Paul sighed and put his head in his hands. Nothing was going right today. It had been nothing but disaster from the start. He had had a huge fight with Jo, his girlfriend, over the smallest little thing - he couldn't even remember what. His mood hadn't been helped by the fact that he had run out of tea, and Paul simply couldn't function properly without some sort of caffeine in his system.
Seeking to escape the demons plaguing him, he headed over to the Global Studios, where he worked, but bad luck followed him. The first thing to go wrong was the scripts. They disappeared - totally. No one could figure out where they went, and there was no chance of either writing another or getting copies because three out of the four writers were at home, sick with the flu. Then technical difficulties had caused the rehearsals to run an hour later than the already behind schedule, and to top it off Paul nearly got electrocuted during buzzers of death because one of the wires wasn't attached properly to the panel.
It was a conspiracy - it had to be. Paul was convinced the entire universe was out to get him, and nothing could persuade him otherwise.
He retreated into his dressing room, hoping to prevent the day getting worse by avoiding all human contact. No such luck. Just as he was sitting down on his couch, Mikey burst into the room, nothing but smiles and general cheerfulness.
Paul groaned and rolled over to face the wall, but Mikey ignored his lack of enthusiasm.
"Hi ya little fella!" he said with a grin, wandering over to Paul's miniature fridge and helping himself to a beer. Paul rolled over and scowled at his friend. Most people would have run away and hid under their bed seeing that look, but not Mikey. He just laughed.
"Now, they say frowning ruins the complexion," he declared.
"That still doesn't explain what happened to you," Paul snapped back.
"Ouch. That hurt," Mikey replied, his expression saying the exact opposite. "Aren't we happy this morning?" Paul just grunted and turned back to face the wall.
"Well, in that case, you're going to love this," he said, his cheeky smile fading as he became serious. Paul's curiosity got the better of him, and he rolled over to see what had changed Mikey's mood. Mikey held out the daily newspaper. Paul hadn't had time to read it that morning - he had been in too much of a bad mood, and reading about all the disasters in the world wasn't going to make him feel any better. Reaching out, he took the paper from Mikey, wondering what it had to do with him. He didn't have to wonder long.
There, on the front page, in the biggest colour picture ever to be printed on a newspaper, was a picture taken last night of him and Wil Anderson kissing heatedly. The headlines read clearly, "Voted No. 1, World's Best Gay Couple"
Paul stared at it for a long time. Then he said just two words: "Oh shit."

"Not a bad picture is it?" he asked, his tone giving away his near hysteria. Mikey didn't say anything. Paul dropped the paper on the floor and began to pace the room, the quickness of his pace giving away his panic. Mikey watched silently; he knew better than to open his mouth while Paul was trying to think.
"This is not fair. This can't be happening." Paul stopped pacing and starred at the floor. "What am I going to do?" He finally wailed. How the hell could this have happened? Since when was there such an award as 'World's best gay couple' anyway?
Mikey coughed uncertainly. Paul glanced up, hoping he would have an answer to this dilemma.
"Um, I hate to bring this up, but� who are you going to apologize to? Jo or Wil?" Mikey asked. Paul froze. That was a good question. Suddenly Paul realised with a sinking heart that he would have to pick.
"But I can't choose!" he cried desperately. "How will I know which one's right?"
Mikey shrugged.
"If you don't know, then I can't help you," he replied cryptically, then left Paul to work out his problem. "How the hell does that help me?" Paul screamed at the closed door. Sighing, he began to pace again. How could he choose between Jo and Wil?
He and Jo had been together forever, and he loved her, but Wil�Wil filled a void in his heart that he didn't even know he had. What he had with Wil was exciting and new, but a small doubt worked its way into his mind. The kiss he had shared with Wil last night had been their first - and both had been incredibly drunk. For Paul it wasn't just another drunken mistake, but what if Wil didn't feel the same way? And what about Jo?
"I can't keep dating them both," he whispered to himself, rubbing his temples. "It's not fair on them or me."
He knew he had to pick - but which one would it be? And how would he decide?
Paul paced the room for another ten minutes before finally reaching a decision. Checking his pocket for change, he headed out into the foyer to use the payphone.
Slipping the coins into the slot, he quickly dialed a number he knew by heart.
Paul nervously played with the phone cord as he listened to the dial tone. Finally, just when he was about to hang up, there was a click and a familiar voice answered.
"Hello?"
Paul took a deep breath. This was it - no turning back now.

"Have you seen the papers?" Paul asked. Silence on the other end. Paul began to fear he had lost the connection, but then the voice quietly said, "Yes."
Paul took a deep breath. Okay, it wasn't the end of the world, he reassured himself. No, but it might be the end of your relationship� a little voice whispered. Quickly suppressing the unreasoning fear that threatened to take over, he forced himself to blurt out the next sentence.
"What are we going to do?" he asked, all his uncertainty and fear sounding in his voice. Again silence. Paul kept quiet, giving all the space that was needed for the other person to think it over.
"Meet me outside the studio in 20 minutes," Wil said finally. Paul breathed a sigh of relief; Wil still wanted to see him! Paul thanked his lucky stars that he had met such a great guy.
Just as he was about to hang up, Wil quickly blurted, "I love you."
Paul froze in shock. Wil saying he loved him? Could this be happening?
"I�I love you too, Wil," Paul whispered, knowing deep down inside it was true. Slowly he hung up, unsure if this was real or not. What had started out as a horrible day had ended with Wil telling him that he loved him! Oh no, it's not over yet, he corrected himself. Glancing around, he figured he could leave without anyone spotting him. Ted would just have to finish rehearsals without him. Creeping down the hall, Paul retrieved his jacket then made a mad dash for the car park.
Wil starred at the phone in shock. Had Paul just said�Wil shook his head in disbelief - he couldn't have. There was no way that Paul could possibly feel the same way as him. And yet, he dared to hope.
Shaking himself out of his daze, Wil hung up the phone and ran to grab his jacket.

Half an hour later Paul was standing outside the GNW studio in the car park, freezing. He checked his watch again. It had barely been 1 minute since he had last looked at it, but it felt like an eternity. Sighing, he rubbed his hand together to warm them up, and gazed around again. He was turning into a popsicle, but he refused to give up and go back inside where it was warm. Wil has said he would be here, and Paul was prepared to wait forever - or at least another hour or two.
Paul breathed an enormous sigh of relief when he spotted a familiar figure jogging towards him. Wil jogged the last few meters, out of breath, but Paul ran at him and embraced him so fiercely that they both nearly fell over.
Wil laughed and proceeded in placing kisses all over Paul's face - wherever he saw bare skin. Paul returned the kisses just as eagerly, although he had to stand on his tiptoes to do it.
"Hmm�missed you," Paul murmured, still planting light kisses on Wil's face and neck. Laughing, Wil replied, "I missed you too Paul. C'mon, let's go somewhere private to talk this over." A cheeky grin spread across Paul's face as he wrapped his arm around Wil's waist.
"Sounds like a plan."
Wil laughed and wrapped his arm around Paul's shoulder, pulling him closer. Together they headed out of the carpark.
They were just about to cross the main road when Wil spotted a penny lying on the ground. He bent over to pick it up, while Paul kept walking. The coin was facing heads up.
"Hey, doesn't heads up mean bad luck?" Wil asked. He glanced up just in time to see the minivan hit Paul at full speed.
"NNNOOOO!!!" Wil let out a grief stricken wail as he rushed to Paul's aid.

Wil awoke with a start. He quickly glanced around, sure that Paul was hurt and needed his help. He relaxed slightly when he realised that he was still in the cab, on the way to meet Paul. Wil breathed a sigh of relief - it had been a dream.
"You alright there fella?" The cab driver asked, his worried eyes reflected in the rearview mirror. Wil forced a smile and nodded.
"Yeah, thanks for asking mate," he replied. "Just a bad dream, that's all." That's all, he repeated to himself.
Half an hour later Paul was standing outside the GNW studio in the car park, freezing. He checked his watch again. It had barely been 1 minute since he had last looked at it, but it felt like an eternity. Sighing, he rubbed his hand together to warm them up, and gazed around again. He was turning into a popsicle, but he refused to give up and go back inside where it was warm. Wil has said he would be here, and Paul was prepared to wait forever - or at least another hour or two.
Paul breathed an enormous sigh of relief when he spotted a familiar figure jogging towards him. Wil jogged the last few meters, out of breath, but Paul ran at him and embraced him so fiercely that they both nearly fell over.
Wil laughed and proceeded in placing kisses all over Paul's face - wherever he saw bare skin. Paul returned the kisses just as eagerly, although he had to stand on his tiptoes to do it.
"Hmm�missed you," Paul murmured, still planting light kisses on Wil's face and neck. Laughing, Wil replied, "I missed you too Paul. C'mon, let's go somewhere private to talk this over." A cheeky grin spread across Paul's face as he wrapped his arm around Wil's waist.
"Sounds like a plan."
Wil couldn't help but think of his dream - it was eerily accurate� It was just a silly dream, he thought and tried to shrug it off, but the feeling plagued with him
They were just about to cross the main road when Wil spotted a penny lying on the ground. He stopped, but didn't pick it up - instead instinct made him quickly run at Paul. Wil flew into a diving tackle and knocked Paul across the road, just in time for the minivan to miss them both by inches.

Wil only climbed off Paul once he was sure the danger was over. Slowly, he got to his feet, then helped up Paul. A crowd began to gather, and a few people asked if they were alright. Wil only had eyes for Paul, but Paul was going into shock.
Wil knew he had to get him out of there. Carefully, he put his arm around his shoulders and began to steer him away from the curious faces. They were closer to Paul's appartment than Wil's, so that's where they went.
Paul clung to Wil like a child. Wil held him close to his chest, murmuring reassurances in his ear. When they got to his floor, Wil had to gently pry Paul loose in order for them to walk without falling over each other.
Once inside, Wil lay Paul down on the bed, where he promptly fell asleep. Wil smiled at the cute image Paul made then covered him over with the spare blanket. Satisfied that Paul was now safe, Wil wandered into the other room, and sat down at the table.
It was then he realised just how close he had come to loosing his one true love, and the tears began to leak out of his eyes, hot and fast.
In the bedroom, Paul stirred uneasily in his sleep as he dreamed of Wil crying, desperate to be with him again.

Paul awoke in a strange room, with no memory of how he had gotten there. Sliding his feet to the floor, a sudden rush came back when he remembered what had happened. Wil had saved his life, and taken care of him. It was Wil who had brought him here, although he still didn't know where here was. Paul got up and went in search of his love.
He found Wil asleep on the table in the next room. He looks so innocent when he sleeps, Paul thought with a smile.
Paul leaned over and kissed Wil lightly on the forehead, caressing his hair as he did so. Feeling the kiss and caresses, Wil stirred and woke. It was only when he sat up that Paul noticed the tear stains on Wil's cheeks.
"What's wrong?" Paul asked in alarm, afraid that his Wil was upset with him. Wil smiled and wiped his cheeks with a sheepish grin.
"Nothing, just got a bit scared at the thought of losing you - that's all," he answered quietly. Paul thought his heart would melt.
"That's so sweet!" he cried, hugging Wil. Wil grinned and pulled Paul onto his lap, and kissed him tenderly. Paul returned the kiss eagerly. Before long, both were getting a bit heated.
Wil slowly stood up with Paul in his arms, still kissing him, then carried him back into the bedroom.

Paul snuggled closer to Wil in his sleep, murmuring as he did so. Wil smiled and wrapped his arms around Paul, cradling him. Wil was still awake, for some reason he couldn't get to sleep. At first it was because he wanted to watch Paul sleep, but now it was� well, he wasn't sure what it was, but it was something. Suddenly Wil gasped.

Jo, Paul's now ex-girlfriend opened the front door of the appartment she used to share with him, and walked inside, dumping her coat and bag as she did so. She headed straight for the cupboard on the other side of the room.
Sobbing Jo pulled a gun out of the top drawer and held it to her temple. She was alone in the room; she had no one to stop her.
"I'm so sorry Paul," she whispered into the air, and pulled the trigger.

Wil woke with a start, and glanced around quickly. He was back in his room with Paul asleep beside him, but that didn't change the fact of what was about to happen.
Slipping quietly out of bed, so as not to wake Paul, Wil quickly got dressed. Grabbing his jacket, he raced downstairs to hail a cab.

On the way to Jo's building, Wil had plenty of time to get scared. What was happening to him? How could he possibly know these things?
After nearly ten minutes of fretting and worrying, he still hadn't come up with any explanations and arrived at his destination. He paid the cabby and got out.
Wil headed purposefully towards the building, hoping that everyone would think he was a resident, and wouldn't try and stop him. Wil didn't know how much time he had left to stop Jo, but he definitely knew it wasn't much.
It was only when he was on his way up the stairs did it fully hit him what he was doing. He was about to try and stop a suicidal woman - who obviously didn't care if she lived or died, and probably wouldn't care if she took someone with her - from killing herself because he had stolen her boyfriend. Wil froze. HE wasn't suicidal. So what was he doing here?
Helping out a girl in need, a tiny voice whispered. Wil scowled. That wasn't a very good reason. I mean sure, he liked to help people, but not if it got him killed
All right then, the voice insisted, then you're doing this for Paul. Wil stopped breathing. Paul? Imagine how upset Paul will be when he learns that it was his fault Jo took her life� the voice persisted. Do you really want him to go through that, especially if you could stop him? The voice added.
Wil continued up the stairs with renewed determination. He was half way up the stairs before he realised that he didn't know what floor Jo lived on. Reluctant to go all the way back down to the lobby, he wavered on floor 15.
She lives on floor 17� it was that voice again. Wil didn't question it - he was in far too much of a hurry. When he reached floor 17, he was a little out of breath. Panting, he started down the hallway.
Door 3� the voice whispered. Wil stopped outside door 3. Now he was stuck. How was he going to get in?
Um� You might have Paul's room key on your key ring, the voice whispered sheepishly. Wil pulled his keys out of his pocket and sure enough, there was Paul's key.
Slipping it into the lock, Wil silently entered the appartment. He looked around, but Jo wasn't here. He quickly checked all the rooms, but they were all empty. Where was she?
She's not back yet genius, the voice muttered. It was then Wil actually had time to realise - the voice wasn't his.

Wil began to breathe heavily. A sigh sounded in his head. I wondered when you were going to figure that out, the voice grumbled. I would've thought it to be sooner, but it appears you have a lot on your mind, the voice chuckled.
"Who�who are you?" Wil stammered out loud. The voice laughed again. Don't freak out so much - I'm on your side, it tried to reassure him.
But Wil was unconvinced. Am I going mad? He wondered. I must be if I'm hearing voices�
The voice sighed, exasperated. You are NOT going mad Wil, it began.
"Of course you'd say that!" Wil interrupted, frightened by this alien voice inside his head. "You just don't want me to know I'm insane!" Wil was by now totally convinced that the voice in his head was his evil insanity, conspiring against him.
There was silence.
Then the voice said quietly, with seeping menace, Wil you're not insane because if you were, you wouldn't think this was insane.
Wil froze. The voice let that sink in, then added for good measure, insane people don't even consider the fact that they're insane.
Wil considered this.
"Alright," he accepted, "but that still doesn't tell me who you are and what you're doing in my head!" Silence again. Wil strained his ears, but had no idea why because the voice sounded in his mind, not the room around him.
Just call me�Nigel, the voice said finally.
Nigel? Wil wondered. What sort of name is that?
Hey! I heard that! The voice declared angrily. Oops. Wil quickly tried to think of something other than the weird name.
For the first time Wil actually took notice of his surroundings. Wow, he thought. This is a nice place. For a moment he forgot where he was and why he was here. Then it hit him. Jo was going to shoot herself! And she was going to be back any minute!
Don't panic, Nigel was annoyingly calm. Think carefully - how could you stop Jo from committing suicide?
Ummmmm�Wil thought frantically. Tackle her? Knock the gun away?
Nigel sighed. Why do I always get stuck with the stupid ones? Wil was just about to ask what the hell was that meant to mean, when he was hit by the vision.

Jo, Paul's now ex-girlfriend opened the front door of the appartment she used to share with him, and walked inside, dumping her coat and bag as she did so. She headed straight for the cupboard on the other side of the room.
Sobbing Jo pulled a gun out of the top drawer and held it to her temple. She was alone in the room; she had no one to stop her.
"I'm so sorry Paul," she whispered into the air, and pulled the trigger.

Wil awoke to find himself on the floor. The gun! She hasn't got the gun yet! He thought instantly. That's it!
He quickly raced over to the cupboard and opened the top drawer. The gun was still there. Just as Wil pulled the gun out, he heard someone slip a key into the lock.
Wil looked around frantically, but there was no where for him to hid except�
Wil dove across the room behind the couch. Unfortunately he misjudged the distance and hit his head on the wall. The last thing he heard as everything faded to black was Nigel sighing then chuckling slightly.

Paul stirred in his sleep, but didn't wake. He was dreaming. In his dream Wil was trying to help someone, but then he got into trouble himself. A voice gently began to speak. Wake up Paul, wake up. Wil needs you.
Paul awoke with a start. His hand automatically sought out Wil beside him�but found only emptiness.
"Wil?" Paul called, sitting up.
He's not here.
Paul jumped out of bed with a yell and promptly fell on the floor, tangled in sheets. Unlike Wil, he knew it wasn't his voice straight away. For one thing, it was female.
"What the fuck?" Paul looked around, bewildered. There was no one here. Suddenly he realised that the voice had come from his own mind - and was the same voice that had called to him in his dream. What was going on?
Listen very carefully, the voice spoke slowly for emphasise. Wil needs your help.
Fear threatened to engulf Paul when he thought of his Wil being hurt, but he fought it down. Now was not the time to panic. Another part of him declared that it was the perfect time to panic - but only a very small part.
Don't worry - it's not that bad�yet, the voice said.
"You make it sound like it could get worse," Paul grumbled and began to mutter about what it meant when you hear voices, as he tried to disentangle himself from the sheets.
Oh very funny, the voice said sarcastically. If you're not going to be nice then I won't help you, the voice added huffily.
Paul started questioning his sanity when he realised he was going to have to apoligise to a voice in his head. The voice waited patiently.
Paul's face twisted as though he was in terrible pain.
"I'm�I'm�I'm� sorry!" he finally cried out.
Much better, the voice replied cheerfully, knowing exactly the price that apology had cost him and enjoying it thoroughly.
Now, to help Wil you must go to the appartment you used to share with Jo. Behind the couch Wil is unconscious.
Paul's heart leapt into his throat as he thought of Wil lying there, hurt. He quickly suppressed the feeling.
Calm down, the voice instructed. He's not seriously hurt, but he will be if you don't hurry. Things could get pretty bad.
"Who are you?" Paul asked in bewilderment, even as he was reaching for his jacket.
Just call me�Ulyana.
Paul frowned at the strange name, but shrugged and ran out of the hotel.

Jo walked into the appartment, tears streaming down her face. Paul had been her entire life, and when she had seen THAT photo she had been crushed. When Paul hadn't called to explain she knew it was over; that he had chosen Wil over her. She had cried for days.
Now, after getting fired for making a stupid mistake because she wasn't concentrating, she had lost the will to live.
Jo walked straight over to the cupboard and pulled open the top drawer, reaching out even as she did so. But the gun wasn't there.
"What the fuck?!" she whispered. She quickly scanned the room, searching for anything else that might be missing, but as far as she could tell, nothing else was.
She turned her attention back to the drawer. She riffled through it just to be sure. The gun definitely wasn't there.
She frowned. She had just bought the goddam thing yesterday - how could she loose it so fast?
At first Jo didn't know what to do. She wandered around the room, lifting things up and putting them down again. She was looking for an answer.
That's when her eyes fell on the huge kitchen knife she had used that morning to make her lunch.
A sad smile spread across her face, and she slowly crossed them room and picked it up, testing the edge with the tip of her finger.