Will rushed up the stairs to the apartment hoping Sonny and Paul would be home. 'Please be there. Please be there.' He thought about all of the things that could go wrong if they heard what happened from Gabi instead of him.

Chad, surprised Will could run that fast, followed him into the apartment. Chad turned in a circle inside and almost sighed in relief when he saw the place was empty. 'OK, a few more minutes until I have to explain this mess.'

"No," Will held onto his head, leaning against the countertop, he didn't want to go back out and look for his boyfriends. 'But I have to.' Head aching Will pulled away to the counter when the front door swung open. Jumping, holding in a scream, Will held his hand to his heart even when he saw Paul and Sonny charging into the room.

Paul, eyes locked on Will, made a step towards him when he saw Chad sitting on his couch. 'My couch in my home with my boyfriend completely alone.' Anger rising Paul would have immediately laid into Chad if Sonny didn't grab his arm, holding him back.

"Will," Sonny said sternly, teeth grinding together. "What the hell is he doing here?"

"Um," Will looked at his boyfriends' faces, both with red splotches indicating they were angry, "I was looking for you. I thought you'd be home by now."

Chad stood up slowly, holding his hands out in front of him, "Look, this is all just a misunderstanding."

"What is there to misunderstand," Paul growled dangerously. "You want our boyfriend. I fucking knew it. I saw the way you hugged him and touched him. I knew it."

"Paul," Will sighed moving closer. Grabbing Paul's elbows, trying to get Paul to look into his eyes. "Paul look at me."

"No," Paul shoved Will to the side. "I want him to fucking tell me the truth."

Stumbling slightly Will, feeling a bit shocked, "If you would listen to me-"

"Will," Sonny cut him off, "Just be quiet. This doesn't concern you."

Mouth opening in outrage Will, ready to argue back, was cut off once again.

"Look," Chad insisted desperately. "I know that you talked to Gabi but you have to believe me. I lied to get her off my back. I'm not interested in Will like that."

"Of all the things you could have told her why did you say that," Sonny shot back. "Unless that was the truth."

"Because I didn't want her to feel bad," Chad defended himself, "I didn't want to tell her the reason I couldn't see her anymore was because she was crazy."

"What do you expect us to believe," Sonny shrugged disbelievingly.

"Gabi has been on my case about Will ever since he was in the hospital," Chad informed them. "I told you how she asked me if I really did sleep with him," he looked at Sonny. "She's stupidly jealous of him. She couldn't accept that I was breaking up with her so she just automatically assumed it was because of Will. I just, um, I went along with that."

"That is bullshit," Paul shouted.

"No it isn't," Chad threw his hands up in exasperation. "I'm straight for fuck's sake. Why would I want to be with Will? And I don't care that he used to have the hots for me. I promise you I am not interested in him. I'm not."

Will, arms crossed, moved over to sink into the couch refusing to look at anyone.

Sonny, examining Chad's face, "Why didn't you tell us what you told her right away?"

"I told Will," Chad explained, "I didn't think Gabi was going to run straight to you. But I should have. She hates Will or is still in love with him or something. I should have known better."

Paul, eyes narrowed, "Fine, say we believe you. Why the hell did you drag Will into this? If it involves Will we need to know first."

"I didn't mean to," Chad pinched the bridge of his nose, "I just wanted her to understand that we were over and she had no chance. I clearly should have just told her she was crazy."

Sonny nodded in irritation, "You should have told her the truth." 'I knew he was going to drag Will into this.'

"Where did you find Will," Paul asked Chad suddenly, realizing he never got a text from Will today saying he left campus.

"At the mansion," Chad shrugged. "Which let me tell you, seeing him all buddy-buddy with my dad was a surprise." Literally seeing the hackles on Sonny and Paul rising once again Chad questioned, "What?" 'Oh crap.'

Panting heavily, nostrils flaring Sonny looked at Will and asked, deadly quiet, "Why the hell were you with him?" When Will didn't respond Sonny yelled, "Will!"

Closing his eyes Will turned his head away from Sonny.

Paul reached forward and grabbed Chad by the front of his shirt, "Misunderstanding over. Now get the hell out." 'Get out before you see something about our relationship you don't need to know about.'

Chad, feeling concerned, remembering what Will said about spanking, tried to shove his heels into the floor, "I think I should stay for this. I can explain."

"We don't need you here," Paul argued, shoving Chad out the door. "Bye," he announced before slamming the door in his face. 'I should have punched him.'

"Will," Sonny hissed, pacing back and forth in front of him. "Answer me."

Will, eyes clenched together, lips clamped shut, ignored him.

"William," Paul demanded while standing right in front of him. "Why the hell were you with Stefano fucking Dimera? We specifically told you to stay away from him and stay away from that place! And you never told us where you were!"

Opening his eyes Will sneered, "I don't have to tell you anything!"

"Yes you do," Sonny argued, hands gripping his hair tightly, "Why were you with him, damnit?"

Shooting both of them a scathing look Will lifted his knees to his chest and closed his eyes again.

"Fine," Paul declared, "You want to be bad? Then you're going to face the consequences."

Will opened his eyes slowly and watched as Paul stepped closer to him, reaching out his hand to grab him. Flinching away Will crawled to the other side of the couch, "Leave me alone!"

"You don't get to talk to us like that," Sonny insisted feeling fed up with today. 'First Paul and his mother, then Gabi and Chad and now Will.'

Wanting to gather Will into his arms, seeing that he wasn't reacting the way he normally did Paul stopped in place when he saw Will climb over the couch and glare at him. "Baby," he said slowly realizing he and Sonny had severely misunderstood something along the way.

"No," Will whispered. His head was throbbing painfully and his eyes were blurry. He didn't want Sonny or Paul telling him anything right now. 'Especially after they told me to shut up.' "Just leave me alone," Will ran to the bedroom door and slammed it closed before collapsing face first on the bed.

"What the hell just happened," Sonny demanded. "What the hell?"

EJ walked into the mansion holding a discrete black bag full of T's things he took as well as his gloves. 'After I look through his computer I'll get rid of all the evidence.' Setting everything into his private office in his secret safe and locking the door behind him EJ looked for Samantha and the children. Hearing their laughs and screams outside EJ leaned against the doorframe and smiled. 'At least they are still sheltered from everything.'

"Oh there you are," Sami smiled at EJ standing up to hug him. Leaning into his strong embrace Sami held him tightly, "Will was looking for you."

"William was here," EJ questioned lightly, letting Samantha guide him over to the chairs. 'He better not have run into Father.'

"Yeah," Sami smiled, feeling proud of herself. "We talked." Bouncing slightly Sami added, "We bonded."

"Did you now," EJ knew how important that was to Samantha. How hard she tried with her eldest son. "I'm glad."

"Me too," Sami sighed happily. "For the first time in a long time I feel like I really know him." Wrinkling her nose Sami continued, "He wants me to go with him to one of his therapy appointments."

'I see,' EJ nodded. "Well, it must be important to William if he asked you," EJ explained gently, taking her hand in his own.

"Yeah," Sami sighed, "I'm just not looking forward to getting blamed for everything."

"Well," EJ teased, "Maybe not everything."

Rolling her eyes Sami bit her lip, "Um, actually now that you're here I had an idea."

"That's dangerous," EJ chuckled, moving out of the way when she tried to smack his arm, "What is it?"

"Well," Sami explained, "Will's been so stressed out lately. And he really thinks he has to work still even though Sonny and Paul told him that he didn't. Anyway, I don't want him working at the Pub anymore. It's too hard for him right now. So I was thinking maybe you could hire him again to be your intern."

Watching as Samantha blinked her bright blue eyes and batted her lashes at him, understanding where William got his puppy dog eyes from, EJ smiled, "I think that's a wonderful idea." 'I can instill some independence into him as well as keep an eye on him.'

"I keep telling you," Sami bragged, leaning her head on his shoulder, "All my ideas are brilliant."

Will lied on the bed head clutched between his hands, glasses set to the side. 'Wendy said I shouldn't let them decide everything. I wasn't being bad. They weren't listening to me. They didn't care about what I was feeling. I don't have to listen to them. I don't.'

Knocking gently on the door Sonny and Paul slowly walked into the room at a loss as to what to do.

"Babe," Sonny said softly. Moving to the bed and sitting gingerly Sonny put his hand on the side of Will's leg, "Will?"

Moving his leg away from Sonny Will grunted, "Go away."

Swallowing Paul sat down on Will's other side, "We don't know what we did baby. Just tell us what we did."

Will closed his eyes tightly, 'I don't have to do everything they saw. I'm allowed to be mad.'

"Will," Sonny tried again. "Please talk to us."

Taking in a shaky breath Will stated, "You wouldn't listen to me. You told me to stop talking. You made me feel like I didn't matter."

Sonny, biting his lip, "I did say that and I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I just, I wanted to hear Chad explain it. And of course you matter to us."

Will shook his head weakly, the stabbing pain in his head excruciating, "You didn't listen to me. You made me feel like I wasn't there. Like I wasn't important."

"We didn't mean to do that," Paul told him softly, face twisted in concern. "Baby you are important to us. That's why we were so upset. We don't want you around anyone that could hurt you."

"I'm not a child," Will replied, "I don't want you to treat me like one. I want you to take care of me yes but not all the time. I don't, I don't want to feel like that. I don't want you to treat me like that."

"OK," Paul agreed, "You're right. We should have asked you first instead of yell at you. You didn't deserve that."

"Babe," Sonny asked licking his lips, "I think we need to talk again about all of this. To make sure Paul and I understand when you want us to act like that and when you don't."

"OK," Will approved. Trying to move on his back but head hurting too much Will made a small pained sound in the back of his throat.

Paul, immediately moving his hand to Will's head pulled it away with a sharp hiss, "Your head's on fire."

Sonny stood up quickly and went to the bathroom to find some medicine for Will. He didn't know if he should give Will something for a fever or the pain meds he got for his wounds. Taking a bottle of each Sonny grabbed some water before he moved back into their room.

Will's head was pulled into Paul's lap and the curtains were closed tightly. Leaning into Paul's hands as they rubbed up and down Will's head and neck Will whimpered, "It hurts."

"I know baby," Paul told him softly, "Is it like with your concussion or because of something else?"

"I don't know," Will whined gently, not able to think, "Both?"

Sonny sat down on the bed and handed Will two different pills, "I want you to take them both, OK?" Shushing Will when he started to complain Sonny rubbed his hands over Will's throat, "Please babe?"

Swallowing both pills quickly Will asked, "Are you still mad at me?"

"That depends," Sonny joked slightly, hands sweeping over Will's skin, "Why were you with Stefano?"

"Saw Mom and kids," Will said quickly, "Ran into him. He thinks I'm dumb but I'm not. I see through him."

Wrinkling his face when Will started to slur his words Paul wondered, "What do you mean?"

"Pretend I don't know," Will sighed, words blending together, "But I do. Find out what he wants."

"No," Sonny shook his head, "Will, that's too dangerous. I don't want you doing some undercover wannabe spy thing. You'll get in over your head."

"Wont," Will insisted, eyes closing, "Can do it."

"Will," Paul checked relaxing when he saw Will was fast asleep. Continuing the path of his fingers up and down Will's head Paul looked at Sonny, "I don't know what to do about this."

"Me either," Sonny looked at Will sadly. Unbuttoning Will's shirt, wanting Will as comfortable as possible Sonny pulled it off of him before getting a cloth and wetting it with some warm water and putting it on his chest. "This doesn't seem like a concussion, Paul."

"No, no it doesn't," Paul swallowed harshly, "Maybe he has a cold. He never dresses properly when it's cold outside."

"Let's hope so," Sonny nodded. "What should we do about what happened?"

"Talk to him about it when he can make more sense," Paul insisted, brushing Will's hair off his forehead, "I don't want to do anything that makes him upset." Sharing a look with Sonny Paul added, "I thought everything was fine with us that way. I didn't think he was having any doubts."

"I think it's the therapy," Sonny confessed in a low voice, almost as if he was afraid Will could hear him. "I know Wendy is encouraging him to be more independent. I'm just not sure how I feel about it."

"Yeah, me either," Paul nodded.

Brian turned the page of his textbook. Looking up at Neil over the edge of the book Brian asked, "Are you ever going to tell me what really happened to you and Will?"

"What do you mean," Neil asked, face in his book, refusing to look at Brian. 'I can't.'

"You know what I mean," Brian tossed his book to the side. "You got stabbed in the back. Will's face was all fucked up. Now you and EJ Dimera are friendly. You don't really expect me to believe it was a mugging do you?" Moving closer to Neil on the bed, Brian added, "The police reported a kidnapping and then they guy escaped. Everyone in town assumes it had to do with Will."

"Do they," Neil asked weakly when Brian grabbed his book out of his hands and threw it on the floor. "Hey," he mumbled.

Knocking Neil onto his back Brian straddled his waist, "You gonna tell me what really happened now? Or you gonna make me guess?"

"Guess," Neil smiled shyly, 'EJ can't kill me if I don't actually tell right?'

"OK," Brian smiled widely, bright teeth glinting off the shoddy dorm room lighting, "You kidnapped Will and were going to run away with the circus."

Snorting Neil shook his head, "Guess again."

"You're secretly a superhero," Brian moved his mouth closer to Neil's.

"I wish," Neil laughed, "But no."

"Hmm," Brian made a large show of thinking, "How about Will was kidnapped and you being desperately in love with him saved the day."

Biting his lip Neil winced slightly before nodding and looking away. He hated it when Brian brought up his feelings for Will.

Slightly uncomfortable with that, Brian took a large breath before he asked, "What happened?"

"It was my fault," Neil whispered slowly. "Will was getting these creepy messages and threats and I wasn't supposed to leave him alone. I tried to convince him to be with me and when he rejected me I ran off. By the time I got back to him he was gone."

"Then what," Brian questioned, sitting up slightly.

"I figured out where Will was taken and Chad and I rescued him," Neil explained realizing he needed to tell Brian the truth; 'If I'm serious about him he should know. I trust him to know.' "He was drugged and tied up and blindfolded. Naked. I freaked out on the guy who took him and he stabbed me."

Stunned Brian tried to process everything quickly, "And Will…"

"Got there in time," Neil sighed, "Barely." Neil knew he could trust Brian but he still had to be sure, "You can't tell anyone, OK? Will's dealt with enough crap. And if EJ finds out I told you-"

"I won't," Brian promised. Feeling a bit more respect for how well Will had dealt with it all Brian leaned his head on Neil's chest. "I guess it would be inappropriate to say I want to watch that DVD again tonight, huh?"

Laughing loudly Neil wrapped his arms around Brian, pleased to have found someone so understanding.

Chad paced back and forth in the parking lot of Will's apartment. 'OK, I have to do something. That looked pretty damn dangerous.' Screaming loudly in frustration Chad finally gave in and pulled out his phone. Hearing the voice over the line Chad blabbed, "Will needs you. You need to get to his apartment right away."

Speeding to William's apartment EJ, honking his horn, "Get out of the bloody way!" Hearing his phone go off again EJ pushed the button for the Bluetooth on the ceiling, "What?"

Sonny, pulling the phone from his ear at the loud noise, "I think you should come over here."

"Chad already told me," EJ made a sharp turn into the parking lot, "I'm already here."

"Wait, what," Sonny asked when he heard EJ cut off the line. 'Well fuck.'

EJ sighed loudly as he sat down next to William on his bed. 'Dear god I hope this blanket has been washed recently.' "I thought his headaches were getting better," EJ remarked, reaching his hand out to touch William's head.

"They were," Sonny insisted. "I don't know what today was about. It freaked us out and we knew you would want to know." 'Don't ask about Chad. Don't ask about Chad.'

"I do," EJ nodded his thanks, "I'll make a call with my private doctor. I don't care if it's a cold or not."

"Good," Paul stated, arms crossed, feeling slightly uncomfortable with EJ on their bed. "That's what we wanted."

"I think William needs to take a bit of a break from things," EJ announced. "School and work is too difficult for him."

"We keep telling him he doesn't need to be pushing himself," Paul agreed. "We don't have any problem taking care of him. But he doesn't like the idea of it."

"Well," EJ smirked, head turned towards William, "I might know a solution. He can work with me again. He can come into the office a few times a week. Run a few errands, make some phone calls. It won't have to be much but it will definitely pay more than waiting tables."

Sonny, uneasy about the idea, "You'll have to ask him." Glancing over at Paul, Sonny knew they were both thinking the same thing, 'This is bad idea.'

Will started mumbling in his sleep, something he did every now and again. "Mmm." Turning over and snuggling into EJ's lap, Will sighed, "Love you."

Scowling Paul wanted to shove EJ away, 'That's my side of the bed so he's talking to me. That was my I love you.'

Sonny, rolling his eyes, put his hand on Paul's forearm, "Relax."

EJ smiled fondly at William, hand buried in his hair. "He told you about Lucas and Roman," EJ glanced at William's boyfriends.

"Yes," Paul gritted out, "Assholes."

"Exactly," EJ agreed. "Samantha put Lucas in his place. I assume if anyone cared enough about Roman they would do the same."

Chuckling Sonny teased, "What, not going to go after the Police Commissioner?"

"I just freed up some time," EJ shrugged, "I might be able to make some room."

Realizing what EJ was trying to tell him Sonny nodded understandingly, 'Good. One less person out there who tried to hurt Will. I don't have anything to feel guilty about.'

Paul, focused on Will clutching EJ's thigh, completely missed what was happening.

"EJ," Sonny said suddenly, "Will said something about Stefano before he fell asleep. He wasn't making too much sense but I think he was trying to say he was doing some sort of undercover thing."

"What," EJ barked out, alarmed. 'William, you absolute pain in my arse.'

"That definitely needs to stop," Paul confirmed, "Will is competent at many things but espionage is not going to be one of them."

"Another reason to have him work for me," EJ pointed out, "I'll be able to monitor what he does and limit any contact with my father." Looking at Kiriakis and Norita sharply EJ continued, "As will you."

"Of course," Sonny readily accepted. "We'd do anything for Will. You know that."

'I do now,' EJ smirked at Jackson Kiriakis quickly.

Will, hearing voices, nuzzled into whoever was near him, sighing softly, "Daddy," he mumbled, still asleep.

EJ glared dangerously at Kiriakis and Norita.

Paul, shifting slowly, gave EJ a look, "What?"

"Why," EJ grinded his teeth together, stopping himself from saying anything else.

"Look," Sonny explained while looking at the ceiling, "You don't have to get it or like it but we do."

'We'll see about that,' EJ thought mutinously. Putting the back of his hand on one of William's cheeks EJ sighed, "His fever is gone." Examining William's face EJ noted, "His nose is running though."

"Hopefully that means he's sick and there's nothing seriously wrong with him," Paul rubbed the sides of his face quickly, "I don't think anyone could handle that."

"Handle what," Will asked blearily, eyes barely opened. Blinking up at Sonny and Paul Will felt confused, 'Who am I touching?' Moving his head slowly Will saw EJ, "Oh. When did you get here?"

"Your boyfriends called me when you fell asleep," EJ explained quietly to William. "They were concerned and I quite agree."

"About what," Will questioned. "What's wrong?"

"We're a little freaked out about you baby," Paul sat down on the bed and put his hand on Will's bare arm. "You weren't making any sense."

"Oh," Will paused, trying to remember, "My head really hurt earlier that must be why."

"We know babe," Sonny gave him a sad smile, "But we're scared as to why it was hurting so bad when everything had been so good for you lately."

"I don't know," Will sat up and rubbed his eyes. Reaching his hands out blindly for his glasses Will smiled at Paul when he handed them over. "It hurt earlier and when we were arguing it got worse." Sniffling and wiping his hand under his nose Will groaned, "Gross."

"Did you spend a lot of time outside today," EJ asked rationally wrinkling his nose at William's snot. Seeing William nod EJ refrained from rolling his eyes, "You know sunlight is a deterrent in recovering from a concussion. Particularly when that someone never remembers to dress properly."

"Right," Will looked at his lap meekly, "I didn't know that."

"Did you even read any of the literature the hospital sent home with you," EJ shook his head in frustration.

Will tried to smile innocently at EJ when he said, "It was hard to read."

"William," EJ scolded voice lowering. Realizing it was no good to argue about it now EJ closed his eyes, "Fine. From now on you'll be spending more time indoors and you'll follow every tip the doctor gave you." Barking at Sonny and Paul harshly EJ added, "And get him some cold medicine. Honestly."

Feeling a bit sheepish he didn't think to make sure Will was following all of the doctor's orders Sonny nodded before going to the bathroom to get some medicine and a box of tissues.

EJ, clearing his throat when Kiriakis came back, "Both of you out. I need to chat with William."

Catching Will's eye, making sure he was OK with it, Paul nodded, "We'll get started on dinner, baby. Anything you want?"

"Something light," Will suggested putting his hand on his stomach, "I don't feel so good."

"Whatever you want," Sonny assured Will before shooting EJ a suspicous look. Sonny knew that while EJ was getting along with him and Paul it was a very precarious situation. 'One false move and it will all go up in flames.'

Waiting until the door was closed EJ turned to William, "You're certain you are alright?"

Will, reaching across the bed for the bottle of water he saw on the side table, replied, "I think so. It must be a cold or something." Will forced down the cold medicine and shivered slightly.

"Nothing else," EJ demanded, "The headaches aren't getting any worse?"

"Not really," Will tried to explain after he took a long pull of water. "I mean, now that I have glasses my eyes don't hurt so that helps. But I think earlier was a mix of stuff."

"Why were you arguing with them," EJ asked directly. 'They better not be doing anything untoward to him.'

Will rubbed the back of his neck, not wanting to tell EJ exactly but figuring it would be safer in the long run, "Um, well it was a misunderstanding. Chad wanted to break up with Gabi and lied to say it was because he liked me. Gabi told Sonny and Paul and they flipped out."

Shaking his head, hardly understanding the relationship problems Chad and William found themselves in, EJ commented, "So they were upset because they thought Chad was going to steal you away?"

"I guess," Will shrugged, not really understanding that part, "Paul's been really touchy about Chad lately because I kind of, um, maybe, used to like him."

"Chad," EJ blurted out completely surprised, "What?"

"It was a while ago," Will defended himself, arms crossed, "And that's not the point. The point of this is they blew up on Chad because of it instead of listening to me. So I was mad at them and they were mad at me."

"Alright," EJ said, disturbed at the idea of William liking Chad, "Then what happened? And don't try to say nothing because I can already tell."

"They just, um," Will tried to figure out how to explain everything without EJ freaking out, "Sometimes I let them kind of boss me around a bit. And they wanted to this time and I didn't."

Eye twitching, fists clenching, EJ carefully stated, "Explain."

"I don't really want to," Will admitted carefully while playing with his fingers. Looking down at himself Will vaguely wondered where his shirt went, 'Weird.' Catching the look on EJ's face Will continued, "Look, I'm already talking to my therapist about it I don't need to talk to you too."

"Are they pressuring you into things you don't want," EJ growled loudly, "Because if they are I will put a stop to that right now, William."

"Would you just stop it," Will urged, moving to his knees and making a shh-ing motion. "They aren't doing anything I don't want. Hence the argument. And don't even think about doing anything to either of them." Glaring at EJ Will huffed, "Don't think I've forgotten what you tried to do to Paul."

Snarling EJ hissed, "Well excuse me William for being concerned."

"I'm an adult," Will argued, "You don't need to do things like that."

"Yes," EJ said pointedly, "You are an adult. Which is why you should not be letting them make decisions for you or, or anything along those lines."

"I like it," Will insisted, feeling his cheeks warm up, "I like it most of the time and I'm not going to stop just because it makes you uncomfortable." 'We just need to fine tune everything.'

"Is this a sex thing," EJ asked bluntly, "Is this like how you call them Daddy?"

"I am not talking about this with you," Will shook his head before moving farther away from EJ. "It's none of your business."

"I beg to differ," EJ threw his hands in the air, "As one of the many father figures in your life I think I have a right to know about this."

Face twisting in horror Will gasped, "That has nothing to do with you."

"I didn't say it had to do with me specifically," EJ maintained looking at William's face. "But I think it's related."

"Fine," Will agreed, feeling completely humiliated, "Maybe I like calling them that because I want them to take care of me and, and protect me the way a father should. But that doesn't mean it's any of your business."

"William," EJ urged before getting cut off.

"No," Will turned his back to EJ and looking at the wall. "We're not talking about this anymore."

"Fine," EJ pursed his lips before stating, "Speaking of your therapy sessions though, how are you dealing with everything else?"

"What do you mean," Will asked as he turned himself back around, surprised at how easily EJ changed the topic.

"I mean with the things you can't talk to her about," EJ elaborated, "About Ian."

Will grabbed a pillow from behind him and put it in his lap. "I don't know," Will shrugged. "Sometimes I forget about him and sometimes it seems like I never will."

"That's understandable," EJ nodded. "I appreciate how that feels."

"What about you," Will stared up into EJ's eyes, "How are you dealing with everything?"

Giving William a brief smile EJ replied, "About the same I suppose. I'll do better once I figure everything out with my father."

Biting his lip and squeezing his pillow Will shifted awkwardly, "Yeah about that," swallowing when he saw EJ glaring at him Will continued quickly, "He seems to be under the impression that we're all going to be some strange mixed family. Oh and he thinks I'm really dumb."

"What," EJ questioned having no clue what William was going on about.

"I just mean that he is under the impression that I don't see through him," Will explained while scrunching his face together. "I don't really know exactly what he wants but I think I can figure it out soon."

"Absolutely not," EJ retorted loudly, "I won't allow it, William. I already told you once to stay away from my father."

"But I know that I can do this," Will argued back. "If you just give me a chance-"

"No," EJ announced. "It is never going to happen." Seeing the frustrated look on William's face EJ sighed, "It's not because I don't believe you can handle yourself. I just think it's too dangerous. After everything that's already happened you need to be relaxing."

"Fine," Will relented with a pout while thinking, 'You won't be able to stop me.'

"Continuing with that theme," EJ cleared his throat again, "Your mother and I both discussed it and we don't want you being a waiter any longer."

"What," Will pulled a face, "But how am I supposed to make any money?" 'Don't even think about taking away my one bit of independence.'

"Well we were thinking that perhaps you would care to work for me again," EJ suggested. He didn't want to admit it but he did enjoy having William as an intern. Their ideals didn't always align but it made for an interesting partnership. "Not every day of course but some."

"Huh," Will furrowed his brows, thinking about it. 'I did have fun working for EJ. Sonny and Paul would probably like it too since they'll know that I'm safe.'

"What do you think," EJ appeared calm on the outside but he was a tiny bit nervous.

"OK," Will licked his lips with a small smile. "I'll do it."

"Excellent," EJ rubbed his hands together. "This will be very productive for the both of us. I'll get an exemplary employee and you'll learn all about independence."

Already sensing EJ was up to something Will tried to put it aside, "If you say so."

Sonny and Paul both leaned against the counter in the kitchen waiting for the soup they made to cook while watching the bedroom door.

"What do you think they're talking about," Paul questioned Sonny.

"It can't be that bad if there's no yelling," Sonny said off handedly. Turning back towards the stove to stir the soup Sonny told Paul, tone low, "I think we need to be careful around EJ."

"What do you mean," Paul moved in closer to Sonny, arms brushing together.

"I just mean that I don't want to do anything to piss him off," Sonny explained, "But at the same time I don't want him whispering anything in Will's ear. I don't want him confusing Will."

"Alright," Paul nodded, understanding completely. "So what do we do?"

"Just try to make sure we're the greatest influence in Will's life," Sonny replied, tasting the soup and adding a bit more salt.

"We're all Will needs," Paul agreed holding his breath when he heard the bedroom door opening.

Author's note:

Sonny and Paul are playing a pretty dangerous game here.

Please review and let me know what you thought. Also if there's anything you would like to see just let me know and I'll see where I can fit it in.

PS I was so into writing a future chapter I nearly forgot to post this one. Oops.