see the hallway was lined with police officers. 'Maybe one of them will actually see the little fucker if he comes back.'

Neil, dozing lightly, couldn't help but groan at the amount of noise coming out of the hallway, 'This is a hospital assholes. People are trying to sleep.'

"Hey, are you awake," came an almost angelic voice near Neil's ear.

'I must be dreaming,' Neil thought sleepily, eyes blinking lazily. "You're even more beautiful in my dreams."

"Oh good god," came an exasperated voice nearby.

Neil, wrinkling his nose, 'Must be a nightmare.'

"You aren't asleep," Will huffed out a laugh, torn between amusement and horror. "Now wake up."

Rubbing his eyes Neil blinked quickly, "Oh, you're here." Sitting up quickly, ignoring the pain in his back, "Oh my god you're here. Are you OK? Will, what happened?" Staring at the stitches on Will's mouth in shock Neil thought, 'Oh god.'

"Yeah, I'm here," Will told him, "And I'm alright. Head hurts but the doctor said it's a concussion." Reaching over to grab Neil's hand Will squeezed it softly, "I would be a lot worse off if it wasn't for you. So, thank you."

"If I didn't leave you alone it might never have happened," Neil admitted, licking his lips, "I wasn't going to fail you again."

Will shook his head, only a slight amount of pain this time, "Neil, that wasn't your fault. Ian, he was going to do something one way or another even if you were there."

"But Will-" Neil started to say.

"Hey, no," Will cut him off. "Just say you're welcome." 'And stop blaming yourself.'

"You're welcome," Neil breathed out, relieved to see Will was awake and relatively OK.

"Um, I don't know if you heard or not," Will rushed out, "But Ian escaped."

"What," Neil raged, trying to sit up, "How? I thought your grandpa arrested him?"

"The police aren't very reliable here," Sonny remarked, watching Neil and Will interact.

"I hope they have some sort of plan to keep you protected," Neil replied looking between Paul and Sonny meaningfully. 'I didn't get stabbed in the back for nothing.'

"We're taking care of it," Paul nodded at Neil, aware that they all have a vested interest in Will's well being. 'I don't have to like him but I can at least respect how far he was willing to go to protect Will.'

"Good," Neil decided. "Are you getting checked out soon?"

"Right now," Will commented. "I had to see my rescuer first."

Rolling his eyes Neil smiled, "I wouldn't call me that."

"Chad said it was very heroic," Will assured him. "I'm very impressed."

"But don't get any ideas," Sonny teased. He didn't want to admit it but Neil was kind of growing on him. 'As long as he keeps his hands and lips off Will.'

Knock Knock Knock

Everyone turned their heads to see Brian, of all people, slowly walking into the room.

'Well well well,' Will smiled smugly, 'Look what we have here.'

"Hi," Brian said nervously, hands in his pockets, "Um, I saw your post about being in the hospital on facebook. So, um, here I am."

"Hi," Neil said, slightly confused, "Thanks."

"I think we're going to go now," Will announced, turning to Neil and widening his eyes dramatically, 'Oh my god. I knew it.' "Thank you Neil," Will smiled, lips hurting.

"You're welcome," Neil said sighing at Will, 'It's not like that Horton.' But when Brian sat down in a chair next to Neil, eyes scanning Neil's body, concern on his face Neil admitted, 'But maybe it could be.'

"Who is that," Paul questioned as they walked out of Neil's room. "He looked vaguely familiar."

"Uh, no one," Will told him, 'He's got enough things to worry about, no need to drag Brian into it.'

"So," Will said as he was wheeled outside, "Are we going home?" 'Wherever that is,' Will thought sadly. Thinking about it, having to be so close to where it happened, Will's breathing increased. 'Oh god, I don't want to go there.'

"Not exactly," Sonny said, stopping in front of a discreet black car.

Will watched when EJ came out of the driver's seat. Tossing the keys to Paul EJ tapped Will's chin lightly, "Just a little get well soon present." Turning to Sonny and Paul EJ stated, "It's all taken care of. There's security in the building. Guards at the desk 24 hours. A personal alarm system. I even had groceries brought in."

Nodding Sonny said, "Thank you." Sticking out his hand reluctantly Sonny shook EJ's hand.

"Anything for William," EJ proclaimed, shaking Paul's hand and walking off. 'Maybe this will prove to William how serious I am this time.'

Helping Will into the front seat Sonny buckled him in making sure he was comfortable and the seat belt wasn't bothering any of his wounds. Seeing the wary look on Will's face Sonny kissed his forehead gently, "Don't worry. We're going to be together now. Just the three of us."

Paul, sitting down in the driver's seat, reached over to grab Will's hand, "We'll all take care of each other."

Author's note:

Who votes for the boys hiding out in a fancy apartment for a few days? I do!

Please review and let me know what you thought. Does anyone have any requests or suggestions?