Will, leaning heavily on Paul, waited patiently as Sonny opened the door to Will's old apartment.

Sonny using the key EJ gave him, glancing around the hallway and ceiling suspiciously, unlocked the door. Walking inside and looking around Sonny ensured no one was inside. Turning off any lights, knowing Will was very sensitive right now, Sonny gestured for Will and Paul to come inside.

"Wow," Paul said as he helped Will to the couch, "This is a lot fancier than I was expecting."

"Well you would have seen it before," Will commented lightly, sitting down gingerly on the couch, "But you hated me when I had it."

"I didn't hate you," Paul rolled his eyes, flopping down next to Will, "I was intimidated by you. You were hot and Sonny wouldn't stop looking at you."

"Uh huh," Sonny laughed, putting a pillow behind Will's back, trying to make him as comfortable as possible. "Please tell us exactly how you started acting when you got to know Will."

"That is different," Paul insisted, biting his lip, face warming up against his will.

"No it's not," Sonny deadpanned. Walking into the kitchen and finding some water for Will, "Will wants to know all about your embarrassing crush."

"No he doesn't," Paul said, wanting to change the subject.

"Yes he does," Will giggled, "Tell me." Turning to look into Paul's eyes, wishing he could pout his lips, "Please?"

"Ugh," Paul grumbled. "I was not embarrassing."

"He was," Sonny told Will, handing him a bottle of water and putting a straw in it. "One day he spent like 15 minutes rambling on about how you played baseball in high school. I thought he was going to wet himself."

"I did not," Paul gasped out, mouth opened dramatically.

Will, snorting through another laugh, "Did he really?"

"Mmmhmm," Sonny said secretively, "I don't know how I never realized how far gone for you he was."

"Excuse me," Paul interrupted, "But if anyone was embarrassing it was you Kiriakis. I wasn't the one who spent all our phone calls before I moved here talking about your oh so talented and amazing friend who helped you with your website."

"He could have been talking about Chad," Will teased, snuggling into the couch, feeling relaxed and happy for the first time in a long time.

"No," Sonny blurted out, face awash in horror, "Ew. Just no. Fine, maybe I was just as bad as you were," Sonny told Paul, sitting down on the coffee table in front of them both.

"I think it's a pretty good thing we were," Paul smiled, wrapping his arm around Will's shoulder, pulling him close, "Or otherwise this would all be a bit awkward."

Will, closing his eyes, lips quirked upwards, not wanting to pull his stitches, admitted, "I think if anyone was embarrassing it was me." Shaking his head at himself, "I actually kind of thought you didn't exist at first," Will said, poking Paul in the arm, "I mean, you weren't with Sonny and I thought he just made you up so he wouldn't have to deal with anyone trying to set him up."

"Really," Sonny asked, amused. "Will, I showed you his picture and everything."

"You showed me a picture with a dude in a baseball uniform," Will told him lifting one eyebrow. "It could have been anyone for all I knew. Besides, I think I just didn't really want him to exist. I was still confused about how I felt but I knew the idea of you being engaged scared me."

Putting his head on Paul's arm, holding on to him Will exhaled, "Then you moved here and hated me. I thought for sure Sonny was never going to talk to me again. That you were going to make him stay away."

"I wanted to," Paul confessed quietly, running his fingers up and down Will's neck, "I was so frightened by you. I tried once, to tell Sonny to stay away from you. It didn't work out the way I wanted."

"No," Sonny added, leaning forward and putting a hand on both of their knees, "I told him he had to get to know you too. Then he would see how great you were. Plus I knew that the two of you would bond over struggling with coming out."

"Well, I'm glad you convinced him," Will licked his lips, hating the taste of the stitches, staring at Sonny warmly, "I think it turned out for the better." Ducking his head, feeling shy, Will breathed out, "I tried so hard to not think about either of you in any inappropriate way that when you came to me I was such a mess."

"Yeah, you were," Paul squeezed Will's neck teasingly, "But despite everything that's happened to us and because of us I like to think we're exactly where we're supposed to be."

Sonny, eyes wide and adoring, bit his lip gently, heart pounding listening to Paul. 'Oh,' he thought suddenly nervous. 'This is what it feels like to be completely sure.'

Lucas, waving his mother on ahead, stayed rooted to the spot until Roman caught up to him, "Roman. I'd like a word."

Roman, finishing up his talk with one of the supervising officers, "Just make sure the hospital is clear." Running his hands through his hair, 'I'm getting too old for the continuous problems in Salem,' Roman thought. "Yes, Lucas."

Moving in closer Lucas took a deep breath, knowing if anyone would be on his side it would be Roman, "Look, I know you're doing all you can to find that creep. And I know that you're just as concerned about Will as I am." Lowering his voice, so none of the officers nearby would be able to hear, "That's why I want to talk to you about Sonny and Paul, especially Paul."

Pulling Lucas to a corner out of the way Roman turned to Lucas, "What about them? They're just his friends, right?"

"Uh, no," Lucas said, confused. "You didn't see the article about them? You haven't been following the story?"

"The article about Will sleeping with them," Roman clarified, shaking his head, "I didn't read it. A few guys on the force told me about it but that's ridiculous. I figured since it was pulled that it had to have been some sick joke."

"My life would be easier if it was a joke," Lucas closed his eyes, rubbing his temples, "Unfortunately it's true. And ever since it came out Will's been getting a lot of backlash. That's where that Ian guy came from too. He read the article and flipped."

"He wouldn't tell us anything while he was in custody," Roman stated, frowning, lines on his face deepening, "So, Will is really involved with both of them? Or is it just a sex thing?"

"Will doesn't seem to think so," Lucas crossed his arms, uncomfortable. "I just, you can see why this makes everything complicated."

"Yeah," Roman whispered. "It does. So what do you plan to do?" 'I can't even think about this. About Will like that. With them.'

"I've only got an idea for now," Lucas confessed, heads leaning in closely.

Will, one arm holding onto Paul's forearm, the other playing with Sonny's thick fingers, said, "Um, I think I want to take a shower now."

"Are you sure that's a good idea," Sonny asked, concerned, "It's just, you're still pretty wobbly. I don't want you falling."

"Maybe you should take a bath instead," Paul stated, tugging on the strands of hair near Will's neck.

"Um, OK," Will nodded.

"Come on," Sonny said standing up and gently pulling Will to his feet, seeing him sway slightly. "I'll go run the water." Making sure Paul had an arm wrapped around Will's waist Sonny went to the bathroom and started the tub. Grabbing a towel, a washcloth and some soap from the shower Sonny kneeled down on the floor, ready to help Will, 'If he wants help.'

Will, stopping in front of the water, seeing Sonny on his knees, frowned when he realized just how much help he was going to be needing until his head felt better and his stitches were gone. 'I can't even bathe myself,' Will looked down at his feet, 'He tried to take everything from me.'

"Hey," Paul said, lifting Will's chin, "We said we were going to take care of you. And we meant it." Seeing and feeling Will nod Paul brushed his thumb across Will's chin, nervous, "Can I take your clothes off for you?"

Will, overcome with a sense of panic, wanted to tell Paul no. 'No, no you can't take my clothes off. You can't see me naked. No, no, no.'

Seeing Will's breathing accelerate Sonny reached out and touched Will's ankle, mindful of the rope burn, "Hey, it's OK. It's just us." Catching Will's worried eyes Sonny smiled reassuringly, "We won't do anything you don't want."

"OK," Will whispered, trusting them.

Sonny lifted one of Will's legs, slipping off his shoe and sock, before doing the same to the other. "See, it's OK."

Paul, feeling anxious and scared himself, 'I don't know if I should be the one to do this. I haven't earned this yet.' Pressing his lips together Paul asked quietly, "Are you sure?"

"Yes," Will breathed, 'It's just Sonny and Paul. They won't hurt me. They promised they'd never hurt me again.' "Wait," Will stopped Paul when he reached for his shirt, "You promise no one can see?"

Sonny, bewildered, asked, "What do you mean?"

"I mean the windows," Will gestured to the large window nearby, "No one can see me."

Paul, understanding what Will was concerned about, leaned over the large tub, balancing on one arm, and pulled the shade screen down. Being extra careful Paul even grabbed the towel Sonny got out and folded it over the shade like a makeshift curtain, "There. No one can see in. No one can see us but you." 'And if I have my way no one but us ever will.'

"Good. Did you lock the door? I want it locked," Watching Paul walk to the door and locking it Will exhaled, relieved, "Um, you can help me now."

Paul, slowly unbutton Will's shirt, keeping his eyes locked with Will's, doing everything he could to make sure Will knew this moment wasn't sexual. 'Intimate, yes but not erotic.' Pushing off his shirt, glad EJ thought to bring one with buttons, Paul asked, "Bottoms too?"

Bringing his arms up to cover his chest, feeling insecure, Will nodded, wishing he could bite his lip.

Sonny, reaching up from his spot on the floor, being as perfunctory as possible, undid the string on Will's sweatpants before pulling them off his hips. Seeing Will give him a small nod Sonny slowly pulled off Will's boxers, helping him step out of his sweats and underwear.

Will, shivering from the cold and nerves, rushed to get into the tub almost stumbling over if not for Paul's quick reflexes.

"Here, let me help you," Paul said soothingly, keeping a firm grip on Will's hands, helping him step into the tub and sit down, not looking at his naked body at all, gently peeling the bandages off Will's back and side.

"Are you alright," Sonny asked arms resting on the edge of the tub keeping his eyes on Will's face.

"Yeah," Will whispered, legs curling into his chest despite the strain on the stitches on his back, glad to be partially hidden by the water. It wasn't that he didn't trust Sonny and Paul at the moment. He just couldn't get the unsightly feeling of the last time he was naked out of his head. Clothes being torn off, hope being wrenched out of him. 'But that isn't what's happening now, Will,' he thought to himself, 'They aren't like Ian. They only want to protect me.'

"Do you, um, do you want to talk about it," Paul questioned, kneeling beside Sonny, resting his chin on the edge of the tub.

Will, shrugging slightly, muscles relaxing in the warm, steamy water, reached for the washcloth and body wash, wanting to get the lingering scent of vomit off his skin.

"You told us what happened," Sonny said softly, "But not how you felt. Were you scared?"

"Yeah," Will told them, washing his arms with the cloth, feeling better now that he was being cleansed almost as if he was washing every touch and glance Ian ever gave him away. "Scared and confused and angry. I've never seen anyone look at me like that before. No one's ever hated me that much over something that wasn't even true."

"Did he explain why he hated you," Paul inquired gently, not knowing if Will was ready to talk about any of that.

"He said because I ruined you," Will said morosely. "Because he thought you two were perfect together and I messed everything up. I tried to explain that I didn't. That I made everything better. He didn't believe me."

"That's because he doesn't understand us," Sonny comforted. "He doesn't understand how we feel about you. About each other. We are better together than apart and nothing Ian ever said or did could change that."

"I know," Will promised. "I do. He tried to make me see what he believed but it didn't make any sense. I'm nothing like what he said."

"You aren't," Paul told him passionately, "You are nothing like what he thinks. He's some crazed freak. How would he even know what Sonny and I were like anyway? He doesn't know any of us."

"He thought he did," Will admitted, "He said he saw you both at games. That he had a crush on you, Paul. That he thought you were a perfect couple. It doesn't have to make any sense but that's what he said."

Sonny, feeling unsettled, "I don't remember seeing him before."

"Me either," Paul stated. "But with how good he is at disappearing here maybe we just never noticed him." 'God, how long has this freak been involved in our lives and we never even knew?'

"What about the two of you," Will looked over at them, "What did you do while I was gone?" 'Did you even notice?'

"We were a wreck," Sonny informed Will. "We, ran all over town, and we went everywhere we could think to find you."

"It was awful," Paul confessed. "Not knowing where you were or what happened to you. I never wanted to feel that way again."

Rubbing the washcloth across his chest and stomach, wincing when the fabric caught on his stitches Will sighed, "I know that he didn't really do anything to me in the end. Besides the injuries but not what he wanted to do. I just, I feel really upset by it still."

"That's perfectly understandable Will," Sonny promised, "No one would blame you. We get it. We know that what happened was a huge deal and we would never rush you into anything. If us being in here makes you uncomfortable we'll leave."

"No, that's not what I meant," Will said, frustrated he wasn't getting his point across, "I just mean that, even though I'm skittish and, and freaked out, I still want to be with you. I still, I still need you. Both of you."

"Good," Paul gave a brief smile, "That's what we want too. We just want you in any way we can have you. Even if it's just friendship."

"That's not what I want," Will confided, pulse racing, "I want to be with you. I want to be yours. I just, I don't know when I'll be ready for that, again."

"Will," Sonny said patiently, "We don't want that right now. We don't expect that. We're all still recovering from the hurt we caused you and now this too. Trust me; sex is the last thing on our minds. We just want to help you."

"Thank you," Will told them meekly, quickly cleaning his crouch and legs. Knowing he wasn't going to be able to clean his back properly Will turned until his back was facing them, jagged scar on display. "Can you," Will requested, washcloth floating in the water behind him.

Sonny, seeing Paul nod at him, put some more soap on the washcloth before slowly grazing Will's back being careful not to touch his stitches too much. "Does it hurt," Sonny asked, frowning at the long mark.

"Sometimes," Will answered, "The one on my mouth hurts more since I use my lips the most." Needing to know Will tested quietly, "Um, is it ugly? I just, I haven't seen it yet."

"No," Paul told him reassuringly, "It won't be too bad once it's healed."

"Oh," Will let out, "Are you sure? I don't, I don't want you to see it if it is. I mean, anymore, I mean later. I mean, um, when we do that stuff again, sex stuff; I don't want you to look at it."

"Breathe Will," Sonny dripped cupful's of water out of his hands across Will's back. "It's OK if we see it. It won't bother us."

"It bothers me," Will confessed, head bowed, "I don't want it. You'll see it and it will remind you of what happened."

"If you don't want us to see if we won't," Paul promised, "But we'll miss seeing your skin."

"We can get scar treatments if you really want," Sonny added, "But it's up to you. We think you're beautiful no matter what."

"And the one on my mouth," Will asked, shaking his head in disbelief, "I know that one's hideous. I don't know how you can stand to look at me."

"Hey," Paul said quickly and resolutely, "Don't say that kind of shit. You're beautiful and that doesn't change anything."

"I can't even kiss you," Will choked out, eyes watering. "Even though we still weren't back to normal I could still kiss you. And now I can't. I can't kiss you." Shoulders shaking, Will went on, "I can't kiss you. He took that away from me."

Alarmed, Sonny pressed his palm flatly against Will's skin, "It's not permanent. It's not. He didn't take anything from you. Nothing."

Grabbing Will's hand, encouraging him to turn around and look at them, hating the pained look on Will's face, Paul slowly reached out and traced the outline of Will's lips, "It doesn't matter to us how long we have to wait to kiss you. It will just make it even better once we get the chance." Swallowing, hoping Will was ready for this, Paul continued, "Besides I can still do this." Ever so slowly, giving Will plenty of time to pull away, Paul pressed his lips to the corner of Will's mouth making sure he didn't touch his stitches at all.

Will, breathing heavily, smiled slightly, "Thank you." Lifting his hands out of the water, seeing how wrinkled they were, Will said, "I'm ready to get out now."

EJ cleared his throat, holding a folder to his chest, face weary, "I called you all here today because we all care about them. We'll two thirds of them. William and Jackson are determined to be with Paul Narita. We all know by now that any plans we could make to derail that will only end poorly. So, I'm suggesting we all mount together to protect them."

Justin, hand on Adrienne's knee, feeling unsettled being in the Dimera Mansion again, "And how do you propose we do that?"

"By getting rid of Ian," EJ supplied, "And being honor bound to our self and each other to not interfere."

"So what," Sami asked, adjusting in her spot on the couch next to Adrienne, "We use the buddy system? If we think one of us is going to do something bad we rat on them?"

"Exactly Samantha," EJ pointed at her, "Clearly we all, some more than others, have a problem staying out of our children's business. If we can stop each other then they will have a better chance." Looking around into everyone's eyes EJ nodded, "Are we in agreement? Good. Now I can share what I learned about Ian."

Will pulled away from Sonny looking at Paul for help.

"Stay still," Sonny scolded, "It will hurt less if you stop moving around." Sonny was attempting to put some medicine they brought home on Will's stitches but Will was not having it.

"It hurts," Will whined, body twisting, sighing when Paul wrapped his arms around him, petting his arms and neck.

"There," Sonny said, placing new bandages on his back and ribs, "That wasn't so hard was it."

Will, giving Sonny a heated glare, turned to bury his face in Paul's chest.

Rolling his eyes, Sonny grabbed Will's shirt off the bathroom floor, helping him put it back on. "We need to make sure they're taken care of even if you don't like it," Sonny told Will while he buttoned his shirt again.

"I know," Will said petulantly, "It just hurts."

"Come on," Paul said once Will was fully dressed again. "Let's go see what kind of food we can make." Walking out of the room and putting Will on one of the stools at the countertop in the kitchen Paul opened the fridge, "Wow that's a lot of fresh food."

Peeking over Paul's wide shoulder Will smiled, "EJ got all my favorites. Will you hand me the blueberries?"

"Where did he even find blueberries in the fall," Sonny wondered, washing them off and giving them to Will.

"How does he know all your favorite foods," Paul questioned, still finding Will's relationship with EJ odd.

Will, popping a blueberry in his mouth, "I don't know. He's observant I guess."

Gathering some food, ready to make a simple chicken and vegetable stir fry, Paul looked at Will, "I still don't really get you and EJ."

"Well that makes two of us," Will commented, looking at his berries. Feeling both Paul and Sonny staring at him Will sighed, realizing he owed it to his boyfriends to explain as best he could. "I don't know, OK? EJ and I have always had a turbulent relationship. I hated him for a long time, really hated him. But sometimes I've loved him too. And now is one of those times."

"How did your mom even get involved with him," Sonny asked, washing some vegetables and beginning to chop them.

"Uh well," Will blinked trying to remember all the details, "She was engaged to my Uncle Austin and EJ moved in across the hall. I mean, we didn't know he was a Dimera then, we just thought he was a fancy race car driver."

"Your mom was gonna marry your uncle," Paul asked, slightly weirded out.

"Yeah, yeah," Will nodded. "Um, my dad was already married to my Aunt Carrie. I think. I don't really remember but all four of them have a really messed up relationship. I mean everyone thought Austin was my dad for a long time."

"Uh huh," Sonny said, finding a knife and chopping. 'No wonder Will is the way he is.'

"Anyway back to EJ," Will said getting distracted, "I think my mom was seeing him while she was with Austin. Then they didn't get married and she was with EJ. Of course we found out he was a Dimera, plus there was that whole disgusting sleeping with my Grandma Kate thing he did, so they broke up. Then my mom and dad got back together then she had Johnny and Allie."

Watching Will with their mouths open, unable to think of anything Paul and Sonny just waited for Will to keep going.

"Then Stefano kind of forced them to get married but um, EJ, got shot," Will looked at his fruit again, "Then I went away for a while to live with Carrie and Austin. And my mom and EJ have been together and not together and shot and married to other people and now are back together."

"Right," Paul said unable to process it all. "And somehow you and EJ are close again?"

"Yeah, I mean, we weren't and then we were and then we weren't. I mean, I really, really hated him for what he did to my mom. Then when I started working for him we got pretty close. Then Stefano blackmailed me and I didn't tell him so EJ fired me. I thought he hated me. Then he found me again in the park a few weeks ago and now here we are," Will continued, "I know that it's hard to understand but it makes sense to me why EJ is still in my life and why I can forgive him."

"You can forgive him that easily for trying to have Paul killed," Sonny asked incredulously. "How?"

Swallowing a mouthful of blueberries Will closed his eyes, knowing he was going to have to reveal one of his biggest secrets. "I can forgive him because he forgave me. For shooting him."

Paul, dropping the wok he found, hastily picked it up after it made a horrible clanging sound, "I'm sorry, what?"

"I um, I shot EJ, when he was going to marry my mom," Will whispered, unable to look them in the eyes, "My dad took the blame and went to jail but it was me."

"Why," Sonny got out, completely stunned. 'I didn't think Will was capable of something like that.'

"I didn't want my mom to marry him," Will tried to explain, "After what he did to her I couldn't let her go through with it. I was just trying to protect her. I, I had been drinking a lot back then too. And I just, I shot him, in the back."

"How old were you," Paul said softly. "What did he do? To Sami I mean?"

"14," Will answered quickly, staring at Paul with wide eyes, 'Oh god,' "Um, he, EJ, he raped her."

Taking a step back, bumping into the stove, Paul stood completely still, saying nothing.

"No," Will moaned, "No, don't do that. It was nothing like that, like us. He, he made her sleep with him. There was something about an accident and saving my dad and he said he'd only help her if she slept with him. And then, then he tortured her about it. Called her and, and bothered her about it."

"Is that," Sonny asked quietly, "Is that why Johnny and Allie are so close in age even though they have different fathers?"

Will nodded, "Yeah. She had them at the same time. Johnny is EJ's and Allie's is my dad's. But it's different. OK, he made her life miserable and he wasn't sorry. Not for a long time." Getting off the stool and carefully walking over to Paul and Sonny, throwing himself against Paul, "It's not like us. It's not."

Paul, carefully putting his arms around Will, looking at Sonny despondently, "OK."

"It wasn't. I know it wasn't. You never physically hurt me and you never held it over my head. You feel bad about it," Will urged, holding onto Paul. "It's different."

"Will," Sonny, placed his hands carefully on his shoulders, "So, is that why you were so insistent that what Paul did wasn't a big deal? Because he didn't do what EJ did?"

"I guess," Will said, feeling confused, "I just, I know it's not the same. I know it."

"So that's why you can forgive EJ," Paul uttered, holding on to Will tightly, "Because he forgave you for shooting him?"

"Yeah," Will said, pulling back slightly, "Because he knew I was only doing it to protect my mom just like he was only doing what he did to protect me. We were both wrong and made horrible mistakes but I can forgive him."

"OK," Sonny understood. "This is just a lot to take in, you know?"

"Do you see me differently now," Will asked dejectedly, "Because what I did was so awful?"

"No," Paul assured him, "Of course not. Look, you don't think any differently because of what I did to you or because of what I did to Sonny. And I'm sure plenty of people have wanted to shoot EJ before."

"My mom did," Will supplied, "In the head."

'How is this Will's life,' Sonny thought miserably, "Really?"

"Yeah," Will nodded, "Like two years ago. She told me but it's not like I could judge her too harshly since I did the same thing. She married Rafe like right after that."

"OK," Paul nodded, "Right." 'There is no way this could get any more intricate.' "Is there any other family oddities we should know about?"

"Um, my name wasn't Will Horton my whole life," Will said trying to think if there was anything else he should tell them, "And my Grandma's kind of play musical chairs with their partners but other than that not really."

"What was your name then," Sonny questioned, 'What the hell is wrong with his family?'

"Well my mom wanted everyone to think I was Austin's so it was William Roberts Reed. Then when the truth came out she changed it to William Reed Roberts. And then my dad changed his name to Horton so somehow my name is William Robert Horton," Will finished, leaning his head to the left to rest on Sonny's arms.

"Wow," Paul blinked, "I have no words."

"It was really hard to get a driver's license," Will admitted. "But, um so you see why EJ and I are still close? Even after all the horrible stuff."

'Yeah because your whole family warped you,' Sonny thought in disgust, vowing to keep Will away from any more drama. "Yeah, we can understand," Sonny kissed the side of Will's head. "It's a lot to digest but yeah."

Will, smiling in relief, "Good. I know it's really weird and stuff. And you can be upset with EJ all you want still. That's fine."

Turning on the stove Paul nodded, "You said all the bad things EJ's done but not really the good stuff."

"He protected me from Stefano," Will said immediately, watching Sonny and Paul bustle about the kitchen, feeling a bit useless.

"How," Sonny demanded, 'What else has he been through?'

"Well, we were living at the Dimera Mansion when I was still in high school for a while," Will started, "And Stefano was really interested in me. He wanted to like mold me into his protégé or something. EJ made him back off."

"And he did," Paul asked hurriedly, 'Nothing I've ever heard about that guy has been good. He better not still be interested in Will.'

"I guess so," Will shrugged. "Well, he did blackmail me into doing what he wanted a few months ago but for the most part he hasn't bothered me. It's not like there's any reason for him to be interested in me now, right?"

"What did you find out," Sami asked watching avidly as EJ opened the folder.

"Too much," EJ shook his head, "Ian Butler has a very long and disturbing history of obsessive behavior. He had to be home schooled his whole life because he bothered the other children." EJ read off from his report, "He didn't have friends or companionship outside of his parents. He's had several stints in behavioral outpatient programs. Apparently he wasn't interested in anything until his father took him to a baseball game and he saw Narita."

"And Sonny," Adrienne said quietly, unnerved.

"Yes. Ian spent many hours on the internet obsessing over Paul and Sonny. He apparently was so into his stalking that he actually thought he knew the two of them or as if he knew them," EJ continued tossing the folder at Justin.

"And how does this help us," Justin questioned, browsing the contents, alarmed by what he was reading.

"Because I was able to contact his parents, who were very concerned when he disappeared one night," EJ elaborated, "He still lives with them even though he's 18. His mother in particular was frantic to find him. She said after Ian disappeared they received a large sum of money in the bank. I'm having it traced."

"Wouldn't it just go back to Victor," Sami asked, "If it's traceable at all."

"That's what I thought," EJ added, "But something isn't adding up. Obviously Ian had to of had help while in town. Victor claims he didn't know what Ian was up to. But how did he get those pictures from inside the mansion? He couldn't have had a ladder pressed against the window."

"So you think it was someone else," Justin put the file down and leaned forward.

"But who could have done this," Adrienne shook her head, "Who would help with something like this."

"From my understanding Ian isn't a technical genius," EJ commented, "His parents said he knew some basics but he definitely wouldn't know how to hack anyone's phone or anything like that."

"Oh," Sami said, jumping up in surprised. "Chad's IT guy. The one that lead us to Victor. He hasn't been able to get into contact with him."

EJ pulled out his phone barking into it, "Chad, get over here."

"Thanks for helping out over here," Chad told Gabi sincerely. "With everything that's been happening with Sonny he just isn't going to be able to come in. Well, he better not be coming in." 'He better be watching over Will.'

"Same with Will," Gabi smiled at Chad, wiping down a table. "And besides, I told you I would do anything that would help you out."

"Well thanks," Chad smiled back. 'She really is beautiful,' Chad contemplated watching her work, sunset glistening across her raven hair through the window. Startling a bit when the door opened Chad stood up straight, "Thank god you're here. Gabi, we're out." Glad to be done with Sonny's shift Chad grabbed Gabi's hand and led her out, leaving Common Grounds to its usual employees.

Intertwining his large hand with Gabi's Chad swung their hands between them, "So, how about I take you out?"

'Oh my god, yes, it's finally working,' Gabi beamed at Chad, "Yeah I would really like that."

Feeling his phone vibrate Chad pulled it out, "Oh damn. Hold that thought. Hello?" Pulling the phone away quickly Chad sighed, "Change of plans, I have to go see EJ. Raincheck?"

"I could come with you," Gabi asked, batting her eyes, "I don't mind waiting." 'And I might get some more interesting information out of it.'

Will, lips tenderly wrapped around his straw pointed out, "I could help you know? I don't like just watching you two work."

"It's OK," Sonny said, putting his vegetables into the wok, moving away as soon as Paul turned back to the unit. "We've got it covered."

"We've had a lot of practice," Paul told Will, "We're used to working around each other. Besides you need to rest."

Frowning Will sunk into his barstool again, "OK, but for the record I don't like this."

"Like what," Sonny questioned, dropping his cutting board and knife into the sink, wiping his hands on a towel. "What's wrong?"

Arms crossed Will told them, "I don't want to just be some kept boy, OK? I want everything to be equal with us."

"But we like taking care of you," Paul insisted, not really understanding where this was all coming from.

"And I like that too," Will conceded, "But I don't want it all the time. I can help with dinner. I'm not useless."

"Hey," Sonny said, leaning on the countertop and watching Will, "We don't think that. You're still recovering from what happened. We just want to do this for you."

"In the future though," Paul interrupted when he saw Will opening his mouth, "In the future we will let you help us. And you aren't a kept boy."

"It feels like it sometimes," Will sulked, "I like it sometimes but sometimes I want to help too."

"OK, fair enough," Sonny admitted turning back around to get some plates out. "But for the record, you could do nothing all day and we'd still adore you."

Blushing Will rolled his eyes, "I just want to make sure that I contribute."

"And you do," Paul said, voice taking on an exasperated air. "Trust me; we don't like you just because you're hot."

"You better not," Will mumbled under his breath, hand worriedly covering his mouth and stitches.

"What was so important now that I had to rush over here," Chad demanded, Gabi trailing behind him. "Nothing happened to Will did it?"

"No," EJ stated simply, eyeing Gabi behind Chad, 'Wherever she goes Rafe will follow.' "Why is she here?"

"We were going to go on a date when you called," Chad announced, not liking the distrustful look in EJ's eyes. "She's also the one who found the pictures yesterday of Will so stop looking at her like that."

"Well you can't blame me for being suspicious," EJ argued, "Especially not now. Now tell me about this IT person you can't get ahold of."

Looking at Sami distastefully Chad sighed, "It might not be anything."

"Or it could be everything," EJ insisted. "Now, where did you hire him from?"

"I found one of the guys on the payroll at Dimera Enterprises," Chad said, arms crossed, "I knew better than to find some random guy on the street."

"OK," EJ breathed, "OK that will make this easier. Now we can find out something." Going to his laptop EJ griped, "Why am I the one having to take care of everyone's mess?"

"So where's Will," Chad asked casually, "He in his room?"

"No," Sami said, "Why would he be there?"

"Well, he was saying how Neil was helping him pack yesterday. I assumed it was to move in here full time," Chad shrugged.

"We never discussed that," EJ said, shooting Chad a sharp look.

"Where else would he be moving," Chad questioned, "Oh."

Exhaling loudly Adrienne reminded everyone before they could get upset, "We aren't interfering anymore, remember."

Gritting his teeth, holding in a snarl, EJ glared at his laptop screen, "Right. Well it doesn't matter. That's not where he is now anyway."

"Then where is he," Justin asked with a raised brow. "I didn't think you were letting him out of your sight."

"It's been brought to my attention that I'm a tad overprotective," EJ remarked, disregarding the shrewd looks tossed his way. "So, I graciously followed Jackson's request and found them a safe location to stay."

"Wait, you're letting Will stay with Sonny," Chad was stunned, "And Paul? All together?"

"Yes," EJ sighed, pursing his lips, left eye twitching, "I am trusting them to handle this."

"Wow," Chad snorted. "I think you just had a small stroke saying that."

Sami, walking over to EJ and putting her hands on his shoulders, "He's trying, leave him alone." 'And once again there's another person who is a better parent to Will than I am.'

"If you're on the IT guy can I get back to my date," Chad asked, gesturing to Gabi who was standing silently behind him.

"Fine," EJ waved his hand, dismissing Chad.

"Thank you," Chad responded, "Oh, hey, where exactly is Will staying? I might want to stop by tomorrow and check on him."

"At his old apartment," EJ answered, trusting everyone in the room to keep the information to themselves.

"Come on," Sonny nudged Will, "It's time to get you to bed."

"I'm not sleepy," Will complained, eyes drifting closed every few minutes.

"Yes you are," Paul patted his thigh, "Let's get you ready and put you in bed."

Face washed and teeth brushed Will stumbled to the bed, bright lights from the bathroom bothering his eyes, "It's 8 o'clock. It's too early for bed."

"You need to rest still," Sonny said, grabbing Will's hand and helping him lie down. Pulling the covers over him and fluffing his pillow Sonny leaned down and kissed across Will's cheek to the corner of his mouth.

Paul, shutting off the bathroom light and sitting on the bed brushed Will's messy hair from his forehead, "There's nothing to be afraid of. We'll be here."

"And you locked the door right," Will asked again, "And no one can see in?"

"The door is locked and the windows are covered," Sonny insisted, "Now close your eyes and go to sleep."

"OK," Will sighed, eyes drooping, smiling when Paul kissed his temple.

An hour or so later Sonny and Paul, sitting closely on the couch watching TV, heard a soft voice behind them, "Sonny, Paul."

"Hey, what is it," Sonny asked, immediately jumping up and rushing to Will's side. "Did you have a nightmare?"

"No," Will confessed, eyes on the floor face red, "I just, I can't sleep without you."

"OK," Paul wrapped his arms around him, "We'll go with you. We should have done that in the first place." Guiding Will back to bed Paul helped him get to his spot in the middle before telling him, "We'll be right back."

"And you'll check the door again, right," Will requested, holding a pillow to his chest.

"Of course," Sonny told him going to the front door, 'He's still adjusting. This is totally normal.'

"And the bedroom door," Will whispered, knowing he was feeling paranoid.

"If it makes you feel safer sure," Sonny responded when he walked back in the room. Locking the door and checking all the windows again before going into the bathroom.

Crawling into bed on his respected side of Will, Paul saw Will visibly relax. Opening his arms, waiting for Will to snuggle up beside him, Paul kissed the side of Will's head, "Better?"

Feeling Sonny press in close, arm wrapped around his waist, head carefully resting away from the stitches on his back, Will replied, "So much better."

Author's note:

They managed a whole day together without having sexual contact of any kind. I'm proud of them. The next few chapters are going to parallel their weekend away where W/P/S are safe in their little cocoon while big things are happening outside. But without the sex. Probably.

Writing about Will's background and Sami/EJ's was really tiresome. I'm sure I'm leaving out stuff but I don't even care anymore. How did Will manage to get to 18 with that group of people raising him?

Please review with any comments you may have. Everyone probably knows who has been helping Ian now, right?