Nicole giggled, and happened to glance out the window from her position on Wil's lap.
"Wholly shit!" she cried, leaping out of Wil's embrace. "It's dark! Rove is going to think I've been kidnapped or something."
Wil grinned. "In a way, you have." Nicole tried not to laugh, but couldn't help herself. "I'm serious Wil," she said, pouting.
Wil chuckled. "You look so cute when you do that! Alright, we'll pop over for a little while to tell him we still exist." He groaned as he climbed up from his comfortable position on the couch.
"That's awfully sweet," Nicole replied, a cheeky grin spread across her face. "I might have to think of a way to repay you."
She laughed as Wil blushed. Grabbing Wil's hand, she headed out the door and across the street. Nicole knocked tentatively on Rove's door, unnerved by the silence.
"Rove?" she called. Sending Wil a worried glance when she got no answer, Nicole opened the door and went inside. Wil followed, shutting the door behind them.
It was by now well and truly dark, and Nicole's anxiety grew when she discovered none of the lights were on in Rove's house.
Flicking on as many as she could as she wandered through the house, Nicole searched for her friend. Wil let go of her hand to search the living room.
"Rove?" Nicole called, as she stuck her head into his bedroom. She half-expected him to be asleep on the bed, but he wasn't. The room was empty.
"Nicole!" Wil called her name. Nicole headed towards the direction it had come from. Wil stood in the middle of the kitchen, a note in his hand.
He looked up as Nicole came in, and silently handed it to her.

Dearest Nicole, just popped out to the beach to clear my mind. I can't stop thinking about you know who. Be back around 4. Your best buddy, Rove.

Nicole glanced at her watch. It was nearly 7pm.
"Okay, something is definitely wrong," she told Wil, her voice quivering. Wil took one look at her face and nodded.

Rove slowly awoke to find himself in a dark room. Where was he? His head spun, and it wasn't until he tried to place his hands on his throbbing head that he realised he was tied up.
Rove quickly began to panic. He looked around frantically, trying to assess where he was. He was in a tiny room - it looked like a basement - with no windows, and only one door, at the top of a flight of stairs. And he was tied to a chair.
He began to thrash around, hoping to loosen the ropes. He stopped suddenly as a voice interrupted him.
"Don't even think about it, Pretty Boy," the voice was dark and sinister. (Sorry, but I've always wanted to write that!)
Rove looked up, his eyes filled with fear. At the top of the flight of stairs, hidden by the shadows, he could just make out the figure of a man. The man didn't move - he just stood there watching him, waiting. Rove's eyes roamed around frantically, but there was nothing nearby that could help him. He turned his gaze back to the figure at the top of the stairs.
Rove could tell nothing about the figure, besides that it was a man. He was totally concealed by the shadow.
They stayed that way for quite some time, watching each other. It was like a game of dominance - neither looked away, and neither moved.
Finally the stranger broke the spell. Turning, he went out the door he had come in, his features still concealed by the darkness.
Once he was gone, Rove sunk back into the chair. Tears welled up in his eyes. The GNW rehearsal was tomorrow - if he wasn't out of here by then, Paul would think he wasn't interested! Not to mention, you know, the fact that he could be dead by morning�

Nicole raced down the beach, the fear in her heart making her run even faster. Finally, she reached her destination: a little rocky out crop where Rove often came to think about things. Tears welled up in her eyes. He wasn't there.
Turning, Nicole watched as Wil caught up, panting and out of breath. She flung her arms around his neck, and began sobbing into his shoulder.
"He's�he's�not here!" she wailed. Wil struggled to regain his breath, at the same time he wrapped his arms gently around her.
"Sshh� it's alright," he whispered gently. Nicole continued to sob - Wil could feel his shirt getting wet, but he couldn't care less.
"You really love him don't you?" he couldn't quite keep the disappointment out of his voice. "He's�he's my friend," Nicole managed to say.
"Just friends?" Wil didn't really want to push it at a time like this, but he had to know. Nicole sniffed and wiped away her tears, looking up at him. Despite her worry, she couldn't help but smile as she realised what Wil was suggesting.
"Wil - Rove's gay," she said, burying her face once more into his shoulder. Wil starred at the top of her head. Gay? Wil was amazed - he never would have guessed.
But come to think of it, it made sense. Now he knew, it was obvious - a thousand little things began to fall into place. Rove's love of shopping for example.
"Oh god, what if something's happened to him?" Nicole cried, as she pulled her face momentarily out of Wil's shirt. Her blue eyes were wide with fear.
Wil didn't say anything, he just hugged her closer. He couldn't promise that Rove was alright, simply because he didn't know.
"We'll keep looking," was all he could think of to say.

Paul's mood was alternating between happiness and extreme anxiety. Happiness because he was going to see Rove today, and anxiety because�well, because he was going to see Rove today. He began to pace his room, impatiently waiting for the taxi to come and take him to the studios.
What if Rove ignored him? What if he didn't?
Calm down Paul, he scolded himself. You're acting like a child. But he still was more nervous than usual when he jumped in the cab and headed towards the GNW studio.

"This is it," Wil declared, as he parked his rental outside the GNW studios. Nicole regarded the building with a critical eye. It didn't look like a t.v studio, but that was probably the point.
Nicole sighed. She really didn't want to do this.
"Let's get this over with," she muttered. Wil nodded and they both climbed out of the car. Nicole steeled herself against the confrontation that she knew was coming up, as she and Wil headed towards the security gates.
"Can I help you?" the security guard asked politely, looking from one to the other. Nicole nodded, then looked expectantly at Wil.
"I'm Wil Anderson," Wil said, a little self-conscience. "I need to get inside." The guard nodded, but he didn't move.
"I know who you are, but you're not on until next week, Mr Anderson," he replied in the same polite manner. Wil frowned.
"I know that," he said a little impatiently, "but I need to speak to Paul McDermott." The guard still didn't move.
"I'm sorry, but unless you are on the show, or have a special pass, I can't allow you inside," he said, his tone infuriatingly calm.
Nicole scowled. This was a waste of time - every minute counted. She reached across and grabbed the guard by the shirt, and promptly pulled him out of the window.
"Look buddy," she growled, pulling the guard within inches of her face. "I've had a really bad day, with no sleep what so ever, and you're not helping. We need to talk with Paul NOW!" she let the guard go roughly. "So go and get him."
The frightened guard scrambled to his feet. Her gave Nicole one look of pure terror, then raced off to find Paul. Nicole caught Wil starring at her. Oh great, she thought. Now he's going to think I'm a nutcase.
"Wil, I�"she started to say, but was interrupted by Wil's passionate kiss.
Wil laughed as he broke away.
"Boy, am I glad you're on my side!" he exclaimed. Nicole blushed. She thought he was just being silly, but Wil was serious.
"Rove is lucky to have a friend like you to help him out," he said, starring into her eyes. Nicole grinned.
"You say the nicest things," she replied, tweaking him on the nose.
They waited impatiently in the cold for the guard to return.

Paul sat on his tiny couch in his dressing room, his head buried in his hands. Rehearsal started in nearly 10 minutes, and Rove still wasn't here.
I've scared him off, Paul thought miserably, beginning to get utterly depressed. I never should have gone on about my feelings like that�what the hell was I thinking?
Just then there was a knock at his door. Paul glanced up, hopeful.
"Come in!" he called, trying not to be too enthusiastic. His face fell considerably when a security guard stuck his head around the door.
"Ex�excuse m...m�me, Mr McDermott," the guard stammered. Paul glanced up. The guard was obviously shaken about something. Paul decided not to ask - it was probably just Ted in a bad mood, scaring people again.
"Um�Wil�Wil Anderson's," the guard coughed, and tried to pull himself together. "Wil Anderson's here to see you." He broke off, uncomfortable, then added, "and he has a�lady�accomplace."
Paul frowned. Wil? Why was Wil here to see him?
"Thank you�" he glanced at the guard's name-tag. "Ian." He finished. "I'll take care of it." He climbed to his feet, and left the room.
Ian, the guard, looked around worriedly, then scuttled off to find Ted, the producer.

Nicole and Wil were just about to give up and leave, when a flustered Paul came running up to them. Nicole didn't waste any time in idle chit-chat.
"Is Rove here?" she demanded, as soon as Paul got within speaking distance. Paul stopped short (and hold the short gags please�) when he saw who it was.
"Why would you care, you two-timer whore?" he spat. Nicole was a little taken aback by this, but she quickly recovered. She didn't have time for this. So she used what had worked before. Reaching out, she grabbed hold of Paul's shirt, and dragged him within an inch of her angry face.
"Look Paul what-ever-your-name-is," she hissed. "I don't know what shit you've been listening to, and I really don't care what you've heard. I'm looking for Rove. If he's not here then just tell me and I'll go." Paul whimpered slightly under the onslaught of her gaze.
"You're�you're not Rove's girlfriend?" Paul asked a bit weakly. Nicole frowned, and shook her head. Paul was confused, but he managed to get out, "Rove isn't here. He said he would, but he's not." Nicole instantly let go of Paul, who fell to the ground with a thud, and turned to Wil.
"If he's not here, then he's definitely in trouble," she told Wil with a worried look. Wil frowned, confused.
"How do you know?" he asked. Nicole looked meaningfully at Paul, who was scrambling to his feet.
"Oh," was all Wil said.
"Rove's in trouble?" Paul asked, once again on his feet. Nicole glanced in annoyance at Paul, and was about to turn to go when Wil caught her arm.
"You'd better tell him," Wil said, although he had no idea why. Nicole looked at him questionally for a moment, but his expression gave away nothing.
Sighing, she turned to tell Paul what she knew.

Rove stared dejectedly at the floor. He had no idea what day it was, or how long he had been here. He shivered. It was so dark - so cold.
His arms and legs ached from being tied up for so long, his stomach growled from hunger, but all Rove could think about was Paul. Paul and Nicole.
Tears welled up in Rove's eyes. Poor Nicole, she must be so worried. He closed his eyes and let the tears flow.
Rove cried himself to sleep. It was some time later when he awoke to the sound of a key turning in a lock. He was awake instantly.
He squinted his eyes shut as the door opened and a beam of light flooded over his tear-stained cheeks, and into his eyes. He looked away.
He heard rather than saw the man approach him. Rove was terrified, but he refused to show it. He refused to give the bastard the satisfaction.
The man grabbed his hair, and yanked it back so Rove was forced to look up. Rove didn't cry out - he ignored the pain.
The man grunted - he was impressed, but he sowed no outward signs of it. Instead he struck Rove hard across the face, leaving a huge welt that was swiftly turning into a bruise.
"You will be broken," was all he said. Even in his pain, Rove felt there was something familiar about that voice�but then the man was gone.
When Rove dared to look up he realised that food and water had been left nearby, and the ropes that held his hands tied behind his back had been slit.
Rove quickly untied himself, and rushed over to the food. He considered the fact that it might be poisoned or something, but he didn't really care. He was so hungry.
After he had finished the food and most of the water, Rove took the time to explore his prison more carefully than he had been able to before. But it was no use. There was nothing.
Rove curled up in a corner, hugging his knees. His face ached where he had been struck. He whimpered quietly - he wished Paul was here. He was so cold�so very cold�Rove closed his eyes and surrendered to the approaching darkness.

Paul was - to put it mildly - freaking out. He paced the detective's office, worry etched on his face. His poor Rove!
Nicole watched Paul pace silently. Maybe there was more to him than she had first thought. He can't be all bad if Rove's in love with him, she thought. She closed her eyes to hold back the tears that threatened to flow.
Wil stared at the opposite wall, lost in his own thoughts. He wouldn't say that he and Rove had been the closest of friends, but they had known and liked each other.
"I hate being so helpless," Paul voiced all their thoughts. The other two didn't say anything, they just nodded.
Just then the detective walked into the room. He didn't introduce himself, he just began asking questions. How long has Rove been missing? Did you see anyone acting strangely? Has this happened before? Nicole answered most of the questions as best she could, but she quickly became sick of it. She really didn't think this was helping.
The detective saw she was getting impatient, and decided he had pretty much what he needed. "One last question," he said, as Nicole sighed. She nodded wearily.
"Did Rove have any enemies? Someone who might be jealous of him perhaps?" Nicole stared at the detective as though he had just grown another arm.
"I�I never really thought about it," she answered honestly. The detective nodded, then stood up. "You've been a great help," he said, shaking each of their hands in turn. He showed them out, then turned and began the paper work.

"Well that was a big waste of time," Nicole muttered dejectedly. Paul had been silent ever since they had left the office. Wil noticed first.
"Paul? What are you thinking?" he asked quietly. Paul shook himself out of his daze.
"I know where he is!" he cried, then raced off to Wil's rental. Nicole and Wil stared at each other before quickly running after him.

Rove awoke to discover someone standing over him. Instantly alert, he tried to scramble to his feet, but was roughly pushed back down again.
"Stay where you are Pretty Boy," a voice growled. Rove gasped. He knew that voice! He looked up and was able to see his jailer for the first time.
"You!" he cried, more astounded than scared. His attacker just scowled, and kicked Rove where he lay. Rove gasped and doubled over. Grinning at the sight of Rove's pain, Tim began to beat him, harder and harder, enjoying every minute.
Before long Rove was swimming in a sea of pain. He could no longer tell when Tim beat him, it just mixed in with the rest of his aching body.
"I'll teach you to steal Paul away from me!" Tim screamed, as he began to use his fists as well as his shoes, but Rove didn't hear. He was beyond hearing by now.
Tim grinned when he saw the monkey wrench lying nearby. Walking over to pick it up, he tested the weight of it in his hands. A cruel smile crept across his face as he walked back towards Rove, determined to end this once and for all.
"Paul will be mine," he whispered as he brought the wrench crashing down.

Wil pulled up outside Tim's house. All three of them stared at the building.
"Are you sure about this Paul?" Nicole asked dubiously. Instead of answering, Paul climbed out of the car and headed for the front door.
Nicole turned to Wil and shrugged, then they both got out to follow. Paul tried the doorknob - it was open. Glancing behind at the others to see if they were following, he turned and went inside.
They all heard it at once - a steady dull thumping noise, followed by a manic laugh. A deep sense of forbidding welled up in all three, as they raced down the stairs into the basement, where the noise seemed to coming from.

Tim laughed as he brought the heavy wrench down on Rove again and again. He didn't notice that Rove hadn't moved for nearly ten minutes.
"NO!" Tim turned swiftly to see Paul, Wil and some girl standing in the doorway.
"Uh oh," was all he managed to get out before all three enraged people tackled him, and dragged him to the floor.
After a brief and unfair struggle, Tim was tied to the same chair that Rove had been tied to. Nicole and Paul wanted to do more than just tie him up, but Wil stopped them from doing something they might regret. Not bloody likely, Paul thought, as he turned his attention to Rove.
"My god," he whimpered as he saw the extent of Tim's onslaught. Rove didn't move. Gingerly, afraid of what he'd find, Paul reached out to check his pulse.

Everything was black - total and utter black. Rove was swimming, swimming in nothingness. He listened, fascinated, to the only sound he could hear.
It was faint, and irregular, but it sounded like drums. Rove realised it was his own heart. It was so faint�slowly he became aware of another sound. It started out as faint as his heartbeat, but grew louder. It was someone crying.
Rove drifted towards the sound, but as he did, he felt pain. So much pain! When he couldn't bare it, he nearly turned to go back into that nothingness, but then he recognised the crying. It was Paul. His Paul. Why was Paul sad? Rove tried with renewed determination to reach his Paul - to comfort him and tell him everything was going to be alright.
Rove slowly opened his eyes. It hurt so much, but he saw Paul. Paul can make it better, he thought. He struggled to speak, to tell Paul he was here.
"Paul�"Rove finally managed to whisper. Paul stopped crying instantly, and turned to where Rove lay on the ground.
"Rove!" he cried. "You're�you're going to be alright," he managed to stammer through his tears, but Rove could see it in his eyes. It was bad.
"I'm�I'm not afraid to go�" he whispered. He saw Nicole over Paul's shoulder. "Nicole�" he tried to reach out to her, but he was far too weak. Nicole knelt beside Paul, her eyes overflowing with tears.
"Don't leave me Rove!" she cried, desperately clinging to his hand. "Don't you dare leave me!" Rove just smiled sadly.
"I'm sorry, Nic�" he whispered. He turned back to Paul, whose eyes were once again filled with tears.
"I�I love you�" Rove whispered with his last breath.
Paul hugged Rove's damaged body to him, sobbing uncontrollably. In the distance, sirens wailed.