Stefano turned the phone in his hands around slowly. 'Who would have thought that something so delicate could hold so many secrets?' Touching a few buttons Stefano found the photo gallery and shook his head. 'Oh William,' Stefano chuckled at the picture of him in nothing but a baseball shirt. 'So many things he needs to be taught.'

Hearing a knock at the door Stefano put the phone away into a secret compartment in his desk. "Enter," Stefano called out flipping through some papers on his desk to appear busy.

"Father," EJ greeted before sitting down across from him.

"Ah Elvis Junior," Stefano smiled, "And what can I do for you today? I saw that construction has already taken place on the playground."

"Of course it has," EJ smirked. "Our little friends have been taken care of." 'If only I was able to find out more about them before they were killed.'

"Excellent," Stefano praised his son. "That will be one less worry for you." Shuffling the papers on his desk Stefano said casually, "Now, how do you plan on keeping William safe from further harm?"

"What do you mean," EJ asked with a leery look in his eyes, mouth pursed.

"Well, I only assumed that someone must still be after him," Stefano shrugged, "I am surprised at you Elvis. For letting him out of the mansion in such a trying time."

"How do you know there would be someone else," EJ demanded, 'He better not be threatening William.'

"I do not," Stefano explained looking at EJ assessing him, "You will not tell me any details. I must make my own assumptions. But since you allowed him to leave you must think him free from danger."

"William is going to be fine, Father," EJ looked him dead in the eye, hands on the desk so he could lean forward, "I will not let anything or anyone hurt him again."

"I should hope not," Stefano answered before standing up and buttoning his jacket. "I expect to see William home for dinner soon, Elvis. Bring his little boyfriends if he must." Holding the door open holding his arm out, indicating EJ was being dismissed.

Storming out of the room EJ fumed to himself, 'I will not let you do anything to him Father. I guarantee it.'

Will sat down slowly onto the couch in the sophisticated office. Will wasn't sure exactly what to expect. The only therapist he ever encountered was his Grandma Marlena, 'And I don't think this is going to be as easy as talking to her.'

"William," welcomed his therapist, a middle aged woman with a serene smile. "My name is Wendy." Sitting down across from Will Wendy waited for him to reply.

"It's just Will," he informed her quietly looking at his knees.

"OK Will," Wendy nodded at him, taking in his bruised head and the stitches in his mouth, "Why don't we start talking, OK? Where would you like to start?"

Sighing loudly Will shrugged, "Beats me." 'Most of the things I want to talk about I can't.'

"What made you make this appointment," Wendy encouraged already sensing this was going to be a rough patient.

"My boyfriends wanted me to," Will answered rubbing where the fabric was wearing out on his knees.

"Boyfriends," Wendy questioned slowly almost certain she must have misheard.

"Yeah," Will looked at her trying to decide if she was going to say something about him being gay.

"As in plural," Wendy continued trying to get Will to open up. Realizing she might not sound supportive Wendy added, "Not that there's anything wrong with you dating more than one person. I'm just trying to grasp the situation."

"I have two," Will whispered. "Sonny and Paul."

"OK," Wendy nodded, "And they want you to see me?"

"Yeah," Will told her, "They're worried about me."

"About what," Wendy wondered hoping he would answer her.

Will turned away from her, looking out the window to the side of him, ignoring the question.

'OK then,' Wendy decided to move on, "How did you start dating Sonny and Paul?"

"We were friends," Will started saying, "They said they wanted to be with me too."

"Too," Wendy frowned.

"They, um, they were engaged," Will confessed already hating being here and talking about this. 'She isn't going to understand us.'

"Were engaged," Wendy clarified. "Meaning they no longer are?"

"They broke it off," Will explained, "Because they said it wasn't fair to be together like that without me."

"And they wanted you to come here," Wendy said slowly, "So they obviously must care about you."

"They love me," Will smiled softly, "We're in love."

"Good," Wendy smiled back at Will, "I'm glad."

Surprised Will looked at Wendy inquisitively.

"Which means the problems you're dealing with probably aren't because of them," Wendy continued, "Am I right?"

"It's not them, not really," Will said, trying to figure out how much he should say, "It's everyone else."

"Everyone who," Wendy asked, "It's OK for you to tell me. I'm not allowed to talk about it to anyone else. This is just between you and me." She already had a vague idea of all the problems wrong with Will, she did watch the news after all but she wasn't going to let that affect her opinion of her patient.

"Like my mom, my dad, my step-dad, my grandma, Sonny's mom, my friend Neil, my friend Chad," Will started listing shaking his head.

"Let's back up a bit," Wendy requested, "Those are the people that don't support your relationship?"

Will shrugged, "Kind of. I mean they didn't at first. They tried to break us up. A lot. But now for the most part they tolerate us."

"So that's not why you're here," Wendy was having a hard time following what Will was talking about.

"I was, I was taken," Will admitted softly, afraid to look at her.

"Taken as in kidnapped," Wendy clarified in alarm. 'Oh dear.'

"Yeah," Will looked at her sadly. "This guy, he was obsessed with Paul. And he didn't want me with Paul and Sonny. So he took me and tried to hurt me."

Disturbed Wendy narrowed her eyes, leaning forward in suspense, "Hurt you how?"

"He did this," Will gestured to his face and head. "And, um, he-he wanted to prove to Paul and Sonny that I was no good. He said he wanted to ruin me."

"So he was going to rape you," Wendy said carefully, uncertain if the word would set Will off.

Will nodded, arms wrapping around his stomach, "He made me drink something and he handcuffed me and tied me up. He was going to but Neil and Chad saved me."

"But he didn't touch you," Wendy was trying to make sense of everything.

"No," Will continued quietly. "I was really out of it from the drugs. Ian, the one who took me, he stabbed Neil."

"Is he alright," Wendy asked immediately hoping his friend hadn't died.

"He is," Will confirmed, "He got out of the hospital the other day." Squeezing his arms around his waist tighter Will added, "I haven't seen him since I left the hospital. I'm afraid to."

"Do you feel guilty," Wendy wondered intrigued by everything Will was telling her.

"Not so much about him being hurt," Will sighed figuring he might as well tell her the truth about this. "I was seeing Neil before I got together with Sonny and Paul. Kind of at the same time as I started up with them. Neil said he was in love with me."

"But you love Sonny and Paul," Wendy remarked trying not to react. "And then he rescued you and got injured."

"Yeah," Will shook his head, "And I don't know if being around him is going to make him feel worse or better or what."

"I think that you should see him," Wendy offered her opinion, "You shouldn't hold yourself back because of his feelings. My guess is if he was willing to get stabbed for you he would want you around."

"OK," Will stated, "I think I will."

Smiling, pleased that Will was listening to her Wendy continued, "Now, how do you feel about being taken?"

"At first I was really anxious," Will told her, "Making sure that the doors were locked and stuff. But um, I'm better about it now." 'Now that I know Ian's dead.' "And I have a concussion and it makes my head hurt sometimes."

"You said you and your boyfriends were in love," Wendy pointed out, "How are they dealing with everything?"

"They've been really supportive," Will nodded his head. "They take good care of me. But I worry that they're more upset than they're telling me."

"Do you think that maybe you would want them to sit in with us," Wendy suggested, "Have all three of you talk about it all?"

"I would probably open up more with them," Will replied with a nod. "They make me feel comfortable."

"Maybe next week they can come with you," Wendy offered, 'OK good.' "Our time is almost up," Wendy informed Will, taking a look at her clock, "Now I want you to make a list of all the things you've been worried about lately. Then next week we can talk about them with Sonny and Paul."

"OK," Will nodded before standing up and sticking his hands in his jeans. "Um, thanks. I guess."

"I hope you find these sessions helpful Will," Wendy stood up as well and walked Will to the door. "You're going to figure everything out yourself. I'm just here for a little guidance."

Will walked back out into the waiting room pondering all the other issues he wanted and needed to talk about. 'Paul using me before we were together. Me thinking Sonny and Paul both lied to me about wanting me. Calling them Daddy. My childhood. God, basically everything in my life .' Will hoped she had a lot of time and an open mind.

Paul sat across from Sami Brady and Adrienne Kiriakis feeling like he was seconds away from facing a firing squad. 'You can do this. For Will and Sonny's sake you can do this.'

"Well," Sami tossed her head back and forth slightly, "We have basically everything covered. You're working on the venue correct?"

Adrienne nodded, "Yes. As soon as we get the date figured out we can use the hall in the civic center." Noting Paul out of the corner of her eye Adrienne asked, "And what are you going to be doing in all of this?" 'Why did Sami invite him here?'

"Uh," Paul said dumbly, twirling a pen between his fingers nervously. "I guess I could, um, give a speech or something?"

"About what," Sami quirked her eyebrow at him, lips pursed and eyes narrowed. 'How to take advantage of young boys?'

"I don't know," Paul rubbed the back of his neck, eyes looking all around the room, "About why it's important to have awareness?"

"Hmm," Adrienne looked him up and down. "I suppose having your name attached to the event would bring in more people."

"How's your public speaking," Sami wondered, jotting down a few notes on the papers in front of her, "You could be our host."

Feeling as if he had no choice Paul nodded, "OK."

"Now we just need for Hope and Marlena to agree to a date and we'll be all set," Adrienne closed the folder she had opened with a smile. "This might actually be something we can pull off." Putting all of her things away Adrienne, curious, looked at Paul, "How is my son?"

"Fine," Paul shrugged, "He went back to work this morning. Will's at his first therapy session so Sonny wanted to be able to see him afterwards."

"He actually went," Sami blurted out surprised after the way he reacted to her suggestion the other day.

"Yes," Paul shot her an unhappy look remembering the horrible way she left Will feeling after she visited. "He's still freaked out that he isn't going to be able to tell whoever it is the whole truth about what happened."

"Why wouldn't he," Adrienne tilted her head to the side, looking at Paul thoughtfully, "It's been pretty well documented the things Will's been dealing with. And everyone around town assumed that Will was the one kidnapped by Ian. But he escaped and no one's seen him since so it doesn't really matter about that now."

Paul and Sami shared a glance and a deep sigh.

"Adrienne," Sami put her hand on her shoulder, only now realizing that her friend had no idea about what really happened with Ian. "I think we need to take a drive and talk about some things."

Paul, looking at his watch, figured he had time to stop at Common Grounds before going to pick up Will. "Well, um, ladies," Paul told them after standing up, "This has been awkward but I'm going to go. Whenever you need me again give me a call."

Sami and Adrienne, watching Paul walk away, crossed their arms. Thoughts uncannily mimicking the other each wishing that Paul would end up doing right by their son in the end.

Sonny smiled slightly when Paul walked into Common Grounds. Sonny's elbows were on the counter as he argued on the phone with his supply company, yet again. 'Why couldn't Chad deal with this?' Sonny was stuck with a dilemma this morning. He knew he needed to get back to work after so many days off. But at the same time he wasn't ready to let Will out of his sight. Since everything with Ian happened the longest Sonny had gone without seeing Will was when one of them was in the bathroom. 'And even then I at least knew where he was.' And on top of that Will was at his first therapy session and Sonny hated the idea of Will being there by himself. 'But we've got to get back to the real world I guess no matter how much I hate it.' And the real world did not consist of staying at home with his gorgeous boyfriends all the time.

Paul walked over to the counter and thanked Lauren when she started making him a drink. 'OK, I've got about 5 more minutes until I need to leave to get Will,' Paul thought as he patiently waited for Sonny to get off the phone.

"Yeah, bye," Sonny rushed out before hanging up. Rolling his eyes at the phone Sonny put the portable phone back in its charger before turning back to Paul, "How did the meeting go?"

"It went," Paul answered with a shake of his head. "I mean they clearly hate my guts but at least I'll be helping a good cause."

"I'm sure the more time they spend with you will help," Sonny offered, 'Or make everything worse.' "Wait, why are you here? I thought you were getting Will and waiting for me at home?"

"I had a few minutes to kill," Paul told Sonny looking at him strangely.

"No you don't," Sonny said beginning to panic. "His appointment was over at 1:00 and it's 1:30 now."

"No it's not," Paul insisted, "My watch says it's only 12:30."

Grabbing his wrist Sonny pulled Paul's arm until he could see the face on his large fancy watch and sure enough it said 12:30. "I hope that didn't cost a lot because the time is wrong," Sonny stated while he pulled out his phone and showed Paul the time.

"Oh my god Will's been waiting for a half hour," Paul hissed out, grabbing his drink and running for the door.

Sonny, throwing his apron behind him followed hot on Paul's heels yelling over his shoulder, "See you tomorrow Lauren."

Will sat in the waiting room tapping his fingers against his knee. 'Where is he,' Will thought anxiously. 'I want to go home.' His appointment wasn't exactly draining but it was more than he wanted to deal with alone. Not to mention the other patients were staring at Will making Will want to scream. 'Where the hell is Paul?'

This morning after Will was able to convince Sonny that it would be fine if he went to work Sonny made Will promise he wouldn't leave the doctor's office by himself. So far Sonny and Paul hadn't let Will do anything by himself. Will was trying to listen to them and stay in the building but it was getting difficult. 'Especially when they forget to pick me up.'

Before he left the mansion the other day EJ casually mentioned to Will he would be getting him a new phone but he still hadn't gotten it. 'I could really use a cell phone right about now to yell at someone,' Will crossed his arms seconds away from storming out of the building. He would ask the receptionist if he could use the phone but he didn't even remember Paul or Sonny's phone number. 'It was all in my phone why would I need to memorize it?'

Ready to tear his hair out Will shot to his feet and opened the large glass door when he saw Chad casually walking on the opposite side of the street. "Chad," Will screamed out hoping he could hear him.

Frowning when he thought he heard his name being called Chad looked in all different directions until he saw Will hovering inside of a doorframe across the road. Checking for cars quickly Chad jogged across the street. "Hey, what are you doing here," Chad questioned striding up to Will and smiling. 'He looks better today.'

"Um," Will looked at his feet, mumbling, "I had therapy."

Surprised, Chad nodded once before deciding to change the subject, "And now what?"

Sighing in aggravation Will admitted, "Paul is late picking me up. By like a lot." Seeing the confused look on Chad's face Will added, "I'm not supposed to be out alone."

Giving Will a judgmental look Chad put his arm around Will's shoulders, "Come on little buddy. I'll walk you home."

Sonny and Paul burst into the waiting room of Will's therapist and stared around in horror when they didn't see Will anywhere. After checking the bathroom and asking the receptionist they were about ready to call the police or EJ when Sonny checked his phone and found a message from Chad.

Did you lose something?

Sonny, sighing in relief, heart finally calming down closed his eyes and told Paul, "He's with Chad. God, I thought something happened to him."

Paul, arms crossed, frowned at the thought of Will around the guy he used to have a crush on. "Where are they?"

"Home," Sonny announced after checking his phone one more time and walking out the door and starting for home. "Let's go."

"Even I know how to cook bud," Chad laughed at Will's fumbling around in the kitchen. "Besides it's just a sandwich you don't have to act like you're making a four course meal."

"Oh shut up," Will snorted putting Chad's sandwich in front of him.

"So, hey," Chad said between bites, "I um heard that Roman and Lucas were having lunch together the other day."

"OK," Will replied, "And I care why?"

"Probably because they were talking about how to get you away from everyone," Chad answered quickly.

"Everyone who," Will looked at Chad from across the counter.

"Literally everyone but the two of them I guess," Chad tried to remember everything Gabi told him, "They don't want you near EJ or me or Sonny or Paul. They think we're all bad influences."

"But that's stupid," Will stated looking confused. "I mean, I hardly ever see my dad or grandpa anymore. Hell they haven't wanted to see me since I came out. Why do they suddenly care who I spend time with now?"

Avoiding Will's eyes Chad said, "Well I think that's connected actually. Getting you away from your bad influences and you being gay."

"Oh," Will scowled, eyebrows crinkling, "So what? I'm gay because I hang around other gays? Do they think if I was around them I would be straight? Or become a jackass?"

Chad, mildly impressed by Will's reaction added, "Probably. They don't seem to be the most rational of people."

"I am so tired of people trying to tell me who I get to see or be around," Will huffed out crossing his arms and sitting next to Chad at the countertop. "It's my life and it's my decision." Taking a massive bite of his sandwich Will pouted slightly. 'The only people who get any say are Paul and Sonny. And maybe EJ if I'm feeling generous.'

Putting his hand on Will's shoulder Chad agreed, "Good. I don't know exactly what they have planned but I know it can't be good. Or very effective actually now that I think about it."

"I just want everyone to leave me alone," Will complained around his mouthful, "Why was I cursed with such an overbearing family?"

Paul, opening the door to their apartment, glared heatedly at Chad's hand on Will's shoulder the second he saw it. 'You don't have permission to touch him. I'm gonna have to make a rule that Will can't be touched by other people.'

"Will," Sonny breathed out, rushing to his side and pulling him into a hug. "Fuck we got there and you weren't there and we couldn't find you and god. I was so scared."

Will, almost jolting off the stool at the force of Sonny's hug swallowed loudly before saying, "Well if someone would have been there to pick me up," Will shot a dark look at Paul, "You would have known I was fine."

Glad to see Chad's hand slipping from Will's shoulder Paul sheepishly confessed, "My watch was an hour behind. I promise I never would have left you there."

Feeling annoyed and slightly hurt Will grunted in reply pulling away from Sonny and Paul to finish his lunch.

"Baby," Paul said sadly, "Don't be mad. I didn't do it on purpose."

Will shrugged. He had been under a lot of stress lately and the only things keeping him focused and clear headed were Sonny and Paul. 'And then he left me there.' In a quiet voice Will stated, "Everyone was staring at me in the waiting room. At my face, my mouth, they still remember the article even if you can't find it online anymore. And you forgot me."

"I didn't forget you," Paul said, voice laced with aggravation, "I just didn't know the time." Realizing he wasn't going to win this time Paul closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead, "OK, you're right. I'm sorry."

"Thank you," Will put the last piece of his sandwich in his mouth and chewed ready to be done with the entire conversation.

"Well this has been uncomfortable," Chad commented, wiping the crumbs off his mouth, "Thanks for the sandwich dude." Chad stood up and kissed the top of Will's head loudly and obnoxiously, laughing when Will made a grossed out sound and Paul glared. "Think about what I said, alright," Chad called out before heading to the door.

Sonny, waving goodbye to Chad, took his plate from the counter and put it in the sink. He wasn't sure how to judge Will's current mood. 'Is he that upset about Paul being late? Or was his appointment that bad?'

"Wait a second," Paul demanded crossing his arms and glowering at the spot Chad vacated, "Did you make him that?" 'What the hell are you doing making him food?'

"I was already going to make one for myself," Will said plainly, "I can make you one if you want. It's not that big of a deal." 'Even though I did almost screw it up. How was I supposed to know Chad doesn't like chunky peanut butter?'

Sonny, shooting Paul a look and shaking his head, decided to talk about something important, "Um, how was your thing? With the therapist?"

Slumping in his chair Will put his elbow on the counter and rested his head in his palm, "OK I guess."

"Were you able to talk to them any," Paul asked sitting down gingerly next to Will, still wanting to argue about Chad.

"I didn't want to at first," Will admitted, "But I started talking a bit. Mostly about us."

Sonny, slightly worried Will was having concerns about their relationship, "What do you mean?"

"About how everyone tried to break us up and stuff," Will started sitting up straighter and reaching his hand over the counter for Sonny head leaning towards Paul, smiling when Paul automatically pulled his stool closer. "How you've been taking care of me this past week and stuff. Um, Wendy, that's her name, she um, she wants you two to come next time. If you want, you don't have to."

"Hey," Paul nudged his shoulder against Will's, reaching his arm out to wrap around his waist, "Of course we're going to go."

"Do you think having us there is going to help you," Sonny questioned, squeezing Will's hand.

Will nodded, "I always feel better when you're around. And she wants to talk about Ian taking me and how it's affecting us all."

"So you talked to her about him," Paul clarified skin crawling just thinking about the guy.

"A bit, just the basic stuff," Will told them, "Not, not the stuff I wish I could talk about."

"You can talk to us," Sonny pointed out with a small smile. "You know that."

"Yeah but I can't rely on you for everything," Will said gloomily, "Besides it affecting you too. I know it is." 'It's why you won't let me go anywhere alone. Not that I really want to but I like having the option.'

"Yes, it is," Paul agreed, "Of course it is. But it's different for us versus for you. We saw the things happen. You lived it."

"It was still terrifying for you," Will insisted, "I just, I want to make sure all of us are able to get over it. Together. Not just me. I don't want everything to be about me."

"And it's not," Sonny smiled slightly, "But for right now it is. Part of us getting over what happened is seeing you get over it. If we know you're safe and happy we'll feel better. But thank you for being so concerned about us."

"Of course I'm concerned," Will blurted out looking at Sonny like he was crazy, "I love you."

Roman hung up his phone and stood up quickly yelling for Hope to get in his office.

"What is it," Hope asked quickly, "Have you found anything out?"

"I'm not sure yet," Roman told her, "But we just got an anonymous tip that they saw someone matching Ian's description at a gas station just outside of Chicago."

"Let's go," Hope yelled gathering as many officers as they might need. "We don't know what we're going to be dealing with here."

Chad walked away from the pay phone with a smile on his face stuffing his hands in his pockets. 'With Roman preoccupied he won't be able to bother Will. Besides it's never too late to throw them off our scent.' Ambling into Common Grounds Chad chuckled to himself at how gullible the Salem police department was.

Author's note:

Short one this time but the next one will be longer. I'm hoping to show a few different sessions with Will's therapist. He's got a lot of issues to deal with after all.

Also, I write out notes for the different things I want to include in each chapter and my note for ch. 51 just says: Sex! What does everyone want to see happen for their first time after Ian? And any other time after that.

Please review and let me know what you think.